Talking, talking

They both have attitude and talk at me now. Skunk has gone from no words to talking in about 2 weeks. Mama, Da, Hannah, NO, more, ice. There are more but I can't remember them right now. She is a little less frustrated but today and yesterday have been tough. The neighbors sprayed their yard yesterday and we have struggled... all three of us. We did go to park day yesterday and had a lovely time. Skunk climbed several ladders and went down a couple of the slides by herself with me at the bottom to encourage her. She also loves to swing but no surprise there.

Bear is getting big. She was feeling left out at the park as several of the girls had known each other for a long time. I pointed out someone else that was newer to the group and she and Bear played nicely. We stayed until it was time to get home and get showered.

We are still looking for dirt for our hopeful home. I just keep praying that someday God will provide the right place. We have looked at several larger lots and a couple of acreage places and none are right. Makes me want to settle for something less than right just to move. But thankfully Computer Man is more rationale than I am. =)

Rained today

We haven't had nearly enough rain this year. It should be raining every week as spring is our "rainy season" and we probably haven't had 1 inch of rain yet. We were supposed to have rain yesterday, last night and today. And, yep, it didn't rain until this afternoon and then rained for about 2 hours. Don't get me wrong - I am so thankful for what we got. But we are so far behind.

Skunk is getting even bigger and is starting to talk a bit. She does say mama and babbles quite a bit. She is saying something - we just don't know what it is. *grins* She gets very frustrated with not being able to make herself understood. Bear never really had that much trouble expressing herself. Ha ha!

Tomorrow is the play day/planning day for co-op. Bear is so excited. We are going out to breakfast - breakfast tacos in a restaurant. She has eaten tacos on the go but we have never gone in, sat down and eaten in a restaurant with her. She is so ready for breakfast out and play day. I am amazed at how well she is doing. Computer Man and I are planning to take her out to dinner to celebrate her birthday this year. I am totally amazed that she is doing well enough to go out to eat and hopefully enjoy it. We are planning to go to North by Northwest and have an early dinner so the place isn't packed with perfume-y peeps. My girl is growing up... *sniff*

I haven't talked much about knitting on here but I have fallen in love with a new colorway, at least for now. Camilla - created and dyed by Family Roots. I have picked up several skeins of it in dk and worsted superwash and some that is on light worsted plain wool. I can't wait to get it and get it washed to work on some tops for the girls. I will add a picture in when it arrives. I am going to make some sleeveless tops for the girls. I am finishing a Christmas gift for this year and then I need to figure out what will be my next main project. I love knitting!

Life Happenings

I was reminded today that I have been very lazy about blogging. It is hard to find time that Bear isn't on the computer or Skunk isn't irritated with me. And sometimes organizing my thoughts and putting them down is difficult or makes me sad.

The weather is pretty and sometimes down right warm. We have had several days up in the 90's already. Tomorrow my mom and dad are coming for a visit for the day and bringing Uncle Don. Bear is so excited about visiting and playing soccer. Skunk has no idea what is coming. =)

Both girls are getting so big. Bear has basically outgrown her 5 point restraint seat and I have a booster on order for her. Skunk is still just under the rear facing limit (I think) but will have to be turned around pretty soon. She is starting to try to say a few things but mostly motions and screeches. I am somewhat thankful as Bear has not stopped talking since she was about 10 months old!

We have recently worked through division (Bear and I) and there has been great wailing and gnashing of teeth over trying to figure out long division. She gets so impatient and upset when she doesn't understand right away. Ah, well, just like her daddy.

I have started working at a little urgent care clinic and am picking up 2-3 extra shifts a month. We are looking for dirt but just can't seem to find the right place. I am praying for patience and endurance for me and wisdom and discernment for Computer Man. I am so impatient and he is such a drag bottom that he balances me out. Just has to be patient enough to wait for me to come around to his way of thinking. ;)

Those are the basics for now... maybe I can try and keep up for a while here on the blog.

March 2011

Spring is going better than I had hoped. We started SAMe for the girls and Skunk is doing so much better than I could have ever dreamed. She is still sleeping and eating. This time last year she was hardly eating and sleep was a precious commodity. She is not "normal" but at least she isn't starving or totally sleep deprived. I had just resigned myself to the fact that she would drop her afternoon nap and be chronically irritable and difficult like her sister was. She is still napping and is doing decently. She still doesn't tolerate baked stuff well but she does love chippies (without oil) and sometimes even cookies. The pecans haven't bloomed yet so the big test is yet to come. But at least we are surviving thus far.

Bear is getting so big. She was so sweet this afternoon while we took a short trip to drive a favorite road looking at property. Skunk was distressed at having to be in her car seat and restrained. Bear held her hand and sang to her. They are always good for each other but it was so precious to hear singing and the toddler go from fussing to calm and asleep.

The property search continues. I had found a place that I wanted to contact the owner to see if they would sell and it looks less than perfect in real life. Maybe they would want to sell since it just sits there. But there were several other properties along the road that appeared more conducive to building a house - at least from Computer Man's comments. I just want out of here and into something better for our girls. It makes me so sad that they can't come in our room and are basically limited to the living room and kitchen. But they have everything that they need. That is what I pray most for them... their needs, not my wants.

Hurricanes

I know it sounds like a strange title. I was listening to KLOVE tonight putting Skunk to bed. Casting Crowns came on singing "I will praise you in this storm" and I started crying. I have not had much tribulation in my life until my girls came along. Each one has been a "storm" in my life that has brought the rain and tossed me around. God has used them to teach me things I never could have learned any other way. So, tonight I listed to this song and now I read over the lyrics and cry.

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you" and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you" and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Still Here

I haven't posted in a while. Life just is drifting on. Skunk still struggles daily, Bear still puts up with a crying, shrieking sister and a sad, tired mom. The weather is pretty but we are stuck inside much of the time. Life seems to conspire to cause my babies difficulty and I pray for the endurance to last through the fallout. Posting it here just seems to reinforce the overwhelming nature of what I live with daily. So, I usually don't want to process it and write it down.

School is going better with time4learning.com and Bear. At least we are not strictly unschooling and she is not stagnating. Bear actually likes that the computer "grades" her work and someone else explains it to her besides me. So that is a positive. She is growing and is so long legged it is crazy. I can't believe that she is eight and so big. And then she does irresponsible stuff and I just want to cry. Such is life.

Skunk is getting big too. I don't know how big 'cause we haven't weighed in a while. But her size 80 pj's are fitting right now and will be too small before winter is half over. I am so thankful for her but I do remain flat on my face in prayer parts of every day. Guess that is the purpose though... She is starting to use a spoon a little decently and it is nice that she feeds herself ice chips like her big sister.

Beautiful

My girls are beautiful...


and so is the weather this week. Fall has finally come and we have been going outside some. But Skunk has not been sleeping either. So we stayed inside yesterday and she slept much better last night. I am so, so sad that Skunk reacts just like Bear used to do with going outside. This allergy and sensitivity stuff just stinks so much.