Thursday, December 27, 2012

Celebrity Status

As much as we were on the road, I'm thinking that we should've been exempted from paying our mortgage last month. On the heels of about 4 other trips, we made our way to Clemson as a family in order to support Venesa and her awesomeness. She was invited by her alma mater to be a panelist for their "50 Years of Integration" Homecoming panel discussion. Here's an excerpt from the bio that was published in the program:

While at Clemson, she was active in a number of organizations; including the Student Government Minority Council, PEER (Programs for Educational Enrichment), Blue Key and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. One of the feats she is most proud of is founding the Latin Fest, an event started to create awareness of Latin American culture. With the gracious support of Altheia Richardson and the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Latin Fest continued for 15 years and became one of Clemson’s signature events.

Go, Mommy! So proud of you.

Sidenote: It was cool that the kids got to visit two of our alma maters (Georgia Tech and Clemson) in the same week. I won't ask them which one they enjoyed more since they clearly know a real engineering school when then see one.
*cough* Go Yellow Jackets *cough*

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Undercover

A nice reminder just before Christmas that it doesn't take a whole lot to keep these kids happy. Three cheers for a blanket, a bunk bed, and a spirit of contentment.

Friday, December 21, 2012

8 Years

Happy Anniversary.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Personalities

First there's that child with the spirit of a helper. The natural servant. Ready to put her hand to the plow and contribute. Selfless. Committed. I look up, and there she is... rake in hand. Doing what she can to lightening my burden without asking. Her only payment: the sense of inclusion, the smile that her unexpected company brings, a chance to flex her capabilities, and the satisfaction that comes with knowing she's appreciated.





And then... There's Justin.


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Road Warrior

Naomi pt. XVI

BabyCenter 15-month update: 
Where there's a will, there's a won't. And Naomi is discovering that will, big time. The generally agreeable nature she had as a 12-month-old has morphed overnight into something far more exhausting.  Her rigid, contrarian behavior shows that she's beginning to understand a huge concept: She's a separate person from us. She'll eat when she wants to. What she wants to. And as slow or fast as she wants to. I've never seen a 15 month old snatch their hand away so vehemently when you're trying to walk with her (Never mind that I just feel six times in a row... I can do it myself!!!)... or lock her mouth down like it was Fort Knox when you approach with a bite of food that you know she likes... or stop, look down, and visibly calculate the odds of outrunning you when she hears you call her name with a certain tone of voice.

Will power. Also known as Reyes stubbornness. Once she grows up, she and her sister will likely be fast friends... and big trouble.