Our Big Girl

Our lil Miss Pinky has had 3 pretty big milestones in the last month, all emphasizing what a big girl she is growing up to be.

1)  She spent a couple of nights at the farm WITHOUT MOM!  Knowing we would be following behind a couple of days later, Pinky went to the farm and spent a couple of days with Grandma and Grandpa.  I cried as they were pulling out of the driveway and Pinky waved, grinning from ear to ear.  And, like it or not, she was just fine without me, which is a very odd feeling.  Each morning she asked her grandma:  "Is today the day my baby is coming?"  She was certainly glad to see us when we arrived, but everyone reported that she was well-behaved and ready for adventure. 

Packed and ready to go.

Gardening with Grandma.  Holding furry caterpillars.  



Morning chores with Grandpa

 

 

2)  She Started Pre-School.  2 mornings a week, for 3 hours, she is back with her friends at school.  She couldn't have been more excited to see all of her friends she has missed over the summer.  Although she has had many imaginary play-dates with these friends over the last few months, being back together again was very exciting for her.  The first day they celebrated a birthday, so she came home full of  smiles and chocolate cupcake crumbs!  So far she has told us that she has learned about the calendar.  They also have sharing, snack, crafts, gym, and some play time.  I want to go to preschool!!! 

Happy Girl!

She found her name.

Auntie B and I took her out for lunch after her first day.
She could choose between Mexican Village and Dairy Queen. 
She chose Mexican Village where she ordered a hotdog and milk.  Silly girl! 

 

3)  Finally, today, she had her first day of SUNDAY SCHOOL!  A little confusing since it is in her daycare room from last year.  There are different kids, a different teacher, and different activities.  She was a little nervous,  but I only stayed through half of it, then I snuck away to "help" her sister.  When I returned to pick her up, she was as happy as could be.  One of her friends from school was in her class and the two of them were coloring and laughing together.

 

LOVE HER!!!!



Grandparents Day

Today is National Grandparents Day. 

I sometimes send cards . . . that didn't happen this year.  (Sorry!) 

And we're hundreds of miles away from grandparents on this day, so we won't be delivering hugs and kisses.  (Sorry for that too!)

But we have had a busy summer that has included lots of visits with the girls' grandparents and great grandmas! 

Here are some of our favorite pics:

That's a lot of grandma lovin! 

With Grandma and Great Grandma

 

Cousins with Grandma and Grandpa at Thumper Pond.

Pinky reading with Grandpa GB.

Sharing smiles. 

Great Grandma M. 

Reading with Grandpa Dennis.  (Not his favorite book!)

Snuggles

Napping

Happy Grandparents Day!  Thanks for all of the love you share with our girls!  They may not see you as often as we'd like, but that makes the time together that much more special! 

We love you! 

Mission

I did something this week that is completely and totally exciting.  I called a travel agent and booked a ticket to Ethiopia.  That's right!  My mom, sister and I are going on a mission trip to Ethiopia this winter.  My mom and sister have been planning on going for months.  I didn't even consider it until my husband and I were talking one night . . . I couldn't believe it when he was telling me he thought we could work it out.  (LOVE HIM!)

I can't quite wrap my head around it.  I haven't been on a mission trip since college and have been longing for another opportunity, never dreaming it would be this!!!

My thoughts range from "what was I thinking?" to "I can't believe I am going to AFRICA!"  to "I can't believe I am going to Africa with my MOM and SISTER!" 

According to my sister, our time will be spent: holding babies, playing with kids, ministering to widows and single moms, and showing the love of Jesus in Ethiopia! 

While there, we will visit:

Several orphanages and street children's shelter http://www.duttonfoundation.org/

Awake and Alive Kindergarten Center http://www.noordinarylove.org/

Project Tesfa training program http://www.projecttesfa.org/

 

What an amazing opportunity!!!!! 

You know me, before I even made the call to book the ticket I started worrying:

• How can I be away from my family for that long?
• Who's going to take care of my babies when I am gone?
• Is my heart strong enough to see the things we are going to see?
• How am I going to leave Ethiopia without wanting to bring all of those babies home with me?
• How much can I collect to bring with me?
• What can I do in 7 days, so that when I am gone, it will matter that I was there?   
• Am I being selfish for wanting to go on this mission?  Will it be a blessing and not a burden for my family?

That's just the tip of the iceberg!  Because if you know me at all, you know I am already worried about packing! 

This is a big deal.  I'm excited and scared and nervous and anxious and can become totally overwhelmed if I let myself.  But most of all, I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity.  And so blessed to be going on this journey with my mom and sister. 

Purple T-Shirts

 

Last Friday night, the girls and I had the honor to attend the Relay for Life with my mom's Relay team, the 23 Hooters.  It was our 4th year in a row cheering these ladies on.  A high-light of our summer.

 

If you have never been to one of these events, they are really quite amazing.  Hundreds of people gather to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  The teams compete to see who raises the most money by the end of the night, selling a variety of food and crafts.  (Our favorite this year was the caramel corn!)  The teams also raise money throughout the year through different fund raisers and sell luminaries, decorated with the names of people who have fought, or are fighting cancer. 

Pinky helped me decorate some special luminaries this year. 
Each one has a candle inside to be lit later in the evening. 

 

Many of the teams that participate have special t-shirts made that represent their team.  They also get t-shirts for participating.  These shirts are typically white.  This year, the team captains got green t-shirts. Then, there are the purple shirts.  Everyone knows the purple shirt.  It is the shirt that everyone admires.  

 

Purple = Survivor

 

 





My mom and our dear friend, Jean!  Joined in sisterhood by the purple shirt.

 

After the opening ceremonies, the purple shirts gather on the track for the opening lap of the Relay.  This lap is called the survivor lap.  Survivors (and their caregivers) form a sea of purple walking around the track.  It is breathtaking.  It is heartwarming.  It is humbling.  Because we all know that next year, anyone of us could be wearing a purple shirt and walking in that lap.  And as we clap and cheer for these brave, beautiful people wearing their purple shirts . . . we also hope that we are never part of their elite group.  

 

 

 

The Survivor Lap

4th Survivor Lap

Not sure how many laps she has walked . . .
but if my math is right, this could be her 16th or 17th.



First survivor lap



Final stretch of the survivor lap. 
There's no kind of about it:  It's a BIG deal!

Time to join up with their team for the rest of the evening.....

The 23 Hooters in their new John Deere sweatshirts! 

Friends, Teammates and Survivors! 
3 of my favorite ladies! 

The rain kind of put a damper on things, but we still took a lap around the track!!!

Rosie's first Relay was a little wet.  Fortunately, there were lots of
"Hooters" happy to snuggle with her under the tent!

We're here because they're here! 
Our moms are amazing, strong, and faithful! 
I hope they each have a closet jam-packed FULL of purple t-shirts one day!

Snuggle and Snooze

While big sister was out seeking adventure on the farm, Miss Rosie Girl was having a much more relaxing trip to the farm.  Her first of many!  One day, I picture her chasing after her big sister, shouting "wait for me"!  But for now, she was found snuggling and snoozing!  (And finding someone to snuggle with was NOT difficult!)

 

Bright eyed girls! 

Great Grandma - Couldn't get enough of Rosie!
 

Shirt couldn't say it better! 

A little adventure of her own!

Farm girl to be???

zzzzzz

Dressed in pink

Showing a little "quack"!

1 month old! 

She met lots of friends and family while at the farm!  What a blessing to have so many people to love and hug our girls! 

Thanks for the memories!  We'll be back soon! 

Farm Girl

 

We just got back from spending some time on the farm.  It's a summer high-light for Pinky.  Of course, we think every season is fun on the farm!  Pinky loves playing outside, chasing the dogs, and spending time with Grandpa on whatever adventure she can convince him to take her on.  (This is not hard, by the way!)  I think she is a little farm girl at heart.  

 

 

 

"Hey, Mom, I think I am big enough to drive this one!"

Grandpa's helper - Hauling the cows out to the pasture.
"Giddy-up partner, yets go!"

First (of many) "gator" ride! 

Tractor ride too! 

And the lawn mower!  (Grandpa didn't get to have all of the fun!)

 All that farm work is exhausting! 
Good thing she had her "cozy corner"!

What could be better - donuts for breakfast!
Of course the bowl of chocolate chips Grandma
provides at snack time are pretty tasty too!

Lucy is getting so big! 

Play date! 

"Shoo, cows!  Go on!"  (A natural cattle hand!)

Can't beat this view on a Friday night!

Followed by some s'mores fire-side with friends!

My big girl! 

One more ride on our list evening - beautiful night on the water!