Tuesday, September 25, 2007

News!

Great news...

Exciting news...

Life changing news...


I.... am....




preparing to start a job! (Had you, didn't I!!) I'll be the children's ministry assistant, and I work 20-25 hours per week. These hours will include the weekend services, and only 1 weekday of time. I'll be working one of the days my Sohl son's in mother's day out, and my little Sohl Gal will get some one on one time with a trusted sitter. I'm excited and scared and nervous and confident... and I know that God's will is totally surrounding this.

David and I are starting a hometeam and our 1st meeting is this week. Please pray for a regular childcare solution for our kids, because we really want this to be a successful group. We're also praying that God places people in our path who will bless and be blessed by this group.

My little Sohl Gal has a neurology appointment tomorrow. We're praying that they will just be able to say there's no neurological cause for her eyes to wiggle (the opthamologist we're seeing thinks it's a benign nystagmus) and won't need any testing. I'm praying for peace for whatever happens.

The Expo is this weekend! We had a work night tonight, and it was amazing! God filled the room with motivated, capable women who knocked out everything we had. I can't wait to see what He does with this Expo. I'm praying for peace about the details, for 1000 women to attend and find a niche for themselves, and that this helps our church explode with growth. God's doing some amazing things, and I'm still in awe He's chosen me to be part of His work.

Hugs and love!

A little bit of Sohl-e-osis...

My parents-in-love, a term shared with my by a new and dear friend, visited this past week. They enjoyed some quality time with the grandkids, learning their personalities and temperaments. It's interesting to hear how similar my Sohl son's current behavior is to that of his dad and his uncle. Even the relationship between siblings is mirrored, reminding me that a child's development is only partially determined by the daily choices made. Which is either a relief or is terrifying, depending on the circumstances.

We visited the beach, where we collected shells. My SohlGal enjoyed a cat nap inside the van, and since I left the doors open, a blackbird decided to hop in to observe her. Her grandpa feared that she'd be pecked, and decided to stand guard over her. Later he helped to launch a the kite of a kite-surfer, only to discover there wasn't quite enough wind to allow the surfer to take off.

The aquarium was much quieter this time of year, and had some sad news - one of their dolphins died the night before we went, and thus the dolphin show was cancelled. While the kids and I don't normally watch the show, I was disappointed for the Sohls, as they would have undoubtedly enjoyed the informational show.

Another favorite place was the rock park, after which we stopped by La Paletera. I had the fruity parfait or something of that nature, which included two scoops of which ever ice cream I chose, three fruit selections from the enormous list of options, and my choice of toppings. I went with Ashley's recommendation of strawberry shortcake and strawberry cheesecake ice creams, and I added strawberries, pineapple, and grapes, and topped it with strawberry and chocolate suaces. IT.... WAS.... HEAVENLY. I also shared in my Sohl son's first raspa (or sno-cone, depending on who you ask ;) ). I ordered him a lemon-lime, since I felt bad about the idea of him eating my favorite flavor - margarita. Though now I know where to get a sno-cone anytime I like. YUM!

It was a great visit, and we'll hopefully see them again this winter!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Update - picture-style

When does school start?!? Here's his @ home art time, complete with bruise from falling onto his easel. He discovered that he could color himself blue, too.
See our excitement?!? It's the 1st day of school! Woohoo!

He's excited, too. She's... well she will be excited, too.Sportin' the new backpack. It's big-boy sized this year.


My Sohl crew waiting for my Sohl son's 1st day at the new mother's day out program. Thank God for MDO! I do every Tues and Thurs!

Down the hall, to the left...

My Sohl son's new classroom. His favorite toy right now at his new school is the dollhouse. He's got a caring side, that boy.

"Sweet! He's gone Mom! Let's go shopping!" my sweet Sohlgal exclaimed. I relented. Could you resist that smile and those baby blues?

Rocio's cake. It was redesigned. They loved it. *PHEW!*


He's learning his letters from his laptop. Laina "gave" it to him when he met her the 1st time. It was cute. Now I think she wants it back. LOL!
Thanks Kirby for advising us on the phone and in person. My Sohlgal's swollen hand (bug bite? allergic reaction? cellulitis? The ER doc @ Driscoll didn't know either).

Her "pillow" hand getting bigger. :(

HeDa-Wagna, my Sohl-mate, and Sohl-son at Snoopy's, waiting on some fine cuisine a la mar.

The boys checking out the sea grass and escaped buoy. Sadness.
The Sohlgals at Scoopy's, a little ice cream shop next to Snoopy's. Cute, I know.
SheDa-Wagna and her youngest, one of my little Sohlgal's 3 boyfriends. He loved his ice cream.

He really, really liked the ice cream.
Sweet bruise, huh? I know. I fell off the dock. And no, there was no alcohol involved. The good news? I kept both my shoes. The bad news? It hurts. A lot.
My shin. I said something like shin when I fell in. It was dark, and forgot where the open part was. And in I went. On the upside, Da Wagnas caught what felt like a 140lb-large mouthed bass. After cleaning it up, and getting it checked over by a medical professional (thanks HeDaWagna), they decided to release it. ;)

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

New cakes...

I'm going to shamelessly plug my business, Cakes From The Sohl. I've made several cakes over the last month, and I'm super excited about the progress. I listed the Einstein Cake on Ebay, but it didn't get any bids. My eBay-lover friend Cheryl says I need to list a boutique cake, so I'll try that next. Just need some feedback on one to choose.

Here's Cheryl's cake





Here's the Christensen's cake



Here's Lee's Cake

I have a couple more orders, and I can't wait to get started on them. I pray that God continues to bless this business and that He shows me how to spread the word.
Since I'm already plugging businesses, check out my friend Julie M's business, mosaics which are amazing (stop by Moondoggies on Saratoga and Staples to see her handiwork in person) and my friend Michell G's business (love, love, love the bath bombs! I included some in my last cake!).

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Here's the inspiration for the title...

Since I'd thought about having children, the video in my mind's eye has always included two little boys, one with golden locks and one with auburn. This suited me, because I'd decided I didn't know anything about raising a girl, nor about doing cute hair stuff. As it turned out, my movie is somewhat true. I have a golden haired child, and what would be an auburn haired child, were I to let his hair grow.

My little SohlGal revealed several things about herself today. Of course, today is by Murphy's law, the perfect day for her to reveal these things, with her dad's work-related departure. The first occured this morning, while we attended a "don't-be-too-sad-because-your-child-will-end-up-loving-this-school-just-please-drop-him-off-and-pick-him-up-on-time" meeting at Carter's new school. The director was incredibly sweet, and gave the best advice to the parents who'd never dropped a child off - hug 'em and leave 'em, quickly... kind of like ripping off a Band-aid. (Totally agree, having been a teacher, that this is the right way to do it!)

My sweet SohlGal decided this meeting was the perfect time to unveil the recent additions of her maxillary collection, the central incisors, which join her mandibular collection, also currently featuring central incisors. Interestingly enough, I found these not by sight, but by touch, and unlike her overall gentle nature, these new teeth are sharp.

My Sohl son has been in a phase of shyness the past few weeks, and while I'd hoped this would clear up before he started school, it did not. While I'm not sure why it's started, and I'm striving to let it go, it made me a bit sad when I saw his craft today. He told me he made a shy face, because he was shy today. While his teachers said he was good, I'm interested to see how they react when he reaches his comfort zone and lets his true self show.

This evening my SohlGal continued to amaze me with her new talents. Her brother recited the "Pizza Man" rhyme (kind of like Baker's Man, but with a couple of twists), and she decided to clap along. Her first claps! Then, when it came time to "toss it up HIGH!" she tilted her head towards me, smiled so I almost melted, and threw her hands up in the air. And at this I realized my baby's no longer a baby.

It seems like every day I'm wanting something to change. I want to be thinner, tanner, blonder, older, younger, more experienced, less uptight. I pray for more inspiration, less on my plate, strong friendships, and banished temptations. I ask for more knowledge, less guilt, increased understanding, and fewer mistakes. In some ways, I get what I ask for; it's just not always in the way I'd expect it. I'm learning patience and humility; true friendship and loyalty; beauty and appreciation of it in all forms.

Time does change me, and I can trace the changes time's made. I can reflect on the blessings He's given me over time, and how even when I'm not looking for it, He's teaching me and giving me things I've prayerfully requested, just in His time. Even being able to say that - ch ch changes.