Just us ladies

Last Friday my nephew graduated Kindergarten so we went to celebrate with him.  It was in the middle of the workday, so daddy couldn't go.  The girls and I went and it was bittersweet for many reasons.  #1 I can't believe my nephew is going into the 1st grade!  He was just born!!!!
#2 Big sis was so excited about it and now she can't wait till next year when she has her graduation from K. :)
#3 I can't believe she's going into Kindergarten!!!!

So at the graduation, I wanted a picture of me and the girls.  It's so rare that we get a good picture together.  This was take #1.  I love this picture b/c it is the perfect depiction of their personalities.  My shy one and my outgoing silly one :) 

 Much better :)  So thankful for my sweet little beauties! 

I love that sweet smile, isn't she such a cutie?! :)  So thankful for my mini me!

This sweet cutie pie is in such a RUSH to grow up b/c she's dying to drive!  She is constantly talking about driving her red truck and living with her husband.  sigh... 

Memorial day fun

Monday we headed to Nona's house for a cook out and pool time.  We stayed in the pool for 4-5 hours and had so much fun.  It was just family, Nona and Poppy along w/ hubby's sister and her hubby and their 2 girls.  4 girls is just too much fun! :)  My girls LOVE the pool.  Though big sis is scared of putting her face in the water.  Baby sis LOVES putting her head under water. lol
It was a very relaxing time with family and we had a blast!  So thankful for a nona that opens up her home to all of us :)

Her thing was crawling in and out of the pool.  Next time we'll have to keep her from doing it though, she has a bad rash all over her knees, belly, thighs... 

She can walk in the shallow end now and has so much fun!  

 She makes me smile :)

 Poppy made sure to get cupcakes for the kids :)

She was a mess from eating her cupcake.  

After swimming we sat and relaxing for a bit.

She was all pink from the sun. :)  She was exhausted and wanted so badly to spend the night at nona's  house... 

I can't wait for another swim day!  I need to figure something else out though to keep them covered from the sun.  Baby girl is TAN, but big sis just gets burnt, she won't tan. lol She does NOT take after me ;)

Ready for Kindergarten!

Even though our daughter would technically start preK this fall, we started her in preK last fall because she was ready and I didn't feel the need to hold her back one full year b/c her birthday is 2 months after the cut off date.  She has done a great job and we are almost done with pre K for the year.  We started later so we'll be finishing later.
Today our Kindergarten curriculum arrived!  I was surprised to see 2 boxes but so excited, and slightly overwhelmed with it all. I can't believe we'll be starting Kindergarten.  Wasn't she just born?!
So thankful for the opportunity to be able to homeschool our children!!!

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7


As I sit here constantly thinking about where we are on the sale of our house, how everything's on hold until we are able to sell this house, I keep reminding myself that God's in control.  I was reminded of this passage by a sweet friend this week.  Oddly enough, she read a different verse in this chapter and was seeking counsel from me.  I ended up reading the whole chapter in order to help her, she ended up helping me :)  

I am reminded not to stress or worry about what could or will happen.  Nothing's beyond God's control.  His timing for the sale of our house will not match mine.  His plan over all this is WAY better than anything I could imagine.  It's easy to think I know better and that it should work out a certain way b/c it's how I want it and it'll be fine.  But there's a reason we're waiting.  I don't know why, it doesn't matter.  Right now I want to work on just being thankful for where we are and being content (v. 11 of the same chapter) and just going to Him when I do get anxious.  

Earlier this week I was so bothered by this process and waiting that it felt like I couldn't even breathe.  And although I'm still praying through it, I am definitely starting to feel better and starting to feel God's peace over all this.  I keep saying this verse over and over again to remind myself :) 

So thankful for God's Word and His help over all this!

impromptu date night

A few months ago, we made a deal w/ some friends that we'd swap babysitting services when Star Trek came out. :)  Now, I am by no means a big movie goer (hubby is) and as much as I liked the first Star Trek movie, I could've waited until it came out on DVD to watch.  That is, until I found out that Sherlock was in it :) Benedict Cumberbatch has become one of our favorite actors.  So seeing "Sherlock"as the bad guy, who kicked some butt by the way, was just AWESOME!!!!!  Hubby and I joked that we both have a hollywood crush on Cumberbatch lol

So on Sunday, our Home Bible Study group was cancelled at night, which meant we could go on a date.  We dropped our girls off with our friends, and off we went.  It was the first 3D movie I've seen.   Pretty cool!  My only complaint about the movie, is that to me, there weren't enough fight scenes. lol

thoughts...

Sitting here, thinking about this house sale... Hoping it sells soon.  Hoping we can move into a bigger home where we can have more babies.  Hoping for a house with a school room and craft room.  Hoping for a house with a big kitchen and a big fridge where I won't have to worry about how much groceries to get... I know God's got this.  I know one day it'll end.  The hard part is waiting and not knowing when it'll end.  

As I think about this trial, I know that I want to glorify God through it all.  In the end, I want to be able to look back and know that I trusted Him and that I've honored Him.  I have failed somedays to do so.  Thankfully I can pray through it and He will help me.

To be completely honest, I can't think about it all too much or I start getting frustrated.  Some days I don't even know how to pray.  Some days it's so hard to breathe as I think about all this.  

I keep quoting James to myself... 

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

sigh...

Yesterday we heard "news" from our realtor about the sale of our house.  The "news", more waiting...  The bank said we'll have an answer either by the end of May or the end of June.  JUNE!!!! Are you kidding me?!  We've been waiting since September!  I feel so many emotions right now.  Rage, anger, frustration, disappointment, despair, gut wrenching turmoil, sadness... I just want this to be done, I want to pack up and move, move on with our lives.  I am holding back tears, and trying hard to remind myself that GOD IS IN CONTROL!  He's got this, I know that.  There is a plan for all this.  It's just SO hard to wait.  And just when I feel like if I have to wait another second, I could burst, more waiting comes.  I really HATE this.  Truly, LOATHE this process.  And it makes it so hard when friends have been able to move on to their dream homes, and here we sit waiting.  Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them, but I am human, and I'm a sinner.  And part of me wishes that we could be moving on too.
Have I said how much I hate this?  I know I'm throwing a temper tantrum like a 5 year old, kicking and screaming.  I really am.
I need time alone to spend in prayer and meditation.  I know God has a better plan than I do for all of this.  I know His time is better than mine.  There shouldn't be more to it than that.  Today I just wish that for once things would finally go my way and this would just end.
I want God honored during this trial.  I truly truly do.  So I need to pray over it all, and pray for my attitude and my heart.  In the end, God's plan is better than mine and I'm super thankful for that! Thankful for a God that loves me enough to plan my life and to give me the best.  :)

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

An evening out...

On Tuesday we went to a local art gallery, Tuesday nights are free :)  They have the MOST beautiful garden by the river.  So I couldn't help but snap a few shots.

Little Miss thing walking around with baby doll in tow.  :)  She's brought back her boots and won't wear anything else...  Some battles just aren't worth having.

 As soon as we walked in, this beauty started modeling for me to take her pictures. lol

 Running around, she loved the garden! 

 Had to stop for a family shot :)  So thankful for God's blessings.

 Pretty flower

 Just gorgeous!!! 

 They loved the water fountain

 Such a breathtaking garden.  I told hubby we need to come back and get family pictures done! 

RIP Cage

10-11 years ago, I was 19-20, living with my parents... My dad and I were outside one evening walking my mom's dog.  We saw a shadow, it moved towards us.  It was a big dog.  At first sight, I thought it was a German Shepherd, but when he got closer, we realized he was a mix of husky and something else.  He had been roaming their street, abandoned.  So we brought him home and he became ours.  I named him Cage after my favorite actor.  He was hyper and playful.  He howled when it got cold.  He figured out a way to escape the backyard and would roam the neighborhood for hours.  He'd sit on my parents front porch to nap, but anytime we tried to grab him to put him back in the backyard, he'd run away super fast and there was no catching him.  When he decided to, he'd return to the backyard... He had a beautiful shiny black coat and the sweetest disposition.  Such a good dog.  After 2-3 years, I found another dog that had been abandoned, our neighbors saw her being thrown out of a pick up truck.  A gorgeous hound, she became Cage's best friend, his partner in crime.

The past few weeks have been hard.  Hard on my mom who takes care of Cage.  He stopped eating, at one point he'd eat from my mom's hand.  This past week he stopped eating all together.  He had already lost his hearing and this past week lost his eyesight.  He laid in the shed all day, refused to sleep in his usual spot in the porch.  Barely walked... The end was near.  So heartbreaking.  Yesterday my brother texted me to tell me Cage had passed.  It breaks my heart that he's gone.  But so thankful that he's no longer suffering.  It's weird to think next time I go to my parents house he won't be there.  To me, it was only just yesterday that I found him.  It literally felt like it had only been 3-5 years, when in fact it had been 10-11.  Time goes by so fast, I knew I'd gotten old, but it didn't occur to me that doggies get old too.  

So thankful for the chance to have known sweet Cage.  I will miss him!!! 

So thankful

I sit here in awe and overwhelmed at how blessed I am.  This is not the life I would've planned for me.  I thought by 30 things would be much more different for us.  But I'm so thankful for a sovereign God who has WAY much better plans for me.  Thankful that He is loving enough to plan every detail of my life.  

I'm so thankful God blessed me with a second daughter.  Her smile makes every problem go away.  Seriously.  It doesn't matter what kind of day I'm having, when she flashes me her big grin and cuddles with me, I melt into a giant puddle.  So thankful I get to be her mommy!  

 oh how I love her!!!!! 

 Walking around sporting an outfit mommy made :)  Doesn't she look so cute?

 I love that no matter what she's doing, she stops and happily takes a picture.  She smiles and says "cheese" anytime she sees the camera. :)

 My 3 loves.  They are my whole world! 

And then there's my first born.  Oh she's always been my little beauty.  She makes me laugh like no one else.  What an imagination on this one!  She loves telling stories and drawing (like daddy).  She lights up my life and I'm super thankful that I get to be her mommy.  I cannot believe she's 4 1/2!  I am already dreading her 5th birthday.  Thankful for the past 4 years and looking forward to watching my princess grow!

 She had to carry her drawing around w/ her :)  My little artist! 

 I love this beautiful girl!!!! 

convicting and encouraging mother's day

My mother's day was great!  Hubby did a great job :)  It started on Saturday, we hung out at the pool w/ Nona, then went to dinner at the family's restaurant where I ate way too much.  Then we came home, daddy stayed home w/ the girls and I went shoe shopping :)  I came home and they gave me beautiful flowers they made out of tissue paper.  I had originally told hubby all I wanted was some homemade gifts. :)

So Sunday we went to church.  Our church is doing a parenting class for Sunday School.  It was so convicting to both hubby and I in so many ways.  I just felt so convicted and that I needed to make some changes.  I don't want to go into details, but I just feel like I haven't been doing my best in my home, and I am praying that I can glorify God at home.  Either while I homeschool or while I'm folding laundry... I have been so tired lately and been using that as an excuse.  I've been comfortable in the way I've been doing things.  And I was reminded that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.  That I should do my best to  bring God the glory in my home. So today (and hopefully I can keep it up) after feeding the girls breakfast, I went into my room and read my Bible and prayed.  I prayed for our day and the I'd be productive.  But most of all that God would get the glory in my day.  I'd like to start my days everyday this way.  Today I have been most productive, the house is clean, I'm getting caught up on laundry, and we even did school in the morning today before I did anything else.  I've been putting housework above school, and right now, school has to come first.

Anyways, the sermon was targeted to moms.  Also very convicting and encouraging.  Basically, I was reminded that I am my children's example, and I have not been the best at it.  So I am praying that I can be a more godly person, and more godly mom for them to look up to.  Thankfully I don't have to do this alone :)  So thankful for God who answers prayers!

Being someone my girls look up to is extremely daunting.  Am I doing a good job?  Am I good enough?  What are they learning from me? I really need to change how I live for many reasons.  First of all, b/c I have not been glorifying My Father.  But also, so I can teach my girls how to be godly women.

After church we came home for some pictures, changed and headed out to lunch at the loop (I'm a simple girl) and then went to the museum.  It was an easy and simple day just like I wanted. :) 

After the museum we came home, baby and I napped and daddy cleaned the kitchen for me.  He is so awesome! :)  I'm so thankful for all he does.  He cleans the kitchen for me often, but it was special yesterday not to have to do anything :)  

So thankful for my family that the Lord has blessed me with!

This big girl made me a mom and I'm so thankful for the gift of motherhood.  I know so many people that struggle with the gift of infertility, and people whose babies are in Heaven.  I don't ever want to take for granted the beautiful gift God has given me, my 2 precious girls!  Hubby kept asking me what I wanted for Mother's day, I repeatedly said nothing.  I truly didn't want anything but a day w/ my sweet family :) 

My baby girl changed my life in a way I never thought possible.  Somedays I still feel like I'm adjusting to life with 2 kids.  It's been rough, I've never been this tired.  But I wouldn't change it for the world!!! 

Big girl

We recently got into the next size bags of clothes/shoes that belonged to sissy.  Her new favorite shoes that she refuses to ever take off :)  Looking all like a big girl, so sweet!!! 

My new favorite dinner

I found this recipe floating around pinterest that I just had to try.  I've made it 2 or 3 times and each time I have to practice self control. lol  It's SO good!!! And so easy to make too.

It says you can use any green bean, but I've found that canned works much better.

4-6 raw chicken breasts, new potatoes, green beans (fresh or canned-really any green veggie would work. Broccoli is good, too). Arrange in 9x13 dish. Sprinkle with a packet of Italian dressing mix and then top with a melted stick of butter. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

outside time

Last night after we had dinner, it was still early, daddy wasn't home yet and I decided the girls needed some outside time.

I got our sidewalk chalk and we colored and played hopscotch.  Baby sister loved drawing on the driveway and was covered from head to toe in chalk.  

After daddy got home, he said he needed to mow the lawn.  I offered to do it for 2 reasons, #1 I wanted to help him.  #2 I wanted the exercise. :)  I did it pretty quick and was glad to have gotten the work out.  

So fun! :)

My oldest asked me to draw a peacock :)

Having so much fun.

I really need to be better at taking them outside.  We always have so much fun.

convicted

I've been reflecting on yesterday's sermon and our home Bible study discussion.  The sermon was targeted for women.  Titus 2. :3-5

 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips norenslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴ so that they may ^[a]encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sensible, pure,workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

I felt convicted on several different things.  I've struggled with some areas as a mom.  Where it says we are to be kind at home.  We discussed being kind, w/ our children.  EEK!  I struggle sometimes with how I talk to them, especially in the mornings.  I HATE mornings. lol  So I am working on it.  As well as working on being more patient.  Patience is not my forte!  I keep telling myself that being tired and not having time to myself is only temporary.  Soon they'll be grown and I will miss these moments...  I want to strive to have more silly and fun moments with my girls.  I'm so bad at that.  I'm always so focused on what's for dinner or making sure the house is clean, I really need/want to spend more time playing.  

I really want to glorify God in my home, wether it's while I'm washing the dreaded dishes for the upteenth time, or changing diapers or playing.  I also really want my girls to see Christ's love in me.  I mean, if they don't learn about God's love from me, who is with them the most, who will they learn it from?  

So that's where I am.  I hope and pray that I am the wife and mother God wants me to be.  Verse 4 says that older women should encourage young women to love their husbands and children, I have to keep reminding myself that my daughters are watching me, I am their example and one day they will be married.  I'd hate for them to have had a horrible example to follow.  Talk about hard job! lol  Thankfully God is here to help me and I pray every morning that He will help me bring him glory w/ my day.  

There is so much more that is on my heart, but alas, dinner calls... 

These boots are made for walking

The past few days when we've gone out, baby sister has only wanted to wear her boots.  Winter, eskimo type boots.  She refuses to wear her sandals.  Now, could I "make" her wear sandals, sure.  But I figure it's not worth the battle.  The boots make her happy, and she still looks super cute :)  I'm looking into getting her some more "summery" boots.  If such thing exists. lol

Here she is decked out and waiting for her doctor to remove her stitches.  Oh so cute! 

 Cutie looking into the mirror.  I love how girly she is! :)

calm before the storm?!?!!?

I sit here, trying to be patient. Praying, waiting.  We started the journey of selling our home in September.  The bank has been a NIGHTMARE to work with.  And that's putting it mildly.  So here we are, with our life on hold, waiting to hear wether or not the bank will accept the sale.  I'm irritated, annoyed and growing impatient.  So I pray.  And wait.  Nothing else that can be done.  sigh.... It doesn't help that it seems like everyone I know has been able to sell their house and move on.  And here we sit, waiting, not knowing what the future holds.

The other day hubby was complaining (which is rare for him) of how we are having to wait so long.  I told him, well, let's enjoy the calm before the storm.  So I am trying to enjoy not being busy packing and looking for a new home.  And enjoying our little home where we had our girls.  Though most days it's hard.  When I look into the girls tiny closet I get annoyed and ready to move.  When I am cooking in a tiny kitchen, I am READY to move.  When we go grocery shopping and can't fit it all in our very small fridge, I am READY to move.  Alas, this is where God has us for now.  So we wait.  And try to enjoy the calm before the storm.  I know once we are moving things will be hectic w/ packing and looking for a  new house.  All with 2 kids.  Should be interesting.  I am looking forward to it though, I am ready for our move.  Praying God answers those prayers soon!!