Wordless Wednesday---Elephant ears on steroids...

5 words meme

Last week I received 5 words from my blogging friend, Mari. It's all part of a meme, that you can do too, if you want to. Here's how it works. Mari got 5 words from another blogger and she did a post about the words she was given. She then offered to give 5 words to someone else. I thought it would be fun, so now I'm going to post on the five words she gave me. If you want to join in, tell me in the comments and I'll send you your own five words!

1. Daughters: Most of you know that I have two daughters, Adeline (2 1/2 yrs) and Camille (4 1/2 months). What you may not know, is that we struggled through infertility before conceiving Adeline. I don't share many personal things on this blog, but maybe I'll do a post on this some day. I thank God every day for the gift of my girls. Of course I would have been happy with a son, but I REALLY wanted a girl. Patrick can share his love of sports, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, golf, and reading (to name a few) with girls. However, my love for scrapbooking, tea parties, decorating, and shopping really are more suited to those of the female gender.

2. Korea: Some of my new readers may not know we spent a year in Korea with the air force. We really enjoyed our time there....certainly more than I expected to enjoy it. We met some amazing people, and we continue to stay in contact with them. I really liked my life there. There were so many activities and fun day trips with other moms. Plus, Patrick's schedule there offered us more family time than we will probably have throughout his career. It was great to have him home so much. We also did a lot of traveling (China, cruise from New Zealand to Australia, and Thailand, as well as many trips in Korea). Adeline has more stamps in her passport than most adults....too bad she won't remember any of it.

3. Music: I play the flute, piano, and guitar. Well, let me clarify that.... I play the flute. I took piano lessons for 9 years, but I haven't read music in FOREVER, and now I am only comfortable playing worship music with chords. I started teaching myself to play the guitar in college (because my roommate Sarah decided to learn and bought a guitar). Patrick came with a guitar when I married him (although he doesn't play), and I have gone through periods where I've tried to improve my playing. I haven't played in almost two years, which means no callouses, and an ability to play VERY limited songs with VERY easy chords. So, I guess I really don't play the guitar. Although I love music and love playing instruments, I don't sing. I mean, I sing in church, when I put my daughter to bed, and occasionally when the mood strikes, but that's it. It's not pretty my friends. Patrick, on the other hand, has an amazing voice. I guess that is another reason we make a great team. Now if I could just get him to sing for me more often...

4. Cooking: My mom is a wonderful cook, but a stifled one. My father is a picky eater, so she is very limited on the types of foods she can make for our family. My time in Pakistan (I really do need to do a post about that) taught me to eat things I never would have put in my mouth...and learn to enjoy them. I knew how to cook when I got married, but I have learned so much more, and experimented with ingredients I never knew existed over the past 8 years. I love to try new recipes. I only keep the ones we LOVE. I am blessed with a husband who will eat anything I make and enjoys the variety.

5. Military: Patrick was working at Johns Hopkins and applying to medical schools when I met him. He was trying to decide if he wanted to take a military scholarship to pay for his education. I remember we hadn't been dating long, so I didn't feel I should have a voice in such a major life decision, while at the same time realizing that if things went well, this decision could have a major impact on MY life. He took the scholarship. We haven't had the "typical" military life. We moved an hour south for residency (at Andrews AFB), volunteered to go to Korea for a year, and then returned to Andrews where he is currently stationed. We both have family and childhood friends within 2 hours of our home. Patrick has the option of finishing his career here. We'll see...

Mommy's Helper

This is what happens when you let your toddler lick the spoon after making malted milk ball rice crispy treats...and then she decides to eat cereal. I thought she looked like an adorable little treat.

You are so observant!

I know many of you read Leigh Ann's blog as well as mine, so I thought it would be fun to see how many of you noticed the picture of her kids on this post. I did NOT know Leigh Ann was going to be on vacation that week. As I was walking the beach with my friends, I thought, "That little girl looks a lot like Elle." Before I had a chance to process this thought farther, one of my friends said, "Hey, those are Momma Roar's kids!!!" For those who don't know, LA and I went to high school together. Of course, she is MUCH older than me....

My friends also know LA from high school and sometimes read her blog. We scanned the beach and found LA and Travis sun bathing. Of course, I was standing right over her before she realized it was me, but that was just part of the fun. Hope you enjoy your week, LA...it was fun running into you!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Patrick is reading The Jesus Storybook Bible with Adeline. There is a picture of Pharaoh riding in a chariot holding a spear.
A: "A horse and buggy!!!"


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Daddy: "I am going to count to ten and then it is time to get out of the bathtub."
A: "No counting to ten, daddy. Count to 59."


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Adeline was fussing...


Me: "I know. It's hard being a baby sometimes."
A (through her tears): "A baby GIRL!!!"


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A: "I want to go to Camille's house."
Me: "Okay. How about if we go to Adeline's house?"
A: "No!!!! I want to go to Camille's house! I don't want to go to Adeline's house."

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Head over to Mary's for more Tiny Talkers...

Girl's Beach Trip...

I'm on vacation right now with some of my best girlfriends.

We are kidless except for Camille. We stay up late, shop without an agenda or time restraints, talk...LOTS of talking, watch movies, eat...LOTS of eating, read, and relax. Yesterday, we went for a stroll on the beach.

...and there was an air show.

We saw some cute kids playing on the beach and missed our own...

I love vacation...

Friday Fun

Have a great weekend everyone!

A daddy and his daughters...

and sometimes when you try to make them pose, you end up with this...

She's such a big girl...

What happens when Adeline tries to dress herself...

Sometimes there is success....and sometimes, she puts both legs in one leg hole....which is much more entertaining for the rest of us.

My birthday...

Patrick told me he had something planned for my birthday. He would take care of all the details including childcare. I LOVE surprises! I told him I was planning to wear a dress. He said I had to wear shorts. I wanted to wear flip-flops. He said I should wear sneakers. Really. Are you sure? My mom and my friend, Nancy, both thought I would have fun. I am hard to surprise but..... I. had. no. idea. There aren't many things that make my "fun" list that involve the specified attire. I started guessing in the car. Patrick was laughing at my meager attempts. We started heading for the city. um....I'm running out of ideas.

We took a tour of Washington DC on segways! Oh. My. Word!!! You have GOT to do this!!! They are the most amazing invention ever!

It was fun to have our picture taken in front of some of the standard tourist attractions after living in this area for so many years.

Oh, and did you notice....more plaid shorts. After all, it was my birthday.....

Gettin' my craft on...

My friends, Missy and Rachel, both have more talent in their pinky fingers than I could hope to attain....no really, spend a little time on their blogs. However, I decided to follow their lead for this fun craft project. While Patrick was playing tennis with some guys from church, I decided to "bake" with felt. I love how cute these cookies turned out. Too bad none of the people who joined my craft giveaway have little girls!

Missy is thinking about starting an etsy shop. Trust me, it will be well worth your visit. I'll keep you posted when she is up and running.