Saturday, June 18, 2011

Father's Day

God has given me four of the greatest men to call fathers, and an amazing husband who is a fantastic Dada.

I am thankful that even though Grandpa Spinolo left us all too soon, one day, we will get to catch up on all the time we didn't get to spend together. He was a hardworking man who raised one of the greatest men I know and I am thankful for the memories of him that I have.

I am thankful for the rare blessing of having a grandfather who is healthy and nearby. If it is broke, he can fix it. He has the glue, the know how and all the little hand-made gadgets to get the job done. Papa is never short on conversation, thoughtfulness, hugs or compliments and I am so grateful that Leilani will get to know her great-Papa.


My father in law is one of the strongest men I know. His good humor and strong faith even in the midst of hard times is inspiring. He loved and accepted me from the very beginning of Ryan and I being an "us." Blew me away. He raised the love of my life and I could not think of anyone who would make a better Thatha for Leilani.



Daddy was always one of my biggest cheerleaders. His support and affirmation have always made me feel loved, appreciated, smart beautiful and capable. Knowing that he is just a phone call away, just up the road and knows about everything has always made me feel safe. His thoughtfulness ensures that ants do not eat my house, that I am never locked out of my house or car for long, that my tires will always be full and that I never have to worry about any question for too long; he knows or can find the answer. He is one of my biggest heroes and one of my biggest blessings. He also is a terrific Grandpa!





And Ryan. It has been so much fun watching him be a Dada. He is so gleeful and enthusiastic and his patience is humbling. He is not afraid to go the extra mile when it takes longer than normal to get a cranky baby to bed. He is willing to chase Lei around with a spoon to make sure she eats, isn't phased by carrying her all afternoon when she won't stay in the stroller, and will do whatever funny face/voice/dance it takes to help her feel better or just to get her to smile. I can look at the daunting "terrible twos" (and threes and teen years and ect) with confidence knowing that he will be right there with me to talk me down from the ledge of Crazymomlady and help me chase down whatever little feet start running away. I love you Ryan!


Happy Father's Day

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Catching up with the month of May

May sure flew by fast. So did the first week of June. Wow, it is June? 2011 is flying by fast. Here is the past several weeks in pictures.



Embrace the Camera #2!

Whew! Today is HOT. Like heat stroke I'm gonna pass out and melt hot. Sure have been enjoying all the time outside with the toddler though. In honor of outside heat and summer, I am Embracing the Camera with Emily today!


   







   

Lil Sis is all growed up!

My little sister Abi graduated highschool last Monday! Two years ago it was my brother, and now its her. Seriously crazy to watch your younger siblings grow up. I think in my brain they are forever cemented into the "just kids" category, but days like today remind me that I am not the only one racing along towards achieving senior citizen discounts. I am so proud of you Abigail! 

We were all homeschooled from way back in kindergarten, but once 7th grade rolled around, we started attending Cedar Brook Academy on Thursdays. A couple hundred other kids, drama class, biology, madrigals, composition and Shakespeare awaited us once a week, while homework and friendships followed us through the other 6 days. It has been crazy to watch people you were in study hall with grow up and get married, and then to go to graduation and watch their siblings grow up too.


She had never heard that many people clapping at once before. She was thrilled.

She did it! And that smile says it all.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Mother's Day

We woke up nice and late on Mother's Day and headed off to breakfast. But I was determined to get some adorable Mommy/Daughter photos first. Leilani was determined not to participate in that plan. Enter the turning away, fussing, face making and squirming. Moments captured forever.

Fake smile


Catching Up, starting with Easter. Thats right, Easter.

So it is now June, and I have at long last downloaded a camera full of pictures. Time to catch up on saving those memories, starting with Easter. Wow, I am behind.


Getting ready to head to Easter lunch!


Sunday, June 5, 2011

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.


They just don't write songs like they used to do they?

Saturday, June 4, 2011

20+ Words

I have gotten weekly emails from Babycenter.com since Leilani was a month old and the size of a mustard seed. They would send exciting updates such as "She is now the size of a kumquat!" (what is a kumquat?) and "She now has toenails!" and such. More recently, updates tell me what common developmental milestones she should be at. This week she "may only be saying Ma-Ma and Da-Da and ball," but that "some advanced talkers have as many as 20 words."

She's officially "advanced" for her age of 14 months. We always knew.

Mama
Dada
Doggy
Kitty
Ball
Water
Hi
Bye
Thank you
I love you
Rice
Beans
(ba) Nana
Spoon
Shoes
Juice
Gentle
More
Nose
Pretty
Grandpa
Outside
No

23 words ladies and gents and she signs Milk and All Done. Yep. Shes amazing.


:EDIT:

We forgot some of her favorites! Thatha (Ryan's dad), Belly, Bird, Diaper, Bible and Book. Grand total of 29 words!