First Day of School- Only a month late!!

So I know this is late.....A sure sign that school is back up and going along with dance, Awana's and all the other activities the girls do, my blog gets put on the back burner. But for the sake of this blog and what I'm meaning for it to be (for my girls) , I HAVE to do this. :) Soooooo Randi and Grace's first day of school!!!!!

I love this time of year. All the excitement, anticipation, and greatness that it brings is welcomed!! The girls love school, I know this won't last forever, but while it does, I'm soaking it up. School IS cool in this house :) Randi's first day was first and here she is on her big day

Yup, beautiful, smart, confident and happy!! Just the way I like her.



















Then Grace's first day a week later

And my sweet Grace!! Gorgeous, bright, proud and joyful!!

And Then She Turned 6!!

My oldest princess turned 6 recently!!! 6 years of blessings courtesy of the one and only Randi!! I love how little ones take pride in turning another year older. She is no longer a little 5 year old but a independent, strong, and smart 6 year old. Ohhh what a difference a day can make, one day your 5, then the next your 6!!

 I'm pretty sure she's had us on our toes since the day she was born. But ohh what a sweet baby she was!

Yup, cute as can be

But before we knew it she was 1!!

And 2 came soon after

And then she was 3

Shortly after she become a beautiful 4 year old!

Birthday #5 seems like yesterday!













And now she is 6!!!! A bright, beautiful and promising 6 year old!!

Randi, we are beyond proud and in awe of the person you are. We look forward to watching you transform and grow everyday. You have grown into such a little lady. A little lady who is strong, independent, compassionate, a friend to all, and your wheels are ALWAYS turning. We are blessed and can't wait to see what the future brings you (rather what you create of your future!!). Happy 6th Birthday Randi! You are loved more than you know.

Perspective

If you find you don't have all the answers, which is the exact predicament I find myself in quite often, ask a young child.
When I'm feeling a little unmotivated, uninspired, down or weak, I go to a magnificent duo. They are honest, with pure intentions, have no ulterior motive, no preconceived notions, they don't mind telling it as it is and they don't mind showing compassion. These gems are Randi and Grace. They are my go to gals.

It's funny, I think us adults complicate things ya know?? We go through the what if's, the why's, the how's and then over complicate those as well. I'm not suggesting I listen and follow through with all of their ideas and advice, (but what a crazy life we would lead if I did.) We would have a rainbow colored house and eat ice cream and spaghetti for every meal, we'd go to the zoo everyday and spend the rest of the time playing, coloring, singing and dancing and.... well...actually this is sounding pretty nice, maybe I should follow their lead?? Anyway they simplify things and we as adults complicate things.

I used to think it was the other way around, but nope...... the kids are the ones that have it right. 

Toy Room Overhaul -Part II

We finally got it done!!! But we had a change of plans after the big paint spill

 The toy room is now the guest bedroom and the guest bedroom is now the toy room. We figured the bed would probably hide the HUGE paint spot a little better. lol..Such is life though. Making due with what your given. We are flexible and worked with it. :) So the guest bed room pictures......(sorry for the bad quality..bad light and the camera on my phone just don't mix) The color the walls appear to be is not at all the color it actually is..lol

And the new toy room pictures

So, it got done after all. Of course just like everything it was harder than we thought, there were bumps and it took way longer than expected but IT'S DONE!!!! Happy Saturday.

Raising the Ransom

“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.” Albert Schwitzer

Please take a moment to read Liliana's story and see what millions of orphans must endure.


http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/08/because-it-is-our-problem.html

Toy Room Overhaul

Our toy room is getting a makeover!! I should point out this is in no way shape or form Jeff's idea. In fact he REALLY doesn't want to do it. However I had to empty out the toy room yesterday to shampoo the carpet and my crazy thinking mind went overboard. But... emptying the toy room is a once every 6 months ordeal so while it's empty we might as well....Right?? Right??? Or am I crazy?? Never mind, please don't answer that. Sooo the toy room is now empty....well besides the toys that the girls have ALREADY drug back in there. So I'm posting a before picture and hopefully by tonight I can post a after picture. There are a thousand things I need to get done besides this but sometimes you have to have some fun....wait, this won't be fun...Ummmmm...Sometimes you just have to do what you don't want to do in order for things to get done...Yup that sounds more accurate. Here is a snap shot of the toy room BEFORE

Wish me luck and patience and the ability to accept what I can not change and the ability to not go overboard with this make over. If it were up to me this would take a week and consist of us building new shelves and wall art and maybe painting a whole wall with chalk board paint and all kind of crazy things but I have ONE night... so paint and rearranging will go along way.....I hope. ;)

Something Special

I'm finding that all the moments that seem like "nothing special" are when I find myself in awe of my girls and my husband. All those tiny moments that make me smile. While walking to the laundry room to switch out wash, I spotted Randi and Grace in the kitchen with the radio on dancing their hearts out. While I'm cooking dinner and I peek into the living room to find all 3 of my loves are cuddled up in the recliner together watching a Disney movie. Such sweet tiny moments!! I really wish I could remember all of these "nothing special" moments when I'm stopped in my tracks and reminded how blessed and lucky I am. Turns out that all those nothing special moments are anything but. Soooo here are some random pictures of our very special "nothing special" moments.