My Daybook!

Dad and Ava! I thought this was way cute! My picture for thought I wanted to share!!

Daybook--June 22, 2010
Outside my window...the sun is shining bright, and it is HOT!!

I am thinking...about a lot of things. Like...I wish I could blog more, my boys guitar needs to be tuned, I have a lot to do for the weekend of camping......

I am thankful for...chocolate. I have been craving chocolate a lot lately. And a good brownie and yummy double chocolate chip cookie has hit the spot. I am also thankful that God is merciful and knows my failures.

From the kitchen...Last night I made one of my favorite salads, thanks to my buddy Melissa. A Chicken Taco Salad. I'm pretty sure I could eat multiple bowls of this at one sitting. The other thing that has been in my kitchen this week is a pepper (green, red, and yellow), cucumber, onion, tomatoe, balsamic dressing, and feta cheese salad. Love that one!! Strange coming from a girl who use to hate veggies.

I am wearing...some comfy gray capris, and a t-shirt. I love comfy clothes.

I am creating...I have been working on my digital scrapbooking program the last few nights and building my selection of items to use on the pages. It is exciting, I just hope I actually create a page soon.

I am going...to hopefully sit down and read my book today.

I am reading...The Twilight Book :Eclipse. I have already read this but am reading it again because my book club wants to go see it on opening night. Which I am not going to go b/c they are going at midnight and it is best for all those around me if I don't do that to myself. :)

I am hoping...to go to Target and Hobby Lobby today. I know that is a crazy hope but I sure would like a new pair of shorts. :)

I am hearing...Caden mess around on his guitar and Arlee read books to her sister in between playing the piano.

Around the house...I need to start going through EVERYTHING!!! In order to put our house up for sale I need to get busy, but of course the motivation is a problem for me.

One of my favorite things...Is when my kids make me giggle. Sometimes they say or do the funniest things. I also LOVE to hear Ava giggle.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Going to go to a park with some great ladies from church and get to know them more. I can't wait for that. I am also going to meet up with my Bible Study ladies whom I have missed a lot. Get a hair cut and go Camping!!!

This idea was taken from http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

8 Months Old

My little Ava Grace is 8 Months old. I am pretty sure time just is gone in a blink. I can't believe all she is doing. She wants to walk so bad, she is standing at the couch and the tables. She is sitting all by herself and eating some table food all by herself. She is also very vocal. She likes to hear herself talk a lot. Her and Arlee will be a great team when she gets bigger. I am sure they will sing together one day. Mom give me that camera!!

New Things coming our way!

So....after months of prayer, trusting, patience, and believing the best is coming, it came!!!! Paul got hired on as the Senior Pastor at Restoration Church in Fountain, CO. We are sooooo excited and really feel like this is where God wants us. It has been a journey and not an easy one. About 2 years ago, Paul really felt like it was time to go back into full time ministry. Where? We had no idea. We began to pray and seek God and see what would happen. A couple different opportunities came along but after really praying about those it just wasn't the right fit. Then back in Aug. we heard that the pastor of Restoration had resigned and moved. At the very first news of this we knew we should apply. I say we b/c it is kind of a partner thing, although he will do most of the work. :) So Paul applied in Nov. and 7 months later he made it through to the top of 250 applicants. Can you believe it? 250 people applied for this position and God saw from the beginning that we would be that one!!!! Amazing how our God works, and that is just the beginning of my amazement. Our God is awesome and the last 7 months he has worked on me and pulled at me in all directions.

God has taught me patience when I had none. Trust when I wanted to run. Love when I felt alone. Believing when I felt no hope. Laughter when I wanted to cry. And an abundance amount of Faith he has instilled in me. I wouldn't even know where to begin to explain to you all He has done for my family the past couple of years. Through our hardships and disappoinments He has shown up, holding my hand, and loving on me. Rocking me in His arms and telling me it will all be ok. And today I wanted to reflect on that and share on my blog all the amazing things He has done for me and Paul. I love the Lord My God with all My heart, soul, and mind. All praise to Him. I am looking forward to so much more that He will do in my heart, my mind and my family as I rely fully on Him.

Accomplishments

This week has been a week of Accomplishments. In many ways, but let me start with the kids!!
Arlee graduated from Kindergarten! It was a very special day and she was so excited to be moving onto 1st grade!!

Arlee with her Kindergarten Diploma!!

We also had awards this week and Arlee got the award for "Personal Best". This award was only given to one child out of her class and she got it. She is an awesome student!!

Caden looks a little crazy here but he also got an award. He got the "Presidental Fitness Award". Only 5 student out of the whole school got this award and he was ONE of them. Way to go!!! I am so proud of my kids and all their accomplishments. They are such good students, even when they fight me and tell me they don't want to go to school, they are bright, smart, creative, athletic, and I love them to pieces.

Mother's Day!

Today is Mother's Day! When it comes around to this day I often think of my mom, my mother-in-law, my grandma's and a whole bunch of special mom's in my life. And that would be a super long list. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am a mom and that it is my day too. Not to be selfish at all, but in the midst of it all I feel like I need to make sure everyone else is covered. Well, today was a great one. I was celebrated by kiddos in their own special way. Each one of them made a card at school and they both touched me in a way I can't even explain, they also made me laugh a lot. Here is a part of what Arlee put on hers:

(she had to answer questions about me and her teacher wrote them down)

My mom is special because She helps me clean my room.
I know my mom is mad when her face crinkles up.
I know she is happy when she smiles.

I have to say those are pretty darn cute and hilarious. I didn't know I crinkle up my face when I am mad, but good to know.
Now here is Cadens Oh and his was filled with flower coupons.

My mom is as sweet as All the candy we ate at the movies.
My mom is as beautiful as a beautiful butterfly.
I love my mom because she helps me, loves me, and takes care of me.

My sweet boy!!!

So another highlight of my day was waking up. I was just waking up and Paul was changing Ava and he brought her to me and just said "Happy Mother's Day, Ava tell mommy Happy Mother's day" And she gave me a HUGE SMILE!!!! Couldn't be any sweeter than my brand new baby waking me up and wanting to be with me on Mother's day. I truly love being a mom and truly love my kids. Even if there are days where I am frustrated and upset, or just had a baby poop on me, the good days out weigh all the bad ones. I LOVE BEING A MOM and know with all my heart that this is what God has called me to do at this time.

7 Months Old!!

OOOOO I would really like to take that off my shirt!

Smile, Fuss, Smile, Fuss, Smile, Fuss!!!

Growing and doing all kinds of fun things. I can sit all by myself, and the other day I pulled myself up to the table in the living room. I am going to be walking soon and following my sister and brother around. Mommy says I need to slow down! But no way I have to keep up with everybody!

6 months and Busy!

Ava turned 6 Months on March 29th and in her first week of being 6 months she was a busy girl. All kinds of first in her life this week.Sitting up all by herself. She is a big girl. She can sit for a few seconds to a few minutes.

My pretty girl with her pretty blue eyes.

She went to her first concert--MICHAEL BUBLE!!!! It was a great concert and she enjoyed it, she slept through it all. :) At least it is somewhat soothing music.

We went with Kara, Kristen, Kelsey, Aunt Nancy, and Grandma LaLa! It was a blast!

Ava had her FIRST EASTER!!! What cute kids they are!

Ava and Arlee had matching dresses. I never thought I would match my girls if I had two of them, but let me tell you how much fun it is. And Children's Place is the place to go. I know I only have a couple more years to be able to match them and then Arlee will say no way. I better enjoy it while it lasts. Arlee did however get to pick out the dresses so she was very excited about that.

We are in the Land of the Firsts for sure. And these are just a few, many more to come.