Step by step

I'm not usually a negative person. I must be having a rough week. I crushed my toe yesterday- I didn't bump it, hit it, stub it... no, I crushed it. I possibly broke it. It's really not much to complain about, though it's purple and swollen, and I'm walking with a limp. I actually had a great morning! The daughter of a previous pastor of mine called me to ask if I wanted to come over and spend time with her, her son, and a mutual friend. Dominic had never met Jack before and, considering Dominic's current cohort (mostly bullies, girls, or babies) this seemed especially promising. Dominic and Jack got along so wonderfully that I wish I could see this friend every other day. They played with each other, they shared nicely, they ran in circles and had only one short-lived snatching incident. They are two sweet-natured, cheerful, relatively quiet boys, almost a year apart. Finally! (read: sigh of relief)

Conversations with Lindsey and Katie always leave me thinking after the fact. Lindsey is so careful to watch her words and speak honorably of all people at all times that it makes me more consious of doing the same. I am reminded of a quote (popularly credited to a Tobias S. Gibson) that I once heard: "Great people talk about ideas. Small people talk about other people." Katie and Lindsey are idea people. And to top it off, they're refreshingly educated (grad students) and devoutly Christian.

I've recently decided to take up a new hobby- Copperplate Calligraphy. I have always enjoyed trying my hand at new letterforms and scripts. I was surprised to learn on one of my last trips to Miami, that my abuela Yolanda had won awards for her penmanship in Cuba. Maybe it's in the blood. I'm very excited to devote myself to this new skill! It was a font that reached its height during the 18th century (Declaration of Independance...) used in most legal, business, and social transactions, though most of its use today is limited to wedding invitations. I will need to buy pens with "nibs" and special ink and paper and a protractor. These kinds of purchases always make me nervous.

I'm happy to report that Gio has accepted a position with Americorp in Apopka, that my good friend Jessica has arrived safely in Honduras for her mission trip, and that Thais has arrived safely in Venezuela where she is visiting family before the school year starts back in Dade County. Tomorrow I have a pool date with my friend Leslie and her twin daughters, and with the wife of the pastor at Forest Heights, a homeschooling mom of two girls (10 and 7) and a baby boy of 1 year. In other news, I'm experimenting this evening with a crock pot roast made with a-1 sauce and a slew of baby carrots. I'm really wishing that potato hadn't rotted... I hope this works!

First Post

Status updates (in facebook fashion):

Danny is... at the police academy in Gadsden County, FL. I think the novelty is starting to wear off but he's still happy. He has to polish his boots.

Dominic is... finally taking his nap. Yesterday's word of the day was "cinturón." He also learned to say "Hana." He can recognize the letters o, u, x, z, and according to Danny, w. Occasionally he gets h and b as well. All in Spanish of course. He can count 1-9 without prompting, though he usually forgets 8.

Noemie is... trying to keep pace with Dominic and might actually accomplish her objective. She rolled over within a day of her brother's mark. She's a fresh four months old but already scooting (that is, pushing her self around the floor with her legs). Last night she and Danny stayed up laughing at each other. When she hears Danny call her "chiquitica," she lights up and starts kicking.

Anais is... slightly frazzled. Danny had to run off to a homeowner's workshop yesterday after work. He got home at 8, at which point I had to finish making dinner and we had to feed and bathe Dominic, who was tired, moody, and obnoxious. Without much time to recover (and, I might add, without a shower) today started at full speed, having to feed and dress the kids and be in Killearn (a half hour drive) by 10 for a play date. We came home in time for Dominic's nap; I was patting myself on the back for having thought to bring grapes so he could have his snack on the ride home. Just as I was getting ready to put Dominic down I got two phone calls, one from a Dr. office, cancelling an appointment, and another from my babysitter, ready to be picked up. I loaded the kids right back into the car and picked up the baby sitter I no longer needed and took her to her house across town (another 45 minutes of driving) as my hungry little Noemie whimpered in the back seat. And of course, on the way home, it started to rain. "Quesi queno, mami?" starts Dominic. And we begin to sing... "Que llueva, que llueva..."

Tonight I'm making pasta. Tomorrow night's bible study and a crockpot meal. I live by the calendar these days.