tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64534199736117811152024-02-19T23:29:09.522-06:00Being What I Want to BeLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comBlogger706125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-61980541987626094382017-03-24T17:57:00.002-05:002017-03-24T17:57:47.357-05:00Happy 15 Months Annie!<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px;">
Even though you still look little, every day you are showing us that there really is a 15 month old in that little body of yours.<br />
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You are a very engaging talkative girl. You don't have a ton of words that we recognize, but you chat all day long, and are very serious about some of the things you say. One day when I went to get you out of your crib, you babbled something very specific at me, and then immediately repeated it. I have no idea what you were saying, but you certainly knew!<br />
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Speaking of getting you out of your crib, you are so fun to get up! As long as you aren't crying, your happiness bubbles forth when we come to get you. You grin and wave your arms around, and sometimes clap. You love to throw your puppy and giraffe out of your bed while you wait for us.<br />
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You have a great laugh (and always have!). You laugh is infectious and precious at the same time. You laugh easily, and I love how genuine your laugh is. You think so many different things are funny, and it is fun to see what you will laugh at next.<br />
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For the most part during the day you are a happy baby, and you are generally content to play by yourself. However, as soon as I start trying to cook dinner you become whiney and fussy and usually come crying to me while I'm at the stove. I have no idea what it is about me cooking that you don't like, but you really, really don't like it when I cook dinner. It is both funny and annoying at the same time.</div>
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You have become such a quick walker. I look up and you've darted across the room (or into the playroom if someone forgot to shut the baby gate!). You have a little "prance" in the way you walk, and it is pretty cute. I think the prance is really a product of your little stature combined with good walking skills, but it is funny nonetheless.<br />
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I was able to teach your cradle roll class for a few weeks as a fill-in and the first week you taught, you reminded me so much of Luke! Luke has an amazing ability (thank you Trent!) to keep a straight face even if he is perfectly fine. (Ella, Troy, and myself do not have this ability, ha!). You kept a straight face the entire class period the first week I taught, no matter what I did. And, speaking of Bible class, you now "grow" when we sing "<a href="http://www.adayfordesign.com/2016/10/17/bible-class-printable-read-your-bible-and-pray-everyday/" target="_blank">Read Your Bible and Pray Everyday</a>." You also do a pretty good job putting your hands together (consistently) when we pray at meals. Other times of prayer aren't quite as consistent.<br />
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You still hang onto your bottle, but are doing a great job drinking regular milk. And, although you love your bottle, the reason we've really held onto it this long has more to do with us and less to do with you (lots of things on the schedule that kept us from completely breaking free of it!). You are a fairly picky eater, but you love chicken (and meat in general) which is so funny to me! Your brothers and sisters were not good meat eaters at this age.<br />
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<strong>Signs you do:</strong> more, finished</div>
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<strong>Words you say:</strong> hi, bye, "uck" (yuck), eh-ah (Ella, although you haven't said it lately), mama, daddy, ba-a (bottle), "ished" (finished), something that sounds like "Maddux" (one of our dogs)</div>
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<strong>Animal noises you make:</strong> duck</div>
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<strong>Favorite foods:</strong> chicken, cheese, peanut butter crackers</div>
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<strong>Favorite activities:</strong> walking everywhere exploring, trying to escape to the playroom, playing with the dogs, putting things in things, looking at books, singing songs</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="599" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/209762189" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="337"></iframe>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-72250015712632653352017-03-02T10:24:00.001-06:002017-03-02T10:24:14.794-06:00Happy 1st Birthday Annie!I'm ashamed to say that I am just now writing this post . . . almost a month and a half <i>after</i> you turned one. I could blame it on a lot of things, but ultimately, it just got lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I'm sorry that its late. Because it is so late, I likely won't remember the details the way that I would like. My speculation about that you'll be walking soon won't hold much water, because the reality is that I know you started walking at 12 1/2 months old. But, I will write now and not delay any longer.<br />
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The difference a year can make! We are so blessed to have you as part of our lives and family. We are thankful that you've entered our lives and cannot wait to continue to love you and grow with you.<br />
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You are still tiny, although I'm unsure how much you weigh. In your cradle roll class, there are a few babies who are younger than you (some by several months) and you are even tiny compare to them. And, as you can see in the pictures, you still haven't seemed to figure out how to grow hair. ;) You will keep a bow or headband on your head though, so that helps out strangers who might mistake you for a boy because of your bald head.<br />
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People constantly comment that you are such a happy baby, and how you always seems to have a smile on your face. You are generally a happy baby, but I think sometimes people's perception of your happiness is false. You are usually happy if someone is holding you or giving you attention. However, if you aren't getting the attention you think you need, you can become quite sad. For the most part though, you are easy to calm down as long as someone gives you attention.<br />
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You still use the crazy one-legged, half-sitting up crawl. You are soooo fast using that method of crawling, and you crack us up when we watch you fly across the floor. You also like to crawl with the bottle in your mouth, which is equally entertaining. Your cruising skills have continued to improve, and you'll also cruise with the bottle i your mouth. You seem to be very steady, and we kept thinking that if you actually tried to walk you probably could. You never really attempted it though before you were one year old; you'd rather drop to the floor and scoot away.<br />
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You continue to be very attached to the bottle which is very ironic to me since getting you to take the bottle in the first place was such a battle the first six months of your life. You've been eating some table food, but you never seem to eat that much as once. You are pretty open to tying new foods, but if it goes in your mouth and you don't like you, you have no problem pulling it back out. You are also quite the sorter when it comes to food. If you don't like/want something that's on your tray you start dropping all of it on the floor. If it isn't something you want, it will not stay on your tray or spot! Sometimes if you don't want us to give you a bite you purse your lips together and close them tight. It is pretty funny! You weren't too sure about your cake on your birthday. You ended up eating some, and I think you liked it, but at the same time I don't think you were overly excited about it either. I've posted the video, but overall it is pretty uneventful. :)<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/73p3kF" title="20161214-VW4A1419.jpg"><img alt="20161214-VW4A1419.jpg" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5564/31486990792_761616e140_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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You continue to be an extremely vocal baby. You make all sorts of funny noises, and yell at us in lots of different ways. Overall you don't seem very interested in signing, although you have signed more and finished. You'd rather yell at us than sign to us. You also find yourself quite funny at times, and we love to hear you laugh. In the video below I was telling you "no" and you thought it was hilarious that I told you no. I'm not sure what that means for the future! ;)<br />
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<b>Signs you do:</b> more, finished - you much prefer to yell at us though to communicate<br />
<b>Words you say:</b> Mama, Daddy, Ella, Maddux (something that sounded like Maddux anyway), bye-bye, hi/hey, "uck" (for yuck)<br />
<b>Favorite foods:</b> cheese, nutrigrain bars<br />
<b>Favorite activities:</b> chasing the dogs around, chasing your siblings around, putting things in thingsLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-76764029110357498092017-01-17T08:43:00.000-06:002017-01-17T08:43:50.354-06:00Happy 11 Months Annie!I admit that 11 months snuck up on me. I feel like when people have asked how old you are I barely had time to tell them that you were 10 months old. But it doesn't matter if I feel like a month has passed or not, it has, and you are now only one month away from being a year old.<br />
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Although you are still tiny in stature, you show off all the time how big you really are. Just days after turning 10 months old (and not long at all after you'd started pulling up), you starting cruising around our furniture with ease. We've created a barricade in our living room for you and you can easily make it around the room without any issue whether you are crawling or cruising. You continue to crawl crookedly with one leg underneath you in almost a sitting up position, but despite your non-traditional crawling form, you are a fast crawler! I admit that when you started crawling I thought your crooked crawl was just a stepping stone to crawling in a regular manner, but now that you are SO fast crawling crooked, I doubt you'll ever crawl regularly. I will NOT predict when I think you will walk because I have been burned by all your siblings with my predictions. However, there have been a few times where you act like you might take a step . . . but once again, I don't know! You have no problem standing up only using one hand to hold onto something and you can even pull up against a wall. One day you started acting like you were going to climb onto our ottoman bench!</div>
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This month you learned how to high five! You can give a high five with each of your hands, and you love to play giving high-fives. You've been waving for a couple of months now, but I think you have progressed to doing it more unprompted by us and at the appropriate time. Just a few days ago we were walking around Target, and Troy yelled "bye-bye Annie" as he went with Trent to a different part of the store. You promptly waved and said "bye-bye" back. I loved it! It was the first time I'd heard you say "bye-bye."<br />
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You are definitely a vocal baby, not only saying a few words (mama, daddy, eh-a (Ella), bye-bye, and maybe a couple more), but also by the noises you make. Although you've signed "more" a few times, you much prefer to grunt or yell at us to tell us that you are ready for more. For many months now I've been able to hear you yelling happily in your Bible class when I'm in a different area of the church building. You also had us all laughing one night with not only the noise you were making in the video below, but also because you were so straight-faced the whole time!<br />
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I admit that I'm writing this post really late (like two months late. . .) and it is possible that I will get some details wrong, BUT I think when you turned 11 months old your four front teeth on top had come in for a total of six teeth. Your two bottom teeth continue to be just SO cute though! I don't know exactly what it is about them, but your toothy grin is great! You also continue to do funny things with your tongue! I'm amazed at how you are able to twist it all over the place.<br />
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You were an elephant for your first Halloween, and you tolerated your costume well even though we had warm weather. I think you enjoyed the pumpkin patch as well.<br />
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2016/10/happy-10-months-annie.html">Annie @ 10 months</a></div>
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/08/happy-11-months-luke.html">Luke @ 11 months</a></div>
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-11-months-troy.html">Troy @ 11 months</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px; text-decoration: none;">17 months old</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">)</span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-13208423082049070292016-10-28T16:36:00.003-05:002016-10-28T16:40:50.739-05:00Happy 10 Months Annie!<div style="text-align: left;">
There's something about the ten month mark that makes you seem so big. Realizing how close you are turning a year old is almost hard to believe. And, every month it is harder and harder to take pictures of you in your monthly stickers because your coordination and grasp are so good! You are determined to take your sticker off . . . I had to stick it back on your countless times during your 3 minute photo session!</div>
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Your two front bottom teeth came in this month. They've been on the verge of coming through for a while, but they officially made their appearance. When your teeth came in you started doing all sorts of funny things with your tongue. The pictures below kinda show what I mean, but you do even more crazy things than the ones I caught on camera. You often completely twist your tongue sideways . . . it is pretty funny!</div>
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Although you only started crawling last month, your mobility has increased rapidly. You are a fast, funny, crooked crawler. You crawl with one leg under you in such a way that you are almost in a halfway sitting up position. It is easy for you to pop up and down from crawling to sitting up. You also started pulling up this month.</div>
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You are quite the talker and I think we can say that you officially added "Ella" and maybe "hi" to "mama" and "daddy" as words you can say. You have special relationships with your brothers and sisters, and I love to watch how you interact with all of them. Ella loves toting you around. Troy loves to kiss you on the head. You and Luke play a "chasing" game in the living room (that I haven't quite caught on video yet!).</div>
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You have a beautiful smile and everyone always comments on how happy you are. Generally you are a pretty happy baby, especially if someone is holding you or giving you attention. You enjoy playing by yourself though too. We've barricaded you in the living room, and you often contently crawl around the living room playing with different toys, looking at the window, or even getting Maddux. You love Maddux and he is SOOO good with you (see the video below). One of the reasons that we got the breed of dog we did was because that breed is supposed to be good with kids . . . well Maddux definitely is!<br />
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And another video of how crazy you are sometimes!</div>
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/happy-9-months-annie.html">Annie @ 9 months</a> </div>
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/07/happy-10-months-luke.html">Luke @ 10 months</a></div>
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/07/happy-10-months-troy.html">Troy @ 10 months</a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px;">I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">17 months old</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px;">, but I do have this </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2009/12/wordless-wednesday-what-im-ten-months.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; text-decoration: none;">photo of Ella with her 10 month sign :)</a></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-63174561992903134972016-09-28T16:22:00.000-05:002016-09-28T17:31:58.546-05:00Happy 9 Months Annie!Once again, this month brings so many changes and milestones!<br />
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I always think it is so funny how babies like to prove you wrong. I don't know how many times I've predicted my babies will or won't do something only to be proven wrong. For instance, a week before you started crawling, I would have said there was no way you'd be crawling. You hated to be laid down on your belly (even though you sleep on your belly!), and almost always immediately popped up or flipped to your back when we laid you on your belly. However, about a week after you turned 8 months old, you started diligently trying to crawl, and within a few days of trying you were on the go! The video below is from the first day you were crawling. You have since gotten much faster, but you sill crawl with one leg underneath you - which allows you to easily pop into a sitting position.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/184756727" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe>
You started sitting up unassisted last month, but this month you are officially stable enough to sit in a grocery cart - which makes shopping easier and more fun! You love looking around, smiling, and talking to me as we go throughout a store.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLemkK-G59-z2x0xYm0SZ8ZYgaFL2jSTL1N5bZTiB5yhdzTP6nEtiRrSqeV1DQiZmudvjR49I_660w6Xn0BxOwgHsjYOWhI8EPVs-1mVpzeWMCBu0khMGJtmcsAVtz-bqKgE3sJetEfsr/s1600/IMG_7863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLemkK-G59-z2x0xYm0SZ8ZYgaFL2jSTL1N5bZTiB5yhdzTP6nEtiRrSqeV1DQiZmudvjR49I_660w6Xn0BxOwgHsjYOWhI8EPVs-1mVpzeWMCBu0khMGJtmcsAVtz-bqKgE3sJetEfsr/s640/IMG_7863.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You continue to be a very vocal baby, yelling when you are happy or sad or when you just want our attention. I don't know how many times I've gone to check on you during Bible class because I can hear you, only to find out you are just talking loudly (not upset at all!). You can now say "Mama" and "Daddy" and sometimes I think you can say "Hi" but I"m not sure. You also finally signed "more" this month, although you much prefer yelling at us to ask for more instead of signing.<br />
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This month you started clapping and waving. In both cases, you just started doing them on your own - we weren't prompting you to wave or clap. Your wave is very funny: it reminds me of a pageant wave. It is very stiff and calculated, but also very precious!<br />
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You love Maddux, and often grab his fur when he passes by. Thankfully he is very tolerant of you! We haven't gotten a good video of it, but you and Luke have played a chasing game of sorts (usually around your walker in the living room) and you and Luke usually both end up laughing. It is great!<br />
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You have definitely been sleeping more consistently, and it has been amazing1 There are still nights it seems to take you a while to settle down (you'll be up several times in the first couple of hours we put you down, but eventually settle in for a full night's sleep).<br />
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2016/08/happy-8-months-annie.html" target="_blank">Annie @ 8 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/07/happy-9-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 9 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/06/happy-9-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 9 months</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px; text-decoration: none;">17 months old</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">)</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-25196553650718190712016-09-26T16:33:00.000-05:002016-10-16T16:34:14.210-05:00Troy's 6th Birthday InterviewTroy just turned six, and so it is time for another birthday interview!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/Ari6bC" title="20160903-VW4A5126.jpg"><img alt="20160903-VW4A5126.jpg" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5739/29542367833_0a401102c4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<ol style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arimo; font-size: 16.5px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite color? <b>Yellow now</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite toy? <strong>That chompy thing</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite fruit? <b>Watermelon</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite TV show? <strong>Captain Jake</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? <strong>Lunchable</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite outfit? <b>This one (spiderman) Its my newest outfit</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite game? <strong>The games at school</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite snack? <b>Those goldfishes that are whitish grayish yellowish </b><i>(parmesan)</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite animal? <strong>Tigers</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite song? <b>Lucy Locket Lost Her Pocket (its a very funny song)</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite book? <b>The ones at shcool</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Who is your best friend? <strong>Nathan</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite cereal? <strong>Oh my favorite cereal . . . cinnamon toast crunch</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to do outside? <strong>Run around with Maddux and let him eat leaves</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite drink? <strong>Gatorade. I haven't had that in a long time, but I like that.</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite holiday? <strong>I'm thinking . . . the one that's coming up. Halloween </strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What do you like to take to bed with you at night? <strong>Ranger and puppy and my white blanket</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? <strong>Same thing. Cinnamon toast crunch and lucky charms</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing for dinner? <strong>Mac and cheese</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What do you want to be when you grow up? <b>A woker at Chick-fil-a</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite movie? <b>Finding Dory</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Where is your favorite place to go? <strong>Chick-fil-a</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite Bible story? <strong>The story when He calmed the disciples down and made the storm be still and said "Peace Be Still"</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite memory verse? <b>Genesis 1:1</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite letter? <strong>T</strong></li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px;"><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2015/09/troys-5th-birthday-interview.html">Troy's Fifth Birthday Interview</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px;"><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/Birthday%20interview">More birthday interviews!</a></span></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-31140616256878321162016-09-05T16:29:00.000-05:002016-10-16T16:30:13.560-05:00Luke's 3rd Birthday Interview<div style="text-align: left;">
Luke turned three so he is officially old enough for a birthday interview!</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/X3y1AX" title="20160803-VW4A3802.jpg"><img alt="20160803-VW4A3802.jpg" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8682/28921865392_14950ce5b5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<ol style="color: #222222; font-family: arimo; font-size: 16.5px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite color? <b>Blue</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite toy? <strong>Maybe Thomas</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite fruit? <strong>Gum! Blueberries</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite TV show? <strong>Haunted Mickey</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? <strong>Cake and cookies. Lunchable</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite outfit? <b>Spiderman</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite game? <strong>Maybe its . . . squirrel game</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite snack? <strong>Gum! Cereal</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite animal? <strong>Lion</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite song? <b>Bue (blue) Skies and Rainbows</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite book? <b>Thomas</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Who is your best friend? <strong>Ella and Troy and Mama</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite cereal? <strong>Lucky Charms</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to do outside? <strong>Games</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite drink? <strong>Milk</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite holiday? <strong>Easter </strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What do you like to take to bed with you at night? <strong>I not know. Cheetah! Little blankets and big blankets</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? <strong>Lucky Charms</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing for dinner? <strong>Hmmm . . . let me think. I know. Its fish and chicken and rice</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What do you want to be when you grow up? <b>I want to be a soldier (after we gave him a list of options)</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite movie? <b>Thomas. Frozen</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Where is your favorite place to go? <strong>Whataburger</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite Bible story? <strong>When God created the world</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite memory verse? <b>Luke</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite letter? <strong>B</strong></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arimo;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px;"><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/Birthday%20interview" target="_blank">More birthday interviews!</a></span></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-69702579874909759042016-08-30T16:04:00.000-05:002016-08-30T16:04:26.995-05:00Meal Database 2.0Several years ago I created a <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2012/09/drafting-dinner-meal-database.html" target="_blank">meal database</a> of our favorite meals. I refer to it often when I'm trying to figure out what to cook for dinner, but the list of meals I cook for dinner has grown over the years and the database was in bad need of an update.<br />
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u>Beef</u></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Brisket</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Taco salad {ground beef}*</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Beef enchilada casserole {ground beef}*</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Hamburgers (we usually go bunless and add awesome toppings like caramelized onions, bacon, and a fried egg) {ground beef}*</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Warm, toasted roast beef sandwiches</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Roast</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Beef fajitas</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Beef fajita quesadillas</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pasta with meat sauce {ground beef}*</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Hobo dinners {ground beef}</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Grilled steak</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Stuffed bell peppers {ground beef}*</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Beef and broccoli </li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
*For recipes that use ground beef, sometimes I substitute part or all of the ground beef with ground turkey.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u>Chicken</u></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken enchilada casserole</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken spaghetti</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken with a balsamic glaze</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Baked chicken breast</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/08/crispy-yogurt-chicken/" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Crispy yogurt chicken</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">French fried onion chicken</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken fried rice</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken pot stickers</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken pot pie (<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/hurry-up-chicken-pot-pie-recipe/index.html" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">drop biscuit</a> or regular pie crust)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken fajitas</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken fajita quesadillas</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken and sausage jambalaya</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken, sausage, squash, and onion bake </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">BBQ chicken quarters</li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u>Pork</u></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pulled pork</li>
<ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">We eat pulled pork a variety of ways, including on buns, in tortillas, or in bowls with <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/pork-sandwiches-with-cilantro-jalapeno-slaw/" target="_blank">jalopeno coleslaw</a>!</li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Grilled pork chops</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pork tenderloin</li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arimo;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u>Seafood</u> (I've been trying more seafood, but haven't found a bunch of recipes that make the "regular" rotation yet)</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><a href="http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/5703-salmon-roasted-in-butter" target="_blank">Salmon oven roasted in butter</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><a href="http://www.eatingbirdfood.com/quick-and-easy-balsamic-salmon/" target="_blank">Balsamic salmon</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";">Shrimp sautéed in butter </span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u>Other</u></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Traditional breakfast for dinner (usually includes bacon and eggs plus one of the following)</li>
<ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pancakes</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Biscuits</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">French Toast</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/apple-fritters/" target="_blank">Apple Fritters</a> (Often without the apples, lol)</li>
</ul>
<li>Breakfast tacos (may be "regular" breakfast tacos or could include something like leftover brisket (brisket + eggs = great Texas breakfast taco!))</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pizza</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Stuffed bell peppers {could be stuffed with ground beef and cheese OR breakfast sausage, cream cheese, and shredded cheese}</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Lasanga</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken spaghetti</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pasta with meat sauce</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Creamy pasta with chicken and bacon</li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u><br /></u>
<u>Soups and such</u></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Taco soup (ground beef)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Chicken enchilada soup</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Chicken and dumplings</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Creamy chicken, bacon, and rice (sounds weird, but it is yummy!!)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Potato soup</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u>Favorite sides</u></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Grilled corn</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Corn hash (corn roasted with bacon, bell peppers, and onions)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Grilled asparagus</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Grilled squash</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Roasted broccoli or roasted broccoli and carrots</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Roasted asparagus</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Sautéed green beans</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Sautéed broccoli or sautéed broccoli and carrots</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Sautéed squash</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Sautéed cabbage</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Black-eyed peas</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Mashed potatoes</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">German potatoes (still trying to master these!)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/crash-hot-potatoes/" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Crash hot potatoes</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Oven roasted potatoes</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Coleslaw</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/pork-sandwiches-with-cilantro-jalapeno-slaw/" target="_blank">Jalapeno coleslaw</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Asian coleslaw salad</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Rice</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Couscous</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Cornbread stuffing (if I’m feeling ambitious)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Fried squash</li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u>Breads</u></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Cornbread</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/parker-house-rolls-recipe2/index.html" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Parker house rolls</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Garlic bread</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">
<u>Make Ahead Meals (or meals that require little prep AT dinner time)</u></div>
<div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken enchilada casserole</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Beef enchilada casserole</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Roast</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/country-style-steak-recipe/index.html" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Country style steak</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chicken spaghetti</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Lasagna</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">BBQ chicken quarters</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pulled pork</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Beef and broccoli (if cooked in crockpot - I like it better NOT in the crock pot)</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-90831027949287385622016-08-23T08:33:00.001-05:002016-08-23T08:34:41.703-05:00The First Day of School<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ella's first day of school interview:</div>
<ol>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What do you want to be when you grow up? <b>Any kind of doctor</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What was your favorite thing you did during the summer? <b>Play in the pool with the cousins</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to learn about in school? <b>Math</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite color? <b>Purple</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to play? <b>Little legos</b></li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/9RP2F0" style="text-align: left;" title="20160822-VW4A4583.jpg"><img alt="20160822-VW4A4583.jpg" height="427" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8711/29168911215_ab3b6e897f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Troy's first day of school interview:</div>
<ol>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What do you want to be when you grow up? <b>I'm thinking something with a ninja</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What was your favorite thing you did during the summer? <b>Go to Disney World</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to learn about in school? <b>Reading</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite color? <b>Red</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to play? <b>Little legos</b></li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">
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</span><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/6XQWqR" style="text-align: left;" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8620/29072233952_e1a9e9a531_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't know how many posts I write where I feel like starting it out, "I can't believe it is already time for . . ." This summer flew by, and it is hard for me to believe that it is already time for the kids to go back to school. Ella and Troy have both been anxiously waiting for the <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/first%20day%20of%20school" target="_blank">first day of school,</a> and I love their enthusiasm.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Troy, who has been an early-riser for some time now, asked Trent if he could "sleep a little longer" when Trent went to get him up, which we thought was hilarious and ironic. I think he had a great first day, although in some ways I think he was disappointed because it wasn't exactly what he thought it would be. The first thing he said to us was "I didn't get to use any of my school supplies!" He was pretty excited about getting to go to the library and touring the school.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think Ella was a bit nervous about being in a new classroom with a new teacher because she had formed such a great bond with her first grade teacher. However, when we dropped her off, she seemed like an old pro who knew exactly what do. And, when she came home she was excited about her day especially that she got to make "Jitter juice" (I think something like punch), and that she already had homework. Last night Ella's teacher even called to tell us how she enjoyed having Ella in class, and wanted us to tell Ella that she was looking forward to seeing her again tomorrow. I appreciate that her teacher took the time to call us (as I'm sure she did with all the students).</div>
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We are looking forward to a great year, and cannot wait to see and hear about what they learn and experience!</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-57226715491845928022016-08-16T13:29:00.001-05:002016-08-16T13:29:52.889-05:00Happy 8 Months Annie!I feel like so many things have changed this month! With every passing month you grow and change, but some months record more changes than others and this was definitely one of those months.<br />
<br />
At the beginning of the month the entire family went to the <a href="http://www.peachvalleyaim.com/" target="_blank">Peach Valley AIM camp</a>. The camp was a great experience, and you did SO well while we were at camp (with the exception of sleeping well at night, but that was nothing new!). You were good-natured and happy, and did much better than we could have asked! You loved being held by different members of the staff, and often fell asleep in their arms. One of the most exciting things about camp was the fact that it provided another opportunity for us to try the bottle, and you finally (kinda!) actually ate from it without acting like it was the worst thing we could stick in your mouth.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/7T448u" title="VW4A1911.jpg"><img alt="VW4A1911.jpg" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8748/28663223392_59db3dd5ab_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/2595fa" title="VW4A2113.jpg"><img alt="VW4A2113.jpg" height="427" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8872/28150997964_a9caafe336_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<br />
And, after camp, we continued to try the bottle, and I can happily say that you now easily take the bottle! You can even hold it if you want to, although you generally prefer for someone to hold it for you. You continue to be a great eater, and are doing a great job letting us know when you want more food (you've figured out how to yell at us to tell us you want more). You can be quite vocal when you want more food! You are also very coordinated; more coordinated than I remember your siblings being at this age, but then again it all blends together. You do really well grabbing your bites of food and putting them in your mouth. There are usually very few puffs on the floor or in your highchair when you finish eating. You have two little teeth trying SO hard to poke through, but they haven't quite come through yet!<br />
<br />
For a couple of months now you have been fairly stable when you sit, but this month you officially graduated to full-on unsupported sitting. It provides you great freedom, and I think you really enjoy being able to sit up on your own. You still are not crawling, and generally hate being put on your tummy (which is ironic since you sleep on your belly!).<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/w5qmRB" title="20160803-VW4A3799.jpg"><img alt="20160803-VW4A3799.jpg" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8485/29026831385_4c54fa5fbe_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
Your personality continues to blossom, and while you have been charming us with your smile and laugh for a few months now, you really began interacting and reacting to us in a whole new way this month. Your facial expressions have multiplied, and our favorite is when you scrunch your nose in happiness (<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/07/nose-scrunch.html" target="_blank">just like your brothers and sisters</a>).<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/2EQ006" title="20160813-VW4A4187.jpg"><img alt="20160813-VW4A4187.jpg" height="427" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8392/28950512991_6b377b10f7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
Over the past couple of weeks you've been generally sleeping better: longer stretches and more consistently. You still have the occasional night where you are up frequently, but those nights are becoming fewer and fewer (thankfully!).<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/36Bsk4" title="20160813-VW4A4177.jpg"><img alt="20160813-VW4A4177.jpg" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8446/28921593632_90a79cff60_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2016/07/happy-7-months-annie.html" target="_blank">Annie @ 7 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/05/happy-8-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 8 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/05/happy-8-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 8 months</a><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; text-decoration: none;">17 months old</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">)</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-90421849836699502922016-07-30T22:35:00.000-05:002016-07-30T22:35:04.193-05:00Happy 7 Months Annie!Once again, I'm behind writing this post. . . we've been <i>slightly</i> busy, and I've barely even opened my computer this summer. And, once again, I wasn't able to take a photo with your monthly sticker. :( I painted the living room, and in the process managed to misplace your monthly stickers. Good news, though, I found them, so I'll be able to take your 8 month photo! And . . . I'm way behind editing personal photos, but hopefully I'll come back and fill photos into this post later.<br />
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But, enough about me, and onto you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVPDL0ILTgMUDwNFYo-RWIJqWL-uVbtM_wipxY6e7Vsa6WAkTwQqMj7q0FHb9eBwHM2v0U2yIIvM5SzTrKAaw-HWo2s5GWJuqib0969oXQx2RACQgnQNjP03uuQkBaoTwzt-pIa3bP72a/s1600/IMG_7513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVPDL0ILTgMUDwNFYo-RWIJqWL-uVbtM_wipxY6e7Vsa6WAkTwQqMj7q0FHb9eBwHM2v0U2yIIvM5SzTrKAaw-HWo2s5GWJuqib0969oXQx2RACQgnQNjP03uuQkBaoTwzt-pIa3bP72a/s400/IMG_7513.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Seven months! Wow, more than halfway to one year old (your siblings like to remind us often how close you are getting to one year old). You even said your first word this month (mama!) as I either walked into or out of the room. Sadly, I missed it, but daddy heard it! I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you'd say "mama" first because you truly are a mama's girl.<br />
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Although I haven't weighed you lately, I know you are still tiny. People still often guess you are younger than you are based on your size. However, if someone really observes you, it is easy to see that you are closer to one than a newborn! From your strength and stability to your interactions and smile, you show us everyday how big you really are getting!<br />
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Ella has been loving holding you and carrying you around lately. I though as you got bigger, she might shy away more because you weighed more, but it has been quite the opposite. She asks to hold you many times a day, and she does a great job toting<br />
you around. The boys also ask at times to hold you, and when they do, they love it! I wish I had been able to capture to huge grin Luke gets on his face when you get in his lap.<br />
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You still haven't been sleeping very well at night, although the few days right before you turned 7 months old you slept well (so maybe you are starting to turn the corner). I know the amount of traveling we've been doing probably isn't good for helping you get into a good sleep pattern. Not only are you not in your bed (and I think you pretty much hate the pack n' play), but your schedule has been completely out of sorts. You have generally been doing better napping, but if you have to sleep in your pack n' play for naptime, you usually don't sleep as well.<br />
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You continue to love solid food, and have become an expert "<a href="https://www.gerber.com/products/product/gerber-graduates-puffs-strawberry-apple-naturally-flavored-with-other-natural-flavors" target="_blank">puff</a>" eater. It has been really nice that you can enjoy your puffs during a meal because it makes things easier on us (you stay distracted while we eat!). And, despite the fact that I've thought your teeth would pop through at any moment over the past couple of months, they still haven't broken through!</div>
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You finally really figured out your jumperoo this month, and your jumping is pretty great. You like to jump as long as we don't leave you alone . . . it seems the moment we walk out of the room to do something while you are in your jumperoo you immediately start fussing and won't be happy until we get you out. Since you have figured out your jumperoo, your legs have been kicking it into overdrive! You often kick/bounce when we hold you, and are quite the wiggle worm!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="711" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/174025649" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe>
Your giggles have brought us (and many others) much joy this past month. It is easy to make you smile and laugh, and baby giggles are the best! Ella loves to try to get you to laugh (and she's good at it!). I'm amazed at all the things that you find so funny that you giggle. I've included just a few videos of your giggles this past month.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="711" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/176898700" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe>
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2016/06/happy-6-months-annie.html" target="_blank">Annie @ 6 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/04/happy-7-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 7 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/04/happy-7-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 7 months</a><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; text-decoration: none;">17 months old</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">)</span><br />
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-35568862880295669482016-06-18T22:37:00.000-05:002016-06-18T22:37:13.541-05:00"Meet My Dad" by Ella and Troy<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Father's Day! We are so blessed by Trent in our family. I am also blessed by my father, and the love and guidance he has shown me throughout the years.</span><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/44232523@N08/K7ixJ2" title="dad.jpg"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="dad.jpg" height="299" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7183/27148685883_7bfe2e5ab8_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">I've been completing this interview about Dad from Ella and Troy for a <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/Father%27s%20Day" target="_blank">few years now</a>. Their answers are always telling and entertaining! I originally found this interview on </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/63120832247777974/" style="color: #909090; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; text-decoration: none;">Pinterest</a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">. </span></span><br />
<ul style="color: #222222; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is Daddy’s name? </span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: Trent</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: Trenton</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What does Daddy do for fun?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: I think he likes to play with us</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: Play with us</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What does Daddy do at work?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: He. . . let me think. He studies with students; he helps people learn about the Bible.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: Works on his computer</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What are his favorite things to eat?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: Brisket, <span style="line-height: 23.1px;">jalapeño</span>, a lot of things with onions</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: Jalapeños, onions</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What does he like to drink?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: Diet Dr. Pepper and sometimes coke, and sometimes regular Dr. Pepper</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: Dr. Pepper</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">How old is Daddy?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: Hmm . . let me think. 33</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: 33</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where did you and Daddy meet?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: Whenever you borned me</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: That's hard to tell</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">How long have you know Daddy?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: For 7 and about half years</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: 1000 days</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">How tall is Daddy?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: About 10 ft.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: Taller than that, a little bit taller than that (reaching his arms way up high), 6 ft. tall. Wait is he that tall? Is he 2 ft. tall?</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is Daddy’s hair like?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: Bald, pretty much and then he has little dots on his hair area.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: No hair</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">How much does Daddy weigh?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: Hmm . .that's hard. Let me think for a minute. Much more than me.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: Huh, 10 lbs. Does he really weigh 10 lbs. pounds? How much does he weigh?</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What makes Daddy the best?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: Having fun and playing with us.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: Letting us watch a movie.</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?</span></b></li>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ella: Have a day together and have fun.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy: Play with him</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-42385576010072925802016-06-18T16:02:00.000-05:002016-06-18T16:06:56.017-05:00Happy 6 Months Annie!The kids keep asking how many more months until you are one year old, and it is crazy to think you are already halfway there!<br />
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This month included lots of firsts, and many milestones showing how much you've really grown since you were born.<br />
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At the beginning of the month, you took your first flight and made your first trip to Disney. You did great on both flights! You also did well at Disney - generally only fussy when it was meal time for us (I think Murphy's law was in effect here!). You hung out in my Ergo carrier most of the time, and every now and then the stroller (though you weren't a huge fan of the stroller). At Disney we got you a Minnie Mouse pillow pet . . . although you are still too little to have Minnie in your bed, you really liked it and were pretty cute playing with it.<br />
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During our time at Disney, you sucked on your thumb a few times, and I was sure it meant you would become a thumb-sucker. However, since then you've maybe only gotten your thumb once or twice and you seem MUCH more interested in sucking on your toes! You also continue to love to chew on your Aden and Anais swaddle blankets, and you've also enjoyed a new Aden and Anais lovie we recently got you.<br />
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You've become an expert roller in both directions, and can roll on any type of surface (including my lap!). We recently got a video monitor, and we watch you flip all around in your crib as you try to settle down to sleep. Amazingly, you often end up sleeping in the same end of the crib no matter where I put you down. We've officially transitioned you out of your rock n' play sleeper and into your crib this month. It wasn't easy at first, but I'm SO glad we've made the transition. You fall asleep fairly easily most times when I put you in your crib. Although you still don't sleep very well through the night, you have started taking MUCH better naps now that you are in your crib. I think it really helps to be removed from all the distractions (also known as your siblings)!<br />
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You've really started loving solid foods this month as well. You've liked pretty much anything we've given you including green beans! You didn't love carrots the first time I gave them to you, but I haven't tried them again. You've also gotten pretty good at picking up puffs, and are fairly content to sit in your high chair and attempt to get them in your mouth. :) As is evidenced by the fact that you can pick up puffs, you've gotten really great at grabbing things, including my phone!<br />
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Your core strength continues to amaze me! You are doing well at sitting up - I'd say your skills are somewhere between tripod sitting and full-on unassisted sitting. We had Vacation Bible School this month, so you got lots of practice in your chair for Bible class, and you do a really good job sitting in the chair. The hardest part is when you got excited or sad because you start throwing yourself around and you don't have good stability then. You started playing in your jumperoo this month, and you like it pretty well although you aren't interested in hanging out in it for long periods of time.<br />
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You continue to love to be talked to, and have really been enjoying lots of daddy tickles this month. It is easy to make you laugh, and we love the bright smile you show. You have two cute dimples that peek out when you grin big, and you even have a dimple up by your temple on one side. You are too cute!<br />
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You are still small - in fact at your 6 month appointment, you'd only gained 4 oz. from your 4 month appointment coming in at a whopping 13 lbs. 10 oz. (10 %). I was concerned, but your pediatrician reassured us that you were dong a good job growing because both your head and length had grown showing that your bones were growing well. Your bottom two teeth have yet to poke through, but I think they could pop through any day now.<br />
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Playing with Ella<br />
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Phantom "sucking"<br />
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2016/05/happy-4-and-5-months-annie.html" target="_blank">Annie @ 5 (and 4) months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/03/happy-6-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 6 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/03/happy-6-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 6 months</a><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; text-decoration: none;">17 months old</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">)</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-32041593645143020562016-05-25T10:48:00.003-05:002016-05-25T10:57:38.705-05:00Happy 4 (and 5) Months Annie!I sat down when you were about 4 1/2 months old to write your four month post, but was never able to finish it . . and now you are already almost 5 1/2 months old! I feel like the past couple of months have been a complete whirlwind that included lots of traveling, lots of sickness (everyone but you!), more traveling, and Focal Point. I've also neglected taking many non-phone photos these past couple of months, but I plan to get back to actually taking photos now that we should be slowing down some. And, speaking of pictures, Luke managed to lose your 5 month sticker, so I don't have any "official" 5 month photos.<br />
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I feel like kids have a sixth sense about needing/wanting something when parents are right in the middle of doing something important, and you are no exception to the rule. I have felt like countless times over the past month you've been content, and the moment I go to work on anything important, you call me back. Even when I first started writing this post, when you'd been contently sitting next to me in your bumbo for a while, you started fussing when I started typing. :)</div>
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At your four month appointment, you weighed 13 lbs. 6 oz. and were in the 25% for weight. Even though you are only in the 25%, you have the cutest little (or not so little!) rolls on your legs and around your wrists. You are a petite girl, and people often comment that you look like a doll in my arms.<br />
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You love when people talk to you, and you love to coo and talk back. You might be our biggest talker yet (and if so, we're in trouble!)! You've slowly become much easier to soothe/make content over the past couple of months when we play or talk to you. You love when your brothers and sister talk and play with you.<br />
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You went to bible class for the first time during the past month. You did pretty well, and I expect that you will really come to love class as you get a little older and used to the routine.</div>
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You have a lot of core strength, and often do what I call "baby sit-ups" when you sit in my lap. At your four month appointment, the pediatrician was quite surprised at how stable you were sitting up (you can't sit up alone yet, but you were very stable). When you sat in the chair in the cradle roll table, I was amazed at how well you did - you were more stable than I remember any of your siblings being at your age.<br />
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You've been teething for a while now, and at one point I thought your two bottom teeth had poked through, but if they did, they've gone back down. I can feel the "bumps" for your teeth though, and I won't be surprised if they actually come through any day now.<br />
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You finally started rolling (around 4 1/2 months old). You rolled from your back to your front first, but I think that is mostly because you HATE tummy time, and don't tolerate laying on your tummy for long. A few times I've laid you in your crib, and you've flipped yourself to your tummy which causes you to cry.<br />
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You started eating solids around 4 1/2 months old. You've had baby cereal, carrots, squash, and avocado. You really like squash and avocado, and you get SO excited when I feed you a bite that you often knock the spoon away with your hands.<br />
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You love your Aden and Anais swaddle blankets, and can sometimes be soothed by holding or chewing on them. You've gotten pretty good at grasping items. You still aren't sleeping well at night, and I long for a good night's rest! I know it will come (eventually!). You learned how to escape your swaddle sack, and though I was dreading not swaddling you at night, you've handled the transition out of swaddling at night pretty well. You are also not a great napper - you'd rather cat nap all day than take a real nap. We're working on that too. :) Speaking of sleeping, one day I sat you in your bumbo (wide awake!) while I went to put the boys down for naps. When I came back to get you (less than 5 minutes later), I could hear a soft snoring. You had fallen asleep in your bumbo! I still don't know how you could sleep like that.<br />
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Oh, and I almost forgot . . . I haven't gotten a great picture of it, but you suck on your toes sometimes! It is too funny!</div>
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Annie @ <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2016/03/happy-3-months-annie.html" target="_blank">3 months</a><br />
Luke @ <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-4-months-luke.html" target="_blank">4 months</a> and <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-5-months-luke.html" target="_blank">5 months</a><br />
Troy @ <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-4-months-troy.html" target="_blank">4 months</a> and <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-5-months-troy.html" target="_blank">5 months</a><br />
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-79444006599616012542016-03-19T00:01:00.001-05:002016-03-19T00:11:12.999-05:00Happy 3 Months Annie!Wow, these three months have flown by! Though I'm not sure how much you weigh, every time I carry your carseat, place you in your swing, or pick you up out of your bassinet in the middle of the night I notice how much you've grown. You also have the cutest rolls on your legs - I really need to get a picture of your chubby legs before the rolls disappear!<br />
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And, speaking of picking you up in the middle of the night . . . I've been doing a lot more of that lately! Last month you were sleeping fairly consistently 9-10 hours, but not so much this month. Overall you are still a pretty good sleeper, but it seems like your pattern lately has been to sleep 5-7 hours, and then are up every hour after that.<br />
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You are slowly transitioning to a phase where you can be contented with us talking to you or entertaining you. There are still times where you must eat to be happy, but you are definitely learning there is more to life than eating!<br />
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You started sitting in your Bumbo this month. Sometimes you like it, and sometimes not so much. One of the first times you sat in it, you sat contently for 15-20 minutes!<br />
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You haven't started sucking your thumb yet, but right now I think you'll end up being a thumb-sucker. You chew on your hands and fingers, and you are getting better coordinated with your hands. You also grab your blankets sometimes and chew on them.<br />
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This month I got quite the surprise when I was trying to catch a smile on video - you actually giggled at me. I was talking to you saying "I love you Annie Jane!" over and over, and you kept grinning at me. And then you giggled at me! It was great!<br />
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You also really like to talk to us. Here's a short video of a few of your coos talking to me. Your voice is so, so sweet! So far, I think you look the most like Troy, and I also think you like to talk as much as Troy at times!<br />
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2016/02/happy-2-months-annie.html" target="_blank">Annie @ 2 months</a></div>
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2013/12/happy-3-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 3 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-3-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 3 months</a><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">17 months old</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">)</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-61177243650385546612016-02-17T22:44:00.003-06:002016-02-17T22:50:27.823-06:00Happy 2 Months Annie!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Happy two months! Once again as I write this monthly post, I feel as though you are older than your month age. Though you've only been on the outside for two months, you are definitely a precious part of our family.<br />
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Ella, Troy, and Luke are always concerned about you in some way. I think if I'd let him, Troy would hug you, kiss you, and sing to you all day long. He loves to "make you happy" by singing to you. He sits next to you in the car, and he loves to hold your hand and talk about how he taught you to hold his hand. He'll say something along the lines of the following: "Annie's holding my hand like I teached her" and he is SO proud.<br />
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You are sleeping really well at night - I keep telling people you are spoiling me! Most nights you sleep between 9-10 hours, and you've been doing that for a few weeks now. Every now and then you have a night that isn't quite as good, but overall you are an amazing sleeper. You love white noise and to be swaddled or sacked (as I call it) in your <a href="http://www.target.com/p/summer-infant-swaddleme-sweet-trees-2-pack-small-medium/-/A-13964915#prodSlot=large_1_6" target="_blank">swaddle sack</a> at night. You also like your swing, and take naps in it during the day. You do not like tummy time, but hopefully that will change soon.<br />
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At your two month appointment, you weighed 10 lbs, 11 oz (50%), and were 22 inches long (25%). It is getting harder and harder for me to carry you in your carseat...it is amazing the difference two pounds can make!<br />
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You started smiling (not just during your sleep) this month and I LOVE it! You love to be talked to, and you often smile when we talk to you. You also coo back at us sometimes.<br />
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We traveled twice during this past month, and you did great both times. As of right now, you seem to like your carseat pretty well, and I'm SO thankful for that. On both trips we took you slept the majority of the time.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/25092741455/in/album-72157664178392780/" title="20160210-VW4A6018.jpg"><img alt="20160210-VW4A6018.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1463/25092741455_f53a516ebb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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I've gotten you to suck on a pacifier a few times this month, but overall you hate it most of the time. I still think you might end up being a thumb sucker. A few times over the past week you really been trying hard to suck on your hands, but you haven't quite figured out how to get your thumb out.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/24466093413/in/album-72157664178392780/" title="20160215-VW4A6112.jpg"><img alt="20160215-VW4A6112.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1651/24466093413_1692520271_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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We are often commenting about who we think you look the most like at this age, and right now your dad and I think you look the most like Troy. However, there is something about your pout that reminds me A LOT of Luke.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/25093015715/in/album-72157664178392780/" title="20160215-VW4A6150.jpg"><img alt="20160215-VW4A6150.jpg" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1556/25093015715_f53d7f1567_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2016/01/happy-1-month-annie.html" target="_blank">Annie @ one month</a></div>
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2013/11/happy-2-months-luke.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Luke @ two months</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/11/happy-2-months-troy.html" style="color: #909090; line-height: 23.1px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Troy @ two months</a><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 23.1px;"> (I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="color: #909090; line-height: 23.1px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">17 months old</a><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 23.1px;">)</span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-32304434131077521312016-02-03T15:28:00.001-06:002016-02-25T22:21:40.651-06:00Ella's 7th Birthday Interview<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/23801751533/in/album-72157663525608526/" title="20151221-VW4A5008.jpg"><img alt="20151221-VW4A5008.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1675/23801751533_5165ea8804_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<ol>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite color? <b>Gold</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite toy? <b>My little <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ty-Beanie-Boos-Ice-Cube/dp/B00HEXKY6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454534647&sr=8-1&keywords=ice+cube+penguin" target="_blank">penguin</a> over there, "Ice Cube" that I just got for my birthday </b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite fruit? <b>Apple</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite vegetable? <b>Carrots</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite TV show? <b>Wild Kratts</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? <b>Grilled cheese</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite outfit? <b>My Mickey Mouse shirt</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite game? <b>Candy Land</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite snack? <b>Peanut Butter Pretzels</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite animal? <b>Penguin: And I'll tell you why! Because this week and last week we've been talking about penguins and I got a penguin for my birthday!</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite song? <b>Love Is An Open Door </b><i>(From Frozen)</i></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite book? <b>Meg Mackintosh</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Who is your best friend? <b>Karsyn</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite cereal? <b>Chocolate Chex</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to do outside? <b>Run around</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite drink? <b>Capri Sun</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite holiday? <b>Valentine’s! I'll tell you why! Because it is closest to my birthday!</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What do you like to take to bed with you at night? <b>My little penguin, Ice Cube</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? <b>Pancakes</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing for dinner? <b>This! Chicken, sausage, and rice</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What do you want to be when you grow up? <b>A firefighter</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite movie? <b>Inside Out</b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Who is your favorite Disney princess? </span></span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">Princess? </b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><b>Aurora</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Where is your favorite place to go? <b>Chuck E. Cheese</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite Bible story? <b>Whenever Moses spreaded apart the Red Sea</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite memory verse? <b>In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth </b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite letter? <b>P</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing to do in school? <b>Read books</b></li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/25047674286/in/album-72157664178392780/" title="20160202-VW4A5884.jpg"><img alt="20160202-VW4A5884.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1448/25047674286_e2df885bb8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/25074099205/in/album-72157664178392780/" title="20160202-VW4A5905.jpg"><img alt="20160202-VW4A5905.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1626/25074099205_4a345bc2bf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><b><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2015/02/ellas-6th-birthday-interview.html" target="_blank">Ella's sixth birthday interview</a></b></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"><b><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/Birthday%20interview" target="_blank">All the kids' birthday interviews</a></b></span></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-70559445030420317942016-01-26T14:16:00.002-06:002016-01-26T14:25:48.297-06:002016 Goals<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 670px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Even though it is now closer to February 1 than January 1 I wanted to make sure that I spent some time considering my goals for the year. Though I often fall short of the goals I set for myself, I've found that it has been incredibly helpful for me to really examine where I've been and where I want to be. </span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Many goals are the same as in the <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/goals" target="_blank">past years</a>; some because I didn’t complete them and others because they ought to continually be on the list.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Spiritual Goals:</span></div>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Daily Bible Reading</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Focused/Planned Bible Study</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Focused Bible lessons for the kids. I have an idea to do some form of journaling with them, but we'll see how that works out.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Start using the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH4q7WjWAOY&list=UUoypxwrNeBaNSEUFHyFuXpQ&index=1" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;">Scripture Memory System</a> with the kids (and me!) again. This system has been a great tool to learning Scripture, but I've really fallen short with it recently. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Develop a deeper and more specific prayer life.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Make an effort to be aware of others’ needs, as well as how to help those in need. Overcome my fears of reaching out to speak to people (the introvert in me really struggles with this . . .).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Make an effort to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Always be ready and eager to share the gospel.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maintain and exhibit an attitude of joy that should be evident in my life because I am hidden with Christ (Col. 3:1-4).</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">House Goals:</span><br />
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clean out the garage . . . completely . . . in anticipation of possibly converting our garage to a master bedroom. We've already gotten a good start on this, but there is still a lot to do, including many more trips to Goodwill!</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get the house organized, and purged of excess junk. This past year I read the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453837300&sr=8-1&keywords=the+life+changing+magic+of+tidying+up" target="_blank">The Life Changing Magic Of Tidying Up</a>, and it really opened my eyes. I started working through some of the methods in the book before we left for Paraguay, but didn't finish before we left. And once we returned from Paraguay things just seemed so crazy I never finished. I look forward to completing the process.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If/When we complete renovations on the house, clean out and organize thoroughly when we rearrange rooms.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Teach (and enforce) good habits to the kids for keeping their areas picked up. The kids have really been doing well with this lately, and Luke has even been helping out a lot more as well.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep up with <a href="http://flylady.net/" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;">Flylady’s</a> daily assignments to help keep the house in a manageable state. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Handle papers (mail, or otherwise) when they come into the home, rather than just piling them up to handle later.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get one “house” project done each month (paint the front door, repair the floor, etc.)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This isn’t technically a “house” goal, but it fits here best: Keep our cars clear of junk and trash.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Health Goals:</span><br />
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get back into a healthy eating routine. Prior to getting pregnant last year, I felt like I had finally figured out this healthy living thing (I'd lost weight, and even though I still needed to lose more, was really feeling great!). But between pregnancy and living in a foreign country for three months last year, my eating habits have somewhat fallen away. Time to get back on the wagon!</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Exercise at least three times a week. Make it a point to walk more (for instance, like to pick up Ella from school).</li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gain strength and endurance.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Family goals:</span><br />
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eat at home more often, and actually plan meals for the week (it is easier to eat at home when you've planned!).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cook dinner with the kids 1-2 times a month. I really want to involve them more in cooking, but I get stuck in this bad habit of not involving them because it is quicker/easier for me to do things myself (and dinner time always seems to be hectic around our house).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Try out a new meal at least once a month.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cook a hot breakfast for the family at least once a week.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stick to our budget, and look for ways to save more.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Evaluate/consider schooling for Ella and Troy next year. Ella was <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/09/homeschooling-ella.html" target="_blank">homeschooled for kindergarten</a>, but has gone to <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-first-day-of-school.html" target="_blank">public school this year for first grade</a>. We've liked things about both situations and opportunities, but this isn't the post for that!</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get outside more with the kids.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.4;">Get down on the floor and play with the kids more.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
Parenting goals:</div>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Emphasize the concepts of respect and authority with Ella, Troy, and Luke.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Encourage Ella, Troy, and Luke to have the heart of a servant.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Encourage Ella, Troy, and Luke to be thankful.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Teach Ella and Troy to be aware of others around them, emphasizing humble hearts and teaching them that it isn't all about them.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Encourage Ella and Troy to follow Matthew 7:12.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Foster a good relationship between the kids (teaching them about sharing, patience, kindness, etc.).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Give Ella and Troy more responsibilities around the house (chores, etc.)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Photography goals:</span><br />
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take more pictures! Pregnancy (particularly dealing with <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2013/08/life-with-hyperemesis-gravidarum.html" target="_blank">hyperemesis gravidarum</a>, severe morning sickness, for my entire pregnancy) really does a number in my life, and photography is no exception. I often don't feel like doing much of anything, and picking up my camera was certainly not a priority when I didn't feel well.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn Adobe Camera Raw (I've always used Adobe Lightroom, but have been recently reading that Adobe Camera Raw might actually be the way to go).</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn more about off-camera flash.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn more about Adobe Photoshop.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn more about graphic design.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Other goals:</span><br />
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Become fluent in Spanish. I really, really thought that after spending the summer in Paraguay, a Spanish-speaking country, that I'd be much further along in this journey. But I'm not (since our time down there, we've heard many people tell us that it takes most people a year in an immersion environment to become fluent). I did learn quite a bit when I was in Paraguay (and through Rosetta Stone leading up to our trip), but I have a long way to go.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Focus on having a optimistic response. I don't consider myself a pessimistic person (I don't have a negative outlook on life), but I do have a tendency for my first reaction to things to be very skeptical.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Exhibit patience towards all, but especially with the kids at the end of the day :) .</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Work on time management, including getting up at a more consistent time in the morning, and going to bed earlier in the evening. This goal probably isn't going to really be feasible until Annie is sleeping at a little more predictable/regular schedule though.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finish reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Girls-Practical-Encouragement-Generation/dp/1414336497/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357664258&sr=8-1&keywords=bringing+up+girls" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;">Bringing Up Girls</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Up-Boys-James-Dobson/dp/1414304501/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357664258&sr=8-2&keywords=bringing+up+girls" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;">Bringing Up Boys</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Re-read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Mama-Dont-Dance-Contemporary/dp/B004VHMTUM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357664313&sr=1-1&keywords=your+mama+don%27t+dance" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;">Your Mama Don’t Dance</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Continue reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Well-Trained-Mind-Guide-Classical-Education/dp/0393067084/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357664383&sr=1-1&keywords=a+well-trained+mind" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;">A Well-Trained Mind</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Education-Charlotte-Maria-Mason/dp/B00ANJE46E/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357664419&sr=1-10&keywords=charlotte+mason" style="color: #909090; text-decoration: none;">Home Education</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blog more! I've missed writing, and although no one may read it, I really enjoy it.</span></li>
</ul>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-57176049082685591662016-01-21T14:26:00.000-06:002016-01-21T14:26:06.942-06:00Happy 1 Month Annie!<div style="text-align: center;">
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You are such a sweet baby girl! In some ways it doesn't seem like you could already be a month old, but in some ways you seem much older than one month. You really have been an easy baby, and remind me of Ella as a baby in that way.<br />
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For instance, you sleep really well most nights considering you are only a month old. You got off to a rocky start in the hospital (barely sleeping at all the two nights we were there), and I was preparing myself for some really long nights ahead. But you have proven me wrong! Most nights you sleep at least a 4-5 hour stretch, and one night you even slept for a 7 hour stretch. You are spoiling me! We've had a few nights here and there where you've kept me up, but overall you are a really good sleeper.</div>
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You are also bigger than your siblings were at this age. I don't know how much you weigh, but you have definitely been growing! Your clothes are getting snugger (in fact, you've outgrown a couple of things already!), and I can tell you've grown when I put you in your bed, your carseat, or your swing.<br />
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You enjoyed your first Christmas this month as well . . . or should I say, you slept through your first Christmas. I think you slept through every Christmas celebration we had during the holidays!<br />
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You smile sweetly at times in your sleep, and it melts my heart. You also started making some sweet talking/cooing noises when I talk to you. You love white noise and being swaddled. You also like to be carried in my sling. You do not like pacifiers no matter how hard I try to get you to like them. You do like to suck on our fingers, and you've sucked on your hands a few times. I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up being a thumb sucker, but you haven't quite figured that out yet.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/24133115620/in/album-72157663525608526/" title="20151222-VW4A5136.jpg"><img alt="20151222-VW4A5136.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1473/24133115620_7536019e40_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/23858411614/in/album-72157663525608526/" title="20151230-VW4A5584.jpg"><img alt="20151230-VW4A5584.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1621/23858411614_036f163dc6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Your siblings absolutely love you already (although Luke was really unsure in the hospital!), and have been quite patient with you. They all love to help out by getting diapers or my diaper bag for me. They also all love to sing to you when you are crying. There are times we've asked them to sing when you've been sad, but they've also started singing to you when you are sad without us asking them. They love to give you hugs and kisses throughout the day, and always insist on a goodnight hug. Luke loves to tell us "Annieee cwying" when you are crying. Luke also likes to direct us to put you down in your bed or swing, and looks around for you if you aren't where he thinks you should be.<br />
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Your siblings holding you for the first time: <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/24380137096/in/album-72157663525608526/" title="20151214-VW4A0675.jpg"><img alt="20151214-VW4A0675.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1720/24380137096_65c898721e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/24110663800/in/album-72157663525608526/" title="20151214-VW4A0648.jpg"><img alt="20151214-VW4A0648.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1640/24110663800_1a4dc45734_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/24110718640/in/album-72157663525608526/" title="20151214-VW4A0663.jpg"><img alt="20151214-VW4A0663.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1642/24110718640_4cbcab2872_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2013/10/happy-1-month-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 1 Month</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/10/happy-1-month-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 1 Month</a><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;">I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">17 months old</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arimo";"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px;"> </span></span> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-91184795283994644272015-09-30T10:53:00.001-05:002015-09-30T10:54:00.231-05:00Troy's 5th Birthday Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/20229853453/in/album-72157655378854693/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="20150824-IMG_4162.jpg"><img alt="20150824-IMG_4162.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/572/20229853453_2a2a8faf85_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite color? <b>Red, orange, and yellow</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite toy? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Superhero stuff</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite fruit? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Oranges</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite TV show? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">PJ Masks</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Chick-fil-a</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite outfit? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What I'm wearing right now, wait, all my superhero shirts actually (he's currently wearing a spiderman shirt)</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite game? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Superheros</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite snack? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Cereal</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite animal? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Tiger</strong></li>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite song? </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">The Angels Beckon Me (This World Is Not My Home)</b></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite book? <b> I don't know</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Who is your best friend? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Ashlyn</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite cereal? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">See those sugar ones right there? Those square ones? That's my favorite one (Cinnamon Toast Crunch)</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite thing to do outside? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Work</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite drink? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Its tea, but berry tea</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite holiday? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Halloween </strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What do you like to take to bed with you at night? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Batman and spiderman</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Cereal</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite thing for dinner? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Whataburger</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What do you want to be when you grow up? <b>Knight</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite movie? </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">That Halloween Mickey Mouse, wait, everything halloween is my favorite movie!</b></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">Where is your favorite place to go? </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">The store with the toys. Toy store.</b></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite Bible story? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">When Jesus died on the cross for us</strong></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite memory verse? </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">I don't know</b></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">What is your favorite letter? </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.56px;">T</strong></li>
</ol>
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<br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/10/troys-4th-birthday-interview.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Troy's 4th Birthday Interview</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/Birthday%20interview" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">All the kids birthday interviews</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-52939318120196552352015-09-09T12:40:00.003-05:002015-09-09T12:41:56.332-05:00Happy 2nd Birthday Luke!As I'm sitting here writing this post, you are showing off just how big you are these days. You've got some sort of superhero toy that has a disc you can load and then shoot. You are loading the disc, then aiming and shooting it at me, with a huge grin on your face each time you succeed.<br />
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Your language and communication have really exploded over the past month. It is hard to describe how many more words and phrases you are saying compared to the previous month. You are putting many more words together into phrases such as "Gone. More please." One of my favorite things you say is "I'm coming mama" whenever I call you. Your voice is sooo sweet when you say it.<br />
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With your communication explosion this month has come your ability to really say Ella and Troy's names well, and to say them often. You've been able to say them for a while, but you've really started to use them to call them or direct them to do something for you. I often hear you say "Ell-A! Elp me! (help me!)" One day we went to drop Ella's water bottle off at school, and when we pulled up you started saying "Ell-A! Ell-A!"<br />
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You love to give directions to us these days, sometimes with words and sometimes by pointing. For instance, if someone gets up and leaves you start pointing for them to come back to where they were. Though you are still a stubborn two year old in many ways, you've really been obeying better each and every day. You do a great job coming (most of the time) when we call you to come. You also love to complete tasks that we give you to do such as taking something to the trash, putting shoes by the front door, or even going to find your cup. However, with that said, if you get something in your mind about how you are going to do it and we ask you to do it differently, you usually end up throwing a fit.<br />
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I think you really missed our dog Reeses while we were in Paraguay, though I'm not sure how much she missed you ;) ! You love to chase her around, even though she isn't very keen on that these days. You also LOVE to let her in and out the back door, and you don't like if someone else lets her in or out. Not only can you open the back door, you can also unlock and lock it too. A couple of times you've decided you'll go outside and play on the slide or in the sandbox by yourself.<br />
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This past month you also moved officially into a twin bed. When we left for Paraguay, I took your crib down, and didn't intend to put it back up when we got back. I was pretty skeptical at how you would handle being in a twin bed (especially since at the moment you are sharing a room with Troy), but you've done pretty great. I think the first week you were in the twin bed you didn't think you were allowed (or could) get out of the bed without us getting you. You've since figured out that not only can you get out of bed by yourself but you can also open the door and leave your room.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You are quite the sorter of objects. You sorted (without instruction from us) your animals in the photo by color and kind, and also sorted all the jenga blocks by color. You also love to stack and build things</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You've loved to color for a while now, but this past month you've started doing what I call "squiggling." You get really intense, and then draw these little squiggles over and over again. It is quite funny to me! Even your Bible class paper was covered in squiggles when you brought it to us. And, speaking of Bible class, you've moved into the 2 and 3 year old class, and seem to be doing great in there. I was a little concerned about how you'd transition from class in Paraguay to the older class back at home, but you've done well. We've been told by a few different people that you love to do the puzzles in there, and that you do a really good job with them.
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Our one day excursion to Disney World was really fun with you! You were SOOO excited at all the characters, and loved waving at them during the parades. I wished we could have taken you to meet Mickey Mouse, but in our short time there we didn't get to do that. I know you would have loved it though!
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.56px;"><b>Signs you do:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.56px;"> more, finished, thank you, hungry, thirsty, please, sleepy, bath</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 23.1px;"><b style="line-height: 23.1px;">Body parts you can identify:</b><span style="line-height: 23.1px;"> nose, ears, mouth, eyes, tongue, teeth, hair, face, hands, feet, belly, neck, arms, legs (You can also identify soem body parts by their Spanish name)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 23.1px;"><span style="line-height: 23.1px;"><b>Animal noises you make:</b></span><b style="line-height: 23.1px;"> </b><span style="line-height: 23.1px;">cow, duck, dog, anything that roars (especially dinosaurs!) (I think you can do more, but I didn't take good note. . . .)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.56px;"><b>Favorite foods:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.56px;"> Yogurt, chicken (especially chicken nuggets/strips), nutrigrain bars, donuts, mac and cheese, ice cream (if we offer you ice cream you start jumping up and down and yelling "yay! yay! yay! ice cream!"), and foods you get to eat with a fork</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.56px;"><b>Favorite activities/toys:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.56px;"><b> </b>Books, balls, little figurines (like Mickey Mouse), cars, buckle stuffed lion. You love to "put things in things" as well as throwing. You also love to play chase with the other kids. You also enjoy shutting doors and drawers. You also love to play peek-a-boo! You really love singing as well! One of your favorite things to do is to "wrestle" with your dad and siblings.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 23.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.56px;"><b>Words you say:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.56px;"> I cannot keep up with the words you say anymore! You say so many things (in English and Spanish)!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2015/08/happy-23-months-luke.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lu</span>ke @ 23 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2012/09/happy-2nd-birthday-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 24 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-2nd-birthday-ella.html" target="_blank">Ella @ 24 months</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-35978100695014286792015-08-26T13:16:00.001-05:002015-08-26T13:16:07.180-05:00Week Twelve in ParaguayWe've been home from Paraguay for a couple of weeks now, but I'm just now getting around to writing this because things have been crazy since we've been home! We've traveled many, many miles catching up with family we didn't see over the summer, had doctor appointments, got ready for the start of school (both for the kids and with Trent's job with the college students), and attempted to catch up on what we missed at home during our time out of the country. We still have many things to do in order to get back into the routine of being home, but we have started settling down some.<br />
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Our last week in Paraguay was busy and emotional. We packed, wrapped up many activities, and said many goodbyes. Thankfully, with today's technology our friends from Paraguay are only a text or Facebook message away!<br />
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Trent finished teaching in the Bible Academy at the beginning of our last week completing his class on the book of Deuteronomy as well as finishing grading all the students' work for the classes. Trent also had a couple of final private Spanish lessons in the few remaining days we had left in Paraguay.<br />
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During our last week we were able to meet with all four of our English students. I was able to teach the first lesson of <a href="http://www.wvbs.org/index.php/english-searching-for-truth-dvd.html" target="_blank">Searching For Truth</a> with two of my students, and I thought the lesson went well. I also completed lesson nine (of ten) with my other English student, and had the opportunity to talk with her about possibly doing Searching For Truth. Andrea made contact with all of our English students during the last week we were there to confirm appointment times with them as she took over all of these studies after we left. I'm anxious to hear how these studies progress!<br />
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The Paraguayans hospitality toward us continued to abound in our last week in Paraguay. We were invited to lunch at one family's home, and dinner at another family's. And, after services on Sunday morning, several members provided lunch for us before we had to head to the airport. It was nice to have a final meal with so many members of the congregation.<br />
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The Saturday before we left, Ella and I attended our last Ladies' Tea. At the tea I was able to give the devotional talk, and got to experience having my lesson translated for the first time. I was thankful to hear others' lessons translated before I did mine so that I had an idea of how to handle the situation. One of Trent's Spanish teachers translated for me! At the tea, I was also greatly surprised with a baby shower! I was completely shocked! At the shower we played a game where you go through several tests (Old Wives' Tales) to predict the baby's gender: nene (boy) or nena (girl). In the end, the game predicted nothing - equal chance that the baby was a boy or a girl. However, the ladies were asked to predict whether they thought I was having a boy or a girl, and they predicted correctly (a girl)!<br />
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I'm so thankful for the opportunity that our family had to spend in Paraguay for the summer working with the Christians there. If you would have told me even a couple of years ago that we would be spending our summer in South America, I probably would have laughed at you. However, among many things, I'm thankful that my husband had the vision for this opportunity for our family, and I'm thankful for the experience of working as a missionary in a foreign field for an extended period of time.<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Read more about our time in </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/Paraguay" style="color: #909090; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Paraguay</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-8424872503743173102015-08-25T11:11:00.002-05:002016-08-23T08:31:56.344-05:00The First Day of SchoolFirst, here are Ella and Troy's first day of school interviews.<br />
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Ella:<br />
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<li><b>What do you want to be when you grow up?</b> Christian and a doctor, an eye doctor or a regular doctor that checks you</li>
<li><b>What was your favorite thing you did during the summer?</b> Go to Paraguay, meet new friends, and learn Spanish in Paraguay. You can just say: "Have fun in Paraguay!"</li>
<li><b>What is your favorite thing to learn about in school?</b> Putting name puzzles together</li>
<li><b>What is your favorite color? </b>Blue</li>
<li><b>What is your favorite thing to play?</b> Barbies and my princess dolls, and my Minnies and my baby dolls</li>
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Troy:<br />
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<li><b>What do you want to be when you grow up?</b> Pirate</li>
<li><b>What was your favorite thing you did during the summer?</b> Work with my tools</li>
<li><b>What is your favorite thing to learn about in school?</b> Reading lesson</li>
<li><b>What is your favorite color? </b>Orange</li>
<li><b>What is your favorite thing to play? </b>Everything in the house</li>
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And, I had to include this photo because Luke insisted on posing next to the sign just like Troy. :)<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Ella's first day of first grade was very different from her <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-perfect-first-day-of-school.html" target="_blank">first day of kindergarten</a>. Although I homeschooled Ella last year, we decided to send her to public school for first grade.<br />
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>We didn't choose to move Ella to public school because we were unhappy with how things were going as we homeschooled her; rather, we chose to move Ella to public school, for the most part, for her to have the experience as a student as well as for us to have the experience as parents. We've said all along that we are open to many different schooling options, and while the <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/09/homeschooling-ella.html" target="_blank">reasons we chose to homeschool Ella last year</a> are still reasons we may homeschool her again in the future, it doesn't mean that homeschooling is the only way or that there aren't valid reasons to consider a different schooling option.<br />
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I will admit that I have very mixed emotions about Ella's schooling this year. Even though we are only one day into the school year, there are already things that I miss about homeschooling her like choosing her curriculum and knowing exactly what she'll be learning; seeing her excitement when she learns something new; and not having to be out the door at 7:30 in the morning. :) However, there are things that I know I will get to enjoy about her experiences in public school like when she came home yesterday chatting about the new friends she made, or that how her favorite things were exercising and doing name puzzles, or how the fifth graders helped her out during lunch.<br />
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I'll be teaching Troy pre-K at home, and we are going to start by focusing on <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/06/ella-can-read.html" target="_blank">learning to read</a>. I'm excited and thankful for the time that I will have to focus on Troy's learning. I'm also excited for the opportunity for Troy to learn more responsibility without having Ella to rely on. He's never been the oldest child around the house, and this will give him an opportunity for growth (and an opportunity for me to challenge him more as well).<br />
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Although it isn't specifically related to my children, I'd like to end with a note of encouragement to all parents, particularly Christian parents, concerning others' choices when it comes to schooling. I'm in several homeschooling groups on Facebook, and those groups have, for the most part, been valuable resources for advice on educating children at home. However, over the past few days there have been numerous discouraging posts regarding those who would choose to educate their children outside the home. And, sadly, I've also heard many discouraging things from those who educate their children outside the home toward those who homeschool. I'm deeply saddened by the pressure and guilt that each side seems to place on the other. I think we all need to be very careful about judging each family's motives and remember that each schooling situation will present unique opportunities and situations (both good and bad) for our families. As Christian parents we ought to be looking at how we can use those opportunities to teach our children more about God and His Word and sharing the good news with others.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-1376437677822026242015-08-07T13:21:00.002-05:002015-08-07T13:37:54.179-05:00Happy 23 Months Luke!One month from being two year old! I'd say that it is hard to believe you are almost two, but it really isn't. You seem SO big these days (physically and otherwise), and although I might still call you my "baby" from time to time, you are far from a baby! You keep us on our toes at every turn, and we love the energy and surprises you bring to our lives.<br />
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You continue to amaze us with your physical skills. You love to jump, and have been able to jump for a while now (off both feet at the same time), but you've gotten really good a jumping many times in a row without pausing between jumps. You also impressed us with another skill (which I was shocked by when I saw you do it). Ella and Troy were swinging on the bar shown in the picture below, and you decided to join in. Not only did you grab onto the bar and hang on, but you also raised your legs out straight as well as raising them up bent. And you hung on for a good bit of time too! You also do a great job kicking a soccer ball (and you've gotten lots of practice while we've been in Paraguay!).<br />
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You've always been much more able to keep a poker face than Ella or Troy, and you continue to show that skill off (a skill which you got from your dad!). After watching Ella and Troy, I'm amazed at how well you can keep a straight face. Don't get me wrong, you smile a lot too, but you often keep us guessing with your straight face.</div>
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Despite the crazy schedule and circumstances we've been in throughout the past three months in Paraguay, you've handled everything pretty well, even when you've been exhausted. You've slept well in your <a href="http://www.amazon.com/KidCo-P3010-Peapod-Cranberry/dp/B00CCKC108/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1438970592&sr=8-4&keywords=kidco" target="_blank">tent bed</a> (which I've loved for traveling, by the way), and even voluntarily gotten in it a few times on your own when you've been really tired. You, Ella, and Troy love to play with all your bedding stuff (blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals), and every night before bedtime everyone has to gather their stuff up to get ready for bed. When we first got to Paraguay Ella and Troy always had to gather your stuff, but lately you've been doing a great job helping out and putting your stuff in your bed.</div>
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I feel like there are countless times each week Trent or I say to you something along the lines of "you think you are so funny, don't you?" You love to do things, see if anyone is watching, and then grin really big when they see what you've done. One thing you've done consistently lately is to steal mine or Trent's seats/spots on the bed. As soon as one of us gets up, you promptly crawl over to the spot and sit in it, grinning, waiting for us to come back and "evict" you. You've also crawled under the covers like you were going to sleep in our bed a few times as well, and you are SO proud every time you do it.</div>
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You've become a great hugger this month, joining in at bedtime with the rounds of hugs. It is SO precious! There are still times when you aren't in the "hugging mood," but most nights you are happy to pass out hugs. You'll even sometimes give people hugs when we are leaving somewhere. You are also great at saying "Ciao" when we are leaving.</div>
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You continue to enjoy playing by yourself, and I think you will probably be excited to be back at our home in Texas where there is more room to spread out and Troy isn't constantly around you. We attended a birthday party this past month, and you spent a large part of the time off playing by yourself. You DO like to play with others too, but you seem perfectly content to entertain yourself. When you are interested in playing with Ella and Troy though, you have no problem grabbing their hands and pulling them right where you want them. Ella and Troy love it (for the most part) when you pull them away to do something. You'll also go get Ella to do things for you such as pick you up to put you on the bed if you don't feel like climbing up yourself.</div>
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You are still really good at turning on the tears when you don't get your way. You've been spending a lot of time in the corner, as you learn to calm down and get over your fit. Overall, I think you are getting better at listening and obeying, but you are definitely stubborn at times. :) </div>
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You've been saying more phrases lately, and I love to watch your communication develop. Sometimes I'm shocked when I realize what you've just said. Some things we hear a lot include "More! Empty!" (when you run out of drink), "Night-night daddy! Night-night mama!" and "right here" (while you point at something).</div>
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Something kind of crazy happened this past month as well . . . you finally decided that shoes were OK! You've been resisting wearing shoes, especially since we've been in Paraguay, but I decided to really try to get you to wear them again because we were going to be traveling to Iguazu Falls. To my surprise, you've been keeping them on! When we put them on you, the first thing you almost always do is a big jump in them, It is pretty cute!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><b>Signs you do:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"> more, finished, thank you, hungry, thirsty, please, sleepy, bath</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"></span></span><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"></span><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><b>Body parts you can identify:</b> nose, ears, mouth, eyes, tongue, teeth, hair, face, hands, feet, belly, neck, arms, legs (You can also identify many body parts by their Spanish name)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><b>Animal noises you make:</b></span><b style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"> </b><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">cow, duck, dog (I think you can do more, but I didn't take good note. . . .)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><b>Favorite foods:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"> Yogurt, chicken (especially chicken nuggets/strips), nutrigrain bars, donuts, mac and cheese, and foods you get to eat with a fork</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><span style="line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><b>Favorite activities/toys:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><b> </b>Books, balls, little figurines (like Mickey Mouse), cars, buckle stuffed lion. You love to "put things in things" as well as throwing. You also love to play chase with the other kids. You also enjoy shutting doors and drawers. You also love to play peek-a-boo! You really love singing as well! One of your favorite things to do is to "wrestle" with your dad and siblings.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><b>Words you say:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"> I cannot keep up with the words you say anymore! You say so many things (in English and Spanish)!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2015/07/happy-22-months-luke.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Luke @ 22 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2012/08/happy-23-months-troy.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Troy @ 23 months</a><br />
<a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-23-months-ella.html" style="color: #909090; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ella @ 23 months</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453419973611781115.post-77765252054048350442015-08-02T21:54:00.002-05:002015-08-02T21:54:53.282-05:00Week Eleven in Paraguay<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">One week from today we'll begin our journey back home. We are so thankful for our time here, yet also excited to get back to work at home. This week will be filled with lots of packing, finalizing/transitioning our work here, and goodbyes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">This week I met with one of my English students, and we finished up our eighth (of ten) lessons from the book of John. Each week i meet with this student I feel as though she's opening up more about discussing the Bible during our lessons, so I'm hopeful that after we leave she'll be interested in continuing on with Bible study once she completes all the English lessons. Unfortunately, I did not get to meet with my two students with whom I was supposed to begin Bible study using <a href="http://www.wvbs.org/index.php/english-searching-for-truth-dvd.html" target="_blank">Searching for Truth</a>. Hopefully they'll be able to meet this coming week. Trent was able to meet with his English student and they continue to progress through the English lessons from the book of John.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Monday night we met with one of the families here, and let the kids play at the park and then got pizza together. The kids always love getting to play with their little boy, and I know they are going to miss him!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Trent continued teaching in the Bible Academy this week. He finished up his class on Christian Evidences, and continued teaching Deuteronomy. He'll finish up Deuteronomy on Tuesday of this coming week. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">At the end of the week, we had the unique opportunity to visit <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguazu_Falls" target="_blank">Iguazu Falls</a> in Argentina with Troy and Andrea. It was an amazing experience, and words and pictures cannot even describe the awesome nature of the falls. In 2011 Iguazu Falls was named one of the seven wonders of the natural world, and it wasn't hard to see why. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; text-align: center;">I'm thankful that we had an opportunity to take our family there while we were so close (about a six hour bus ride away). While we were there we also had the opportunity to see many beautiful butterflies, monkeys (which I had never seen "in the wild"), and pesky, yet intriguing, raccoon-like creatures called coati. The kids really enjoyed the trip, and also greatly enjoyed their time with Troy and Andrea.</span><br />
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Riding the ferry across from Paraguay to Argentina (you could also see Brazil from the ferry).</div>
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Playing soccer at the place we stayed in Argentina. You can always find a soccer ball wherever you are!</div>
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Riding the train at Iguazu Falls.</div>
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Monkey!</div>
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Coati stealing food</div>
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Riding the ferry back to Paraguay.</div>
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Troy telling the kids a story about a boy with a dream. :)</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">After services today we were invited over to the secretary's home for lunch. We thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship and the food. The kids also enjoyed getting to play with her son whom they've recently been getting to play with quite a lot (because the kids here had winter break the last couple of weeks). </span></span><br />
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Troy helping hand out announcement sheets.</div>
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Playing at lunch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPViwRpl3ShZg7gRDhPMU2ofMIuVEqCHFvqtUBhIAsNbrit1Wj8egz10c60Fgyz1e6jZuSOZ6h2ot9P09xmfilIFmC9djiapqWbJ7_umj08KSfTRQFErbAfoyxHq0B13G_-uSSHwD6QiPm/s1600/IMG_4782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPViwRpl3ShZg7gRDhPMU2ofMIuVEqCHFvqtUBhIAsNbrit1Wj8egz10c60Fgyz1e6jZuSOZ6h2ot9P09xmfilIFmC9djiapqWbJ7_umj08KSfTRQFErbAfoyxHq0B13G_-uSSHwD6QiPm/s640/IMG_4782.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Knocking down lemons at lunch.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Read more about our time in </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/Paraguay" style="color: #909090; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Paraguay</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com