How quickly they grow.

Seth has been off for the past 4 days and it has been heavenly. I love having him home. There are so many topics on my list of things that I wanted to blog about and now that I have created a little slot of time to do so (everyone has gone to bed) I don't know where to start. Blogging can be so liberating...I can say whatever I want and I don't have to worry about anything (ie, driving people crazy with my incessant chatter). haha.

I guess I should start by saying "life is good." This picture really says it all:

Seth and Kailee went to the library the other day to get "The Little House in the Big Woods" (he loved The Little House on the Prairie series as a child) and they have been reading a chapter together every night -- Sophia doesn't really like to sit for any length of time to read so we stick to the shorter books with her. I was doing some work in the office last night, while I listened to him read to her. I noticed it got quiet so I just assumed that Seth took Kailee to bed. After about 10 minutes of silence I heard Seth's snores start to waft into the office so I decided to check it out and this is what I came upon. It was such a heart-warming sight.

While I looked at them asleep in the papasan chair (after I took a picture) I couldn't help but to feel a small tinge of sadness. Kailee seems to be growing up so quickly these days...and I'm not just talking about her height. She is acting like such a big girl. I can't help but to laugh at some of the things she says to me sometimes. On top of that, (this is not going to sound like a big deal to most of you) Kailee took her first shower tonight (after playing in the bath for 1/2 hour first. haha). I have been trying to get Kailee to take a shower since she could stand up. I have friends who's kids have taken showers from birth and like it. My girls have never liked showers. Kailee has always cried when I tried to turn on the shower. Tonight she let me turn on the shower and wash her hair...Although I am pretty sure I am done in the baby department, I have to say that I can see the appeal of having more babies when children hit this age.  It seems like just yesterday that I was in the nursing her, rocking her, soothing her, she was just a baby...

...and Sophia. WOW! She has grown leaps and bounds in just a month. She started with two word sentences about 2 weeks ago and now she is on to three words. It is so amazing the things they can pick up on. Sophia loves to mimic her big sister. If Kailee says she wants string cheese, Sophia isn't far behind saying the exact same thing followed by "too". It is really cute. Read book too. Go walk too. Watch cartoon too (although she will not sit through one). I love it! This is one of my favorite ages -- their brains are such sponges. Everyday is a new adventure. I am so blessed to be able to take this adventure with my girls. I thank God everyday and pray the He will lead us to bring them up in the way He would see fit; that they would come to know Christ at an early age. I pray for God to intercede because I feel like I sometimes fall short and I know He will never disappoint. I will continue to praise God for his grace and never-ending love...and for loaning me these two amazing gifts -- they are my everything!

Growing Up Girls

I just can't believe how long it has been since I last posted a blog!! Time really gets away from me sometimes. It's crazy!

Things are going really well around here. Seth is still taking Farsi classes at DLI. I can't believe how much he studies and how much he knows!! He took the practice DLPT (military language exam) today and Monday; he doesn't feel very good about the "listening" portion of the exam. I am really praying he did well. He studies so hard and puts everything into this -- it would be great to see him get some sort of validation from all of it.

Sophia turns 2 next month!!! It's crazy. Every day it is something new with her. She is definitely coming into the "terrible 2's", that's for sure. Just today I put her in my bed for a nap (since my room was cooler) and she started banging on the bedroom door (she can't quite get the hang of opening the doors). When I went in to check on her she handed me a 1/2 open container of deodorant. Ewwww....I took the top of the rest of the way to see teeth marks in the top. YUCK! Upon further inspection, there was deodorant caked on her pacifier. When I asked her if she had eaten any she started making a horrible face and opening her mouth -- her tongue was white and pasty. Really?? Of course, I cleaned her up, tossed the bed sheets in the washer, had her drink a cup full of water (which she was happy to do...), and put her back to bed. Whew. Another day in the life of the mother of a (almost) 2 year old. She is also starting to climb out of her crib! I guess she watched Kailee climb in and out of it (to play with Sophia in the mornings before mommy rolls out of bed) and decided to try it herself. Imagine our surprise when, on Saturday morning, Sophia came strolling into our room with her blanket and "pac". hahaha. Gone are my days of laying in bed for an additional 1/2 hour while Kailee and Sophia play in the crib. :(

They are growing up so quickly.

I looked at Kailee the other day, really looked at her, and I couldn't believe what I saw - my toddler was not a toddler any more. On one hand it makes me happy -- more freedom for us as a family to do things together-- but on the other hand I was/am sad. Where has the time gone!!?? Kailee is so tall. We have been marking her height on the side of the refrigerator (very civil, I know) and she has grown every time we mark it (every couple of weeks). Her little round belly is gone and has been replaced with the scrawny little girl that is so sure of herself most of the time. Then you have those times when she just wants to cling to her mommy and daddy. She has gotten into the habit lately of, when she gets in trouble, repeatedly saying over and over: "I WAAANNNTTTT DDAAADDDDYYYYY!!!" I guess "saying" isn't quite appropriate; it is more like "wailing". I wonder what would happen if I decided to do it back to her? Maybe I'll give it a try next time. :) I'll be sure to post the results.

Sometimes I just can't believe how much God has blessed me and my life. What did I do to deserve such an amazing family, a roof over my head, food, etc? I will praise Him all the days of my life!

I will go for now. There is so much I want to say but it is already getting late. I am going to try to post more tomorrow -- get everyone caught up on what is going on in the Middleton household. :)

Until then...