Arturo and Stella

Not much to say.  An amazing father, and an adoring daughter.  A great combination.  A great animal book always helps.  They were making animal noises together - sweet stuff.

First Day of School

WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  Not sure what else there is to say about that.  I know a lot of moms home school or have a lot more children in their home and may cringe.  I LOVE my girls - but I am very glad that school is starting.  I enjoy the routine it brings - or forces me to have - and well, no excuses, justification or guilt.  I am glad that school is starting.

Jillian is attending a pre-K full time, and Abigail is in 1st grade.  Yowsers - time does go by quickly eh?  Our city is a bit different, and now is not the time for that - plus I am trying to get this post done while Stella, Chloe & Claire are playing with Guira.  We'll see.  I've only had 10 interruptions so far.

Anyway, all this to say Jillian & Abigail ride the same bus!!!  Only the pre-K, Kinder, and 1st graders ride this bus.  Wonderful, yes it is!

The HAIR

Many have commented on Stella's hair - I have commented on Stella's hair.  She has beautiful ringlets in the back.  So . . . the problem is that she NEVER wants me to touch, wash, spray, brush, comb, place a bow in - nothing is allowed without a fight or a chase around the house.  I know you may think I am exaggerating, being a bit melodramatic.  I wish I were.  I literally am running behind her with the conditioning spray to try & tame her hair.  It's like someone chasing down a mosquito to spray the repellant.  It is NOT a pretty sight. She laughs hysterically until I get a hold of her, and then laughter turns to screams.  Her hair does look good a bit disheveled, but it is always more than a bit disheveled.  Maybe if I were a hair person, maybe if I knew more about curly hair, maybe if I had one child, maybe if I thought this would be good exercise, maybe if I was an extremely patient person, maybe . . .

All of this preface to say, I cut her hair.  Not me, I'm not that ambitious, but I took the three oldest to a salon.  Abi & Jillian got basic trims - Stella, well.  A picture says more than I can describe.

  I admit it turned out a bit shorter than I anticipated.  Arturo was a bit upset that all of her curls were gone.  I am happy.  I am sigh with relief when I look at her short hair, and know that the chase (at least over her hair) is through.  At least until it grows back.  God help me then. I think it is cute, and I am hopeful that by the time it does grow back she will be excited to have gorgeous curly hair, and I will know a bit more about controlling it.  

Here is a cute video of Stella feeding Chloe.

To Be A Mother

I am learning to submit to motherhood.  Yes, I used the S word.  Submit.  I want you to know girls, when you are older & possibly mothers yourselves, that I made a conscience decision & effort to be a mother.  The word MOTHER involves a lot of definitions - biological, adoptive, spiritual - to name a few.  I have the privilege and joy of being your biological mother who has made a commitment to make you, my family, my priority.  I am choosing to invest in you, be consistent with you, train you in a Godly way, and basically submit to what it means to be a full complete mother.  I will fail you, I will have to apologize for mistakes, I will get annoyed, side-tracked, I will need a few time outs, I am NOT perfect & I will NOT try to be Super-Mom.  But I do commit to pray for you, and try to seek God's wisdom & discernment so that I can raise you in love & to the best of my ability.  It's gonna be hard - and take a long time - and I'll want to quit.  But I won't - you are worth it, daughters of the MOST HIGH.  You are worth it.  I write this now when you are 6,4,2,1,1 - and you may read this when you are 18 or more - and I hope you will feel encouraged, inspired, not alone.

I felt inspired to write this today, because we had a GREAT day.  And yesterday was a BAD day.  I am sure there will more of each.  One of the things we did today was paper mache.  We made a royal mess - and had a blast.  I sat down & did the project with you.  I didn't clean the house or just help or watch, but I participated.  It was wonderful.  I will try to participate more & smile as I clean up the mess - it was worth it - so worth it!

Love, mommy.

Ruth Evelyn Has Arrived

Born Monday August 11

7lbs 11ozs

I am proud & pleased to announce the birth of Ruth Evelyn.  My brother and sister-in-law, who already have 2 boys, did not want Arturo and I to have all of the girls.  Plus now I will have someone to give all of these girl clothes to.  Sarah is an amazing mother, and and will enjoy having 3 little ones.  I am super excited to meet this new little one.  Blessings on Ruthie.  May you grow in your love of God as you grow in life.

Wordless Wednesday

Our House Was TP'd

It was an EXCITING morning at our home, when we awoke and realized that our front yard was covered in toilet paper.  The girls were thrilled, and had an amazing time playing & helping us pick up the tp.  Actually everyone but Chloe was thrilled.  Chloe was NOT happy that she could not run efficiently in the yard.  My first thought, being the frugal woman that I am, was what a waste of toilet paper.  Having lived in the Dominican Republic where good toilet paper is a precious commodity, I saw this 'tradition' in a new light.  Arturo thought it was HYSTERICAL & enjoyed it all.  I guess this is one of the . . . joys - results - privileges of him being a youth pastor.  I was so grateful that they unwittingly chose to TP our house on Arturo's day off, and having our whole family in the yard to clean it up was pretty fun.  Go Figure - I guess keeping a sense of humor in life is key to fully enjoying all the fun quirks that happen.