The girls and I just made the best supper ever! In fact, both Katelyn and Sarah told me I should be a cook when I grow up. Katelyn asked what kind of meat we were eating and Sarah responded with this: "When it's alive, we call it pig. When it's dead, we call it pork." Pork chops, mashed potatoes and squash pie. Then we had fruit salad and zucchini bread for dessert. I am so the favorite for a while. Lizzie ate some potatoes and squash pie. She kicked her feet and licked her face after the first bite. She's watching her daddy iron right now.

Lizzie and I had a great day today. She likes to be held, but there comes a point when she is ready to be put down and left alone. She voices that by a loud "Wah." No tears. No sobs. Just "Wah." I'm thinking that translated into grown-up speech means "Now." Sarah and Katelyn helped me today at Wal-Mart and while fixing supper. I am so proud of them. You know they are just regular kids. They fight. They get in trouble at school. They do things that embarrass their mother in public. They also try to lie and disobey. But when I stop and count my blessings concerning my children, I am reminded at how helpful, caring, funny, tender and loving they both are.

This week has started off busy! School is in full swing now. Daddy and LizBeth days are in full swing too. LizBeth has officially said her name is "Lizzie." Well, not said in so many words, but if you say LizBeth, Elizabeth or Liz - you get no response. However, if you say Lizzie, she whips her head around so fast. She probably thinks you might have a snack for her:)

We are so excited about finally getting Lizzie's stroller this Thursday. It's been 10 months since we ordered it, and it will be delivered to our house on Thursday. Someone will come with our PT to fit Lizzie to the chair and make any necessary adjustments. I can already tell you that Liz is not as excited as we are. Work = allergic reaction:)

My dad was able to come and visit with us for a bit last night. He has a job interview in Dalhart, so he flew in yesterday and was able to come to church with us last night. We went to Braums for supper and dessert. You can't go to Braums and just eat a hamburger:) When we came back to the house to visit, Katelyn and Sarah pounced on Poppy and showed him all their homework papers!Lizzie turned over by herself. She looks like she's ready to Army low crawl! That's part of Stacy's obstacle course for Private Liz.

Lizzie is having Crazy Hair Day!

My Classroom - Picture 1

My Classroom - Picture 2

My Classroom - Picture 3

My Classroom - Picture 4

Today was exhausting and exciting all at the same time. Poor Katelyn has two huge canker sores inside her upper lip. It looks like she's been smacked in the mouth. She can't hardly talk. I feel sorry for her. Lizzie says I'm the favorite. Not her Nanas. Not her Daddy. Not even her Kayla. Just me:) Since I am writing the blog, I can say that. She is so much more active - even more than last week. She kicks constantly and really likes to giggle. She can hear her sisters in another room and just roll with laughter.

Well, after reading my cousin A.J.'s blog, I feel rather out-blogged!:) She does a great job, and thankfully, posted a picture of me that looks decent! We went to visit her and her boys in July while driving through Arkansas. It was a lot of fun, but now I have a lot of pictures and blogging to do to catch up!

The girls went to the fair with a friend of theirs. They were so excited to go. In fact, they left without a hug, a kiss, or a goodbye:( Lizzie and I are supposed to be doing housework, and will get around to it eventually I'm sure. LizBeth is such a momma's girl. If you talk to Stacy, he will say otherwise, but I'm pretty sure he's just delusional!

Here are some pictures from the first day of school this year. As you can see, we were all very excited. However, by Day 2, Sarah was ready to stay home:)

Katelyn's First Day of Third Grade

Sarah's First Day of Second Grade

Katelyn and Sarah

My First Day of the Second Year of Teaching Preschool

All Three Rosses Headed to School
Daddy and LizBeth Days Are Back

The girls enjoyed another day at school. Katelyn's class got to go to the Texas County Fair this afternoon. She got "lots of free stuff to bring home." Sarah got her name on the board, so she isn't going back tomorrow:) I didn't tell her that her daddy got a spanking every year of school except third grade - so getting her name on the board was a good day in the Ross Family!

Lizzie was in a good mood until shortly after PT this afternoon. She did a great job while the therapists were here, but has pretty much fussed since then. Hopefully, she will be able to sleep well tonight. Of all the toys we have purchased for her b/c of her developmental delays, she wants to play with a camouflage doo-rag that belongs to Katelyn. How funny! That's what she's chewing on right now.

I will be teaching tomorrow, so I have to go to bed as early as possible. You know a room full little curious three year olds can wear a thiry year old flat out:)

Today was the first day of school. Katelyn was up at 6:30, followed by Sarah at 6:45, and Lizzie at 7:00. She never gets up at 7:00 anymore! I guess she was ready for school too. The girls had a great first day in their classes. I had a rather hectic, but rewarding day in my class. The first day of Preschool is a little traumatic for the young ones.

Lizzie is demanding some attention - right now! So I will tend to her and hopefully get a good night's rest.

School starts tomorrow! Katelyn will be in third grade; Sarah will be in second grade; and I will be teaching K-3. Daddy and LizBeth days will start again! We are all excited and a bit nervous.

We should find out something about LizBeth's adaptive stroller on Thursday when our PT comes for therapy. Lizzie has gained one pound! She's definitely getting longer; but now she's getting some meat on her bones. We are scheduled to go back to OKC on October 8th. I'm not sure what to expect with this visit. We are supposed to begin testing for a diagnosis. After her appointment, Stacy and Lizzie will go on down to Ada for the weekend. Stacy is performing his cousin's wedding on Saturday. I will come back home so the girls and I can finish the last days before Spring Break and then make the journey to Ada. School starts tomorrow and I already have plans for Spring Break?!

Just hangin' out at Corning with my family. Pictured above is my sister, Kayla and Mom and LizBeth.

This is my Uncle Jimmy and Grandma. (My Mom's youngest brother and her Mom.)

This is more family - Scott on the floor with his son Aaron; Derek laying over the edge of the couch, my sister and Trey.

Sarah and her favorite "new" family member, Uncle Derek. He's actually her cousin, but she likes to call him uncle. In fact, she has a room ready for Derek over here in Guymon. As you can see, Nana Diane held the Princess quiet a bit in Arkansas.

We have so many pictures and stories to tell that I will probably add a little every day, so as not to overwhelm the viewers at home:) We spent the first few days in Arkansas just hangin' out and catchin' up. Grandma looked good and seemed to feel pretty good too. Katelyn and Sarah had a blast.
I am really tired after today's adventure. We were ready to leave Wichita this morning when my van wouldn't start. After what seemed like 50 attempts, it started. We were staying at a hotel right next to the mall, so we were able to drive to Sears and have them look at it. While they were working on it, Stacy and Lizzie strolled around the mall and the girls and I got a long overdue haircut. After about an hour, we were able to leave. Nothing major was wrong - just some battery corrosion. When I tried to start the van, nothing happened. We called the mechanic back out and after much deliberation determined it was the starter. It seems to have a dead spot on it, so occasionally it won't start. We did not replace it today, for fear we would never get home if we did not leave right away! Not really - the man assured us we could make it home. Stacy and I were reflecting on this situation and decided God is amazing. He took care of us in every way - even down to having good attitudes with each other! And the girls took it all in stride, even the Princess!

Today we are finally going home. The girls and I have only been home for three weeks this summer. We have had a blast! We had to stay the night in Wichita last night because Lizzie was having some teeth and tummy trouble. By that I mean she was screaming and simply would not stop. We hated to get out into the Great Plains of Kansas and have to stop. There's not much out there:)

She is feeling much better this morning. Our plans are to journey home and meet with some missionaries who are coming to visit. Then, I plan on adding pictures of our summer vacations, and some very interesting details:)