Lorenz's On The Move

Monday, August 22, 2011

July and August Update

July was a very busy month. We ended up driving over 5000 miles across country to see our family. It was a very quick trip and a lot of driving. I know that we weren't able to see all those that we wanted too and we apologize for that. We just have too many people that we wanted to see and not enough time to see them.

We started our trip driving 17 hours to Kansas to see Lee's brother Dennis and his family for a couple of days. Even got to see Uncle Dennis's helicopter. The girls love it and now every helicopter that they see they think it is Uncle Dennis. We also went to a gymnastics facility where they had an open gym. At 104 degrees outside the activities were limited.

All the kids outside in pajamas waiting for Uncle Dennis.

Uncle Dennis flying by. YEAH!!!

This is Emma in the "Pit of Foam" at the gym.

This is Sofi swinging on the bar, we couldn't get her off it.

Then off to our friends Susanna and Aaron in Colorado (only for one night) then to Salt Lake City. We stayed with Jaynee's Grandma and did all of our running around that area. We haven't been back for about 2 years so it was really good. None of our extended family or friends had seen Sofi yet so it was fun to show off both the girls.

We spent a lot of time at parks and the girls also spent a lot of time throwing dirt on each other, especially after a day of traveling and visiting.

We had so much fun visiting with all the family and friends that we could squeeze in but the best is spending time with the grandparents and great grandparents. Jaynee even got a 4 generation picture with her grandma and mother.

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Stewart

Jaynee, Great Grandma Andersen and Grandma Goold

Then off to Albuquerque for Jaynee's family reunion. It was so much fun we had all 4 families plus grandma and grandpa staying at Jaynee's brother's house. A house with 11 children with a majority of them between the ages of 5 and 11 months was crazy but it was really fun. Everyone got along great and had a blast. We did so many activities together and took so many pictures it is hard to pick just a couple but these are a couple of my favorite.

Emma at the children's garden in a giant egg.

Sofi at the children's museum

We then drove to Lee's parents house Missouri and back home. A lot of driving and crazy times but well worth it. Although we don't think that we are going to make that trip anytime soon.

August has been spent getting back into a routine. Sofi is back into therapy. She is now in swim therapy and doing great. They are working with getting her to put her head under water because that is a big sensory problem with many children with sensory processing disorder. Jaynee is doing preschool at home with the girls. They have school everyday learning letters, numbers, and some other fun things like animals. They always do a fun activity and have a snack that goes along with that days theme. Lee has been working with his replacement and preparing for his change of command in September. It will be nice to have that phase of his career over. It has been good but we are glad it is finished.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Update for May and June

I can't believe June is almost over. It has been crazy around here and we have stayed very busy. It seems like every weekend we have been busy doing something. May 14-15 we went up to Great Wolfe Lodge in North Carolina. It is a very expensive resort and has an indoor water park. The was a Marriage Retreat sponsored by the military so all we had to pay for was to get up there and 3 meals. We got lodging and 3 meals paid for. I think that is the only way that we could go up there. It was fun. Sofi was scared of the water. This was the first time that we had taken her to a water park and she didn't like it too much she would rather sit and watch what the people. The girls were just excited to be staying in a hotel. They had child care for the girls while we were in our classes during the day then the evenings we were able to play in the water park. They also had a story time and clock that had puppets and music. It was a great program and the girls really liked that.

This is at the enterance of the Lodge and Emma is showing us the Bear!

Sofi having her new wolf give the bear loves, and Emma just being grumpy for pictures.

Sofi's turn to give bear loves!

Two Friends not wanting to smile standing in front of the clock tower, they were so tired from the swimming they had done earlier we were trying to keep them awake for the story time that was starting a little later.

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May 20th was Combat Spouse Day where I (Jaynee) got to play soldier. I participated last year as well. It is a lot of fun. I get to learn how to clear a building, learn about the equipment the communications soldiers use, get rolled over in a simulated Humvee, play a simulated turkey shoot with the M4, and do a liter carry. I forgot to mention I had on Lee's uniform plus the vest (without plates) and kevlar helmet. They paid for child care for the kids and lunch for us. It was really hot hotside especially with all the equipment on, I don't know how they do it in Iraq. It was fun to learn and play with the equipment. If I screwed up I didn't have to do push-ups, just got laughed at by the instructors. I think that they had more fun watching a bunch of women trying to be soldiers.

After the spouse day was over we drove to Atlanta for an Adoption Conference. We were able to stay at our case workers home so we didn't have to pay for a hotel. She has a huge home in a really pretty area of Atlanta. The conference was good. I got to know a lot more couples who are trying to adopt and some good information about helping the girls out as they get older about adoption and how to answer some of the questions that they will get from other children.

Memorial Day weekend we stayed home, but not to lounge around. Lee was in charge of the church picnic that they wanted to do at the last minute. So we put a BBQ together for 50 people, this included gettng all the food and supplies. It turned out good but a lot of work. When we got home we found out that the new pool in our subdivision was finally open. So on Monday we took the girls to the pool. Emma loved it and Sofi had a hard time, but after a 3 weeks of constantly going to the pool she now loves to float around in her floaty.

As for June we have just stayed busy trying to do projects around the house and getting things done while Lee is not in school. He finishes his command up in August and starts his new class in October. This will also count towards finishing his Master's degree so he doesn't have to take 2 classes in the fall. This course that he is in is 6 months and then we are off to our next assigment.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Happy Birthday

This past Saturday we got to celebrate Sofi's birthday. What a day! She had been looking forward to her birthday since the middle of March. Most recently she kept telling Jaynee what she wanted for her birthday. It began with just a cake then grew to pretty plates, party hats, and balloons. Eventually she wanted a pony, a car, and then the Easter Bunny. Needless to say she did not get a real pony (just a my little pony play set), no car, and no Easter Bunny. She did get a frog jumping game, a water table, and the party hats, balloons, and pretty plates to go with the cake she helped make.

As part of her special day, I promised to take her to a special restaurant so she could get a special drink. I thought TGI Friday's would be perfect because they offer kids slushees with the kids meal. What I didn't know was they provided free ice cream for her birthday and 25% off the entire costs of lunch just by showing my ID card. I think we might be going back there soon for some more food.

Sofi wanted to have a party. So we attempted to invite some friends of hers to attend. Most could not make it, but 2 did. Sofi doesn't play with her friends, she just likes to have other people around and know where they are. It was the perfect number of people to have around especially with the theme being water fun. We set up the kid pool and with her new water table, all 4 children had fun. Below are some of the pictures showing how much fun Sofi and Emma had at the party.

Sofi helping make her birthday cake

Sofi standing next to her new water table

Sofi taking a break from playing and getting ready to enjoy some cake

Emma loved Sofi's cake so much she just had to wear some of it for the rest of the night

Sunday, April 3, 2011

March Update

Sorry, for the lack of entries. I have been so busy that I have not had any time to update the blog. Two of the Sunday's in March we were on the road traveling to and from Missouri to visit my parents. The first Sunday of March I was doing what I could to help Sofi feel better because she had pneumonia. The last Sunday of March we were helping Sofi overcome the case of bronchitis she was still fighting.

Personally, I have been extremely busy with my school work. I still have a month left, but my big project for the course was due the last week of March. Jaynee has been doing a tremendous job taking care of the house while I have been in the books reading and studying.

Sofi has had a hard month. The two illnesses have been with her most of the month. I am glad that today she is better that what she was last month. I did like how at times she didn't have any energy to do much, but at the same time I felt sorry for her. I was glad that we were able to go to Missouri so she could spend time with her grandparents and Buddy.

That was a trip. We drove through the night hoping that the girls would sleep so the trip would be shorter for them, but they only slept about 2-3 hours of the 16 hour drive. The time there was wonderful. It was a great break for all of us. The weather was a little cooler than what we expected, but there was enough stuff for us to keep busy so that the weather didn't hamper our spirits. Jaynee and I even got an afternoon to ourselves so we could go on a date. The last full day, we got to spend time with my brother who just recently returned from Iraq, and Sofi was able to see her "Special Mother". Sofia has so many different mothers; Sofia's special mother is her foster mother who raised her until we received her. Also on this special day we visited the Emergency Room with Sofia who was feeling rather ill. This was when she was diagnosed with bronchitis (Sofia was diagnosed with pneumonia on my birthday earlier in the month).

With a sick girl, a need to stop and pick up her prescription drugs, we left Missouri a little earlier than planned so we could have extra time to return home in case we needed it. Sofia was a champ and did rather well on the return trip.

Lastly, I submitted a packet for a career change. If I am accepted I will become a telecommunications engineer for the Army. I hope this works out. I still need to do a few things prior to my acceptance, but it all goes well I will be accepted into the program late April / early May.

As you can tell, the pictures are posted in a separate post just because there are so many of them that they need the space.

I will do better for the month of April and beyond.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

"I'm Beautiful"

Sorry, this is an older post that I forgot to upload (from February 20, 2011).

I need to update this blog with two weeks’ worth of information. The reason I am behind was because we were attempting to better our Sabbath observance. What that means is we are trying to make it a special day from all the other days in the week. So Jaynee and I worked on adoption paperwork, staying in our church clothes, not taking a nap, playing games. When the girls were up we read scripture stories to them, listened to music, and watched a family movie (something they are not accustomed too). In addition to that we also decided to have the girls write a letter to their Grandpa & Grandma Lorenz & Buddy. They thought that was the best idea of the day. They were so excited to write their letter to buddy, and then on the first possible day to mail it, they were so excited to put their letter in the mail. They also called their grandparents and Buddy to see if they had received their special letter. It was rather cute.

That same weekend, we attended stake conference. I was busy attending 3 of the meetings, while Jaynee and the girls attended only one session. We arrived early to the family session of conference and were able to find a seat close to the front. While we were sitting there some of the local church leaders were visiting with those in attendance. The wife of the South Carolina Temple President came and greeted us. Just as she was leaving Sofi said something to the effect of "I remember her". Jaynee and I were puzzled. We couldn't think of a time that she would have met this lady. Then we realized that she assisted with Sofi's sealing to us last May. We then asked Sofi if she remembered her from the temple, and she said yes. So Jaynee asked Sofi if she wanted to say hi to her "Friend". Sofi's answer was yes. So Jaynee and Sofi went and found this lady (Sister Coyle). Jaynee explained what had happened earlier after she had said hi to us. She too was shocked to know that Sofi would remember her nearly 1 year later. They chatted about Sofi until it was time for the conference to begin. It was a rather unique experience for us all. I also believed that it helped Sofi behave more because of the special spirit she felt meeting her friend again.

Later that day (also Sunday) while the girls were listening to music, Sofi also began to sing a new song of her own creation. She began to repeat the words "I'm beautiful" for nearly 5 minutes. It was entertaining. Jaynee and I couldn't help but smile as she would change her tempo, pitch, and volume from time to time during her solo. She has since then continued to sing her created song.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Echo Bush

For those of you that have little children and watch some TV with them you will understand this title. I will explain it later.
The girls have been progressing a lot lately. They are experimenting with the English language, trying new physical feats, and attempting to gain their independence and leave us. They have so much to grow and learn first.
Emma and Sofi have been working on the ability to speak recently. They are throwing different words together to sound smarter than they are. They like the way certain works sound so they overuse them. One of the more popular ones is "very". Everything is very good, very cute, and very nice. I have even heard they want to sit on the very couch. Jaynee and I smile all the time.
Last week Sofi decided that she was big enough to start climbing some of the shelves that we have in the house. She has nearly made it to the very top before we stop her. It is amazing how fast she can run and get up there. I know the second time she traveled from one end of the house to another and was nearly the top in less than 15 seconds. That may not be a lot of time, but it is for me as I continue to recover from knee surgery. Emma too has been having fun with jumping, running, and spinning. She has not yet decided to climb and when she does she may be even faster. Let’s just hope she doesn't want to climb until she is old enough to know when not too.
The last thing the girls have been doing is trying to show their independence. This morning Jaynee was saying a prayer over the food. Typically the girls help assist by repeating what we say. Sofi decide to ad-lib a little. Jaynee said something about blessing the food, and Sofi changed to bless mommy and daddy that they will get better. I don't know how the two are related, but Sofi is doing that more and more. Also, the girls think they are old enough and smart enough to parent one another. Jaynee and I often catch them scolding the other using the exact same words with the proper tone of voice that Jaynee or I have used on them. It is funny to see the girls yell at each other for something before we get a chance. What is really weird is that they are using the very words we were going to say. The title for this entry is the name of an episode from Dora the Explorer. A part of the episode has a bush that says everything that Dora and the monkey says. Well our girls seem to think they are the bush some days.
Just to fill you all in on some of the other mundane items in our lives: Sofi has one leg 1/2 inch longer than the other so she must wear a heel lift when she wears shoes; Emma still doesn't sleep at night, but she believes she is capable of reading a book even when there is no light; Jaynee will be hosting a food storage party at the end of the month; and I am still going to rehab and working on getting my leg better. I hope to be out of the locking leg brace by the end of this week.
Lastly, I have a 4-day holiday this upcoming weekend. We were initially going to travel to Atlanta so that we can get our first interview for the adoption process to begin, but the counselor will be coming to see us. This is a big step for us. We were going to go travel somewhere but it is also Stake Conference, and I have a couple of meetings that I must attend. So I think we will be looking to take some time off later this spring.
Sorry there are no pictures. The weather was a little cold, wet, and snowy. Yes, it snowed for about 3 hours this past week. I believe that makes it our 4th snow storm this season. I don't think Augusta has ever seen that much snow fall. Mr. Al Gore, where is this global warming you believe is occurring because I have yet to see it except in Iraq.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Luke, I am your Father!!

It is always hard to figure out what happened over the last week that would be interesting for anyone else but for us. I guess I will start with the latest pictures that Jaynee got then go from there.
Jaynee pulled out a couple of empty wrapping paper tubes for the girls to play with. They began by first having a sword fight. I like to think about my little girls as apprentice Jedi's in training; hence the title of this week's post. From there Sofi wanted to play another game. How she came up with it I don't know but it basically involves laying the two tubes out in a row and jumping over them. When you are done, you run back to the beginning and do it all over again. Jaynee said this went on for 20 minutes. I do believe that they slept very well that day for their afternoon naps as well as during the night.

Last week Jaynee purchased pressure vest for the girls. It is to be used as a means to provide comfort for the girls by having something wrapped tightly around their body. It seems to be working for Sofi who loves the vest. Emma will wear it, but is not too please to have to put it on from time to time. Here is a picture of Sofi posing with her vest.

Lastly, Jaynee has been working really hard to keep the girls engaged with an activity or two each day. Lately it has been putting together jigsaw puzzles. The other day they were playing Elefun which is a game that helps the girls learn coordination by catching butterflies that are launched through a really long nose of an elephant. The girls are getting better at it. At first they could only catch something by accident, but now they sometime attempt to catch the falling butterflies. They still need some work, but at least they are making progress.

Jaynee and I have been as busy as ever. With both of our church callings, me going back to work, and starting my second to last class for school, it seems like we have very little time to enjoy each other's company. We have been working on it, and as long as I continue to follow my planned homework schedule we should be able to enjoy a night a week playing games or watching a movie. Sometime I forget how much time we don't spend together since we got the girls. This is something I really want to work on and I am pretty sure that Jaynee wants the same. When my parents were here, we played a lot of games together and since then that craving has not left us. Let’s just hope that I continue to work diligently on my homework so that we can continually have quiet personal time together each week.