Can She Really Be 7??

Today we are starting the celebration of Lucy's 7th birthday, with a "friend" sleepover.  Girls = drama.  I love the laughter, the giggles, the excitment, but you also get the leaving someone out, not getting my way, and "I don't want to do that" attitude.  Girls.  But I found the trick!  Keep.  Them.  Busy.  After school we had snacks, then McDonalds Play Area, then Kreager Park, then Presents, then Cupcakes, LPS Villages, then Movies & Popcorn...waaa laa - bed time! 

But while on Lucy's field trip today, I sat and thought how much I love watching my daughter interact with her friends.  I see which ones are going to be the leaders, which ones will be the followers, I can see which ones have faith deeply settled in their lives, and which ones come from child centered families.  And I often times find something silently praying for these little ones.  It's hard for me to grasp what the future may hold for them. I pray for their purity, for them to grasp a deep relationship with Christ, I pray that they are good friends to each other, support each other when making good decisions....awww heck, I just pray that we make it through first grade! 

Don't Let the Pigeon Be The Teacher

Today we were able to celebrate Lucy!  Lucy's book was picked for a Young Author Award.  This is quite an accomplishment (only 15 from the school were picked), and every more exciting (at least for Lucy) is because Carlie's books were never "picked."  We attended the Award Ceremony at Northrop HS and Lucy got to read her book in front of 9 of her peers.  She was so polite and quiet...I truly think she gets that from me. *cough, cough*  This was something that siblings could not attend, which made the morning all the more special for Lucy.  I was so excited to see her flourish in something OUTSIDE her sister's footsteps.  We were so proud of her!!

Blessed

I felt blessed this weekend. That is the only word that I can use to explain the peace that I have as I sit here tonight. On Saturday we took my grandparents dinner. Yes, at the age of 38, I still have three of my four biological grandparents. I was not only blessed to have them growing up, but I now have them at an age when I can appreciate them. I can listen to their stories, and soak up the legacy they are one day going to leave behind. My grandfather will be 90 years old this May. He is still golfing, and keeping up the house as my Grandmother's health slowly starts declining. Now...I say that, but Grandma still beat all of us at Rummy-Q on Saturday night. I still laugh out loud when I remember all the games of Spoons at the lake cottage, and all the nights of cut throat Rummy Q at their kitchen table. Now, my girls and my husband got to experience the Ringger Rummy Q. I don't think they knew it we were such a competitive family. Obviously they never had to fight my Grandma or Grandpa for the "smiley face." Or see my Grandpa's sly smile just moments before he goes out and leaves all of us with dozens of tiles to count. Yes, blessed. Blessed that they are prepared to celebrate their 60 year anniversary....60 years! What a legacy to be inherited to me and my family.

Today is Palm Sunday. The beginning of Holy Week. Now...we are not Lutheran, nor Catholic, nor Protestant, nor Methodist...well...what are we then? I'll tell you...SAVED! I got to spend time with my girls today explaining the true meaning behind Palm Sunday, and we plan to take time this week to practice communion as a family, and prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter. The Israelites were waiting for their King. They were waiting on the one sent from God to arrive in Jerusalem on a horse, with chariots and an army to rescue them! And behold....um...a carpenter on a donkey? Um...who are you and where is this King?? Jesus came on a donkey to show his humility ... and yes, he was there to rescue them, but not with armies, but with healing - physically and spiritually. I can picture the scene where the villagers are waving their palms signing "Hosanna! Hosanna!" while whispering to their neighbors saying...really? Is this guy it?? Yes, my friends...that guy was IT. My girls love hearing this story each year...and I will continue telling it to them...year after year.

No Longer A Baby

Tonight my baby lost her first tooth. No tears, no drama...she pulled it on her own. A big difference between Carlie's first tooth and Lucy's. Just yet another trait that defines the two of them. I am just not ready for my baby to have a toothless smile. And I don't think it's the actual tooth missing - I think that is quite cute. It's what comes AFTER that. The big, giant, over sized adult teeth. I am not ready for those. The memory Carlie metamorphosing from little girl teeth to adult teeth - gulp - wasn't very cute. But I don't think I'll fret about it like I did with Carlie, as I know with expensive orthodontia, her smile will once again be beautiful. But tonight, I get to play tooth fairy and wake up to a happy little girl who still believes in Santa and the Tooth Fairy. And I will hold onto that ... as long as I can.

We're Back!!!

After months of no computer....we finally have a new one! And to add to my delight, a new camera that takes GREAT PICTURES! Okay...at a record speed, let's catch you up since my last blog...

• October: Halloween, Woodlan Basketball Camp, Notre Dame Game, Marengo Cave Trip, Trunk or Treat
• November: Maddie Birthday Party, Girls Weekend Away, Thanksgiving at the Adams'
• December: Ringger Christmas; Just Come Dinner; Colts Game, Elves Closet; Carlie's 9th birthday; Braces for Carlie
• January: Upward Basketball, KidStuf Acting & Dancing
• February: Softball Sign Ups, Painting and Prep for Operetta
• March: Casting Crowns Concert, Softball Tryouts, 5Kilt, St. Patrick's Day, FAME festival, Operetta

Those were just a few of our highlights!

Let's work backwards....Carlie's Operetta (think musical) was this past weekend. Many hours for the parents of painting and stage prep, and many hours of rehearsals and memorization of lines. Carlie hit the ball out of the park with this drama. She and her co-part Ava brought laughter to everybody in the seats, and Carlie relished in the compliments and attention. I do believe she gets that for her father...you know...liking to be the center of attention...

Moving backwards a little more...both of the girls had their artwork nominiated for the FAME festival in Fort Wayne. This is a big deal...at least that is what I have been told. I truly think it is a ruse to get parents to pay $3 a person to view their child's artwork in the Grand Wayne Center, which comes home the following week. But..like any good parent, I forked out the money and we went and saw their pictures on display!

My vow is this...I will try to keep my blog updated through this season of my life...but I also have made the vow to have quality time with my children and not sit at the computer all the time. Oh...the dilemma...

Many Updates

Life as a working mother of two busy little girls is an exhilarating, exhausting, rewarding roller coaster. As most of you know, I truly feel God has given me a passion for little girls. Of course my own little girls, but I have a true passion for teaching other little girls about virtues and more importantly, God. I see this as an opportunity to bring my girls along side my ministry and show them, instead of tell them, how to serve God and others.

Our Upward season is almost finished. We have two more games...each year I have this overwhelming feeling of "how am I going to do this??" And each year God gives me the time, energy and love to get through. Love the picture below of me and my two most special cheerleaders.



We had company for the recent ND v. MSU game...and finally the girls had something to cheer about - an Irish victory!!!

And as if we are not busy enough, Lucy is doing soccer again this year. She love it. And I love the idea that this is hers. Not her mom's sport, not her dad's sport, not Carlie's sport, but Lucy's sport. I love that about Lucy. So each weekend after I hang up my cheerleading hat, and my Sunday School teacher hat, I put on my soccer mom hat. I may need to get another hat rack pretty soon!

Lucy playing goalie....not a ball got by her!!

First Day of School

Everybody tells you that they grow up fast. You don't really believe it when you are in the midst of changing diapers and trying to figure out sleep schedules. But don't blink, or even look away briefly, because before you know it, you are dropping your kids off for school. And then blink again, and they are in 3rd and 1st grade. I am propping my eyes open with toothpicks, because I refuse to blink again. I wish "they" weren't always so right.

Carlie - First Pres First Day

First Day of CLS Kindy

First Day of CLS 1st Grade

First Day of CLS 2nd Grade

First Day of CLS 3rd Grade

Lucy 1st Day NHM

Lucy 2nd year of NHM

Lucy 1st Day - Kindy

Lucy 1st Day - 1st Grade