My goals for 2008 are two-fold: stay organized in all areas and to eat healthy/stay active. I am not going to make a weight loss goal because if I do, I do not stick with it. However, I am going to eat healthier as well as continue to take my Juice Plus supplements (which have really helped me get all the nutrients I need) and stay active.
I have organized our bedroom and Carleigh's bedroom. I plan on working on Cody's bedroom and the laundry room tomorrow. We have plans to go to our friend Niki and Shannon's tomorrow evening to watch the Rose Bowl.
We are going out to dinner tonight, but other than that, we have no other plans. We will ring in the new year at home.
May you have a prosperous and blessed NEW YEAR! Happy 2008!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Do we look alike?
I found a VERY old pic of me when I was just barely 2 years old. Look at me and then look at Carleigh at the same age. Similarities? My mom and sister strongly feel that Carleigh looks exactly like me at that age.....I guess genetics doesn't play into the grand scheme of God's plan!
If you click on the tiny pic of me, it will enlarge to a viewable size!
Clean Sweep
I am doing a "Clean Sweep" of my house this week. So far, I have tackled my most challenging room: my bedroom! It has been the room used for almost everything but eating! It serves as my office, sleeping quarters, storage for everything that little hands cannot touch(which means everything!), and of course storage for clothing, etc. I have bagged up 7 bags of things that I am throwing out and I still have about 20% of the room to reorganize. My desk looks great and it is amazing how it feels to get organized again.
For those of you who didn't know, Matt worked all fall and up until last Friday working from 1:30 - midnight (at times, he would get home earlier). When I would get home, there was no time for cleaning and reorganized because basically I had to cook dinner, clean dishes, bath time, a little play time with the kids, and then the bedtime routine. By the time the kiddos were asleep, I was exhausted and too tired to do anything except survival things like laundry and light cleaning. Therefore, several rooms in my house have been neglected.
This week, I am really working on taking care of things that I have neglected. Next task to be completed before the end of the weekend is reorganizing and bagging up old toys in Cody and Carleigh's bedroom. Hopefully with the help of Matt, this will be done before Sunday night. Then I am reorganizing my laundry room on Monday and relaxing on Tuesday (my last day before returning to school).
I have really enjoyed spending time with Matt since we would "see" each other for 5 minutes in the morning before I left for work and I would basically talk to him via phone for less than 10 minutes each day. He is looking for a part-time position for 5-6 hours in the early evenings until I get out of school in May. We are praying about some decisions that both of us need to make before May. Please keep us in your prayers.
For those of you who didn't know, Matt worked all fall and up until last Friday working from 1:30 - midnight (at times, he would get home earlier). When I would get home, there was no time for cleaning and reorganized because basically I had to cook dinner, clean dishes, bath time, a little play time with the kids, and then the bedtime routine. By the time the kiddos were asleep, I was exhausted and too tired to do anything except survival things like laundry and light cleaning. Therefore, several rooms in my house have been neglected.
This week, I am really working on taking care of things that I have neglected. Next task to be completed before the end of the weekend is reorganizing and bagging up old toys in Cody and Carleigh's bedroom. Hopefully with the help of Matt, this will be done before Sunday night. Then I am reorganizing my laundry room on Monday and relaxing on Tuesday (my last day before returning to school).
I have really enjoyed spending time with Matt since we would "see" each other for 5 minutes in the morning before I left for work and I would basically talk to him via phone for less than 10 minutes each day. He is looking for a part-time position for 5-6 hours in the early evenings until I get out of school in May. We are praying about some decisions that both of us need to make before May. Please keep us in your prayers.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Testing my new toy....
With some of my Christmas money, I bought a new printer/scanner/copier that was on sale today! I have been playing around with it and I scanned Cody's Fall Preschool pic. Isn't he gorgeous??!!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas 2007
We had a wonderful Christmas this year! Cody and Carleigh awoke after 8am (yeah!). Once they saw what Santa brought them, the opening of the gifts began! Carleigh loved opening up presents more than the gifts! (In fact, she was trying to open other people's gifts yesterday.) She kept saying "Open! Open!" She had her gifts opened quickly, while Cody slowed down once he opened his electric keyboard that has keys that light up. Matt had to coax him to open the rest of the presents.
After presents and stockings were opened, we had breakfast and played with the toys until naptime. While they napped, I tried (attemped anyway!) to organize the toys and prepare food for Christmas dinner at my sister's house. At 3pm, the kids were awake and dressed in their Christmas attire and our long (not!) journey to Connie's house began. Carleigh and I walked while Cody and Matt drove (just up the street). The weather was unseasonably warm and no one wore coats! Yay!
After dinner, we opened more presents. Connie's living room was filled with toys, toys and more toys. The kids did really well, except for wanting the toy that the other had!
After several van trips to unload all the gifts, we came home and opened more gifts from Grandma and Papaw Schmidt! I am overwhelmed by all the toys, candy and clothes. I do plan on pulling several gifts and letting them play with them in a few months. This way it will be like Christmas again and I will put some old toys away for awhile. We have WAY to many toys for two children. Our two are truly blessed by generous family members and of course Santa!
Carleigh has been saying "Tanta" as "Santa," "Nomen" as "Snowman." It is so cute! Cody LOVES his light up Curious George! He keeps hugging and kissing him and he can't wait to sleep with him tonight!
All in all, I am just blessed to have such a wonderful family. Cody and Carleigh listened to Mommy read the Christmas story and the way that Carleigh says "Jesus" is just precious.
May all of you have a wonderful Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season!
Toy Overload!
Connie's living room looks like a toy store! My niece Brittany and her boyfriend Jeremy check out all the presents.
Opening Presents
Our Christmas Day wrapped up with opening presents from Grandma and Papaw Schmidt! Carleigh LOVES her Sit-n-Spin. Both loved snuggling with Papaw.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve
We spent Christmas Eve with Matt's family at his sister's house. Everyone had fun playing games, singing Karaoke (even myself), eating lots of food and opening presents. The main challenge was dealing with two toddlers without naps, but both took a catnap and were ok for the rest of the time.
Christmas Karoake
Everyone had a blast singing Christmas songs on the 'ole Karaoke machine. The Schmidt cousins had a blast and Carleigh was wondering why Aunt Michelle can't hit a tune!! Ha Ha Ha!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Christmas Break begins!
At officially noon today, Christmas break began for me! Words cannot express my joy! My class was really generous and presented me with gift certificates from Kohls, Starbucks, Circuit City, and Caribbou Coffee. I will definitely enjoy them as well as the other gifts of candles and candy.
Last night Cody reached another milestone...he was thirsty and drank all the milk in his sippy. While I was in the kitchen, he leaned over the gate and said "More!" Woohoo! Of course I gave him more milk and praised him for TELLING us what he wanted. He laughed and giggled when I gave him more milk. He was thrilled that we understood him and gave him what he wanted. I am just so proud of my little guy!
Last night Cody reached another milestone...he was thirsty and drank all the milk in his sippy. While I was in the kitchen, he leaned over the gate and said "More!" Woohoo! Of course I gave him more milk and praised him for TELLING us what he wanted. He laughed and giggled when I gave him more milk. He was thrilled that we understood him and gave him what he wanted. I am just so proud of my little guy!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Mommy's Night Out
Last night, I met some dear girl friends for dinner at Olive Garden a little north of Dayton. My friend Jen, her daughter A, friend Andrea, my two kiddos and I met our friend Julie and one of her daughters A for dinner. It was a great time and I can actually say Cody and Carleigh did well. I was worried since we would have to wait for a table for awhile and keeping my two corraled into one area is not an easy thing to do! Waiting was a little hairy, but after we sat down and the children were confined to high chairs, things ran very smoothly! My dear sweet Carleigh is a salad fan! She loves cole slaw and lettuce, but I have never given her salad with Italian dressing before and she loved it! It was so cute to see her eating from her little plate and using her fork. She really wanted to be a big girl like Jen's A. In fact, she hardly ate any of the dinner I ordered for her but insisted on more salad!
Cody ate fries more than his chicken which is rare because he is such a meat eater. He did really well and on the trip back, he and Jen's A were having a good 'ole time squealing, laughing, and talking to each other. A really neat thing happened before we went out last night: Cody went into my bedroom where a picture of his preschool class was resting on my dresser. He saw a classmate's picture, pointed to the little boy and said, "Michael." This little boy is also in his class this year. I have NEVER heard Cody call anyone by their name other than our immediate family so it was sooooo exciting to hear him identify one of his classmates. He is really making a breakthrough in speech. It is so fun to hear him say new words. He understands alot of speech, but cannot say it back to us which is so frustrating for my little man. He has come a LONG way and we celebrate every little success.
I have three more days of school....ugh! Friday is a half-day thank goodness! My class is totally wild and their minds are not on school! We are having a lot of less structured activities which makes it more crazy. Is it Friday yet???????
Cody ate fries more than his chicken which is rare because he is such a meat eater. He did really well and on the trip back, he and Jen's A were having a good 'ole time squealing, laughing, and talking to each other. A really neat thing happened before we went out last night: Cody went into my bedroom where a picture of his preschool class was resting on my dresser. He saw a classmate's picture, pointed to the little boy and said, "Michael." This little boy is also in his class this year. I have NEVER heard Cody call anyone by their name other than our immediate family so it was sooooo exciting to hear him identify one of his classmates. He is really making a breakthrough in speech. It is so fun to hear him say new words. He understands alot of speech, but cannot say it back to us which is so frustrating for my little man. He has come a LONG way and we celebrate every little success.
I have three more days of school....ugh! Friday is a half-day thank goodness! My class is totally wild and their minds are not on school! We are having a lot of less structured activities which makes it more crazy. Is it Friday yet???????
Sunday, December 16, 2007
More snow and cute sayings!
The weather here in Ohio is so unpredictable! Yesterday, we got about 3 inches of snow and then it rained for the rest of the day. The forecasters were calling for snow today but all we got were flurries! I am not complaining though because Cody & Carleigh had a Christmas party in Sunday School and our Couples Sunday School class honored us for adopting. Each family bought toys or clothes for the kids and Matt & I received gift certificates. It was really nice! And we had a delicious breakfast.
This morning after I put Carleigh in her red velvet Christmas dress, she runs to Matt and says "I am sooo cute!" She is definitely a girly, girl. Every time that she wears a dress, she usuallys says "So pretty!" On the other hand, she is a tomboy because she loves playing with cars, trucks, and trains. Thursday night, Carleigh was playing with an Elmo toy, when she put the microphone up to her mouth and sang "La-lalala...Elmo's World!" So cute! Cody started chiming in after her solo. Friday night, I went shopping with my sister Connie and my sis bought Carleigh a snowman balloon, well, she started beating Connie with the balloon half-way through the shopping...what a sight to see! (I think now Connie has learned a lesson on how not to buy balloons at the BEGINNING of the shopping trip with Carleigh.)
Cody's "Holiday" party is Thursday which is his last day of school until after the New Years. He helped me buy gifts for his teacher and teacher's aide. I can't wait to hear how the party goes. Also, he got his first ever invitation to a classmate's birthday party. My little guy is growing up so fast! I cannot believe that he will be 4 years old next month!
This morning after I put Carleigh in her red velvet Christmas dress, she runs to Matt and says "I am sooo cute!" She is definitely a girly, girl. Every time that she wears a dress, she usuallys says "So pretty!" On the other hand, she is a tomboy because she loves playing with cars, trucks, and trains. Thursday night, Carleigh was playing with an Elmo toy, when she put the microphone up to her mouth and sang "La-lalala...Elmo's World!" So cute! Cody started chiming in after her solo. Friday night, I went shopping with my sister Connie and my sis bought Carleigh a snowman balloon, well, she started beating Connie with the balloon half-way through the shopping...what a sight to see! (I think now Connie has learned a lesson on how not to buy balloons at the BEGINNING of the shopping trip with Carleigh.)
Cody's "Holiday" party is Thursday which is his last day of school until after the New Years. He helped me buy gifts for his teacher and teacher's aide. I can't wait to hear how the party goes. Also, he got his first ever invitation to a classmate's birthday party. My little guy is growing up so fast! I cannot believe that he will be 4 years old next month!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Festival of Lights
We went to the Festival of Lights at the Cincy Zoo Saturday evening. My parents, Matt's sister & family, and friends Mary Ann & her family went with us also. Mary Ann has a membership to the zoo and got us in for free! The kids had a blast seeing all the animals and the lights were great. Cody LOVED the tunnel of flashing lights...his little face just lit up. When we went into the cat house, Carleigh shouted "meowwwwwww!" Despite the rain and cold temps, it was a fun night.
Today, I baked 9 dozen cookies for our Christmas cookie exchange that some of the teachers are having afterschool tomorrow. Everyone bakes a dozen for each teacher and then we come home with a dozen of each kind. I made snickerdoodle for the first time ever and they came out really well. My kitchen smelled of cinnamon and sugar all night.....yum!
I will post pics of the Festival of Lights after I get new batteries for my camera and when Mary Ann sends me some pics that she took.
Today, I baked 9 dozen cookies for our Christmas cookie exchange that some of the teachers are having afterschool tomorrow. Everyone bakes a dozen for each teacher and then we come home with a dozen of each kind. I made snickerdoodle for the first time ever and they came out really well. My kitchen smelled of cinnamon and sugar all night.....yum!
I will post pics of the Festival of Lights after I get new batteries for my camera and when Mary Ann sends me some pics that she took.
Update to Cody's IEP Meeting
Cody's IEP meeting was Thursday morning and it went well. His speech therapist grabbed me and asked what did I do to Cody because he was a different child than last spring. She called me a miracle worker and I was just shocked! It was not me, it was ALL Cody! He just wanted to learn and I gave him the things he needed TO learn. They were all amazed at how much he learned over the summer: his ABCs, his numbers, shapes, colors and words that he can say. We developed a new IEP that will last for another year.
I followed his teacher back to the classroom where school had just begun. It was neat to see Cody sitting at the circle rug listening to the calendar time and then singing and dancing to their morning song. I got to see the sweetest thing: a little girl (on-target developmentally) came over to Cody, grabbed his hands and then they jumped together when the song required jumping. During the IEP meeting, his teacher and therapists had told me about M who decided all on her own that Cody needed help jumping, so she started taking his hand and jumping together. They also told me that M walks Cody up the ramp and into the classroom every morning! It just warms my heart to know that he is making friends and going into the classroom every day just like the other kids!!
I followed his teacher back to the classroom where school had just begun. It was neat to see Cody sitting at the circle rug listening to the calendar time and then singing and dancing to their morning song. I got to see the sweetest thing: a little girl (on-target developmentally) came over to Cody, grabbed his hands and then they jumped together when the song required jumping. During the IEP meeting, his teacher and therapists had told me about M who decided all on her own that Cody needed help jumping, so she started taking his hand and jumping together. They also told me that M walks Cody up the ramp and into the classroom every morning! It just warms my heart to know that he is making friends and going into the classroom every day just like the other kids!!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
We received 2-3 inches of snow today! Woohoo! For Cody, he had a day off preschool due to the snow. I had the day off because I had taken a personal day. All the other teachers had to drive in the snow this morning and I am thankful that I did not! Cody's new glasses are fixed (the stem needed adjusting) and he is wearing them fairly well. (If Carleigh keeps her hands off them!) Hopefully he will wear them better and see the need for them.
Carleigh and I went outside to play in the snow for a few minutes. She loved it so much that she did not want to come inside. She kept saying "Snowing!" "Snowing!" Last night, my mom and I were getting ready to go shopping. Carleigh hears us talking, grabs her little black purse and heads to the door saying "Go shopping!" She was a bit disappointed that she didn't go, but she had Pappaw to keep her entertained.
The other day was eating Cody was singing "Quack, Quack, Cockadoodle do!" and did the motions to the "Wiggles" song. It was so cute!
Carleigh and I went outside to play in the snow for a few minutes. She loved it so much that she did not want to come inside. She kept saying "Snowing!" "Snowing!" Last night, my mom and I were getting ready to go shopping. Carleigh hears us talking, grabs her little black purse and heads to the door saying "Go shopping!" She was a bit disappointed that she didn't go, but she had Pappaw to keep her entertained.
The other day was eating Cody was singing "Quack, Quack, Cockadoodle do!" and did the motions to the "Wiggles" song. It was so cute!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Busy Times
December seems to go at a lightning pace! Our family is busy with Christmas parties, IEP meetings, and other fun activities. Today, I managed to get our Christmas card created and ordered. This year, I chose 3 photos, two of which were taken during Carleigh's adoption finalization day and one was a photo taken today in Christmas clothes.
Cody update: He is progressing well! We have to update his IEP this Thursday and he will be getting new glasses (need new stems). We had a scare today. He somehow cut and bruised his ear. It is a little scary looking and I hope it looks a little bit better before school tomorrow. He has given me lots of gray hair already!
Carleigh update: Her new latest phrase is "What you doing?" Yesterday, I was re-plugging the lamp into the electrical outlet, when she comes up to me and says "Mommy, what you doing?" As I was putting on her dress this morning she replies "Cute!" "Pretty!" She is starting to answer questions and follow lots of commands. We will start potty training with her after Christmas because she is now telling us when she needs to be changed.
We are half-way through our Christmas shopping! Woohooo!!!
Cody update: He is progressing well! We have to update his IEP this Thursday and he will be getting new glasses (need new stems). We had a scare today. He somehow cut and bruised his ear. It is a little scary looking and I hope it looks a little bit better before school tomorrow. He has given me lots of gray hair already!
Carleigh update: Her new latest phrase is "What you doing?" Yesterday, I was re-plugging the lamp into the electrical outlet, when she comes up to me and says "Mommy, what you doing?" As I was putting on her dress this morning she replies "Cute!" "Pretty!" She is starting to answer questions and follow lots of commands. We will start potty training with her after Christmas because she is now telling us when she needs to be changed.
We are half-way through our Christmas shopping! Woohooo!!!
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