Oh, blog, I have been neglecting you so. I hope to update you after the holidays.

*watching Gracie help Madelyn take off her coat in a very sweet way

*reading to Madelyn on the couch without her squirming too much

*Gracie calling the puppy chow we were eating chubby pow instead

*all of us cuddling in bed early in the morning while it was still cold and dark outside--yes, it was cold in Arizona that morning!

*bopping to music while we ate lunch

*all of us snuggling on the couch under a blanket watching TV--this lasted for about 2 minutes before Madelyn lost interesst

*watching Madelyn (our furniture mover) drag the little highchair all the way from Gracie's room out to the kitchen and then feed a baby doll

*Gracie's enthusiasm and zest for the day (even when she was up all night long bothering us)

*watching her pick up all the bugs for the boys on our camping trip because they were too afraid

*Gracie leading Madelyn by Lily's leash in the backyard

*Jim getting Madelyn to stop crying in the car by "woofing" at her. She can't help but "woof " back!

*playing peek-a-boo with the girls and hearing Madelyn say "boo"

*looking into Madelyn's bright blue eyes while I fed her lunch and realizing that I have two very beautiful girls!

*Madelyn being so proud to help unpack after our camping trip and feed Lily

*watching Madelyn walk into the room with the potty seat on her arm like a purse

*Gracie asking, "Can we see God?" and Jim coming up with a very good answer

*Gracie: "What does wear you out mean?" Me: "It means make you tired." Gracie: "Well, I'm trying to wear you out." Me: "It's working!"

I've decided that once a week I will post some of my favorite moments. So...a new post will come soon!

Update

I have been writing my favorite moments with the girls in their individual notebooks that I keep for them. I think it is more special this way, and it is written in my own handwriting, not the computer's. I am trying to decide whether I should close this blog or continue to write some favorite moments here once in a while...

*making M laugh by chasing her

*M wrapping legs around us when we hold her because she doesn't want us to put her down

*snuggling with G on the couch and reading

*making apple juice at school

*M's ponytail on top of her head is just so cute

*listening to the way M says "Dada"

*watching M follow us as we carry the recycling to the tub...She's a great helper!

*having our first quiet meal in a long time with no crying

As I write this, the girls are sick, not napping like they are supposed to be and whining about everything. I thought I better write some of our moments as a reminder that it is not always like this...

*singing My Father's World with Gracie

*dancing to Faith Hill's Fireflies with Madelyn (love that song!)

*listening to Madelyn say "mo" (more)

*listening to Sandra Boynton music and Veggie Tales music with Gracie this morning

*blowing bubbles with the girls

*pumpkin chocoate chip cookies

*Gracie sayinig, "Daddy, you need to vacuum the grass."

*calling Joseph and Lydia and wishing them a happy birthday

*watching Madelyn walk around with socks on her hands

*holding Gracie in the rocking chair

*hearing the thank-you's at church for teaching Sunday school...they go a long way!

*playing out front in the cool morning air

*listening to Gracie read The Runaway Pumpkin with me

*getting excited for all the new TV shows to start...especially Numbers.

*listening to Madelyn sing into the paper towel tube

*smiling as Gracie rubbed Madelyn's back and sang Twinkle, Twinkle to her

*laughing as Madelyn imitated washing her hands while I washed mine

*loving the way Gracie's pigtails bounce up and down as she runs

*making egg-salad...yum!

*homemade blueberry crumble with lots of brown sugar and oatmeal

*the feast we had at school for Royal Day...sparkly crowns, goblets, chicken legs, grapes, and apple juice!

*sweet-smelling play-doh

*loving the book King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood

*learning to love the Dick and Jane books

*watching Madelyn pick out a book and then sit in my lap

*watching Madelyn sit on the book when I read to Gracie

*hearing the girls' laughter as Jim chased them around the kitchen

*taking the girls for a wagon ride

On a different note, I am missing the Pumpkin Festival and all it's yummy pumpkin treats! I plan to make some pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies tomorrow!

*watching the girls unique dance moves

*Rainbow Rabbit Lucy Regan, Gracie's name guess for Bethany's baby

*listening to Madelyn read Biscuit to us

*holding Madelyn after her nap while she drank her milk. There is nothing sweeter.

*pushing Madelyn on Gracie's bike

*laughing with our new small group

*sending off birthday gifts to two precious kids

*going to the library for new books

Books
Won't You Be My Hugaroo? by Joanne Ryder

Colors Everywhere by Sam McBratney

A Kiss For Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik

Duck at the Door by Jackie Urbanovic

*swinging and sliding with the girls at the park

*watching Gracie climb the "big girl" ladders while I held my breath and bit my tongue

*admiring how well the girls played together in the little tent in Gracie's room

*listening to the way Madelyn says "shoe"...the girl is obsessed with them

*being amazed at how Madelyn put her sidewalk chalk in the box and then carried the box to its spot in the garage, all on her own and without being told

*seeing just how cute the girls were in their swimsuits while they helped Jim wash his car...and seeing just how cute Jim is, too. :)

*enjoying popcorn and movie night with Jim

*finally hanging up some pictures and straightening a very off-center mirror in our house

*watching M dance with the dancing gopher and then watching her cry and move away as G moved the gopher closer to her...I think she is actually afraid of it!

*drooling over more cameras...which one to buy?

*realizing I like the ellipsis...a little too much!

*walking with Gracie while she rode her bike. She's getting so good!

*learning that Bethany's having another girl!

*taking the girls to storytime...and surviving without too much drama.

*tickling Madelyn after her nap

*making Chex Muddy Buddies...yum!

*seeing how cute the girls looked in their dresses yesterday.

*coloring with Gracie while Madelyn walked around with crayons...and even pushed them in the stroller.

*watching Gracie as she learned to make Theo the Puppet talk all by herself.

*watching Gracie's facial expressions as she danced...priceless!

*both girls got a clean bill of health at the cardiologist...and did a GREAT job during the tests! The fact that they had a video playing in the office for the girls is such an answer to prayer!

Favorite Moments and Books

*Madelyn riding on me like a horse and laughing about it the whole time

*trashing the carpet! The kids got to spill and draw all over our friends carpet before they tore it out. Thanks for letting them do that! And the adults even got to play a little game in the middle of the chaos. What a great night of fun! (Too bad the girls were horrible sleepers that night...)

*M can now say baby and dog

*eating WAY TOO MUCH ice cream

*watching the girls walk around with gift bags over their arms and looking so darling!

*the apricot pork roast in the crockpot. I hope you taste good, too!

*the fact that it is cloudy right now

*waiting to hear if my cousin's little baby is a boy or a girl...the anticipation is getting to me!

*the fact that both girls went to sleep, allowing me time to reflect on the day so far!

Book Recommendations
Shoe Baby by Joyce Dunbar
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

More Favorite Moments

*Madelyn looked just like a little doctor walking around with the stethoscope around her neck, which she put there herself.

*Gracie loves to put her babies in her old snowsuit. I found one all bundled up in the doll stroller the other night.

*Quiet time with Gracie...I got to sit in my favorite chair in our bedroom while she colored in our bathroom. She even locked the door so no one would interrupt her quiet time! I love it!

*dancing while I held Gracie

*G's air guitar is just hilarious!

*both girls running to the door and giving me hugs after a meeting I went to

*M does a little dance after her naps that is just so cute!

*I think both girls enjoyed school this morning. A lot of water play! I am always exhausted beyond belief afterwards. How did I ever teach first grade all day?

Favorite Moments

*M has such a love for socks and shoes. I often find her carrying them around the house.

*Gracie's hair is in pigtails for the first time! She looks super cute!

*G was so excited to see that Grandmother and Grandpa sent her The Very Hungry Caterpillar video.

*Jim's parents sent us a big box full of stuff for our trailer that came from Jim's grandparents. M was so excited when we were opening it. She didn't know why she was excited, she just knew she was.

*M says Lily now!

*G was so excited to make a card for Lily. Today is her 5th birthday.

*M often gets into my Tupperware and randomly places it around the house. I found it in the doll stroller the other day.

*cuddling with G on the couch while we watched Little Bear.

*G played in our big bathtub this afternoon for no other reason than to have fun in it.

*G would not eat her supper and was being kind of ornery. Next thing I know, she is praying to God to help her eat and be good!

Our Weekend in a List

1. Jim installed an air intake in his truck with a coworker.
2. Gracie got to play with "that boy".
3. I got my hair cut!
4. Madelyn did not take an afternoon nap.
5. We went to Jim's boss' house for a southwestern food night.
6. Madelyn did not fall asleep on the way home.
7. Madelyn was up all night and we have no idea why.
8. Jim drove her around in the car from 1:00 to 4:00 in the morning. Not the best idea, but a desperate attempt to stop the crying.
9. Madelyn slept restlessly in the car and was up from 4:00-7:00 this morning.
10. Jim and I laughed so hard at a cartoon Gracie was watching. Was it really that funny or were we so tired that we were delirious?
11. I walked into my classroom this morning with everything set up and a gift waiting there for me. Thank you, Mandi! You are awesome!
12. Will our kids ever sleep through the night every night???
13. Did I mention that 3 out of the 4 of us are sick?
14. I almost forgot...Jim and I started watching The Long Long Trailer. It's funny!
15. We have a farm animal noise puzzle that randomly "baas" and "neighs" at us. Will that wake the girls or maybe the kid who are SCREAMING outside right now?
16. Lord, please help us to keep our focus on you.

Favorite Moments

*M carrying baby Caroline (the doll) by the head. She just looked so funny!

*G deciding on her own to wear a dance costume all day and dance and sing. I always saw little girls wearing ballerina costumes and secretly wished G would do that.

*M putting a sticker on my shirt and being so proud of herself

*G and I spent most of the afternoon yesterday in our bathroom watching TV and doing art. Thank you for our big bathroom!

*G talking to Joseph and Lydia on the phone. It made me laugh!

*M reading a book so close to her face that her eyes crossed

*Theo (the puppet) visiting the girls

*finding a bunch of preschool letter ideas on another blog. I love blogs!

*how excited G is to pop the bubble wrap that came in a package...and Jim popping them so fast that it sounded like music.

Attitude Adjustment

Today has been a rough day of wiping Gracie's nose and avoiding getting sneezed on. My attitude has been bad today, so I am writing our favorite moments as a reminder to myself to focus on the positive.

Yesterday's Moments
*G asked to cuddle with me.
*We got a free rose from the store. Gracie picked an orange one.
*researching new cameras
*M laughing at the word baboon! Gracie did the same thing when she was younger.

Today's Moments
*G telling jokes while we made supper. Everything ended with, "It had to go potty. Ha, ha, ha!"
*M hugging me and patting me after her bath
*G let me wash her hair without giving me problems. Thank you!!!
*homemade vanilla pudding with coconut...yum!

Favorite Moments

*how cute Madelyn looked while helping me push the laundry basket
*Madelyn brushing my hair
*playing tag with Gracie in the yard
*smelling the creamy rice cereal with brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins as I cooked it for breakfast tomorrow...yum!
*introducing Gracie to Cinderella..."They're wearing mad faces. This is a bad part."

Also from the mouth of Gracie,
"Where do you put your mind when you lose it? I put mine in a box."

Weekend Favorite Moments

*showing Gracie a music video that her doll Caroline is in
*Madelyn trying to sit on Gracie's lap
*Madelyn hugging Gracie before going to bed
*watching Andy Griffith while eating
*taking the girls to the park
*hearing Madelyn laugh with Jim while I read to Gracie
*learning more about photography
*Time to watch TV while labeling pictures
*going back to church after being gone for 2 weeks
*watching Madelyn walk all over the place
*hearing Gracie say in a really adult way, "It's really raining out there. Shooey!"
*seeing rainbows

First Day of School

We had our first day of school at the Loving to Learn homeschool group. We all loved it, even Madelyn! During circle time, Tammi decided to focus on character traits and Bible verses rather than the calendar. I think that is such a wise decision! Gracie sat in Ani's lap, an older girl who watches Gracie during my moms group. Madelyn even danced during circle time when we were singing.

The theme was stars. Gracie got to paint stars, make glitter stars, use star stickers, play with glitter play-doh, use a pin to poke holes on black paper, and make a snack.

I'm thankful God has lead us to this group!

Favorite Moments
*listening to my Wizard of Oz music box with the girls
*the way M always wants to hold my finger when she walks
*reading to the girls for a minute (before M climbed all over me instead of listening to the story)
*G riding her bike. She's getting so good!
*M is such a social butterfly! She was waving to all the neighbors last night and saying hi.
*seeing how excited G was to play with her dress-up clothes
*M walking around with a necklace

Yesterday's Favorite Moments

*oatmeal with blueberries, blackberries and strawberries...yum!
*G reading one of my devotionals...she is listening to what I tell her!
*G made a smiley face on the magnadoodle and left it there for me to find
*seeing friends at the park and store
*starting G's "lessons" with her. Lily was a lion in our story!
*pushing the girls around in their little play shopping cart. Madelyn figured out how to climb into it, and now I can't keep her out!

Verse of the Day

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31

Favorite Moments

*G picking "berries" at Grandmother and Grandpa's. I played around with the camera while Gracie played under this tree. I still have so much to learn, as many of the pictures did not turn out, but I liked the way I was able to focus on the berries with Gracie in the background.
*sleeping in my own bed
*M woofing at all the pictures of dogs at the vet
*M walking her little dog on a string
*getting excited as I think about "officially" homeschooling G again and starting our homeschool group this Friday!
*filling G's mailbox with surprises because she took a nap!
*looking at pictures from our trip and finally getting time to label some pictures
*time with Jim
*getting a shower before G woke up
*the fact that Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is on at 5:30 in the morning!

More Favorite Moments

*Date with Jim!!! We love Harry Potter and Flat Top Grill!
*M walking with a BIG smile on her face
*G playing with magnets and Hungry Hungry Hippos
*going to the farm park with Grammy and Bethany and Britt
*seeing Daisy and realizing that we miss Lily
*Daisy's "parents" having us over for dinner, although the girls could have behaved better...
*G taking a nap yesterday!!!
*M playing hide 'n seek with Daddy
*looking forward to lunch and an evening with friends!

Willing

I had to write an appointment on the calendar for September and noticed that September is Self Improvement Month. I find that funny that they dedicate only one month a year to that! I am constantly trying to improve myself.

Lately, I have received books from people on parenting and life in general. I suppose they see my desire to become a better parent. They have been helpful and full of things to remember and do. The problem is, I am not able to do these things on my own. For self-improvement, you have to be willing to change and offer it up to God in prayer. I can read all the "how-to's" and nothing will improve until I surrender to my old sinful way and turn to the Holy Spirit for help. I really struggle with anger and impatience. I truly believe that with the Holy Spirit's help, I can overcome these things. But it will take a lot of practice and time on my part. If I am willing, the Spirit will fill me, and my girls will see the difference.

We saw the street sweeper today. Gracie was fascinated as she watched it clean the street. It reminded me of how God can sweep our hearts clean and leave us sparkling on the inside, if we are willing to let it happen. Lord, I am willing!

Favorite Moments
Gracie
*chasing the bunny rabbit
*playing with the dress-up Barbie with lots of fabric
*writing with sidewalk chalk

Me
*a nap!
*walking outside with Madelyn
*drawing on the sidewalk with Gracie
*writing on the big paper with Gracie
*watching Friends last night
*visiting Jim's family

Favorite Moments

*seeing great-grandparents
*playing outside with rocks, water, buckets, a box
*playing Candyland, Gracie had no interest in playing so Jim, Dave and I played! It was fun!

Madelyn's Party

When I don't have time to reflect and write our favorite moments from the day, I truly feel lost! There have been many favorite moments as we celebrated Madelyn's first birthday! I haven't had many chances to write them down, so here are a few from memory.

Favorite Moments
*giving Madelyn her presents
*Madelyn spitting most of her birthday cake out because she doesn't like anything with texture
*my mom turning her back on Madelyn for a minute only to find her completely covered in cake by the time she returned
*my grandpa playing with Joseph, Rachel's little boy
*Jim's grandpa somehow became the official sippy cup holder while Madelyn opened her presents...he did a nice job!
*all the kids playing together!
*Gracie opening all the presents for Madelyn and not getting upset that nothing was for her
*Madelyn's Theo cake! Jim did an awesome job!
*the basket swing at Grandmother and Grandpa's
*playing with Grammy and Grandpop at the park
*seeing everyone!

Favorite Moments

*stuffing Gracie's mailbox with special surprises because she took a long nap, and then seeing how excited she was to open it

*helping Gracie fill big puddles of glue with beans to make a picture on paper

*Madelyn handing me crayons, she is always so excited to play with them

*Madelyn squealing and talking to stuffed animals at the store today and doing the same thing when she saw puppies in a coloring book

*Madelyn discovering how fun it is to play in our bedspread and watching her crawl all over the house with one of Gracie's play spoons

*listening to Jim and the girls play in the hallway as they made shadow puppets

Favorite Toy

The girls' favorite toy lately has been this keyboard. They both LOVE to dance to the music that it plays. The other night, they discovered that it looks very pretty in the dark because it lights up. Maybe one of them will be a pianist in the future?

Favorite Moments

*Gracie offering us water and a pickle for supper (which were really quarters she was playing with while we made supper)

*Gracie and Madelyn went to their first movie! It was VeggieTales! Our church, which takes place at a movie theater, offered it for free! Gracie had a blast!

*As the sun was blinding Gracie through the window...
G: "I guess it is Sunday."
Me: "No, it's Saturday."
G: "But can it be sunny on Saturday?"

*Gracie's popsicles come with jokes. Today, she made up her own. "What do you do if you swallow a cow? Spit it out!"

Ducks Running Amok

Madelyn discovered the paper shreddings in our office. She loves to play in them and spreads them everywhere. While I love giving them opportunities to make messes, I like controlled messes, messes that are contained to a certain area. When the paper shreddings make their way to every corner of the living room, I often feel out-of-control. It's a little ridiculous when I think that paper getting under the couch makes me feel this way, but it's true. When things are not neat and tidy in my life, I cannot think clearly.

But life with children is messy. My schedule rarely goes as planned. The contained mess always turns into a bigger, more spread-out mess. My nights are usually interrupted, lately by Gracie's night terrors. Those, in and of themselves, are terrifying and messy. They often happen when she doesn't nap, and she hasn't napped in two days, despite my best efforts.

I think God gives me these moments to remind me that I am not in control of most things in life. I need to let go and loosen up. When life gets me down and feels too messy, I hide away in my room on my favorite chair and ask God to fill me back up. I pray for perspective and remind myself of the love Jesus has for me. Once that happens, I am renewed and can handle life better. Because as I get older, I realize more and more that life is not about having all my ducks in a row. It's about living and laughing and praying and crying while my ducks run amok.

Favorite Moments
*the way Gracie put her head in my lap while we were looking at a snowglobe and listening to the music
*Madelyn dancing to the "music" of the fork as I scrambled some eggs and the printer as I printed a document; she literally will dance to anything!
*Madelyn loving on Theo, my Sunday school puppet
*the way Madelyn gives Lily hugs all the time
*Gracie made a birthday card for Madelyn and it is so adorable! She even wrote some of the letters herself.
*the way Madelyn loves to get on our backs and ride on us (or Lily)

Favorite Books
White Rabbit's Color Book by Alan Baker
Not All Animals are Blue by Beatrice Boutignon
No More Bottles for Bunny by Bernadette Ford and Sam Williams

Random Thoughts

I'm exhausted by the potty timer.
I haven't had many deep thoughts lately.
When raising children, focus on character development.
I have so many books I want to read.
I can't wait to visit family and friends in Illinois.
Why does our neighbor's dog have to bark nonstop?
I'm getting over Facebook.

Favorite Moments
my girls sat and played with Legos side-by-side today for one minute with no arguing or pushing...a glimpse hope?

finding two awesome ideas for my future "school room" in our next house

Tuesday's Favorite Moments

*Being "stickered" is something that happens once in a while in our house. Gracie may even catch you unaware and you could be walking around with stickers all over your back and not know it! Madelyn was a victim the other night.

*Madelyn has learned to say "uh-oh". It is so cute!

*I cuddled with Madelyn at 5:00 this morning and again this afternoon.

*We went to the library today. Gracie got the book Bear's New Friend on CD. She sat and listened to the story as it was being read and even turned the pages when she was supposed to. I love watching her do things like that!

Favorite Moments

Gracie has an interest in writing her ABCs. Today, we worked on the letter A. She wrote one all by herself and put it in the play mailbox for Jim. Tomorrow, the letter B! Theo, our Sunday school puppet, helped her!

Jim running around with Gracie's vacuum. Gracie thought that was hilarious!

Gracie came to me today with a handful of pom-pom balls. She said, "Look at these wonderful colors." I love when she talks like that!

Playing in the wading pool...until I saw a spider on Madelyn!

Gracie helping me fold socks.

Madelyn climbing up my legs and reaching up to me so I will pick her up. It is just so cute.

Snapshots of Our Weekend

Favorite Moments

buttering bread in the garage (the butter was sawdust and the bread was wood scraps)

watching Gracie ride her bike

shopping for toys for Madelyn

Gracie telling Jim and me that she loves us

Madelyn waving to me and saying hi

In Gracie's words

Gracie: "What are you doing, Daddy?"

Jim: "Writing a letter to the people who made Madelyn's crib so we can get new parts for it."

Gracie: "Are you writing to God?"

Jim: "What?"

Gracie: "God made everything, so he made Madelyn's crib."

Gracie is very in to making up her own dreams and telling us about them. At breakfast this morning...

Gracie: "I had a dream last night. It was called Upstairs and Downstairs."

Jim: "Your dreams have titles?"

The other day, Gracie typed a message to her grandparents. We told her they sent her a message back, and she said, "I guess they didn't want it." She thought they had sent her message back to her because they didn't want it!

Loving to Learn

Gracie, Madelyn and I will be joining a preschool homeschooling group called Loving to Learn in August, and we are so excited! Every week, Gracie will have the opportunity to do so many neat activities with other moms, older and younger kids and me. I had my first meeting about it last night and just felt right at home. I can't wait to get started!

Books
Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Busy in the Garden by George Shannon
Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells

Favorite Moments
playing with friends
watching Gracie work on puzzles all by herself
playing with Madelyn after her nap
finally spending some time with Jim
Jim playing a song for me that he wanted me to hear

Preserving Memories

I have been dwelling a lot lately on all the things I am doing wrong as a mom. Disciplining Gracie is so hard for me and I have really been hard on myself about it. But today I started to focus on all the things I feel that I am doing right. One thing I work hard at is preserving memories through blogging, journaling in the girls' private notebooks, filling photo albums with pictures. They are gifts I want to pass on to my children.

With that in mind, I am pursuing something that has been an interest of mine for a while now. I am learning how to take better pictures and use my camera as it is meant to be used. I am by no means a good photographer, but I am learning. I am trying to see my time with my family through the camera lens and through God's eyes.

Today, Gracie was kneeling in our overgrown backyard pulling up some weeds, and I could just envision what a great shot that would be. Of course, by the time I got my camera, she had moved on. But we spent some time outside on this cloudy afternoon and I just took pictures of them. I loved it! I have grand dreams that by the time they are out of school, I will have learned and grown as a photographer and be able to start my own business. But for now, I am just enjoying photographing my children and spending time with them, trying my best to see them through God's eyes.

Favorite Moments
watching Madelyn lounge in Gracie's purple chair
playing with sawdust in the garage with the fan on--it's hot out there!
spending time in the art area doing an "art projack"
looking at pictures with Gracie
reading other blogs
taking pictures!
talking with family and friends

Laughter

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

I stopped to think today about how often I try to make the girls laugh during the day. I think the answer is not often enough. As soon as supper was done tonight, Jim played with the girls and there was instant laughter. Thank God for daddies! They just bring laughter to the house in ways that mommies can't. Watching them play is by far my most favorite moment of the day!

Gracie
uututuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

ooioooooooooooooooooooooiiuuyyyuyutuytytyiutiuiyiytuuityuiytiuyutijjhk
Dear Jesus, I love you.

Today's Favorite Moment

I am finally adding some pictures to the blog! However, I don't like displaying a lot of pictures of the girls on the Internet, so I am only going to add pictures that don't show their faces. I think it is kind of cool to show just their hands and feet, since they are so busy using them!

Today, Gracie made mud pies and we let Madelyn join her. They had so much fun!

DEAR

When I was teaching, I used to do something called Drop Everything And Read (DEAR). Throughout the day, we would stop whatever it was we were working on and just read. I am trying to incorporate this into my day with Gracie and Madelyn. I LOVE going to the library and hope the girls will enjoy it as much as me as they grow up. Gracie loves to go there and play. Madelyn loves to try to pull all the books off the shelves. I have decided to incorporate a list of our favorite books or books we are reading at the end of every week. Jim makes fun of the fact that the books I want for my collection are children's books. I would rather read a children's book over an adult book any day of the week! And I don't care who knows it.

Favorite Books
All the Little Bear books--Gracie and I both love these stories.
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom
Book, Book, Book by Deborah Bruss
Out and About by Shirley Hughes--I love this book of poems and the pictures are adorable!

Favorite Moments
It amazes me how pipe cleaners can keep kids busy for so long.

Forgiveness

I have to face the fact that I have too many thoughts to limit myself to just Thoughtful Thursday! That being said, I have something on my heart that I just need to write about.

I have talked with friends this week who have had a hard time with their children. While I am sorry they are going through struggles of their own, I am so glad that they are willing to share their struggles with me. I am not alone!

I have screwed up so many times this week, especially today, with my words and actions towards Gracie. I am not showing her God's love. I tell myself that I am being a bad mommy and that I am such a failure. These, of course, are very ungodly thoughts.

But God reaches us right where we are. I opened up my Bible yesterday only to find a message straight from God to my heart. It was all about second chances. God is willing to forgive our sins towards our kids if we are willing to forgive ourselves. However, I have a hard time forgiving myself. Jesus paid the price for my sins on the cross so that I can be forgiven. If Jesus will forgive me, I have to forgive myself. I am a sinner in need of a Savior. And how amazing that Jesus is a Savior who is willing to accept me as I am!

A friend gave me a paper this week that is all about attitude. Each letter in the word attitude stands for something. The letter "I" stands for "interrupting ungodly thoughts". In order to be a better mom in the future, I absolutely have to do this. We must "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

Thoughtful Thursday

I am tossing around the idea of changing my blog a little to make it even more focused. I am thinking of adding Wise Wednesday, Thoughtful Thursday and Sermon Sunday, and writing longer posts on those days. The other days will be a list of our day, including favorite moments.

So that is my thought for this Thursday.

Favorite Moments
Me
dancing with the girls to Sid the Science Kid music
watching Gracie play with weather dress-up magnets
going to a much-needed play date with my Bible study friends


Gracie
jhuuuuuuuuuuuuuyuy776jjhgtyytt We went to a friend's house today.
jhuuyuy uyuyuyuyuyyytuytuyyu I played a computer game after supper and then the timer went off and I had to go potty.

Favorite Moments

Using Gracie's sheet as a parachute (parrot-chute)
Jim, Gracie and Madelyn chasing each other around the kitchen
I got to eat lunch by myself!
dipping my feet in the wading pool while the girls happily played


Gracie
I rode my inside bike.
I put my shirt on all by myself.

Least favorite moments
Gracie somehow managed to dump a bunch of black pepper into her nose and spent the next 15 minutes or so sneezing and blowing her nose. Yuck!

While trying to rinse Madelyn and Gracie off in the bathtub, Madelyn turned on the shower and got us all soaked!

Wise Wednesday

No talking. No emotion. These are the two things that I have are so important when disciplining Gracie. So why do I constantly fail at them?

In the Girl Talk Bible study I am doing with a group of women, it asks us what walls we have up when it comes to relationships with others. I have a wall that I didn't even know was there until today. I have put up a wall and won't let anyone give me advice on how to handle discipline with Gracie. Gracie is a funny, sweet, smart, energetic, curious, wonderful girl! But she is also very strong-willed, emotional and complicated, just like her mom. Add to that the fact that she is three, and I feel like pulling my hair out most days.

I have put up the wall because I feel like no one can possibly know what Jim and I go through with her. It's. Just. Not. Easy. But I also know that by shutting out other people's suggestions, I might be missing out on the one thing that will work for her that day. You see, God calls us to be in community with one another, helping each other through our struggles. We can't do it alone, so he sends us Godly women to help us and gives us the Bible as the ultimate parenting book.

Both of my girls are such blessings with many strengths to their personalities. I hope to encourage those strengths and help them work on their weaknesses. I don't want Gracie to change who she is. I just hope to teach her how to control herself and how to choose happiness. It won't be easy for her. But her road to doing it starts with me. I have to model the no talking, no emotion to her when disciplining her. That shows her self-control. But the road to being able to model it to her starts with me relying on God. I have never been on my knees praying to God more and crying out for wisdom than since I became a mother. If we seek out wisdom, God will give it to us.

Random Words of Wisdom
Kids will resist whatever we let them resist.
Our attitude affects everything.

Favorite moments are to come later, when Gracie can help me.

The Armor of God

When we dropped Madelyn and Gracie off in the nursery on Sunday, Gracie was telling all the other kids to be gentle with Madelyn and be careful with her. Jim and I thought it was very sweet but also very ironic since Gracie is the opposite of careful with Madelyn at home. Last week she kicked Madelyn in the face for no reason, and she often pushes her. I think Madelyn needs to have protective armor to keep her safe around her sister! We just got Gracie a helmet to wear when she rides her bike. Maybe Madelyn should use it!

All these thoughts of armor make me think of putting on the armor of God. In Ephesians it says, "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." I feel as though I have given in to the devil today by yelling at Gracie too much. Gracie is a very strong-willed girl who knows exactly how to push my buttons. She has done well with that today. The more she disobeys, the harder it is for me to tame my tongue. The book of James tells us that, "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing...this should not be." It also says the tongue "is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

The enemy knows our weaknesses and will use every situation to make us fail. For me, the only way to tame my tongue on certain days is to ask God for armor against the enemy.

Favorite Moments
Saturday
waffles for breakfast on Saturday
Going to the toy store with the girls. They had so much fun looking at all the different toys!
Gracie wearing her new bike helmet in the house and while eating supper
Eating out on Saturday
Watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Sunday--Our 6th Anniversary!
cinnamon rolls for breakfast...Jim surprised us with them
watching Gracie ride her bike with her helmet
Moon Pies and Jones soda...yum!
playing playstation with Jim

Monday
Madelyn snuggling on Jim after she woke up
Gracie finished three puzzles mostly on her own!
taking a drive in the car to get Madelyn to finally fall asleep
doing a digestion science experiment with Gracie

Favorite Moments

Gracie
klkkppkpiipippipipipipipipippppp That says, "I saw my first rainbow and I was so excited."

huhggguhuuggiihiiighyiijhiiiiiihuhuhuihiukkkkkkkkk That says, "I saw some friends at the water park."

uiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiioooooooooityiyitnbmnbnmuyt7uyuytituyiy "I played a computer game."

yiuiyiuiyuiyiuyyiyiuuuyuyuyuiiyuyu "I was so excited that I was listening to some music and was dancing."

yutiyutiyuttuyu86y8676byj6u7u6uu66uuuu766ii76o6709ioooooooooooooo"I saw Miss Susan at the water park."


Me
When Gracie woke up this morning, she told me her lips were chopped. That made me laugh.
We saw such a pretty rainbow! It reminds me of God's promise to Noah to not flood the earth again like he did.

Through the Eyes of a Child

Grocery shopping day is my least favorite day of the week. It could be because I view the store I go to as the "unhappiest place on earth". It seems to bring out the worst in me. They never have what I need, the aisles are always blocked with items they are stocking, and it is just dirty. I realize it is ridiculous for me to feel this way about a store. If it were up to me, I would go somewhere else.

My point is not to vent about the store. Through the eyes of a child, the store is a playground. A place with carts and ladders to climb, clothes racks to play in, shelves of paper towel rolls to hide in, bumpers to balance on. It is all about perception. Children are a constant reminder that the world is a playground if we will just be willing to play.

Favorite Moments
Gracie
playing at the store
going to the library

Me
reading to Gracie on the bed
meeting with friends
going to a Bible study
looking forward to spending time with Jim

The Future

As of right now, the plan for us to move back to Illinois will be around June 2012! That seems like such a long time away, but I know it will be here before we know it. Of course, that date can change. I just keep thinking about how different the girls will be when we move back. Gracie will have just finished up kindergarten and Madelyn will be almost 4! That seems so crazy! I wonder what they will be interested in, how they will be getting along, if we will have any more kids.

Gracie is really into narrating her days and referring to herself as a baby in the third person. Most of her conversation goes like this, "Oh, the baby loves her mama. She found a nice warm cozy place to lay. Oh, the baby hurt herself. She's not happy." I'm sure by the time we move back, this phase will have passed.

She did surprise me yesterday. Most of the time she does not want to join us when we pray at night and just gets squirmy and laughs. We just tell her that we like to talk to God and she can join us if she wants to. Last night, my cousin Hayley was in labor with her little girl, Jillian, and I was telling Jim this at supper. Gracie was listening and asking questions about it, and then she asked if she could say a prayer for Hayley! My heart just melted. She also wanted us to say one for her when we went to bed.

Right now, Madelyn is into everything! She is our "push this out of the way, throw this, crawl over that, grab this with a grip of steel and never let go, throw a temper tantrum" baby. She is on the move so much more than Gracie ever was! And yet, she has a sweet side, too. She loves to give hugs and is happy most of the time.

I just can't wait to see how our family will be different when we move back. Only God knows what's in store, and I have to place my trust in him for our future.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Favorite Moments
Gracie has taken an interest in playing with some math manipulatives that I have. They are different shapes and colors and teach about fractions. She made a flower out of them. I just love when she gets creative with things like that!

Gracie serenaded Madelyn and me at lunch yesterday with her rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. She pretended to be underwater, something she learned at church.

Gracie and Madelyn spent several minutes yesterday morning climbing in and out of the bottom of our kitchen chairs. Madelyn thought that was so fun!

The Greatest Gift

I can't believe that Madelyn will be one in a month! We have been planning for her first birthday party. We worked on the invitation last night and have been trying to think of gifts for her. That made me wonder what is the greatest gift that we can give our children?

I used to watch baby stories on TV when I was pregnant with Gracie. When parents were asked what they hope for their children, many of them said things like health and happiness. I absolutely want those things for my girls, but I also think there is something even greater that I want for them. I want them to know Jesus as their personal Savior. The greatest thing my parents ever did for me was take me to church when I was younger. Pointing my girls to the Lord at every opportunity is the best gift I can give them. After that, it is up to God to work in their hearts and lead them to salvation in the way only God can.

My devotional for this weekend was about a mom who wanted the same thing for her son. She watched him struggle through life and was tempted to be pushy and try to take control of his salvation herself. Once she learned to back off, she prayed for him and watched how God transformed his life. I hope I can be like this mom, doing my part to lead my girls, but knowing when to let go and let God.

Favorite Moments from the past few days

Gracie
the jumping castle
chocolate chip banana pancakes
swimming at the pool with friends, floating in the deep part


Me
swimming and running into friends unexpectedly
chocolate berry pie
chocolate chip banana pancakes
steak dinner for the 4th and homemade potato salad
half hour of peace on Saturday while both kids napped
getting much needed time to read my Bible
taking pictures of Gracie and Madelyn
Jim is my helper in Sunday school today!

Picking My Battles

The last few days, I have been telling Gracie to stop acting like a three-year-old. She has been testing me and pushing my buttons, something she loves to do. Today, I finally decided I have to pick my battles. I was tempted today to tell her she had to wash her hands in her sink when she really wanted to wash in ours. And I mentioned to her that her underwear was on backwards and was going to force her to fix it when she could have cared less. I decided to bite my tongue and realize that those things were so insignificant in the big picture. So she wore her underwear backwards all afternoon and washed her hands in our sink instead of hers. She was happy, and I was just glad that she was choosing underwear over a diaper and washing her hands!

Favorite Moments
Gracie
fingerpainting
going to the park with friends
wearing her apron from Grandmother and Grandpa

Me
I liked making bugs with Gracie's fingerpaint.
listening to the thunderstorm
wearing my apron in the kitchen while Gracie wore hers in her kitchen
meeting friends at the park for lunch
getting Madelyn out of her crib after her nap (she is always so happy to see me!)
Jim giving the girls rides in a box

Psalm 51

I read something the other day about how we can tell the difference between whether an idea comes from our own mind or if it is an idea that God has put into our mind. The article said if the idea is something that we wouldn't normally consider, it is most likely something God is calling us to do.

That is exactly how I feel about this blog. It is something I absolutley did not want to do, but for some reason, the idea of starting one kept coming to my mind. I truly feel God knew that I needed this outlet. Whether anyone is reading it or not, it is something that I needed to do for myself. It has helped me focus my days and take something positive away from each day that I am given.

We used to sing Psalm 51 in church. It says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." I feel this is exactly what God is doing in me right now. I have so much in my heart that is negative, and God is trying to clean it up. Christians are supposed to look different than the rest of the world. I feel as though there has been a big discrepancy between what I believe and the way I act during my day. I have not looked different because I have not truly relied on God to help me. I see that he is helping me let go of dependency on others, discontent, taking others for granted and a bad attitude. I want the thoughts that I write to correspond with my actions, words, and attitude. I want a clean heart that only God can provide.

Favorite Moments
Gracie has started calling Jim "Jim" and "honey" instead of Daddy.
Watching the rain clouds roll in from Gracie's window. Madelyn was standing on her tip-toes trying to see.
Trying to capture a picture in my mind of exactly how small Madelyn is right now while I fed her a bottle
Lunch with friends
Dancing after nap time
Talking with Jim in bed before we went to sleep and reminding him of how I love the way he makes our family time together so much fun. I love him for the funny person he is and the way he keeps me grounded.

A Kindred Spirit

I love Anne of Green Gables. What Anne wanted more than anything was to find a kindred spirit, a bosom friend of her very own. God has blessed me with some wonderful friends! Some are back in Illinois, and some friendships are developing here in Arizona. But what I am discovering as I get older is that I have a friend, a kindred spirit, who knows me better than anyone. A friend who knows my heart. A friend who knows what I need. A friend who is always available to talk. A friend who never lets me down. A friend who desires a close relationship with me. Of course, I am talking about the Lord!

So on days when I miss my friends very much and I feel lonely, I turn to God for comfort. And you know what? When I open my Bible and turn to a devotional or scripture, it is always something I need to hear. God is a friend who knows me better than I know myself. He is a true kindred spirit.

Favorite Moments

Making a fishing pole with Gracie with a ruler, some yarn and a magnet. We used paper clips as our fish. She loves it!

Making a yummy cherry crisp recipe with yellow cake on top! I think it is one of my new favorite desserts.

Going to the library. I just love libraries!

French toast for breakfast

Watching the girls play in their little pool

Listening to Madelyn babble to Gracie and Jim. She loves to talk to them.

Gracie's Dream

Gracie woke up this morning asking if I could find the purple things in a bag. She went on to describe that they were flat like fish, but not fish. When I stared at her blankly, having no idea what she was talking about, she had a meltdown. This happens frequently when she wakes up. I think she has a very active mind, even when she is sleeping.

The monsoon has started. The clouds are starting to roll in in the afternoon and we even had a little thunderstorm this morning. Don't tell Jim, but I think I secretly like the monsoon. It is a nice change. I don't always like the lightening though.

Favorite Moments

Me
Madelyn has a tooth!
seeing one-month-old twin girls at the lake
reading to Gracie on the bed while it rained and thundered
Madelyn trying to blow kisses

Gracie
using her magnifying glass to do a hide and seek letter page--I am so excited about this because she asked to do one! It is a page we do when we have "lessons".
walking to the lake
going to the store (my least favorite part of the day!)

Prayer

Isn't it amazing how kids can pick up on their parents' feelings? If I am feeling the littlest bit stressed or upset or angry, Gracie picks up on it and acts the same way. She depends on me so much to keep my emotions in control so that she can feel in control, too. A few things have been worrying me lately...like the fact that the dog won't eat and we don't know why, where we are going to have Madelyn's birthday party, etc. I know these things will get figured out in time. It is just a reminder to me that I need to pray, hand them over to God even if they seem like small things. He cares about the details in my life, no matter how small.

Favorite Moments
playing with friends
playing in the pool

Evidence

I have spent much of the day rescuing Madelyn from the messes she has gotten herself into. Getting stuck here, falling there, crying about this, looking to me for help. I have also waited patiently as Gracie cried over things that seem so silly to be crying about. She had a lot of wound up energy inside and didn't know how to focus the energy for anything good.

I can't help but think that we as adults are often a lot like children. We get ourselves into messes, don't trust God to help us out of them and end up crying and worrying. Instead, we should be like Madelyn. As she looks to me to help her and trusts me without fail, we should be trusting in our Heavenly Father. For Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."


I have been asking myself lately why I believe the words in the Bible and how it is I know I can trust in them. Our pastor says it takes people different amounts of evidence to believe. I came to believe in Jesus and his story as a child. It didn't take much evidence at all! But for some, more questions need to be answered and the evidence has to add up.


For me, the evidence can be found in the amazing prophecy of the Old Testament that we now read as history. I recently completed a study on the book of Daniel. What awesome history is found there!


I believe God can and does speak to us through our dreams. This is exactly what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. He dreamed of a statue that represented four literal earthly empires--the Babylonians, the Medo-Persians, the Greeks and the Romans. There is way too much history wrapped up in these empires for me to write about, but the history books record the unfolding events just as they were prophesied in the book of Daniel.


If all the events that were foretold in the Bible have come true so far, why would I not believe that the last and final events will also come true? That Jesus Christ will have a literal earthly reign, that a new earth will be formed and that I can live with him for eternity?

I am in need of a Savior. And Christ is the only one who promises to save me, if I will accept him and his story.

Favorite Moments
Watching Gracie feed Lily her food, one pebble at a time
Gracie vacuuming with her little vacuum while I used the "real" one
Holding Gracie on the couch in an attempt to calm her wild spirit
Madelyn giving out hugs
Hugging Jim after supper

Favorite Moments

Me
showing Gracie how to sponge paint
watching Madelyn try to color--so cute!
making cupcakes and licking the batter
seeing how cute Gracie looked with chocolate cupcake batter all over her face
Madelyn fell asleep this afternoon all by herself with only a little crying!
Talking with a friend
Right before bed, Gracie said, "I had a fun day with you and Madelyn." That made me smile.
Watching TV with Jim


Gracie
playing in her room
eating a cupcake

I asked her what she didn't like about her day, and she said, "I didn't get to help you type any emails." The girl loves the computer!

Father's Day Weekend

For Father's Day I made Jim a little card that simply said, "With you...life is never boring." Gracie and Madelyn have such a fun Daddy! I am so glad that he is always keeping life around here so interesting with songs and games. He gives them things that I never could!

He suggested that we go to Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains yesterday. I am so glad he did! It is such a beautiful area. We went "hiking" in two different areas. Since the girls were with us, I use the word hiking very loosely. After stopping in a shady spot to rest and watch the clouds, I strapped on Madelyn and Jim carried Gracie on his back. As we struggled to get up the hill carrying the girls, Gracie announced that she really liked hiking!

Jim had been craving cream soda, so about a month ago I bought him some for a Father's Day present. He happened upon the receipt last weekend and found out I got him some, ruining the surprise. He also happened to buy some that day to surprise us! I don't think we will crave cream soda for awhile. Gracie ruined his other surprise by telling him we got him some white shoes. Thankfully, he thought she was saying white juice, referring to the soda.

Reflecting upon the weekend, I realize how much I love the little everyday moments that happen in our life. So here are the favorites.

Favorite Moments
hiking in Madera Canyon
watching the clouds go by
getting ice cream
playing in girls' rooms
Gracie said "G" "I" "L" as she wrote the letters all by herself!!! She also traced the word Mommy on my picture frame and said every letter!

Our Day in a List

Things I want to remember...
1. All of us feeling restless. When bored, create something to do!
2. Walking to the lake--I love it!
3. Going to the store, library and park to give us something to do.
4. Getting poetry and rhyme books
5. Madelyn and Gracie laughing while they swang at the park. It warmed my heart!
6. Gracie loved climbing the ladder at the park.
7. My dad calling to say he got his Father's Day present
8. Madelyn's need to play peek-a-boo with everything. It's so cute!
9. Talking to Bethany
10. Gracie thinking a purple shirt with polk-a-dots matches blue and yellow flowery pants
11. Jim squirting Lily with a little green shark
12. Reminding Gracie (and myself) that "A soft answer turns away wrath" and "Be kind one to another) and both of us forgetting to apply them
13. Remembering that all children are a gift from God and hoping to convey this better to my girls tomorrow
14. Just because Jim would hate it if I left my list at 13.

Water Park and Mud Pies

When the girls are older, I hope they will look back on days like today and smile. What could be better to a three-year-old than going to the water park and then making mud pies in the backyard?

After waiting at home this morning for 3 long hours, the water park finally opened and we got ready to leave. By the time I slathered us all up with sunscreen, wrestled each of them into their suits and walked out to the car with 2 bags, a baby carrier, a baby and a giant turtle, I was wondering if it was going to be worth it. Madelyn absolutely loved the water and her giant floating turtle. She was kicking her feet and paddling all over the pool. Gracie was disappointed that the train slide was not open but had fun wading in the pool and playing on a different slide.

Later that day when Gracie was making mud pies in the almost 100 degree weather, she came to the door and said, very seriously, "Mommy, I think I need a jacket!" I guess we need to do some lessons on seasonal clothing!

Favorite Moments

Gracie
going to the water park, playing on the slides and watching the big bucket dump
making mud pies

Me
When Madelyn fell asleep in her giant turtle, she looked so sweet
Watching Gracie be brave at the water park because last year she was afraid of everything
Finally getting some time to myself during naps

Music

During the girls' bath tonight, I realized just how tired I was. It could have been because my little alarm clock went off at 4:40 this morning or that I chased the girls around all day. Sometimes I just don't know where are days go.

I love listening to music (my music, not the girls') on days when I just need uplifting. And I have to say thank you to Steven Curtis Chapman for making an amazing CD. One of the songs from his This Moment CD speaks directly to moms. It is called One Heartbeat at a Time. I just want to list the words to the chorus as a great reminder to me that what I do is important.

...You are changing the world
one little heartbeat at a time
making history with every touch and every smile
Oh you, you may not see it now
but I believe that time will tell
how you, you are changing the world
one little heartbeat at a time.

Favorite Moments

Me
introducing Gracie to Anne of Green Gables while we ate lunch
homemade bread, yum!

Gracie
talking about the water park
"breaking the rules and watching TV while we ate lunch"

Naps

I am having trouble getting Madelyn to take her naps. I don't know what it is about me that makes my kids bad nappers. They just don't give in. Even Jesus took naps. Why can they not understand how important naps are? My goal is to get them to do naptime/quiet time everyday after lunch. Maybe someday.

Favorite Moments

Gracie
playing with paper clips
getting a pair of water wings for the pool
helping me make little apple pies

Me
organizing some things in the office (I love to organize anything)
Making little apple pies
I love that Gracie found the Roald Dahl book The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me on my bookshelf and has been listening to us read it to her. It it such a cute story!

Thankful

Yesterday, my mom asked me to pray for a special little baby who was born too early and is fighting for her life in the hospital. After remembering this little baby, it made me so thankful that my girls are here to wake me up at 5:00 in the morning. It means that they are with me and healthy. Thank you, God, for this new perspective. I am definitely praying for the little baby and her family.

Alarm Clocks

When I was younger I had an alarm clock that meowed. I'm not much of a cat person these days, but I would choose meowing over my new alarm clocks. Most people, when purchasing a new alarm clock, do not look for one with the "screaming baby option". They want to wake up slowly to something pleasant, or at least wake up to something thing they can turn off or hit the snooze button. My two alarm clocks do not have snooze buttons. And there is only one way to turn them off--get out of bed and go to the alarm clocks. When one goes off, the other usually follows. While the "screaming baby option" is not pleasant, it is very effective. It goes off, and after waiting (and praying) to see if it will quiet itself, it usually does not. I then get out of bed. Very effective alarm clock. Mine went off promptly at 5:00am.

Nap time did not go much better.

I reacted instead of responding.

Some days are like this.

"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day without any mistakes in it yet?" (Anne of Green Gables) I love Anne.

Favorite Moments
Despite our somewhat rough day, we had a few favorite moments.

Gracie
Playing in shaving cream
her new beam-me-up badge from her cereal box
playing on chairs and stools at the shoe store

Me
Reading a magazine at lunch
typing this blog
Madelyn hiding behind her bib so I wouldn't feed her any more food that would make her gag--it did make me laugh!
Looking forward to spending time with Jim this evening, if our alarm clocks do not go off unexpectedly.

Expectations

Romans 8: 28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for good to those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I first came across this verse when I was put on bedrest with Gracie. Now, it is a song on one her CDs and we often sing it together. Listening to her music is definitely helping me memorize scripture!

This has been a recurring message that keeps coming my way. Once again, this message hit home in a sermon today. One of our elders posed this question to us: What expectations do we have of God? When we become Christians do we expect the road to be easy? Do we expect that God should only give us good things and our desires? I know I used to expect this. Sometimes I still do. So when bad things happen, we often become angry and confused. We ask why when we should be asking what. What can I do in this situation and for what purpose has God allowed this to happen. After all, we are here for him, not for ourselves. I believe God speaks to us more during trials in our life than he does during the blessings. When we start asking what instead of why, our heart and perspective change. The bad things are still there, but our eyes are opened to so many more possibilities.

So when I was put on bedrest for two months with Gracie, I was devastated. I asked why instead of what. But when I came across Romans 8:28, it gave me courage to resign from my teaching job. And that decision has completely altered my path in life. I am now on a path that I never thought I'd be on--in Arizona raising two girls and wanting to homeschool. I never would have guessed that 3 1/2 years ago! But I am so thankful that God took a situation that was scary and unwanted and turned it into something different than I expected.

Favorite Moments

Gracie and me--Going to church, talking with family

Saturdays

I love that Saturdays look different from the rest of the week. Jim is home, and that makes our morning more fun. He often makes breakfast for us and Gracie "helps" him.

My Favorite Moments
Having waffles for breakfast...Yum!
Running errands with the family
Madelyn falling asleep on Jim's lap
Going through Gracie's pile of artwork
Taking a nap myself!
Looking at land in Morton and houseplans, just for the fun of it


Gracie's Favorite Moments
Going on the potty (this is all she could come up with, but I have to agree!)

Comfort for Moms

Every morning at breakfast I read a devotional in my Bible that directly speaks to moms. I look forward to that every morning, even if it is usually interrupted by requests for more cereal. Yesterday's message brought such comfort to me. It is taken from Isaiah and says, "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries sthem close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11
What good news it is to know that God cares for moms!

It is not always easy being a mom. Sometimes there is great pain and suffering. But I believe God is teaching us through the trials. Another passage from Isaiah that is on my calendar for today says, "I have refined you though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." Isaiah 48:10


Favorite Moments

Gracie's
Going to the park and seeing big kids
Climbing up the slide and ladder
Climbing the tree with Daddy
Making and eating cookies with Mommy

Mine
Watching Gracie play with Jim in the backyard
Father's Day shopping and crafts
Baking and eating way too many double chocolate oatmeal cookies
"Tap-dancing" with Gracie
Listening to Madelyn's babbles

Housecleaning

I had fun today cleaning out and reorganizing the girls' closets and dressers. That was our big project of the day. I was a little sad to put away all of the clothes they have outgrown, but it also made me so thankful that they are growing as they should. Praise God for that! I have gotten some sound advice from some people that I want to share. We shouldn't wish our children's childhood away and we should look at whatever stage our children are in as the best stage.

Favorite Moments

Gracie found an old snowsuit of hers from when she was a baby and had fun playing with it all day. She even tried to get in it. It's a little too small!

Madelyn gave me hugs for no reason today other than to cuddle with me. She also discovered how fun it is to play under the kitchen table! She did not take an afternoon nap, so she fell asleep during supper. She looked so cute sleeping in her highchair!

Jim's brain must have been doing some housecleaning since out of nowhere he started singing an old gum commercial during supper!

Friends

We had such a busy day today! We got to meet with two friends today and have lunch with one of them. My lesson for the day is this--meet with friends whenever possible! When I surround myself with Godly women, it is always uplifting! "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another." Hebrews 10:25

One ofthem told me that I should think about asking for Gracie's input when I write my favorite moments from the day. I think she is absolutely right!

Gracie's Favorite Moments

Eating lunch and climbing on the tree (not a real one), ladybug and fish in the indoor play area

Playing with the toy airplane that came in her lunch

My favorite moments

When Jim walked through the door after work! :) I have a wonderful husband!

Eating lunch

Talking with friends. Whether it is in person, on the phone or on the computer, I love it!

Hearing about Gracie's dream. She woke up saying she wanted a real kitty-cat. When I told her she was allergic and so is Daddy, she then asked for a toy kitty-cat. She continued to repeat this for the next 10 minutes during breakfast.

Madelyn dancing to Gracie's toy that quacks

There's No Place Like Home

Gracie recently offered to watch Madelyn for Jim and me so we could go out on a date. I thought that was so cute and wish I could take her up on that offer! It is truly amazing to watch them interact. Gracie is a great big sister and takes care of her "little baby".

We were recently considering putting Gracie in preschool and I am so glad we didn't! I would miss so many moments with her if she were gone. And I am just having too much fun homeschooling her! Gracie also seems to enjoy it. I recently asked myself why I want to homeschool so much, and the short answer is that I love spending time with my girls and love to teach and learn. I would love to learn right alongside them. Of course, I still want to give them opportunities to be involved outside of the home, meet friends and learn from other adults, but there truly is no place like home.

On that same thought, making my home in Arizona has been hard for me. I like it but am away from my comfort zone. Someone gave me this verse to ponder, and it has helped. "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4: 12-12
I could also add whether living in Illinois or Arizona. God is there wherever I go.

Favorite Moments

Yesterday--Madelyn attacking Gracie after her bath by crawling all over her, Jim giving Gracie a mohawk, dancing to a country song that Jim thought was hilarious.

Today--Gracie can sing her ABCs all by herself! Gracie is also getting so good at computer games. Her fine motor skills are amazing!

Madelyn likes to love on our dog Lily. She does it at every opportunity. She loves dogs!

Legacy

Today's Lessons

Today was spent reorganizing our house after returning from our first family trip in our travel trailer. It was great to have the girls by my side as we did laundry, washed dishes, put food away, made the bed, etc. But as the day wore on and Gracie did not nap and Madelyn only napped for one hour, I craved time to myself. It is easy to get frustrated when I don't get alone time during the day. But a lesson I have been learning is to enjoy all my time spent with the girls. It is never time wasted. It is a time to develop character in each of them by modeling the fruit of the Spirit...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-25). That is one of our favorite songs to sing. Howevedr, it is not always easy to live this out. Many days I fail. But I want to leave a legacy for them that points to the Lord. One of my favorite songs is Legacy by Nichole Nordeman. I heard it today and it has been playing through my head. If I figure out how to have music on the blog, I will make sure to add that song!

Favorite Moments

Madelyn absolutely loves to dance. We have all had many dancing moments today.

I love that Gracie still thinks eleventeen is a number.

Gracie said the reason she didn't take her camera on our trip was because she was afraid the ducks would peck it.

Gracie also wanted to use the sheet as a "parrot-chute" (parachute).

Purpose

When I was in high school I took a creative writing class that sparked my interest in writing. I started a poetry book that I titled A Glimpse of My Heart. I haven't written much over the last few years and have missed it. I know blogging is probably just a passing fad and I initially had no interest in creating a blog. Why would anyone have an interest in my private thoughts?

Our pastor gave a sermon not too long ago about what we consider to be the most important things in our life. And the answer for most of us is probably people and the relationships we have with them. So that led me to think about the people in my life, and two questions came to mind--One, how well do the people in my life know me? Two, how well do I want them to know me?

With these questions on my mind and a growing desire to start writing again, my blog has been born. It is taking a lot of courage to open up my life and make myself vulnerable to others. But I want my friends and family to know the real me. The me that is far away from Illinois right now and living in Arizona with two young girls, relying on God to get me through this season in life.

But I have to be careful. Blogging is a slippery-slope (that's for you, Bethany). I still desire to talk with my friends and family and see them face-to-face when I can. That is truly how you develop a relationship with someone. With all this in mind, I decided my blog needed to have a purpose. In fact, I came up with two. One, write how God is using circumstances in my life to teach me lessons and shape my heart to reflect him. Two, write my favorite moments of the day with the girls. With these two purposes in mind, my days will be more focused and my girls will have an account of our days spent together. So, giving God the glory (and hopefully reaching someone out in the blogging world for him), here is a glimpse of my heart.