Fireworks minus Abigail

I hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday. I also hope you took some time to stop and think about all of the men and women, both past and present, who have scarificed so much to protect life as we know it. We have been so busy around here the last few days: Wed. night--my family; Thurs. night--Ran's family; Fri. night--Mercy Me concert; Sat morn/early pm--Ran's fam again; Sat night--my fam again. So today we are TAKING A MUCH NEEDED BREAK! Why all the running around? Well it was all to celebrate the life of my husband. He turned 33 Thursday! Yesterday we went over to his mom and dad's house for lunch and ice cream. When it came time for us to leave, Abigail started her usual crying and pity party. We got out to the car and she was crying "I don't want to go! I want to stay with Nonna!" Here comes the surprising part--I think Donna put something in the ice cream b/c...Ran and I looked at each other and said, "Fine, stay." So Abigial got out, got all of her animals and blankets, and came over to kiss Emma goodbye. She leaned over and as she cried she said, "I will miss my sister. Emma, I will see you in the morning." and she kissed her on the cheek. I said, "Now, we are not coming back. If you start crying you will have to stay. Mommy, Daddy and Emma are going to eat with Mimi and Grandad. Are you sure you don't want to go?" With tears in her eyes she turned down the corner of her mouth and said, "No, I am going to stay with Nonna." With that, I left my 3 year old daughter alone for the first time. My heart was aching, as a matter of fact, it was breaking. I have always known that this day would come. She would grow up and start making her own decisions. She would not always want to be with me, but I had hoped that it would be a little farther down the road. The ride home was so quiet, naptime was unbelievably easy and dinner time was a cakewalk. I MISSED HER THE ENTIRE TIME! I hate to admit it, but I didn't really enjoy the evening b/c I was constantly wondering what she was doing/thinking/eating...Ambrey and Donna brought her home after the fireworks and waited for us to get home--long story. She called us on the way home and guess who she wanted to talk to...me, no; Ran, NO; my mom or dad, NO--EMMA!!! She wanted to know where Emma was and what she was doing. Her biggest guestion was "Are you coming home, Emma?"

So I am sure you are wondering what was Emma doing thru all of this? Well...first and foremost, she WAS NOT leaving her momma--good girl Emma Cate :)! When we pulled away she just wanted to know what Abigail was doing. Then I told her it would just be Me, her and Daddy...She got the biggest smile on her face. I asked her many times throughout the night if she missed Abigail--sometimes she said yes, but mostly she said no. She said she liked all of the attention.

My little girls are growing up! Maybe it is time to have another one?



NOT!!!!





P.S. The only reason I said she could stay with Donna was b/c I didn't think she would do it. I thought once she saw we were leaving she would change her mind. Boy did she call my bluff! Guess we are going to have to reevaluate our parenting techniques with this one!

Summertime

I am officially settling in to my "summertime" role of mom, nurse, counselor, maid, drycleaner, chef, entertainment specialist, judge, jury and jailguard, groundskeeper, and anything else you might imagine. And I am loving it. Now I have to admit that it is a BIG change from dealing with 17 and 18 yr-olds all day, and those first few days were rather difficult, but we are now getting into a groove and things are going well. (Props to all those stay-at-home moms out there. No one really gives you the credit you deserve.)
Abigail has learned the power of suggestion over the past few weeks. She will ask me a question, "Momma? Can I have some chocolate milk?" Which is immediately followed by this statement "Say yes Momma" or she might ask me, "Momma? Can I jump on your bed? Say sure, Abigail" It is rather humorous to hear this coming from her little country lips. I just wonder how she comes up with this stuff sometimes. At what point did her little brain say, "Just tell them what you want them to say and they will say it." We went to mother's house to swim today. Emma clung to the ladder much of the time and Abigail clung to me. Neither one of them likes to go under, but today Emma got up enough courage and she jumped off the ladder a little to hard and totally went under. She came up and I helped her to the side and she said "Wow, that was rough. I almost died!" Gotta love my little drama queens.

Beach and other things

Well, it happened again. I fell off the blogging wagon. I just got so busy with work and life that I haven't been keeping things up to date. Sorry :(!

This week we have been at the beach with PopPop, Nana, Jaime, Jason, Lauren-Jason's girlfriend, Timmy and Brittney-Timmy's girlfriend. The girls are old enough now that the trip down seemed like it would never end. Emma kept asking are we still going to the beach momma? I think she thought we had changed our mind. When we were about an hour away she finally said, "I want to turn around and go back home." Bless her, she just has to have her sleep. And if her bootie was as tired as mine, I am sure that didn't help the situation. Once we were here, she was thrilled. We have built sand castles, picked up shells, floated in the ocean and frozen to death in the pool. Yesterday she told me, I am tired of the beach mommy. SO instead of doing the beach thing we went to the zoo. Last night, she said she was ready to go home. I think she just misses her bed. We have been sleeping together and every night she says "MOMMA! MOVE OVER!! I CAN'T SLEEP WITH YOU TOUCHING ME!"

Abigail made the trip down just fine. You know she never misses a beat. At 18months she slept 2 hours of the 7 hour trip and at 2 1/2 she didn't bat an eye and at 3 she was going strong the entire time. She hasn't missed a step on the beach either. She cries every day when I tell her she has to come up for lunch. And demands that she doesn't need a nap--and then sleeps for 3 hours each time.

Uncle Timmy has taught them to love Ron Dupert(aka Mt. Dew)...they had never had it until the trip and PopPop gave them some at the zoo, so now they keep asking for Ron Dupert. They are basking in all of the attention they have been recieving. The first couple of days they had 5 young 20 somethings to play with---great for mom and dad to get some relaxation. I think Abigail has aged about 14 years being around all these young girls. Last night she informed me that she needed some make-up. So I got her some clear lip gloss, which she slathered all over her mouth and then proceeded to stick out her lips like Angelina Jolie :)!

Sad that the time here is coming to an end, but will also be glad to get everyone back on schedule, in their own beds and NO SAND in our hair.

Pacee Update, Etc.

1 week later and still no tears about the pacees. There have been several discussions and everynight before Emma Catherine goes to sleep she tells me how much she loved her pacee..but thankfully no tears. Abigail has only mentioned it a couple of times during the day when she wasn't feeling well, but no tears. I am so proud. If you had asked me 1 month ago who would be the most upset about it, I would have said Abigail, but once again she proved me wrong. Emma mentioned it to Donna on Monday and she told her that she was a big girl now and Emma told her that she really wasn't that big. Emma baby, just keep thinking that way. Momma never wants to you that big.

Pray for Us!

Just wanted to ask for prayer. Right now the devil is really after us here in the Reding household. We have been fighting sicknesses for last month, actually 3 if you count when the girls actually started getting sick. First me, then Ran, now the girls. We have also really been struggling with Abigail the past few weeks. She is so DETERMINED to do things her way. It is so hard to be a parent! I want her to be a respectful and obedient little girl, but it isn't easy when she has a mind of her own and thinks like a 16 year old sometimes! Also, there has just been so much stress that things have been strained between me and Ran. It just seems as though the devil is working overtime. As I am sure you can tell, I am just down and feeling defeated right now. Pray for me...Ask God to show me what to do and the wisdom to know the difference!

Carnival Party

Valentine's Day Party

Another Birthday Party?

This morning when the girls got up, they were so excited b/c their official birthday was finally here. They wanted to know why I didn't have to go to work. I told them that I got to stay home so that I could go to their party at Mrs. Kim's. Abigail said, "Another party?" I just laughed b/c she is right...we are already all partied out. Me, mother and Donna went to the party. They sang and Mrs. Kim gave them a notebook with markers...but they weren't washable--kinda surprised by that. Luckily no one threw up this time. Abigail did get into trouble while I was there. Just let me tell you that is SO embrassing. She refused to sit down--nothing new. But I was so embarassed b/c she kept telling Mrs. Kim--"I don't want to, I am not!, NO!" I told mother and Donna that I was going to whip her when we got home and Donna, in true Donna fashion said: "Oh, don't whip her, it is her birthday...and we wonder what is wrong with her?"

After school, we came home and baked our cakes like we do every year. Emma made purple cake, purple icing and Diego faces on top. Abigail made pink cake,pink icing with Diego faces on top...the faces were influenced by Daddy?? After baking, we went to the doctor. They have been battling these running noses since December and I was bound and determined that today we would get something done about it. Dr. Hamilton is so great with him. You can tell that he has a soft place in his heart for them. He sang Happy Birthday to them and got hugs and kisses from them. He even said--"If you were a really good mother, you would have brought your camera so I could have a picture of this" Emma was so brave this time. She didn't cry at all. You could tell in the beginning that she wanted too, but she held it back and did a great job. And, we now have 4 ear infections...SURPRISE what do you expect after 3 months of a runny nose.

After the doctor, we took the girls to Trowbridges. A little ice cream parlor. Emma ate a whole cup of chocolate chip ice cream--her new favorite and half of a grilled cheese. Abigail just wanted her coke and grilled cheese. Then I asked them what they wanted to do. You are not going to believe this, but they said they wanted to go shop shop. So we went shopping for their birthday. I guess it is bred in them and it doesn't hurt that mother and I have drug them all over north Alabama since they were 6 weeks old.

After 2 hours of shopping we went to Texas Roadhouse. Of course Emma got steak and Abigail got a burger. They got to sit on the saddle and everyone YeeeHaww Doggied them. They thought that was great.

We finally got home after 7pm. They were exhausted but we still had to blow out candles to their Diego cakes. I really think it was a great day for them, I know it was a blast for me. I am so blessed to have been able to spend it with them.

Believe It or Not...

But we are a pacifer free home! I have been telling the girls for the past 2 months that they could not suck their pacifers after they turn 3. Every night when they would go to bed, we would talk about it and Emma would proudly proclaim that she had to throw it away when she turned 3. A couple of weeks ago I decided to add a little twist to our agreement. I told them that when they threw them away they could start painting their nails.(This is a big deal to them, b/c I haven't let anyone paint their nails--no matter how hard they begged.)
Okay insert side story--about a year ago Abigail came home from Donna's house
with her toenails painted. I was heartbroken, b/c it was the first time and
I just felt like it was one more thing I had missed. And when I tried to
take it off she screamed and cried like I was torturing her. Which in her
little eyes, it probably was some form of torture. So the next time I saw
Donna I had to tell her no more painting until I say so...

Back to the story...Well this sealed the deal! They were totally on board at this point. So tonight we went to Wal-Mart and made this whole big deal about them picking out their own polish. Those precious babies held that polish in their little hands the entire time we were there. And when we got in the car they both announced that they would be throwing their pacees away when we got home.--which I really didn't believe-- Well, when we got home, they both ran to get their pacees, which we have been making them leave in their beds; Emma likes to hide her's under her pillow ;). Anyway, we videotaped them agreeing to throw them away and them eagerly running to the garbage can and without reservation or even 1 last suck...they tossed them in..and immediately looked at me and said I am ready to paint my toe nails! I gave them their polish and boy did they go to town. Abigail figured out really quick that you could do it much faster if you just brushed across the entire top part of all of your toes with 1 fast swoop. Emma on the other hand maticulously focused on the first 2 toes on each foot. They had so much fun...and proclaimed that they would now work on their fingernails. I had to say no to this--it wasn't part of the deal--and I can't let them walk around with polish all over their hands. When bedtime came Emma said, "Mommy, I sure did love my pacee" I said, I know baby, but you are a big girl now and I like your painted toenails so much better." She smiled so big. After songs and prayers I went to leave the room and she raised up from her bed and shouted, "Wait mommy!" I can't smelled Bandit if I don't have my pacee! I said "What?" She said, "I can't smell Bandit!" She goes to sleep sucking her pacee and holding Bandit up to her nose. That has always been what soothes her. That was all. With that she and Abigail rolled over, and for the first time in 3 years, fell asleep without their sassy...:( :)

My heart is so full...Thank you God!!!!!!

Birthday Party

Okay, I have a confession to make...I like to plan parties, and therefore, I sometimes, go overboard, and I definitely ALWAYS become obsessive over them. Today the girls had their 3rd birthday party at our church family life center. I got the idea for the party last year after their 2nd birthday party. And I have been thinking and planning ever since. We rented a huge 3-in-1 jumpie with a bounce house, maze and slide. Then Alanna and Todd brought us all these carnival games: pick up ducks, football toss, bean bag toss, and tin can toss. I spent the whole day yesterday at school making signs to hang over the games, and then last night me, Ran, my mom, my dad, me and Alanna and Todd spent about 3 hours decorating.--I know it is too much, but I just can't stop myself. I have ideas and I have to use them. When we got there this morning, Emma came running across the gym and grabbed my leg and said "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you mommy! This is the best party ever!" That alone was worth all the money, planning and more.
I was a little worried that no one would come, so I invited 16 kids...well everyone came...except 3. They all had so much fun. Will kept throwing things in the duck pond. And all the kids loved the jumpie. I am sure they will all sleep a long time this afternoon. I will try to post better pics after I get some copies from those that were there. I really didn't get to take as many as I wanted b/c I was playing hostess.

Very tired right now...and half of the carnival is in my kitchen waiting for me to find a home for it, as is, all those presents ;)!

Valentine's Day Party

Today the girls had their first PreK party. I took off work so that I could be there. I have been obsessing all week over what snack I should take. I know, it was more important to me than it was to the girls! I finally decided to take this heart shaped mold and make rice krispie treats on a stick. Then I decorated them with pink icing and red/pink/white m&ms. I must say, they really turned out cute. Then I took them and put them in a bucket and arranged them like a flower arrangement. The party was great--except when the little girl sitting by Emma threw up! Yeah, you all know how germ-a-phobe I am...it freaked me out. It was all I could do not to jerk the girls up and run for the door!. Just let me tell you that I have prayed continuously since then that they wouldnt get sick. We got to help them decorate their valentine bag. I felt so blessed in my heart to get to be there for that.

A Bad Case of the No's

Yesterday the girls went back to preschool. I didn't take off work to take them simply because they were still so excited and couldn't wait to get there. However, Mrs. Kim said that Abigail need to leave the word "No" at home next week. Apparently, she repeatedly told Mrs. Kim no yesterday. So we had a family talk at the dinne table last night. We explained to her that it just wasn't acceptable and that from now on there would be consequences if she chose not to obey. For the rest of the night she was perfect! SO maybe it will be a small learning curve??? Hey, at least we can hope right?

Other things...I finally got a classroom! As most of you already know, I have been a traveling teacher for the past year and a half; and after the Christmas break that came to an end! THANK YOU GOD! It has been such a relief. I finally feel like I can do my job without feeling crazy.

1st Day of Preschool

Big Steps by Little Feet

I just returned home from dropping the girls off at their first day of preschool. And it was a great success. I have been so nervous this past week, afraid that the girls would cry or not want to go. We have worked really hard over the past few days to prepare them for today, esp Emma--she doesn't handle change very well. We went to visit Mrs. Kim and play with all the toys and centers she has there. She was awesome with them. God bless her! I know it had to be hard for her to just let them run amuck with all the toys, but it created such a positive experience for them. When we got in the car, they immediately wanted to know when they could go back :)! Which makes for a very happy mom. We bought princess backpacks this weekend and all of our supplies to go inside, they kept asking over and over, are we going to Mrs. Kim's now??? I finally had to tell them that Mrs. Kim was asleep for them to stop asking...so Mrs. Kim should be well rested she has been asleep for 4 days.
They were so excited to see what she had planned for them today. All the way there, they constantly asked, "are we here mommy?" And while we waited in line, Emma kept saying, "I want to get out, I don't want to wait for Mrs. Kim anymore." When it was our turn, they couldn't get out of the car fast enough! When Mrs. Kim opened the door Abigail said "Look at me! Here I am!" and Emma said, "Can you hold my backpack for me?" Emma crawled thru from the other side of the car she was so anxious. Mrs. Kim had a sign that said Welcome Emma and Abigail! She is so great....and she just called to let me know that they are doing beautifully. She said that Abigail didn't want to sit down, she wanted to play. While we were on the phone, Mrs. Kim was having to tell Abigail not to take toys away from the other kids. She said, "That was Cara's toy, she might me using that. You need to ask her if you can have it." Abigail said, "Cara, can I habe it?" I am sure that Mrs. Kim will be VERY busy today. It was so nice of her to give me a call and calm my concerns! But that is just the way she is. She just knows exactly what to do and she understands how precious these little ones are!

I just can't believe that this day is here. In this moment I have a great understanding of why people have more children, when their little one's reach this age...not to say that I WANT anymore, but I do understand. It just seems that these past 3 years have flown by, I have tried so hard to enjoy and relish every single moment, but I still feel as though I have missed so much. The just looked so big standing there in front of that door...not babies anymore. I guess today is just the beginning of the "cutting the apron strings" process. Which is a painfully proud moment for mommy.