Never in a million years could I have imagined having a girl like you. You excel in areas I struggle.
The world is yours for the taking.
Showing posts with label Raea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Raea. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
6th grade graduation
The girl is growing up. I always knew it would happen, and I'm not trying to hold her back. I just cannot believe the time has gone so fast.
She is a rock star. She received many awards today, and I am not surprised. She completes book reports weeks before they are due. She hates being late and missing school, and I am pretty sure she knows every student and staff's name.
Some of the awards received:
PE student of the year
Honor Roll
Orchestra Leader Award
No Tardy recognization
Art recognization
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Wax Museum
Tonight was Raea's wax museum. They aren't allowed to talk. It took a lot of effort to try to break my little Jane Goodall.
Last week, Raea ditched school to try to get her cousin to break character at her wax museum. When her cousin's "light" was on, she was spot on.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Happy Birthday
My sweet girl is eleven.
She is growing up and is so amazing.
She even made her own birthday cake.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Memorial Day Weekend
For Memorial Day weekend, we went to San Diego for Raea's first out of state soccer tournament. Her cousin played with her as a special treat.
Bonus: Annastasia's first time at the beach.
It was great to get away, and I even got in the ocean!
Bonus: Annastasia's first time at the beach. Friday, May 17, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Our favorite weekend
Fathers and Sons' weekend always means Mothers and Daughters' weekend.
After doing girly things like shopping, visiting friends at a yard sale, and attending our favorite babysitter's wedding shower in the morning, we took the light rail to the science museum with friends.
With no deadlines or boys to feed, we got off the train to play in downtown Tempe. Larissa wanted a "fancy restaurant", and I wanted sweet potato fries with rosemary and olive oil. :)
Raea said she wanted to pick the dessert. We passed the cup cake shop and the ice cream sandwich shop, but she told us to "just wait, you will love this!"
A couple weeks earlier, she got a "cream soda" with Grandpa that we just had to have. She successfully navigated us to a little pizza shop off Mill.
Went straight to the refrigerator. And pulled out a Jones soda.
Oh, have I sheltered this child.
"Your present plans are going to succeed."
Perfect for the 10 year old who mastered down town in one visit to get her amazing cream soda.
We left the area just in time, before the cinco de mayo celebrations got too wild.
After doing girly things like shopping, visiting friends at a yard sale, and attending our favorite babysitter's wedding shower in the morning, we took the light rail to the science museum with friends.
With no deadlines or boys to feed, we got off the train to play in downtown Tempe. Larissa wanted a "fancy restaurant", and I wanted sweet potato fries with rosemary and olive oil. :)
Raea said she wanted to pick the dessert. We passed the cup cake shop and the ice cream sandwich shop, but she told us to "just wait, you will love this!"
A couple weeks earlier, she got a "cream soda" with Grandpa that we just had to have. She successfully navigated us to a little pizza shop off Mill.
Went straight to the refrigerator. And pulled out a Jones soda.
Oh, have I sheltered this child.
"Your present plans are going to succeed."
Perfect for the 10 year old who mastered down town in one visit to get her amazing cream soda.
We left the area just in time, before the cinco de mayo celebrations got too wild.
Orchestra Concert
The school year is coming to a close manifested by more concerts, parties, and activities.
Raea played in the fifth grade orchestra concert. It's amazing what a year of playing does for kids!
(I sent my kids to take a picture of Raea on stage because I didn't want to make a scene. This was the best they got.)
Raea played in the fifth grade orchestra concert. It's amazing what a year of playing does for kids!
(I sent my kids to take a picture of Raea on stage because I didn't want to make a scene. This was the best they got.)
UPDATE:
Thank Goodness for older sisters.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
The Children's Blessings
Raea
Ethan
Larissa
Herston
Annastasia
Monday, March 25, 2013
The Tooth Fairy is a union member
We have been losing a lot of teeth around here lately... and even our first canine.
Last night one of our daughters proudly claimed she finally pulled out her tooth. Sadly, her younger sister said, "The Tooth Fairy doesn't come by if you lose your tooth after seven."
Totally amused, Grant said, "yes, the Tooth Fairy is a union member."
insert teaching monologue on unions
Our oldest leaned towards me and whispered, "I don't believe in unions that's why the Tooth Fairy can't be real."
Very early this morning my husband confided in me that he had no money. I assured him it was ok since the union has rules.
I was wrong.
Raea was frustrated this morning when she didn't have any money.
Finally I said, "I talked to the Tooth Fairy. She said she didn't have enough money last night. Either you could have had a couple quarters last night or a couple bills tonight."
Then she handed ME her tooth.
"I'll take a couple bills."
Last night one of our daughters proudly claimed she finally pulled out her tooth. Sadly, her younger sister said, "The Tooth Fairy doesn't come by if you lose your tooth after seven."
Totally amused, Grant said, "yes, the Tooth Fairy is a union member."
insert teaching monologue on unions
Our oldest leaned towards me and whispered, "I don't believe in unions that's why the Tooth Fairy can't be real."
Very early this morning my husband confided in me that he had no money. I assured him it was ok since the union has rules.
I was wrong.
Raea was frustrated this morning when she didn't have any money.
Finally I said, "I talked to the Tooth Fairy. She said she didn't have enough money last night. Either you could have had a couple quarters last night or a couple bills tonight."
Then she handed ME her tooth.
"I'll take a couple bills."
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Small blessings
Grant was sick. Real sick.
He stayed home from church the day after two new converts were baptized. As a mission leader, that's a big deal.
Four days into his sickness, I found myself with opposite symptoms, but hugging the porcelain god nonetheless.
We didn't want to exchange illnesses, so I slept on the couch. With a throw up basket. And a newborn. (And not to beat a dead horse, but with a new abdominal incision.)
If I could have moved my body, I would have carried Annastasia, the baby chair, and emergency formula from the hospital to Raea's room.
Shaking and exhausted, I couldn't move. I just laid on the couch defeated. Completely unaware how I would get through the night.
In the middle of my thought, I passed out. I woke up three hours later to feed a hungry newborn.
The baby had slept for five hours. For the first time. FIVE HOURS.
Raea appeared a couple hours later to change her first overnight diaper blow out without being told.
We are on the mend, but I am grateful for small miracles.
The sleep was just what I needed.
That... and an amazing 10 year old.
He stayed home from church the day after two new converts were baptized. As a mission leader, that's a big deal.
Four days into his sickness, I found myself with opposite symptoms, but hugging the porcelain god nonetheless.
We didn't want to exchange illnesses, so I slept on the couch. With a throw up basket. And a newborn. (And not to beat a dead horse, but with a new abdominal incision.)
If I could have moved my body, I would have carried Annastasia, the baby chair, and emergency formula from the hospital to Raea's room.
Shaking and exhausted, I couldn't move. I just laid on the couch defeated. Completely unaware how I would get through the night.
In the middle of my thought, I passed out. I woke up three hours later to feed a hungry newborn.
The baby had slept for five hours. For the first time. FIVE HOURS.
Raea appeared a couple hours later to change her first overnight diaper blow out without being told.
We are on the mend, but I am grateful for small miracles.
The sleep was just what I needed.
That... and an amazing 10 year old.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Raea's Birth Story
In preparation of the newest baby, here is a little reminiscing.
As soon as I said yes to Grant's proposal, I was baby hungry. Grant was patient with me, and he told me we could start trying when we had been married for at least six months. He expected it would take a couple months.
Luckily for me, it happened that month.
I had horrible sickness with Raea, and I actually lost twenty pounds in the beginning. I remember thinking, "the first time in my life I stop trying to lose weight, and it melts off."
In my first trimester, we had to drive to Utah for a funeral. I remember throwing up in the car. Grant pulled over, and I proceeded to come out at both ends for at least fifteen minutes. Half naked on the side of the freeway.
The second and third trimester were text book. I signed up for every email update I could get and revel in my normalcy.
At my 38th week appointment, my doctor told me "any day". He was so confident that he said if I didn't deliver by August 13 that he was going to induce me.
On August 12, still pregnant, I went to my mom's birthday party at Fazoli's. I was in survival mode of my pregnancy and showed up in a nice striped shirt and Grant's red athletic shorts. I must have looked awful to my mom who said I was going to have that baby tonight or tomorrow. Duh, I was going to be induced at noon.
I ended my pregnancy the same way it started.
On the way home, I started vomiting in the car... again. Grant was prepared as he tossed me a bucket to catch the byproduct.
At home, I was all packed, so we went to bed. At 3:00 in the morning, I felt my contractions. They felt regular, so I tried to wake Grant up. He borrowed my watch a couple days ago, and I wanted to time my contractions.
He grunted back.
I tried to guess my contractions again, but I wanted him to help me. I tried to wake him about 30 minutes later.
He moaned it was too early.
After only 10 more minutes, I yelled at him to wake up, and I said a small curse word.
He jumped up immediately.
We made the short drive to the hospital, and when I got out of the car to walk to the enterance, I collapsed because of a contraction. That was a very long painful walk.
We checked into OB triage without difficulty, and they said they would admit me.
That is when Grant said, "OK, I am going to school to drop off my lessons plans." And. He. Left.
The financial representative came into my room to get my information, and I started vomiting all over. I don't remember much of what happened next, but I remember she stayed by my side and followed me to my new room in the labor and delivery department. She was my new labor coach, and I didn't even know her name.
I threw up with every contractions. I tried to close my eyes to get away from the pain; maybe visualize the beach, but my nurse was afraid I was going to pass out. She kept yelling at me to open my eyes.
I was a 10, and we were just waiting for the doctor to begin pushing. That is when my knight in shining armour reappeared. He just held my hand and let me close my eyes.
My mom and my doctor showed up at the same time. I remember the doctor yelling at my mom. "Get off the phone and grab a leg."
After only 5 hours of labor, I pushed out abeautiful girl. 7#2oz, 20.5 inches, 39 weeks on August 13. She had no neck, and she had a squished nose that didn't pop back into place until weeks later.
But I was a mom.
The motherly instinct came naturally. I remember when she woke me up from my nap, I just popped up. It was time for me to take care of her; I was a mom now. She was the priority.
We had the most amazing, strong black nurse. She yelled at Grant that he was in charge of diaper duty for the first week. He was scared to death, and he happily obliged.
After we were moved into my post-partum room, there was a knock on the door. I didn't recognize the lady.
"When I saw your last name on the door, I knew it had to be you!"
It was the mom of Grant's high school girlfriend. Grant's ex-girlfriend had just delivered. On the same day. At the same hospital. My ever social, loving husband just had to look at their new baby.
When we finally returned home with our new baby, there was a message on the answering machine. "This is OB triage. We just wanted to let you know you can come in early to be induced as our patient census is low."
~*~*~*~*~
To this day, we don't know why Grant hadn't turned in his lesson plans for his sub earlier especially since that was the day we were going to be induced. Luckily, he didn't miss the birth.
But just barely.
As soon as I said yes to Grant's proposal, I was baby hungry. Grant was patient with me, and he told me we could start trying when we had been married for at least six months. He expected it would take a couple months.
Luckily for me, it happened that month.
I had horrible sickness with Raea, and I actually lost twenty pounds in the beginning. I remember thinking, "the first time in my life I stop trying to lose weight, and it melts off."
In my first trimester, we had to drive to Utah for a funeral. I remember throwing up in the car. Grant pulled over, and I proceeded to come out at both ends for at least fifteen minutes. Half naked on the side of the freeway.
The second and third trimester were text book. I signed up for every email update I could get and revel in my normalcy.
At my 38th week appointment, my doctor told me "any day". He was so confident that he said if I didn't deliver by August 13 that he was going to induce me.
On August 12, still pregnant, I went to my mom's birthday party at Fazoli's. I was in survival mode of my pregnancy and showed up in a nice striped shirt and Grant's red athletic shorts. I must have looked awful to my mom who said I was going to have that baby tonight or tomorrow. Duh, I was going to be induced at noon.
I ended my pregnancy the same way it started.
On the way home, I started vomiting in the car... again. Grant was prepared as he tossed me a bucket to catch the byproduct.
At home, I was all packed, so we went to bed. At 3:00 in the morning, I felt my contractions. They felt regular, so I tried to wake Grant up. He borrowed my watch a couple days ago, and I wanted to time my contractions.
He grunted back.
I tried to guess my contractions again, but I wanted him to help me. I tried to wake him about 30 minutes later.
He moaned it was too early.
After only 10 more minutes, I yelled at him to wake up, and I said a small curse word.
He jumped up immediately.
We made the short drive to the hospital, and when I got out of the car to walk to the enterance, I collapsed because of a contraction. That was a very long painful walk.
We checked into OB triage without difficulty, and they said they would admit me.
That is when Grant said, "OK, I am going to school to drop off my lessons plans." And. He. Left.
The financial representative came into my room to get my information, and I started vomiting all over. I don't remember much of what happened next, but I remember she stayed by my side and followed me to my new room in the labor and delivery department. She was my new labor coach, and I didn't even know her name.
I threw up with every contractions. I tried to close my eyes to get away from the pain; maybe visualize the beach, but my nurse was afraid I was going to pass out. She kept yelling at me to open my eyes.
I was a 10, and we were just waiting for the doctor to begin pushing. That is when my knight in shining armour reappeared. He just held my hand and let me close my eyes.
My mom and my doctor showed up at the same time. I remember the doctor yelling at my mom. "Get off the phone and grab a leg."
After only 5 hours of labor, I pushed out a
But I was a mom.
The motherly instinct came naturally. I remember when she woke me up from my nap, I just popped up. It was time for me to take care of her; I was a mom now. She was the priority.
We had the most amazing, strong black nurse. She yelled at Grant that he was in charge of diaper duty for the first week. He was scared to death, and he happily obliged.
After we were moved into my post-partum room, there was a knock on the door. I didn't recognize the lady.
"When I saw your last name on the door, I knew it had to be you!"
It was the mom of Grant's high school girlfriend. Grant's ex-girlfriend had just delivered. On the same day. At the same hospital. My ever social, loving husband just had to look at their new baby.
When we finally returned home with our new baby, there was a message on the answering machine. "This is OB triage. We just wanted to let you know you can come in early to be induced as our patient census is low."
~*~*~*~*~
To this day, we don't know why Grant hadn't turned in his lesson plans for his sub earlier especially since that was the day we were going to be induced. Luckily, he didn't miss the birth.
But just barely.
Monday, December 10, 2012
So I have these kids
I am a mom.
It is more important than any position or title I have ever held.
I am not perfect.
My kids are not perfect.
But they encourage me to be a better person. They encourage me to slow down. They remind me we are all human.
I am a mom.
It is more important than any position or title I have ever held.
I am not perfect.
My kids are not perfect.
But they encourage me to be a better person. They encourage me to slow down. They remind me we are all human.
I am a mom.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Christmas Concert Week
Just this week, Larissa has had two singing performances. She sang at Banner Children's which was broadcasted to all the rooms for the really sick kids.
She also sang at a local assisted living facility.
Raea had her first fifth grade Orchestra concert tonight.
Although I have had a youth full of vocal and orchestra training, I give any musical talent to their dad. The same guy who hides his singing and music writing ability with no formal training.
I remember when we were dating, I couldn't believe it. He had me at the first stanza.
(You can't complain about picture quality when you give your phone to your kids to take pictures.)
She also sang at a local assisted living facility.
Raea had her first fifth grade Orchestra concert tonight.
Although I have had a youth full of vocal and orchestra training, I give any musical talent to their dad. The same guy who hides his singing and music writing ability with no formal training.
I remember when we were dating, I couldn't believe it. He had me at the first stanza.
(You can't complain about picture quality when you give your phone to your kids to take pictures.)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Nutcracker
So while Raea and Larissa enjoyed the Nutcracker, I hung out in my pajamas.
And there was a lot of this.
And there was a lot of this.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Turkey Trot
I got to school from Herston's preschool just in time to see Larissa enjoying her after running treat. She said she did great!
Ethan was stellar. I could tell he ran his best because he had a serious cause of the wobbly legs afterwards. With him, the top three were all from the same primary class.
I bribed Raea. She was top eight and first female, and now I owe her a candy bar.
Ethan was stellar. I could tell he ran his best because he had a serious cause of the wobbly legs afterwards. With him, the top three were all from the same primary class.
I bribed Raea. She was top eight and first female, and now I owe her a candy bar.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Power of the Thumb... And Genetics
Once upon a time, I had a thumb sucker. We painted the numb with unsavory fingernail polish. We punished. We bribed. Nothing.
Then she turned five, and we got an implanted thumb guard in her mouth. It was earlier than we expected for "braces" or the cost, but it worked.
We have six months, and we will probably be doing it again. At least we know a good orthodontist.
(There is a picture of me circulating where I am sucking my thumb at a rather old pediatric age.)
Then she turned five, and we got an implanted thumb guard in her mouth. It was earlier than we expected for "braces" or the cost, but it worked.
We have six months, and we will probably be doing it again. At least we know a good orthodontist.
(There is a picture of me circulating where I am sucking my thumb at a rather old pediatric age.)
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Another Championship Run
I am so amazed at this girl. They have worked their way up the tournament circuit and because of their record, they have been moved to a higher division.
*~*~*~*
To all my local friends, we will be doing another season of Candlelight Soccer League starting January 23. It's six weeks on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and I promise you won't find a cheaper league to introduce soccer to your children.
*~*~*~*
To all my local friends, we will be doing another season of Candlelight Soccer League starting January 23. It's six weeks on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and I promise you won't find a cheaper league to introduce soccer to your children.
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