First Day of School!

I know I am terribly behind but that's just kinda how it works with me and the blog. Anyhow, three weeks after the fact, I thought I would document Perri's first day of preschool. Down here, instead of MDO, it is "preschool," I guess because they kindof just transition into the preschool as they get older? Who knows. I do know its insanely expensive here (1 day costs the same as 3 days in Arkansas) so we are starting with a one day a week for her haha. Craig said I'd have to work part time to cover more days right now, and well, that totally defeats the purpose of her going :)

She so far is loving school! The first day my biggest worry was her nap, as she is super particular and loves  her some sleep! Surprisingly, she slept for an hour on her nap mat, and last week slept an hour and a half!! This is awesome considering she's on a nap mat on the floor and without her sound machine! The downside to school is I totally pay for it when she gets home. Or atleast so far I have. Whew talk about in a funk and grouchy mood! Those nights she's gone to bed early because we just can't deal with the grumpiness any longer. Luckily we could probably put her to bed at 5pm and she'd still sleep until 8:30 the next morning. We may or may not have done that before.... ha!

I'll leave you all with some pics from the first day. Nothing great, as she doesn't look at the camera these days but mainly some just to keep for us to remember!

Lunch box. She LOVES to carry this around and throws huge fits when I take it from her.

She grabbed her lunch box and waved at me and said "bye bye"

Checking what she'd get for lunch. This kid is serious about her food and snacks

I did not tell her to do this. She walked over and gave Emma a goodbye kiss. 

Ah! Something familiar!

Checking more things out in the classroom.

Sadly, I was horrible at documenting this special day and was mainly talking to the teachers about things as this was our first time meeting them since we missed all the meet the teachers and orientations due to being in Mexico. I was sad about that but quickly got over it since hello, Mexico!

Mexico!

Yes, we are alive, I'm just horrible at blogging (as you've already noticed..) Thought I'd catch up on some posts so here's one for you!

A couple weeks ago Craig and I went to Mexico for a week with Craig's brother Jonathan and our sister-in-law Patty and LOTS of their friends. I knew no one else but Craig knew a few of Jonathan's fraternity brothers. The total number in our group was I believe 22 but mainly we were just with Jonathan and Patty and J's 3 fraternity brothers and their wives/significant other.

We stayed at The Royal Cancun, an adult-only, all inclusive resort and it was beautiful! Right on the water, balcony overlooking the ocean and beautiful clear blue water!

Some pics from the trip, and sorry if some are blurry. I accidentally left the camera on manual when others were taking pics and they didn't know how to work it.

Goofy

View from our balcony

Dinner one night

So pretty

muscles

Laying out reading

Awkward

Jonathan, Patty, Me, Craig at dinner

We had a wonderful trip together but definitely missed our girl! It was nice to know she was in good hands with my parents, getting ridiculously spoiled as always. We skyped with them a couple times so we could see and talk to her so that made it not so bad being away from her for so long!

One of the Most Inspiring Things I've Ever Seen

This summer we have had the privilege of having Gary Thomas preach at our church and have thoroughly enjoyed his messages and wonderful sermons. This morning he spoke on God's mercy and redeeming love for us and showed this video of Dick and Rick Hoyt. Some of you may have heard of this father and son duo but Craig and I never had and were extremely touched by their story and the video Gary showed.

To give you a brief synopsis, Rick Hoyt was born a "spastic quadriplegic" with cerebral palsy from having his umbilical cord wrapped several times around his neck resulting in oxygen deprivation. Doctors even suggested his parents put him in a special home but they refused and insisted upon raising and loving him as their son, trying to give him as normal of a life as possible. He was also unable to speak but upon insisting that they be able to communicate with Rick, his parent's took him to Tuft's University where a special interactive computer was built so that he could "speak" to them. A teen in their town was paralyzed in a car accident and there was a benefit run and Rick told his dad he wanted to run in it. In this race, his dad, who was a self proclaimed "couch potato" pushed Rick in his wheelchair for 5 miles. That night, Rick told his dad, "Dad, when I'm running, I feel like I'm not handicapped." From there, they went on to 10ks, half marathons and marathons and eventually triathlons and then the Iron Man Triathlon. In the swimming portion, Dick swims and pulls Rick in a boat for 2.5 miles, 112 miles on a bike and then pushes him for a 26.2 mile run.

This video is almost 5 minutes but it is incredible and so inspiring to see a father's devotion and love for his son, just as God loves and is so devoted to us.

This isn't the exact video we saw but is pretty close. Enjoy!

P.S. Craig and I, along with the entire church, cried like babies from this.

Show Me Your Silly Face

Lately Perri has been making some pretty hilarious faces about everything. And now, when I tell her to "show me her silly face," this is what I get:

Such a fun, silly little girl.

Something funny to add...

After my frustrated post I had to add what Perri did today that cracked me up.

She has a newfound LOVE/OBSESSION of Elmo, though she does not watch Sesame Street or Elmo so I have no idea how she knows Elmo or why she likes him.

Lately if we're at the store and walk by something that is Elmo, she freaks out yelling "Emmo."

On Saturday we went to Avery's birthday party and it was Elmo, needless to say, she was in heaven and got to hug and kiss Elmo and blow kisses and tell him "bye bye."

Then today, I was vacuuming and she ran up to me with a diaper (she'd been in her room, too quiet and apparently got into her diapers) SCREAMING, "EMMO!!!!" and burying her face in the diaper. She has to wear Huggies now due to serious rashes from Pampers but apparently found some Pampers we still had and realized Elmo was on them. She had the diaper on the floor with her face smashed in it and yelling Elmo over and over again. Then she layed down, grabbed her diaper and told me "poo poo" and wanted me to put Elmo on her. Needless to say she did not need to poo poo but thought that would be an excuse to wear Elmo. I'm not dealing with the rashes so it didn't work. After being turned down to wear Elmo she continued running around and stuffing her face in diaper and loving on Elmo.

Cracked me up. Sorry no pics of this.

Worn Out

Let me preface by saying this is merely a rant and venting.

Some days I am absolutely worn out. I've been sick the past probably 2 weeks and most recently got some sort of terror stomach virus that took me out for several days. Praise the Lord the worst of it was over the weekend and Craig could take care of Perri. On Monday we watched A LOT of tv as I was still worthless but couldn't do much of anything. Great parenting I know, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Craig is currently working two jobs (same company, just two positions). He recently got a new position but the person who is taking over his old position decided it'd be nice to take a two week long vacation during a BUSY time. Craig's been working his butt off and working LONG hours and not seeing Perri hardly at all. This, along with lots of rain and being stuck in the house, and some days I'm about to TEAR MY HAIR OUT. Having very little help and being sick and trying to take care of Perri and keep the house half way decent and food cooked is taking a toll.

It doesn't help that Perri has been throwing some monster fits and when I'm at the end of my rope, I just about snap. I love that little girl more than anything but sometimes I about can't take it.

I know all moms at times feel this way but it's just wearing me out right now with Craig not home and being worn down from being sick. And after I finally get completely over this bug I've got to go to the dr. to get my lymph nodes checked out. They've been really swollen for about 2 months now and still when I'm well. Could just be a beat down immune system but they've been swollen more when I'm well than when I'm sick so they worry me. I'd better be safe and get them checked too.

Hmm.. what else? I know I should have a ton to report on since I never post anymore but hopefully the videos suffice sometimes. We got new phones and the video is pretty good and it's just so easy to upload straight from the phone so expect more video. Perri LOVES watching herself on video and I need to sometime have Craig video her watching videos of herself. Pretty funny.

Also a prayer request- Craig's boss's son, who is 14, recently had moles removed and one was positive for melanoma. Luckily we're in Houston with world-reknowned MD Anderson so he went there after the mole being removed. They sadly found another large spot on his back with more melanoma and removed it and think they have it all. Anyhow, prayers are appreciated as I can't imagine going through this with a child!!

A couple pics of Perri recently to end with. If I put a hat or glasses on her or anything in her hair, they are ripped off in .13221 seconds. Her idea and they are on for hours. Ha!




P.S. In all seriousness, anyone have any good suggestions on parenting books? Would very much appreciate!

Perri's New Slide

After 4 consecutive rainy days we were finally able to move Perri's new slide outside. Her Lulu and Pops got if for her last week. She loves it!