Flexible

I've mentioned a few times the many projects we have going on right now. We're not usually this scattered, but with Eric's schedule the way it is, we've had a hard time finishing one thing.

Our plan for this morning was to unload the beginning stages of a playhouse my father-in-law is building for the girls. Then, we were going to finally pick up the new patio furniture so we could enjoy our deck tonight for a cookout.

But, that all changed when rain decided to move in.

So, we switched gears .....

After I met my friend, Heather for breakfast this morning, I came home to finally paint the bonus room.

Here's a little sneak peak of the 'before' ....


Wouldn't you be happy to tell that orange/yellow/migraine-inducing color goodbye??

I am looking forward to a soothing, sage green. More pictures to come ...

This week ....

We are rocking out the end of our school year. O is finished and E has 1 1/2 days to go.

In the past week, I have ...

** attended field day at our school.

** enjoyed a day in the mountains with a few girls from my Sunday School class that memorized 16 scripture verses over the past 8 months!! We ended the day with a huge meal at a japanese restaurant. I'm so proud of them.

** enjoyed a warm enough day for the girls to play in the sprinkler.

** watched O at her first swimming lesson.

** said goodbye to my precious Preschool class with fewer tears than expected. (There were still MANY).

** cried buckets of tears at my last staff prayer time at school. God has been so gracious during a trying year of losing a close friend and in turn has given me several really neat women as friends that pray with me and for me and make me laugh. It took me all year to recognize that blessing from Him.

** attended character trait award ceremonies for both of my girls .... as well as end-of-year programs.

** finally picked out paint for my bonus room and O's room. Painting should have started already but Eric has been out of commission with his back. I feel so bad for him.

** enjoyed Eric being home this week! Therefore, I am sleeping great :)

** relaxed on my brand new deck. Pictures coming soon. Still trying to make a decision on patio furniture. Ugh! I just need to buy it and be at peace.

We still have E's class party luau to go as well as our school's senior class graduation and a wedding. Whew. My house is a wreck, laundry is piling up, flowers gardens need tending to and sheets need to be changed. Oddly enough, I do not feel rushed or stressed. I'm soaking in every second and feeling blessed.

What are you up to this week?

There must be a reason she is asking ...

I debated whether to put this on my blog or not, but I have now heard this come out of O's mouth twice so I thought I would document it here. The first time she said it was a month ago while we were at the beach. She asked me again this week. I'm sure there is a reason she is asking such a thing. I just haven't figured it out yet.

Asked out of the blue, "Mommy, how sweet is Daddy to you in the bed at night?"

Much like my reaction both times she has asked, I have no response.

Well-rounded

I was just going through pictures I have taken over the past 2 weeks and found a few of O that sum up her personality so much.

She has insisted on painted nails lately. Insisted. And lots of jewelry.

On this day, she had just gotten home from school and still had on her chapel uniform. She couldn't wait to take off her shoes and put on the princess heels that were waiting on her at the door.

But, what princess outfit is complete without a pop gun stuck in your pants while riding your horse?

Well, anything else just wouldn't be lady-like!

Thursday Thoughts

How do you like that title? A creative way to let you know I'm about to post a list of completely useless information about myself. A daily update, if you will. Thursday Thoughts sounds like I have something deep to share.

We all know that never happens here, so do not be misled.

**Are you ready for school to end?

Honestly, I am perplexed. God has been so sweet to give me a calm spirit in a traditionally hectic month for us. I'm taking everything in stride and enjoying these last few weeks at school. I am ready for some lazy days of summer, but am going to miss my preschool class so much I can't stand to think about it. I love the kids in my class! Besides, who else is going to call me "Mrs. Whale" over the summer? I love, love them.

** The blanket was returned BEFORE bedtime and looks fabulous. I looks like a brand new blanket, but must have the same feel because O was so happy to see/feel it last night at church. When O is happy, we are all happy. Especially at bedtime :)

** I have become a Raisinet junkie. It's true. I have boxes stashed everywhere ... in the car, in my purse, in my desk at school and on my nightstand. What on earth? The obsession happened overnight, but has lasted for months. I can't stop. I told myself today that I should give myself a break. Although the chocolate is fattening, the raisins are very healthy. (Do not leave a comment correcting me. That would just be rude).

** E is upstairs as I type practicing for her piano recital tonight. It will be a treat because she will also play the violin. (Triple threat - she sings too, remember?) Seriously, she is really excited, but anxious, since this will be her first time playing violin for her recital. I asked her if she wanted me to sing while she played to ease her nerves a little. She said 'no' - a little too quickly, in my opinion. Not sure why.

** We're having a deck built onto our house this week. The floor is going in now and I am super excited. I'll share before and after pictures. Our lone concrete slab is almost covered now - woooohooo. I've been shopping for patio furniture for the past few months. Good grief. Have you priced patio furniture lately? We may end up with one lawn chair and take turns eating out there. Or pray for a sale at W*lmart.

** I have to pick out a paint color for my bonus room tomorrow. I call the current color 'migraine yellow'. The previous owners called it orange. It should be called 'whoa - who turned on the sun?'. Here's my dilemma. I have a red sofa in that room and a sage green chair. I'm not married to the chairs, so if I have to recover those (or sell them) I will. Do any of you have ideas about paint colors to match? I could go with a neutral taupe, but wondered if something else would look best. I am not afraid of color. Well .... maybe I am afraid of 'migraine yellow'.

I better run. E is now upstairs singing T*ylor Swift and I am 100% sure that is NOT part of tonight's recital program.

Color suggestions?

Funny thing about plans .....

..... you can always count on them to change!

Today is my day off. I planned to pick out paint for our bonus room and powder room, visit the library by myself and stop in for some chicken minis and sweet tea.

BUT .... as O was finishing breakfast, she started to cry (uh oh - not even 7:00 yet) and held up her blankey. The back is almost in shreds. The beloved blankey that has been repaired so many times already.
"I'm so worried about it", she said, "She looks really bad, Mommy". (Yes, her blankey is a she.)


So, I made some calls this morning. Looks like my morning will instead be spent looking for just the right fabric and taking it to get sewn again. And praying it's back in our possession before bedtime!

Good thing I had the day off, huh?

Ironically, I took these pictures of her just yesterday when she got home from school. I even made the statement we needed to get some good pictures of her with her blankey before it falls apart. I may need to act quickly :)

It's true ... I may have read it wrong

My girls had a special breakfast waiting for me on Mother's Day. The table was set with 2 dozen red roses, handmade gifts and cards. My favorite. What I love most is seeing them so excited to give me something they made. I can't help but notice each child's personality in each gift.

I try to portray them true to who they really are on this blog. E really is sweet, compassionate with a strong desire to serve God. Just this afternoon, I walked through the door and saw the message she left me on the dry erase board. It said, "May the Lord bless you and keep you today Mom. I love you".

She is really that sweet.

E's Mother's Day card to me ....

I love that she says I look pretty when I follow God ... and that I am smart because I know division.

I know I have a lot of posts portraying O as a quick-witted, brutally honest little girl. She is exactly that ... and more. She is sweet and sensitive just like her sister .... but happens to say things that leave our mouths hanging open in astonishment and then laughing until we cry. She is a gem.

O made one in Sunday School.

Once we were in the car, I said, "O, thank you for my sweet card! I am so excited you will be helping me feed Hershey (our guinea pig) this week".

Her face turned to a look of horror.

She said, "Ummm ..... I didn't mean that. I am NOT doing that!"

I'm glad we got that cleared up. I would hate to have any false expectations this week.

Crochet Anyone?

The title has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but I like this picture of E so much, I went with it.

Actually, this post will be so random, the title really won't matter anyway.

We had a great weekend. Eric and I went with our youth group whitewater rafting here. We actually did a lot more than just rafting. I had so much fun! My favorite thing was the zipline. I am NOT the adventurous type, so I surprised myself. Lest I sound overly-brave, a picture of me rafting would show me nearly in tears, but I stuck it out (not that I had a choice once in the boat) and actually had fun.

Eric and I woke up Sunday morning barely able to walk - ha!

Mother's Day was busy. We went to church and then to my Mom's for dinner. I spent the afternoon learning more about my new camera by taking pictures of my sweet nieces. It was then my girls played crochet and tag all afternoon.

After visiting Eric's mom, we went home to crash! We were so tired from the weekend.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. I'm reminded every year what a wonderful Mom I have that loves me unconditionally. I love you, Mom! I'm also reminded what beautiful blessings I have in my two precious girls.

God is good!

Flashback Friday - Time, please stand still

We are having gorgeous weather here and I love it. When we walked through the door yesterday, I looked at dishes piled in the sink, laundry on the floor and dusty tables. I changed my clothes before I surrendered to it and instead, darted out the door to swing with my girls.

We played basketball, ate popsicles and sat on the driveway talking.

I was savoring every minute, listening to E talk about what a great day she had. She has been ready for school to end and we keep reminding her to enjoy her last few weeks since she will never get to be in 2nd grade again. Tear.

Then O had to ask the question .... "Mommy, when will I be 5? How many more days?"

I hadn't really thought about it, so I did a quick estimate. July 4th is not that far away. "Like 7 or 8 weeks", I said. Wow, how can that be?

She went into birthday party mode and that is what they talked about the next 30 minutes.

It made me sad. And even more glad I am spending more time with them outside ... playing ... enjoying them.

All that conversation made me long for these days ...

E - 4 years old

O - 16 months

E - 4 years old

O's first birthday!

Who didn't see it coming?

I really don't need to add anything to what Vicki Courtney has already said. Take the time to read her recent Virtue Alert here.

If applicable, sit down and talk about it with your daughter.

"Who changed the truth of God into a lie,

and worshipped and served the creature

more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever."

Romans 1:25

Magic Clothes

This morning I was able to enjoy a little quiet time before the girls were up. I didn't have to get ready for work. Just throwing on a ball hat to drive them to school. Ahhhh .... nice.

Since I had so much extra time, I told the girls I would be making their beds for them. (Immediate smiles). I told O I would even help her get dressed completely.

"THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREEEAAAAT DAY!", she shouted.

I've never seen her so happy. As much as I try to have peaceful, uneventful mornings around here - from playing praise music, to devotions, to silly breakfasts - O is unimpressed unless I dress her. She is normally very grumpy in the mornings and will tell us no less than 20 times she is NOT going to school. Once she gets her clothes on, she's happy and fine.

Ten minutes before we went out the door yesterday, she was still standing in the hallway with her Mulan gown on. I told her if she didn't get dressed (this was the 456th time I told her to), I would take her to school dressed in her gown.

That worked. And I would have done it, too!

I've tried many things over the past few months.

Trying to coerce her to get dressed Monday, I told her she has 'magic clothes'. If she would just get dressed, her frown would turn into a smile and she would be happy.

It worked. For a day.

She told me yesterday she wasn't in to magic.

Come to think of it, mine aren't that magic either.

A part of me thinks I'm asking too much from her. She is only 4 afterall. But, she has no problem dressing quickly to go outside to swing or to go somewhere fun.

Any ideas?

Swinging

I'm trying to learn how to use my new camera.

So, I thought I would use O as my subject.

She's a willing subject as long as I meet her at the swingset.

Because that's her spot....

It's where she hangs....

Where she chills ....

Her turf....

She would swing for hours.

Until she spots a bee.

Then, the fun is over.

Daily Peek: Reading

O learning to read .....

She reads to E before school.

E loves to read ....

She reads to O after school.

See ...... friends.

Sibling Competition

It's raining here today. E said she was glad because God would know just the right amount of water our flowers and tomato plants need. She's right. He knows what we need when we need it.

My girls came home today with their progress reports (only 4 more weeks of school!). They know the rule - they aren't allowed to open their folders until we are home. Then, only Eric and I can open them in front of that particular child. We make it as inconspicuous as possible. I usually wait until one is distracted and call the other one into the kitchen to go over it together. We talk it over, give praises and send them on their way. There is no family discussion about who is progressing well, who is making straight A's or who needs to work on something. In other words, it's all private.

Ofcourse, O is only in Transitional Kindergarten, but she attends the same school and gets a progress report when E does. Early in the year, E was very interested in how O was doing.

We make every effort to keep our girls from competing with each other. I realize we won't be able to prevent it and some competition will be inevitable. I know this. But, I pray they will never feel they have to measure themselves against a standard set by their sister. Or a standard set by us based on praise we give the other one!

Sibling Rivalry ...

A friend of mine asked me recently what I do about my girls fussing and if they ever do. Ha! Ofcourse, they do!!! Sometimes, I think it's going to be the death of me. Especially at 4:00 every.single.day. when I'm trying to wrap up E's homework and start dinner. Their claws come out.

I think back to how my Mom handled it. She would make my brother and me sit on the sofa and hug each other. For what seemed like HOURS! All we had to do was tell each other we loved each other. Todd would usually say, "I love you in God's way, but not in my way".

I'm not sure that worked on my Mom.

Anyway, I don't have all the answers and certainly make plenty of mistakes. But, one thing I do is make my girls take the time to encourage each other.

Particularly in the mornings on the way to school, if they are grumpy, I make them say nice things about each other. They take turns.

For instance, O always starts out by saying, "E, you have nice feet". (Honestly, she's usually the grumpy one and finds it difficult to say something nice to E.)

E always starts off with, "O, you have beautiful glasses".

After a few rounds, or until O actually gives encouragement to E, I have each one pray for the other one.

I love this in particular. It's really sweet.

So far, it always always ends with the 2 of them laughing with each other.

They are friends. And isn't that what every Mom wants for their children. To grow up to actually like each other and be genuine friends.

Atleast I do.

Again, I make a lot of mistakes in this area. Any suggestions? What do you do?

May? Really??

What happened to April? Goodness, it flew past us, didn't it?

I slept like a baby Friday night! Ahhhh .... so nice. I think I went to bed at 9:00. The girls camped out on the floor beside our bed and we all slept so good just knowing Eric was with us. I had plans to sleep in Saturday morning, but woke at 7:30 feeling happy and refreshed. Although, 7:30am is late for me. There is really nothing like all of us being home together.

We were so happy to see Eric! He came bearing gifts ....


I love getting flowers and he gives them to me often :)

We spent Saturday morning working on the girls' play area outside, filling it with pea gravel and rubber mulch. We've wanted to do this for so long and now it really is nice. They played out there all day.


Then, we went to a friend's house for dinner, and I almost melted when I saw she had made bruschetta. So yummy! We had a great time, Amy!

I've been saving some money from my checks for months so I could buy myself a new camera. Now, I just have to figure out how to use it - ha! I took what seemed like hundreds of pictures of E just so I could practice.
This picture tells me 3 things .... 1) isn't she beautiful? 2) she is looking way TOO grown up! Time, please slow down. And 3) I need to wash my windows!

Quite honestly, we hate to see the weekend end. We've had a relaxing, uneventful couple of days. A welcome change around here :)

At least this week everyone is home!