Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Two weeks without daddy, husband, friend...

Well, Nick is off to Bosnia. It is really great that I was able to go on the last trip. Now when he talks about the trip I will be able to picture it. I don't know of anyone that will read this, especially since I blog once in a blue moon. I just thought I might visit here in the next few weeks and share my random thoughts about being a single mom for 2 weeks.

It is really nice that the girls have school to distract them. Alyssa loves First grade and I love that she gets structure for 5 days and I don't have to provide it. She really thrives on routine, and schedules. Maddie is loving preschool. She is so great about telling me what she does, who liked her outfit, and new friends she has made. It is so fun to see the differences in my girls. Alyssa is very academic, wants to be the top of her class and the best at everything, very competitive. Maddie just wants to fit it, make friends, have fun. She loves learning, but it's different than Alyssa.It's fun to have a short time with just Carter 3 days a week. It brings me back to the days of having just one child and getting so much done. Today we went grocery shopping. It was fun to just shop and not have children asking for treats, etc. When we went by the doughnut bins I said, "Carter do you want a doughnut?" He was so excited, it was priceless.Our menu this week will be very kid friendly. Tonight we had home made macaroni and cheese with hot dogs, and broccoli. Tomorrow dinner is provided at church. Friday we will have sausage, egg, and cheese on english muffins, fruit and some sort of potato. Saturday a friend is having a BBQ. Sunday we will have spaghetti, biscuits, peas (or beans from the garden) or possibly Kid cuisines and move spaghetti to Mon. The kids think it great to have all their favorite foods. I am happy that it's so easy to make.

Day 1: Today went better than expected. The kids didn't have any severe melt downs. With early release it works out that the younger 2 can nap and Ally can rest and I get a short break. My friend came over with a gift and truly made my day. Gifts is my #1 love language. Dinner went well, the kids ate and we had good discussion about our day. Alyssa said she cried a little this morning because Daddy was gone. She will probably take his absence the worst. After dinner they played really well, which is not typical. Ally and Maddie played with their dolls and horse and played pretend, I think Maddie was the mom. Carter made a tunnel in the living room and the girls soon joined him in the fun of crawling through it over and over and over. They were all giggles, and I sat on the couch just enjoying them and feeling blessed. So, I thank all of you who are praying for me during these next 2 weeks. It's already making a difference.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Alyssa's Reading Award Ceremony


I read all 52 "I see Sam" books!


We are so excited for Alyssa. Carter started clapping, and said, "Yeah!" when she was crowned.


My teacher Mrs. Sharer.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Halloween 2010


Our Pumpkins!




I don't want my hat on!


Dumbo :-)


I am sweet, just like the cupcake on my cheek!



Maddie was Pinkalicious.



She is ADORABLE!



The cutest witch I've ever seen!



We received all our costumes from a friend, Alyssa was so excited that we let her be a witch.



Our Little Dumbo Stumbo

Pumpkin Patch 2010




Almost a collision, but Carter held his own.



Always sisters, Always friends.





Carter and mommy! I love my boy! Mommy forgot her coat and bundled up with Carter to stay warm.



Alyssa is becoming very independent and loves being the oldest.



Madelyn and her daddy enjoying a hayride!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Cannon Beach 2009

I hope that this mini-vacation will become a tradition for our family. Nick finished up his track season, with one girl going to state. He still runs two days a week with a number of his track kids. He also had his big 10-credit semester of seminary completed, with all A's of course. So, in other words he had some free-time so we headed to the beach. We are lucky and blessed to have a couple in our church let us use their house. Here is a snapshot of our trip.
Maddie really enjoyed stomping on the sand castles that her daddy and sister built. Unfortunately, Alyssa didn't always want her's stomped on. Oh, the joys of having a little sister.
It would be fun to take a picture like this every year and watch Ally grow up next to her dad.
Anybody want to play a game of frisbee?
Maddie was slower than the rest of us, but she didn't seem to mind. She is never in a rush. Perfectly content in whatever she is doing.
We found a park in town. It was pretty amazing. The girls loved all the cool toys, and Alyssa made a few friends (of course).
Maddie was a little scared to go in this tunnel, but Alyssa loved it.


They absolutely loved this tire swing. Grandma and Grandpa need to build a tree house with a tire swing, said Alyssa.
My cute little man!

Our family. The girls just got some big suckers, and a huge bag of cotton candy from the candy shop. Michelle and Nick, of course, got chocolate. There is nothing better than a peanut butter log and some seafoam from the Cannon Beach candy shop. Except maybe the cookies from the bakery, or the moose munch from the Harry and David shop in Seaside. We definitely had our share of goodies on this trip.



Even Michelle got in on the fun. "I love this skeet ball game!" Alyssa was proud because Mommy got a lot of tickets. I would have done even better without a sleeping baby strapped to me.

We made smores. It was a good idea to have this at the house. The girls didn't last that long. We were going to make a fire on the beach. It was pretty windy.
Alyssa analyzing her smore. Mmm!

Maddie, who doesn't really like getting messy, loved the smore. She is a lot like her mother.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Random May Pictures















Family Picture! I can't believe everyone is looking at the camera.



















Carter 4 months















Madelyn at the Graduation. 22 months.


















Alyssa talking to Grandma and Grandpa.





Alyssa, Alani (2nd cousin), and Madelyn at a birthday party.