Cars and Kittens...

Okay, so here we are unveiling the Beemer!

We love it! We've put a decent amount into repairs, but far less than we would have spent on a previously owned, and run-into-the-ground piece of junk! Anyway, we are eternally grateful to our friends in the ward who helped us get our "first, second car."

So, about the cat acquisition...make it two cats in that tally. Madelyn didn't choose the one I wanted, so we got both. Funny enough, she has now decided that the long-haired calico, female is softer, and therefore, has given the orange striped, male tabby to Joshua. (This "softer" argument is nothing new.) Anyhow, meet the kittens (not yet named)...

A few of you have commented on the seemingly sudden change-of-heart I have experienced when it comes to animals (particularly the "in-house" variety). I want to comment on that. Sometimes, we do things for our children because we love them, and want to add to their happiness. If you could see Madelyn in particular, and even Joshua, play with these animals, and snuggle them...Well, it's just enough to make my heart melt with happiness. Madelyn has, for months, cried every time we left PetSmart, because she feels so bad for the caged animals. She is in heaven! And her heaven makes our zoo, a little piece of heaven on earth.

For the Birds...

So, we were just minding our own business, doing the usual Memorial Day yardwork while the kids played in the pool, when suddenly, Parrish says, excitedly, "Look at that!" We all turn, and what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a Blue Parakeet just sitting there. Yes, folks, you read that right. We proceeded to grab a wire basket, and catch that crazy bird, so we could return it to its rightful owner. Well, after two escapes once we got it in the house, I sent Parrish to the pet store for a cage. I wasn't about to have a bird flitting around my house while I searched for its owner!!

It is Friday. We have placed notes like this one in every mailbox in the neighborhood (150 homes), talked to everyone we know, even had a few calls about a missing African Grey Parrot, and well, I guess we are taking the leap, buying the bigger cage, and will officially open our menagerie! The moral of the story is that if you see a beautiful bird in your yard, and it is obviously someone's pet, just say, "Oh, that's too bad" as sincerely as you can muster, and continue with your task at hand.

But the saga continues...we have been promising Madelyn a kitten for quite some time. I tried putting it off as long as possible with talk of summer vacation and her help in caring for it, but I can avoid it no longer. School is out, and she would not accept the newly acquired bird in place of the kitten. Tomorrow we will set out to "Save-A-Pet" to find the perfect kitten. Requirements are as follows: "Chosen kitten must snuggle with humans as well as dogs, patiently tolerate grabbing, strangling, and any other torture that infants and toddlers can dish out, eternally avoid scratching any and all furniture in the home, proficiently and neatly take care of business in litterbox provided, and last, but not least...STAY AWAY FROM THE BIRD!" Once we get the kitten, our pet count will be: 1 dog, 10 fish, 1 bird, 1 cat, and 3 children. We'd love to have you come visit our zoo!

Our Crazy Life...

Okay, so here it is folks...the next big trick!! Note the drip of drool on his chin- it's his trademark. Actually, he is usually frothing at the mouth and has a river of bubbles all the way down his neck instead of a single drip so I guess we got lucky on this one! Anyway, Dallin is 5 1/2 months old and weighing in at 17 lbs, 9 oz- placing him in the 60th percentile. But since we're starting cereal and fruit, there's no telling what our next visit will bring!!!

Madelyn (now 7) and Joshua (now 4) had great bdays spent in Atlanta at the Aquarium and at the Zoo! The animals at the zoo were in rare form which made for an awesome day!!

On our way home, we stopped and picked up Aunt Carrie at the airport and she spent four days in Dothan with us... We spent Wednesday worrying slightly about forecasts of "significant weather," Thursday hanging out at the house aside from the short shopping trip late in the day, Friday was spent in Panama City, Florida at the beach where we basked in the sun and in one short hour, got slightly sunburned! Sadly, on Saturday, Carrie and I left for Atlanta for her return flight to Salt Lake. Meanwhile Parrish took the kids to the ward Easter Egg Hunt. Here are a few photos of Madelyn and Joshua in the three-legged race...and one from Easter morning.

As a side note, and in my defense regarding blogging (or rather, my lack thereof)...I was called as YW President about six weeks ago...an enormous undertaking, and overwhelming physically, emotionally, and spiritually to say the least! I guess I'm going to camp again this summer! :-)

This just in...

He did it!! No, I didn't catch the first time on video, I didn't even see it! I left Dallin in the living room playing on his back and came back to find him on his tummy!! So, THEN I pulled out the camera and coaxed another roll out of him for your viewing pleasure...

Not as exciting, but noteworthy nonetheless is my latest project...the one that has been nothing but scraps of fabric for several years...I give you (drum roll please) the Balcena family Christmas tree skirt!!! I decided that rather than pack the fabric away for yet another year, I was going to make it this year. Now, two months later, I am still not finished, but I'm getting close. Yes, I pieced together all the squares (small and large) as well as the rectangles...all of these scraps match my tree decorations as well as my homemade stockings (thanks to a Christmas workshop many years ago...) and I must admit, I am so excited with how it's turning out!

Truly Blessed...

So, as many of you know, Parrish and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary in '08! So far we don't have any big plans, although I would be happy to go snorkeling off the Florida coast, and just spend a day or two at the beach minus the other three loves in our lives...time will tell.

Anywhoo, we are still tirelessly transporting one another back and forth to work, church activities, and the like in our trusty 2001 Honda CR-V. Don't get me wrong, we love the Honda- I mean what's not to love about a car that 1.)was purchased "used" in '03, 2.)wrapped around a pole in a UM parking garage in '04 (and then unwrapped-I'm not sure what he was thinking when he put it in reverse), 3.)has added 100,000 miles to our purchase mileage as of this week, 4.)lost it's AC early in our first summer here in such a "moderate" climate, the cost of repair totalling a mere $1500 in pocket change that we are still trying to find in the couch cushions so we are yet to repair (and summer is coming soon- HERE), 5.)faithfully offers me back-and-forth trips to Fort Rucker three times a week- just so I can have the car to drive (mind you Fort Rucker is 30 minutes one way, so this little trip equates to two hours a day, three days a week spent driving Parrish to work- JUST so I can run earrands...Anywhoo...

Many people have "advised" us to get another car, but that is easier said than done- at least until tonight when Heavenly Father decided we were worthy of a miracle. Today happened to be one of the days that I drove Pears to work, went straight to work myself, went from work to getting Madelyn off the bus and taking her directly to gymnastics, driving from gymnastics to pick up Pears, and returning to Dothan to attend a relaxing, quiet bday party at Chuckie Cheese, from which we arrived home at 8:30pm. Mind you, my kids are usually in bed by 7:30.

Sorry-Back to the miracle. On our trip home from the party, my phone rings with a # I don't recognize, but answer anyway. It was our Bishop. He was doing his home teaching tonight, and the sister he was visiting asked him if anyone in the ward needed a reliable car- nothing fancy, she said, but it runs. He thought of us, as she continued..."My boyfriend has an "89 BMW that is in good condition, but is old, and he would like to donate it to someone." Yes, friends you read that right. He wants to DONATE it to someone. Bishop asked me if we wanted to take a look at it and make a decision...is he crazy?! We just want to know when we can pick it up! I keep thinking that surely I will wake up and this will be a dream, allbeit a wonderful one. And then the Spirit touches me, and I marvel once again at the Lord's mercy and love for me. And that too is a miracle. We are truly blessed.

We're back...

I was going to title this post, "Remember how this blog was supposed to help faraway friends keep up with our life, but I never update the blog because life is so crazy that I never sit down for more than five minutes at the computer unless it's with a baby in one arm and only one hand for typing?!" but that seemed a bit long and so I opted for the shorter title.

Anyway, Thanksgiving was short and sweet. Christmas was NOT white, but it was warm, wet, and wonderful!

Now for some details...Tksgvng- Was literally short lived because Dallin (at 5 wks) and I flew to DC the day after for a week spent with part of my family! My sister and her husband were sealed in the DC Temple, which was awesome, and was the primary reason for the trip, but touring DC with my parents and three younger sisters was a ton of fun!!! I didn't realize I was the least bit homesick for the North until I saw the leaves on our descent into Dulles- I cried!!! But I was happy to fly south for the winter after two days on a double-decker bus touring DC in the arctic wind!

Christmas WAS wonderful! Aside from some near misses with the oldest child and the magic of the season, we got through unscathed...and I'm pleased to announce: We still have three believers!!! Whew!

Christmas morning was cozy with our fire in the fireplace- wish the stockings had still been hung, but they were too full for the stocking hangers (Santa was pretty good to us this year!) Madelyn was excited to find not one, but four gymnastics leotards under the tree, as well as gymnastics lessons through the local Rec & Ed. Joshua was more than thrilled to receive a full set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, along with some dress up Ninja Turtle stuff- that included plastic weaponry (Thank you Santa- What were you thinking!?)

And Dallin, he enjoyed most of it...and then settled in for a long winters' nap! We did manage to catch the kids in their Christmas pjs later that night- and amazingly, got a picture of all three relatively happy at the same time!

Post Christmas- a.k.a. my birthday- was spent going out to dinner, viewing Alvin and the Chipmunks AND Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium at the drive in movies, and enjoying a day at the beach- one of our new Christmas traditions that I enjoy immensely!
New Year's has come in with a bang- I started working at Joshua's preschool this week, and Madelyn went back to school today! She made the honor roll again this 9 wks and surpasses all her grade-level goals for reading by four times the recommended words per minute! We are so proud of her! Joshua has learned to write his name, and loves to play games on the PBS kids website! Dallin giggled this morning, and seems to be settling in to longer periods without screaming or being held- we are all happy with this development! He does still sleep through the night, and this week has decided that he can put himself to bed- he just rubs his face on your shoulder instead of burping, and that's the cue..."Put me in my bed or I will thrash and scream until you do." We are quick to heed his warnings!

We are doing well, and have loved all the Christmas wishes- I'll consider myself successful if I copy this post and email it out! And Maren- at some point, I will take care of the "Tag" I got way before the holidays...but not tonight. ;-)

National Peanut Parade

As some of you may or may not know, Dothan, Alabama is known as the "Peanut Capitol." Thus, every fall, when the peanuts are harvested, they hold the National Peanut Festival--the equivalent of anywhere else's county fair. However, the peanut festival comes complete with roughly one bzillion Miss Whatever's, Jr. Miss Whatever's, Little Miss Whatever's, Future Little Miss Whatever's, and (Parrish's brain-child: Embryonic Little Miss Whatever's).

No Kidding. Yesterday, we attended our third annual National Peanut Festival Parade- I heard that there were 150+ entries in yesterday's parade- comprised of Harley's, marching bands, and Pageant floats- that's about it...no horses, very few old cars, and only an occasional elected official.

However, the highlight of the parade comes very near the beginning when, following the myriad of police cars with sirens blaring, a single cement truck makes its way down the parade route dumping raw peanuts (I say raw because if they aren't green or raw, they are bolled, translation "Boiled") down its chute and onto the center of the road- at which point everyone runs out and gathers as many peanuts as you can into a bag, which you then eat during the parade, throwing all shells onto the ground and leaving them there to be blown away during the next hurricane or tornado- whichever comes first. There is never a single piece of candy thrown in this parade- just the peanuts at the beginning. Anyway, it's quite a sight to see, and has become a family tradition for us, just like all Alabamians!

In past years (2 to be exact) we have followed our parade excursion with a trip to the fairgrounds where in 2005, Madelyn won a blue ribbon when her hog (the one she chose to cheer for) won in the hog races at the fair, and where in 2006, Madelyn and Mommy got their picture taken with the sea lions after their evening performance- one had its face on my shoulder, while the other was resting on Madelyn's head! (sorry- it was a polaroid- cost $10) As you can see, it's an event not to be missed, and filled with unforgettable experiences! If you're ever in the mood for some peanuts, fried twinkies, or local Southern culture in the fall, c'mon down and see us!!

Mr. and Miss Personality

For those of you we haven't seen in a while, these pictures tell all about the kids' personalities. We marvel at how kids raised in the same home, by the same parents can be so strikingly different! For example, when we discover tree frogs, lizards of all sizes, large bugs or the toad that lives in our front planting, Madelyn immediately wants to hold them, touch them, capture them and examine them while Joshua cringes and keeps his distance- whatever distance he determines "safe." You'll notice Madelyn's love of nature simply by the look on her face as she holds a toad or puts her finger in a fish's mouth! I have to point out that on that fishing trip, Madelyn reached into the cricket container everytime anyone needed to rebait their hook- the 11 and 12 year old boys that were there wouldn't go near the bait!

On the other hand, while we were carving pumpkins for Halloween- note the look on Josh's face when Parrish showed him what the inside of a pumpkin looks like. He likes to keep his hands clean, but is notorious for wiping his face and nose on the hem of his shirt! Grandma tried to keep a kleenex in his pocket while she was here, but I fear this is a lost cause! He does love music, and loves to sing and dance however, and shows a lot of talent in that area- if he can just overcome his shyness when he realizes that he's being watched, he might actually perform some day!

We are eager to watch Dallin grow and develop his own personality complete with quirkes that make him as unique as his sister and brother! But for now, we're just enjoying his wide eyes and early smiles.

We're Online!

Well, we've enjoyed so much reading everyone else's blogs that we decided to get on the bandwagon, and create our own. I fear we may not be as creative as some, but we will certainly attempt to at least keep you up to date on the goings on in Dothan, Alabama as far as the Balcenas are concerned!

Our latest news is the arrival of Dallin- he came via early induction on Oct 16, weighing 8lbs 2oz, and measuring 21.25 inches long. We were surprised at the arrival of a boy, given Madelyn's prediction of a baby sister, but we're kinda taken by him, and have decided to keep him. Early on in the pregnancy, Madelyn asked on a regular basis, "Why did we choose a baby instead of a kitten?" but since Dallin is "cute" (in her words) I guess she's decided he's okay too, and has taken the role of little mommy. (She even bribed Josh to get in his PJs tonight!)

Joshua kissed Dallin for the first time today! He has held him once or twice, and has even fed him, but is yet to be convinced that Dallin will ever be good for playing Ninja Turtles...he has much to learn.