Week 3 in Review

 January 17: Just when you think that all is calm and all is right... it happens... we start sniffling... our lips start to chap... our noses get runny and we start to feel a little "icky". Though no one is sneezing. We're starting to feel a slight shift in the air. We need Spring... and have a long time before we get there.

January 18: A long day of travel was endured today. I already posted about it... the drive down to Grand Rapids was horrible... the drive home was bearable. I think we need some time now without much traveling.

January 19: Sleeping in...snow... rain... thunderstorm... thundersnow... ice pellets... snow... snow... snow.

 

  Today we slept in, you played out side in the morning in the fresh fallin snow. Your cheeks were rosy... but it was actually "warm" for playing. The snow flakes were the size of golf balls! The white covered trees sparkled as the sun attempted to peak through the snow. It didn't last long though, it was too far tucked behind the snow clouds. The beauty of Michigan in full force this morning. We are very blessed to be able to live in such a beautiful area of the country. We do it take it for granted in many ways. We should get out and enjoy mother nature more... (okay you hoolies and daddy do a lot -- mommy with the ouchy knee not so much.)  As you rolled and danced in the sparkles from Heaven, I watched you from the window (my "perch") I was reminded of the first time you both played in the snow together. I remember the stark differences... Gg's disgusted look in her 1 year old face and the joyful delight on Kk's 2 1/2 year old face. Gg was still a "baby" and really it was her first real time in the snow. It was precious... it was perfect.

 

 As I perched there in the window watching you make snow angels, I was immediately taken back to that first snow date we had. I laid in the snow and showed you both how to make your first snow angels. Gg wasn't thrilled... she wasn't having it... her little face beet red and her eyes were beginning to water... she refused to lay in the snow. Kk on the other hand loved making snow angels. I remember having to help her figure out how to make her arms and legs do that up and down in the snow motion... she kept kicking her legs in the air... and then she'd laugh... I know she was just teasing me. I know she was testing me to see if I would play her "I don't know how" game. Of course I played because that's what mommy's do... they play along to make their babies happy. I will never ever forget the giggle... that turned hearty and then a complete gut laugh that Gg let out when mommy fell backwards into the snow. When I did it the second time I had both of you laughing so hard... I will never forget that musical sound, ever.

From my perch today, I watched you sled down the driveway... the hill going down toward the shed...the attempt from the dirt "road" toward the house. Trial and error are so fun to watch you both figure out. You have such determination on your little faces. Since the snow was fresh and ultra thick you really had to make a pathway before the sled would really go. You each took turns pushing the other through the snow in order to create the "sled trail". I don't know what's more fun sledding with you or watching you from our warm home.

 

 January 20: Today we had Sunday School. Daddy took you; as mommy did not sleep well because of that crazy windy weather last night making my knee ache. I was hesitant about daddy taking you because of the icy roads but daddy promised if it was an ice skating rink out there he'd come home. Apparently it was fine because you did remarkable in church then you went to Sunday School. After that daddy declared it a daddy-daughter breakfast day. He took you to Burger King where you ate some cinni-mini's, cheesy hashbrown bites and oj.

 

 You came home with full bellies, smiles and cool stories from Sunday School. Kk played a game about the Holy Spirit. It was like the game "head bands" where you have to guess what your card says. Kk's word was understanding. She tried to explain about what it meant but then said, "it's like you trying to get what I'm saying." Gg brought home a wheel about what God made in the week and what he made every day. So proud of the beautiful creation AND she was able to read the entire thing without any mommy help!

Tonight we had ravoli for dinner. Gg says to daddy, "daddy I don't like ravoli cause I don't want sauce water on my ravoli." It was too late daddy had already put all ravoli in the sauce. Gg says, "Oh daddy, I am not a sauce water fan. Please don't make me eat the sauce water." Daddy's solution was, "let me get you some bread & butter so you can soak up the sauce water."  Gg accepted have to eat the sauce water quite well. Sauce water is my new favorite way to describe pasta sauce.

The sniffly sneezes are sticking around. I wish these germs would leave us alone! How much more can we do to avoid sickness? We wash hands, take vitamins, eat healthy... I think we were just doomed since the crud is everywhere. 

January 21: Great Auntie Roxanne asked mommy to write a poem in honor of Great Grandma & Grandpa Kaurich. So mommy wrote a poem...

Together for Eternity

If we smile into the sunshine,
We often see your face.
As the breeze dances around us,
It’s as though we feel your embrace.
We know you’re together for eternity,
Your love encircles us daily knowing you were meant to be.
Our lives forever changed,
Those tearful days the Lord decided to call upon both of your names.
God had a greater plan, for this we must accept.
We are finding ways to cherish each day; in remembrance of you.
We miss you more than anything; your smiles especially too.
We are learning to celebrate each day knowing you’re blissfully together for eternity.

After Great Grandpa Pete passed away I wrote a poem called Smile about him and Great Grandma put it in the newspaper with a picture of him smiling. I will look for the poem this week to show you.

It reads: A Smile. As the sunlight warms the freckles on my nose, I feel a presence in the room.  As I turn I see your smile, as it was that special day, when we began to understand each other. A time longer than most has become our lives.When I think about our past, I wish I would have treasured our time together, so I could say the things that were left unsaid. When fate takes us by the hand of time,we realize that life is precious, when it's often too late. Wanting forever to be possible, wishing you weren't gone. Finally, I realize you never really left me, as I thought you did. In my heart you will stay, thank you for that smile.

Today is the inauguration of President Obama for the 2nd term. This is a remarkable moment in our nations history. Now, twice for the sake of the people; re-elected in by the masses... President Obama can hopefully continue to better our nation for the next 4 years.

 I received an email from Gg's teacher Mrs. McGeorge saying that Gg is being moved up into a higher reading group. She is now officially in the chapter books club! (She's been a chapter book reader for a very long while now at home...) so glad that she is able to share her talents at school now too! Her first school chapter book, Junie B. Jones; Mushy Gushy Valentine. A definite favorite!!

Kk brought home her first division worksheet today. Division is tricky but she figured it out! I'm so proud of Kk's never give up attitude!

Tonight when daddy was getting your lunch boxes ready for tomorrow; he asked why Gg didn't eat her pudding. Gg said, "I don't like that kind, it tastes like candle wax." To which daddy who doesn't miss a beat says, "When did you eat candle wax?" Gg didn't think it was funny...well those dimples still managed to make the photo so she may have found a little humor in it.

 

January 22: Today was declared an "unofficial" snow day by daddy. Only because you both have sniffles, sneezes and coughs... oh my! Every school around us (almost) is closed due to the weather. It's been some extreme cold.

Brrr...I am cold just seeing this.

Daddy was called out to an accident last night and the roads were glare ice... enough so that it scared him. So we're staying snuggly, cozy, and wrapped up in blankets perfect today. It's only 7:34 a.m. and so far Grace has read a chapter from Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine (so she wouldn't be behind in class) and Kailee is doing Raz-kids. I am impressed with both girls because even with stuffy heads they want to do their school work.

When daddy got to the Soo this morning he said it was -16 degrees. He said that kind of cold makes your lungs hurt. Brrrrr.