She must take after her Daddy. Today Chloe made her first Power Point presentation. She has been working on it for a couple weeks. Today she had the opportunity to present it to her class.
Maybe all 2nd graders are working on Power Point presentations, but I have to say I was quite impressed. We feel blessed that Chloe has such a wonderful teacher and awesome school to attend!
Ok, so it has only been 2 months since I have written a post. I don’t think I will be getting the “Blogger of The Year” award. 
“Addition To The Family”, for those of you who immediately thought baby. Umm….. you must not know me too well. Except a miracle, this body of mine doesn’t plan on getting pregnant EVER again. Hmm…. as I reread that sentence I realize it is a bit harsh. :) Maybe I need some counseling to get over unresolved issues. LOL
Anyways….. as many of you know Chloe is my little animal lover, and her life just wasn’t complete without a little animal to take care of. So…. I started looking to see what animal would be the perfect fit for her.
Cats: I would take one but I’m highly allergic to them. No thank you!
Dog: We are still traveling a lot and I will use any excuse I can to hold off the puppy phase.
Horse: Definitely to much work and money!
Llama: Well, I heard they spit.
Rat: They just creep me out.
Guinea pig: I was a bit hesitant but one day I decided to just run in the pet store and check them out. They had some out but they were sorta boring little pigs. I asked for assistance and was shown to the back room where they had 3 more baby guinea pigs.
And that is when it happened, I was shown the most adorable little pig ever! She looked me in the eyes and I knew she was the one! I laugh as I’m writing this because if you know me, I really could live without animals but this one won my heart.
And so, I introduce you to Flower (as in the skunk from Bambi):
She looks like a little skunk and we love her!
Christmas is coming and some crazy people have already started decorating!
Our family tradition is to decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year we will be celebrating Thanksgiving in Michigan, so the decorating will start this Sat. morning.
Brad and I have spent the last couple months thinking about what we want our Christmas to look like. This Christmas is going to be a little different. We have decided to join the ADVENT CONSPIRACY.
As a family we have decided to drastically cut back on our Christmas present spending. Brad and I have will not be buying for each other (although I did buy him one gift before we made this agreement.)
We will still buy Chloe and Emily a couple small gifts and take the rest of the money to send oversees to starving children. What does this look like? For our family, we will:
I love that World Vision has a gift catalog with pictures of what you can purchase. It really helps the girls get excited about giving.
As you are shopping this year consider adding one more child to your list. It is hard for us to comprehend but the gift of 5 ducks can change a whole families life.
I can’t think of a better present.
Last night while taking a shower I suddenly felt the need to look outside the shower quickly. As I looked I saw my dear hubby with a very mischievious grin and and a huge container of water. Based on past experiences I knew it would be very cold and coming over the shower curtain quickly.
With my stealth like moves I managed to push the container to the side and for the most part avoid being frozen. Not only did the water end up all over the bathroom but it also started an all out war in the house.
The girls were quick to come to my rescue. For the rest of the evening we were chasing each other. Girls against the one boy. Emily and Chloe were so cute. At one point we (the girls) were locked in my bedroom and they were using skype to try and negotiate with the enemy (their dad) in the office. He looked pretty scary on there. :) I should have taken a screen shot so I could put it up on this post.
We all had a fun filled evening with lots of laughing, screaming and tickling. Although it took the girls about an hour to settle down and fall asleep at bedtime. Oh well.
So, are you a prankster and if so, what are your favorite pranks?
For those of you who know me, know that I can do without animals in my life. I think I know why.
Growing up, we had a outdoor dog and barn cats. I grew up spending the summers chasing them around and loving my animals. My brother and I would pull all the blood engorged ticks off of our dog Shotzie. I remember doing it but it never bothered me a bit. I had stronger stomach as a kid.
We moved from the farm and I begged my parents for a sweet little indoor dog. Finally my wish came true. A beautiful white American Eskimo. We named her Sammy. She was a lot of fun in the beginning. We soon found out that she had really STRONG hunter instincts. Every time we would let her out of the house she came pouncing back so proud of herself. She would find either manure or a dead animal and roll in it to cover her scent. I remember many baths until I finally decided I didn’t want her anymore. My brother volunteered to take over her care.
I think Sammy cured me. I would be happy never owning another animal in my life. I don’t like cleaning them, picking up thier bodily functions or anything else. In fact just writing this makes me want to go sit in the corner and suck my thumb. :) Maybe I need counseling. Just kidding.
Anyways, God gave me a daughter that is in love with animals. She has a built in dog radar. If there is one within 50 feet she’s asking to pet it.
Last week we babysat our neighbors guinea pig Tiny. The girls fell in love with her and I have to say it melted my heart to watch them love on her.
This little fella would chirp back to the girls as the cuddled her.
It did something special for my girls and has me thinking. Hmmm……
If anyone knows of a animal that is warm and fuzzy but doesn’t go to the bathroom, please let me know. That would be my first choice.
Last week my parent came to stay with my girls while Brad and I went away to Catalyst. The girls loved having their Grandma and Grandpa Gillim’s undivided attention.
I have an extremely weak stomach, I run the opposite direction at the site of blood. If the girls are hurt and Brad is around, he is the one to tend the wound. I know, it isn’t good motherly instincts.
Last year Chloe stepped on glass and I thought I was going to pass out. I wrapped up her bleeding foot and called in Uncle Jay for emergency assistance and to decide if we needed stitches. I’m a wimp and I know it.
So it very much surprises me that both my girls do well with blood, cuts, needles and such. Last year my close friend had a c-section and Chloe wanted to look! I looked because I had to, that is what a friend does. But not Chloe she was all into it.
Grandpa is a diabetic and offered to give Emily a lesson in administering his shot. She quickly jumped at the chance.
Do you have a weak or strong stomach?
Last night the girls had Crazy Hair Night at their Wednesday Warrior class. Chloe came home from school excited to get going on a new hair style. The crazier the better.
Emily informed me she wouldn’t be doing her hair. I was quite surprised that she didn’t want to participate in all the fun and craziness. I learned a long time ago to only engage in the battles that were important. So I agreed that she wouldn’t have to wear her hair crazy. I didn’t try to talk her into it. Just agreement from mommy.
About five minutes before we walked out the door Emmy had a change of mind. This is what we came up with in 5 minutes.
As we were walking out the door the girls started worrying that maybe it wasn’t really crazy hair night and what if they were the only ones that had crazy hair. It would be SO embarrassing.
The minute they walked in and saw everyone else’s hair crazy, they were fine. They were a part, no more insecurities just excitement.
Crazy hair girls, Kung Fu Fighting…..
Last week I woke up to a little person tugging on my arm in the middle of the night. Emily had woke up and wasn’t feeling good. I pulled her into bed and loved on her. Her tummy and back were hurting.
Note to self: When your mother intuition says, go get a bucket, do it!
Let’s just say we both ended up with puke all over us. I was kicking myself for not getting the bucket. Oh the things you go through for your babies.
I spent the rest of the night rocking her. It brought back memories of nights spent in the rocker when the girls were little.
The day after Chloe was born Brad’s Mom took him to pick out a glider. It will always be a part of our family. There are so many memories that were made rocking my little ones. Although not all were pleasant, it is piece of our history.
Chloe was a premie and very collicky. Brad and I would take turns being with her all night and when we couldn’t handle it anymore we would call in Grandma for relief. The first couple months of her life were really difficult. I had health issues, didn’t feel good, and had a screaming baby.
As I rocked Emily the other night, I held her tight and savored the hours in the middle of the night with my baby realizing that my little ones are growing up quickly. How many nights will I have to hold them and comfort them like a little child?
I have become very nostalgic with that rocker and it will always have a place in our home.
It is a part of our story.
What do you have in your home that holds sentimental value?
Chloe’s school had a blood drive on Monday. I had signed up both Brad and I. I really hate being poked, but how can you deny a good cause?
Have you ever had those moments where you dream of how an evening should look? I pictured an evening that would start with eating dinner as a family, taking a family bike ride over to the school. Brad and I would give blood, come home and hang with the kids. But instead….
We are running late so Brad goes ahead to get started.
I finally get there with the kids, we have had multiple mishaps along the way.
I sit down to fill out my paperwork and the nurse says, can I have proof of ID?
(I think I said a swear word in my head at this point)
Me: No, I don’t have any ID.
Nurse: Sorry, we can’t take your blood unless you get ID
Me: Ok, I will ride back home and get my ID
I leave the girls with Brad and I’m back in about 15 mins. now I’m all hot and sweaty but I did drive back instead of biking.
Brad was hooked up and being drained of blood but still smiling. After seeing how much they took I really wasn’t looking forward to it.
Blood Guy: Ok, lets test a couple levels and we will get you going, have a seat right here
Me: In my head, I’m not having a good feeling about this.
Blood Guy: What is your weight?
Me: With a smile, you have got to be kidding! You want my blood and my weight, I don’t think so.
Blood Guy: As long as you are over 115lbs it’s all good.
Me: SERIOUSLY! Do I look like I’m 115lbs? (by this time we were both laughing)
Blood Guy: Who talked who into giving blood?
Me: Ummm…. there really wasn’t any talking I just made the appointments but now I wish it was just for him. (That’s the evil side of me)
Blood Guy: Well, it looks like you won’t be donating today, your Iron levels are WAY to low.
Me: Yeah, I don’t have to give blood but can feel good that at least I tried.
Unfortunately, I will still get poked when I go to the Doctor. I have had really low energy, so I’m glad that I found out my Iron was off.
And since what his is mine and mine is his, I guess I can feel like donated too!
Do you ever give blood or does the thought of it make you queasy?
Yesterday I invited Emily (my 5 year old) to play a game of Uno with me. With a huge smile on her face she quickly responded by saying, let’s play with cheating!
I explained to her that if she wanted to cheat, I didn’t want to play the game. Emily agreed to play by the rules.
After a little while, I had to go into the other room to help Chloe. While I was away Emily was kind enough to deal a new hand.
My cards.
Her cards.
Hmmmm……
I couldn’t find the camera. I used photo booth for the pic’s. Brad will love this one!
