Valkyrie is 4!

Happy 4^th Birthday Valkyrie. Valkyrie, what can I say about this remarkable little girl. I guess I could start with what everyone first notices about her, her energy. She is high intensity and I love her for it. Her energy is what got her to where she is, as active as she is. The girl is non-stop. Jeff and I joke that she has his spaz energy and my headstrong determination. She is destine for amazing things. Someone asked me a few months back where I see her in 20 years and I responded “I don’t know exactly where but I know what ever her passion is in life she will be doing it.” Valkyrie is a doer and a leader and not only in her physical abilities but her compassion she shows people. She is the first one to show crying kids on the playground a hug and a “are you okay sweetie?” She is leading her sister Skyler in love and showing her the way of compassion for others.

She is determined, when she makes her mind up she goes for it, it is that determination that has jumped her to a swim class with 6 year olds, where she swims the length of the pool on her own every class…..need I remind you that this is her 4^th birthday update, who knows what she will be doing by 6.

She is blooming into a beautiful young girl, not only physically but spiritually as well. The beauty she sees in everyone everyday is breath taking. Valkyrie and Skyler still share a bed, by their choice. At night sometimes I can hear Valkyrie singing to her sister and rubbing her back as they fall asleep.

She is so smart. It is both a blessing and an inconvenience. You can’t sneak anything by this girl. Like the other day when we were out and told her the place she wanted to eat was closed and then she said “well if it is closed then why did someone just go in there?” What do you say to that other than…..”well they work there.”

We had a few accidents this year, the worst one was a coat hanger in her eye. Don’t worry she was fine, after a few hours in the ER, but everyday since she asks “How’s my eye look?” She is almost proud of her battle scars and when the doctor told us that her eye would be okay she looked at Jeff and I and said “I told you guys I was okay”

Jeff and I have been going through some tuff spots but the girls stay strong and adaptive. They lean on each other and I think the love they have for each other has help ease some of the difficulties of the situation.

Thank you all for all your love and support and let’s wish Valkyrie another healthy happy year!

Skyler is 2 years old!

Today is Skyler’s 2^nd birthday and she is doing beautifully. She is so dang cute, with her brown almond shaped eyes she can make even a simple no melt your heart. Jeff says that if only every rejection in life could be as sweet as hers it wouldn’t be that bad. She will look at you and shake her head and whisper a simple sweet “no” and even pucker her lips after. Skyler has this blond curly hair that most of the time has a mind of its own and she won’t let me touch it. She still walks a little bow legged and runs with her arms in the air like the monkey she will always be. A monkey she is, she stills holds me so tight and wants to be carried everywhere.

Skyler has become a good mimic of her sister. She will do (or try to do) what ever her big sister does. They are so sweet to each other most of the time. The each have their own bed but they choose to co-sleep and wake up complete intertwined with each other. Skyler reminds me of me so much. So has melt downs very easy and is a very emotional and sensitive child. She gives affection on her terms and is content playing alone with her dolls. She does love her dolls. Skyler is very into baby dolls and dolls. We walked around an amusement park for an entire day and she carried around her naked baby doll. She is very loving to her dolls, always changing them, feeding them, holding them and talking to them, it is very sweet to watch. Skyler loves pretty things; colors, dresses, toys, flowers, shoes….at the stores she will find the prettiest dress and just touch it and look at it.

She is talking a lot now. Just like her sister she has the sweetest voice. I really believe that she is so far in her verbal skills because of her sister. They talk to each other a lot and Skyler picks up a lot from her sister as well. Don’t get me wrong the squabble over toys and attention a lot as well, but for the most part they get along. The love these 2 girls have for each other is so heart warming. To see them comfort each other when they are scared or upset makes me feel like I must be doing something right. Most of the time when Skyler gets into one of her “fits” the only one (other than herself) that can pull her out of it is Valkyrie. Valkyrie will sit by her, stroke her, hold her and talk to her until she is calm.

Tonight we have plans with the Chiusano grandparents to eat a good kid friendly dinner, and enjoy ice cream cup cakes and open even more presents. Love it!

The girls give me such pleasure and joy. I feel truly blessed and I love watching them grow into themselves. They are doing well and we hope this finds you all well.

Sending love and light.

Holding Pattern to Missed Approach

Today I reached decision height and today I gave back the keys to my dreams. I had it all with in my fingertips, touching it, but not quite in my hands, and now it is gone. Maybe I'll understand it all someday, but today I feel lost. I feel as though I have failed. What will I do with my life now? I have been in this holding pattern so long, now it's a missed approach.

My life has been shaken like a snow glob and now I wait to see where the particles settle.

I am sorry if I have let you down, I don't know where to go from here...

I guess on to another place with better minimums and a better decision height, some place to guide me in safely, for I am tired.

Swimming Class

Last week we had our first “official” swim lesson with the girls.

Skyler swam with Daddy in the parent tot class and she loved it. She was not too crazy about floating on her back, but by lesson 2 she was much better. She loved being thrown up in the air by her strong dad and even went under the water completely and came up smiling.

Valkyrie did very well for her first “instruction” class, was a little hard for her to wait her turn and stay focused but that will come with time. She did great putting her face in for 5 seconds and going under water as well as learning how to kick. I was a proud mom at how easy she picked it up. (can you tell she has been swimming since birth) Although she did not want to leave, she was very un-happy about class ending. I’m sure some parents thought I was sawing her arms off by the screaming coming from the women’s locker room, but again something she will learn with time.

5 years

So 5 years ago Jeff and I were married. People say we moved through life fast, got married, bought a home, and had 2 kids all in 5 years. I say I didn't want to miss life, I'm having a great time, and what is here today might not be there tomorrow so I soak it up. I've been so blessed to be married to a wonderful husband, the worlds best father to his kids, and my best friend. Honey I wouldn't trade what we got for anything. Thank you for staying by me through thick and thin...we have see a lot together and I'm glad you are beside me yesterday, today and tomorrow. I love you!