New wheels

Today Emily finally got her new wheels! We've been talking about it for months now, the fact that Emily was going to get a new bike for her 5th birthday, just like Alex did. The bike she'd been riding before was one we bought second-hand years ago for Alex when he was three. She has loved it though, so much, but she wanted her very own, one that she could pick out, and a 'big girl' bike! Since this afternoon was just Emily and I, I thought it would be a good time for her to choose. She took a little time deciding between Barbie and Bratz. Thank goodness she didn't like the Bratz dolls bike when she tried it! Emily doesn't have any Bratz dolls and I don't really think they're appropriate, but for some reason she loves them! But she rode the Barbie bike around the aisles of Walmart and had a blast shopping this way! It also made it easier for me, too! She was quick to keep up and didn't complain about being ready to go home or try and sneak cookies or snacks into the cart! It makes us even more ready for the warm weather to get here! She rode it around outside when we got home briefly, but it's a little too cold out today. Come on Spring!



"Let's roll!"

Change is good

Well, I've only had my blog for less than a month, and I'm already changing it! I'm the type of person who can't seem to sit still. Even though I love to sit down and relax, I usually feel the urge to be doing something! That is how I've treated this blog, too! I can't seem to leave it alone, or stop adding things to it! Once I think I'm done posting for the day, I feel like I need to mention one more thing! I thought this change was good, though. I'm so ready for Spring to arrive and to watch all the beautiful colors begin to emerge from the cold, stark ground. These colors make me feel cheery and happy, and I hope it leaves you feeling cheery, too!

Will you be my Valentine?

All day Dan has been asking Emily if she'll be his Valentine, and she says, "no!" and laughs and runs away! But I guess Skipper will do!


She and Alex got some new pajamas for Valentine's Day and teddy bears from Grandma!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope you can be with the ones you love today giving them big hugs and saying "I love you!"


"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established faithfullness in heavan itself." Psalm 89: 1-2

Lovely lashes

I'm on a roll today! I know this is my third post...did I mention it was quiet! Anyway, if any of you have heard of Facebook, you're probably like me, and check it out way too much in a day's time! One of the groups I've joined on Facebook is an amateur photography contest. You don't win anything, but people from all over the world post pictures depending on what the theme of the week is, and it's just for fun. (I've never won! But have received a few votes here and there!) It was started from a group in Australia, I believe. Anyway, this week's theme is 'Faces' and I've tried to capture Alex and Emily's eyelashes, but decided on a different picture,instead. They are so lucky and don't realize it right now. They both have such lovely, long eyelashes and they surround their big, beautiful brown eyes! Every now and then I catch Alex pulling on his eyelashes and I ask him what he's doing. He said, "They're too long and they get in my way!"
If only I had that problem!

















This shows his lashes a little better from last month. His concentrating look!

A feeling of accomplishment

Wow, what a difference a couple of hours makes! After deciding to play with the kids for a little while, they were happy, I was happy, they were tired, I got my work done! (well, some of it!) We went outside and played Tailgate Toss (Go IU!) and Alex set up his cd player, speakers and karaoke machine and made it a party!

















After that, they finished signing Valentine's cards for family and then we all cleaned up the mess. Now, Emily is resting, Dan and Alex are on there way to a Butler basketball game, and all is quiet.

I feel like I've accomplished a lot more than cleaning this afternoon.

More of the same

If you're a mom, I'm sure you struggle with the same everyday chores, same demands from your children and being pulled in every direction! I do! Everyday, I feel is the same, "didn't I just clean the counters off?" "I thought I just vacuumed the floor, why are there crumbs everywhere?" You get the idea! So Alex and Emily wanted to go outside and play, and I think, great idea! That will give me a chance to clean up the family room and the kitchen, which is what I already did! Anyway, here is the state of our family room right now:


Sorry, Aubrey, you helped clean up so well yesterday! (And we won't even talk about the basement!)

Meanwhile, I pick up a few things, and I hear, "MOMMY!" I try to ignore it, maybe it will go away! It doesn't. "MOMMY!" sigh. "Can you get my roller skates on?" done. Pick up a few more things. "MOMMY!" sigh again. "Can you help me take my skates off?"

I guess my point is (as I'm sitting here blogging, and not cleaning up!) I'm always going to be cleaning up toys, doing laundry, and cleaning off the kitchen counters, but I'm not always going to have my kids little and needing my help and attention. So, although it seems like I'm always doing more of the same, I think I will leave the clutter of toys, paper, scissors, puzzle pieces and scattered Valentines just the way they are, and go outside and play with my kids!

There's at least hope in the living room!
To be continued.....