The Princess Diaries

sick

2012-02-01T17:38:00.002-06:00

January and February always seem to bring about the sick germs in our house.

This year is no exception.

We have had 2 different kinds of colds come through in the last 3 weeks. Olivia and I have received both of them, Daddy got the first, and Avery has the second.

The girls and I have been inside our house since Friday. We have only left for food and homework.

I am surrounded by coughing at all hours of the day, blankets and pillows everywhere, craby girls, baths, and snot.

Hopefully Avery will be well enough to go back to school tomorrow...

Oh, and Daddy has been out of town, and comes home tonight. So, I've been single parenting since Monday.

lovely, lovely winter...

Avery, our Kid of Character!

2012-01-28T12:27:00.001-06:00

Avery received the Kid of Character award for "RESPONSIBLE"!

Great job, Avery!

blah...

2012-01-24T21:34:00.002-06:00

our January is pretty boring....

Avery begged me to start a blog. If you're interested in reading, let me know...

The girls FINALLY finished their good deed cards! They both finished at the same time, so they both earned $7.50! We went tonight and spent their hard earned money!

We gave Winnie a bath last night. Daddy was saying that she smelled a bit like dog, so we washed her on up! She was crazy afterwards, and ran and ran and ran!!!

tonight, Olivia got super tired and fell asleep on the couch. Winnie wasn't having any of it, and wanted to cuddle with her, I guess!

And, I went with today on the bowling party for 125 3rd graders. It was chaos at its finest. After being around those kids, I can say that it is making me want to homeschool a bit more. Little by little, and hopefully soon I will be fully "there" to where I'm ready to tackle it....

January misc

2012-01-14T11:59:00.003-06:00

Not a lot going on here at our house...

Our Winnie is officially "bell trained", which means she will ring the bells by our sliding glass deck door when she needs out. What an accomplishment! No potty accidents for weeks! :)

We bought her this "bob a lot" toy online. You can put treats or food inside, and control how often they can come out. It's supposed to stimulate their mind, and cause them to think to get a treat. It keeps her busy and out of trouble, so for that reason alone, it's a great buy!

The sweet girl has got massive curls! It's pretty crazy!

Liv wanted a mini photo shoot...she is still very into wearing tank tops at all times of the day.

It snowed here last week, finally, and the next day I was ready for it to go away again. Winnie loves the snow, and will stay out there for a long time.

Avery turned 9 1/2 on Thursday. We went out for lunch with her bestest friend Kylie.

And, now I'm sick with a cold. Olivia picked it up somewhere and shared it with me. It's so irritating that the rest of my family is jumpy and happy and LOUD, while I'm sitting here miserable... :)

2012-01-02T14:52:00.000-06:00

the story of Winnie

2011-12-30T23:34:00.002-06:00

I figure that our little Winnie deserves her own little post, just about our journey to her! :)

This is the picture I first saw of her...

I answered an ad that was listing her for adoption. She was 5 1/2 months old, and was in a family that was very very busy, and she spent most of her life in a kennel. She was listed as a F1B Mini Golden Doodle that was purchased at Sandy Ridge Kennels in Iowa.

When I read the ad, and saw her picture, I wrote to her owners right away, and sent a picture of my girls. Good thing I did, because it turns out that they had received 15 responses to their ad just that night. They offered her to us, and we had to say no because of the high price tag they wanted for her.

We began looking into another little puppy that was 8 weeks old. She was a cockapoo, and was so very cute. We started getting attached to her, and her owners would send videos and pictures daily to us. I started doing research on cockapoos, and after looking at the pictures of her (she looked very Cocker) I asked the owners if she was shedding at all. Turns out she had begun to shed. Ugh....so very sad...

The same day that I was emailing with the cockapoo's family, I received another email from our Winnie's family. They ended up having 26 responses for her, and everyone echoed what we told them, about her being too expensive.

The family realized they were going to have to sell her for much less than they paid, and came back to us first because they really wanted her with us.

I asked for more recent pictures of her, and they sent these 2

So, came the decision that was so hard to make. Do we take the chance with the cockapoo that we have grown attached to, that our girls have begun to love? Or do we make the decision to go with a puppy that we know will not shed, and be the best for our family?

After a lot of tears, we realized that we could NOT have a shedding dog at all. So, we had to pass on the cockapoo, and move onto Winnie. It was so hard to tell the girls that we couldn't get the little cockapoo, but they understood through tears...

After a lot of questions back and forth with Winnie's family, we felt ready, and we said yes. She sent us some more pictures of her as she was growing up...

We then arranged to meet half way between the owners house, and our house. The owners were going to give us everything that they had purchased for her, and also get her groomed for us!

We woke up super early on a Saturday morning, and drove to get her. Boy were we excited! After meeting her, we were smitten! :) She was a huge fluff ball, and we soon realized that she was a hyper puppy!

After getting home, it was rough. The first 2-3 days were just not good. She was used to being in a kennel all the time, but at our house we let her out with us. She was so hyper, and peeing everywhere, and she would.not.stop.moving.at.all! I think she finally crashed on the 3rd night.

We got her groomed again, because she was panting so much, and was just way too hairy!

And, now after having our Winnie for about 2 weeks, and having her meet our families, we can say that she has settled down a ton. She is used to us, we are used to her, and we are going on 3 whole days with NO ACCIDENTS!

We love our Winnie, and are excited to watch our girls grow up with her!

Christmas: Round 3

2011-12-28T11:42:00.004-06:00

My family came to visit us on Monday afternoon! We ended up going out to lunch at Culver's, and then coming home for some fun! We decided to open up presents that night!

Avery received the Soul Surfer book, and with 18 chapters in it, she had it read in 3 days! :) She is very interested in Bethany Hamilton right now... Olivia received a fun pink Barbie car! :) Winnie is enjoying chasing it around, too!

Uncle Josh and his friend Ellie got to come and visit! Ellie is a big hit with the girls and I think she's also a big hit with Uncle Josh!

Olivia received a baking set from Nana Dianne, and she wanted to get right to it! While baking, the girls (and mama) had some fun with the squirt bottle! :) Uncle Josh is such a good sport!

Tuesday morning....Olivia slept downstairs with Ellie and had a sleepover! And, Winnie has been enjoying the outside weather...still no snow!

Olivia's cookies were ready for frosting the next morning, and she went to town with Nana Dianne!

Next, was bowling! Olivia was often found right next to Ellie! And, Crazy Uncle Josh!

Lots of bowling fun was had by all!

Ellie got TONS of strikes, and Bapa looks like he was just a prayin' for a strike!

Ellie and the girls!

Later that night, the girls had a great time putting lipstick all over uncle Josh!

Wednesday morning....laughing, singing concerts, and dancing!

Late Wednesday we went ice skating!

Olivia was able to have a good time, but Avery ended up having a lot of breathing trouble, so she didn't get out there as much as she would have liked!

Josh + Ellie = <3

Thursday morning, Liv and Ellie got in a game of Hedbanz, before all our company left....

Olivia shed some tears :( We hope to see them all again soon!

Christmas: Round 2

2011-12-25T22:59:00.002-06:00

Up this morning, and waiting to go down to the girls' trees to see what was left for them!

A scooter for Avery's American girl dolls!

And Liv was happy with her Lalaloopsy stuff!

All ready for church! Goofy girls!

And, settled down after church with the Disney Christmas Day parade!

Merry Christmas from my (3) girls...

p.s....Winnie learned how to "shake" today! :)

Christmas: Round 1

2011-12-24T21:44:00.003-06:00

Our family went up to Nana Judy and Bapa Ron's house on Tuesday afternoon! At that point, we had only had Winnie for 3 1/2 days, so we were a tad bit nervous for our visit! She did "okay" while we were there. She's so big compared to Nana and Bapa's dogs! We caught a video of Phoebe telling everyone what she thought of Ms. Winnie!

Also, Uncle Jon taught me and Winnie so many things about puppy school. While we were there, Winnie learned how to "watch me", "sit", and "down"....we're still working on "stay"...she's super smart! Take a look below!

I didn't take too many pictures this Christmas....I guess I was busy watching Winnie all the time! But, below are some of the photos that I did manage to take! :)

Olivia and I went to the mall shopping, and we ran into Justin Bieber! :)

I also treated her to some ice cream because she was being SUCH a great little shopper!

We had "Christmas" on Friday evening. The girls had a fun time opening gifts

Here is Daddy's family! :)

Great Grandma Hilda, Uncle Jon, Aunt Holly, and Daddy

Uncle DJ, Cousin Blake, and Aunt Rachelle

Cousin Noah, Nana Judy, and Bapa Ron (Bapa must have really enjoyed this gift!)

Avery went to bed early, but Olivia stayed up and played a bit with cousin Noah

Back home on Christmas Eve....

Winnie must be worn out from a long week...

The girls did a Christmas concert for us tonight!

and opened up gifts from Mommy and Daddy!

Got cookies all ready for Santa

put out lots of reindeer food on the grass (sigh...STILL no snow)...

Played a bit with some toys (Winnie LOVES this little motorized car!, and Avery got a new microphone!

Now, the girls are all snuggled in their beds, waiting for tomorrow morning! :) Mommy has lots of laundry to do, and Daddy has a sermon to prepare for tomorrow!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Sunday

2011-12-18T23:26:00.002-06:00

Today we had our Christmas program at church! :) Avery and Olivia were Angels!

All of the kids did such a great job! It was very fun to be a part of it! Nana Judy and Bapa Ron surprised us and showed up for it as well! What a fun treat!

The girls wore their adorable dresses today. This is the BEST picture that I got of them...sigh...

And, here is Winnie. She deserves a whole post by herself, but this will have to do! Winnie is an F1B Mini GoldenDoodle. She was purchased by a family in Omaha from a very well known place in Iowa. This family was very busy with 2 full time working parents, and 3 kids that were in activities nights and weekends, and poor sweet puppy was in her kennel most of the day! So, I answered an add, and out of 26 emails that responded to her, we have her! :) (yes, she needs a haircut, but isn't her coat just stunning? :)

And, where we live in the Midwest, it is unheard of for it to be THIS nice in the middle of December! My child had cropped pants on and no coat today! Her and Winnie had a great time playing outside today!

WINNIE!

2011-12-17T18:50:00.001-06:00

Olivia's Christmas Concert

2011-12-16T23:23:00.003-06:00

Olivia had her Preschool Christmas concert with her little class today! It's always so fun to watch this sort of thing! :) Daddy made the comment that "see....none of these kids are singing with their "r's"....I guess Liv's not the only one still working on that skill! ;)

Here she is walking to the risers with her class. Her special guest today was her friend Sarah, and I think she was more excited that she came over her mom and dad!

Here is her class!

At the end they sang Happy Birthday Jesus, and they all got a chance to blow out the candles!

Here is Liv with Sarah! She even brought a gift for Liv, too! :) So nice!

Liv with her teacher Ms Chelsea and Ms Chris

Liv with the director Ms Lacie, and her friend Zoe

It was a fun day! :)

Avery's Concert Highlights

2011-12-15T23:16:00.003-06:00

Avery's Nana Judy and Bapa Ron surprised her with a balloon delivery on her special concert day! She was SO very excited! Nana Dianna and Bapa Craig also gave her some balloons, so our house is full of them still! :)

There was a coupon in the mail for JcPenney's, so we went and got Liv some new warm gloves. She calls them her "sweaty gloves" because they make her hands sweaty. :)

Before concert time, we did a little photo shoot with the girls! ;)

and, when someone tells Olivia to "work it", boy, she thrives...

at the concert...lots of nerves from all of us. Nana Dianne and Bapa Craig came from Wisconsin for the concert, and we had friends from church who also came! Avery was very nervous for her special part, and so was her family!

But, she got up there and rocked it out! :) We were so proud of our little singer!

Some of her friends had parts....David played the bells, and Kylie played a snowman!

Avery's music teacher and her. She is a very special teacher, and our school is beyond blessed to have her!

Christmas traditions

2011-12-14T07:39:00.001-06:00

found these on a blog, and really like the ideas!

tradition #1:

each little person gets their own wrapping paper---none of the gifts are marked, and in order to know which gifts are theirs, they have to find a tiny piece of their wrapping paper in the bottom of their stocking.

it's a little last minute excitement, as they see the gifts, but don't know which belongs to who :)

tradition #2:

each kiddo gets 3 gifts (from us): a WANT, a NEED and a SURPRISE.

we've done this every year, and i really like the idea of it. it keeps christmas simple for us, and works for now. i imagine things might change one day when they start asking for more expensive items.

tradition #3:

christmas eve---we all open christmas jammies that have already been washed and are ready to put on. after jammies, the kids get another present which involves books. so, not only do they get the 3 gifts on christmas morning, but on christmas eve they also get something to WEAR and something to READ.

the kids know they are getting these 2 gifts and look forward to them all day.

What traditions do YOU have?

Avery's Suzy Snowflake solo...

2011-12-08T20:40:00.002-06:00

(2 versions, from 2 different video cameras :)

photo dump, and Christmas crafts

2011-12-05T01:14:00.002-06:00

Olivia and I went last week to visit our favorite photographer, Kristen, and we got to love on her 7 lb sweet baby girl, Lilah :)

That night, we went out to our favorite restaurant in our town to celebrate that our Uncle Josh is smiling again :)

Friday I went on a field trip with Olivia's preschool class to the dairy bar.

it's always interesting with 20 4 and 5 year olds ;)

Avery is doing a "12 days of Christmas" gift for her teacher this year. She's keeping is a secret, and hopes that the whole 12 days will go by without her knowing it is Avery! :) It's a bunch of little teacher things each day with a poem....got the idea off of pinterest!

I am always finding something to make for the girls, and Christmas is just another reason to be creative! I think I will add a bow to the top of these trees, and maybe a trunk...not sure yet!

Just finished these up!

I got some fun fabric, and whipped up a couple skirts super quick for Avery...these can be warn all winter long, I hope!

I made 2 of these dresses...one for each girl. Avery was supposed to wear it to her Christmas concert this week, but she is wearing something else to go with the part she got! And, our Christmas tree this year (photo taken by Olivia)

Olivia Funnies

2011-12-03T20:15:00.002-06:00

"Mom....can I wear mascara to school today..." - she's 5... :)

Today, as a friend of ours was flying in an airplane over our house...

"Girls! Jessi just texted me and said she just flew over our house!" : Me

"Did she just get wings yesterday?" : Olivia

a couple of weeks ago she said "I want to video chat with Jesus"....

Turkey Day!

2011-11-26T19:24:00.002-06:00

We traveled to Wisconsin on Tuesday for our Thanksgiving vacation. Avery had an allergy appointment on Wednesday, so it worked out perfectly!

Her appointment was very long, and also very good. She was able to increase her peanut, egg, and milk drops, and also all of her environmental drops as well! Yea!

We were so lucky that Uncle Josh came up from Indiana for Thanksgiving!

He also introduced us to a friend of his named Ellie, who the girls fell in love with (we all did, actually). And, Ellie brought along her HUGE dog named Zeek, too. Seriously, the dog is the size of a small pony.

Olivia has a special new friend!

We loved meeting you, Ellie!

For our yummy meal, Aunt Becky and Cousin Lilly came over to eat with us! It was so fun to see them and catch up! Avery had the idea to play Scrabble, and it was a lot of fun!

Avery busy tallying up the scores, while Bapa is having a snack!

The girls took Nana Dianne's camera during the day and took many silly photos, and also some silly videos as well. This one is hilarious! ;)

Now, onto our drive home. Olivia was complaining that her tummy hurt a bit. We ended up pulling over so she could go to the bathroom. Then, we pulled over a bit later for some lunch. She said that her tummy still hurt. And, well, she ended up throwing up over everything. I have never experienced a kit vomiting in the car before, and it was the grossest thing ever. I won't go into too many details, but rest assured that it took hours after we were home to get it all cleaned up. It was even stuck in the prongs of my wedding ring....yes it was. Here is Liv after she was all cleaned up at a gas station.

Our friend Buddy showed up today! We were doing laundry, and peeked over and saw him! So exciting! The girls are very excited!

our weekend....

2011-11-20T13:59:00.002-06:00

despite being a bit under the weather, we ventured out in the first snow of the season, to visit our college's "horse barn" petting zoo. Olivia has been quite smitten with horses since she before she was 2, so any time we are able to get her close to horses, we make every attempt!

there were so many fun animals to see. goats, cows, gerbils, pony's, camels, donkeys, sheep, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something!

it was quite chilly out as well, and with 2 girls feeling a bit sick, we bundled up real good!

I think Olivia would have stayed much longer if we would have let her.

a baby camel, even! In our small town! very neat to see that!

Olivia then got to put on a helmet, and go off to the horses! She had a fun time brushing them.

And this is "Solo". She got to ride on him for "2 circles".

she said "this is the best day of my life".

note to self: cold weather, and sick girls, will make their sickness even worse. this was the case.

After lunch and a little rest, the girls wanted to put up their Christmas trees. Olivia was in a very odd mood, and decided that it was just fine to have a backwards shirt and no pants on for this picture. That's my Olivia....

And Avery! The girls didn't finish, as they were really "pooped". I'm sure they'll finish here and there as the days go by.

I had made the girls Thanksgiving outfits (inspiration here here and here) to wear to church today, but ho hum...they were sick. I'm sure we'll find some time to wear them!

stuff

2011-11-15T10:49:00.002-06:00

infections....

first: Avery. She had to have her appliance removed last week because of an infection in it. We now have to go back in again this next week, do impressions again, and then they will re-fit her mouth with something.

second: Olivia. Her earring caught onto a blanket string, and began bleeding, and then infecting her ear. Mommy had to sit on her, while Olivia was screaming, to take the earrings out. We cleaned them up, and later that day we were able to put a different pair in. Olivia says she will not take her earrings out again until she is 16.

conferences...

Avery: doing very well. getting great grades. helps out her classmates when they need help. she needs to improve on talking...she needs to do more of it! we are working with her on SPEAKING UP! crazy that MY child is quiet! She earned a book for her great conference. Also, she just brought home a Science test worth 100 points....she got an A+! she was so proud of herself and excited to show us!

Olivia: she also had a great conference. she is kind to her friends, sits and listens, knows her letters and what-not. she needs to improve on: playing with friends instead of teachers. Olivia also got to get a book for a special treat too!

others....

field mice like to live in our garage

i have been a sewing mad woman

really enjoying white chocolate kit kats

we leave for WI in one week

Olivia Funnies

2011-11-02T11:54:00.001-05:00

While watching Camp Rock 2 with Olivia....

Olivia: "is God watching this with us?"

Mommy: "yup!"

Olivia: "I bet he's dancing"

Trick or Treat, 2011

2011-10-31T20:33:00.002-05:00

Starring, Olivia as.....Raggedy Ann!

And Avery, as Pippi Longstocking!

oh my, was Avery's costume a labor of love! I made her wig (could have done a lot better job, I see), and everything on her body except her boots, were handmade! Torn apart old lady clothes from back in the 50's, scarfs for tights...it was months and months in the making!

the neighboor girl caught up with us and walked around with the girls and Daddy and I...

the girls were awfully cold after an hour of door-to door ringing, and all that walking! Our neighborhood has gotten a lot bigger this past year, so it took a bit longer!

the girls were so excited to go to Brittany's house...she works at Applebee's, and the girls think she is the bestest!

One of our highlights of the night, was when Avery's best friend Kylie and her siblings drove over and rang our doorbell! :) So fun to see them!!!

Thankful for the fun family night, and even more thankful that we don't have to do this for 365 more days! :)

our weekend

2011-10-30T23:20:00.002-05:00

Olivia came out to me and said that she had something to show me in her room...

"Olivia loves(heart) i Mom"...I'll take it! :)

Friday and Saturday I worked on a tree skirt for Christmas! Lots of cutting, and sewing, but I'm so pleased how it turned out!

Saturday, I realized that I never took pictures of the girls' room that I painted blue this summer! We were cleaning up that day, so I figured I'd get a picture of it when it's semi clean! :)

The girls wore their pumpkin outfits to church today! The pants look a bit long in this picture, but with their boots on, they were just the perfect length! :)

Emah is all ready for trick or treating tomorrow night!

So are the girls...here are 2 clues as to what Avery will be!

Olivia turns 5!

2011-10-24T20:20:00.002-05:00

Olivia woke up this morning bright and early and ready to celebrate her 5th birthday!

She took birthday cupcakes to school today and got to be the snack helper!

Little did she know that Mommy had a HUGE surprise for her after school today!

I picked her up, and told her that I was going to take her out to eat. So, we went to Applebees, and I told her we were going to wait because someone was joining us.

And, look who just happened to be meeting us for lunch today.....

Olivia's old speech teacher, Rachel! She was in town visiting her family, and we had arranged to surprise Liv for lunch! Olivia was beyond shocked, and SO excited to see her!

Rachel was so nice to bring a present for Liv. Earrings and fun flavored chap stick! :) How nice!

It was such a wonderful lunch! When we got in the car, Olivia immediately said, "Thank you SO much! Thank you SO much!"

Olivia got to open up her last gift after Avery got home today!

I would say she had the happiest of birthdays yet! :)

Olivia's 5th Birthday Celebration!

2011-10-23T20:54:00.003-05:00

Our sweet baby girl is turning 5...we just can't believe it!

Olivia helped mommy make her Cinderella cake! By helping, I really mean licking the batter! :)

Licking the spoon wasn't enough though....she couldn't let the batter just go to waste!

Sunday, after church, Olivia picked one of her (our) favorite restaurants to go to! Nana Dianne, Uncle Jon, Bapa Ron, and Nana Judy were also here for her special day!

This is what her face looked like when the waiters came out singing to her....she got all shy, and turned red! :) At least she didn't cry like her sister did when she was 5!

She was a good sport and even got some yummy ice cream out of the deal!

Back home to celebrate! :) Nana Dianne frosted up this Cinderella cake just as Olivia asked!

Time for presents! :) Liv got SOOOO excited while opening! Glad Uncle Jon caught some on video so we can remember this sweet time!

Our Aunt Holly (Uncle Jon's wife) is stationed in Abu Dahbi right now, and here below, Olivia is opening up a gift that she sent her from there! She sent Olivia and Avery some gifts that girls in Abu Dahbi play with! Camels are a big thing there, and our girls thought they were all so neat! It was also nice to be able to touch these gifts, knowing that Aunt Holly just was touching them herself....we can't wait to see her in December! :)

More presents, and Olivia had a growing affection for Uncle Jon this visit! :) Must be giving him extra love since she can't give it to Holly!

During half time of the Vikings game, we came back upstairs and did the birthday cake/song stuff!

This year, Liv managed to NOT catch her hair on fire with her candle! :) She said the cake mommy made was good, so I guess I didn't do too terribly....

Last picture of the day....snuggled up with Uncle Jon...

Olivia's actual birthday is on Monday, and there is a super special surprise up mommy's sleeve that she doesn't know a THING about! :) Can't wait to share!!!

Birthday dress...

2011-10-16T15:20:00.001-05:00

Olivia's birthday is NEXT Monday! I can't believe that she will be 5 years old!

I forgot about her needing a "birthday dress", so I've been stressing a bit about that. Then, I remembered...I KNOW HOW TO SEW!

I whipped her up this fun peasant dress today (tutorial here), with matching hair flower and a fun belt with flower! She loves it, can you tell?

It's Fall Y'All!

2011-10-10T16:31:00.002-05:00

I have been busy finishing up on some fall clothes for the girls!

and decorating more outside! our friends let us cut down some corn stalks at their house, and I just LOVE the look of it for fall!

Avery's school pictures....ugh. She sure is cute, and they turned out cute, but there is a white glare on her glasses, so we had to do retakes....sigh....

Mommy has been having a hankering for chocolate shakes a lot, and Olivia finally decided to try some! She decided....she LOVES THEM! :) Now I have a shake buddy!

And, Daddy has been having a lot of wrist pain lately, and he's been wearing his brace a lot. The girls think it's fun to put it on!

such silly girls!

What I want you to know: Being a Pastor's Wife

2011-10-10T00:27:00.003-05:00

I just read this post over HERE. Loved it....

What I want you to know is that being married to a pastor does not make me a pastor by default. I am married to an incredible man who happens to be the pastor of a large church. We have the chance to serve locally and globally, mentor, and work hard to bring beauty and hope to our broken city. I support my husband’s work, I love God and our church community, and I attend service regularly. However, being the pastor’s wife has propelled me into a very public position in our community which has been extremely challenging to adapt to, as I am naturally introverted and private.

I want you to know that being a pastor’s wife is overwhelming, both joyfully and fearfully. I approach our life with gratitude and constantly marvel at the gift it is to know so many stories, so many people, so intimately. However, I have to talk myself down from anxiety every time I walk into the chapel, because I know there will be expectations and assumptions I can’t live up to. I want you to know that just because I am a pastor’s wife does not mean that I am any better qualified to counsel or minister to you. I am no more spiritual or holy than you. I fail. I struggle. I am learning as I go, just like you are.

I want you to know that five nights a week on average, my son and I eat dinner alone while my husband attends church mentoring, leadership, and service meetings. I often feel like I’m in competition with the church for my husband’s time and attention. I feel guilty for wanting my husband home more, because I see the work he is doing and it matters. I struggle because I would never want to interfere with the positive difference he is making in the lives of people we know, but I want a partner at home as well. I want you to know that there is an entire continent of sacrifice that happens behind the scenes in our family so that you can have your Sunday experience.

I want you to know that I’m normal. I have a sense of humor, I love culture and the arts and non-churchy things too. I have my own dreams, my own ambitions, and my own “call” in life. I am wired very differently than my husband, and while we share the same big dreams and goals, my path to them looks very different. Finding a friend I can trust, someone who doesn’t want me to solve their problems, someone who is not trying to use me to get to the “inner circle” of churchdom (I know its weird but trust me, it happens!) and who will not judge me is very rare.

I want you to know that I work hard to push past my shy nature and say hello, listen to stories, celebrate updates, and pray with you. I try to remember hundreds of names, stories, and prayer requests every week. I care about you, about your life journey and the things you are discovering. But I have a little one at home, and a husband who works 70 hours a week, and family that is scattered across the country.

I want you to know that I am working hard to listen to what I believe is best for my family, and that if I don’t follow through on that coffee or play date, its because my life is overflowing with commitments and I’m doing the best I can. When I tell you I can’t commit to meeting, it breaks my heart. Sometimes you fall through the cracks. I want you to know this is not personal and that from behind the scenes and on the sidelines, I am sacrificing because You. Are. Worth. It.

"What has happened this month", named by Avery

2011-09-28T16:51:00.002-05:00

tidbits from our life....

There was an article in the newspaper a couple weeks ago about food allergies in the schools. We were interviewed for it, and I think she did a great job. Below is the article. I have blurred out a ton of information, but I hope you enjoy it....

The girls and I have been busy decorating the house for fall! Olivia decided that she wanted to paint her pumpkin this year, and she chose BLUE, of course! :) This is the same color as their room...

She also decided to draw our family. It has been such a beautiful week or so here, and we have been spending a lot of time outside!

just LOVE her! During our times together, just her and I, she would ask many thought provoking questions about God and Jesus. It's great to see her mind beginning to understand!

Here is Olivia's finished product! Mom helped quite a bit, but she did the blue!

And Averys! She did most of it herself! She LOVES red!

3rd grade has been great so far for Avery! It is a world of difference from 2nd grade, which is a welcomed change :)! The kids are required to read 5 nights a week for 15 minutes each time, so Avery has been doing a whole lot of this....

She discovered a new series she liked called "Allie Finkle", and she has read 5 of them since the beginning of school. She'll have to find another series she likes for 2nd quarter!

Her teacher is just wonderful! She emails the parents e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y! She tells us what the kids did that day, what assignments are due, and information we need to know! She also sends home encouragement certificates with the kiddos too, and Avery has begun a little collection! :) Such great encouragement for kids!

And one more picture of our pumpkins out front! I found SO many ideas of what to do with pumpkins this year on pinterest.com. Pinterest is my new favorite thing! :)

happenings

2011-09-24T00:26:00.003-05:00

Liv had a fever Sunday evening, and into Monday. She told me that her brain and throat hurt. Tuesday morning, she threw up, and within 30 minutes after that, she felt fine. Wednesday morning, her tonsils were still enlarged, so we went into the Dr. The Dr decided to run some lab work and test her for some allergy related things, and also for a virus that is going around. She tested negative for the virus, and we are waiting for the allergy results. Liv HATED getting the blood draw. 3 nurses had to hold her down, with me as well. She screamed SO loud, and I had to cover her mouth to muffle the noise. Something tells me that Kindergarten shots are not going to go well....I think I'll have Daddy take her! :)

School for Avery is going well. She's enjoying it, so that is good! She has been reading up a storm at home, and we studied for her first real "quiz" that she took on Friday. I'm so glad that she "gets" school, because it makes it so much easier for me! It will be interesting to see how Liv handles real school. She seems to be opposite of Avery in so many areas, so we shall see! :)

We've been decorating for fall, and getting ready for the change of seasons here. I've been making many many things in the crock pot, so that is becoming our new friend! We've been trying to make 2 main things a week, and it's been going well so far.

Looking forward to a fun, relaxing weekend!

Happy 30th birthday, Aunt Holly!

2011-09-06T20:22:00.005-05:00

Aunt Holly is serving in the Air Force and is deployed right now...

We miss her tons, and look forward to seeing her at Christmas!

Happy birthday! WE LOVE YOU HOLLY!

one week in...

2011-09-03T23:30:00.003-05:00

The girls had a great first week of school. Avery had 5 full days, and Olivia had 2 sessions and speech. Avery's class spent the week learning 3rd grade rules, and they also did a lot of testing. I look forward to seeing how she tested with not doing "school" during the summer! :) I am beyond impressed with her teacher this year. She emails all the parents EVERY DAY to tell us all what the class did that day! It's amazing! Who does that? We are so blessed with such a great teacher!

Olivia is loving being back at preschool. It is such a warm, friendly enviornment, and the teachers are just so very nice! She has been able to play with many old friends from last year, and some new ones this year! As far as speech goes, we've only went once with the new teacher. All I can say so far, is that I miss Rachel, and Olivia does too. She has shed tears over the summer about her "favorite Rachel" moving away. I just hope we all get used to the new teacher quickly...

Olivia had the biggest monster fit today. The girls went to a birthday party for a boy from church, and when it was time to go (after letting them play for an extra 30 minutes) she didn't want to. She ran away from me, and kicked and screamed all the way to the car. Not only that, but then for the next 20 minutes while driving home, she went on a rant. No one was safe from her mean words. She said some very very hurtful things, and I just sat in silence the whole way home. When we got home, I told daddy that I felt like I was back in High School again, since it had been that long since someone had said mean things like that about me. I didn't know how to respond to her in the right, most effective way. I most definitely had to cool off for a bit, and then I was able to sternly talk to her and punish her for her actions. It's like I'm learning all over again how to do this parenting thing. It's just a very different experience with this child. Lord, help me....

And, sewing again..... :)

I made these 2 skirts (actually 4, one for each girl) this last weekend. One of them is going to be their "Thanksgiving" outfit...I am going to make a turkey applique for a shirt, but haven't gotten to that yet! I made quite a few mistakes with the one on the left, but hopefully no one will be peeking at all the imperfections. The owl skirt is going to also have a matching shirt with an owl on it!

This skirt I made a couple months ago, but just made the shirt tonight. Our school colors are red and black, and then I made a paw print to go along with our mascot! This will be fun on School Spirit Day!!!

This outfit below cost me $3.50. The skirt used to be a skort for a woman, but I figured it would be SO much cuter as a skirt for Olivia! I just tore the seams out of all of it, and re-did it! And, with a matching shirt and hair pretty, we're all set!

This skirt I made a while ago, but just did the shirt and hair pretty tonight to match!

And, here is a sneak peak to what I'm working on for October! :)

This new hobby of mine is just TOO fun!

Olivia's first day of M-W-F preschool

2011-08-31T20:34:00.002-05:00

Someone was very excited today for school! :)

she had to accessorize, that little fashion diva...

walking up to school!

the doors weren't opened yet, and she walked away from me and stood by the door! too cute!

walking down to school!

finding her locker, and hanging up her bag!

I left her playing with Ms Lacie...she discovered a play phone that had texting on it, so she was loving that!

2 1/2 hours later, and I came upon a little girl who had a blast at school, and liked "everything"!

she can't wait to go back on Friday!

look who had open house tonight!

2011-08-29T19:19:00.002-05:00

Olivia was looking forward to visiting her school ALL day today! They put a new sign up this year! :)

Here is Ms. Chelsea, her teacher this year! She hugged her at least 4 times tonight!

This is Ms. Kris...she will be Liv's assistant teacher! :) It's her 11th year at the school, she told us!

and Liv's teacher from last year, the director, Ms. Lacie.

Liv loved seeing her friends from last year again! She is really excited for Wednesday morning!

Avery's first day of 3rd grade!

2011-08-29T16:11:00.002-05:00

7:15 came awfully early this morning! Avery was up, and ready to go!

Here is my 3rd grader!

the school was PACKED this morning, and we luckily found a parking spot.

walking down the 3rd grade hall! :)

Her teacher, Mrs. B! We've heard such wonderful things about her, and are very excited for this year!

I took this from outside after I said goodbye...sigh...

AFTER school! She had a great day!

had to play a bit on the playground before we went home!

Liv also started speech today again. She has a different teacher, Jennifer. And, tonight is Olivia's "open house" at preschool.

what we've been doing....

2011-08-26T19:12:00.002-05:00

summer is winding down here, and this mama couldn't be more happy about that. I am ready for the girls to be back in a routine, and not in each others business all-day-long!

We're all registered, we've been to Olivia's orientation night at preschool, and Monday is the BIG day! Avery will be in 3rd grade, and Olivia will be in her 2nd year of preschool, and speech once a week!

To get ready for the big event, we had to get haircuts, of course! Our hairdresser was SO sweet to get us in within a couple hours after I called! 30 minutes later, and we had 2 new haircuts on 2 sweet girls!

In other news, yes, I was sewing again. I think I spend my Saturday's whipping up something! Last Saturday, I was bound and determined to make the girls pants. I've been making skirts and dresses, but no pants! I made up my own pattern, and paired it up with shirts, and just like that, 2 new outfits! :)

Avery's

Olivia's

and, our Nana Judy just had to have surgery for a broken wrist, and we LOVE her, and hope she recovers very soon!!!!

This week...

2011-08-19T17:49:00.003-05:00

My sewing machine wasn't cutting it, and after my mom was here last week and noticed a few things about it that weren't right, I knew I had to return it! The company I purchased it from was fantastic, and they gave me a new one, a much NICER one! :)

Say hello to my little friend

I have had a fun time making some more stuff!

Avery carries a laptop lunch case each day for lunch, and it's impossible to find a carrier that will hold them! I figured that I could make something up!

One, turned into 4, and I think I have it down by now, if I need to make more!

And, I found out today that Avery's allergy aide will not be returning for the lunch portion of her day, and I'm a tad freaked out, to say the least. So, I decided to make her a belt so she can wear her epi pen daily, in case we go that route.

Also, today as we were driving in the car, Liv said another one of her funny things! :)

"there's a girl in my brain telling me, please kiss a boy!"

such a silly girl...

one more week till school starts on the 29th :)

ear piercing and new glasses

2011-08-10T20:16:00.003-05:00

Today has been a traumatizing and fun day for us!

Liv has been talking about getting her ears pierced for a bit. So, we went to town today and she was very excited!

She crawled up on the chair while mommy filled out the paperwork. Avery also was going to get hers done after Olivia!

The lady made marker spots on her ears

and this is where it gets a little traumatizing. Look at her eyes....so nervous!!!

After the above picture was taken, Liv cried and cried! She was so nervous! So, we stopped, and took a break. She had a good cry, and the ladies told her that she could sit in my lap! That made it better for her!

Well, she did it! She screamed and cried SO loud that it made Avery almost cry and sick to her stomach, too. Needless to say, Avery decided against going after Olivia after all.

Fast forward 15 minutes, and she was just fine.

She kept wanting to see herself in mirrors! So funny!!!

Avery and I got new glasses today! They look a bit large on her in these pictures, but really, they fit her just great!

The girls were being a bit silly when we got home!

And, the little girl with the guts to get her ears pierced at 4.5!

our week, in phone pictures...

2011-08-05T21:59:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday, our family left for a vacation up to Nana Judy and Bapa Ron's house. We had a fabulous week of rest, swimming, eating, and visiting with all our family. We are so fortunate that we have grandparents and family that live so close to us!

My camera battery was left uncharged, so all I had to document our trip is my phone camera!

On Tuesday, we went to visit Great Grandma Hilda and do a group skype session with more family from all around the U.S. That was an experience! Olivia loved pushing Grandma around in her wheelchair!

Wednesday we went to the local Museum. They recently opened up an area for children, and my girls LOVED it!

Here is Olivia by her covered wagon, with her basket of apples that she bought from the storekeeper for 5 cents a piece!

in the prairie house with Nana Judy, watering flowers!

Liv had to do a quick costume change, for sure!

on Thursday, we went to Storybook Land....all of us (minus Uncle Jon).

Grandma Hilda hadn't been there for years, so it was fun to take her through it all. She even was wheeled through Old McDonald's Farm, and in the tornado in Dorothy's house too!

We tried to get a picture with cousins Noah and Blake, but it's kind of hard to sit still when there is so much to look at!

Took a trip on the carousel...

and the girls went in the hot air balloon ride by themselves....30 feet up in the air! :)

Later that night, we went out to eat! I had the BEST burger ever, and wish I would have taken a picture of it!

We left early this morning, and arrived home today. What a fun time! Thanks Nana and Bapa!

pics of the girls

2011-07-30T00:46:00.003-05:00

Our wonderful photographer gave me the CD of the pictures that she took of the girls in early summer this week! Enjoy!

sewing and blog books

2011-07-30T00:13:00.004-05:00

I sewed a few things today for the girls! :)

An adorable apron skirt,with a matching american girl doll dress for Emah!

and a circle twirl skirt, which looks much better and fun on, then on the hanger!

____________________________________________________________________

Also, this last month I have been busy making blog books for this here blog. I have always wanted to have the blog in print as sort of our family's scrapbook.

Slowly but surely with blurb.com, I have been making a book for each year. So far I have finished 2007, 2008, and 2009. Two of them already arrived, and one is on the way! It's a lot of work to do it, but I know I will be glad that we have these memories in print...

phone picture recap

2011-07-29T00:40:00.002-05:00

today....supper with Olivia at Subway...Avery was at a birthday party, so i had this beauty to myself!

Avery and I had an eye appt today, and we both are going to get new glasses...she tried these ones on to see what she thought...

this morning, Olivia came to me and said there was mouse poop in the garage...i came out to find a dead little mouse....yuck!

last night, girls and I went out to our favorite out to eat!!!

super super yum yum!

Wedding Weekend, more sewing

2011-07-27T14:34:00.003-05:00

We had a very busy weekend. Two different couples from our church were getting married, both on Saturday, so we had to arrange to attend both.

The girls in their Wedding clothes...

Wedding #1, Nick and Emilie....at our church. Daddy married them!

Then, we grabbed a quick bite to eat, and down the street to Wedding #2, Kirk and Sarah. They had a 1920's theme going on, and a lot of the guests dressed the part as well!

Back to the reception of Wedding #1...Olivia LOVED dancing with one of the bridesmaids named Ariel. She danced for an hour straight!

and then took a little break with some chocolate!

Daddy and Avery were tired and went home, and Liv and I went on to the reception of Wedding #2. It was a desert reception, so there was lots of yummy treats!

a very busy day, and we were exhausted afterwards!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I have been sewing more in the last week or so.

First, a reverse knot dress for Olivia (pattern here)

and a dress for Avery (pattern here)

and today I just finished this fall dress for Avery (pattern here)

Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead

2011-07-18T15:47:00.002-05:00

Our family made the trek over to the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead on Sunday.

This is what the weather said for the day:

Yes, we were crazy. I tell ya, the things we do for our kids, right? This was the only day it would fit into our schedule, so off we went!

There was a breeze in the air so it wasn't as horrible as it could have been.

We went on a horse ride! :)

Olivia LOVES horses, and the owners let her "cool down" one of the horses! She loved it!

We looked around and took some more pictures...

and then got ready for the pageant...

We had a front row seat! :)

The girls enjoyed themselves, and even went up afterwards to meet the cast and get autographs...

It was a fun day, but we were so glad to be back in air conditioning! :)

more sewing....

2011-07-16T15:38:00.003-05:00

Here's a skirt I made for Avery....not sure if i like the way it looks...think it needs a little more "something"....

Just did this one today....It was supposed to be for Avery, but my measurements must have been off, and it was tight around her chest, so it's for Liv now!

Still have to do buttons on the back yet...that's always the not so fun part....

I used this pattern...

Nana and Bapa visit, and Avery's birthday!

2011-07-13T23:17:00.003-05:00

Avery modeling the skirt and shirt I made for her! At least one of my girls likes the stuff I make and doesn't call it "howible" (horrible)...

My parents were here all last week camping, so the girls got to see them every day for 8 days straight! We all had an action packed great week!

On the 4th of July, Nana and Bapa arrived and right away the girls had a fun time running through the sprinkler with Nana!

Later that night we went to the fireworks! The rest of the week we did swimming lessons, the museum, library, out to eat dates, shopping trips, swimming pool, and more!!!

The day before Nana and Bapa left, we celebrated Avery's birthday with them. Nana had picked up a few things at the American Girl store for Avery!

I just love to look at her face when she opens gifts! :)

She LOVES the shirt oh sooooo much!

And a matching shirt for her doll???? PERFECT!

She had been eyeing both of these items when we were in the American Girl store last month!

Right away she had to go and change, and put Emah in her shirt! :)

This is the only picture of Bapa I have of the week....he had a cold, so he did a lot of this with the dogs....

Avery's birthday was on Monday, July 12th! She had a bit of a cold, but she still managed to keep herself in good spirits!

She got to drink from the fun birthday cup for lunch!

And a fun hot dog-candle for lunch!

Avery's request for her birthday....going bowling! We had the whole bowling alley to ourselves!

Liv LOVED bowling, and did fairly good at it!

Avery played 2 good games, and even beat both Mom and Dad in the 2nd game!

After bowling, Avery and I got in the car and went to Big Town to go to a movie that she had been wanting to see for a long time! :)

She LOVED the movie, and even commented that she was so "into it" that she forgot what day it was!

When we got home, she still had a couple small gifts to open from our family!

She got a "Oh Brother, Oh Sister....a girls guide to getting along with your sibling". I hope she reads every page, and that Olivia will read it as soon as she learns to read!

just a few little things, as Emah was her BIG gift from a lot of family!

and we ended the night with a fruit snack candle, right at 9:08 pm, her exact birthday!

Happy birthday Avery! We love you so so much!

Avery Joy turns 9 today....

2011-07-12T00:40:00.002-05:00

there's something about the moment you become a mother...

i don't think anyone is prepared for it, or the immense feelings you now have for this little baby...

the overwhelming feeling of responsibility, fear, and protectiveness as well...

the selfless, all consuming, never ending love that you now hold for this child of yours...

>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>

9 years ago, Daddy and I became parents of our sweet Avery Joy.

9 whole years of the privilege of being her parents...we are so very blessed!

She and her sister are the best earthly things that could have happened to Daddy and I.

the love we feel for them is fierce....

My sweet Avery, you have grown up into such a wonderful young girl.

Your daddy and I are so proud of who you are, and the character that you have.

We are so proud of the example you are to your classmates, and the way you behave and act towards others.

You are so exceptional, and we are so blessed to get to watch you grow every day.

Your family loves you so much, and hope you feel that love every day...

Thank you, God, for this blessing in our lives. We are so thankful she's ours....

Happy 9th birthday sweet girl.....

(Just think, in 9 more years, you will be 18...wow...now ain't that a kick in the gut?)

Olivia is a graduate!

2011-07-03T01:00:00.003-05:00

Olivia spent the last 2 weeks in Safety Town, which is a safety program for kids ages 4-6. She had a hard time separating from Mommy at drop off, but ended up liking her time there!

All the moms and dads got to come on Friday for graduation!

This was her group for 2 weeks!

She LOVED that Daddy was there watching her! Had to say hi to him whenever she could!

She got to show us her skills riding her "car" through the town, and following all of the traffic rules.

The parents were all giggling at how the kids kept bumping in to each other, and driving on the wrong side of the street most the time!

Did I mention that it was 90 degrees outside, and humid as all heck?

Liv doesn't sweat well, so by the time she was done driving through town, she had some red cheeks! (i think all the parents did, too!)

inside, her teacher asked all the kids a lot of different safety questions. Here is what Liv thinks she's to do when she has fire on her!

At the end all the kids sang songs for the adoring group of parents.

And each kid got a certificate and a high 5 from Officer Tim!

It was so nice to have a police officer there every day! I think it helps the kids be less afraid of them!

Way to go Olivia! We're so proud of you!

this week...

2011-06-29T22:29:00.002-05:00

On Sunday, Nana Judy, Bapa Ron, and Uncle Jon came down to visit! Aunt Holly is on deployment in Abu Dabi, so Jon is on his own for a while :(

It was great to visit with them! :)

The girls are in their second week of swimming lessons, and doing very well!

and I have been doing a bit of sewing, and this is the latest creation....Avery's school colors are red and black, so I figured this would be cute when she has to dress in school colors! :) Again, no where near perfect, but definitely wearable!

Rachel!

2011-06-25T19:37:00.003-05:00

Olivia's speech teacher got married today in our town! She was at her sister's house (who lives in our neighborhood) and so she stopped by and said hello! :) Liv was on cloud 9!

Congratulations Rachel!

my new hobby...

2011-06-25T00:05:00.002-05:00

putting my tail between my legs here, and showing whomever is reading what I have been up to this week. I've always wanted to learn how to sew. So, I ordered a sewing machine and some fabric, downloaded some tutorials, and went to town. I have been busy, and the clothes I have made are FAR FAR FAR from perfect, but anyhow, here they are so far....

Patchwork skirt...

Tiered skirt for Olivia

and one for Avery

This is a reverse knot dress....this is the front....

and the back of it....

This is a round collar dress for Avery, but I got stuck, and don't know how to finish this one. It's supposed to have pockets on the front too, but don't know how to do that yet! :)

A 2 tier American Girl doll skirt....

and some ruffle pants! I made these without a pattern at all. Hope they fit!

I have a long way to go, but at least now I know that I CAN sew! :)

Father's Day, 2011

2011-06-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

The girls and I were driving home from Minneapolis for most of Father's Day, but when we returned, the girls were SO happy to see their daddy! I think the feeling was mutual! Daddy misses his girls when they're gone for too long!

When we were at the Mall of America, the girls saw a gift that Daddy just HAD to have! They were very excited to give it to him!

Daddy loves his Angry Birds! :)

Ahhh....all is right with the world when you're in Daddy's arms!

Mall of America Trip, Day 3

2011-06-21T16:16:00.004-05:00

Day 3 was all about the rides at the Mall of America! We got there at 10:30 or so, and didn't leave until 10....VERY long day, and by the end, we were all pooped!

When we went 2 summers ago, the girls LOVED the Wonder Pets ride! That was the first ride they went on this time! I think by the end of the day, they went on it at least 15 times!

They both figured out how to kick their legs at just the right time, and make their bottoms rise out of the seat! :)

Bumper cars was a first for them. They mostly spent the whole ride trying to figure out how to move the car!

The Swiper ride (from Dora) was a favorite too!

We slowed it down on the Carousel ride, which for some reason made me a little woozy...

The Backyardigans were visiting, and the girls were excited to meet and greet them!

After a couple hours, we took a break and went shopping. Check out the wall of legos!

Howdy Woody!

We were all starving, and so we headed to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch. We had about 30 minutes of wait time, and there was a Build-a-Bear conveniently located in the gift shop. So, Liv got a chance to spend some of her fun money from Nana, and picked out a pink flamingo that she named Ashley!

had to make sure she was full of stuffing, but still very hug-able!

cleaning her up!

making her birth certificate...

All ready to go! :)

Now, finally on to lunch! It was a fun experience for the girls to eat there. Avery thought it was really neat,

and Liv was a little freaked out by the rainstorms and moving animals!

Avery LOVED seeing the dolphins!

back for more rides! :)

she was a little mad at me for making her go on some BIG rides. Both the girls went on the HUGE Dora carousel, the log chute, the big roller coaster, and Avery and I went on some sort of atomic glider....

They liked sticking more to the kid rides!

We took another break, and went into Barnes and Noble. Wherever there is a stage, expect to see Olivia on it! She's FULL of drama!

We shopped for a while, and went back and rode the Carousel before leaving at 10 that night.

We were all so very tired, but obviously not tired enough to skip out on one last swim at the hotel! Good thing the pool didn't close until midnight!

Avery....

Olivia learned how to kick while her face was in the water! She's a little fish now!

So proud of her!!!

I'm pretty sure she's proud of herself too!

We showered down by the pool, and ran upstairs!

being silly, that Nana and Olivia!!!

good thing no one was out of their rooms at that hour!

We had a wonderful time, and hope to do this annually! Every girl needs a girls weekend once in a while!

Mall of America Trip, Day 2

2011-06-19T23:43:00.003-05:00

Friday morning we woke up bright and early, ready to go and pick out Avery's birthday present! She received some money early for her birthday, and had enough to get a doll and some accessories!

What a hard hard choice to pick out a doll! She KNEW which one she wanted, and she was determined that she was "the one"!

A worker helped Avery pick out the right doll!

Love at first sight!

We found some glasses to make her look more like Avery!

The workers are so very kind, and realize that this is such a big day for each little girl! This lady went over all of the specifics of the doll for Avery.

Introducing........

Emah June

leaving the store with Emah and all of the accessories!

Liv LOVED seeing her friends outside the American Girl Store, and she went over and saw this one over and over and over again!

We left the Mall of America and went to Target! Emah's first trip to Target! I see many more in her future!

Avery just had to get back to the hotel so she could hang out more with Emah!

She had to read up all about Innerstar University (the online world for American Girl dolls).

and, then hop on the internet and register her new doll and explore!

Nana let mommy go shopping for 4 hours...ALONE! When I came back to meet the girls, we went out for supper, and couldn't wait to come home to Emah...

Mall of America Trip, Day 1

2011-06-19T23:33:00.003-05:00

The girls and I just returned from a 4 day trip to the Mall of America! We met up with Nana Dianne there, and had a great time! This was Avery's birthday trip, since she will turn 9 next month! :)

After arriving to the Mall of America, the first place we just HAD to go, was to the American Girl store!

There was an event going on where the girls could fill out what their favorite author was, and then they earned a free book! :)

Avery wanted to take a picture of her and Molly! :)

We went and checked into the hotel, and then went on back to the Mall again! :) This time, we took the hotel shuttle, and the girls thought it was SOOOO fun!

Liv saw some "friends" she wanted to take pictures with!!!

She's looking a little tired now!

At the end of the evening, we had to wait outside of the Mall for the shuttle. Fun times!!!

cheer

2011-06-19T23:19:00.002-05:00

the girls signed up for summer cheer this year.

Liv LOVED it...she will be going back till the end of July!

Avery, liked the cheer, but not so much the gymnastics!

We'll have to try something new for her!

do you ever...

2011-06-05T23:12:00.001-05:00

watch

your

kid

color

while

making

funny

and

cute

faces

I...

2011-06-05T23:10:00.000-05:00

love. her. curls...

Summertime!

2011-06-04T20:19:00.003-05:00

Summer is in full swing here at our house! Avery has a combination of swimmers ear/ear infection right now, so we can't go to the pool. We decided to make the most of the fabulous day, and run through the sprinkler!

The girls LOVED it, and stayed outside for a couple of hours at least!

No Avery in this picture....she was making a weird face....

Ahh, summer! We loved bathing in the sun today!

Yesterday, Daddy and I got around to planting our tree. It's a dappled willow, and will only grow to about 6-8 feet, which is perfect for the front!

We just LOVE that it is unique, just like us! ha!

Happy Summer!

Avery's allergy results....

2011-05-24T01:17:00.003-05:00

We received a letter from Avery's allergy doctor today to inform us of the results of Avery's recent blood test.

We are SO pleased with the results of her IgE levels! (the goal is to be as close to 0 as possible)

2 years ago 1 year ago Recent Test

Eggs 6.88 5.37 4.93

Milk .93 .88 1.07

Peanut >100 53.39 23.2

So excited that her Peanut allergy has went down drastically from when we first started the immunotherapy drops! Here's hoping that they keep going down!

DIY Old Door turned Headboard

2011-05-21T21:04:00.003-05:00

I saw an idea last year of an old door that someone turned into a headboard. Most headboards cost a pretty penny, so this idea would work great for us!

I went to a store that sold old doors, and picked one up for $30. We had a man at our church add sides and a top to it out of an old church pew and an old piano. It ended up looking very similar to this (I didn't take a picture of it before I worked on it, but found this online).

Two coats of black paint, and here we are!!! (This is actually our headboard in this picture).

We installed it today, and it looks like a million bucks! All this, for $30! Can you believe it?

Olivia's last day of Preschool

2011-05-20T23:14:00.004-05:00

Olivia got to go to the Children's Museum for her last day of school!

Ms. Chelsea and Ms. Lacie

We also went to a local greenhouse last week, and found a cat who had just has kittens. Liv was in Heaven!

my crazy girl...

Avery's last day of 2nd grade

2011-05-20T19:55:00.002-05:00

Avery and her teacher Mrs. T...

Her friend Sydney "CeCe"...

Avery and Kylie...

her pal Piper...

and Liv wanted to get in on the action too...

When we got home, the girls did a countdown to summer!!!

can you tell they're excited for school to be done?

WHOO HOO!

And, my sweet girl was awarded the "Good Citizenship" Award at school today! Her class was able to choose a boy and a girl, and she was chosen! She said she got to go up in front of part of the school to accept her award, and a nifty pin too.

She was also sent home with her end of the year test scores for Math and Reading. This year, in Math, she has grown 1.5 grade levels, and in reading, she has gained 2.4 grade levels! :) So very proud of our smarty pants! :)

random...

2011-05-20T19:52:00.002-05:00

Avery made a pizza box map in school last week!

For Teacher Appreciation, we whipped up a few of these babies for the girls' teachers...

And, one of the end of the year gifts for the teachers...

misc.

2011-05-13T21:39:00.003-05:00

I went on a field trip with Avery's 2nd grade class on Monday, and took some pictures with my phone....just really slow at blogging these days I guess!

Olivia's preschool had a picnic last night, and so the girls and I headed over to celebrate a successful year of school! Avery's friend Kylie was there, and the girls just had to take pictures with her!!!

Easter Sunday

2011-04-25T12:51:00.002-05:00

What a wonderful Resurrection Day we had!

I was very excited for the girls to wear their dresses that we had made from them from Corinna Couture...check her out! Her dresses are just adorable (but if you live in our town, don't order a ton, because we plan on it!)

This is Olivia and her bestest guy friend Morgan from church. She thinks he is the greatest! :)

Nana Judy, Bapa Ron, and Uncle Jon and Holly met us at church. Jon and Holly were driving back home today, and we all had to say our final goodbyes to Holly today....

My girls love their Aunt Holly!

After lunch with the family and saying our goodbyes, we went back home for the long-awaited Easter baskets! I think the girls enjoyed their gifts!

nerf guns, jump ropes, la-la loopsy mini dolls and candy! :)

then, off to our friends' house for a fun Easter celebration! The kiddos got to do a really fun egg hunt!

this totally beat any sort of egg hunt that we tried to do for our girls in the past! :)

our family loves going out to their land. It's a taste of the "farm" life, and it's nice to have a little bit of that when that's not what we are used to every day!

Here is April, a 3 week old cow of theirs...

and her big ol' mama!

Liv got up enough gumption to feed her!

we also got to see the chickens, geese and ducks that provided us the eggs that we used for our egg dying activity!

Our girls have never dyed eggs, so this was a first! Because of Avery's allergy to eggs, we put some nice gloves on her, and let her at it! :) Liv had a lot of fun as well!

The kids made some great designs on their eggs!

Here is Olivia, at about 9:30 at night, tired and a bit cranky, but showing off the eggs she made earlier in the day!

and Avery, showing her 3 eggs that she made, trying to stay a healthy distance away! :)

Such a fun Easter Sunday! So glad Avery has off of school today, 'cause we are just bumming around and getting our energy back for this next week! :)

Celebrating Aunt Holly

2011-04-25T11:41:00.004-05:00

Our family went up to Nana Judy and Bapa Ron's house this past Thursday-Saturday to see a bunch of family, but also to spend time with Aunt Holly (Daddy's sister) before she deploys at the end of May to Abu-Dhabi for 6 months with the Air Force.

Livie and Holly during a Good Friday service ...

On Friday night, Bapa and Nana reserved a Banquet Room to have a meal to celebrate and "send off" Holly. The kids LOVED it, because right across the hall, was an awesome kid pool! :)

Nana did a great job with the USA decor!

Liv learned how to go underwater for more than an accidental dip during this trip, so it was fun to watch her put on some goggles and explore a bit! :)

Little kiddos with googles always look so silly to me! :)

Avery with cousin Noah! I didn't get any pictures of cousin Blake, but he LOVED the water too! :)

the kids had to take a break in swimming for the yummy meal! Here were all the guests in attendance!

Noah liked the iced tea! Such a little ham he is! :)

Holly said a few words of appreciation! She's such a jem...my girls love her to pieces (we do too! :)

Then, back to the pool for a few more hours of swimming! The girls loved swimming with their extended cousin Katrina! Wish we could see her more often!

We had a wonderful time at Nana and Bapa's house with all of Daddy's side of the family! :) Wish we would have taken more pictures of the "after party" back at Nana's house...cause that's where all the crazy-ness happened! :)

Liv, the Beautician

2011-04-25T11:39:00.001-05:00

who says you can't play beauty parlor with your daddy?

Last weekend with Nana Dianne

2011-04-24T00:04:00.003-05:00

we met my mom in BIG TOWN last weekend for an overnight in a hotel! we went out to eat, went shopping, swam, jumped on the hotel beds, giggled in the dark, and had a fun girls night out! the girls' favorite part was the swimming, of course!

Liv met a girl in the pool named Summer and she loved playing with her!

Nana came back home with us and stayed at our house for a few days! We wish the weather would have been nicer, because it was rainy and cold! Nana took the girls out to eat, shopping, to the Museum, and and our last night together we had a super fun Tangled movie party! She also brought the girls some Easter gifts since she wouldn't be here for Easter this year...

Thanks for coming to visit us Nana Dianne! :)

Our week with Lucy

2011-04-14T16:40:00.002-05:00

So, Olivia had been waiting and waiting to be able to bring home her classroom pet, Lucy. Last Tuesday, it was FINALLY her turn! It just so happened that it was the day we were headed to BIG TOWN, so Lucy got to go with us! She got to meet the mannequins and ride the horse at the mall!

Lucy also got to go out to eat at Culver's with Avery and Liv during the week, and was always close by Olivia during meal times...even prayed with her during this lunch!

Olivia wanted Lucy with her at ALL TIMES during the week, especially at night! And, we HAD to take Lucy to our favorite restaurant while she was with our family!

Sunday, she got to go back to church and see our church friends again! And, this is the carrier that she spent a lot of time in while at our house!

Lucky for Olivia, a store in our town had another Lucy for sale, so when it was time for Lucy to go back to school, she had another Lucy to have at home. Very (spoiled)lucky girl I would say!

Olivia the VIP

2011-04-14T16:33:00.002-05:00

Olivia was the V.I.P in her preschool class this week! She got to fill out a fun questionnaire about herself and take home the classroom (stuffed animal)pet for a week! What fun it was to ask her these questions, and find out what her 4 1/2 year old brain was thinking....

Here is Lucy, the classroom pet. I will be doing another post about her, since she deserves a post all about her!

Here is Olivia doing her sassy pose in the hallway at school where her paper is posted. Yes, my Olivia has quite the personality! :)

2nd Grade Concert

2011-04-14T16:23:00.003-05:00

Last Thursday, yes, a whole week ago already, Avery had her 2nd grade concert. I have been bad at posting the photos of the night! :) It was so fun to go and watch all of the kiddos dressed up in their finest, with their hair combed perfectly. The gymnasium was packed with I'd estimate, well over 500 people watching and smiling at these cute little ones who had worked so very hard on these songs!

Avery had been preparing for her duet for weeks! When she came home and told us she "got the part", she was sooooo excited, and really not all that nervous to stand in front of all those people. I reminded her that when I was in 2nd grade, I also had a solo. Mine was in a song called "Mary had a baby" which was quite different than a Hannah Montana song...how far we have come, huh? She did such a wonderful job on "her part" and I couldn't stop smiling....we were so proud of our little girl!

Anyway, here are the photos of the night! :)

Avery's duet...

2011-04-07T20:27:00.001-05:00

just got home from Avery's 2nd grade concert, and since the grandparents (and aunts and uncles) live far away and weren't able to attend, I wanted to get this up right quick so you could see her duet! :)

Christmas in April

2011-04-06T16:24:00.002-05:00

the snow has finally melted, and the temperature has finally gotten comfortable enough where we can enjoy the outdoors again! you know what this means? time to finally enjoy the present from nana and bapa the girls got at Christmas...

don't remember the one? let me jog your memory...

i, yes i, set it up all by my lonesome on Saturday, and the girls have been jumping ever since.

it's the perfect size for them, and for this mama, who is NOT a fan of large trampolines at all...

i see many, MANY hours of playtime outside...let's just hope for less fighting, and more giggling!

curly sues

2011-04-04T23:11:00.002-05:00

funny, ha ha....

2011-04-03T21:45:00.005-05:00

what's a girl to do?

2011-04-01T20:01:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday night, we had a "dress up like a hunter" theme for church. Being that we are an extremely girly house, and Daddy doesn't own an ounce of camoflauge, we had to get creative!

So, here was a girly version of "hunters" :)

Avery was a native american hunter dressed in a form of camo...

and Olivia, well, this is as close to green camo print that we had for her! :)

2011-03-29T00:31:00.003-05:00

Avery asked me to straighten her hair for her tonight! it's amazing how long it is. with curly hair, it always tends to seem so short. i wish i could do something to thicken it up, though!

and, Olivia got a hair cut a week or so ago, and i just had to post a photo of her too! yes, she's holding a TOY weapon, but she says she's a "princess hunter"....whatever that means!

"break my heart for what breaks yours"

2011-03-27T18:28:00.002-05:00

a letter my sweet Avery wrote to an orphanage in Ethiopia, today at church...

"Kids, Remeber that GOD will NOT FORGET His promises. GOD says in the bible "I am watching over My word to perform it." GOD promises you to a family. They will love you, care for you, and so on. You WILL get a family." Someday, this will be YOU"

Girl Scouts are officially in trouble....

2011-03-11T18:03:00.002-06:00

not only are these cheaper, at {Walmart} $1.98,

but they are actually better tasting...

uh oh Girl Scouts....

it was going to happen eventually, i suppose...

Olivia's funnies...

2011-03-08T12:06:00.003-06:00

"Mommy, can I have some more of those stinky toot chips please?"

she means these....

sooooo funny!

star of the week, dr. suess, and a playdate!

2011-03-05T13:23:00.002-06:00

when i was growing up, i was mad at my parents for giving me a last name that started with a "P". i was so envious of kids that were towards the beginning of the alphabet because they got to do everything first. well, i didn't marry up in the alphabet, that's for sure. so, now my kids have the same problem as i had. hopefully they will learn patience, something i still haven't mastered.

Avery was finally star of the week this last week! she was sooooo excited! she spent a very long time making her poster just right! we took photos of her room, and special photos of her American Girl dolls, too. she was very excited for a week all about her at school! during her week, she got to also bring a show and tell each day too! she chose to bring an american girl doll, her dental molds, a collector barbie, her pillow pet, and since it was a 4 day week, she gets to bring one more (yet to be determined).

on Wednesday, it was Dr. Seuss' birthday, so we had a blast going around town trying to find some stuff to dress up like the cat in the hat! We found the hat for $2, the bow for $2, shirt for $3, and tights for $2!

I wanted to get a picture of her with her Star Student board in the classroom!!!

on Thursday, we brought home one of Avery's good friends, Kylie, from school for an American Girl playdate! They had such a great time, and played all night long!

At 9 o'clock, we finally said it was probably time that we take Kylie home, and our girls did not want to let her go! so glad they had such a great time!

back to life...

2011-02-27T23:01:00.002-06:00

the girls are just now getting back to life, after being down and out for over a week.

Avery had Strep and Influenza B and was home all last week from school.

Liv caught something from her, so our doctor put her on meds as well, and she is now coming around as well.

Thankfully Daddy and I didn't get the bug at all! Daddy let me sleep a lot this last week every time I began to feel achy, so I think that helped keep the sickness away!

We have a fun week ahead of us! Avery is Star of the Week, and she is very excited about that! I'm sure there will be some posts about that! :)

Here's to NO MORE SICKNESS!!!

snow much fun

2011-02-18T20:09:00.002-06:00

the girls and i built ourselves a snow fort yesterday!

which then turned into a tunnel! :)

it's amazing how much the snow has melted with the nice temperatures this week!

too bad we're supposed to get a ton more snow this weekend!

yup....them are mine girls...

2011-02-17T01:12:00.002-06:00

...and i couldn't be prouder...

8th tooth lost.....and.....

2011-02-15T23:21:00.000-06:00

no more cranking her expander! :)

we go back in April for a check up, and then the next step is to get her two front teeth together a bit more! :) we shall see what happens when her other ones start coming in! This is definitely an awkward teeth stage for sure!

Happy 35th Anniversary Nana Dianne and Bapa Craig

2011-02-14T23:13:00.002-06:00

we LOVE you!!!

Teacher Valentines

2011-02-14T21:04:00.002-06:00

I've said before that I had a lot of flour that needs to be used up, so I've been searching for ways to use it up!

We chose to bake bread for Avery and Olivia's teachers this year for Valentine's Day!

We chose yummy recipes for pumpkin chocolate chip bread and also banana chocolate chip bread!

Both were tested and loved by us, so we hope that they are loved by their teachers as well! We also threw in some Hershey's White Hot Chocolate packets too...super yummy! :)

and just like that, all of the many Valentine's crafts at our house for this year are done! What fun they were! :)

Olivia's Valentine Love Potion

2011-02-14T20:54:00.002-06:00

Another non-original valentine idea that we found this year from this site that was so creative!!! Olivia thought this was a fun idea, so we went with it! :)

we got our big case of water, ripped off the labels and replaced them with our cute paper!

Next, the assembly line was all set up! The straws were from the dollar store (4 for $1), the Hawaiian Punch singles were $1 for 8 of them, so all in all, not too expensive!

and here is Olivia with her Love Potion, all ready to give to her friends tomorrow at her party! :) A very fun idea, and we hope they love them! :)

Avery's iPod Valentine

2011-02-10T22:51:00.003-06:00

I wish this was an original idea, but I found it during one of my many late night searches for what to do for the girls' Valentine's this year. When I told Avery about it she loved the idea, so we went with it! It's really quite fun....

first, some supplies: (not shown in photo {stickers, clear bags and bag toppers})

We made up Avery's playlist first and then printed them out...don't ya love her choices?

next we cut out the fun papers and taped them around the Chicklets to make the iPods...{i forgot to put the string for the ear-pods on before this step, so I had to take the tape off and do it over again...oops}

next came pasting on the playlist and menu on the iPod...you'll need an extra crafty 8 1/2 year old for this step!

add the ear-pod rolos to the strings with stickers!!!! (our stickers weren't very sticky :()

address your bag toppers...

put the iPods in their baggies and staple them shut!

package them all up and give them to your friends!!!

We're about half way finished with Olivia's! Her party isn't until Tuesday, so that will give me a few more days! Let's just say, hers are "magical"! :)

Olivia Valentine Mailbox

2011-02-09T12:32:00.003-06:00

There's a lot of things I'm not good at....the list is mighty long (cooking, cleaning, remembering groceries, etc) but one of the things that I attempt to be good at is creativity and crafting for my girlies!

And, when Olivia came home from school with a note saying she had to have a box made for her Valentine's, I was ON IT! :)

I did a google search, and we came up with some fun options. I let Liv choose between a mailbox and a birdhouse, and she ended up choosing a mailbox, so yesterday we crafted and made her a mailbox!

First, we had to find the right pieces for it! (we are HUGE fans of the Mt Dew throwback!!!)

and cut them to size... (notice the little flap for her mail chute :))

taping the pieces together to make the mailbox was a bit more tricky, but we got it!

I wrapped the whole thing up in Valentine wrap, which was a bit harder than an average box, but ended up looking okay! Olivia helped decorate with some Olivia the Pig Valentine's that we picked up for $2 at Target...

and, I think her smile says it all!

This is not the end of our Valentine craftiness, at all. I have been working on Valentine's for both of the girls and will be doing posts on both of those as well! :)

no where left to put it!

2011-02-03T00:05:00.002-06:00

we arrived home today to another 10 inches of the white stuff...

our wonderful friends from church so lovingly plowed and shoveled our walkway, driveway, and sidewalk....they are so fabulous...

but seriously....

there is no more room for snow!

trip to Wisconsin

2011-02-02T23:57:00.002-06:00

Avery had an allergy appointment in Wisconsin, so we made the trek to Nana Diane and Bapa Craig's house last Friday for what we thought was going to be a couple day visit!

turns out i didn't take any photos while we were actually at Nana and Bapa's house, but I did when we were almost there....

we love coming around the bluffs and seeing this view every time....it never gets old...

the girls love to see the walls of huge icicles....

and there you have it....all the photos I took on our trip! We ended up staying 2 extra days because of the snowstorm back at our house! We had a lot more time with Nana and Bapa and we didn't mind that one bit at all! Lots of playtime, laughing, painting, eating, shopping, napping, silliness, cuddling, and just plain fun!

...baking bread...

2011-01-21T14:30:00.002-06:00

i have never, in my whole 31.5 years of life, made bread. is that bad?

i have had people make me chocolate chip bread before, and my-oh-my, it is delicious, so I decided to try! with 20 lbs of flour in my house, i better find something to do with it! :)

while grocery shopping, i had a hiccup and had to make an emergency call to a friend to ask about pumpkin puree, but she helped, and we were back on track! ;)

my handy dandy helper was ready to help me today!

she might have been more excited about the chocolate....

we followed the recipe...every.last.word....

and, haven't tasted them yet....

but, here's hoping they taste as good as they smell! yum yum yum!

a girl after my own heart...

2011-01-20T20:19:00.002-06:00

surprisingly, she is just now, in the last 6 months, learning to enjoy and like ice cream. this is only the second kind of ice cream she has eaten... :)

Olivia Funnies

2011-01-20T13:19:00.003-06:00

{some of her funnies from the past month of so....}

"My spork is having a bath in the mac n cheese..."

Liv, while opening her cheese stick, "when i'm opening this, sometimes i feel like a grown up"...with a big smile...

in hearing that Wisconsin is playing football, Liv said "is Bapa playing?" :)

"No, that's not Jesus...that's a gingerbread man", from Daddy to Olivia...

...my lack of blogging...

2011-01-18T13:44:00.002-06:00

our family has been been enjoying the lazy days of nothing-ness and trying our best to do just that, and not feel bad about being in our pj's and being un-productive. it always seems to be so hard to get back into the school routine after being on Christmas break for 2 weeks, and this year has been no different.

since i last blogged, i suppose we've done more of the same....

i've been working my tail off over at the shoppe, and just in the last day added Facebook design to the services offered now...

it's been snowing like mad here, and there's not a lot more room to put it. we're (crossing my fingers) getting a snowthrower/blower this weekend to help with that! :)

i've been enjoying the lovely smells of my scentsy...yum yum yum!

and i took down my Christmas decorations, but haven't been able to put this cute little Christmas tree guy away yet....he'll be so lonely in a box all by his lonesome! :(

we've been working on math with Avery...

and she celebrated her 8 1/2 birthday at school on January 12th! got to go out for a special lunch!

Liv decided to pull off her pinky toenail a couple weeks ago, and then it got infected and it's been a whole lot of fun (and $)to deal with that in the wintertime.

{...this is what it looks like healing}

and, she wanted to take a picture of a happy meal toy she got the other day, just for kicks and giggles! :)

so, that's what we've been up to around here! not a whole lot! freezing temps, and trying to stay warm inside, while not driving each other crazy!

4 months in...

2011-01-18T13:39:00.004-06:00

and we're 3 weeks from being done! :)

2011-01-06T19:09:00.002-06:00

last week, spending time with one of their favorite gals....

one of these things is not like the other...

2011-01-01T22:29:00.000-06:00