MILESTONES REACHED

I am one proud mama! I have been meaning to post about Christie for awhile now but with the upcoming move and Mike being gone and coming for a visit...it got put on the back burner...but for awhile now...say about 2 weeks or so she has been able to hold her own cup with both hands and pick up food from her tray and eat it herself!!! This is such an amazing milestone for her!!! She's 2 1/2 years old and at 9 months this was a goal Mike and I wanted her to be able to achieve. Next is speaking with more consonants and hearing mama and dada, and of course being able to walk on her own. I have no doubt that it will come, she's such a strong little girl with an amazing spirit and she radiates joy in our home.

I am going to toot the horn for all of us here...

Mike's job change was a scary one for me...and for him too I believe. I think it's been a courageous thing for him to leave a job that was causing him grief to go into something totally different and with a cut in pay. He's enjoying his new job and from the sounds of it is successful and making a wonderful difference. Mike has been and always will take pride in a job well done and gives 110% of himself...it's nice to see some bounce in his step and a smile on his face and he commented how he finds himself singing and humming songs...I am happy for him in taking this leap of faith in his search for something better and also grateful for Jeff Burns for offering him a job...being a good friend to him!

I have done a lot of growing up in the last few months. I have realized that I cannot change others only myself...I can persuade and influence others by the change I make in myself though. I was deeply affected by gossip...not only by myself committing the act but by being the victim as well. I hate it! I learned a lesson that I will never forget. I also have learned to be forgiving...the more I practice it, the better I become...and most importantly to forgive myself. I have learned that CHARITY truly never faileth...and I am thankful for that. I have found strength beyond my own these past few months and my testimony of my Savior and my loving Heavenly Father has grown immensely! There is a hymn "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" and a line that applies to me lately is "Who am I to judge another when I walk imperfectly?" Nobody is perfect and we all have our shortcomings. I am learning to find joy in the little shortcoming or quirks that give us character. I have to throw myself under the bus for a second to make my point. I have hurt my dear sweet husband by telling him I needed more from him...but I failed to be grateful for all that he already does and is...and all I know is I love him for him and truly would miss the Mike I have now if he were to somehow change to fit who I think I was wanting him to be or miss him even more if I drove him away! I know the change I was looking for was a change needed in me...not him...and I tear up just writing this because this is a major thing for me and us as a family...this is going to change things for us for the better!!! I look forward to the future and enjoy every day as I put what I've learned and keep learning into practice...and I owe all this to my family, extended family, friends (including Smokin Hot Mama club) and church leaders!

Jaimie is a self motivated girl...eager to do her best in school...I don't have to ask her to get her homework done...she gets it done all on her own...and she is growing up into a beautiful young lady. She struggles with the big sister role...I have to remind her to be a kid and let me be mom. I tear up here as I write that I could NOT have made this past 6 weeks without Mike here without her help. I am so thankful for the moments of her time that she gave up to help me with the babies...and she is super at it and I KNOW she will be a great mom someday!

Kassidy is a fun girl...she likes to dance and she's got great moves and she radiates this confidence that is so attractive...I know she draws people to her. I love that quality in her! She has definitely been a helper and really stepped up to help as well with dad gone.

Sydney is my...well, I lack a right word to describe her...she's something...She's full of attitude. ..she can be happy one minute and Oscar the grouch the next. She just turned 5 last Sunday....my baby will be going to kindergarten this coming school year! She can break the sound barrier with her scream and has a temper that melts lead. However on the flip side, she is so tender and loving, eager to please and show off her art work...she's a good friend and a great loving big sister...just don't make her mad or she's not your sister, mommy (lol) anymore! She's often in timeout for hitting and when her mouth gets the better of her she gets a squirt of "naughty juice" (vinegar) in the mouth. I have been pretty consistent with it so she gets one warning and that usually does it for her to stop. I am learning though that sugar (love and patience) works better on her and really for all of us right...than vinegar (being quick to anger)...so I need to work at listening to her and finding out what her issues are and help her help her! whew...

I wrote about Christie above...she sure is a fun baby, one thing I really enjoy is that she still takes naps and goes to bed at 8ish and is up @ 7...so if I can just do the same...I'd be a better refreshed woman!

Lexi is 3 months old and has a smile that brightens the room. She's a CHUNK...and so huggable and kissable...we can't get enough. She's a very happy baby however she despises the car seat...doesn't have to be held a lot...although when she gets upset she calms down the second...no kidding the second...you pick her up. She loves the boob...of course it's her source of food but will NOT take a bottle. So kudos to my sweet friends that have watched her in the past and took care of her hours of sorrow with trying to use a bottle. She's giggling now and cooing...and it's just such a fun stage.

Well, that about sums up all the things I've been wanting to "Hoot" about....I just simply adore my family...and want to give a huge shout out of thanks and gratitiude to Grammie (mom) and Nana Holly for calling me daily while Mike was gone and for the goodies Easter and Birthday's they've sent us. We are truly thankful for your generosity and love!!! I hope all is working out well with the bathroom remodeling! xoxoxoxo

I also want to let my mom know how thankful I am for her sacrifices in taking care of my dad's mom...Nana....I know it hasn't been easy at all and rough physically and mentally and spiritually...but what an honor it is to care for someone who cannot care for themselves...

I need to get...it's our spring break and even though that changes my schedule of things I am going to try hard to stay on top of my schedule...I need to workout. When Mike was here over 9 days I only got 3 days of workout in...and I didn't stay on top of my eating plan...I felt a big difference...so I am anxious to get back on track! xoxoxoxxo ttyl