Pictures of the week in review

So, I can't seem to caption these like I want to, so left to right, here it is: Mali at the pep rally, 2nd day of preschool certificate, 2nd day of preschool picture, preschool open house night, Meet the Players Night, Waiting for gymnastics to start, Ready for first day of gymnastics

Our crazy week!

This week was the kick off of the season of craziness! What an adjustment this new season of life is going to be, I just hope I can learn to view it positively and not run around crazy constantly, because then I know it won't be enjoyable for any of us. Monday, Mali started gymnastics. She seemed to really like it and enjoyed being in class with her friend Calee. I could peek in during the class, and she seemed to be following directions most of the time. I was just relieved that she wasn't the little girl running crazy, crying for momma or doing her own thing this time! Mali is still doing ballet around the house and every where else for that matter, but I think she is going to have a lot of fun. That night, we had preschool Open House from 6:30-7:00 and Mali got to make her own birthday crown and see her room. She couldn't wait to play with the shopping cart and see Mrs. Knapp the next day. But we had to rush to Amarillo High for the Meet the Players night. It was crazy, but we made it there on time. Mali did ballet in the aisle and raised her hand when Coach Thiessen asked members of the Freshman Gold and Black teams to raise their hands. She was close to right, because those are the teams Daddy coaches. Mali also "whoo hoo-ed" for the boys as they were announced. I was embarrassed, but the other coach's wives cheered her on. Eric was announced as the head freshman coach and we are so proud of him! He's doing a great job, although it is a little more stressful for him. Mali finally got into bed at 9:30 that night for her first day of preschool, but seemed to do okay with that. I've already blogged about Tuesday, her first day. Her second day of preschool was a little harder. She had a hard time getting ready for the day and we had a battle about brushing her hair, but surprisingly, we made it to school on time. On the way, she wanted to hold my hand, and was a little more clingy once we got to her room. Once the other kids got there, she got down and played. The moms stayed around for a while and we watched them circle up on their carpet squares and sing the wiggle song. Mali said "Mom, why are you still here?" So I laughed, and left. She came running after me crying. I calmed her down and reassured her that I would be back. On the way back to her square, she ran right into the bookcase, causing more tears and drama, but Mrs. Knapp took care of her and she survived day 2 of preschool. She did tell us that she got in trouble again, but the teacher didn't say anything to me. Wednesday mornings will be a special day for her because Daddy is going to start taking her to preschool on those mornings. Eric doesn't have a class until 10am, so he will take her and get extra special daddy/daughter time. Wednesday night was a little crazy for us. I saw clients and Eric had Mali. She was so out of control all night, and acting like a different little girl. We aren't sure if she was trying super hard to get attention or if she picked up some bad behaviors at preschool (although none of the kids appear to be bad influences like that.) It is sad to think that her personality is now going to be shaped by so many outside influences. Hopefully she gets used to preschool and doesn't act crazy all the time. Thursday was a pretty relaxed day for us. Mali and I had a Chick Fil A date. I was trying to get her worn out so she would actually take a nap, that was another guess as to why she was acting so crazy. It didn't work, but she did fall asleep at 6:45 sitting on the couch with me, which made for a long night. Eric had his first game and they beat Plainview at Plainview...way to go Sandies! I think the score was like 42-6 or something great like that. What a relief to win! When I was saying good night to Mali she asked where daddy was and I told her at the football game, to which she responded "but its dark!" I told her that they had big lights so the boys could see to play. Daddy made it home about 9:30 and so Mali got some special late night time with him! Friday morning, I woke up looking forward to a day of nothing and staying in pajamas! About 9:15, Eric texted me that there was a Pep Rally at 9:50am and to be there early...soooo we quickly got ready and went up to Amarillo High. It was pretty overwhelming and very much for the students, so I'm not sure how often we'll make it a habit. Mali enjoyed some of it, but covered her ears during the loud cheering. She said she liked the music the best. Mali "sings" the fight song around the house. Finally, last night was the kick off to Friday night football. We played Randall who beat us last year and is part of a big out of district rivalry (they are another district in Amarillo). The game started at 8pm,. Mali and I made it until a little after 10pm (because she finally took a nap yesterday!) Eric got home about midnight from the game and we had won. I ended up being sick most of the night. I think I just did too much and my body was exhausted. Then Eric had to get up at 4am to drive to Lubbock to trade film! He got home about 9am and has been sleeping ever since. Other than a birthday party this afternoon, we are looking forward to doing nothing in the next few days. It seems like this will be the course of most of our weeks, so prayers are always appreciated!:) I'm hoping to have a positive attitude and teach Mali to go with the flow and enjoy what we can enjoy when we can enjoy it! Sorry for the super long post, just wanted to update everyone. THIS is why I'm not emailing back right now!:)

Preschool Princess

Today our baby started preschool! She has been so excited the past week to go see Mrs. Knapp and make new friends. The day started off really well. I wasn't too sure it would because we were up until 9:30 after the "Meet the Players/Coaches" pep rally at Amarillo High. But I've realized that our life is going to be just a little bit different than textbook since we are a coaching family. Anyway, Mali surprisingly got ready for the day without too many problems (brush teeth, brush hair, get dressed) and wore her new school outfit that Daddy bought her. She looked too cute! Mali was very excited to get to her room and see Mrs. Knapp. Right a way, Mali played with the shopping cart and groceries (she has been talking about that since the open house) and she looked for some one to share with. She was sharing so well with a little boy and I was thinking is this a new friend? Until the mom came over and said, "honey we need to go, this is brother's class" oops! So Mali said "I need a new friend to play with" and asked another little girl to play. She was already establishing her "ground" and telling the little girl what to play with. Mean while, I was sitting there patting her saying "Mali give Mommy a hug and kiss" and she was completely engrossed in her play and could have cared less that I was leaving. Finally I got a hug and kiss, and stepped back with the other mothers. Mrs. Knapp told all the kids to come sit on their carpet square. Guess who obeyed? Everyone but Mali! Mrs. Knapp had to take a baby doll away from a whining Mali and then Mali ran to me and said "bye" and kissed me about 50 times on each cheek (she was just trying to get away from obeying!!!) Mali is going to learn quickly that preschool is not all about playing, but I don't think she will mind the learning eventually. When I left the parking lot, I had a good cry. It is hard to explain my sadness, unless you drop your baby off at preschool for the first time. It is part grieving that a season of our lives is forever over (from now on she will always spend part of her days learning some where else), part the realty that she is growing up, part uncertainty of what my new role as mom is just when I feel like I got it down (I'm very black and white, so I'm afraid giving me an inch of freedom will make me slack as a mom and I don't want that), and the remaining part...she is my first and she will always be my baby! I told my dad that maybe I'll get used to it, but he assured me that I will even cry when I drop her off at college because she is my baby. I'm so thankful for the special place in our lives that God has given Mali! It is so special to be the first born and the first born girl (that is my birth order too)! So, I cried for a while in the Wal-Mart parking lot, but got it together and did my shopping...alone...which I must say was pretty nice, but new. I didn't accomplish all of my list of things to do today while Mali was gone, but there is tomorrow too, and next week, and the next week....
Anyway, when I picked Mali up Mrs. Knapp said she did great. Mali didn't comment too much on what she did. She said she rode a pretend helicopter and went down a rainbow slide. She told me about her cheese crackers for snack, adding that some were good and some were not good. On the way out, Mali invited a little girl and a little boy to have a picnic with us (we were not having a picnic) and to come to our house tomorrow! So I guess she made friends. I'm so thankful for my extrovert! Mali told her Daddy that she did get in trouble for pouring her cup of water into the trash can. That is very, very minor. I look forward to Mali warming up to preschool and conversating a little more about what she did. That is hard for me too, not knowing what she did!
Here are a few pictures of her morning.




notice the babydoll on Mrs. Knapp's lap

August 20th

A year ago, today was a very hard day for me. I spent August 20th of last year in day surgery having a d&c. But I am thrilled that God in His personal, detailed love for me, chose to replace that bad day with a great day. I had my regular OB appointment this morning. Everything looked great! Mali and I heard the heart beat, which is always such a relief. The baby was really low so it took him a while to find its heartbeat, but it was good and strong and he said the baby's movements (picked up by the doppler) were good too. I'm measuring a little small, but probably from the weight that I've lost from being sick. The doctor was concerned that I'd lost even more weight, but the great thing is that I've haven't thrown up in about a week, which is a blessing and I'm so thankful for that. So he was okay with me not taking medication or anything else, just eating whatever I can and want, as much as I can or want!:) (With Mali, my OB "prescribed" Blizzards every night...hmmm.) We will have a sonogram on September 10th and find out for sure what we are having and see our baby, I can't wait! I will go back to the OB every month, and that is another cool God thing. The 20th of each month has also been the day I had to get my blood draws to make sure the molar tissue had not returned, now that day is replaced with exams that we get to hear our baby's heartbeat. God is really so personal and amazing to me and so gracious. I look back at this year, and still don't know why everything happened to me/us, but I do know that the joy and contentment that I feel now is not because we are finally having a baby, but because of how God shaped me, brought me through that time, and ministered to me in this past year. Having a baby, being pregnant, having money, having a nice house, etc. is not where my joy or contentment lies, it is ONLY through Him. Life has been difficult, but God is not difficult, and has been with me, teaching me, holding me and ministering to me this entire time. And HE has chosen this time to bless us with a new Life in our family. I read through my blog from last year at this time and can just see how God was caring for me and for us. Overall though, I am SOOO thankful to have the bad memory of last year's date replaced with such a beautiful memory of our new baby.

On a lighter note, after my appointment, Mali and I went on a 'date' to the mall to pick out new, good quality earrings for her as she starts preschool. This was my "mommy gift" to her for her special day. I, being as wise and money conscious as I am, decided James Avery would be a great place to buy high quality, cute, long lasting earrings. And, assumed I could sacrifice the $20 they would cost for my big girl. Well, we chose earrings, but they do not cost $20, EACH earring cost that much! Uuugh! But it was too late. Mali looks really cute in them and we have told her that she has to leave them in and can't change them out all the time (which was my intent in buying her nice earrings anyway).

Also, this baby will have a cousin its same age. Jordan and his wife Chrissy are pregnant and due May 4th. It will be interesting to have two babies in the family at the same time.

Here is the latest "belly" picture of me at 16 weeks (4 months), with Mali being a great big sister already!

The day is fast approaching

We have approximately one week before Mali starts preschool, okay so I really know the countdown...6 week days left of what we know as normal. I'm not sure I'm ready but at the same time I'm excited for what she will learn. I see this as part of life and just a transition we need to make, and the unknown is always what is hard. This afternoon her preschool teacher, Mrs. Knapp, came over for a home visit to meet Mali. It went so great and I'm so thankful that God gave Mrs. Knapp to us as Mali's teacher. She seems to be wonderful for Mali. I really think it will help Mali warm up to the idea of preschool. Mali will have 8 other kids in her class, 4 of which will turn 4 before December too. That makes me relieved to know she will have others at her level. Mrs. Knapp also talked about how she will be a leader and God knew what birthday to give her, amen to that! I did, however, have to fight back tears (that is hard to admit on the WWW., but I am pregnant:)) Mrs. Knapp read a book to Mali about going to preschool and at the end it said "mommies always, always come and pick us up." If I'd been alone the tears wouldn't have stopped. I am excited, I keep typing that, maybe I'm trying to convince myself, but I am unsure of what life will be like now and afraid of how hectic it may get with gymnastics, preschool, BSF, and two football games all jammed into one week. Life is just about adjustments and I'm praying that I will learn and know what it means to be the best mom during this season of Mali's life! It doesn't mean what it used to!
I just needed to share my feelings and hesitations! I have been trying to upload two really cute videos of Mali, so we'll see if that happens, stay tuned!

Squishy

Sadly, Squishy (the Beta Fish) has passed away. In one of Mali's wild-I-didn't-take-a-nap moments, she pulled her chair over to her cabinet, climbed up and grabbed the fish food off of the top shelf (that I thought was out of reach) and poured the remaining food into Squishy's tank. I told her that much food would kill Squishy and she responded "look, he's not dead" and informed me of the same this morning. The stinch has been bad, but I've been putting off cleaning it because I didn't want to throw up doing so, and Eric's been busy with two-a-days (granted this just happened yesterday). After running Mali's bath water and going to summon her but finding her crashed on the couch at 7pm, I discovered that Squishy was dead. I'm not sure what her response will be in the morning when she finds out that he is dead! But he did last about 2 1/2 months, which is better than I predicted! I think this is a great opportunity to tell her about natural and logical consequences...over feed fish, he WILL die.