My little sweetheart has turned 4. Four in itself, is fine, but it's too close to 5 for my comfort. On Wednesday, her actual birthday, we painted nails while daddy was at work. Then, we were majorly side-tracked when the 9 yr old neighborhood girl that walks around by herself (LZ) stopped over. She hadn't eaten since the night before (it was 1pm now), so I made her lunch. Finally, I insisted she go home so I could put the girls down for their nap. I also needed to finish decorating for our little family party, making the pizzas and wrapping presents.
Nat was much too excited to nap. After about 20 minutes, she came out and saw the "Happy Birthday" sign affixed above the table. "Mommy, an ABC sign, ..... it's beautiful!" I put her back to nap ...ten minutes later, she returns to see the table cloth "Oh mommy, look at the little duck, isn't it sweet. This is so beautiful." I just can't do justice to her tone and the look on her face. I just had to smile from ear to ear and get down and hug her little cute self. .... Then, put her back to bed. Just long enough for me to finish wrapping her gifts. ... and I told her so. That's the only reason she agreed. So I quickly finished and immediately got her. She said, "Are they (the presents) going to be under there?" "Under where?" I said. "Oh," I said, "this isn't Christmas honey, they won't be under a tree." =) I kept all her presents, cutely wrapped in coordinating paper, in my room until after our pizza dinner. She did see them though and thought they were beautiful too.
So, daddy came home from work (luckily a little late) and we ate homemade pizza. Then, daddy took a little nap and Nat and I made the icing for her cake. The cake was a two-tiered round with pink icing. The cake was pink too =)
whoops! here's a tangent: (I especially like to make 2 tiered rounds because I have this beautiful ivory porcelain cake plate made in Italy. I got it as a wedding gift and was told that "if something happens, make sure you take the cake plate." hahaha. Oh, and while I do place it in my china closet, I use it any chance I can get. Really, what's the point of having something if you don't use it. This way, it will always be special to my kids too.=)
So, back to the cake. Pink. Then, since I'm no Gramma Graham (or mom) when it comes to decorating cakes in a traditional method, I had to come up with another idea. So, I looked to my friend, the Gourmet Mom on the Go - aka Mandy. From her fun blog (all about cooking with whimsy - gourmetmomonthego.blogspot.com ), I got the idea to make little chocolate decorations and words using melted chocolate chips and ziploc baggy. I made some number 4s, some flowers, and wrote "happy birthday natalie" in chocolate. I thought the cake turned out well, if I do say so myself, and John said it tasted good too. Nat helped put the chocolate decorations on and insisted on placing her own candles. I had to hold myself back not to move them to "prettier" positions, but I did. I figured it would mean more to her to do it by herself than to have it "perfect" in my eyes.
We called Gramma and Grampa in Montana on Skype. The got to sing with us and watch her open her presents from them and us.
All in all, it was a nice and pleasant birthday. Oh, and it was great, because Nat wanted to wear her birthday hat the whole time. (I kept thinking, "I'm so glad she's not too old for that yet!")
Oh, and where are all the wonderful pictures we took of the day? Deleted. Yes. Deleted. I downloaded them onto my computer, but somehow it didn't work! When I came back to the computer the folder was EMPTY! and I had deleted everything. I was simply devastated. I have always had good documentation of her birthdays.... and now =(
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Winter Wonderland? eh, Maybe Not
Anyone else irritated with this South Central PA weather lately? Or is it just because I'm originally from the snow belt? I mean, "It's bitter" as my mom would say. And if it is going to be bitter, I'd like there to at least be SNOW! Seriously.
Anyone with a young kid (or if you can remember being one, you) can attest to a child's strong, unexplainable, almost mystical desire to don a pair of oversized pantaloons with a dangerous (for boys) zip-front, circulation-stopping elastic ankle bands, and enough material in the legs to severely limit range-of-motion causing one to walk as a penguin... or a cowboy after a long haul. Add an equally cumbersome swish-swish coat with an equally dangerous (for chins) front zipper, scarf, hat, mittens, boots, a red, runny nose and you have quite a sight. 
Nat was so desperate to play in the snow that we all got bundled up and ventured outside to play in the great dusting we received last week. I felt so bad for her because it was so lame. She was a trouper though, making the most of it. We gave our best shots at making snow angels, but we couldn't even do that. Luckily, resourceful daddy found a way. She also managed to build a small pile to sure up her little "tree." Daddy assured her that when we move, there will be plenty of snow =)
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Day of Shopping Bags and Beauty
The other day, the girls and I were dressed up like grown-ups and we were pretend shopping. I suddenly say, in my best grown-up voice, "you know what ladies, we should go to the salon and get our nails done."So we did! We laid (grammar cops: is this the right one? - laid? - layed? oooh, I always hate that one!) out newspaper, and got out the nail dryer (blow dryer).
Nat painted her nails and toe nails all herself. She even painted my hands and one foot. It was Julsie's first time getting her nails painted (I did them) and she sat wonderfully. Both girls did a great job and LOVED getting their nails dried as much as painted. I even let Jules paint one of my feet. =) (and my foot she painted! haha).
Daddy always loves painted nails and especially loved these ones and the pics to go with them.
Speaking of Church
John was able to attend church with us this week. Let me tell you, if you have a partner who can come with you every week, be so thankful. If you don't, get them there. You are really missing out.
So, last week, the lesson was on the story of Lot. (Genesis chs 12, 13, 18 and 19). Lot moves with his uncle Abraham. Eventually, the both have many posessions and to keep their herdsmen at peace, Abe says they should separate. He gives Lot first pick and Lot chooses the lush plains of the river Jordan near Sodom. I mean, that place had a lot to offer. First we see Lot pitched his tent TOWARD Sodom, then we see him IN Sodom, then we see him in a position of leadership OVER Sodom. Little by little he moved closer and closer to that city of sin until he was right in the thick of it. Now, we are told that Lot is a righteous man, but in the end, his mistakes and sin (no matter how gradual and subtle) cost him his entire family (except 2 girls) in the destruction of the city.
After church, I tell John something like this, "you may think I'm crazy, but guess what I was thinking about the entire church service." "What?" "Us moving." I go on to explain why:
"Lot lost his family long before the destruction of the city because (we can see from the Bible) they are not righteous. They are not believers. Using today's term - they are not "saved."
Why? What led them down that road? First, we see he placed his family close to a city of terrible sin, eventually, after time, moving right in to it. We all know that old adage, If you play with fire, you're going to get burned. Well, they did.
Second, (now this is purely HLO speaking and not anything I've heard in church, but), I think he picked the wrong wife. His wife looked back, longingly, mournfully, to that wretchedly sinful city. This leads me to believe that she was totally into all that the city had to offer - there was probably entertainment, friends, culture, great shopping, fun. Being the wife of a city official, she probably had some power of her own and was presumably pretty popular. The draw of all of these things led to her destruction. And you know, if she feels that way, she is really influencing her children in that way. "Oh Lot, let her wear that dress, It's the latest fashion. How will she get a good boyfriend if she keeps dressing like an old lady?" (fill in music, hair, language, etc.)
It all really got me to thinking about where we should move. I mean, we can go anywhere in the state, but we really need to make sure we are choosing our location for the right reason. Our number one priority needs to be - Can we attend a solid, fundamental, bible-believing church there. Second, is there a solid Christian school and/or homeschooling network there. Not land, not price, not cost of living, not family (sorry), not hunting, not station. We know that all the other stuff will be worked out for us if we keep our priorities straight."
I was sure he was going to flinch at that ... not land? He's always wanted land of his own to manage/hunt. Not Station?
He said, "Guess what I was thinking about?" I said, "boy stuff. The mean part where the townspeople come to do bad stuff to the visitors?" "No!," he said, "I didn't think about any of that stuff. I was actually thinking the exact same thing you were."
Now, tell me there is not a blessing when you can attend church with your spouse.
So, last week, the lesson was on the story of Lot. (Genesis chs 12, 13, 18 and 19). Lot moves with his uncle Abraham. Eventually, the both have many posessions and to keep their herdsmen at peace, Abe says they should separate. He gives Lot first pick and Lot chooses the lush plains of the river Jordan near Sodom. I mean, that place had a lot to offer. First we see Lot pitched his tent TOWARD Sodom, then we see him IN Sodom, then we see him in a position of leadership OVER Sodom. Little by little he moved closer and closer to that city of sin until he was right in the thick of it. Now, we are told that Lot is a righteous man, but in the end, his mistakes and sin (no matter how gradual and subtle) cost him his entire family (except 2 girls) in the destruction of the city.
After church, I tell John something like this, "you may think I'm crazy, but guess what I was thinking about the entire church service." "What?" "Us moving." I go on to explain why:
"Lot lost his family long before the destruction of the city because (we can see from the Bible) they are not righteous. They are not believers. Using today's term - they are not "saved."
Why? What led them down that road? First, we see he placed his family close to a city of terrible sin, eventually, after time, moving right in to it. We all know that old adage, If you play with fire, you're going to get burned. Well, they did.
Second, (now this is purely HLO speaking and not anything I've heard in church, but), I think he picked the wrong wife. His wife looked back, longingly, mournfully, to that wretchedly sinful city. This leads me to believe that she was totally into all that the city had to offer - there was probably entertainment, friends, culture, great shopping, fun. Being the wife of a city official, she probably had some power of her own and was presumably pretty popular. The draw of all of these things led to her destruction. And you know, if she feels that way, she is really influencing her children in that way. "Oh Lot, let her wear that dress, It's the latest fashion. How will she get a good boyfriend if she keeps dressing like an old lady?" (fill in music, hair, language, etc.)
It all really got me to thinking about where we should move. I mean, we can go anywhere in the state, but we really need to make sure we are choosing our location for the right reason. Our number one priority needs to be - Can we attend a solid, fundamental, bible-believing church there. Second, is there a solid Christian school and/or homeschooling network there. Not land, not price, not cost of living, not family (sorry), not hunting, not station. We know that all the other stuff will be worked out for us if we keep our priorities straight."
I was sure he was going to flinch at that ... not land? He's always wanted land of his own to manage/hunt. Not Station?
He said, "Guess what I was thinking about?" I said, "boy stuff. The mean part where the townspeople come to do bad stuff to the visitors?" "No!," he said, "I didn't think about any of that stuff. I was actually thinking the exact same thing you were."
Now, tell me there is not a blessing when you can attend church with your spouse.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Get Me to the Church on Time
Here are some pics of the girls in some of their new "church clothes" courtesy of nana and pop-pop. We can thank daddy for these shots. It happens every week that John is not working on Sunday morning. Apparently (no matter how fast we're trying to get out the door), daddy just can't help himself. While I am, no doubt, frantically brushing my teeth, checking to make sure we have all our church supplies or finally getting myself together, I hear "Julsie, stand next to Nat. ... no no. OK, right there.... say cheese... wait, let me take another one. Nat, look over here... gi-irls.... "
Oh well, can't say he doesn't love them. Can't say we'll ever get a decent pic of them both in the same shot either.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
10 Random Things About Julsie
Hmmm. With such a short life, this may be a hard one.
1. Jules got her chicken pox vaccine just before Christmas and now she has about a 15-20 "pox" on her body. They don't seem to bother her though (thank goodness)
2. We finally stopped nursing completely! I'm so lazy. (We've been hung up at once a day for a while now)
3. Her favorite word is still "Why." Oh why oh why! No, its still cute. Other favorites are Yeah, No (for no, snow, nose, I don't know), Pah (drink), milk, mah-MEE, da-DEE and Nat.
4. She's a good eater and will never turn food down
5. She just dropped off the bottom of the chart for her weight (statistically under what other kids her age are). She is 25% for height and head circumfrence - and here we thought we were going to have a bruiser!
6. She was born at 6 lb 12 oz
7. She LOVES to be naked. Her favorite time of day is just after her bath. She insists on running around the house sans clothes, holds her arms out wide, stands on her tip-toes, looks at her belly and laughs. I have to fight her to get her diaper and clothes on. She also loves to remove anything else she can at any point in the day
8. Every night she sleeps with Nat's old naked baby (the whole neighborhood's favorite doll) and one blanket. Even on the very coldest of nights she will take one and only one special blanket. She will kick off any other blanket with astonishing ferocity, "No!" It's just a plain cotton blankie that was a hand-me-down to Natalie.
9. She is addicted to cinnamon toast. "Toe, Toe!" (She gets it honestly)
10. She says AMEN now when we get done praying for meals! It comes out Ah-me. With her little hands folded, it may be the cutest thing ever.
1. Jules got her chicken pox vaccine just before Christmas and now she has about a 15-20 "pox" on her body. They don't seem to bother her though (thank goodness)
2. We finally stopped nursing completely! I'm so lazy. (We've been hung up at once a day for a while now)
3. Her favorite word is still "Why." Oh why oh why! No, its still cute. Other favorites are Yeah, No (for no, snow, nose, I don't know), Pah (drink), milk, mah-MEE, da-DEE and Nat.
4. She's a good eater and will never turn food down
5. She just dropped off the bottom of the chart for her weight (statistically under what other kids her age are). She is 25% for height and head circumfrence - and here we thought we were going to have a bruiser!
6. She was born at 6 lb 12 oz
7. She LOVES to be naked. Her favorite time of day is just after her bath. She insists on running around the house sans clothes, holds her arms out wide, stands on her tip-toes, looks at her belly and laughs. I have to fight her to get her diaper and clothes on. She also loves to remove anything else she can at any point in the day
8. Every night she sleeps with Nat's old naked baby (the whole neighborhood's favorite doll) and one blanket. Even on the very coldest of nights she will take one and only one special blanket. She will kick off any other blanket with astonishing ferocity, "No!" It's just a plain cotton blankie that was a hand-me-down to Natalie.
9. She is addicted to cinnamon toast. "Toe, Toe!" (She gets it honestly)
10. She says AMEN now when we get done praying for meals! It comes out Ah-me. With her little hands folded, it may be the cutest thing ever.
10 Random Things About Me
No, nothing like that. I'm keeping the good stuff to myself, but here are the more mundane items.
1. I'm not fond of my nose. (ever since someone told me I had a camel nose)
2. I always have cold hands, feet and nose.
a. In fact, in front of a thermal imaging screen, those parts of my body are missing!
b. My nose is always bright red (if you haven't noticed) and the other day, it "hit me" - maybe that's the reason for #1
c. Sometimes my feet are so cold, they hurt and I have get out of bed, sit on my vanity and soak them in my sink before I can go to bed.
d. I love the saying "cold hands, warm heart"
3. I am supposed to be within a month of finishing the Bible in a year.... but I'm not. Looking back, I think I took a hiatus around the time Grammy died, then we went on vacation and here I am - trying to catch up so I can finally say I've read the entire Bible myself.
4. I burnt my hands on the oven everytime I used it for about the first 6 months of marriage. I think they look worse now, however. Since Christmas, I've gotten 2 steam burns on my fingers, one burn from the burner itself, one slice of my knuckle with a pizza cutter and this week, I sliced a chunk of my finger off with a butter knife!
5. I just spent 2 hours + looking at bargains and deals and coupons. With all the +, -, x, /, it really puts the "Ec" in HomeEc
6. I never crack my fingers or my big toe (the little toes are fair game)
7. I can't grow finger nails. (I don't bite them, they are just flimsy. Oh, and my thumb nails get weird horizontal indentations in them..... Yeah, John sooo doesn't want the girls to get my fingers.)
8. From the time my water broke until the time natalie and julia were officially born was 1 hr 53 minutes and 1 hour 7 minutes, respectively.
9. John and I each got chicken pox when we were in 10th grade
10. On graduation day I forgot my trumpet, some graduation cards and my DIPLOMA at the school. hahaha. And they weren't all left together! It was an appropriate end to my High School career in which I lost (among other things) shirts, pants, shoes, coats, countless socks and hair accessories, 2 diamond rings (crushed another one), and my retainer (found it in the dumpster).
1. I'm not fond of my nose. (ever since someone told me I had a camel nose)
2. I always have cold hands, feet and nose.
a. In fact, in front of a thermal imaging screen, those parts of my body are missing!
b. My nose is always bright red (if you haven't noticed) and the other day, it "hit me" - maybe that's the reason for #1
c. Sometimes my feet are so cold, they hurt and I have get out of bed, sit on my vanity and soak them in my sink before I can go to bed.
d. I love the saying "cold hands, warm heart"
3. I am supposed to be within a month of finishing the Bible in a year.... but I'm not. Looking back, I think I took a hiatus around the time Grammy died, then we went on vacation and here I am - trying to catch up so I can finally say I've read the entire Bible myself.
4. I burnt my hands on the oven everytime I used it for about the first 6 months of marriage. I think they look worse now, however. Since Christmas, I've gotten 2 steam burns on my fingers, one burn from the burner itself, one slice of my knuckle with a pizza cutter and this week, I sliced a chunk of my finger off with a butter knife!
5. I just spent 2 hours + looking at bargains and deals and coupons. With all the +, -, x, /, it really puts the "Ec" in HomeEc
6. I never crack my fingers or my big toe (the little toes are fair game)
7. I can't grow finger nails. (I don't bite them, they are just flimsy. Oh, and my thumb nails get weird horizontal indentations in them..... Yeah, John sooo doesn't want the girls to get my fingers.)
8. From the time my water broke until the time natalie and julia were officially born was 1 hr 53 minutes and 1 hour 7 minutes, respectively.
9. John and I each got chicken pox when we were in 10th grade
10. On graduation day I forgot my trumpet, some graduation cards and my DIPLOMA at the school. hahaha. And they weren't all left together! It was an appropriate end to my High School career in which I lost (among other things) shirts, pants, shoes, coats, countless socks and hair accessories, 2 diamond rings (crushed another one), and my retainer (found it in the dumpster).
Thursday, January 1, 2009
WE ARE!
Good Luck to my Penn State Nittany Lions today as they battle USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl.
Luv Ya Lions!
Shady Math
In trying to teach in everyday experiences, Daddy tried to teach Nat a little math last night. He had some vitamin bottles on the kitchen table. Two were in one group and two in another group.
Daddy asks, "What's two plus two?"
Nat: "I don't know."
Dad: "OK, well let's find out." He moves the two groups near each other "OK, let's count them."
Together: "one, two, ... three, four"
Dad: "OK, so what is two plus two?"
Nat: "asthma"
Daddy asks, "What's two plus two?"
Nat: "I don't know."
Dad: "OK, well let's find out." He moves the two groups near each other "OK, let's count them."
Together: "one, two, ... three, four"
Dad: "OK, so what is two plus two?"
Nat: "asthma"
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