Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Growing up, I knew my Mommy was special. From an early age, I knew God gave me a beautiful and precious gift. The gift of a godly Mother. I praise God for that special gift every day. My Mommy is beautiful, intelligent, tenderhearted, and creative. To me, she's perfect.

My Mommy: 

...listened to me,

...prayed for me, 

...encouraged me,

...lifted me up daily, 

...and loved me for being ME.

(My Mom with our children)

This is the Mommy I want to be for my children, too. I want to be a woman of integrity. A godly woman. A sensitive, creative, and beautiful Mommy to my precious gifts from God.

I love you, Mom. 

I love you Isla, Solomon, and Simon.

Three years ago: Pregnant with my precious sweetpeas (35 weeks pregnant - delivery day!): 

Today: Celebrating my beautiful family, a gift from God. 

Awkward Train Rides

Conversation on the train today about the young lady sitting next to us:

Isla: "Mommy, what is THAT on her lip?"
Me: "That's a lip ring."
Isla: "Oh.   No, Mommy, that THING on her lip." 
Me: "Yes, that's a lip ring. It's like an earring but it's for your lip."
Isla: "Oh!" (Isla's still studying the lady's lip ring)

Silence....(Isla is still starring at this young lady)

Isla: "Mommy, look - she has BLACK fingernails."
Me: "Yes, she does."
Isla: "See that other girl, Mommy? (Pointing to another lady) She has pretty white nails."
Me: "Yes, she does."
Isla: "The WHITE ones are pretty."  

Okay...time to distract and change the subject - AWKWARD!!!

Fun with Aline

The kids created a new game with Aline this morning. They were pretending they were frogs and jumping from the ottoman to couch. Of course, they were landing on Aline and pushing her over - aka: attack of the frogs. :) Here are some pictures of their morning playtime with Aline.

Hop. Hop. Hop.

Ribbit. Ribbit. Ribbit.

Attack of the FROGS!!!

Going, Going...Gone!

When you have little ones in the house gates are a MUST! Then your little ones continue to grow up and those gates aren't as important anymore. So....you take them down. You sniff a little, choke back a couple more tears, dab at your eyes (using the excuse something is in your eye again or, "my allergies are acting up") and then "POOF" it's gone. As quickly as the gate went up, it's gone. ALL. GONE.

Going...

 Going...

 Going...

 POOF. GONE!

My babies are growing up. sniff sniff...man, my allergies are acting up again. ;)

BBQ

What happens when you're invited to a friend's house for a Sunday afternoon BBQ?

You have fun!

What happens when that friend's house includes an outdoor water fountain - a perfect size for three toddlers to play in/on/by?

They get soaked!

Yes. They climb in it. They drink from it. They splash each other. They get soaked from head to their littlest piggy toe....

...then you strip them down and borrow three old t-shirts for the ride home.

Do they care? Nope. They're kids. They think it's AWESOME!

In case you're wondering, our friends thought it was pretty cute too (at least that's what they said!)... I have to admit, I thought it was pretty cute too. Let kids be kids - even if it creates a tiny mess. ;)

Zumba!!!

I love Zumba exercise classes - they are a PaRtY!!! I decided to get licensed to teach them myself. So, I did it! It was a blast and hard work at the same time. Here are some pictures of me from that training day. Before, During and After.

Yahoo!! Let's Par-tay!!!

6 AM and already sporting my Zumba bracelet! 

Coffee in hand and ready to walk out of the door for training! Let's DO THIS!

Standing with my trainer, Vanessa, after a long day of dancing!

Receiving my license to teach Zumba 

(sorry for the blurry picture, apparently the person taking the picture had shaky hands. They must have been excited for me too. hahaha) 

Close up - MY Zumba License!! Wahoooo!!!!

You Sleep in a Bed, Right???

Most people get all snuggled up in their bed and enjoy the comfortable mattress, pillows, blankets, etc. My kiddos have decided to skip those comforts and go straight for the tile floor. Yep, you read that right. The. Floor.

Isla and Solomon in their new nap time "beds": 

Isla's picture has strange lighting since it's so dark in there. I didn't want to use the flash for obvious reasons. Trust me, waking Isla up is like poking a bear in the middle of Winter without an offering of any food but yourself. Seriously, it's THAT dangerous. (Look how sweet she is while she's sleeping...even with all those babies on top of her. Such a little Mommy even when she's sleeping!) :)

You're asking, "What about Simon??" He still enjoys the fluffiness of his bed and all of it's glory. :) No floor pictures yet. :)