Summer Slump

Is it wrong that I have began the countdown to school? 27 more days...

We have officially started our Summer Slump. The birthday parties have ended, swim class is over, library story times aren't exciting, the girls won't play together and I have run out of ideas. Oh and did I mention, 113 degrees outside?

I would say that being a stay-at-home mom is the best job in the world but on days like today it feels like a prison sentence. Relaxed mom was so relaxed that now I have looked up from my summer colored glasses and am starting to see a breakdown of sorts. No one comes to eat when I prepare a meal. No one picks up anything. No one puts their clothes away. No one brushes their teeth. No one thanks me. No one goes to bed on time. No one is even laughing... just bickering. AGHHHH.

So now I must readjust ~ yet again. I must realign our days to gear us back into some semblance of order. I must make it known I am in charge - not Dora.

There is a silver lining. (Isn't there always?) We have been working on our bedroom. We loaded up our carts at IKEA this weekend (love you Smaland!). We nailed and hung and redesigned and now I have a peaceful sanctuary (minus the dirty clothes) for which to unwind.

There are still a few more touches to be added but I love the feeling I get when I enter my room. Because it is mine and although a barbie may slip past the threshold I reserve the right to chuck it right back out :)

Now I must get started on that chore chart...

7 and Full of Life

Audrey,

Are you serious? Seven!! Really?? I love this picture. Your eyes are shining and I can see just what you are - the most caring, loving, sensitive sister and daughter. As with all the years you have had, I just wish I can keep memorizing everything about you. I relish in the minutes I just take time to talk with you. You are so animated and have so many thoughts. You have showed us how laid back things can be - a new perspective - you are adding your very own element to our family and it is amazing.

There is a whole new sense of determination about you now and your talents are endless. A year ago you would never be able to finish a stitch. But now you pushed and pushed until your whole project was completed.

You choose a Bowling Bash for your Birthday and helped me make the cake. It was supposed to look completely different (I swear it looks easy on those family websites) but you helped shape it into your own. It turned out fabulous, of course. Just like when I turned my new white tank top pink... you said it just added some *zing*.

Second grade will be great. You will make so many new friends and learn so much more. I hope to continue to encourage you to learn your guitar, write your songs, and sing whenever your heart needs to.

Happy Birthday our sweet girl - Love Mommy and Daddy.

Father's Day

I guess I could start by thanking these fine folks. If it wasn't for them then I wouldn't have...
Him. If I didn't have him, well, I just don't know what I would do. My life would be undone. It would be empty. It wouldn't be finished. And I can't say he "completes" me because that would just be cheesy, but well... anyways, without him we wouldn't have went camping in the Arizona woods.

They wouldn't have gotten to, uhhh, fish and have some intense lake side discussions.

Or some serious rest and relaxation. Which, of course, kids are in desperate need of.

Thanks, Daddy!!

Top Tooth Gone

Here it is Shel Silverstein style:

I am the tooth puller, the clothes washer, the nail trimmer, the grocery shopper. I'm the meal planner, the clothes mender, the lady who calls the shots. I'm the giver of candy but the taker away. If I you have a bloody nose, I will run the other way. So just look real close and you will see, a woman who never knew what a mother she'd be.

In his word

Started Vacation Bible School tonight. The girls just love being in HIS word.
God's word is True. Perfect words to fall asleep to on this Monday night.

My Weekend Dancers

The girls danced this weekend in a recital and they both performed with their Daddy in a "Daddy Daughter Dance". I was so touched by every minute of it from our family coming out to watch them to how much the girls enjoyed themselves.

I just don't think they could be any cuter!!

Mom in the Summer

God provides the string so you can make the web.

I have laid out the best plan. I know how to get to every source of cold water in a 20 minute radius. The new swimsuits are bought and we are stocked up on sunscreen. The girls have finally caught up on there sleep and are starting to rise with sun. It is summer here and you can just feel it.


This time I plan to do it right. I am going to stop and play puzzles even if I haven't put my bra on and it's 11:42 am. Sure, you can wash every baby, barbie, and toy you own. Start a craft project with a thousand little beads? Let me make one too. When a friend calls, I will actually sit and talk. In the middle of the day, for no reason, we can go get ice cream.


Why you ask?
Because I said so.

and I am the MOM.