Dear Blog

Dear Blog,


Please forgive me for dropping off the face of the blogging world. I have been very busy with life. I am learning very quickly that I am finding it difficult to do much of anything with my little monkey of a 2 year old. She loves to climb and get into everything except the toys that are just for her. My keys just recently ended up in a toilet. Clothes are being found in the trash cans. Toilet paper strips are placed beautifully around the house. Phone calls are being placed and maybe even voicemails left for the unexpected receiver. Tables are being climbed and the computer keyboarded is getting a workout, just not by me. In fact, it has been so long since I've used the keyboard, I've forgotten how to work the keys. I'm now getting it mixed up with the Blackberry. For now, here are a few pictures of the little monkey.

Loves a computer!

We have to strip her down to eat. What a mess she makes! She found the big bowl of mashed potatoes after we finished dinner.

Mmmmm! Eating again!

Wall Art

Weekly Reflection

Sitting down with my cup of coffee and reflecting on the week.

The school year is off to a great start for myself and the kids. The girls love their teachers and adjusting well into the routine. Abby got her first hundred on her vocab test~ Always thankful that my girls are responsible for doing their homework and studying. We set that expectation from the beginning and though it wasn't always easy back then, it sure has made life easier now. School is going well for me. As always, there is never enough time and I feel like I am having to use part of the weekend to try and catch up. Praying that all that will begin to fall into place so that I won't have to bring any work home during family time.

Matt got free tickets to the first ECU football game! We are so excited even if we'll be sitting in the nosebleed section. Caroline has never been to a game. I'm hoping that she'll enjoy the whole atmosphere thing and not get bored.

Jill's Memorial Service was Friday. It was bittersweet~missing her but happy that she is not hurting anymore. Her service was exactly what she wanted. She didn't want it to be about her but all about Jesus. We sang praises and worshipped. I know she had to have been dancing, singing, and smiling down on us. She will continue to touch people's lives with the work she did with her time on earth. A servant of God.

Mattie's OT, Miss Amanda is moving. I know Mattie will miss her. I remember the first couple sessions with her and how Mattie didn't want to sit still. Amanda was very patient and consistent with her. Within the next couple of weeks, as soon as she saw her, she would just plop down in her lap, ready to work. Though we will miss Amanda, we welcome Ms. Kim back. Mattie did an awesome job with her this week and loves her too. I am so thankful for a support of great helpers.
We are also very thankful for Ms. Angela, her speech therapist. She has high expectations for Mattie and by the end of the session this week, Mattie was signing grape and saying "gaa-gaa-gaa". Little steps in the right direction.

Humbled

As I sit here writing this post, I can honestly say I am humbled to have met such an amazing woman by the name of Jill Hollis. Jill has been battling ALS and through it all has been a source of strength. Tonight Jill has joined Jesus in Heaven. She is no longer imprisoned in her body but dancing, singing, and worshipping! She has longed for this moment for quite some time so you cannot be sad for her~only rejoice! Take the time to read her blog and maybe you to will be Altered!

Rest in peace~

Back to Reality

School is back in session and I am feeling it. It is so hard to transition from vacation to work. I am thankful for the routine back in our lives. However, the 5 o'clock mornings, I could do without. The girls are glad to be at school. Even Mattie is enjoying the time back with her friends. Every morning she walks the school hall greeting everyone "Hi" "Hi". She is miss little independent. She loves to carry her lunchbox and is learning the direction of her classroom. She loves sitting at the little table and chairs for her breakfast and lunch. The first two days, she did great at sleeping on her cot. I was so proud of her! Then she figured out that she could get off her cot A LOT. Her daycare teacher finally had to put her back in the crib. Following given directions has really been our weakness. She just doesn't listen well and this is something that we are really working on. If anyone has had similar issues and has suggestions please send them my way. Our biggest issue is her trying to run off. I have to hold her hand all the time and if she does break free, she will not come back when you call. It is really mostly in public or wide open spaces. Home is really not an issue.

Well, my time is up~more vacation pictures to post soon.

More Vacation Fun

Things you can do at the ocean in no particular order.....

Try to feed the puppy sand.

Catch a tan while listening to tunes.

Let the sound of the ocean waves put you to sleep.

Just dance......

Look for shells.......

and find several sand dollars!

Go fishing with your dad.

Catch a few waves......you're never too old.

More vacation pictures to come soon.......

Footprints in the Sand

Just returned from a weeks vacation to the Outer Banks. We had a really nice time. Of course, you can never fully rest with a toddler but we made wonderful memories. I could never post about our whole trip at once so I've decided that I'm going to post over the next week or so. We camped at our favorite campground, Camp Hatteras. Everyone is so friendly and we always meet the nicest people. This trip we met a couple from Pittsburgh and another from Virginia. Caroline met a little girl who lives in Pinetown, NC. Abby made great friends with a boy from Virginia and a girl from New Jersey. Thank goodness for facebook so we can keep up with our new friends!

During your camp stay, they have activities planned Thursday thru Monday. We decided to participate in Footprints in the Sand. The cost- one dollar. The experience-priceless. Here are the girls getting the sand cast of their foot.

Mattie's footprint was harder since she didn't have enough weight to press down. After pressing, the activity directors sprayed the prints with hairspray and poured in Plaster of Paris.

One hour later, we picked up the girls' feet. Aren't they neat?

And one of my favorite poems, Footprints in the Sand..........

Doing the Potty Dance!

So I decided to dust off the potty and give it another try. Our main dilemma was where in the world did the pot disappear too? We had the potty but no pot. The joys of an upside down house. I gave up and on Monday went and bought the seat that goes on the real potty along with a step stool. And I am SO glad that I did! On Tuesday we thought we'd try and get acquainted with the new seat. The first time we sat Mattie on the seat, she went tinkle!! Then after her nap she surprised us with a poo and a tinkle. She went again two more times that day. I couldn't believe how well she did! And the number one reason I love that seat? She can't get down by herself. She is so happy just sitting on the potty. On the other seat, she was more interested in playing on the seat, getting up and down. I guess there is a reason that pot disappeared.

So yesterday, she only went once. I wasn't able to catch her at the right times and I was out and about running errands. Let's face it, this takes consistent commitment and it's not easy when you have a lot going on.

Not much luck today and I have a feeling with having therapy, orthodontics appt. and softball camp it won't be much better. But we won't give up! I know we will have good days and not so good days but this is progress. We are moving in the right direction!