Fish taco

It's fun to get new things.  I recently got a coupon for a free sample of Dr. Praeger's products.  I chose the fish tacos. They were yummy and easy to make. Thanks Kroger!  #DrPSeafood  #MyMagazineSharing #FreeSamp

Mother's Day ballet

The girls dance for a Christian ballet company, Gloria Deo School of the Arts.  This Sunday, Mother's Day will be their spring recital at Lexington Christian Academy (Reynolds Rd, Lexington, KY) at 2 and 5p.m.  ($10 adult tickets, plus a silent auction). We are gearing up for the performances with daily practices. If you're in the area, stop by and be blessed by the story of Ruth.  Gloriadeoballet.com

Blogging is hard

Life is full of twists and turns and time gets filled up with little things and big things. I do feel like I want to maintain a blog, but it is a challenge -more than I thought possible to keep up with the goings on here. All of a sudden years pass and there is so much to record that the task seems daunting. Maybe a little at a time. It is fun to re-read past entries and see how life has changed.  Just in the past year, much less than the last entry, new job, a trip to Disney world, a new house, adopted a baby, lost a baby great-nephew, started Plexus, and a host of other issues big and small. Yes, a little at a time, to recall the blessings of the Lord and remember His goodness toward me.

Toe names

While painting her toenails, Mollie commented that her thumb toe is big and strong and her pointer toe is the longest.  Honestly, I guess I never thought to teach the girls big toe and first toe. (Until today that is.) I love homeschooling but there are gaps.  I find it amusing where they show up at times.  Blessings.

Happy birthday America

While watching fireworks with Betsy, she said we should rename them.
"Boom wows" were her suggestion. Hope you had a happy 4th.
Blessings!

Corn dog

While walking through the freezer section at the grocery story, Betsy says, "meatballs on a stick? Eww!" I look over to see a box of corn dogs. I guess we won't be trying those anytime soon. Lol. Blessings.

Mollie 6.5

WITHOUT ANY prompting, ask your child these questions and write down EXACTLY what they say. It is a great way to find out what they really think.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Chew with your mouth closed
2. What makes mom happy?
Obeying her
3. What makes mom sad?
Disobeying her
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Read stories
5. What was your mom like as a child?
She had blonde hair
6. How old is your mom?
35
7. How tall is your mom?
Very tall
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Be with daddy and me
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Shopping
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Kind and loving
11. What is your mom really good at?
Being kind
12. What is your mom not very good at?
Sports
13. What does your mom do for a job?
Teaching us
14.What is your mom's favorite food?
Coffee
15.What makes you proud of your mom?
Her smile
16. If your mom were a character, who would she be?
Olaf
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Shop
18. How are you and your mom the same?
Our hair
19. How are you and your mom different?
Our skin (your skin is like Betsy's and mine is like daddy's)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
She kisses me
21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
His loving and kindness
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Starbucks
23. How old was your Mom when you were born?
20
Pretty amusing. Especially since she has a little sister #8. Ha!
 So funny.  Especially since I am not tall and closer to 45 than 35!
But I do love that Mollie sees me and Andy as
Loving and kind parents. (Some days I feel far from either.)
Blessings!

Relaxful

Betsy says my bed is relaxful, and I totally agree-especially when she isn't in it!  Blessings

The green ring

Andy took the girls to the park tonight, and I had some down time at the house.  A green plastic ring was given to daddy for safe keeping. However, the ring fell out of his pocket or was left on a bench.  The girls were asking about it at home when that discovery was made.  Sweet daddy that he is, drove back to the park to search for the ring at dusk. He found it in the grass. The girls are happy, and I continue to realize how blessed we are to have him.  I know he is tired, needs to work, and would rather be doing any number of different things, but he took the time to go look for a ring that probably cost a dime, which made all of his girls happy!  Blessings

Frio

Betsy was putting up the weather cards, she chose snow and cold. Good choices for today! However, she noticed the Spanish side and asked me to translate.  I told her frio means cold. She asked, "did you say 'freeze-o'?" Not exactly, but it does make sense! Blessings

Sleeping beauties

Andy helped me (and Betsy) see that the goal isn't necessarily for her to sleep all night long, but for her to get up and down without waking us or her sister.  That is a better goal for sure.  The monitor is still out of the girl's room.  During the first few days, I would hear Betsy crying after getting up for a drink or to go potty.  She even came to our door a few times to request assistance to get back in her bed.  Poor thing, she was paralyzed by her fears.  The girls have a rather large night light, but she would say she was scared of the dark.  Once, I talked her through getting back in her bed from my door.  Then, I immediately walked down the hall to praise her just after she had tucked herself in bed.  She has cried a few times to gather up her courage to cross the hall and get back to bed, but I'm hearing her cries less as the weeks go on.  She is gaining courage.  She is conquering her fears. She may be sleeping through the night, I know that I am. Blessings.

Goodbye monitor

Andy and I made the decision to turn the monitor off in the girls' room. Now, I don't hear them wake up, but I am fully confident that they would come get us or call loud enough if there is a problem.  Honestly, I think they've slept better since pulling the plug.  I know I have. Blessings.

One tired mama

I am happy to report that Betsy slept all night; however, Mollie woke up at 1ish calling for me because she had a bad dream. At least they don't wake each other up! On the way home this evening, Mollie said she was glad it was the weekend. I assured her that I was too. Hope it's a restful one for you and yours. Blessings.

The call out

Last night, Betsy called out from the bathroom at 1:30 a.m. At least it wasn't from her bed, a baby step. Here's to hoping for a full nights rest for the both of us. Blessings.

5 a.m. wake up

Well, I talked with Betsy before bed, reminded her of the rules, prayed with her and wished her sweet dreams. 2 a.m. came and went but at 5 she started calling for Mollie!  Thankfully, Mollie didn't wake up, but I went in to comfort her from a bad dream. After a potty break and a drink, Betsy went back to sleep for a couple more hours.  Maybe tonight we will be able to break the 5 a.m. wake up call as well for me and Mollie. Blessings.

Sleepless

Lately, Betsy has not been sleeping through the night. It is so exhausting! Even with reminders that she is allowed to go potty or get a drink after she's been asleep, she calls out for help. Repeatedly. Until a parent gets there.  I think it may stem from her sleepless nights while sick, and now she is used to waking at 2 and 5. I'm ready to break that habit. With more reminders and some prayers, we'll tackle this. Crossing my fingers that tonight is the night. Blessings.

Mollie Interview: 6

1. How old are you? 6
2. Who is your best friend? Evelyn and Aubrey
3. What is your favorite thing to do? Doing crafts
4. What is your favorite color? Pink
5. What is your favorite food and drink? Pizza and 7-Up
6. What do you like to do with your family? Go to the beach
7. What is your favorite toy? Bunny
8. What do you want to do when you grow up? Teacher
9. What makes you happy? Bunnies
10. What makes you sad? Mean kitties
11. What is your favorite show to watch? Lego Movie, Timothy Goes to School
12. What is your favorite book? Millie
13. What do you love to learn about? Animals
14. What was the best part of your birthday? Getting to be with my friends and family
15. Where do you like to go? Dollywood
16. What are you really good at? Playing UNO
17. What is your favorite treat? Chocolate
18. What do you think about before going to sleep?  My dreams
19. What is your favorite animal? Bunny
20. What is your favorite song? Sing Sweet Nightingale (Cinderella)
 

Happy new year

So ready to be done with illnesses. It seems like we have been sick off and on since Thanksgiving.  Today we welcomed in 2015 with sick kids and adults to boot.  Prayers for all of you to have a happy and healthy new year! Blessings.

First cold of the season

Poor Mollie, she has been suffering with a cold for a week!  I felt terrible on Monday when I took her to the doctor with severe double ear infections and a cough to beat the band! Betsy and the cousins seemed to be getting better, so we did take her to urgent care on Sunday. I am so thankful they started her on a round of antibiotics Sunday, I hate to think what her little ear drums would have looked like on Monday had they not.  Yikes! We went back to the doctor today for a follow-up, this cough is persistent and the ear drums still have some fluid behind them.  Hopefully this 10-day antibiotic will nip this in the bud, and we can get back to life as normal. The doctor cautioned me about re-entering our schedule too soon to avoid a set back at Christmas.  So, we will be at home, recuperating, watching Christmas movies, drinking cocoa, and getting healthy.  Blessings.

Pioneer Woman

Lexington has hosted a food show for the past few years. Andy took me 3 years ago to see Bobby Flay, who was wonderful. But this year the "star" chef was Ree Drummond, the pioneer woman. I am a fan of her show, blog, book, and recipes. Needless to say, moths ago, when The food show announced that she would be there, I called Andy right away to see if we could get tickets.  He said yes! (I just love him to pieces.) He also found out the girls would be free, so we went as a family. What a great outing.  Lots of samples, good food, and friends. The girls, Andy and I enjoyed watching Ree cook live and listening to her stories. I think it's great that a home cook from the middle of Oklahoma has made such an impact in the cooking industry.  She is an inspiration to all us "regular  folk." Blessings