Easter 2012

I am glad that Easter was late this year. I love it when we can get out and enjoy the weather outside. We got the girls a outside playhouse and swing set for Easter. We spent the first part of Saturday working on the start-up. We were quite overwhelmed when we laid out all the pieces from the boxes. Little Ellie couldn't stay awake and took a nap.

  

We were having lunch at Bob and Janet's for Easter this evening. Here are the girls ready to go.

The Easter egg hunt is always a favorite. Here is Maddie on her first official hunt.

Meg and Eme came over for dinner and eggs as well. 

 These girls love each other, most of the time

Today was dinner at Nanny's and then we will go to Mom's for the girls to get their baskets.

A quick snap before leaving. 

Maddie waiting to do what she does best...EAT.

 Not a very happy egg hunter

 Yep, it is nap time

When we got back home we resumed work on the playhouse. After a day and half we are making progress.

Happy April

Lunch Time

SB: Day 5

I am a little sad that our spring break is coming to an end. But we only have nine more weeks of school before summer break. Today we took pics with the girls and Eme. We did not have the best experience at Click, but we did get a guy who was pretty awesome at photoshop and he did some neat things with the pictures.

Above is my crazy girl and acting very Maddiey.

SB: Day 4

Today we started early this morning by heading to drop Maddie off at Grandma's for a bit, then we picked up Shelby, and then headed to the school to do some more painting. Ellie was so excited to go and help-she had to get her apron to make sure she did not get any paint on her.

Such a big helper
After painting we went to lunch at Ihop-one of E's favs

Ellie has been wanting to be a munchkin in my show-so I finally made the decision that we would see how she does. Last week all the munchkins decorated their costumes. Today we went to get her a shirt to decorate. After lunch we went back to Janet's so the girls could decorate.

Here is the finished product

We hung around for dinner. Below is a picture of Maddie and me goofing off.

SB: Day 2 and 3

I have been looking forward to visiting my bestie Amy in Indy for quite a while. Ellie and Maddie have been looking forward to spending the night with Memaw. I spent Tuesday morning with the girls in our pjs and just playing. Then about noon (after E wore me down with "when are we going to Memaws) I took the girls to Moms. Then I came back home and got the truck. Amy and Joe just closed on their house, and I offered to bring the truck up to help them move some stuff.

Of course I wanted to stop by Edinburgh, to see if I could find anything good. I had a couple of Easter dresses for the girls, but they were not anything I absolutely loved, so I went into Gymboree and found the cutest dresses, really cheap. Then I went to stride rite to try and find Maddie some support shoes for summer to help her with her walking. Success, even though they were a little pricey, I know they will be better than some of the summer shoes she has.

I arrived at Amy's house around 4. Then we went to visit her parents before going out to eat at a restaurant called Ted's. If you are ever in Indy-I suggest you check it out. What a great place and their Bison burger was awesome. I was spending the night at her place.

We got up this morning quite early to begin moving some things to the new place and then to clean the house. She has a very nice house and I am so happy for her and Joe.

Taking a break from cleaning to rest on the new mattress

Last pic before I headed out

Around 1:30 we went to lunch, and then shortly after I headed back home to get my girls. I enjoyed the visit and can not wait to see her again. I know the girls can not wait to see her either.

16 Months

When I scheduled Maddie's 15 month appointment, I wanted to make it on Spring Break-which actually she is almost 16 months. Here check-up went great. I was concerned about her not really walking yet. I have been getting opinions from different people, but the doctor said that is it not abnormal for a girl especially to get distracted when walking. Which is what Maddie does. She will start walking and get distracted and then fall, or she will get in a hurry and then fall. But she has really improved a lot over the last week.

Numbers- 30 inches long (E was 30 1/2 at 18 months) and 19.21 lbs (E was 19.1 at 18 months)-so they are pretty close in height and weight.

Madelyn,

*You are in size 3 diaper (still), size 12-18 months clothes, and size 4 shoe
*You are still not completely walking, but are taking more of an interest and really starting to get it.
*You LOVE food, some of your favorite things are: hamburger, cereal bars, applesauce, cheese-its, and M & Ms.
*You can climb nearly anything and are fearless when doing it
*You love to play outside, and it is lots of tears whenever we have to come in
*The "bafe" is one of your favorite inside activities-until Mommy starts to wash your hair and then you try to climb out of the tub and call for "Dada"
*You have a large vocabulary and will attempt to repeat anything we say
*You are really starting to play well with your sister, and you love to call for "Eelee." Forget the baby toys you are all about Barbie's and "bebes."
*Your smile is contagious and are really getting a personality that stops people who are passing by.

Spring Break: Day 1

After the doctor's appointment we came home to enjoy the beautiful afternoon.

Learning how to ride the John Deere

Piggy Piggy

Even Betsy was enjoying the afternoon

Now that is a bed of hay

Candace's Baby Shower

We can not wait until another little girl is added in May.

Congratulations Candance and Ryan!!!!

Single Mom-ing

I am constantly reminded how important having two parents in the home is to me each time Bob goes out of town. Typically he is only out of town for a night or two--this go around he will be gone four days. I am wore out. I have good girls, but it is the little things that I rely for Bob's help on-like getting everyone ready in the morning. I am sure that I have not been very well done up this week, because I do not have near enough time to get myself ready in the mornings.

The girls slept with me one night this week and here is what I found when I woke up. I was in a tiny spot on the right side of Maddie. It is no wonder my back hurts.

Meghan came over tonight and we made a diaper cake for Candace's baby shower on Saturday. I think that it turned out pretty cute.

Only two more days and then it is Spring Break. Oh how I can not wait to just relax for a few days and spend time with my girls.

Another One

We had another really nice day. This morning we had a work day at school in the auditorium. Mom watched the girls while Bob and I went to work on the set for our upcoming show-The Wizard of Oz.

This afternoon we came home and played, played, and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Daisy and Betsy were enjoying the day too

"Cheese"

Go IU/Green Day

I am not a huge basketball fan, but I do live in Indiana and it is March, so that means I have been watching more of it. I have grown up in a die-hard IU family, and this year with IUs surprising success-it is that much more exciting. So my Maddie is supporting her IU colors. Also today was green day at Preschool in celebration of St Patrick's Day. E was so excited to tell me about the Leprechaun that came to school and messed up their classroom-he also left gold coins for each of them to find. Too cute.

After we hung out at Mom's for a bit, E and I went with Meg and Eme to sign Eme up for preschool. Ellie was so excited to show Eme her school.

More Playtime

We had another 80 degree day. Meg and Eme came over to play after we both got done with work.

Bath Time

After we got home from Megs, it was time to bathe my dirty children. Maddie's hair is so curly and Ellie is straight as a board. All Ellie wants is to have curly hair. We have been trying all sorts of things-so tonight after her bath, we put it into braids.

She is all the time learning new songs, here is her latest and greatest.

Play Date

Tonight after rehearsal the girls and I went to Meg's so the kids could enjoy that last few days of winter. That sounded odd I know. It was near 80 degrees today and spring does not start until next week.

Loving the Gator
Best Friends-they both fell after this grip

Saturday

Today Bob and I had a wonderful day date. We went to the Louisville malls and had lunch by ourselves. This is so rare. We do not mind having the kids with us, but it is nice just to be alone sometimes. I was also able to convince Bob that eating at the Cheesecake Factory was a good idea. And as usual it did not disappoint (even Bob liked his meal).

Meghan had invited us all over for dinner earlier. Ellie could not wait to go over and play with Eme.

I love the Apple store. Today we got Maddie the cutest thing. After I got my iPhone, I gave Maddie my iPod. She always keeps pushing the center button to reset everything. So we found a cute bear that the iPod goes into and only the screen shows. It also has a bear program that talks and is interactive. She loves it, here she is showing Eme.

Finally

I finally gave my Blackberry up. I love my Blackberry, but my everything else that I use on a daily bases it an Apple. Here are a few of the first pics I took on the camera. The girls spent the night with Mom and Dad, so I had to stop by and get some cuddle time before they went to bed.

Cheese Face

Sisters

The girls have really been starting to interact more with each other. I know that it will not be long and they will be sharing a bed. Maddie already wants to sleep with Ellie, but she always falls out, so I know she is not quite there.

And then there was snow

Today was 2 hour delay number two for the year (yeah I know it is March). Tornadoes on Friday, four inches of snow on Sunday night/Monday morning. It is no secret that I am not a fan of snow, but if it is going to show this is what I like. Snowing at night, only a 2 hour delay because it is not on roads, and gone by time I get out of school because it is sunny and warm.

It is supposed to be 70 tomorrow. Such crazy weather. But I was able to take a beautiful picture this morning while driving into work.

Blessed Be Your Name

Today at church we sang a song that was so appropriate for what is going on. It was not God that caused the tornadoes, but it will be God that shines through us a we become the hands and feet for Jesus.

Blessed Be Your Name

In the land that is plentiful

Where Your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out

I'll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in, Lord

Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name

When the sun's shining down on me

When the world's 'all as it should be'

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering

Though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name

Reminder

When we hear about all the evil in the world, it reminds me of Bible stories. How God would provide, the people would turn away, God would provide, the people would turn away, you get the picture. I have been reminded the last 24 hours that people really are good deep down, just like God intended. There has been an abundance of help and donations for the victims of the tornadoes. It rebuilds our faith in Americans.

On another note, here are my two girls being loving sister.

In Awe

A Semi in a tree

Aerial View of Henryville

I have no idea where or how to start this post. But I sit her in awe of the events that occurred today. So let me start from the beginning.

It was storming this morning on the way to work, and it rained most of the morning. The NWS had be predicting bad weather for our area for a few days. But this morning they updated our risk of severe weather from moderate to high, with a probability of tornadoes at 40% (the highest it goes). It was not shaping up to be a very fun day.

I have a senior in my second to last class of the day who wants to be a meteorologist, so when he came in we were analyzing the radar and forecast together. It was not looking good. It seemed as if the storms were coming straight for us and quickly. As the end of the school day neared, it seemed as if it was going to hit right at the time school was letting out. Parents started calling to sign their kids out. Then five minutes before we were dismissed we were put into our tornado shelter areas. A few minutes later we would start to get reports that Henryville had been hit (around 3:00). Then about twenty minutes later we would hear that Marysville was "flattened." At this point I was really getting scared--we are very close to there. Around 3:30 we were sent back into our rooms only to be put back into our safe zones five minutes later because another storm was headed our way. On the radar (I had my ipad by my side the entire time-I was not going to be in the know) the second tornado was heading straight for us. But it suddenly just suddenly headed north. At that time all I could do was praise God and then try to check on my house. I knew it must have been really bad because I was getting text from all over the country. One of my good friends from Portland, even called to see if we were ok.

Bob had left work early to head to his mom and dad's where the girls were. He said that he was pretty sure the house was ok, but my friend Cindy who lives close by drove past shortly after the storm had passed. She said that all was well with the horses and the house.

We finally were released from school about 4:30. I went to Bob and Janet's to get the girls. Bob had already left, and Janet was cooking dinner. Sue came in and ask me if I would go with her to check on her properties (she is a realtor). She had to attempt to get into Lexington. So I went with her. Wow! Marysville was pretty bad. We checked on her properties and then headed back to get the girls and meet up with Bob who was returning from helping with the search and rescue.

Here is the NWS official reports on today's tornadoes.

I know we serve an awesome God, and I know that God did not do this. I just pray for all those who lost their lives and homes.

On Track

Today I met with my advisor from IUS. It looks like next spring I will graduate. This will be such a weight lifted when I no longer have to take classes. However, I only plan to take a few years off (until Maddie gets into school) before I go back. I have always has a dream to go to law school, and I am still being pulled in that direction. Not that I want to give up teaching, but I have always wanted to have a law degree.

So the countdown begins- five more classes. Two-three this summer, one in the fall, and then one in the spring (which will be a school law class).