I could be 10,000 richer!

I wish everyone could have seen what I witnessed on Tuesday night. It was so priceless and I laughed my fool head off at my poor younger daughter who was just distraught.

Both girls had fallen asleep on the way home from the sitter's, so I stayed home with them while Clint and his dad went out to eat - they were gone a couple of hours and came back home just when it was starting to get dark - around dusk, which incidentally is when our big, black, protective retriever, Apache is generally the most anxious. By that time, the girls had been fed and in their jammies and Annie had gone into the bedroom and was just walking out into the living room holding this metal tin full of dominoes. She loves these things! Just the perfect size for her little hands, and she had the whole box, face up, cover off, all the dominoes still laying in pretty little rows.

At exactly the time that she walked into the room with her cargo, Apache was heading over to her and at that time, Clint and his dad (in his dad's car) pulled up and the "strange" car always causes Apache to bark his loudest bark. It was so sudden, so loud, unexpected and right next to her that it just TERRIFIED Annie. She flipped out! She screamed so loud and all the dominoes flew high up in the air and crashed to floor - loudly. Terrified is the only word for the look on her face, just scared so much by that loud, loud bark. She screamed, looked at me with wide eyes, screamed again, looked back at the dog, screamed again and then just burst into tears, still holding the empty tin of dominoes in her little hands. I wish I had pictures.

It took a long time to comfort her and calm her down, and of course, like a good mommy, I waited till afterwards to crack up, but gosh - it was exactly like something you'd see right off of "America's Funniest Home Videos." Exactly.

Princess Anne

Annie has slipped into the copy-cat routine, she generally likes to be doing whatever her big sister is doing. I've seen her oh-so-proud to be standing on Grace's bathroom stool. It's so funny and so darling! I love it.

Grace was dressing up the other day and so I told her (Grace) to go get her old Snow White dress and we'll see if it fit Annie. It did. Turned out pretty cute, but Anne didn't exactly seem that thrilled with the results. I'm sure if she had more hair, the crown would've hurt my bald-headed little princess a little less!

Faces of Grace

3 year olds run the gamut of emotions, don't they? All taken within 30 seconds of each other...

You'll never guess what I caught Grace doing this morning...

I was in the bathroom when she woke up this morning and she came in like she normally does for a hug and kiss. She slept 11 hours last night, so she was all smiles and sunshine. Her hair had been french braided yesterday, and her cheeks were rosy pink from all the time playing outside - she was so cute and looked so grown up. She gave me a hug, a kiss and a smile, then yawned and said she was still tired. "I'm going to get back in my bed, Mommy!"

That has NEVER happened. Ever.

"Okay," said I and hopped in the shower to get ready for work.

When I got out, dried off and went to the girls' room to get a diaper to change Annie I caught Grace in the act.

She was making her bed! Wow. Not sure that's ever happened on it's own either. She was very proud and I, of course, made a huge deal about it. Heck - we don't want this to stop!

I'm thinking of going Amish...

...for about 2 days out of the week.

I just got back from my lunch hour and there was a detour on the road I normally take, resulting in a nice, windy drive through Amish county on a gorgeous, sunny spring day.

All those beautiful farms with gorgeously built homes, peaceful yards, laundry bobbing on the line. As I was admiring, it hit me that they probably built or inherited those homes, I'm guessing not many of them have to worry about a mortgage payment or getting to work on time, retirement or the fact that gas prices are slowly rising again (2.39!). The whole family is at home doing things in a relaxed fashion only worrying about taking care of their basic needs. Men are working the land, women are baking bread and children are running around barefoot in the yard- not a care in the world.

I realize that's a very stereotypical outlook on a community I really know nothing about. But, that's the way life on the farm looks to us "outsiders" driving (a car!) by.

Makes me wonder why the heck the rest of us put ourselves through all this stress. Why do we make things so complicated, so fast paced? I have told Clint over and over - "Anytime you want to go Amish, I'll go with ya" and really, I'm only half kidding. I love to be busy and I'm the kind of gal who needs lots of social interaction. I don't really enjoy or relish domestic tasks and I get bored easily, so I'm thinking 2 days a week of the Amish life would be just about perfect. I think it would help me slow down the other 5 days.

You know - just to give my mind a break every so often. "Going off the grid" <--(Clint's term!) is becoming increasingly appealing to me. Maybe it's the new 10 hour days at work. Maybe it's because we put the house on the market, so there's something else to think about, maybe it's the couponing game. Who knows? - but seems lately my mind is reeling and I'm guessing I'm going to be taking more country drives throughout the summer. One thing I do know for sure - I can't wait for vacation! Maybe instead of going Amish, I should just move to Traverse City. I get the same feeling up there too.

My Mom's Da Bomb

Happy Mother's Day!

WFRN is running a My Mom's the Bomb contest where people can write in and tell them why their "Mom is the Bomb!" So - I decided I'd write in. Not so much for the prize, (although that would be fun!) but because why pass up a chance to tell someone about my bomb of a mom, right? So - Happy Mother's Day, Mom accompanied by millions of thanks.

"Why is my Mom the Bomb? Well, why WOULDN'T she be the Bomb? She ISN'T selfish, she ISN'T lazy, she's RARELY impatient, she ALWAYS puts her family first, she NEVER complains, she gives COMPLETELY, she LOVES her husband, her kids, her grandkids. My mom has set the ultimate example of how to balance working a full-time job, supporting a husband in his full-time ministry, while keeping an immaculate house and meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of her family. I don't remember a time ever when she hadn't worked a full day and then came home and had dinner on the table by 5:30. Except, of course, when we had basketball and volleyball games that she was cheering us on in. I remember seeing my mom early in the morning doing her devotions before the house "woke up" and I know she prays for us everyday.
My mom was/is the bomb of a wife, the bomb of a mom, the bomb of a grandma, the bomb of a Sunday School teacher, the bomb of an AWANA leader, the bomb of a support system, the bomb of a godly example and most of all, now that I have a family, she's teaching me how to be the bomb of a mom!"

Scrambled Eggs & Ketchup

One memory I will always cherish of my girls I get to experience on those fun mornings where I don't have to rush everybody out of the house and get to work on time. I started doing this when Grace went on solid foods, but when we have a couple hours in the morning (like yesterday - I didn't go in to work until 10) I like to make a plate of scrambled eggs and share them with the girls. We all like eggs and ketchup, so I make one plate and sit on the floor in the living room and the girls clamor up into my lap and I take turns giving them and myself bites of scrambled eggs & ketchup. I don't really do this with any other food - just scrambled eggs & ketchup.

I love that time - when they are both crowding around me, Grace sitting scrunched up next to me on the floor, Annie standing and putting her little mouth right in my face.

Just like little baby birds!

April Recap

April was a hard month. I felt like I didn't sleep much at all, but the end brought 2 doctor's appointments and some relief. Annie can now sleep in her crib. Hooray! Winks are in sight.

Rezzo #1 - I missed one day of wearing make-up! And it wasn't a Saturday either! It was a work day - just plum forgot. All in all, though - I'm doing pretty well with this particular resolution.

Rezzo #2 - 250$ grocery budget. Check! Came in at 241 and some change. Saved 470 something. I love doubling my money! I am issuing myself a May challenge for 50 bucks for the whole month! I'm excited to try! I think I can, I think I can...

Rezzo #3 - Make all my meals at home and have a date night. Date night - check. I think this month we ate a meal out once a week. Not so good on the check.

Rezzo #4 - I almost didn't post my update because this one has pretty much gone in the crapper - and it's the resolution that is most important, I think. We are going to resurrect and revive this one. All I can say is - when I get tired, I get lazy and well - convenience foods are just that. Convenient. 'Nuf said.

Looking forward to May!

Happy May Day!

On the corner of the street where we turn to go to the baby-sitters house is a church. This morning Grace was looking up out the window at the steeple of the church and said to me,

"Hey Mom! I saw that thing!"

"What thing?"

"That thing that Jesus died on!"

"Oh, you mean a cross?"

"Yeah - a cross!"

"Yep, honey - Jesus died on the cross so we could go to Heaven."

"Heaven?" Picture her head cocked and her little nose scrunched up.

"Heaven is where Jesus and God live."

"No-ho-ho-ho" She laughed. "Jesus and God live in our hearts. Grandpa said so!"

Way to go, Grandpa! I think he mentioned this to her a couple of times months ago, but she sure does remember that Grandpa told her about Jesus living in our hearts! Anytime I talk about Jesus - Grace tells me this. "Jesus lives in our hearts. Grandpa says so!"

"Yup - Jesus lives in our hearts if we ask Him to. Do you want Jesus to live in your heart and be the boss of you?"

"Yes! And you're the boss of me, too - Mama!"

"That's right, honey - and Jesus is the boss of Mama! And Daddy! And Miss Stacey!"

"Miss Stacey? REALLY?"

She was really impressed with that one!

I just love our spiritual discussions. A great way to start a beautiful day!

Happy May Day!