The Girl Who Asks Why

This post is all about Meredith. It's hard to believe that I have a 4 year old daughter, but neat to see so much more about who she is and who she is growing to be.

This past month has brought on the question of the year "Why?" It's constant -- Why is the fire hot? Why do I have to go to bed? Why is that dog black? -- anytime she wants to learn more about something, why is the word that comes out of her mouth. It's a little exhausting, but neat to see her begin to think about the philosophical, but also wonder about the mundane in life.

Meredith also LOVES her bicycle. Our sweet friend Emma is a few years older than Meredith, and gave her very first bike to Meredith to try last fall when she got her "big girl" bike. Over the winter, Meredith's little legs have grown and now she is a bicycle champ! Her favorite thing to do is to ride around in circles in the garage. I get dizzy just watching her, but she loves it.

Meredith has grown to adore her preschool class, and its gonna be hard to be out all summer! She has learned so much in her classes, and is a totally different girl than the girl I dropped off last August. Some of her favorite things from school are her Spanish songs, the many art projects she has done, and of course her sweet friends.

Sometime over these past few months, Meredith (and Russ) have come to enjoy Sesame Street. Just like Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse in the past, Meredith has her favorite episodes. It's been interesting because she is now practicing LOTS of phonics. She'll say things like "Mmm, Mmm, Meredith starts with M" and "Raaa, Raaa, Russ starts with R." Between her telling these things to Russ and "playing" school with the letters on the refrigerator, I don't think I would be surprised to see her grow up to be a teacher.

Blowing off the Dust

Spring is in the air, so I thought I'd dust off the old blog and share whats going on in our lives!

First, here are some pictures from the past 6 months :)

For Wendi

An old friend told me she was tired of seeing the same old rabbit when she came to the blog, so I guess its time for an update!

A Tea Party

Meredith had a chance to get pampered as a princess at a tea party themed birthday party this past month. She LOVED it, and would go around for the next week with her lipstick party favor and toy purse and apply make-up all week long. She also enjoyed talking about her painted fingernails, and would show them to just about anyone who came along.

Russasourus
Russ has kept us on our toes again this month. To get him used to the potty, we started taking him in the morning and night, and of course we would praise him if he performed. Well, apparently all that practice of taking off the diaper and using the toilet had made Russ think that he should take off his diaper in his crib, and pee through the crib slots onto the floor (or in the crib was fine, too). So, now we are duck taping the boy into his diaper, and thankfully with the cooler weather he is back to warm footed PJs at night. Ah...he's a mess :)

Fair and Zoo

My parents were nice enough to watch the kids at the fair while I helped with cattle check-in. They had a really good time, and so Matt and I decided to brave the fair the next day while he was off work. Cows, rides, fried twinkie, and lots of walking -- fun was had by all!

Yesterday, I took the kids to the zoo as Russ was getting over being sick, and Meredith REALLY wanted to go. Boo at the Zoo is going on, so all the halloween decorations are up. I really enjoy going to the zoo when its cooler, because most of the animals are out (bears, tigers, and cats) and don't mind the cooler weather (plus, there are very few crowds at this time of year).

With a K and an A and a P P A......

It has been a pleasure to help colonize a new chapter of Kappa Delta at UALR this fall. National KD had come into town last spring, and several of us area KDs met with two of the national leadership, and we were all excited about the opprotunity to colonize a new chapter at UALR. After coming back from convention, the CAKD alumnae chapter had been busy helping out with references, providing support and meals for the extension team, and just helping in whatever way that we could. Recruitment was the last week in September, with Bid Day on 9/27. UALR Panhellenic ended up requiring a chapter advisor for the semester, and I was honored when I was asked to serve. The colony has 20 girls right now, are so excited about growing, serving the community, and having a true sisterhood; and the advisory board is growing and I (and probably Matt, too) am excited to be able to just focus on one area of the chapter (and not everything) here at the end of the year. All that to say, while the new colony has kept me pretty busy these past six weeks (and for a few more); it has been AMAZING to be a part of watching a new chapter get started and I encourage any of my sisters (or friends who are in other greek houses) to be willing to step in if there is a need -- you will be blessed! (If you are interested in pictures, just go to the UALR Kappa Delta Group Page on FB).

We've had our normal church responsibilities, and been trying to stay on the work-out schedule. Just trying to honor God, be a good family, and keep the house clean :)

OH, and also trying to stop by with a meal and going to baby showers for several friends who have had babies this past month! It must have been cold last winter!

Fall and Friends (with some Friendly Lipsey Updates)

Hello Neglected Blog Followers!

I am seizing this late night insomnia to update you on the life and times of the Lipseys. We have had a fabulous month, and are looking forward to all things Fall that are headed our way.

Russ and Meredith at River Market
August 2009

Matt has been chronicling the paths of "Destructo" on his FB page in this album. He is a fast and happy little boy these days, and keeps his entire family on our toes! He recently got his first haircut, to the joy of both granddads, and has been enjoying some Mommy and Russ time for two days a week while Meredith is at preschool (and he doesn't have MDO). Exciting things we have done -- date to the zoo (with Russ being able to chose where he wanted to go, when he wanted to go), helping out with house cleaning (he still loves the broom and helping get the dishes out of the dishwasher), and watching mommy and her friends stuff some Lottie Moon envelopes at ABSC while trying to escape to the hall and push the elevator button.

Russ, the growing boy

August 2009

Meredith is getting to be a big girl these days. We have recently started a Preschool/MDO program, and she is doing very well. We talk about her new friends and the schedule a lot; and I can usually hear her singing a few new tunes from the other room (but she doesn't want to share her new songs with anyone yet). She has been blessed with some great teachers, and we couldn't be happier with the transition to a school-type program for our growing girl. Also, this past month, Meredith started taking dance lessons. Her class is so very sweet, filled with children that she knows from church, as well as making new friends, too. She LOVES tap, and could probably do without ballet -- but as most of us did, I'm sure she will grow to love it. During this time, the poor little brothers of 3 dancers get to have tried to entertain themselves in the lobby of the dance studio. Oh my! If only I had the resources to open up a Wonderplace 2 down from the dance studio.....

Meredith at Dance, Russ and Parker sharing the toy from the $1 store, and when Meredith is not out and about, she is probably playing candy land (and frightening her parents with her choice of step-stool)

August 2009

Matt and I are doing well. Matt has recently gotten back to playing bass guitar for the youth band up at church, and has been "jamming" in the evenings. He's also been enjoying some good books lately. I have been on a workout kick these past 3 weeks. My goal is to workout 6 days a week for at least 30 minutes a day. Its been going pretty well, and as an incentive to keep up the pace and change up the work-outs, I have started going to an adult tap class one day a week. Its been so much fun to get back into dancing, and I look forward to slimming down a little (especially if this rumored recital piece comes to fruition).

The church gang was blessed last weekend to get a visit from Chris and Melody, our sweet friends who are currently in OK. Chris and I (both of us engineers) met in our Cal 1 class at UA, and I met Mel when, gasp, she was dating Chris' roommate. However, I probably got to know them even better when we both ended up living in central Arkansas and members at Park Hill together. We had our old church group together for dinner, and Matt and I got the chance to hang out with them for the Razorback game on Saturday. We loved getting a chance to catch up, but I think my favorite part was catching up with Mel about discipleship and faith during the 3rd quarter of the football game (so, it wasn't the most exciting of games). We are so blessed to have you guys in our lives, and hopefully we can make it out to see Matt's Motherland (if HE doesn't fire them) this next spring.

Chris with his patented "You're fired" look (He didn't have to do it too often)

August 2009

Oh, and if you need a Razorback Football rolodex of information -- Chris is your man!

Controversy on the Disney Front

Hi Friends and Family -- I'll post about our month during the next few days, but there seems to be a trend that is popping up around me in regards to morality issues. Just wanted to get my thoughts down while they are fresh in my mind.

Vicki Courtney did an excellent job of summing up the Miley Cyrus act at the Teen Choice awards last night (I was not watching this event, but heard about it after the fact). Hopefully I am a few years away before the crazed fans/teen idolatry that seems to happen with stars that Disney or other media outlets promote, but it reminded of a recent family decision regarding a DVR'ed show. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a staple on the DVR at our house. Its pretty cute with one of Russ' few words being "Mickey;" and that majority of the time its all good, clean fun and shows new words, phrases, and other educational things to the kids while mom is folding laundry, or checking her e-mail.

However, Matt was talking about how the episode "Donald and the Beanstalk" seemed to promote many of the values that are wrong for us as Christians, let alone upstanding citizens. I think no way -- not Mickey. That is until I actually sit down and watch the episode. Background -- Donald trades this favorite chicken for 5 magic beans from the Giant. Mickey tells him that they are not magic, and suggests going and taking his chicken back from the Giant (think Jack and the Beanstalk). So, the Mickey gang decides to go back and get Donald's chicken so he will be "happy" again. They find early on that the beans are indeed magic, and grow into a beanstalk up into the clouds where the giant lives. Mickey and pals go up and steal Donald's chicken and the Giant follows them down. Justifiably, the giant wants his chicken, and Mickey says "Well, Donald made a mistake, and will trade back his beans, now beanstalk, for his chicken back." Apparently, the giant is appeased by a cuddly Teddy bear that he can love...and happily ever after everyone goes. Cue the Hot Dog dance.

OK -- so we all have made some pretty bad purchases in life. I've bought lots of toys that have broken when Russ chunks them across the room in the first hour, have gotten something that doesn't work just like it says, had buyers remorse more times then I can count -- but do I take it upon myself to go and steal my money back from the store. No Way -- that is stealing.

Now you might say "Well, Donald didn't get what he thought he was getting." However, in this case, Mickey and his friends find out that indeed the beans are magic, as they grow into huge beanstalks straight into the clouds up to where the Giant lives.

We should honor our contacts. Whether its our marriage vows, paying our bills, or even just dealing with the consequences of a bad decision -- we need to do what we say that we will do. Secondly, we should not steal. God's pretty clear about this one -- You Shall Not Steal. Exodus 20:15. I just hate that a show/franchise that is promoted with a good, family, and wholesome image completely misses the mark, to keep its characters "happy."

Lesson of the day -- it starts early, but we must be so careful what our little ones are shown. Especially when they are so young that they can't reason through what is correct and right in the Lord's sight.

Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.

Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.

For the Father up above, He's looking down with Love.

Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.

Testing 1,2,3.....

Just trying to test out why my blog is unavailable to me.....Hope this will help it out.

Happy Family

This past month has been super busy, and we replaced our air conditioner and furnace - creating a mini-vacation from our home and some time with both sets of families. Topped off with a trip to Kappa Delta convention for me, I think that we have done our part to keep the economic turn-around going. We've got one more trip coming up, Music Camp up at church, and then back to the fall swing of things. This summer is flying by!

Above are a couple pictures from earlier this summer at the Faulkner County Library with a Mini-Farm event. Meredith has pretty excited that she got to ride a horse, and Russ also got to feed some ducks. We had some happy campers!

Hope you are having a fantastic summer, too!