Random

10 Random Things You Might Not Know About Me:

1. I wish I had a porch swing.
2. I hate clutter, but find myself making piles.
3. I dream and aspire big but do little in comparison.
4. Would rather eat salad than dessert.
5. Sometimes I write things in my planner I've already done just so I can check them off.
6. I like to walk in my neighborhood, and pray for each family as I walk by their house.
7. Sometimes I go to the bathroom just so I can have a few minutes to myself.
8. I love to doance when no one is watching.
9. My mom picked out the man I married (Actually his brother, but I told her he had a really good-looking "available" brother that was totally out of my league)
10. I wish I could take dancing lessons with my husband... he's a really good dancer!

Boat Races

With Rob having three girls, Indian Princess is the only way to go!  Indian Princess is a Father/Daughter group that gets together about once a month and does activities that allows them to spend time together.  They do all sorts of fun things: UD Basketball games, a father/daughter dance, campouts, bowling, roller skating, ice skating and the Big Boat Race.  Each tribe is responsible for planning one outing, and with Rob being the "chief" this year, is in charge of the Boat Race.  He had to cut enough wood to make about 120 kits.  Then each girl gets to design their own boat with the supplies given and they have a race Grant Park's creek.  The girls are busy putting their boats together, trying to predict what design will make it race the fastest.  They earn badges for various events and at the campout they learn the Adventure Princess Aims.  Erika was one of the few to memorize it:

1. To be clean in body and pure in heart.

2. To be friends forever with my Dad.

3. To love the sacred circle of my family.

4. To listen while others speak.

5. To love thy neighbor as myself.

6. To respect the traditions and beliefs of all people.

7. To seek to preserve the beauty of Our Creator's work in forest, field, and stream.

First Broken Bone

Our first broken bone.  Poor Emily.  Well, if you ask her, she's loved it!  She broke it while Daddy was out of town, and now there's not one spot for him to sign.  She's one popular girl!  These are the kiddos we carpool with that go to Bowman with Em.  They were the first to sign her cast. 

Here is Brooke, our neighbor, signing, while she is struggling with her foot.  She's such a good little gymnast, but needed to take the winter off for therapy.  Erika's sweet, she helps both with their bookbags on the bus.

Here's Nana signing her cast at Emmy's school.  They had a research project displayed and my parents were able to come, since Rob was out of town.  I have to say, I was excited and nervous at the same time for them to see Bowman.  For the last two years, they've seen the girls flourish at The Academy, and for them to come to Bowman with over 800 children in 1st and 2nd grade, can be quite overwhelming.  Even though I'm 37 years old, there's still something about me wanting my parents approval.  Bowman is new with some  dynamic staff and incredible principal, and I truly believe God has His Hand on my shoulder to get me through this year.  All 3 girls have INCREDIBLE teachers, and feel so blessed.  We miss so much about The Academy that the public schools cannot replace, but the gift of me being able to be home with Rob's busy schedule, makes Lebanon City Schools pretty much worth it.  The girls are thriving and growing and learning lots and have developed great friendships.  What more could we want?

Emily researched Mother Teresa and did an amazing job!  We laughed and said she was going to get kicked out of the public schools!  But since we went to her teacher's Catholic wedding, we knew she would be on our side!  :)  She made a timeline, had to research and paraphrase a biography of her, draw a self-portrait, make a PowerPoint slide, write a fictional story with Mother Teresa as the main character, and design a poster!  It was a huge process, and worth it!  She learned so much!  Tonight Rob and I were discussing a couple's situation that really wasn't any of our business, and from the other room, Emily called out: "If you judge someone, you have no time to love them."  (straight from Mother Teresa's mouth!)  I'd say Emily definitely learned something!!!  Emily, my Mother Teresa!

Sadie

Sadie.  Sadiepops.  Sadiepoopers.  Sadie-luv.  Sadie-pie.  Sadie-snookums.  Sadie-girl.  Sadie-kins.

You get the picture.

Another girl, in our family, spoiled rotten.

After three years of the girls debating with Rob, we get the girls a puppy.  another addition to the glover household.  we tell ourselves, it's good for the girls' responsibility and it's better than another baby, right?!?! 

Who knew she would become the #1 in all of our lives?  (not rob's, of course---  she's still just a dog to rob)

3 months into it and they're still fighting over who gets to hold her first, take her out, brush her, sleep with her... 

Yeah, it's all good!

Now the only problem is that the girls are hesitating about going to Chicago to the American Girl Store because of the dog...

They can't imagine leaving her alone... 

Sadie, sadie-poo, sadie-kins,

You are loved!

Our Star Writer!

One year ago, Ellie slips me a note while I was on the phone: "r u omost dun?" (Are you almost done?) 

A whole new world was opening up for her!  Besides her voracious language that seemed to control every situation, she was now taking over the silent world in writing! 

The girls bring home so many things that they worked so hard on at school, I try to keep as much as I can.  This book was one of Ellie's first Writer's Workshop stories, had to share!

"School"

(We go to the carpet.

We listen to a book.)

(We do writing workshop we do all kinds of books.)

(I have fun we go outside we have to wear our coats outside.)

(At the carpet, we sing for people that have new shoes.)

(We go to centers)

Thought the spelling was priceless.  I loved the part about how the class sings for anyone who wears new shoes- I guess the kiddos make a big deal of it!  Who knew?!) 

Easier days Ahead...

So happy for some sunshine, it makes taking Sadie out to potty so much more enjoyable!  Good-bye snow, hello spring!!!

Florida with the Girls

first time on the beach since children have I:

closed my eyes and felt the sun warm my skin

spelled OH- IO

had a rely race involving drinks

worn a sweater and jeans

read a complete chapter without being interrupted

started drinking at 1 o'clock

had so many (OLD) men want to take our picture together

built a sand sculpture without kids

warmed up by a heater at the pool

never swam

the only thing in the fridge was beer and milk

scanned a dinner menu searching for what I really wanted to eat, not what would be healthy to spit with my daughterS

no worries

sleeping throught the night, all night

I Hope You Dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIAWY4LLsEw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s9l5EvHeQs

Something about having three girls and loving LeeAnn Womack.  Love her songs, "I Hope You Dance" and "There is a God" (her videos are shown above, just click).  Her words are so emotional and they seem to grab hold of me, making me appreciate all the things in my life.  Her message is beautiful.  Sometimes when I am writing in my girls' journals to them, I don't find any better words to say for them to relate to than relating to songs.   For some reason, I can preach to them time and time again, and I feel like it goes in one ear and out the other. Bbut a song comes on, they hear it once and sing it all day.  Lee Ann Womack has a beautiful message in these songs.  I tell my girls often they are designed with a purpose. 

Emmy- you are truly loved and that I hope you dance :

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,

Never settle for the path of least resistance.

Livin' might mean taking chances,

but they're worth takin'

Lovin' might be a mistake

But it's worth makin'

I hope you Dance!

 (And I hope you get some dance clothes that fit you, God love ya!!!)

Missing Sissy

Ellie missed the girls today. 

With the spring weather here this weekend, the girls took their dolls for a walk, and in their world, the dolls have come back to life.  They dressed them for the weather and took them for a walk, they made a dinner plate for them, and we've included them in our bedtime prayers. 

 This morning, Ellie got Emily's doll all ready for her to wave good-bye as she got on the school bus.  This morning, I prayed that the girls will always miss each other when they're away from each other.  

Spring is here! (We hope!)

Golfing in the front yard, hanging out with neighbors, muddy boots: loving first signs of spring!

Emily's First Confession

Last week, Emily had her First Confession.  She has been studying this sacrament in her Sunday School class and I was able to go to a Retreat with her to help her understand and view Reconciliation as a celebration.  Our church made it a big ordeal.  They had several priests from other local churches come and be a part of the special evening.  The service started by singing the song, "Like a Shepherd." 

"Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms, holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home." 

Emily knew the words, which made it very sweet.  Father gave a very sweet homily about how unique and special our children were and that in May they would be receiving their First Communion, which would help bring them even closer to God.  Emily did so well verbalizing with me about the choices she has done that she felt God might be disappointed in her with.  Even sweeter, they were able to choose any priest and she was excited to go to a priest in Cincinnati that worked with the ArchBishop.   I love the passion in her.  So much to be proud of.