On to the next one

We have loved sharing this special little place with you about Bryce. But with such a busy little girl, we have filled it to the end. So if you would like to, from now on, you can go to...

www.continuedblessings.blogspot.com

I will be keeping this blog here, for all of us that like to take a look back.

Hope that we will see you at the next blog.

Love,

The 3 of Us!

5.4 Earthquake

Everyone has a story about their lives to tell and a story about where they were, when a really big earthquake came. But was it the perfect spot? Yes, we were in the perfect spot as Bryce would say when it hit, on the lake. I can't tell you, how much I hate earthquakes, believe me my parents know for raising me. But here I find myself as the parent, the protector, the role model and in the midst of one of my biggest fears. But hey, we were in the perfect place. With Ann and her 6 kids, 3 of her own and 3 of a wonderful blessed family with parents on their way to adopt a little guy in Russia. It was the perfect spot. I noticed a little rumbling in the condos being us as we stood on the dock, then the waves started to form in the lake, the ducks went nuts and well, the earth was making a move. I can't tell you how proud of us we all where, no scream, no tears, just us and the adventurous kids. Thank you Lord for protecting us all, hearts, bodies, mind and souls. It was a great day on the lake...

Hard to believe that this little doll is only 12 month older than Bryce

Friends forever Charlie trying to catch a fish Waiting for her turn The kids really did'nt believe me when I said the the waterfall was blue, it really was. It was do to the chemicals placed in it to care for the lake, but was a pretty sight. Water fun anyone? With the warm summer afternoons, we have been enjoying some wonderful time on the deck over looking the lake. As well as enjoying Bryce's time in her little ( I really mean little) pool. I tried to post this weekend about her and this cute new bikini. I did all the hard work and wosh, no where to be found. Anyways, this is Bryce's first 2 piece since she was 9 month only on the shores of Hawaii. As I was putting it on her, she was pulling, tugging, just trying ot make those ends meet between her tummy and bottoms. Not going to happen! Then I explaid, this was a suit like Charlotte's and that it was ok (for now as her Daddy would say), enjoy yourself in the pool. I know your pool is small, but that's not it...

Cashews

Cashew anyone? Say that and Bryce would be at the front of the line. She loves to have her little snack of cashews lately. If you don't break them in half, she hands them back to you and says "its too big, I choke!" Smart little cookie!

WHAT ?!?!?

With a list a mile long today, we started with picking up our mail at the post office. As Alan was opening the mail on the way to our next stop, I hear, "WHAT". Yes, "WHAT" is right. This was our bill for the month for gas at Chevron/Texaco. Only thing is we closed that account several weeks ago. Well as we began looking at all the charges, there were multiple trips each day, different grades of gas and all in Georgia. We knew this was not our bill, and that was a lot of gas that someone had made off with. What a sad world this is. After we arrived home, Alan made a phone call and guess what, we are not the only ones this happened too. There are having a huge problem and its all based in Georgia. Man am I glad that we don't have to pay that bill. Since most of errands we in La Verne why not take a little stop to our little place. Gotta eat sometime and this was exactly what we wanted. Bryce even tried a few new things and loved them.
Its she just the yummiest?

Bryce was so excited that she got to spend the day with her Daddy

Her favorite part, that cookie.

Getting my "chocolate" kiss

It was 96' today and did it cool off fast. It made for a rather beautiful evening over looking the lake tonight.

Here comes Libby

and the other 3.

Good night play room, good night my toys, good night Ma's stuff as Bryce would say.

Flashlight fun

A little before nine this morning, I started making a breakfast for a king. I wanted Austin, Greysen and the girls to have a good sit down breakfast and just some us time together. Then the phone rang and Austin was not coming over (we missed you), but breakfast was still going to be served (just not as much since man-boy was not coming). When Bryce heard them coming, the screams became roars of excitement as always. There is nothing more special than to have time with your cousins. We enjoyed our yummy breakfast (pancakes, Papa Jack's special recipe eggs, and sausage. The girls did really well eating their plates and Charlie even had 3 helpings of sausage (she called them hot dogs, so cute). With tummies full, it was play time.

Greysen enjoying some time with my Wii and the different games that I have. Flashlights are a fun game in the crawl space to the playroom. Bryce and Charlotte made shadows, waved them around in circles and just had a great time. Greysen even thought that it sounded like fun so he joined in later too.
The girls just love hanging out with all the pillows and it feeling so comfy cozy.
Peek a boo...I see you! What a great smile!

Peek a boo...we both see you! Two happy little girls.

Here is a little video of what breakfast can be like with two -2 year olds...they feed off of each other so much. I had to cut it short because Bryce was getting a little crazy with her fork. In part of the video you can even see Charlotte ducking away from the fork. Sorry Charlie!

Did I mention that I am going on a date? Yes, with my hubby of 11 years and 8 months. This is probably the 3rd time (maybe) that we have been on a date since Bryce was born 2.5 years ago. Not that we have not wanted too, but we love having Bryce with us rather than apart. But, its time! I feel like a gitty little school girl...and I love it!

Feelings

I feel PEACEFUL

I feel LOVED

I fell APPRECIATED

...and I am going on a date tonight! Andrea and I are trading child care time today. I have her 3 this morning and she will have Bryce tonight. Thanks Ann and to all the others who have offered this wonderful gift. I really think we will be taking you all up on that very soon.

As my very wise daughter would say,"It's a BEAUTIFUL day!"

Sweet Grandma Jackie

Everyone loves having Grandma's and well Bryce has a new one. Jackie is an honorary Grandma to Bryce and we love it. Jackie is the neighbor to Grandma Ginny and Papa Jack and we have become great friends with her. Today as Bryce and I came home from our story time, we got a visit from Jackie. Bryce and Jackie had a great little time coloring and talking. Then it was time for a few books before nap. I was pushed to the curb with my duty of reading the nap time story today. Bryce said,"Jackie, you read me a book and then another one". Jackie jumped at the chance and read to Bryce several of her new library book.
Tired eyes!

Before we walked Jackie home and Bryce was to go down for her nap, Jackie told Bryce she had a present for her. There was only one catch that I had, and that was that she take a very good nap. The very good nap happened and we were off to Jackie's.

Bryce rang the door bell and the door opened to not just one present for Bryce but several. Jackie had bought Bryce a little chair, a book, a coloring book and crayons all wonderful things for Bryce to enjoy when we came to visit. Thank you Jackie, you really didn't need to do that. I know that Bryce loves them all and they will be put to great use on our visits.

Yesterdays pictures,todays and until I drive to Irvine, our all taken with the backup camera. Oh, I hate that mine is not working. The last time that it acted up was when Bryce was 9 months old and we were in Hawaii. I guess that I am pretty lucky with that since there is thousands of pictures that have been taken with it.

My Momma said,"there'd be days like this"!

This was a day that I just wanted to pull the covers over my head, and pray for tomorrow to come. Knock, knock, ding dong...are you here tomorrow? Please? Guess that tomorrow didn't answer and I had to face the day some more. Alan and I enjoyed our little cup of coffee before he headed off to work and me to that bike just screaming for attention...then the fun began. I will spare you the details, but it was a very challenging morning, I look back and try to figure out why? I came up with one good reason, the feelings of being unsettled, hopes, dreams, wishes...wants. I give that all to you Lord, take those worries, those fears, those concerns and help me focus on the now.

This is a little list of the challenges that I faced this morning, yet minor but all very eventful...

-My camera not responsive to the computer

-My computers disk drive not reading disk

-My scanner that I have had for years and promised Papa I would scan his slides is not working at all.

-My daughter having and accident on Grandma's chair, thank goodness she throws the cushions on the floor.

-My daughter freaking out about having and accident.

-The 5th of insurance bills on our vehicle, just for moving. No kidding...every other day we get a little bill for this or that. It cost 12.00 just to say that we would not have Momma and Papa drive our cars, hello we are adults (oh ya, but living with our parents). Believe me I made a phone call and no more bills will be coming.

-And the list continues...

Well to change the subject, Bryce and I decided to get a few errands done and we ended up at Target in San Dimas. That is the closet one and I hate it, its only temporary so that is fine. As we were cruising the pull up isle, Grandma Midge came from behind us. What a wonderful surprise. We shopped together and that's where I bought Bryce her little paints and brushes. Grandma Ginny has all of this stuff, but Bryce had been busy at them and they needed to be replaced. After we finished shopping, Grandma Midge invited us to lunch, oh what a treat and a so needed one. We had such a great time, even though it was hard to hear because the restaurant was so loud. Thanks Midge for the great conversation, the wonderful meal and for being such a great grandma to Bryce.

After Daddy came home from work, Bryce was so eager to paint with him on the deck. The perfect spot as Bryce would say.

I can't even tell you how blessed and content I feel with this little one. Yes, there are days that I still wish for more babies (adoption is always there). But let me tell you how completely blessed I feel with Bryce. There are hard days where we are trying to figure out each other and face new challenges, but we do it with the help of God and each other. I love being the Mother, the friend, the teacher, the playmate, the listening ear and all the other roles to Bryce that I am. I am beyond in awe of our miracle. Thank you, Lord! Grandma Midge bought this huge coloring book for Bryce at Target today. One of my fond childhood memories is that of a huge coloring book that my Grandma Miriam had bought for me (oh how I so wish that I had it, I would give anything). It was taller than I was and it was in the backyard waiting for me to give color to it's pages. Thanks for the wonderful gift Grandma Midge, Bryce is enjoying it so much.

For you Momma! (and Papa)

With Grandma Ginny gone and Bryce not wanting to go to the hairdresser that I have been with for 13 years, what is a scraggly muffin to do? Not let her Mommy trim her hair that is for sure. I tried this morning to trim Bryce's hair, but she was a wiggle worm. The back came out pretty cute, how could it not with all that thick hair. But, in the front there may be too many bangs. Good thing she looks cute no matter what and I am sure that her hair will grow quickly. Besides, she is 2 and doesn't care, that is the greatest part. I officially put down my scissors until she can hold still. Really try cutting hair with a little one turning to the left and right when you say hold still. I guess that is why I give my hairdresser such a great tip, or is it because I have too much hair and I feel bad? Her bangs are a little crazy, but most of that is from her nap and needing to be combed.
When you care for someone else's plants, what do you pray? That you don't kill them? You pray that they live...that is a fear of mine. As I was left in such great care of Grandma Ginny's plants, my fear was that I would kill one of her wonderful plants. Even though I do have a very green, rather yummy green thumb, there always is that one that decides that it is their time. But some of these plants are too special to even replace, they bring memories and oh how I would die. But let me tell you this, they are all still kicking, drinking, soaking up that abundant sun and beginning to sprout. Yeah for the plants, keep it up. To show you Grandma Ginny, here are a few pictures of your little green, pot living, soil wearing, family members.

The Avocado tree is still kicking

Your Lemon tree

The new growth on your precious Lemon tree.

Everything is sprouting!

In every mothers life, thet want just a little time by themselves. You may say that you don't, but deep down and with every frustrated little breath, you do. We all need it, we may not take it, but we need it. Well, lately my little time has been me and this very old, full of stories and just waiting for someone to pay attention to it, bike. For years, this bike has been on the deck of Momma and Papa's, but it was never given the chance to show its true blessing. It is a bike for the club that the Carters had a very long time ago and brings special memories. For the last 6 days, weather we get up at 4 or 5, within 30 minutes I am on this bike. I listen to my music (I need to download some new tunes), look over the lake and sweat my heart out. There are some days that I just watch the miles go by, praying for that second wind. Then there are some days that I look at the beauty around me and the miles fly by unnoticed (I love those days). Let me tell you that this bike is a work out. You pump your arms and peddle your feet, both at the same time. What a work out, what a great feeling. I love my little "me" time. Maybe it will someday help take care of my extra "me". The most important thing is if Papa, when I move out and if you want to part with it, I will pay you big bucks. I love this bike!

Here is my proof to you Papa (not that I need any). I have ridden the bike 6x and made it to the 43 mile mark. Yeah for me, or maybe just a little pat on the out of shape back.