End of the Pre-School Year Program for Jillian & Stella

Jillian & Stella had an end of the year program!  It was very cute, albeit somewhat stressful entertaining the other girls while Arturo took the pics.  Thank God for friends who love to hold babies (and I'm glad Chloe did not puke on her - I was NOT so lucky with Claire).  

Anyway, I digress . . . the end of the year event was fun!  Jillian actually sang the songs & when she didn't know the words made a fake O with her lips -hysterical.

Stella did not do ANYTHING but wave to her sisters, lift up her dress & eat her dress.  Ahhhh - we're so proud!

This pic. is classic Jillian.

Stella's 2nd Birthday!!!!

Stella, you are so full of life & love.  You grab life & faces with both hands to get in close & experience it all.  I am so excited to see what God has in store for you & am awed & humbled that I have this amazing privilege of being your mother.  You have been a blessing from day 1.  After 2 c-sections being able to have a VBAC was an amazing experience & you have kept it fun & amazing since.  We love you Stella!!!!

   

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I am sooo blessed to have 5 healthy beautiful daughters & an amazing husband.  I really have NOTHING to complain about - in the grand scope of things . . . but today (Mother's Day) was one of those days where I am just tired & cranky.  Welcome to my party - pity party.  Arturo is working all day, there were tornados in Dublin & our power was knocked out (NO VIDEOS), and I've got laundry & the kitchen that desperately needs to be done.  The twins, thankfully are napping, and I tried to arrange a fun painting time with the other girls.  Here is a few photos to show how that went.

  

I do have to say that with all of this emotion & mess - I received a few good hugs & I love you mom's & we curled up on the couch & read some books.  Somehow we all felt better - the laundry & kitchen still need to be done - but when do they not??  I am truly grateful to have 5 sloppy kisses & hugs & lots of little ones to crawl up in my lap for one story - or two - or three.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Wordless Wednesday

seems to be the thing to do . . . and easy.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes & the first blog Video

Stella has crawled out of her crib a few times & I really thought that was the end of it!!!  Arturo, however has 'told' her that she needs to stay in her crib & it actually works! I have found her a few times on her dresser - so I moved her crib at an angle so she cannot reach her dresser. Well, as you can see in the pic below - she can reach & open the top drawer.  I have also found her a few times perched on the side like in the pic.  So I am not sure if I should make the switch to a little girl bed before she tumbles or take my chances. 

 

The twins are starting to really play together & get into some trouble & make some messes.  Ahhhh the 'joys' of little ones.

The above video is Chloe walking.  Cutie patuti.  Claire still isn't that interested - but I'm sure she'll be there in no time.

I've been 'tagged'

I have been 'tagged' by Erin.  I have to admit that I don't normally do these things.  It's like receiving all of those emails that need to be forwarded or else . . . It's just another person asking me do to something - too much pressure. BUT, this one was quick & fun to see how radically my life has changed! Enjoy!

4 Things I Did 10 Years Ago (1998)

** Was living in Santiago, Dominican Republic leading Young Life in English.

** Met a really cute (& skinny) boy named Arturo who became my best friend then husband.

** Was still in the beginning stages of starting Young Life in Spanish in Santiago.

** Was living by myself & teaching new leaders how to play guitar.

4 Things I Did 5 Years Ago (2003)

**  Had my second daughter Jillian (Abigail was 1 1/2 years old).

**  Arturo and I bought an apartment in Santiago.

**  Had changed my role in Young Life to more training & special projects.

**  Experienced my first major earthquake - registered about 6.5. It was the freakiest thing of my life!!

4 Things I Did Yesturday

**  Built a castle out of leggos with my daughters

**  Changed 10 poopy pampers

**  Read half of a magazine while in the bathroom

**  Had a great family from our church over for dinner & didn't burn anything!

4 Shows I Love To Watch (in no particular order)

**  The Office

**  Soup (on E-channel)

**  America's Funniest Home Videos (b/c I watch it almost every night with my daughters - they love it)

**  Top Chef or Project Runway (whichever is on)

4 Things That Make Me Really Happy

**  When my kids listen to me the first time & don't whine

**  Conversations with my girls that are fun, unexpected & unplanned

**  A great Bible study where I feel like I not only learn something, but can apply it to my life

**  Having great conversations with Arturo & hopefully I'm eating something chocolaty

Wow - I had a lot of things come into my head that make me happy - how fun is that.  These were just the first 4 that popped into my head. We really have a blessed life & I am excited to see where God leads us & what He has us do in the next 4 days, years, decades . . .

OK, my turn to 'tag' someone.  jeesh - no pressure people but, Deb (b/c she first encouraged me to blog), Kate, Connie, & Jocasta.  Enjoy.

Jillian, Jillian, Jillian

Jillian, or as we call her, GiGi.  She is 41/2, and very full of life & emotion.I did say emotion right?  I could go into some exact details, but let's just say that she may b/c a famous actress - or at least I'll b/c the most patient woman in the world!  Jillian has been calling herself the 'babysitter' lately, and honestly has been an amazing help with the twins.  As for Stella, . . . it's hit or miss.  Jillian LOVES to help with Chloe & Claire - in any aspect - and at times her 'help' is a bit unsolicited - but I cannot complain really b/c she adores her little sisters & has helped saved my sanity a few times.  Ironically she has also been the loss of my patience & sanity most times, but I guess it all evens out.