History

I am a feminist. I believe in equal and equitable treatment for all people. So last night was HUGE. Really really huge.

My girls were/are SO excited. They are very big Hillary fans. And I encourage it. This election is bigger than who will be president of the United States. This is about that glass ceiling. No longer is the idea that a woman could be president theoretical. Much like the election in 2008 was about the idea that a black man could be president, this election is about that same thing. Love her or hate her, Hillary is finally that woman who broke through, brought the ceiling crashing down. 

We watched her speech outside on the big screen. Maggie was disinterested until Hillary began speaking (Sorry Chelsea), but once Hillary began, she watched with rapt attention. I could tell Maggie was really listening. She was commenting and got into the chanting -- raising her fist and saying "Hillary, Hillary, Hillary!" She understands how important this is. She knows it is important for us to actually SAY Girls are just as good as Boys and that it is ridiculous that we have to say it. Everyone deserves a seat at the table.

"Women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights." Hillary Clinton. 

And so last night, we set up the inflatable screen, the projector and sat out under the stars to watch Hillary Clinton become the first woman in the United States to accept a major party's nomination (and for all those who want to argue about other female candidates - yes, they were candidates, but they were not from a major party and let's not get into their actual chances). I am voting for Hillary, because a vote for Hillary is a vote for both of my daughters.

Through Jessie's Eyes

Jessie can't wait to grow up. She loves fashion and make up and is currently "married" to Rusty [the dog]. She became extremely upset the other morning when I told her there was no way she would get a phone for her 6th birthday. I love to listen to her talk and sing her made up songs that tell an epic tale.

Today, while we were trying to fly a kite, she grabbed my phone and took some pictures. Finally get to see the world through her eyes:

First day of school

Kindergarten and Fourth grade! 2 Girl Scouts, 2 dance students. A fashionista and an artist. A future doctor and a future zoologist.

As I continuously pray for them to grow into beautiful women, I also pray God will show me how to be the mother they need. They are so alike and so different. I am also praying the Lord puts godly women into their lives. I miss the women we had in our life in Billings and look for women like that here.

I pray for their dad, to be the dad they need and the example of a man to look for when they grow up. That our marriage can be one they want for themselves.

Kindergarten according to Jessie: at free choice is when we play with the toys. And I like making Legos with my friend Dixon. He knows the Lego Movie. At school at my table we moved spots. Some of my friends go to a different color table. I stayed at the green table in a different spot. I don't know who's at my table. With the swing, people push you. Some kids call them baby swings. 

Both girls had a couple of great weeks to kick off the school year. I look forward to a blessed year with them!

My Sweet Jessie

I recently returned from a work trip to Dover, Delaware. [not high on my list of places to return to!] So the other night, after my return, I was snuggling Jessie and she looked at me and said "Your eyes are beautiful. Your nose is beautiful. Your teeth are beautiful." I told her she was beautiful. And she continued. Naming many body parts and telling me I'm beautiful.


Of course, eventually, she got into the fact that my poopy and underwear and sandwich wraps are beautiful as well.

It was nice while it lasted.

I Would Like Some Cake

I made the mistake of letting Jessie scroll through Pinterest before her birthday. Luckily, I had already scoped it out and was able to push her to pick the cake I had kinda already decided on.

Blue Velvet, cream cheese frosting and some blue candy melted to look like ice. I totally cheated on the cake and got a box mix -- more because I knew Jessie would want to help and if she spilled too much, is only be out a couple of bucks [though I totally expected my counters to be stained blue for a while!] I also under-estimated the amount of blue candies (blue raspberry Jolly Ranchers) I would need so we ended up with less ice than I wanted.

Jessie got her little Frozen set (minus Hans who is apparently somewhere in the house) to put on top. "Dey are stuck in the snow!" according to Jessie.

She loved her cake! I'm glad I let her help; I loves seeing how proud she looked after finishing.

Happy Happy Birthday Jessica Fae!

My sweet 4 year old!

A study in contradictions (as most 4 year olds are):

Independent, yet still very much a Momma's girl.

A girly-girl. Who loves Spider-Man, Robin & Hawkeye.

Loves her princesses and wants to be beautiful while playing in the sand box.

Can't understand why she has to go to "sctool" EVERY DAY (while Sissy is on summer break), but misses her teachers on the weekend.

I do love being your Momma and we are blessed to have you in our family, even when we are frustrated with you (or you with us). I can't wait to see what God has planned for you!

Jessie's Cows

As we have been commuting between Brookings and Watertown as we wait for the house closings, we have been able to enjoy the sun rise and the fog along the water ways and fields. We watch the cows helping to glean the fields. [And Jessie always calls them "my cows."] And with the cows comes that wonderful aroma. One I had forgotten about. The girls are definitely not used to those smells and almost always pipe up with "Eww! What stinks?!?"

The other afternoon during the drive, Jessie pointed out "her" cows and said: "Who pooped on the ground? My tcows poop on the gwound. And den I pick it up and frow it away." If only it were that easy!

This Is My Real Life

Here we go. First week of school. Maggie in second grade and Jessie in preschool. How is this even possible? Both jumping back into this tenuous routine we have established, even temporarily until we can close on our old & new homes. [Which I cannot wait to get into our home here in Brookings, if only to have time in my day to sit and drink my coffee. Leaving the house at 6:45 a.m. does not leave much time for that.]

These pictures were taken as they/we were rushing out the door and are a little blurry, which says something about our life right now. We are living out of boxes and suitcases. I'm feeling a bit like a freeloader eating my in laws food, using their laundry [and Bonnie sometimes doing it for us]. Yet, I feel oh so blessed. The Lord has given us a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. Grandparents doting on their granddaughters in ways that they [and I] never imagined.

 

My prayer the beginning of this school year:

Bless us oh Lord

Let us be the parents you have intended for Maggie & Jessie

Watch over them in their new schools

Guide them to godly friends

Keep them physically and mentally safe from harm

Help them to make good choices

Help us to be their parent and not their friend

Show us what each needs to feel

Loved

Secure

Trusted

a blessed part of this family

And a princess of the King.



Jessie's Third Birthday (or Day 1096)

Not sure where the time has gone ... I had hoped to give Jessie the princess birthday party she asked for, but with the house in the market, I wasn't willing to take on the stress of a 3 year old birthday party just yet. Perhaps when we get an offer (and a Cinderella princess costume) we'll have a belated party. Even so, we had a great day!

Fun at Lake Elmo

We had loads of fun at Lake Elmo last night!

Maggie says this hat really brings out her personality!

Jessie-isms: Negotiating Skills

Jessie LOVES Rusty. He is just the best thing to her. And she loves to give him treats. She's gotten so good that he listens to her and is very gentle with her. Yesterday was another day that she wanted to give him treats. So, we went to the "food closet" and got the box and grabbed 2 treats. "Mommy, I give Rusty 2 tweats."

Then, after those were gone, she asked if she could give him more: "Mommy, I give Rusty 2 more tweats."
Me: "No, just one"
J: "Two" (holding up 2 fingers)
M: "No, just one treat" (holding up 1 finger)
J: "Two"
M: "Jessica, no, just one treat."
J: "Okay, Mommy, one tweat" (holding up 1 finger)

Jessie runs into the kitchen, gets the box, and runs back in. "Mommy, I got Rusty FIVE tweats!"
M: "Jessie, we said just one."
J: "No, Mommy, say 5 tweats" (attempts to juggle 5 treats in one hand and hold up 5 fingers in the other)
M: "Jessie, one."
J: "No, we say 5" and she handed a treat to Rusty, who happily ended up eating what was left in the box (many many more than 5).

Easter Weekend

For Easter this year, we traveled to Denver for our friend Dave’s 40th birthday party. While there, we enjoyed playing a bit of tourist by visiting both the Downtown Aquarium and the Denver Zoo. The girls had a blast!

Decorating Easter Eggs:

At the Downtown Aquarium. Maggie had a blast taking pictures & making a video tour of her favorite animals at both the Aquarium and Zoo.

The Zoo:

Easter morning! What did the Easter Bunny bring? Where did he hide the eggs?

It was a beautiful, blessed Easter weekend!