Memories from the past week

Wow, what a week! Natalie was sick for a week, missing a whole week of school. I will forget how to do carpool tomorrow! It was terrible to see her all not like herself, not bubbly or bouncy but kind of just there. I knew she was better when I heard her giggle a couple of days ago. I hadn't realized I had not heard it for a while until she did. Most of the week was spent in the house. I did, thankfully, get out of the house a couple of times this week when Mimi and Poppa came over to cheer Natalie up. And, to give me a chance to go to a car appointment and a dentist appointment. I don't know how I would have done either with one or both girls. They were so nice to watch them both! And, I wouldn't have gotten to go to Wednesday night to do Mission Friends or BSF to do volunteer because Natalie was still sick. So, they helped me there too! And, just a main boost of spirits all around from their visit.

But, then my sweet man who is always the picture of health started coughing. And, feeling weak. I knew when he said he was aching and chilling we were set for flu time for him. It was strange to see him in long underwear and wrapped in a blanket while I was in short sleeves. It usually is the other way around! He got Tamiflu a lot earlier than Natalie and so was only sick about 4 days instead of about 7 for Natalie. Back to work for you tomorrow, sweetie!

Nicole has been enjoying a lot of almost running right now. She is enjoying just about everything, loving being outside. This evening, in the sunshine, we went to the playground nearby. She loved it and enjoyed while we were there. Natalie did too, and was bouncing like back to 100%. We were blessed to be able to attend church all together too. We hadn't done that in 3 weeks with all the sickness.

Mainly, just a lot of blessings and praising just to be back to status quo.

The Second Soccer Game...

was played in the doctor's office. Well, not really, but our star player--Natalie, Nicole, and I were at the doctor's office while Woody coached the team for the second game. Natalie had woken up with a fever. She also had a sore throat and complained of pains, so we went to the doctor's to see if it was flu. After 2 hours there, I kind of wondered why I had not decided just to stay home. Especially when their thermometer didn't register much more than 99 temperature. They decided after some tests that it was a viral sore throat, not strep or flu. So, we went back home happily to stay after that.

Woody didn't have many kids turn out for the second game due to the weather and some illnesses going around in a couple of the other team. However, they did do really well against a much larger team. I wish I could have been there to help out and help cheer on the team! And the coach!

The Natural Progression of a Mother

What can I say except give the progression of vehicles in my life. When I was in my late teens through mid 20's, I loved my little Saturn sports car. I loved any 2 door vehicle and decided 4 doors were way too uncool. I zoomed around corners like I was a race car driver, and sometimes drove way too fast on the highway. I enjoyed hugging the corners with that little car. As I grew older, the speed went down and my practical side noticed that friends didn't like getting into the back of a small 2 door vehicle. So, I relented and decided to purchase a 4 door sporty sedan. Nothing bigger than that--definitely not a minivan. Maybe a SUV someday...I did well with the 4 door sedan and still drove it like a race car driver at times, although followed the speed limit a lot more. Then, I became a mother...

Something happens chemically when you give birth, I think. You start noticing minivans everywhere. They looked so...practical. So easy to get kids in and out. So much easier than getting into a tight parking space to just open a sliding door. Room for little friends for sleepovers. So, when my little sedan began acting up, that was what I wanted to have for the next car. And, by the grace of the Lord, I now have one!

Natalie really likes the sliding doors. Nicole just enjoys going anywhere in a vehicle (for up to an hour that is!)

The soccer mom in her minivan. An official MVM!

P.S. Woody still prefers his truck.

First Soccer Game

The first game! The excitement, the worry about getting all of it done right! Grandma & Grandpa came up to see the soccer start, Natalie, as well as keep Nicole occupied while I helped assist the coach. There were things to keep up with, such as substitutions and the game stars. Both of these are hard to do while you are trying to coach. The first few minutes are spent just trying to get the kids to know which way to go. We had a couple of the other team almost help give us goals at first. Then, there were a couple of goals scored by the team! The best thing was that everyone seemed to have a good time.

Getting ready, almost ready to play
The soccer players were really into it!

After the game, thankful for some snacks!

All together after the game!

Thank you so much, Grandma & Grandpa for being there!!

14 Months!

A big day, 8 year anniversary for 9/11 and Nicole's 14 month birthday! Nicole is really walking good now, starting to try to run . Right now, she is at my feet trying to unroll a whole ball of twine. Her fingers are quick and in everything she can reach! We have really enjoyed watching her learn new things. Yesterday, she had a great time splashing her hands on an upside down bucket that had rainwater layer on it. She loves going in and out of Natalie's play house outside and in the sandbox (which, her sister loves too!). They both love outdoors. Nicole will bring me her shoes to signal she is ready to go outside! So many wonderful new experiences!

Yard Sale Time!

The big yard sale! We got everything as ready as we could the night before. I had heard stories of people showing up the day before or even an hour ahead of time. We were kind of worried that people would be waiting. However, we got out there at 6am, way before light and put everything up. No one was there or waiting. I took a picture of my side before anyone came. This was about 7am, and you could barely see!

Our first customer didn't show until 7:20. It was pretty good on and off most of the morning. I was surprised at what sold and what didn't sell. I did get rid of all the big baby toys and the stroller. I didn't think any of the baby clothes would sell until a grandfather-to-be came up and bought all the clothes I had that were not hanging! It started getting hot around lunchtime, so I was glad that we were only there till noon. It was slowing down about then, anyway!

Wouldn't you buy lemonade from this pretty girl? We actually did sell a few glasses. It was the way Natalie could be involved in the sale too. She had a lot of fun trying to sell lemonade.

Well, it is over and we had a good time. Not that I'll be doing yard sales anytime again in the near future!! Although there are some more things that need to be weeded out before I can even start to get the house looking like you, Kim!

Cute Things Nicole is Doing

Nicole is being quite the charmer when we go out. We have gone out for ice cream 2 times this week (hey, dairy is good for you!). The last time she would smile at people, then put her head down like she was doing a handstand and smile again. In between going for bites of ice cream, that is! I wish I could have had a camera with me to get a picture of her antics!

She does the handstand thing at home too. I will have to get a picture of that! And, also she stands at the refrigerator and kind of tugs on the handle when she wants juice. When she is finished, she tugs again to put it back in the refrigerator! If she wants to go outside, she will bring me her shoes (or, at least one shoe). These cute actions are replacing her other times of where she will yell for things. She is learning to communicate by action now, hopefully words soon!

The words she does say are "Momma, Dadda, Bye-bye." Of course, if she is hungry for something she will say "Momma." Or, if she sees you eating something she thinks looks good!

Coach's First Practice

First day of practice! Woody learned a lot while he was faithful to work hard all week trying to catch up on all the rules and decisions. Nicole kept me busy and wasn't much help, only being pacified when either grabbing my cellphone or trying to eat mushrooms on the ground. One time, I caught a kid trying to feed her cheetos! She did try to join the fun that the kids seemed to be having too, which meant I just mainly went back and forth on the field, not much help to Coach!

Nicole trying to learn soccer...she likes to kick the ball!

Coach waiting for the team to show up...Natalie was actually removing the cones instead of placing them there in the background, I am afraid!

Peyton showed up to do some early drills with Natalie.

The players were mainly 4 who liked to listen to the coach (including Natalie, who thought herself assistant coach or aka tattletale!). There were 2 very strong willed kids who actually even started the team going backwards on the field saying "Beep, beep, beep..." at one point. They were quite a challenge!

All in all, the kids did settle down and at least do a few drills. They listened well at the devotional time, too. But, it would be a blessing to have an assistant coach or other help show up. Any prayers are definitely welcomed, too! Natalie had a good time and seems to like having her daddy as coach.