Monday, April 30, 2012

Oh... What a Day...

Who am I kidding?! "Oh... what a last couple of months..." would be more like it. *sigh* This parenting stuff it hard. Really hard. If anyone tells you it's a piece of cake or a walk in the park than they are either flat out lying... or they forget what it was like when their kids were little. 

Today I yelled more than I would have liked to, cleaned up more spills than I can count, regret some of the decisions I made, had one of those "Oh Lord Jesus THANK YOU for protecting my baby" moments when Larren pushed Caidrie off the (tall) bed, did a small mountain climb with the number of times I hiked up our stairs, kissed owies, dried tears, broke up fights... I'll be honest... I'm quite glad to have all three girlies sleeping!

On days (months!) like these I'm so thankful for (and NEED!) those little "oh I don't want to forget this" moments... and this here is a fine example!


One of the shades on Larren's sunglasses popped out, so we took out the other one and donned them her "smarty pants glasses". She loves 'em! And the fact that she consistently wears them upside down is even better!


Every time I see her in them I can't help but smile and vow to lighten up a little bit! :)


Larren is super smart... she's got a servant's heart and LOVES to help however she can... she notices how people are feeling and knows just when to give them a hug... she's got her daddy's mechanical mind... she loves to curl up on our laps with a good book... she watches every move her older sister makes and wants to be just like her... she is the most stubborn and the absolute sweetest girl, all rolled up into one! 


But sadly, Larren is the one that I tend to conflict with the most. Maybe it's the fact that we had a bit of a rough start and haven't quite recovered, or that she's two years old and pushing all the limits, or that she's difficult and so am I... I don't know. But I do know that I can't settle for "oh well, it is what it is". Because where the relationship is, isn't good enough. 


She deserves more cuddles. More one on one time. More grace. More smiles. More I-am-so-glad the Lord-made-you-just-the-way-you-are's. 

And if I don't start today, in all it's craziness and frustration, than I won't start. I will only be inviting regret to come in... and frankly, regret's not welcome. 

So, I am praising God that...

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; 
His mercies begin afresh each morning."
(Lamentations3:22 & 23)

Tomorrow is a new day... oh, thank you Jesus that tomorrow is a new day!!!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Can Ya Tell...



... that she's the youngest of three girls? Necklaces - apparently they are a necessity and not just an accessory around these parts!


Saturday, April 21, 2012

A "Camping" We Will Go

My girls have a WONDERFUL imagination! I love it... at least once a week we are on a train trip (I'm not sure why, but it's always to Winnipeg!), attending a ballet recital, or going on some sort of adventure! 

On this particular day... it was a camping excursion! As the girls were "hiking" downstairs, I set up their camp chairs and surprised them with an indoor version of a bonfire!

We had a picnic lunch... 



... followed by roasted marshmallows for dessert!




Alia was a true camper indeed! She had about 8 layers on for the event... one can never be too prepared,  right?


After the camp fire the girls settled into their tent for a nice snooze...


I'll let you guess if they actually slept or not! :)

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Whether it's New Technology....


... or good ole' fashioned chores...


... they both result in two happy kids and one happy mama!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Month of March in Minutes

March... oh where oh where did it go?!
We weren't busy with commitments or visits or appointments, just busy with day in and day out life!

Ya know... things like...

-- afternoon snacks -- 



-- Alia's job as a "life guard"... we don't go to the public pool much, can ya tell?! -- 


-- making crafts --



-- hanging out with best friends --


-- making Mommy smile -- 


-- visiting with Auntie Val (from Colorado) -- 



-- learning to make Mennonite noodle soup... mmm mmm mmm :) --




-- cleaning up the occasional diaper catastophe... and no, that's not mustard on the floor, or on my pants, or on my slipper --


-- playing with sisters -- 



-- making cookies on a day that needed attitude intervention (despite what the picture may portray!) -- 


-- opening a birthday package from a beloved auntie and uncle -- 


-- taking one last snow mobile ride -- 


-- visiting with friends we adore  --


-- making Easter buns with Nana Betty  --


-- Caidrie's first successful roll over -- 


-- Alia & Larren going on their FIRST girls sleep over (with the gals from above!)... --



-- ... while Jon and I went to Saskatchewan to pick up a truck --


(And what would a "new" truck be with out a little loving right off the hop?!)


(Caidrie and I had a fair amount of play time while the fixing took place...)


(And lots of time to enjoy the great weather!)


-- happy reunions after a night apart --


-- hard core morning worship/dancing times :) --


-- painting --



-- deep conversations with an older sister -- 


-- and the inevitable fascination with bald heads! --


-- orneriness --


-- jello jigglers --


-- magnetic dolls --


-- rice cereal for the first time --


-- "Hey Alia... smile" faces --


-- followed by "Take a picture of me doing this" poses --


-- Mommy's love of cute little baby legs --



-- visiting Caidrie's new boyfriend! :) --


-- and getting daddy and sister's approval! --


(Wyatt was positively the smallest baby I've ever seen... SO ADORABLE!)


-- a trip to Saskatchewan to visit family/relax over Spring break... which meant the girls shared a bed for the first time! --



-- getting rides on Auntie Elsie's walker --


-- hanging out with Auntie Teresa --


-- getting ready for an afternoon swim at the hotel pool --




(The girls weren't excited or anything!)


-- Alia going down the water slide all by herself! -- 




-- Caidrie's first time at the pool --


-- and her first hotel stay, for that matter! --


-- Oh and did I mention.... LAUNDRY?! --


So there ya have it... life keeps marching along!