We were driving in the car and she was playing with her cell phone. She was yelling at someone on the phone. I wasn't paying much attention because she usually talks or sings or does something noisy while I'm driving.
After a little silence she said, "I mad".
I turned around and said, "You're mad? I'm sorry, who were you talking to on the phone"?
She said, "Nana".
Last night we were watching Dancing with the Stars and O was dancing all around. She moved her piano in front of the TV to play and dance. When she was done with that, she brought her drum out and played along. And then, I don't quite understand this one, she put a washcloth on her head and played the drum.
I recently purchased some Reese peanut butter eggs and O loved getting a chocolaty treat. Last night I asked O what she wanted for dinner.
"Do you want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich"?
"No".
"Do you want a tuna fish sandwich"?
"No".
"Do you want fish sticks"?
"No. Yellow".
Let me explain here that things in her world don't have names, they are identified by color.
"Yellow? What do you want that is yellow? I can't think of anything".
"Yellow chocolate".
"No, you can't have chocolate. You have to eat dinner first".
"Chicken"? She's one smart kid.
I bought O a stepping stool so she could reach the bathroom sink. Since she's had it, she's gotten into everything that has been out of reach. She put the stool by a light switch and turned it off and on. She put it by the fridge and pulled magnets and pictures off. She put the stool by the kitchen sink and put all of the dishes on the counter into the sink. AND, here is my favorite, she put the stool by the kitchen cupboard and pulled out her "treats". I was in the office and she came in with some chocolate. It was then I understood why the older she gets the higher things get. It's a good thing I'm tall.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
News from Djibouti
Leighton sent this to me about his experience volunteering in an orphanage. Whenever I hear of the conditions in which others live, I count my blessings. I am grateful I have had the chance to experiences several cultures other than my own. I have a realistic understanding that our standard of living is far above and beyond a majority of the rest of the world. Even with the current state of the world, people in the USA are blessed.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
"I went to the orphanage today. There were about 40-50 children between the ages of a couple months to about 3. Two or three nuns run the place. There seemed to be another two or three local volunteers. I don't know how they care for all those children when we don't come. It was a ton of work.
"When we got there, they were lying or standing in cribs or on exercise mats (those that aren't crawling yet). Some were crying, some were content, and some seemed happy. So, 15 of us volunteers swoop in and play with, feed, or entertain the masses. While I was bottle feeding one child, I watched as an upset baby pull himself (not quite crawling) to another baby and bit her arm. So, I picked up the victimized baby and continued to feed the first. Once the first baby was fed and burped, I put her down and started the feed the second. This child clung to me for almost the rest of the time we were there. So, I frequently had a child in each arm. And each volunteer was pretty much doing the same. (I can't imagine 5 or 6 people caring for all those children. That's a ton of work.) After feeding them all and playing with them for a little while, it was time to change diapers and put them to bed. It was about 6:00 to 6:30 when we put them down. There were lots of cribs (try to imagine walking into Olivia's room with about 20 cribs). There were three small rooms packed with cribs and crying babies who were not ready for bed, with a few exceptions. That was the hardest part, all those crying babies in cribs. Normally, I would pick up the baby and rock him or her to sleep. But, it was time for us to go. And so we left a room full of crying babies.
"I'm grateful I was able to go. Except for the last part, it was refreshing. I couldn't help but notice that the way babies communicate is universal. One baby got smacked with a toy by another baby right in front of me, and of course started to cry. So I dragged the baby close to me with one hand (holding the clingy one in the other) so I could pick her up and comfort her. At first, she was like 'what are you doing, I don't want to be picked up'. So, I didn't. I explained that I saw that she was hurt and wanted to comfort her, but only if she wanted and I wouldn't force her. About a minute later she pulled herself back to me and gave me the 'I want to you pick me up and comfort me' look. So I did and she nuzzled into me for few minutes, then was done and ready to play again, at which time I put her down."
Sunday, March 15, 2009
"I went to the orphanage today. There were about 40-50 children between the ages of a couple months to about 3. Two or three nuns run the place. There seemed to be another two or three local volunteers. I don't know how they care for all those children when we don't come. It was a ton of work.
"When we got there, they were lying or standing in cribs or on exercise mats (those that aren't crawling yet). Some were crying, some were content, and some seemed happy. So, 15 of us volunteers swoop in and play with, feed, or entertain the masses. While I was bottle feeding one child, I watched as an upset baby pull himself (not quite crawling) to another baby and bit her arm. So, I picked up the victimized baby and continued to feed the first. Once the first baby was fed and burped, I put her down and started the feed the second. This child clung to me for almost the rest of the time we were there. So, I frequently had a child in each arm. And each volunteer was pretty much doing the same. (I can't imagine 5 or 6 people caring for all those children. That's a ton of work.) After feeding them all and playing with them for a little while, it was time to change diapers and put them to bed. It was about 6:00 to 6:30 when we put them down. There were lots of cribs (try to imagine walking into Olivia's room with about 20 cribs). There were three small rooms packed with cribs and crying babies who were not ready for bed, with a few exceptions. That was the hardest part, all those crying babies in cribs. Normally, I would pick up the baby and rock him or her to sleep. But, it was time for us to go. And so we left a room full of crying babies.
"I'm grateful I was able to go. Except for the last part, it was refreshing. I couldn't help but notice that the way babies communicate is universal. One baby got smacked with a toy by another baby right in front of me, and of course started to cry. So I dragged the baby close to me with one hand (holding the clingy one in the other) so I could pick her up and comfort her. At first, she was like 'what are you doing, I don't want to be picked up'. So, I didn't. I explained that I saw that she was hurt and wanted to comfort her, but only if she wanted and I wouldn't force her. About a minute later she pulled herself back to me and gave me the 'I want to you pick me up and comfort me' look. So I did and she nuzzled into me for few minutes, then was done and ready to play again, at which time I put her down."
Friday, March 6, 2009
Have you ever done something like this?
My latest favorite shirt to wear has a giraffe on it and it reads, "I was vegetarian before it was cool". I'm not vegetarian, I just liked the shirt.
Well, this morning I was meeting with a doctor about my migraines. He asked how my life would be different if we were to figure out a trigger for my headaches. I said if foods weren't the problem then I would go back to eating the foods I like. He asked what they were so I said,"I like cheese and yogurt and avocados and I like barbeque chicken. I like to go to Rudy's to get some of their chopped or their brisket".
It wasn't until I got into the car that I remembered I was wearing my latest favorite shirt.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tag in 6's
Rules: Go to the document setting/my pictures on your computer. Choose your 6th file. Choose your 6th picture. Blog about it..tag 6 people.
This was a common sight on my trip to South East Asia in 2006. For some reason I just thought it was funny that restaurants were open 23 hours instead of 24.
Gator, Oskaloosa, Teresa, Angie, Fizzy and Jen.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Husband Tag
My friend JS tagged me on her blog. I'd put a link here, but she's one of those people that has an "invitation only" blog, so it would be pointless.
Where We Met?
In the parking lot of Northern Exposure. I'd just finished my shift and he had just returned from checking in with his parole officer. Ha, I knew you wouldn't buy it. We met in Salt Lake City.
How long did we date before we were married?
Um, 8 months, I think? I'm not one for remembering that kind of stuff.
How long have we been married?
8 years in May, I think?
What is my favorite thing about him?
He is the best friend I have ever had. He is patient and he loves me thoroughly. I've learned more about the nature of God through the way Leighton loves me.
What is your favorite quality about him?
He has moral integrity and a sincere desire to fulfill his purpose in life.
What is his nickname for you?
Love.
I won't tolerate anything else.
His favorite food?
Um.... I don't really know. We haven't been together for SO long, I've forgotten what he eats.
His favorite sport?
Although he is a talented athlete, he's not really into sports, he prefers "take over the world and dominate" games.
Who said the "L" word first?
I have no idea. I'm not one for remembering things like that. I wouldn't be surprised if it was him.
First Kiss?
He kind of stole it. I didn't want to kiss him and he went for it anyway. I didn't smack him or knee him in the groin, even though I should have.
Favorite Couple thing to do?
Going for a walk/hike and talking. We also liked watching "Bones" together. That show made us laugh a lot.
How many kids We have?
2 One in S. America and O.
His hidden talent?
He loves to sing and dance. Ha ha ha, just kidding. If you know him, you'll know he is the most tone deaf and uncoordinated person in the world.
His hidden talent is... Wow, I'm not sure. We haven't really spent much time together this past year.
His age?
I think he's 35. Once again, I'm not one for remembering things like that. I forget my own age.
His favorite music?
Celine Dion and Fiddler on the Roof. (That's an inside joke).
He always surprises me with how many classic rock songs he knows.
What do You admire most about him?
He is a genuinely GOOD guy. He is a total geek, but he knows it and it works for him. He is a "big picture" kind of guy. He is always strategizing and looking forward.
His favorite past time?
Depends on the day. He loves to work with his hands and work in the yard. He also loves math, I know, geek. He will sometimes play computer games to decompress.
Will he read this?
Probably not.
His favorite food?
Um.... I don't really know. We haven't been together for SO long, I've forgotten what he eats.
His favorite sport?
Although he is a talented athlete, he's not really into sports, he prefers "take over the world and dominate" games.
Who said the "L" word first?
I have no idea. I'm not one for remembering things like that. I wouldn't be surprised if it was him.
First Kiss?
He kind of stole it. I didn't want to kiss him and he went for it anyway. I didn't smack him or knee him in the groin, even though I should have.
Favorite Couple thing to do?
Going for a walk/hike and talking. We also liked watching "Bones" together. That show made us laugh a lot.
How many kids We have?
2 One in S. America and O.
His hidden talent?
He loves to sing and dance. Ha ha ha, just kidding. If you know him, you'll know he is the most tone deaf and uncoordinated person in the world.
His hidden talent is... Wow, I'm not sure. We haven't really spent much time together this past year.
His age?
I think he's 35. Once again, I'm not one for remembering things like that. I forget my own age.
His favorite music?
Celine Dion and Fiddler on the Roof. (That's an inside joke).
He always surprises me with how many classic rock songs he knows.
What do You admire most about him?
He is a genuinely GOOD guy. He is a total geek, but he knows it and it works for him. He is a "big picture" kind of guy. He is always strategizing and looking forward.
His favorite past time?
Depends on the day. He loves to work with his hands and work in the yard. He also loves math, I know, geek. He will sometimes play computer games to decompress.
Will he read this?
Probably not.
Now I tag;
Fat Nicole, Don't mess with an O.R. Nurse, Miriam has a fat lip, Sassy Cassie, Sushi, and Grover.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)