Day in the Sun

I took yesterday afternoon off to rest and spend some time with my family before my crazy summer schedule kicked in. We took TJ to the park in Hicksville Ohio and then swimming at a friends house. Here is a photo montage of our day.

She has recently become a smiling fool! She loves to giggle at TJ, which makes him laugh harder, which makes her giggle harder...it's a cute never ending cycle!

Giving me a goofy smile while climbing up the stairs.

Enjoying the shade and Grandma Reeves lap.

He was afraid to walk across the bridge. This was the split second he was brave enough to let go of the handrails.

Taking a break on the stage coach.

Giving Grandma Reeves the stink eye and tongue. When we told Grandma that Ella has recently began rolling over she said, "No, she's too young to know what she's doing." Ella made this face and rolled over. It was her way of saying, "Oh yeah?! I'll show you I can roll over!"

Action shot of the twisty slide.

Ella all ready to go swimming. Too bad she fell asleep and never actually made it into the water!

Swimsuit FAIL for Lilia!

TJ decided he needed some shades too.

Insert your own Elton John joke here.

Lilia decided she didn't want to stand still for a group shot. Who needs swim trucks when underpants will do?!

Super Saturday and Sunday

Once again, limited access to facebook has me "publishing" pictures on my blog knowing they will eventually make it to facebook in the form of a "note."

TJ is always around Ella. He is always in her face and thankfully she doesn't seem to mind.

If TJ isn't in Ella's face, he is in Scooters personal space. That poor dog tolerates a lot!

Ayron and TJ in our "Tree Top" seats for the Tin Caps game...I have no clue what is up with Ayron's face!

TJ trying to enjoy the game. He was upset because he thought we were going to the game so that he could play, not sit and watch.

We took TJ down to the fountain to cool off. It took some persuasion, but once a little girl grabbed his hand and lead him into the water, we couldn't get him out!

He is stepping on one of the jets. He got a thrill when it came back on and shot him in the butt!

He was having a grand ole' time.

We let him continue his water time once we got home. We wanted to make sure he was good and tired! He is actually spraying the dog (off camera) in this shot.

Apparently he got thirsty.

Just relaxing on Daddy's chest.

Brief Moment of Panic

On Saturday and Sunday mornings I have the kids all to myself. This used to frighten me, but now that Isabella is on a schedule and TJ has become even more independent, the situation has turned from panic to delight.

I enjoy my time alone with my kids. I often put Isabella on the floor and let TJ talk/read to her. She loves him and it is apparent by her constant smile and giggles when he talks to her. He is ALWAYS in her face and she doesn't seem to mind. Scooter is even learning to like her. Scooter never showed any dislike towards her, but when we brought TJ home he was always with TJ. Scooter could really care less where Isabella is, but he will still follow TJ to the ends of the earth....dumb dog!

This past Saturday I had Isabella on the floor and was working on her physical therapy (she has some tight neck muscles) and TJ sat down beside her on the blanket. I had this brief panicked thought of, "Holy crap. I am responsible for these two. What was I thinking bringing two lives into this world?! How am I going to raise them to be polite, God fearing, respectable members of society?!" I had to remind myself that we have managed to keep TJ alive and safe for 3 years. He is polite and well mannered and just darn cute! I guess "faking it till you make it" is working so far with parenting. I just hope that I don't fail my kids in the parent department. At times I feel like I know what I am doing and other moments I feel like I have no control and no idea what I am doing. I guess every parent goes through that feeling so I shouldn't panic. It still amazes me that these two are mine!

Long Weekend

We spent our long weekend relaxing and hanging out with friends. I know I am putting a lot of pictures into blogs/notes (my blog uploads automatically to facebook), but lately my only facebook access has been through my phone, and thus I can't upload pictures that way. This way our family across the country can still see pictures of the kiddos. Both kids are battling sinus infections that are oozing our their eyes....so not joking. They are both now on a highly powerful antibiotic so hopefully they both start feeling better soon!

For both being sick, they're behaving fairly well.

I have a pictures of TJ wrapped up like this, in the same towel even!

TJ got a Cars 'pishing fole.'Practicing his casting in the front yard. He is doing pretty well considering he is 3. All 3 of my kiddos!Tossing a football, probably at Eli's head.
Uncle Kerry was trying to coax the kids to actually run THROUGH the sprinkler, not just around it.

Ayron, torturing our children.

Tj sporting a dirty face and new 'do.

Waiting for water balloons to fall from the sky.

Watching the water ballon fight from the comfort of her bouncy chair.

They were attempting to play catch, which really turned into TJ beaming the ball of Eli's head.

Butt cracks!

Shiver Me Timbers!

Our church has been doing a series called "Pirates of the Caring Church." After church on Saturday the kids had the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the pirates and get a gold doubloon. TJ has recently gotten into watching Disney Channel's "Jake and the Neverland Pirates." I thought that the pirates at church might freak him out since they weren't cartoon drawings, but he walked in after church and exclaimed, "PIRATES!!!!!!!!!" He was thrilled he got a gold doubloon like Jake gets on the tv show.

Still Amazes Me

It still amazes me that two goofy looking people like Ayron and I can make such cute kids....then again, I am a bit partial!

I was up most of the night thinking and praying about the victims of the tornado that struck Joplin Missiouri last night. I am running low on sleep, but my mind will not stop racing.

I am watching the tree across the street. It is swaying in the morning breeze. The bright green leaves are stunning against the blue sky background. It seems peaceful outside. The kind of morning where I would like to do nothing but sit in a hammock and read a book. Yet I know that storms are on the way. My morning text message from the local television station warned me of today's storms. So do I sit here in fear knowing what is coming? No, I have decided to focus on what I see, blue skies and swaying trees.

How many of us get wrapped up in what we think is coming our way? How many people were truly worried about the supposed rapture that was supposed to take place Saturday? Who sat by their clocks counting down the minutes?

Who lives their life in constant fear about what could happen instead of focusing on what IS happening? Why waste what time we are given worrying about what is next? Why not take advantage of the time we have been given? Take time to focus on the swaying tree, not the supposed storms that could be coming.

Real Men

A friend, let's call her B, like to exchange silly stories about our husbands and their antics. It occupies our time at work. We both know that our husbands are great men, but it is also nice to share frustrations with someone.

While surfing the net the other day, I came across this article/video. (I know that Facebook imports my notes from Blogger, so I hope the link transfers properly). The article was interesting to me, and not because I follow Idol, because I don't. It was Chris's back story that got me. Maybe the back story hit me because I watched my brother in law stand by his wifes side when she was in a terriable car accident, who knows. The lyrics of the song hit me too. It just made me think that real men don't leave, even when times get hard.

In a world where divorce seems to be the norm and for idiotic reasons (Note: I do feel that in certain situations, divorce is better for all involved, but in today's society it seems like one minor disagreement leads to divorce) it is nice to know that real men still exists. I see these real men when I look around at my family, church and my friends. I know they aren't going anywhere, no matter how difficult it gets. So to all the real men out there, thank you! You are appreciated!

What Are Words

Anywhere you are, I am near
Anywhere you go, I'll be there
Anytime you whisper my name, you'll see
How every single promise I keep
Cuz what kind of guy would I be
If I was to leave when you need me most

What are words
If you really don't mean them
When you say them
What are words
If they're only for good times
Then they don't
When it's love
Yeah, you say them out loud
Those words, They never go away
They live on, even when we're gone

And I know an angel was sent just for me
And I know I'm meant to be where I am
And I'm gonna be
Standing right beside her tonight

And I'm gonna be by your side
I would never leave when she needs me most

What are words
If you really don't mean them
When you say them
What are words
If they're only for good times
Then they don't
When it's love
Yeah, you say them out loud
Those words, They never go away
They live on, even when we're gone

Anywhere you are, I am near
Anywhere you go, I'll be there
And I'm gonna be here forever more
Every single promise I keep
Cuz what kind of guy would I be
If I was to leave when you need me most

I'm forever keeping my angel close

I Love My Job (Not Being Sarcastic Either!)

I love my job. It has its struggles, but I love my job. For those who don't know I will attempt a Reader's Digest of what I do.

I run a school in Steuben County for students who struggle with the traditional academic setting. I work with students that range in age from 6th through 12th grade. Some students have issues with the law, some just can't hold their tongue in check when in school. I work with the students that most teacher try to avoid. I love my job. I love the non traditional student. At times the drama here can be RIDICULOUS but I think I might be bored if I were in a traditional school teaching the same thing for 7 hours a day. Due to the ratio of students to teachers (7.5 to 2) I am able to get to know my students on a more personal level.

I get emotionally invested in my students. I have tried not to, but it's not possible. It kills me to know the struggles they are dealing with, and at such a young age. I was fortunate enough to be raised in a home where my parents were married, had jobs, and cared about me. I was able to have a nice roof over my head and clothes on my back. I had food in my belly and parents that made sure I stayed on track academically. Growing up, I might not have appreciated all that I had, but I do now. Basically, I had people that gave a darn about me and held me accountable for my actions. I thought it would be easier to just not care about the kids and get jaded, but I can't do it. I do know that at time I get jaded, but I honestly try to avoid it. At times I wish I didn't care, it would make this job a lot easier, but I know these kids need someone to care about them, so I care. I know this will keep me awake tonight, but I am willing to shoulder that burden so that they know I care.

I know that for legal reasons I cannot share what I am dealing with today, but I can ask for prayer for my student. They are struggling and my staff and I finally pulled them aside and pieced the puzzle together. We are figuring out what the next step is. It could go in so many different directions and we are trying not to get ahead of ourselves. So I am doing what I do best, asking for prayer.

Do You "Martha?"

Decades ago, a woman named Martha opened a small popcorn stand in Auburn. It was just a small building (some might call it a shack) with a few lights out front. While the surrounding buildings have changed (to an extent), Martha's hasn't. I remember Martha becoming ill and passing when I was in second grade. I only remember this because my second grade teacher was taking Martha to her doctors appointments.

I remember asking my dad to take me up to Martha's to get some popcorn. At the time I just wanted to see what the hype was about. I wasn't impressed. It was popcorn. Couldn't I just make this at home by throwing some Orville Redenbacher in the microwave? The atmosphere and charm were lost on me. I was 9 so forgive me. Fast forward about 17 years.

Last summer Ayron, TJ, and I began biking up town at least 2 evenings a week (they are open Wednesday through Saturday) to get some popcorn. The stand is now ran by Jack and Ruth Randinelli (with help from their daughter, Kim. Kim was Ayron's band teacher in high school). They are the perfect grandparent type. They know EVERYONE and don't forget them from one season to the next either. On a nice evening you can find Ruth in the stand making her carmel corn or pouring freshly melted butter over a brown sack of popcorn. Jack can usually be found sitting outside on the bench reading a book or discussing classic cars with my husband. TJ will often ask to go visit Jack and to eat some popcorn. He loves being able to sit at the picnic table with his own bag of popcorn and bottle of water. Last summer he could often be found talking with Vince (friend of the owners) about the finer things in a then 2 year old's life.

Five days ago, we restarted the Martha's tradition with our children. While I am sure Isabella wasn't too impressed with the outting, TJ was thrilled. As soon as he heard me told Ayron that Jack and Ruth would be up town he began to beg to head up to Martha's. If you are in Auburn on a lovely summer evening, I encourage you to go buy a bag of popcorn and just sit. Watch the customers that come to the stand and how Jack, Ruth, and Kim personally greet each customer. I would much rather walk up town instead of turning on the microwave! The first time we let him have his own bottle of water. I was sick of his backwash in my bottle! (2010)Chilling at the picnic table with his own stash of popcorn. (2010)

Relaxing on the bench outside. (2010)

First trip to the stand for 2011. I can't believe how different TJ looks from the pictures from last summer. The stand isn't any wider than it looks in this picture, and it doesn't need to be any bigger! It has been open for years and will hopefully be open for many more!

Moody Monday

I am a bit moody today, and while I have valid reasons to be, I decided to cheer myself up by looking at pictures of the kiddos. Here are some more random pics from the recent happenings in our life that make me smile!

He is such a little ham!

Easter morning...not sure what he is trying to "Ta Da"...maybe the fact that the hallway walls need repainted?

I love how he is pointing at Isabella. The looks on his face just says, "She's crying, shut her up!Apparently Easter egg hunts are easier if you are pantless, wearing your grandmother's rubber boots, and watching Curious George. All set for library graduation. He was happy that I let him stand on the bench!She isn't really a big fan of the dog yet....and he isn't a big fan of her colicky screaming fits either!

Driving the "Gator" at the Froggy Family Kite Fly event. Look at the excitement on his face!

Learning how to skate outside. He had skated inside the house, and did just fine, but he is still a bit cautious outside. We are trying to encourage him to be physically active and develop a love of all sports. He recently got a soccer goal, his skates, and now a 12" kids bike. The bike throws him for a loop. On his old tricycle he could pedal backwards and the bike still rolled. With the new bike, he pedals backwards and the brakes stop the bike from moving!