Friday, May 31, 2013

Mud Puddles and Dandelions

Yesterday on my way over to my sister's for her Stella & Dot Party I was listening to Matthew Kelly's "Raising Amazing Children." Our church had a stack of the CDs out in their gathering space for the taking.  I'm only 30 minutes in and I HIGHLY recommend giving it a listen!

He read this little poem and my goodness is this so true with my kids!


Mud Puddles & Dandelions
 
When I look at a patch of dandelions,
I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
My Kids see flowers for Mom
and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
 
 
 
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me,
I see a smelly, dirty person
who probably wants money and I look away.
My Kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
 
 
 
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune
and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My Kids feel the beat and move to it.  They sing out the words.
If they don't know them, they make up their own.
 
 
 
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it.
I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My Kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it,
until they fall to the ground laughing.
 
 
When I pray, I say Thee and Though and grant me this, give me that.
My Kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends.
Please keep the bad dreams away tonight.
Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet.
I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
 
 
 
When I see a mud puddle I step around it.
I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.
My Kids sit in it.  They see dams to build,
rivers to cross and worms to play with.
 
 
 
I wonder,
if we were given children
to teach or to learn from?
No wonder God loves the little Children!!
 
 
 
"Enjoy the little things in life,
for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
 
 
**We went to visit Great Grandma Bea this morning.  We were a little early so I decided to swing in to the cemetery where some of my Dad's ashes are, as well as my Grandpa Phenow and Grandpa Moran.  You can see in the pictures above.  Whenever you see Libby pointing, she's sayings "Jeeeesss" {Jesus}. I didn't think much of the quite stop as we were headed there, but it definitely made it to the memory books.  I was very impressed with Sally's understanding of it all as well as her want to pray, and insisting she close her eyes to focus.  It's worth mentioning that she also insisted on praying for Grandpa Joe to get married really soon! :)
 
**Thank you Grandma and George for the adorable matching dresses for the girls!!
 
Enjoy your weekend, Libby will be popping in quickly tomorrow, to wish her GodMommy Meggers a Happy 30th birthday!!!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Little Rays of Sunshine

It is still mostly raining.  Every dry chance we get we're outside exploring.  Otherwise we're craftin' and playin' inside.

Going a little cra-cra
 
Making Rice Krispy Bars

Colorin'

Excited about the stamp reveal
 
Thank you Henry, for my stamping kit!

Sisters

Dandelion Princess

Our neighbor, Julie, came over to show us the 8 baby bunnies she found in her garden

Pebbles



Her hair is extra curly with the humidity

Sally had her Kindergarten screening today!

She did great, she scored 58!! At her age they expect 24, so she did quite well! Proud of Miss Sally!
 
We picked up our pool passes yesterday, the pool opens on the 7th.  We're really hoping that Summer will start to show its face!!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Wishing for Sun

Last Friday it was kind of nice, so we had a quick Happy Hour outside!

Celebrating Sally's successful first year of preschool

Libby's first taste of ice cream

Mmmmm, no thank you

We needed out, so we went to BWW, here are the B Dub Princesses

sauce Boss




Reid got a little taste of how our presence is always known.  The girls would constantly wave, say hi and talk to the two guys sitting near us

Wishing for sunshine and waiting for Mommy to get back from the Gym

Morning Stories

Off to Target so Mommy can clean

Quick walk before the rain started!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

STEEEEERIKE!

We had a restful Memorial Day Weekend.  We had lots of family time, down time and rest time.  Our hearts are full of love and our fridge is full of food!  Daddy took the girls on a grocery run while I cleaned the house without little shadows following me around.  Wouldn't it be great if every Monday was a holiday, to get everything you need to get done for the week in one day?

Sally got to go bowling for her first time, it was a lot of fun!

Keeping it Classy!


Typing in her own name
Restraining herself from going to knock down all of the pins
 
The first attempt


"Woah Daddy, you're really strong, you knocked all of the pins down!"


 X Steeeerike! X

We decided Libby could help if we used the ramp


So excited, high fives!

"Great job Libs, thanks for helping!"

Hooray!



A little to the left

Oh boy!

Only one more!

Eventually she was able to do it all by herself!

Libby got a chance without the ramp

She also wanted to chase the ball

Not too shabby

The Crazy Craigmile Crew!