Busy Summer

Well, I can't believe we are almost finished with August, kids are back in school, but the heat is still up around here. It has been a crazy busy, summer, more than I anticipated, but its been full of good memories and still time yet for more to be made.
I started a new job at the Y teaching swim lessons and also worked on getting re-certified for lifeguarding. April got married in June and Aaron got married in July. We went to Iowa for the 4th and , drove to Colorado for the June wedding, North Carolina for the July one. In one weekend I drove to Tulsa and then to Columbia. We had my parents drive through and stay the night as they moved to Tennessee and one week part of Spencer's family came for a visit. To top it all off we took a trip to Branson to spend a week with all of the Wicks clan. Phew! No wonder we haven't really met anyone in town!
I wish I could say the fall and winter was going to be slower, but it looks like between fishing, hunting, canning visits and the Holidays we will be gone once or twice a month. So, its a good thing we have a comfortable mini-van and I'm working that extra job for all the gas!
In the meantime, Spencer is enjoying his job and the promise of a good future with the business and the girls get more fun everyday. Payge and I have attempted potty-training a couple of times, but this week I think we will have success. I've only got some evening classes to teach so I thought I would enjoy a slow week and get'r done! I am praying through every moment and take comfort that millions have gone before me.
The girls and I found a closer park recently and had a blast feeding the ducks in the giant pond and watching Haydee climb up higher on the equipment every time she got a chance. She is such a little daredevil and thinks she can fly. Both girls have loved to swim this summer and I dread going because they also both believe they know how to swim. Last week we had some milder weather and we went to the Deanna Rose petting zoo again and even though I was sad to not have any friends or family to go with me, the girls and I had an awesome day together.
I am, as I do every year, looking very much towards fall and I think this year will be the best yet. With colors only the Midwest can offer and the joy of the heat and humidity gone, I know it will be good.

A Saturday Morning at the Park

There aren't many parks close by us, but daddy has been looking out for ones when he drives around the city for work. He's been excited about showing the girls this perfect one, only 15 mins away. We went as early as possible since the day was going to be really hot. We had a great time and enjoyed driving our new mini-van! We both always said we wouldn't ever get a van, but with all our traveling to Iowa, Colorado and now Tennessee it seemed like the best idea. We sold our Altima and paid cash for our sweet '95 Honda Odyssey. It really is the coolest one around!
Last summer, I would tell myself, when days were hard, that next summer will be so much fun with my girls; they'd both be walking and we could play at parks and so many other fun things. I'm so grateful that has become a reality. It really is becoming so much more fun and worth all the trouble of having them so close together. I know that they will always have each other to learn and live life together.

Summer haze

Well, summer in Kansas City has been waaayyy hotter than I ever dreamed. They say it doesn't usually get like this until July/August, but we've already hit triple digits not to mention the same in humidity. Ugh. Enough complaining, I am trying to work on my attitude and remain grateful for the a/c.
I've been a little neglectful on everything lately. The wedding in Colorado and then I came back full steam to a new job teaching swim lessons at the YMCA. I am enjoying it and now being off this week. I'm so grateful that the Lord opened this opportunity. It has forced me to take the girls swimming too and they have loved it. Payge is quite the swimmer, which would not be too much of a surprise since both mommy and daddy always loved the water. Its hard to get her out of the pool now and she's not too happy with me when we go to the Y and she doesn't get to go in. Haydee likes it too, but she's not been feeling very well. I think its two year old molars and believe me its been miserable both night and day. Praise the Lord those will be the last ones... just a little bit longer.
Payge showed great interest in potty training, but I have been unsuccessful in accomplishing much progress so far. My mom bought me a book that she read and used to potty train me, it worked in less than a day- go figure. After I finish reading it and try to find all the tools they recommend, I might try again. I really have been praying about it and so far the Lord has not blessed my efforts. So, I wait and see if she'll be ready to try again soon. Another right of passage in parenting. I can now talk knowingly about the battles of pt.
We haven't loaded many recent pictures, but this one of Haydee is too cute. This is what we call the "papau expression" her sister does it and so do two of her cousins. I see it a lot these days, she is getting more communicative. Especially, when we have time alone if she gets up before Payge, I try to enjoy those quieter moments and let her babble. I try to cuddle her too, but she won't sit still for anything these days. When she is half asleep I try to steal those sacred moments. Ahhh, they do grow up so quickly. Its hard to not wish the hard days away when they are so dang hard, but I am trying to savor the sweet things and remind myself it won't be like this forever.

Half the one and twice the other

I just realized yesterday that the Payge is exactly twice as old as Haydee and Haydee is exactly half as old as Payge! Of course this is because Payge was 14 months when Haydee was born. I still can't believe she was that little! No wonder I've been going nuts. It has been so hard and yet I wouldn't change it for anything. There is no sweeter joy than hearing them playing and laughing together even if its minutes before screams of anger over a toy. It will only getting better.

Haydee is all over the place these days. She won't sit still for a second, especially not for a picture. All the ones we took the other day were blurry, as you can tell. We've been working on her walking, taking long strolls in the backyard area to get some longer distances in. Both girls love being outside. Thankfully, we have a small deck that I can block off to keep them contained for a time, but otherwise not having a fence means they can go for miles.

Norbit, the next door dog is loved by both girls. Whenever they wake up or we come home Payge asks to see "da puppy?" . Thankfully, our landlord/neighbor thinks its great to have the girls go play with Norbit. I just don't appreciate the thick, dark dirt between their deck and ours; not to mention this all requires constant supervision. Oh well, I will certainly have a great farmers tan since the back deck will be my summer home.

The hat represents some of the KC's Royal's newest fans. Its convenient that they are doing quite well! : )

Home is where the heart is

My brief and crazy trip to Colorado was awesome. We partied and talked as much as we could in such a short time. The time also served purpose as "doggy boot camp" for my sisters puppy and one more opportunity to create flexible children. It is weird being a visitor in the house we used to live in. It has gone back and forth between owners and now it is in it's rightful hands. Even though I could remember the long hours of painting the walls and tired moments staring at the celling, it certainly wasn't our place anymore.
In between all the parties and prep I got a much needed hour or so with a dear friend too and was reminded that good friends can always pick up where you left off, even friendship can grow deeper as you realize what you have in them.
I love Colorado, the mountains, my family, 11 years of growing and great memories. In the back of my mind I was worried I would realize how much I missed it all and would feel miserable going back to Missouri.
The journey back to the airport was a crazy adventure and one event just led to another. The luggage got loaded in the car last minute, gas was needed to make it DIA and then a need to help a sweet spirit. Adam, a special needs friend has been a part of different areas of the Springs since I can remember. At church, Wal-mart, and at the local YMCA. As we were making our way out of town we noticed him walking around with a very bloody face. We immediately dialed 911 and swung around to make sure he was okay. He was confused and we did our best to help him. The firemen had no better luck calming him than us and my dad stayed to try to help until he ran off. Thankfully, as we were filling up the car we could see that the ambulance finally arrived and they were able to sedate him and get him the help he needed. After those delays we hit Denver traffic, but seemed to make it to DIA in time. After trying to say good-bye with as few of tears as possible, we got checked in and ready to head through security. Of course, I made a wrong turn and took the long way to the elevator, which is were I finally realized I left the DVD player in the car. Crap! By this point my parents were a ways away but, because I really needed it, they turned around. To kill time I changed diapers and tried to use the bathroom myself, but everyone else felt the need to use the handicap stalls which also can serve as stroller/mommy bathroom. Oh well. After we got the DVD player I still had 35 mins to get to our gate. One wrong line after the other, no help for a mom with two babies, testing the water in the sippy cup my daughter was drinking (I mean really!) running, sweating, pushing stroller, holding two year old, Terminal C gate 48 the LAST of the LAST! (no joke- see for yourself) I missed it, I missed the plane! I wanted to cry, no, actually, I did cry. I sobbed! In front of the poor airline worker. I know I did my best, I prayed all the way when I thought I might miss it, but nope. The plane had just pushed away and there was nothing they could do. As I stood there miserably, the airline worker took my tickets and said at 3:55 I could get tickets for the 5:55 flight. Ironic. 5:55 was the time I was supposed to be home.
Hmm, I was surprised when that's what I called it, but that is exactly what it has become. More so than ever, I just wanted to be home.
Well, we did it. I was nervous enough about dealing with a one and two year old on an airplane, but we handled the 3 hour additional wait and the flight that took us well into bedtime danger zone. It was as smooth as it could be, certainly moments that tested my patience and opportunities to mold my daughters' wills.
There was nothing like the moment of walking into my husband's arms knowing we had survived it all.
In my time away and through the trials to get back, I realized that I had learned the meaning of "home is where the heart is." I will be okay here, more than okay. I have my husband and my girls. We have a full life and it is a blessing to make memories and adventures in a new place.

Easter

Here are a couple pictures from our Easter in Iowa this past weekend.

Carousels, Freeways, and $8 well spent

Well, I conquered the 435 today. It wasn't that confusing, not like the 35 or whatever freeway I was supposed to take the other day. Anyway, I made it to JC Penny and the Overland Park Mall on the Kansas side. It was the first mall I've been to here and it was really nice. The photo shoot for Haydee's one year pictures (i know, i am 6 weeks late) went without too much drama. As usual, the photographer was slow on the trigger, but I have come to expect that. Then came time to choose the photos. The girls had been really great at this point and I had been daring and only brought the umbroller this time for Haydee, not the double stroller. Payge has been enjoying being tall enough to push the stroller and since it would only be in and out for pictures....
Well, there was one malfunction after another, first time parents with a one week old, and everyone on their lunch break picking up their pictures of precious ones. So, needless to say we were getting the push off and the girls had already gone through the animal cracker stash I had brought with me. It was supposed to be a quick trip, right?
So, we took a walk. Surely after 15 mins I could hop on a computer and make my photo selection, right? Well, that didn't seem to be long enough, so we decide to find the food court. On the way, there was the sound of a carousel. Little did I know what an impression the one time I had let Payge ride on one at the mall in Columbia last summer had made on her. I guess there was one time at the zoo, then a small one at Lil' Biggs. Anyway, she was thrilled and yelled, "eio, eio!" (this is her word for horse). So, I gave in a put out $4 for us to ride on the carousel, of course after we had to search for the elevator to take us down stairs. I was not going to risk a flimsy stroller and an excited 2 year old down the escalator. It was worth it. Payge chose her "eio" and there was a giant rabbit for Haydee to ride on next to her. I managed to pick them both up, place Payge on her's and then safely put Haydee on the rabbit. Somehow, I got both their seat belts on and away we went. What joy!! It is a memory I will have for a long time. For us right now, that $4 grocery money is precious, but it couldn't have been spent a better way. I was so proud of Payge, she of course wanted to go again, but from the beginning I warned her there would only be one ride. Obediently, we went on to find food- I think she was hungry enough to be ok about saying goodbye to the "eio". Thankfully, there was a Sonic and the trusty $1 menu, which even had a fresh banana choice! Again, $4, but I had three very happy girls who really were ready for lunch. Now, you must understand. I have never taken the girls alone to go eat somewhere. I know it sounds ridiculous, but you don't just take my girls anywhere, alone. Both are always trying to get out of their chairs at home, you can imagine the scene I have been fearful of in public. We did it though, very calmly and without calamity. We each got a burger and shared the banana three ways. Haydee would twist and turn in her seat and laugh at her precarious positions. It was funny really, she is so tiny, those things don't hold her in at all. Payge even got a mint afterwards and was quite thrilled with it all. So, was I!! I sat there smiling to myself, thinking of what I had accomplished. No longer do I have to be afraid to take them out by myself. It was fun!
So, finally it was time to see if the portrait studio was ready for us to pick out the pictures. We made it back, though Payge had to be carried back. Of course, I liked too many pictures and spent too much. Thank the Lord for coupons. Even more to my surprise I managed to find the right parking lot where our car was (thank goodness, Payge is closing in on 30 lbs you know!). You see, as a young kid whenever I went to a mall with my grandma she would get lost and we'd spend what seemed like hours trying to figure out where she had parked. So, I have this phobia whenever I go to a new big, confusing mall. You can understand, right?
We did it. Photos, lunch, "eio's", and the freeways. As a bonus the girls went right down for a nap when we got home. Its a sweet life.