At nap time every day Shawn or I will pray with each girl before their nap. Usually we just pray for a good nap, a rested body, and we thank God for the day so far. Today, Elle has been STUBBORN! and lots of other things that aren't pleasant around nap time and clean up time. They have been especially difficult for her lately. So here is how I said today's prayer:
Dear God
Please help Elle to stop being stubborn, to stop being fussy, and to obey her mommy and daddy because we know that in the Bible it tells us that children are suppose to obey their parents and we know it makes you very sad when Elle doesn't obey what you said. Please help her stop being so disobedient and stubborn and help her to obey with a happy heart and do what we ask her to do without all the fussing, crying, and throwing fits. In Jesus name, Amen!
I feel sort of bad that we couldn't have ended on a better note, but seriously the girl is so difficult! Also if you are a grandparent reading this please don't leave a comment like"Oh not our precious Elle...she is a perfect angel" because YOU DON'T LIVE WITH HER! I know she's great, but you don't deal with the constant stubbornness...you can give her back! Please also know that I'm not about to go smother her in her sleep, I'm just having a moment of total annoyance with the behavior! UGGHHH!!! At least I have a few hours of quiet to work on my slow breathing.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
My new obsession
I am obsessing over pigtails lately. They are so unbelievably cute that words fail me! Both of the girls have just recently grown their hair long enough to make pigtails and they are just so CUTE! 
This is one of my favorite pictures!
Can't get Elle to pose too often anymore but Ava is all about striking a pose!
This is one of my favorite pictures!
Can't get Elle to pose too often anymore but Ava is all about striking a pose!I am FINALLY 30!
This year, my birthday has gone on and on...and I'm not complaining one bit. It started on June 30th with a surprise party, continued July 13th, with presents at camp and ended this past weekend with a visit from my parents and sister. What a blast! If this birthday is any indication of what the rest of my 30's will be like, I'm excited. Actually, I really am excited. I feel now that being in my 30's, I have a footing. I feel like I will be taken more seriously (if that's possible to take me too seriously) when I have good ideas, plans, and thoughts. I have felt like all through my 20's I was trying so hard to prove to people that though I was young, I had valid ideas. Now, I feel like I won't have to try so hard to get a little validation. Maybe I won't care as much about that...but being honest, I'm sure I will. I like validation and encouragement. Maybe I won't care so much about what people think, but being honest again, I'm a middle child and I like to please. Who knows what my 30's will hold; another baby??, another move??? (please no!), loss??, financial peace (okay maybe not peace, but not war either), contentment??, dare I say, a better body!?? Anyway, I've gotten too introspective, but I'm just keepin it real. Thanks to all of you who remembered my bday and made me feel special...I will never grow out of that need!
Onto the weekend. Actually my weekend started around Tuesday. Barbara had business in Austin from Tues-Thurs so she stayed with us at night. The girls of course couldn't get enough of her. I will say, my girls truly adore their grandparents and it hurts my heart so bad that we don't all live closer. I can't stand that they don't know all of them better. Anyway, we had a wonderful time with Gramme and as usual, it was over too quickly. But, on Friday afternoon my parents and sister came in. Friday night we headed to Gattiland which we are hooked on!--good buffet and fun games. Saturday, as a treat for my birthday, my mom, sister, and I headed shopping and to a spa. It was a WONDERFUL! day! We ate at this restaurant on the square called Down the Alley Bistro. It was really good and different food. We shopped like crazy and also went to the spa. I had a relaxation massage and pedicure. It was so nice. I could do that every week! We shopped more after the spa and came home around 8:30 to 2 kids and 2 men who were very ready for us to be home. Sunday, they came to worship with us and then we ate at Luby's which was yummy! As with Gramme, it was way too short and the girls were so sad when everyone left. I missed them so much within about 10 minutes of them leaving. I know I already said it, but I wish so much they lived close. It's unfamiliar to me to raise kids who don't see there grandparents a lot. I lived 30 minutes away from both of my grandparents and have MANY memories of being at their houses...it breaks my heart! Anyway, it was a wonderful weekend. And that brings me to the title....I believe the last card has arrived, the last gift has been given, and the last party in my honor has been thrown...I can officially say I'm 30...and proud of it! :)
Onto the weekend. Actually my weekend started around Tuesday. Barbara had business in Austin from Tues-Thurs so she stayed with us at night. The girls of course couldn't get enough of her. I will say, my girls truly adore their grandparents and it hurts my heart so bad that we don't all live closer. I can't stand that they don't know all of them better. Anyway, we had a wonderful time with Gramme and as usual, it was over too quickly. But, on Friday afternoon my parents and sister came in. Friday night we headed to Gattiland which we are hooked on!--good buffet and fun games. Saturday, as a treat for my birthday, my mom, sister, and I headed shopping and to a spa. It was a WONDERFUL! day! We ate at this restaurant on the square called Down the Alley Bistro. It was really good and different food. We shopped like crazy and also went to the spa. I had a relaxation massage and pedicure. It was so nice. I could do that every week! We shopped more after the spa and came home around 8:30 to 2 kids and 2 men who were very ready for us to be home. Sunday, they came to worship with us and then we ate at Luby's which was yummy! As with Gramme, it was way too short and the girls were so sad when everyone left. I missed them so much within about 10 minutes of them leaving. I know I already said it, but I wish so much they lived close. It's unfamiliar to me to raise kids who don't see there grandparents a lot. I lived 30 minutes away from both of my grandparents and have MANY memories of being at their houses...it breaks my heart! Anyway, it was a wonderful weekend. And that brings me to the title....I believe the last card has arrived, the last gift has been given, and the last party in my honor has been thrown...I can officially say I'm 30...and proud of it! :)
The Elusive Poppy...this is how most of the pictures of him look.
Ava is into making faces lately...hilarious!
Leaving Gattiland
A scene that occurred over and over...putting lippie on the girls.
Ava is loving that carousel ride at Gattiland!
So happy!
Poppy getting tag-teamed and trying to keep up!
Random sister pic...I thought it was amazing that they were both looking and smiling! Thanks Nana for the jewelry and shirts!
Leaving Gattiland
A scene that occurred over and over...putting lippie on the girls.
Ava is loving that carousel ride at Gattiland!
So happy!
Poppy getting tag-teamed and trying to keep up!
Random sister pic...I thought it was amazing that they were both looking and smiling! Thanks Nana for the jewelry and shirts!Thursday, July 24, 2008
Picture Perfect
Sometimes you just take a picture that so completely encompasses someone's personality. I did these a few days ago and I must say, I think it catches each of their distinct personalities perfectly. 
First up is Ava: Here she is right after a bath, sitting on our bed and being mischievous. She knew I was taking her picture and started to give me a funny look out the side of her eyes. This really shows her personality.
Second, we have Lady E. In this picture I think she could pass for a little Southern Belle, sharing tea and a good laugh with her friends. A woman at church named Sue Nell gave Elle these clip on earrings and she has been wearing them non-stop lately. She thinks she is big stuff when she has them on.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Turning 30
Who'd have thought 30 could look this good? I got some gifts from Shawn and the girls and plenty of cards too! I managed to miss being sung to by all the guy counselors by watching carefully and running out of the dining hall before it was going to happen. As I've said before, turning 30 doesn't bother me...it's driving the mini van that makes me feel old! This too shall pass....
Four Wheelin
We were fortunate enough to get to borrow someone's four-wheeler one day and take a ride up into the hills to a pretty look out. The girls enjoyed it a lot. I think I could have stayed up there all day. It was so quiet and calm.
Hermit's Peak in the background and Elle posing in the foreground.
Hermit's Peak in the background and Elle posing in the foreground.
What a poser!
The Swing
There is an excellent ropes course at camp. When all the kids are busy, all of us adults and our kids get to play on the course. On this day Shawn and Elle did the Swing. It pulls you up really high, then you pull a cord and it swings you way out and back. It's a lot of fun. This was Elle's first time to do it and she didn't act one tiny bit scared. She loved it. If there had been a harness small enough for Ava, she would have done it too...she watched on, all the while saying "Swing! Swing!" Maybe next year....at the rate she's eating, she'll fit just fine.
I've got my helmet on....can I go too?
I've got my helmet on....can I go too?
Ava watching from the sidelines with Miss Tina
The Copper Mines
Shawn, me, Denton, the caretaker of camp, and our 24 kids that we taught every day hiked two miles to the Copper Mines. The entrance to the mines has water in it. It's 38 degrees as I mentioned before. It's about 40 feet in before you get out of the water. It's about knee/thigh deep and I remember sounding like a woman in heavy labor as I walked through that water...it was pretty close to unbearable. It was amazing to walk deep into the earth and imagine that men had been in there looking for gold 100 years ago. They found copper, which at the time wasn't worth much. We went as far back as we could go and then turned off all of our flashlights. It was black as black could be. Then we started singing songs to God and it was the most amazing experience I've ever had. I couldn't get through one song without crying...very powerful and gave me a glimpse of what heaven will be like. It was a neat experience and I'm so glad we were able to go. Chad and Lesley watched our kids which was great because in the 6 years that we've been going to camp, this was the first hike we were able to do.
In front of the hole in the ground.
After emerging from the cave...legs frozen and barely able to walk.
In front of the hole in the ground.
After emerging from the cave...legs frozen and barely able to walk.The Comedian in our Family
I hate to label my kids, but I really do believe that Ava will be the one that keeps us laughing often, and she'll also probably be the one that gets in trouble at school for being a class clown. Here she is showing her true colors at camp. By the way, she learned to make a toot noise by blowing on her own skin and every morning when she woke up she'd start doing that to get our attention and make us laugh. She would do it on our arms too and everyone would be laughing.
Outside view
This is what makes our "humble" abode a bit better...a very peaceful porch to sit and relax on. Oh and to clarify, the bear I'm talking about was the one from last year. We didn't see one this year...bummer.
Cabin 5
Welcome to our humble, and I really mean that, abode....our home away from home for two weeks.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
To Start With....
The ride was eventful to say the least. Here are a few journal entries I wrote as we drove:
Saturday, July 5th, 2008
8:43 am We left about 2 1/2 hours ago for Blue Haven. 12 minutes after we left, Elle asked if we were almost there. Ava has cried almost consistently since about 30 minutes after we left. Headphones are helping somewhat but not drowning out all the noise. She says "book" while crying yet every book I give her is received with a "NO!" and more temper tantrums. I feel bad for all the kids with us but on the bright side, we've really driven home the need for abstinence.
11:43 am Just got finished cleaning up a monumental amount of puke from just about every surface of the van. One of the girls(not my girls) got too carsick and didn't tell us...note for next time-give the pee, poo, puke talk before leaving!
2nd note to self: Get the following items at the next gas station/Walmart:
1. New towels for camp(ours were used for clean up)
2. toilet paper/paper towels (in case)
3. hand sanitizer (dried puke on the hands isn't too enjoyable)
3:58 pm Elle successfully pee peed outside under a tree on the side of Highway 84-she wasn't too excited about the idea but I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have made it to a "real" potty-at least this one was sanitary!
Those are just a few snippets from my journal on the monumental 12 hour ride there. Here's a video that cracks me up and makes me sad at the same time....it took quite a few days for my shoulder to stop being sore from having to hold it at an odd angle so Ava could hold my hand. Oh and Shawn's hand wouldn't do...only mine. Thankfully that wasn't as needed on the way home but she would cry and say "Pat" while patting her leg and want me to pat her leg...so sad....I'm calling this video "Ava needs a hand."
Saturday, July 5th, 2008
8:43 am We left about 2 1/2 hours ago for Blue Haven. 12 minutes after we left, Elle asked if we were almost there. Ava has cried almost consistently since about 30 minutes after we left. Headphones are helping somewhat but not drowning out all the noise. She says "book" while crying yet every book I give her is received with a "NO!" and more temper tantrums. I feel bad for all the kids with us but on the bright side, we've really driven home the need for abstinence.
11:43 am Just got finished cleaning up a monumental amount of puke from just about every surface of the van. One of the girls(not my girls) got too carsick and didn't tell us...note for next time-give the pee, poo, puke talk before leaving!
2nd note to self: Get the following items at the next gas station/Walmart:
1. New towels for camp(ours were used for clean up)
2. toilet paper/paper towels (in case)
3. hand sanitizer (dried puke on the hands isn't too enjoyable)
3:58 pm Elle successfully pee peed outside under a tree on the side of Highway 84-she wasn't too excited about the idea but I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have made it to a "real" potty-at least this one was sanitary!
Those are just a few snippets from my journal on the monumental 12 hour ride there. Here's a video that cracks me up and makes me sad at the same time....it took quite a few days for my shoulder to stop being sore from having to hold it at an odd angle so Ava could hold my hand. Oh and Shawn's hand wouldn't do...only mine. Thankfully that wasn't as needed on the way home but she would cry and say "Pat" while patting her leg and want me to pat her leg...so sad....I'm calling this video "Ava needs a hand."
So much to share
It's hard to put into a post what 2 weeks at Blue Haven are like. Just a few things I'll share with you in the next several posts:
1. Hiked to a 100 year old Copper Mine and went as far in as we could go sloshing through thigh deep 38 degree water at some points.
2. Elle and Shawn doing the "swing" which entailed harnessing in and wearing a helmet.
3. A video walk-through of our home away from home.
4. The girls singing Jesus Loves Me together.
5. My 30th bday.
6. Nature pics....LOTS of them.
7. Progress on the cabin in which we own about 1/3 of the land that it will sit on...but it's a start!
8. Traveling with young children and the bountiful stories that provides.
Shawn has about 400 pictures on his computer that need to be transferred to my computer so that's the hold up right now. As soon as I get them all moved, I'll start posting pictures or you can call him and in a very irritated tone explain that your life is hanging on my blog and that he needs to figure it out and get them on my computer pronto.
It's good to be home, but my soul longs for the simple quietness and being outdoors all the time, that camp provides. In case I forget to send you a thank you note, thank you more than you can know to everyone who sent cards, care packages, and gifts to me and the fam while we were there. It was nice to be remembered by you especially on my "big" birthday!
1. Hiked to a 100 year old Copper Mine and went as far in as we could go sloshing through thigh deep 38 degree water at some points.
2. Elle and Shawn doing the "swing" which entailed harnessing in and wearing a helmet.
3. A video walk-through of our home away from home.
4. The girls singing Jesus Loves Me together.
5. My 30th bday.
6. Nature pics....LOTS of them.
7. Progress on the cabin in which we own about 1/3 of the land that it will sit on...but it's a start!
8. Traveling with young children and the bountiful stories that provides.
Shawn has about 400 pictures on his computer that need to be transferred to my computer so that's the hold up right now. As soon as I get them all moved, I'll start posting pictures or you can call him and in a very irritated tone explain that your life is hanging on my blog and that he needs to figure it out and get them on my computer pronto.
It's good to be home, but my soul longs for the simple quietness and being outdoors all the time, that camp provides. In case I forget to send you a thank you note, thank you more than you can know to everyone who sent cards, care packages, and gifts to me and the fam while we were there. It was nice to be remembered by you especially on my "big" birthday!
Friday, July 04, 2008
Last post for a while...
Happy 4th! This is the first one we've been able to celebrate in years! Usually we are at Blue Haven by this point. We leave in the morning so please pray for a safe and enjoyable car ride as well as a wonderful 2 weeks.
Here are a few pics from today that caught my eye. See you in 2 weeks....
The sunrise across the street this morning
Clouds rolled in but no rain :(
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