My Sweet Baby Girl Is Growing

Touch Of Love

You were six months old, and full of fun
With a blink of my eye, you were suddenly one.
There were so many things we were going to do
But I turned my head and you turned two.



At two you were still dependent on me
But independence took over when you turned three.
Your third birthday, another year I wished to ignore
But as I lit the candles, there weren't three but four.



Four was the year that you really strived.
Why look at you now, you're already five.
Now you're ready for books and rules.
This is the year that you go to school.



The big day came, you were anxious to go.
We walked to the bus going oh, so slow.
As the bus drove away and you waved goodbye
I felt a lump in my throat and a tear stung my eye.



For when the bus brings you home and you jump to the ground
You'll be wearing your cap and graduation gown.
Time goes by so fast it's hard to believe
Why just yesterday you were home with me.



So I'm holding to these moments as hard as I can
Because the next time I look, I'll be seeing a woman
-Cindy Zelinkski

Untitled

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove -- but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child."

Thoughts Of A Busy Mother

If I can't find time to wash the floor
Who will remember or care?
If I don't patch the hole in their blue jeans,
They can wear another pair.

The dust can sit right where it is,
For tomorrow there will be more.
If the day is too short to bake a cake,
I can always run to the store.

But if I forget to wipe a tear
Or to kiss an inured knee,
To cheer a frown, turn it upside down
Until they're chuckling with glee;

If I would fail to stop and chat
When their tales are filled with woe,
To listen for unspoken words
That only sad eyes show;

If I missed a chance to see the world
Through their precious eyes...
A dandelion, a crawly bug,
A rainbow in the sky...

Then I've missed a chance to share the day
With one I hold most dear;
For God was knocking at my heart
And I was too busy to hear.

(Thank you Mrs. Gardner. I really needed this!)

Wordless Wednesday

Ramblings of a very tired mommy

I won't say much except to say this....

I just got done posting a bunch of pictures of the girls. The effort was minimal, the time was short. Didn't take a whole lot to "catch my blog up."

Problem is, I kind of have a whole lot more to post about. I have posts started regarding expectations, posts about selfishness, posts about marriage, mommy hood, and milk. Problem is, I have no energy left to go deep. Yes, these are deep ones. And I have so much to say, I just don't have the energy to say it. So please stop back. My desire is not to fill this blog with silly underwear pics and random Mattea poses (although they are cute to look at.) My ultimate desire is to be honest with myself and those who read my blog about what life is like. The ups, the down, and all the in between. So, I encourage you to stop and back if you are completely uninterested in staring at my 3 year olds tush. More in depth content to come.

Because We Are No Longer Napping

I sometimes get this in the afternoon...... sigh. What's a momma to do?

The Many Moods Of Mattea

Because the weather was uncooperative for an afternoon of fun filled frolicking at the park today, the girls and I decided to head down to Rafiki instead.



Dress up was the 'in thing' today.



Mattea couldn't get enough of it.



The outfits just kept coming, and coming, and



coming......



She is an adorable child no matter what she has on.

What Could Be Cuter?

than a 3 year old in "boy shorts?"


Most recently, Mattea was having issues with "bunching" (ladies, you know what I mean). Problem solved when I began buying her "boy shorts." Well, after realizing Mattea no longer fits into the 100 pairs in her dresser drawer, I headed off to the store to replenish her supply. Of course when her sister saw all of the new panties, she wanted some as well. I want "big girl panties too." So, low and behold, I found "boy shorts" in size 2T-3T and I couldn't resist. She prances around the house in them and looks so stinkin cute. Do you agree?

Mother's Day

I am not going to elaborate too much on Mother's Day (I am simply closing the chapter on this past weekend for good) but I did want to include a few photos that I took of the girls and I. The weather was nice & the girls were both in great moods. Here's hoping all you moms had a great weekend of rest, relaxation, and above all else ~ appreciation for all you do.

Wordless Wednesday

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

A nurse!



How fitting ~ since it is nurse's week and all! Did y'all know that? Hug a nurse, thank a nurse, heck - buy a nurse a box of chocolates.

What is a Friend?

My children were fortunate enough to have a play date this week with a couple of new friends of theirs from Bible study. They played dress up, did art projects, enjoyed a snack and took a trip to the park together.



We are blessed to have wonderful friends around us - those who support us, help us, and lend guidance to us when we need it most. I so desire that for my children.



I hope in the upcoming months and years, my children will foster their friendships and realize the importance of a good friend. Thanks ladies for a wonderful afternoon!





"Friends are the bacon bits in the salad bowl of life."
- Anon

The Expression Says It All

Count Your Pennies

Join us for the Fourth Annual 31 Cent Scoop Night. We are once again paying tribute to local fire fighting heroes and thanking our loyal customers by lowering the price of Baskin-Robbins scoops to just 31 cents!

On April 28, America’s favorite neighborhood ice cream shop is partnering with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring fallen fire heroes and assisting their families and coworkers.

As part of the event, the Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation will make a $100,000 donation to the NFFF. Participating Baskin-Robbins stores will help raise additional funds for local firehouses by inviting fire departments to the event to collect donations.

We hope you can join us on 31 Cent Scoop Night!



Did you all make it out to Baskin Robbins last night? Who can resist ice cream for .31 cents? Not our family.



The kids grabbed their piggy banks, counted their change, and dashed for the car as soon as dinner was complete.



Although the line was long, it was worth it. The kids (and I) got a fabulous scoop of ice cream and lots and lots of smiles. And we supported a good cause. Who can ask for more?

Bathtime Fun With My Babes

Paloma's Plug

Yesterdays dinner experience was atrocious. They children were obviously wild and had an exuberant amount of energy at the arrival of their father. I was trying hard not to squash that energy, but things were certainly getting out of control.

Finally, I had had enough. Paloma was acting like a crazy monster ~ running around dancing, singing, spilling things. She was cute in the process, but this was still my dinner table.

I stopped her in her tracks after heading several warnings and simply said, "Paloma, where did you come from."

Paloma's response "The zoo."

Based one her actions, I simply could not disagree with her.

Here's hoping tomorrow is a little more settled.

Girls Night Out

Calling all moms.....



Have you checked this place out yet? One word: Fabulous.



Daddy's plane was supposed to fly in this afternoon but not much to our surprise - it didn't. I'm not sure who was more upset, me or the girls. Since I hadn't planned anything to do (I thought we'd do nothing but hang with pappa tonight), my first response was to panic. Silly - but I like to have a game plan.

Without a second thought, I called this new little salon in town that specializes in children. After a brief description of their services, I decided tonight was officially "girls night."

Told the girls to change their shirts, wash the chocolate and finger paint off their faces, and jump into the car for a spa night and dinner with mommy.



The girls were each treated to a manicure followed by a haircut and fancy hairstyle.






The finishing touch - glitter. Fancy shmancy hair glitter.



Feeling absolutely like a princess, I took them out to dinner at their favorite restaurant - Souper Salad! It was a lovely evening except that I was running low on patience at the end and so everyone went to bed in tears ~ but I'm truthful in saying the rest of the evening was fun. Mattea thanked me for a nice night as she shoveled in salad and cornbread. She loves her curls and of course Paloma is loving her braids.

Check this place out moms - it is truly a great experience.

Wordless Wednesday

Spring Has Sprung

What a glorious and blessed (not to mention warm) weekend we had. I was lucky enough to have the entire weekend off to enjoy with my family (which was a blessing since Dave headed out on business late Sun. evening). After kicking butt to get all of my ridiculous chores done last week, our family was able to "play" the entire weekend.



We started off Saturday morning with a family run followed by lunch at the park. We topped out the afternoon with lots of family fun and then an evening at church.



Sunday was just as magnificent as most of the day - scratch that - all of the day was spent outside blowing bubbles, gardening, playing in the sandbox, and roller skating. How can you possibly beat that?

TV Trance!

Imagination

At my house, free play involves nothing but creativity and imagination. My kids have a knack for it. Every time I turn around, they are playing nurse, Costco lady, Schwann man, delivery room, shoe salesman, and now married people.

Not to long ago, we hosted a wedding at my house. Both Mattea and Paloma wanted to get dressed up and get married. They often look at our wedding album and ask a lot of questions - which I never mind. Of course, it is a learning tool for me to talk about the institution of marriage and how absolutely wonderful it is. They are still in the fairytale bubble that they will be marrying their daddy - and I just don't have the heart to tell them that that Prince Charming is already taken. I do hope they find men that are just as wonderful and godly as their daddy though.

So the girls got dressed up, put on some fancy jewelry, gathered some accessories, and asked if I would watch their ceremony. They took turns walking up and down the aisle. Their time will come - more quickly than I'd like I'm sure. But it made for a nice, cute, imaginative afternoon.

Ugh!

So a quick (and I mean quick) note to let you all know where I've been. I miss blogging and certainly have many posts that I'd like to write. I have a little problem though. You see those two kids in the picture above? Sweet aren't they? Well as sweet as they are, they are needy. Needy, needy, needy. "Mommy play with me, mommy wipe my bumm, mommy I'm thirsty, mommy I need a snack, mommy mommy mommy." Ah yes, the familiar tone that rings in my ear. And now, it rings in my ear all day because both girls have decided that napping is for babies. Yep, my world has been turned upside down, literally.

I have no time to do anything!!!!! The only reason I'm posting right now is because I got lucky and Mattea is reading a book to Paloma. But holy buckets - life is sure different now. And I can't help but say that I am sad. I used to be so good about staying up on laundry, dishes, cleaning, bills, projects, etc. That is a joke. My kids wake up in the morning and don't stop until their little head hits the pillow. I'm working hard at encouraging them to play alone otherwise my whole house will fall apart - but Paloma lasts for only about 15 min. in her room and she comes out bugging for a playmate.

Keep me in your prayers this week as we continue to adjust. Mommy has been a bit cranky not to mention downright tired. Where these kids get their energy I'll never know, but I'd sure like to find some. I now find coffee to be an afternoon staple instead of an afternoon treat. Oh heaven help me.....

Randomness

Think in your mind for one moment of a bright, warm, sunny day. Think about packing up and heading to the park to enjoy the beautiful day God has created. Think about packing snacks, drinks, extra panties (you know for those inadvertent accidents that are still occurring - sigh!). Think about grabbing a bottle of water for yourself, a snack, your cell phone, and the newest edition of Parents magazine. Think about making that last final potty stop (to avoid those inadvertent potty accidents), grabbing a jacket and getting loaded into the vehicle. Think about how much fun your going to have spending the entire afternoon at the park with your babies.

But try not to think about a packed park full of moms and their children who are thinking about the same thing you are. Packed parks don't bother me - mothers who spend more time staring at my bald head than paying attention to their heathen sons who are beating other children with a stick does! Are you kidding me. It is as if they have never seen a person without hair before. Seriously, women. Pull it together and try not to make it so obvious that you are gawking at me. It really is unbecoming.

On the flip side, try to think about the sweet little girl that I teach in Sunday school who we were fortunate enough to see at the park who approached me and said, "you have really short hair." I replied, "yeah, and you have really curly hair." Her response, "yeah." And off she skipped. Didn't bother her any.

Easter Fun 2010

A look at our Easter celebration from this year. We are truly blessed as a family and are fortunate to know our Lord Jesus. This is a time of celebration - a time to remember exactly what Christ sacrificed for us on the cross. Thank you Jesus for all you've done and continue to do for us.











He is risen indeed!