Changes

Well this year is going to be different . Change is in order. Starting with my hair. Donation #2 done and starting to work on the third.

The last day of 2012

I would hate to have a year go by and not one blog entry.  The saying is true "it is never too late".  I will happily say goodbye to 2012.  It has been a test of faith.  I look forward to 2013 to keep learning and to keep the faith.  Without further delay, here are our updates:

Sergio-he is an awesome little boy.  He has become used to being a leader of our pack.  He likes to be in charge of the girls.  He has handled the move from our old house and into the apartment very well.  He finished up preschool and still misses his friends from AP.  He got involved with swimming, tennis, and VBS in the summer.  He started kinder in the fall and truly loves learning and practicing his spanish.  This fall he played soccer.  We are hoping to try a new sport this winter.  He loves football, soccer, Spanish, playing with friends at school, his family, drawing, deer, nature, and his sisters. Olivia-she is special, for many reasons.  She has something about her that can't be described in one or even a few words. She is calm, easy, strong, confident, firm, fun, light-hearded, heavily passionate for those she loves, and a wonderful helper.  She gets it in any situation.  She is my best little friend.  She is still in preschool and looks forward to going everyday.  She has a bff at school and at home.  She did all the things Sergio did last summer, but we are still working on swimming.  For the first time she played soccer and did really well!!  Who knew how ffffaaasssttt she is!!! She loves her siblings, helping out, cleaning, coloring, playing pretend, riding her bike, playing at parks, Hello Kitty, and puppies in purses.

Audrey-she is vivacious!!  I can't take my eyes off of my little doll.  She has some serious spunk and spirit in her.  It is hard to be upset with her because she is so cute.  She has always known what she wants and how to get it.  She is advanced for her age in talking and climbing.  She went from our closet to the kids closet and now she is inside the room with her older siblings.  She thinks she is a big kid and loves her brother and sister.  She is running around all over, not wanting to stop for meals or snacks.  She loves to play with Olivia, phones, look for puppies, play in the basement at her N & P's, figure out how things work, Little People, and play at parks.

These children have been wonderful.  I can't believe how my flexible kids are. They have lost a little of their childhood  this year, but have gained a new appreciation for what a "roof over your head" means without even knowing it.  We have learned to be happy and have faith no matter what your circumstances. 

Blessings in this new year to come!

a chant

that we have created around here when Uncle D comes goes something like this:

UNCLE D!
UNCLE D!
WE LOVE.....UNCLE D!
ETC...

D's visit was short (to us, long for him), but oh so sweet! He immediately clicked with Audrey. Derek arrives and she starts smiling from ear to ear! He had an unique way of holding her and even put her to sleep once. Poor D got noticabye disturbed when she was crying...she made him feel sorry for her. She has a way of doing that to me too....;)


Uncle D is the sweetest and most awesome uncle ever!! He loves his nieces and nephew and they adore him!!

Accord SE

Joe said goodbye to the Volvo and hello to a new Honda! May this black beauty give us many more years of reliability, safety, and a little fun while on the road. Congrats on your new ride J-Rod!!:)

they're baaaaaaacccccckk!!

The kids were so excited for their first day of school!! They woke up early on their own and were almost dressed as I entered their room. It was a 360 from the day before.

Rewind: meet the teacher went like this: Sergio-didn't care to meet the teachers or explore his new room, he forgot his manners (all day actually), and wanted to leave. Olivia-she was shy, but did explore her room and cooperated like the good little girl she always is. However, trouble brewed with her when she fell while running on the pebbled side walk. Yep-split open her forehead. Blood, tears, then she got it together and didn't cry again. Wow! She put on her batman armor and was a super tough chick!!:) That's my girl! Anyways, after 3 butterfly closures and continued bleeding we took a little trip to the Urgent Care. She is glued up and good to go. We all can't wait until Saturday when she can get her head and face wet!!:) Also, Uncle D arrives Saturday!!:)

Fast forward: Their first day went glorious!! Sergio was cooperative and obedient. He made new friends who don't have names yet, spent lots of time at the computer, made a road with blocks, and had fun outside. Olivia did great. No potty trips, but no suprise. She caught Sergio walking by in the hall and started crying, left the room, got her bag, and declared she was going home. Ms A got her back in the room and apparently, no problems thereafter... Sergio wanted to talk about his good report from the teachers and Olivia's reply to school was that she played with Lainey and all other answers went like this: "you know it". :) No boo-boos and no bad behavior=one proud and happy Mama!!:)

the last of the catch ups...

I am caught up....for now. It has taken me 2 months but I can proudly say the house is clean, laundry done, dishes done, my book keeping done, and now my blog caught up to present day. I am even attempting to cook at least once a week. Thanks to my family who have been SOOOO patient with me in seeing these pics! Lots of interesting things coming our way.....:)

SUPRISE! 3?

Joe had a birthday 2 weeks ago. He knew we were going to meet for dinner at Bigz. He knew we would be there after Olivia's swim lesson. He knew what I was ordering for them. He knew nothing of the rest: over 20 friends would be there too, tables were reserved, a sign in his honor would be put up for all to see, balloons, cake/brownies/banana chocolate chip bread would be provided for the birthday celebration, and his coworkers were in on the "Delay Joe" plans. It all worked out and he was suprised! Happy Birthday Joe--I "evergladed" you!!!!!!!!!!!!