Zoey

September 28, 2008
We are driving home from church, when I realize what day it is...
"Ahh, (I think out loud) September 28th... Do you remember what happened six years ago, Ross?" He just smiles; Zoey perks up because she knows it is about her. I just continue with my thoughts aloud...

"We were overdue for a Zoey, so the doctor told us to call and see if we could come in and have a baby that day! She said to come on in, so we packed up our stuff and excitedly headed off to the hospital!! Today is the day! Today is the day we get to finally meet our Zoey! I remember being so excited, thinking about lots of little things like, finally seeing her face and holding her in my arms and even about her birthday and that today hers would be 9/28 which is neat because mine is 8/29! But Zoey even before she was born, was showing us who was in charge!! She wasn't coming out on September 28... "

Zoey adds from the backseat, "That's right... the Bubba (as she refers to herself) wanted to pick her own birthday and she wanted September 29th!"
Ross and smile. "Yes, Zoey... you picked the day you were born!" We often tell her that, because she didn't want to come when we wanted, but when she wanted. This pleases her, of course.

She is so excited about her last day of being five years old. Ross tells her, "At midnight, you are a big six year old!!" She grins with pride. She has been waiting a long time, probably just shy of a year...

Later that night as we put her to bed, she excitedly tells me that if she wakes up in the middle of the night, she is six!! I smile as I head out of her room, and sigh a little too.

"Ross, how do we have a six year old already?" He just laughs. He's heard it before... my bittersweet thoughts of kids growing up...I am amazed how the days go by slow, but the years... they seem to fly by. I look in the mirror, scrunch up my face and see the image staring back at me, six years older for this girl, too...

September 29, 2008
Max wakes up early. He was having weird dreams, and talking about all kinds of things in his sleep. It is actually a blessing to get up a little earlier today.
Ross heads out to get Zoey her favorite bagel for breakfast. Cinnamon Crunch please, sliced and toasted, with raspberry cream cheese and an apple juice!

I go in to wake Zoey up, "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Zoey, (Max jumps up and joins in) Happy Birthday to you!!" It is still dark, so she peeks out of the blanket with a tired smile, "Is it day? Is it day, already?"
"It is" I tell her, "a very special day!!"
"Yay! My birthday!! I am SIX."
Max adds, "and I am five!"

On her drive to school she is so excited... You can always tell because she talks way more than usual about everything she sees. A good day is planned. Special snacks for school, and dinner out at the Cheesecake Factory (her choice), and home for cake and presents!! She had a party on Saturday, so this day is just for her and for us!! To celebrate our sweet girl, who came into the world when she wanted to, and has been making her own way ever since. We love you so, our sweet Zoey. And although it is a little sad to say goodbye to the baby, the toddler, the little one you once were; there is a sweetness to meeting the young girl that you are now and that you are becoming! We love you and God Bless you always.

September 2002 - Age 1 day

September 2003 - Age 1

September 2004 - Age 2

September 2005 - Age 3

September 2006 - Age 4

September 2007 - Age 5

September 29, 2008 - Age 6

My Rekindled Love of Modern Conveniences

So I haven't been super busy or anything like that... I have just been without POWER for 11 days!! All due to Hurricane Ike. What? I know, you must be thinking to yourself... I know they moved... but I didn't think it was to Texas... Well, you would be right. You aren't losing it (that would just be me, after 11 days without power), we aren't in Texas. We are in FREAKIN' OHIO, people. That's right... We live here...



Do you see the arrow? And can you see how far away from Texas we live!!! We are practically landlocked! I will zoom in...



We live near the star. So unless a hurricane is coming through Lake Erie, we aren't even near the water!! People tell me this never happens, and this is the worst they have ever seen, but I am not buying it. I suppose I needed a good lesson in patience or something. About 300,000 people went without power. We were the last group to get it back. And actually, I am done being angry (really, I am). I was even mindful of those in Texas who have lost so much more (however, they were told to evacuate and live in a hurricane location, in the first place, but that is a whole other can of worms). But when I got back on-line, I went to find out about a friend in Houston... They lost power of course, even had water inside their house, and yet got power back way before we did!!

So anyway, we have had an interesting 11 days. Just wanted to get back with you to let you know we hadn't dropped off the planet! We are here, chugging along. The good thing is that we actually had pretty awesome weather the whole time, so that made things more bearable!
I will write more later, after a long, hot shower, and cold drink!

The Countdown

Zoey has been waiting patiently (most of the time)through everybody else's birthday, so that finally, finally she can say that she has the next one!! It isn't fair that mine is one month ahead of hers, so she only gets to be the next birthday for a month, but that's life right? Anyway, here we are... on a countdown to the big day!

Soccer- The Next Generation

I happened to come across this photo because we are unpacking and going through stuff...



That's me!! It reminded me of this picture I took of her the other day. Zoey started playing soccer recently and this is her first game.


Can you see a resemblance?? I didn't think I was too far behind the power curve when signing Zoey up at age almost 6, but it seems she was the only who had never played... So it has been frustrating. But she improves daily. I hope she keeps it up and enjoys it... I think she has great potential to be awesome!! We'll see though. Anyway, here she is at the end of the game. All smiles after the snack... Max is busy eating some of the post game snack.

Kids... Funny Conversations

Subtitle I: How Can We Help You, Sir Max?

Max (while sitting at the table eating): Help me! Help me, Daddy! Daddy, Can you help me?

Ross: What do you need, buddy?

Max: Can you pick up my spoon and put my macaroni and cheese in my mouth!

Subtitle II: Lawyer Zoey

I guess Ross got in trouble when he was younger for spitting in the house and his Dad told him that if he did it again, he would have to pick it up and put it in his pocket. Well, he was horrified of the thought (and clearly remembers the comment) because he has been waiting to use it!! So he got his chance the other day... Zoey spit in the house and he quickly made the comment. She got upset that he even suggested it, but that was kind of the end of that... Well, yesterday we were walking and she was doing something with spit, when Ross reminded her that she would have to pick it up and put it in her pocket. She replied, "Well, that is actually really hard to do. It is water and you can't pick it up very well. And I don't even have any pockets." (So take that, Daddy) Yes, I giggled... I must admit, but also said my continuous prayer... if Zoey is this argumentative as a six year old, what will she be like later? Lord, help me...

* I have to add, it doesn't help that Zoey's teacher tells them to put a bubble in their mouth when walking down the hall... to keep them quiet, so basically she is just practicing her bubble making at home... Nice!

Question of the Day - With a Korean Twist

What is this? Do you remember those close-up photos of everyday objects where you had to guess what it was?


Could you figure it out? I tried to make it easy on you... I didn't zoom too much!! But, for those of you who may need a little help...let's zoom out...

*bonus points if you can figure out which roll I zoomed in on!!

Ahh, yes... to most people it is sod!! Did you get it? Winners get a free subscription to my blog!! (if you didn't... well, I'll send the bill)

So, sod it is. We see a lot of it around here. Nothing too exciting I suppose! HOWEVER, to Zoey (and the food influence of her Korean Grandma) this is not sod... it is Kimchi Rolls of Grass!! I am not sure how she came up with it, but it is pretty funny. She loves when a house is getting their sod in and they line up all the kimchi rolls. She just cracks herself up with her own joke!! And I am not kidding when I say she gets her food likes from Grandma. The girl can eat some rice!! (with seaweed and soy sauce as the favorite additions) Her only rival is her cousin Rachel!! We joke that both Zoey and Rachel don't look like they have any Korean in them at all, except their food likes!!
Hee, hee! Thanks for playing:)

More Summer Flashback Photos

At Grandma Bette's Zoey did a lot of sewing. A Pillow, a purse, a doll, a blanket... She concentrated so hard...












So, while the girls sewed... the boys did some number crunching...

And here is Zoey and Grandparents on an open train ride in the mountains...




After Colorado, we headed east to our new home. With stops along the way at hotels for more swimming and even some miniature golf!! That actually turned out pretty well. Ross and I thought for sure we wouldn't make it through 18 holes, but they actually had a really good time. Now they want to play on the real golf course that we drive by every day!! It was a pretty successful journey, all things considered. And the kids did really well.

My little helper

I didn't think this day would ever come (I think that is a common statement for me and parenting my very strong-willed kiddos), but Max is changing so much lately!! Our whole family schedule is actually working out pretty nicely where I get to spend the morning with Max alone, and then take him to school and still get a bit of free time to myself before I pick them both up!! Anyway, I had to run to the grocery store for a few things and had just Max with me. I rarely used to take him to stores because he just flat out refused to go in! But he saw Zoey push the little cart the other day, so he wanted to try this time. And he was great. We did have to go down EVERY SINGLE AISLE, and I had to tell him what was on the aisles, so my quick trip turned into an hour long adventure!! But he was hilarious as always with his comments and we both had a good time... We actually were getting some tiny cupcakes for a special treat and when we got to the register he was standing by the bagger as stuff came down, saying, "Is that my cupcakes? NO, that's bread. Is that my cupcakes? NO, that's milk..." So when the check out lady got to the cupcakes she said, "I bet these are your cupcakes!" And Max said, "YES, that's right! These are my cupcakes!" Here is my little helper:

Garden of the Gods

One day we drove down to Colorado Springs for an afternoon... Here are some pictures from the Garden of the Gods...

Ross and Zoey got up ahead of us

I LOVE this one... They have their tough faces on and Zoey is edging Max out of the picture!! It's like they are a fight team and this is their poster!!


AHH... WE CLIMB UP BIG ROCK. NOW WE SHOW MUSCLES...










oh, and do you remember Zoey's first day of school pose?

this is where it started!


When we were in Phoenix with Tina and Rachel... we were remembering how when I was little Tina (the very SWEET big sister) told me that I always needed to pose for a picture. So for YEARS, the only pictures of me are doing the pose Zoey is doing right there... If i had a picture, I would post it... maybe later!!

Here's Zoey still posing... she couldn't convince Max to join her!!

Tagged

My friend and fellow blogger Tracy tagged me, so here goes... ignore if you are like Ross and hate these;)

Ten Years Ago: I was student teaching in Garland, TX. I was living in free housing in a ghetto apartment complex! A crazy experience to say the least. The school was good, but we were afraid to go out after dark!! Me and two roommates who may have not paired up in other circumstances, but ended up having a very fun time, lived their for four LONG months.

My To-Do List Today:
1. It is late, so I am just going to bed!!

Snack that I enjoy: oh, man... I could go on and on with weird combos of snacks...
one of my funny cravings is water crackers with gorgonzola cheese, salami and white wine!! I'd also take brie cheese over a sweet dessert most days......but then again....

Things that I would do if I were a Millionaire:
1. buy a house by the beach... oh, that about uses up the money:)
2. surprise family members with new cars
3. take an awesome vacation!!
4. I would just love to have money to randomly help people out or give away. I would have a lot of fun doing anonymous things like leaving a huge tip for a waitress or buying something for a family in need.


Places I've Lived:
Kokomo, IN;
four or five different places in Germany;
Omaha, NE;
Northern Calif;
College Station, TX (whoop);
Dallas and Garland, TX;
Lancaster, CA;
Redondo Beach, CA;
Hanscom AFB, MA;
Torrance, CA;
OHIO:)
I think that covers most of it anyway!!

And that is all for the quick glimpse into me!! I tag Tricia:)

Denver Zoo

The day we went to the zoo was pretty hot, so I think the kids were more excited about the carousel and train than the animals! So that is what I have pictures of!! One thing that I thought was cute though... Zoey and her Grandma Bette had been sewing the day before, so when we went to take the picture Grandma Bette said, "Smile, say sewing machine!" And so Zoey said, "sewing machine!" and Max (must not have heard her right and thought she said "Zoey machine" smiled big to say, "Max Machine!"



I think this picture is interesting... the kids aren't looking, but it is the first one where no kids are being held!! Kind of shows how big and grown up they are getting.





And here is more of the train and the carousel...