Big Wanda?

At our dinner table, eyes squeezed shut, hands clenched together, licking her lips in anticipation ...

"Thank you God for my hands. Thank you God for my feet. Thank you for my head. Thank you God for my tongue. Thank you God for my knees. Thank you for my arms. Thank you God for Dora. Thank you for Boots. Thank you God for Isa the big Wanda. Thank you God for Swiper. Thank you God for Boots. Thank you for Tico and Benny. And thank you God for my dinner. Amen"

So cute, so honest, so thankful for Dora and her friends. Did you catch the prayer for Isa the Big Wanda? Yes Isa is one of the characters but not a Big Wanda but an Iguana!

Someone once said about their father:
"I'm not looking for you to accept me, I'm looking for you to love me."
I loved it and it's suck with me. I wish every father, every man that has ever hurt any woman or child would hear this, know this and do this. Know that love is the key to everything and with love comes acceptance and everything in between. Why can't we just all love, genuinely love one another? The world would be so different.
I thank God everyday for the loving and caring parents he has given to me and only pray that I can be the same with my children.

Loving Anna

Cousins are such beautiful things. I grew up with all of mine and have great memories of them. I'm so happy to see Alyssa loving her cousins as much as I did/do. This morning she awoke and came looking for Anna. She must've been dreaming about her because she was insistent that Anna was here and heart broken when I told her she wasn't and was actually at school.

Then later in the morning I was cleaning and caught Alyssa chanting "who's Anna". Confused, and thinking she was again asking "where's Anna", I told her she was at school and maybe we could see her soon. She continued and continued until I looked and saw she was holding a piece of artificial grass from my flower arrangement. It then dawned on me that she was praising God and chanting "Hosanna" in her own special way. She seriously thinks that the word Hosanna is asking who's Anna. "Thats silly" she said to herself. I love the childhood innocence that my children have and I hope they hold onto it for a long long time.

So I lost my xanga. It's gone forever and I don't think I'll bother starting another one. It was weird though. I only forgot my password so I had them send me a note to my email so I could retrieve it but I'd never receive the email. Yet I'd receive updates to my email, so it was on file. I emailed help told them the situation and they said they'd email me back. No go. So I'm boycotting xanga. I think I'll just stick with my blog!

My baby is 1!

Giana Leigh, you sweet little thing! She's one already and I can't believe how fast the last year went. It was challenging to say the least, but the best year of my life by far!

Her new "tricks" are playing peek-a-boo, clapping and blowing kisses. Not walking yet, but we are just fine with that! I love watching babies crawl. 

For her 1st birthday party we decided to invite just family and try and keep it low key. I spent hours on the cake as usual and then asked myself why I don't just "buy" one! But this proud mama just wants them to be special and homemade, so I'll probably continue the cake decorating for years to come. Here is a peek at the cake and cutest cupcakes ever!

Giana was eating a pretzel here and would not dig into her cake. She ended up being "fed" because she didn't want to touch it. She's such a girl!

Giana, you are such a blessing and we love you so much!

~Mommy & Daddy

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love.

Spring time!

Wow, you can tell it's spring around our house. I've been having fun exposing the girls to all kinds of good stuff. We've been doing a bit of bird watching too. A family of robins had made a nest in our "swinging" tree out front (pic left) and surprisingly found a some of our fly away easter grass from Alyssa basket. I had to get a picture. It blew away when Alyssa brought a small basket home from church back at easter-time and I found it hilarious that it's reappeared. We got a chance to watch the mama sitting on the nest, then the babies hatched and we could watch them being fed. Then finally last week, while we were swinging they flew the nest. Alyssa loved watching them.

We've been helping Great Grandma Peters in the garden this year. Alyssa didn't seem too interest but loved hulling the peas with me, eating a few in between.

I'm enjoying my hydrangea bush. I had planted it a few years back and almost lost it to mold but it's back and bigger than ever! Beautiful baby blue color too!

 

Oh, Giana, you've been such a challenge. These are the faces I get on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. I've come to adore them and think they are quite cute. Most days Mommy has lost her last nerve and I'm finding quite a few gray hairs lately, but know that I love you dearly and you have been such a blessing to me and our family. I love you Giana Leigh!

We packed up to meet some friends for a playdate this morning at Lititz Springs Park. It's supposed to be like 94 degrees today. In a hurry to beat the heat I told Alyssa we need to "quick pack up and get in the car so we don't die in the heat." Perplexed she looked at me and said "die on the cross?" Boy they don't miss a thing. So cute. I changed my words and hopefully it made more sense. LOL

Then after her nap we were snuggling and she have me a huge hug. I said "do you know your my princess?" "Yes" she said. "So hmmmm...what does that make me?" I said. And just like that she said "Happy".  Awww how cute, it sure does!

The imagination runs on...

Alyssa just keeps me smiling daily with her little imagination.

She "cradles" little ones (tonight the "babys" name was Ava) in her arms and paces with them trying to get them to stop crying. Once in awhile she'll hand her "baby" to me for me to take care of. We have plenty of dolls but nothing stops the imagination.

She continues to "work" at Hospice and packs up her bags or chats on the phone about "working at Hospice". Hmmmmm ... must pick that up from Mom. :-)

I've noted her arguing with herself, and she often wants me to argue with her (which I do not!). I've picked up that some of the kid shows I let her watch once in a while does this. Not always bad, but even the "no, I love you more" teaches this. But her arguing with herself is too cute.

Her hands or other random limbs often fight each other too. I find this just hilarious to watch. It's even funnier that she is dead serious about it. For example: the most recent was tonight. She was in the bathtub and I was in the kitchen. I heard her fussing and saying her foot was stuck. So I headed into the bathroom right way thinking she had her foots stuck in a toy or something (this too she has done), only to find her laying on her belly with her arm wrapped around her foots holding it from "swimming". Yes, her foot was stuck but she was holding it! I just can't keep from laughing out loud! And her hands will often "fight" over a toy and I'll find her holding something with both hands and pulling in opposite directions with all her might. The upset look on her face is just to die for! :-) LOL

These precious girls just make my day, my week, and my life all worth while!

Laughing is great medicine for everything!

My loves

~So I just found Giana's stuffed lamb and a necklace in the fridge. Hiding them from Giana I guess. Like she's going to get up and go find them. lol

~Alyssa comes up with some pretty cute things. The other evening when I was brushing her hair she yawned really big and told me she was "getting all the tired out." I wish it was that easy. :-)

~She absolutely loves the wiggles, who doesn't love 4 grown men acting ridiculous? ME. But she's been playing and talking to her imaginary friends...Maury, Jeff, Anthony and Sam. Hmmmm...I should be worried. Maybe she needs to get out more. :-)

~Giana is 8 months old today! Wow the time has flown by. She's sitting up now. Pretty well with a face plant here or there. She's been saying "Ba ba ba ba" for a few days now. I'm secretly hoping she moves to Ma ma next, shhhhhhh.

Easter Blessings

Looking so cute in their $5.00 dresses, sweet! Thanks Brenda!Hunting baskets! Giana's was quite easy.

Ok, so I know these are way late, but that's been my style lately. I still wanted to share a few cute photos from Easter. So here you go!

My kind of doctor

"Mommy is your heart broken?" said a little girl with long blond curls and a stethoscope in hand.

"Um I don't know." I replied, not sure how to answer because it surely wasn't broken but I wasn't smiling either.

"Well, can I fix it?" she inquired.

Boy, do I wish that life was this easy and everyone everywhere could see a little innocent face looking into theirs when they were feeling down. Somehow instantly makes you feel better and smile a little.

White satin and pearls

It was 8 years ago this week that I married my best friend.

Now 8 years later we have a home, a yard, some gray hair, "history" marks, and more importantly a family with two beautiful daughters.

Today I packed up my satin wedding dress with tiny pearl beads covering the bodice and trailing down the train, into a very small garment bag. It's perfectly pressed and awaiting it's trip. Tears streamed down my face as I folded tissue paper in the creases and wrapped the tiara in white tissue. So many memories, so long ago. Tears for the young love that we had, and tears for the future. Tears for the young, beautiful woman that I miss so much who will be wearing it this summer. Happy tears and sad tears. I wipe them away, not because I want to forget or because I'm scared to show them but for fear they may mark the satin dress. I didn't think I was attached to my dress but I come to realize I'm attached to the sights the dress has seen and where it will go. So as I so carefully fold, I pray for it's new bride and groom. 

It's packed now, not to tight, but with a few tears sent along. 

Dreams that you dream of do really come true.

Listening to "Somewhere over the rainbow"...

I've had it in my head for days for some odd reason, so I've been singing it to my girls and it makes me cry...alot. Everyone has a rainbow, everyone has dreams and wishes. I'm living mine. These girls are the sweetest things I've laid my eyes on. Each day is such a gift from God and a simple blessing. Thank you Lord for my family. My awesome hubby and my dear girls.

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high

and the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby

oh somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly

and the dreams that you dream of do really do come true

someday you'll wish upon a star...

"Mommy, I didn't poop in the tub!" She was so excited to tell me.
(yes, this has happened but not tonight)
"Good job honey"

"But I peed in it".

Welcome to my life. At least she's honest.

Snow Cream and Valentines day

With over 2 feet of snow we decided to put the sparkling "clean" white snow to good use. Yum! Snow Cream and hot chocolate!

A nice quite Valentines day this year. Alyssa and I made Valentines for her Sunday school friends. Little pink rice crispy hearts that said "You make my heart snap, crackle and pop". We gave her a small gift.... a little zhu zhu pet named Jilly (a "non-messy" pet hamster). It's pretty cute, runs around and squeaks. She held it so gently and petted it. :) Phil and I went to see Avatar in the theatre (3D) which was a first in a very long time. And my parents kept the girls. Then we had to head back so I could feed Giana, and we all ended up going to Gus's for a quick dinner. Very nice.

Little Me

As a child I was always taught how important it was to be careful what I said.

"oh be careful little mouth what you say,
oh be careful little mouth what you say,
for the Father up above is looking down in love,
oh be careful little mouth what you say."

We all need reminded at times. But I'm realizing that children are little sponges and it's super important as a parent to say things "just right". Even innocent things can come out wrong, or in my case usually extremely funny coming from a 2 1/2 year old.

Today I got a "are you kidding me?!" when Alyssa spotted Giana blowing bubbles.
(which I usually say when Giana spits up unexpectedly all over me)

Totally cracked me up. Which Alyssa thought was funny and she preceded to repeat herself again and again.

There are more...

"Oh my word!"
"Good morning beautiful, did you sleep good?" (this is beautiful coming from her to her little sister)
"Oh my goodness!"

Time is flying by...

In about 10 days Giana will be 6 months old (Happy 24th and 1/2 birthday Val) . It's hard to explain but I don't remember what life was like without her because she is such a part of our family yet I can't believe it's been that long either! She is such a bundle of joy. Just a few good shots of her happy, pudgy cheeks. Love her!

                

We just started cereal and she is loving it. We make a huge mess and I keep thinking "is she even getting any of it in" but somehow the cereal bowl gets empty. She loves having her diapers off and grabbing at her little toes. I love her "fluff" and actually have been enjoying cloth diapering...surprise surprise, I didn't think I had it in me! Her and Alyssa are totally in love with each other. I can see the strong sister bond already and it's beautiful.

I love my girls.