The Biggest Cheater

You want to know who the biggest cheater is in our family? It's not going to be any of your guesses, I just know it. It's Hannah. Yes, our German Shepherd is the biggest cheater in the family. Every time I play hide-n-seek with the girls, she is pointing me out to them and getting overly excited. Does she point them out to me? As Pete the Cat would say, "Goodness no!" I'm not even the best hider. I mean, come on, there are only so many places an adult can squeeze into. Hannah, if you think you need to help, help us find Gianna. She's the best hider and stays SILENT! But then, she also likes to hinder my way when we play tag. Of course, Booga can get overly excited during this game as well and has been known to knock a child over because of his enthusiasm. But still, Hannah is the one who will ALWAYS stand in the way and impede my escape routes. Well, at least she has the best interests of the girls at heart though, right?

Different Learning Styles

I always hear tales of how the oldest child is always more reserved and usually more obedient and wanting to please the parents while the second child is less reserved and has more of a mind of their own. I have no idea how true this is because I think parenting styles change as a parent grows and matures and takes on more responsibilities with additional children. One thing I know for sure: there are no two children exactly alike. Right now I'm amazed at the different things that motivate my children to learn. The older seemed to go step by step in a "logical" or "traditional" order, focused on letters then phonics then reading. The second child thinks things through differently, or perhaps has even already discovered things without me noticing the first steps of learning. She has had zero interest in learning her letters. However, she is now standing behind me writing words, yes, actual words on the marker board. Of course, she doesn't know she is writing words until she says, "Look! What this say?" I'm amazed at the patterns she puts together to form words. Sure, not all of them are words, but she does write a LOT of them that are. I've now realized that I can't sit her down and teach her letter by letter. She prefers the excitement of already writing complete words, and so that is how I will continue to teach her. It's amazing to see the sparkle in her eyes when she discovers that not only has she learned a new letter, but can now write a word...and then she actually remembers those words and will rewrite them day after day. Have I mentioned that I love being a mom? This is an amazing experiement with which I am daily involved. I'm happy.

That Moment

You know those moments that you are just so in love with your spouse that you can hardly contain it? Yeah, I'm having one of those moments. I just really, really love my husband and am so grateful for all of the blessings that have been poured out upon our marriage. He's amazing and I love him.

Dora the Explorer Movie Trailer (with Ariel Winter)

Watch this, You'll appreciate it...especially moms and dads who have survived toddler-dom with Dora as your sidekick.

Unpacked...mostly

Aside from installing a mid-bar brace (seriously, who leaves a ten foot clothing bar without a support in the middle?) so I can finish hanging our clothes and put the shoes inside the closet and one box of toiletry items that need a home (no storage INSIDE the bathrooms), we are all unpacked and getting into the routine of life in our new home. It's beautiful here, although we hit a weird heat wave, so we haven't yet escaped the burning inferno we thought we left behind in Georgia. But, our home is situated in a little grove of trees, so it keeps the heat off the house and plenty of shade to enjoy the yard. I just wanted to give everyone a quick update that we are here, happy, and hopeful in our newest adventure. We miss those we left behind and you are in our thoughts! Don't forget! There is plenty of room in our new abode for visitors!!

Angels Around Us

I don't think I can convey the depth of gratitude I feel for one of God's angels today. We got the packet for our move yesterday and I had a night of anxious, fitful sleep. When I awoke this morning, everything was weighing on me and there were too many crazy things that needed to be accomplished today (I thought there were several things I could do over the next couple of days, but the prep. page demanded a certain time frame). What to do?!?!! I couldn't get going on any of the other things until one aspect was taken care of. I called a sweet friend who assisted me in that situation and offered to assist in others. Because of her, I only have a few very minor things left on my task list for today. I am so incredibly grateful and just want to tell Amy how much it means to me that she quickly came to my rescue...both physically and emotionally.

Surgery Success

After a couple of failed attempts at removing the offending portion, the doctor decided that placing a metal shaft between the head and body would solve the problem. Now there is a tiny metal appliance supporting the head on it's body, but the doctor feels confident that it is a permanent solution. I'm not sure how painful recovery will be, but that's what happens when a child knocks a crab's head off.