More Snow pictures

The kids wanted to go out and play in the snow. Well, Mattie and Caroline. Abby would rather just stay in her room. She's in her own teenager world.

Mattie's first adventure yesterday resulted in standing in one place. 0nce she realized she could walk in the white stuff, she was all over the place. Mattie has gotten into this posing stage. I've got a friend who takes awesome pictures and I will occasionally take the girls and "try" to take "serious" pictures. Well, the best I can without having an slr camera. Mattie now knows that when it is time to take a picture, that she should go stand next to a tree or strike some pose. It's quite funny! Anyway, here are just a few pictures I took of Caroline and Mattie today.

We have snow!!

So we didn't get snow on Christmas Day but we did wake up to snow today! What a special treat to have no obligations and another relaxing day with the family. I must say I must be getting old since I really don't have any desire to go play in the snow. I just love looking at it. I think Abby would much rather stay inside too. Caroline went out with her friend to play for awhile and has already changed clothes several times. Mattie didn't like the snow last year. This time she actually picked it up and showed some interest in it. She still isn't too sure about walking in it. She just stood in one place picking up the snow and throwing it. Here are a few pictures from the morning.





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We're still here.....

Hope everyone is well and creating wonderful memories during this holiday season! I have been quite busy with Mattie keeping me on my toes. Even as I type this little bit, I have had to hop up twice to redirect our little busy body. As much as I find it very difficult to blog, I know that I need to start keeping up with our daily life again. As we find ourselves fast approaching Mattie's final months with the Birth - three Early Intervention program, our blog has come in handy when looking up information concerning milestones. I'm sure I could write a book about our new and upcoming journey into the world of special needs and public education. I will save that for another day. When I have a little more time, I will post an update of the girls too. Hopefully very soon! For now, I will leave you with another one of my favorite Youtube videos they shared at church. Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Just think about it......

We made it through October!

October was such a busy month with very little down time. We've been at the ball field several nights a week along with weekends. Matt had a men's retreat one weekend in Virginia, off to Raleigh for the Buddy Walk the next, then my women's retreat for me the next weekend, Fall Fest for church, and ended out the month with another busy weekend. I've enjoyed every minute of it, but looking for a little bit of down time in November. This past weekend, we went to a friend's house for a Halloween party. It was a great family fun event. Then Sunday, we took the girls to our trunk or treat at church. After leaving there, we went home and visited our regulars in the neighborhood. I think Mattie had more than her share of trick or treating fun. She dressed as a princess for her school on Wednesday. We dressed her to match her punk rock sisters on Saturday. We left out the pink hairspray and make-up. I was not going there with that. Then on Sunday, she was a puppy. I've posted a few pictures of the girls dressed up below.

This is Mattie's favorite dress up outfit at school so they let her wear it for trick or treating. They bring the little ones around each classroom to get treats from all the teachers and their students. Mattie was exhausted by the time she got to my room.

Mattie as a puppy dog. The hat did not stay on long.

Wearing her punk rock skirt to match her sisters.

Caroline and Abby as 80's punk rock girls.

Buddy Walk

I'm Back

I believe this is the longest I have ever gone without blogging. Our computer crashed several weeks ago. Very frustrating! All of my pictures from the time Mattie was born are on the hard drive. And no, I didn't back them all up. In fact, that very morning, I had a thought cross my mind........"Kim, you really need to back up those pictures." That evening the computer died. We found out that the motherboard is bad but our "techno savvy superhero" said he should be able to get the pictures off. I'm praying that becomes a reality! In the meantime, I got a new laptop and loving it! We had a desktop before so I am enjoying my new found freedom.

On to the Mattie update:

She is a little sponge absorbing everything. Well, almost everything. She is using more language and I really can't keep up with all the signs to help her. She is too funny. Sometimes she just makes up her own signs when she doesn't know a word. Mostly she says "THAT!" and points. Then we turn it around to "What's that? I don't know that?" She loves Starfall! We practice the learning our ABC's. The best part is that she mimics the sounds to each sound and she loves the animation.

Sunday is our Buddy Walk~We are really looking forward to it! The older girls had to give up their ballgames in order to go. That was a sacrifice they were willing to make in order to support Mattie. I'll post some pictures next week. Last year, Mattie was just starting to walk so this year will be quite fun since she is fast as lightning! Good thing there will be lots of places to run! I better take my running shoes along with our trusty old wagon!

Dear Blog

Dear Blog,


Please forgive me for dropping off the face of the blogging world. I have been very busy with life. I am learning very quickly that I am finding it difficult to do much of anything with my little monkey of a 2 year old. She loves to climb and get into everything except the toys that are just for her. My keys just recently ended up in a toilet. Clothes are being found in the trash cans. Toilet paper strips are placed beautifully around the house. Phone calls are being placed and maybe even voicemails left for the unexpected receiver. Tables are being climbed and the computer keyboarded is getting a workout, just not by me. In fact, it has been so long since I've used the keyboard, I've forgotten how to work the keys. I'm now getting it mixed up with the Blackberry. For now, here are a few pictures of the little monkey.

Loves a computer!

We have to strip her down to eat. What a mess she makes! She found the big bowl of mashed potatoes after we finished dinner.

Mmmmm! Eating again!

Wall Art

Weekly Reflection

Sitting down with my cup of coffee and reflecting on the week.

The school year is off to a great start for myself and the kids. The girls love their teachers and adjusting well into the routine. Abby got her first hundred on her vocab test~ Always thankful that my girls are responsible for doing their homework and studying. We set that expectation from the beginning and though it wasn't always easy back then, it sure has made life easier now. School is going well for me. As always, there is never enough time and I feel like I am having to use part of the weekend to try and catch up. Praying that all that will begin to fall into place so that I won't have to bring any work home during family time.

Matt got free tickets to the first ECU football game! We are so excited even if we'll be sitting in the nosebleed section. Caroline has never been to a game. I'm hoping that she'll enjoy the whole atmosphere thing and not get bored.

Jill's Memorial Service was Friday. It was bittersweet~missing her but happy that she is not hurting anymore. Her service was exactly what she wanted. She didn't want it to be about her but all about Jesus. We sang praises and worshipped. I know she had to have been dancing, singing, and smiling down on us. She will continue to touch people's lives with the work she did with her time on earth. A servant of God.

Mattie's OT, Miss Amanda is moving. I know Mattie will miss her. I remember the first couple sessions with her and how Mattie didn't want to sit still. Amanda was very patient and consistent with her. Within the next couple of weeks, as soon as she saw her, she would just plop down in her lap, ready to work. Though we will miss Amanda, we welcome Ms. Kim back. Mattie did an awesome job with her this week and loves her too. I am so thankful for a support of great helpers.
We are also very thankful for Ms. Angela, her speech therapist. She has high expectations for Mattie and by the end of the session this week, Mattie was signing grape and saying "gaa-gaa-gaa". Little steps in the right direction.

Humbled

As I sit here writing this post, I can honestly say I am humbled to have met such an amazing woman by the name of Jill Hollis. Jill has been battling ALS and through it all has been a source of strength. Tonight Jill has joined Jesus in Heaven. She is no longer imprisoned in her body but dancing, singing, and worshipping! She has longed for this moment for quite some time so you cannot be sad for her~only rejoice! Take the time to read her blog and maybe you to will be Altered!

Rest in peace~

Back to Reality

School is back in session and I am feeling it. It is so hard to transition from vacation to work. I am thankful for the routine back in our lives. However, the 5 o'clock mornings, I could do without. The girls are glad to be at school. Even Mattie is enjoying the time back with her friends. Every morning she walks the school hall greeting everyone "Hi" "Hi". She is miss little independent. She loves to carry her lunchbox and is learning the direction of her classroom. She loves sitting at the little table and chairs for her breakfast and lunch. The first two days, she did great at sleeping on her cot. I was so proud of her! Then she figured out that she could get off her cot A LOT. Her daycare teacher finally had to put her back in the crib. Following given directions has really been our weakness. She just doesn't listen well and this is something that we are really working on. If anyone has had similar issues and has suggestions please send them my way. Our biggest issue is her trying to run off. I have to hold her hand all the time and if she does break free, she will not come back when you call. It is really mostly in public or wide open spaces. Home is really not an issue.

Well, my time is up~more vacation pictures to post soon.

More Vacation Fun

Things you can do at the ocean in no particular order.....

Try to feed the puppy sand.

Catch a tan while listening to tunes.

Let the sound of the ocean waves put you to sleep.

Just dance......

Look for shells.......

and find several sand dollars!

Go fishing with your dad.

Catch a few waves......you're never too old.

More vacation pictures to come soon.......

Footprints in the Sand

Just returned from a weeks vacation to the Outer Banks. We had a really nice time. Of course, you can never fully rest with a toddler but we made wonderful memories. I could never post about our whole trip at once so I've decided that I'm going to post over the next week or so. We camped at our favorite campground, Camp Hatteras. Everyone is so friendly and we always meet the nicest people. This trip we met a couple from Pittsburgh and another from Virginia. Caroline met a little girl who lives in Pinetown, NC. Abby made great friends with a boy from Virginia and a girl from New Jersey. Thank goodness for facebook so we can keep up with our new friends!

During your camp stay, they have activities planned Thursday thru Monday. We decided to participate in Footprints in the Sand. The cost- one dollar. The experience-priceless. Here are the girls getting the sand cast of their foot.

Mattie's footprint was harder since she didn't have enough weight to press down. After pressing, the activity directors sprayed the prints with hairspray and poured in Plaster of Paris.

One hour later, we picked up the girls' feet. Aren't they neat?

And one of my favorite poems, Footprints in the Sand..........

Doing the Potty Dance!

So I decided to dust off the potty and give it another try. Our main dilemma was where in the world did the pot disappear too? We had the potty but no pot. The joys of an upside down house. I gave up and on Monday went and bought the seat that goes on the real potty along with a step stool. And I am SO glad that I did! On Tuesday we thought we'd try and get acquainted with the new seat. The first time we sat Mattie on the seat, she went tinkle!! Then after her nap she surprised us with a poo and a tinkle. She went again two more times that day. I couldn't believe how well she did! And the number one reason I love that seat? She can't get down by herself. She is so happy just sitting on the potty. On the other seat, she was more interested in playing on the seat, getting up and down. I guess there is a reason that pot disappeared.

So yesterday, she only went once. I wasn't able to catch her at the right times and I was out and about running errands. Let's face it, this takes consistent commitment and it's not easy when you have a lot going on.

Not much luck today and I have a feeling with having therapy, orthodontics appt. and softball camp it won't be much better. But we won't give up! I know we will have good days and not so good days but this is progress. We are moving in the right direction!

Special Exposure/Wordless Wednesday.....Me and My Dad

The Lucky Ones

I love this little girl more than words can even express! Just look at that cute face. She is such a happy go lucky girl. Loves life! Loves people!

Sometimes I think back to the day we found out the news and how dreadful I thought my life would be. I really don't even know why these thoughts even enter the mind. It wasn't like I thought she was dreadful but the situation. I felt so sorry for her. For all the things I didn't think she would be able to experience. The things that she would miss out on. The irony to it all is that we were the ones missing out. She is the one who has brought new experiences to our lives. We are more enriched and see the world in a whole different light.

Thank you God for sending me this little girl~

Mini-Vacation

Where have we been? We took a mini-vacation and met up with some of our friends at Camp Hatteras. It is not the primitive hard core camping by any means. The camp has a playground, mini putt putt, 2 pools, hot tub, pond, and beach access. We didn't get to go last year so I was a little worried how Mattie would do now that she is walking and into everything. I just imagined me running all over trying to catch her as she weaved between campers. So I invested in a play yard. Can we say wonderful?!! I love this thing. We use it everywhere. She isn't locked up in it all the time, although she was quite content. She kept herself busy.

She was waiting to catch the beach ball

Eating her cheese puffs all sprawled out.

Mattie loves books! This one is her favorite~she spent a good thirty minutes looking at it. I've got some other cute pics of her in various positions while reading.

sisters

We headed down to Kitty Hawk Kites on our way out. They had a really neat sand sculpture. And yes, this is all real sand. It was huge! I just posted a portion of it.

Caroline

It's only a couple hour drive so we are headed back for a whole week this time. Hoping to get on the beach. I really didn't feel like taking Mattie since it was so windy. They have beach accesses where you can drive your truck on to the beach so I'm sure we'll be doing that some days. Then we plan on visiting the lighthouses and other landmarks that our kids haven't been to yet.

Cake Balls

During the school year one of our parents made cake balls and sent them in with her child. They were so yummy, we had to make them for ourselves. I was very surprised to see how easy they were to make.

First, I found a few helpers.

Here are the ingredients you will need. One cake mix, frosting, and almond bark (or any chocolate coating). Also the things to make your cake.
Prepare your cake using the directions from the box. Bake in a 9 x 13. Once the cake is finished baking, cool slightly and then crumble up finely.
Try not to leave large chunks.

Add one regular size tub of icing and mix well.

This is the most time consuming part. Form the cake mixture into balls. I put mine in the freezer for a little while to make the dipping easier. I've heard people try it all different ways. Whatever works for you.

Melt your Almond Bark. I like using a double boiler but the instructions say you can microwave. Dip your balls into the chocolate. Cool on wax paper. They harden up pretty fast. I like to keep mine at room temperature. They literally melt in your mouth.

You can use any cake box combination. We used chocolate fudge and coconut pecan icing. I've also tried red velvet and cream cheese icing. I've also heard that spice cake with cream cheese is great too!

The Missing Puzzle Piece

Why is it that when you complete a puzzle there always seems to be one piece of the puzzle missing? The girls and I worked on this beautiful puzzle of Noah's Ark and sure enough....one piece missing. I'm sure there is some witty comment I could add to this and the correlation to life but honestly...I can't think of one right now. So we will just leave at that. One piece of the puzzle missing.



So finally I downloaded some Fourth of July Pictures. What is it the 9th? Okay so just a little behind. Our fourth was pretty uneventful. We went to church. Heard an awesome message. Went to friends for some dinner and then headed to one of the smaller towns down the road. We live between two towns both equally the same distance of about 7 miles I'm guessing. The larger main city and the smaller "Mayberry" town. We happen to like the feel of Mayberry~ We headed down with many of our friends in tow and enjoyed the show. Here are a few pictures.

Caroline posing for the picture.

Typical picture of Abby (in purple) with her friends.


Mattie sporting her cheese ball orange face.

"God Bless America"