Mariah's Preschool Graduation

My little graduate! I am so proud of this girl!

Kindergarten here she comes!

Mother Of the Year Award

On Saturday, I was making a dessert in the oven, and usually Ambria is good about standing way back and not touching the over, however, this day was different, unfortunately.

I pulled out the oven rack to take out the dessert and Ambria came by and decided to help me push IN the rack with her hand!!

OUCH!!

Ambria got 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her left hand. My heart sank into my stomach. I felt/feel horrible. On the upside though, she hasn't let her blistered hand slow her down at all, except when she has to stop playing so we can put on the antibiotic and wrap it up. Of course, I never thought this would happen to me, but yup. Poor Ambria.

Let Summer Begin

Just a couple vintage-looking shots of Mariah and Ambria enjoying popsicles in the warm sunshine.

Off to a Good Start

Don't get me wrong, I like it when Mariah accidentally knocks over two plants and spills dirt all over the floor and then jumps up and hits my chin with her head and I bite my tongue and blood gushes everywhere....all before we even leave for school.

I am glad I can find humor in this.

A Song for My Day

Give me oil in my lamp,

Keep me burning, burning, burning

Give me oil in my lamp I pray

Give me oil in my lamp,

Keep me burning, burning, burning

Keep me burning till the break of day

Getting Ready for a House Showing with a Two-Year-Old

Mop the floors--spills juice

Clean the television--kisses the television

Clean the windows--help wipe the windows with bare hands

Put clothes away--opens drawers and pulls out clothes

Straighten up closet--has an impromptu desire to wear slippers

Put toys away--wants to play with all the toys

Neatly organize bookshelf--wants to read books

Take out the trash--pushes the empty trash can around like a car

Wipe down the counters

Pick up after Ambria

Vacuum

Pick up after Ambria

Lights on

Pick up after Ambria

Put on shoes

Leave


Do it again...



Bless her heart, she is two, but man, is she stressful during cleaning.

Thankfully we have a sale pending on the house but people still want to see the house. Hopefully all the paperwork will go through smoothly and then we won't have to deal with any more showings and open houses and two year olds making messes during cleaning time.

Mariah - 3 Years Ago

Three years ago, Mariah got her tonsils out, and Ambria is about to follow in her sister's footsteps. We found out this week that Ambria has to have her tonsils and adenoids out on June 9. Mariah's recovery was not pleasant, so our hopes aren't high for Ambria's recovery, but maybe she will surprise us (I know each kid is different). The surgery worked wonders for Mariah and she is able to breath better, so that is the goal for Ambria as well. If you remember, say a little prayer for Ambria on June 9.

5 Year Old Accountability

I have been trying to eat snacks in moderation lately, you know, one cookie instead of two, three donuts instead of four, etc.

So, tonight after dinner, I had a few spoonfuls of ice cream (Blue Bunny Double Cone Crunch!!) of which I shared with Mariah. After I put the ice cream away, I thought maybe I would have a quick snack size candy bar (Reese's Fast Break!!). I was reaching high in the cupboard, high so that I have to think twice about exerting the energy for the candy and high so Mariah can't get into it, and here comes Mariah...

Mariah: Mom, another dessert??

Me: Yeah, I know.

Mariah: You know, candy will rot your teeth.

Me: Thanks, Mariah (as I put the candy back and shut the cupboard)


I had to laugh at myself. Caught.


Extra added note: I fully endorse Blue Bunny Double Cone Crunch ice cream and Reese's Fast Break candy bars.

A Taste of Summer

Mariah Dancing

She is too cute. She loves to dance and she invents new dances on an hourly basis. Ambria tries to get in on it too as you can see in the video.

More Weather Forecast

I am a little down today, a little depressed
A little quiet, a little reserved.

Mariah is singing about ice cream cones and blueberries
Thanks for the little bit of sunshine, darlin'.

The Weather Forecast

I hear the birds chirping, kids squealing, bicycles riding by,
I heard the weatherman on tv...
I hear the sun shining.

I taste Mariah's popsicle as we each take a lick,
I taste fresh strawberries and ice cream...
I taste the sun shining.

I feel the warmth of the rays on my face,
and grass on my barefeet...
I feel the sun shining

I smell new flowers blooming,
and fresh air through the open windows...
I smell the sun shining.

I see the girls' sun painted cheeks,
and shadows on the sidewalks...
I am just beginning to see the full effects of the sun.

Working on the Alphabet

Me: Ambria repeat after me... A..

Ambria: A

Me: B

Ambria: B

Me:(and so on...half way through the alphabet).....O

Ambria: O

Me; P

Ambria: P-U!!!

Sisterly Love

Mariah was playing contently by herself until Ambria came and whipped the toys away from Mariah and ran away with them.

Mariah: You're the worst sister in my life!

Ambria: No comment

Whispered Lyrics

Just when I thought the day was over and my bed was calling my name, and I was excited about crawling into the flannel sheets, Jerry and I heard Mariah whispering from her bedroom. We snuck by her bedroom door to listen...

She is singing a made-up song about how much she loves her mom.

I fell asleep with a smile on my face that night.

Snack Conversations

Mom: Mariah, do you want a snack?
Mariah: Yes. Surprise me.
Mom: Ok (I get her Cheese It crackers)
Mariah: Um, no thanks, I don't want those.
Mom: Ok (I was being nice, so I got her another kind of cracker)
Mariah: Moooom, you get the worst snacks.
Mom: Well, you said surprise me
Mariah: Surprise me with something better...


Mom: Mariah, do you want a snack?
Mariah: Yes, something wet.
Mom: Wet? (Thinking fruit I guess) We ate all the grapes and strawberries. Do you want an orange?
Mariah: No, a banana.
Mom: Ok, then how about you just say you want a banana?!


So, I guess I am not a good snack surpriser or a good snack guesser.

Mmm, mmm, Good.

The spot with missing frosting made a great place to put a candle. Thanks for helping, Ambria. Unfortunately, Mariah was under the weather so she wasn't able to enjoy the pre-party frosting eating festivities, but she was feeling good enough to open her presents at the party.

We Bought a New Car

Happy Birthday, girls!!

Another Attempt at a Photo Shoot

Ok, you win, Ambria.

Swimming in Florida

Just a glimpse of our vacation--warmth, sunshine, smiles, and laughter.

There is another short video on Mariah's Blog.

I Miss "Us"

I miss my best friend.
I miss laying next to him on the couch.
I miss watching reality tv with him.
I miss talking with him about...
everything of importance, or unimportance, or nothing at all.
I miss laughing together at random things.
I miss watching him play with the girls.
I miss eating dinner together.
I miss going on dates.
I miss the other side of the unity candle.

The Tear Ducts

I have come to the conclusion that it is ok if life is a blur because I don't need to see clearly if I am not leading.

May I always follow the One who knows.