Photos!

Another long day - good - but long.  First, Miracle and I went to see an old  friend who has been learning photography and he took her Senior photos. It was a beautiful day - perfect for pictures (#398) and PK did an amazing job!  The cost was a donation to the building fund at his church.  Win for everyone!  He was able to gain some valuable experience, we came home with some astounding photos (#399) and Miracle was able to donate to their building fund. (#400) Then, Angelica met us at the church so we could trade cars. (#401) She had brought ML and Busy Bee in on her way to class so that I could take ML to an appointment. I enjoy spending time with ML even though we struggle to communicate. (#402) The doctor said ML is doing as expected. (#403) Then we headed home.  Miracle stayed downstairs and watched the little girls and I intended to rest.  My body definitely needed it, but my mind was so intent on accomplishing things that I wasn't able to rest.  The plus is that I was able to sort through a lot of paperwork and clean off a shelf of my desk. (#404) The minus is that I am tired and achy and need to rest whenever possible if I am going to be able to function the rest of the month.  Please continue to pray for my health, that I will stay strong and finish this month healthy.  

Here are a few of the photos PK took of M... 

A Look Back - 1976

Can you guess which one is me?

A Soft Place To Land

This morning, Angelica and I packed the car before heading off to the college to meet up with Miracle for the campus visit.  I should say, Angelica loaded the car while I sat in the lobby after paying the bill. (#288) She is always quick to help me. (#289)

After leaving the college, we finally found a Chick-fil-A and had a quick bite before beginning the journey home.  (#290)

Angelica drove all the way home. (#291) I am so proud of her and how well she handled the responsibility of driving this whole trip. (#292) She has grown and matured so much these past few days.  (#293)

This sign was a welcome sight... (#294)

I am thankful that we were able to make this trip, (#295) that travels were safe, (#296) and to be back home. (#297) Now it's off to bed for me. (#298)

Skating!

Angelica wanted to skate today and I wanted to watch.  Miracle came along just for the fun of it.  I am truly blessed to have such amazing daughters. (#225)

 Lent: toys

My Day - #205-210

Today started off slowly. I appreciate the mornings that I can take my time getting started because I tend to feel better the rest of the day. (#205) However, I am not feeling well and the extra exertion of  being on crutches and wearing a heavy boot is taking its toll on me.  Angelica left for class at noon and Miracle and I headed downstairs at 2.  Busy Bee played dress up before her sister came in from school.  It was fun to watch her play, to see her smile and enthusiasm. (#206)

B jugó vestir antes de que su hermana llegó de la escuela. Fue divertido de ver su juego, para ver su sonrisa y entusiasmo.

 After dinner, Doc wanted to play dress up, too so we pulled the box back out. The black "cape" is really a skirt my girls confiscated from my closet when they were about Doc's age.  They always used it as a queen's robe.  Doc and Busy Bee use it more like a vampire's cape.  When Doc has it on, she chases Busy Bee around and BB giggles and says "pooky" over and over.  Their antics make me smile. (#207)

Después de la cena, D quería jugar a los disfraces, también, así que nos detuvimos la caja de vuelta. La "capa" negro es realmente una falda mis niñas confiscados de mi armario cuando eran de la edad de D. Ellos siempre lo utilizaron como la túnica de una reina. D y B lo utilizan más como la capa de un vampiro. Cuando el D lo tiene, ella persigue B alrededor y B ríe y dice "pooky" una y otra vez. Sus travesuras me hacen sonreír.

By this time, Miracle had finished cleaning up dinner so Doc had to go finish homework.  I snapped a few more pictures of Busy Bee and me.  

Por este tiempo, Milagro había terminado de limpiar la cena, así D tuvo que ir a terminar sus tareas. Rompí algunas imágenes más de B y yo.

Before long, it was bedtime.  Miracle went upstairs and went to bed for real while I dozed on the couch waiting for Angelica to get in from school.  All in all, it was a good day (#208) and I am less discouraged than I was yesterday. (#209) My foot is hurting less as well. (#210)

**The little girls' mother is learning to speak English but can't read it yet.  I have added a translation so that she can read about their day.**

Snapshot of our Saturday - #155-159

Today there was time to skate at the local ice rink.  Most times that Angelica has the opportunity to skate I am watching the little girls so I took this chance to go with her and watch her skate.  I really enjoyed seeing her skate because her love of skating makes her glow and because it's nice to see how she has improved. (#155) Since Doc enjoys skating so much, I knocked on her door and invited her to come with.  Miracle really wanted to go but wisely chose to stay home and work on her fine arts projects. (#156) There will be other opportunities and I was able to share the pictures and video with her when we returned home.  Then I napped, courtesy of the autoimmune disease and pain pills.  Both girls prepared dinner. (#157) They are getting along so well. (#158) Then they practiced their duet for next weekend.  Since M took voice lessons, she sounds so much better and with A's natural ability to sing harmony, they truly compliment each other.  (#159) 

Lent: a pair of pants and a shirt

A Look Back - June 2013

Goodness!  This little man is almost 3!  They grow and change so fast at this age! He's the one in the middle  with his back to the camera in this picture.  

Lent:  2 pair of pants and 2 pair of shorts to a young mom

A Look Back - This Past Week ;)

Since I have been too tired, sick, stressed and achy at the end of the day to give a proper update here, I thought I would post pictures from Wednesday.  Angelica had to work all week at the ice rink.  Since there was free ice skating Wednesday through Friday, I decided to take the girls to the rink and let them have some fun.  Angelica's job on Wednesday and Thursday was skate guard meaning that she had to be on the ice, making sure everyone was following the rules, putting away unused walkers, and assisting anyone who fell.  Friday she was at the skate counter distributing skates and disinfecting returned skates.  Busy Bee used a walker and could get around pretty good on the ice by the end of the week.  Doc was already a pro on the ice because the school here offers skating lessons to the second grade children.  Miracle mostly helped Busy Bee on Wednesday but had a few minutes to skate around the rink on her own when Busy Bee wanted to get off of the ice.  On Thursday, Miracle chose to spend time at the library and on Friday she was elsewhere in the Y except for a few minutes. Thursday and Friday, Busy Bee wasn't very interested in skating.  She much preferred running and climbing in the bleachers!   Doc on the other hand has the skating bug and can't get enough time on the ice.  

I know I need to post what I am thankful for but I'm struggling to do so.  There are so many things that I can't write about and my heart is heavy.  That is precisely when I need to post.  Could you please pray for me?  If you're struggling and leave a comment, I'll pray for you, too.  If you are doing well, maybe reading a comment of what you are thankful for will be the boost I need.  

A Look Back - October 2013

The girls went to a costume party in late October.  Angelica was dressed as Periwinkle, Tinkerbell's ice skating sister.  Miracle went as a shadow.

A Look Back - November 1996

Angelica at 2 months old.  

A Look Back - March 17, 2013

March 17, 2013 was a very important day in our family.  The girls names were legally changed to reflect what I had called them their whole lives.  It took a lot of paperwork, a monetary gift that consequently was the last gift Jackie gave to our family, and a change in laws so that I could proceed without the cooperation of the girls' father.  

The judge jokingly told the girls that he didn't want to see them back in his courtroom for anything less happy, especially not wearing orange... my innocents asked what wearing orange had to do with anything after he left the room so I explained that is the color of jumpsuits that people wear in jail.  lol

A Look Back - Spring 2008

Miracle doing the long jump at a track meet.  

A Look Back - June 2013

In June, shortly after her 18th birthday, Miracle signed up to be a Mary Kay consultant.  She was quite excited.  She is working hard and building a customer base right now.  

A Look Back - January 2013

This time last year, my girls were in full swing preparing for fine arts festival.  I snapped a picture of Angelica as she was making a tape sculpture - her first attempt at 3-D art.

Snapshot Saturday

October 20, 2012

Nails painted for homecoming.  

The full story is here (backdated post).

Snapshot Saturday

Last Saturday was another home day.  We lay around a lot, watched a few movies, read a few books, and played with rubix cubes.  

Happy New Year!

We spent days creating noise makers, confetti balloons and party hats. 

All for this moment

Happy New Year, everyone! 

Playing With Dolls

Yesterday, the little girls spent the day with us again.  We love it when they come over!  It gives the big girls the chance to play with toys that they seldom pull out as well as giving me the opportunity to teach a bit.  I never realized FigNewTon didn't know how to swaddle a baby.  Butterfly has known most of her life and I never realized FigNewTon hadn't picked up on it.  It is so fun to watch them play and learn!