We are still here

Well, it's been 6 months since my last post. Don't worry, I won't bore you trying to fill you in on 6 months. I'll just give the highlights:

• We went to Florida for our first official family vacation. We met Tim's family there and rented a house with them for a week. It was a beautiful time to go, but the ocean was VERY rough and Sydnie only ventured in twice. It was a little scary and she worried about anyone who went in. We were actually able to get in the water before the oil spill reached the area.
• Sydnie started Kindergarten. Yes, Mommy cried while Sydnie took off ready to go. Tim was a great Dad and husband: he took off the day for Syd and myself :)
• Sydnie has lost 5 teeth and has 2 loose now. She leaves notes for the Tooth Fairy (and Santa) with very clear expectations. The Tooth Fairy is nice enough to write back regarding Syd's concerns and thoughts. Like, a mini-trampoline really is toooooo big for a Fairy to bring for a lost tooth.
• Sydnie and I went to Tennessee after Christmas. We rode back with my mom and dad to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday celebration. We surprised her when we showed up on her door step. I must say, it was one of the best surprises I've been involved with in a long time.
• Sydnie is planning a redesign for her bedroom. She has some very clear ideas; we'll see how it all comes out. Right now, we are looking at colors, accessories, and budget. It will be a couple of months before it's finished, I expect.
• We have been out of school for 3 days now with icy weather and rolling blackouts. Today to break things up a bit, we had orange muffins for the Chinese New Year (good luck for the new year) and some friends braved the roads to visit. Cabin fever was averted for one more day. We'll see what happens tomorrow with snow predicted tonight.
• Sydnie is in Daisies (Girl Scouts) and is selling cookies. Yeah! She gets to sell cookies she really shouldn't eat - no gluten free options with these yummies. Her troop is also researching Egypt for World Thinking Day They are also planning for a day camp this month. A busy month for Girl Scouts!

I am sure much has happened in our little circle, but you get the idea...never a dull moment! But, we are blessed to have the opportunities we have and look forward to many more!

Blessings to you all.

Zoo Fun

Sydnie LOVES going to the zoo and the last time we went, she was very bummed the new exhibit, The African Savannah, wasn't open. So, we went today. Even better, we went with Nana and Pa! It was HOT. It was fun :) We finally saw the cheetahs and elephants. Of course, we saw the lions, warthogs, and giraffes, which only received a passing glance. "Ok, I've seen it, what else can we see?"

After the zoo, we went to eat and yes we were so hot, we enjoyed a little bit of Frosty to cool us down :)

Memorial Day Fun

Happy Memorial Day!! We didn't have big plans for our Memorial Day, or Memorials Day, as Sydnie put it, but it turned out to be lots of fun...and memorable...hahaha.

We had some friends over, kind of a last minute thing, to grill and just 'hang-out'. Sydnie and Silas, almost 4, have lots of fun together so they were sooooo excited to have the play time. Even so excited they didn't eat when the adults ate. If you know Sydnie, you know that is amazing, she will almost always be willing to stop what she' s doing to eat, especially grilled steak (which is quite a treat). After lots of good playtime, and a good meal, Sydnie decided to do something about her loose tooth, or rather allow someone else to do something about her tooth. Let me explain...

Silas's family came over. You know that when kids come into the family the parents don't get the mention, as before kids, but Silas's mom is also a dental assistant. Sydnie wouldn't let Mom or Dad touch her tooth, but she let Mrs. Tiffany pull it!!! She was a little wary, but she was patient and out it came. We now have a snaggle-tooth in the family, who is very proud of the hole in her mouth :) She asked the tooth fairy for the tooth. She did leave the tooth, which she said was a 'very unusual request and practice' but this is Sydnie: the queen of unusual requests :) She looked at her tooth all night and all the next day. I wonder if each tooth will carry this kind of excitement??

So, we really did have a big memorable Memorial Day, maybe not as one would expect, but perfect for our family. A good evening with friends (Mr. Jacob and Carly, we are glad you came too) and a good family event we were happy to share.

'Til the next event...

Blessings :)

Gluten Free/Yeast Free Recipe

I tried something new for lunch today I had seen in Yeastfree Cooking, or something like that. Anyway, it was so simple and actually tasty. I don't usually make meals during the day, I don't always sit down to eat, so what's the point? So this was more than I'm used to, but so easy. Ready?

One cooked sweet potato, peeled and sliced
1/2 banana cut lengthwise, peeled
1/4 cup pecans, toasted
oil

Toast the pecan for a few minutes, remove from the pan and add just about a tablespoon of oil. Add the banana and sweet potato slices. Cover and let cook until warmed through. You don't even have to turn them over. Plate with cooked side up and sprinkle with nuts. The bananas have a nice sweetness that comes out with cooking and blends well with the potato and pecans. Surprisingly yummy!

A Loose Tooth

Well, it has come at last...Sydnie's first loose tooth! She has been waiting since the last dental visit. Looking at the xrays, the dentist said he anticipated he two bottom teeth would fall out this summer. She has been anxously awaiting. When she realized she had a loose tooth, I thought she would actually jump out of her skin. She had to call Daddy and work and give him the BIG news!! It is loose and getting looser, with help, of course, but she doesn't want Daddy to pull it. I'll be curious to see how things go when it is so loose it wobbles on its own...

Kindergarten Here We Come!

Last night we went to school for Kindergarten Round-Up. Sydnie was a little nervous about the evening: I won't know anyone?! What will we do? Do you know how to get there? The typical questions and concerns of a child going into a new situation. After MUCH discussion, including the electives she might be able to take in high school, yes we had to talk about high school as well, after all, don't all 5-year-olds worry if they'll be able to be on the swim team when they get to high school??? or on the "book" team (yearbook)??? A side note: she'll be on the swim team, the yearbook staff, but NOT the debate team...we'll see about that last one.

So, back to Kindergarten...we get ready to go, she's still a little nervous, but also excited, which makes for an emotional little girl. When we arrive, she walks right in and sits with Daddy, no problems. She listens to the principal and teachers, as well as she can considering she's commenting on everything they say, so I miss half of it. Thanks for listening Daddy, and catching the other half! We go to the classrooms, and it love! "This will be my room won't it Mom"? We looked at the K classrooms and she sat in the reading corners of all of them and pointed out the science area of a couple. She is ready for Kindergarten. I hope Kindergarten is ready for her :)

After leaving, she learned she would not start this week...what a BUMMER! As I said, the emotions were close to showing themselves, how can one be soooo excited and soooo disappointed at the same time and not be emotional! This morning, we are calmer and just excited to know it's coming up this fall. "I know I'll love it, Mom"! If I were only so confident. I am still very nervous, for many reasons, but it's in God's hands, for which I am thankful!!!

Thankful

I just have some random thoughts this morning, almost afternoon.

I am thankful for a husband who is loving and caring. He is a great Dad and wonderful hubby who never gets the credit warm fuzzies he deserves, but continues to all he can for his family in a Godly way. What would we do without you???

I am thankful for a daughter who has a heart for others. She is making cards for friends and kites for myself and Daddy with a sincere caring I hope and pray never goes away.

I am thankful for parents I can call anytime with crazy thoughts and questions and know they will answer me honestly and appropriately.

I am thankful for a sister that is great! I may not talk to her very often, but she is always in my prayers.

I am thankful for friends God has given our family and thoughts of them brighten our day.

I am thankful to God for his blessings that are new every morning and am sorry I don't appreciate them as I should.