Semi-Formal

Pictures say it all......perfect!

Thursday with Megan

So today, my daughter in law took our daughter out of daycare and had a girls day. The baby barely slept last night and I was concerned that she may not be in the best of moods today. But much to my surprise (and I don't know why I am surprised, because she loves Meg so much) she woke up in a great mood. Ready for daycare without a problem, loads into the car and the questions begin to fly. When is Megan picking me up? Why is she not here? Where is she? Why, why, why? But you can be assured that by 1000 Megan was at daycare getting her baby sister.
One thing is for sure, they love each other. You can see it so clearly with every interaction they have. Its like, they look at each other, and understand each other completely.
So as I get it from the baby, they went to Wendy's which was super good and "yummy" chicken and french fries. Then they went to Megan's house.
"Megan friend my hair mommy" She got her hair done with glitter, fingernails painted, " me toes too mommy" and then topped it off with McDonald's play place. So I asked her tonight, "Does Megan rock?" Yep, as she nods her head. "Me love Megan" "me hug Megan and kiss her too ......alot".
After I picked her up which was 6-615 ish she was sleeping before we went 50 feet in the car. Once home, the tales of joy that she tells of her "girly girly day" sounds magnificent. So Megan, thanks for making my daughter happy. Thanks for blessing our lives continually. Thanks Faith for loving us unconditionally. Thank you Father for the continued blessings of our daughters. Oh how we love them so.

The YEAR OF THE OX

Chinese Zodiac Sign: Ox

Years: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009

The Ox is the sign of prosperity in the Chinese Zodiac. The Ox in Chinese Astrology is not a bull. Solid and hard working, this powerful sign of Ox is a born leader. Being dependable, calm and modest, Oxen possess the ability to achieve great things in life. Strong-minded and highly intelligent, their balance and strength inspire confidence. Lady Oxen have the tendency to trust the wrong partner, so it is important to always get an outside opinion from someone they trust and who is wise before they make a commitment. Oxen usually have happy childhood without incident in their childhood and youth. Oxen may encounter difficulties in their marriage in their middle age. However, they usually are able to smooth them out and achieve peaceful and happy life in their older age.

Chinese Zodiac Sign: Ox - Characteristics

People born in the Year of the Ox are highly intelligent, and most dependable. They work hard and enjoy helping others. They are born leaders, fearing neither responsibility nor risk. They need peace and quiet to work through his/her ideas. Once their mind is set, it is hard to convince them otherwise. They are conservative, honest, gentle, reliable, and inspire confidence from all around you. They are a truthful, loyal and committed to their friends and business partners. They work hard and like peace. Women are usually good wives who pay attention to their kid's education. They are easy to trust others, but should be cautious to others' cajolery.

Strengthness

Oxen are born leaders. They are intelligent, logical, calm, modest, solid, dependable, resolute, and hard working. They have a keen eye for detail and an admirable work ethic. They are usually quiet, but they can be both articulate and eloquent when necessary. Trustworthy, truthful, caring, honest, and honorable, Oxen usually are very well liked by friends and families. They are good-hearted, loyal to friends, love humor, and make themselves a wonderfully strong, tender and affectionate companion. They are good listener, unwilling to take sides until they know the whole story, and willing to provide steady and unbiased advices to other. Because of they are reliable, fair, logical, and intelligent, Oxen are often rewarded with positions of authority and trust. They are often traditional, and prefers systems and conventions.

Weakness

Oxen are stubborn and sometimes quick-tempered. Oxen are rarely driven by the prospect of financial gain, thus they may not pursue some opportunities that present to them. Oxen may lack of imagination, they need to be encouraged to try something new every now and then. Oxen are perceived as being far too serious or incapable of loosening up. It is important to remember that the oxen are sociable and relaxed when they feel secure. Since Oxen are generally quiet type, they tends to become introverted in a crowd. A good lesson for Oxen is to strive to overcome a judgmental nature or being too serious. Oxen need to learn to value their own good qualities to stand out of a crowd.

Gaining on It

So its been a while since I have commented on the baby's Attachment Disorder. Mainly because everytime I take two steps forward she takes three steps back and it is a grueling uphill battle each and every week. So this week I am excited to share some changes with you:

1) She has officially announced she is a big girl. No more need for pullups at nighttime, as big girls wear big girl underwear. She has been dry for 4 solid days and nights.

2.) She grabs her pillow and blanket and goes to bed on her own, not in my lap, not with me laying with her, not crying, just goes and lays down...AMEN!!!

3.) She wakes up and is excited about going to the babysitter, something I never saw with Daycare.....she is happy to go, packs her own bag with toys in the am and is jabbering all the way.

While these seem small, in my house this is HUGE..... huge progress, to know that she is loved, comfortable enough to let me leave the room, and going to bed on her own...well I actually get to blog. How about that?

Wordless Wednesday

Right Now

One of my friends Classic Mama posted the other day and asked what am I doing right now. So here it is:


Right Now I am listening to the Mickey Mouse clubhouse, while both of my children are in their rooms playing with their toys.

Right Now I hear the baby, singing Twinkle twinkle little star to her babies, okay it's more like shouting but it is still music to my ears.

Right Now I hear AA swinging his lightsaver pretending he is in the middle of Star Wars fighting off a galaxy, "no over here" as he jumps up and down swinging the lightsaver

Right Now I am wondering what to make for dinner, since school was canceled today and I have all day to plan it.

Right Now I am trying to figure out how five people accumulate so much laundry in one week, it's a never ending dryer cycle around here.

Right Now I am on the computer, trying to pick something special for my husband's birthday that will let him know how special he is and how much we love him here with us.

Right Now I am sitting in front of all of the family portraits, looking at happy moments and thanking God for each one of my family, the moments we have shared, and the time he has provided to do so.

Right Now my heart is a little sad, a little happy and a little confused. Each day brings its share of sadness for Eric, happiness because of the many blessings that we still have and confused of why we couldn't have it all.

Right Now I am looking at the rain pouring down and thankful that it is not snow.

Right Now I am going to end this post, change the laundry, play tag with my children (yes inside....we only live once) and get ready to make the children lunch.


What are you doing right now?

True Meaning of Christmas

True Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . .


"TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!


Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL,. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.


Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."