Below: The empty drawer Above: Some of Catherine's favorite "toys" from the drawer
Catherine's name in Jell-O jigglers
These are just a few recent photos. We went to Matt & Gwyn's for July 4th, and of course I barely took any photos. We brought Carlo back to spend the week with us and had a great time with him. Again, almost no photos. Catherine and I spent the day with my dear, old friend (not old in age) Becky in Raleigh when we went to meet Gwyn to exchange Carlo. Yep, not a single photo. Catherine was a complete cranky pants that day, but I sure enjoyed spending several hours with Becky and her children (and Brent for a short while before we hit the road).
- Our Dell laptop is a piece of junk and has been since about 6 months after we bought it. - Mark's parents had an extra laptop that they have given to us. Thank you!!!!! - I now can print documents (after MONTHS of not being able to) and chat and surf the internet without crashing! - The old laptop took offense that we were replacing it and now refuses to connect to the internet, so for now I can't post any pictures that I already had on that computer. That includes Mexico. The USB ports don't recognize anything either, so I can't transfer them. I don't have the patience to put all of the pics and video on CDs at this point.
Ugh.
So while I am jumping for joy about the new laptop, the old one continues to haunt me.
I had a much busier weekend than I expected. Good, but busy.
I brought the laptop upstairs to put together something about Mexico, but then I got sucked in. I was getting all caught up on Angel and Ellen's trip to Liberia. I had been keeping up with Angel's blog, but I didn't even realize that Ellen had been posting!
So it's midnight. I didn't even start on the Mexico post.
I, Angela Sluder, do solemnly swear to complete and post a full account of our trip to Mexico before the end of this weekend. We've been home for more than a month. I'm ridiculously slow!
First let me say that Mark rarely puts his foot in his mouth in regards to how I look. He's usually full of compliments. Real compliments. Not like the one from this past weekend:
"I kind of like your hair all frizzy like that."
That "compliment" instantly made me think of a video my friend Jamie posted recently. Men, watch and learn. Ladies, laugh and remember all of those "compliments" you've received from your beloved.
The week before last was Vacation Bible School at church, which is for kids K-5th grade. People who volunteer can send their children to the preschool program, so the groups are nice and small and they do a whole program for them that's similar to what the older children are doing.
Here's a sample of the preschool worship time with Jenny, who always makes sure it's high energy!
This year's theme was "Paul and the Underground Church," and the underground church was exactly where I spent my week! I played "Lucia," a first century christian who met with the children in a "cave," not unlike the caves and catacombs where the early church in Rome met. Four groups of about 60 kids each rotated through the dark, cold room decorated like a cave where we talked about the time they spent with "Paul" and at the other VBS stations. In each station they learned about first century Rome, the Apostle Paul and the underground church today in China. Catherine and I both had a great week, but I was POOPED by the time we got home each day. I haven't napped that much in a long time.
A "big girl" in the 2s class
Friends Lexi and Lainey during preschool worship
Singing along
Um, I think I'll make my exit
Friends Daniel and Graham were in her class
Catherine's class had the usual suspects: Graham, Daniel, Ava and Holt (not there on this day)
We've been busy having a lot of fun lately! I'm too much of a slacker to write more, so here are some highlights from our recent weeks.
Um, yeah. We live in South Carolina, where it is totally acceptable to use lawn chairs as living room furniture. Catherine asks for this chair all of the time, so occasionally I indulge and pull it out of the garage. We've been making plenty of trips to Carowinds, trying to use our season passes all we can! This was from a quick trip over there a couple of Sundays ago. She definitely likes to ride by herself now. We went last Sunday (Father's Day) with Mark's parents and finally made it to the water park. Catherine had lots of fun splashing around as many areas as she could while Mark, Papaw and I took in a few slides. This week we met up with the Vespas for a few rides and a romp around Kookabura Bay. She had so much more fun with them than with her boring old parents!
Riding Boots Balloon Race with Daddy
Nonna (my mom) came for a visit a couple of weeks ago. We had a fun and productive visit. Fun included symphony in the park, a trip to the pool, Mark's brother's wedding, an awesome breakfast at The Original Pancake House, shopping at IKEA, going to see "UP" at the theater, a mani/pedi and lots of eating! Productivity included cleaning the whole house, catching up on all the laundry and my mother re-organizing my pantry. How great is that! Mom says her highlight was the evening she and I spent at Pops in the Park. The youth symphony opened that night, and they were outstanding. Then we enjoyed the Charlotte Symphony's renditions of some Rodgers and Hammerstein, Copeland and John Williams show tunes. The weather was PERFECT, dry and mild, a rarity in June in the south.
Posing by the fountain at Southpark outside The Counter
Our small group had a BBQ and swim party at the Capuas. The guys were so great, splashing around the pool with all the kids while the ladies visited. I'm surprised that Mark didn't pass out from exhaustion because Catherine was the only toddler and required constant close supervision. So that was June, for the most part. Catherine and I also did Vacation Bible School, but that will have a post of it's own. We're getting ready for a trip to Matt & Gwyn's next week, and I'm sure that will yield lots of photos!
Catherine and I had to run to the store this afternoon for a missing ingredient for dinner. After we finished, we hopped in the car and started to drive away. I grabbed the hand sanitizer and squirted some into my hands. I often give Catherine some, too, but her hands were full with a cookie and sippy cup. She kept repeating something that I couldn't understand, but after a few times and looking back to see her outstretched arm, I finally realized that she was saying, "Wash hands!!!"
Ah, my little germophobe. Already trained at the tender age of 2.
When we got home, Catherine stopped to have a "conversation" with the rolly polly bug she saw on the way out to the car when we left for the store. When I asked her to come in, she said, "OK, bye bye bug. Bye, bug!" She said a few more things I couldn't understand before I shut the door, and then she continued with the "Bye, bye, bug!"
I hope she's not too brokenhearted when she realizes that I kill as many bugs as possible.
I think I'm on about a 2-week delay these days ... Anyway, while we were in Mexico, Catherine spent the week up in Winston-Salem with Mark's parents. She had a great time! They visited the children's museum, played in the nursery at church, went to Chuck E Cheese, played with cousins, sharpened her wii skills and enjoyed the big back yard. She kept Granny and Papaw on their toes with her constant running around!
We're glad they all got to spend so much extended time together. Since they live so close, we tend to see them in short spurts, whereas my parents come for weeks at a time. I think it was great for everyone (including us!) that they had a week of their own.
My poor hometown. It seems like whenever a new "worst" list comes out, Stockton has to make the top 10. I know I haven't lived there since the end of 2001, but is it really that bad? I mean, one of the most recent lists I saw it on called it one of the most miserable places in America. More miserable than Detroit. Really? More miserable than a city with a declining population, average home sales value of $10,000 and a felon for a mayor?
This is the one I read today. Stockton is listed as the 5th most dangerous city: Click here.
Don't get me wrong. I know Stockton has declined over the years in a number of ways. But I do visit a lot, and while I much more mindful of locking the car (although if you read my post from last November about when I unknowingly left my mom's car running outside of Chuck's for over an hour, you might disagree), I don't feel like I need to pack a glock anymore than I did when I lived there for 25 years.
I'm curious what current Stocktonians think about this trend of Stockton making the "worst" lists.
We got back from Mexico on Saturday evening (post forthcoming) and had such a great trip! On Memorial Day, Jeff joined us and we met up with the Vespas for awhile at Carowinds. Catherine has been on countless rides with us at Disney World, but she had never had the opportunity to ride one by herself. Above are her two "airplane" rides. Emily, a highly-trained big sister, accompanied Catherine on the rides. As you can see, she was NOT happy on the green plane. We tried again later on the jets, and she was much happier when she could sit next to Emily. On the video, you can hear Emily say that Catherine keeps saying "Weee!!"
I had a good Mother's Day, complete with this cute card from my obviously genius child, who at age 2 penned this request for more Mexican food and a little brother or sister.
After a failed attempt at IHOP, we ate breakfast at Panera (we went to church on Saturday night this week). The weather yesterday morning to was too good to pass up a trip to the park, so we stopped at Pineville Lake Park for a few trips down the slide and a walk around the "lake" to spot some turtles (I have a hard time calling it a lake, since it's more like a big pond). After a quiet afternoon, we feasted on Baskin-Robbins sundaes for dinner and watched The Amazing Race finale.
The gift I received should help with the first request. It was the cookbook, "Mexican Everyday" by Rick Bayless. It's 300 pages of yumminess, and I only wish it had more pictures. I like to see what dishes are going to look like before I try them!
I'll do my best to deliver on request #2 in the next year, but I'll need some help from Daddy on that one :)
As I watch my little munchkin dance around the living room, I'm reminded that I'm such a blessed mommy!
We've had an anniversary trip to Playa del Carmen planned for this month since last summer, and it's going to take more than the overly-hyped swine flu to keep us from there. It would be great if we'd focus on containing and/or wiping real threats to the world population like ... let's see ... malaria? That kills about a million a year. AIDS? 3 million in 2005. TB? 1.7 million.
The flu? About 400,000 worldwide each year.
I understand the caution when a new strain emerges, but some of the measures that local governments and employers are resorting to are a bit much. My uncle told me the entire school system in their town in Texas is closed for 2 weeks, and no one in their schools had even had swine flu. One company (which will remain nameless) is not allowing employees to return to work until 7 days after returning from Mexico. Even the Catholic church in Charlotte is discouraging parishioners from greeting each other with a hug or handshake.
I read this yesterday, posted by an American couple that lives in Playa del Carmen. It contradicts the misinformation that is being disseminated by the media. There are no reported cases of swine flu in Playa, and people are continuing to enjoy the beautiful weather and activities. Almost nothing is closed, with the exception of nightclubs holding more than 1,000 people and some archaeological sites.
Tea Party with Nonna at the Outer Banks Going for a frigid walk on the Beach with Auntie Gwyn, AJ and Carlo A swim with Nonna (It was FREEZING outside, but the water was warm) Silly AJ Making new use of her new water table She just climbed right in She played for awhile outside of it, sending all of her animals down the slide.
Heidi and I attended a screening of the film, "Pray the Devil Back to Hell." This film chronicles the joint efforts of Christian and Muslim women in Liberia to bring an end to the civil war that had plagued their nation for years. Sick and tired of the murder, rape, forced child soldiers and displacement of so many Liberians, a small group of women launched a grassroots movement that pressured dictator Charles Taylor and opposition warlords to the negotiating table.
It was hard to watch, but at the same time full of hope. The tenacity and unrelenting spirit of these women was inspiring. Their situation was about as despairing as one could possibly imagine, and they stood up without fear of consequences. That was what struck me most of all. The government was against the people. The opposition fighters were against the people. Everyone who had any power at all seemed to be in it for themselves, but these women banded together to become a unstoppable force working for future generations in their tiny nation.
The screening was followed by a Q&A session with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA (check out her recently-released memoir here). It was a short but good dialogue (except for some ridiculous technical difficulties, and the guy interviewing her seeming to know little about her or Liberia, ugh). Many, if not most of the people who attended the screening were either adoptive families (those who already have adopted or are stuck in the stalled process) or were somehow associated with our team that just returned from Liberia. They were able to communicate their commitment to using their own time, skills and experience in the process of rebuilding Liberia, as well as their desire for their Liberian children to be part of it, too.
The film is being shown across the country (and around the world). Find a screening here. Otherwise, you can Netfilx or rent it when it becomes available. Below are links to some reviews.
I count myself pretty privileged. I've got awesome girlfriends. We live in an age where people have the ability to be more connected than ever, yet so many feel isolated. At every stop along the way in my life (and there have been numerous stops), the Lord has blessed me with girlfriends who have walked through that chapter with me. Some of us have been walking together so long, I can't believe we haven't passed out! We've laughed, cried, argued, shopped, ate, prayed, planned, traveled, lived together ... the list is endless.
So when I read this article today on the types of friends a woman needs, I didn't feel I was lacking for any of them.
You know who you are. Whether you've been there since we were on monkey bars or have we have just jumped in on the most recent chapters of each other's lives, you're special to me!!
It was on MSN, but I think it was originally in Glamour (just want to give proper credit):
Talking about 7 Friends Every Woman Needs They’re there when times are bad (with a dirty martini or a carton of B&J in hand) and they’re there when times are good (with a dirty martini or a carton of B&J in hand). They’re our sisters, our secret-keepers, our sage advisers. Read these odes to some of the world’s greatest friends, then pick up the phone and call yours.
Since Catherine looks absolutely nothing like me, I have at times wondered which of my personality traits, skills, interests, etc. that she would inherit. You know, just to confirm that she's really mine and didn't get switched at the hospital.
I don't exactly have any stand-out talents, but from a very young age I could tell where I was and how to get from here to there. I love maps and have been known to flip through an atlas for hours. Thus, I've been lost very few times in my life.
Catherine may have inherited the "directions gene" because a few months ago, she started shouting "Daddy, Daddy!!!" whenever we pass the street where his office is located (we pass it at least a couple of times a week on the way to church or other places). At first I thought it was a coincidence, but she does it EVERY time. I can't believe she's figured that out.
Then this past week, we happened to go to two different Cracker Barrels (we only ate at one of them. I was just making a pit stop on the long drive the second time). Anyhow, BOTH times when we pulled into the parking lot and across the front of the restaurant/store, Catherine said, "Papaw!" You see, we've met Mark's parents or just Mark's dad at the Cracker Barrel several times. She's probably seen them there more times than she's seen them in their own home, so in her mind it makes complete sense ...
We didn't attend a sunrise service on Easter, but we were still up before the sun. We (including Heidi!) were on nursery and preschool duty for the 8:15 service and then went to church after that. We enjoyed a great celebration of Jesus' resurrection and headed home for a mostly quiet day. Heidi and I attended a film screening in the afternoon, but that's for the next post.
I am becoming quite convinced that I will never get a photo of my child with a smile, looking at the camera, eyes OPEN and in a nice setting (and with a decent camera). It's getting really frustrating. The kid never stops moving. I've taken more great photos than I can count of my niece and nephews over the years, but I can't seem to get just ONE frame-worthy picture of Catherine. And I'm not paying a professional to try until I'm convinced enough that she'll stop moving for 1/18th of a second.
A happy belated birthday to my girl. We celebrated plenty on the big day, but with Heidi’s visit, Easter and packing to meet family at the Outer Banks, I just didn’t get anything up until now.
First, I can’t believe how quickly the past two years have passed by. At the same time, April 10, 2007 seems like ages ago. Catherine Sophia Sluder practically crawled right out of me that day, and she has not stopped moving since! Seriously, I’m convinced that I’m doomed to never get a photograph of this child in which she’s not in motion. Heidi and I attempted a shoot with my 35mm, but I haven’t taken them to be developed (not that I think any of them will have turned out!).
Catherine still talks a lot and is a busy little beaver. She loves to be around other children, particularly older ones. Some of her cute new words are “snuggle,” AWESOME!” and "booger." Most of the time she’s so sweet, but she has already thrown a temper tantrum or two … or ten. We’ve implemented timeouts and the “naughty stool” over the past few months, and for the most part, the mere threat of timeout is enough to stop her in her tracks. Mealtime remains the most challenging time of the day. She won’t sit at the table for more than five minutes, so most of the time we end up eating without her. Any old pros can feel free to offer up suggestions on that one.
At her 2-year check up, her doctor continued to be pleased with how well she has been. In the entire past year, the only time I took her for a sick visit was to make sure she didn’t have a sinus infection before we left for Disney World (she was fine). Catherine is still long and lean: 33.5 inches and only 22.6 pounds! Her tiny frame hasn’t caused the doctor much concern. I was a munchkin of a toddler, too, and it’s largely genetic. Plus, if I ran around as much as Catherine does, I’d be skinny, too!
We took advantage of Catherine’s birthday being near Easter this year by having an Easter Egg hunt. Rain was in the forecast, but it held off for just long enough for us to finish the party. Catherine and a bunch of friends (both big and small) raced around the clubhouse in our subdivision to scoop up some loot, and everyone seemed to come away with plenty! In particular, Catherine loved the tricked-out tricycle from Nonna and Grandpa Jim. She also has been enjoying some new puzzles and books. I’m looking forward to some warmer weather so we can bust out the water table that Nonno got her. She’s always trying to play with the hose in the back yard, so I’m sure the water table will provide hours of entertainment this spring and summer.
Dan Rutledge has produced a short video about our recent trip to Liberia. To view it click here and then click on "View our Video" on the left side of the page.
Dan (who is a filmmaker) also wrote a little piece about it on Angel's blog. Click here to read.
We're just one little family trying to be faithful where the Lord has planted us. With our family and friends spread across the country and around the globe, this is a great way to share our lives with them.
Can't start too early!
How many times do I have to do this?
Below: The empty drawer Above: Some of Catherine's favorite "toys" from the drawer
Catherine's name in Jell-O jigglers
These are just a few recent photos. We went to Matt & Gwyn's for July 4th, and of course I barely took any photos. We brought Carlo back to spend the week with us and had a great time with him. Again, almost no photos. Catherine and I spent the day with my dear, old friend (not old in age) Becky in Raleigh when we went to meet Gwyn to exchange Carlo. Yep, not a single photo. Catherine was a complete cranky pants that day, but I sure enjoyed spending several hours with Becky and her children (and Brent for a short while before we hit the road).
