Getting Ready for Christmas

Oh my gosh, I can't believe how grown-up she is getting. She looks like such a big girl hanging up her 1st Christmas ornament. It just amazes me how blessed we are.

And of course she is always keeping us on our toes. I guess hanging her ornament on one of the lower branches just wasn't good enough. So, in true Madelynn fashion, she climbed up on anything she could find.



Now this has trouble written all over it.



Madelynn with her special reindeer that Uncle Tim made her. Each of us have one from our "Grandma" Mabel's husband from when we were growing up. Then dad started to make each of the grandkids one. Well, of course my little girl wasn't going to have one, but my wonderful family took care of that. My Uncle Tim saw to it that Madelynn had her very own special reindeer. We are just so lucky to have such a great family that thinks about others and cares about the little things.

Cutting Christmas trees

Aww, mom and sisters

and sisters (plus Madelynn because she had landed in the mud so she has to stay in the backpack)


Lodge group - we always try to get a picture with all the kids and adults and it is crazy. The kids were playing in the snow so we decided to just take one with the adults (again, Madelynn had to stay in the backpack - I am so glad Whit reminded me to bring it!)

Finally Bruce got her to put on her mittens, her hands were freezing

Give me the cookie and back away...I think she gets this look from her dad.

Our family Christmas picture

Another year cutting Christmas trees was a great success. We had quite a group this year. It has been so great to have Meghan so close that she has been able to go with us the last 2 years; we are really going to miss them next year (we don't' know where they are going yet, but I sure it won't be close). This was our 2nd year with out dad and it was still strange, but happy because we were together. I always feel very close to him and peaceful when we are up there. Having Uncle Larry and Aunt Pat makes it so special. I know my dad would be so thankful and proud of Uncle Larry for stepping into that role in our lives. Not that he tries to replace dad but he is there for some very special moments and makes it a point to be part of our lives and our kids lives, checks on us when we have bad days, calls for our birthdays, and gives the best hugs. I am so thankful that God has given us this little gift that helps us feel close to dad. It is amazing the people that God puts in our lives, maybe for a lifetime or maybe just a moment, that make our lives special and even more meaningful.

Change or preparation

(Picture taken by my sister-in-law, Marie)Words to ponder - "No better time arises to count our blessings than when we believe we have none" (Beth Moore). Wow, what an attitude adjuster. Just when we think God has left us out to dry and is making all these changes in our lives we don't understand He reminds us of all the blessings he has given us.
Change is hard no matter what package it comes in; death of a grandparent or parent, moving to a new place or even just a new position with in our job, even a cute little bundle of joy is a change that can be difficult. Change makes us question what we believe and why we believe it and that is why we pray and ground ourselves in His word. At times like this Satan, the Prince of this world, is attacking us from all angles and if we are not well grounded he will knock us right off our feet. He wants us to get lost in the situation and think of how God is changing our lives and how much we hate it, but that is not God's plan for us. Everything we go through is God preparing us. He calls us, prepares us, uses us, prepares us some more and uses us some more. He continues to work on us and shape our heart until we are ready to see His face, the ultimate moment He is preparing us for. This is when He calls us up. He isn't done working on us just when we are old, He determines when He has finished His work in us and calls us up --- even if it doesn't seem like the right time to us.
This is what we have to remember during those times of change/preparation that we find difficult and we don't understand. What is God preparing me for? How is He using my life for His glory? And ultimately, it is not all about me (I know this totally goes against our society these days but deal with it).
So, what do we do in these tough times of change when we just want to cry and don't see the big picture that God is preparing for us? We cry, but cry out to Him. He has big shoulders and can handle it. We count our blessings one by one and remember all He has blessed us with even though we don't deserve it. Remember that "He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my might rock, my refuge" (Psalm 62:6-8). He is personal and He understands our sadness and pain, but He can see the bigger picture and He is telling us, "Trust in me, lean on me, and I will see you through until the end" (yes, this is me putting words in God's mouth, but this is what He tells me in my tough times).
So, is change all bad? No, and I know that if we lean on our rock we will add even more blessings to that list. Does it make it any easier when we are in the thick of the storm, not always, but it does give us the light at the end to help pull us through. What storm are you in right now?

"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations" Psalm 100:5

So this is why I do this...

So it is no secret that my students are very, VERY, difficult this year. I had the same group last year because I taught 7th grade science and now I teach 8th grade. I have often told them that they are the worst behaved group I have had in 10 (now 11) years of teaching. Individually they are mostly good kids, but together...well I don't want to use that kind of language on my blog :)

I often try to have prayer time for my students because I know that is really what they need. I have to pray about my 1st hour on a very regular basis because they make me crazy and they bring out the worst in me 1st thing in the morning. Well, yesterday was no different. I know I may be the only Christian they meet and, for some of them, the only person who takes and interest in them. Some of them make it very difficult though. Well, I didn't even make it in the door for 1st hour before I had to yell (I mean my big girl voice) and I had to take a phone away from a girl with attitude! Well, by the time I went to take the phone to the office (about 40 minutes later) someone had taken it out of my desk drawer.

My heart just sank into my stomach. Even though my kids can be tough I have always trusted them. I try to treat them with respect and I expect the same from them (I think this is the most important thing my parents did when raising us). Most of their parents don't show them any respect at all, and that is why they don't respect their parents. Well, I was very upset to know that my students would get into my desk and just violate my space like that. I knew who probably did it. I didn't yell, I didn't scream, I just let them know how disappointed and sad I was by their behavior. I reminded them that I would never treat them like that and I was hurt to know they would do that to me. Well, I had really lost some hope when I went home last night questioning why I do this at all.

Well, when I got to school this morning the girl who I thought had taken the phone came to speak to me. She had tears in her eyes and a phone in her hand. She said she couldn't even sleep last night because she felt so bad for going into my desk and knew that I didn't respect her anymore. She said she was so sorry for what she had done and that she accepted her consequences. I reminded her that God had a way of making sure we knew right from wrong and that I had gained a little respect back for her.

I know these girls will make bad choices again, but I realized that I really am making a difference and God has a purpose for me here - no matter how bad it may seem some days.

Never say never

I should have listened to my friend Lollie when she told me years ago to never say never about anything to do with your kids. Well, in true child fashion our sweet little girl is making us out to be a liar all the time.
I remember when we 1st had Madelynn and I thought it was so strange when parents called each other "Mommy and Daddy"...well, that didn't take long to take over our vocabulary. In fact it has been quite awhile since I referred to my husband as,...oh, yeah, Bruce. Oh, I'll never lay my kid down with her bottle, well, guess what, she wouldn't sit still enough to drink it so we had no choice, and how it is a habit....I know. Oh I will never let my kid whine and get her way, well sometimes at the end of the day if that is what makes her happy it seems like survival of the fittest. Oh, I am sure these will not be the last times...Hopefully I learn not to say "Never".

I find it amazing the phrases that come out of our mouths at times. For example, "Oh, Small Potatoes is on, that means I'm late for work" or "Let's Hot Dog dance".
I just love it when Madelynn will do something, like say her name, and then as soon as I try to get her to do it for someone else, she makes me a liar once again. I am sure this is just the beginning of many times we will have to eat our words, i just didn't know it would start so early. Ah, parenthood is such a ride.

Eeeeew!

I don't know how well the sound is (Bruce wants everyone to know that is him doing the dishes in the background) Madelynn is changing her baby's diaper and when she opens it she says, "Eeewww!" It is so funny. She loves to play with her babies and it is so fun to watch her. It is amazing to think that she will be a little mommy someday...granted I don't even want to think of that, I just want her to stay my baby. Confession...I can't even take away her bottle yet. I know, don't yell, she is just my little baby and I love it when she wakes up and asks for a baba milk and signs it at the same time. I promise she won't go to kindergarten with it.

They are never too young...

Well we broke a pot the other night (whole other story) and so I had to vacuum real quick. Then Madelynn got the vacum and proceeded to vacum the rest of the floor. It was so cute. I figure at this rate I could have her folding clothes by the new year. Well, a toy vacum might be in her future.

Row, row, row your boat...

Madelynn and Grammy Tammy playing "row, row, row your boat" on the kitchen floor. They had such a good time while she came for a short visit.

My little talker

I can not believe how much Madelynn is changing everyday. She talks all the time, even though I can't always understand her. Some of her many words include;
"Nut!" - this is what she calls Peanut. The other day when Peanut got out Madelynn stood on the driveway and called, "Nut! Nut!" in a very forlorne voice.
"oshes and ocks" - Yes, shoes and socks
"Baby" - she loves to play with her baby everyday. She wraps her in a blanket and carries her all around the house
"Mom" - Me, of course. But sometimes she just seems to like to call my name over and over again just to make me crazy
"Dad" - Her favorite person. She gets so excited when she see a white truck, thinking it is dad's
"Mi" - which is how she says mine like "mi bo" (mine book)
"Dow" - down - she pats the seat next to her and tells you "dow"
"nigh nigh" - she puts her hands on the side of her head and pretends to snore - it is really very cute
She still signs some - "more", "thank you", "please", "milk" - she actually says the words also, but still signs.
"Ba" - drink or bottle. The first night she signe and asked for a "bottle of milk" I just couldn't believe it.
She has actually said her name before, but we can't get her to say it again. I am glad I had my soccer girls there a witnesses because Bruce doesn't believe me :)
"ball" - She spent a lot of time on the field this year so soccer balls were a big part of her life.
"mote" - this is for the remote which she like to get and then lay on a blanket in the middle of the floor with her ankles crossed and watch TV. I tried to give her an old "mote" but she was onto me.

This is all I can think of at this time, but I am sure I will continue to add to the list. My amazing little girl makes life so worth it.

Trick or Treating here we come

Bring on the candy. Off for some trick-or-treating in our skunk costume. It was a great night. We just went to a few friends' houses, the neighbors we know and we stopped by the church to see Lynn. She even managed to say something that sortof sounds like trice-or-treat. Very cute. Now the next 2 months seem to go so fast every year. I hope to slow it down and enjoy every moment.

A little dancing

Madelynn and Jamie playing ring around the rosie at trunk or treat (ignore the crying child in the background - that is Cami, the other girl from Miss Shannon's that didn't want to play). I love her tuck and roll at the end and she is ready for more.

Bubbles in the bath

Madelynn loves to blow bubbles in the bath now. I hope she will do this well when we start swim lessons.

Play time...

Madelynn got ahold of her laundry basket and had a great time. She keeps saying "cheese." We took pictures last Saturday and I think that is what she learned from the experience. And yes, she is carrying around my birth control pills. They are her "make-up". She stands on a stool in the bathroom in the morning and "puts on her make-up" with me. I just can't believe how big she is getting.

Just fishin'...

I'm lost with her there holding that pink rod and reel.

She's doing almost everything but sitting still.

Talkin' 'bout her ballet shoes and training wheels..and her kittens.

And she thinks we're just fishin'.

I say "Daddy loves you, baby" one more time.
She says, "I know, I think I've got a bite."
And all this laughing, crying, smiling, dying here inside is what I call living.
And she thinks we're just fishin' by the riverside, throwing back what we could fry, drowning worms and killing time.

Nothing too ambitious.

She ain't even thinkin' 'bout what's really going on right now

but I guarantee this memory's a big'un.

And she thinks were just fishin'

I heard this song the other day for the 1st time. It brought tears to my eyes and I thought about my dad and I fishing together. Then my mom reminded me of this story:

Your dad took you fishing when we were camping. You kept wanting his help and he said "Kelsey, quit bothering me." You got big crocodile tears. He felt so bad, he put down his pole, picked up yours and taught you had to fish. When you came back to camp he told me what happend and how badly he felt. He said "I"ve caught fish before, and I'll catch them again" I don't ever want to say that again. I'm sure there were times we both put "us " first, but I know that we always tried to put you girls first---Mom

And this is what I remember about my dad. He and my mom always put us 1st and that is how they raised us and it was very evident in all their actions. When dad took us out on the boat he would drag us aroud that lake until we couldn't stand anymore. Then and only then did he get out his fishing pole. He never told us to hurry and finish sking because he was ready to fish.

Those moments on the boat and sitting on the side of a river bank weren't just about fishing, which I didn't learn until I was older and had a baby girl of my own. It is not about the things we do, it is about being together and knowing, beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are loved by your parents. That love and those lessons are now being passed on to our kids through us and it is amazing how I realize the sacrifices my parents made for us as we were growing up. But I also see as a parent, you don't even care, you are thankful and grateful to make those sacrifices. I am so thankful to experience those important moments with Madelynn and know that it is more than just "fishing."

(Song - She thinks were just fishin" by Trace Atkins")

http://www.azsongs.com/Trace-Adkins-lyrics/Just-Fishin%27-lyrics.html

It's not time yet...

I realized today that I often write about my dad but there is some great advice my mom has given over the year and maybe I should share those stories while she is still here to read them.

So, back to what led me down the thought path...

I took Madelynn for her 1st hair cut today (no, she doesn't have much hair, but it was just sticking out everywhere). She did fantastic. Her babysitter Julie and Lollie (her mom) where there to take pictures and then they took her while I got my hair done. Sandi getting started...
she loved it

All done and big smiles!

The finished product...just a little trim but she looks so cute. I hope it will be thicker now.

She was so happy and didn't even cry and neither did I. Then I got to thinking about these little milestones and I don't really ever cry when they occur. I reflected on my sisters' stories about some of their kids' first; and same as me, no tears. Is there something wrong with us? Should we be crying? Should we be more emotional about these stepping stones in life? Maybe it was the way we were raised. My parents never seemed to get very emotional (not that there is anything wrong with it, they just seemed to be happy for us during these moments) as we approached new challenges, stages, and risks in life. Even when they left me at college; none of us cried.

My mom just seemed to have a good outlook on life and taking it as it came. I remember when I was about 9 or 10 I was very upset one night and my mom asked what was wrong. "I am afraid to go to middle school." She said, "Of course you are, you are only 9, it's not time yet. When you are 11 it will be time for middle school and you will be ready. You don't have to worry about it until then." Sure enough, when I got to middle school and I totally ready (not that I wasn't a little nervous that day) and I did great.

I guess I didn't learn my lesson because a few years later when I was 12 I was upset and I told my mom I was scared to go to high school (typical me, always planning ahead and not just happy to live in today) and worried about doing well. Again she said, "Of course you are, you are only 12, it's not time yet. When you are 14 you will be ready and you will do great." She was right. When the time came I was ready.

Maybe that is where our outlook came from. As things come we just enjoy it and realize that it is time for that event in our life. Not that getting her 1st hair cut wasn't nostalgic and sweet, but I was ready for it, it was time.

These games....

As I look back on our games from last week, mine and Bruce's, it is not a pretty sight. My girls were 10-goaled by Farmington and Bruce's team was also mercy ruled. It is so hard when you feel like you do the best you can to condition and train and prepare your kids for everything that might come down the field. When the whistle blows and there is still time on the clock there is nothing harder as a coach or athlete. It is very hard not to take these games personally and really reflect on what you should have done differently. I saw my girls with tears in their eyes and their heads hung low and my heart hurt for them.

My coaching friend reminded me that "These games do not define us." Loosing or winning does not define us; they are just games. What defines us is our character in these situations and how we handle ourselves. Our words and actions towards others are what define us and show our true character. As my girls had their heads hung down and their spirits crushed they began to fight with each other on the field and even put each other down. I realized later that this is what I needed to do differently. Teach them how to learn from these situations and how to come out on top even when you are on the bottom.

In 10 or 20 years they may not even remember these "games" but they will remember their reactions to the challenges in life. These games do not define who they are or who I am as a coach; it is how we come through these storms that shows those around us who we live for and what is really important in life.

"If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Gal 1:10

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the lord, not for men...It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Col. 3:23-24

What defines you?

Parenting Guidelines....continued

Some of my friends commented on this, but I was really hoping to hear from more so if you would like to add to this list please feel free to send me more advice to add.

1. Go with your instincts
2. Never be too busy that you can't stop to be a super hero or have a tea party or read a book
3. Build a strong marriage...that builds strong kids
4. Your children are not a situation - so cultivate a attitude of sacrifice
5. Notice your children when they come into a room and let them know you are happy to see them
6. Each child is different and has unique needs for love, affection, and discipline
7. Love your kids in a way they can understand
8. Make eye contact
9. Hug them like you mean it
10. Never say never about something your kids might do....Just be ready to handle it and love them when they get off track.

I hope this list will continue to grow as others have time to add onto this. What great advice from some amazing people.

Fun on Sunday

Madelynn loves shoes "ooshos" as she calls them. She wears ours and tries to help us dress.
It is too early to teach her to tie her shoes? Please ignore the tan lines...Wow, not a good angle

Daughter like Daddy...our little mini me copies everything we do these days. She is really quite funny!

You sometimes you just need to sit on a pillow and think.

Ready for church and looking so cute. I think this outfit was one of Victoria's passed down to Cassidy, but I am not sure. I just love it!

What a great day with some happy memories. I wish my baby felt better. Went to bed with a 102 degree temp tonight...probably some teeth on the way.

A challenge for you

I love this blog Time-warp wife. Well she has a challenge on her blog for October for loving our husbands. So I am passing the challenge onto you guys. You can click on the button on the right to learn more. If you would like to do this, would you please let me know because I would love to pray for you during this time.
Happy Fall!

Do you have guidelines for childraising?

What, Mom? I'm not doing anything wrong.

"Madelynn, don't stand on that chair"

I can still hear the words I was saying in both of these instances. One thing I found amazing as Madelynn has grown is how quickly the disciplining has started. She is just a little baby and we already have to think about how we respond in certain situations and the lessons we are already teaching her. Before she was born I probably had four books next to my bed that I would read about what to expect and how to laugh through it and how to be prepared, but then once she was born we just went with the flow each day. I never really thought about or wrote our what my goals were.

My Bible study the other day was about guidelines for parenting and in it I was encouraged to write out 5 Guideline or Rules for Childraising. I had never thought about this before or even tried to put them into words. So this is what I came up with so far:

1. Never make a promise or threat you are not willing to go through with (this was advice Bruce gave me when I first started teaching and I think it still applies)

2. Start training your child early in the way you want them to go (Proverbs 22:6)

3. Don't sweat the small stuff --- Choose your battles

4. Make your kids a priority everyday

5. Treat your kids with respect, as people, not as equals, but respectfully ( I feel this is somehting my parents did very well when they were raising us and in turn we respected them)

I asked Bruce what his 5 would be. He had trouble coming up with some. He shared my 1st one (I guess that is ok because it came from him in the first place). I hope he has some I can post in the next couple of days.

I would love to hear from you guys. Even if you are not a follower on my blog, email me some of your guidelines and I will complie them into a list. I am sure over the years my list will change and grow, but there will always be a basic foundation that I am sure we will try to follow.

Houston, we have a problem!

So, when your kid is quiet and you think she has gone back to sleep, CHECK THE MONITOR. She is probably up to no good. So I guess we have a new skill, she can take her pants and her diaper off. Luckily it was just wet. This is not a good skill to have!

Daddy and daughter

Madelynn has this little lamb that hangs in her crib for white-noise. Well the batteries finally died so they decided to fix it the other day. She was sooo helpful.
Not sure if she was helping here or stabbing the lamb. Bruce was so patient with her and just enjoyed having her "help".

I was thinking about me and my dad and how I loved to help him in the garage. I know there were times he would just get frustrated having me under his feet, but he was so patient and would answer all my questions. We were fishing once and he spent the entire time untangling my line and was getting very frustrated. Then we realized that he had had his whole life to fish and now he was fishing with his daughter and he just had to relax. That must have been his moment that he realized things had changed. He was the best at living for us and putting us first, even if it meant he didn't get to fish and he just drug us all over the lake on skis. I can see that starting to happen in Bruce. I am sure this was the first of many projects to come.

Me? June Cleaver?...I think not

When I picture June Cleaver I see a beautiful woman in her apron tiding an already tidy house, preparing dinner at 5:30, pressing the clothes, checking on the kids and their homework, and awaiting the arrival of her husband and I think, "Where in the heck is Ward to help her?"
I have often found myself griping or merely stating that if Bruce had to coordinate this house he wouldn't even know where to start. I tell him when the baby needs to eat, when there are appointments, what the plans are for next weekend and who's taking Madelynn during practice. The list goes on and at times I begrudge him the he just gets to ease through his day and just do the things he is told. Why doesn't he have to worry about what's for dinner and who can watch the baby so I can go to Zumba and have an hour to myself. We both work (and I love my job so I don't see myself staying at home anytime soon - not feeling that calling) and I think running the house should be a shared job.
Well, I had a bit of an eye opener the other day. Proverbs 31:27 (good old Proverbs 31 Woman to set me straight with my duties as a wife) says "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." I read more that a home is to be built with wisdom and realized that it is my job, from God, to take care of these things. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not men." I don't have to be "June Cleaver", but I do have to have a heart to serve the Lord at what He has called me to do, even if I work during the day.
So I realized that building a home does start with me and God has called me to this place in life. Not that Bruce is not to help me - and he does - but I can't complain as I am watching over the affairs; it is my job and I need to have a joyful heart about it. So, June Cleaver - look out!

Check out my skill Lydia....

Ok, I have a very talented sister-in-law (in fact her blog is listed on mine and is called Fade into Bleu) so here is my little project to show off and I think she will be proud. I got this table from my grandma with the ugly gold seat covers on them. I decided it didn't look that hard and I could probably cover them myself. Well, as any project goes it was a little more challenging than I thought, but I like the way it turned out and if I ever did it again it would probably go faster because I already made plenty of mistakes I could learn from.

BEFORE

AFTER


I had some extra fabric so I decided to make one of those ribbon boards. I think it turned out pretty good. It really wasn't that hard, once I worked th kinks out.

Lydia does much more complicated projects than this, but I think I am on the right track. The bad thing about projects....you always think you are going to save money by doing it yourself, but I swear it ends up costing more than you thought. It was still worth it and I am very proud of my new dinning room set. It is even more special because I know I have my grandma's table and some special memories to go with it (yes, special memories at Grandma Fern's).

Goals for life....mine vs. God's

As the beginning of the school year begins I find myself thinking about goals. I always have "goals" I want to achieve for the summer with my time off. Cleaning and painting the baseboards, yard work, crafting projects...and the list goes on. Sometimes I achieve all of these and other times, like this year, I am only able to check off a few. As I was thinking about goals I found this piece of paper that I wrote in middle school at a 4-H camp (We stayed over night at UNM or was it the fair grounds? are there dorms there? and I was scared, but I did it and had a very good time). Well, this piece of paper has been in my wallet for almost 20 years. As you can see I revised my goals at some point.

Apparently when I was in Jr. High or High school when I revised these, this is what I set as goals for myself. As I was reading the Bible this week I got to thinking about God's goals for my life. Does God set goals for our lives? Does he have a little progress sheet up there that He evaluates from time to time to see if I am making AYP (addequate yearly progress)? How am I doing? Am I proficient or at beginning step?

So, as I continued to read I tried to figure out what God's goals would be for my life.

*To grow in Him by learning, studying and spending time with Him. (1 Peter 2:2)

*Serve my family through time, love and energy (Proverbs 31:15,30))

*Touch the lives of other - serve others (Colossians 3:23-24, Ephesians 6:7)

*Leave behind a legacy by being more like Christ (Romans 8:29)

I am sure they may be other goals God may have for my life, but these were the over-arching ideas that kept standing out to me as I read.

I know it is important to have goals or little accomplishments I would like to achieve in life, but I realized my focus should be how my report card with God is looking. Do I have a bunch of "U's" for unsatisfactory. I hope as God evaluates me that I am at least progressing in each goal He has for my life.

Too often I think I have been focused on my goals for my life and I haven't put enough thought into God's goals for my life. I hope that my little steps that I accomplish in life will mirror what God has set for me.

Just something I thought of while I was reading and I thought I would pass it along.

Remember each day is a new day and it is the Lord's (Nehemiah 8:9). So I will ask myself, "What does God want me to accomplish today?"

Going down the slide...all my herself.

We were at the park and I put her on the slide. I tried to hold her hands down it and she just pushed me away and did it herself. It is kind of a slow slide so I think that helped. It was so cute. I can't believe she can so it on her own. My little girl is getting so big....

(This was taken with my phone with is a cheap, old fashioned flip phone - yes, they still have those - so the quality is not so great, but you get the idea)

Summer randomness...

Her evil, scrunchy-face side. This is what she does when she gets mad at us.
Sam (the sitter's son) pushing her in the swing. He loves Madelynn and makes her smile, as he says. So cute.

Monkeying around!

Watching TV with her doll in her car seat.

Reading a book in her rocking chair.

I'm gonna get you

She tries to put her pillow and blanket in the little chair all at the same time.

Playing in the blanket

Backyard pool time...

Best friends. Peanut is amazing with Madelynn. She was never very interested in the other kids and we were very worried about how she would act when Madelynn came along. After ignoring me for the first month or so I guess she got over it and decided Madelynn was staying. Now they have so much fun together. After Peanut drank out of the pool Madelynn bent over and drank out of the pool just like the dog.

Ohhh, cold water.

Well, I think these pictures say it all....she is so much fun and it is just amazing to spend time with her. She is so interested in the world around her and never seems scared to check it out. She is our own little curious Madelynn. I can't believe how much she has changed during the summer. Now we are onto our next adventure...soccer season. I am sure there will be some great stories out there.