car time

My little family is going on vacation soon. I am getting excited.  We are going to visit family, see Savannah, and drive.  I have a few books from the library already in the van (several for the girls and a couple on cd for Andy and I). I need to gather a few more before our departure as well as sing along cd's for the girls.  It's going to be fun, but there will be some long stretches in the car.  So any ideas to occupy a 2.5 yr. old and a 16 month old, be sure to pass them my way. Thanks.

money mutual

Yesterday, Mollie asked me if I needed the money mutual.  At first, I had a hard time grasping what she said.  Money Mutual??? What in the world?  I finally figured it out.  It is a commercial.  The kid doesn't even watch that much t.v. but Maisy airs 2 episodes then a long commercial set and 2 additional episodes.  One day, they aired a product to help you make slushies in their specially designed cup.  "Mom, we need that," says Mollie.  I think I'm going to have to mute the commercials or turn the t.v. off for a 10 min.  Or I'm going to be bombarded with many more requests.  Have a great Wednesday. 

toots

Betsy has been tooting up a storm this morning and every time she passes gas, she giggles. It's hard not to laugh at her, but really I don't want to encourage her.  I'll probably have a diaper to change soon.  :) Have a great day.

company's gone

The wedding is over, our company is gone.  It was such a fantastic weekend in many regards.  I love having the house clean, but most importantly, I loved serving our guests.  I think they all had a good time here, and that was the goal. To bless, to serve, to show love.

the groom

We are headed to a wedding today.  Ever since getting married, I have taken it as a habit to look to the groom when the bride enters the room.  His face is full of joy and love.  It is astounding.  The bride is beautiful to be sure and captures the heart of the entire room.  Take a glance at the man that beholds his love. You will be blessed. 

cleaning

Well the cleaning crew (some neighborhood girls) are headed my way this morning. I have a list of things for them to do .... I tell you it is so helpful to have some other hands here to help with the work.  Even though I'm asking more and more of Mollie and Betsy, they can undo my work faster than I can accomplish a task. Even if the girls just babysit and occupy my two, I should be able to wrap up the chores today. Hooray.  Hope you have a blessed day.

company

We are going to have overnight guests this weekend.  Real company, not family.  I have to get the house cleaned and ready.  I wish I could say that everything was unpacked, but it isn't, and it won't be.  Good thing there is plenty of closet space to put some of these boxes that I've yet to unpack.  :) Having company sure is good for motivating deeper cleaning.  Blessings.

whining

Andy read about a study that supposedly proved that the most irritating sound to our ears is whining.  Imagine that. I told him I was not one bit surprised. I need to work on my own communication skills as well as the girls. The thought that immediately came to mind was Prov. 27:15 A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;  I do not want to be a whiny nag. I do not want my kids to be whiny either.  Definitely irritating, definitely. Hoping for a whine free day for you (and me too). Blessings.

park day

The ladies in our church are getting together weekly for a park or pool day for the summer.  I love it that I get to socialize with adults and that the girls get to build their friendships as well.  It is also fun for the girls to have a "picnic" each week.  We went to some of the activities last summer, but Mollie was more interested in the mulch than in the equipment.  Today she wanted to know if there would be "toys" at the park.  I think she is still thinking about our family walk at the park a few weeks ago.  Yes, there will be "toys" and friends. It's going to be a good day.  Blessings to you.

Father's Day

We had such a good day yesterday, celebrating Andy.  It was so fun. Mollie was especially pleased that he loved the hand-prints on the home made card (last week's project) and the gifts that we picked out for him a couple of weeks ago. He enjoyed his omelet breakfast, a free lunch at Gatti-town and a pot-roast dinner with his folks.  He got to help his dad with a radio project and then after the kids went down, we played cards.  The dad's won.  Perfect end to the day. 

It is good to have special days on the calendar built in to remind us of the special people in our lives.  I love Andy and am so thankful for him-for his love of Christ, for how he shows love to me and the kids, how he loves his friends and works so hard at his job and around the house. 

my dad

I love my dad. He's one of the kindest, funniest fellows I know.  Never met a stranger, willing to help out if you need a few dollars or work in your house, yard or garden. Loves kids-telling stories, teaching them to play cards or ball or fish, making jokes, and singing songs.  It's no wonder that he has back problems the way he used to let us ride him like a horse and tackle him for play. I hope he has the best father's day so far.  I love you, daddy. Blessings.

green beans

Betsy eats green beans in baby food, but refuses to eat a whole green bean.  Mollie loved (and loves) beans, Betsy not so much.  She is much pickier on veggies than Mollie ever was.  It has been very frustrating, for me and for her.  Don't worry, I'm sticking with the plan of offering the whole beans (and peas, carrots, etc) as well as the pureed ones.  Hope your day is great.

a project

Well, I'm headed to a friend's house today for a play date. Mollie has been asking for her friend and it's finally worked out for us to go.  We are going to do a "project" - we usually do something crafty with this family.  I love it, I usually come up with some random idea, and my friend helps me pull it off with her kids and mine.  It's a good day for Mollie when we get to do a "project."  It's a good day for me too. Blessings.

Chinese fish

Andy's dad is not buying things made in China - it is a rather difficult task, but well worth the effort.  Anyway, I think Mollie has been listening to him, though we've not discussed the matter in a while.  Last night, in an attempt to get out of eating her fish sticks, Mollie claimed that they were "made in China." 

pulled over

This is Mollie's favorite question right now,  Mommy did you get pulled over? Yes.  It doesn't matter that the in-laws are present or friends are over - not at all.  She wants to relive the moment, I guess.  I am so over it, I wish she were as well.  Now I'm doubly motivated to never get another ticket.  Hope you all have a safe and peaceful kind of day.  Blessings.

Second Sunday

Our city does a program called Second Sunday to encourage physical activity and promote healthy living.  This month, the airport hosted the event on the yet to be opened runway. We had a great time. The girls especially loved "chalking".  Blessings.

thought for the day

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” - Corrie Ten Boom

the bathroom

Betsy has discovered the many joys of the bathroom.  She will go in and play in the toilet, unroll the paper, open and close the cabinet door.  In fact, the other day, she unrolled the tp from the bathroom to the fireplace.  Just now, I had to get her foot out of the kiddie toilet because it was "stuck".  Well, time to lower the lid and close the door and keep a closer eye on that kid.  Hope you have a great day. Blessings.

a warm

Andy said to me in front of the girls, I think I have a cold.  In response, Mollie said, I think I have a warm.
:)

hello officer

Yes, I have a lead foot.  In the neighborhood, the kids in the car, talking on the cell, thinking about what I need to do, not paying attention. Thankfully, Andy is a good sport about these things. Instead of being upset and critical (my response), he brings me roses.  I love him. 

stuck

Betsy says the word "stuck" most of the time. Oh she has other words, mama, dada, help (if prompted), please, juice and the like, but her favorite word is "stuck" by far.  If the toy is too far from her it's stuck. If you put her in the high chair and she's done eating, she's stuck.  Sometimes things are really stuck, but mostly I think it's just a good all purpose word for her, and she puts it to good use. Hope you have a great day, I've got to go see what this next "stuck" means.  Blessings.

too short

We took the girls to the fair in town yesterday.  They were too short to ride ANYTHING.  Oh well.  They totally enjoyed looking at the zipper, ferris wheel and the like.  We also got some ice cream and funnel cakes (not good for the diet, but delicious nonetheless).  Next year, I'm sure we'll have to buy a few tickets, but my guess is that Mollie will refuse to ride anything and if she does, she'll cry. I just hope I'm wrong.  Blessings.

M's offer

Yesterday, Mollie offered to take care of Betsy, so "you and daddy can go on a date."  I guess I'll take her up on her offer in about 12 years.  Love her heart.

noodle

Yesterday, while at the pool, we were using someone's noodles that they had left in the baby pool. I was telling Mollie that she could use the noodle, she asked if it was like spaghetti. I couldn't help but smile.  She is getting more fun by the day.

P.S. If all goes well, the truck is sold. I'm glad the young man is happy with it, and Andy didn't have to spend any time advertising it.  Double yeah.

the muffler

Andy is working on his negotiating skills.  He got the muffler down to approximately $230.  Not too bad, I'm sure he's right that repairing it will help sell the truck.  He got them to take off for some of the parts, bolts and brackets I think and he found a $20 coupon for Midas on-line.  Andy claims negotiating is a lost art. Me, I'm not too sure as I'm in negotiations daily with my two and a half year old.  Blessings.

the white truck

I just helped Andy drop off his old white truck.  He is getting it fixed to sell.  A new muffler. I have no idea what the cost of that will be, but he thinks that we will recoup the money we spend on the sale rather than selling it with the problem.  I hope he's right. I trust him with those kind of matters because when it comes to cars I know how to do a few things but am far from expert. The good news is, he already has a lead or two of folks (young guys) that are interested.  I'm sure it will sell, just hope it's soon.