Practice writing

Today I thought I would try and see if Isabel could write some simple letters. She did rather well for her first try. We’ll keep practicing and share what she does with you. Enjoy!

This practice sample are the letter’s: A and I.
Can you see Isabel’s letter’s in pink?

This practice sample are the letter’s: B and C
Can you see Isabel’s letter’s in pink?
(Hint: her B is on it’s side)

This practice sample are the letter’s: H and O
Isabel drew a D in blue instead.

This practice sample is the letter: E
She started out doing an amazing job then got frustrated with it.
Can you see Isabel’s E?
(Hint: It looks like a perfect L)

Happy Birthday Karlee

My first real job, as most teen girls in high school, was babysitter. I watched several different kids throughout school and after high school as well. However, the beginning of my senior year, I was given the opportunity to watch a very special girl and her name was Karlee. I watched Karlee for just over a year. Then her family decided to move away, I was so sad to see her leave. I missed her and her family.

Throughout the years, I often wondered about Karlee and her parents. What was she like? What did she like to do? Was she happy? Was she ok? All normal questions to ask when someone leaves an impression in your heart and life…

1990
Karlee and I.

March 1991
She was even in my senior pictures.

1992
A few years after they moved, I got a few cards from her mom
and pictures of Karlee. Then we lost touch…

Then last year I joined a social website called “Facebook”. If you have no idea what that is, it’s a social networking site where you can connect with people you know. You can search for people you might know, too.

One night when I was online within Facebook, I decided that I would search for Karlee. I figured she has to be on there since it’s a site created for young people.  So I typed in her name and the first person listed was Karlee so-and-so, the name was different then what I knew but the face looked a little familiar to me. So I sent a message with some info that I knew about Karlee and she wrote me back! It was Karlee!

2007 – Junior year in high school.
She’s a gorgeous girl! Love her smile, reminds of her mother…

2008 – Summer before freshman year in college.
There’s that smile again!
She is going to school with a major in Nutritional Sciences;
with a minor of Allied Health.

Happy Birthday, Karlee!

God bless you on the road ahead. I have enjoyed reconnecting with you and getting to know you all over again. You were a special little girl to me and have grown into an amazing women. Keep in touch…

Christmas Questionaire

I noticed this on my cousins blog and decided to play along…something fun and different! Enjoy!

1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?
Carey: Hot chocolate.
Gino: Eggnog

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Carey: Wrap.
Gino: Or in the driveway.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Carey: Colored lights on the tree with white lights on the house and inside decor.
Gino: Mix it up. Whatever I’m in the mood for.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Carey: No. Used to when I was younger living with my parents.
Gino: No.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Carey: Christmas decor goes up the week of Thanksgiving.
Gino: (same as above)

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Carey: Turkey.
Gino: Yams with marshmallows.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child.
Carey: Spending holidays with family and extended family. The whole HUGE crowd!
Gino: Grandpa Eddie dressing up as Santa Claus.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Carey: I was 5 or 6. They also told me there was no Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy.
Gino: Don’t remember.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Carey: No.
Gino: We did as kids.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Carey: Lights, garland, ornaments, and then topper.
Gino: Top to bottom.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Carey: Dislike it! Dread it! Avoid it!
Gino: (same as above)

12. Can you ice skate?
Carey: No.
Gino: No.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Carey: Yes.
Gino:

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Carey: Jesus’ birth. Without him there would be no hope.
Gino:

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Carey: My sister-in-laws homemade holiday candy!
Gino:

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Carey: Spending time with family. It’s been years since we have had family around for the Christmas holiday.
Gino:

17. What tops your tree?
Carey: A mother of pearl Christmas star.
Gino: (same as above).

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Carey: Giving.
Gino:

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Carey: My all time favorite song is: “Heirlooms” written by Bob Farrell, Brown Bannister, and Amy Grant and sung by Amy Grant on her Christmas Album.  Otherwise, all the traditional ones…and a few new ones too.
Gino:

20. Candy Canes​!​ Yuck or Yum?
Carey: Yum.

21. What do you want for Christmas?
Carey:
Gino:

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party?
Carey: No.
Gino:

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs?

Carey: Pj’s! Unless of course I’m going out, then I dress up.
Gino:

24. Do you own a Santa hat?
Carey: I have 2 from when I worked @ Wal*Mart years ago.
Gino:

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
Carey: Jesus and my family.
Gino:

10 years

My sister-in-law kept all the baby/toddler clothing from my nieces and nephews thinking that she might have more children. Well, that never came to be and the clothes were packed up in storage for years and years.

Then 2 years ago when we were back in Utah for a visit, my brother and sister-in-law were cleaning out their storage. Trying to get rid of all the unnecessary items for a move into their new house. My sister-in-law asked me if I would like some clothing for Isabel. I’m always grateful for a gift, specially one that is free! For 2 days, we searched through giant garbage bags of clothes.  In the end, I ended up with over 50 lbs. of clothing for Isabel; ranging in sizes from 1 year to age 6! This clothing has been a HUGE blessing to us because we haven’t had to spend a lot of money on clothing for Isabel. Thank you so much!

1998 – La Verkin, Utah
Brienna is 2 1/2 years old and Brenden is 5 years old.
This was Brenden’s Preschool graduation.

2008 – Washington (state)
Isabel is 34 months.

Fuzzyphobia

Fuzzyphobia: is the fear of lint (or in our house we like to call them fuzzy’s).

The story begins last winter when I purchased a pair of black sweat pants. After washing the pants for the first time, I wore them. That first day that I wore them, the floor was covered with fuzzy’s all over the house. In the hall. On the stairs. In the bedroom. In the bathroom. In the den. In the living room. And in the kitchen. Anywhere I had gone that day the fuzzy’s were found scattered all along the floor. Gino had stayed home from work and as we were preparing lunch that day, Isabel was commenting on all the fuzzy’s all over the ground.

So as Isabel bend’s down to get a closer look of a rather large fuzzy; at the exact same moment the furnace kicked on and the air caused the fuzzy to dance crazily across the floor. Isabel jumped back with eyes as big as saucers, terrified out of her whits!

From that moment (over a year), she has been terrified of fuzzy’s. Wouldn’t go near them until they are removed from her path. Forget about touching them…she would scream, cry, and run away. Something had to be done…you can’t have fuzzyphobia forever, their everywhere, even in your clothes!

So last weekend, Isabel was laying on our bed in our bedroom and somehow the subject got around to fuzzy’s. Gino found some fuzzy’s and told Isabel that it was a nice little “bug” and it needed some love. He found a few more and began to pile them on the bed. At first she wouldn’t have anything to do with it. Then after about 5 minutes, Gino talked her into giving it a “kiss” and a “hug”. Another 15 minutes later, she was holding the fuzzy on her leg (not in her hand)! Another 15 minutes later and she was holding it in her hand!

Now she likes fuzzy’s and when she spots one she bends down and says, “Can touch it? Can I touch it? Mommy, I can touch it! It’s a nice fuzzy!”

No more fuzzyphobia in our house!

Washable markers

…not so much!

Front page 1.

Back of front page 1.

Front page 2.
I have to admit this one isn’t all Isabel. I drew the pink and yellow flower
in the corner and Gino wrote the “I (heart) U” in the bottom corner.

Also this started out being a picture of a face with eyes, ears, mouth, and hair.
She colored all over it so you can’t make it out anymore.

Back of front page 2.