It's My Birthday

My birthday package arrived just in time for my upcoming birthday on Monday. I'll give my readers 3 guesses to figure out what I received in the mail.



This has been a birthday tradition since...well, since we moved out of the dairy state. C'mon take a guess. What special treat was delivered to my door.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here is hoping y'all had a blessed day - we sure did.

Daily Encouragement

As I read through my Bible this morning - I realized Galatians was the last book on my list to complete before officially saying I'd read the entire New Testament. It wasn't long into my study that - of course -Paloma woke up. I was hoping to get a bit more reading in but....I finished up Chapter 2 and decided I'd have to call it good - but not before reading the very last verse. This is the last words I'll be left with today.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

Galatians 2: 20-21

Calgon, Take Me Away

Craft Day

In a desire to lay low and relax after the long trip we had just taken, I rounded up the girls and dedicated the morning to crafts and homework. Mattea had a bunch of activities to catch up on from preschool and Paloma - well since she hates learning - she was to work on crafts. The craft cart is getting a wee bit low on supplies but I managed to find noodles, beans, glue, paper plates....

All in all we worked on writing, cutting, gluing, and creativity. I'd say it was an educational day - with not a lot of cleanup involved.

A Breath Of Fresh Air

Moms - Moms - Have you ever had one of those days where you happened to wake up on the wrong side of the bed? And not just on the wrong side of the bed, you wake up on the wrong side of the bed with PMS - and not just with PMS, but PMS at the very worst you ever had and as you look out the window you realize it has to be at least 3 more hours before the sun rises.

One of those mornings where you know darn well you are blessed beyond words but you are grumpy as all get out - and you happen to be on your way to church. Ugh! God gives you so much to be thankful for but all you can do is sulk and pout about how your head hurts, the coffee doesn't taste right, there is not enough chocolate in the house, the kids are acting like hooligans, your clothes (for obvious reasons) don't fit right, there is no time to curl your hair, the kids have dug their fingernails in your favorite eyeshadow, your husband has dodged off to "hide" in the bathroom, and the dogs are jumping up on the table eating the breakfast that you (or your husband) has just made?

I for one have never had one of those days but just in case you ladies have, I decided to post this - A Breath Of Fresh Air.

My little Paloma simply takes my breath away. I catch a glimpse of her and think she is absolutely stunning. It is in the brief moment in time, as a I grab my camera, that I am reminded of what I truly have to be thankful for. God may not have given me enough hours in the morning to get ready for church but He gave me two stunning little girls to which I am eternally grateful.

Just a little something to think about.....

Steal Of A Deal

Sooooo - I am not a fan of Walmart (for multiple reasons) but I happened to be frequenting there on my latest trip back to Wisc. The girls were requesting Bucky Badgers Blankets to take with them no the plane. After hearing Walmart had a good selection, I went in and browsed - stumbling upon the Halloween Clearance aisle. Not being a fan, I'm sure your wondering why? I like to shop?????

Anyways, I stumbled across a few costumes marked down to the very low price of - - $1.00. The girls are always looking for things to stuff into their dress up trunk and mommy scored them some bargains. I bought 3 outfits - a pink cowgirl, super girl, and a flapper outfit for just over $3.00.

Now my girls think they are all that - and to be truthful, I'd have to agree!

Untitled

1 Serious Daddy + 1 Semi-Serious Mommy = 2 Silly Sisters.

Freaky Friday

Waving Goodbye To Wisconsin

On the eve of our last night in the cheese state, my girls are quietly sleeping in their beds after a long day of play with their grandparents and cousins, I am about to crack open a bottle of wine and enjoy a caramel apple from the good old apple capital, and my sister is probably suffering from a major case of new parent exhaustion. Sounds like a fun bunch huh? Today, we had an eventful day of play - play with grandma and grandpa, play with cousin Bennett at park enjoying the awesome weather this state is having, and play with my friend Merranda and her 3 kids. My babies are sleeping like angels right now. They are exhausted and overwhelmed and quite frankly so am I. It will be nice to get back out our normal home routine - although it has been a nice deviation.

We will board the plane back to the west tomorrow - here's hoping for safe travels and quiet kids. See you back in the homeland.

Random Trip Pics

1/2 Way to 60

While visiting in Wisconsin, we have had the privilege of helping my sister celebrate her 30th birthday. Yikes! She is getting old - I just mean older than the 6 year old piggy tailed red head I remembered from the old days. 30 years young is how we are choosing to look at it. And being the bigger sister - if she is getting old, what does that say of me? Funny how life has a way of creeping up on you. Anywhooooo

Happy Birthday Aunt Kim. With no wrinkles and not one grey hair, I'd say your doing pretty darn good!

Smitten!

Smitten says it all - no further words needed to describe how my kids feel about their new cousin Landon. Of course, they are pretty fond of their cousin Bennett as well - but I think the new baby has captured all of their attention.

Seriously!

Have you ever seen a better looking group of kids than these? Aren't they absolutely adorable. We told all three they needed to walk hand in hand as we made our way to the children's museum today. They looked so darn cute we couldn't help but snap a few shots.




I think they are all having a great time. There have been some minor problems but nothing you wouldn't expect when you get 4 children 4 and under together under one roof. All in all, they play well, laugh a lot, and enjoy being with each other. It will be sad when we have to say goodbye.....

Guess Who Is Catching Baby Fever?

I am.....



I never did get the fever related to the flu that my family had almost 3 weeks back but I have come down with something worse - that's right baby fever. Ugh. How can you not when you cuddling this little cutie?

UPdate

Hello blog friends,
A bit out of touch lately - yes, but not for long. I'm hoping the next week brings many wonderful memories, stories, and pictures to blog about. What is going on you ask? Well, the girls and I are boarding a plane tomorrow morning and headed back to the Midwest for a week long visit with family.

My sister's little boy was born a few weeks ago and we are all dying to meet him. Not to mention grandparent visits, great-grandparent visits, friend visits, Rocky Rococo visits, etc....

After painting 30 fingernails & 30 toenails, packing at least 20 sweaters, 21 pairs of pants, endless amounts of underpants, and a large Ziploc bag full of bows, ribbons, headbands, hairspray etc, my girls and I are ready to make the way back. Wow is it a bit much when traveling with 3 females. Yikes. But, since you are being charged for the bag you might as well pack it as tight as it possibly will go without busting the zipper right?

Updates to come I'm sure. As for now, after 2.5 hours of sleep last night due to a long night on the unit, this momma is headed to bed in hopes of waking refreshed and cheerful as I begin my long day of traveling. Nothing like spending an entire day in dirty, unhealthy, stinky airports with two curious children who touch EVERYTHING. Not to mention airport food, airport staff, airport monitors, airport television, yada yada yada!

Welcome me back Wisconsin. Hoping to catch a Brett Favre sighting. Oh wait, that's right, he can be found in Minnesota these days. Not to worry, I'll be traveling there too.