So far...

Been a busy summer thus far. I will post about our South Carolina trip soon. What I want to say right now is that I started Nutrisystem today! I'm excited about the possibilities. I don't know how long we will be able to afford the program but I'm going for it. Here's the thing...I don't know if it's Ironic, or a Mean Joke, or JUST PLAIN FUNNY that my Nutrisystem Diet is delivered by none other than the SCHWAN'S MAN!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA....Please feel free to leave a comment!!!

Isabel's First Swimming Pool

Isabel took a dip in her first swimming pool yesterday. The weather was not terribly warm but she didn't seem to mind. The hose water was too cold so her mommy got warmer water out of the kitchen sink. The fun lasted longer than I expected but not nearly long enough. I just got settled to start some reading while watching them and viola...Isabel was finished!!! So...the fun was short lived but enjoyable just the same. She is quite the character and we found her laughing quite heartily at the wonder of pool water many times!!!! Looking forward to many more trips to the turtle pool!!!

My Baby Is Growing Up!

Kyleigh and her friends Kelly and Hannah went on a photoshoot. They had a ton of fun--I know this from the laughter of the 3 near adult girls who spent hours laughing and telling stories of their adventure. They were quite fun to watch--their eyes twinkled when retelling of the fun they had and laughing at their inside jokes that I was not always privy too. Thought I would share a couple of the pics they took.

Message of Hope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTVECvTYpN0

Man With A Vision

About 5 years ago a man named Don had a vision for his Special Students, actually one of his many dreams for his students. But in this particular instance he came across this particular log. I'm sure he thought about it for quite a long time before he decided that this log wanted to become a lesson in life, love, loyalty, history, cutlure and perseverance. He taught his students about the history and meaning of totem poles and they researched Native American history. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from the Native Americans. Then he taught his special students about the ancient art of wood carving--an art form that is slowly disappearing. And so they began. He taught kids who were non-verbal and/or had physical and mental disabilities how to hold the tools safely and properly. He taught students who gave other people cause to be fearful that they would be allowed access to sharp tools. He taught the staff so they could in turn teach the students. It was a labor of love. Students who were afflicted with a myriad of disabilities from mental retardation, cerebal palsy and muscular dystrophy. Don modified and adapted the way they held the tools and the way they struck the chisel with the mallet. Kids and parents who thought they couldn't...soon learned they COULD! It was an amazing transformation to watch!
Then tragedy struck...twice!! A year and a half ago, our teacher and mentor passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. With the support of a wonderful administrator, some incredibly generous community members and Don's precious daughter, Camille, we would not have finished this labor of love. Camille came back and spend the last month with us to complete the project and now it is erected forever in the Redmond High library, just where it should be. Now generations will know about a man (turtle man) who believed in the impossible and the students he taught to dream and not set self limitations. Just 2 weeks ago, one of Don's speical students, Josh, succumbed to the muscular dystrophy that ravaged his body. Both losses were devastating to our little group...so the lesson in perseverance. The totem pole will have an official unveiling on April 1, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the RHS Library. Camille, Bless you and thank you for everything...I know this is bittersweet for you. I hope you know how special you are!! We all LOVE you--I love you!!!
p.s. I will post the totem pole pictures AFTER the unveiling!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Isabel would like to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day! She loves and misses all of you!! She is especially excited because tomorrow is her First Birthday!!!

Rock Band Baby!!

We were playing Rock Band and gave Isabel a turn with the drum sticks...she LOVED them! She banged them around like she knew what she was doing. She got soooo excited she was laughing and squealing and jumping around. It was the cutest thing ever!!!

Isabel is such a ham! She loves having her picture taken and she is only 10 months old...this girl is NOT going to be shy when she grows up!!!!

First Time

It's been unusally warm the last couple of days so Isabel's mommy took her to the park for her first "real" play time at the park. Isabel apparently very much enjoyed all the new sights and sounds but as soon as her mommy got the phone out to take her pic Isabel put on her cheesiest grin!!! Too funny!!

CHECK THIS OUT

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6616644

YW BOWLING

YW Bowling was AWESOME!! I haven't figured out how to get the slide show in the middle yet so it had to go at the bottom of the page...check it out!
We missed some of the girls who couldn't be there due to their schedules but a great time was had by all who attended. Sorry girls...I did no photo editing this time...too many things happening at once. I do want everyone to notice the pic of my awesome STRIKE!!! My ONE and ONLY STRIKE!!! It can happen!! :-] :-] It wasn't Happy Hour but a quick little trip to Sonic on the way home was awesome too!! All in all, a great evening!!!

Two Perfect Angels from Heaven

Paige and Isabel. They have only actually met a couple of times but Isabel seems quite taken by Paige, like she is familiar. I think Isabel and Paige have something in common that most people, especially adults, wouldn’t or couldn’t recognize. These two angels have knowledge that we no longer have access to. Some of you reading this will completely understand what I mean and others of you won’t…it’s totally ok. I’m not trying to leave anyone out but I feel it’s important to share. I can’t wait to see the developing friendship between these two special girls!

January 2009 Full Moon

On January 10, 2009 we experienced the LARGEST Full Moon we will have during 2009!! I thought I would try out my nighttime settings on my camera. It didn't do too badly. What do you think??

Also, check out the Night Sky and Full Moon slideshow at the bottom of the page.

An American Icon

Isn't Ronald McDonald an American Icon of sorts? Well...many of the children at McDonald's today were super excited to see Ronald, although he did leave quite a few of them in tears which is to be expected. NOT Isabel. She really didn't care. She preferred all the balloons on the ceiling and all the people who's faces were NOT painted to the big guy.

Happy New Year

We had lots of company last night so taking into account that little Miss was over tired, we put her uncle's hat on her head expecting her to laugh and smile as she always does. Her reaction was not what we expected--she started to cry!! Being the supportive family we are, we took the hat off her head...but not before we laughed at the cuteness of it all!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

I meant to write this yesterday, being the first day of the new year and all, but I just didn't get it done.

First, I want to wish all of our friends and family a joyous and prosperous 2009! I wish you all peace and joy.

As I am sitting here trying to be creative, especially since my heart is full, I can't help but being distracted by all the many sounds in my home at the moment. Brittany and Alfredo are having a "dinner party" so the men folk are in the living room (next to the kitchen where I am writing) watching a movie and playing with their babies while the mommies are busy. I think they have wax in their ears because the stereo sound is turned up loud enough to be heard throughout the house. They are enjoying themselves--chatting and laughing through all of it. Brittany is in the kitchen cooking while the rest of the gals (6 of them) are at the dining room table letting their friend practice her new gig as a beauty consultant. She's doing a fine job from what I can tell. :-) Kyleigh is in the family room playing guitar hero...all by herself for the moment but I plan to join her (if she'll let me hee hee hee). Still isn't feeling well from being sick so she is enjoying her "alone time." Robert is in our room reading one of his mountaineering books he checked out from the local library. I think the loudest person however, is Miss Isabel. She is in her walker doing anything but walking. She prefers to be in motion on the kitchen tile and I don't blame her. It's easy to go really FAST in the kitchen. She RUNS and then slides through the kitchen. It's the funniest thing. I know that she knows she's going fast. She is a speed demon...I like to call her "Crash" when she's in the walker...running.
Isabel "kissed" me today--her first ever. Usually when I say "gimme a kiss" she doesn't pay attention but today I said the magic words and, just as if it was a regular habit, she leaned in and kissed me with a baby kiss then leaned in for a hug. It was the CUTEST thing ever.

Despite all the sounds and commotion, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love having my family around me and I love that their friends are comfortable enough to come here.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my 2 weeks off from school and feel slightly saddened to see it ending. I am however, grateful for the employment and I love what I do. I just wish I could do it a little later in the day :-] :-]

That's it for today. I mostly wanted to wish you all well for the new year.

Feliz Ano Nuevo