Heeelllloooo ...... is anyone there!??! (echo,echo,echo)

I never could have imagined the turn my life would take with one in public school, the other in preschool and myself gracing the halls of a learning institution once again. Time is precious, and as much as our memories rank right up there too, our blog too a M A J O R back seat. Today ... look at the date of this post ... ha! Two out of school ... one to go .... and a little more time to record memories. I'm hoping to get some order to our blog - and record a little more often than every six months (YIKES) - baby steps I know .... but right now, I'm going to shoot for once a week and go from there. Baby steps.

"You can sing Happy Birthday to me"

So says Miss Cate :)

Today - my Miss Moo turned three. It's a milestone isn't it!? I mean - she's not LITTLE anymore - she's a preschooler - and growing more and more each day. Where do the days go!?

My Sweet Moo, you brought a new side of Motherhood to my life. You and your sister are special to me - each in your own ways. You balance each other out in a way I never could have expected. You have taught me the importance of slowing down - of watching - of being quiet. You take everything in with your eyes - and say everything with them as well. You may be quiet in terms of speaking, but your eyes never ever stop. Your beautiful brown eyes :) they speak to me constantly. You are what I've come to call, my soothing balm - and I have problems putting it into words - so Miss Cate, look into my eyes and see, how much I love you, how thankful I am that you are a part of my our family, and most of all, I'm looking forward to seeing you grow, being your mom and your friend.

What a blessing you are to us. I love you Miss Catherine :)

Happy Birthday!

Mommy

October 22, 2002

My phone rang today - at exactly 2:56pm ..... that is 1:56pm central time. It was Ang. I quickly shushed her and told her to look at the clock. We shared a collective **sigh** ... and my stomach fluttered a bit, and a knot formed in my throat and for a second I was speechless. It happens to me every year on this date ... at that time. And today - the day Miss Alexandra Lara Elaine Thyen was born. To me ... and her Daddy. The day I became a Mommy for the first time. No matter what, the thought still brings tears to my eyes as I think of my first real part of me that I've seen with my very own eyes ... not in my mind. For an adopted child, that is a huge thing, to have something that is a part of them ... wholy .. not just in their heart. She brought that to me - and it was amazing.

What is even more amazing, is that even as milestones are met, I'm constantly amazed at the level of maturity that seems to be taking place in that not so little person. Had anyone said 'mature' and Lexi in the same sentence two years ago or earlier, I would have laughed. My social go getter was just that - constantly on the go - to the point that it exhausted me daily and even brought me to tears at times. It seems like I'm being rewarded yet again, as funny as it seems, because although the hurt that I feel a little as my little girl and longtime pal is growing up, I'm begning to see her developing so much more as a 'kid'. Always insightful, you can see her thoughts come full circle, she takes time to articulate her ideas and feelings, and what was once a relationship of holding hands and guidance, it is also becoming one of unique and engageing conversation, trust and quiet intimacy that as a Mom, is very cool to share with a daughter.

And so, Miss Alexandra, three cheers to you - my sweet Ally Ga-lou, my Ally Alexandra, my Loula Bell - I love you very much.

Love,

Mommy

Whew .... what a month!

My word .... wasn't I supposed to have MORE time now that both girls are in school?! Apparently not. My laundry isn't getting folded or put away any faster that's for sure!!! :)

We have been busy - we've also experienced the fallout of the start of school and its virtual germ cesspool as both Lexi and Cate caught colds - and now me. Cate is recovering nicely. Lexi, developed a respiratory infection that flared asthma like symptoms. After a doctors appointment, we were sent home with inhalers, allergy meds and an antibiotic. We are returning this Friday for a follow-up and also to test for asthma and the ever dreaded flu shot. Lexi thankfully, is doing MUCH MUCH MUCH better. The meds kicked in FAST - and kicked the infections tush - and Lexi is down to using her inhaler only twice a day vs every four hours. She's back to her old self and feeling so much better!!!

Perhaps I'm 'busier' because I have new found 'me' time :). I've made a few trips into Bangor I'm sure that wasn't all that necessary - and have also purchased a few items I'm sure I don't need :) but I've fun doing some errands on my own. What I miss though - and I never thought I would miss this ... is the constant chatter from the back seat :). That, and my grocery shopping buddies - I miss them so much in general :)

Cate and I drove down to Waterville for an eye appointment. Apparently the only pediatric Opthamologist is 50+ miles south. After an hour and a half drive down and another back, we found out that Cate's eyes are fine .. that her 'squint' is probably part of her silly 2 year old self that could have become habit. She did great - eye dilation and all. Big girl :)

Both girls are off to school this morning. I'm enjoying some tea - and then, I'm off to gallivant around the Bangor area. I figure I only have a few more months before the snow starts and 'gallivanting' no longer is that much fun.

Happy Wednesday everyone!! :)

To Mommy ... Love Lexi

Mommy: "Can I tell you a secret?"
Lexi: **smile** "yes"
Mommy: "It's my birthday today"
Lexi: **whispers** "how old are you?"
Mommy: **whispers** "thirty eight"
Lexi: **MUCH louder** "WOW MOMMY, you're almost FIFTY"

Thank you Lexi - thank you :)

A walk down memory lane

When I was little ... my mom would let me stay home from school and we would ... yes .... go shopping!! :) It's one of my most favorite memories. We would take a cab from our house to the bus stop at the mall - you see - this wasn't just any shopping trip - we were heading downtown :). We could take the bus from the mall right downtown where we would spend the day perusing all eight floors of Daytons (now Macy's - shame on them). After shopping and having lunch, my mom and I would head to the housewares department where I would spend what seemed like forever next to giant bins of soap - looking at them and sniffing them - in my glory. Even as an adult, there is nothing I like more than a good bar of soap - seriously - ask Jay - there is NOTHING I love more to get as a gift than wonderfully handcrafted soap - I would take that over chocolate and flowers anyday - weird - but true.

Why this walk down memory lane!? Because there is a super fun give-away at a new blog I've come across thanks to Valarie :) - "thanks Val!". Lulufish is giving away some serious goodies - check 'em out - and if you win - don't tell me :) A girl can hope can't she!? :) And I must say - MUCH MUCH BETTER than the bins of soaps at Dayton's - Karen makes ALL of her goods - by hand :) - I took a soap making class once .... that my friends, is dedication and an art - with such lovely results. Stop by her blog and get excited with me!!

Hooray and good luck!!

When Lexi is away ......

Cate will play!

Cate has taken advantage of 'her time' and has dove into the toys Lexi typically won't let her play with ... without her 'help' :). Now... these toys are for both of them ... I'm not letting Cate get into Lexi's 'things' - these are just things she's been itching to get her own hands on for some time :)

Don't worry Cate Cate .... it's our secret :)

Lexi Read to ME last night !

Lexi and I have been reading together for some time - working on word recognition - etc. WELL ... last night, Lexi read ME a bedtime story!! :) HOORAY Lexi!!

In the Jungle........

Over the weekend, our girls had the benefit of riffling through our neighbors dress up trunk. To Lexi's DELIGHT (Lexi is a big ... BIG ... B-I-G lion fan) she found a lion costume ... which is now ours ... THANK YOU Mrs. Cummings!! (I mean that with all sincerity - Lexi is in AWE!) Cate has also become quite fond of the 'lion' and has been found wearing it around - for fun :)

Here are some photos of our little wild ones :)

RRRROOOOAAAARRRRR!!!!!!!!

PLEASE note - I am not posting the following video to peddle my singing skills ... HARDLY ... if Cate wasn't so cute in the end of it ... I would have skipped it .... for my own pride :)

Today was the day!

September 3, 2008
University of Maine - Orono Campus
Child Study Center

Miss Cate,

the first time we walked through the doors of The CSC with you, you were a little over a month old. I NEVER thought I would be walking you in as a student so soon!! Stranger still, to see your name on the name tag and cubby - but how excited I am for you!! I am however, already missing my morning shopping buddy, my car companion, and sweetie pie who has been my buddy for so long. I have no fears for you this year as you start preschool. I'm excited beyond words and pray for you as you make some of your first friends, continue down your path of learning and venture toward something that is truly your own.

HOORAY CATE!!!

Love,

Mommy

What do girls do to celebrate?!

SHOP!

To celebrate Cate's PT accomplishments :) - she and I hit the store and picked out a new dress for school. Gotta love a little Hanna Andersson!! :) Next on Miss Cate's agenda - TIGHTS!! :)

HOORAY CATE - and thank you for the worlds fastest PT experience!!! :)

Day 2

Lexi is loving school - today she told me, "each day just keeps getting better and better :) ". Despite a close bus error yesterday (the aid put the kindergartners on the wrong buses - the buses were out of order) - Lexi 'informed' her that they were on the wrong bus :) - lol - As much as a Mommy HATES hearing there was an error and your kiddo was almost victim of riding the wrong route home ... you have to be proud at the same time that she handled it well and was confident and assertive on her own. I also didn't hear about it until tonight at the open house - the social worker whom I've gotten to know quite well - told me when we dropped in to say 'hi'. Whew.

Lexi has 12 kids in her class - so the ratio is good - there is an 'aid' five days a week and also a high school senior who is in a work study program who will be helping half days three days a week. Lexi's preschool had a 3:1 ratio, so she is used to 'attention' - so I'm glad the classroom sizes are small. There are three kindergarten classes - they just hired the third which is a testament to the school - they could have split the third and given each teacher an extra six - it would have still been under 20 - but they went with a third and that makes me extremely happy.

We're still trying to acclimate ourselves to being on a schedule other than our own - and we really have to motor in the morning - her bus comes at 7:05 YIKES! :) and gets home around 2:45. I'm missing her during the day - I miss not dropping in to watch like I did at preschool - although I can - they have an open door policy - I haven't. I'm volunteering in the art room with the art teacher once a week so that will be fun! Lexi is signed up for Daisy's - with the Girl Scouts - that will be interesting. The best part, is seeing people we know - actually know :) - from church at school with their kids - and one of the girls in Lexi's Sunday School class is in her class too - and her dad coaches Lexi's soccer team - so it's beginning to feel a little more 'normal' around here and like we actually have a place in the town and people recognize us for us not 'them' (the new ones - lol)

I'm sure Lexi is looking forward to the weekend as much as we are - holy cow - that's a big adjustment for those little kids! CATE will be pleased to have Lexi home too - she has been missing her - a LOT! Next Wednesday is Cate's big day - HOORAY!!! :) We have soccer Saturday morning and that is IT - we're staying home this weekend - it's been a LONG week - and we're looking forward to next week!!!

Hooray Alexandra!!

First day of Kindergarten

August 27, 2008

Miss Lexi, I watched you get on the bus today - and yes, I cried a little, although I wouldn't let you see it :) Smiles are good for covering things like that up! I watched you climb on the bus ... and drive away. I can't imagine all the things you're going to do today. I'm excited to hear about them! I'm praying for you today - we all are - that you will make a friend, listen, learn and most importantly, that you will find in your heart what makes you excited about learning.

I can't wait to see you at 2:30!!!

Love,

Mommy

The day was bound to come ... but so soon!?

I don't know who was more nervous/excited this morning ... me or Lexi. My usual self woke up around 4am - just like I did when I was in school. The house was quiet, even Rollie was sleeping soundly. Finally, I got up at 5:30 and looked in the girls room Quiet ... content ... sleeping ... peacefully. And it hit me ... hard.

I went downstairs to get Lexi's lunch started ... clothes ready ... get my ducks in a row. Still quiet ... and peaceful. But why was my heart hurting just a little bit?

Lexi was awake when I went upstairs. "Morning" she said with a smile. I knew she would be fine. Me on the other hand ... not so much. After eating and heading out the door for the bus, I watched my not so little Lexi cross the street and climb on the buss ... alone .... with big kids ... to head to school ... alone ... with big kids ... to probably one of the greatest days of her life :).

Milestones are always fun for a Mommy to check off. But this time ... it was a little tough. There is something else I seem to be checking off .... and I can't quite put it into words. When you hold your newborn in your hands, you can't even fathom them making it Kindergarten ... it seems worlds away .. and then, viola, there it is.

So - looking at the clock, I suppose Lexi is almost there ... to be greeted by her teacher ... independently ... and that is a GOOD thing ... there's just a part of me knowing that things will be just a little different from today on .. again ... a good thing ... but my heart still hurts a little ... I still long to be the one holding her hand ... walking her up to the door ... kissing her goodbye. I'm not a good spectator.

Now as I sit and type, it's still quiet, still peaceful, but there is definitely something missing. I think today might be a long day.

Cold Stream Soccer Club

Lexi started soccer three weeks ago. (yes ... it has taken me three weeks to post about it - sorry).

She is a member of the Cold Stream Soccer club - a really great local program for kids K-5. She's having a great time learning drills, playing games and making friends.

If you see her, shout "5"!!! This is what you'll see:

(put your head on the ball :) )

Keep up the good work Lexi!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

My appreciation is directed toward Miss Cate - who has completely knocked my socks off this week. Why? She has mastered Potty Training and has embraced it completely.

Early this summer and once during the spring, I had attempted to start the ever challenging process of potty training with Cate. She showed absolutely NO interest and as much as she liked stickers and panties and flushing the toilet, she really could have cared less after about two days. So - I let it go. We had visitors this summer - a new puppy - construction construction construction so I decided to give the summer a rest and revisit it later.

That 'later' was this week. I have to be honest, I was scared. Although Lexi came through the potty training boot camp pretty easily, we did have some run-ins and I wasn't looking forward to re-visiting all the 'possibilities'. I also had the fact that Cate was starting preschool this September, and even though the welcomed little ones who weren't quite using the potty completely, I didn't want to have to deal with bringing pull-ups to school, creating any doubt in her mind as to why she was getting her pants changed and others using the potty - AND - the fact that it's much easier to potty train in the summer than fall and winter when there are many more layers involved - yes, I had given much thought to the whole process.

SO - Monday, we went cold turkey - put the pull-ups away (except at nighttime, although when they run out, they'll be gone) and pulled out the panties, and went for it. Cate spent her first day sans pants or shorts or even dress - we had three accidents (peepee only - sorry) and moved on. The next morning, dry pants - on the potty - panties on - and not a single accident and she actually experienced her first 'poo' on the potty - sorry for the details, but to a Mommy, they deserve praise :). That night - I heard some talking from the girls room - and thought someone was up. As I entered the room, I realized it was Cate talking in her sleep, "I go potty, I go potty on the toilet" - poor girl she was living the pressure 24 hours. The next morning, dry pants - panties - capris AND a trip to the store sans pull up - NO ACCIDENTS. Today is Friday, she is helping herself on the potty - washing her hands - 'all by myself' as she likes to say. Not a single accident - day or night.

What did I do to deserve this!?!?

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU CATE!!

Well done!!!
(applause please!)

I P'nub You

Happy Anniversary Jay

I Love You!

Home Again .. Home Again ... Jiggidy Jig!

We never really 'left' home - but we've been on what my cousin calls 'staycation' for a week while Jay's friend Matt and his wife Yazmin were visiting. We packed a LOT into five days!. We hit the usual Baxter State Park (where we saw six moose thank you very much - one 15 feet from us on the trail), Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Fort Knox, and romped all over Acadia. Lobster, crab, clams, sea food sea food sea food :) In an attempt to give a little local flair, we hit our town truck stop (diner) and made a plate of Poutsin for Matt to try. Can you tell eating was as much an agenda as seeing the sites?! :) Here are some photos:

Atop Cadilac Mountain (Acadia)

Fort Knox

Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound

Acadia:

Baxter State Park:

Wanted: Puppies in need of a Home!

Five Minutes for Mom is an incredible resource for Moms. They are a great source for reference, and have some of the MOST insane give-aways. In addition to running their website, they also have a store A Rocking Horse to Love of incredible toys - I don't know how those girls can do it. Today, they are giving away three life sized pups - and opened the opportunity to win them to animal loving kiddos. Anyone knowing Lexi, would agree, her name should be on the list of entries. For those who don't know Lexi, let me tell you a little about her:

If asked by inquiring minds, what comes to mind when you think of the contents of a playroom belonging to a five year old girl, I think most would think of dolls, princesses, dress-up play, tea sets, and perhaps even a starter Barbie or two. When I think of the playroom of MY five year old daughter, I immediately think of pet store, veterinary office, farm or the like.

My daughter has been IN LOVE and intrigued with animals from an early age. She passed on the 'traditional' toys and collected unique Beanie Babies to play with at the age of 18 months - the more unique the better - do you know what a Curlew is? She does!! From there, she immediately went on to collect animals by Scheich - again, the more unique the better. Her favorite at the moment, a meerkat - a pack of rollie pollie puppies are a close second. She is the only four year old I've known who has requested an encyclopedia of animals for Christmas - seriously, I didn't even know she knew what an encyclopedia was :). She has one though, and looks at it daily, regardless of the fact that she hasn't learned to read yet. She can rattle off species, habitat etc of some of the most obscure animals. Her heart belongs to animals. She strives to be either a Zoo Keeper or Animal Rescuer for domestic animals, once she told me she could do both. She is in awe by God's creation daily, whether it's when we see an eagle in the sky, a deer while driving, or another dog breed to add to her list of 'must-haves'. Her choice of residence would be the Savannah, her family in addition to us, would be any animal she could manage to gain its trust. She is intrigued by animals, and even more so, learning about giving of her time and love to creatures who are in need and will take time to tell anyone willing to listen about them. I know it sounds like she has more than enough animals to occupy her time - but trust me, if given the opportunity to own one of the life size canines, she would be over the moon. Over. The. Moon.

A little Bloggy fun!

Five Minutes for Mom lists great giveaways on their site - I'm checking out the following :

$50 Target Gift Card!

BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY - Lands' End StudyHaul backpack review and giveaway plus a $10 Wal-Mart gift card

Oopsy Daisy Give Away!

Creations 4 QTS

Ummm ... remember me .... my name is Ruth?!

Well - I have been proven that there is more to life than blogging these days. It's not that we haven't had anything to share - it's just I have been wrapped up - if you asked me with what, I couldn't tell you - but we're here - bright and shiny - happy and completely bowled over that it is already August - and that my friends, means that there is three weeks left until school starts for Miss Alexandra - and the following for Miss Catherine - and THAT is about enough to bring me to tears - HAPPY tears mind you - but nonetheless.

Perhaps another reason why the blog has been so neglected this summer is because our camera (that is as old as Lexi) is on the fritz and officially kicked the bucket this week. It's no fun I tell you. THANK YOU Mom and Dad Mattson for the early birthday gift - it should be arriving this week - and yes, Jason, it is PINK!!! :)

We are DOUBLY excited. We have GUESTS arriving next week!!! Jason's friend from home - I mean, they go WAY WAY back - and his wife are coming to Maine for vacation and will be staying with us. Jay is taking the time off too so we can enjoy it with them. We haven't seen Matt for eight years - can you believe that? Jay and I had just gotten engaged - life took us in different directions - us to NE - Matt to the Southwest for grad school. Things have settled down for us all - and we're going to pick up where we left off. :)

ALSO - big news - Cate made the headlines of the local paper. If you can see past my shirt - a wild paisley design (which is dark dark dark blue and white thank you, not multi color - I'm not nuts), you can begin to make out a steer, Cate, Jay, my back, and if you look REALLY close, to the left, you'll notice Lexi who is poking between Jay and I.
The photo was taken (candidly, we had no idea) at the Burlington 4th of July Festival we attended when my mom and dad were visiting. We had such a good time - imagine our surprise when we picked up the paper and saw that. The headline, "Say Moo" - which is funny, because we've been calling Cate "Moo" since she was a baby - I'm sure she'll be glad we told everyone that when she is older :)

Oh - and could my lack of time to catch up with everyone on the blog have to do with a little 15 week old 'mongrel' puppy (seriously, that's what was on his cage) who has since taken up residence with us!?

Rollie
(by the way - he doesn't look ANYTHING like this anymore - ummm - nope - he has GROWN)

Now, I know, a few months back - I had posted an announcement about a new family member named MAX. Well, Max is now living with another family - with older kids - and doing VERY VERY WELL. We are happy (well, most days) to have another little family member named ROLLIE - a 15 week, 25 pound bundle of energy and love - not to mention BIG clumsey feet. Now - when I say most days - I mean it - puppies are HARD - duh (I wish you could see me give myself a good clunk on the head) - but Max, who was almost two, had some issues like all dogs do - that needed some attention. One of them was jumping, and when you take a 27lb preschooler and 48lb dog, it's not a good mix. As much as we LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED Max - it was proving too tough to concentrate on correcting his 'issue' and poor Cate was beginning to develop a fear of him - and other dogs too - so that was the cue to find him an appropriate home - there hasn't been a day since however, that I don't miss him - I'm completely serious. SO - one day - I (note, me, alone, no one else, just me - something Jason will never let me forget) came home with Rollie - that was five weeks ago - and there hasn't been a day since that I don't miss Max - lol - serious - but ALSO - Rollie, as much hard work a puppy brings, has been a lot of fun - and I like to think we're working with a clean slate - although - I must say - it is doubly hard - and again, I miss Max :) lol.

And ... how can I forget ... Lexi is sporting a very cute toothless grin :) which makes her look even older :)

OK - enough, enough - It's a cloudy misty Saturday morning - I hear the girls (at least one) singing upstairs, so I know I have but a few minutes before the day really begins. I'm off for a cup of chai.

Not the Norm

Note the temp ... not the norm here .... but what we encountered last week for a few days ... thankfully, we're adding blankets at night again!!!

Always hard to say goodbye

We just said Goodbye to my parents who have been visiting for the past two weeks. We had a wonderfully relaxing time - well, as relaxing as it can be when you have contractors, kids and a new ten week old puppy around :) - but we loved having them around and it's oddly quiet now that they are gone. The garage is finished, there's one less car in the driveway, the puppy is sleeping, and the girls are watching a movie - and I miss them already.

During all the hubbub with our garage construction, my dad kept busy watching and chatting with the guys while they were on break.

He built us a new picnic table :) - and helped Jay put walls up on the second floor of the garage. Whew- now we can all breath a little better about the girls going up there.

My mom and I recovered a couch - that was a learning experience!

We enjoyed the yard (sans the black flies),
watched the puppy,
watched Lexi get on the school bus for the first time when she started Kindergarten Camp, (yes I cried when she drove away)went to t-ball games:

did some therapy shopping :) - and had a SkipBo tournament. See why we miss them already?! Not because of the 'things' but for the fact that we got to do it with them.

We had a wonderful Fourth of July. We visited the small town of Burlington for their parade and 4H festivities. Cate and Lexi rode a full size horse for the first time ... YES ... Cate too. We forgot the camera at home, but picture two girls atop a beautiful horse with smiles the size of the sun :) - it's easy to imagine!! We BBQ'd and I hate to admit this, watched fireworks on PBS - we were TIRED!!!

Yesterday, we headed up to Togue Pond near Mt. Katahdin for a day at the beach. It was LOVELY!!! We swam in the cold water - grilled out - and relaxed. Lovely Lovely Lovely.
Goodbye's are hard - but memories make up for it!