I enjoyed looking back at 2008 and remembering all of the firsts I experienced. I wrote about a lot of them. One thing that I didn't write about was making my very first (small) quilt. Maybe I'll try and make another this year. Anyway, I hope to come back to this post (a lot) and add new, exciting things. Here is my start:
January 2009
1. I gave up fast food, soda, and sweets. Today is day 28. I'm hoping to go far with this.
2. First weekend get away (alone!)- 23rd-25th. Went to Perryville and stayed with Rie Rie.
3. Canned for the first time. Rie Rie and I made apple pie filling and raspberry jam. The pie leaked! We froze it though. I'm not giving up on it!
4. First snowfall 12th-14th. I love snow!!!
5. First death and hopefully the last. Our neighbor Mike Humbolt. He was found slumped over in his car on the side of the highway. I think he had a heart attack and he was only 37. We still are having a hard time accepting this. It just doesn't seem possible.
6. Went to Hope Vineyard on 18th. Wrote about it. Enjoyed it.
7. First movie of the year for the girls-Bedtime Stories
8. First Birthday Dinner-Texas Road House-way too much fun! Bring on the saddle!
9. Took the girls to the Longhorn Rodeo. We made stick ponies that turned out super cute.
10. Audrey had a slumber party to celebrate her 8th birthday which fell on a Friday this year. Katie, Vanya, Madeline, Faith, and Mackenzie came. Julie and Jayna came by for a while as well. Cowboy boot pinata, a 3 tiered birthday/wedding cake, neon hairspray, and Open Season II made for a fun party.
February!
1. Went to orientation for Missouri Master Naturalist Class. I'm excited! and nervous.
2. Started ARCHE homeschool workshops. Aud is taking Art Basics, Birds in the Backyard, P.E.
Ava is taking Waking Up Singing for Jesus, Learning is Fun. I am helping in the Art class and a Shakespeare class. I think I'm going to read Shakespeare for the first time...
3. Went to the shooting range for the first time this year. I started shooting almost exactly a year ago! Now I LOVE shooting! I still love the Colt Revolver, but suddenly I'm finding that the Glock is fun in a different way. I think we're going again to celebrate Valentine's Day (plus BBQ).
4. I made marshmallow fondant for the first time. I'm excited to be working with it. I'm going to make doggie faced cupcakes using it for the Dog Parade this weekend.
3. Went to the shooting range for the first time this year. I started shooting almost exactly a year ago! Now I LOVE shooting! I still love the Colt Revolver, but suddenly I'm finding that the Glock is fun in a different way. I think we're going again to celebrate Valentine's Day (plus BBQ).
4. I made marshmallow fondant for the first time. I'm excited to be working with it. I'm going to make doggie faced cupcakes using it for the Dog Parade this weekend.
5. Valentine's Day-hit the shooting range in the a.m. Had a lot of fun. Celebrated Faith's 6th birthday. Made poodle and bull dog cupcakes with fondant for like 6 hours!! Turned out super cute!
6. 15th-Dog Parade! The girlies and I went to the bar for the annual Soulard Dog Parade. What could possibly be more fun than thousands of dog loving folks parading their dressed up doggies on the streets of Soulard? Everyone is positively dog crazy. The girls pet many a pooch and took gobs of pictures. We left wanting (me) a Neapolitan Mastiff, (Audrey and Ava) a Great Dane and a Pug.
7. Went to the PBR on Saturday night. It was my second time-Eric and the girls first time. It was so much fun! Denny and Lyn chauffeured us in the bar's shuttle. It was a wonderful family night, and I can't wait to go again next year!
March!
1. Well it is March 2nd and I just thought I should acknowledge the fact. Silly. Well, it is 7:30 pm. Eric is tying flies, the girls are in bed very early (punishment for giving me fits today), and I'm watching Harry Potter pick out his wand. I love Harry Potter...The Phoenix tail feather is in his wand...His wand's brother gave him his scar... The wand chooses the wizard. Oh, Hagrid just gave Harry his birthday present-an owl! Lucky boy!
2. 9th-My baby is four years old. Four is officially big girl-not baby girl. I'll never have a "baby" again. I can't handle it! Sweetie chose a Tinkerbell birthday cake with yellow cake. She got a dragon from Aunt Cory that she promptly named Scientist. She also got a blackish, gray unicorn which she named Princess. She got a rainbow colored snake pulley and a host of other snakes. We bought her an early present from Chuck's Boots-pink cowgirl boots that have stars that light up when she walks.
3. 20th-first day of Spring! Aunt Rie came up and we all went to the Botanical Garden. It was a perfect day. We bought sour cream and onion flavored crickets and Audrey ate 3! My kids are so much cooler than I am! One day they will know this...
I think I'm losing interest in this. It is April 24th and this is my first post...
April 20-Went hunting for the very first time with Jimbo. As I started my car to go pick him up, (a little after 4 a.m) Country Girl by Jason Aldean was playing on the radio-perfect!
Why didn't anyone tell me that hunting is really just awesome hiking with shotguns? I loved the Indian Paintbrush-it was everywhere. Saw two hens in a big open field. It was nice just to watch them forage for food. Didn't see any Toms. Can't wait to go again!
April 23-Dad took me on a daddy/daughter date. We went to the Winchester Shooting Range in East Alton. Had a great time. The range officer-Bob Webb, was super helpful. He let me shoot his .357 (Smith and Wesson) a lot. It had a mounted scope with a laser. Wicked. I had never shot targets so far away before (25 yards). Kind of different...
April 24-My first independent trip (no hubby or kids). Going with Bulie to Eminence. I am so excited! I want to move to Eminence SOOO badly!
Here it is May 26th...I hope I can remember something I've done this month...
May 19th I graduated an officially became a Missouri Master Naturalist (intern). We chose the name Mirimigua. I'm sure I misspelled the name.
21st- Eric and Audrey killed one destructive mole. See the Flush and Stomp Method for the complete story.
19th Mom, the girls, and I saw my Daddy off (again) to join the Run for the Wall at Jefferson Barracks Veteran's Hospital. Wrote a story about this, too.
9th and 10th- Mother's Day Weekend-Extravaganza! Way too much fun! Mom, Beth and her girls, me and my girls, and Donna Honey met and had breakfast on the 9th at the Blue Owl. Always a good time. Went on a drive and ended up in Caldonia. Ate at a yummy bbq place. Shopped at the Mercantile and bought lots of candy, an Imperial sugar sack, a super cute wicker summer purse, and a metal horse sign. Fun! Also viewed all of the insane storm damage. I had never seen anything like it. So many uprooted trees-a natural occurrence creating tip up mounds- new knowledge from my master naturalist class.
10th went to Busch Conservation Area. Shot trap for free (Mom's who bring their families got to shoot for free!). We also fished. Not a lot happening, but fun all of the same. I couldn't stop telling my family thank you for the most incredible weekend.
Oh, goodness, I just looked at the calender. Um, May first? That was my 10 year wedding anniversary. Kind of important. Mellow. Shot trap at Henges ( I sucked so bad, it isn't even funny). Antiqued-no treasures. Lunch in Eureka at Chick in Elly's? No, that isn't it... Dinner was at Schlaffley Bootleworks. We had smoked trout which is also what we had on our 5 year anniversary at Riddles. Also, Lobster Risotto. Went to Sqwires for dessert. Some insane flourless, chocolate encrusted cake. Wow.
23rd Eric fished and I watched my nieces. We found an Eastern American Toad in the backyard and it was the hit of the entire day. The girls fussed over it like it was a baby made of diamonds. Faith kept kissing it. Madeline said it was broken because it wouldn't turn into a prince. The kiss/prince thing must only work on frogs and not toads.
15th Bethy's 35th birthday. Shot trap with her and dad at Henges. I completely sucked-AGAIN. Antiqued-nothing-AGAIN. Michelle and Sherman came in from Eminence and spent the night with mom and dad before flying out to North Carolina. We had a lovely visit. Audrey and Sherman talked horses all night.
24th had a bbq. Mom, Beth, Jim, and the girls. Made a gouda potato casserole. Keeper! Also made a raspberry buttermilk cake-perfection!
20th Met Andrea and Audrey at Laumiere Sculpture Park. Breezy, sunny day. We all enjoyed ourselves. Ran into John Hartmann and his daughter at the big red sculpture. Weird. I mean, the chances of running into him, there. Astounding mathematically speaking.
Oh, the 16th!!! Field trip to Shaw Nature Reserve with my naturalist class. One of the most amazing days of my life. Really. Hiked and saw the prairies, wetlands, woodlands... The lily pads blooming in the ponds-all breathtaking! Also, saw shooting stars (the wildflowers). I had been hoping to see some and I did. I also saw cup plants. Pretty neat-they have square stems. I bought the book Last Child in the Woods at the visitor's center at SNR. Each page is like scripture. I am amazed and absorbed into this book in a new way.
25th Dad came home from D.C. safely. Thank you God!
29th-Completed first year of homeschooling!!
June 1st- Oh, posting on the first day of the month...what? So my exciting news is my very first capstone project has been confirmed! I'll be going the 19th and 26th to Earth's Classroom to prepare land for a fall burn. I'm to bring pruning sheers, a handsaw, sturdy boots, gloves, and lots of water. A new adventure-yea!
6th- Went on an awesome family hike at Shaw Nature Reserve. It was super breezy and beautiful. The girls surprised and impressed me with their observations, questions, and interest in everything. Audrey caught a butterfly and was very excited. We took pictures of squirrels and flowers too. The girls were SO good! They didn't cry or freak out about the length of the walk!!!
7th- Attended Faith Church St. Louis. It was good. Eric took Audrey to her Kid's Gone Fishing Class and afterward, he took Audrey and Ava to see the movie Up. Mark and Mackenzie met them for both fishing and the movie!
July 7
Well, I kind of forgot about this. Again! I HAVE been recording a lot under "volunteer" in this diary. So I don't feel too terribly bad.
Let's see, um, I have my very first case of poison ivy. That is not only a "first time in 2009" entry, but a "never before in my entire life..." entry. I never want to get poison ivy again. It sucks beyond any thing I ever imagined. I mean, oozing blisters? Enough said.
Last night (the 6th), Eric, Cory, Jason and I went to Mangia for dinner. I would love to go back. It was super laid back, and yummy. My favorite kind of place. Now Eric and Jason need to secure their business!
Afterwards, we went to see Meet Me in St. Louis at the Muny. This was our birthday present to Cory. It was terrific. I loved the trolley and the rotating stage. At the end, when they are all at the World's Fair, they set off a lot of fireworks. What a lovely surprise! The moon was full and the weather could not have been more perfect. Sweet memory.
June 29th-July 3rd
Audrey attended horse camp at Greensfelder Stables. This was her second time attending the camp. She had Lu Lu (a horse) again. That made her very happy. Nothing compares to seeing one's child so excited about something. The girl barely slept the entire week. She was so rearing to go every morning and too excited to sleep at night. Oh, I wish she had her very own horse that she could ride and love on a a daily basis. I think she wants to name her horse Rosabelle. I love the name!
July 3
We went to the Jefferson Barracks fireworks display. Gorgeous and a lot of fun. Can't wait to back next year!
July 14
Took Audrey to her first 4-H club meeting. It meets in Eureka at a Methodist Church on the Main Street of the area.
July 20
Eric and I went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. My first movie (in a theatre) this year. Very good!
July 22
Eric and I went to Henges and shot trap. I finally did good (for me)! I want to be consistently good! The girls are attending VBS at First Baptist Church of Pevely
July 16-19
Eric, Audrey, Mark, and Mackenzie King went on a daddy/daughter float trip. They scored the prized campsite on the Current River at Two Rivers Campground. Floated the Current on Friday-Aud's first canoe trip (last year we used a raft). They walked around Alley Spring in the late afternoon. They visited with Sherman and Michelle as well. Saturday they went to Twin Pines Conservation Center and fished. Eric said he saw three big water moccasins. One actually was behind him and slithered between his legs and into the water while he was fishing. Yikes! They hiked to Greer Spring afterwards. They also discovered McCormack Lake. Eric wants to go back there again. The girls spent the night at Sherman and Michelle's cabin with Audrey and Autumn. Sunday they all attended Horner Church. Afterwards, they went to Sherman and Michelle's farm and rode horses. Audrey got to see her Missy. Before going home they went to Blue Spring. My girl loves the country like her momma. Eric said she cried the whole way home!
August 16
My first post of the month? Yikes!
8th-attended Jeur de Fete in St. Genevieve with Rie Rie. Not particularly inspiring this year. My fav store-Ivy and Twigs closed half their store and kept the boring half! I did buy two little ornament thingys made of pine needles. One has a section of a walnut in the center, the other a woven design made out of raffia. Good Christmas presents.
9th and 16th-Shot trap. I LOVE shooting trap. Maybe one day I will actually be good at it.
13th- Audrey's very first riding lesson. She has attended week long horse camps for the past year, but this was a one hour private lesson-WOW!
7th-Mom had surgery to repair 5 hernias! She did well. Thank You God!
3rd-Minnette's memorial and burial. Sad.
16th The last day I will be 36 years old. It has been a good year. I can only hope that 37 is even better. I should be excited, but I'm not. Tomorrow is a Monday and it doesn't feel special. Mom is still recovering from surgery... Eric said he would take the day off to spend with me and then "forgot" ever saying that-of course he did. I'm just disappointed. For me, it's nice to celebrate one's birthday a couple of days after the fact, but a mediocre birthDAY is sad. I'm trying to be positive. I just feel a little lonely. Last year my sis-in-law didn't even call me. Not even a week later. I'm totally being stupid and feeling sorry for myself. Enough.
It is November 9th! Stopped this for a while. Maybe I'll fill in the blanks later... probably not, but you never know. Gosh, my last post was a bit pathetic and my birthday turned out AMAZING! It has been months since that 17th on a Monday, but here's what I remember. It was raining! I love, love rain! I volunteered at Shaw Nature Reserve. I had the task of hiking to the lake by the Outdoor Explore Classroom and cutting down a piece of bamboo to use to detangle the flag in the rain garden. It was seriously magical. I walked into all of that bamboo by the edge of the lake in the rain... perfection. I felt like that morning was my birthday present from God. I truly did (and do)! Thank you God!
The next most amazing thing ever.... my hubby surprised me with tickets to see Mary Poppins at The Fox plus dinner at the Tap Room. Um, insane! Mary Poppins-one of my favorite movies EVER. It was extraordinary! The set, the cast, the costumes, the flying over the crowd! The most perfect birthday. So sweet. No comment on the sil thing-again!
November 9th-
Second post of the day! I also wanted to mention how awesome my mom is. Like spoil my girls rotten awesome. For the past two days, my mom has taken us shopping for Christmas dresses. Audrey and Ava both got two dresses. Ava's favorite is a velvety bright pink glittery dress with fur cuffs and trim. It has a cute little skinny belt with a buckle too. Very Cindy Lou Who! She also got a black and white dress. Madeline bought the same exact one too. It has polka dots on the skirt. Sweet!
Audrey got a turquoise (only her favorite color!) dress with sparkles and bows. She is in LOVE with this baby. When we were shopping and trying on dresses, she looks at me after looking at herself in the mirror (in a different dress) and says, "Mom, I just don't feel like Audrey in this dress."! Wow! Are all girls like this? I am and so is my girl. I love that she has a strong sense of her (fashion) identity at such a young age. I guess she has had it for a long time really... I guess how she phrased that just hit me.
Audrey's second dress is perfection. Like I might cry it is so perfect. When Audrey was five years old we went shopping for her Christmas dress at Penny's (the same place my mom took her). I was so excited to pick out her dress. I just figured she would wear whatever I fell in love with. She tried on MANY dresses. After looking around again, she spotted this golden number. A very simple, elegant golden dress. Golden? I don't look good in yellows so I never look at those color of dresses. But we were shopping for Audrey and not for me and guess what. My girl looks like she was born to wear yellows. She is positively transformed.
Just like when she was five, we found a golden dress. If eight year olds got married when they were eight, she would wear this dress. She looks like royalty in it. She really does. She put it on for her daddy and he was awestruck by our girl. She is our golden girl for sure! I told her that we are going to go out to a fancy dinner so that she and her sissy (and me!) can wear our beautiful dresses. I can't wait!
5th and 12th
Audrey and I took riding lessons together at Greensfelder Stable. Audrey has been taking lessons, but I just started. Amazing! I love it! Riding a horse isn't as easy as it looks. Not at all. 5th-picked a horse's hooves for the first time-smelly and awkward. 12th Trotted for the first time! Oh my, awesome!! Posted too. I need to work on my riding posture-don't arch back and tuck my butt in under me...?!
Backtracking a bit (using the calendar...)
September 22
Advanced Training in Prescribed Fires at the Sullivan Fire Department.
October 21
Sighted in a rifle for the first time at Henges with Beth. We are going on a super cool, super free, women's deer hunt soon.
23rd Harvest Party with ARCHE. Audrey dressed in her devil costume that I made-minus the horns and pitchfork. Ava was an asian princess. She won first prize for her costume!
24th Attended the Un-Haunted Halloween at Shaw Nature Reserve. Very Fun!
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