Our Family & Our Life

Dear Diary, Today we had our biometrics taken by Homeland Security as part of the visa and green card process. By the way, we didn't get a microchip in our necks!!! All they did was electronically fingerprint us and take yet another photograph. When we submitted our application we had to include 10 passport photos of Colin and 6 each of Isla and I so I was surprised they still took more. I was a bit disappointed they didn't scan our iris', that would've been cool albeit a Star Trekki! We don't know when or even if we'll get the visa and green card but I'm fairly certain we will be approved. I'm confident our attorney would've told us if she thought we didn't take a stand a chance. From conversations with various people I should say we are NOT applying for American citizenship. It's simply for residency and work authorization. Perhaps if we are still living here in 10 years we'll apply but at this time it's not even an option...

Dear Diary, We're So Blessed!

Dear Diary, ... that my dad and Colin are blood related. Do you see her yellow socks hanging out of her pants? That is exactly what my dad would've done with them too! It's not the first time I told Colin my theory... Just had to share... Have a blessed Sunday wherever you may be.

Dear Diary, I've been tagged by Katy Lin at the great adventure ... Here's how to do this 8 THINGS thing: Mention the person that tagged you (done). Complete the lists of 8's. (done) Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends (done, sort of, I'm lazy, it's Saturday). Go tell them you tagged them! 8 Things I Look Forward To : 1. Weekends with Colin and Isla. 2. Church on Sunday. 3. SLEEP! 4. Colin's cooking . 5. Any day I get the van. 6. Our trip to Canada this summer. 7. The green card. 8. Pay day! 8 Things I did yesterday : 1. Watched Sesame Street. 2. Showered. 3. Napped. 4. Went on Facebook. 5. Made and drank lots of coffee. 6. Played with Isla. 7. Watched the movie, "The Boy in the striped Pyjamas". 8. Prayed. 8 Things I wish I could do : 1. Travel to Tahiti. 2. Not turn 40! 3. Live in one location for longer than 3 years. 4. Never disappoint the ones I love. 5. Never disappoint God. 6. Learn to take decent photographs. ...

Dear Diary, Colin is away in NYC and Philadelphia for a few days this week so Isla and I have been getting out and taking advantage of trips to the park. She loves going to the park especially the swings. If she had her way, I'd push her for hours! Lately every time I try to snap her photo, she won't look at me. Apparently mommy is not that exciting and other people or things are much more interesting. Here is a classic example although I still love it. She is such a happy girl! Back at home she has been spending time in her deck chair on the balcony with her furry sisters but she's been scraping her knees while crawling on the balcony concrete. Ouch! While we've enjoyed getting out the last couple of days, we'll be happy to have Colin home with us again tonight!

Dear Diary, This past weekend was horrendous in terms of weather because it snowed for two days and when it wasn't snowing, it was sleet, then snow, then rain, then snow, etc. Today it was back up to 70 degrees and Wednesday it's up to 80 degrees. Go figure. Look at the snow today. It's gone!!!!! There is so much snow melting a constant "river" noise can be heard all day. For the first time since moving here, I've seen green grass. YAY! Progress Report: Isla is confidently walking behind her walker. FINALLY, she's making progress. Normally she would've just sat down if we put her behind it but yesterday the lady was marching all over the place..... It was a happy day yesterday!

Dear Diary, If you've watched CNN in the last 12 hours you know what I'm talking about. We're snowed under!!! In some places in the mountains they've recieved over 34 inches (almost 4 feet) of snow in the last 24 hours. The I-70 from Golden to Vail is closed and they don't know when it's going to be re-opened but honestly, I can't imagine going on that highway in this weather unless it was a medical emergency. Imagine a roller coaster without the loops, that's what that stretch of highway is like. This is Colin and Isla about an hour ago to go and collect the mail. He took our "4x4" and could hardly make it through the heavy wet snow. Anyways, if you ever wanted to do some Rocky Mountain skiing or snowshoeing, it's a good time to book your ticket. Chances are good it will be gone by Tuesday when the temperature will reach 70 degrees so you better be quick. Unrelated to the snow, check out Isla's hair. It's cr...

Dear Diary, An update to my post of a couple of days ago. Our House We sold our house Friday. It's bittersweet. Bitter because we loved that house. Bitter because we put a load of work into it and the yard and cannot enjoy it. Sweet because we no longer have to pay a mortgage and rent. Our Visa We received notification from Homeland Security to have our biometrics taken on April 28. Biometrics is a fancy word for fingerprints, iris identification amongst other things. It's a way for the government to track us 24/7. In case you were wondering we have applied for a EB1 visa. It's another step closer to the visa being issued. Weather We have experienced summer in winter and winter in spring. This is crazy - look what fell Friday and apparently most of Saturday as well. It's suppose to be 70 degrees (21 C) on Monday. I think I posted just about every day this week, it's time for a break. Enjoy your weekend!

Dear Diary, top row - l - clapping! -r - pointing to her nose bottom row - l - showing off her toes -r- pointing to her mouth Over the last few days I've noticed that I think she may be bored with her toys so this morning while I made her breakfast I resorted to the "old fashioned" type. She loved them, it was a hit! Who thought you could have so much fun with a wooden spoon and plastic bowls!

Dear Diary, Our sweet, beautiful girl is 14 months today! The most common question we get is whether or not she is walking. In a word, NO. She did ONE step ONE time about a month ago. I’m sure it’s a matter of confidence and this past week I’ve already noticed an improvement. She has started what I call the Spiderman walk – walking along the walls . Despite her Spiderman impersonation she’s a master crawler and cruiser. I’m convinced I’m going to be carrying this child around FOREVER or at least that’s how it seems. She is a lightweight and that helps but still she gets heavy after a while. Here is a little update on the Monkey: ~ 21 lbs and 28.5 inches tall. ~ She is wearing size 9-12 month pants and 12 months shirts. A petite lady indeed! ~ Teeth count – 10 including two lower jaw molars that poked through last week. I caught a glimpse of swollen gums yesterday so I think there are more on the way - I would look but don’t want my fingers bitten off. ~Standing unaided (and d...

Dear Diary, A while back I mentioned the lady was standing. She's getting better at it everyday but if I try to take photo of her standing, I have to be quick. Yes, she is quicker than me. The photo above is the best illustration of standing but it's a funny face. I measured her but couldn't mark it because I was by myself but I can confidently say that she has grown since her birthday when we last measured her. This is a good example of how most of her pants fit - they all fall of her non-existent bum!!! I also trimmed the ends of her hair just to even it out and help it grow thicker. Sorry, the photos are a bit fuzzy today but I'll do better on Friday for her 14 month birthday.

Dear Diary, I haven't been sleeping well lately because I have about 1000's running through my head and the worst bit is, I can't do anything about it. I just have to get it off my chest. First, the sale of our house. Our solicitor advised us it will probably complete on Friday. That's great but after two months it's about time. If we have to make another mortgage payment on an empty house I'll go over the edge. Second, the visas. We have confirmation of receipt. At least we know they got them and it's proceeding and when they do get issues, Isla can go to work too because she's also getting a work authorization. What bothers me most about the visas is the fact that all this could've been done last year and we would not have had to go through the periods of separation. Colin missed four months of the first six months of Isla's life and then some afterwards as well. Now we have to wait another couple of months and if they are not ...

Dear Diary, We pray that you may be granted another blessed and healthy year to come! Lots of love from Colin and your youngest girls

Dear Diary, I've been struggling to get food into our girl. Specifically meat and chunky food. She could live off of toast, bananas and applesauce. At least it's not junkfood but it's still not good enough for an active growing toddler. She loves jarred baby food but at almost 14 months this has to stop. I'm so fed up buying that stuff!! Even if I put our dinner through the food processor, the lady won't eat it but a jar of that other food, no problem... agghhhh! Last night we did our groceries and Colin and I bought a whole lot of food that we thought she could and would eat. This morning I spent most of her nap time cutting fruit and vege and preparing it for her. We didn't buy anything that we wouldn't eat ourselves because I don't want to start with "Isla" food and our food. I should say the last few weeks the lady has made a bit of progress. She started eating halfed grapes and even bits of chicken. That's progress but the las...

Dear Diary, While in New York Isla and I visited the American Girl Place . There are only a handful of stores in the country so I was sure to visit while in New York. I enjoyed it, Isla wasn't overally impressed but maybe that will change in a couple of years. I bought her a doll with some of her birthday money and in a few years when she can appreciate it, the doll will come out of the box. She's really cute and it's part of the Just Like You series where they mix up skin tones, eye and hair colour. The store also has a shop where they sell the dolls and clothes, a cafe where you can have lunch with your doll and even a hair salon. I was watching them do the dolls hair in the salon and I think the girls who worked there have a great job - they get paid for playing with hair! She was also spoiled on Canal Street where we bought her a onesie and a hoody. Canal Street is unique because you are expected to barter with the merchants - Mom, I really needed your garage s...

Dear Diary, I promised the photos of NY and now that Colin is safely home with the camera, here they are. Enjoy! 5th Avenue The plaque above is located on this cross which is made of the remains of the towers This station house is located across from the Towers and was first to respond This is part of the memorial to the five men lost Sept 11 We weren't able to get to the Statue of Liberty as it was sold out for the day but we still had some great views from Battery Park. Family photo in Battery Park Stock Exchange Colin and I in front of the Brooklyn Bridge View of Manhattan from the observation deck of the Empire State Building

Dear Diary,

Dear Diary, Today my dad has been blessed with another year. Wiser too? We wish we could come over and wish you a "Happy 73rd Birthday" in person but we are thinking of you on your special day. May God grant you many more happy years. This is my Dad in 2006 when the crowd came over to N. Ireland for our wedding. It's actually taken in the lobby of the (haunted) hotel where we had our wedding reception. Good memories!

Dear Diary, It seems like Christmas was yesterday but it's April already. In my immediate family, April is birthday month: 1. My parents 2. My brother 3. My nephew and 4. My youngest neice are all celebrating birthdays in the next 2.5 weeks. It's this time of year that I wish I was home. It seems like forever since I was at a family birthday party. Maybe next year. I'm sure there are aunts and uncles and cousins also celebrating this month but there are too many for me to track so if you are celebrating this month, Happy Birthday! The fun starts tomorrow, stay tuned!