Tuesday, January 24, 2012

things that make a momma's heart melt

my oldest is an amazing tender heart who is so caring and sensitive and genuine to others that it makes my heart melt!

my youngest is a spunky spitfire who is kind and funny and reads like she is much, much older and she also makes my heart melt.

these two are best friends.  that really makes my heart melt!

today, a "backseat" convo i overheard as i drove the girls home from dance classes:

nea:  so, wren, i thought that maybe i would talk to momma & daddy tonight about what i am getting you for your birthday - but you can't hear!

wren:  ok, i've got a bunch of things to do anyways...so while you chat with momma & daddy, i can feed junior and give her a bath and blowdry her scales...

nea:  perfect!  i'll let you know what we decide!

wren:  you can't tell me what you are getting me for my birthday!

nea:  i won't....i'll just give you hints!  i'm going to get you 7 presents BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO BE SEVEN!

and that led to high-pitched giggles.

my favorite lines above?

"and blowdry her scales"  (if you recall, junior is one of her lizards...)

"i'm going to get you 7 presents BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO BE SEVEN!" (how sweet is that sister?!?!?!)

life is good!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

seasons

"i am not all introvert quiet
or all extrovert energy. 
i am small and big,
loud and quiet,
thankful. 
i am not just one thing,
don’t fit in the corner of a box.
live in your seasons,
take the breaths you need,
keeps eyes wide open when you can
and close them tightly when you need to.
this life is a gift and
the giver is God and
we live full in
each season
as it comes."

Monday, January 16, 2012

of lizards & reading and such

WE HAD A WONDERFUL COUPLE WEEKS OFF FROM SCHOOL TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS.  THE GIRLS LOVED HAVING "SLEEPOVERS" IN EACH OTHER'S ROOM.  THEY CHOSE AMAZING GIFTS FOR ONE ANOTHER - LISTENING TO IDEAS FROM THE RECIPIENT TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE SOMETHING THEY WOULD L-O-V-E!  I LIKE TO GET OUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE BEFORE DECEMBER...THAT WAY WE CAN ENJOY ALL THE FESTIVITIES THAT COME OUR WAY...CONCERTS, PARTIES & GET-TOGETHERS, CHURCH ACTIVITIES, DANCE RECITAL, (& WHILE THE GIRLS ARE YOUNG) THE T.V. SPECIALS, ETC.  EACH YEAR I LIKE TO MAKE SOMETHING FOR THE GIRLS...THIS YEAR IT WAS JUMBO "BUTTON PILLOWS".  AND THE REACTION FROM THE GIRLS?  TOTALLY WORTH MY TIME AT THE SEWING MACHINE FOR SURE!
WREN IS GOING THROUGH A "LIZARD" PHASE.  SHE DID ASK SANTA FOR A REAL ONE, BUT MOMMA EXPLAINED THAT SANTA WILL NOT BRING A REAL PET WITHOUT GETTING PERMISSION FROM THE PARENTS.  WREN'S PARENTS (ERRR, MOSTLY MOMMA) SAID, "NO!".  WE REMINDED HER THAT HAVING A FURBALL CAT AND A POOCH WERE PLENTY FOR OUR HOME.  SHE WAS OKAY.  BUT SHE DID GET VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT KIND OF STUFFY LIZARD SHE WANTED:  A BLUE, GIRL LIZARD - NOT A CHAMELEON, BUT A LIZARD...AND SOME FAKE FLIES SO THE LIZARD HAS FOOD.  LUCKILY, NEA & I DID SOME SURFIN' O' THE NET AND WERE ABLE TO FIND:

CHICKEN, THE LIZARD, WAS A GRAND PRESENT FROM LIL SISTER
JUNIOR - THE NEWEST LIZARD
CHICKEN, THE LIZARD & JUNIOR 
AND WREN LOVED THE LIZARD FROM SISTER!  NOT SURE WHERE THE NAME "CHICKEN" CAME FROM, BUT IT FITS.  ADDING IN "JUNIOR" A COUPLE WEEKENDS AGO AND THEY MAKE AN AWFULLY CUTE GROUP, EH?!

AND HERE ARE THE "READING CORNERS" IN EACH GIRLS' ROOM.  THESE JUMBO BUTTON PILLOWS ARE SUPER COMFY...I MIGHT NEED TO MAKE A COUPLE FOR THE BASEMENT, TOO!  A BIG HIT WITH THE GIRLS...THEY GET COMFY COZY AND DO SOME "ALONE READING"...OR TUCK IN A BUDDY OR TWO AT BEDTIME...AND IT HELPS THE GIRLS REALIZE THAT WHILE SHOPPING AND BUYING IS FUN, NOT EVERYTHING HAS TO BE BOUGHT...BEING RESOURCEFUL & CRAFTY ARE GOOD TRAITS TO HAVE. 
I THINK WREN MIGHT HAVE PUT IT BEST: 

"THESE ARE BETTER THAN STORE BOUGHT BECAUSE MOMMA SEWED IN SOME OF HER LOVE INSIDE!"

NEA'S READING AREA

WREN'S READING AREA

OH, AND WHILE I HAD A FEW MOMENTS OVER THE WEEKEND...I GOT THE PORCH A LITTLE "VALENTINED"!
$1.49 GARISH WREATH, 15 MINUTES, SCRAPS OF PAPER & SOME HOT GLUE CAN BE PERFECT FOR THE VALENTINE'S SEASON ON OUR FRONT DOOR