She Looks Even More Beautiful

Just when we didn't think it was possible Mia got even more beautiful. Mia, Brianna, Hadley and I (Elise) picked up her glasses yesterday. First of all let me tell you what a sight I am pushing a double stroller and holding a 19 month olds hand (with a monkey leash on of course). It only took about 15 minutes to get inside. Anyway that is beside the point.

It was a struggle to even get her to try them on at the eye shop. We would only get 1 second glances of them on her before she would rip them off and that was with me pinning her arms. So making adjustments to get them to fit right was a challenge. I was told to expect to be back a ton in the beginning to get them adjusted. In the shop, I was starting to despair that this was going to be a nightmare. But the lady kept trying to reassure me that once I got home she would probably react differently and that most kids realize right away that they can see better and so they leave them alone. She also said whatever I do don't put them on her before we get home. Some parents make the fatal flaw of putting them on them for the first time in the car and when they get home the glasses are demolished.

So we waited till we got home. It was a struggle to get them on her again for the first time. I had to pin her arms with my legs because she was too fast for me. But just like we were told it only took a moment of them being on before Mia realized she could see and she never took them off again. She is actually quite proud of them as you will see from the pictures.

We are also quite proud of Brianna. She has only ripped off Mia's glasses once. I think she too quickly realized that Mia needed them and has since left them alone. They say that twins (which is mostly how Mia and Brianna behave) have a way of communicating with each other.

We just think she looks even cuter and Dan and I both find ourselves just staring at her. We find joy in watching her see things in an all new light: books, her favorite tree, her food, etc. So again God has turned something that we thought would be a bummer into something more beautiful than we ever would have imagined.

Our Friend Mo

We have a friend "Mo" who lives in California. She's the Mom of good friends from church and, for all intents and purposes, she has adopted us as her own. Within the last week, we have received two care packages from her. The first one was amazing with too many contents to even list. The second one - which came today - included a Build-a-Bear for each girl. Mia's teddy had a "U.S.A." shirt on and spectacles to celebrate both her finalized citizenship and the fact that she gets to wear glasses soon. And Hadley got her own shades along with her teddy since her older sisters were previously given their own pair in an earlier gift barrage.

It's difficult to understand such kindness. So we don't try. Instead, we just use it to blackmail our own parents. We tell tell them things like, "Hey, we don't mean to pressue ya or anything but Mo just sent us another package. Just thought you'd like to know..." It seems to work.

Thank you, Mo! We really don't know how to thank you for your thoughtful gifts and generosity.

My Daughter Has A Shopping Addiction

It was no later than 9 AM this morning. I was still in my morning attire. My coffee barely cooled. When Bri started to chant "Bye Bye." She stomped to the garage door, turned to me, and pointed in the direction of the mini-van. I told her it was far too early to go anywhere. So she grabbed her Royals visor. I told her that we'd go later. She put on her pink hat. I ignored her. She grabbed her sweater. I pleaded my case. She went and got her jacket. I began to whine. She just pointed at her shoes, looked at me with demanding eyes, and said "Bye. Bye."

So we went to Hyvee. Then to Legends Outdoor Mall. We bought her shoes. She loves shoes. Sneakers, slippers, rain boots, velcro shoes, it doesn't matter. She has a thing for them. At night, she grabs them out of the closet and tries to put them on over her pajama jumper.

Guess we'll have to get Papa back out to build that walk-in closet sooner than I planned.

Butde and Papa Stuck in Salina

Well, what do you get for giving up 5 weeks of your life and driving the RV to Kansas to play with the granddaughters and fix your kid's house? Not a lot, apparently. Butde and Papa left on Saturday and made it no farther than Salina, KS. Their radiator blew and they are now having to spend the week in western Kansas.

But the "Good People" story of the day is that friends from church have family in Salina. I made two quick calls and, voila, they're currently enjoying a home cooked meal in their home. Things like that just don't happen on the coasts, I'll tell yeeewww.

p.s. If you're interested in a mint conditioned RV with no radiator, please call Butde. Don't call Papa, be sure to call Butde at 562.555.1234

Nana's 5!

In the last 15 months, Elise's mom - "Nana" - has had 5 granddaughters join the family. Brianna, Brooklyn, Mia, Hadley, and Ariya (not pictured, unfortunately, but she's a cutie too!).

Nice job Nana!

Goodbye Butde and Papa!

After 5+ weeks, we said goodbye to Butde and Papa tonight. They will pack up their RV and head out early tomorrow morning. It was really sad to watch them drive away - they have been absolutely amazing.


We'd like to log just some of the things they've done for us over that time.

Papa:

• installed jambrace reinforcements to all of our doors
  
• put weather stripping on our upstairs windows


• changed all the hinges on our doors and installed new doorknobs upstairs


• fixed our upstairs bathroom door


• mowed our lawn three times


• added some safety features to our backyard swingset


• installed a hot water spiget


• built a new laundry shelf in the basement


• mounted all of the bookshelves to the wall


• installed a sensor light in the backyard


• fixed our light switch to the basement


• mounted our bathroom towel bars


• fixed the leak on the fridge icemaker


• made 42 trips to Home Depot


• taught Mia how to use a screwdriver

And Butde was no slouch either. She:

• ran approximately 34 loads of laundry


• made a chicken ole


• made 2 different rounds of her famous Mac'n'Cheese


• made flank steak


• the most incredible pulled apart chicken sandwiches


• 2 different rounds of tilipia


• 2 rounds of beef brisket


• a pot roast


• a pork loin


• a chicken and broccolli casserole


• made chicken enchiladas


• made beef and noodles


• made a spanish chorizo soup


• 2 casseroles of Beef and Noodle Au Gratin


• 2 casseroles of ground beef stroganoff


• made 17 Hyvee trips, 12 Henhouse trips, 8 Costco runs


• washed 342 baby bowls, 223 sippy cups, 523 bibs


• cleared at least 35 dishwashers

And, of course, Butde and Papa were courageous and brave enough to hang with the girls while we were at the hospital for 2 1/2 days when Hadley was born. That was the greatest gift of all.
















Most importantly, it was so fun to see how attached our girls grew to them. Now, when Bri, wakes up, she'll first shout, "Daddy!?" Then "Mia. Mia! Mia!" Then "Mama! Mama!" Then...."Appi" (meaning Butde) and "Papa?!? Papa?!" Anyone to pay her some attention.
Our favorite memory will forever be how the girls would rush to the back door whenever Butde and Papa arrived. Their car would pull up, we'd shout "Butde and Papa are here!" and then the girls would race to the door and press their faces up against the storm door.

We love you Butde and Papa. Thank you!

Hat Girls

Mommy bought the girls some new hats and I just couldn't resist posting this one.