Random #4

A week and a half ago, I spent two nights away from my family (except Noelle) to go to Minnesota, to see my grandma who was at death's door. We rejoice that God has allowed her, after all, to live a bit longer--she is still in the hospital but no longer in ICU. I'm glad I went. Not only did I get to see my grandma again, but also we had some good visiting with my mom, my aunt Pari, Uncle Trevor, and my cousins Brooks, Heather, and Pari Beth.

My nephew Tyrel was baptized on February 18th, the day after I got back. We had a good number of visitors at church for the occasion, and afterwards a big dinner at Isaac & Heather's, which was very good.

Ash Wednesday service was at Emmanuel this year, and was well-attended, as was also the soup supper beforehand. One of the things I loved about our Lenten mid-week services last year was the time of eating and fellowship at the soup suppers.

Forrest and I are giving up sugar and coffee for Lent. Giving something up really helps to remind me how human and subject to my own selfish desires I am--all day on Thursday last week, all I kept thinking about was what kind of treat sounded good. Although discouraging, it's also a good thing to be reminded of how weak I am, because then I really just fall into the arms of God and rely on Him to be all I need. I agree with Forrest and Rachel: Lent is a very important time in our church year and life, for redirecting, repentance, and drawing closer to God.

Yesterday we took a walk--going up to Wellesley, over to Monroe, and then back down and over. We saw our first robin of the year in Aunt Billie's yard, and just a couple houses down, there were about 10 to 15 robins, all flitting about in leafless trees. The kids did really well, although Noelle got scared by something almost halfway through the walk and I carried her in the sling the rest of the way. About three blocks away from the Garland Theatre, we could smell the popcorn....we were really hungry by the time we came home.

Noelle had her first birthday last Friday. We had a party for her, with her Grandpa, Grandma, aunt & two uncles on one side and an aunt and uncle on the other side, four cousins, and her friend Lily and parents. It was fun, and she had a good time; she napped through dinner, but was awake for strawberry shortcake and presents. She and Lily and Esther had a little "tea party" with Lily's metal tea set, water, and toddler cookies earlier in the afternoon also.

Noelle is talking more. She now says "Tsee" for cheese (sometimes I'll ask her, "Are you hungry?" or "Do you want a snack?" and she'll smile and say either "num!" or "tsee!"), and "Tsees" for Jesus. She has said "yeah" a few times, which is really cute.

My husband and I have matching cornrows. (Nathan asked, "What's a cornrose?") I think I might take mine out tonight, though, because they're starting to look really frizzy at the scalp. My hair isn't nearly as thick as Forrest's, and since it's longer and thins toward the tips, they look a lot more sparse than his do. But it's been fun. Lynné and I were talking about how it would be cool to put Forrest's hair in cornrows, so on Friday morning she called up and asked Forrest, "How about I do your hair today?" It took her about 3 hours, 31 braids, of which I did maybe 3; she did the rest. But afterwards I kept looking at his hair and wanted to do it to my own hair--so I spent Sunday afternoon off and on doing my own.

We got to play Lynné and Youssef's Wii the other day, and had a blast. Now we're actually considering getting our own. Good-for-you entertainment, in my opinion, since it gets you up & moving to play Wii Sports, and it's a lot more oriented around people having fun together rather than by oneself.

Well, that's about all I had to say. I'll close with some pictures from last night:

Forrest's hair
















My hair
















Noelle loves brushing her teeth!





















David brushing his teeth.

Random ramblings

I've been meaning to post for a long time now, and really haven't had the time. I swear. Forrest is gone to Blockbuster right now to return our Pretender disc and get the next 4 episodes of 24. So I thought I'd seize the opportunity, hopefully before Noelle wakes up again.

We all have colds. Bleh. Hopefully we'll be over them by next week, since David's birthday is then, and also Valentine's Day (on which we might go out) and then Forrest's parents come into town, and then we have a baptism for my nephew Tyrel, and dinner with the family.

Okay. Some funny things my kids said:

Noelle, when looking at anyone, but especially babies: "Pitteh-baby! Pitteh-baby! Awww." While eating: "Mmmmm!" and lots of other cute baby chatter.

David, when I told him not to do something. "Mama, you're not my Daddy."

I can't remember the thing Timothy said today that was so funny, because it was so intricate. But I'll let you know if I remember.

I'm working on a quilt for her, for her birthday. I procrastinated, and have a ton left to do...I hope I can get it done in time!

I was annoyed recently because we found out there was a saints' day for Charles I, king of England and Scotland, and not having remembered hearing about him in school, I looked through a couple of history books my parents have, and found in them nothing but bad things to say about him. He was actually put to death, partly because he refused to allow bishops to be abolished from the Anglican church. It's awful to read about the disunity of the church at that time, the mudslinging, and utter hatred that Christians of differing convictions had for each other.

Forrest has been practicing chords on his guitar. It's really cool to hear.

Noelle is now walking all over the place. She still looks like she's about to fall over with almost every step she takes, but ends up making it across whole rooms. And when she doesn't make it
that far, she picks herself right back up and continues.

Oh, and part of the reason I didn't post earlier was because SOMEBODY got me Zoo Tycoon for Christmas and it's been really fun. Thanks! :-) Although more recently it's more due to the fact that I really haven't had more than 10 minutes at once to sit down and do this.

Okay. Pictures!

This is from a couple weeks ago, at Ryan & Taneisha's:

David, wearing some of Victoria & Bella's play glasses...





















The kids having dinner...
















This isn't a good picture of Matthew, but it is of Arayah (hope I spelled that right) so I thought I'd put it up anyway.
















Forrest relaxes while holding a sleeping girly
















Noelle thought she was pretty funny...




















Ryan and Arayah...





















Three Subway employees and a Baby.















Taneisha & Ryan.
















Timothy jumping off a bed--the shirt, given by Ryan & Taneisha, says "I do all my own stunts."
















Victoria laughing.
















And at our home:
The boys being goofy in the bath
















This dress was given to Noelle by someone at church...at first I didn't like it, just 'cause the material is very bright & busy, but Noelle makes it look cute.




















The cutie in ponytails.