Kids Update

Zoe is still doing amazing with her schoolwork!  I am so proud of her!  She still is so patient and meticulous about tracing her letters and numbers.  We both get excited and clap our hands a lot.  Oh, and high fives! :-)  She loves to wind down by playing puzzles.  I don't know very many 3-year-olds who sit still long enough to put together a puzzle...but Zoe does and it makes me so excited!  All I can think about is us putting together a puzzle in the winter drinking coffee and either watching a Christmas movie or listening to Christmas music when she's older...  It's going to be wonderful!

Oh, exciting news about Zoe!  Tonight she is going to her first ballet class!  We had to watch Angelina Ballerina which got her excited, AND her friend from down the street is going tonight too!  She can't wait to go.  I can't wait to take pictures and videos!  I just hope we don't have a moment like we did when she was a flower girl..  She gets shy and it is so hard to pull her out of her shell!

Another exciting thing that's happening this month is that Max's 2nd birthday is on the 15th of this month!  Oh boy!  We're still trying to figure out what theme to choose for his party.  The original idea fell through and I have a couple other ideas in my head..  I think I finally decided on a new one, though!  We shall see.  He is talking more and more all the time.  I can actually have conversations with him!  He is so cute.  I love his little lisp. :-)  It's adorable!

Titus still army crawls everywhere to try to keep up with Zoe and Max.  He is so cute!  He climbs up to standing while in his crib and using the entertainment stand, though, so I can't help but wonder if/when he will start walking.  He sings all.the.time when we're home.  I love it!  He is such a happy child.  As long as he has Cheerios close by.

School Days

First day of preschool!
August 28, 2013

 Zoe has had two school days now.  She loves it!  What a relief!

 

 

Each day she has traced patterns, letters, and numbers.  She also has been learning more about a different color each day.  We even play with puzzles which is super fun for her -- and me. :-)

 

Every parent thinks their child is a genius.  I am not any different when it comes to Zoebelle!  She has traced her letters and number 100% by herself, and they look amazing!  I am so proud of her!  She takes her time to make sure she gets the job done just right!  That sounds familiar...  We both are still pretty excited about school!

First day of school!

Edgar Howe said, "If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers."  I wonder what he thinks about homeschool families? Ha!

I spent most of the day yesterday getting everything together for Zoe's first day of preschool.  Each month we will focus on certain themes such as letters, numbers, shapes, colors, community helpers, animals, etc.  I found a website that has songs that teach little ones how to pronounce letters too!  I have been talking about school to Zoe all month, hoping she will get excited for learning, but every time she would roll her eyes and make me feel like I was silly for being so excited.  Sometimes I wonder if she's 13 instead of 3...

 

This morning when Zoe woke up I timidly asked if she was excited about doing school with Mommy today.  I was relieved to see her smile and shake her head yes!  Hallelujah! 

 

So I'm off to make breakfast and do chores around the house till 1:00 this afternoon.  I will put the boys down for a nap and then Zoe and I will do her schoolwork!  I love being a mommy!

First day of "school"

Source: via Grace on Pinterest

Today was Zoe's first day of pre-preschool.  When Walmart had their Back-To-School stuff out a few months ago I couldn't help but wander the aisles and look at all the school books, crayons, backpacks, etc.  I bought a preschool book for Zoe and a new set of crayons that are specifically for "school."

So here is how the first day went:

When 10:00 rolled around I stopped everything I was doing and we went to "school."  Her preschool book has 10 different subjects for her to work on; colors, shapes, patterns, pre-writing, letters and sounds, beginning writing, reading readiness, early math, science, and social studies.

She did very well with the colors, shapes, and patterns.  The other subjects are probably still a little over her head.  We did a page in each subject anyway and if she gets it, great!  If not.. there's always next year!  She's only 2 for Pete's sake.

We took a few minutes to color some pictures together, and then we moved on to flash cards.

These are flash cards that were passed down to her from her older cousins (thank you!).  She really enjoys them and I am surprised at what she actually knows.  Her favorite ones are the picture words flash cards.  If anything it is tripling her vocabulary!  It's amazing.

I was only able to keep her attention for an hour, but I am thrilled we lasted that long! =D  I don't want to burn her out before she's really old enough to go to school.  But I know I need to be better at teaching her colors, shapes, letters, and numbers.

So this was our first day of school!  I need to revamp my whole schedule (again) to make sure chores still get done as well as my work.  It's so me to add more to my own plate. =)  But I'm happy!

=)

Source: itworksforbobbi.com via Grace on Pinterest

Not a whole lot going on around here right now.  I am now 29 weeks 1 day pregnant.  I cannot believe that this little guy is due in 76 days.  Seems unreal!  We will have three babies under the age of three before we know it!

The weather is slowly starting to change.  It doesn't seem as hot anymore.  Don't get me wrong, it's still plenty warm.. just not 100 degrees.  With the weather changing I'm getting a LITTLE excited about starting "school" with Zoe.  We will start the first Monday in September.  I bought a preschool book and new crayons for her.  It'll be great!

Maximus is going to be one next month!  I cannot believe my little guy is turning one.  I still don't know what theme his party will be.  I don't know if I'm ready to go all out on a party again!  Just kidding.  Of course I will make his day special. ♥

I feel like I'm just rambling.  Have a wonderful week!



Graduation.

The morning of graduation I was wide awake at 6:30.  I was too excited to sleep any longer!  We got the whole family ready and headed out a little before 9:00.  I dropped Paul off at the main building and then I made my way to the gym.  I was the first to get there, so Zoe and I did our best to find a good, open spot since we were expecting quite a few to come and watch.

It was quite a struggle to save spots all by myself, especially since people were piling in and the gym was filling fast!  Thankfully people started to come in that I was waiting for and we all were able to sit together.

It was so exciting to see Paul come into the gym wearing his cap and gown!  My eyes may have welled up a bit.. maybe.



Where's Waldo.. I mean, Paul?



And here he is!  Our handsome graduate!

I had kind of fallen behind in the crowd when we all were leaving the gym because I had to wave at my parents who were watching online.  That was fun!  When I got outside, though, I had a hard time finding anyone I knew.  I finally broke through the crowd and found my Paul.

It may be funny to some, but I still tear up when I think about when I finally found him and ran to give him a big hug!  I can tell even by the way he hugged me back that we both felt the same thing -- relief!  I am so, so, so proud of Paul and his accomplishments!  I cannot say it enough!

Paul has worked so incredibly hard these past four years.  There were plenty of times I had to stand on the sidelines as hard as it was for my jealous self.  I knew it would be worth it one day...and it was. =)

I can't help but laugh at our little family picture!  Zoe was very hot in her shoes and socks when we were in the gym so they had been taken off and never put back on.  Max just looks like Max.  Haha!  My handsome butterball baby!  Doesn't he look so tough with his fists?

After graduation we had dinner at our local Mexican restaurant and then we had cake and party afterward.  It was a lot of fun celebrating with Paul on his special day!

It is 9:40 and Paul is still in bed.  I'm not going to wake him.  He has 4 years of sleep he needs to catch up on. =)

Daddy's Girl

This past weekend Zoe has turned into a complete Daddy's girl.  On Saturday evening I told her I was going to turn off Sesame Street and play music till Daddy got home.  Her eyes lit up and she said, "Dada!" and climbed up on the couch as fast as she could to watch him come home.  Within a few minutes he came home and she was very, very excited.

They have been glued at the hip all weekend.  She calls his name all the time to make sure he is close by.  When we're in the car, she doesn't call my name anymore to tell me funny stories -- she calls her Daddy.

I have a feeling this week is going to be pretty hard for her since Daddy will be leaving before she wakes up and will most likely be gone till late at night due to working and finals.  This morning when Zoe woke up she immediately called for her Daddy.  I went and got her and she immediately wanted to go to our bed.  I brought her in there, and she started moving the covers around looking for "Dada."  I did my best to explain that Daddy went bye bye already, but as soon as I said he was gone she put her hands to her face and started crying.  How can you not cry along with the poor soul?!

I cannot wait for this weekend to be over!  I'm so thankful Paul is finally at the end!  I look forward to finally having a chance to spend some quality family time with one another.  I think Zoe would appreciate that too. =)

Sigh.

Source: weidmamleles.tumblr.com via Cathy on Pinterest



We were married about 7 months when we moved to Havre for Paul to go to college for Graphic Design.  I have kept busy with jobs, eventually kids, and plenty of housework.  I never let it bother me that he was never around because I knew that he would be done before I knew it and things would be different.

These past couple weeks have been the hardest weeks of my married life, though.  I know I'm pregnant and that doesn't help, but I'm emotional, irritable, lonely, anxious..  I told my Mom that I just go around with a Garfield attitude -- grumbling about anything and everything for no reason.

My days are not any different than before.  I still take care of the kids, do my best to keep up with the house, work, run errands outside of the home such as going to the bank, grocery shopping, etc.  The weather actually has been getting nicer so I have been taking the kids outside and playing which is nice.

Paul stays at the college after class working on projects or studying with fellow classmates and won't be home till after 10:00 -- sometimes even close to midnight.  I have tucked the kids in for the night (alone), I have tidied the house, and I work.. out of boredom.

I don't resent Paul for not being home.  I never have.  I am so thankful that he is such a hard worker and that he is doing his absolute best for his family.  I'm just drained.  Emotional.  Pregnant.  I'm just ready for him to be done with school!

I know things won't be the way I want them to be.  Paul will then be working full-time and he will still be gone all day.  But at least I will have the evenings with him.  He will be able to spend time with his babies.  We will get to go out and do things together as a family.

I just want my family together, that's all.  This next week and couple days can't pass by soon enough for me!

So for the crew that live here in Havre:

If I seem distant, Garfield-ish, or a little emotional.. don't worry about it.  This too shall pass!

The light at the end of the tunnel.

Paul only has two and a half weeks left until he graduates.  You would think he would be excited and anxious, but these next two weeks are going to be so jam packed with finals, essays, projects, etc. that he is more stressed than anything else.  Not to mention that most of his work is on a little stick thing (are they called hard drives? Who knows?) that we cannot find anywhere!  It's always in the same place...but not this time.  After work today I plan on picking the living room apart hoping it's somewhere in there.  The Lord will help me (or Paul) find it.  I have faith!

I am so proud of Paul and him staying in college.  It seems nearly impossible to go to college while raising a family.  I'm not going to lie, it was HARD for both of us many times.  Finances get tight, you miss each other, the kids sometimes don't know who you are, etc.  There were many times he would tell me he was just going to drop out because we couldn't afford to pay the bills on a part-time job.  I never gave him that option.  God was going to bless us for our hard work, and He has!  I am so amazed and thankful for everything the Lord has done for Paul and I.  I just shake my head when I look around at all of the Lord's blessings; we own a house, Paul has his dream Volkswagon bug, we have a NEW car -- what I wanted. =)  We also have beautiful children who are happy and healthy.  We have SO MUCH to be thankful for -- and we are very, very thankful.

Now it's time to plan a big party!  Woo hoo!  Also, if anyone is interested you can watch Paul's graduation online!  Just let me know if you want to and I'll send you the web address.

This is the start of something good

::The Start of Something Good::

(Yes, that is a song from High School Musical)

Paul will be graduating this May with two Bachelors under his belt.  If I could be completely honest, I wasn't too thrilled with Paul going to college after we got married.  I especially didn't like it when it meant him going to college in Havre, MT which meant me moving away from my family.

I wont deny that I moved here with bitterness in my heart and it took me a long while to get over my "issues" and openly admit that I knew God wanted us here for many, many reasons.  Though I miss my family dearly, I hope they admire Paul and I for being the workers we need to be for the Lord.

While Paul has been in college we had a family.  There were a few times Paul considered dropping out because we didn't know how we could afford a family on the income we were bringing in.  But there was NO WAY I was going to let him do that -- and deep down I knew he knew he needed to keep on working hard in school.  We knew our sacrifices would pay off one day.

Paul will be starting his last semester this Wednesday.  This will probably be his hardest semester so, if you think about him, please keep him in your prayers that God will help him in his classes.  I will be having a hard time myself this semester because I don't know how much I will see of him since he will literally be gone ALL DAY either at work or at school, but I know that May will come sooner then I think and then it will be all over..

Though our sacrifices haven't quite paid off yet, I know it's coming sooner rather than later.  God is so good to provide for our needs and I'm so thankful for everything He has done for Paul and I already in the nearly 4 years we've been married!

I feel like God has been speaking to my heart a lot lately.  After lots of prayer, planning, trying to back out, and more prayer, I have decided to host a ladies prayer group in my home every Friday at 6:00 pm.  I'm excited to see what God has in store for the women of Havre!

There will be so much more that happens in the year of 2012, I know it, but these are the two most exciting ones as of right now.

Happy New Year to everyone! Can't wait to hear about the blessings God bestows upon you and your families!

A dream is a wish your heart makes..

The year 2012 is going to be a big one for our little family.  One of the biggest events will be Paul is graduating from MSU-N with two bachelors - one in graphic design, the other in liberal studies.  We will be nearing our next chapter in our life, and the main question we have is..

What dreams will we accomplish after college?

This question also got me thinking about another question..

What are my dreams?!

And then it hit me.  My dreams have already come true.

My first dream to come true was becoming a wife.

I married my best friend four years ago this coming February.  I cannot imagine living my life without him.  We have been through so much together already - him losing his oldest brother as well as his grandfather, me moving thousands of miles away from my family and everything I knew, him being a college student, us losing our first baby to a miscarriage, working hard in our local church, buying our first house, the list goes on.  We have kept busy these past four years, that's for sure!

I am so thankful God brought Paul into my life.  He is the most amazing man in the world.  I honestly cannot imagine me being with anyone else - nor do I want to!

I had a couple other dreams come true too..

My second dream to come true was being a mom.

I remember when I was pregnant with Zoe and people would love to tell me the worst stories about children.  Afterward they would tag on, "Just you wait and see."  I don't understand why so many love to discourage new mothers when the good most definitely outweighs the bad when it comes to mothering!

Now that I have two under the age of 2 life is a little harder.  And a little more hectic.  But I wouldn't have it any other way!  The sleepless nights are 100% worth it!

I love giggling with my babies and getting little Max smiling and squealing, wrestling with Zoe or chasing her through the house with my "tickle monster."

I love watching Sesame Street with both kids in my lap.

Baby Goldfish for snack time.

I love all the little things that involve being a mom!

I don't know what all God has in store for my little family in the year 2012, but I do know this:

I am already so blessed with a wonderful marriage, and wonderful kids.  If no other dreams come true, the best ones already did - and I have that much to thank God for.

I hope and pray everyone has an amazing and blessed new year.  May God be with each one who reads this blog and bless you and your family!

An update on the Alexander clan

It's very rare to get a shot of Paul and I together.  I don't know why, but if anyone is getting their picture taken, it's Zoe. :)  So here's the most recent shot of Paul and I.. being ourselves.  Ha!

Ok, let me think about what all has happened since I last blogged.  This could turn out to be a novel!  Bear with me..

Paulywog

It seems like Paul has been a workaholic since we've been home from our trip.  Not because he wants to, though we don't complain when the paycheck comes.  Classes start up the 29th or 30th of this month and I think he's looking forward to it a little bit..  Some of the classes sound hard, but I hope the others make up for that.

Paul has been contemplating cutting his golden locks for awhile now.  He informed me a couple days ago that he couldn't decide what he wanted to do, so he flipped a coin.  The coin says to keep the longer hair and not get a haircut.  "Plus, what if Zoe didn't recognize me?" he says.  What a goofball!

ME

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday.  After waiting 2 hours Dr. Lien finally came in, checked me for group B, she said I was 3 cm dilated, but my cervix still thick.  Not what I wanted to hear.  Especially since she bumped me up two weeks!  So instead of being 34 weeks pregnant I am now 36 weeks.

Zoe was born at 37 weeks.

I'm not saying our little boy will be born next week, but it's definitely going to happen soon!  All I can say is.. THANK YOU JESUS!!  I am so ready for our son to be here.  I can't wait to kiss his face, count his fingers and toes, watch Zoe interract with him, etc.

Oh, and we have decided on a name..

Maximus Kirby Alexander

Isn't that awesome?  If you haven't figured it out yet, Paul and I try to go for names that are not common.  Though I met a dozen Zoes after Zoe was born!  We like different, unique names.  Plus we just love how Zoe and Max fit together.  Isn't that the cutest?!  Don't tell me if you think it's too weird.  I don't want to hear it. :)

It's too bad the name is already kind of long.  I wanted to name him Maximus Colin Kirby.. after both of our dads.. but my Dad will have to wait till the next boy.  I'm sure he understands. :)

Zoebelle

Zoe has 2 bottom teeth that are more visible when she talks, and I love seeing them!  She is so adorable when she tells her "stories" using her hand gestures and being so serious!  She still does the army crawl.  Paul says he's seen her actually crawl, but I haven't seen it yet.  Apparently she thinks army crawling is faster.  But, she has been walking around the coffee table, couches, dining room chairs, etc.  I hope she walks soon!  And talks.  She needs to learn more words other than "da-da" and "mom-mom-mom-mom."

Well, there is so much more stuff I could talk about, but it's getting late and Paul wants to watch Mars Needs Moms tonight. :)  Have a wonderful night!

Zoos are very educational

Especially at the Wild Life World Zoo!  Without going into detail, it was mating season for some of the animals yesterday.  The kids took the day off of school to come with us, but don't worry, they still learned plenty!  For some, they learned more than they wanted to!

We took plenty of pictures throughout the zoo and aquarium, played with some of the animals -- especially the leopard who wanted to eat Dad and Paul -- and had plenty of laughs throughout the whole park!  We made so many memories yesterday, I couldn't even tell you everything we did and said.

Maybe later I will post pictures and video.  We have some very funny videos of a certain leopard trying to attack the boys.  I have to admit, I wet my pants a little bit because he scared me so bad.  It was hilarious and I will remember this memory -- especially the fear I had seeing those teeth -- for the rest of my life!

Zoe is experiencing her first cold right now so she spent most of her time sleeping in the stroller yesterday, but she did enjoy watching some of the fish.  Despite her cold she is loving being with everyone!  She is all smiles and loves watching the crazies try and make her laugh.

I absolutely love being with my family.  I didn't realize how much I missed everyone until I came home.  I especially miss Arizona since the winter weather feels so much better than Montana -- they are currently experiencing -4*.  Does that sound fun to you?  I didn't think so.

We're not talking about leaving yet, though.  Instead we are getting ready for dinner at Grandma Bunny's house tonight.  I know we will have more fun and I will take more pictures of the family with Zoe!

I have come to the conclusion

..that it is nearly impossible to get anything done with an infant.  Yeah, yeah you all told me.  I hoped--just like every other mom in the whole entire world--that I would be the one to make history and have a clean house, dinner on the table every night, and a happy baby in tow.  I laugh at you!

Some things work for awhile; wearing my baby, working on things while she sleeps, etc.  But it never lasts for long.

The newest idea is school.

You heard right.  School.

Today was her first lesson--thanks to Baby Einstein.  It actually kept her attention for about 12 minutes, and in those 12 minutes I got a good chunk of the living room looking decent- well, at least the entryway.  It has given me hope, folks!

Even if she only lasts 12 minutes I will take it--and run with it.

Though there are times I feel frustration because my house is a mess, the laundry is behind, my dishes aren't clean, it's ok.  My daughter loves me and wants to be with me.  What a wonderful feeling!  One day too soon she'll be old enough (and independent enough!) to play with toys and not even care about what I'm doing.. just thinking about it chokes me up!