For Perspective

For a little bit of perspective to those who have a very unrealistic view of our family based off of the fun, smiley pictures normally posted on the blog. Today was not that kind of a day. One child woke up a chocolate kiss; the other one woke up a ball of sauerkraut dipped in vinegar. And Mommy was more like the sauerkraut, too. So the sauerkrauts battled throughout a lot of the morning and some of the afternoon arrows of whining, yelling, conviction, apologizing, whining, frustration, time-out, whining were thrown.

Then Daddy called. Daddy gave sauerkraut his first talking-to over the phone. And sauerkraut became chocolate. Then Daddy came home. And within minutes chocolate giggles were heard within the bedroom.

Now as I am writing this I am more like chocolate only because of God's continuous grace and a faithful, loving husband.

Life

Life is precious. It is a privilege to watch these two girls grow up. We went on an adventure last weekend to Delevan Lake, Wisconsin. We took the train to visit Daddy at work. There were several people along the way who assisted a mommy with 2 young 'uns. Miss Val dropped us off at the depot and we hopped aboard. ConLai was captivated for much longer than I thought she would be, nothing like her cousins Diek and Hadden would have been, but her enamor lasted for about 1 1/2 hours. A gentleman showed us to the back seat and another gentleman showed us how to turn it around to make a big double seat.



Then we got to get off and see Daddy. We found a cute Italian place.



It was special to be with Daddy and it was wonderful for him to sleep in the next morning and not be on the road. We went to an animal farm and shopping the next day while he was at work and then came home again.


To dancing. :)

We had the opportunity to hang out with Matthias a couple days this week while Mama was at school. ConLai and him get along very well. I think it's because he allows ConLai to Mama him.

Some tidbits about Nana:
*She is standing very well on her own. (I wish I had her quads.)
*Her sister is still the most amusing to her.
*Smiles are not worked for but given freely.
*She gets very excited to see Daddy.
*She acts shy sometimes and buries her face in whoever or whatever is holding her.
*She says "Mama" even though Daddy worked really hard for Dada.
*Her hair has a reddish tint.

An Important Day

Let me tell you why October 21, 2010 is an important day in our family history. ConLai woke up that morning and decided she wanted to go potty. Now this has happened before and she has proceeded to sit for awhile on the toilet with no results, but THIS was a DIFFERENT day. The first try was a no-go, but we put underwear on and hoped for the best. Then as she was playing she suddenly shouted, "I have to go potty!" She ran to the restroom and WENT POTTY IN THE TOILET!!! I was so excited, I almost cried. Since then she has been going without diapers during waking hours with a few messes here and there, but overall trained! Actually I won't even call it trained. Because I didn't do a thing. So please don't call me asking how to train a child. I still don't have a clue.

Anthony has a job!

Many of you have prayed for Anthony and I as we are determining our next step and your/our prayers have been answered for the time being. Anthony is working for a general contractor that John Toliver (the cousin we went to visit, her husband) is working for. Right now the job is in Wisconsin so Daddy is on the road a lot leaving ConLai, Nana, and I at home to play and go a little loopy.

Fall...it's grow'n on me.

This time of year is growing on me. Or maybe I'm just starting to grow up. Here are some things that can only be done during fall because during spring/summer...it's just not the same.

Apple Cider

A friend shared this recipe with me and it turned me into a cider lover from a cider abstainer.
1/3 cranberry juice
2/3 apple cider
mulling spices (the whole kind not the crushed)
Heat on stove till warm, not boiling.

Pumpkin Carving

I tried carving a pumpkin with ConLai and Matthias (our neighbor boy whom I watch on Tuesdays). I opened it up; they saw the inside and said, "Dirty!". Needless to say I did the whole pumpkin myself. And boy did I have fun.

Caramel Apple Dipping

My mom had a caramel apple dipping party for my sister's birthday. I thought it was such a great idea, I did that for ConLai's birthday. All the candy and caramel is probably what makes it so fun. Here's what my mom researched online and found. My apples still all puddled up at the bottom though with caramel.

1. Pour boiling water over apples to take wax off.
2. Chill apples. Put popsicle sticks in apples.
3. Make caramel: Unwrap bag of caramels. Add a couple Tbsp each of marshmallow creme and milk. Melt caramel in microwave.
4. Dip apples in caramel. Holding apples, rotate until caramel begins to harden (10 minutes). Or just put back in fridge for 5-10 minutes.
5. Dip carameled apples in candy. Chill.
6. EAT 'EM!

Raking Leaves and Jumping in Them

Ask mother before jumping off the roof into them. If you have no trees you probably have a hay bale and those are just as fun. (Be sure to cut the strings and loosen up the hay before jumping.)

Flannel Sheets

I'm finding out it is fun to curl up under flannel sheets and a blanket and hide from children. It doubles as a hideout and a warm place.

Pumpkin Bars

A friend just shared some pumpkin bars made up of cake mix, pumpkin and nuts. It was delicious!

Pumpkin Bread

Another friend has shared pumpkin bread in the past and it is yummy and once I made it I figured out why. It has a ton of sugar!

The Lind Daily

THE LIND DAILY

Today in the Windy City we have several unique events to keep you entertained. To begin, world famous duo - ConLai and Juliana Lind will be performing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star at the piano later tonight at the Chicago Theatre. Tickets are on sale for 1 sticker each to put on Mom and Dad's face. Following the piano performance is a special dance between Daddy and ConLai Lind as well as a gymnastics routine by 8 month old Juliana Rae Lind. You don't want to miss!


Breaking news just came in of a Princess Birthday Party happening in the Logan Square neighborhood. Special guests included Tito and Soni Matias with their children: Katie, Jackie and Pablo, Pastor Andy and Miss Val and their son Micah, Mom Z, Alex and Sabrina Cosme with their son Matthias, Pastor Tyrone and Chad. Princess of the Night is ConLai Lind turning 3 years old.

Other news of the day: a paint spill caused by a baby and a not careful enough mother in the home of Anthony and Ronda Lind. Environmentalists rushed to the scene, concerned for the well being of the...well...anything but the mother and baby. Mother survived 6 hours of scrubbing later, baby oblivious to disaster.

A warning to mothers: when you are sick, watch out for potato heads and little girls who can turn you into a real couch potato with plastic ears and tongue.

To wrap up on a good note, family of 9 to head to Texas as missionaries. You would think their house would be a zoo, but it's far from that. They in fact are a delightful family to be around as they are living out a life for Jesus. If you'd like to follow their preparation to leave, their blog is toliverstotexas.blogspot.com. (Two of their youngest were sleeping so are absent in picture.)
All this news has now left us exhausted.

Our Man!!

Happy Birthday Anthony! You are a wonderful husband and daddy and I am so thankful for you! Thank you for loving your girls, for caring for us, for protecting us and for helping us grow. We love and respect you.

27!!