Genius

And now he identifies letters!

It's official, he is a genius! :)

Damon Riding

He walked at 9 months and now is driving at 17 months!

The Amazing gRACE

I helped coordinate a smaller version of the Amazing Race this past weekend with Bridge, the young adult group I am a part of at Grace Baptist Church. We called it the Amazing gRACE. It had many of the same tasks, challenges and ideas as the show, but we added, changed and edited a bit. It took about 3 hours and you only needed a car for transportation, but you did have to fly a plane! Tracy, Ben, Allison and Damon joined me for the fun! I knew the clues and answers so I didn't get to participate with them, but it was fun, exciting, nerve racking and competitive all at the same time!

Some of the clues and tasks included:

Building an airplane and flying it for 20 seconds

Finding fairy wings.

Playing duck duck goose at the mall, with extra points if you got a stranger to play!

Complimenting and getting a group picture with a mall cop (which was foiled when said mall cops couldn't actually have their picture taken).

Finding a Bridge member hidden inside a HUGE furniture store.

Taking group pictures at various locations and finding locations with clues like 'one step from Heaven' and then 'off to the Cross' . Tracy and Allison's team won, beating Ben's team, even though they got back at the same time! The girls answered more of the extra questions!

You Are My I Love You - Maryann K. Cusimano

I love this book so much! It essentially describes a day with a child. As a nanny and aunt, I can understand these connections and feelings, and I can only imagine what it must be like when this child is your own flesh and blood. Enjoy!

For Aliya, Hannah, Isaac, Matthew, Drew, Liam and Damon ~ You are my I Love You!

I am your parent; you are my child.
I am your quiet place; you are my wild.

I am your calm face; you are my giggle.
I am your wait; you are my wiggle.

I am your carriage ride; you are my king.
I am your push; you are my swing.

I am your audience; you are my clown.
I am your London Bridge; you are my falling down.

I am your carrot sticks; you are my licorice.
I am your dandelion; you are my first wish.

I am your water wings; you are my deep.
I am your open arms; you are my running leap.

I am your way home; you are my new path.
I am your dry towel; you are my wet bath.

I am your dinner; you are my chocolate cake.
I am your bedtime; you are my wide awake.

I am your finish line; you are my race.
I am your praying hands; you are my saying grace.

I am your favorite book; you are my new lines.
I am your night-light; you are my star shine.

I am your lullaby; you are my peekaboo.
I am your goodnight kiss; you are my I Love You.

Maine Cherubs meet Massachuseets Cherubs

And for a moment, they shared a couch for Nanny Tarsha/Aunt Tarsha/Tosha to snap a picture! (Even if half of them were hiding their face or trying to get down.)
The children all played together nicely (for the most part). They got up extremely early and made us all laugh several times throughout our stay. A certain someone had to be informed about guests and etiquette and a certain guest must have been listening! The children were playing upstairs and we could hear them downstairs. We heard some banter and then heard Matthew say, "I am your guest and you need to be nice to me!" We figured he was right and they should move on. A few minutes later Matthew came half way down the stairs, and peered through the rails. "That girl is being rude to me!" He forgot their names a few times, but he sure didn't want to leave. He asked me "When can we come back Tarsha? Let's come back on your next day off!"

We played outside in the snow and Isaac shared his snowboard with this little guy who has been eager to get a ride on one!

The girl got her hair curled and was able to utilize Hannah's flower girl dresses. She looked gorgeous but I didn't get a picture. :(

Introducing all my cherubs was a great experience and I look forward to bringing them back for more fun. Thank you Tanya for being such a great hostess!

My Littlest Man is WALKING ~ at 9 months!

This is my special nephew Damon Andrew. He belongs to my best friend Allison and her husband Mike. He entered this world fast and furiously back on January 9, 2008 at 3am and he hasn't stopped being fast and furious ever since! I almost cried when I got this video tonight. Thanks Al for keeping me up to date on my very special nephew! His Nanny Tarsha sure does love and miss him! Kiss him for me...mmmwwwaaa!

Can't forget my other Little People!

Love you guys! :)

One Little Heartbeat at a Time- Steven Curtis Chapman

Meet one of my closest and best friends, Allison. Al and I are so very much the same and yet, we are so different. She is as honest with me as anyone ever has been, she encourages me, praises me, listens to me and on occasion scolds me, but all the while, she is right beside me and along for this ride we call friendship. I can call Al at 1am with a problem or in the middle of the day to ask a favor. She rescued my pets -Laz the cat during college and Sydney the dog most recently, when I failed as a responsible pet owner. I don't feel so bad because my pets move on up in the world...its good to be a pet of Allison's! Well really, it's good to be anything of Allison's! She is thoughtful and caring, brilliant and beautiful. Everything a girl could want in a friend.

In January, Allison became a Mom. If there is one thing she does better than being a friend, its being a Mom. I am so proud of her. She seamlessly juggles motherhood, teaching, taking care of a home, being a great wife, sister, daughter, mother, aunt, daughter-in-law, and my friend! I heard this song and thought of her and wanted to acknowledge her in this way.

Pause the music at the bottom of the page before playing. Enjoy!