Day In My Life

7:30 --We woke up LATE today! Ooops.
7:35 -- Sophia dressed. Myself dressed. Rosie diaper changed. Lydia put on new panties and out of the night night pull-up.
7:45 ---Make Sophie's lunch.
7:55 --- Grab a granola bar for Sophie's on the go breakfast! (I feel so bad that we woke-up late and no time for breakfast!) Out the door to take Sophia to school
8:10 -- Drop Sophia off at school. Lydia and I cruise over to Dutch Bros. to get a coffee (free with coupon) and a Kid's Not So Hot Chocolate ($1.25 in ash-tray change)!
8:30 -- Home to sweep and vacuum floors before our friends come over.
8:45 -- Lydia breakfast (Cereal w/ Rice Milk & OJ). Nurse Rosie. Put on Baby Praise and lay Rosie on mat to play.
9:00 -- Friends come over. (I am watching my friend's kids while she goes to work on a project for her new business!) Take out trash quickly while friend is still here to watch the kids for a few moments.
9:00 -- Empty Dishwasher and wash breakfast dishes. Kids play with Little People stuff.
9:30 -- Rosie Nap, Kids watch Bible Tunes on DVD and play.
9:35 -- Start Laundry. Bring out laundry to be folded into living room.
9:40 -- Clear clutter of off kitchen counters.
10:00 -- Superwhy and snack for the kids. I put our little friend in the high chair and she eats her snack of cheerios and raisins while I clean the kitchen. Here is what I cleaned.

• All Dishes Cleaned
• Countertops wiped down
• Front of microwave, oven, dishwasher wiped down
• Stove-top cleaned. Washed the burner covers in dishwasher. Started a new load of dishes.
• Washed cabinet doors.
• Swept floors
• Mopped floors.

10:30 -- Kids go outside to play
10:45 -- I go outside with kids and read this book and start planning a food plan menu for Rosie. I hope to start her next month. I making all of my own foods.
11:00 -- Rosie awakes. Nurse.
11:10 --- My friend comes to pick up her kiddos and we talk for a bit
11:30 -- Lydia and I clean-up toys and Little People stuff
11:40 -- Fix Lydia lunch
12:00 -- Change Rosie and check emails
12:10 -- Phone calls
12:40 -- Load up kids in car to go get Sophia from school
12:55 -- Pit Stop to pick up something from Ric's work
1:10 -- Pick up Sophia
1:25 --Home. Lydia wants to take a nap. Put her down in my bed.
1:30 -- Sophia watches a show and eats a snack. I fix myself some lunch. Rosie playing on mat.

I made myself an Egg Salad Sandwich (two hard boiled organic brown eggs diced, mustard, Veganaise, relish, fresh ground pepper) with sprouts on toasted organic whole grain nutty bread. Added some cherries and some "Awake" tea by TAZO.

1:45 Eat my lunch and look at a magazine.
2:00 Nurse Rosie an naptime.
2:30 Sophia homework and I finish my lunch. Check Blogs. Rosie does not want to sleep. Get her up and try to soothe her. (She fell asleep for 10 minutes in the car on the way home and she thinks that was enough. Hmmph!)
2:50 Laundry and try again to put Rosie down for nap
3:40 I am getting tired myself. So, I decide to take a little rest with Lydia.
4:15 I am up with a little bit of rest. Nice. Lydia is awake too. Girls play. I do some more laundry. Girls help too.
5:15 Start Dinner
5:30 Nurse Rosalia
6:00 Dinner Time
6:30 Clean up Dinner dishes
6:45 Girls bath (Rosie plays in bouncer)
7:15 Girls--Jammies, hairbrushed, teeth (Get Rosi ready for bed too!)
7:40 Rosalia to bed. Girls and I put away folded laundry. Quick pick-up
8:00 Papa is home from work and mountain bike ride. He takes shower.
8:10 Papa reads books to girls and put them to bed. I head out to work on a craft at a friends house...complete with her homemade brownies and decaf coffee! Yum.
11:00 Home and bedtime.
1:00 am Rosie awakes. Take her into our room in the co-sleeper and nurse. Then back off to dozing...

Mommy You Smell Yummy!

I was laying in my bed with the computer. I had taken a bath, relaxed and Sophia came in to lay with me. She loves to snuggle. She crawls under our fluffy down comforter and snuggles up to me and pets my arm and smells me.

She says, "Mommy you smell so yummy! I need to take a bath tomorrow night because I have smellies from doing all bunch of stuff today! I just want to say that you are my favorite first born Mom! You are so sweet. You teach me things and show me how to learn, and when I am disobedient you give me consequences. Sometimes you just have to look at me a certain way or just say 'ahem' and I know that I should make a better choice.
I love you. You are my mom, my special mom.You know you make mistakes, but that is okay. God forgives you. He is King of kings. I am going to worship Him forever.And you will be the first that I invite to my birthday. I will invite the rest of my family too. I hate when you go away for long trips. I am going to go with you up to Mimi and Poppies house. Tomorrow we get to go on our trip. That will be fun. Tomorrow I am going to send you a little love card because I love you .I am going to draw some little hearts on it and then do the little hearts in the shape of a heart (demonstrates by drawing on my back). I am going to tell you a secret....I am going to make you some treats...."

I kid you not, she said this with all one breath. All I did was lay on the bed and dictate her word for word onto the computer. I love her little mind and her very expressive mouth. It is nice to know that I make mistakes, but I'm forgiven and I am a special mom that is close to her heart. Precious girl!

Shrek Buddy Seat

Pull up a buddy, sit down and enjoy a little movie time---together!
I don't know about you, but I like to sit upon my buddies when I watch a favorite show.

For Thou Art All Things Be-U-Tee-Ful!

A princess indeed. Sophia loved her special day at Renaissance Theme Day at her school function. The entire school dressed up and had a Renaissance Day at a local park. Games, face-painting, knight fighting, jousting, bocce ball, etc. It was amazing!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what that means to her...

My sweet girl received an award from her school. It was an award to recognize special students out of the entire school that displayed respect. The teachers choose one student from their class to receive the award. It was a surprise to the students. Well, her teacher chose another student from her class to receive the award. Several minutes later, her name was called to receive the award --issued from her music teacher.
At first, Sophia would not go up front. She was determined that is must have been a mistake. She was a little afraid to go up in front . After some coercing from her teacher, she went up front and stood there like this. Head down and pouty lips. I don't blame her for being a little afraid. Look how tiny she looks amongst the other kids around her. Ha ha!
But, afterwards she was happy and thrilled she was chosen. I told her it was an honor because her music teacher chose her out of all the students in the school, not like the other teachers choosing just from their class. She was even more delighted and proceeded to tell me why she was the most respectful person ever! (Maybe we should work on humbleness next).

Toddler Tattoo Artist

So, we found her in the night at 9:00pm on the top bunk (Sophia's bed) applying lovely creations all over her body with marker. I am not sure how she managed to find pens in her room at night. Oh, the joys of being a toddler.

I love the "painted" big toe.

I suppose I should be thankful that is was not permanent marker or that any of the marker was on the bedspread or walls. It could be worse.

Chalk it up, wipe it down

Lydia placed kid graffiti with chalk on the screen door...

...and my friend thinks he can too.

"I DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD DRAW HERE"

However, my girls LOVE to clean the windows with their pink sponges and water spray.

It is also fun to watch how the sponges magically stick to the window too.

I am afraid to admit it and you wouldn't want to know

In humorous spirit, I am joining others at Rocks in my Dryer. in cleaning and discovering what delightful things are in my van. Yikes! Should be fun. I first saw this idea post at one of my new favorite blogs. Lindsey had a funny little post of what was in her car. Go check out her little blog too!

• Lots of Baby stuff: Baby blanket, diaper bag, dirty diaper (ew!), wipes, burp rags
• 5 or 6 stuffed animals and dolls that my girls like to bring into the car for every trip we go.
• Baby doll backpack carriers (ya know so they can be their doll's carseats--explains Sophia)
• Allergy medicine
• Dutch Bros. kid cups
• hair clips
• food crumbs--lots of it
• first aid kit
• Dutch Bros. decal stickers
• receipts
• mail
• expired coupons
• school bell (Lydia loves to ring it--ugh!)
• stroller
• re-usable cloth grocery bags
• hats
• more wipes
• pennies, dimes, nickels, quarters ---all spewed on the floor because the ashtray fell out.
• kids books
• an old name tag from MOPS
• princess panties and skirt
• hancock's of paducah fabric magazine
• Bath-n-Body coconut lotion
• Yo-yo
• Kleenex box and used kleenex tissue
• brown sack lunch bag with leftover contaminents
• one lonely sock (they don't only get eaten by washing machines, but by vans too!)
• half eaten candy necklace
• make-up bag
  
• And, finally... I found this in there too!

She was helping me clean!

What is in your car?

I am at my WITS END

Or... When will the end of potty training be here?
Or... I am tired of wiping her end.

Truly, I don't know what to do to get her to go on the potty?
We have good days and bad days. But, today was one of those beyond my mental capacity to handle the poop kind of days.

Lately, Lydia has been "playing" in the bathroom with water, soap, etc. I was attempting to do some dishes in the kitchen, even singing as I was working... when I heard the water going in the bathroom.

"Lydia, what are you doing? No, playing in the bathroom."

"I not pay-eeing! I keen-ing!"

"What are you cleaning?"

"I keen da poo-poo!"

Yah, I know longer stood singing in the kitchen. I ran to the bathroom only to find her on the floor outside the bathroom with a washcloth drenched in water attempting to wash away scraps of poo poo. Her panties full to the brim with even more poo. Hands covered, floor covered, rear-end covered and none of it even remotely in the potty. AH!
But, the worst part that erks me? Is that I just took her potty about 5 minutes before. Oh, yes! I was being consistent in taking her. But, I think she thought I must not have too much to do this day, right? Just a little poo? What a stinker!

I HATE POO! I HATE CLEANING UP POO!

Venting...



Please, anyone with ideas or words of sympathy or encouragement??? Please?

Ah, sigh.

Holding On

Because of yesterday's tragedy, I have been holding my babies a little closer and tighter today.
I can't even imagine or comprehend their pain right now.
Let’s continue to keep the Chapman family in our prayers.

Looking Up

A perspective of their Daddy. He is on top of their world.

See more Wordless Wednesday pics here.

I Gotta Run

I just don't know how they do it? To be honest, I am a little jealous. I try to do it and I only last for about 30 seconds. Really. 30 seconds. Sad. I know.
It is very cool that they can do this... I cheer them on in hopes that I can maybe one day join in their enthusiasm. I suppose a little bit at a little time, I just might make a little a lot more.

Runalong with the Pastor
She did it --Krista ran it. Wow!!
She's in training and really a big deal
He has been running and has figured out all the technicalities of it. He ran a 5k...and let me tell you he RAN to whole way. Go Jered!

How about you? Would you run a marathon? Or have you already accomplished this?

Personality --complimentary

I would have this little buddy over to my house more often...if I could, daily. He just exudes compliments from his lips constantly. I am starting to believe that my house is a castle of extraordinary beauty, even with all the dust, dirt, hand grime, and cobwebs that live here too.
He pays such wonderful, nice, beautiful compliments to anything and everything at my house. Even my outhouse! Well, I had the priviledge to have the little buddy over to my house today.
A conversation from A___ as he goes into the bathroom "outhouse".

A__ (without taking a breath recites):
Wow, what a nice bathroom! Ohps, Did you see that? Toots. I have them.
Oh, look at that BE-U-Tiful butterfly on the picture. Ophs, Did you see? I have the sniffs. Can you get me a kleenex?

Here A__, here is a tissue. Oh, that is a paper towel? No, it is a tissue.
Oh yes, I use that for when I go Poo Poos to wipe my bott-um.

(Getting up on the stool to wash hands) Oh, WOW. Look at all these mirrors. Look AT ME! I look so nice. That is just so nice.
Lydia: I made them.
A___: Ah, yes you did. That is nice Lydia. Let's all clap for Lydia. (Clapping) Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Lydia!! (Hugs Lydia) Ah, Lydia You so Cute!
Ah, A____ YOU are so cute and you are welcome for a pick-me-up visit anytime to my castle!

Saturday Morning

We made blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes. Need I say more? Delicious!
You can find the recipe here!
~

These are a few of my favorite

Blogs!
Now that you have the Sound of Music song in your head of favorites. Let me share just two of my favorites with you tonight. I will share some more with you in another post. I am actually just wanting to get in a post and get into relaxing to watch LOST!

Whitaker Blogs take spotlight on Lil'Daisies
The only HO, (Carlos Whitaker), I would be the least bit, tad bit jealous of....look at his stats, is a fun read, especially his Throwin' Rocks at Your BooDaddy series--hilarious! But, I have to say I enjoy reading his wife blog even more (sorry, but true). She has some great family night themes that have motivated me to get back into doing with our family. It has been quite awhile since having the baby. And, Heather has had some spectacular ideas! Oh, BY THE WAY...the both Whitakers have left me comments one time that just made me smile..okay scream out loud ---woo hoo ( a celebrity blogger taking a peek over into my world! How can you not scream? Awesome)

Okay, well this is just a random post to boost up Carlos' self esteem and also hoping he just might link me back some love. But, who knows maybe it may make a great series on the Lil'Daisies Blog. I could feature a few of my favo-blogs every once in awhile. What say you? Ya curious as to what I read?

Go check it out and enjoy some entertaining read. I will be here planning my next family night while watching an episode of LOST (so addicting...even more so than blogging).

Have a great weekend y'all!

Do you have a favorite blog you enjoy reading? (besides mine!---ha)

Dress-up

I was in the other room cleaning the kitchen while the girls played in the living room. Worship music playing, girls singing and chattering, Rosalia bouncing....these were the delightful sounds I would hear.
I walked into the room to peek in on their adventures....only to find sweet Rosalia like this.

Arrg! Pirate Hippy-ish Jungle Baby!

She was bouncing quite contently in her bouncy seat dressed in this black hankerchief and yellow crocheted blanket. Sophia had managed to wrap her head up with the black hankerchief and place the blanket upon her. Rosalia was loving to be a part of the girls imagination play. I was amazed by Sophia's talent for wrapping Rosalia's head like so. I truly love the imagination of my girls. I love that they play dress-up, house, babies, friends, princesses...so sweet, so girly!

Still going...

Spinning!

My Day in Pictures...

My Mama Day in Pictures....

I got these when I woke-up. Flowers, A Hot Milky Way from my favorite place, Dutch Bros. and sweet homemade cards and gifts from the girls. All the girls slept in until 9AM...Yes, All of them!! Awesome.

Pancakes w/ maple syrup (Homemade by Papa!----Yummy!)

A necklace made by Sophia at school. Proudly worn by her Mama for "Mother's Day" Sophia was so proud of this necklace. Me too!

Below: We attempted to take some "Mother's Day" Mama and Daughter pictures....well, it was quite the adventure...

Finally, a somewhat cute picture of the girls!

After church, we drove about an hour to a park in Mt. Shasta. Here Lydia is going across the monkey bars almost by herself. She is strong.


Falling.
Papa Catching.
A needed hug.

Sophia climbing

Sliding and Screaming.


Climbing.

Hiking.

Getting water from the Head Waters. This is where the Sacramento river starts y'all. The water is pouring straight out of Mt. Shasta. Fresh water for drinking.

Running and Kite Flying.

I love being Mama!


We also went to dinner at Sengthongs Blue Sky Room and had some yummy Thai food. I didn't get pictures of this but it was delicious. A sweet day! I am blessed!

Sweet Sneak Peek

Just a little sample of my special day being a Mama. More to come....

Singing Devotional (From A Toddler)

Let her (Lydia) sing for you today. Remember Jesus Loves You and His Banner of You is Love!

Spinning/Cycling

Whatever you may call it.
I went.
5 AM
I was there.
Spinning.
(with the guy next to me whistling to the music --- funny!)

Now?
Exhausted
But I will be
there tomorrow
Spinning.

Hoot hoot!

Menu Plan Monday May 5

I went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday. The season is starting up again. I got some lovely organic veggies: fava beans, sugar snap peas, lettuce, arugula, strawberries...and more. I love fresh fruit and vegetables. Delicious!

What are you having this week?
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Lemon Rosemary Garlic Mahi Mahi Packets
adapted from here (my version below)
Brown Rice
Arugula with Beets and Goat Cheese Salad

Finger Foods:
Plump Pea Dumplings
Falafel Balls w/ eggplant chili dip
Pita Chips, Sugar snap peas w/ hummus
Fresh Fruit

Golden, Crispy Gnocchi with Summer Shell Beans
Green Salad

Quesadillas w/ Black beans
Fruit Salad
Spanish Rice

Pizza Night
Rootbeer Floats

Lemon Rosemary Garlic Mahi Mahi Packets
Serves 4

4 Mahi Mahi filets
Salt and pepper
A touch of olive oil
3 Garlic cloves minced
2 organic lemons
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
2 large handfuls of spinach leaves, washed
A few sprigs of fresh Rosemary

Preheat oven to 425. Lightly spray 4 large sheets of foil or parchment paper with cooking spray. Zest lemons. Slice lemons into 8 slices (16 slices altogether) and discard the 2 end pieces. Place 3 slices of lemon horizontally in the center of the foil. Place handful of spinach on top of lemon. Place seasoned Mahi Mahi filets on top of spinach. Mix olive oil, lemon zest, and garlic together in a small bowl. Drizzle with a little olive oil mixture over fish, and place rosemary sprigs on top of fish. Fold up packets and place in preheated oven on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes and remove from oven. Allow to rest for a few minutes before opening packet. Discard lemon slices and thyme sprigs, serve, and enjoy!

Happy Birthday Ric/Papa

You were born May 2nd and became a son to two people in love. God gave them great wisdom in raising you and you have grown to be a godly man in so many ways.



A couple decades later you became a husband and we became one.
You are the love of my life...
The man I prefer to hold hands with. The man I love to wake up next to every morning and snuggle down with every night. The man I love to travel places with. Watch movie marathons. Flying kites with you. Drinking lattes. Pizza grins. Harmonica. Dancing. Praying together.


Then a few years later you became a father. Three lovely daughters.
They love to dance with you, their prince charming (derrick, john...etc.). You made them a homemade swing and love to push them high in the air. You planted a beautiful garden that they love to help you water. You make them pizza and Papa bread---the best ever! You read to them stories from the Bible and teach them deep theological things. You have mowed the lawn with them hanging on your back. You let them push the button on the blender.

We love life with you.

Happy Birthday Ric, Papa!

A Mother's Perspective

5 minutes for mom is having a photo contest. They want to know what motherhood means & they want us to post a photo to capture that moment. I am entering in this post to the contest. I am also entering this to Gregory E Lang for an article in his book.
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Having three daughters has been wonderful and challenging. Some days, by God's grace, I'm able to miraculously accomplish everything on my list . . . those days are few and far between. Most days, also by God's grace, I spend the whole day cleaning everyone and everything besides myself (except when the baby spits up on me) and it's all I can do to also make sure everyone is fed and clothed (at least half way . . . Lydia is potty training and is almost always half naked). You know you're a mom when you get excited about things like brushing your teeth, taking a shower, and best of all, eating and if it is warm food, that is a great bonus! There are days I feel utterly defeated and like a failure. I think, "God, there is someone that can do a much better job than I'm doing today? " I feel completely bombarded with all the things that I have to do or be. Yes, many times I think that in order to be a good mom, that I should try to handle everything all on my own. But, really for me to be the best mom to my girls, I need to quit trying to do it all and let God be my strength.

I am working on abiding in the Lord every moment throughout my day and let Him keep me there, in that joyful, peaceful place of abiding. Then the frustrations of not being able to do things my way fade away and instead, I can rest in knowing that it is God who carries me through each moment. It is God's light through me that my family needs to see the most. The Lord gives me peace, strength, motivations, excitement, passion, and wisdom when I'm abiding in Him. Even cleaning up a poopy diaper can be a joy if I let God give me a song to sing while I do it! I'm learning to LET IT GO if it's not of Him....and take a deep breath while I fall back into His arms. His Grace. His Mercy! 2 Corinthians 12:9, which says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

My three girls are blessings to me. It is through them that I have found laughter and joy on almost a daily basis. I love to see their minds develop into sweet young ladies. They admire their Mommy and it is all I can do to portray a Godly woman to them, so that they in turn display those same characteristics to their children someday. I see some of these characteristics displayed in the way they play with one another. It is beautiful to watch how gently they care for one another (yes, they pull hair, pinch, push each other a lot of times too. They are sisters!) But, they do have a sweet unconditional love for each other that many times moves me to tears. It is a privilege to be a mom and it is easy for me to miss the things I love about my girls: chubby arms squeezing my neck and giving me a little massage, their deep belly laughter, smushed-nose good-night kisses, little hands reaching for mine, toothless slobbery smiles, bringing me books to read to them as they crawl up on my lap, nursing their little babies like Mama does, licking the spoon while we make pies or cookies, twirling and twirling in their ballerina dresses, loud taps from dancing in their tap shoes across the wooden floor, singing with a loud voice half the words to the song, singing the same song over and over and over again, singing Jesus Loves Me to their baby sister to calm her cries, and their sweet little voices telling me "Mommy, you are a princess. You are so beautiful. I love you sooooooo much, Mommy!"

My perspective is changing. God is working. I am beginning to notice these little things they do and thanking God for these blessings. Time escapes, quickly. Yes, I am a busy mom. But it is important for me to find time to sit at the feet of Jesus and receive the strength to continue to pour out my life into my girls: to teach and be an example of a woman after God's own heart. Play with them. Pray with them. Sing to them. Snuggle with them. Read to them. Fold laundry with them. Doing all these things, in God's strength, and worshiping Him in the process. I love being a mommy. I love being a mommy to daughters. I love being their Mommy. I am blessed.