so my em is sick.  she has the worst of luck.  first a cast, then poison ivy in her ear, eyes, and all over her body, heat rash, and chiggers.  REALLY?  

On her outer thigh is swollen and puffy.  It looks awful.

This is my life right now, b/c this is all I can think about.  She is miserable, it is awful.    It's all over her body.  This little tiny microscopic mite has entered her body (no idea how) and produced intense itching, which becomes much worse at night.  Please keep Emmy in your prayers...

Game Time

Our fav game right now- so much fun!

After the Rain

Planting flowers makes me so happy!  It's amazing what adding a little bit of color to your life can do to you!  Ellie and I went flower shopping, and she actually picked out the flowers.  I showed her how to read the tag, and what to look for depending on where they were going to be planted at our house.  I'd say she did pretty good!  Tonight after the rain, Erika took pictures of the flowers- she took some great pics!  Love these...

cutting grass with papaw...

trading silly bands...

what more could my girls want???

Majestic

Mesmerized by the moon tonight.  Clouds shifted continuously through the sky as the moon peeked through.  What a beautiful night!

Sneak Peek

Getting ready for pics at Dancekids.  They are so excited to shine on stage next week at the recital!

Thumbs up

     Thumbs up- that was her sign to me after each skill she worked on in the pool, looking up at me sitting on the bleachers.  She took gymnastics all year at the Y, but the last 5-week session I put her in swimming.  She was not very happy with me.  "Why would you do that?  I'm good at gymnastics, and I like it, but I'm not good at swimming, and it is not fun at all!"  Needless to say, she went into the class very reluctantly. 

      I reminded her to trust her swim instructor and to try everything.  After bonding and learning to trust her coach after the first class, she couldn't wait to go back!  She said she wished she go every day, all day!  How cool is that?!

Hair Color

It's fun looking back on my different hairstyles and colors.  Thinking the color I have now is the cheapest and easiest, but sometimes I miss those highlights... 

(Check out the second picture of Ellie trying to breathe through Emily's loving hug! So funny)

Thoughts

I am going into picture-withdrawal.  After leaving my camera at my sisters, I have missed lots of very special little moments in my life.  I thought I would jot down a few things, hoping it will suffice my need to blog our crazy-busy-days...

Outside my window... the perfect day.  I love that my lilac bush is still in bloom and as I sit here typing with my screened porch door open, I take the sweet scent in with every breath. 
I am thinking... that I need to do some reading.  I was talking to a sweet friend on the phone last night, sitting on the couch in my back room, and glanced at my bookshelf.  After hanging up, I scanned through some of my titles, realizing I have a lot of summer reading to do.  It's funny how a bookshelf is a direct tunnel to the soul of a person.  These are among the few I am looking forward to reading; some I've read, and some are still waiting:A Mom After God's Own Heart, Love and Respect, 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter, Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning, Bringing Up Girls, 40 Things to do When You Turn 40, I'm Not You're Friend, I'm You're Parent, and of course my Karen Kingsbury, Francine Rivers, Jodi Piccoult, and Twilight books. 
I am hoping... that Dad's surgery for his cancer was successful, and we will be able to look back on this in years to come, and say thank you, God, for letting us keep him for a while longer.  We are all on borrowed time and God has a plan for each of us, but Dad is an angel to so many people here on Earth, that he still has a lot to do down here.  :)
On my mind... looking back on the girls' school year, and wishing that schools didn't educate the student so that they conform to and master the curriculum, rather than tailoring the curriculum to suit the student.  there are too many tests...
Noticing that...  my moods and attitudes are greatly influenced by the people I talk to and the things I read.  This is no great revelation, I suppose, but I have been struck recently by how my optimism, pessimism, or anything in between, can be readily attributed to the most recent conversation I have.  A very good reason to be choosy. 
A few plans for the week... end of the year is always so busy... probably seems like little things to some, but it's the little things that make a big difference in helping out at school with the kiddos...  Art show, cooking class for Ellie at the Y, volunteer at Ellie's school for Safety Day, gently tell Emily before her overnight that one of her best friends is moving to Canada, my nephew's Baptism, attend Emily's Twisted Fairy Tale play where she stars as Slurping Beauty, Attend The Academy's "Singing in the Rain" Drama Club Musical, pictures for dance for girls, run the parachute with groups of 30 for two and a half hours at Emily's school.  And that is just next week, among other things, but you get the picture.  We are definitely ready for a more relaxed schedule this summer!
Around the house... the piles drive me crazy, but what do you do with them?!?
From the kitchen... Rob is on a black bean kick, and I don't know any recipes with black beans, but came across this one a a blog, and am excited to try it:
1 semi-ripe avocado, diced
3 medium tomatoes, diced
1 cup sweet corn, drained
juice from 2 lemons
1/2 t. cumin
1/2 t. chipotle chili pepper
dash Tabasco
Mis together, let the flavors blend for 15-30 minutes.  Yumicious!
Toward Fitness and Health... I can now officially say running isn't awful, and I actually look forward to getting a run in a couple times a week.  I find it to be my quiet time.  I must not be running enough, because I haven't lost a pound.
One of my favorite things... When Robby walks in the door after a long week, and the girls squeal with delight and they can't get enough of him, attacking his legs and belly with hugs.  sheer delight. 

Fairie Fun

Ellie's 6th birthday was about as magical as it gets!  The Enchanted Village in Lebanon is every girls' dream.  We have never thrown a big party for the girls with their friends, because we are so blessed to have such a big family close that we get to celebrate with.  Somehow, Ellie talked us into the ultimate party.  I'm sure it has nothing to do with her being our last and we can be talked into anything with your last, right?  (That's what Erika has figured out) The owner, Laura, at the shop is an amazing person that made Ellie's day truly special and one that she will not forget...

Opening presents, making wishes and blowing out candles, giggles, dreams...

yummy cupcakes, dressing up....

sweet family and friends to make memories with...

the magical key that opens every child's dreamland...

Narnia... winter magic...

truly enchanting...

decorating cookies, fairy sprinkles and all...

(do you think she would let us mom's up there one night for a "Mom's night out?"  What fun would we have!!!)

our girl, ellie. 

"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children; one is roots, the other is wings."

-H. Carter 

The Text Message

My sister, Katie, texted me, "He got his tooth!"  How cute is that?!  A day before he was six months old.  Katie are Brian are naturals!  After being such a big part of our girls lives and helping watch my other sister's, Julie and Laura's kids, having a baby was second nature to Katie.  He is such a sweet, full of life little boy and so easy to love, but the one thing holding him back from being absolutely perfect is his food allergies.  He is allergic to dairy and eggs, and for Katie nursing, that has pretty much stifled her daily food intake.  She lives on rice, I think.  She rarely complains and makes it work, knowing that is what is best for Landon.  She knows after a couple scares with his breathing and vomitting at night, that it is just not worth it.  If having a newborn and acclimating to her new life isn't enough, she watches several of her friends babies as well, with a waiting list!  Laura goes over with her little one, Tyson, and they are a great team.  Sometimes Ellie and I go over in the morning because we just want to be in on the fun!  I know she will look back on these years and as busy as she was, with as little sleep as she got, and will have no regrets!  She's an amazing mom!  Happy Mother's Day, Katie!

The Little Things

Erika gets excited about the "little things."  This post-it gift set was one of Erika's favorite presents for her birthday.  She loves reading books and marking things she's read.  This gift from Nana was perfect for her!

Ellie and her fast cars

Ellie and her fast cars.  It's something abut cars, but she is fascinated with them. 

"Come into my heart, Lord Jesus and stay with me forever."

This is the prayer Emily learned going through the process of First Communion at Sunday School class.  This day was a cause for great celebration!   Emily gives a glorious witness to God in everything she says and does.  I can see God alive in her.  She has a way about her that allows her to draw everyone closer to God.  After much preparation, the big day arrived!  She looked absolutely radiant in her white dress and veil.  Her little hands crossed on top of each other to receive a blessing from the priest was so touching.  She bowed before the bread and wine in a physical sign of respect for the presence of God. Great joy filled our heart as we witnessed Emily make a throne with her little hands to receive her Lord Jesus into her heart and her very body. 

Afterward, it was a beautiful afternoon with our large family.  At night when we tucked her in, she said she couldn't wait until next week to go back to Mass to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.  She is alive with the true spirit of God.  We should all receive Jesus with as much joy and delight as Mary does.  Her happy nature is a gift from God and she gratefully returns it back to Him. 

When Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me," her joy in receiving communion had to be what he meant. 

We should all be filled with excitement, joy and wonder because we have Jesus inside of us!