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

Pieced Ears!

After almost a year of hesitation, Carlie decided to get her ears pieced. Well, I have a confession...I decided to get Carlie's ears pierced. She has talked about it, talked about it and talked about it. But being the worrier she is -- she was just simply scared. So on Saturday, while Lucy was at a birthday party, Jeff, Carlie and I hit the mall. Unbeknownst to Carlie, I had every intention of getting her ears pieced on that day. As we were in Claire's "shopping for earrings" she was able to watch a few people get their ears pierced. Thankfully, they did well. After second guesses, walking around he mall to think about it, she decided she was finally ready. I love her faces in these pictures. The fact that she wears her emotions on her sleeve so readily is a trait I just love about her. She will never be good at poker, but she sure is fun to be around.

This is pre-piercing. She is hugging the non-existent life out of this teddy bear they have....

Eyes closed and saying her favorite bible verse....over and over and over....

This was the smile she wore for the rest of the day. She kept saying, "I can't believe I did it!" "I have earrings!" "I keep thinking I am going to wake up from a dream!"

Braces and earrings all in one summer. *sigh* They grow up fast.

Adams Hotel

Well, our July wasn't busy, so we decided to invite ourselves to the Adams Hotel. Our favorite place to stay! Our afternoon started with a boat ride to swim and enjoy the hot weather and sunshine. Even Jeff enjoyed the weather and water. Need I remind you that my Jeff is not a water or boat person? He was on Saturday! The kids were doing great...and we even had a couple of "potty" experiences on the boat. I must say, Lacey is raising some pretty adventurous boys. All of our fun came to a halt with Caden tried to "cut his carrot" using a large Pampered Chef knife. We all kicked into action - You have never seen adults clean up and get a boat going so fast in all of time! Luckily, Caden's mishap turned out to be a $150 band aid trip to the emergency room. We were all happy to see his smiling face when they returned from the hospital.

On Sunday...it was going to be HOT again. So we decided to venture to the Children's Museum. Our last experience at the Children's Museum (which I must admit, was our only) wasn't very good. There were lots of people, and Lucy just didn't deal well. THIS TIME, it was perfect! Lacey got us in for free with her super sneaky pass, and the had a ball. The Adams' family packed up and left early for Millie's nap, but the girls were being so good, we decided to stay. And stay. And stay. And stay. We visited exhibit after exhibit and shared many laughs. What a great day for just a spontaneous decision!

Our little explorers...

Carlie and Eli doing their best to impersonate the jelly bean painting....good job kids!

The underwater exhibit...one of Caden's favorites....

Carlie decided to attempt the "rock climbing" .. this is her and daddy before the big climb.

This is Carlie climbing the wall! There were no foot steps...she really had to "scale" the wall. I must admit, she did much better than two older boys who went before her!

In Egyptian wear... to end our trip...tired parents...tired kids....good sleep by all!

Braces

Well, remember my August, 2010 post? That my adorable little (then) 7 year old would need braces? That day has come. Our dentist decided to not bond (or glue) expandables onto Carlie's teeth, but instead use the appliance (i.e. retainer) expander. She leaves them in 24/7 with exceptions of immediately after eating (she rinses them off) and if she swims in a lake (I thought this one was weird, but didn't ask...). She did better than I expected. No tears, and only a few gags as the dentist shoved these GIGANTIC pieces of plastic and wire into my daughter's petite mouth. We will be wearing these expanders for 6-8 months....think Christmas....New Years. I pain with her. Often I feel as if it is unfair that parents feel the physical pain on their children. I would gladly wear these braces for her...but that's just not the way it works. Hopefully next year at this time....I'll have an update and a picture .... with straighter teeth :) Oh, and I much emptier wallet.

This picture doesn't clearly show the top retainer, which is twice the size of the bottom one. With three different screws to slowly mid-evilly stretch her upper palate. Ugh...sound gross, doesn't it?