Hopes for 2010

I am not really one for making resolutions for the New Year. I used to, but after not keeping them, I just gave up. There are many things that I hope to accomplish and many things I hope for Dave and Kaitlynn to accomplish and for us to accomplish as a family this year.

1. I want to build a closer relationship with God. This is something for us to accomplish as a family and as individuals. I want us to finally pick a church that we will get involved with and take the plunge.

2. I am hoping that my health issues get worked out and to finally stop feeling sick all day, everyday and to have more energy. I am also hoping that Dave's health issues continue to get better and that Kaitlynn not get sick as much this year.

3. I am hoping that we can heal as a family and that we will not let negativity into our lives anymore.

4. I am hoping that Dave's school year goes well. He is enjoying school so much and is networking with some neat people. I hope that he is able to build some lasting relationships with people he meets in graduate school.

5. I am hoping that Dave can find a job that is more suited to his degree, interests and passions.

6. I want to figure out what I want to do with this blog. I know I will keep it, but not sure what I want it to be about. I need to find it's purpose.

7. I want to be able to bring in more income (who doesn't right?) and continue to be at home with Kaitlynn. I am open to paid blogging experiences / opportunities, taking in another child for in-home childcare and other at home work opportunities. I am also hoping to continue to grow my Avon business and continue with leadership.

8. I want us to build a better / closer support network of friends. Currently, we do not have many close friends or friends that we feel comfortable calling and asking for support. We would love to have a "go to couple" or "couples". We hope to build a network of people that can be supportive of one another and hang out quite frequently. A network of people that are sincere and genuine with no games or one up-manship involved.

I am sure that my hopes, wants and dreams will continue to grow as we get further into the New Year, but these are the ones on my mind as I write this post.

Playground Pizzazz and More

Monday the 21st Dave, Kaitlynn and I went to the ECC for the Playground Pizzazz. We ran into Tara and Bailey there. It was such a hot day. The girls were so sweaty. Kaitlynn did well with telling us when she needed to use the potty. We saw her P.A.T. Educator there and I talked with a lady I used to work with.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Afterwards, we picked up MawMaw from work and went shopping. Kangaroo Kids was one of our stops. We also visited the new Walmart in our area. It is huge! I can't wait to go back. We ran into Tara, Jonathon and Bailey there. Kaitlynn and Bailey ran around the grocery isles for awhile.

Losing a special friend

Last Saturday we received a call that a client we worked with had passed away. Jimmy was 37 years old and was more than a client. We are friends with him and his family. I helped take care of Jimmy when he came to the agency I used to work for 8 years ago. Dave helped take care of him after I left the agency. Jimmy had severe disabilities. I became close to Jimmy's mom. I met Jimmy's sister and brother. We kind of became part of the family.

It was a shock to hear those words from Dave's mouth. Dave got off the phone with his boss and told me that Jimmy had passed away. What? No, not Jimmy. He hadn't been sick. It seems he had a seizure and died suddenly. We didn't know what to do. We didn't want to burden his mom or family by going to visit them. They needed to grieve right?

We decided to go over to the family's house. We needed to show our support and grieve with them. It was the right decision. The house was a buzz with friends and family showing their support, grieving together and remembering Jimmy.

Tuesday evening Dave, Kaitlynn and I attended Jimmy's visitation. His funeral was on Wednesday morning. We didn't take Kaitlynn to the funeral. It was a beautiful service at the funeral home. His nieces spoke, the neighbor sang, and it was very heartfelt. We attended the grave site service, where it was concluded by a Native American chant. Then went to Jimmy's mom's home for lunch. It was great being with everyone who loved Jimmy to remember him and grieve him.


HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD
by Edna Massimilla
A meeting was held quite far from Earth!
It's time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the LORD above,
This Special Child will need much love.

His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.

He may not run or laugh or play,
His thoughts may seem quite far away,
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please LORD, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play,
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD.

Grant's Farm and Free Slurpees

Saturday Dave, Kaitlynn, Toni and I went to Grant's Farm. We saw lots of animals on the tram ride.
These donkeys were so close to the tram, I could hardly take a picture of them.

After we got off the tram ride, as we were heading to the goat pen, it started sprinkling. It didn't seem too bad, but as I reached for my wallet to get money out to buy a bottle of milk (so Kaitlynn could feed the goats), it started to become more than a sprinkle. We took cover by the gift shop and restrooms. The rain slowed down, so Dave bought a bottle of milk.

The sprinkling started again as soon as Kaitlynn finished feeding the goats through the fence.

We were surprised that the goats were taking cover from the rain.

It starting pouring, so we had to take cover between the gift shop and restroom again. All the times, we have been to Grant's Farm the last 2 years and this is the first time we have been rained on.

After the rain slowed down, we headed to the Animal Encounter Show. The show was canceled due to the rain, but they brought out 5 animals for everyone to pet, after the rain stopped.

Kaitlynn pet a rat,

a possum,

an iguana,

a cockatoo and a snake. She pet the snake a few times.

They also brought an owl out, but you were not able to pet it.
Kaitlynn chose to sit on Toni's lap instead of in the stroller.
Kaitlynn took this picture of this tortoise.
Lemur
The flamingos were fighting. Of course, as soon as I got the camera out, they stopped.
African Elephant
Kaitlynn kept saying "pony ride" because she said she wanted to ride the pony.

We went to the Beer Garden and had lunch. Kaitlynn made some wishes by throwing coins in the fountain.

We finished our visit at the stables watching the Clydesdales.

Then we took advantage of 7-11's free Slurpee deal. Kaitlynn enjoyed her Wild Cherry Slurpee.

Kaitlynn and I went to MawMaw's and did some grocery shopping. We met up with Dave later and went to dinner.

Hanna's Birthday and Cardinals' Game

Sunday May 31st was my niece Hanna's 18th birthday. Dave, Kaitlynn and I picked her up so we could go to dinner with my mom at Pasta House to celebrate.

Wednesday June 3rd, Kaitlynn and I went to my mom's. We went to dinner and then met Dave and one of his clients at the Cardinals' game. Dave got tickets from work and invited my mom and me along (Kaitlynn didn't need a ticket).
MawMaw's first Cardinals' game!

Kaitlynn did great at the game. This was the first Cardinals' game she has been to this season / year. My mom bought Kaitlynn a Pujols' shirt. Kaitlynn (and Dave) were so excited about it.

Thursday June 4th my mom watched Kaitlynn for a little bit during the day. Dave and I had lunch together.

Friday Kaitlynn and I stayed home and cleaned house.

First Trip to Grant's Farm this Season

Saturday, April 25th, we went to a walk for Dave's work. Kaitlynn loved seeing all the dogs in the park. She especially loved this huge dog named Journey. Journey's owner was really nice and couldn't get over Kaitlynn. She said she couldn't believe Kaitlynn was only 2 and was so curious, smart and talkative.

After the walk, we went to Grant's Farm. The wait to get from the parking lot across the street to Grant's Farm wasn't bad considering it was only there second weekend open this season.
Waiting for the tram ride
Kaitlynn has an excellent memory. On the tram ride, she asked about seeing the turtles. I told her there aren't any turtles at Grant's Farm, then I remembered that they have 2 tortoises. I couldn't believe she remembered that from last year!
Feeding the goats
They have added a carousel, but we didn't ride it. They have the guinea pig area locked so that the kids can't go in anymore. Kaitlynn kept trying to climb over the fence. She was so confused as to why she couldn't go in the pen. It was surprising that they locked this area, but I guess something happened last season. Another thing they changed this year is that they don't sell the Grant's Farm cups or honor the one's from previous years. So there are no refills, unless you buy a drink that day.

Kaitlynn actually fed a camel, but got freaked out and made daddy feed the camel the rest of the food.

We ate lunch and had our free AB drinks. They only offer free beer this year. They no longer have the other free alcoholic beverages. I am just glad they still offer the free beer. I was afraid they were going to change that, too.

We went to my mom's to visit. Kaitlynn played out in the yard with Sassy then we ate dinner.

Visiting Daddy At Work

Monday I took Kaitlynn up to visit Dave at work. Kaitlynn fell asleep on the way there, but we still woke her up when we got there. I knew if we didn't she would be disappointed. After leaving, we went to my mom's.

I was hoping Kaitlynn would fall back to sleep on the drive to my mom's. Nope. She was up until bedtime. We went grocery shopping and out to dinner. Kaitlynn played with Sassy and took a bath at my mom's. She likes running around the yard with Sassy. She digs in the dirt with Sassy and they find places to hide. It's fun to watch them together. Sassy is still a puppy and can be hyper. She jumped up on Kaitlynn and scratched her face. Now Kaitlynn has a scratch below her eye. But she still loves that silly dog.