Elaina gets Baptized!

We had a great summer filled with fun adventures. The girls visited their cousins in Denver, while Josh and I finally made it back to Europe to see the places he served as a missionary. It was wonderful, but Josh and I were soooooo happy to be back in the same country as our children. In August, Elaina turned 8! She was baptized in September. Elaina, your mom and dad are so proud of you. You are such a wonderful, smart, caring and enthusiastic girl! We are glad you made the decision to be baptized. I know what a tremendous blessing this will be in your life!
Sydney turned five in September, even though she wanted to be eight like Elaina! She is going to preschool. Sydney, you are such a smart girl! You are playful, independent, sassy and giving. Your mom and dad love you so much!

I thought I would catch up the blog, since it has almost been a whole year! So, let's go back in time...

Fourth of July 2011, we went to Rigby lake and spent the entire day there. What a great day! It was sunny and warm. The water was freezing and Elaina swam out to the bouies four times. Her goal was five, but her mom and dad were exhausted! Ha! Way to go Elaina! You rock! Sydney enjoyed playing in the sand and looking for rocks.

July 1, 2011: While eating dinner, Sydney didn't think anyone was watching...She stuck a piece of watermelon on each end of her fork and pretended it was a dumb bell. It was super funny! Syd you are so strong

July, 2011: Sydney and Elaina are playing AYSO soccer. Sydney is on the Purple Panthers and Elaina is on the Purple Lightening team. Syd admitted that she only likes to play soccer because of the treats! Me too Syd!

Elaina scored her first goal this summer, during a game. It was the fourth quarter. Neither team had scored the whole game. Then, Elaina got a hold of the ball and ran with it the entire length of the field and into the goal before the other team knew what hit them. Her dad was so proud! He just had to get her picture in the goal! Go Elaina!

Easter 2011: We colored Easter eggs, while I tried out my new curlers. guess what, my hair doesn't hold a curl, no matter what I do. But, the eggs turned out nice!

March 2011: A trip to Boise State to run a 5k and meet the Boise State football team. Josh was in heaven and the girls and I even enjoyed the excitement! Go BRONCOS!

December 1, 2010: Sydney plays with her food. This time, she turned her pancakes into a face. I am so proud of her! What an artist!

October 2010: We took a trip to Vegas with Josh's brother, Justin and his wife Melinda. Josh felt the excitement of gambling when he won a couple of bucks in a slot machine! Luckily, he set a limit on the amount of money he would spend, or may have ended up moving to Vegas. Ha!

Pooping Baby doll

So, for her birthday, Sydney wanted a pooping and peeing baby doll. Her Jamma and Grandpa Glasscock bought one for her. It is the funniest thing I have ever seen. She loved it until it came time to change it's diaper. Here's a little video. The funny thing is, she still loves to feed the baby and take care of it. Yes, even change it's diapers. I made some cloth diapers for it. Thank goodness, too. They others are expensive!

Preschool for Syd.

Sydney started preschool on Tuesday. Though it is just a simple preschool at the high school, which is more like a play date, Sydney loves it. she was so excited to show off her work! Syd is a little cutie! Big FOUR YEAR OLD!!!

Happy Birthday Sydney!

Here are pictures of what was supposed to be a candy tree cake. It turned out more like a green gooey mountain of candy. O well, hope you like it Sydney! Love you!

KIDS SAY THE FUNNIEST THINGS.

I TOOK SYD TO HER GYMNASTICS CLASS THE OTHER DAY. JOSH WAS AT HOME SLEEPING AND ELAINA WAS AT SCHOOL. SO, IT WAS JUST THE TWO OF US. I WAS TELLING SYDNEY TO BE SURE TO SPEAK UP AND TELL HER COACH WHAT HER NAME IS WHEN SHE IS ASKED, SO THEY WILL KNOW WHO SHE IS. AFTER HER CLASS, SHE TOLD ME..."I DID IT! I TOLD HER MY NAME AND SHE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO ASK ME!" OF COURSE, I COMMENDED HER ON A JOB WELL DONE. THEN, SYDNEY SAID, " YEAH! I HAVE TO TELL HER MY NAME SO SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO SAY WHO ARE YOU ANGEL?" i TEASED HER ABOUT CALLING HERSELF ANGEL...HER REPLY MADE ME SMILE! "I AM MADE OF SUNSHINE, SO I CALL MYSELF ANGEL!"
I KNEW EXACTLY WHERE SHE GOT THE IDEA THAT SHE WAS SUNSHINE...HER DAD! THE WORLD WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER PLACE IF EVERY LITTLE GIRL HAD A DAD LIKE JOSH TO REMIND THEM HOW WONDERFUL THEY ARE. THESE ARE THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE ME LAUGH AND SMILE...AND FEEL SO LUCKY!

SECOND GRADE...IS SHE REALLY SEVEN?

First Day of Second grade. Elaina looks cute, but me... not so much! I had just gotten off work that morning!

Elaina looking cute on first Sunday as a seven year old.
Elaina with her birthday cake, which she designed!

OK, SO I HAVE POSTED ABOUT SYD QUITE A BIT LATELY...NOW IT IS ELAINA'S TURN. ELAINA TURNED SEVEN IN AUGUST. WE HAD A FUN LITTLE FAMILY GATHERING TO CELEBRATE. THEN, WE WENT TO LEO'S PLACE FOR PIZZA AND TO PLAY. IT WAS FUN. I HOPE SHE HAD A GOOD BIRHTDAY. ELAINA HAS A LITTLE FRIEND AT CHURCH THAT WE INVITED TO THE LAKE WITH US...WHEN IT WAS WARM ENOUGH. ELAINA'S COUSINS CAME ALONG, TOO. WE HAD A GREAT TIME. THEY ALL PLAYED SO WELL TOGETHER.

THEN, SEPTEMBER 1ST, ELAINA WENT BACK TO SCHOOL. SHE IS VERY ESCITED ABOUT HER TEACHER. MOSTLY, SHE WAS THRILLED TO HAVE A SCIENCE BOOK THIS YEAR...SHE TAKES AFTER ME! ha! ANYWAY, I AM AMAZED THAT SHE HAS GROWN UP SO QUICKLY. I GAVE HER A HAIR CUT FOR BACK TO SCHOOL. SHE WANTED BANGS, SO I DID MY BEST. WHEN I WAS DONE, I COULDN'T STOP STARING AT HER. SHE LOOKS SO GROWN UP. I KNOW THAT PEOPLE SAY THAT TIMES ZIPS RIGHT PAST YOU WHEN YOU ARE NOT EVEN LOOKING. WELL, IT IS TRUE. I AM SURE I DON'T EVEN KNOW THE HALF OF IT YET!

I DEFINITELY DON'T TELL ELAINA THIS ENOUGH, BUT YOU ARE AN AMAZING, KIND AND LOVING GIRL! I LOVE YOU SWEETY! I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU!

LOVE MOMMY!

Sydney is doing great!

Sydney puts on her make-up for the day! She's feeling better two days after surgery!

Elaina is a natural nurturer. She took right over as soon as she came in to visit Syd.
Syd shows off her fancy hospital bracelets.
Here is Syd before surgery. Super happy at 6:00 am!


Well, it's over! It was a long day at the hospital on Tuesday. Josh picked me up early from work, at 6:00 am. We drove the two blocks to the hospital and checked Sydney in. She was tired, but surprisingly happy. She actually did awesome, the whole day. Even after surgery, when she was throwing up, she never cried or complained. She simply would say, "I need a new shirt." Anyway, it is now Friday and Syd is doing great. You can tell she's not 100%, but she is happy and talkative. that alone is an amazing change...She has a voice!!! I can hear her so much clearer! Not only that, she is sleeping better. Anyway, I am thankful for a Father in Heaven who watches out for us and comforts us, even in our smallest of concerns. I know that he hears and answers our prayers!

Well, It is Sunday again. We have a big week ahead of us. While it may not seem like much to most, for some reason it is to me. Sydney spent most of the summer on antibiotics for strep throat and urinary tract infections. We have been battling this for a couple of years now. Her tonsils are huge, even on a good day. We have known for a while that she needed them out. Then, she'd start feeling better, and we...I would put it off. When she was two, we called her Darth Vador, because you could here her breath where ever she went. Anyway, I finally got brave and made the appointment with the Ear Nose and Throat Specialist. We heard he was the best in Idaho Falls. We went to the appointment on Thursday. It as a really long wait and a long day all together. Just when we were getting annoyed and running out of ideas to keep the children entertained, the doctor came in and took a look at Sydney. He agreed that it was the best choice for her to have her tonsils out. I felt a little better about the whole thing, after talking to him. Josh asked all of the right questions. So, Sydney is going in for surgery on Tuesday morning. This makes me completely nervous.

Yet, I am grateful that she just needs a simple T&A and is otherwise a healthy girl. I love my little family. While this type of surgery is no big deal... I can't help but worry just a little for her. It reminds me of her first surgery. She was just six months old. It, too, was no big deal. It turned out fine and really helped her. You could tell she felt better. So, here I am again. Worrying and hoping that this too will help her breath better, sleep better, and just feel better.

On a side note, when the doctor was talking to us, Syd was sitting on my lap. She was kind of funny. She whispered in my ear, "I don't know what he is talking about." Then, when we started the scheduling process, she said, "Who is going to the hospital on Tuesday?" I said, "You are baby." Then, she looked at me in her sassy way and said, "No I'm not!" It was really funny. She is in charge for sure!

Last Sunday, I had the night off from work. That alway makes me feel a little more energetic. Anyway, the girls let me curl their hair for church. I just had to take their picture. they are so cute. I love my little family. Everyday, I am reminded of how fortunate I am, just by looking into the faces of Elaina and Sydney. They are wonderful! Love you girls!

Mindy

Palm Desert Family Reunion!

Here are some pics of our vacation with the Glasscock side of our family. We had a lot of fun and it was sure great to see everyone... the perfect way to end the month of July. LOTS of SWIMMING!! This is my brother's wife Jennifer, talking to my Uncle Carl and Aunt Domian.

From left, Aunt Sandy, Amy with baby Enoch, and my cousin Jennifer.

Josh and Syd after a day of swimming.

In fact, Elaina became pretty brave in the water. She even swam under water. Way to go kid!

Here's a little pose just before we hit the pool. The weather was great! Well, for most of us. It was very hot!

Sydney and I went down the slide a few times. I didn't get my camera out nearly as much as I should have.

Josh went golfing for the first time officially. Pictures from left to right is my brother Adam, my dad, Adam's son Trey, and Josh. Nice hat babe!

sydney and Elaina reenacting a scene from the Princess and the Frog. Sydney is the frog and Elaina is the Princess.

At Grandma's house, Sydney gathered everyone up to watch her perform a dance. It was very cute. We sure love our little Sydney!

Josh's Birthday was last Friday. He turned thirty years old this year. I am so amazed at how quickly time has past us by. When I met Josh, I was fifteen years old. At the time, I didn't know how much I needed him. Looking back now, I can see how Heavenly Father had a careful hand in bringing us together. Now here we are, nearly a decade and a half later, and I am still just as foolishly in love with him as I was when I was sixteen. I know I am lucky to have a man like this in my life. I compare myself to Eliza Doolittle on My Fair Lady. She was wildly uncivilized and terribly improper. She meets a Henry Higgins, who is quite the contrary. They fall in love as Higgins teaches Eliza to be proper. Well, maybe I am not just like Eliza. Afterall, she does appear quite proper in the end. Anyone who knows me, knows I am anything but proper. Nevertheless, changes I have made for the better, began in my relationship with Josh. Mostly, Josh teaches me to allow myself to be loved, to love, to have fun, to LIVE life with joy today and hope for tomorrow. Even in his darkest times, he is my light. ( I love you babe! Thank you for being mine!)

Our girls think he is pretty special, too. While Josh was sleeping before work, Elaina made him a Birthday cake with a little help from mom. (You did a great job sweetie... and SO delicious!) Sydney was sick with Tonsillitis that day, but still tried to celebrate with the rest of us. She loves her daddy. We all do!

Happy Birthday Josh!