Post for Jess

This post is for Jess M., one of my faithful blog readers. :) I don't really have much to say (can you believe it?!?!?) but here are some pictures so you have something to look at. :)

We went to our church's annual barn dance on Saturday. All 3 of us danced and had a good time!
Karla and Daddy

I love Karla's face in this picture.

Karla participated in the "candy hunt" and a few other games.


In other news, the shed is totally done now! Jason moved stuff from the garage into it and there is still plenty of room inside for more stuff.

Boo!

We're starting to talk about Halloween. I've gone back and forth about a few costume ideas...I think we're going to go with Snow White if my wonderful sister-in-law will let me borrow the costume. Who knows, I may change my mind again...

I printed out the invitations to Karla's birthday party today!! That was fun! Now to get them in envelopes and mailed...

Post of Pictures

Karla reenacting a scene from her recent favorite movie, "Barbie in The Princess and the Pauper". She has been singing a song from this movie for the past few days and ALL day today, at home, in the store, outside - wherever. It is complete with arm movements and facial expressions. (The tongue sticking out in this picture is extra) :)

Who needs a playmate when you have Oso??? Karla wore her princess dress (like Barbie) most of the day today.

A photo from Karla's first time being a spectator for the Akron Marathon this past Saturday. She loved the Road Runner! He's the "mascot" for Time Warner Cable that sponsors the marathon so he and his pictures were everywhere.

A picture of Karla during the Steelers' game on Sunday. She really gets into the games. It is pretty funny and entertaining.

Little Milestones

This week I noticed some little milestones.

*I all of a sudden noticed that when Karla and I went into a store for our errands I was holding her hand in the parking lot - not carrying her. That just started this week. I have to say my arms and wrist are a bit relieved. She is getting big! I've noticed less carrying her/picking her up at home too...it is a little sad but I'm thankful too. I know it is time. :) I've tried to get her to hold my hand rather than be carried before when we are out but she always wanted "up-uh".

*Monday the 3 of us had dinner at Chik Fil A. There is a ladder in a "tube" type thing (sorry don't know how to explain it) and she always needed another little kid or ME to help her. It is a tight-not-so-fun fit for me. This week - her little legs were long enough to get her up all by herself. We cheered for her and you could tell by looking at her face that she was quite proud of herself. She went up the ladder and down the slide more than she ever has before.

*Last Sunday I was gone most of the day - I had a day off! - and at one point I called home to make sure everyone was okay. :) Karla answered the phone and had a little conversation with me! She also talked on the phone with Nana Shirley this week. After I hung up the phone I again wondered, where did my baby go? She truly is a little girl...but I have to call her "big girl" when she is listening. :)

*We had a playdate with Austin on Thursday at a park. It was really the most she has played with another little kid at a park. She and Austin found two older kids too and were pretending to buy ice cream at a pretend store, they all 4 got on a tire swing together and were talking and swinging. At one point Austin and Karla were at the top of a slide just sitting there talking, having a conversation. When they saw that both of us moms were trying to hear what they were saying, they turned away from us and kept on talking!! Are they old enough to be doing that?

I've been slacking on pictures lately! Here are a few:
Come on Oso, lets pose again...

This is how you do it Oso!

Thank you for...

As a bedtime story tonight Karla and I read a little book we have called "Adam and Eve" (we read it 5 times but that is beside the point). :)

Karla has started praying some on her own at mealtimes and in the evening but usually is either quiet or repeats after me. Tonight while we were praying she was repeating after me. I was thanking God for several things and for creating us and all the animals (since that is what she is learning about in Sunday School). She repeated a few of my words and then when I paused after "thank you for all the animals" she said "and snake". I looked up and she still had her little head bowed and was obviously still praying and concentrating. I wanted to start laughing but knew I needed to keep going. I knew she was thanking God for the snake in the Bible that spoke to Eve in the garden!! I didn't correct her....is the snake something we should be thankful for? How would you have responded? :) We just finished our prayer and said good night. Then I left her room and had a good laugh about it.

News on Baby Javier

Jason had sent an email to some family and friends and made a "cause" on facebook called "Help Baby Javier". He was asking for prayers for the baby as well as any donations for the medication and special care he requires as a preemie. As a result, on Thursday we sent $550 to Heidy, Javier's mother! $550!! Isn't that amazing! What generous friends and family we have. Last night, Jason and I were sound asleep when the phone rang. It was Heidy and her family. Jason answered the phone and Karina told him they had received the money and thanked him A MILLION times! Then Heidy, who doesn't speak English got on the phone and spoke in Spanish to Jason...he could make out the words "thank you very much" but that is all...then she started crying because she was so thankful. Then Jennifer, Javier's 12 year old sister got on just to say "Hello. How are you?" Then Karina got back on the phone and went on and on about what wonderful friends and family we have and that they wanted us to be sure to thank each and every one of them. They never asked for this help and they never said they needed it, but we knew they did. I was kind of glad I didn't answer the phone last night because I probably would have started crying right along with Heidy. :) I think she and I are a lot alike. :)

I think I've said before that Karina speaks English but phone conversations are still pretty difficult. We were able to determine that Javier is now 4 pounds and is getting a bit stronger. (5 pound babies are a good size in Guatemala from what I know. Karla was 5.12 pounds at 3 days old)

Thank you all for your prayers for Baby Javier and for your donations!!! I wish you could have heard how happy and thankful the family was!!

In other news...
Friday Karla and I went to the zoo with our friends Annie, Marcus and William. Look how cute!! Karla was shy at first but warmed up once she realized the two boys liked to run - just like she does. They chased each other around a bit and then it was obvious Karla was at ease. She kept calling them her "friends" for the rest of the day. (Where did my friends go? Can I run with my friends?)

Nice weekend

Saturday Mom M./Grammy and I went to a consignment sale in Butler. We went to the one in the spring and pretty much got Karla's entire summer wardrobe there. So we decided to go again this fall. Between the two of us we spent about $90 and got approximately 45 items. Karla got lots of clothes, a winter coat, puzzles, books, shoes, slippers, Dora dominoes, and her first Barbie dolls. The Barbie's came in a pack of 5 and I just wanted the Ariel Barbie because our neighbor has one and Karla LOVES it. I didn't want to get her started on Barbie yet but gave her the Ariel doll and one other one to be the "friend". Well, those two are her new favorite toy. They've entertained her for hours over the past few days. In addition to all the stuff for Karla I got baby Javier a pair of shoes, a brand new bath robe with matching slippers, and I got Jennifer (Javier's sister) the pretty red dress and a Hannah Montana shirt (bottom left of picture). I thought Jennifer would like the red dress for Christmas. I also got a book for me (about sleep habits of children) and two crocheted items that were only $1 each. I couldn't pass them up. Not sure what I will do with them or who the lucky recipient will be though.

Here's the sale's website if you are interested. It is really nice! http://www.anangelsatticconsignmentsale.com/index.htm Now I just want to know why someone doesn't make a sale like this for adults!!

Sunday K and I went to my grandparents retirement community for the 2nd or 3rd annual family "Peepaw Open". Jason couldn't go and I don't golf so Karla and I decided to go to keep my grandma company. I think there were about 10 golfers and then 4 of us back at the apartment. Karla got to go to the lake and feed fish with Mammaw.


Today Jason was off for half a day so the 3 of us got to spend some time together. It was such a beautiful day! Sunny and almost 80 degrees!