Thursday, November 20, 2008
Lina and School
Lydia-ness
Lydia LOVES to watch the lobsters at Publix. She is fascinated with them. We were heading somewhere and while I was getting the car loaded Lyd is yelling for me to come see the lobster in the street (driveway). "Yes, I see it honey, let's get in the car now" knowing full well- there is no lobster. She continues with the "lobster" bit so I head over......to see the grasshopper in the driveway. Awwww.
Heading out the door to go get Lina from school. Lydia yells- "there's a wurm" Uh, no. That would be a SNAKE dear!!! Then she says, "it's just like daddy". Well, Daddy can be a stinker, but he's no snake so I ask her to explain. "It has bwack hair like daddy". Yup, black snake. : )
We watched the space shuttle the other night. COOOOOOL! We watched it on TV and once taking off we went out to the driveway. "The space shovel is getting the moon" reports Lydia.
One Month Later
Here is Papa, Grammy, and girls!
The following week was Halloween. Lydia LOVED Halloween....and Lyd doesn't LOVE much. Lina enjoyed herself and loved her costume. Here are my little sweeties....candy corn fairy, M&M, and a package of Smarties. Poor Lila had an ear infection the entire month of October and first week of November. 3 antibiotics later she is finally "all clear".....and now has 6 teeth working their way to the surface.
Little Pumpkins!
Lila loves Cheerios....and peas even at the same time. Gross.
Now 9 months old! WHA??? Finally sitting up on own, but doesn't get to that position on her own. Still no crawling or pulling up. Seems there is another late walker on our hands. Lila Joy gets "rescued" a lot so I am sure that has a lot to do with it. Why work to get something when it will be handed to you? Why get up when someone will come pick me up (I am guilty of that)?
Well, we tried and we supported. The election didn't go as I had hoped and prayed it would, but that heavy feeling of "oh dear" is slowly subsiding. Although come January I am sure that will surface again. I truly can't believe how people think this is going to be a good move. We'll see...and pray. Here are my little Republicans on Election Day!
We took the girls to the UCF Homecoming parade, tailgating, and game (I left with little girls after 1st quarter. Lina stayed the whole game. Thanks to the Brinks and their help!!) Here we are waiting for the parade. Why, yes. Lydia is wearing red cowboy boots. She loves those things and I chose not to battle that....just brought the Keds along.
It had been a L O N G day. Here we are ready to go in- but wait- the car went dead so Bob called AAA and they came to jump us. Soooo happy we noticed that BEFORE we went into the game. The girls were playing in the car and apparently turned the key....where were the 4 adults that were supervising you ask? Hmmmmm?
I have no more pictures for this month. I have been trying to take more video. I need to learn how to share that here.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Kindergarten Project
Monday, October 13, 2008
(sigh) Election 2008
Before you vote, and while the campaign is rolling, consider this prayer:
Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.
My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with flattery.
O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.
AMEN
Christians are called to stand in the gap. We need to realize that we indeed MUST pray for our nation in a time such as this. No matter what your political party may be, we must seek God's will and plan for our future. The most powerful weapon we have is prayer. USE IT!!
By the way, this is no ordinary prayer. It is straight from the heart of David. The prayer, in its entirety is Psalm 5:8-12 (quoted above in the New Living Translation). Doesn't it amaze you that the prayer written by a great man of God thousands of years ago still are "spot on" for our world today? The Bible never goes out of style!
Please pass this on, and encourage others to bend their knees in prayer during this election season. We can't afford not to!!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Halloween Costumes
Lina will be a candy corn fairy. Wanted to just be a piece of candy corn.
Lyd the m&m
Lila will be a package of Smarties.
My little sweeties!
I also feel the need to have a theme with the girls. Last year was the best. My bubble bath girl and a duck. Get it? That was cute. I had wanted the 3 little pigs, but Lina wasn't going for it.
One day (that I really don't even care for, but it's fun to dress up) causing me to waste so much time. While speaking about Halloween. When did it get soooooo stinkin' spooky and icky??? Was it always? Maybe I am just more sensitive to it now? Houses getting all decked out? C'mon.
Regardless, Halloween can't get here soon enough. The candy (that has, yes, been opened) needs to get out of this house!! ; )
Stay tuned for sweet pictures!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Happy Four Years to Us
4 years. That little peanut all growing up on us now.
We've always done something special on this day. Today she is in school. Feels weird without her here. I did make a little scrapbook on shutterfly and for dinner Lina wants baked potatoes and salad. Cool. That I can do!
Thank you God for making me Angelina's momma!
Full of It
No offense taken I hope. This would be Lydia we're talking about and she is full of it. Poop that is. Lovely. Lydia has had horrible constipation for over a year now. Last week after an eventful evening I took her to the doctor because this just can't be right. Doc sent us for an x-ray and then make a plan from there.
Took Lydia to the hospital yesterday for her x-ray and let me tell you- that was A LOT of fun.
Doctor called about 4 hours later (love this gal) and she said, "Lydia is full of poop from top to bottom". Nice.
So, we're on super clean out this week and next.
Nope. No pictures!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Visiting with an Old Pal
Our first meeting in August 2003
And again in September 2003 in Arkansas
It sure was nice to visit your family, Kelly. Wish it could have been longer. I am glad you all had this time together. I love your girls and that Caden is the sweetest boy I have ever had the chance to talk to...or listen to. : ) Love you, Girl!
Kelly's husband is one of the many brave soliders in the US Army that protect you and I. Would you please pray for D as he prepares for another deployment? Would you please pray for this family as their hero is away from them for the next year? Thanks!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The Weekend
She's a White Sock
Perseverance and Pride
Miss Lina is the student of the month in the kindergarten for showing the character ed word of "PERSEVERANCE". Sniff sniff. If you ask her what it means- she even knows!
What a month of perseverance it has been, which is kind of ironic. At least once or twice a week I make a phone call to Bob in tears and say "that's it, let's pull her" - meaning out of that school.
Lina seems to be settling in though. Maybe once a week something happens that adds fuel to my fire, but I am continuing to pray and not react emotionally. I just don't love it and I really wanted to. No changes before the end of the quarter (end of October) and for now we are just really proud of Lina and her perseverance.
Monday, September 22, 2008
7 Months Old and the Hips are in Good Shape
Back from Boston
Truth be known I NEEDED to get away. There I said it. I needed to get out of my house and away from the girls. Gosh, that is just awful to see in writing. 5 years ago if someone would have said that and I heard it or read it- I would have gone ballistic. It's not them, it's the whining, the battle at dinner and bedtime, my stressing over decision for school, THE HEAT, and just being tired. I get nothing done and it wore me down. I love that we chose for me to be a stay at home mom and I wouldn't trade this gig for anything, but I needed a break.
I am refreshed though! Although frustrations with school today (why it is sooooo difficult for someone to show some compassion to my child and HELP her with her potty fear is beyond me)did bug me pretty badly.
Thursday we arrived, got our rental car and hit the Mass Tpke and the tolls (oooops, they don't care of you didn't mean to go through the toll booth again....and again), checked out by driving by what we would like to do, and then went to hotel to freshen up a bit. Our hotel was literally ON the Tpke. Not so much a quiet place. We found a great place for dinner and enjoyed some chowder (it was perfect!) and fish and chips. We crashed pretty early that night...although Lila had a rough night.
Friday our friends Mark and Mary Beth arrived at about 1:30. Before getting them we toured the USS Constitution. Bob totally digs that stuff. I enjoy it too though. Lila wasn't totally impressed, but did a good job. After grabbing Mark and MB we were off to Sam Adams brewery tour, of course, being the German Lutherans that we are. Cool tour. 3 samples of beer and then we were off to Faneuil Hall and Cheers for lunch/early dinner. We walked a few miles to the pond where the story Make Way for Ducklings takes place. It looks just like the book and they have these cute duck statues...Mrs. Mallard, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Oack, Pack....$35 later for parking we headed back to the hotel. Some troubles with checking in scored the 4 of us free breakfast for the next 2 days! Nice.
Saturday was a perfect football weather day....had UCF actually PLAYED. Ugh. We had to park about 8 miles away from campus and ride on a school bus to BC. Before that we did receive a police escort to a deserted parking lot to tailgate. Too funny. First half was great. Third quarter Lila snoozed (and we sat in a ticket booth- nice college kids let me in) and when we went back- things just fell apart. Did I mention the weather was wonderful though?? ; )
After the game we stopped for dinner and enjoyed more chowder.
That night we got ice cream and just hung out.
Sunday we got up early to see Harvard, check out a local market, find the best Boston Cream Pie EVER made (for lunch), and checked out some other last minute sights.
Pretty city....we'll be back!
Lina and Lydia did great with Carmen and her family. They enjoyed playing and swimming and having "Tia" to themselves. The report about Lina's first game- Lina had 2 hits and skipped to every base. Atta girl! Next game on Saturday.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
So It's Been Awhile
This week at school went well. Lina announced that she loves Kindergarten because she is learning and that she has a best friend. Lina kind of plays with everyone and no real loyalty to anyone. That is until Anthony came around. He is a sweet boy. They walk down the hall together and are so happy to see one another in the morning. It's sweet. Bob told Lina "no boyfriends" and she said, "we're BEST friends, not a boy friend" Sweet girl.
School is different than I expected- that's for sure. I think we are going to be ok. In the next week starts reading and math groups and I think Lina will eat that up. Lina will also be a Daisy Scout and that starts this week. Fun times!
Lina started T-ball tonight. She is now a member of the White Sox. It rained and really that was the best part of it for Lina. She looks so tiny out there on that field. Her first love, Joe from 3yr old preschool, is on her team and his dad is the coach. Some thunder booms ended practice early.
Here are some pics. I tried to stay off the field so they are a little far away. We need to invest in a good lens.....some day.
I love this picture!! : )
And she takes the field. It's raining pretty steady here. Doesn't she look like an itty bit?
Enough about Lina : )......
Bob has gotten slammed at work this week. YEAH GOD! He has more jobs this month than he has alllllll year. We are in the 9th month of the year, you know that, right? The timing isn't too good with his mom's surgery recovery and our trip to Boston, but we are thankful!
Lydia is Lydia. Love that girl. She had a good eating week. Lyd ate chicken brushetta and turkey. THAT's HUGE! Tonight she ate olives. However if I serve that this week she won't eat it.
Lila Joy is growing. She had her 6 month check last week and weighs a big ol 14 lbs! I do have small children that's for sure. She enjoys eating solids and for the most part sleeps great at night. Lila is heading down that same path at Lydia though with the ol potty woes. I tell you my life revolves around poop.
Me. Oh, I am fine. I am ready for a change of weather. Our trip to Boston will be wonderful if I get everything done in time!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Playing with Pals
I love that little girls all just hold hands, giggle, and dance...and act like they have been best friends forever.
Lila Joy....soooo tired and could someone give this child a bib or some rag to drip on. She is a faucet!! And I am pretty sure that her eyes just keep getting bigger and bluer ; )
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Thrown in the Deep End
Last week I shared how watching Lina walk down the hallway to school was like throwing her in the deep end of a pool and praying she made it to the side. I have just been very unsettled about school. Which kills me because I prayed over this decision, I love what the school has to offer, love that it takes me 5 (with littles in stroller) to walk to school....yet something is missing.
Just pray for Lina and for Bob and I as we might make some changes here in the coming weeks.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
By The Way...We're Getting a New Fence
This Side of the Desk
That little girl that filled my empty arms has "left the nest" (for a few hours a day anyway) and it's hard. Really hard.
Lina's first week of school included 2 days off and a day that they should have had off. It was just a weird week. Lina had to buy milk, eat lunch in a cafeteria, meet new people, make new friends, be in a new environment, and use a potty that has a light/fan combo that is not good for her AT ALL.
Lina is a smart little girl. Not the most mature, mind you, but smart. She can be a little "out there" as well.
Monday Lina was a little sad about leaving me and I admit I cried more this Monday than that first day of school. I couldn't walk her to her classroom. I watched from the end of the hall. It felt like I threw her in the deep end and prayed she made it to the side (of course Lina is a great swimmer and would totally make it to the side, but that analogy is good, no?)
Lina wet her pants that day. She hasn't wet her pants in 2 years!
Well, that sent me into defense mode. I emailed Lina's teacher without really stepping back, thinking, looking at the big picture. It was all "Momma Cub".
Tuesday Lina was sad again, but she had a good day.....and used the potty!
Wednesday is early day. She came out all smiles and in the same clothes she left in! Yippppee! We went to celebrate and play at Chick Fil A for awhile (ok maybe we went more for me because I am toooooo stinkin' hot to play outside).
School is interesting. Public school is interesting. This is the first time in my life that I am in this system. It's different than where I came from. At TLS there is very much "catering to one's needs". While the resources, curriculum, activities, staff, teacher, programs are incredible....that "catering" (and that's not really the word I want) isn't here. It's only been 6 days though. Last night I prayed for peace. And you know....today I have it.
Lina and I are just going to take one day at a time and figure out this whole school thing.
Parenting is not easy. I learned a lot these past few days and there is a whole lot more to learn!
They Do Play Nicely Together....Sometimes
T-Ball Anyone?
IKEA. Swedish for Frustrating.
Anyway putting this dresser together was a challenge. Oh no, not for myself. BOB. Usually a pretty patient person (and maybe it was his "help"), but this was a project indeed.
No pictures of the finished product yet. Still working on decorating and making the room "Lina and Lydia".
Why yes. Lydia is only wearing a diaper. That is how she was found after her "nap" (that apparently she never fell asleep for.....Lina and I left and I will leave it at that).
Friday, August 22, 2008
Shhh! Listen. The Rain Has Stopped...for Now
Why, yes, Bob needs some oxygen!
So Lina has lost 2 Fridays that she had off in October because of this silly storm. We were very fortunate to not have any flooding like you may see on TV. Bob said tonight that we got over 12 inches in 4 days. Grass and plants should be greener than green next week!
Lila got a new toy for the Tropical Storm. She's not loving it, but does a few minutes in it. Bob says he is going to clean up the exersaucer this weekend. Lila is ready and could use a new environment. I also bought a Bumbo chair from Craigslist. Well, I didn't buy it yet. We are meeting on Monday for the exchange : )
Lila is not sitting up for very long and really has no interest WHATSOEVER to be on her tummy and roll around. I try though. Lydia never crawled..until almost 11 months and then didn't walk till 16 months. I don't want that for Lila.
Lina actually slept till 7:30 and she only woke up because Lydia wakes up and continues to get upset rather than just simply calling for one of us.
Here is a look at the new sleeping arrangments for Lina and Lydia
We made water, soap, and food coloring bottles, colored a bunch of pictures, took a brief walk outside, made rice krispie treats, watched a movie(s), and then Bob and I took the girls to Costco and we were "those" parents. We let our children run wild! There was no one in the store.
Lydia and I went to a Gymboree class yesterday. It was fun to play with just Lyd, but I didn't exactly love Gymboree. Lydia loved it and I suppose that's what matters. I think we'll be doing that on Thursdays.
Tomorrow I am going to sign Lina up for T-Ball. He he! That will be a sight.Thursday, August 21, 2008
Rain Rain GO AWAY Already!
Lina was soooo tired tonight. Therefore she was crying over, oh, EVERYthing. We had dinner early, bath early (and Lyd pooped in the tub- that's ok- I'll take whenever she does poop!), and Lina was asleep by 7:15. Oh, she'll be up at 6! Can you say MOVIE DAY??
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
And We're Off......
Tiny L was 6 months old yesterday. That's crazy! Time is flying. Lila sleeps beautifully through the night and loves peas and sweet potatoes. She was to go to doc this am, but that too was cancelled because of the storm that never happened!
And so as to not hear from my mom "where are pictures of Lydia". Here is the Little L all jammied up....for naptime.