Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Mom...today I'm going to be a Princess Superhero!
And away she went!

This is my FAVORITE Lil face....she scrunches up her nose and smiles.

I love it!!

Giggling at her sister....

Houston....we have a crawler...or a centipede...

Speaking of milestones.....

I couldn't leave Talia out of my blog as I'm bragging about my kiddos. Kyle poked fun of me last night after he saw my post on Lil. He said I should have added that she is also doing complex math equations among all the other things I listed.

Can I help it that I'm a proud mommy?

Well onto Talia....It has been very exciting and fun for both Kyle and I to see how Talia has learned and explored language and reading skills. We have seen Talia go through the progression of learning her letters and sounds to which has lead to pre reading skills, phonemic awareness, memorizing books, and making up her own words and stories. She has been able to read words in isolation for a long time now and recognize various signs/words (i.e. Target, Starbucks, etc....I guess you know where we like to visit) as well as put some simple sounds together to read words. However, this past week brought a new milestone for us when Talia opened up a book and started really reading the words, really reading the story. Last week as I was folding laundry, Lil was playing next to me and Tal was looking through a stack of books including some that I had out for Lil. I could see her starting to look at some of the books I had out for Lil including the book "Barnyard Dance" by Sandra Boyton. Tal started to name each letter in each word on the page. She was talking quietly to herself and I could hear her begin to sound the words out after she had gone through naming the letters. When I asked her what she was doing and if she wanted to share with me, she brought the book over to me and we started looking at the words together. I asked her if she wanted to put the sounds and letters together to make the words and read the story. Without hesitation she started to read the word "stomp" and then continued with some help from me to read the rest of the sentence on the page. I was so excited and proud of her! After years of working with first graders and teaching different children how to read it was such a joy to be able to experience this with her. After we finished "Barnyard Dance" I then got out some easy readers that I had used in my classroom and we began to read through them together. I didn't finish folding the laundry until later that night but it was sure a fun afternoon. I feel so blessed to be able to be home with my girls and to be the one who gets to witness these milestones.

8 months in....

It's hard to believe that my baby girl is 8 months old already. In the beginning it didn't seem to go as fast but that was probably because I was sleep deprived and trying to figure out how to parent two kiddos. It now seems to be flying by. Lil is such a sweet baby with a cute little personality that we are learning about more and more each day. Here are a few of her favorite things:

• Waves hi...if you ask her to say hi she'll put her hand up and down quickly and smile...too cute!
• Knows her mommy, daddy and sister by name
• Be bops to music
• Pulling open drawers and trying to get what's inside
• Starting slowly to pull herself up
• Loves to do push-ups
• Does a combination of the "army" crawl, hopping herself on her tummy, rolling over and scooting to get around a room
• Likes to drink water from her cup
• Learning how to feed herself finger foods, not always successful but fun to watch her try
• Says "Daaad" and looks at Kyle and "Mooom" and looks at me
• Has one tooth
• Has her own way of signing "more"...it's more like gimme
• Bangs two objects together (likes to make a lot of noise)
• Plays peek-a-boo
• Drops toys off of her booster seat and watches them land on the floor (and then sometimes gets frustrated when those toys don't automatically get put back onto her tray)
• Has clapped a few times
• Loves to stand up and push off with her chubby little legs
• Takes two naps (sometimes only one)
• Has a smile that lights up a room

2008 Awards

Well, I haven't been the best blogger as of late (I've been in a bit of a hibernation) but I thought I should get one last post in before the new year. So here is my small year in review.

WELCOME TO THE 2008 AWARDS!!!

LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD -(longest friend)
My older sister, Judy. We have gotten closer this year and it has been fun to become better friends as well as sisters.

NEWCOMER AWARD - (coolest new friend)
My neighbor Helena. I have been able to get to know her more this year through the friendship of our two dear daughters. She is quite witty and creative. I always enjoy our talks together.

BOSOM FRIEND AWARD:
My dear friend Joslyn. "True friends are always together in spirit" (Miss Stacey--Anne of Green Gables)...even though we don't see or talk to each other daily you are my true friend (as Talia calls it). My prayer partner, encourager, cheerleader, secret keeper, ministry dreamer, giggle maker, Starbucks sharer, and theologian discusser. I miss you dearly and am so thankful for you!

SHOUT OUT SUPPORT AWARD:
This has to go to two groups of women.
1. My Grace Group gals. Through the Grace Group process I learned a lot about myself and the Lord started a work in me this last Spring. I have to give a Shout Out to the support, encouragement and listening that group of women gave me.
2. My Pirate girls. A tidal wave of friendship....it ebbs and flows as life brings changes and challenges. I'm so thankful for each of you my pioneer women!!

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR:
Becoming a family of four in May. Our sweet Liliana Hope makes me smile every day and I am so thankful that God has blessed us with her.

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR:
God has been very faithful to me and while there have been some low points I know that God has used them to change me and mold me into who He has created me to be. I will say though that having my dear friend, Joslyn move away has been a quite a low point but I know full well that the Lord is using her and her dear family for His purposes.

BEST HOLIDAY:
Christmas…..especially fun this year as Talia has grown more in her faith and in her imagination. To see her enjoy the excitement of the season and to ask even more questions about our dear Savior’s birth.

BEST FOOD FOR 2008:
Subway after having Lil of course.

YOUR SONG FOR 2008:
“Mighty to Save” by Hillsong United

MOVIE FOR 2008:
Bella

WHO WAS YOUR BEST KISS:
K$ of course!

WHO DID YOU SPEND VALENTINES DAY WITH:
My sweetie…low-key but wonderful.

FAVORITE PASTTIME OF THE YEAR:
Reading and blogging (even though I haven’t been keeping up with blogging)

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR:
El Paraiso (Snohomish)

BOOK OF THE YEAR:
Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers (even though I have had these books for years, I finally read through them….they are WONDERFUL!!)
I also discovered Lori Wick this year (Thank you Amber M. for introducing me to her books & Amanda & Kaitlyn for supplying my habit).

BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR:
To have Kyle go back to the City of Bellevue

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR:
DISNEYLAND!!, Go to my sister Judy’s wedding in June, Whistler in August, Have Kyle finish grad school (Yippee!!), continue to pray/research homeschooling, de-clutter my house (again), read more & watch less T.V.(Also, see resolution question)

TV SHOW OF THE YEAR:
Toss up for me as I am still stuck in the reality show rut….Amazing Race, Biggest Loser & Survivor. Also very partial to “The Office”.

BIGGEST CHANGE OF THE YEAR:
Adding a new member of our family and Kyle changing jobs.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION:
I’ve never been good at keeping a resolution so instead I will make some small goals and will offer myself some grace if I struggle in keeping them. All in all I would love to grow closer to the Lord this year, grow in disciple to spend more time in His word, help my husband more, give my children more undivided attention, be better at balancing my time, spend more time connecting with my friends, be a better housekeeper, and be a better communicator.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF 2008:
Having our sweet Liliana Hope join our family. Becoming a family of four has been sweet, challenging and joyful all together.

LONG LOST FRIEND OF 2008:
Lots of different friends I’ve reconnected with on Facebook.

JUST WON’T GO AWAY AWARD:
Cleaning the house, just when I think I’m on top of it all it just gets dirty again!

GOING THE DISTANCE AWARD:
Goes to Kyle….he continues to amaze me as he balances working full-time, going to grad school full-time, being a daddy, a husband, and a friend. He has a lot on his plate!!

REFLECTIONS WITH THE LORD AWARD:
While there have been many things that the Lord has taught me, reminded me and had me reflect on this year here are the top threeish--
1. His grace is sufficient for me.
2. He has created me for His unique purposes, in His image and that I am His child.
3. In order to truly be His disciple I must lose my life to find it.

WRAP UP:
This year has been full of memories and great experiences. I am amazed at how the Lord has blessed me with the life I have. I am thankful for so many things but most of all His saving grace, my husband, my daughters, friends and family. I look forward with anticipation to what 2009 brings!

Thankful

Thankful......

For my Savior who created me, redeemed me, loved me, covered me, protected me, rescued me...

My husband who loves me just as I am, works hard to provide for his family, & is my best friend.

My children who smile at me, teach me, challenge me, hug me, giggle at me.

My warm, cozy house.

Two vehicles that run well.

Food in our pantry, clothes on our backs, love in our hearts.

My family.

My friends who encourage me, cry with me, laugh with me, keep me accountable.

Psalm 100

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Quotes of the Week

Yesterday's random conversation at lunch....
Talia: "Mom, I like church picnics like at Grace Fellowship."
Me: "Oh (thinking what made Tal think of this?)......why do you like them?"
Talia: "Because you eat food at them, especially hot dogs....yummy!"

Tal: "Mom, who is my husband going to be?"
Me: "I don't know Tal, but I know that God knows if that is part of His plan for you."
Tal: "God will tell me when I'm older right Mom?"
Me: "Yes, Tal...when you are much older."
(I don't know why she thinks about her husband so much but this is usually a weekly conversation.)

Tal: "Mom, when is the last of the last days."
Me: "I don't know Tal, only God knows."
Tal: "Mom, I know God will tell us when it's time, right?."
Me: "Yes, Tal"

As I have mentioned before in this previous post Tal's preschool teacher will often ask the kids a question and then put their responses out for the parents to peek at while they are waiting for the kids to be finished with class. Today's question was "What gift would you give Jesus?" Tal's response was "I would give Jesus my friends." When I asked her about this on the ride home she said that she wanted to give Jesus her friends because they need to know His love. Pure joy to this Momma's heart. I pray that Tal's example would be a reminder to me to be continually lifting up those who don't have personal relationship with Jesus.

Kind of Flashback Friday

Talia 7 months

Liliana 7 months

Meditating on.....

Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

7 months in....

Another month has flown by and Lil' is now 7 months old!

She is a happy, curious, sometimes serious, smiley girl.

This past month she has been full into trying new foods and now eats: sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, turkey, chicken, apples, apricots, peaches, pears, winter squash, butternut squash, bananas, oatmeal, green beans, and cheerios...on to new things this next month.

She isn't crawling yet but can make her way around a room just fine by rolling over, scooting and pushing herself around.

As you can see below she has been experimenting with her voice and loves to "talk" to us.

She loves her big sister and shows it by lighting up when she sees Tal.

She is getting more comfortable with new people (still likes to be able to see Mom).

Such a delight to see her grow and change!

Can't wait to see what this next month brings!

Yes, I'm trying to have her say my name first......

Semi-Wordless Wednesday~My girls

My little bookworm

Kyle found another tub of books from my classroom

buried underneath the Christmas decorations.

Tal was tickled with new books to read.

If it wasn't for bath/bedtime she would

have been there for a couple of more hours.

My little "screecher"

Someone has found their voice!