On 9-11-01 I was in my room at my parent's house, getting ready to go to college at SIUE. I had the news on in the background, but my mind wasn't on it - I was thinking of my nephew, because it was his birthday. I remember looking at the TV . . . and then suddenly it registered what had happened. I listened to the radio and cried all the way to school. When I got there, the TV's were on in the University Center and everyone was gathered around them. It was unreal. A lot of my classes were canceled that day, and I headed into work early.
Back then I worked for the Illinois State Police, and I thought if I felt safe anywhere it was at work, surrounded by guys who were protective and passionate about it. Also, I was worried for this girl that I knew (and her family) who worked at a restaurant gas station near work where I regularly ate lunch. She was obviously from the Middle East and I had heard stories of Middle Easterners and their businesses being targeted that day. Earlier that summer she had reached out to me and we started to talk everyday that I went in there. One day she told me she liked my eyeliner, so I bought her some and gave it to her as a present. I remember driving by on 9-11 to see if I could see her in the restaurant window (I was too afraid to go in in case someone targeted her family while I was in there) and see if she was OK. I don't think she was there, but I was not brave enough to go in and check on her. I did end up seeing her a few more times, and we didn't talk at all - I didn't know what to say, and I don't think she did either. Eventually I stopped going there for lunch.
Today was the memorial service at the firehouse where my husband volunteers. It hit me how much the world really has changed since then. I heard some children - who were not born yet on the day of the attacks - singing "God Bless America" (the country version, lol) and they got really loud at the part where they sing "I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free!" They really seem to get that, if nothing else about what this day stands for now, and I think that's neat.
I also am so very proud of my husband. I realized for the first time how unselfish it really is to be a first responder. Cory, whether he likes it or not, does exactly what it says in John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." That is why I was so scared to have him join the fire department, why I refused to let him ever even entertain the idea of joining the military - because Cory is a first responder in the truest sense of the word. He does it willingly, no complaining, no thinking about it first. Wow, that is scary for his wife!!! I got teary today just thinking about it - Cory would have been in there if we lived in New York. Yes, he absolutely would have.
But we Americans are living in the "land of the free, and home of the brave" and so we must be brave. And here's to my hero, and the heroes that are no longer with us. They are the brave ones when we cannot be, and some have had to pay the highest price for it. God bless you all!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Nora's 1st Zoo Trip
We took Nora's first trip to the St. Louis Zoo this past Labor Day Weekend. It was packed, but the weather was beautiful and we really enjoyed ourselves. Here are some photos:
Us outside the zoo.
Nora brushing goats in the Children's Zoo:
We met up with some of our neighbors.
Then we saw a giraffe family. The daddy giraffe had his very long tongue sticking out.
Nora thought that was really cool. :)
We watched the Sea Lion Show.
Nora also watched the show for exactly this long:
Then we walked around and went in some of the houses, like the Primate House and the Herpetarium. Nora saw her "pock-a-dile" and liked watching the monkeys a LOT.
And after fighting the crowds to see the ONE elephant that the zoo had out that day, we finally rode the train! Nora was very tired by then, but she sure enjoyed herself.
Then we got some ice cream, stopped by the store, and then left for the day. This happened about 3.4seconds minutes after we got into the car:
We got stuck in a little traffic on the way out, but then we found out why:
The Clydesdales went right in front of us! Nice end to a really cool day. Perfect weather, good fun, just a really nice day with the family and friends. :) Great trip!
Us outside the zoo.
Nora brushing goats in the Children's Zoo:
We met up with some of our neighbors.
Then we saw a giraffe family. The daddy giraffe had his very long tongue sticking out.
Nora thought that was really cool. :)
We watched the Sea Lion Show.
Nora also watched the show for exactly this long:
Then we walked around and went in some of the houses, like the Primate House and the Herpetarium. Nora saw her "pock-a-dile" and liked watching the monkeys a LOT.
And after fighting the crowds to see the ONE elephant that the zoo had out that day, we finally rode the train! Nora was very tired by then, but she sure enjoyed herself.
Then we got some ice cream, stopped by the store, and then left for the day. This happened about 3.4
We got stuck in a little traffic on the way out, but then we found out why:
The Clydesdales went right in front of us! Nice end to a really cool day. Perfect weather, good fun, just a really nice day with the family and friends. :) Great trip!
Monday, August 29, 2011
24 Month Update - 2 Years Old!
This past month Pampers sent me an email saying that Nora has been upgraded from "Toddler" to "Preschooler". I wanted to bawl my eyes out!
Here are Nora's 2 Year Old "Stats":
*Tall for her age
*almost 30 pounds exactly
*Still only 8 teeth - two on top, two on bottom, and four molars.
She goes to the doctor for her check-up mid-September, so we will have full stats then. We will also find out if she needs to visit a pediatric dentist to discover what is up with her teeth. I think she just doesn't have the buds for baby teeth. We shall see!
Nora just talks so well about everything. The other day, I was explaining to her how we were going to a birthday party that was NOT for her. I told her "You turned two, and -L- is three . . . " Her response? "And Daddy's four!" :) What a character. She also told me this month that she had to take her baby to the hospital because "she broke her head." She got that from watching TV, I'm sure! Also from TV: "Hola, I'm baby!"
Nora got a good lesson in sharing this past month. After a few weeks of it just being us, I have started babysitting and Nora has had to re-learn sharing all her toys. It was a tough process, but she's getting it faster than I hoped she would, so that's good. If she does attack one of her friends with a yell of "MINE!" I tell her to instead say "Happy to share!" Most of the time she repeats it back to me like sharing is the most miserable form of punishment I could have devised. :) But - she is doing it!
For her birthday she got some great new toys, including a child's MP3 player from her Nana. She loves instruments and also got a lot of those as well. Her Papa Don and BeBe got her another harmonica, and she loves to play it! In fact, one night when I thought Nora was asleep in bed, I heard the sound of it coming from her room. :)
Her hair is starting to get pretty long again, and I am torn over whether or not to go get it cut. I told her she didn't have to get it cut as long as she lets me do it in the mornings, and so far, so good! Her hair is thinner than I thought it would be, so maybe she won't have thick hair like her momma! Who knows.
Here are some photos of Nora this past month:
Coloring while her daddy worked on the 9-11 Memorial Garden:
Holy moly, she looks so old in this picture we took for Papa Don!!
Cheese! Nice eyes Nora!
Until next time . . .
PS - In case anyone is interested, a wreath I made via this tutorial was featured today on another blog called Gluesticks! I was so shocked to see that this morning. Kind of a neat thing for me, that has never happened before!! :) Thanks for the mention!
Here are Nora's 2 Year Old "Stats":
*Tall for her age
*almost 30 pounds exactly
*Still only 8 teeth - two on top, two on bottom, and four molars.
She goes to the doctor for her check-up mid-September, so we will have full stats then. We will also find out if she needs to visit a pediatric dentist to discover what is up with her teeth. I think she just doesn't have the buds for baby teeth. We shall see!
Nora just talks so well about everything. The other day, I was explaining to her how we were going to a birthday party that was NOT for her. I told her "You turned two, and -L- is three . . . " Her response? "And Daddy's four!" :) What a character. She also told me this month that she had to take her baby to the hospital because "she broke her head." She got that from watching TV, I'm sure! Also from TV: "Hola, I'm baby!"
Nora got a good lesson in sharing this past month. After a few weeks of it just being us, I have started babysitting and Nora has had to re-learn sharing all her toys. It was a tough process, but she's getting it faster than I hoped she would, so that's good. If she does attack one of her friends with a yell of "MINE!" I tell her to instead say "Happy to share!" Most of the time she repeats it back to me like sharing is the most miserable form of punishment I could have devised. :) But - she is doing it!
For her birthday she got some great new toys, including a child's MP3 player from her Nana. She loves instruments and also got a lot of those as well. Her Papa Don and BeBe got her another harmonica, and she loves to play it! In fact, one night when I thought Nora was asleep in bed, I heard the sound of it coming from her room. :)
Her hair is starting to get pretty long again, and I am torn over whether or not to go get it cut. I told her she didn't have to get it cut as long as she lets me do it in the mornings, and so far, so good! Her hair is thinner than I thought it would be, so maybe she won't have thick hair like her momma! Who knows.
Here are some photos of Nora this past month:
Coloring while her daddy worked on the 9-11 Memorial Garden:
Holy moly, she looks so old in this picture we took for Papa Don!!
Cheese! Nice eyes Nora!
Until next time . . .
PS - In case anyone is interested, a wreath I made via this tutorial was featured today on another blog called Gluesticks! I was so shocked to see that this morning. Kind of a neat thing for me, that has never happened before!! :) Thanks for the mention!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
"Make a Mess Party" - Nora's 2nd Birthday Party
For Nora's 2nd birthday we did something a little different!
The invitations arrived saying "Messes will be made!" THEY WERE!! :)
This was such a fun party. Nora had a blast! She spent most of her time squeezing glue out of the bottles. :)
She did get to paint like I promised she would! She was begging to paint all month long.
She loved eating cupcakes . . .
. . . blowing out candles (she practiced for this - and actually got one out!) . . .
. . . and opening gifts.
And even though there was a little bit of rain at the end, the mud-pie making, shaving cream, painting, tissue paper art, sand, markers, tattoos, and water play "clean-up" was fun for all. :)
Until next time! . . .
The invitations arrived saying "Messes will be made!" THEY WERE!! :)
This was such a fun party. Nora had a blast! She spent most of her time squeezing glue out of the bottles. :)
She did get to paint like I promised she would! She was begging to paint all month long.
She loved eating cupcakes . . .
. . . blowing out candles (she practiced for this - and actually got one out!) . . .
. . . and opening gifts.
And even though there was a little bit of rain at the end, the mud-pie making, shaving cream, painting, tissue paper art, sand, markers, tattoos, and water play "clean-up" was fun for all. :)
Until next time! . . .
Thursday, August 18, 2011
I love magnets.
Have I ever told you all how much I love magnets? I seriously wish every surface was magnetic. Truly. I experimented lately with magnetic primer, but it didn't work out as well as I hoped with my overly textured walls. It was the biggest disappointment!
The other day I noticed I was writing a lot of notes to tape on my door to let people who stop by know where we are at. They all say the same thing: "we're downstairs, come on in", "we're playing at the neighbor's house", etc. So, to save some paper I decided to use up these business card magnets that I had on hand and make some magnetic, reusable signs for the door. Check it out:
The good thing about these is that I am already sticking paperwork for my babysitting kids to the door with magnets. So when a parent shows up they are already looking for it, and I can just place the magnets underneath. You cannot see them unless you open the storm door, so no unwanted people will automatically see them and know where we are. I also made a couple of blank ones to write on with a pencil if needed.
What do you think? Works well for us so far!
Until next time . . . (birthday post! Yay!)
The other day I noticed I was writing a lot of notes to tape on my door to let people who stop by know where we are at. They all say the same thing: "we're downstairs, come on in", "we're playing at the neighbor's house", etc. So, to save some paper I decided to use up these business card magnets that I had on hand and make some magnetic, reusable signs for the door. Check it out:
The good thing about these is that I am already sticking paperwork for my babysitting kids to the door with magnets. So when a parent shows up they are already looking for it, and I can just place the magnets underneath. You cannot see them unless you open the storm door, so no unwanted people will automatically see them and know where we are. I also made a couple of blank ones to write on with a pencil if needed.
What do you think? Works well for us so far!
Until next time . . . (birthday post! Yay!)
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The cat
There has been a pretty female cat hanging around our house lately:
If you have ever met Nora - you know, the girl who totes around FOUR stuffed kitties everywhere she goes - then you know what a big deal this is. Also I have another two year old hanging out at my house now (-E-) and so they were arguing over which one of them would feed the kitty a stick first (which it DID actually chew on, by the way.)
I have been asking around the neighborhood kids to see if the know whose cat it is, but no luck. When I ask the neighborhood kids they say it belongs to "animal control - because that's what it says on the tag!". Huh. At least it is up to date on it's shots so that means someone is probably taking care of it. It definitely doesn't look starved for food - maybe just attention. Which it gets a lot of at my house!
The first night it hung around, Cory chased it out of the garage. The next day Nora kept yelling "Out garage!" at it. But, she totally let the cat stay there. :)
Until next time . . .
If you have ever met Nora - you know, the girl who totes around FOUR stuffed kitties everywhere she goes - then you know what a big deal this is. Also I have another two year old hanging out at my house now (-E-) and so they were arguing over which one of them would feed the kitty a stick first (which it DID actually chew on, by the way.)
I have been asking around the neighborhood kids to see if the know whose cat it is, but no luck. When I ask the neighborhood kids they say it belongs to "animal control - because that's what it says on the tag!". Huh. At least it is up to date on it's shots so that means someone is probably taking care of it. It definitely doesn't look starved for food - maybe just attention. Which it gets a lot of at my house!
The first night it hung around, Cory chased it out of the garage. The next day Nora kept yelling "Out garage!" at it. But, she totally let the cat stay there. :)
Until next time . . .
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Ch-Ch-Changes . . .
Well, change is on the horizon here at the Whitaker house in the month of August. After a very busy summer, school is about to begin around here in a few days, and that means that I "go back to work".
First of all, I am gong to start watching two new kids this month. I have another two year old little girl -E- who will be here daily (and is also an absolute DOLL, by the way). I also will have an 8 week-old infant that will start at the end of the month for three half days. Also, we are still trying to figure out if I will continue to watch -L-, the little girl I have been watching for a very long time now. The school district around here has seriously cut bus stops and we are trying to figure out how I will get her to her much-further-away bus stop every day - when I will have three other kids (ages 2 and under) in tow and I drive a little Dodge Neon! I have no idea how i can get her there, but we are making an effort to figure it out. Any ideas blogland? :) I wish I had room in the car to just throw everyone in there, but no such luck.
Also, Kelsey's room is DONE, she is partially moved in, and she will be officially living here as of this week. Here are some photos of how the basement looks now:
Kelsey's room, partially moved in.
Dining/entertainment area. Looks pretty "dorm-y" to me. :)
And of course the messy playroom is still here. :)
Cory is busy lately with the 9-11 Memorial Garden that his fire department is creating in honor of the ten year anniversary coming up. This past Saturday he went to work on it and Nora came out to "help":
She's such a good helper. :)
We are also preparing for Nora's birthday party which is already almost here! I cannot believe she is almost two. It's almost too much for me to stand. We are planning a really neat birthday party, so stay tuned for that post!! :)
Until next time . . .
First of all, I am gong to start watching two new kids this month. I have another two year old little girl -E- who will be here daily (and is also an absolute DOLL, by the way). I also will have an 8 week-old infant that will start at the end of the month for three half days. Also, we are still trying to figure out if I will continue to watch -L-, the little girl I have been watching for a very long time now. The school district around here has seriously cut bus stops and we are trying to figure out how I will get her to her much-further-away bus stop every day - when I will have three other kids (ages 2 and under) in tow and I drive a little Dodge Neon! I have no idea how i can get her there, but we are making an effort to figure it out. Any ideas blogland? :) I wish I had room in the car to just throw everyone in there, but no such luck.
Also, Kelsey's room is DONE, she is partially moved in, and she will be officially living here as of this week. Here are some photos of how the basement looks now:
Kelsey's room, partially moved in.
Dining/entertainment area. Looks pretty "dorm-y" to me. :)
And of course the messy playroom is still here. :)
Cory is busy lately with the 9-11 Memorial Garden that his fire department is creating in honor of the ten year anniversary coming up. This past Saturday he went to work on it and Nora came out to "help":
She's such a good helper. :)
We are also preparing for Nora's birthday party which is already almost here! I cannot believe she is almost two. It's almost too much for me to stand. We are planning a really neat birthday party, so stay tuned for that post!! :)
Until next time . . .
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