tales from a far-land

Four years ago today, Madilyn Rae Landers entered this world.  She is even more amazing, beautiful, witty, bright, kind and precocious than we could have ever imagined.  We cannot wait to see what dreams and goals this world has for our BIG, little girl.  We have no doubt that she will fulfill any desire she sets and any dream she can imagine. Happy Birthday, our Little Princess!   Keep wishing upon the stars and all of your dreams will come true! At Birth 1st Birthday 2nd Birthday 3rd Birthday 4th Birthday 

Over fifteen years ago, I welcomed an adorable, spunky ball of fluff into my life.  Based upon her fluffy demeanor, I, without doubt, named her Teddie Bear.  She was my first puppy ever.  I had dogs growing up, but Teddie was my first "baby".  However, from day one, she had several "Mommies".  I recall getting her in October of 1998, the fall after I graduated college.  I was just about to purchase my first house/condo and I was working at UnitedHealthCare.  Due to my long working days, my mom helped dog-sit Teddie during the day she wouldn't be all by herself for more than ten hours a day.  It was a perfect arrangement.  Teddie played with the other family dogs, snuggled with my mom and in return, my puppy was instantly potty trained.  A couple of months later, a new puppy (Pooh Bear) came to live at our house.  By then Teddie was the matriarch of the house.  She taught Pooh the ropes....

The kids had an enjoyable and "sweet" Valentine's Day.  Preschool celebrated the holiday with a party in each of the kids' rooms.  The kids were tasked with bringing in Valentines for each of their friends in the classroom.  While the parents made sure that there were enough sweets and snacks for the kids to enjoy during the party.  Aiden, particularly, enjoyed eating and wearing all of the tasty food. The cupcakes were his favorite!   The kids' holiday wear ... Aiden eating a cupcake  Madi and Aiden enjoying the party Aiden with his "other" family, the Stocketts

Last Sunday while Josh was mowing the lawn and I was working on a project inside, the kids decided they wanted to play out on the swing set.  Everything was normal, until I heard Madilyn and Aiden calling for "Daddy, Daddy".  I noticed Josh run across the lawn, pick up Aiden, and yelled to me for assistance. Aiden's face was covered in blood.  I really wish that I had taken a picture of him at that moment, but I had other things on my mind.  He had blood coming down his forehead, nose and coming out of his eye.  It looked pretty awful and Josh immediately wanted to go to Urgent Care.  I took Aiden into the kitchen to start cleaning off the blood to assess the situation.  After cleaning him up, we realized the wounds were not as dire as it may have seemed.  He had a nice little gash on his eyelid and a big bump on his forehead.  We thought the gash on his eyelid may need stitches, so we loaded the kids up in the car and headed to Urgent Care....

Tonight is the last class of my Introduction to Judaism course.  All of my course work is completed.  I have turned in all of my homework, took the final exam, and attended three different temple's Shabbat services.  I just cannot believe how fast the eighteen weeks have passed.  I have really enjoyed this opportunity and am a little sad that it is over.  Thank you to my husband who watched the kids so I could have an educational night out!  It has reminded me how much I love to learn.  I really enjoy being a student and taking classes to learn new things.  Plus, it opened my eyes to traditions and cultures that I would like to share with my children and family.  And although the class is over, I am very excited to continue on my journey of Judaism and explore how I may want to include it more in my life moving forward.   As you probably noticed, life became a little busy and I was not able to post every week's journal assignment. ...

Happy New Year from the Farrell-Landers!  We are so grateful to have spent New Year's Eve with our dear friends Christy, Brandon and Melinda.  The evening was filled with fondue, Jenga, and a midnight toast! Cannot wait to see what blessings and joys 2014 will bring. Aiden's New Year Mask  NYE Photo of the Kids Now she wanted to smile ...  Christy and Brandon  Melinda and I  Josh and I   Grapes and Champagne ~ A Toast to a Sweet Year!

Last Saturday was Grandma and Grandpa Landers' joint birthdays.  And sadly, it was also their last evening in town.  To celebrate, we all gathered for dinner at our house.  Before dinner, the kids wanted to play one of the new board games they received for Christmas and to ride their bicycles on the driveway.  And before the kids went to bed, Grandpa and Grandma read them a couple of bedtime stories. Playing Gallop with Aunt Alisha and Grandma    Aunt Alisha and Aiden  Grandma, Aunt Alisha and Madi  Aiden on his bike Grandpa and Aiden fixing a bike     

Annually, we have made it a tradition to go to the Fiesta Bowl Parade.  This year was no different.  We are very lucky that the Maxwell family lives right now the street and they save enough seats for all of us to have a perfect view of the parade.  The kids are really starting to become more interested in watching the parade.  It is really cute to watch them interact as the floats and marching bands as they pass by.  Fun times! Keaton and Simon  Aiden hiding from the camera  Poor Maelyn she wasn't feeling well  Paige and Maelyn  Teagan  Nancy, Paige and Kathy  All of the kids watching the parade  Madi  Madi showing me her Fiesta Bowl sticker  Aiden and Madi  Watching the parade