I really find names and their meanings interesting. Trey and I thought long and hard about our kids' names. We wanted them to have names that weren't overly common (yeah, I know, Ethan is probably in the top 10 right now, but I still love it.). We also didn't want their names to be so unusual, that they would sound weird or be too difficult to pronounce or spell.
I wanted to pass on my middle name, Nicole, to our daughter and also liked that my brother and I both have Greek names. When Trey told me that he wanted to name his daughter Cassandra, I was excited. It is Greek and sounded nice with Nicole. So, we now have Cassandra Nicole.
The boys names were tougher. There aren't a lot of Greek boy names that aren't too common, but also not "weird". Trey resorted to a baby name book and came across Elijah. He liked it and thought Ethan would go well with it since we wanted their first names to begin with the same letter. I loved both names and was excited to learn that they are both Hebrew. We gave them Greek middle names and ended up with Elijah Alexander and Ethan Christopher.
After we had named all of the kids, I got more interested in name meanings and was pleased with the meaning of the kids names.
Cassandra Nicole means "prophetess" of "victory of the people"
Elijah Alexander means "The Lord is my God" "defender of mankind"
Ethan Christopher means "steadfast" "Christ-bearer"
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
25 Random Things
This started on Facebook and Jill brought it to Bloggspot. My 25 things in my blog might be different than my 25 on facebook. It is a new day, so here goes.
1. I love Jesus. He's just awesome. I love the church I am a member of right now and think that God is just doing great things through his faithful people here in Mansfield.
2. I have really started to enjoy cooking. Food Network is a favorite channel of mine and I am a Paula Dean and Rachel Ray junkie. Pampered Chef is also becoming a bit of an obsession.
3. My family is so cool. Trey is my BFF :) and it is a pleasure to be a mom to Cassandra, Ethan, and Elijah.
4. Trey and I are really hoping to adopt someday and I am thinking that we better get the process started soon. We are leaning towards international adoption and maybe, more specifically China.
5. Reading is a passion of mine. My favorite fiction book of all time is "To Kill a Mockingbird". I've taken to reading the Bible more recently and am amazed over and over again how applicable it is to my everyday life.
6. I secretly love teeny bopper movies like HSM, Mean Girls, etc. I even made Trey take my to see Twilight in the theaters. (See, he really is my BFF.)
7. I work part time at Fashion Bug and love it because it is more quiet there than at my house.
8. I love Target and dread shopping at Walmart. Target is cleaner, has nicer employees, and is just plain better. Having a Starbucks in-store is also a plus.
9. There is no such thing as too much coffee!!!
10. Trey and I took our Honeymoon at Disney World and I can't wait to go back with the kids.
11. I realized recently that Trey and I have only taken vacation without visiting family for our Honeymoon and we need to take more trips as just the two of us. (Good thing we live so close to grandma and grandpa.)
12. I think I am becoming a Texan. (SHHH! Don't tell anyone.) I am starting to kinda love it down here.
13. That being said, I'll always be a Virginian, too. After all VA is for Lovers. The weather is great up there. And no, trees are not overrated. They are beautiful and who cares if you have to rake leaves every weekend for 2 months straight.
14. I recently joined the choir at church and am really enjoying it. It's nice to sing somewhere other than the car and the shower.
15. Being a mom of twins is so cool. I secretly love when people ask about them and talk about how amazing it is that they look so different. What girl doesn't like a little attention, even if it is just for baking the most beautiful babies in the world.
16. I am addicted to TV. I like too many shows to pick a favorite. Some of my DVR'd shows are LOST, 24, House, Secret Life, and Bones.
17. I have discovered that 5 year olds talk about more random things than even me. I may go off on random tangents, but 5 year olds just pull stuff out of the air.
18. I have become more politically outspoken as I have gotten older and begun a family. I just want my kids to be able to take care of themselves and live free someday!
19. I have a celebrity crush on Shia LaBouf. He's like 12 and kinda goofy, but I think he's a doll.
20. Trey and I like to watch the first few episodes of American Idol to laugh at the rejects. After that, we switch back to our regularly scheduled programming.
21. I love hugs. If you see me and know me even a little bit, give me a hug. I'll hug you back. (If we don't know each other at all, please don't invade my personal space.)
22. It drives me crazy when Trey or Cass leave the lights on. Do we really need lights on in rooms that no one is occupying?
23. Almost 3 year old boys have tons of energy and are amazingly loud. Where does their energy come from and how do I tap into it?
24. Trey and I like to window shop and even enjoy taking the kids with us. I can pull two shopping carts, with a 5 year old, two 3 year olds, and a 5 month old in tow, through Target all by myself. It makes me feel like SuperMom. :)
25. I am learning that laundry is a never ending task. I don't know how my mom got all of her laundry and ironing done on the weekends. She is amazing and apparently didn't pass those genes on to me. My laundry is sometimes a daily task. Poor Trey wears wrinkled shirts more often than not.
1. I love Jesus. He's just awesome. I love the church I am a member of right now and think that God is just doing great things through his faithful people here in Mansfield.
2. I have really started to enjoy cooking. Food Network is a favorite channel of mine and I am a Paula Dean and Rachel Ray junkie. Pampered Chef is also becoming a bit of an obsession.
3. My family is so cool. Trey is my BFF :) and it is a pleasure to be a mom to Cassandra, Ethan, and Elijah.
4. Trey and I are really hoping to adopt someday and I am thinking that we better get the process started soon. We are leaning towards international adoption and maybe, more specifically China.
5. Reading is a passion of mine. My favorite fiction book of all time is "To Kill a Mockingbird". I've taken to reading the Bible more recently and am amazed over and over again how applicable it is to my everyday life.
6. I secretly love teeny bopper movies like HSM, Mean Girls, etc. I even made Trey take my to see Twilight in the theaters. (See, he really is my BFF.)
7. I work part time at Fashion Bug and love it because it is more quiet there than at my house.
8. I love Target and dread shopping at Walmart. Target is cleaner, has nicer employees, and is just plain better. Having a Starbucks in-store is also a plus.
9. There is no such thing as too much coffee!!!
10. Trey and I took our Honeymoon at Disney World and I can't wait to go back with the kids.
11. I realized recently that Trey and I have only taken vacation without visiting family for our Honeymoon and we need to take more trips as just the two of us. (Good thing we live so close to grandma and grandpa.)
12. I think I am becoming a Texan. (SHHH! Don't tell anyone.) I am starting to kinda love it down here.
13. That being said, I'll always be a Virginian, too. After all VA is for Lovers. The weather is great up there. And no, trees are not overrated. They are beautiful and who cares if you have to rake leaves every weekend for 2 months straight.
14. I recently joined the choir at church and am really enjoying it. It's nice to sing somewhere other than the car and the shower.
15. Being a mom of twins is so cool. I secretly love when people ask about them and talk about how amazing it is that they look so different. What girl doesn't like a little attention, even if it is just for baking the most beautiful babies in the world.
16. I am addicted to TV. I like too many shows to pick a favorite. Some of my DVR'd shows are LOST, 24, House, Secret Life, and Bones.
17. I have discovered that 5 year olds talk about more random things than even me. I may go off on random tangents, but 5 year olds just pull stuff out of the air.
18. I have become more politically outspoken as I have gotten older and begun a family. I just want my kids to be able to take care of themselves and live free someday!
19. I have a celebrity crush on Shia LaBouf. He's like 12 and kinda goofy, but I think he's a doll.
20. Trey and I like to watch the first few episodes of American Idol to laugh at the rejects. After that, we switch back to our regularly scheduled programming.
21. I love hugs. If you see me and know me even a little bit, give me a hug. I'll hug you back. (If we don't know each other at all, please don't invade my personal space.)
22. It drives me crazy when Trey or Cass leave the lights on. Do we really need lights on in rooms that no one is occupying?
23. Almost 3 year old boys have tons of energy and are amazingly loud. Where does their energy come from and how do I tap into it?
24. Trey and I like to window shop and even enjoy taking the kids with us. I can pull two shopping carts, with a 5 year old, two 3 year olds, and a 5 month old in tow, through Target all by myself. It makes me feel like SuperMom. :)
25. I am learning that laundry is a never ending task. I don't know how my mom got all of her laundry and ironing done on the weekends. She is amazing and apparently didn't pass those genes on to me. My laundry is sometimes a daily task. Poor Trey wears wrinkled shirts more often than not.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
No Stroller!
I met my mother-in-law at the local mall this morning to pick up some freebies from Macy's and Dillard's. Gracie stayed home this morning because she is feeling under the weather, so it was just the boys and I. Of course I forgot the stroller in the rush to get on the road and I was a bit apprehensive about keeping the boys close. I shouldn't have worried. They were (for the most part) little gentlemen. They held grandma's and mommy's hands while we walked the mall and were even pretty good while we waited in the long line at Dillards. (we decided not to press our luck, and skipped Macy's) As a reward for their good behavior, we went and rode the carousel. They were big boys and each rode their own horse. Grandma and Mommy got to ride, too. They loved going round and round, up and down, and enjoyed the lights and music. When the ride was over, they hopped down without complaint and thanked the attendant as we exited. We watched the ice skaters for a few minutes and then said goodbye to the mall. I was so pleased with my sweet, little men. Who needs a stroller, anyway!!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Hi/Lo Thursday
This post is part of "Hi/Lo Thursday" on Riggs Family Blog (www.riggsfamilyblog.com):
This is supposed to be a post on a high and a low for the week, but our high and low both occurred today, so it really is Hi/Lo Thursday.
Our high:
Grandma bought the kids a fish and brought it over this afternoon. Cass named it Nemo (of course) and the kids each got to feed it one pellet of fish food tonight. It was also nice that Grandma is feeling better and was able to bring Nemo home and visit with the kids a little. We miss her when we don't get to see her for several days.
My low:
Today is Bryan's birthday and I miss him. It makes me a bit sad to be here in Texas and unable to place a flower on his grave. It makes me even sadder that that is all I can do for him anymore.
This is supposed to be a post on a high and a low for the week, but our high and low both occurred today, so it really is Hi/Lo Thursday.
Our high:
Grandma bought the kids a fish and brought it over this afternoon. Cass named it Nemo (of course) and the kids each got to feed it one pellet of fish food tonight. It was also nice that Grandma is feeling better and was able to bring Nemo home and visit with the kids a little. We miss her when we don't get to see her for several days.
My low:
Today is Bryan's birthday and I miss him. It makes me a bit sad to be here in Texas and unable to place a flower on his grave. It makes me even sadder that that is all I can do for him anymore.
January 15th
Today is Bryan's birthday. He would have been 28 and I find it sad that I remember his birthday now that he is gone. I don't know if I remembered every year that I knew him when he was alive. Now, when I hear the date, it stands out and I am reminded of loss. The loss of his smile, or his sense of humor. The loss of my friend. It has been 5 1/2 years since Bryan died, and still I think of him often. I miss him often. I wish for one more day, one more hour often. I wish I had known the last time that I saw him that it would be the last time. What would I have said? Would we have talked about the important things, or would we have joked around and just enjoyed each other's company? Time is a funny thing. It eases pain, but it can never erase it completely. Today, like many days, I miss you, Bryan. I've missed you since May 25, 2003 and I know that I'll continue to miss you for the rest of my days. For now, Happy Birthday, friend. I love you.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Holidays 2008
Cass and Ethan on NYE.
Elijah rockin' in the New Year.
Ethan parties!
Christmas Eve 2008.
Trey, Great Grandma Donaldson, and the boys.
Elijah rockin' in the New Year.
Ethan parties!
Christmas Eve 2008.
Trey, Great Grandma Donaldson, and the boys.The Donaldson family chose to spend a quiet holiday season at home this year. As I type "quiet", I am chuckling on the inside. Quiet is relative with 2 almost 3 year old boys. Trey's grandmother was in town over Christmas, so we all got to spend a bit of time with her. It was neat to see the kids get some time with their great-grandmother. We attended Christmas Eve service at our church, First Baptist Mansfield, and the kids did pretty well. We drove around and looked at Christmas lights. The boys loved this activity and got really excited when the lights were on "their side" of the car. Christmas morning is a blur of wrapping paper and ribbon. The kids had a great time and Mom and Dad enjoyed watching them play.
We stayed in for New Year's Eve also. Grandma and Grandpa came over and the kids stayed up late (til about 10). We ate snacks and watched TV. The kids loved blowing on the party horns and putting party hats on Grandma, Grandpa, and Daddy. Altogether, it was a really sweet holiday and we hope to have many more in the future!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Confession Time
I have to confess that Christmastime is my favorite time of year. Starting at Halloween and running through New Years, I am always excited about the season. However, this year I am also excited to get back in my normal routine. I have had a wonderful holiday season and we've made some sweet memories and started some new traditions, but I have also missed some of the normal things that we do. I am ready to get back to Life Group every Sunday. We have so many great friends there and I miss seeing them on a regular basis. I am ready to see Baby Gracie again, too. Sleeping in for the past two weeks has been nice, but I bet she's grown even in that short time and I can't wait to see her first thing Monday morning. I am also excited for Choir and Bunco to start back up again. It is fun to get out and have a few adult conversations (not that Cassie can't talk...and talk...and talk.) and of course enjoy yummy treats at Bunco.
While I love all of these activities that I am already involved in, I am also looking forward to making a few changes in 2009. I have been working at Fashion Bug for the past few months and hope to continue doing so even though the holidays have passed. I am really enjoying it and love that it's part time. It's fun to go to work for a few hours and then come home and not worry about how things are going at the store. I also signed up for a 2 year membership at 24 Hour Fitness. The gym is just down the street, so I am hoping to really give it a go and get in better shape. (Maybe Cass and her gymnastics lessons will be an inspiration.) I am also determined to get Elijah and Ethan POTTY TRAINED. I am so not looking forward to this endeavor, but it has to be done. It will be so wonderful not to be changing diapers all of the time. (It's been 5 1/2 years and counting of diaper changing at the Donaldson's!!)
So, 2009 has arrived and I am looking forward to the coming year. I can't wait to see what this new year has in store for the Donaldson family and I vow to try to enjoy each day as it comes. I hope to see some old friends and family in the coming months, deepen the new friendships that have been forged in the past year, and maybe make some new friends along the way.
While I love all of these activities that I am already involved in, I am also looking forward to making a few changes in 2009. I have been working at Fashion Bug for the past few months and hope to continue doing so even though the holidays have passed. I am really enjoying it and love that it's part time. It's fun to go to work for a few hours and then come home and not worry about how things are going at the store. I also signed up for a 2 year membership at 24 Hour Fitness. The gym is just down the street, so I am hoping to really give it a go and get in better shape. (Maybe Cass and her gymnastics lessons will be an inspiration.) I am also determined to get Elijah and Ethan POTTY TRAINED. I am so not looking forward to this endeavor, but it has to be done. It will be so wonderful not to be changing diapers all of the time. (It's been 5 1/2 years and counting of diaper changing at the Donaldson's!!)
So, 2009 has arrived and I am looking forward to the coming year. I can't wait to see what this new year has in store for the Donaldson family and I vow to try to enjoy each day as it comes. I hope to see some old friends and family in the coming months, deepen the new friendships that have been forged in the past year, and maybe make some new friends along the way.
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