Easter Pictures 2010

This is what she looked AND acted like most of the time during the shoot...somehow they  managed to get a few pretty good ones anyway.  (Notice the chair she's SUPPOSED to be sitting in, the upside down flowers, the kicked off shoes, and then of course the throwing of the fit...)

One of my favorites!

Too bad she wouldn't sit still and has her legs hidden, this one would have been a good one.

Another favorite!

Catch UP!

So, I know, it's been OVER a month since I've last blogged.  And really, honestly, I still don't have much to blog about.  I probably have had in the past few weeks, but I've forgotten.  I do, have some really big news to share, but I don't think it's time to share that news yet....so what to talk about?

Haylie will be 20 months old this month!  I think she may be easing into the "terrible twos" already.  She has just started throwing these terrible tantrums if she doesn't get her way.  You know the kind where it doesn't matter where we are or who we are around if she doesn't like something everyone will know!  I've seen those kids before and I always said: "My kid won't act that way, I won't allow it....."  Well, I'm eating my words now.  I'm not allowing her to act that way, but there's not a whole lot you can do to stop it other than take her to a bathroom and spank her....The other day she wanted down from the booth in Chic-fil-a because there was a baby in a carrier across from us.  I guess she thought she could just go over there and play with the baby or something.  We told her no and then it happened.  Her legs went limp, she fell to the ground, put her head back, and started screaming....Ugh!  I hope this stage passes sooner than usual!

She's still as sweet as can be though when she's not throwing a fit!  She loves to cuddle, hug, and kiss us.  She loves to play and is actually getting quite good at entertaining herself with her toys.  We have been having issues with her eating lately.  She's gotten much harder to get to take food.  (unless it's chex mix or cheese puffs)....

As far as the rest of us.  We've all been down this past week with some kind of cold/sinus junk.  We are finally about to get over it--thank God!  It started with Justin and Haylie and then ended with me.  Don't you love how we all have to share things like that??

We have about 7 weeks of NOONDAYS left at the BCM.  We are really going to be sad at the end of the semesters because several of our core students are transferring to ECU.  We'll really miss them.

Church is keeping us just as busy as ever.  Justin is still teaching the college/career class.  He will also be preaching the early service for the next 6 weeks.  I'm still directing the choir, and alternate as pianist every other week.  With all that said...that could be the reason I haven't had time to blog much lately.

Here's is the plan for this week:
Today: stay home and catch up on everything that I let slide last week because of sickness.  Need to clean house---majorly bad!
Tomorrow: Easter/spring pictures at Sears for Haylie.  And of course run some errands while out!
Wednesday: BCM NOONDAY, piano lessons, church, choir, ensemble.
Not sure about the rest of the week other than a new piano student on Thursday, and birthday parties for my niece and mother-in-law on Saturday.

Here's to having a good week, and I'll try to post again before a month has passed!

Finally!

For weeks now, I've been going back and forth about whether or not to break Haylie from her pacifier.  I wanted to for various reasons, mainly I didn't want it inhibiting her speech or messing up her teeth.  I didn't want to for various reasons also, mostly selfish ones, like I was afraid she wouldn't sleep as well at night and take those wonderful 2-3 hour naps in the afternoon.  We, at one time, had 5 pacifiers.  About a month ago we lost two of them--couldn't find them anywhere, so we were down to three.  A couple weeks ago I was going through one of those "wanting to break her from it" moods so I cut the tip of one of them off and gave it to her, in hopes that she would start breaking her habit of sucking on it so much.  Somewhere in between that week and last week we lost one of the two good ones that we had left.  So that left us with the "broken" one and only ONE good one!  It was last Friday night, and we were getting ready to take her to her Mema and Papa's house so we could  have a date night.  She had both pacifiers up until time to walk out the door, and all of a sudden the good one was gone!!  Not anywhere to be found!  So, I searched for it for like 40 minutes because I didn't want to send her over there without it.  What if she didn't sleep at all for them? What if she just cried for hours?  Well....I didn't find it!  So, to Mema and Papa's house she went with only her "broken" pacifier.  She did fine.  She slept well.  She did wake up a little earlier than usual, but still she slept all night long.  The next day when we went to get her they couldn't find the "broken" one---MAN those things are hard to keep up with!  So we decided it was time!  She has been without a pacifier since Saturday, the 13th and she's doing great!  If I had known it would have been so easy I would have done it sooner---I guess.  Maybe not, though, because I'm actually sort of sad about it.  For some reason, it makes me feel even more than other things, that she's not a baby anymore. 

She's been ultra affectionate the past few days, I don't know if it has something to do with the no pacifier or not, but I'm loving it.  I love her kisses and hugs!! 

Rite of passage

I'm finally starting to come to the realization that my baby girl is not a "baby" anymore.  She has, somehow, suddenly turned into a little girl without giving me any warning. It's a bittersweet feeling watching your child change and grow into a little person.



*Yesterday she wore her hair in doggy ears for the first time out in public, and somehow this was like a right of passage or something into little girlhood...People at church told me they didn't even recognize who she was because she looked so much older. 

*She actually sat still at the BCM NOONDAY yesterday IN a big girl chair and ate an ENTIRE Hot Ham & Cheese sandwich!! 

*She tells me when she needs her diaper changed (potty training, here we come!)

*She loves to play with other girls.  Last night she walked around with 3 seven year old girls, holding their hands like she was one of them!

There are probably other things that remind me that she's turning into a little girl rather than a baby, but I have a lot of housework to do right now while she's still napping.  So, instead I'll just post a few pictures to prove my point and get on with cleaning!

Here she is showing off!!

Such a doll!

This is the one, to me, that makes her look so grown up!

She has a newfound obsession with stickers--and they have to be on her cheeks!

And finally, my little gangsta!  What's up?!

Here's my excitement for today:

Here's my Haylie tidbit for today:

I got out of the shower this morning to find her standing in the bathroom with a tube of Icy Hot in her mouth!!! Yes, it was open! Yes, there was Icy Hot gel on her tongue! I immediately grabbed her and started spooning water into her mouth with my hand.  I didn't even have to tell her to spit, because it must taste disgusting!!! She couldn't stop gagging and spitting for a couple minutes.  I wiped her tongue off and gave her a sippy cup with water in it before coming to the computer to look up the number for Poison Control!  I never thought I'd have to call them....  Anyway, the lady said that Haylie will be fine; no need to take her to the emergency room because it probably wasn't enough to hurt her.  She told me to feed her some yogurt and let her drink water and to call back if there were any more problems! 

So, that's my excitement for the day....now back to cleaning house.  By the way, the sun is shining today! Yay! Maybe I can get some more of my "spring" cleaning finished this afternoon before my students show up for piano lessons! 

Feb. 8

Today is a cold, snowy day.  One of those days where you just want to stay inside snuggled under a blanket reading a good book.  One of those days where you want to have a big, warm bowl of stew for dinner.  One of those days where you don't have anything to do other than just be lazy.....That's what I WANT to do, but definitely not what I can do.  It's so hard for me to be motivated to clean hosue and get things done right now.  I'm definitely ready for some warmer, spring-like weather or at least some sunshine!

Today I've cleaned house a little bit.  Last week I was really in a deep cleaning mood.  I got Haylie's room, our bedroom, both bathrooms, and the hall closet completely purged and reorganized.  However, it stopped there.  I keep telling myself that now I need to do the other bedroom, kitchen, laundry room, and living room, but like I said I've lost motivation.  I need sunshine!

I have come to the conclusion that Haylie is absolutely the sweetest, cutest, most fun, little girl in the world--or at least MY world! She is so much more aware of her surrounding and is learning new things daily.  I love it when she just comes up to me for no reason and wraps her arms around me to give me a hug--even when I'm up cleaning or cooking.  Even better is when she comes up to me with her wet, slobbery lips and plants them right on mine, giving me a kiss!  I love it! She'll now sing "The B-I-B-L-E" except when she sings it, it sounds more like: "bleble-bleble-bleble-bleble..." It's the cutest thing ever!  She is terrified of dogs!!  I mean TERRIFIED! Anytime she sees one, hears one, or even if we mention the word "dog" she starts whimpering and buries her head in my chest.  The other night there was a dog on a commercial on t.v. and she was even scared of it!!!  Today she was making this panting sound with her tongue hanging out.  I nonchalantly told her she sounded like a dog!  She immediately furrowed her brow, started whining and ran to hug me.  She also is almost ready to start potty training.  She tells me when she needs her diaper changed or if she's about to go....I just have to decide if I'm ready for potty training!  I absolutely love being her mommy.  I wouldn't trade it for anything!!  There's no better feeling than the love for your child.

Just imagine: if we love our children this much, how much MORE does God love His children?  It's unfathomable.  I can't even imagine or comprehend the magnitude of His love for me and for you.  Our church has been going through sort of a rough time here the past few weeks, but yesterday the service was absolutely amazing.  God's presence was filling the place and we just had a beautiful time of worship.  Thank You, God, for Your love for me!!  I want to leave you with the lyrics of one of my favorite songs: "Who Can Satisfy My Soul" by Dennis Jernigan.  There is no one like God!  Thank You, Lord that we can trust in You no matter what!

Who can satisfy my soul

Who on earth can comfort me
And love me like You do
Who could ever be more faithful and true
I will trust in You
I will trust in You my God

There is a fountain Who is a King
Victorious warrior and Lord of everything
My rock my shleter my very own
Blessed Redeemer Who reigns upon the throne

Who could ever be more faithful and true
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You my God

Who reigns upon the throne
Who reigns upon the throne

Back to the 21st Century!

Last Thursday, January 28th, our electricity went off at 3 p.m.  The forcasted Ice Storm of 2010 was underway, but not so much that we were expecting to lose power so soon.  It flickered a couple times and then was gone.  Luckily, I had some hot chili on the stove simmering for dinner, so we ate our chili happily thinking our electric would come back on in a few minutes....Boy, was I wrong!!!

5 days later.  Yes, I said 5 days later we are back in our warm home with electricity!  Yesterday I was to the breaking point.  frustrated. tired. cranky. ready to go home. I called CVEC to ask about an update and the lady was actually rude to me! She said there were no updates and she couldn't tell me anything about when the electricity would be back (in a very rude way).  I wanted to scream and remind her that this was our fifth day without power, but I calmed myself down and just said thanks anyway.  Luckily, a couple hours later the power kicked back on and we were able to go home....

So what did we do during those 5 days?  The first night, Thursday, we were still thinking the power would come back on at any moment.  We went over to Justin's parents house (although they didn't have power either).  They do have gas heated water and a gas fireplace so we thought everything would be fine.  After staying one night there and calling CVEC the next morning to find out it would be days before they restored our power we decided we better find somewhere warmer because of Haylie.  If it hadn't been for her, we could have made it just fine cuddling under blankets around the fireplace, but you know an 18 month old child won't be still and stay under a blanket, so we had to find some heat! 

We decided to stay at the BCM.  So for the next three nights that's where we were.  Pretty comfortable.  We had electricity, cable tv, internet, a kitchen, etc....pretty much everything except a shower! Yuck!!  On Monday we had to "move out" of the BCM because school was starting back so we were blessed to have friends that offered to let us stay with them until our power came back on.  So, on to the Kemps' it was! We had no idea how long we would be there, but thankfully it turned out to be only one night.  Not because they were bad hosts, they were wonderful! They even made us steaks for dinner! But because we were SO ready to be back in our own home.  We are home bodies.  I love being at home.  I love doing my housework. cooking in my kitchen. I love my home.  So Tuesday morning power came back on.  We had to go buy groceries because, of course, all of ours was spoiled, and then homeward bound we were.

I don't think I would have handled the no electricity/no home for 5 days so badly if it hadn't been for worrying about Haylie.  It was so hard on her.  She was already feeling sick with a cough/runny nose/slight fever and then on top of it all she couldn't sleep because she would wake up not knowing where she was.  One night she woke up crying every single hour!! 

I've always loved home.  Being home with my family.  I think now, though, I will appreciate it even more.  We are blessed to have a house with electricity and heat to live in.  We are so so blessed and take way too many things for granted!

Month in Review Through Pictures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catch Up!

Let's play a quick little game of catchup on what's been going on with Haylie.

1. She's terrified of bubble baths! She loves for me to blow bubbles and her pop them, but when you put bubbles in her bath water she has a melt down. We've tried it twice to no avail. I have a picture somewhere I will post here, when I get a chance.

2. She had her very first McDonald's Happy Meal yesterday. At first I was sort of excited about this new first for her, and then I thought: "Why? This is just the beginning of her wanting to eat at Mickey D's for the rest of her childhood..." Oh, well...she had chicken nuggets, fries, and milk and even got herself a little "toddler toy." Again, I have a picture I will post later.

3. She had her first haircut on Monday, Jan. 18. I just barely trimmed her bangs. They had gotten so long that they were hanging in her eyes, so it's not really that noticeable, but hey, it was still her first hair cut. And, yes, I kept the lock of hair.... And, yea, I have a picture...

4. Okay, so this might be the funniest thing yet. Haylie loves phones. I've always let her play with ours because we don't have long distance so I wasn't really worried about her calling someone. Last night, I received a phone call from Seminole City police that said they had received a hang up call from our number. I immediately apologized and told them my daughter had had the phone and that I would get it from her right then. They just said: "so, there's no emergency?" And, I, of course, told them no! Now I know kids have called 911 before, but it's just so weird to me how an 18 month old who doesn't know her numbers just accidentally dialed that specific number out of all the different possible combinations of numbers...

5. Lastly, Haylie is getting her one year molars. The top ones are in, but now she's working on the bottom. She's really doing pretty well, although she does have a little bit of a cough and her naps have been significantly shorter this week. I'm hoping as soon as the teething lets up she will go back to her 3 hour nap... Mom really likes her 3 hour naps!

First Week Back to School

This week was the first week back to school for the SSC students! Justin planned NOONDAY lunches for every single day and had good turnout each time. The crowd did seem to be down a little bit from last semester, but maybe people's schedules just aren't fitting in like they did. The ones that were there, however, definitely kept us entertained! One day one of the boys decided he needed to superglue a pool stick together. For whatever reason he decided to lay the pool stick on Justin's addidas wind breaker. So, needless to say, there is superglue ALL over his jacket. I tried getting it off with nail polish remover and scrubbing, scrubbing, and scrubbing some more, but to no avail. The superglue is on there permanently, I'm afraid. Then yesterday 3 of the girls went to wal-mart and came back with peanut butter and bread that they used to smear all over the boys' car. It was such a nasty mess. They ended up with peanut butter all over their clothes and tracked inside the BCM. Justin made them mop the floor afterewards. :)Everyday Justin has with those students is interesting to say the least. Haylie and I only went to NOONDAY on Wednesday, it's just so hard to take her and keep her entertained there for too long. Although, she loves playing with the "big kids!" We try not to let her drive them crazy, but she really just wants to grab their hands and lead them around. She kept wanting one of the college boys to hold her baby dolls too! She's too funny sometimes.

Other than school starting, this week was pretty much just getting back in routine. I had 8 piano lessons, one flute lesson and then just the same stuff of keeping up with housework, scentsy stuff, being a mom, etc. I did end up scheduling 3 scentsy parties and signing a new consultant this week, so that's good!

Tomorrow the choir is singing a special in the service. This will be the first time EVER that I've directed them in front of the congregation. I'm pretty nervous about it. Everyone keeps telling me not to worry about it that I will not be looking at the congregation anyway, but somehow that doesn't help because they will be looking at me----and at my backside at that!! That's even worse! I don't want 300 people staring at the back of me! Anyway, I pray that God will get me through it and that the choir will worship and sing beautifully. I also pray that the committee will hurry and find a music minister! ;)

Today I am having a Silpada Jewelry Party at my house. I've never had any type of party at my house before so I'm hoping it turns out. I'm hosting one for my friend, and then next week she's hosting a Scentsy party for me. I hope that I can have a successful party for her!

Tomorrow is The Bridge Grand Opening at our church! Everyone is looking forward to a funfilled day in celebration of the new building and ministry opportunities.