Music in the kitchen - Day 182

This little under-the-counter CD player has got to be one of the best inventions ever! I love listening to music - but it is especially nice when doing dishes, cooking, or cleaning in the kitchen. Turns something that might be boring or unpleasant into something fun and enjoyable.

“There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is.”   William P. Merrill

Looking in a mirror - Day 181

Mirrors are interesting things. They show the world, but not as clearly as reality. They also show a different perspective - everything is backwards in a mirror! I remember being a child, and looking at someone else looking in the mirror, and wondering why they looked so different than they normally did. I, of course, looked normal. But then, I was only used to seeing myself in the mirror - so of course that was normal. Everyone else I was looking at in reality. This picture is taken from the mirror on our piano...I love how it turns things upside down (or backwards) to look in here!

“Reality is only seen when the mirror is clean.”   Unknown

Sunbeams - Day 180

Have you ever seen a cat stretched out in the sunbeam from a window? I think I can identify! I love walking around the house, and that lovely warm feeling you get on your feet when you walk over a sunbeam without realizing it. I think I could happily stretch out on the floor and soak it all in!

“Is it so small a thing to have enjoyed the sun?”    Matthew Arnold

Growing up for yourself - Day 179

This is the cutest little tree that is growing in our yard. Is that okay to call a tree cute? I hope so - because I sure think it is! Anyway, as I was looking at this little tree, and wondering if it would survive, I realized that it would have to work hard to do so - with God's help of course! But it couldn't rely on anyone or anything else to help it. Not the tree whose seed it grew from, not the people (us!) who planted it - nothing but its own determination, and the rain, sun, and light that the Lord gives it...

“You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.”   Irish Saying

Sassy girl - Day 178

I just love the cute and sassy look I sometimes get. Takes all my willpower to not laugh - when I'm pretty sure she is at least a little bit serious! It was even better catching it on camera this time around! Don't remember what it was about, but I can almost see a glimpse of grown up here - maybe the "mom" look? 

“Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.”   Faith Whittlesey

Licking the beaters - Day 177

I have had this perfect quote for a while now that I wanted to use on here (see below) - I just needed to get the perfect picture to go with it! So yesterday, when we decided to make a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting - I told my kids they could lick the beaters - they just had to let me take their picture! They were good sports about it for me though - of course, they probably didn't dare argue on the risk of losing the fun of licking the beaters!

“Good moms let you lick the beaters…great moms turn them off first.”   Unknown

Giggly Girls - Day 176

Not much to say about this one...giggly girls just make me happy! And I am so thankful for these two giggly girls!!!

“Good morning! May your day be filled with random outbursts of infectious giggles!” Unknown

Our pink dogwood tree - Day 175

What is it about the color pink that most girls love so much? Granted, there are plenty of girls who dislike or even despise the color, but overall, there is a high majority of girls (from my limited experience!) who highly favor the color! While pink is not my favorite color by any means, I certainly find myself drawn to that color on many levels and on many different occasions. One of my favorite examples is the dogwood tree in our back yard - that has always been heavily covered with a vast number of pink blooms about this time of year. I LOVE it! And I am soaking it in as much as possible this year, since we will not be around next year to enjoy it. But I have determined that pink is just a happy color! That must be why so many girls love it - it just oozes happiness!

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”    Audrey Hepburn

Daddy home for breakfast - Day 174

Earlier this week, my kids were awake between 2 and 3 in the morning (and yes, I did say morning...) - when I checked on them, they said they were just using the bathroom. In the morning though, they confessed that they were planning on making coffee and oatmeal for Daddy's breakfast before he left for work. While that was an incredibly sweet thought, I had to tell them that Daddy doesn't leave for work until 5:15, so the coffee and oatmeal by then would be quite cold, and not very enjoyable. I convinced them that they should wait for a weekend so that they can do it at a more reasonable time for all of us! So, the rest of the week, they ended each day by asking if Daddy was going to be home the next day. Took me a day or two to remember why they were asking! So...this morning Daddy is home, even though he has to go to work a little later today. So we are making his favorite for breakfast - waffles!!! With strawberries and whipping cream of course! {{{YUM!}}}

 “The greatest gift I ever had, came from God, and I call him Dad!”   Unknown

Missing Front Teeth - Day 173

Last night my youngest daughter lost one of her top front teeth. It has been loose and hanging by a thread forever - but it finally made its exit (with a little help from Daddy...) But I just can't help but feel happy whenever she smiles at me! That little toothless grin is just the CUTEST thing ever! I mean really...who couldn't be happy looking at this face?!?!?

“Other than a dimple in a cute little chin, what’s more adorable than a toothless grin?”  Azu “Betty” Espezia

Selling our home...Day 172

Well, it officially happened yesterday - our house is up for sale and on the market! And...we have our first showing this evening already! Hard to believe how fast things are moving. The best part is the realization, that although it is a little sad to leave the house that has been home for the past 8 years, we get to take the part of us that makes it a home along with us when we leave. 

“It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home.”   Author Unknown

Observation skills - Day 171

Sometimes I am amazed by the things my kids notice and pick up on. It is too easy to think that they are noticing so many things that they truly are totally on top of! Like this for example...this is what my oldest daughter wrote on the outside of the envelope that held her Father's Day card for her Daddy. I am thankful for the reminder that my kids are watching and learning from everything - and let me just say that she totally has her daddy pegged on this one!

“He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.”   Clarence Budington Kelland

Haircuts - Day 170

It seems like when you are a girl - no matter how old you are - there is something special and fun about getting a new haircut! The other day, my oldest daughter woke up begging for a haircut, and kept pestering me, until I pulled out the scissors and just did it! My skills have definitely improved over time...still remember the first haircuts they got! It was only their bangs...but it was a sad thing! Do you have any idea how much hair shrinks when it dries?!?!!? I might as well as shaved the front of their head for how it looked! Fortunately hair grows, and experience is a good teacher!

“Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts.”   Jim Morrison

Happy Father's Day - Day 169

Today is Father's Day...and I am especially thankful today for the love a girl has for her Daddy. In this picture, it is my youngest daughter with her Daddy - and I was blessed with a Daddy that I love very much as well! And I have a wonderful Father-in-law...so my kids have TWO wonderful Grandpa's that they adore. And I am SOOO thankful that they have that. But above all, I know that they have a heavenly Father that will never fail them either...and I hope they fall more deeply in love with him than any of the others...

“The first man a little girl falls in love with is her Dad.”   Unknown

Saturday Mornings - Day 168

After weeks on end of running and running, it is so nice to have a peaceful Saturday morning...to turn off the alarm and actually sleep in. It was so needed today! We still have a full day, and lots to do, but it is sometimes nice to just take a few deep breaths in the morning, be thankful for all our blessings, and ready to tackle the day. And just for the record...daddy brings coffee home frequently and give our girls the last sip or two - NOT the whole cup! I snapped this as my oldest was taking her couple of sips, and reading the comics!

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”   Marcus Aurelius

Brave through the pain - Day 167

Yesterday when we arrived home from a quick run to a friends house, I had just made it in the house with the girls following me, when I heard the bloodcurdling scream and tears that told me someone had gotten hurt. Amazing the adrenalin that provides to a mommy! Went out to find scratched and gouged up knees, with enough blood to make it all look far worse than it probably was. Carried her inside crying her eyes out, and after a few moments, she sucked in a deep breath, stopped crying, and said, "I'm okay Mom!" I am always amazed when my kids get tough and brave on me! We got her cleaned up, and before long she was back to her bubbly self!

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”   Christopher Robin to Pooh

Sunny Disposition - Day 166

I was thinking today of how much I appreciate that both of my daughters generally have a pretty sunny disposition. They have their moments - they ARE human after all! But for the most part, they are a ray of sunshine on any cloudy day! And lately life has been crazy getting everything ready and in place to move, and they have had to live with stressed out, short tempered, and sometimes cranky parents. And they don't let it get them down very often...in face, they are usually trying to make things better. I am one blessed Mama!

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”   Anthony J. D’Angelo

Infectious Laughter - Day 165

My youngest daughter has the most infectious laugh I have ever heard! Even now at almost 8 years old, is has the same effect on my that a baby's first belly laughs do! You know - the ones that start in their toes, spend some time circling around in their tummy, and come out so cute that you can't help but smile? Yep...that is how her laugh is! I just adore making her laugh!

“A smile is a window on your face to show your heart is at home.”   Unknown

Back door friends - Day 164

Today I was thinking about how blessed I am in my friendships. With the kind of friends that know they can show up, and come in the back door - nothing formal, just knowing we are loved and there for each other. An extension of family. 

“Back door friends always welcome.” Unknown

The right motivation - Day 163

It's kind of funny how you finally get around to doing all the things that need done on your house when you are getting ready to leave it! We have lived here for almost 8 years, and as we prepare to market and sell our home, I am amazed at all the little things that are getting accomplished. Most of them got put off for no good reason...unless you count laziness! One discovery: citrus oils work really good to get sticky residue left behind on wood doors by previous owners! Add a little elbow grease (okay...maybe a LOT of elbow grease!) - and the doors look as good as new. The bonus? They smell good too!

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”    John Lennon

Flowers in her hair - Day 162

My oldest daughter has this thing right now...she loves to wear flowers in her hair. And no small flower will do! They must usually be nearly as big as her head! I think it's so cute!!!

“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair…” Susan Polis Shutz

How a Rainbow is made - Day 161

Day before yesterday, as I sat early in the morning doing my usual checking of email and such, I looked outside and noticed that as the sun came up, everything was glowing and gorgeous. As I looked a little farther over my shoulder, I was amazed to see this BEAUTIFUL rainbow! The picture just does not do it justice...then yesterday evening as we drove home from town, there was another beautiful rainbow in front of us for most of the drive home. The girls asked Daddy how a rainbow was made - and it was so fun for me to sit and listen to him explain (since it is usually me that gets asked those questions!) Anyway, it occurred to me as I listened, that it is truly God that makes the rainbow, no matter how well science thinks they can explain it!

“We have not the reverent feeling for the rainbow that a savage has, because we know how it is made. We have lost as much as we gained by prying into that matter.”    March Twain

My 9 year old daughter - Day 160

Yep...sniff...my oldest is 9 years old today! Where exactly has the time gone? I feel like I am asking that a lot lately! I love this girl so very much! This is one of her poses for the camera. If we are taking pictures, she will without a doubt have a different pose in each photo! My little ham! Happy happy birthday, my sweet Katie! I love you very much!

“Little girls, like butterflies, need no excuse.”    Rober A. Heinlein

Being held by Daddy - Day 159

I am amazed by the realization lately of how fast our daughters are growing up. Every time I try to pick them up and hold them, or they sit in my lap - I realize that they are quickly getting too big for it! My aching arms or legs remind me after a fairly short time! But, fortunately for them - Daddy is bigger and stronger than mommy, so they likely have longer to look forward to him picking them up and holding them. The other night after he got home from work, they both ran to see him. I walked around the corner into the kitchen to see my youngest looking over his shoulder at me - just as happy and satisfied as could be...made my mommy heart melt! I wanted to capture this memory and hold onto it.

“Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.”   Author Unknown

Thoughtfulness - Day 158

Last night my husband walked in the door carrying my favorite treat from Starbucks...an iced green tea! Sometimes its the small things...like knowing someone was thinking of you! Made my whole evening sweeter somehow!

“May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness and tied with love.”   Unknown

Concentration - Day 157

I just loved this look of intense concentration I captured on my daughter's face the other day! I love how she purses her lips together when she is giving something every ounce of her attention!

“Success in any endeavor requires single-minded attention to detail and total concentration.”    Willie Sutton

Throwing the ball - Day 156

My poor girls...they definitely throw like girls! Just like their momma! But - their Daddy is working on that...and I'm just grateful that they are willing to keep throwing the ball and trying! Even when they drop it, or it hits them in the nose (fortunately it is usually a soft ball!) - or when it doesn't go where they want it to...they just pick it up and try again. I am glad!

“Life isn’t worth living unless you’re willing to take some big chances and go for broke.”   Eliot Wiggington

Measurements of growth - Day 155

As we are touching up the paint in our house and preparing it for sale, this is one of the things that couldn't stay. I have to admit to being a little say...we moved into this house when our oldest was a little over a year, and about a month before our youngest was born. We have used this wall to measure their growth through the years. And they took it to heart one year, and measured their dolls and stuffed animals on the opposite wall...we had to tell them that as much fun as that was, it wasn't likely to change over the years! We did get a nice piece of wood to transfer all the measurements to, so we don't lose their growth, and that will move along with us to continue to keep track of how they grow. And the beautiful thing is? They WILL continue to grow - no matter where we are! 

 “Grow where you are planted.”   Unknown

Painting together - Day 154

Shortly after my husband and I were married over 12 years ago, we made a discovery. As any husband and wife learn - home improvement projects can be a strain on any marriage - especially a new one! For us, the worst thing ever was painting together. We decided that it just was not good for our marriage to paint together. Fast forward to the present time, and last evening. We painted a whole room together - and had a GREAT time! Not just endured and made it through - but really and truly had fun! Funny thing is...now I don't even remember what made it bad when we tried before so many years ago. I am so thankful for the advantages of growing together in marriage, and learning how to work together in everything!

“Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds are the reason that families work.”   Author Unknown

A date with my daughter - Day 153

Night before last, I had the privilege of going on a date with my daughter. She is growing up so fast, and so many things are changing so quickly that I wanted to take some time to treasure and celebrate it with her. She dressed up for the occasion - and even picked out clothes for me to dress up with her. Sometimes I'm tempted to be sad at how quickly she is growing up - and choose instead to be thankful for the blessing of each and every day that I am given with her - and treasure and live them to the fullest!

“I’ve found a formula for avoiding these exaggerated fears of age; you take care of every day – let the calendar take care of the years.”    Ed Wynn