Checkups, Outings and One on One Time

Rebecca had her 5 year checkup the other day where I found out that she has grown 2 1/4 inches this past year (WHOAAA!) and gained 3 lbs. I am a little concerned that she is going to end up being taller than Miz Divine. Since I wasn't able to take off a whole day to spend with her on her birthday, I did spend a few hours with her after her appointment. Our first stop was Build-A-Bear. She's had several bears made for her but has never gotten to make one for herself and my oh my did she enjoy herself! She picked out a little dog that has a puppy that is held in the dogs mouth by a magnet. Cute, cute, cute! Then instead of an outfit we found a leash - which really cracked me up. She has taken belts off of dresses and any kind of string she can find and has been making her own leashes for her various animals. Now she has one that really is a leash! A big ol' chocolate chip cookie was the grand finale for our time out - YUMMY! Baby girl loves her "chocolee"!

Birthdays Past

Birthdays are a big thing for me, not sure why - not sure how to explain it but even before I had children I knew that their birthdays were going to be a very special time for them. For each child's birthday we have some sort of a party with their friends. On their actual birthday day we take them out for a special dinner where they get to choose where we go. Then I also try to take a day off from work and spend the entire day with just the birthday child doing whatever it is they want to do. The last one hasn't happened every year, but I would say it has most years.

Rebecca was adopted when she was 3 1/2 which obviously means we missed her first 3 birthdays, which also means I felt it necessary to make a big deal out of the first one we had for her last September. While I try not to dwell on our girls circumstances prior to being adopted, I can't help but have some sadness that both of them were not with us much earlier. In Emma's case, she was in an orphanage for a year. In Rebecca's, we're not sure where she was her first 4 months of life but based upon what we've been given it's safe to assume she must have been with her birth family. She went to live with Amanda at the Starfish Home when she was 18 months old, but there is a gap from 4 months to 18 months where we have no idea where she lived. There's mention of a foster family but we do not know how long she lived with them. So many things we just do not know.

The other night I dug out some cd's that Amanda had sent home with us when we adopted Rebecca and I started opening up picture after picture that was taken from 18 months up until we adopted her. Then I ran across these - BIRTHDAY pictures! Oh my, how cute are these!!!! Knowing that my baby girl had a big fuss made over her for both her 2nd and 3rd birthdays just melts my heart! I know I've said it a million times, but Amanda from the Starfish Home is simply amazing. It's so obvious how much she loves her babies. What a blessing to have these pictures & to see how well she was taken care of!

For Today

Outside my window: It's dark and a cool breeze tonight during Ryan's game. Fall is almost here - I can just feel it!

I Am Thinking: About my sweet hubby. He had a deacon meeting tonight and he's still not home. Even if we're not talking, I like having him close by and it feels a little lonesome with him not here.

I Am Thankful For: My new job. Which I guess isn't really that new now considering I've been there almost 9 months. Really, really like the team I'm on. Like our boss - he's a good guy. A friend of mine from the job we were laid off from is now there too and it's nice having her there as well. It's just a good fit and I am so thankful to have it.

From The Kitchen: Where's that?

I Am Wearing: Khaki shorts, white t-shirt. Barefoot!

On the 'Go Organize' Front: Brian & I worked on the basement some more. Then he started in on the garage .... he's a cleaning machine when he's in the mood. Now we have a van full of things to haul off to Goodwill.

I Am Going: To bed soon. As soon as Brian gets home that is.

I Am Reading: Haven't really started anything yet ... have picked up a few, only to put them right back down. My sister emailed today with a suggestion for a book - need to stop by the library and see if they have it. I love to read!

I Am Hoping: That we can save extra money for vacation next summer so that hopefully we could fly somewhere instead of driving. Not sure if we'll be able to, but am going to give it the old college try.

I Am Praying For: Ryan - he really hasn't seemed like himself lately. But I know he's probably just tired with school, baseball and church activities. Also for Brian's oldest son Jesse who will be heading back to Iraq in the next few months.

I Am Hearing: Total, complete quietness. The girls are in bed and I'm thinking Ryan must be too.

Around The House: A little messy, but not terribly so. Not anything I couldn't fix in an hour or so if I'd just do it. Laundry baskets filled with clean clothes and taken to the appropriate rooms, but still needs to be put away.

One Of My Favorite Things: The girls playing at the playground while Ryan is playing baseball. They have such a good time and their evenings are made that much better when they get to spend some money at the concession stand!

A Few Plans For The Rest of The Week: Another baseball game for Ryan on Tuesday night. Rebecca's 5 year checkup is on Wednesday & then gymnastics for Emma that evening, while Brian, Ryan & Rebecca go to church. Dance for both girls on Thursday and yet another baseball game for Ryan. A sleepover for Emma on Friday (she is SOOOOO excited!) - this is her very first one. Wish I could go and take pictures :-)

Have a great week everyone!

First Day of Preschool

Thursday was the first day of preschool for Miss Rebecca! I shared on Facebook that I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad??? She's really looking forward to it, and even more so looking forward to kindergarten next year so that works for the happy side. But on the sad side, she's our last one - last year for all the fun little preschool things, field trips and "letter find" activities. Our last baby who now is really not a baby anymore - she's a big girl now!

A Bike For Bex

One of our presents for Rebecca was her very own, brand spanking new bicycle. We ended up giving it to her a day early because it was soooo pretty here that day and the kids were out playing anyway. We had her turn around, close her eyes - the whole 9 yards and then gave it to her. She was smiling ear to ear!

Practically speaking we probably should have bought a new bike for Emma (since she's riding without training wheels) and then handed down Emma's bike to Bex. But, practicality doesn't always line up with what's on the heart - so a new bike was in order.

Rebecca has made so many strides this past year, being able to even pedal a bike a year ago was very difficult for her. Now she can peddle, skip and jump to her hearts content.

And I'll just say - buying a new bike was so worth the big smile and thankful heart!

For Today

Outside my window: It's dark and a tad bit cooler than it's been. Starting to believe that fall may really just be around the corner.

I Am Thinking: About family, and how sometimes I really wish we lived closer. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Louisville - but I do miss my family. Thankful to have so many friends who treat us as family though.

I Am Thankful For: Rebecca's 5th birthday, she SO enjoyed her special day and was so thankful for her new toys. She's kept all of her new things very close at hand.

From The Kitchen: Oh my my ... I made "Butter Chicken" over the weekend and it was delicious. I'm sure not one bit healthy - but it twas yum-acious. I also made some crispy potatoes the other night while Brian grilled out steaks. Those weren't too bad either. You basically boil the potato until soft, put it on a baking sheet - smash it down to 1/4 - 1/2 inch thickness. Pour on some olive oil and spices then bake until they are crispy. The kids loved them!

I Am Wearing: Blue shorts, white t-shirt. Barefoot! I love going barefoot! It won't be long until it's time to find my sweats :-)

On the 'Go Organize' Front: The basement we tackled, well - yes, we made progress, got things out of there, things thrown away - shelving moved around to make a better play area. Rebecca thanked us many times for 'making it neat down there'. But is it still neat? Should I put an expletive in front of that 'nope'?. Not even close. It's been Rebecca-fied. Sometimes I feel like I'm fighting a battle that I have no hopes of winning. Bless her little bones, I can't stand the thought of discouraging her from playing though. She's the only child we have who really plays with toys.

I Am Going: To bed soon.

I Am Reading: Just finished 'The Help'. It's a thick book and I finished it in about 3 days!!! Great read!!! Now if I could only find another one as equally interesting.

I Am Hoping: That Rebecca enjoys preschool, it starts up on Thursday. She has a brand new backpack that she got for her birthday that she is so proud of - already has her things packed in it and is ready to go!

I Am Praying For: A friend of mine in a painful situation. Hoping she will come to Louisville and spend some time with me.

I Am Hearing: Total, complete quietness. The girls are in bed and Ryan must be tired - haven't heard much out of him tonight.

Around The House: House fairly picked up, thankful that I had a long weekend to work on it. Still have a lot more to do to the basement - on top of Bex-mess that needs picking up. Laundry baskets filled with clean clothes and taken to the appropriate rooms, but still needs to be put away.

One Of My Favorite Things: Watching Rebecca enjoying her birthday. She was SO happy with all the attention, friends, presents, swimming and her horse cake. She's told us thank you several times already for her birthday. She's so sweet about giving thanks!

A Few Plans For The Rest of The Week: Emma is changing to a different gymnastics class on Wednesday nights that is more focused than the one she is currently in - that starts tomorrow night. I'm going to take Rebecca out of gymnastics for now and try her in a dance class. She loves music and dancing and I think this will give her an opportunity to do something different from Emma. Things like that are important to me since I was the youngest of 5 and it always felt like I had to do what my siblings wanted to do. That may not have been the reality, but that's how I remember it anyway! She'll start that on Thursday.

Choir practice for Brian on Wednesday & youth group for Ryan. Baseball games for Ryan on Thursday. Hopefully nothing but some time at home on Friday. Then the Simpsonville Fall Festival on Saturday. Whew ... glad I was able to enjoy some down time back in July!

Have a great week everyone!

Happy 5th Birthday Rebecca

Today we celebrated little Rebecca's 5th birthday. Fifth. Five. Oh my my ... my baby is growing up! She has been so excited about her big day and we've been counting down to it for weeks now. The celebration was held at the local pool, the likes of which I reserved back when it was hotter than hades here and lo and behold if it hasn't turned off a little chilly. But the cool weather didn't put a damper in her enthusiasm. Although we did have to go spend a little time in the indoor pool to warm up a tad!

Happy Birthday Little Rebecca! We're so thankful to be celebrating your special day with you!!!

Fun Times At The Midway

The kids had THE best time at the Midway. Ryan is so good about going off and riding the rides without anyone being with him, how I admire him for doing that! It seems like it takes both me and Brian to keep up with the girlfriends. Good grief, they were running from one ride to the other and seemingly couldn't get enough of the fun. No holding back for those too - it's full steam ahead!!!

The Fair is For Food

I suspect that the main reason our family likes going to the fair is simply the food. Now they could all argue their own various reasons for wanting to go to the fair - but mamas know these things. It's the food.

In Ryan's case this year, he had heard about the new donut burgers and he wanted to try one. A burger in between two donuts. Not donut halves mind you - but two donuts.

Can someone PLEASE tell me how this kid stays so skinny?