Loving Mom!

Yes, this post is going to be in big, bold, blue letters because when my girls are teenagers and not "loving" me, I need to be able to find this quickly to show them that they once felt differently!

Amelia told me this week, "You are a beautiful mommy!"

She also said, "You are the best mommy in the whole wide world!"

So sweet and made my day!

When I told her that Mammaw was coming over to watch the girls while daddy and I went out to an event she said, "Oh, I just love your mom!"

I replied, "I do too!"

There is something about a relationship between a daughter and mom and it just gets sweeter as time goes on. (I am sure there is something special about a son and mother too, I just don't know about that since God gave us two sweet girls!)

I really am just so enjoying life right now! I love being home with my girls and watching them grow into the girls God wants them to be!

 Last night, we were with a group of professionals and many of the women had what most would consider really good, high-power, etc. careers....While I do admire them and what they do.......honestly, I wouldn't trade places with them in a million years!
Being a stay at home mom that is never home, is the perfect job for me. (Even when my three year old runs away from me at the grocery store just to see me get frustrated and even when it feels like all I ever do some days is clean up mess after mess.....and I am tired because I never get the amount of sleep I require.)

 While it may not be a "high-paying" (money wise) career.....and it is a hard job some days.......the daily rewards and pay I receive with comments such as the above........are worth way more than any amount of money to me!

Another date night!

Two dates in less than a week.............wow! That is a record!

I have always heard of people having date nights at home for various reasons..........time, money, lack of babysitter.......etc. We have never tried it so we thought it might be fun! Once a month our church offers date night babysitting to members/regular attenders. So hubby dropped the girls off at the church to play with friends, and eat dinner and came back home with yummy food from Macaroni Grill.We enjoyed a nice dinner together and that's all you really need to know!

I think it is really a great idea for churches to host date night babysitting! We paid a small fee but nothing compared to what we would have to pay for babysitting. We knew our girls were safe, loved, and having fun! They have both asked to do it again. What a fabulous ministry!

*Of course we know mammaw and pappaw are the best babysitters but we feel like we are always asking them and our girls should learn to stay with others we just don't know of anyone we trust! This was only Amelia's second babysitter other than m and p so it was time and she had a blast! Can't wait for next time!

If U were a tree......

The next time someone wants to know if I were a tree what kind would I be............this will be my answer! I love Anne Graham Lotts and this was too good to not share! Enjoy!


That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.




Isaiah 61:3, NKJV



When I was growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, every Sunday afternoon, weather permitting, my parents, my siblings, and I would go hiking. Inevitably, our climbs would take us to the ridge where the trees were so enormous we could all hold hands and still not be able to encircle the trunks. When I asked my mother why the trees were so much larger on the ridge than anywhere else, she replied that it was because the winds were the strongest and the storms were the fiercest on the ridge. With nothing to shelter the trees from the full brunt of nature's wrath, they either broke and fell, or they became incredibly strong and resilient.



God plants you and me in our faith as tender saplings then grows us up into "trees of righteousness," using the elements of adversity to make us strong. And He leads us to endure, not just somehow, but triumphantly as we choose to praise Him, regardless of the storms swirling within us or the winds howling outside of us.

Anne Graham Lotts

Our Comedian!

For being sooo shy and quiet in front of others.........this girl can really ham it up at home! She has such a fun loving personality at home. One night at dinner.......she put sour cream on her lips and said, "Look mommy, I am Santa!"

Considering we do not even celebrate Santa at our home (we are too busy celebrating baby Jesus) it was interesting to me that she thought of him.

Then one night she grabbed the paper towels while I was cleaning up and wrapped herself up. I was on the other side of the island so I didn't see........I hear this voice say, "Baa Baa, mommy I am a lamb!"

I guess she can be the lamb in our Nativity when we act out the Christmas story at Christmas time!

We sure our enjoying our time together when Amanda is away at school. (We still miss her and Amelia is constantly asking if it is time to pick her sis up yet!)

 We have settled into a great schedule. I have dropped some stuff, and added some stuff and I think.........dare I write it, that we are adapting to our new school schedule.

Amelia loves school so far. I asked her if she plays with friends at school and she replied, "No, I play with my own self!"

The teacher told me she is talking more one on one and not to worry. She doesn't talk in a group just yet but is talking! I feel like she is enjoying all of her new activities......she just needs more encouragement to initate/ engage in play with her peers than Amanda did and that is OK. She loves to play with me!

She is loving her cubbies class on Sunday nights and singing all the new songs. The teacher tells the kids to put on their listening ears...so Amelia puts her hand on her ear and doesn't take it off during the entire story. It really cracks me up. I told her that she doesn't need to hold her hand on her ear to keep her listening ears on, but she just looks at me like I am nuts!

She has also started attending a new bible study designed for kids her age and she is learning soooo much. Her teachers are sooo precious, the curriculum is awesome,and the program is extremely organized, I am so impressed! She does this while I attend a bible study.

We were getting ready to go this week and she said, "Are we going to have bible study downstairs with our friends?"

I told her no that was bible club we were going to the new bible study. She told me she wanted her friends to come downstairs! ha  She was referring to our summer bible club we did for kids. We are starting our Fall session next month and she is already telling me all the people she wants to invite, only I do not know some of them or their moms........ha!

 I remember when Amanda would invite people to bible club at the Mall at this age and it just brought back fond memories and served as a great reminder to me how these kids are such sponges, so this is the age to teach them about God.

Amelia also started a gymnastic class and told me she liked it!

So she is sure to stay busy with school, bible study class, gymnastics, bible club, and cubbies. She loves to play on one on with me still, so I am just soaking it all in and trying to enjoy every moment we have together. She definitely keeps me moving, laughing, and challenged! She is sooo independent and even fixed a clogged toilet all by herself! She came out of the bathroom and told me how she took the "cleaning thing" and fixed the toilet! She was so thrilled with herself! ha ha I am not ready for her to be soo independent....she is still my baby! Life goes way to fast!!!!!

Busy weekend!

Last weekend, hubby and I attended a two day marriage conference. The speaker was really engaging and my hubby and I both loved his sense of humor.

I love to attend one or two day seminars, and conferences on marriage, parenting, cooking, prayer, children's ministry, woman stuff, etc. I make it my goal to attend one to two a year and I always come back with new ideas and get recharged and motivated to be better, and do better!

On Saturday when we were done with the conference, we picked Amanda up from a birthday party! She made this friend last year in kindergarten and I simply adore her mom. We took another friend who was also in that class home. Amanda really bonded with these girls last year and I am happy we can still see them even though they all attend different schools. They all seem to have their birthdays in a two month span........so we will see more of them next week!

We then went out with just Amanda to eat and I realized how we need to do more of the one on one outings, now that she is in school full time. I feel like I never see her sometimes!

She stays after school one day for a pottery class for fun, and then started taking piano lessons so she stays after one day for that too. By the time we get homework and dinner done, it is time to start the bedtime routine......I guess we will definitely have to make the most of the weekends just to see her!

 I have thought a lot about all of my homeschooling friends the past few weeks.........I really admire them and the extra time they get to spend with their kiddos! I wish I could be one of them sometimes, but we really have to do what is best for Amanda and her personality, because it is not about me, it is about what is best for her! But I do wish she could be home with me more! I miss her!

Scared to tears!

I am sitting here watching Amelia in a gymnastics class. Yes, I am sitting on the outside looking in which is new for both of us. Amelia did not want to come but I told her we needed to try it one more time. Last week she did not want to come but then she fell asleep so I figured she was tired....she has clung to the teacher's hand and cried for fifteen minutes but keeps running and participating so I am not sure what to do....maybe it is too much.
 Amanda loved her Gymboree classes but the parents participated and we did it with friends from church that happened to be twins. It was sooooo much fun.

 Wow, she is smiling now so maybe this is going to be OK. I sure hope so because honestly, I need my IPAD time and this is the perfect time for it. Once Amanda gets home from school she wants IPAD time and forgets it was my birthday present.

A new word!

I think I just invented a new word but will have check with Webster! Quirkiness!

This morning I was proven wrong once again! (It actually happens quite often and I am OK with it.

Some friends and family who will remain anonymous......make fun of my quirks regarding germs!

The main one being that we do not wear shoes in our home and when people visit I ask them to take them off. (If they haven't caught onto the fact that we are shoeless and there are two trays full of shoes at the door.)
 Some think this is very quirky! I have my reasons for it, mainly that the bottoms of shoes carry all kinds of germs!
 Yes, even the doctors from THE DOCTOR'S show on TV agree. Someone wrote in and told them they thought it was rude that their friend made them take their shoes off when they visited. (I think they wrote about me!)
The study completed by the doctors on the bottom of the shoes revealed all different types of bacteria and even fecal matter! (The shoes even looked clean!)

And people think I am quirky for wanting a shoeless home? I would rather be considered quirky than have all those germs on my carpet where my kids sit and play! Gross!

But today, while sitting at a light.........I looked over onto the busy street and a middle aged man got out of his car and sprayed his windshield with WINDEX! No kidding! If had my camera I would have taken a picture. Then he got back into his car and put the wipers on and then started wiping the inside with paper towels! It was a long light so it kept me entertained.

So the next time someone thinks I am quirky regarding germs...........I will just tell them that at least I do not carry Windex around in my car!

September 11th

Since our girls do not know about the tragedy that occurred on September 11th.....and we don't want them to yet........I still wanted to find a way to remember all the families who loss loved ones and celebrate America! I just wasn't sure how other than wearing red, white, and blue. I found out that Presidential Candidate Romney was hosting an event on this day. (Shocking how when he does something nice the media doesn't report it, so I will!)

At one of the campaign headquarters they were collecting personal items/food/notes, for our troops still serving our country and assembling/sending them care packages.

I love to do service projects with the girls and am always looking for a way for them to learn to give to others so Amelia and I went to the grocery and filled our cart with chips, gum, candy, cereal bars, etc and after we picked Amanda up from school we went and dropped them off. We wrote out a note to thank the troops for serving our country and allowing us to worship God in a free country. I told Amelia we had to say thank you to those who help us stay safe and free. When we told Amanda where we were going she was tired from school and wanted to go home. Amelia told her, "No we have to take the stuff to the people who help us!" "What are they called again?"

She has a hard time remembering the word troops! The next day we saw some men in uniform and I told her they serve our country and she remembered we took the stuff to them to say thanks.

While they might not understand it all, I do think if we keep giving them opportunities to serve others they will grow up with a love for our country and all the men and women who serve us. Plus, they will just have a general love for all people that is so desperately needed in this country!

 I have to admit that September 11th was such a sad day and remembering the events of that day make me sooo sad, but as I reflected on the events of that day 11 years ago and being in my classroom when I found out the news.........I will never forget that sense of everyone coming together and loving one another for our country. The United States seemed soooo United, now with an election season in full swing I wonder where that sense of unity is? I am praying that the politicians will grow up after the election and stop fighting one another and start fighting for our country once again.

My Awana Crew!

  September has been so busy with the start of school and a lot of adjusting but it also means the start of some new and exciting things.

Amelia became a cubbie! Since she is three she can attend the Awana cubbie class. Amanda did this for two years and loved it! Last year she was a Puggle and she loved it. There is a little group that comes in and sings songs called the Bob-a Louie's and Amelia loves them! She will be working through a workbook and learning new bible verses. She is so excited to earn some patches for mammaw to sew on her vest!

My special cubbie is no longer a cubbie.......he moved up to a group called Sparks last year. This year he agreed to be a leader for Amanda's class. My friends have their kids in his class and they told me last week how excited they were because they love that he has a gentle tone and patience with children. I would agree with that and can take credit for teaching him patience because I have given him lots of opportunities to practice on a daily basis!!!!!!!!!!

My spark! This is Amanda's second year as a spark. She was so excited to get started that she said seven verses the first night! She is extremely motivated to learn what the bible says. Today she took her bible out after church and was showing me a verse she learned. I catch her reading her bible by herself and it just thrills me to see her enthusiasm and I have to give most of the credit to the Awana program! Can you tell we love it? It is hard sometimes to get the energy on Sunday nights for it, but seeing the results in both of my girls already is soooo worth it to me!

I can't believe I have two clubbers! It seems like they were just born yesterday!

School is in session!

Wow, time flies when you are busy growing up! Amanda started first grade at her new school the day after Labor day. Last year, she attended 1/2 kindergarten at her former preschool. Unfortunately, kindergarten is the highest grade her former school goes up to....so sadly we had to find a new school.

 After a lot of searching and praying we think we found a really good fit for Amanda and after attending a wonderful back to school night this week, I feel at peace with the decision we made.

I think she is going to be challenged academically and love her teachers! She has 11 classmates in her class, and 11 classmates in the first grade next door. The class can open up and be one big classroom so all 22 of them are together for some subjects.

 Amanda's first grade teacher has taught for over 20 years and is a grandma, and the other teacher was the kindergarten teacher last year and Amanda visited her class last year for the day when we were evaluating schools. The teachers have been friends for years which I love. It was neat to see how they work together and I am looking forward to a great year!

 My husband had to stop me at back to school night because I got over excited and was signing up for just about everything I could to be involved! Yikes!

Fortunately, I was able to sign up for all the parties before he got the pen from my hand! Yes, they still have parties in first grade! I was soooo excited to hear that! I believe it is important to have some fun at school! I guess that is why "Social" Studies has always been my favorite subject and I hope Amanda likes it too!

The first day you were allowed to walk your child into the classroom but Amanda didn't want me to!

 I was so bummed but sucked it up and held the tears in until I dropped her off at Kiss and Ride. I made it almost to the main road before the tears flowed because I am an emotional nut I guess! I figured I cried the last day of school, I might as well cry the first day too!

It is funny though because I do not remember my parents crying when they dropped me off at school? I guess, being the middle child....they were ready to say good bye!!!!!!!

Amanda has to wear a uniform to school. She can wear the shorts, skorts, jumpers, or pants with different colored Polo's. We have already had to place another order for some more shorts because she really likes them! I didn't think I would ever want my child wearing a uniform.........I thought it might take away some creativity....individual uniqueness, and I thought uniforms were ugly. But after a couple weeks of school.........I LOVE THEM!

Amelia had her "meet your teacher day" on Amanda's first day of school. Amelia is going to attend preschool two days a week at Amanda's former school. I hadn't planned on sending her until next year for pre-k and then kindergarten there like we did with Amanda........but as the school year grew to a close.......I realized I was going to have to say good bye to a wonderful community of friends and families that have meant the world to me, so I changed my mind.

 I think it is really going to be good for Amelia to overcome some of her shyness, be away from me for a little while, and make new friends that are her age! She doesn't talk to anyone yet but I am hoping that will change soon!

She went right to the water table!

We visited the Butterfly Garden that Amanda's class planted in the Spring. The pumpkins are growing like crazy so we took pictures for Amanda! She was thrilled to see them!

Her former kindergarten teacher came out and said hi to us and wanted to know how Amanda was doing. So sweet! The teachers at this school are truly special, they really care about kids! I have really never seen a place like it!

Amelia enjoyed some playground time afterwards but I could tell she missed her sis! She kept asking me if it was time to pick her up yet. I think she thought I would forget her or something! So precious! They both really miss each other and it is sooo sweet to hear them talk to each other when we pick Amanda up from school.

Amanda is staying after school on Mondays to take a special pottery class! She is also taking piano lessons at school. She tells me she loves both and loves school. She said, "I just wish it were longer!"
I hope she always loves school but one of my precious mentors whose kids are grown now, warned me that you will have some great teachers..........and some years maybe one you don't gel as well with but in the end......your kids will learn and be just fine and you will survive! I am glad we gel well with all of our teachers!
I am soooo thankful we are sooooo blessed with outstanding teachers and look forward to a great year of learning together! I am so excited!!!!!!!!!

Finally.......a date night!

I love this man sooo much but it rare to have time alone with him since we have two kids! While we try to balance work, family time together, time with each of the girls, etc....life is busy and date nights get lost in the balance of it all.

There is always something getting in the way.......like Tigger!!!!!!!! (or work!)

It was great to get out and actually talk! I will admit that after a while of no time for date nights that it was sooo refreshing and my attitude changed a little towards all those "older but wiser" people that I have heard over and over tell me how important date nights are in a marriage.

 While I still get irritated when I hear someone who is "older and wiser with grown children" say it is important to schedule weekly date nights.........(What planet do they live on? It is much easier to say that when you are finished with that phase of life and not in the mist of raising young kids not too mention  working your butt off to have family balance!)

 I do think they are important and just spending time with him made me realize how much I love being alone together and we need to make date nights more of a priority!

So this month alone we have three scheduled already! How's that for making up for the past few months?

Love it moments!

Oh the things they say! The girls keep me laughing!

Yesterday, I said to Amelia, "I just love the way God made you! You are so special!"

Amelia instantly replied, "Yep, I am pretty special!"

(I am glad she is developing a healthy self-image but we will need to work on humility!)

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While driving Amanda to a doctor's appointment we turned the corner and Amelia said, "Is this the doctors?"

I told her we were almost there.

Amelia replied, "I glad I not going to the doctor, Manda is going to the doctor!"

(Way to make your sis feel less nervous about the appointment!)
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Today we were driving home from picking Amanda up at school and I was telling Amanda that she needs to move faster in the mornings! She told me that she couldn't move faster but that I should give her some soda!
I assured her that I would not be giving her soda. She said, "It has caffeine!"

Amelia chimed in and said, "NO kids cannot have soda, only mommies can have soda!"

Amanda said, "And daddies too!"

Amelia said, "No, daddy cannot have soda because he has tea!" Then she added, "Soda makes daddy have stones!"

(It really shocked me that she remembered this happening because it happened back in April. We were at a play and had to rush hubby to the hospital because he had great pain in his tummy. It turned out it was a kidney stone and he passed it there but decided not to drink soda since the doctor said that can cause them in men. Amelia was in the ER with us until my parents got there to pick the girls up and she has comprehended all of this and then remembered it months later! It really shocked me but I am so thankful she has a good memory because I can tell her to make sure I don't forget "whatever" at the store and she remembers when we are there and tells me!)

God knew I needed a second brain and He gave me one!

Day 7-Epcot fun!

We had fun at Epcot. The girls had never been there before and hubby and I had only been there once so there was a lot for us to see. It is an interesting place but if we go back there, I think it will just be for 1/2 day, because we like rides and there aren't too many there. 

We liked how they had all of these characters in one place so we only had to wait in one line to see them all. Rumor has it they plan to do this with all of the princesses in Fantansy Land when they complete it, which will be nice if true. I hope it is!

We saw Mickey, and Pluto.

Next up Minnie, my favorite!

Amelia says that Donald is her favorite! We never did find Daisy!

Goofy and the girls!

We took a boat ride through the green houses where they grow a ton of fruit and veggies that they actually use in the parks.........ummmm.....and the food prices are still so high? Imagine that!

It was really neat to see how they grow things.

Amelia couldn't ride one of the rides so she had a special snack time with me! I know there is nothing special about apples and bananas, but the hanging out with me is what made it "special." Actually, we were happy to see fresh fruit since the granola bars were really getting old at this point!

 I felt bad for her sometimes since she wasn't tall enough......but her day will come!

Amelia says, "Hey lady, we are taking a picture here!"

I know there are rude people pretty much everywhere you go......but......I did notice it at Epcot more than any other place this trip.

Amelia started this new smile thing whenever I went to take a pic. (She isn't going to like her scrapbook when she is older!)

We loved the Nemo ride in the Clam shell but I didn't get a pic of Amelia because the lady yelled for me to stop taking pics with the flash on....oops, didn't see the sign until afterwards.

We loved all the aquariums and fish!

It was a beautiful day and I expected it to feel hot in Florida but this was the only day that I really felt the heat!

We loved the audience/ interactive show with the turtle named Crush from Nemo......it was hysterical.

Yep, that's the girls in there!

I was trying to get a better pic when a woman told me to get out of the way for her picture. ha!

 I really think there was a discount for rude people to get into the park that day!

Since it was hot we had a morning snack since

 we knew we would be eating a late lunch and late night dinner. Amelia and Amanda love the Florida lizards and even tried catching them. I couldn't believe it! We could get a pet lizard if only, hubby would approve it! ha ha!

We really enjoyed the 3D shows at the parks this time, Amelia loved wearing the glasses and putting them in the bin when we were finished.

I didn't realize there is a ride inside of this big ball! It was a nice little ride that we could do as a family. Very relaxing!

Amanda really enjoyed all of the interactive exhibits.

Amelia liked the ones she could reach!

We enjoyed the countries......

Mexico had a little boat ride that was fun!

Germany is where we ate lunch.

Norway had a little boat ride but it was temporaily out of service so we didn't get to ride it.

Amelia in China! We did China while Amanda and hubby rode a ride that Amelia wasn't tall enough to ride.

Amelia met Mulan with enthusiaum! She didn't even know who she was becasue she hasn't seen the movie yet, but she liked seeing her and the line was really short since she is not a popular princess! Poor Mulan!

Hugs for Mulan!

China was really pretty!

We were able to see the bridge raised to let the stuff in for the fireworks show later that night. Amelia and I thought that was cool.

We came back that night to see them and this globe lit up. It was one of the nicest shows I have seen and it was neat how they incoorparated the Olympics into it.

But it was cool to see the bridge go up too.

Amelia decided she wanted to push her own stroller so it took a while to get through China!

Poor girl was exhausted getting up so early without any naps, she fell asleep on the way back to the hotel every night!

Amelia and the drums!

Germany!

We went into this candy store and watched the candy being made. It reminded me of the old Werther Original commerical.

We also found some Toffifay's! I hadn't seen these in years. We bought some but they weren't as good as I remember them being years ago.Tasted like plastic.

I guess I stressed this worker out taking a picture!

The girls loved the giant Nutcracker!

Japan! Definately, hubby's shortest trip ever there!

Epcot really is a pretty place we just think they need some more rides!

 France

The train running through the garden was cool.

Italy!

We ran into this famous couple and they were sooo nice. Jasmine and Addladin! Amelia didn't know who they were either but loved them. I guess she needs to watch a few Disney movies before our next trip!

Italy.......we are hoping to ride in a real gondala for our 10th anniversary trip, but we will see, we had planned to go on our 5th but had a brand new baby instead! One day!

 Sleeping Beauty walked out and then back in......not sure what was up with that so we didn't get a picture with her but........there was someone around the corner that thrilled my girls a whole lot more!

Belle is the girls favorite princess and having the Beast there was an added bonus! He is only allowed to stay out for a few minutes........it must be hot in there!

We walked back to the hotel for a 45 minute nap.....and then walked back for dinner and to watch the firework show in Mexico.

Amelia was tired.......

but not too tired to make her new smile!

This is the walkway outside of the hotel to the boardwalk, and Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. Very short, and pretty walk. We walked passed the Boardwalk and The Yacht and Beach club. They both look nice but we really liked our hotel better. They do have a lot of weddings around the Boardwalk and Beach club area, it is really pretty. We saw a little wedding outside of our hotel too. So sweet!

Dinner was great because we love Mexican but we learned the food served in Mexico is a whole lot spicer and just different than the Mexican restaurants we have been too. We had a beauiful view of the fireworks show and since the music was playing the loudness of the fireworks didn't bother them like they normally do. Hubby did a great job planning ahead and making reservations everywhere, checking out places to eat before we went there etc......good job Hubby!

Amanda's silly face! So tired from the day!

I couldn't get good pics of the show but it was really good.

We rode the boat back and guess who fell asleep?

What a fun, long, and tiring day with more fun right around the corner!