The Dora the Explorer Pumpkin!!
I'll have to take another picture when it is lit so that you can see the full effect...I was pretty proud of her. The only thing left is to add Happy Halloween, but I'll get to it:)
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Halloween is almost here!
I am SO excited! Only one more week until Halloween!!!
I am usually not this thrilled with this particular holiday...mainly because I am a big chicken and I don't like anything scary (I still don't like to walk into a dark room alone:)) and I HATE masks. They really freak me out for some reason.
This year is different, though. I racked my brain for two months trying to think of a great "family" halloween costume. I wanted all of us to dress up to the same theme...but it's tough to think of stuff to do. Especially with girls as girly as mine:). We couldn't really come up with something that we could all do, and the girls just fought about who would get to be DeeDee Doodle from the Doodle Bops. I finally found the one thing that would pull them away from pink, frills, make-up and big hair...SOLDIERS!!
I know, it sounds crazy, but they were SO excited about it! We hit the army surplus store in search of ACU's (the new BDU's) for Abbi, Kati and me. Can you beleive that they make ACU's for little ones too?
Anyway, we found the full outfits, ordered the name tapes for their uniform, found little hats...the whole nine yards. For me, I bought a pair of ACU's and a female Drill Sergeant hat, to match Eric. He and I will be the DS's and the girls will be the privates. They have been practicing their cadences (I think I spelled that right) for the past two weeks. It's so funny to hear them chanting along:). They have always liked cadence, Eric always calls them while he is running, and most the time he runs pushing the girls in the jogging stroller, so they are used to hearing and calling them, but recently we have been learning more. Abbi's idea was to call cadence while we march the streets trick-or-treating!
I really can't wait!
Their uniforms made it here today and so we dressed them all up to make sure everything looked good...I about died! The looked so cute!!! I took some pictures and I will post them a little later. I will most certainly post the actual Halloween photos, too, though.
Honestly, Eric and I thought that the girls should have been the drill sergeants and us the privates...that's really how things seem to be done around here:).
On a different note...
Abbi had pictures at school today! If we get there early, they will take Kati's picture, too and take them together, so that's what we did. I had the hardest time deciding what to put on them. I always like for them to match, but Abbi is getting so big that it is getting hard to find matching outfits. I was able to dig out a size 4 jumper for Kati that matches a dress that Abbi has now and I found tights and under shirts to match, so that is what I went with. Of course, I didn't find it until almost midnight last night, and that meant that at 12:30 this morning I was up heming and taking in the size 4 dress for my barely 2T size baby!! It worked, though, and that is all that matters. Thank goodness I know how to sew:)
They looked super cute and did a great job. I can't wait to get them back...when I do, I will scan and post them!
As for Eric, he started with his rookie yesterday! He was excited to be Mr. Teacher:). He said the night went great and she did well...when I asked if she was driving, though, he laughed at me. He said "would you want to be in the passenger seat with someone going twice the speed limit, running read lights, driving down the wrong side of the road, talking on the radio, reading the computer screan, listening to the other radio, watching the GPS, and talking on the cell phone?"...I replied..."I ride in the car with you, don't I?" I thought I got him pretty good with that one:)...he is always bringing his "cop driving" home...and it is CRAZY and scary sometimes.
He is happy to have a rookie to train, and I know he will train her right...he's a great officer.
As for me...same ole, same ole:). We went last weekend and picked out our pumpkin and I got the honors of designing and carving...I don't mind, though. I love that kind of stuff. The girls wanted Dora, so I drew her and then had to figure out what to cut out and what not to cut out. That was the hardest part. I figured it out though, and I think she turned out pretty good! I'll post a pic and let you be the judge:).
We have had some much needed rain this weekend and so far this week! It has been a blessing...no complaints at all:). I just hope it keeps up!
Well, I will go for now. Take care, all!!!
I am usually not this thrilled with this particular holiday...mainly because I am a big chicken and I don't like anything scary (I still don't like to walk into a dark room alone:)) and I HATE masks. They really freak me out for some reason.
This year is different, though. I racked my brain for two months trying to think of a great "family" halloween costume. I wanted all of us to dress up to the same theme...but it's tough to think of stuff to do. Especially with girls as girly as mine:). We couldn't really come up with something that we could all do, and the girls just fought about who would get to be DeeDee Doodle from the Doodle Bops. I finally found the one thing that would pull them away from pink, frills, make-up and big hair...SOLDIERS!!
I know, it sounds crazy, but they were SO excited about it! We hit the army surplus store in search of ACU's (the new BDU's) for Abbi, Kati and me. Can you beleive that they make ACU's for little ones too?
Anyway, we found the full outfits, ordered the name tapes for their uniform, found little hats...the whole nine yards. For me, I bought a pair of ACU's and a female Drill Sergeant hat, to match Eric. He and I will be the DS's and the girls will be the privates. They have been practicing their cadences (I think I spelled that right) for the past two weeks. It's so funny to hear them chanting along:). They have always liked cadence, Eric always calls them while he is running, and most the time he runs pushing the girls in the jogging stroller, so they are used to hearing and calling them, but recently we have been learning more. Abbi's idea was to call cadence while we march the streets trick-or-treating!
I really can't wait!
Their uniforms made it here today and so we dressed them all up to make sure everything looked good...I about died! The looked so cute!!! I took some pictures and I will post them a little later. I will most certainly post the actual Halloween photos, too, though.
Honestly, Eric and I thought that the girls should have been the drill sergeants and us the privates...that's really how things seem to be done around here:).
On a different note...
Abbi had pictures at school today! If we get there early, they will take Kati's picture, too and take them together, so that's what we did. I had the hardest time deciding what to put on them. I always like for them to match, but Abbi is getting so big that it is getting hard to find matching outfits. I was able to dig out a size 4 jumper for Kati that matches a dress that Abbi has now and I found tights and under shirts to match, so that is what I went with. Of course, I didn't find it until almost midnight last night, and that meant that at 12:30 this morning I was up heming and taking in the size 4 dress for my barely 2T size baby!! It worked, though, and that is all that matters. Thank goodness I know how to sew:)
They looked super cute and did a great job. I can't wait to get them back...when I do, I will scan and post them!
As for Eric, he started with his rookie yesterday! He was excited to be Mr. Teacher:). He said the night went great and she did well...when I asked if she was driving, though, he laughed at me. He said "would you want to be in the passenger seat with someone going twice the speed limit, running read lights, driving down the wrong side of the road, talking on the radio, reading the computer screan, listening to the other radio, watching the GPS, and talking on the cell phone?"...I replied..."I ride in the car with you, don't I?" I thought I got him pretty good with that one:)...he is always bringing his "cop driving" home...and it is CRAZY and scary sometimes.
He is happy to have a rookie to train, and I know he will train her right...he's a great officer.
As for me...same ole, same ole:). We went last weekend and picked out our pumpkin and I got the honors of designing and carving...I don't mind, though. I love that kind of stuff. The girls wanted Dora, so I drew her and then had to figure out what to cut out and what not to cut out. That was the hardest part. I figured it out though, and I think she turned out pretty good! I'll post a pic and let you be the judge:).
We have had some much needed rain this weekend and so far this week! It has been a blessing...no complaints at all:). I just hope it keeps up!
Well, I will go for now. Take care, all!!!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
A Day In the Life!!
Hello Everyone!
Isn't this the best thing! Not that all of you want to know every waking detail of our lives but...if you don't, then you don't have to read it...am I right???
This is my new way of communicating to everyone, so that no one is left out. The girls are keeping me on my toes all the time, so emailing has become a distant memory. This way, if you want to know what's up, you can...great idea, huh...wish I'd thought of it before:)
Anyway...let's see...
Things are going great here on the farm. Abbi is in her second year of preschool and LOVING it! We had a hard time adjusting to the new teachers, but that lasted a short while and she has settled right in and is going at it full speed (imagine that, Abbi going at something full speed:) LOL). She is going M-W-F now and it works so nice. I miss her when she's gone, but you will not believe the amount that I can accomplish with only Kati in the house! It's really great! On the other two weekdays, we are homeschooling kindergarden. I know, it's sounds crazy, but she is just a little sponge and I figure if she wants to learn it, then I am going to teach her. Besides, she's flying through it like a pro! We started out the beginning of the year with the mindset that this wouldn't work out and that she would buck on me trying to teach her, but I have to say, she has really surprised me. We don't do too much, just about 2 hours total 2-3 days a week, but it is crazy what you can get in in such a short amount of time.
As for Kati-Bug, she's doing great, too. She is still so tiny, though. That just makes her even cuter:). We WERE totally potty trained and doing great, but something came along and made her decide that it isn't for her. I'm pretty distressed about all of it, but she doesn't seem to mind one bit, I think that is what bothers me so much:). My first reaction was to put her back in diapers and a crib...like a "tiny baby", but then I thought that with her personality, that would probably back-fire on me, so I didn't go that route. We are still in big girl panties and doing much better today than we were last weekend. I am really tired of the poo clean-up though...I feel like I am back in nursing school!!!
As for Eric, he is fabulous. He has been a little under the weather this week, but you know Eric, he didn't let it slow him down one bit. Tonight is his last night on, though, so he has all weekend to recover. This will be the first 4 full days off we've had together in forever, and I can't wait. It seems like between SWAT and the Army, he is always spending his days off working:). Not this weekend, though...Momma drill sergeant is putting her foot down!!:)
For me, I am great. I have started working a couple hours on Monday mornings and every other Tuesday mornings at the church, babysitting for moms in different bible studies. It's great to get out of the house and see other people...adult people:). The best part is, I can take the girls. Kati loves it, she calls it school, and Abbi has a ball when she gets to go on Tuesdays. Roxie and I get to hang out a little, too during that time, because she is working there also.
I can't think of much else...I am back to normal since the surgery and feel great! We now are starting on the shed/barn/giant structure in the back yard/garage/junk keeper. We have our plans finished and everything is plotted out, Duke Power finally came out to show us where the easement was and so we are good to go there. So now we have to wait for the permit to get finished and then we can rock and roll! I can't wait to break ground. I think I am most excited about driving the excavator than anything else at this point. At least the weather will be cool and we obviously don't have to worry about rain, so I think we're on track:).
We do have a little bit of bad news on the deployment front...we were sprung with a little surprise this weekend at reserves...
At first, we were looking at two options for Eric. The first was to volunteer for a 12 month tour in Afghanistan. He would be leaving very soon, but he would be at a good camp and he would not have to travel this time...which means no more convoys and no more Iraq. But, it was another year away from home, and we (or at least I) feel like we just got him back. Our 2nd option was not really an option...involuntary deployment, this is state side, but as far as we know, the girls and I cannot go with him, it lasts the next 5 YEARS! And, from what I understand so far, is at least a 3 month tour every year. We don't know when he would have to leave or where he would go or really how long he would be gone. My heart sunk...
After praying hard and weighing our options (and the mental health of my children) we elected for the 12 month tour...the bad news is, we acted too late. The mission is full of volunteers and so, we, for now, are stuck with the stateside tour.
I know that the Lord has a purpose for everything He does, and I know deep in my heart that He would not steer us in a way that would not be good for us...but I am still so sad. I don't want him gone for 12 more months, but I also don't want him gone for the next 5 years. Poor little Abbi will have a terrible time handling that. But, we made it before, we can make it again!! I am stronger than I ever knew I could be and this may just be another lesson:).
You never know what tomorrow holds, but just keep us in your prayers about the whole thing. We only ask for guidance.
Well, enough of my book for today...
Tune in next time for more exciting adventures with the Early Family!!!
Isn't this the best thing! Not that all of you want to know every waking detail of our lives but...if you don't, then you don't have to read it...am I right???
This is my new way of communicating to everyone, so that no one is left out. The girls are keeping me on my toes all the time, so emailing has become a distant memory. This way, if you want to know what's up, you can...great idea, huh...wish I'd thought of it before:)
Anyway...let's see...
Things are going great here on the farm. Abbi is in her second year of preschool and LOVING it! We had a hard time adjusting to the new teachers, but that lasted a short while and she has settled right in and is going at it full speed (imagine that, Abbi going at something full speed:) LOL). She is going M-W-F now and it works so nice. I miss her when she's gone, but you will not believe the amount that I can accomplish with only Kati in the house! It's really great! On the other two weekdays, we are homeschooling kindergarden. I know, it's sounds crazy, but she is just a little sponge and I figure if she wants to learn it, then I am going to teach her. Besides, she's flying through it like a pro! We started out the beginning of the year with the mindset that this wouldn't work out and that she would buck on me trying to teach her, but I have to say, she has really surprised me. We don't do too much, just about 2 hours total 2-3 days a week, but it is crazy what you can get in in such a short amount of time.
As for Kati-Bug, she's doing great, too. She is still so tiny, though. That just makes her even cuter:). We WERE totally potty trained and doing great, but something came along and made her decide that it isn't for her. I'm pretty distressed about all of it, but she doesn't seem to mind one bit, I think that is what bothers me so much:). My first reaction was to put her back in diapers and a crib...like a "tiny baby", but then I thought that with her personality, that would probably back-fire on me, so I didn't go that route. We are still in big girl panties and doing much better today than we were last weekend. I am really tired of the poo clean-up though...I feel like I am back in nursing school!!!
As for Eric, he is fabulous. He has been a little under the weather this week, but you know Eric, he didn't let it slow him down one bit. Tonight is his last night on, though, so he has all weekend to recover. This will be the first 4 full days off we've had together in forever, and I can't wait. It seems like between SWAT and the Army, he is always spending his days off working:). Not this weekend, though...Momma drill sergeant is putting her foot down!!:)
For me, I am great. I have started working a couple hours on Monday mornings and every other Tuesday mornings at the church, babysitting for moms in different bible studies. It's great to get out of the house and see other people...adult people:). The best part is, I can take the girls. Kati loves it, she calls it school, and Abbi has a ball when she gets to go on Tuesdays. Roxie and I get to hang out a little, too during that time, because she is working there also.
I can't think of much else...I am back to normal since the surgery and feel great! We now are starting on the shed/barn/giant structure in the back yard/garage/junk keeper. We have our plans finished and everything is plotted out, Duke Power finally came out to show us where the easement was and so we are good to go there. So now we have to wait for the permit to get finished and then we can rock and roll! I can't wait to break ground. I think I am most excited about driving the excavator than anything else at this point. At least the weather will be cool and we obviously don't have to worry about rain, so I think we're on track:).
We do have a little bit of bad news on the deployment front...we were sprung with a little surprise this weekend at reserves...
At first, we were looking at two options for Eric. The first was to volunteer for a 12 month tour in Afghanistan. He would be leaving very soon, but he would be at a good camp and he would not have to travel this time...which means no more convoys and no more Iraq. But, it was another year away from home, and we (or at least I) feel like we just got him back. Our 2nd option was not really an option...involuntary deployment, this is state side, but as far as we know, the girls and I cannot go with him, it lasts the next 5 YEARS! And, from what I understand so far, is at least a 3 month tour every year. We don't know when he would have to leave or where he would go or really how long he would be gone. My heart sunk...
After praying hard and weighing our options (and the mental health of my children) we elected for the 12 month tour...the bad news is, we acted too late. The mission is full of volunteers and so, we, for now, are stuck with the stateside tour.
I know that the Lord has a purpose for everything He does, and I know deep in my heart that He would not steer us in a way that would not be good for us...but I am still so sad. I don't want him gone for 12 more months, but I also don't want him gone for the next 5 years. Poor little Abbi will have a terrible time handling that. But, we made it before, we can make it again!! I am stronger than I ever knew I could be and this may just be another lesson:).
You never know what tomorrow holds, but just keep us in your prayers about the whole thing. We only ask for guidance.
Well, enough of my book for today...
Tune in next time for more exciting adventures with the Early Family!!!
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