Wordless Wednesday

Creating a Book Worm

The depression that had once covered me months ago has almost fully, if not all of the way lifted. As the days become longer I can feel the light in my soul become brighter. I'm not for sure if its the season change, Vada hitting her first birthday, social interactions or all of the vitamins that I am taking. Whatever it is (probably a little of everything) it's working and I feel pretty good.

The ability to go places with Vada is really, really the best part of everything. It's not just that I am getting out more, it's that I am getting out with her. It's hard having to seclude your child. I like the leisure of taking them with me and showing them off. Its been a year and I haven't been able to take Vada to the grocery store (at least, not very often) let alone some place that is actually fun. I'm sure in a couple of months I will be hoping to leave them at home so I am able to get away, but for now I am devouring the opportunity to take Vada whenever and wherever I go. I will try to always remember how this last year felt. How I felt when I was in the house for a month at a time with out interaction from anyone other than my immediate family and how badly I longed for something other than these four walls. That way, when those over whelming "mommy moments" come along, I can try to be grateful for the normalcy that is attached to them.

Today Justin, Jasmine, Vada and I went to Borders Book Store. It's a pretty huge ordeal for Justin to come with us let alone for it to be his idea. He's not much of a reader. Don't get me wrong, he is smart, very smart. He's just not interested in reading books. Today, he brought it up because he has been building me end tables and was interested in wood working magazines. Any reason to go to the book store is good enough for me! So we packed up the diaper bag and away we went.

This was Vada's second trip to the book store. Since I am trying to find the good in everything, ill give credit where credit is due. I'm sure that we saved a small fortune because I was unable to come here as often as I typically would have in the past.

We all spread out when we first arrived. Justin went to the magazine section, Jasmine to the Juniors and I went to the photography and art section. I was looking for a book on my camera. I have had it for almost a year now and really I know nothing about it. Plus, I love looking at the photography books, they give me ideas on angles, lighting and so much more. I don't claim to be anything of a photographer. I'm not. I do however, enjoy taking pictures. Even more so when I get one that I can actually be proud of. I did find the book that I was looking for, so score one for me!

We ended up meeting back in the children section after finding some books of interest. There, I laid a blanket on the floor for our now bored little Vada and we sat around her and read together.

Jasmine found the biggest book that I have ever seen. It not only caught my attention but Vada's attention as well.

It was a great day. The girls in this family really enjoy reading. I hope that our interest in books will rub off on Vada as well. I'm grateful that we shared this moment together today. Its been a long time coming, but its been well worth the wait!

Who's Under the Bed

Reading is something that I have always enjoyed doing. To me finding and reading a good book is like watching a fantastic movie that lasts for hours, sometimes even days. I find reading relaxing and I enjoy sometimes living vicariously through the characters that I read about.

Reading is a past time that I also want my children to enjoy, so I read to them nightly. I look forward to the adventures that we share together through reading and I hope that someday they too will enjoy reading as much as I do. I also hope that someday when they are older they will associate reading with special memories that the had with me, Mom.

Each night I read to Kiliegh first. She is the youngest of the two older girls. Plus once her head hits the pillow she's out. So I have to get into her room quickly! Were reading a new book this week. It's one that her grandmother bought for here when her school had a Grandparents day. Its a cute book about a little girl in ballet. Its fitting for Kiliegh, who is the dancer in our family. Plus the character has red hair and freckles, which is something Kiliegh pointed out immediately to being just like her.

After I read to Kiliegh I cross the hall to Jasmines room. We are also reading a new book. We started the first book in the Kids Left Behind series. I personally read the first three in the adult series but then they became a bit redundant and I didn't make it any further. I am looking forward to this particular quest with Jasmine. It'll be a journey worth the travels, for both of us.

Vada usually comes with me into each girls room. I think that its good for her to see and hear us reading together. I read to Vada as well. Usually, it's just later in the evening than when I read to the "big" girls.

Tonight after reading to Kiliegh, Vada and I went into Jasmines room. Vada was a bit too antsy to hold while attempting to read, so we cleared off the floor and laid Vada onto the carpet. I was hoping that she would occupy herself so I could at least get one chapter read with Jasmine.

I was about half way into the chapter when Jasmine and I heard a soft knocking sound. We looked at each other with curiosity and before I had a chance to check on Vada we heard the knocking again. This time we knew where the sound was coming from, it was from underneath the bed.

Vada had rolled right under Jasmines bed. The knocking noise that we had heard just moments before making our discovery was Vada bumping her head on the box spring mattress. She didn't cry or fuss she just looked a bit confused. I easily pulled her out from under the bed and we kissed her all over. This time instead of laying her back onto the carpet we brought her into bed with us and finished our chapter. I guess Vada wanted to go on her own little adventure tonight.