Malia and her strollers! The girls LOVES pushing around strollers. She also loves her hats. I have great aspirations to learn how to crochet well enough to maker her more hats...Thursday, October 22, 2009
Abram and Malia
Pobrecito! Here is a perfect example of Abram's recent separation issues....
Malia and her strollers! The girls LOVES pushing around strollers. She also loves her hats. I have great aspirations to learn how to crochet well enough to maker her more hats...
Malia and her strollers! The girls LOVES pushing around strollers. She also loves her hats. I have great aspirations to learn how to crochet well enough to maker her more hats...
MATA FAMILY UPDATE
Hello all! Although I am not sure who is left of the "all". I'm pretty sure most of you have given up hope of me being an avid blogger. I'm sure I'll come back around. We've been trying to keep busy around here. Makes the time go faster. I do have some pictures of our recent activities and will work on getting them on here. So in the meantime I thought I'd update "everyone" on our little family-
DAVID-
He's been pretty busy with work, fighting a war and all. Things can get pretty intense over there in Afghanistan. Fortunately, we have great communication options. He got a cell phone and just keeps getting calling cards so that we can chat. We try to limit phone time, since the minutes can add up pretty quick. We usually just call to tell each other to get on the computer. They have computers set up (much like going to the library, where you wait in line)that have the internet. He can usually jump online once a day. We chat through AOL Instant Messenger and he keeps in contact with friends and family on Facebook. One of the computers also has a web cam so we have been "skyping". Malia LOVES seeing her papa! David does have his own laptop and we considered signing up the internet, but it is expensive and slow. Although he may have to wait in line to get on a computer, at least it's free! He loves getting mail, so if anyone needs his address, just let me know! We still aren't sure when his leave will be, maybe January, February or March. Gotta love the Army!
AMANDA-
I miss my husband something fierce! I am trying to keep busy. Fortunately I have two great kids that do just that for me! I am also subbing in Western Dubuque again. I have been mostly subbing at the middle school in Farley. My sister lives right behind the school, so I get to come home for lunch. I don't sub a whole lot, but enough to remind me I still love teaching without getting burnt out. Plus, loving the fact I don't have to plan or grade! My calling at church is also keeping me busy...Roadshow Director! We perform in November and things are coming along well. I also joined Weight Watcher's and have lost 14 lbs so far. Trying to work out more and have discovered the stability ball. Lots of fun. I love being near my family right now. They have been super supportive and have helped me out a lot, especially with watching the kids. Thanks all! I do wish there was a way to be in Arizona and Iowa at the same time! I would love to go visit our family in AZ and am hoping to stay there after David's leave until he gets home for good. I've also been having some seemingly gallbladder issues. I say seemingly because I have had all of the symptoms of gallbladder attacks, yet all of my tests came back negative. My doctor says it could be a "false negative" and says he could still remove my gallbladder, but that terrifies me. Although the pain is not fun, I have a hard time getting an organ cut out when I don't have something definitive telling me that is actually the problem. Other than that, life is good. I am super excited for the holidays and love being with my babies. I love and miss my man SOOO much, but am beyond proud of him and all of his hard work and sacrifice.
MALIA-
Where to begin with this girl? SHE CRACKS ME UP!!! She has a lot of spunk and definitely plays the part of "drama queen" well... no idea where she gets that from! Lately she starts every morning by eating a carrot. For real! She has me peel a whole carrot and just starts gnawing on it. I fear she might start turning orange! She is really into "Dumbo" or "Jumbo" as she says. I found myself humming the songs today while subbing, needless to say we've watched it a "few" times. She is also slowly getting into the whole "princess" scene. Malia is a great older sister and loves to help out with Abram. She loves reading, counting, singing and jumping on or off of anything. She loves nursery at church and often begs mid week to go to church. She also LOVES going to Britt's house and gets mad when Britt and I decide to take a break and have the kids spend a day a part. She loves cooking and recently helped me make cookies to send to David. Often throughout the day she will talk about David. Any picture she draws is set aside to "send to my papa". Yesterday she noticed a piece of plastic that had broken off in the car and insisted that we were going to "send it to papa to fix it". She misses him so much and talks about him all the time, but is a stinker when it comes to talking to him on the phone. She does better with the web cam. She is SUPER excited for Halloween and reminds me several times a day that she is going to be a purple butterfly. I love her SO much and love that some of the faces she pulls remind me of David! And being she pulls faces quite often, I have a constant reminder of her papa!
ABRAM-
I love, Love, LOVE this little boy! He is such a cuddle bug! He reminds me a lot of Malia. His smile is so infectious. We found out he is allergic to milk, eggs and nuts. I stopped breastfeeding him because he kept breaking out in hives. I kept trying to cut different things out of my diet, but the hives kept coming. Little did I know I had to cut ALL of those out! He's now on soy formula and doing well. He has now cut two teeth and it just adds to his little grin. He sits up really well and is getting better about just sitting and playing without screaming his fool head off. Going through a bit of separation anxiety of late, but nothing too bad. He LOVES Malia and just laughs and laughs at her crazy antics. Even though he is only 7 months we've moved him into 12 month clothes. I was going to have him be a lion for Halloween but I accidentally dried the costume and ruined the mane! Working on other ideas. He also loves gnawing on carrots! Apparently I am the mother of little bunnies! He is loving the fruit and veggies he has tried. He especially love the mashed up avocado we fed him the other day. He still isn't sleeping through the night. Some days are better than others, but I am definitely looking forward to some real sleep! All in all, he is a great little boy and I am so grateful in our lives!
So there you have it. The Matas in a nutshell. Well given the length of my ramblings, a bit more than a nutshell. I'll work on getting more pictures up. Should be easier now that I finally got the router to work. Before I had to be on the computer in my room, where there is no TV. May sound weird but unless I have the distraction of the TV going, I don't like to sit at the computer very long. With the other computer being near my bed, the prospect of sleeping is way more appealing than sitting at the computer! Now of course I am sitting up WAY too late but at least I am FINALLY posting!
DAVID-
He's been pretty busy with work, fighting a war and all. Things can get pretty intense over there in Afghanistan. Fortunately, we have great communication options. He got a cell phone and just keeps getting calling cards so that we can chat. We try to limit phone time, since the minutes can add up pretty quick. We usually just call to tell each other to get on the computer. They have computers set up (much like going to the library, where you wait in line)that have the internet. He can usually jump online once a day. We chat through AOL Instant Messenger and he keeps in contact with friends and family on Facebook. One of the computers also has a web cam so we have been "skyping". Malia LOVES seeing her papa! David does have his own laptop and we considered signing up the internet, but it is expensive and slow. Although he may have to wait in line to get on a computer, at least it's free! He loves getting mail, so if anyone needs his address, just let me know! We still aren't sure when his leave will be, maybe January, February or March. Gotta love the Army!
AMANDA-
I miss my husband something fierce! I am trying to keep busy. Fortunately I have two great kids that do just that for me! I am also subbing in Western Dubuque again. I have been mostly subbing at the middle school in Farley. My sister lives right behind the school, so I get to come home for lunch. I don't sub a whole lot, but enough to remind me I still love teaching without getting burnt out. Plus, loving the fact I don't have to plan or grade! My calling at church is also keeping me busy...Roadshow Director! We perform in November and things are coming along well. I also joined Weight Watcher's and have lost 14 lbs so far. Trying to work out more and have discovered the stability ball. Lots of fun. I love being near my family right now. They have been super supportive and have helped me out a lot, especially with watching the kids. Thanks all! I do wish there was a way to be in Arizona and Iowa at the same time! I would love to go visit our family in AZ and am hoping to stay there after David's leave until he gets home for good. I've also been having some seemingly gallbladder issues. I say seemingly because I have had all of the symptoms of gallbladder attacks, yet all of my tests came back negative. My doctor says it could be a "false negative" and says he could still remove my gallbladder, but that terrifies me. Although the pain is not fun, I have a hard time getting an organ cut out when I don't have something definitive telling me that is actually the problem. Other than that, life is good. I am super excited for the holidays and love being with my babies. I love and miss my man SOOO much, but am beyond proud of him and all of his hard work and sacrifice.
MALIA-
Where to begin with this girl? SHE CRACKS ME UP!!! She has a lot of spunk and definitely plays the part of "drama queen" well... no idea where she gets that from! Lately she starts every morning by eating a carrot. For real! She has me peel a whole carrot and just starts gnawing on it. I fear she might start turning orange! She is really into "Dumbo" or "Jumbo" as she says. I found myself humming the songs today while subbing, needless to say we've watched it a "few" times. She is also slowly getting into the whole "princess" scene. Malia is a great older sister and loves to help out with Abram. She loves reading, counting, singing and jumping on or off of anything. She loves nursery at church and often begs mid week to go to church. She also LOVES going to Britt's house and gets mad when Britt and I decide to take a break and have the kids spend a day a part. She loves cooking and recently helped me make cookies to send to David. Often throughout the day she will talk about David. Any picture she draws is set aside to "send to my papa". Yesterday she noticed a piece of plastic that had broken off in the car and insisted that we were going to "send it to papa to fix it". She misses him so much and talks about him all the time, but is a stinker when it comes to talking to him on the phone. She does better with the web cam. She is SUPER excited for Halloween and reminds me several times a day that she is going to be a purple butterfly. I love her SO much and love that some of the faces she pulls remind me of David! And being she pulls faces quite often, I have a constant reminder of her papa!
ABRAM-
I love, Love, LOVE this little boy! He is such a cuddle bug! He reminds me a lot of Malia. His smile is so infectious. We found out he is allergic to milk, eggs and nuts. I stopped breastfeeding him because he kept breaking out in hives. I kept trying to cut different things out of my diet, but the hives kept coming. Little did I know I had to cut ALL of those out! He's now on soy formula and doing well. He has now cut two teeth and it just adds to his little grin. He sits up really well and is getting better about just sitting and playing without screaming his fool head off. Going through a bit of separation anxiety of late, but nothing too bad. He LOVES Malia and just laughs and laughs at her crazy antics. Even though he is only 7 months we've moved him into 12 month clothes. I was going to have him be a lion for Halloween but I accidentally dried the costume and ruined the mane! Working on other ideas. He also loves gnawing on carrots! Apparently I am the mother of little bunnies! He is loving the fruit and veggies he has tried. He especially love the mashed up avocado we fed him the other day. He still isn't sleeping through the night. Some days are better than others, but I am definitely looking forward to some real sleep! All in all, he is a great little boy and I am so grateful in our lives!
So there you have it. The Matas in a nutshell. Well given the length of my ramblings, a bit more than a nutshell. I'll work on getting more pictures up. Should be easier now that I finally got the router to work. Before I had to be on the computer in my room, where there is no TV. May sound weird but unless I have the distraction of the TV going, I don't like to sit at the computer very long. With the other computer being near my bed, the prospect of sleeping is way more appealing than sitting at the computer! Now of course I am sitting up WAY too late but at least I am FINALLY posting!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Catch of the Day
My mom and Chris spent all last week fishing up in Minnesota. Luckies! Hopefully next year David and I will get to join them. While they were there they purchased this huge net. Apparently it is necessary for the kind of fishing they do up there. I can't wait. Until next summer it will just have to catch some cute girls and grandma!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Malia's 3rd Birthday
Malia's birthday was quite the day. We planned to celebrate her birthday on the 9th along with Britt's kids. Nora turned 2 on 7/26, Malia 3 on 8/9 and Nathan 4 on 8/13. We ended up having the party at mom's on short notice which worked out better with the weather. We got hit with storm after storm! Water everywhere. The Hayes Family almost didn't get to join us because Epworth got hit so bad. Nonetheless, the party went on. We were also lucky to be joined by my high school friend, Heather Brown and some of her family. I think the kids had a great time and the weather only added to the fun!
We threw around a few themes for the party and ultimately decided on Sponge Bob. I know, no mother's favorite. At the same time, he's gender neutral and for some sick reason the kids love him....
Here's the birthday girl, right before the party...
The studly Abram...
The 3 Birthday Kids...not so sure what Mali was grumpy about...
The storms got pretty nasty for a bit there...a little basement time just as a precaution...
An added bonus from all the rain... GUSANOS (Spanish for worms)...
Hanging out in the garage...Georgia, Heather, and Britt...
Celebrating Mexican style with a Sponge Bob pinata...
Grandpa taking charge at the grill...
Mali opening presents. She got some great things... Thanks all!
All the kiddos enjoying the grub...hot dogs, of course!
"Happy Birthday Dear Malia, Nathan, and Nora...."
Malia and Nathan loving the Sponge Bob's that came with the cake...
What to do for fun? Why gather all of the gusanos! Malia loves worms. Strange.
Finally, Sponge Bob tattoos...the kids loved them...
All in all a good day. We even got to hear from David! Malia sure does miss her papa. She misses all of her other cousins too. This week is Jocy's kids' birthdays- Tony and Alex turn two and Gabriel turns three. Wish we could be there!
We threw around a few themes for the party and ultimately decided on Sponge Bob. I know, no mother's favorite. At the same time, he's gender neutral and for some sick reason the kids love him....
Here's the birthday girl, right before the party...
The studly Abram...
The 3 Birthday Kids...not so sure what Mali was grumpy about...
The storms got pretty nasty for a bit there...a little basement time just as a precaution...
An added bonus from all the rain... GUSANOS (Spanish for worms)...
Hanging out in the garage...Georgia, Heather, and Britt...
Celebrating Mexican style with a Sponge Bob pinata...
Grandpa taking charge at the grill...
Mali opening presents. She got some great things... Thanks all!
All the kiddos enjoying the grub...hot dogs, of course!
"Happy Birthday Dear Malia, Nathan, and Nora...."
Malia and Nathan loving the Sponge Bob's that came with the cake...
What to do for fun? Why gather all of the gusanos! Malia loves worms. Strange.
Finally, Sponge Bob tattoos...the kids loved them...
All in all a good day. We even got to hear from David! Malia sure does miss her papa. She misses all of her other cousins too. This week is Jocy's kids' birthdays- Tony and Alex turn two and Gabriel turns three. Wish we could be there!
Nicole's Wedding
Here are some pictures from my cousin Nicole's wedding two weeks ago. My camera has been acting up lately, so it's taken some work to get these loaded. Nonetheless...
One of Abram's new tricks...combing through Mali's hair with his fingers!
The Newlyweds first dance...
Malia at the reception. We were passing the doors of the cultural hall and she says, "I hear something!" Quite the detective!
Sisters serving up cake... my aunt Deanne, Susanne, and Mom...
Here's the happy couple...
Abram digging on the decorations...
Celebrating Grandpa's birthday before the reception at Famous Dave's. I dare say Malia is following in her grandpa's footsteps... thoroughly enjoying her grub...
This was Malia's demeanor the entire trip to Cedar Falls, such a pleasure sometimes. My poor cousin Mari got a front row seat...
One of Abram's new tricks...combing through Mali's hair with his fingers!
The Newlyweds first dance...
Malia at the reception. We were passing the doors of the cultural hall and she says, "I hear something!" Quite the detective!
Sisters serving up cake... my aunt Deanne, Susanne, and Mom...
Here's the happy couple...
Abram digging on the decorations...
Celebrating Grandpa's birthday before the reception at Famous Dave's. I dare say Malia is following in her grandpa's footsteps... thoroughly enjoying her grub...
This was Malia's demeanor the entire trip to Cedar Falls, such a pleasure sometimes. My poor cousin Mari got a front row seat...
Abram
I can usually get him to laugh much more than this! Rough night. Oh, well. This will give David a glimpse at our little man's laugh.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)