Monday, April 2, 2012
Daniska Maternity
Oh my goodness...what a pleasure it was to take these pictures. Jess is a wonderful friend of mine and I couldn't be happier to be on this journey with her! I can remember the day she told me she was pregnant (yes, we might have just jumped up and down in the middle of the hallway at our school) and it will not be long before her precious baby boy will be here!!! Congratulations Jess and Dan!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Leighton is SIX!!!
Oh me! When did my baby turn 6?? Six years old? This sweet girl changed my life the day she was born. And she continues to change the lives of people around her with her sweet nature, loving spirit, and kind heart. She is my mini-me inside and out and I don't know what I would do without her!
She decided she wanted her birthday party at home...so her friends could come to her house and play. And she wanted a gymnastics theme. We had a dessert table complete with Olympic rings, a balance beam, uneven bars which displayed our leotard and gold medal cookies, a ball pit filled with bubble gum, and a trampoline cake. Our activities were pin the pony-tail on the gymnast, the balance beam, the trampoline (thank goodness we had the balance beam and small trampoline or we would have invested some serious money in this party), and "hot potato" with a 1st place ribbon. And we finished with all of the girls playing with the parachute. Fun times had by all!! :)
She decided she wanted her birthday party at home...so her friends could come to her house and play. And she wanted a gymnastics theme. We had a dessert table complete with Olympic rings, a balance beam, uneven bars which displayed our leotard and gold medal cookies, a ball pit filled with bubble gum, and a trampoline cake. Our activities were pin the pony-tail on the gymnast, the balance beam, the trampoline (thank goodness we had the balance beam and small trampoline or we would have invested some serious money in this party), and "hot potato" with a 1st place ribbon. And we finished with all of the girls playing with the parachute. Fun times had by all!! :)
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Miracles
Since my kids have been born, I've found I think about life's miracles more and more. The fact that my kids are healthy and on this Earth is a miracle. Have you ever thought about how often we take our health for granted? I try, since learning of my skin cancer, to live each day to the fullest but I have to admit that the "daily" stuff, the mundane, often takes over and I sweat the small stuff. However, there are two people I see on a daily basis that make me smile, remind me that we aren't guaranteed tomorrow, and that miracles still happen. I see Jack walking down the hallway at school and get goose bumps because I know...he's a miracle. I sit in meetings and listen to Debbie talk and I am reminded of how lucky I am to have her here today. She too is a miracle.
For those who read my blog and don't know Debbie's story...let me tell you why she and her son are such miracles. When Jack was 3, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Can you imagine? 3 years old! He had to have a bone marrow transplant and Debbie was the donor. I don't know a Momma who wouldn't take on that hurt for their child. Debbie did exactly what she needed to do to save her son's life. She gave her son marrow on her daughter's first birthday. So now, on that date, the Boren family celebrates the lives of two of their children. Jack is now 7 years out of his transplant...a happy, healthy, handsome young man. But that was just the beginning of the fight for the Boren family.
In 2008, just 3 years after Jack got his all clear test results, Debbie herself was diagnosed with leukemia. As she fought for her own life, she also called Jack's doctors to ensure his health was not at risk because she was his donor. They assured her that he was fine. It was her turn to jump the same hurdle her now 6 year old son was a "survivor" of. And she did with more grace than I could ever imagine. She never steered from the fact that she knew God had a plan for her and she was in it. Through treatments and then a bone marrow transplant herself, she trusted that all would be well.
I am reminded daily of how lucky I am to have Debbie here. To be able to touch her, talk to her, hug her, and just tell her I love her. Debbie, you and your sweet Jack are two of the biggest miracles I've witnessed. It is an honor to call you friend! Much love Boren family!!!
For those who read my blog and don't know Debbie's story...let me tell you why she and her son are such miracles. When Jack was 3, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Can you imagine? 3 years old! He had to have a bone marrow transplant and Debbie was the donor. I don't know a Momma who wouldn't take on that hurt for their child. Debbie did exactly what she needed to do to save her son's life. She gave her son marrow on her daughter's first birthday. So now, on that date, the Boren family celebrates the lives of two of their children. Jack is now 7 years out of his transplant...a happy, healthy, handsome young man. But that was just the beginning of the fight for the Boren family.
In 2008, just 3 years after Jack got his all clear test results, Debbie herself was diagnosed with leukemia. As she fought for her own life, she also called Jack's doctors to ensure his health was not at risk because she was his donor. They assured her that he was fine. It was her turn to jump the same hurdle her now 6 year old son was a "survivor" of. And she did with more grace than I could ever imagine. She never steered from the fact that she knew God had a plan for her and she was in it. Through treatments and then a bone marrow transplant herself, she trusted that all would be well.
I am reminded daily of how lucky I am to have Debbie here. To be able to touch her, talk to her, hug her, and just tell her I love her. Debbie, you and your sweet Jack are two of the biggest miracles I've witnessed. It is an honor to call you friend! Much love Boren family!!!
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| Jack and Debbie in 2005 when Jack was boy of the year. Is he not the cutest? |
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| Jack and Debbie now...happy, and healthy!!! Love you!! |
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Ainsley-ism's
Life with my sweet Ainsley is never dull. I've gotten more than a few comments and texts about her last few stories so I thought she could keep you entertained with a few more!
For those who know me well, you know my personality is far from that of Ainsley. But, she is exactly like my brother. I guess I should have known when she was born on his birthday that she would take after him! She also has adopted the Fields really loud voice too. Everywhere we go people know we're coming because Ainsley talks so loudly.
1. One night as our family was headed into Bahama Breeze (one of our favorite restaurants), Ainsley pointed to herself and said, "I'm Ariel." She pointed to me and said, "You're Prince Erik." Fine...no big deal. Until a rather large and not-so-attractive woman stepped in behind us. Ainsley pointed directly at her and said LOUDLY, "And there's Ursula!" I wanted to hide under a rock!
2. Crock-pot lasagna...it's what's for dinner. Our family sat down. Ainsley was the last one to the table and she sat down...looked at her plate and said..."poop." Aaron popped up, rushed her into the bathroom, all the while she was whining. She finally yelled, in her Fields "inside" voice, "I not have to poop! My food is poop!" She didn't eat that night...I can't say I blame her. I wouldn't eat anything like looks like poop either! *For the record...it didn't taste like poop*
3. In my last blog post I alluded to the fact Ainsley insists that she wears panties and her daddy wears underwear. But, the truth of the matter is, she emphatically believes that all girls wear panties and all boys wear underwear. It comes up in conversation often. One afternoon while eating at a local taco shop (geesh...have y'all noticed many of these stories revolve around food? Either we eat all the time or Ainsley is full of herself during meals.) she announced that I wear panties, Leighton wears panties, Aaron wears underwear, and then she turned to the family behind our booth, pointed to man sitting across from her, and stated rather loudly..."and that daddy wears underwear too." Thankfully the family thought it was funny cause her daddy was mortified.
For those who know me well, you know my personality is far from that of Ainsley. But, she is exactly like my brother. I guess I should have known when she was born on his birthday that she would take after him! She also has adopted the Fields really loud voice too. Everywhere we go people know we're coming because Ainsley talks so loudly.
1. One night as our family was headed into Bahama Breeze (one of our favorite restaurants), Ainsley pointed to herself and said, "I'm Ariel." She pointed to me and said, "You're Prince Erik." Fine...no big deal. Until a rather large and not-so-attractive woman stepped in behind us. Ainsley pointed directly at her and said LOUDLY, "And there's Ursula!" I wanted to hide under a rock!
2. Crock-pot lasagna...it's what's for dinner. Our family sat down. Ainsley was the last one to the table and she sat down...looked at her plate and said..."poop." Aaron popped up, rushed her into the bathroom, all the while she was whining. She finally yelled, in her Fields "inside" voice, "I not have to poop! My food is poop!" She didn't eat that night...I can't say I blame her. I wouldn't eat anything like looks like poop either! *For the record...it didn't taste like poop*
3. In my last blog post I alluded to the fact Ainsley insists that she wears panties and her daddy wears underwear. But, the truth of the matter is, she emphatically believes that all girls wear panties and all boys wear underwear. It comes up in conversation often. One afternoon while eating at a local taco shop (geesh...have y'all noticed many of these stories revolve around food? Either we eat all the time or Ainsley is full of herself during meals.) she announced that I wear panties, Leighton wears panties, Aaron wears underwear, and then she turned to the family behind our booth, pointed to man sitting across from her, and stated rather loudly..."and that daddy wears underwear too." Thankfully the family thought it was funny cause her daddy was mortified.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Oops, she did it again...
So, now that you have Britney Spears stuck in your head, I think we can get to the crux of the issue. Ainsley has been at it again! Gosh, I love my girl!!
Ainsley does everything her sister does. Many times she gets herself in trouble because she tries to be a "big girl" and just isn't big enough, yet. She wants to sit like a big girl at the table but can't reach without a booster. She wants to dress herself but usually stands up with two legs in one hole of her panties (and don't call them underwear...she wears panties...only her daddy wears underwear). She wants to drink from a big girl cup but then spills everywhere because she can't control it yet. And on and on and on.
When Leighton gets a new outfit...you better bet Ainsley needs something very similar. They love to dress alike. At gymnastics on Tuesday, Leighton's team was trying on leotards. We were in the lobby, which happened to be packed. Each of the girls' moms decided in order to get an accurate size we would pull the leo's on top of what our girls already had on. I had tried on one size and Leighton's coach asked me to try the smaller size, so I was in the middle of getting another leo when the coach said..."Umm, Lindsay...look at Ainsley." I turned around and there stood my little 2 year old...naked. She had stripped all of her clothes off, in the middle of the lobby, with coaches, parents, gymnasts, etc., all standing around. When I looked at her she threw her arms out and said..."I want a "yeo" (leo in Ainsley language) too!" She won...she got that leo! Whatever it took to get the girl clothed!!!!
Ainsley does everything her sister does. Many times she gets herself in trouble because she tries to be a "big girl" and just isn't big enough, yet. She wants to sit like a big girl at the table but can't reach without a booster. She wants to dress herself but usually stands up with two legs in one hole of her panties (and don't call them underwear...she wears panties...only her daddy wears underwear). She wants to drink from a big girl cup but then spills everywhere because she can't control it yet. And on and on and on.
When Leighton gets a new outfit...you better bet Ainsley needs something very similar. They love to dress alike. At gymnastics on Tuesday, Leighton's team was trying on leotards. We were in the lobby, which happened to be packed. Each of the girls' moms decided in order to get an accurate size we would pull the leo's on top of what our girls already had on. I had tried on one size and Leighton's coach asked me to try the smaller size, so I was in the middle of getting another leo when the coach said..."Umm, Lindsay...look at Ainsley." I turned around and there stood my little 2 year old...naked. She had stripped all of her clothes off, in the middle of the lobby, with coaches, parents, gymnasts, etc., all standing around. When I looked at her she threw her arms out and said..."I want a "yeo" (leo in Ainsley language) too!" She won...she got that leo! Whatever it took to get the girl clothed!!!!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Out of the Mouths of Babes
I'd heard the saying, "Out of the mouths of babes," before my kids were born. I thought it was hilarious that kids don't really understand what a filter is and therefore say whatever is on their mind. However it is not as funny when it's your own child. It can be quite embarrassing.
Leighton is my rule follower. She's outgoing but she's also quiet, like me. She wouldn't draw attention to herself for fear it was the "wrong thing to do." My Ainsley, on the other hand, is the total opposite. She is the center of attention. She craves the attention so much I really believe she likes negative attention as much as positive. She's a charmer, she's precious, she's never met a stranger....she has quite a little personality all packaged up in that little tiny body. She comes by it naturally. My father and brother are the same way. I think today, in their adulthood they still struggle with putting a filter on their mouths.
Ainsley did not disappoint today. Her mouth, lacking it's filter, really "took the cake" on this one. I picked her up from Sunday School...in her precious little sweater and skirt. She ran to me like she hadn't seen me in days. And then the nursery worker came up to me and said..."I just love her!" This isn't atypical because she's so full of life. I said, "thank you," assuming that was the end of our conversation. Only it wasn't. The nursery worker continued, "Ainsley told me this morning that I had big boobs just like her mommy." Me...speechless!!!!
Leighton is my rule follower. She's outgoing but she's also quiet, like me. She wouldn't draw attention to herself for fear it was the "wrong thing to do." My Ainsley, on the other hand, is the total opposite. She is the center of attention. She craves the attention so much I really believe she likes negative attention as much as positive. She's a charmer, she's precious, she's never met a stranger....she has quite a little personality all packaged up in that little tiny body. She comes by it naturally. My father and brother are the same way. I think today, in their adulthood they still struggle with putting a filter on their mouths.
Ainsley did not disappoint today. Her mouth, lacking it's filter, really "took the cake" on this one. I picked her up from Sunday School...in her precious little sweater and skirt. She ran to me like she hadn't seen me in days. And then the nursery worker came up to me and said..."I just love her!" This isn't atypical because she's so full of life. I said, "thank you," assuming that was the end of our conversation. Only it wasn't. The nursery worker continued, "Ainsley told me this morning that I had big boobs just like her mommy." Me...speechless!!!!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Five on Friday
1. I was honored to find out this week that I was nominated as Teacher of the Year for Oak Elementary School. Woah! I am still blown away, humbled, and so undeserving of this. Lots of my Oak friends have asked what picture I submitted with all of my paperwork to see if I make the next cut. Here it is...
2. Leighton is loving her competitive gymnastics team. She practices twice a week for a total of 3 hours. When it's over she's asking for more. She is already gaining skills in the short month she has moved to team. One of her biggest accomplishments is climbing the rope on her own. Her strength is floor exercise so it is exciting to see her meet goals in other areas! We're so proud of you baby girl!
3. Kindergarten celebrated 100 days at school this week. We thought it was fitting that Leighton dress as though she were 100 years old. She loved the idea when I told her. She couldn't wait to get dressed in the morning. And then when it was time to go to school she was a little apprehensive. After a day full of "oohs and ahhs" she was fine.
4. My girls LOVE Carrie Underwood. Ainsley asks for her the minute her booty hits the car seat.
5. I have to admit that one of our favorite shows is America's Funniest Home Videos. Years ago (I think they still play it) there was a series of videos of a man who is forced to dance. He gets locked out of his home, his car, etc., and his wife tells him to he has to dance in every video in order for her to unlock the door. It's my all time favorite. Well...let's just say my dancing machine wasn't up for the dancing challenge the first time but he got the hang of it after a few trials!!!
2. Leighton is loving her competitive gymnastics team. She practices twice a week for a total of 3 hours. When it's over she's asking for more. She is already gaining skills in the short month she has moved to team. One of her biggest accomplishments is climbing the rope on her own. Her strength is floor exercise so it is exciting to see her meet goals in other areas! We're so proud of you baby girl!
3. Kindergarten celebrated 100 days at school this week. We thought it was fitting that Leighton dress as though she were 100 years old. She loved the idea when I told her. She couldn't wait to get dressed in the morning. And then when it was time to go to school she was a little apprehensive. After a day full of "oohs and ahhs" she was fine.
4. My girls LOVE Carrie Underwood. Ainsley asks for her the minute her booty hits the car seat.
5. I have to admit that one of our favorite shows is America's Funniest Home Videos. Years ago (I think they still play it) there was a series of videos of a man who is forced to dance. He gets locked out of his home, his car, etc., and his wife tells him to he has to dance in every video in order for her to unlock the door. It's my all time favorite. Well...let's just say my dancing machine wasn't up for the dancing challenge the first time but he got the hang of it after a few trials!!!
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