Row, Row, Row Your Teddy?

The past weeks in the Peapod story time at the Library, one of the songs we sang was "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Lydia really loves the song and enjoys the motions. I sit with Lydia on the floor between my legs. I hold her hands and together we "row" the boat, rocking motions front and back.

Well, yesterday while visiting with my parents in their travel trailer, I attempted to put Lydia down for a nap. We put her in David's (the youngest) bunk bed with her teddy and tucked her in. She was talking and whining and really wasn't settling down. I had pulled the plastic cutain across to block out the light and some of the noise/view. After a few minutes we heard Lydia again making some kind of sounds. It sounded a little like "ow", so I peeked around the curtain to see what she was doing.

The sweetest sight met my eyes. There was Lydia, legs out, holding her teddy by the hands in front of her and rocking back and forth, singing, "Row, Row. Row Row!"

Car Troubles

Well, I guess it has been a while since I was writing, but not much of interest has happened lately. Till the other day. I was on my way to babysit my nephews. I left the house early, because I wanted to stop by the consignment store, Kid to Kid. I took a snack for Lydia and as I started driving I thought, "No, I should just get along down the road." But as I came up to the entrance to the shopping center, I turned in anyway. I went into the store, but didn't find anything useful. I came out of the store, put Lydia back in her carseat, then started to drive away. As I was backing out, I noticed my car was having trouble moving. Then when I went forward I heard a grating sound. My first though was it was just the road and I just hadn't noticed how it sounded before. But as I turned back onto the main road I still heard the sound so I made the corner and slowly went back to the parking lot. I got out and checked my front left tire, which I discovered was off it's track and flat. The grating sound was the hub cap. I called my hubby to let him know I needed him to come get me so we could go babysit. Then I called Jennifer to let her know I would be late. Lydia and I waited in McDonald's for Daniel and then I got my first lesson in how to change a flat tire. There appears to be no damage to the tire, excpet it must have lost it's seal. We put on my spare and then I took my car home. Daniel followed and then we went to babysit.

This morning, Daniel planned to take my car with him to work and then during his lunch break go get it fixed. Well, when he went out to get in my car, he discovered my spare tire was also flat!Last evening as I was taking my car home, I heard a funny sound, like the sound an airplane makes when its winding down. I guess that was the air coming out of my tire. Oh dear. Now we have to go to Walmart and buy a new tire and put it on my car. And it's seems my oil needs to be changed and my check engine light still hasn't gone off, so we need to find out what is up with that. Well, there's always a price to freedom, right!!

Jeff Allison's Prayer Letter

This is my dad's bi-monthy update prayer later. It was such great news I thought all should read it.

First Fruits of Moravia

PRAISE THE LORD! I am surprised that you didn’t hear us shouting when we received the news two weeks ago. Many of you have seen our DVD or have read in previous prayer letters about Alena. She is one of the ladies in Brno with whom we did the salvation Bible basics study with a year ago. We met with her for many hours answering her questions. At that time she was more concerned about what others would think of her than she was about her soul. She was honest enough to consider how her life would change when she accepted Christ as her Savior. Her husband was against it. Her family thought she was becoming a member of a cult. Finally, last month, Alena humbled herself before the Lord Jesus Christ and asked Him to save her from her sins. Less than two weeks later the Lord helped her put away a 32 year smoking habit! Glory to God I think she got the whole package, Amen? Pray for her as she begins her walk with the Lord. It will not be easy, especially until the Lord returns us to the field.

Church Services in Brno

We are very grateful to the Lord for our good friends the Reaves family out of Bible Baptist Church in Brandon Manitoba. They are serving in another city in the Czech Republic. Last week they were able to travel to Brno and hold a service with the people we have been working with. We received a great report about the service. The people were very grateful for Pastor Reaves traveling to preach to them. Several were seen to be under obvious conviction during the message. The only one in this group that is saved at this point is Alena, who was saved a couple of weeks prior to the meeting. The amazing thing about this situation is that here we have lost people coordinating things in order to have someone come and preach to them. John Mazgut called the hotels and made the arrangements for the service. They are hungry to hear from God! We beseech you by our Lord Jesus Christ to plead with Him to provide quickly that which we need in order to return to these needy people. We sowed the seed a year ago, Brother Reaves is able to water during our absence, and we trust that God will give the increase in His time. Who is Jeff Allison and who is John Reaves, but ministers by whom they will believe!

Silly Daughter

I haven't been on here for a while, but I just wanted to prove to everyone that I am still breathing. I thought I would add some photos of Lydia that we have taken over the past week or so.


What a messy girl!










This is Lydia at her first "Peapod" Story time at the Bedford Library








Lydia hugging her huggies. I had made a video clip of this and we sent it to America's Funniest Home Videos

Here Lydia is sharing her night time snack of "Goldfish" with her special "nightnight" teddy.

My Best Girl Friend

I guess you're wondering who my best girl friend is. Why, it's Lydia of course. I know funny isn't it. But it's true. My little 16 month old daughter is my best girl friend. Of course, I am her mother and have to "mother" her. But we also act just like girl friends. Today, we had a lovely girl friend outing. First, we stopped at "Southern Donuts" for some breakfast. I had a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant, Lydia had 2 donut holes and we shared some chocolate milk. Then we went to the library. We read books and played games on the computer. I did have to slip into mother role a few times like to register her for "Peapod" story time and change her stinky diaper. Then after checking out a bag full of exciting books, like "A Cat and a Dog", "Yummy Yucky", and "The Escape of Marvin the Ape", (yes, there were books for me too.) we went to the park. We swung and picked up rocks, rode a "bouncy chicken", and had ourselves some fun in the fresh air and sunshine. We do things together all the time. We eat out, shop, watch movies, dance around the living room, and have tickle fights. I love my best girl friend. And the best part... I know my best girl friend loves me!

Barky's Back!

LOL! Who's barky? Me! Yes, I'm barky. Growing up, that's what my dad called me growing up, whenever I would get a sinus cold. And I had one just about every season. It always settles in my chest, giving me a "barky" cough. Yeah, and I've got one again. So, it's bark,bark, bark!!

Food and Me

I thought I would add this to my blog as well.

5 Items in your refrigerator:
1. bag of corn tortillas
2. new tub of turkey lunchmeat
3. Gallon of Whole Milk
4. Slimfast Drinks
5. Ranch Dressing

5 Items in your pantry:
1. Huge box of Cheerios (for Lydia)
2. Onion Soup Mix
3. Cream of Chicken Soup
4. Lots of baking stuff that I never use
5. can of sliced mushrooms

5 Favorite restaurants:
1. Chili's
2. Cheddar's
3. Cracker Barrel
4. Abuelo's
5. Macaroni Grill

5 favorite foods
1. Pizza!
2. Chicken Salad
3. Chicken for Company (a recipe I make)
4. Lasagna
5. Fettucini Alfredo

5 Favorite Desserts:
1. Peanut Butter Pie
2. Hot Fudge Sundaes
3. Cookie and Cream Ice Cream
4. Cheesecake
5. Chocolate Chip Cookies

5 LEAST Favorite foods:
1. Peaches
2. bananas
3. bologna
4. brussel sprouts
5. Spam

Pumping Gas for the First Time

I had a new, very frustrating experience this week. On Thursday, while babysitting one of my friend's kids, I took them to visit my sister-in-law, Jennifer. We had a nice afternoon visiting. The kid's mom picked them up about 3:00pm, but Jennifer and kept visiting, including a trip to JC Penney to window shop. At 6:00pm, my husband called me to say he was on his way home and I told him I would be there soon as well.

Well, on the way to Jennifer's my gas light came on, so I knew I needed to get gas. There's just one little problem. I had never pumped gas before in my life. I thought I could handle it, I mean I've seen it done so many times. Lydia and I pulled into the gas station.

First, I forgot my gas tank is on the right side of my car. So after a few loop-di-loops, I was finally facing the right way. I calmly opened by gas cover and twisted the cap. It didn't pudge. I tried and tried and tried. I called Daniel, but he didn't answer. I called 5 times. Then I called Jennifer. I was crying and distraught. I was tired and didn't want to be fighting this thing. Then Daniel called me and calmed me down. I tried again and finally pop, it came right off. It seems I wasn't turing it far enough.

Then I tried to pay for the gas with my debit card at the pump. I kept trying, but it wouldn't register my card as debit. So I called Daniel again. He told me to pick credit instead, I did, but at this point I had swipped my card so many times that it would not accept it at all. So I had to gather up the cash I had, lock Lydia in the car, run inside and pay for the gas. Then come out and pump it. Thankfully, the amount of cash I had was enough to fill the whole tank.

I was calm now, called Daniel back and told him I would meet him at home. (Instead of at his parent's house, which is half way, so I didn't have to drive anymore.) Needless to say, I arrived home at 8:00pm. 2 hours after I left Jennifer's house. That's only 30 miles. I had to make 3 U-turns on the way!! I was so tired when I got home! What a day. Any way, I know how to pump gas now!!

Bargain Shopping

Today was 1/2 price day at the Goodwill! Hurrah! Lydia and I left as soon as she finished breakfast, about 10:30. We didn't get home until 3:20pm. I am wiped out. We didn't do much shopping, mostly walking. We started by running a library book back to the Euless Library. Then we headed to the closest Goodwill. There I found a skirt, dress, and culottes for me. I spent $7.00. Then we went to the Goodwill in Watauga. I found a cute pair of Strawberry Shortcake PJ's for Lydia and a cute purse for me. Lydia was so funny. When we first got to the store they had no more carts. SO I tried carrying Lydia and then put her down to walk. We went to the purse section and she immediately started scooping up every purse she could find on the floor. It was really cute. She loves her accessories. When we left there is was after 1:00 so I stopped at KFC to get some lunch for us. First they forgot my potato wedges, so I had to go back up and get them. Then when I opened my sandwich, I discovered that the bottom bun was hard. YUCK! So, I took it back up to the counter and they gave me a new one. After lunch, Lydia and I drove over to the Car Wash and went through the automatic wash. My car was gross! Covered in bird mess! Double YUCK! Then we left for home. We tried to take the highway, but the man behind me pulled out into the lane blocking my entry, forcing me in a turn only lane. So I had to get off. I wandered down the access road until I knew I was lost. I called my hubby and got directions back home. Lydia is worn out and so am I.

Scary Sitch

This evening, we faced a very scary situation. Daniel had only been home for a few minutes. I was finishing fixing dinner and he was cleaning up some stuff and putting it in our closet. Suddenly, there was banging and shouting coming from the upstairs apartment. I called to Daniel, "They're at it again." The same thing happened a couple weeks ago, but this time it got a lot worse. Soon, a woman was screaming and I shouted for Daniel to call the police. Instead, he threw open the front door and bounded up the stairs to the second floor apartment. He banged on the door to be sure he got their attention. I grabbed the phone, but was so nervous I couldn't remember how to dial on my husband's cell. The people opened the door, and Daniel shouted, "Hey, what's going on here." He said one woman was hitting the man with a frying pan, while the other had blood on her face. I was so afraid for Daniel. The man was shouting and one of the women were saying, "Why are you doing this to us?" Just then the police arrived and called for Daniel to back away. The officer took the stair 3 at a time, and Daniel came back down. Soon an ambulance and some more police arrived. We didn't hear anything else. Hopefully, the woman has not sustained too bad injuries and that horrible man is locked up for a long time.

Boredom

Have you ever been bored? I'm sure you have, who hasn't? Today is just one of those days. I always have that problem when I come home from a vacation. All the excitment and running around makes me what more when I come home. So to fight off my boredom today, I decided to rearrange some of my furniture. Not much, just a piece here and there. I also pulled out a old cardboard box from our storage, thinking of turning it into a play house for Lydia. She loves to climb in to stuff. Later, once the baby is asleep, I'm going to fold my huge pile of Laundry and watch a movie. Have a good day, even though it's terribly cloudy outside.

New Blog

I have decided to start a fresh clean blog. I still have the one at www.danielandgina.com, but after a while I will delete that one since it has not been updated since last September. My recent addiction is to facebook. I enjoy having daily contact with my friends, especially since I don't like talking on the phone. (except to my mom and husband). We have just returned home from a busy weekend in Oklahoma City visiting my sister and her fiance', who traveled from Minnesota to propose. He had already proposed before we arrived, but we had fun chaperoning for the three days. We also left Lydia with family, so we had a baby free Valentine's Day. Though don't get my wrong, I love my daughter. Ever once in a while, I need a break.

Anywho, we drove to OKC on Friday morning. We ate lunch at Church's Chicken (which was a first for me.) Then we went to the college and met my sister and Olin there. We went to the OKC Science Museum and had a blast until they closed. Afterwards we went to TGI Fridays for their Valentine's Special. Then went to Walmart to help the love birds create a wedding registry. On Saturday, after a breakfast at Daniel's favorite restaurant Cracker Barrel, we drove an hour and a half south to the Arbukle Wilderness. It's a drive through safari. We had fun and Daniel was licked by a yak. We spent a couple hours there and then drove back to OKC for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. We finally were seated after over an hour wait. But it was so delicious and so worth it. Sunday was church, then we ate at Pizza Hut for lunch. We said our goodbye's and raced home. Grabbed Lydia from her grandparent's house and then went to our home church to watch "Fire Proof". Daniel and I have seen the movie before, but it was still great the second time.