A Bad Day

It's funny how your life can be going along perfectly, and then you get one phone call and it seems like your world as you knew it just fell apart! It's been an emotionally exhausting day, and I'm sorry for the vagueness of it all, but that's all I feel like sharing right now (plus I'm tired). Everyone's fine, but our little family could use a few extra prayers if you have any to spare.

A whole new world!

Isabella finally got over her fear of walking in grass today. Yes, you read that right! This opens up all sorts of new possibilites for her. For example, she'll be able to play in the yard, not just the porch and the driveway. We also won't have to carry her to the swingset and back anymore! What a crazy kid! And now for some proof that she was actually playing in the backyard this evening . . .

More fun at the zoo

Monte's sister and her kids are visiting his parents, so we all got together today to meet Monte for lunch. Then we took the kids to the zoo. Isabella was so excited once again that she ran almost the whole time.

Cousins

Being silly!

Taking care of his little cousin.

Holding grandma and cousin's hands.

I should be unpacking

but this is more fun. We got home from our trip today, we went fishing/camping on the Missouri River with Monte's parents. I know by now that traveling/vacationing with a little one is not all that much of a vacation, at least it's not too relaxing. But this trip was different, it was very relaxing, and Isabella did so good with all of the adjustments to her schedule. We stayed with Monte's parents in their camper. My main concern was how she was going to sleep, because there was no room for her pack and play in the bedroom of the camper. And we didn't want to put it out in the main living area because she goes to bed so early, and we needed to use that space. So we put her to bed on the big bed, and it worked every time!! I layed down with her for a few minutes the very first time, but every time after that she layed down by herself and went right to sleep. She still took her two naps every day, too. Then when the rest of us were ready to sleep, we just set up the pack and play in the main area and moved her out there. My mother-in-law and I took turns staying back at the campground with Isabella so I got to go out on the boat for two days, and she got to go out for two days. Also, the meals were really easy while we were there because both my mother-in-law and I spent the day before we left making salads, appetizers, and desserts to bring along. The weather was beatiful the whole time, and the resort we were at even had an outdoor Mass so we didn't even have to leave! Isabella had so much fun with her mama and boppa (grandma and grandpa) and she was even crying for her mama tonight because she missed her.

Isabella's first boat ride, it only lasted about 15 minutes and she fell asleep!

I did not have good luck fishing, this little guy is all I caught. But my father-in-law took pity on me and let me reel in some of his fish.

Monte had much better luck than his mom and I had, he caught several of these.

She was outside playing every day starting right after she got up.

Taking a break from the heat, and playing inside the camper.

Vacation!!

Details and pictures when we get back.

My first meme

I was tagged by Brenda at The Ones with the Baby.

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?

I had just graduated from high school, I was working my first "real" job as a nurse's aide at our local nursing home. I was getting ready to venture away from home and start my freshman year of college.

2. What are 5 things on your "to do" list?

Have more children. Get a different vehicle. Pay off some debt. Go to Yellowstone National Park. Be able to continue staying home with our kid(s).

3. What are 5 snacks you enjoy?

chips and salsa, peanuts, popcorn, Chicken in a Biscuit crackers, and bananas with peanut butter

4. Name some of the things you would do if you were a millionare.

Make sure our family was taken care of. Give to our extended families and close friends. Give to our church and other charitable organizations.

5. Name some bad habits you have.

I can't make a decision (VERY annoying to Monte), I pick my nails, I stress out too easily, and I worry about EVERYTHING!

6. Name some places where you've lived.

Minnesota, South Dakota

7. Name some jobs you've had.

Retail Banking Coordinator, tutor, nurse's aide, piano teacher, babysitter, and the best ones of course- wife and mommy!

8 Name those whom you are tagging.

Connie at Precious Moments Precious Memories and Anne at Back Home Again.

Frustration is . . .

having a daycare in town that sends their kids to the pool completely UNSUPERVISED! Apparently the older kids (who are NOT very old) are supposed to be in charge of the littlest ones. This is so not right!! Besides the fact that they are SO naughty because there is no one there to discipline them. They finally got kicked out of the baby pool by the lifeguards for being so naughty and for being unsupervised. So then they had to go to the big pool, and we were finally able to enjoy ourselves. We walked by the daycare on our way home, and I saw the lady outside all by herself doing some yard work!! Unfortunately, this is not a one time occurance, it's more like daily. I wonder if the parents know that this is going on with their precious little ones.