Thursday, September 9, 2010

New Shoes

I recently went out with Alexander to get him some "back to school" sneakers (AKA - running fast shoes). At the beginning of the summer he was wearing a size 7 so we naturally tried on a size 8. They were a bit of a struggle to get on, as most new shoes are, but once they were on seem alright. Until I asked him to walk around a bit and he said they did not feel very good. I checked the toes and indeed it was a bit tight. I found a pair of size 9's and those not only slipped on much better but fit him much better. He went home excited about new shoes and I went home with teary eyes about my boy growing so fast he skipped a shoe size! It is always the little milestones that get me. When we got home he wanted to try them out while playing baseball so I had to snap a quick picture of yet another fun day.

Then as I was having my nice mommy moment he reminded me that he still is a little boy as I looked over and saw him "galloping" away...


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Summer Sabbath

In years past I have had a summer tradition, the day after school ends I sit down and write my "10 week top 10" list - the 10 things I want to do over the 10 week school break. This list usually includes a home project, some books to read, maybe a travel location and so on. Some years I get all 10 done, recent summers, not as many. As this past school year was coming to a close I began to think about what items I wanted on my top 10, what books had I heard about that I wanted to read, would the pink bathroom finally be transformed, so many options! Then I read the brief article "Keeping Sabbath" by Ryan Chambers Johnson in the June Covenant Companion. In the article Johnson talks about the practice of Sabbath keeping and how it is an important act of faith that has gone by the wayside. He says how this practice is even more important now as our lives get busier and daily tasks and routines demand our time. My first reaction was that it sounded great, a few hours every week to just be still in the presence of God, who wouldn't want that!?! The line that seemed to stick with me was, "God wants us to trust him with the demands of our life...give a portion of the day without an agenda or a to-do list and instead, ask God to use the day as he sees fit."
As a teacher, I use the summer break to do all the things I don't get time to do during the school year due to the time demands of my job. However I decided to use this summer as my Sabbath. I did not create a top 10 list this year, instead I have tried to take advantage of new opportunities that God places before me. When family is in RI I have taken the time to go be with them, when I run into my dad at Target I go shopping with him, I have taken the kids to the library and even ice cream in the middle of the day because Alexander thinks it is a good idea. It has been a struggle for me to not have a big list to cross items off this year. However, books are still being read (see sidebar at left) there is some progress on the bathroom project and I am learning more about myself and my beautiful children than I ever thought this time would provide. God is indeed good.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Couldn't Help It

Seeing as how I just posted about how Alexander is growing up so fast and wanting to do things all by himself I should not be surprised by what happened last week. We were finishing breakfast and he told me he had to go potty. After a few minutes of not hearing anything I asked him if he was alright and he replied "I'm just finishing". I think he is talking about going to the potty, I was wrong. When he does not return a few minutes later I go into the bathroom to see that what he needed to "finish" was looking at the pictures of the cars on the back of the newspaper. I couldn't help but capture the moment on film...

Friday, May 28, 2010

All By Me-Self

We have a three year old in the house and he couldn't be happier. He likes talking about all of the things that he can do now that he is three - jump off the bottom step of the stairs, climb up into his chair by himself, buckle the top of his car seat and of course, add the chocolate chips to the pancake mix on Sunday mornings. It is wonderful to see him explore and assert his independence...most of the time. I must admit that I have my days of remembering - bringing him home from the hospital, watching him roll back and forth on the floor because he refused to crawl and the joy on his face when he figured out how to put his shoes on by himself for the first time. It is wonderful to see life through the eyes of a child, it is good for my spirit and keeps me grounded. I am so proud of the little man that he is but deep inside I want him to stay this way a little bit longer. Good thing I have a whole year before we hit four.


Happy Birthday Alexander!


Friday, May 14, 2010

Another Friday Funny

"Alexander, please come in the kitchen."
(From the Living Room) "What the heck did you say Mommy?"
"Alexander, I don't like that kind of language."
"Sorry Mommy. What the truck did you say?"

I admit it, I had to turn around so he would not see me laugh.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Monday, April 12, 2010

Nighttime Chat

"Mommy, sing me a song tonight."
"Alright, which one would you like?"
"Children (of the Heavenly Father)."
"Sure, should I sing it in Swedish or English?"
"No, just sing it here in my bed."

Life doesn't get much simpler then when you are two coming up to three.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Goodbye Old Friend

Yesterday we had a tough decision to make. Our dog Riley slipped in the kitchen Sunday night and was unable to get back up on his own. We helped make him comfortable for the night and Eric took him to the vet first thing Monday morning. After some tests and x-rays it showed that he dislocated his back hip and that he had the beginning signs of arthritis. The procedure to fix his hip would be simple but with his weakening bones it would most likely happen again soon. With Eric standing by we sent him into a peaceful sleep. You never want to see a loved one suffer, but none the less, it is still a difficult decision to say goodbye. He had 12 plus good years with us and we knew the time was getting closer but it all seemed to happen so fast.

Riley was a Daigle before I was. He was part of the reason why we decided on our condo. in Glastonbury, there was a walking path for him right out the back door. He was so gentle and kind with the kids. He was my companion and protector all those nights when Eric was traveling. He was my first dog. He will be missed.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Friday Funny

"Mom, what's that?"
"That's Hannah's elbow."
"Mom, what's that?"
"That's Hannah's shoulder."
"Mom, what's that?"
"That's Hannah's neck."
"Is it a crew neck or a turtle-neck?"

Oh to be two years old...

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

RSV

A big THANK YOU to everyone that called and e-mailed during Hannah's bought with RSV. It came on very quickly last Tuesday and resulted in a five day stay at CT Children's Medical Center (CCMC). It was difficult to watch our little girl go through such a nasty illness but we were able to see her strong will come through and she was such a fighter. We are so grateful for Alexander who was very brave while Mommy and Daddy were gone long nights at the hospital, friends and family who spent that extra time with Alexander, a church family that supported us through visits and prayer and the wonderful CCMC staff that took great care of Hannah and us as well. It is place I hope to not have to go back to any time soon, but am comforted in knowing that they are there if we need them.
Eric "suited up" as Hannah came off the CPAC (forced oxygen) treatment after 3 days

All unhooked and ready to breath on her own and feeling like a new girl!