The big baby sister is so sweet. She is finally coming to accept the fact that the baby will be staying with us permanently. The past 17 months have been a huge challenge. I was expecting some resistance to the newcomer, but never imagined it would be quite so intense. Lately, however, the big sister seems to be growing more secure with the baby. I still don't trust her to be alone with her baby sister, but at least she doesn't kick her in the head right in front of me (we celebrate the small victories in this house).
Anyhoo...school has been great for the big baby sister. She is learning quite a bit, and is enjoying being around some of her old friends from both Jane Jane's and The Learning Center. She recently decided she wants her hair done every day. It's fun learning how to do her hair!
December 15, 2009
The Big Brother
The big brother is such a blessing in my life. He is so smart. He is in an advanced reading class, and made the 2nd grade UIL writing team. He is showing a great interest in science and art. His inquisitiveness astounds me. I have a half-finished masters degree in Biology, yet he still manages to stump me with his questions. It is neat to be able to use the internet to point him in the direction he needs to go and let him answer his own questions. He has read over 100 books this semester, and is reading at a 6th grade level. He is also very responsible and tries his hardest to be kind to his brother and sisters. He is really close to the baby, and is always so sweet to her.
The Baby
Every morning the hubs and the baby are the first ones awake in the house. The baby serves as the family alarm clock, and since the hubs has to leave every morning by 6 to beat traffic, he wakes up with her, gets her breakfast, packs his lunch, and plays with her for a bit before leaving for the day.
This morning was no different, except that I laid awake in bed and listened to their early morning interactions. There's just something so heartwarming about listening to the man you love fawn over the baby you both love when you know that he is unaware of your eavesdropping. As he carried her in to me before leaving for the day, I took a minute to thank God for blessing me with him. And her. And the big kids. I don't know what I did to deserve the little family I have, but I feel honored to share my life with them.
This morning was no different, except that I laid awake in bed and listened to their early morning interactions. There's just something so heartwarming about listening to the man you love fawn over the baby you both love when you know that he is unaware of your eavesdropping. As he carried her in to me before leaving for the day, I took a minute to thank God for blessing me with him. And her. And the big kids. I don't know what I did to deserve the little family I have, but I feel honored to share my life with them.
I cannot believe this year is almost over. A year ago, John was graduating from college. So much has changed, but quite a bit is the same as well. Maybe I should write a blog post about that- compare/contrast life before and after spousal graduation....hmmm... sounds promising. Maybe I'll put it in the pipeline for future use.
Anyway, with the end of the year comes end of year preparations for tax season. One of the things our church does each December is tithing settlement. Basically, you set an appointment with the Bishop and declare whether you have paid a full 10% in tithes on your increase. If you have, you get a nice pat on the back and are reminded of the blessings that are promised to you for doing this. If you haven't, you get challenged to do better next year. It's a bit of an internal control mechanism as well, as it gives you a chance to compare the church's records with your personal records and reconcile them if necessary. Sometime this past month, the hubs decided to sign our family up for tithing settlement. As we were riding home a couple Sundays ago, he informed me that we would have our appointment on the 13th at 8:45 am. In other words, on Sunday before church. Have I mentioned we drive approximately 20 miles to church- each way?
So last Sunday was the day. The hubs woke me up before 6, and we proceeded to get the kids breakfasted, showered, and dressed. We were shooting to leave about 8:00. Well, lots of shouting, some tears, and some very unladylike expressions from me to him later, we were on our way. We ended up getting on the road around 8:35. On the way, I told him that I had looked at the sign-up sheet, and that our appointment was actually at 9:15, so we should be okay on time.
We pulled up to the church, exchanged one more round of pleasantries, unloaded everyone, and headed for the bishop's office. Upon reaching the door, we looked at the sign-up sheet and noticed that our 9:15 a.m. appointment was actually for 9:15 PM. (!!) On Wednesday. (!!)
Oh well, at least we got to sit in the soft seats at church.
Anyway, with the end of the year comes end of year preparations for tax season. One of the things our church does each December is tithing settlement. Basically, you set an appointment with the Bishop and declare whether you have paid a full 10% in tithes on your increase. If you have, you get a nice pat on the back and are reminded of the blessings that are promised to you for doing this. If you haven't, you get challenged to do better next year. It's a bit of an internal control mechanism as well, as it gives you a chance to compare the church's records with your personal records and reconcile them if necessary. Sometime this past month, the hubs decided to sign our family up for tithing settlement. As we were riding home a couple Sundays ago, he informed me that we would have our appointment on the 13th at 8:45 am. In other words, on Sunday before church. Have I mentioned we drive approximately 20 miles to church- each way?
So last Sunday was the day. The hubs woke me up before 6, and we proceeded to get the kids breakfasted, showered, and dressed. We were shooting to leave about 8:00. Well, lots of shouting, some tears, and some very unladylike expressions from me to him later, we were on our way. We ended up getting on the road around 8:35. On the way, I told him that I had looked at the sign-up sheet, and that our appointment was actually at 9:15, so we should be okay on time.
We pulled up to the church, exchanged one more round of pleasantries, unloaded everyone, and headed for the bishop's office. Upon reaching the door, we looked at the sign-up sheet and noticed that our 9:15 a.m. appointment was actually for 9:15 PM. (!!) On Wednesday. (!!)
Oh well, at least we got to sit in the soft seats at church.
October 30, 2009
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you....Happy birthday to you....Happy birthday dear Reddy!!! Happy birthday to you!!
I can't believe it's been a year since we brought home our big red bundle of joy, Reddy. He went in for a tune-up the other day, and we found out that he has to have his breaks worked on. It should be a relatively minor procedure- a little more involved than when we had his tires rotated a couple months ago, but not too complicated. We are hoping he doesn't have to have his rotors machined and turned, but if that's necessary, we'll do it. We just want him to be healthy.
Just because I don't want to forget, here are Reddy's stats:
Reddy was only a few months old when we adopted him, and only had 54 miles on him. In 12 months, we have added 31,253 miles (95 percentile). He has had his oil changed 10 times (75th percentile), made 3 trips to Arizona (50th percentile) and been camped in once.
John drives Reddy to downtown Dallas every morning and back every evening. Reddy never lets us down, and we love him so much!
We love you Reddy!! Happy Birthday!!
I can't believe it's been a year since we brought home our big red bundle of joy, Reddy. He went in for a tune-up the other day, and we found out that he has to have his breaks worked on. It should be a relatively minor procedure- a little more involved than when we had his tires rotated a couple months ago, but not too complicated. We are hoping he doesn't have to have his rotors machined and turned, but if that's necessary, we'll do it. We just want him to be healthy.
Just because I don't want to forget, here are Reddy's stats:
Reddy was only a few months old when we adopted him, and only had 54 miles on him. In 12 months, we have added 31,253 miles (95 percentile). He has had his oil changed 10 times (75th percentile), made 3 trips to Arizona (50th percentile) and been camped in once.
John drives Reddy to downtown Dallas every morning and back every evening. Reddy never lets us down, and we love him so much!
We love you Reddy!! Happy Birthday!!
September 2, 2009
Settled
John reports to training for his new job in about a week and a half. It amazes me how settled this new job makes me feel. I know that while he is in training the next two years we will continue to struggle a bit financially, but I am so glad this is an actual career job, not just a two year stop. Usually, new grad accountants work for one of the Big 4 for two years to gain their "coveted" two years experience, then move on to smaller, regional companies. Basically, during your first two years out, you work long hours at low pay. Well, John will get to work a straight 40 hour week at decent pay with the possibility of making a career out of the job. I'm excited for him to start, and I feel very settled and excited for our future.
The kids are enjoying school. They have great teachers this year. Collin has Mrs. Davidson, Cam has Mrs. Draughn, and Caitlyn has Mrs. Barbie. There was lots of cheering this year when they received their postcards in the mail! They are riding the bus this year, and let me tell you- it is nice! I never allowed them to ride it before because they had both elementary schools (k-5) combined onto one bus. They learn enough "pleasant conversation" from their own peer group- I didn't want to even find out what they would learn from the 5th graders...
Caleigh and I have settled into a fun little routine. We get the older kids ready for the bus, send them off, go for walks, and spend time playing fun little Caleigh games (horsey, hop on the bed, hide, peek a boo). I am really enjoying being a full-time mom. I did not register for any classes this semester because quite frankly, we did not know whether we would be here or not. It's great to take a break. I haven't taken an entire semester off since Caitlyn was born in the spring of 2005. Wow! That's been quite a while!
I guess that's about it for us for now.
The kids are enjoying school. They have great teachers this year. Collin has Mrs. Davidson, Cam has Mrs. Draughn, and Caitlyn has Mrs. Barbie. There was lots of cheering this year when they received their postcards in the mail! They are riding the bus this year, and let me tell you- it is nice! I never allowed them to ride it before because they had both elementary schools (k-5) combined onto one bus. They learn enough "pleasant conversation" from their own peer group- I didn't want to even find out what they would learn from the 5th graders...
Caleigh and I have settled into a fun little routine. We get the older kids ready for the bus, send them off, go for walks, and spend time playing fun little Caleigh games (horsey, hop on the bed, hide, peek a boo). I am really enjoying being a full-time mom. I did not register for any classes this semester because quite frankly, we did not know whether we would be here or not. It's great to take a break. I haven't taken an entire semester off since Caitlyn was born in the spring of 2005. Wow! That's been quite a while!
I guess that's about it for us for now.
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