one.

First a huge thank you to LeeAnn!  I ran across her when she was making beanbags for another blogger (A Daily Scoop)… and talked to her (via email) about ordering a beanbag for Iz.  She asked about color and size, looked at Izzy’s blog to see her… and then we agreed when she got to it she would let me know how much for the beanbag and shipping.  So… yesterday I walked out to put things in the car for the day (pause…)

Saturday I was leaving the house with my hands full and pushing izzy’s stroller.  I got to the front door and was trying to manuever all the stuff and her and her chair started rolling down the sidewalk.  I took off and realized my hoodie sweatshirt was caught on the storm door handle and I couldn’t move.  I accessed the situation in about .2 seconds and forfeited the shirt.  I ran anyway ripping the shirt apart.  I caught her before she went maybe 5 feet, but it scared me.  That’s why I am making multiple trips to the car and not trying to take it all in one swoop.  I’m also using the brakes on the stroller!

(resume…) There was this ginormous, seriously huge box on the front porch I could barely carry in.  Guess what it was?  It was from LeeAnn.  It was the beanbag!  She sent it without telling me.  I emailed her immediately and excitedly asking her how much to send because i know the shipping had to be outrageous for this huge box all the way from Nevada.  Guess what she said?  “It’s my gift to Izzy and you.”  Is that not the sweetest thing ever?  I thought so!  I’m working on a care package to send her as a thank you!  For all the bad things you hear about people and the world I am amazed at all the kind and generous good people! 

Here’s a little pic that I sent to LeeAnn of Izzy resting on her beanbag. 

As you can see in the picture, Princess the dog thinks that this is her place to rest too.  She likes to snuggle up with Izzy so they are two peas in a pod on the beanbag.  The only problem so far is that Emelia loves the beanbag too!  

two.

I went with my mother to Cracker Barrel yesterday to look at some pretty new collection of bird cannisters and teapots. She wanted to redo hers since she has had a kitchen remodel… We shared baked chicken and dressing with green beans (cause we’re dieting ya’ll).  It was yummy and nice to sit by the fireplace.  I heart that place.  Anyway, they had such cute Valentine stuff.  I got these salt & pepper shakers…

Aren’t they sweet?

Matt returned to work this morning after almost two weeks of vacation time at home.  I have used having him home 24/7 as my excuse for not getting a lot done.  Well, I guess I have no more excuses but today is kind of a reacclamation type of day…

 I saved and froze ham from Christmas and have beans and ham cooking.  It is making me hungry, it smells delish!  BUT this day is also a day of the diet.  Beans are healthy, and we’ll have them for dinner.  JennaG mentioned trying the pizza crust and sauce and thinking it wasn’t crispy enough… Leigh Ann tried it and loved it… I bought a couple of those pans at Kohl’s (on sale!) that have the holes in the bottom for pizza.  I made our pizzas on those pans this week and they were very crispy.  I only bought two so two of the pizzas were baked in normal pizza pans.  I have noticed these hole-y pans are great for re-heating the pizza. 

We spent the evening last night at my brother’s house.  We had dinner there to celebrate his daughter’s birthday.  Izzy really enjoyed the cake and ice cream!  We all went to church yesterday morning which hasn’t happened in a while since someone has been dealing with the cold bug going around every week.  It was nice to all be there.  Bev Barker (the lady who has visited and signs to songs … so amazing) came and at the end of church I was in the lobby with Izzy and heard her signing to my favorite song so we slipped in and sat in the back.  They had prayer and annointing and although I don’t take Izzy down often I felt called to take her down.  It was an amazing time of prayer and I am excited about the week to come.  The girls in my class did their daily bible reading, and one boy from matt’s class did his.  Another boy did most of the days… I got them those band bracelets from Mardels for their reward this week… and ressees sp? and chocolate chip cookies.  I guess I have to run somewhere to find a little something for next week.  I can’t tell you how much matt and I have enjoyed this schedule of reading.  I think reading from the NLT is so much more enjoyable for this type of reading.  It’s more like reading a book and when the text ends you want to keep reading. 

My SIL Terri had me over Saturday to do lots of hair!  I highlighted the girls and trimmed hers.  She wants me to paint a saying on her kitchen wall.  Her house is big and she likes it to look uncluttered.  She likes the pottery barn look and saw this in the catalog.  I like the saying too, but told her she had to sign a disclaimer in case I mess her wall up .  I did the whole wall in our front room with healing scriptures.  Everyone who comes over thinks it is wall paper or something but if you really look at it you can tell it is hand done.  I decided on her wall I am going to pencil it out first because she wants black on her beige walls.  I’ll have her take some pics while I’m doing it so you can see.

Another death.  Don Coffey, who we’ve know forever… died yesterday morning.  He was an elder at our church when I was growing up.  His daughter Lisa was my age and died several years ago of cancer.  He developed cancer and went pretty fast.  I am so sad for the family, there is so much loss.  His other daughter who is younger than me has had one kidney transplant and now needs another.  Please pray for the Coffey family.  Amanda was really great friends with his grandson Jacob and they both went on the mission trip to Montreal last year.  Here’s a pic of the two of them in Canada…

Good news! Got the sheets that match my bedding!  And the other pillow.  I’m all set.  Jodi mentioned her hub doesn’t think floral belongs in the room since he sleeps there too.  Matt doesn’t know he has a choice… but he doesn’t complain bless his heart.    As long as I’m there he’s happy.

I have gotten tons done already and it’s only 9 a.m.  Amazing what a change it makes having quiet.  I have a package ready to mail back that has been sitting hanging up for a month.  A cream colored wool coat I ordered and loved but said it the waist was at the natural waist and it is really high waisted… it’s even sized tall.  I’m not long waisted so I know it is meant to be high waisted and it’s not my style.  Anyway, I have debated keeping it because I got a good price on it but have finally decided to mail it back and it is all packed up with return shipping label attached!  I have a list for the store made and have balanced my checkbook…  Now I am going to put the new sheets on my bed and wash the tableclothes. 

Tonight we’ll have Beans & Cornbread!

We’re eating heathier.  Matt is doing awesome with the volumetrics.  We made a triple batch of burgers that have lots of veggies and bulgar in them.  I packed them in the freezer so he could take them to work for lunch.  I want to make this soup recipe one day…

2 cans organic black eye peas, rinsed and drained
About 2 cups vegetable broth…this can vary depending on how thick you want the soup.
1 14.5 oz chopped tomatoes…I like Muir Glen tomatoes.
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 cup of salsa
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 to 1 cup of cooked brown rice(you can buy frozen bags of this)…again depending on how much you like.
1 10 oz package of chopped spinach or some fresh spinach…I usually use fresh.
You can salt and pepper this soup if you like. To me it is great without it.

Add all of the ingredients(except the spinach and rice) to a large stock pot….simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the spinach and brown rice and cook until heated through and spinach has wilted.

and this one another day…

crockpot corn chowder

We’ll probably do pizza again on Friday.  Making four large pizzas is great because there are leftovers. 

My goals for the week are to keep up with my daily bible reading, walk every day, and do yoga on the wii fit at least three times.  What are your goals for the week?

Happy Monday!

Well, Emelia got all A’s for the fall semester.  Amanda got all A’s too, even in her college concurrent classes (College Algebra & English Comp I).  Bailey didn’t quite do his BEST… but he is working harder this semester and we have set up some guidelines.  We just want them to do their very best.  That’s all.

They sent Izzy’s report card home yesterday.  This letter from her teacher and vision therapist, Melanie, was attached.

Kindergarten Progress Report

January 8, 2009

Izzy is demonstrating improvement on a regular basis in several areas since our last progress report.

Izzy is using her eye gaze on a more consistent basis to choose activities and when making her preference known from a choice of two things.  She is becoming more vocal both with her likes and dislikes!

In the general education classroom she sits very attentively during group time on the carpet and has started responding vocally when the other students are interacting with her.

Izzy’s new chair is allowing her to be more on the same physical level as her peers in the classroom.  The students love to sit beside her or stand by her chair and help her with her work.  Izzy shows she enjoys this as well by looking at them and trying to do what is asked.

In Physical Therapy Izzy is showing major improvements.  She always pushes with her legs when asked to stand and seems to be developing more head control.

My goal for Izzy is that we continue to provide her with many opportunities to communicate her wants and needs to friends and teachers and give her many opportunities to communicate what she is learning.  We will continue to try to make school fun, interesting, challenging and a place where she can make many good friends.

Izzy is precious and a delight to work with!

Melanie

1.  I ♥ Melanie.  She always expects a lot from Isabelle and I give God the glory for each and every improvement, but expecting things from Isabelle is wonderful because she meets those expectations.

After school yesterday Melanie mentioned she had a good day with Camilla.  When we got home Camilla had emailed this:

Annie:

Sorry I had to leave today before I got to talk to you.  Izzy did a fantastic

job in P.T. today.  Her standing looked incredible - feet flat on the floor (she

had her braces on), working really hard to keep her knees straight, keeping her

head up.  I was really encouraged today and I am so excited for that Kidwalk to

come in. Izzy seemed pleased, as well, and smiled several times. It was a great

day.  I told her she brought joy to my heart!!! Hope you all have a great

weekend.

Camilla

2.  I ♥ Camilla!  She has always pushed Isabelle with love!

3.  I ♥ Michelle, Izzy’s paraprofessional.  She is a mom away from mom and is always cheering Izzy on!

4.  I ♥ Margaret, Izzy’s speech therapist.  She is one of the biggest backers of izzy’s understanding!

5.  I ♥ You!  For always keeping her in your prayers.

 I mentioned I challenged my teen girls to read their bibles daily following a “read the entire bible in one year” schedule.  I printed one week on thick paper and cut out bookmarks for them.  I was showing the site to matt and realized I could simply click on the day and it would display all the reading for that day.  Then I saw there was a mobile version.  I entered the url on my blackberry and voila!  I had the entire text for the day right on my phone.  I’m pretty excited about this.  Bailey was happy to see he could also follow along on his ipod touch.   

I finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  It was such a good book.  A big thanks to Camilla for the recommendation.  If you know Karen (praying Karen) who used to blog … now I catch up with her on FB.  She was born and raised in Guernsey.  Pretty neat!  Next on my nightstand is a book Gail recommended “Uncharted.”  I am going to start it tonight.  Next will be a book my friend Laura got me for Christmas by Letter to my Daughter by Maya Angelou.

 Whew… I was typing this post and my IE just died.  Out of nowhere.  Not like I had typed a ton but it’s still frustrating.  Luckily it was saved. 

Did you watch Patrick Swazye?  Sad. 

Izzy’s day at school went well today.  She is having more “episodes” this week.  We always tell her that it is her brain making connections… and tell her teachers and therapists not to be upset or worried.  She is truly God’s little girl and I know that she will be fine.  She is taking her toys from Christmas to school.  One a day.  Yesterday she took her Poingo reading system from Nini.  Today she took the wooden magnetic “paper dolls” from Gram.  The therapists all are using her toys in her therapy.  She went to the library today and checked a new book out.  We were supposed to get the kid walk today but the equipment co. made a mistake and ordered the wrong size… we’ve only been waiting since June 08.  I guess a week or two more won’t hurt.  They have ordered the correct size with expedited shipping.  Things always work out for a reason and I have to believe that it will work out well. 

I’m so excited that Judi (doodlebug designs) is starting to work on my blog again!  I heart her.  I can’t wait to see what it looks like!  You should check her out.  She does such good work and is a sweetheart too.

I’ve been putting this off for a while… like since may 06.  I had an exam and then ultrasound that revealed some ovarian cysts… I was supposed to schedule a follow-up ultrasound to determine if they were changing.  I forgot.  Anyway I finally made the appointment and saw the dr.  She said it was a “normal examination.”  She did schedule another ultrasound next week to make sure but said she didn’t feel any problems.  I’m healed. Yay.  It occured to me sitting in that office, watching the pregnant women come and go, that it’s a lot more fun when you are going to hear your baby’s heartbeat or see their little face on the ultrasound machine rather than just see your silly parts.  Ugh.  Not that I’m wanting another baby.  Nope. 

Today was Izzy’s first extended school day.  She will now go from 11:30 until 3:30.  Four whole hours!  It makes a big difference and I think it will be great for her to have more time with her teachers and therapists everyday.  She had a great day today and is about ready to go to bed now.

Matt was supposed to return to work tomorrow.  We’ve both been sick for several days.  The days off he had already used were from last year, so he had about 160 hours for this new year.  He has decided to use three more days and go back Monday.  He’s been working so much overtime lately I know he needs the break.  That’s all I’m sayin’ about that…

I made pizzas again tonight.  That sauce recipe I posted was the bomb!  It made the pizzas ten times better.  Seriously!  You should give it a try.  Matt suggested I open a pizzaria.  LOL  … I did good to get four made.  There are two left. 

My sweet brother Mike brought me a carryout order from my favorite (Victoria’s Pasta Shop).  I was very surprised when he arrived with it this afternoon.  I had planned to begin my starvation diet tomorrow, but I guess it will begin after my Victoria’s lasagna roll breakfast. 

Speaking of food (like usual)…. mom and I went to Cheesecake Factory yesterday.  It was better than ever!  We stopped at the mall and checked out some stuff…. got a new calendar etc.  It was a fun outing. 

With a full tummy I’m going to close and watch the biggest loser.  Wow!  These people have a lot of weight to lose.  Should be interesting to watch.  Inspiring too. 

So many good things going on…

Matt has been working tons and is off for the next six days!

Got a good report on Izzy at the orthotist today! woohoo!

Me & Melody are having a girl’s night out later tonight! Fun things planned… can’t wait!

Got a beautiful new comforter set! (thanks mom

Hope the last day of 2008 is just as good for you!!!