"The other day I looked at Zoe and said, "what part of no don't you understand? The n or the o?" She turned her big blue eyes toward me and said "the o" without missing a beat. Eeks! It was hilarious, but also a clue as to what's to come and boy am I in trouble. Laugh. Both of my little angels are a constant fluctuation of complete joy and beauty, combined with a good helping of stubbornness and strong little independent spirits. I'm on a wild ride every day.
Life is good here and the newest thing is that we are putting our house up for sale. It's a whirlwind of cleaning, maintaining, and getting mentally ready for the impending roller coaster ride. I'm excited and scared at the same time. This is the home that we brought our baby London back to, and Zoe too. Yes, a home is what you make it and we are not captured here in drywall and flowers, but it is still sentimental. There are memories here in every corner that I can see when I walk around.
However, I look at my kitchen table that cannot be used to eat at because it has become a giant desk and I think how lovely it would be to decorate it with pretty linens and eat at it like civilized people instead of the kids table which I am a bit large for. We seriously need some more space, not tons, just a little more. Common sense tells me that we would be happy together in an igloo because it's the four of us, and Roxy, that make home.
Sometimes I struggle with anxiety and it can be pretty scary, but somehow it was replaced with a sense of purpose and a voice in my head (no jokes please) that is telling me that everything will be alright and to go forward in faith. I know from experience to listen to that voice, it's the one that shows me where to go when I don't know the way and reminds me that everything is possible when I listen to God's plan and not just my own. The other day I imagined what it must be like for those families that suddenly uproot and go to a different country to do missions work. That's a major departure from the comfort zone, but how exciting and fulfilling too. Right now, I'm just putting one foot in front of the other.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Things I didn't Mention
Ok, here's the section with all the gory details of the trip that I didn't talk about yet. My dramamine medicine ran out the first night and I didn't realize that I needed more until it was too late. At dinner time, I took two steps into the restaurant and felt dizzy, nauseous, tingling in my whole body, and ready to faint. I turned around and sat on the ground nearby wondering what to do and how I was going to survive five days of this. Oh man!!! I went back to the room and crawled into my bed, ate a few bites of something and took medicine. The next morning was a vast improvement and the vacation became fun for me.
Ooh, don't let me forget to mention that I had to change Zoe's diaper while wearing a sequin dress and high heels under a stairwell with no wipes and one diaper. Yep, that was fun. The bathroom was far away and we were in the middle of dinner on formal night so I cut a few corners. Another highlight was constantly taking extra boxes of cereal for the girls to snack on. At any given time, I had four boxes of Cheerios, Lucky Charms, or Fruit Loops in my bag for the squirrels to eat. I felt like a thief!
The nightclub was great, my friends and I danced up a storm and acted silly when the 80's music came on, complete with "Thriller" and "Footloose". The penny slots kept calling my name, so I went and tried my luck with great results. After stating that I wanted to be able to scream and shout about winning, I hit two times in a row and earned myself some spending cash! That was exciting and I felt very satisfied.
We were very blessed to go on the trip and share that special time with our family. Regardless of all the little hiccups and speed bumps, we had fun and helped two people join together in marriage on a very beautiful and special day.
Ooh, don't let me forget to mention that I had to change Zoe's diaper while wearing a sequin dress and high heels under a stairwell with no wipes and one diaper. Yep, that was fun. The bathroom was far away and we were in the middle of dinner on formal night so I cut a few corners. Another highlight was constantly taking extra boxes of cereal for the girls to snack on. At any given time, I had four boxes of Cheerios, Lucky Charms, or Fruit Loops in my bag for the squirrels to eat. I felt like a thief!
The nightclub was great, my friends and I danced up a storm and acted silly when the 80's music came on, complete with "Thriller" and "Footloose". The penny slots kept calling my name, so I went and tried my luck with great results. After stating that I wanted to be able to scream and shout about winning, I hit two times in a row and earned myself some spending cash! That was exciting and I felt very satisfied.
We were very blessed to go on the trip and share that special time with our family. Regardless of all the little hiccups and speed bumps, we had fun and helped two people join together in marriage on a very beautiful and special day.
The Condensed Version of the Last Four Months
Two birthdays and a vacation later, there are many adventures to catch you up on. London and Zoe recently celebrated their birthdays with friends and family and I learned that blue icing is not my friend when it comes to laundry. The girls were very excited to go on a big ship and I got a gazillion cool pictures from the trip. It was a great experience, with lots of ridiculous mishaps along the way.
Camp Carnival, the kids club on board, not such a success for us. Scott and I would drop them off, take the phone with us that is handed out as an electronic leash for parents, and look at each other with a doubtful expression. Would we really get a break? How long would it last? The first day our phone rang within an hour and we were summoned to pick up Zoe. Ok, no problem. Shortly after, it rang again and this time it was London. Hmm...not what we had envisioned when people said "Oh, they'll have so much fun you'll barely see them!" We retrieved the sibling and headed off to dinner with the girls in tow. They actually did very well sitting in the nice restaurant and having a four course meal. Scott and I ate hot food, can you believe it??? I must give kudos to my husband's parents because they helped out so much the entire time and made it a lot easier for us with the girls.
When we arrived in Cabo, I had to get onto a tender, a small boat that holds about 30 people. I was mortified and pictured myself being sick as a dog, but surprisingly my dramamine worked wonders and it was fun! The wedding was at a gorgeous resort on the sand and London did a fantastic job as flower girl. During the ceremony, she wandered around the sand and picked up white coral that she kept in her basket. It was really sweet to watch. Zoe didn't make it down the aisle due to nerves, but she warmed up to the crowd a little later.
The next day was FREEDOM!!! Scott and I went to the beach and planted ourselves on two lounge chairs while listening to Bob Marley and staring at the horizon. We even managed to go jet skiing together and my husband kept scaring the crud out of me when he went too fast. Sea lions swam around us and we saw a giant rock with the big male surrounded by his group. We had fun together, the best thing you can ask for.
Camp Carnival, the kids club on board, not such a success for us. Scott and I would drop them off, take the phone with us that is handed out as an electronic leash for parents, and look at each other with a doubtful expression. Would we really get a break? How long would it last? The first day our phone rang within an hour and we were summoned to pick up Zoe. Ok, no problem. Shortly after, it rang again and this time it was London. Hmm...not what we had envisioned when people said "Oh, they'll have so much fun you'll barely see them!" We retrieved the sibling and headed off to dinner with the girls in tow. They actually did very well sitting in the nice restaurant and having a four course meal. Scott and I ate hot food, can you believe it??? I must give kudos to my husband's parents because they helped out so much the entire time and made it a lot easier for us with the girls.
When we arrived in Cabo, I had to get onto a tender, a small boat that holds about 30 people. I was mortified and pictured myself being sick as a dog, but surprisingly my dramamine worked wonders and it was fun! The wedding was at a gorgeous resort on the sand and London did a fantastic job as flower girl. During the ceremony, she wandered around the sand and picked up white coral that she kept in her basket. It was really sweet to watch. Zoe didn't make it down the aisle due to nerves, but she warmed up to the crowd a little later.
The next day was FREEDOM!!! Scott and I went to the beach and planted ourselves on two lounge chairs while listening to Bob Marley and staring at the horizon. We even managed to go jet skiing together and my husband kept scaring the crud out of me when he went too fast. Sea lions swam around us and we saw a giant rock with the big male surrounded by his group. We had fun together, the best thing you can ask for.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Pigs Have Been Taken Hostage!
It was a cold, dark morning and the two little pink stuffed pigs sat on the mantle waiting to be rescued and returned to their nice warm bed and their owner, a three year old girl named London. It all began when London refused to stay in bed and go to sleep the night before. Her mommy had resorted to kidnapping the small creatures in retaliation and the little girl learned a lesson. Her animals would suffer for her actions. Sad, but necessary.
When London woke up, she ran to her mommy and asked for her two little pink pigs. She told her mother that they were sad without her and they missed her and the other animals and that they cried. The pigs were returned and the little girl hugged them fiercely and spoke reassuring words to them. It broke the mommy's heart to do this, but it seemed an effective way to teach her daughter to listen. Trial and error. The other animals probably hoped they weren't next!
To be continued...
When London woke up, she ran to her mommy and asked for her two little pink pigs. She told her mother that they were sad without her and they missed her and the other animals and that they cried. The pigs were returned and the little girl hugged them fiercely and spoke reassuring words to them. It broke the mommy's heart to do this, but it seemed an effective way to teach her daughter to listen. Trial and error. The other animals probably hoped they weren't next!
To be continued...
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
London's First Performance
Tonight I watched my daughter get up on stage in front of an audience and sing and dance with her preschool class for a Christmas Celebration. London was dressed in a burgundy velvet dress and white tights with little black ballet shoes. She looked happy and focused as she sang the lyrics and followed along with her hands to "Whole World In His Hands". Scott and I were so proud of her as we sat in the second row watching with his parents and little Zoe on their laps in her green velvet dress and red pigtails.
This was the first of many school activities and performances and I was so incredibly happy to be there and to see my little girl up there. Yes, every parent feels this but for me, it's even sweeter because we are making sure that she gets these opportunities that I didn't have and that we know are good for her.
Even the tiniest things make me feel lucky. I love taking them to the bathroom and teaching them how to wash their hands and listening to London sing and discover that her voice sounds good in there. Listening to them make each other laugh while doing the simplest things gives me so much happiness.
This was the first of many school activities and performances and I was so incredibly happy to be there and to see my little girl up there. Yes, every parent feels this but for me, it's even sweeter because we are making sure that she gets these opportunities that I didn't have and that we know are good for her.
Even the tiniest things make me feel lucky. I love taking them to the bathroom and teaching them how to wash their hands and listening to London sing and discover that her voice sounds good in there. Listening to them make each other laugh while doing the simplest things gives me so much happiness.
Disneyland
The time had come for us to take our first trip to Disneyland. I imagined London meeting the characters and her eyes growing big and full of wonder as she saw the sights for the first time. It was hard for me to go to sleep the night before! We set out the next day on our trip and I felt a tinge of guilt for leaving Zoe behind but kept telling myself that she was still a bit young; she's only a year and a half, and that we would take her next year when she could enjoy more. Truthfully, Scott and I really wanted to focus on London and let her have this special day to herself so she could fully enjoy it without distraction or moody meltdowns from her younger sister.
After a slightly long car ride of an hour and a half, we arrived at the park and went through Main Street. It was fully decorated for Christmas and extremely crowded for a Monday. We went in search of our first ride and settled on the Jungle Cruise. It was cool but I wish I had a mute button for the guy doing the talking in charge of the boat. Really bad jokes. Next we went to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and poor London got scared. We tried to see the Princesses but the wait was an hour long, so we headed off to have a snack and check out ToonTown. It was cute but where were all the characters? Tigger finally surfaced at one spot and he had a crowd around him.
I had promised London that she would meet the fairies, so we set out for Pixie Hollow. It was nice there because the fairie music was playing while we waited and then finally it was our turn. London turned the corner and saw Rosetta and voila! Her eyes got big and she ran toward the fairy and threw her arms around her as she cried out her name! "Rosetta!!!" I felt my heart burst and I felt so much joy for her as she met her hero. They posed for pictures and London talked to her, then headed off to meet Tinkerbell around the corner. Once again, London gave a big hug and a proud smile as she posed for our cameras. The look of sheer happiness and contentment really did make the whole day worthwhile. I will always remember that.
Pirates of the Caribbean was a must for Scott and we got in pretty quickly. I had forgotten the two big drops so that was an exciting surprise that I loved! The restaurant inside there looks so cool and is a definite for next time. London was scared at times but we both held her tight and reassured her. At the end, the parrot told her "good job" and she was so proud of herself for finishing the ride and told us how she was brave.
After a quick pep stop to get two Cafe Mocha's, we spent the later part of our evening at California Adventure and London saw a parade with Woody and Jessie from Toy Story, as well as a few monsters from Monsters Inc. and then we toured the wharf and carnival rides to see the glowing lights at night. It was beautiful and reminded me of the boardwalk attractions on the East Coast when I was little in New Jersey. We took a ride on Heimlich the Caterpillar from Bug's Life and the coolest part was the fact that when we went through the watermelon it actually smelled like one and the cookies too. Very cool. I remember sitting there with London and Scott in the little car and seeing the moon over our head and I felt so happy to have my family and that time together. The only way to top it is to go back next year with Zoe and have all four of us together. This story to be continued in 365 days...
After a slightly long car ride of an hour and a half, we arrived at the park and went through Main Street. It was fully decorated for Christmas and extremely crowded for a Monday. We went in search of our first ride and settled on the Jungle Cruise. It was cool but I wish I had a mute button for the guy doing the talking in charge of the boat. Really bad jokes. Next we went to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and poor London got scared. We tried to see the Princesses but the wait was an hour long, so we headed off to have a snack and check out ToonTown. It was cute but where were all the characters? Tigger finally surfaced at one spot and he had a crowd around him.
I had promised London that she would meet the fairies, so we set out for Pixie Hollow. It was nice there because the fairie music was playing while we waited and then finally it was our turn. London turned the corner and saw Rosetta and voila! Her eyes got big and she ran toward the fairy and threw her arms around her as she cried out her name! "Rosetta!!!" I felt my heart burst and I felt so much joy for her as she met her hero. They posed for pictures and London talked to her, then headed off to meet Tinkerbell around the corner. Once again, London gave a big hug and a proud smile as she posed for our cameras. The look of sheer happiness and contentment really did make the whole day worthwhile. I will always remember that.
Pirates of the Caribbean was a must for Scott and we got in pretty quickly. I had forgotten the two big drops so that was an exciting surprise that I loved! The restaurant inside there looks so cool and is a definite for next time. London was scared at times but we both held her tight and reassured her. At the end, the parrot told her "good job" and she was so proud of herself for finishing the ride and told us how she was brave.
After a quick pep stop to get two Cafe Mocha's, we spent the later part of our evening at California Adventure and London saw a parade with Woody and Jessie from Toy Story, as well as a few monsters from Monsters Inc. and then we toured the wharf and carnival rides to see the glowing lights at night. It was beautiful and reminded me of the boardwalk attractions on the East Coast when I was little in New Jersey. We took a ride on Heimlich the Caterpillar from Bug's Life and the coolest part was the fact that when we went through the watermelon it actually smelled like one and the cookies too. Very cool. I remember sitting there with London and Scott in the little car and seeing the moon over our head and I felt so happy to have my family and that time together. The only way to top it is to go back next year with Zoe and have all four of us together. This story to be continued in 365 days...
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Dress Code Violations and General Musings
My friend Jamie and I were sitting in London's room the other day and playing with Barbies with our girls. We noticed that two of the dolls had on thong underwear. Are you kidding? Are we the only ones bothered by this? I have no problem with them for adults, but on a doll??? These toys are for little girls and our toddlers do NOT wear those underwear. Sorry Mattel, but a Barbie with a thong should be called "Skanky Barbie".
After we expressed our disgust, we decided to take action! We removed the outfits entirely and replaced them with different Barbie clothes that were not trashy and did not set a bad example for our three year olds. I had to alter the dress code on a few of the dolls since some were wearing half shirts, earrings and belly chains. Yikes! I just want my daughters to enjoy being little girls and free from the pressure to look and dress older for as long as possible. If that means I maim and destroy a few of the toys in the process, so be it.
On a more humorous note, London and Zoe were playing together and London grabbed a tape measure and asked Zoe if she could measure her. Zoe said "yes". London held it up to Zoe and announced "small". It was simple and sweet and totally made me laugh. After our nap today, London was asking about skunks and why tomato juice gets rid of the smell from skunk spray. It was random. Then we lay there together and pretend to draw on the ceiling with our finger and name the colors we're using out loud. She reminds me that I used to have a good imagination and helps me to dig it back out. My girls have helped me find so much happiness by living in the moment with them. I am content with a simple life where we go to the park, have a picnic, play and sing songs on the way home. That is enough for me.
After we expressed our disgust, we decided to take action! We removed the outfits entirely and replaced them with different Barbie clothes that were not trashy and did not set a bad example for our three year olds. I had to alter the dress code on a few of the dolls since some were wearing half shirts, earrings and belly chains. Yikes! I just want my daughters to enjoy being little girls and free from the pressure to look and dress older for as long as possible. If that means I maim and destroy a few of the toys in the process, so be it.
On a more humorous note, London and Zoe were playing together and London grabbed a tape measure and asked Zoe if she could measure her. Zoe said "yes". London held it up to Zoe and announced "small". It was simple and sweet and totally made me laugh. After our nap today, London was asking about skunks and why tomato juice gets rid of the smell from skunk spray. It was random. Then we lay there together and pretend to draw on the ceiling with our finger and name the colors we're using out loud. She reminds me that I used to have a good imagination and helps me to dig it back out. My girls have helped me find so much happiness by living in the moment with them. I am content with a simple life where we go to the park, have a picnic, play and sing songs on the way home. That is enough for me.
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