Football Season!

This will be a strange post for those people who know me best, but I am really excited about football season!  I hated this game until I married Bobby, and, slowly, he converted me.  I don't like to watch just any game... it has to be a team that I love (which is usually either USC or the Saints).  Tonight was USC's (South Carolina) first game.  In fact, just now USC made a touchdown, and my husband is walking around the living room clapping to the theme song and giving me high-fives.  Love it.

Gianna has never seen this side of her daddy before... Daddy the Football Fanatic.  She just stared at him as he yelled and jumped up at the TV, and then smiled once she realized he was happy.  We don't have very many USC clothes for her right now, so we put her in a onsie that is almost too small and a 9 month Gamecock jacket that finally fits her.  She looks a little boyish, but still so stinkin' cute.

Bobby was really excited to watch the game.  His excitement is made even better by knowing that I love it too, and the icing on the cake is that he gets to share his love of USC with Gianna.  She is bound to be a football fan, which is fine with me as long as she doesn't play the game.  My heart couldn't take it.  I watch the game like a mother now.  Everytime a player gets hurt I think, "oh my gosh, his mom must be so worried!"  

I think that I love football because of two things:  It makes me think of Fall (my favorite season), and it gives me a way to enjoy my husband and be excited with him.  It's really fun to watch the game and cheer with Bobby when USC has a great play, and he looks forward to watching it with me, too.  And somehow I've gotten so attached to the teams that I anxiously root for them as much as he does!  I also love making cider in the crockpotwhile watching the game... I curl up with cider and a blanket and watch my husband shout & bite his nails.  Really great memories!  I hope USC does well this year, and I can't wait to watch the Saints play!!

 

Our "New Normal"

Today I started work for the first time since Gianna was born (about 15 months).  I accepted a position as a Special Education Teacher's Aide at a local charter school working 8:30am-3pm Monday - Friday.  Gianna, when you read back over this one day, I want you to know why I went back to work, and how hard it has been to leave you. 

Bobby and I try to pay cash for everything.  We're no Duggars, but the only debt we have is the house morgage.  This coming year we are looking at having to:

1) Buy a new car (the civic is dying)

2) Lord willing, pay for a new baby (hospitals ain't cheap... maybe we'll just have a home birth and spare ourselves this expense).

3) Fly home to see our family 

Gianna, your daddy and I want to be able to pay cash for the car and birth of the next baby (no I'm not pregnant, but we do hope to have another baby at some point), and we consider traveling home to see your grandparents a top priority for us.  I'm working, my little girl, so that we can pay for these things and teach you how to manage your money wisely.  Not that a car payment is bad, but you can save a lot of money by paying cash most of the time.  And the hospital gives a nice discount if we pay up front, too!

You are more important than money.  If I thought you couldn't handle being out of my care, I wouldn't work.  But you LOVE being around other people, and I think you might be having more fun at Kenna's house than at ours!  I trust your care-giver.  She is kind, patient, attentive, loving, and will treat you the way I would.  You're enjoying being with her and her family, so I know that while I'm at work, you're happy.

This morning was so hard putting you in the car and watching Daddy drive you to Kenna's house.  I kept telling Daddy, "So, remember to tell Kenna that she has a bottle and her sippy in the bag.  And make sure Kenna knows where the diapers are in the bag, because sometimes people don't know that they are in the diaper carrier.  Oh, and tell her that Gia she has a change of clothes in case she gets messy.  And she has a bib in there, too!"  Your daddy kept holding my arms, saying, "it's okay, Lindz, Kenna knows.  Gia will be okay.  She will be fine."  Bless him, he was so calm.

I called Kenna one time while at work to make sure she had everything she needed, and that you were okay.  She said that you were very happy and doing great.  I had to push my thoughts of you out of my head at times because I couldn't dwell on how much I missed you.  It suddenly hit me while I was half way through the day that this is an everyday-thing.  I'm not just away from you for a little bit, but I'm going to be away from you everyday, 5 days a week, for 10 months.  It was then that it really got hard.

When I picked you up this afternoon, you were having such a good time, you weren't even ready to come into my arms!  That made me so happy and relieved, and I knew that you really were fine, that we can get used to this "new normal."  After we got home, of course, you lost it at dinner, and then were extremely clingy to me.  Your daddy had to get used to this.  Normally, we are together all day, and then when Daddy gets home, you are super excited to see him, and the two of you spend a long time playing together.  But tonight, you just wanted Mama, and Daddy was surprised that you didn't want to play.  You and Daddy did get to play, but it will take a few days for you to get used to not seeing me all day.  Fortuantely, you get to see Daddy all day on Fridays!

It's SO hard not to be with you all day.  I feel like I'm missing so much, but at the same time, I know you're fine and I'm providing for our future.  I do love my job, thankfully, but it will take time for me to adjust to being away from you.  I miss you, baby, and I can't wait for the weekend when we can be together all day!

Fun with Nana and Papa Joe

I'm behind on my blogging... I was gone to NC for a couple weeks, then Bobby went to Peru and my parents came to stay, so I've just been soaking up time with them.  Here's a recap of our time with Nana and Papa Joe.

This week Gianna learned that she loves to give hugs. To Nola, my parents, me, Bobby.  

One of my mom's favorite things was to play the Jack in the Box with Gianna.  Gia's never scared when that thing pops out!  She loves it. 

We went on picnics at our local park... which desperately needs some new swings, but has a great tennis court.  We ate our little meal and then Dad and I played tennis while Mom and Gia cheered us on.

Mom decided that she really wanted to play, despite her sore back.  At the end of their visit when we played, she twisted her ankle pretty bad.  But I think she had a great time getting back out on the court.

Gianna was thoroughly worn out and thirsty!  I love the look on her face when she drinks from her sipppy.

When we were in the park another day playing tennis, there was a Ogden Safety Night going on at the park.  My dad was pushing Gia in the swing and a man told him, "You might want to move.  We're going to land a helicopter here in a minute."  So, we got to watch a helicopter land in front of us!  Very cool!  Gianna mimicked my dad as he pointed out the helicopter to her.

And a cute one of the baby that Mom took at the park.

When we got home I checked my tomato plant, and I had grown my first tomato!  Gianna really liked it.

On Friday night my parents took Gianna to her second baseball game.  We've decided to make it a yearly tradition with them and her.  She LOVES balls and has learned that word this week as well!  When we were on the tennis court she kept saying, "ball, ball, ball, ball...." as we were playing.

Side note to Gia for the future:  Nana and Papa Joe used to take me to baseball games.  They knew that I would last as long as the food did, so they would feed me for as long as they could until I got full & fussy... then we had to leave.  But I bet you won't need the food to have fun at the game next year!

Unfortunately, it rained as soon as they got to the game.  It hadn't rained at all the whole time they were here, but it rained & thundered Friday night, so the had to leave.  Good thing my dad got the tickets for $2 a piece (they should have been $6... only my dad).  And to make up for the lost game, Nana and Papa Joe took Gianna for ice cream at Farr's Fresh.  They love to spoil her!

While my parents were at the game, I was picking Bobby up from the airport.  You can see from the look on his face how happy he was to be out of Mexico City and with his family.  He sure missed that little girl!

My dad's birthday is August 21, but we celebrated it last Saturday because it was my parents' last day with us.  We decorated the dinning room for breakfast, and I surprised him with Captin Crunch (his childhood favorite... the kind without berries).  We gave him two of his gifts and had a fun time. 

After our "pre-breakfast" we walked up to Einstein's Bagles, which we had been doing all week.  It's one of my favorite things to do when my parents come to visit.  I love walking with them, eating bagels and just talking for a while outside. Gianna, you were having so much fun that day playing under the table nearby.  You just laughed and bounced while we laughed with you.

On the way home, we stopped at Smith's grocery store to get a few things.  And of course, my dad won a free cake!  They had a cake walk of sorts, and no one was on the number, so my dad ran over to it.  How funny that we were celebrating his birthday and he got a FREE cake!  Only my dad!  We had to get a picture.

After Smith's, we stopped to take a couple of family pictures.  Bobby and I rarely get a good picture of the two of us because no one's around to take one!  Gia has tried, but they just never turn out.

One of the highlights of the day was going to Farr's to collect my trophee.  Back in January, my dad and I made a bet as to when Gianna would walk.  My dad said before May 15, and I said after.  Well, thank you Gianna for waiting until the beginning of August, because I won the bet & Papa Joe had to buy me an ice cream!  Nana made me a sign, just in case you wondered who won.

Gianna enjoyed her prize too... I rewarded her for making me the winner :o)

The winners!

We has such a wonderful time with Nana and Papa Joe.  I wish they lived here so that we could do these things all the time!  I'm looking forward to when they come in the winter time!

Peru & Parents

Well, the passport agency messed up on my application, so I didn't get it in time.  In fact, I still haven't gotten it, but I think that's better.  If the passport had come on Thursday (the day the team left for Peru), I think it would have been harder.  I wait anxiously for Bobby to call me, and I pray for them constantly throughout the day.  Still, it's hard knowing I missed out on such an amazing opportunity to go to Peru.  But we've been having some fun here at home, too!

The picture I snapped before Bobby left.

My parents (Nana and Papa Joe) came to stay with us this week.  Actually, they were going to watch the baby while Bobby and I were in Peru, but they're keeping me company instead.  What a difference it makes to have them around!!  It makes me wonder how in the world I get things done without them... oh wait, I usually don't!  I have to wait until Gia goes to bed to do everything :o)  So it's been awesome for me and Gia to have them here.  Gia gets lots of attention, and my parents are helping me do some organizing and cleaning that has been desperately needed.

My friend Laura came down with her new baby George.  Gia was facinated with him.  She smiled and shyly touched his foot.  I think they're going to be good friends :o)

We ate strawberry shortcake while watching the Olympics.  Tasty!  Go USA!

We've already been to Einstein's Bagles twice!  We work off the calories by walking up there, and then we don't feel guily :o)  And of course my parents spoiled me and wouldn't let me pay.  They're too good to me.

My parents celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary yesterday.  They got dressed up and went to dinner at a small Japanese restaurant close to our house.  They said the food was awesome and they had a great time together.  I, of course, had to take a picture to commemorate the moment.  I just have to say how proud I am to call them my parents, and to be able to say that they have stayed together through the good times and tough times.  They've taught me what it means to fight for a marriage, and to love each other more deeply as the years go by.  What would I do without you guys?

While they were on their date, Gia and I enjoyed some good Italian pasta.  I love how she gets it all over herself!

Today we all went for a walk, just to get out of the house and give Nola some exercise.  Gia got to ride in her wagon, and I took the opportunity to get a picture with my baby in her cute sun hat!

It is a bummer that I wasn't able to go with Bobby to Peru.  But what a blessing it is to spend my week with my daughter and my parents.  Gia is a true treasure, and I feel blessed to be given the gift of enjoying her this week.  Being a mom is the best thing!  

All Done!

When Gianna is eating, we use two phrases: "More" and "All done."  If she is playing at the end of the meal, or fussing to let me know that she's full, I will ask, "all done?" and Gia will either cram more food into her mouth or reach up for me.  After getting Gia out of the highchair, I will let Nola help me clean up the floor.  Well today when Gia was finished with her lunch, I asked her, "all done?," and suddenly Nola's ears perked up.  She sat "at attention," eagerly posed at the bottom of Gia's highchair, ready to get the scraps that Gianna had dropped.  I cracked up!  Looks like Gianna's not the only one who's learned a new word!

Nola patiently waited long enough for me to get a picture.

NOLA memories

I have so many memories from doing missions in New Orleans and living there.  While we were in New Orleans for the Southern Baptist convention, I tried to relive as many of these memories as I could.  And, I wanted to share the moments with Gianna.

We loved going to cafe du monde!  Although it was always crazy and packed, those bingets are so yummy & warm, and it was fun just to be in the middle of all the action.  

There's a tradition, where you blow the powdered sugar into someones face who has never been there before.  I didn't acutally blow the sugar into Gia's face, but I had to put some on her nose for a cute picture.

Next, we went to the platform right above Jackson square.  We sat on the same bench where we sat on our first date, holding hands and falling in love.  On the bench on this trip, we were able to pray for a woman who had traveled from Tennessee and had survived cancer.  What a special memory God gave us in that special place.  They woman, Yolanda, took this picture for us.

When Kelly Allen and I were in Westwego for the summer as NAMB missionaries, we went to the Godiva store and ordered what we thought was a frapachino.  However, it was really the most delicious chocolate milkshake that we had ever tasted.  I mean seriously, it was heaven in my mouth.  So, Bobby took me back to the mall so that I could get one... and share it with Gianna :o)

If you've ever lived in the New Orleans area, you know what a snowball is, and that we couldn't possibly have left NOLA without having one.  The prices had gone up since we left 2 1/2 years ago, and they only take cash at the one we went to, so Bobby and I split a Dreamsickle with condensed milk.  Mmmmmm yummy!  Gianna thought it was pretty great, too!

Bobby's favorite restaurant in NOLA is Canes.  For some reason, I didn't realize how fabulous it was when we lived there, but we ate there on this trip, and I loved it!  Gianna thought it was the most delicious thing she'd ever put in her mouth.  It's a chicken place, by the way. 

First Baptist Church of Westwego is the church where Kelly and I served as missionaries that summer in 2006, and where Bobby was the pastor of education.  It's where I met my dear friends who have forever changed my life.  Bobby and I met and fell in love there.  Kelly and I watched Phantom of the Opera over and over in the youth room upstairs, and ate Marcia's Boston Cream dessert for breakfast because she gave us lots of left-overs.  We facilitated the precious groups who came to help rebuild the city, and they stayed in that church with us.  So many sweet memories.

And finally, Baskin Robbins.  Kelly and I grew very attached to that ice cream shop during our summer in NOLA!  We had to go back there because, as Quint said, "Lindsay is here and it's what we always do."