Progress

It can be hard to see progress in the midst of it. It can be hard to see it when it moves so slowly.
When William was a baby, it felt like his progress moved slowly. I'm sure part of it was my longing to do more things with him. Being able to have him repeat words. Then saying full sentences. Then having his own thoughts and expressing them. He just couldn't get bigger quick enough. I will say, I'm perfectly content with where he is now. I've told him plenty of times, "Don't get any bigger!"
With Madelyn, I have not wanted her to progress. I've said, "You don't need to crawl. You're just fine sitting right there." When my grandmother was trying to get her to walk, I said, "She doesn't need to walk. She's just fine crawling."
With kids, progress happens. You can't stop it. And I'm relatively convinced, you can't really speed it up. They're going to go at the speed that God intended.
Now, home repairs. There is one that can stop. It can come to a freekin' halt. As I have discovered, Brad can do something to speed it up. Sometimes with sugar. Sometimes with vinegar.
Mid-November, our damaged hard wood floors along with the kitchen cabinets and granite and pantry items were removed. Fans and dehumidifiers were installed. And then, it felt as though all progress stopped.
I understand that we couldn't see the slab drying out. Which is what it was doing. But it took weeks.
Then . . . it happened. They were dry. And a very exciting step to the entire process occurred. They laid the floors down.
Then we waited.
20 days.
And the lacquer was added. Well, the first coat.
By the end of this weekend, all the coats will have been added.
And we'll wait.
Again.
For them to dry.

Here are the guys adding the lacquer.



Progress.

Hookie

We played hookie last Sunday. Neither Brad nor I had to serve at church, so we totally loaded the kids up first thing in the morning and went to Disney.
It was such a great day. We rode the new Toy Story Mania. The line to get on the ride winds thru oversized toys and games. 5 foot tall crayons, Candy Land covering the walls and floors, 9 foot Lincoln Log cabin, and interactive talking Mister Potato Head. The linking monkeys hang from the ceiling and the Shoots and Ladders game board is on the ceiling. It was visually interesting to Madelyn. Good thing. We waited 40 minutes.

William in line at Toy Story Mania. Oversize dominos and playing cards.

Maddie and daddy.

The ride is 3D which is the explanation for the glasses. The tongue sticking out? Don't know.

Madelyn enjoyed the 3D fun. She took a different spin on the glasses.

Maddie & mommy.

She understood what to do on the ride. Pull the string. Her aim was just a little off.

There is a playground where kids can let loose. It is designed as an oversized ant colony or bug something or other. Madelyn thoroughly enjoyed the 2 foot slide and crawling through the little spaces. She was playing peek-a-boo with Brad here.

Pouty lips.

Madelyn eating her first madeleine (cookie in France).

This is the best.
"Mommy I love you soooo much." Then he planted a big kiss on my cheek.
William is a very ACTIVE boy. However, so loving.

. . . . . . . . . is PREGNANT

Before anyone freaks out - I asked a dear friend if I could blog about their incredibly exciting news.
She said yes.
So here it goes . . .

Abby & Patrick are expecting!!!!

WooHooo!

I can't tell you how exciting this is.
In fact, I am more excited for them than I was when I found out Brad & I were expecting. Not that I wasn't excited to have a life growing inside me - but nausea and food aversions did put a damper on my ever expanding belly.

Seeing the sonogram of 'Baby S' waving brings tears to my eyes. Life is so precious and I am so excited that our dear friends are finally experiencing this new life for themselves. They are going to be great parents.

My heart races as I think about what lies ahead for mommy-to-be and daddy-to-be. Feeling 'Baby S' kicking. Finding out whether the baby will be wearing a jersey next football season or a cheerleading outfit. (Steph is predicting a girl :)
Decorating the nursery. Ohhh - all the shopping to get ready for baby. That precious first time they hold their child in their arms. Tears. Introducing their new addition to their incredibly excited friends and family that will be pounding on the hospital door to be let in to hold their tiny gift. Heart racing. The day they dedicate 'Baby S' to the Lord who has blessed them so. Tears. Raising our kids together!

Ahhh - your time is here! June is right around the corner. How awesome!

Lunchtime at the Aquarium

We renewed our passes to the Florida Aquarium after not having them for a year. I'm so glad we did renew. The weather has been so nice lately, a cool breeze but a warm sun, so sitting outside while the kids enjoy the playground is pleasant.
Here are pics of the kids at the sand pit.

The boys tried constructing a pyramid.

Still working on the pyramid.

William and his friend enjoying an ice cream sandwich.