Vintage Photos

These are the only 2 pictures we have of TJ when he was a baby. I thought they were worth getting out because Isaiah is right at the same age.

Graduation 2009

Last night we had our graduation ceremony. The girls each received their diplomas along with several awards for their accomplishments. This coming year Niah will be in 7th grade, Aliya will be in 1st grade, and Kiahna will be in K-4. They are all excited, and I am looking forward to our summer break. Both TJ and I are thankful that our girls are doing so well. We are very proud of them!

Isaiah's Makeover

Isaiah got his haircut today. He wasn't really sure what was going on...and he was okay with that. He kept trying to eat the cape, so I had to give him his pacifier.

Towards the end Isaiah was tired of siting in the chair, so I held him. He didn't seem to mind the actually hair cutting, but he did mind being bored.

Daddy was proud of his handsome son. I'm glad that Daddy was able to be there. It took a lot of work and effort trying to arrange a time when he could go, but it was worth it.

School's Out...Let's Party!!!

I took the girls to Chuck E. Cheese today for their end-of-the-year party. We are thankful that we have completed another successful year of school. The girls are enjoying homeschooling more and more. They are having fun, and they are really excelling in all their studies.

Each of the girls got a special gift from their "teacher". We will do the PARENT appreciation on Sunday when Daddy can be with us. Even though we love school and enjoy "doing something worthwhile" everyday, we are in need of a break. We are all looking forward to our upcoming trip to Arkansas. We are going to enjoy this time off because the new school year will be here before we know it!

Wrapped Up

Aliya has been wanting to carry Isaiah ever since he has been born. We have not allowed her to do so because we didn't want her to accidentally drop him. Then the other day she saw me carrying Isaiah around in the Maya wrap and asked if she could do that, too. It has turned out to be the perfect solution. Aliya still can't walk all over the house with him--she has to stay close by--but she's happy with that.

Kiahna can't really hold him up--he's too heavy for her, so sitting down is the perfect solution for her!

Of course Niah is strong enough to hold him, but the wrap just adds that extra bit of safety. Isaiah has learned to love the wrap. He gets really excited to "see" the wrap because it means he gets to do lots of fun stuff. His favorite thing is "helping" me to cook. He LOVES watching all the activity that goes on with preparing a meal. I already have 3 big helpers in the kitchen, so one more is even better!

FIRE!!!

Aliya and I were on our way home from the library when she noticed some black smoke in the sky. We were about 1.5 miles from our home at that point. The fire looked like it was coming from one of the housing additions off of MacArthur. We turned onto 50th, and that is when we saw the firetrucks coming towards us. My heart skipped a beat when I saw them pull onto the road that leads to our apartment. I followed the firetrucks all the way to our building, and then I parked the car. At that point I wasn't sure whether or not we needed to prepare to be evacuated or if we were going to be okay. Within a few seconds, we realized we were going to be okay, and that is when I got my camera.

I think I saw just about every tenant today! It didn't take long before almost everyone was outside watching, and many had their cameras. I'm not 100% sure if it is true, but the rumor is that the fire started by cooking with a grill on the balcony (which is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN). This is a perfect example about how the actions of one person affects many. Four units where destroyed or damaged by the fire and water, and the other 4 units have some smoke damage. The whole building will not be inhabitable until the utilities can be restored--which will be many months from now.

EAT MORE CHICKEN

Today is Customer Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A. If you dress up like a cow, you get a FREE combo meal--ANY combo meal.

Niah and I worked really hard making our cow attire. She gets credit for the face, and hooves, and sign. I get the spots and tail.

I have done a lot for free food before, but dressing up like a cow was a first...but it won't be the last! We WILL do this again next year!!!

Isaiah--5 months old

Isaiah is 5 months old today. It continues to be difficult for me to believe that time is really going by that fast. The girls still rank him #1 on their list for best brother! Their love and admiration for him continues to grow. They STILL beg to hold him and want to "take care" of him.

Isaiah can sit up by himself for a few seconds before falling to the sides or finding himself "stuck" in the leaning forward position. He rolls onto his stomach and now also can roll onto his back. I'm not sure exactly when he could do all this...we just started noticing over a month ago that we would lay him down on his stomach to play, and he would be on his back once we turned around.

Right now he lays on his stomach, lifts his arms and legs and "swims" as fast as he can. He hasn't figured out yet that if he leaves his legs on the ground and moves them, he could actually go places. I've decided not to tell him, but I have a feeling he will figure it out all by himself very soon!!!

Isaiah loves to stand up. He still needs a lot of support because he loves to "dance" more than anything else. He is happiest when he is standing up.

We are so in love with our little guy!

Once in a Lifetime...Hopefully!

Once in a lifetime, this is what you get to experience...

Only once in a lifetime is this acceptable. For some, they will experience this again much later in life...only it won't be as exciting, and nobody will be there to put money under the pillow.