Perspectives

I must admit that I have the tendency to let small things bother me a whole lot more than they should.  This is something I have been trying to work on and it takes events like the one I experienced tonight to remind me that I should sweat the small stuff in life.

For some reason, I volunteered to decorate two sheet cakes for our annual Valentine's dance at school.  I have been dreading doing this because I have a lot on my plate right now.  I was in the middle of making the icing for them about 5 o'clock this evening when my cell phone rang.  I immediately washed my hands, and seeing that it was a co-worker and friend of mine, John, I answered it.  I figured it was something about the after school program that we do together, but when I answered the phone I knew something was wrong.  He told me that his best friend, Josh, who is also a co-worker had been in a terrible accident where he was ejected from his vehicle and was airlifted to the hospital.  He told me to start praying and I told him to keep me posted.  After hanging up, I immediately lifted Josh up in prayer and with knots in my stomach waited for John to call me back when he had any further information.  Thirty minutes later John texted me to let me know Josh was talking and all vitals were good.  He then called me and told me that Josh has a broken hip, was very sore, and has a long recovery ahead of him.  We talked about how God was watching over Josh and we praised the Lord His protection.

The events of tonight have really made me realize that I let small, trivial things in life bother me and thus, I lose focus on the important things in my life.  Life is so precious and no one is guaranteed tomorrow.  While I am still hurting for Josh and the recovery he has ahead of him, I thank God that He was there in this situation.  I also praise God that he used Josh's wreak the remind me that I need to let the small things go and be thankful for what He has given me.   I even praise him for the ability to decorate cakes for a middle school dance. ;)

2 Year Evaluation

Makenna had her 2 year assessment tonight with our Parents As Teachers educator, Jill.  She did outstanding--she didn't get a perfect only because she refused to draw a straight line on a piece of paper even though she is fully capable of doing so.  Jill was amazed at Makenna's talking, vocabulary, letter recgonition  and couldn't believe she is fully potty trained.  At this age, most kids are saying two to three word phrases.  Makenna says complete, complex sentences.  Needless to say, Justin and I are very proud of our little girl.  Jill also helped ease my worries about Makenna not doing things, such as counting, singing her ABC's, etc. when asked to do so.  She explained that she sees this a lot in kids who tend to be perfectionists (I don't know where Makenna got that from) because they are afraid to make mistakes.  I completely understand this because she was completely describing me.  While I know I can't change how my child is wired, I will now try to do all I can to teach Makenna that is okay to make mistakes and encourage her to not be afraid to do things because she is fearful of not being perfect. 

2 Year Check-Up and Thankfulness

The Coffer family is very glad this past week is behind us.  The week didn't start off too bad, but at the end of the week Justin and I both endured some frustrations and worries at both of our jobs.  If I went into a lot of detail about it this post would take you about an hour to read.  So, let's just say we are both VERY thankful for our jobs even though they can be frustrating at times.

Makenna had her 2 year check-up this week.  She weighed in at 23 lbs. and 2 oz. which is the 5th percentile.  However, she is in the 75th percentile on her height at 34 1/2 inches tall.  Her vocabulary continues to expand and her letter and color recognition is also improving.  While she was coloring in the bathtub the other night with her bath crayons she drew an S and said "Mommy, look at my S."  I was pretty shocked at this, but very proud at the same time.  Makenna is just growing up so fast.  But perhaps the biggest news is that Makenna is now fully potty trained and she only wears pull-ups during naps and at night. YIPPEE!!! 

We don't have big plans for the weekend--just hanging at togehter and relaxing after our stressful week.  I have some school work to do that is on my agenda, but that will probably be put off until tomorrow afternoon. 

Makenna's 2nd Birthday Pictures

Click here to view these pictures larger

Look at the Changes

From this...

To this...

To this...

Happy 2nd Birthday, Makenna!  I can't believe that our little girl is now 2!  Justin and I have had so much fun with her over the past few years and we can't wait to see her grow and mature as the years go by.  She is a very special young lady and we are blessed to have her as a daughter.

Snow Days #2 and 3 and Birthday Preparations

Makenna and I have been enjoying two more days at home.  My school was cancelled yesterday and today due to snow and frigid temperatures so I have had more time than expected to get things ready for Makenna's birthday party tomorrow afternoon.  I can't believe her birthday is almost here and she will be two!  We are having an Elmo party and I am taking a break right now from decorating the cake.  (Don't worry, pictures will follow.)  She is already talking about her friends who will be coming and I can tell she is super excited for more presents.  I can't wait to see her reaction when we bring in her new pink Radio Flyer tricycle or when she open the Sesame Street Adventures book that is personalized with her picture throughout it.  On Sunday, which is her actual birthday, we are planning on making our first visit to Build-A-Bear after church.  That should be quite an experience.  I have enjoyed being able to walk past that place in the mall without Makenna throwing a fit to go in because she has idea what it is, but I have a feeling that is about to change.   I will post pictures of all the birthday festivities, but for now stay warm everyone here in the Midwest.

Snow Day

No school for me today so Makenna and I are just being lazy around the house and playing.  It is now going to be even harder to go back to work, but I must admit that the extra day is nice.  Tonight we plan on hitting Sam's to pick stuff up for Makenna's birthday party.  We also plan on going to the grocery store since we haven't been in 3 weeks.  We need to stock up since more snow is in the forecast for the middle of the week.  I just hope it comes and goes by Saturday so that family can get here for the party.

Here are a few pictures I took when we went outside yesterday and played in the snow.  Makenna loved putting on her boots and by the end she was even picking the snow up and throwing it.  That is a lot a progress compared to last year when we she wouldn't walk in it and we had to put a towel down for her to sit on.  (See the last picture)

Hello 2010

I can't believe 2010 is already here.  As I type this post, I am looking out the window at snow falling onto the already snow covered ground.  The snow would be the reason I am posting now and why we are not at church. 

The new year means the end of my winter break--I go back to work tomorrow :(.  It also means making resolutions.  Justin and I have established some personal and family goals for the new year and I hope we fulfill most if not all of them.  But most exciting, the new year means the coming of Makenna's birthday.  This week we will be preparing for her Elmo birthday party and enjoying her last week of being one.

We are hoping to get out and enjoy the snow this afternoon.  I will post pics if we do.  

Holiday Pictures

Here are just a few Christmas pictures.   Enjoy!

Opening her stocking

She loves her castle

Still playing with the castle

Kissing Clifford

Surprised look

For Mom

Meeting Molly--She loves her, too

Cute picture

She was a bit afraid of a worm from her Papa

    

Making our Happy Birthday Jesus cake--it is a tradition that we make

one and leave a piece for Santa

The finished product

Checking out what Santa brought her

Working hard to open her gifts

Showing off her Mickey Mouse laptop

Her Sesame Street friends--she now loves Grover

Still opening

Makenna with her Great-Granddad, Glen

Playing with a Play-Doh set

Makenna's dollhouse made with love by Aunt Sheila

Inside the dollhouse

Holiday Rewind

What a crazy week it has been.  I am a bit sad that the holidays are over, but we are thankful we got to see a lot of family and friends and spend the holidays with them.  Once again, Makenna got way too many toys and our living still looks like a mini-ToysRUs because she keeps dragging out her new things.  However, she is only young for a short while and we are glad she is enjoying what everyone got her.  She especially is enjoying her new baby doll, Molly.  She enjoys feeding her, rocking her, and just taking good care of her.  And it will just be a week and a half until she gets her birthday gifts.  Luckily, she isn't getting many toys from us.

Makenna and I are enjoying spending our time together this week.  Next week it is back to work and daycare, but until then we are having fun.  Today, I took her to get her 2 year pictures taken and then went shopping for supplies for her Elmo birthday party.  Tonight, when Justin gets home we are going out to eat so we can use a gift card we got for Christmas.  We are then going shopping to use some other gift cards we received as gifts.  I hope to get some good post-holiday deals.  Tomorrow, we won't be going anywhere because I have to stay here and wait for the DirectTV to come and install our new service.  Justin received an incredible deal in the mail from them (which includes a $100 Visa card so happy shopping to me) so we are cancelling our DishNetwork and picking them up.  We aren't sure of our plans for New Year's Eve yet, but whatever we do we will have fun.  I think Makenna is going to stay with her Nana so that Justin and I can enjoy an evening without having to worry about her.  I don't know what the rest of the week will bring, but I know that I will be sad when Monday comes and I have to return to work.  However, it won't be long until Spring Break and then summer vacation so I know I can make it.

I will try to post holiday pictures when I get them edited.