Conversations with Carmelita

Today:
Carmelita and I are playing this little mini game of bowling. The pins are the size of a, I don't know, about an inch to inch and a half tall. The "bowling ball" is a sweet, green marble. We play a couple of rounds and then Ethan comes to join in . . .

E: I want to play. Carmelita, can I play too?
C: Yes! O.K. Ethan, these are the bullets . . . (pointing to the pins). You have to roll the ball and knock down all the bullets.

Obviously I need to explain that they are bowling pins but MyLove and I were having too much fun listening.

Last Week:
C: Mommy, what are you making?
Me: Some toast.
C: Wow, that is big toast!
Me: Yes, you are right.
C: Mommy, wouldn't it be funny if the toast was so big it was as big as a rocket launcher!?
Me: Oh, my. That would be huge! (I respond tickled at the odd placement of such a comment!)
C: (laughing now), Yeah, it would be like the size of a house!

A Few Weeks Ago:
Me: Carmelita, who are you talking to?
C: Hello Kitty
Me: Oh, what are you doing?
C: Fighting bad guys
Me: Oh, OK.

My poor little daughter. MyLove said tonight that if anyone heard her comments they would immediately know that she must have older brothers! She is truly such a girly girl, but sometimes she says these things because that is what she is surrounded by. Soon enough, Giselle and she will be reveling in their girl time and having a ball!

Celebrating Lael

On December 11th, 2010, we celebrated Lael and gave all glory to the Lord for allowing her to be a part of our lives in the small way she was. It was two years ago. Even though we didn't get to meet her, she sure had a big impact on all of us.

That morning, we went to the cemetery to see her gravemarker and pray together. We talked about where she is right now and how she has a perfect body. She longs for nothing and is completely enveloped in God's love. Wow! What an amazing thought! The kids love to talk about her and get excited for the day we can meet her.

We swept her grave marker and the kids found wild flowers to put on it. Ethan found the red petals blowing by and picked them up to place on it as well (we made sure he wasn't taking them from another grave! We had to talk to them about that. They asked why they couldn't just take the other nice flowers and put them on Lael's grave!)

Here is Giselle sweeping away!





We made our traditional gingerbread house in her honor. Martini's school had a gingerbread contest and the boys got so excited about adding little Lego minifigs to the design. They got quite creative!




These times are so special. The Lord uses them to turn our focus on what really matters. Longing for heaven and longing to be with our Saviour come to the forefront of our minds and our joy is renewed at what is to come. Sometimes it seems far off, and yet, we remember how fragile life is and how close we really are. Our days are numbered. May they be used for His glory.

Daddy with Giselle

I was going through some photos and found this stunner. Babe, you're so sexy!


MyLove had Giselle wrapped on his back in our new Didymos Jack. She looks so cute with her hands folded.


And here is another precious pic with MyLove holding Giselle after he had rocked her to sleep.

Park Time

Wow. What beautiful weather we have been having. We have enjoyed some time outside, but not as much as we'd like because of sickness and trying to get caught up in school.

Recently, we met up with Mike and cousins at the park and the kids had a great time.

Martini's Thoughts

We are doing Social Studies review and talking about what kind of pollution a leaking oil freight would produce . . .

Martini: Water pollution?

Me: Yes! Good job. Hey, remember the oil that was spilling into the gulf because of BP . . .

Martini: Oh, Tony Hayward? (he says before I could finish my sentence.)

Me: Yes. Ok, well next question.

***

After a somewhat tough morning and afternoon of me getting after him during school . . .

Me: Martini, I am sorry for being so tough on you today. Son, you are a smart boy and you have a great brain, so when I see you just staring off into space and not doing your work, it frustrates me because it takes us so long to move on.

Martini: I can't help it. Sometimes I am just daydreaming about gold . . . or Jesus . . . and sometimes about Genevieve and who I'm going to marry.

Me: Son, why are you worried about who you're going to marry? That is a long way away?

Martini: Well, what if I'm daydreaming about Jesus. Isn't it better to dream about Jesus than just do school work?

Me: It's always good to think about Jesus, but He also wants us to be responsible with the things we are supposed to do.

I then wanted to go on about my responsiblities as his mommy and how I can't just sit there all day and think and read my Bible, despite my desire to curl up with a cup of coffee and the Bible . . . but, we were interrupted and we moved on with the lesson.

***

After visiting with Genevieve and her precious family we came home and Martini went quickly to work with a pencil and paper. Later he showed us what he was so intently working on. He made a graph-sort of thing that showed how many years he has to get to 25 and then at 18 he starts dating and then at around 21 gets engaged and then around 23 thinks about what woman he would like to marry in case there are others and then at 25 marriage.

We asked him why 25, and he said that is how many lines he could put on the paper. Since then, he has repeatedly talked about how he will get married at 25. We told him that he will not need a long engagement if he knows who he is going to marry and that he will not get engaged unless he is sure she is the one. He sorted these bits of info in his filefolder of a brain and carried on!

Oh, that boy! He is such a romantic, imaginative, analytical little being. I love him so.

Giselle's Milestones - before I forget!

09.15 - She started crawling, for real. And immediately afterward started pulling up on things. I keep trying to sit her down, but she won't stay down. Time is slipping away from me. Don't try walking yet!!! Please!

August sometime - got her first two bottom teeth

09.30 - her third tooth cuts through on top

09.24 - she says "dada" for the first time!!! What a joy for MyLove. Since then she has said "nanananana" and "ssssssss" and "hu, hu"

She is now eating baby food: MumMum rice crackers, baby puffs, squash (her favorite), carrots, peas, sweet potato, a bit of bread, a bit of rice, rice cereal, and pears*, nectarines, oranges and canteloupe* in her mesh teether.

Ethan's Cooking Show

Here's Ethan's first cooking show. Our creative little boy! This was our third take.