Craft Ideas

I am in need of some craft ideas (simple inexpensive ones). Lillie has been asking to do crafts for the past several days and I am running out of ideas. The one problem I do encounter is finding ones that can simplify down for Gracie to do. Please send me ideas or sites you go to find craft ideas. Thanks!!! :)

SNOW-SNOW-SNOW

WE FINALLY GOT A LOT OF SNOW!!!!!!!!

I have been wishing and wishing for snow and wishes do come true! I absolutely love the fluffy white covering of my yard. We got a chance to go out and play yesterday afternoon and the girls had a blast, especially since Dad was off and he could play to. Lillie wants to go out again today, but I think that the snow would engulf Gracie!

Lillie had her first dentist appointment Monday and she did great - no cavities! She was so nervous about it though. In the waiting room every once in a while she would go - Mom, I''m scared, but once we got back there she laughed and smiled with the hygienist. She got a purple toothbrush with Belle on it (her favorite color and she loves princesses). Later that night we went to toys-r-us. The girls had a gift card from their Aunt Angie and were very excited about spending it. Lillie picked a doll that she had been wanting for long time and a pound puppy. She drove me crazy, but in a cute way. She carried around the doll and then she carefully examine something else before say no, she wanted to something else. Gracie got a doll, blocks and a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse toy. Gracie is definitely easier because we would could hand her a box and rocks and ask if she wanted it and she would grab it, hug it and say she wanted it.

On a side note, I saw on a morning show yesterday that there is bug called AD-36. We need to be careful because this is a fat bug. Yes, you read correctly there is supposedly a bug out there that is spread just like the common cold that causes you to gain weight. I thought all this time that I just hadn't lost all the weight from being pregnant with Gracie, in reality I may just have a bug! Unfortunately there is not cure yet, but when an antibiotic is available I may just be able to shed off the remaining weight! Don't you just love science!

Have a great day!

Dress-up Days

I thought I would post a few pictures of the girls playing dress-up yesterday. They have a couple of drawer of clothes and love wearing them. Although there are a few outfits that Lillie says are itchy, but Gracie doesn't seem to mind. I didn't dress-up with them yesterday, but even Alex and I join in the fun sometimes.

Gracie was not completely ready for Dad to take the picture and afterwards she was sure to tell him so.

Lillie wanted to wear this dress and Gracie was cheesing it up behind her wand.

I also thought I would post a picture of Lillie modeling her new nightshirt. She wants to wear it everywhere, even to church if I would let her.

Have a great week.

LaDeeDaDeeDa

Not a lot has been going on here in the last few days. Monday we went to Walmart and Lillie got new pajamas. She picked out a Princess Aurora Nightshirt (who would of guessed that!). She of course had to where it the rest of the day. Gracie did not want to be out done by Sissy so she wanted to wear pajamas too. They looked really cute though. Yesterday I helped at Lillie's preschool. It was a lot fun. I really enjoy this time with Lillie. Have a great Wednesday.

He's got the whole world in His hands

This morning Lillie was watching some cartoons when a commercial came on about global warming and taking care of the earth. The actor in the commercial said something about we hold the world's future in our hands. Lillie immediately goes, "that man said he has the whole world in his hands, but he doesn't, Jesus does." Out of the mouth of babes! I thought this was too cute not to post! :)

He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

If you put your trust in people on this earth you will be let down. Always keep your trust in God and you will not be disappointed.

This cold air is nuts. I do love the snow, but can't we have the snow without the frigid temps? The girls are getting a bit stir crazy being in the house for the past several days. Lillie keeps asking several times a day if we can go somewhere. We are keeping them busy. Alex built a castle in Lillie's room using blankets and we took turns playing in it with her. Along with the several rounds of candyland we played. The girls got out the Barbie's last night and played with them. But I know that being shut up in the house is sometimes frustrating.

I believe that Gracie is starting to cut her 2 year molars. She has been a bit cranky for the past couple of weeks and there seems to be nothing else wrong. She will be playing and then out of no where start crying. She does have the sniffles, but that could be part of getting her molars.

I have to go, the girls just broke a snow globe!

Snowy Days

It has finally snowed more than a dusting. I took the girls out with me to get the mail. They had so much fun and Lillie finally got to make a snow angel. I also remembered to bring the camera out. Here are a few pictures that I took before joining in the fun.

Lillie just got hit with a snowball from Gracie. (It was more like a flake since Gracie can't make snowballs yet!)

Gracie fell down, and was not too thrilled about it!

Lillie throwing a snowball at me.

Gracie running away from Sissy. She knew that Lillie had snow in her hands.

After we came in, when they were too cold to pester each other!

I also thought I would share this picture of Gracie helping Alex. He was fixing the belt on the vacuum and she thought she needed to be right beside him. She even started giving him advice!

Prayer Request

I just want to ask for prayer for a family at my church. Erin has been in and out of the hospital for quite some time with pancreas problems and is not getting better. Alex delivered meal last night to the family and Carlos told him that they were going to transfer her to Methodist. Please pray for healing and strength for the family as Carlos is trying to work and care for their 3 children all while worrying about his wife. If you are from my church I want to challenge you to contact Cross T and ask about fixing them at least one meal for the month of January. There are quite a few days left to pick from and this allows one less worry for the family. Thanks.

Cranky Days 2

It still has been a bit cranky at our house, but I think that this winter weather is hard on little ones who are used to being outside. I have to remember that if I am patient and in a good mood, then that reflects in my girls. So I have been sure to enjoy a few more pieces of my secret chocolate stash in the freezer. Although not so secret now : ) !

Alex built a castle out of blankets in Lillie's room and the girls have been playing in that this afternoon. Lillie and I made chocolate chip cookies while Gracie napped earlier. I enjoy having both girls helping, but it is a bit easier on me when just Lillie helps. I thought I would post a few pictures of the girls and one of Lillie's pretty purple tree.

Biker Gracie

Enjoying popsicles

One of the trees, with a decoration on it.

On a different note, I am currently addicted to eBay. I have been bidding on some fabric squares that I absolutely love and have won 2 sets, but need at least 2 more sets to make the size quilt that I want. I was fortunate enough to get the first two sets under $3, but I have found that the other sets are already almost $10. That is not too bad, but not as good of a deal. I am hopeful though!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Snow Days

Lillie and I have been wishing for a lot of snow, but so far we haven’t gotten too much. It’s funny how when I had to drive to work I didn’t want snow, but now that I am a stay at home momma, I can’t wait for a bunch of snow. However, with the very light dusting we had Wednesday morning, I did let the girls come outside with me to get the mail. It was really cute. They were trying to throw snow at each other and Lillie wanted to try to make a snow angel. We received a lot of smiles from the neighbors. Although we didn’t have much snow, the girls had fun and I love hearing them laugh. I just wish I had grabbed the camera before we went out.

Our play date on Tuesday went really well. The kids got along perfectly. I love watching Lillie being a hostess. She always has a list of what she wants to do with her friends and if she can’t finish the list, she makes sure to ask if they can come back.

Today was much calmer. I think that we all were just getting a little stir crazy being home and so today we made a big trip to Big Lots and the Family Dollar. I know that these aren't necessarily the most exciting places, but they are the cheapest. If you have kids you realize that when you go someplace they are going to ask for something. I, of course, am a big softie and fold, but I do try to keep it under a couple of dollars. Today the big find was a purple tinsel Christmas tree. Lillie has been asking for a four foot one from Walmart since the middle of November, but who really wants a purple tree? I paid $1.50 for an eighteen inch tree. Gracie had to have one too. She picked a silver one and both trees are in their rooms. I am not sure how long they will want them up, but what's wrong with a little Christmas Spirit year round. I will be sure to post pictures soon. : )

Crazy Days

Gracie was driving me bananas yesterday. Climbing all over everything, dragging every toy that she could reach out, and knocking all the books off of two shelves. I got very little done. Not only was she driving me nuts, Lillie was getting a little annoyed. She made the comments several times that we picked a bad one at the hospital and could we take her back and get another one. I, of course, told her that Gracie was not bad, just a little more wound up and we would not exchange her. I am hopeful that today will be better.

Both my girls are excited, we get to bring home their friend Josiah from preschool. Lillie and Josiah have that love-hate relationship. One day they are best friends and the next they want nothing to do with each other. Although when we have watched him, they are usually as cute as ever. Well, I need to do some much needed straightening up and I don't have much time left in the Barney video that I reluctantly put in for Gracie.

Is that God I feel?

Last night as I was fixing dinner I heard Lillie ask "Is that God I feel?" I took a peek into the living room to see what she was doing to have such a profound question and she was feeling her chest. When she saw me she asked me the question again along with it she asked "Have you ever felt God?" I thought for a minute and told her that since I have Jesus living in my heart, I can feel God, but it is not the same as feeling something with your hands. She seemed okay with that answer, so I went back to fixing dinner. As I was leaving she asked again and this time said no, that is just something breakable on my body.

I know that I could of said when you feel the sun on your face, when you feel the rainon your skin, or the snow, that you are feeling God, but I don't believe she would have been able to completely comprehend that concept. I know that when I hold my girls I am feeling God. He is all around us in more ways than we could understand or even comprehend ourselves. That childlike curiousity that we all need when it comes to our relationship with God is what I witnessed last night, another way I can see God when it comes to my life. I pray that I will have plenty of more questions like this so I can share my love for Christ with my children.

Getting Back to Normal

Today we are getting back to normal. The holidays are over, the decorations down (although I will probably continue to find ones I missed for months), and Alex is back to work.

This morning I set the timer and challenged the girls to see if we could clean the living room before the buzzer went off. I love that at this age, they are so eager to help me because I know that one day it will take more than a timer to get help. But until then, I have a couple more rooms to get cleaned!

The gift of a new year

Last night after church, I was reading some scriptures in Isaiah and came upon Hezekiah. Isaiah 38 talks of Hezekiah's illness and how the prophet Isaiah told him to get his house in order for his death was at hand. After the news Hezekiah prayed and the Lord blessed him with 15 more years. What would I do if the Lord told me I had 15 years left to live? Love more, play more, be more diligent about spreading the word of the Lord or would I just continue what I am doing? Although none of us are guaranteed even another day, we have been given a new year, full of new surprises and new experiences. We can determine what type of year we will have, by what decisions we make now. I want that closer walk with God, but if I don't spend more time in prayer and fasting I won't get any closer than I was last year. I want to challenge you to choose to grow closer with Christ this year. The same with my family, if I don't look past the clutter and chaos of my house and schedule, then my little girls are going to grow up and I will miss it. Don't let your house or schedule dictate how much time you spend with your children or spouse. We aren't promised tomorrow, but we know who holds it in His hand.

Hope you all have a Happy New Year full of blessings.