Thursday, May 31, 2012

One Tired Mama

It's 11am.  I have already...
  • changed 5 poopy diapers
  • watched a 2-year-old throw all the light bright pegs down the stairs (and made her pick them up again!)
  • washed a load of laundry
  • folded a load of laundry
  • made french toast
  • emptied the dishwasher
  • wiped several runny noses
  • tripped over a bazillion toys
  • pushed kids on the swing outside
  • nursed several times
  • made a rainbow collage with the girls
  • broken-up several arguments
  • held an unusually cranky baby
  • chased around the chickens
  • talked with the Solar Panel people
  • had 2 cups of coffee!
I also
  • yelled at the kids
  • loved on the kids and asked for forgiveness
  • did not do my Bible study or even have a quiet time

My husband will come home from his meeting soon and find...
  • magazines everywhere from our collage
  • another load of laundry that needs to be folded
  • kids with a full tummy who are ready to hop into the pool
  • a baby that refuses to nap today
  • a toddler with marker all over her
  • a very tired and grumpy wife
That means it's time to...
  • put on some worship music
  • pray for God to give me what I don't have right now
  • start thanking Him for this wonderful life, (and I'm not being sarcastic... I really do love this life, though it feels overwhelming on certain days!)
  • put on my running shoes to go get refreshed once he comes home! (...or eat chocolate and paint my door; it's a toss-up!)

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Things I love... and one thing I don't!

Playing a "grown-up game" with a precious friend while holding our baby boys and letting our big girls play!

 Having 7 apricots on our little baby tree.

30 cent crafts I stocked up on from the Target Dollar bin 70% off sale.  (Today it was coloring fans!)

Our sweet Mama bird in her nest.


Memorial Day snacks for the girls.

Our new maple tree hidden back there.  We may actually have a colored tree this fall!

My morning cup of coffee outside with the kiddos just playing with no schedule or school to rush back in for.


Watching my 3 girlies dance to Jana Alayra and sing praises to our God!

Ok, now for what I don't like.  You'll probably be as shocked as I was... I tried to download a few more pictures, only to discover: I'VE RUN OUT OF PICTURE SPACE, AGAIN!  SERIOUSLY!  
How did this happen so quickly this time??  Ugh!  So at a loss for what to do.  Figuring this out was not on my summer bucket list.  But, alas, I have to find a way to blog.  I'm kinda addicted!  If you don't see any posts for a while... again... you'll know why!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Irvine

Phases.  When the kids are in a phase, it seems as though they will never come out of it.  Of course, they always do.  And then... even though I say I never will... I forget about the phase. 

Right now Allison is in a "do your own hair" phase.  It's fun for me to see what hairstyle she comes up with!  Natalie... hmmm... not sure if she has a phase that stands out at the moment.  She does love to make her brother laugh, though!  And Sierra... Sierra is wanting to watch Jana Alayra the moment she wakes up every day!  She can sing every song, and loves all the motions.  I find it precious!

So, when I heard Jana Alayra would be doing a mini concert for the kids at Mariner's Church in Irvine, I immediately put it on the calendar.  The older girls saw Jana at MOPS a few years back and loved the concert.  Now it was Sierra's turn!

We were blessed to see Jana before the concert, and she graciously talked with us, hugged the girls, and took this picture.  She is just unbelievable; so sweet, not rushed, talking to us like we were old friends.  Amazing.  I'm star-struck!  I want God to shine through me like He does Jana!  The kids had a blast and can't wait to see her, again.

Unfortunately, Daniel wasn't able to join us for the concert since he was at work.  Of course, since he works just a few miles down the street, we headed to his station after the concert.  We may have stopped at my favorite bakery for special boba drinks and pastries on the way... what a treat!

 I was happy to have along my bag of tricks in the car for when Daniel's Engine got a call and had to leave.  


When he got back, the girls got to climb on the truck and play a bit before we headed home.






This was Malachi's first time at his Papa's fire station!


I took lots of pictures of him in case he decides to become a firefighter one day.


Even if he doesn't want to be a firefighter, I have no doubt that he will love and respect his amazing firefighting daddy!



He even felt comfortable enough to take a little nap on his daddy's bed!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Family Hike

Monday was hot.  We were in the pool.  I looked ahead to the forecast for today, and didn't believe it could be 65, cold, and rainy.  For once, the forecast was correct.  I couldn't think of a better thing to do on a day like today than go for a family hike.  So, that's what we did!  Check off one for the summer bucket list!



These two sisters absolutely melted my heart.  I was wishing I had a tape recorder to capture all they said. 


 To begin with, they decided they were going to be best buddies.  I tried to encourage them by saying I would hold their hands and pull them up, but they wanted to do it themselves and pull each other up.  Precious, precious.


Biggest sister can usually set the tone for how things are going to be with the next biggest sister.  I am so thankful when she chooses the encouraging route!  I don't think I was suppose to be listening, but here is some of what I heard:  "Slow and steady wins the race.  We can do it together... we just need to stay on the path that God has for us, just like in life.  Keep focused on that tree over yonder, (Yes she really said over yonder!)  If we focus on what is ahead and keep pressing on we can finish this race strong!"


Then it occurred to me: the last verses we studied in school were Phil 3:13 - 14: 
"13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Coincidence?  Oh, what joy to hear Allison remind Natalie of this verse, and to hear Natalie encourage Allison, as well.  
Meanwhile, the boy and I trudged on ahead, and stopped when we were told to wait...

And, these three stayed mostly ahead, occasionally waiting for us to catch-up.


As we got nearer to the top, it began to rain pretty hard for about 5 minutes.  It was cold.  The girls needed a bit more encouraging, but still impressed me with their eagerness to work hard.  The exciting part was, we were beginning to walk "in the clouds."  That was all the motivation they needed.  They were so excited to be in the clouds!

Most of my pictures from the top didn't turn out, as I had my old little camera and it was pretty dark under the trees.  At least we got one family shot that sort of turned out!  We sat in a dry log and had some snacks, while Triscuit got about as wet and muddy as he could!  Then we headed down.  The rain and mist were finally gone, and we enjoyed a leisurely walk back down.  I told Daniel I wish I could start every day like this!



Last time we went hiking, I bribed encouraged the girls with frozen yogurt.  This time I didn't need any bribing; but, I couldn't resist offering some hot chocolate to warm us up when we got home!

We also finished the day off with a craft; rock painting.  There are SO many rocks on this hike, but of course they had to choose one a half a mile back; ha!  It was a great way to end our cozy. chilly day!


Thursday, May 24, 2012

kidspace

School's out!  WOOHOO!!!

We officially ended our last day of school yesterday with a field trip. I've been wanting to try "kidspace" in Pasadena for at least the past two years, and we finally made it!

Beautiful Day.  Lots of FUN.  Took too many pictures... as usual!

 Bug fight between A and N.

















 Lots of climbing; loved that!



 There was even an ant tunnel.  I was happy to see them come up, because I certainly did not want to go down!







Outdoors was my favorite... water to climb through, trikes to ride, and more stuff to climb.  Not to mention, it was a beautiful setting.








 Water drums.  Cool concept!



 Grandma, Natalie wanted me to take a picture of this moth for you!

















Major cuteness going on here.




The End... of school, that is!  And, the beginning of my summer to-do's.  Only one day in, and I am already feeling refreshed!