Some Pictures from our Vacation

So we are homey home again. And it is nice to be home, but vacation was so great with some wonderful memories that we'll treasure!

Here are some of them ...

Our family with a sleeping Lena in Washington D.C.

Lena in her very own room, with her very own stuffed animals.

The girls in D.C. at the National Zoo.

This is the scene that we got to view every day from the front porch of the house. It was a wonderful place to sit and relax or have devotions.

The Naval Academy (neesie and I)

We got to cook a few really yummy delicious meals. And I love cooking in vacation house kitchens!

Cuddle times

More views.

And some memories that I will treasure that aren't pictured?

* My man and I got to sneak out for a Starbucks date.

*The giggle fest that Lena had with me, mom and Neesie in her bedroom and ours! She actually did this twice where she dragged us into the same room, held us captive, and bounced on the bed and on top of all of us.

* Neesie and I gave each other massages every night. It was wonderful. And we painted each other's toenails.

*Seeing Lena on the teacups when we went to Adventure Park USA! She was thrilled beyond imagining!

And traveling with little ones? Umm, we are used to it. But you'll have to ask my parents and sister how they felt! ;-)

There's always ...

On a day when I feel pulled in too many directions,

THERE'S ALWAYS a moment of sheer joy, like when Shana said "mama" for the first time.

On a day when too much fruit caused some not-so-pleasant diapers and an accident which in turn caused some not-so-pleasant laundry and a few unwelcome interruptions,

THERE'S ALWAYS a tasty treat, like a warmed up chocolate chip cookie with ice cream on top to savor to celebrate getting through the day.

On a day when I feel like all I am doing is correcting, and wondering if I will see fruit anytime soon,

THERE'S ALWAYS a thankful moment, like when Selena recites what she learned in devotions the night before with a smile.

On a day when the to-do list is longer then hours in a day, and I am still folding laundry at almost 11pm because that is simply what I must do,

THERE'S ALWAYS a night where I get more sleep then I need, and I wake up feeling refreshed and eager to start a new day.

And in that day, there is sure to be a hot, flavorful cup of coffee, some sticky hugs and kisses, lessons given and learned, time with my Heavenly Father, quiet time for just me and my husband, long reading times with my daughter, ponytails to tie, and nonstop chatter!

On a week like the past one, THERE'S a anticipated family vacation coming up in THREE DAYS!!

I'll be back, Lord willing, with pictures when we return.

P.S. THERE'S ALWAYS a verse like this one:
Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

If you aren't hearing from me much around here, I may be busy loving on my family! Lena is "reading" to her little sister in this picture, but I don't think Shana is listening...

Amusing Moments

What amusing moments have you had with your kids? We went to ShopRite a couple of days ago, and I decided (bright idea, Bev!) to let Lena ride in one of those huge car attachment thingies. Lena loves to go grocery shopping with me, and I love taking her, and Shana just has to come because she has no choice!

Miss Shana is now almost 8 months old, and she took her first assisted steps this week. By assisted, I mean that she was clinging for dear life onto a rolling push toy. She seemed a little frightened, but that could have been because her mommy was screaming, "you're WALKING Shana, you're WALKING!" Referring to myself in the third person makes this slightly less embarassing.

Anyway, I digress. Grocery store, right.

Lena was excited to ride in the car. She never gets to because, they are generally disgusting and grody looking, and also because I am a woman of habit. If I "always" do something, I continue to do it ad nauseum. Also, I have chronic hip pain, and I am very careful not to trigger it.

I decided to think outside the box for a change, and saw a relatively clean car for Lena to ride in. She was SO excited. I might add that I couldn't even get the cart out of the parking lot without running to the front side and tugging it from the front!

Anyone within 6 feet of us, gave us wide berth for passing. A couple of amused men said "whoa!"

Grandmotherly women said, "It is hard with young ones, hang in there!"

I must say, I wasn't feeling sorry for myself. I was laughing my way through the store. Lena was turning her steering wheel and saying "Beep, beep - excuse me!" Shana was chuckling everytime I crashed into something.

"Careful, Mommy!" shouted Lena as she braced herself for each crash. "Don't forget green grapes," she added.

I don't think I'll try this again. Lena missed out on her favorite part of shopping: helping me put food on the belt. I missed out on her help entertaining Shana. I might add that I couldn't even get out of the checkout lane. The store manager had to pull while I pushed. It was very amusing.

Any similar experiences to share? Or have you seen a mom like me?

Book Giveaway

Christian Children's Book Review is hosting a giveaway starting today (Monday). Over 10 titles will be given away. You can read the giveaway post by clicking on the banner!

Goal Check

goals

In January, I posted a list of some goals that I had for the next 6 months.

Here's how I'm doing - trust me, this is humbling. Let me start by saying that it would have been better if I had even consistently looked at my list.

Continue to do preschool at least 3 times a week with Selena: This I've definitely kept up with. Last week, Lena came down with croup so we didn't have preschool and Shae just came down with it last night, so we may be missing most of this week as well.

Be more organized when it comes to our office: Not doing well at all with this. I think I kept very organized for about three months, but then went through a bout of hip pain and just. gave. up.

It isn't too bad though! I just need to go through and sort some papers, and we'll be neat again in there. The problem with the office is that when entering our house, it is the first room you'll pass! If the window is open, and it often is during this season, you can see it from outside.

Get back to menu planning: Yes - doing this, and it is such a help financially and mentally!

Pack lunches for hubby 4 times a week: Yes, I'm doing this. We're also eating healthier, and drinking loads of water lately. We'd gotten into quite a soda habit, and now I don't crave it at dinner time anymore.

Continue Shana's nighttime sleep training (she now sleeps from 8:30 or 9pm to 4:00 - 5:00 and then back to sleep for two hours): Shana is doing pretty well, but it has been a real training experience. She now goes to bed 6:30-6:45 pm, and on a good night, she'll sleep until 5:00-5:30. Right now, the poor darling is next to me in the swing sleeping with the humidifier on because she can't breathe when she is flat. Having a baby with croup is so scary. I was holding her last night in the bathroom with the shower on full blast crying into her hair because she was struggling to take a breath.

Get the girls to sleep in the same room: We're getting there. Before they were sick, they spent some nights together and it went relatively well.

Get Lena completely potty trained (she wears underwear for half a day now): Almost there, almost there.

Scripture memorization (for myself!): I'm ashamed to say that I have neglected this goal for myself. I have been focusing on it more for Lena. Back on track, Beverly!!

Restart my prayer journal and keep it up!! I've been jotting prayer requests down and definitely remembering to pray for them. I need to get an actual journal that I can record the requests in, but I've been doing pretty well with this goal.

Ok, I don't feel too badly after going through this list. There are some things that I really need to work on, but generally we're getting there. How are you doing with your to-do items?

When Shana is a "big girl," and able to do more for herself, I'll want to remember what it was like to hear her babbling on the monitor for me to come get her from her crib.

I'll want to remember the dinner out that we had when she spit up on me about five times, drenching me thoroughly. When Selena is a "big girl," and doesn't need Mommy so much, I'll want to remember the nights when I returned to her room a second time and she would say, "Mommy I love you sooo much - can you just hug me for a little while?"

I'll want to remember how she loved socks, applesauce, and her Bible CD from Uncle Khuram and Aunt Charissa, memorizing every song and blessing her daddy and mommy with the singing of them.

When Shana is running and jumping and playing games like a pro, I'll want to remember when I could hold her close and rock her in our glider.

I'll want to remember when her whole face would light up at the sight of Daddy, Mommy and sister.

When Selena has real friendships and it isn't just Mommy, Lena, and Shana anymore, I'll want to remember the mornings we did preschool while Shae grabbed at Lena's papers. I'll want to remember the hours of reading Little Bear books, and building castles for her horsies.

The giggles and the messes, and the times I let her stand on her little white stool and help me cook.

When the girls are old enough to sit still, I'll want to remember how we could never get a decent picture.

Because they are getting to be big girls so fast. Because they are doing more for themselves and depending less on me, I'll want to remember everything and never ever forget how wondrously tiring and fulfilling these days are.

Today at our House

So what is going on at our house today?

Outside, our daffodils are nodding their yellow heads to the beat of the breeze. The sun has come out with fervor, blessing us with warmth and light.

We are on "spring break" with preschool, mainly because I need time to plan what Selena will be learning next. I just got some phonics flashcards and am not thrilled with them. I'm currently scouring the web, and other resources for ideas.

Potty training has us somewhat stumped. And yes, I am the girl who once taught preschool and basically potty trained fourteen kids at once. Sigh. Lena is almost there if she could get past her fear of going - you know what - in the potty each day. If we could get past this obstacle, we'd pretty much be there. Any ideas?

I potted a tomato plant and basil plant with Selena's help, and they are growing at a rapid rate. I may add a couple more things this weekend - we'll see.

Today we went to visit Daddy at work, and we went to the library. Lena took all of her "new" books into her room, but fell asleep before she could read them!

Lena is learning many lessons this week. Shana has started to reach for and grab all of her toys, and knock over her blocks when she lines them up or stacks them. We've been able to talk about sharing often, and I couldn't be happier that these teachable moments are presenting themselves.

After the girls get up from their nap, we'll probably read for a while, and then have a girly dinner since Daddy will be at a dinner meeting. Our girly dinner tonight will be macaroni and cheese with salad, and strawberry ice cream for dessert.

After the girls go to bed, I am going to get my fuzzy blue blanket, heat up my rice bag, and watch Cranford until my sweetie gets home!

SO ... this post turned out to be totally boring! Hope you are all well. Hugs from our house to yours.

Shana is 6 Months Old!

So when did my baby get to be so old? Our little Shana. Ready to crawl, full of joy, jumping bean, Shae Shae. Her chubby little fingers have wrapped themselves around our hearts.

The girls hold hands and snuggle every morning when they wake. Lena and I are drowsy while Shana is bright eyed and all smiles. This morning, Selena asked me if Shae Shae could stay with us. Of course she can, she's your sister, I said. She lives with us, she's a part of our family.

Things I adore about Shana:

Her absolutely totally joyous smile - it brings happiness to all of us

Her independence

Her sticky uppy hair which is wildly crazy in the morning

Her little grabby hands that are always reaching for something (right now it is her sister's hair)

Her fake cough

Her slobbery kisses

Her LOUD voice

Her rare cuddly times when she just lets me snuggle her up to my face and rock her

Her expressive eyebrows which are usually up in the air

Her eyes - they are her daddy's

Once again I am in awe of God's provision and blessing in giving her to us, just as he blessed us with her sister. We love you so much, Shae Shae.

The Joy of Reading

Thomas Jefferson said "I cannot live without books." I so understand this quote! While I could technically live without books, I can't imagine doing so.

We recently went to the mall together and I found a wonderful book sale. I was excitedly looking through the preschool books deciding what I was going to buy, when I saw a lady dragging her son past the book table. "Books are overrated," she said loudly as she propelled her son forward.

I looked at my husband, barely able to contain my irritation.

I'm usually reading about 4 books at a time, minimum. Lena is definitely following in Mommy's footsteps. In fact, we usually have to go into Lena's room before we go to bed and remove about 8-10 books from her bed. She carefully arranges them on her bookshelf, separating Shana's books from her own. If one is missing, we have to scour the house until we find it. She mourns over a ripped page or crayon mark in a library book. "A little kid did this," she always says sadly.

Monday, we started phonics flashcards with her, and I can't tell you how excited I am! It's going to be wonderful when she can read her little sister a book.