What we found at the Library: Dog Edition

Happy to again join this wonderful carnival hosted by Sara of This Heavenly Life

Looking for a new baby book, we found this darling book about how McDuff adjust to his owners welcoming a new stranger (a baby) into his house. A first it is not so good what with the morning comics going away and long walks in the woods, but soon those treats return and McDuff and the baby make friends. Add beautiful illustrations and you have a book we have been returning to night after night.

One of the couple of TV shows that Elisabeth watches is Kipper, so it has been great fun to enjoy Kipper in the written word, and this particular adventure is especially darling. When Kipper discovers a hole in his toy box he worries for the safety of his toys, and then one goes missing!! This book is also very likely to prompt an 'Again' response upon completion.

Please visit This Heavenly Life and enjoy other wonderful library finds

Ten on Tuesday: May 25th

1. What is your favorite piece of furniture in your house?

Our big cosy couch in our family room.

2. If it was raining so hard on a Saturday that you couldn’t leave your house, what would you spend the day doing?

Good book or old movie (until a certain someone woke-up from their nap).

3. What was your favorite candy as a child?

M&M's

4. Did you get an allowance? What was it based on? What did you do with it?

Didn't get an allowance.

5. Do you have a favorite Etsy store?

Me and Madeline wonderful hand knit hats and mittens

6. Do you prefer time with family or time with friends?

Both, each in their own time.

7. Looney Tunes, Tiny Toons, or Animaniacs?

I don't actually know anything about Animaniacs, so I will say Looney Tunes.

8. Best daytime talk show: Oprah, Ellen, The Doctors, Tyra (ha!), Dr. Oz, or Dr. Phil?

Oprah

9. Would you rather have the power of invisibility or the ability to fly?

The ability to fly.

10. Name 1 thing you love about being an adult.

I really can't think of a better answer than that of my friend Maureen; Dunkin Donuts at my discretion.

Please visit Roots and Rings to share your take on these questions.

Taking a moment to look back, and forward: 200th post

It is a quiet Saturday morning and by some minor miracle I'm awake before my daughter and so have seized on these few moments to be still; to look back for a moment and then forward. In the seven months since this post E. has added dozens of words to her vocabulary and entered fully into toddlerhood complete with favorite words like 'Mine' and 'No'. She has also begun to learn to ride a tricycle, dress herself including not only taking off her shoes but also getting them back on (left and right shoe/foot pairing still in the works), and drink from a cup without a lid. Knows her colors, many shapes and about a dozen letters.

We have also learned that a new baby is coming, the school where I have been teaching for the past fours years closed, and a new niece joined our extended family.

These seven months also include the day to day living and growing that happens as I continued to learn to be a better wife, mother, friend, child of God and citizen of the world. I have read, enjoyed and learned so much from others wonderful blog posts; enjoyed pictures, thrilled as new babies came, and cried as challenges were faced and written about.

Given the pace I post, almost certainly the next 100 post will include summer vacation, the birth of Cashew, Advent & Christmas seasons, as well as the challenges and joys each day brings. Care to come along?

Quick Takes Vol. #52

1. Graduation is tonight and I am so excited to celebrate with the students. It is also very gratifying and reassuring, as I'm considering the idea that my vocation may be full-time at home for a while, to know that there are forty fine new nurses joining the ranks.
2. Playground find: In addition to our continued enjoyment of swings and slides; we have of late discovered a new pleasure at the playground: Monkey bars!!
3. The new assignment list of our archdiocese came out this week and both our pastor and chaplain will be moving on to new posting. Praying that they find happiness and fulfillment in their new assignments and that those coming to our church home will guide and teach us well.
4. Returned to scrap-booking this week with the hope of catching up as well as I can; before there is a new little person to scrapbook about!
5. Another new game gaining in popularity in our home is: Follow the leader, with my favorite toddler as the leader!
6. Dressing my favorite toddler in the morning has become a little more difficult as she now has opinions! Mostly about color, but I know it is only the beginning.
7. Plans for the weekend: Sneaking in as much yard-work as possible before the rain, and then a belated birthday dinner.

Have a good weekend and don't forget to head over to Conversion Diary to enjoy other Quick Takes!

Small Successes: May 20th

Goofy mood today, please excuse (or enjoy):

1. Had the family room and downstairs hall carpet cleaned (as in made the appt. and paid)!
2. Got a year older!
3. My feet are now sandal ready (thanks to the very nice pedicurist)!

Giving thanks this Thursday for:

Sun after the rain

Nice clean carpets

Another year to celebrate and learn about God's great love

A marriage full of love and laughter

A happy, sweet toddler

Squirms and kicks from within

Please visit Faith and Family Live to celebrate your own successes, small and otherwise

Butterfly Moments

The past several weeks have been crazy busy with my semester winding down and C. having two intense weeks of in-patient service which had him gone from dawn till well after bedtime but even in this craziness there were lovely moments of watching Elisabeth grow and change, fleeting sweet moments like catching a glimpse of a butterfly amidst the flowers.

• trying and trying to do a front roll till she mastered the skill
• asserting her independence and peeling the hard boil egg herself
• with great energy and perfect diction wishing her daddy 'Happy Birthday!'

Basking in the lovely light as she speaks sweet phrases and moves from one activity to another encouraging me to "Follow me, Mommy ~Keep up!"

Quick Takes Vol #51

1. This week ended my semester at school (graduation is the 21st) which normally would mean the summer off, with the option of picking up Per Diem shifts if I wanted. But this year the school is closing and with the new baby due in September I'm not sure when to start a new job search.
2. Please pray~as I pray for discernment of when and if God is calling me to work outside the home.
3. This marked a second week of very long hours for C., and I continue to be impressed with how well Elisabeth is handling the separation. 'Daddy' tries hard to call at bedtime and they have a sweet conversation and then she goes to sleep without much of a fuss. She asks for him every morning; but if I say he's left for work, she snuggles in for another hug and then goes on with her day.
4. Part of the fun of May every year is celebrating Charlie's and my birthday which are a day apart. Over the years we have largely perfected making the individual birthday special but still having great fun celebrating together.
5. Current favorite toddler phrases: "Let's dance!!", and "Come on Mommy, keep up!"
6. Midwife appointment earlier this week for Cashew, and all is well. Yay!!
7. Plans for the weekend, catch up time with 'Daddy' (after we let him sleep in) and birthday fun!

My thanks again and always to Jen of Conversion Diary for hosting this meme.

Ten on Tuesday: May 11th

1. What was your high school superlative (if you didn’t have one- what would it have been)?

Probably it would have been "Nice Nerd"

2. What sports did you play in high school?

Gymnastics

3. What was the best part about your wedding (if you’re not married yet, what are you looking forward to)?

Meeting my 'husband' at the end of the aisle or serving communion to our friends and family

4. It’s your last meal– what Appetizer, Soup, Salad, Entree and Dessert would you choose?

Brie & crackers, Salad with feta, cranberries, and walnuts, Moule frites, and White chocolate mousse in a dark chocolate box.

5. What song is your guilty pleasure?

Singing in the car is my guilty pleasure because I can't carry a tune and love to sing.

6. What is your favorite professional sports team, and why do you like them?

Red Sox, I grew up rooting for them and watching them win the World Series the same year my dad passed away was so bittersweet.

7. What is your favorite reality show and why do you like it?

Top Chef, interestingly because cooking totally intimidates me and love to watch people create amazing food.

8. How would you classify your home decorating style (modern, classic, french country)?

Early American crossed with cosy comfort.

9. Pizza- deep dish or thin crust? White sauce or red sauce? What toppings?

White pizza with fresh tomatoes and broccoli

10. Favorite weekend getaway within a two hour driving radius?

Beach!!

Please head over to Roots and Rings and enjoy others take of these fun questions

Quick Takes Vol #50

1. Happy Nurse's Day (only a day late)!! As the school year draws to a close and the students start talking about jobs they have applied for, nervousness about taking the boards, and general relief and happiness at finishing their nursing studies; I give thanks for all the wonderful people who are joining the profession and the small role I got to play in their preparation.
2. This has been a week of long hours for C. and while E. has definitely missed him at bedtime, it has been very sweet and a little amazing listening to their phone conversations. I usually have to provide some translation but increasingly she does a good job describing her day.
3. Have received another email from my brother who was on the North Carolina/Tennessee line and about to enter the Smokey Mountains. Wonder where I will hear from him next?
4. Made myself a tomato & mozzarella salad yesterday and watched most of it disappear into my toddler's mouth and resisted mightily the urge to shout "my salad"!
5. Will hopefully finish the devotional I chose for Lent this week. Ideal goal: finish during lent. Realistic goal: finish before Pentacost.
6. Cashew's kicks have in the last week gotten strong enough to be felt from the outside, so much fun to be able to share another part of the baby's progress with C.
7. Happy Mother's Day to all of you who do the wonderful work of nurturing and loving the children in your life; be they your children, grandchildren, god-children or young friends.

For more wonderful takes on the week please visit Conversion Diary.

Wordless Wednesday:Baby Bump@ 21 wks

Ten on Tuesday: May 4th

1. Do you prefer markers, crayons, or colored pencils?

Crayons!

2. As a child, how did your parents celebrate your birthday? (Parties, cake, you pick the dinner, etc.)

Parties with friends and a cake when little, then when I was older dinner at a local dinner theatre with my parents and 1-2 friends.

3. How do you feel about leggings?

Not for me, kinda cute on little kids.

4. How do you prefer to follow directions? With a map? Words?

Both ideally, if I have to choose words

5. What do you eat for snack?

cheese & crackers, sliced fruit, chips

6. Have you ever ordered anything from an infomercial or bought any As Seen on TV products?

Aqua-bulb

7. What’s your favorite thing about summer?

Warm sunshine (eating and relaxing outside a really close second).

8. Do you have a tattoo? What and where is it?

No

9. Are you good at journaling?

I enjoy it, but am not as diligent as I would like.

10. What’s your favorite way to eat a hamburger?

With fresh lettuce and tomatoes

Please visit Roots and Rings to enjoy others take on these questions.

Saturday Evening Post Vol: 3

Today, to celebrate the first Saturday of the month, Elizabeth Esther'shosting her blog carnival, inviting us all to link up with our favorite post from the previous month. This month I am choosing Promotion, because I had great fun announcing the coming of our second child and it was (I feel) the most significant post of the past month.

So please take time this Saturday to check out all the best blog posts today at Elizabeth Esther's place! And Happy May!!