Cotillion

Sweet daughter of mine... She went to Cotilllion last night for the first time.  I was geniunely suprised that she wanted to participate when she received the invitation, but she's a sucker for punch & cookies and the opportunity to learn "old timey" dances.  =)  So, I suppose I'll thank Judy Garland and the Seven Brides for the positive influence as she attempts to finish the full year of events. 

Each month they meet at Mrs. Barbara Belt's studio and work through one aspect of etiquette and learn one new dance.  Last night she learned how to make proper introductions and how to waltz.  She had a GREAT time, even though she had to wear white gloves that made her hands "really sweaty and itchy".  We all watched her demonstrations, and then she taught Chris how to waltz.  It was sweet and fun and... low key.   So, while I'm not sure I would have asked her to get involved in the more rigorous cotillion groups in the South, I think Indy Cotillion will work out just fine.  =)

Those beautiful golden threads

Caroline has been a smarty pants this month.  Sassy, mouthy, eye rollin', hip shakin'.   You know.. the kind of stuff that gives you the sensation that the ground is rumbling and a 6 year earthquake might commence at any moment.

Yesterday was no different - we seesawed back and forth between sleepy morning hugs, huffing around the house because we dared to ask her to brush her hair before school, smiles and waves after work, forgetting her homework sign-off sheet for the 4th week in a row..

It's exhausting, and I find myself having to be very mindful that I can not let my heart build a defensive barrier between us.  It would be so easy... as adults we do it all the time and call it "healthy" when we distance ourselves from someone who is irratic and doesn't treat us the way we like to be treated.  But with our children, we have to do what is completely counterintuitive... we have to keep our hearts wide open to these little maniacs so that when they turn 25 and regain their good sense, we'll be ready to dive right back into mutually pleasing  discourse.

I am especially thankful for the beautiful threads that God uses to connect my heart to my daughter.  They are thin and delicate, but I marvel at their strength and perfect placement. 

Last night, Caroline came to my bed and curled up next to me.  She told me I am the perfect size, because if I were any different, our hugs wouldn't be so perfect.  Then she prayed:

Lord,
Thank you for my mom.  Thank you that she always answers my questions.  And even if she hesitates, she gives me an answer that is true.  Thank you that she helps me in awkward situations.  Please help everyone in our house sleep well tonight. 
Amen.

 

She is fearfully and wonderfully made.  She is a light.

Milestones

It's been a bittersweet week.

This evening I decided to do something I haven't done since May 26th, 2011.

I put my favorite t-shirt back on... The shirt I gave Brandi right from my back when she finally got settled in at Zale Lipshy and needed something comfy with a stretchy neck. (I can't believe she accepted it...I think I had been travelling in it for 2 days!)

She kept it, and that made it the most prized possession I didn't actually possess. It's been taking up a little space in my dresser and a lot of space in my heart since Stanton sent it to me last year.

Tonight I miss B so much I can barely breathe.  And I need a comfy shirt with a stretchy neck. What's a girl to do?  =)

Happy Birthday Everett!

You are TWO years old.  How did this happen?

I can't wait to celebrate YOU... when you wake up in a few hours. =)


........................

Dear Everett,

You are such HAPPY boy.  You smile all the time, and you are quite the waver as well...Giant, boisterous waves that I'm always convinced will result in a dislocated shoulder.  You love to shout "BYE!" to people as they depart, and will continue shouting it until they are completely gone from sight.  This is especially cute when you shout at neighbors walking down the sidewalk, or when you stand with Daddy in the driveway and shout to me until I turn the corner and head down the hill.  I love to roll the window down and shout GOODBYE to you as well.  =)

Your favorite food is... well, lots of foods.  You have, however, stopped eating meat.  This causes your father and granddad a great deal of distress, but we're sure you'll pull through and start eating brisket again soon.  :)  You're a little fruit monster - that's for sure!  You love your morning routine of cheerios and banana.  If either of those don't make there way to the table by 9am, you get a bit angsty.  This week most of the fruits are in season, so we bought 5 bags of fruit  - peaches, nectarines, raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries.  Even still, you wander around each afternoon looking for your banana.  b

We've always tried to keep your morning and evening routines dependable, so you have a bath every evening at 7. Recently you started crying when Daddy washes your hair so baths are abit shorter, but last week I was giving you a bath and let you put a little shampoo on your hand to wash your own hair and you stayed in the bathtub for 30 minutes washing your hair body parts.  You are SUCH a do-it-myselfer. 

I've heard people describe this as "independent", but that doesn't seem to be the best descriptor for you.  While you strive to do almost everything yourself, you do not enjoy playing, eating, or sleeping by yourself.  You still love to be held, and would stay in my arms or lap 24 hours a day if you could.  I know these moments are fleeting, so I oblige as often as possible.  =)

You've been staying home with Daddy 3 days each week all year, and I can see the love and admiration between you two growing each day.  It's something special to see and watch, and I look forward to the adventures you'll have together, and all you'll learn from each other.  I see both of your hearts growing each day, and I believe this time you've had together is one of life's greatest gifts.  You have a very, very speciall Daddy, and I know he will love you and teach you in a way that encourages your walk with Jesus. 

We weren't sure you'd ever have name for your best friend, Caroline.  You've been saying more words each day, but when we asked you to name Caroline in a photo or in person, you just shrug your shoulders, smile coyly, and blush a little.  As sweet as that reaction always is, it was a joyous to hear you finally say "Line?" as you walked up and down the halls looking for your sister while she was at summer camp.  She's been trying to coach you to say "LaLine" as she called herself at your age, but I suppose we'll have to wait and see if it catches.

You're still wearing your hair long, with beautiful blond curls at the end.  It's really starting to grow in quickly now, so I"m not sure how long we'll be able to keep the baby curls.  Daddy will resist to the end, and I will probably be right there with him.  Someone will have to be reasonable! (Caroline?)

I especially love to look at your hair and play with your curls when we're reading books at night.  It's my favorite time of the day, and I love to hold you in my lap and read your books.  You love LoveyDovey, Trucks, Catch the Ball, Goodnight Mood, Big Red Barn, Hand Hand Fingers Thumb, all of the DK Kids picture books, and... Away in a Manger.  (big grin)  You found this Christmas book in the bottom shelf a few weeks ago, and now you ask me to read/sing it over and over  each night. It's precious you see you look up at me and say "again?" and I always oblige until my throat is sore. 

If I have any voice left from Away in a Manger, you love it when I turn off the lights and sing "Lord Prepare Me" or "As the Deer".  These are my favorite songs, so you and I often cuddle up together have some great worship time together in the rocking chair. 

Each morning we start again - with your bright white smile, fluffly blond hair, and tacklehugs. 

I'm so thankful that God placed you in our family - you bring out the best in each of us, and you have helped our family pursue God's will for our lives in a new way.  Thank you sweet boy!

Love,
Mama

Greenbriar 4th of July Parade

Waving to Neighbors

 

First Fireworks Show - CarmelFest

 

Go Kartin'

This is what happens EVERY TIME any of our friends come over to let their kids ride the go kart. 

when statisticians get bored

I'm familiar with the obscure stats that sometimes become a focal point during triple OT or 15 inning games.  However, this was on the front page of ESPN.com on a day there were much more interesting things to report...

"The Spurs are 46-0 in the playoffs when they are up by more than 20 points at the half in the Gregg Popovich era. They are also 15-3 in best-of-7 series when leading 2-1."

Ridiculous!!  =)

Don't be jealous..

This my dinner for the second night in a row.

When Chris finally gets here on Thursday, it may be the first time I go outside! How romantic!  =)

Backyard Campouts

The Schafferlings came over for dinner and swimming after Chris dropped me off at the airport. 

Then, they decided to camp out. 

Christopher was WAY too tired for that business, but Les offered to pitch her tent next to them in our backyard. (With a little help from our old friend Mr Leinenkugel.)

Looks idillic, right?

From what I hear, it started pouring at 2am and everyone was back inside, dry, and asleep by 3am.  :)

Sweet Curls and Baby Necks

Could the view BE any better than this?

I'm heading out for a 10 day business trip, and rather than sulk my way through the weekend we decided to do it up big.  :)

Yesterday we rose with Everett (5:30am is a cruel time of day), pulled out the tables and stickers, and joined the rest of Greenbriar for the annual neighborhood yard sale.  We called it a day at 3, then jumped right into the pool for some family splash time.  We capped it off with pizza (rare but delicious treat) and front yard play with the Schafferlings.

This morning Chris and I spent some extra time on the back porch enjoying our coffee. (Chris bought a French Press at IKEA last weekend and it is a game changer!)  About 7:30 I heard one of my favorite sounds.... Everett reaching through the slats in his crib to open the door and shout "Mama?... Mama!".  

I went to retrieve him and could see his beautiful pearly whites in a huge grin from the dark room.  He joined us on the back porch for some smiles and snuggles, and then began his morning chatter. I couldn't help but stop and capture the moment as best as I could. 

TDAY: Road Trippin!

June 7th, 2009

This is a clip from our roadtrip from Waco, Tx to Jekyll Island, GA.  It's a LONG drive, and the girls were excited to be approaching the island.

Classic!!

Christopher, a.k.a. the Everett-Wrangler

We knew this week would be a busy one, so we let Everett spend an extra day with Ms. Annettee last week so that Christopher wouldn’t have to choose between his volunteer work at IAT on Thursday and attending the CARB day events with this Cummins crew on Friday.  Saturday rolled around, and Everett and I spent a pretty beautiful morning outside on the back porch until 9am, when I was pulling weeds in the salsa garden and he snuck inside to tackle Chris in bed.  

All of that to say, I’m glad Christopher was able to “fill up” last weekend because he’s been chauffeuring/hosting/chasing Everett nonstop since Wednesday afternoon when Andrea arrived in Indianapolis.

He’s taken the majority of the “keep an eye on Everett” duty the last few days, and I’m so grateful.  It’s allowed me to be more present and intentional in my time with my sister, and it’s also been a relief to not try to turn and chase Everett on an ankle that’s still isn’t ready for the agility that a toddler requires.  When you consider that yesterday we went to Cincinnati for the first time and visited Jungle Jim’s, IKEA, the Purple People Bridge, and a bookstore… that’s a lot of Everett chasing! 

Thank you husband-of-mine and loving father of CaroPop and EverettBoy.

TDAY: My American Girl

May 27, 2012

I was 36 weeks pregnant, Christopher was in Uganda, and Caroline and I of were soaking up every moment of Mommy & Only Child time that we could.  Every morning was breakfast on the back porch and walkin to school, and every evening was story telling and falling asleep while reading together in bed with books strewn about and (usually) the lights still on. 

I had been planning a special trip to Chicago with Caroline, but hadn't shared the plan with her because I was starting to reach the uncomfortable part of the pregnancy and was also in my last week of feverish work to get everything ready for my 4 month absence from Lilly.

While driving that far was out of the question, a friend suggested taking the train or the MegaBus, and that turned out to be a fabulous option.  I bought two tickets on Friday, told Caroline at dinner that we were going on an adventure on Saturday, and we spent the whole evening getting ourselves properly excited for such a journey. 

Caroline was beside herself with excitement and anticipation.  She had been saving money from two summers of lemonade stands for her own American Doll.  I could see her little hands trembling as she pulled all of her money out of the piggy bank and started double-counting it to make sure she had enough. (She gets the catalogs, so she knew what an investment it would be...)

We woke Saturday morning, drove downtown to the stop, and climbed onto the shiny new bus at 6:30am.  It's a 3 hour trip, which put us arriving in Chicago at Union Station at 8:30am... just enough time to make our way to the American Girl doll store for a 9am opening.

Because I wasn't sure exactly where we were headed, Caroline got to follow her first bus trip with her first taxi ride!  She was so tickled, and couldn't stop laughing when we made our way to the waiting line and found our cab driver napping in the car.  She was a fit of giggles, and our driver was completely charmed!

 

We decided it might be nice to have brunch with one of their dolls, and that bought us a little more time to decide on a doll for Caroline.

Doll Shopping - I was actually a little concerned about this part because I didn't want Caroline to be indundated with all of the items she wouldn't be coming home with.  I only wanted her to be filled with joy and satisfaction that she had reached her goal and had would be going home with a precious doll to love and share her summer with. 

After much (MUCH) discussion on the merits of both the Kit doll and the personalized dolls, Caroline chose a doll with blue eyes and dark blond curly hair.  She didn't want the doll to be JUST like her... so she chose the doll with curls. :)

My sweet tender-hearted and classic-minded girl chose the name Opal for her doll, because Opal is Caroline's birthstone and because it's a name she doesn't hear very often.

First order of business... Show Opal around Chicago, starting with teh Lego store next door. =)

Touring the Windy City with Caroline and Opal



Michigan Avenue

Waterfront

I can barely breathe... much less smile! =)

Dipping her feet in the water at Millenium Park

I want to remember that ponytail and those little shoulders forever.

After walking from the American Girl store, down Michigan Avenue, past Millenium Park, and to the waterfront, I decided my tired feet weren't going to make it all the way back to Union Station.  So we walked back to the canal and found another "first" for Caroline... a Water Taxi!

 

Waving at the other boats

Back at Union Station, and enjoying a cool place to sit (!) while we waited for our bus.

I think this means the trip was a success!

The Indy 500

We moved here 4 years ago today, and this was our first time to the race!

My dad bought Christopher two tickets to the race for his birthday (awesome), and we were able to find someone to watch Caro and Everett all day on the holiday weekend (miraculous), so we were ready to see what all the Indy 500 excitement is about!

The track is inside the city, in an area without great traffic control/infrastructure, so parking can be torcherous.  Instead, we drove to Lilly, got the bikes out, and rode our bikes along the canal and 10th street all the way to the bike hub at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

The ride was only 6 miles, and it was so fun to ride straight to the front gate, park for free, and walk into the track!

 

We got to our seats just as the music began, and we were able to stand and cheer with the crowd as Jim Nabors sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" for the final time.

The Balloon Launch was pretty spectacular as well!

The race was SO exciting, and I couldn't believe how quickly the time passed. (Chris says this was kind of unusual... there wasn't even a yellow flag until Lap 150/200.) 

Our seats were between Turn 4 and the Start/Finish line, so we were in PERFECT position to see the nailbiter last 10 laps. 

I was screaming at the top of my lungs as there were 3 lead changes in the final 4 laps, with Ryan Hunter-Reay holding off Helio Castrovenes by SIX THOUSANDS of a second. 

As much as I loved riding the bikes TO the track, I loved it even more going home FROM the track as we breezed past thousands of cars waiting to get out. 

It was a beautiful, exciting, loud, perfect day to spend with my favorite racecar driver.