Wednesday, December 18, 2013

GRANDMA WALDO




Grandma Waldo passed away on December 4th. She was 97.
I've been avoiding this post for two weeks because words just don't do her justice. 
I didn't know her well, but I'm thankful to have known her just a little. She was kind, gracious, faithful, quiet and full of wisdom. Once in while, she'd surprise me with her sense of humor.
There was one day that I was having an especially hard time with Ava and I asked her how she survived raising all those kids. All she said was, "I just took it one day at a time." Simple. 
Thank you, Grandma, for your faithful example.

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

Lots going on here lately in the Waldo house. One big adjustment is that the girls now sleep in the same room and Jaina is in a big girl bed! The first night was pretty hilarious. It ended up with Ava back in her old room but for the 20 minutes that I spent on the stairs listening, I almost couldn't hold back the laughter. Jaina was kicking the wall and jumping all over the place and Ava was yelling at her. "Jaina! Lay down like a normal person! Jaina! Go to sleep right now! If you don't go to sleep I'm going to come over there and spank you! Jaina! Lay down like a lady! Just do what I say! Lay down the normal way!! Hahaha! I made a rhyming word! Jaina! Go to bed!!" All the while, Jaina is saying "NO! NO! NO!" I went in a couple of times to settle it down but it didn't work. Jaina sleeps with the door shut and Ava sleeps with it open and I think the whole thing was just too much. The next night went much better. I convinced Ava to sleep with the door shut and after about 10 minutes, they both went to bed. Jaina is doing awesome in her bed. The first night, I went in a couple of times to rescue her from falling out of bed but after an awesome tip from my sis, I put a pool noodle under the fitted sheet and it keeps her safely in bed. The one thing that I'm having a hard time with is that Jaina now wakes up with Ava at the crack of dawn.....no more quiet mornings.

All of Jaina's teeth have come through. (Well, except for the two year molars). So glad to have the whole teething thing mostly behind us.

She can say "baby" and "stop" but it sounds more like "top".

She thinks that tooting is hilarious. :)

Ava has been reading. She asks us constantly how to spell different words. I love to watch her learn...it just feels like she's growing up way too fast! 

Ava asks for regular milk in a big girl cup and then runs to get a straw "so she doesn't get her lips all wet and full of milk."

"Dad, what can I be when I grow up?"
"How about a princess?"
"No, I'm already a princess!"

"Mom, unfortunately, I just don't know why it happens that way. I mean...." 

 Ava had a spur of the moment visit with the dentist during our last trip there. We were waiting for Donald to finish up and so Ava had time to get her teeth cleaned! She was freaked out. Miss Tammy did an awesome job explaining everything to her and by the end she thought it was the coolest thing ever. Bonus? No cavities. :)

Little Mr. is growing and so am I. :) I'm just about 26 weeks and he moves constantly! I'm just about at that point where it's starting to get uncomfortable but so far so good! Dr. moved my due date to April 1st. Ha.




We went to see the strangest thing in Houston the other day. It was called Adicks Studioworks. We exited off the freeway... passed Target...made a couple of turns into a warehouse district...pulled into a big vacant lot...and there they were - huge heads of the presidents with the Beatles standing 30 feet tall right in the middle. It sure seemed pretty random but amazing at the same time...the detail was incredible!


In two days, we get to drive to Minnesota to be with my family for Christmas for the first time since I moved out west. 2005 was my last winter there. Only one other time have we been back for a holiday and that was in 2009 for Thanksgiving, right after Ava was born. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to it. And...they have snow. Lots and lots of snow. Ava is so excited to see the snow. I better quit typing and start packing! Yipeee!!!!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

JAINA MAE: 18 MONTHS



  • 27 lbs 12.5 oz (90%)
  • 33.5 inches tall (95%)
  • head size: 19.25 (95%)
  • size 7 shoe
  • size 5-6 diaper
  • 2T clothes
This little munchkin is a handful. Her favorite word is "no", she still doesn't eat meat (although Grandma claims she ate it when we were gone), she loves shoes, babies and airplanes. When she wants to get my attention or show me something, she points and says "Mama" or "Mom." She seems to be interested in how things work. She is constantly trying to fix the handle on the play kitchen. She wants to do everything that her sister does. She doesn't say much...just a handful of words but she understands everything we say and responds accordingly. She's stubborn as a mule...could be why she refuses to talk....or maybe it's because she has a big sister who does all of the talking for her. Either way, I predict that one day the words are just going to come pouring out and we're not going to be able to keep her quiet. :) She points to her diaper and says "Mama" when she goes potty and sometimes she runs to the bathroom but of course she's already gone in her diaper but I let her sit there just for fun. :) All of her canine teeth have come through!! Yay!! 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

THANKFUL

Thanksgiving is in 2 days. I stood in the kitchen today and thought of things that I'm thankful for right now. Things that I'm enjoying right now. Simple things. It's so easy for me to get caught up in wishing for things to be different. Every holiday season, I wish to be with my family but it just doesn't work that way. This week will be especially hard knowing that everyone is at home to say goodbye to Grandpa Z. I've settled in my heart to make the most of this week. Not to be wishful but to be thankful. There are so many things to be thankful for...this list is not inclusive. 


Happy, healthy kids.
A clean kitchen.
Folded laundry.
Cool weather.
Quiet evenings.
A husband who wants the best for us and works hard to give us the best.
Little Mr. constantly reminding me of his presence.
A place to go this Thanksgiving.
Our merciful heavenly Father. 
Countless happy memories of holidays past.
Freedom.
My friends.
My family.
Making new happy memories with our kids.

DEAR GRANDPA Z.

You were my Mother's Father and that made you extra special. I'm thankful for what you taught her so that she could pass it on to me.
I'm thankful to have known you. I'm thankful that you were my Grandpa. I'm thankful for memories of you.
You made the best jerky.
Goodbye Grandpa Z. I love you and I'll miss you dearly.

Monday, November 25, 2013

HOLIBRATION!!!

Ava is so excited for Thanksgiving. She gets excited about any kind of party, celebration and even potlucks. We were talking about what we were going to do for Thanksgiving and she threw her arms up into the air and said, "We're gonna have a holibration!!!" Makes sense! 

Ava has taken an interest in colors. She asks me all the time what color two other colors will make when you mix them. When she paints, she has more fun mixing paint than actually painting. We'll be riding in the car and she'll randomly ask me something like, "What do orange and blue make?" 

On a recent Skype session with Ava while we were in Scotland she told us all about echolocation. I asked her what echolocation was and with great enthusiasm and hand gestures she explained that, "They (animals like bats and dolphins) put the sound out there and then it hits and comes right back!"

Ava had the stomach flu a couple of days ago...It was not fun. She did manage to make me smile though in the middle of the night when I gave her a half of a Pepto Bismol tab to help her tummy. As she chewed it she said, "Oooh! It tastes like round pink bananas!"

Endless, endless chatter. A lot of it doesn't make sense but she's got quite the imagination. 
"Good days are worth waiting for and getting up out of your beds!"

She's figured out how to ask Siri questions on her Ipad. "How does glass break when it falls on the floor?"
The internet was especially slow and she told Siri, "Just use your voice to reconnect the internet!" 

We have a speller on our hands! Ava loves to sound out and write words. She spelled Tap the other day all by herself. Three letter words are easiest but it seems like she's catching on...

Jaina is changing. She's having less crabby days. So awesome. This morning I went in to get her out of her crib. It was 9 am and I hadn't heard a peep from her yet. I opened the door and saw her laying on her back with her feet on the wall between the slats and holding her puppy. She looked up and gave me a big grin. She's so fun to be around when she's happy. I think her favorite word is "No!" :)

Both of Jaina's bottom eye teeth have come through...now just the top ones...

Monday, November 18, 2013

SCOTLAND

I can't believe we went there. And London? Amazing. We did so much in a week that I can't write it all down. We had a wonderful time. Glad there are pictures to capture the memories. We're so thankful for Mom and Dad and that they were able to come down and watch the girls for a week so that we could go. Thank you Ken and Kathy for an amazing trip. We miss Scotland. :) 
Our first day: at the North Sea

Saturday, November 2, 2013

HALLOWEEN

I took Ava Trick or Treating around the neighborhood. She loved it. We did just over a mile loop...I pushed Jaina in the stroller and Ava walked beside us. I kept asking her if she would like to ride but she refused. She was such a trooper. Her bravery surprised me...walking up to the big houses all by herself, knocking on the door...She looked so small. 
After we had gone to a few houses she said, "But Mom!! I don't have very much candy!!!" Thinking that she was just being selfish, I told her that she had plenty of candy but she said, "No! I don't have enough because I want to share with everybody!!"
For some reason, she's afraid of pumpkins. There were a couple on a porch and it took her forever to get by them. When she finally worked up the courage to walk to the door she said, "Whew!" and breathed a sigh. :) 
Toward the end she got tired and finally hopped in the stroller...that bucket got heavy! 

SHE LIKES TO TELL JOKES

"What do you get when you cross a princess and a chicken and an egg and the egg eats the chicken and the chicken has feathers on it's toes and hair on it's head?"

"I don't know Ava, what do you get?"

"Well, something gets eaten and the princess is still crossing the road and then BAM!" 

THINGS THAT I FORGOT IN THE LAST POST

Ava has no idea what the difference between "on accident" and "on purpose" is. I've tried to explain but she just doesn't get it. So, when she does something naughty and I get upset she says, "I'm so sorry Mom. I did it on purpose!" 

Have I mentioned that Jaina has all four of her first molars in? I can't remember. Now just waiting on those canines! She loves to brush them.

I love when Ava is playing and she starts singing hymns. Two of her favorites are "God is Faithful" and "Jesus Came from Heaven."

Jaina's favorite songs are "If You're Happy and You Know It", "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "All the Raindrops."

Little Mr. has started moving around...19 weeks.


Thursday, October 17, 2013

BABY BROTHER

I was nervous all day. 3:30 rolled around and I left for the Dr. I sat on the table. My blood pressure was higher than normal. "Are you hoping for one or the other?" the Dr. asked me. I watched the screen as he moved the wand over my stomach. The little being in there tumbled around, kicked it's legs and waved it's arms. He pointed out different things and took some measurements. He started laughing. He knew what I was hoping for but wanted to be sure. Then out of the blue he said, "Well, it looks like you're having a boy!" I couldn't believe it. I laughed. I couldn't stop smiling. Now...what to name this little guy? 
Baby Waldo #3 (between 16 &17 weeks)
"Ava, what do you think of having a little baby brother?"
"Ummm, yuck!"

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

I wish I could capture moments of every day life and hold them forever. How, in words, can I keep them? 


Ava has been asking about the meaning of words. "What does 'sure' mean? What does 'ok' mean? What does 'I don't know' mean? What does 'certain' mean?" How do you explain it? She's curious about science...like the blood vessels and bones in our body....the planets...dinosaurs. 
We're having a bit of a struggle with obedience and attitude. Some days, she's a breeze...wanting to help and doing exactly what she's told and then some. Other days...watch out! 
We've been reading chapter a night of different classics. So far, we've read Heidi, Little Women and now we're making our way through Anne of Green Gables. It's been fun. 

Jaina has been a trial. She is stubborn. Refusing to give hugs and kisses...fussy all day long...her favorite response is to say "uh uh" and shake her head no - to everything. "Jaina, say dog!" "Uh uh." 
She and Ava fight...she screams...she wants to do everything her big sister does. 
She says "mama" all the time. For everything. She does know some animal sounds...moo, quack, woof woof, meow, roar!, bzzzz. 
Body parts? She knows eyes, nose, ears, teeth, fingers, hair, belly button, bum, toes. If she's not being stubborn, she'll show you where they are. :)
She loves shoes. There must be at least one shoe on at all times and if she sees someone else shoes, she brings them and fusses till they get put on.
 The stroller and anything she can push in it (mostly her baby but sometimes her sippy cup) are her favorite things. 
Food. She loves it. On a good day she could eat 3 eggs and a banana for breakfast. The only thing is, she won't eat meat. With the exception of chicken nuggets, she won't touch it. She'll eat spoonfuls of broccoli and ask for 2nds and 3rds of brussels sprouts but she refuses to eat meat. 
I was under the impression that she didn't like to swing. You set her in the swing and she would scream for her life. Until I started to push her...now I think she likes it. Slides on the other hand are fun. She'll climb 6 feet up the ladder and slide down (not by herself of course)...she'll do it over and over again. I'm also feeling like she doesn't like to swim. She'll fuss and throw fits the whole time...until you throw her in the air and splash her into the water...Maybe she's a daredevil? 
Her favorite place to be is outside. She's happiest there...
In the morning...the day goes better if she gets dressed and has her hair combed right away. She points to her closet for a diaper and a dress.
The nap situation has been difficult. Sometimes she needs two..sometimes one. Sometimes she needs two but refuses to fall asleep and screams in her crib. Hopefully we'll get it straightened out. 
I have yet to figure her out. She's complex. I love her.

I was touched the other day by how much time Donald was spending outside with the girls. They have a big box of chalk and our driveway gets a good chalking every day. :) Then, he let me in on a little secret. He said, "I try to use up at least two pieces of this a day so we don't have so many laying around." Hahaha! 

We've changed the way we eat. Donald and I both read a book called, "It Starts with Food." I highly recommend it. We've cut out sugar, all grains/legumes/beans/rice/quinoa and dairy. Our only exceptions are real maple syrup, butter and heavy cream. The effect on our lives has been good. We both feel better. Donald has lost over 10 lbs...I have more energy...I can really feel the horrible effects of sugar if I do eat it. We all eat better...including the girls. Lots more fruits and veggies. It took a couple of weeks for Ava to stop asking for certain things but we've done pretty good. She still asks for milk and toast once in awhile and we sometimes have it on hand for her but overall we've cut way back. The girls eat lots of apples and carrots and grapes for snacks instead of bowls of sugary cereal. I think my favorite change is that we all eat breakfast and supper together. Before, we would eat in shifts...even supper was chaos...we ate what we wanted, sometimes together, sometimes not. That has changed. I would say that 6 out of 7 days, we sit down and eat supper together. The only thing is that I need to think about what supper will be...fun and hard at the same time. Have you ever had mashed cauliflower? The. best. ever. 

Sometimes we feel like life hasn't gone the way we want it. Maybe we have different ideas about how our days should go. Maybe our lives are difficult...trying...plain old hard. Sometimes we don't get what we want. Life throws curve balls. Some wisdom from my mother-in-law ~ "Life will never be easy but if God is in control of it, we will have the best life we could ever have." Whatever God has planned is the best for us. I want to remember this every single day. 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

THINGS THEY'VE SAID LATELY

"Five green and speckled frogs, sat on a speck-  Oh, I didn't get the right tempo. I, um, didn't get the right beat."

When we were in Oregon, Ava went outside with Lyle to get something from the truck. It was dark and Ava said, "Ooh, it's so ominous!" 

"Mom! I see a chrysalis in that tree!!"

"Mom, what's an arachnid?"

"Are we on planet Earth?"
"Yes."
"Oh, I wish we were on Jupiter...or Mars."
_____________________________________________________

This morning, when Tap came in from going potty, Jaina said, "Boo Boy!!" (Good Boy) in the same exact tone that we say it when he comes in. It was so cute! 
Sometimes she says thing so clearly that it surprises me.

Monday, September 9, 2013

7 WHOLE YEARS

I couldn't ask for a better man. He's the perfect one for me.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

JAINA MAE: 15 MONTHS


25 lbs (80%)
32.25 inches (95%)
Head: 19 (95%)
Size 5 diapers
2T clothes
Size 6 going on 7 shoe
This girl is growing up so fast. 
She's been saying a few words...Tap, dog, car, NO!, Dada, Mama, Sissy, wow, yes...once in awhile, she'll say a totally random word once and not say it again...
She LOVES fruits and veggies. Give her an apple to munch and she'll walk around for an hour and eat the whole thing. Not so much a fan of meat and cheese though. Overall she's an amazing eater.
If she can't feed herself, she probably won't eat it. Little miss independent! 
She's stubborn. Call her name and she'll probably ignore you. 
She loves to tease and her sense of humor is hilarious. 
She wants anything that her sister has and she wants to do anything that she does. 
She's a "master car seat unbuckler."
She sleeps all night and takes two naps a day.
This girl will keep you on your toes but she's oh so fun. :)
Loves airplanes, doggies, kitties, animal books, babies and food.
She likes to sing the car song and the raindrop and gumdrop song.

A TRIP WEST {2013}

I don't even know where to begin. We were gone for a month. We left on August 12th and flew to Bozeman, MT to see my sister and her family. The kids got to spend some quality cousin time and loved every minute they had to run in the snake and ant-free yard. 
Our next stop was Portland, OR. We flew in on August 21st and went straight to Boring Convention. How wonderful to be there. The Wilson's were generous enough to let us stay at their place.
That Sunday, I turned 30. Being at convention made it easy. :) It was so nice to be with all of our friends.

Sunday night, we drove to Tillamook to be with Rob and Laura Mae for a few days. We discovered the coffee shop in Oceanside so Donald actually suggested we go the beach two days in a row!!! The girls loved playing in the sand.
On the 29th we headed back to the valley to stay with Dennis and Jen in Newberg. We drove by our old house...drank coffee at the old hangout in McMinnville....shopped the farmers market....and bought fabric at the best quilt shop in town. We went twice to the air museum....Sunday was spent at Boring 2. It was a fabulous long weekend. 
Tuesday morning, we headed to Amity to see Auntie Doris. We had lunch there and then headed north through Yamhill to see my lavender lady. That night we spent the night at Dave and Cheryls...it was so good to spend some time with them!



Wednesday, we drove back to the coast to spend a couple more days with Grandma and Grandpa....


Friday, we went back to Newberg....celebrated Dennis' birthday...
Early Saturday morning, we drove to the airport and flew back to Texas with Uncle Lyle in tow.

It was an amazing month. We loved every day of it....

Thursday, August 8, 2013

SHE'S A SCREAMER

Jaina screams. It's not just a loud cry...it's an ear piercing, ear drum breaking, make your head hurt, scream. She screams when she cries. She screams when she wants something. She screams when she's mad. She screams when she doesn't get her way. She screams when she doesn't want to go to bed. She screams when she and her sister fight. 
She screams. All. The. Time. 

I think that her latest teething adventure has magnified the problem but I'm at a loss as to what to do about it.

It's interesting....I've noticed that when she gets into something and she's been naughty, if I tell her "no" {and} spank her, she screams and cries like the world has ended. But, if I ask her nicely to put whatever she has back where she found it and thank her for it when she's done, she's totally fine with not having the thing that she wanted. It baffles me. Her sister responded so well to "no" and a spank that I thought that's just what we were supposed to do....

Turns out, every child is different. 

We'll take any advice we can get. How do we stop the screaming?!?! It's madness!


DONALD'S 28th BIRTHDAY

We celebrated a day early with Ken and Kathy, Patty, Josh and Jason. 
This man works hard so that I can chill out every day...I thought he deserved some new toys. :) He looks a little bit excited. :) Happy Birthday my love.

Monday, July 29, 2013

PAJAMAS

So many reasons why I love this picture.
Pajama mornings are cuddly.
I didn't ask them to sit together.
I didn't ask them to hug.
I didn't ask them to smile.
They're sisters.
They love each other.
They're mine. 

FIRST TIME WITH A FORK

Jaina has been keeping us entertained lately. Her sly little grin...the mischievous look in her eye... 
Here's a little Jaina update....little things I want to remember.
She used a fork for the first time the other day and nailed it. 
For "yes" she says, "ah huh" and nods her head once.
When you ask her if she wants to go night night she says, "ah huh" and heads for the stairs. 
When you ask her if she wants to go outside she says, "ah huh" and heads for the door.
She loves Daddy's airplanes.
She points to the sky when she sees a bird. 
A couple of times now, she's brought me both of my shoes and then pointed to my keys hanging on the hook.
When I get her a yogurt out of the fridge she goes to the silverware drawer and tries to open it. 
She likes to do laundry and empty the dishwasher.
She loves kitties and doggies.
Kitchen drawer open? She pushes it closed.
Ask her to put something away and if she can, she will.
She likes to drape things around her shoulders...like Daddy's belt or my tape measure.
She likes to twirl around and walk backwards until she runs into something.
She's stubborn. I know that she can say and do certain things but will she do them when you ask? No way. 
She just cut her first molar. Boy, was that an event! (top left)
Why is it so cute when toddlers dance?!
Still takes two good naps a day and sleeps about 11-12 hours straight at night. 
I love this blurry picture because is classic Jaina. Wonky pigtails, one shoe, sissy's ballerina leg warmers, pushing a stroller with a badminton racket.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

AVA: 4 YEARS

33 lbs
39 3/4 inches tall
8.5 - 9 shoe

Passed her sight and hearing tests...

DEAR AVA {4TH BIRTHDAY}

Dear Ava,
Happy 4th Birthday! You have been waiting for this day for so long. July has been a long month for you. You get so excited about everyone's birthday - not just your own. 
When I asked you what you wanted for lunch on your birthday you said, "Orange cups, real pears, watermelon, macaroni and cheese and corn on the cob." So, that's what we had! It was yummy! We threw an Art Party for you and Marion and Jasalyn came to celebrate. You painted your very own pictures and birdhouses. 
I can't believe you're 4 already. You love to sing and dance and twirl....All of your dresses need to touch the floor. Especially the princess ones. Unfortunately, little girl dresses aren't made to touch the floor and that's hard for you to understand. Also, the "line" (waist) on your dresses make you crazy. 
It seems like your stuck between being a toddler and being a big girl. Sometimes you seem so grown up and then other times you act more like your sister. :)
You're zeal for life is amazing. Everything excites you - except for naps and picking up toys of course. You love to do things for others. When I mention someones name, you're first response is usually, "I'm gonna color them a picture!"
You can spell your name, sound out words and tell me what they start with, recognize and write most letters, hop on one foot...
You miss your cousins, aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas and your friends. 
You love to sing. Music comes easily. 
Princesses? You still love them. And ballerinas.
Attitude? You've still got that too. Sometimes cute...sometimes not. 
You love your little sister so much. Hearing her say new things and watching her do new things makes you happy. Sometimes you fight but she can pretty much hold her own.
Mommy and Daddy love you so much. You bring us so much joy. It's hard to see you grow up so fast and we wish that we could keep you little forever....Happy Birthday sweetie! 
Love, 
Mommy and Daddy

P.S. You say a lot of funny things. These are just a few recent ones. :)

"I love sharks and fireworks and snow and painting."

"Daddy! Cover your mouth when you cough!! You don't want to spread germs!!"

Sometimes I get upset with her or ask her to do something she doesn't want to do. 
"But Mama! You're my sunshine!"

When we ask her to pick up her toys....
"I'm so sweaty!!!"

"Mom! When I grow up and Jaina grows up and Tap grows up and you grow up, we can get a big dog in Oregon!!!"

AVA MARIE :: 4 YEARS {20 QUESTIONS}

1. What is your favorite color?  Pink
2. What is your favorite toy?  My baby
3. What do you like for breakfast?  Cheerios
4. What do you like to do outside?  Draw chalk and go fishing
5. What is your favorite animal?  Sharks
6. What do you like to wear?  Dresses
7. Who is your best friend? Jasalyn and Marion and Danny and Kaleb
8. What do you like for snack?  Peanut butter with cut apples
9. What is your favorite song?  "You are my Sunshine"
10. What do you sleep with? My baby and penguin and Hoppy
11. What is your favorite book?  James and the Giant Peach that Lyle reads me
12. What is your favorite ice cream?  Strawberry with mixed raspberry with sprinkles
13. What is your favorite vegetable?  Carrots
14. What is your favorite fruit?  Blueburries
15. Where is your favorite place to go?  The Aquarium
16. What is your favorite thing to do?  Paint
17. What do you want to be when you grow up?  A ballerina
18. What is your favorite thing to eat?  Umm...Strawburries? Strawburries are healthy for you.
19. Why do you love Mommy and Daddy?  Becaaaauuuuse...you're my parents. Your so sweet!
20. What do you want for your birthday?  A bike, a ballerina tutu         and ballerina shoes

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

SUSIE NEEDS A HOME

This sweet dog showed up at the farm the other day. She followed Selena home on her run. Someone probably dumped her and left her to fend for herself. Donald brought her home last night and she was so covered in fleas that it took 3 baths to get her decent. I think she was grateful. We named her Susie after a dog from Ava's favorite book, "Charlie the Ranch Dog."
Keeping an eye on the kids.
 I think she's a Black Mouth Cur but I'm not an expert on dog breeds. 
 Susie didn't want to be left alone on the porch. We sat out there with her and she settle right down and chewed her bone.
She looks happy doesn't she?
 Jaina loved her and Susie tolerated quite well.

Isn't she beautiful? I sure wish we could keep her but she needs lots of space to run and we don't have that. Donald and I are both softies when it comes to dogs....Does anyone want to take her home and love her? 

P.S. I think she likes to hunt. 

Monday, July 22, 2013

SMARTYPANTS

Donald was listening to something online...

"What is that Dad? 'Get Up and Code?'
"No."
"Dot Net Rocks?'

Seriously. How does she know this stuff? These words sound so strange coming out of her mouth.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

SHE WENT TO TOWN LIKE THIS

She was riding in the cart at the grocery store and a family passed by us. A girl about 10 years old ran back to Ava and whispered in her ear, "You're. Awesome." At that moment I was so glad that I had let her wear whatever she wanted. Totally worth it.

(you should see the back of her head...complete mess.)

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

MR. DALRYMPLE

Our dear friend Ed passed away yesterday. I can't help but feel like he was looking forward to that moment. His testimony encourages us. We will surely miss him.

THESE DAYS

Ava's prayer last night.
"Help me to not be afraid of the dark. Help me to not go under the water. Help my Mommy and Daddy to not throw away all my toys. Help me to be taller so I can reach stuff like the lights and the sky. That's all."

"Oh Tap, I just love you. You're like a live stuffed animal that poops."     ~Donald

Jaina is a little daredevil. She climbs on and gets into everything.  She's talking more...I think she says "all done" and "thank you" but they sound the same. Kind of like "da doo." She shakes her head yes and no and usually at the appropriate times. For example, when she's done eating and I ask her if she's all done, she shakes her head yes. When I ask her if she wants more, she shakes her head no. She waves and says "hi" clear as day. I'm amazed at how much she understands. She's snugly and loves her bed. Boy, does she have a temper!! She lays down and bangs her head on the floor when she doesn't get her way. We've been working on her animal sounds. She's got kitty and doggy down...working on the buzz of the bee. :)

On July 1st, I told Ava that it was July. She was so excited. I've never seen anyone so excited for it to be July. Then she said, "Now it's my birthday!!!" It's going to be a long couple of weeks until then. 

About rollerblading:
"I think I would try it and be like 'I'm so cool' and then come back without any teeth."     ~Donald

I made 7 1/2 pint jars of fig preserves today. 

Where did all of these cockroaches come from!?!?!?!?! Nasty!!!!

34 days until we leave. 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

IF HE COULD SING, THEN SO CAN I

In 1870, Horatio G. Spafford's son passed away at the age of four. A year later, the city of Chicago burned and he lost almost everything that he had. Stricken with loss and grief, they reached out and helped the homeless and needy. In 1873, the family planned a trip to Europe by way of the French steamer Ville du Havre. At the last moment, Horatio was called away on a business emergency so he sent his wife and four daughters ahead, promising he would follow in a few days. On November 22, 1973 the steamer Ville du Havre was struck by a British iron ship, the Lockhearn. His wife, Anna, was rescued and brought to Cardiff, Wales where she sent him a telegraph saying, "Saved alone. What shall I do...." As Horatio sailed to his wife, the captain of the ship told him that "A careful reckoning has been made and I believe we are now passing the place where the Ville Du Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep."
That night in his cabin, thinking of the loss of his daughters, Horatio wrote the words to the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul."

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Monday, July 1, 2013

A FEELING ONLY A MAMA FEELS

I put Jaina to bed without nursing her tonight. Instead of sitting down to enjoy those quiet moments with her snuggled into the crook of my arm,  I stood by her crib and wrapped her in her blanket as she held her baby tight. I patted her while she laid her head on my shoulder...whispered "good night" and "I love you" as I laid her down. 
It was painful to ignore her cries as she realized that we weren't going to sit like we have every night for the past year. She reached for the chair for a moment and I almost gave in. I don't know why this is so hard. I've been hanging on to the one time a day that I get to spend with my baby while she is completely still and comforted by  my arms. I should have cherished our time last night a little more. 
We're probably not completely done...you know how it goes...but it's a turning point. And it breaks my heart. 

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

RANDOM TIDBITS

Since June 16th, Jaina has been sleeping through the night more often than not. It's awesome. She just turned one and someone flipped the switch. :) 8 pm to 6:30 am. I can live with that!

This morning, Jaina crawled up to say good morning to Daddy and she said, "Hi Dada!" Two words together....think she'll be a talker like her sissy?

"Daddy, tell me a story."
"Once upon a time, there was a little girl who wore a snow suit and a huge fluffy hat to school so that she wouldn't freeze to death. One day, she got really old and moved away from where it snows all the time to a place where it rains all the time. Then she met a handsome prince and they got married. It rained for forty days and forty nights and then Ava was born. The End."

Just a little story about how hot it gets down here...
While my sister was here, we went to a petting zoo and spent a couple of hours outside. At lunch time we went to Chick-fil-A. When we walked in the door, there was an lady there with a little girl. Danielle overheard the lady say to the girl, "Oh look! Those kids have all been swimming!" (We all were wishing we had been swimming!!!)
I just can't get enough of her cuteness. Her little personality is more evident every day.

"Mommy, if we didn't have bones could we wiggle better?"
I found a stack of educational books as Goodwill the other day. Ava loves them. Her little letters are precious. :)