What has prevented me from updating the pictures and blog is sickness. The girls have been trading viruses since Easter. All four of Ashlyn's molars have also decided to come in at once. She is such a momma's girl and will not tolerate me putting her down, much less being on the computer and not letting her play on it too. To let you know how badly I feel about not posting more often, it is 10:20pm right now and I'm exhausted but I wanted to get this done.
TAYLOR RENEE
Ah, my Taylor. Her birthday is next weekend (June 2nd). She'll be 3 years old. Tay is a good girl but is so strong willed. I will ask her to pick up her toys and she'll look at me and say one of two things: 1.) But I don't WANT TO! -or- 2.) That's not my job, that's your job! "WHAT???" I asked her laughingly. I have to fix this NOW! So, I gently grasped her tiny, innocent little hand and led her around the house.
- Do you see those dishes? That's my job.
- Do you see supper on the stove? That's my job.
- Do you see the trash in the trash can? That's Daddy's job.
- Do you see that vacuum? That's my job.
- Do you see those toys? That's YOUR job.
She looked at me as if she had just discovered her place of importance in the family. "My job?" she asked. "Yes Taylor. We all have a job. We are a team. Momma, Daddy, you and Ashlyn. We are all a team and we have to help one another."
I wish I could say that intrigue lasted but that was not to be the case. We are now only left with, "But I don't want to!" So, needless to say, getting Taylor to do anything she doesn't want to do is a struggle. I usually bargain with Dora (her favorite cartoon this month) or anything sweet; popsicles, ice cream, cookies, etc. That usually begrudgingly gets the work done.
She has officially completed her first year of pre-school. It has been so good for her. She is so smart and needs to be challenged. She gets bored so easily and school is a constructive way for her learn, make new friends, and burn some energy. Because she was only 2 (pre-school normally starts at 3) her teachers cut her some slack, realizing that she wasn't able to hold her attention as long as the other kids, and they would let her play a little more than the others. But this next year much more will be expected. Yes, of a 3 year old. She wants to be an astronaut (or should I say a rocketship). She is fascinated with rocketships, planes, helicopters, etc., and since we live in the the flight path of the Marine Air Station she is in heaven.
She and Ashlyn are really starting to develop a relationship now. Taylor is a good big sister but we are really have to work on being a kind, loving, sharing sister. I told her if she wants to have a good sister, she has to be a good sister. The sweetest thing in the world is when we are riding in the car and I hear them laughing at one another, I look back to see them holding hands. Uh, my heart!
ASHLYN KRISTIN
Ashlyn's walking is the funniest thing I have ever seen. She is so wobbly. She trips on the carpet! Poor thing, I feel so bad for her because she falls all the time. Sometimes she'll just give up and lay there on her back for a minute. It is hilarious. But what is really terrible is what I mentioned before. All four of her molars are coming in right now. She is so miserable. All I can do is give her ibuprofen and pray for her. Taylor barely had any teething problems at all but Ash has been teething since she was 2 months old and it really hurts her.
She is finally starting to say a few words. Her first word was Dada at 14 months. After that was Uh-Oh. She says that all the time! Then came Thank You, bye bye, bad bad, (still no Momma), sister, Sandi (yes, she said the dog's name before mine) DaDa Bad Bad, and just this week it came. Momma. She says Mi Mi and MaMaMaMaMa, but never Momma. She has said it twice this week and she is a few days shy of 16 months. I had to wait 16 MONTHS for her to say momma! But let me tell you, what a precious sound it is. Both girls have such sweet voices.
Her attitude is also funny, but will not be for long. That girl has a temper! Whew, she's a screamer. You take her toy and she will get so mad and scream to the top of her lungs! Like I said, funny...now. But what is the funniest thing is when she steals something from Taylor. She'll wait until Tay isn't looking and run over and swipe the toy. As soon has she hears Taylor scream out in protest, Ashlyn will kick it in overdrive and ruuuuuunnnn just as fast as her little wobbly feet can carry her, right into the safety of her momma's arms. LOL! I try so hard not to laugh and then try to be as fair as I can to both girls. Remember, when I take this toy away from Ash she is going to scream too! I guess I need to start investing in a hearing aid now. I hear they're expensive!
TOMAS RAPHEL KABALO
Tomas is our new African baby. Yes, we have adopted a little 5 year old boy from Tanzania. Well, before you freak out, we have not really adopted him. We send his village money every month through a program call World Missions. Tomas has 8 brothers and 2 sisters. I am going to write him my first letter this weekend and I am really looking forward to watching the seeds of God's love grow a half a world away. God has blessed us so abundantly and it is time we start giving back and this is just one of the many exciting ways that we have begun to pay it forward.
p.s. If anyone is wondering, we still have 2 more summers left before we are scheduled to transfer. We have no clue where that will be.
