Babies!

The only molly I actually picked out an individual ended up being the only female I got.  I didn't want to be a pain since others were waiting, but I should have so I could have gotten one male and three females like I wanted.  Oh well.

Anyway, apparently I picked well (she was obviously pregnant) because today we have babies!  I've only seen two at a time, but I'm not sure whether or not they're the same two I keep seeing.  I tried to get pictures.

The fish

First we had to visit the dogs.

We got 4 mollies and a betta.

My new project, aka Erin's early birthday present.

No, there's no fish in it yet.  I got tired of the empty aquarium in my storage closet and decided Erin might be old enough to help care for it.  So I got the table at Goodwill for $15 and ended up spending $53 on gravel, plants, a decoration, background, filter cartridges, and a new heater.  It was at that point that I realized I should have done this for Erin's birthday.  So tomorrow we're going to go get a couple fish (and exchange the filter cartridges because I accidentally got the wrong brand), and on her birthday we'll get another one and have it really be a birthday present.

Gotta love a Colorado spring!

I woke up to this:

Granted, I knew it was coming and put my garden in the outside closet, but it's still a bit frustrating, it being May 12th and all.  It didn't do this last year...

And Patrick, playing with his new toy:

a few days late

So these pictures were actually taken on Saturday.  Saturday morning I went with the Primary (I was recently called as a primary teacher) to take a tour of the temple grounds.  The tour guide told the kids that if they wanted they could take a pinecone home, since the groundskeepers don't like them.  I decided I'd bring one home for Erin because I thought she'd get a kick out of it.

I didn't expect it to be literal though.  The first thing she did was throw it on the ground and start kicking it.

Later that day we went to Petsmart to see the animals and they had this pretty little hound mix named Dot for adoption.

The kids loved her, and she was SO SWEET.

the park and the "garden"

So yesterday we took a trip to the library, and that meant that we had to go play at the park for a bit.

Right after that we went to visit the doctor because Erin's been complaining about her ears and they've both had runny noses (which I'm fairly certain is allergies and Dr. McKitterick agreed with me there).  They both have double ear infections.  That makes 6 ear infections for Erin in 14 months (always her right ear, but not always her left), and 3 (all double) for Patrick in 7 months.  We decided to see if the warmer summer months bring a break (though Erin did have one in the middle of the summer last year), and if not we'll definitely go see an ear, nose and throat specialist.  I actually went to the Sunflower Farmer's Market today to get some probiotic powder because they've both got diarrhea from the antibiotics, and talked to the lady in the herbal supplement/homeopathic remedies section (she worked there) who helped me out a bit.  I gave her my address so that she can send me a packet on homeopathic treatments for ear infections.  I'm quite interested, actually, so I hope I find it helpful.

Anyway, I also wanted to show off my "garden"  It's not much, being that we live on a second floor apartment, but I've discovered that green things make me happy.  Especially when they bring the possibility of yummy things to eat.

Help!

Erin's birthday is a month away, and that means I need to get working on her video.  But I have no idea what songs to use!

For her first birthday I used "When you tell me that you love me" by Diana Ross (actually, it was the American Idol version)
For her second birthday I used "When I See You Smile" by Bad English and "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

For Patrick's first birthday I used "With Arms Wide Open" by Creed(?) and "Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith.

So, any suggestions??

Erin's dinosaur

So I finished Erin's dinosaur and Mom wanted pictures, so here you go!

And my dragon.  He still needs to be antiqued.

A walk in the park

Okay, not really a walk, but in the park nonetheless.  We finally had a gorgeous day again, so we had to take advantage of it.  Knowing this area, it'll snow tomorrow! (okay, not really.  I just checked the forecast and tomorrow supposed to be sunny, but really windy)

It was really fun to get out a bit.  But we then went to the store to buy more benedryl (well, generic brand anyway, considering that the name brand kids' medicines have all been recalled! Good thing I normally buy generic anyway!)  Poor kids have my allergies.  Especially Patrick. :(

Can you see his crusty nose?? Poor kid. :(

Happy birthday Cora!

Dear Cora,

I can't believe it's been four years.  It seems like it's been so long, my memory of you feels like it's so dim sometimes.  The impact you've left in my life will never fade, however.  I think about you every day.  Your little sister and brother bring such joy into my life, but I sometimes can't help but wonder what life would be like if you had been able to stay.

I know the work you are doing is important though, and I know that we will be reunited some day.  What a glorious day that will be.  The life expectancy for a woman born my year is about 84 years, so I have about 57 more years to go before I see you again.

I am happy, as much as I can be, with my life as it is now.  Though I don't understand fully why, I have accepted that you couldn't stay with us.  But I still miss you, and on days like today I miss you most.  There is a quote that I love and that I hold on to:

"First, please know that grief is the natural by-product of love. One cannot selflessly love another person and not grieve at his suffering or eventual death. The only way to avoid the grief would be to not experience the love; and it is love that gives life its richness and meaning. Hence, what a grieving parent can expect to receive from the Lord in response to earnest supplication may not necessarily be an elimination of grief so much as a sweet reassurance that, whatever his or her circumstances, one’s child is in the tender care of a loving Heavenly Father."
~Lance B. Wickman

I will love you forever, angel girl.  That means I'll miss you for the rest of my life.  I hope you have a happy birthday, whatever you're doing.

Love always,

~Mommy~