Locks Of Love cut 2010

Every 2-3 years I get my hair cut for Locks Of Love. (depending on how well I like the cut determines how long I keep it at that length, thus depending on how long it takes me to grow it out for the next cut). The last time I cut my hair for Locks of Love was a few months before Aliya came home. It didn't go well. I went on a whim to a lady I didn't know and she ruined my hair. It took two more "fix it" cuts to finally get it looking presentable. I don't have many pictures of myself during that grow out stage!!

For my 30th birthday my wonderful husband gave me a gift card to the Day Spa I used to get my hair cut at! The plan was to use the gift card for a pedi and a massage, but as the weeks passed and life got busy I decided that it was too late in the season to get my toes done. And as my hair continued to grow and grow (and grow) I decided to use my pedi money for a haircut. I still hope to get a massage soon, but for now, the haircut will have to do!


BEFORE









AFTER (11" later)

First sick child visit

Well, we almost made it to three years old without a single sick child appointment! But that ended today! Aliya started complaining on Friday of burning when she went to the bathroom and it continued through late Saturday night. We stocked up on the cranberry juice and I prayed and prayed she would feel better. By Sunday she said she felt better, but I still called the doctor this morning. They told me to go ahead and bring her in for a urine test, just to make sure. I am so thankful I took her in, our little ladybug has her first UTI. She was a ROCK STAR at the doctor's office today! Not one issue, not one complaint, not one defiant moment, I was so proud to be her mama! As the doctor was explaining what a UTI is (now, mind you I've had kidney issues since I was Aliya's age, so I am well versed in what a UTI is, but I just smiled and nodded, it wasn't my turn to show the doctors my knowledge) and how the medication will work and that we've been referred to a pediatric urologist at Children's hospital. (Just in case, but she's confident all will turn out okay)

So, two things came out of this situation today. One, for the FIRST time Aliya didn't freak out for me at the doctor. And two, I completely forgot for about an hour that I didn't give birth to her. I was praying so hard while we waited in the examining room that I did not pass down my bad kidney issues to my daughter. I even teared up at one point because I didn't want her to have to experience all the pain and issues I've had over the years with my kidneys. Then as I opened my eyes and looked into her's I had never been more grateful that I did not give birth to her! I hope that does not sound weird, but if she has to experience even a glimpse of what I went through as a child/young adult with my kidneys it will just kill me.

We started her 14 day antibiotic treatments this afternoon and will see the Urologist at Children's Hospital January 20th. (yeah, that's the soonest they could get us in)

While we were waiting for her prescription to be filled she asked to go to Taco Bell for a snack. I was starving so it worked out for both of use. Before we ate I asked Aliya if she would say the prayer. It went a little something like this, "Now I lay me down to sleep, thank you for food, for daddy, thank you for Joel and mommy, thank you for daddy, for Joel for food and mommy, God bless all my friends and family, Thank you Jesus for this wonderful day, Amen". Again, I teared up. She looked at me with a funny look on her face and said, "cry mommy cry"! There is just something about this little girl that moves me in ways I never knew possible!

"Make A Funny Face"

Aliya's new thing these days is to draw funny faces. She will usually draw a circle (the head) than ask us to fill in the eyes, nose mouth, legs and arms. Well, this morning while I was getting dressed she was sitting on the floor of my bedroom drawing. She was talking to herself, as she often dose while drawing, never once asking me to help her. When I finally asked what she was doing she held up her finished product and said, "I make a funny face". She was so proud of herself!!

Of course, I see a funny face...you may only see scribbles and lines.

In this top picture you can see the person with two eyes, hair and two arms there on the right. Above her person is where she took my breakfast order (also her new thing to do. She'll sit down pen in hand and say, "What you want to drink" (scribble scribble) "what you want for lunch" (scribble scribble). It's really too cute! My order this morning was coffee and a mushroom and swiss burger!




Now in this picture I think you can really start to see her funny face people come to life. It's almost as though her people are evolving in this one. Starting out as just circles, then having one eye, then two with just a stick for a body. Then finally two eyes, hair, arms, legs feet and of course boobies. Yes, you read that right, boobies. Her new favorite thing. When she's not calling them "yeahbees" (that's another post about conversations NOT to have in front of your toddler) she's asking me to draw boobies on her funny face people. I can't say that I'm proud of this one, but what can you do?!?!!

Total God Moment

So last night I had a God moment. We went to church last night so that Jon and I could attend service together (a rarity these days since we both serve at Sunday service). So while Jon dropped Aliya off to class I went in and found our seats. A few minutes into worship I looked over to the next isle over and there was a familiar looking woman sitting there. I elbowed Jon and asked him if she looked familiar to him too. She did. She looked just like a woman I went to Wright State with and hadn't seen in years. I continued to stare at her through the entire service, sending her vibes to look my way (it didn't work, I must not have the gift). So after service I went over to and asked her if her name was Donna. She looked up at me and said, "OMG, KELLY"!!!! It was her! The last time we saw eachother was just a few months after Aliya came home! She doesn't even attended The Vineyard any more, but she said that last night something told her that she needed to be there. We exchanged phone numbers and are going to get together soon for coffee!! Donna is an amazing woman, she was a single parent raising three kids on her own when she decided to go back to school. Her kids are now 17, 21 and 24. She was at church with her ex-husband. They are dating again. I can't wait to catch up with her!!! God knew exactly where we were supposed to be last night!

Joel

In lieu of traditional school pictures this year Jon took Joel out for a school/birthday photo shoot a few weeks ago. Here are a few of my favorites!

7 Years!!!

Happy Anniversary baby! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!

12 already?!?!

I can't believe our Joel Bug will be twelve in eight days. It does not seem possible! He had just turned three when Jon and I met 9 years ago. Is this even possible?!?! We celebrated his birthday early this year his birthday does not fall on our weekend. We got him a cell phone. *Gasp* I know, if you know me, I am very anti-kid cell phone, but we weighed the pros and the cons and the pros won! He was SUPER excited to open it yesterday! He hasn't put it down yet! We were in BG this weekend so we got to celebrate with my folks and grandma & grandpa and Aunt Cindy. My mom took all the pictures, so hopefully I can snag a few from her and post them here!

Joel has become such an amazing young man over the years. He has such a tender heart and is so loving. I am so proud to be his step-mom!