Little Warriors

Rosi and her best buddy - share a day of "dress-up"!    I find it rather amusing that even though they are playing "dress-up" together - there is in fact a difference in how they play it.

Girls tend to treat role playing as "dress-up" or "princess". They dance around with their dresses and attire with thought of feeling glamorous.  Whereas boys tend to treat role playing as "Super Heros".  They shoot people, make loud noises with their ferocious powers with the thought of getting those bad guys.

So today - Rosi and her buddy are role playing.  But, they are mixing the two typical stereo types together.  They are both playing "dress-up"  -- but, this dress-up role playing is of warriors (Rosi a beautiful princess warrior). They have their capes, their guns,  and of course their cellphones.  What warrior goes anywhere without a cellphone?

I love to watch these two play.

His name is Lary

Weekend Project:

Here was a project that Sophia and her little neighbor friend created a couple of weeks ago on a weekend...

They were so creative and SO PROUD of themselves when they made their new friend "Lary" with one "R"~ ( I love the way kids spell!)

And Lary was pretty amazing....he could even MOVE and GROOVE!

Meet Lary!

Come play with me in my castle

Rosi's LOVE! Oh, what a special friend! There is just something TOO cute about child like love and play! Innocent and sweet!

A few of my favorite things:

Finding my girls like this! I truly LOVE the sisterhood of this picture. This is so sweet and tender to me. I never had a sister growing up---so I can live vicariously through my girls in this sense. Makes my heart melt....they really do love each other (though at times with the screaming, pinching, biting, hitting...you would think otherwise). But, I can look upon this picture and be reminded of the bond of sisters. Blessed.

Busy Week -- Relaxing Weekend

A busy week. I am so exhausted. But, I have so much to share. However, right now I am trying to sort out all the thoughts of the week and I will share soon. We are planning to spend time out in the sun with friends these next couple of days and relaxing. I am excited for some due time with family.

Hope you all have a blessed weekend.

Any fun plans now that the weather is getting warm and the sunshine is staying out longer?

Passionate

“purposefully aligning my passions to fit His purposes“ 

We have some friends visiting us today as they are traveling through on their journey of moving from Arizona to Alaska.  I am so excited to spend some time with them to listen and learn about their adventures in Kingdom living!  I had read this post on Carrie's blog a little while ago and I was really motivated and encouraged by her own spiritual journey as a wife, mother, and friend.  She wrote about her passions --the things that God desired for her to be passionate about.  She created a binder with these passions marked into categories. "It has really helped me to not get so overwhelmed and instead be able to enjoy learning and applying things in His time."

  I really loved this idea.  I have began, stopped, and then re-started (not yet completed) a binder to help me with organizing our home...but it has always been more work for me to get it right and let alone finished or workable. (Maybe it is the perfectionist in me).  But, when I read Carrie's post, something struck a chord with me.  I have yet to stop and seek God first.  What are my passions?  What does God want me to be passionate about? 

It was a whole new way of thinking about how I go about organizing my home and living our lives to honor God.  My home is to not be perfectly spotless, extremely organized, or run smoothly, but rather it is a heart reflection of who God is creating me to become: a help meet, mother, friend and servant. 

So, instead of creating a "homemaker's binder" with cleaning, menu, calendar, and lists upon lists...I need to first seek God and make His passions run clear through me.  This is where I should be focused....

So, I will be spending time in prayer and seeking God's purpose in my life and what I am to become passionate about.  I will share these with you soon.

What are you passionate about?   

Fighting for Life

A college friend, Monica, has been fighting a rare cancer. It makes my heart ache for her and her family. I can't even imagine this struggle she is going through. I have been trying to keep up with her through her blog. Please keep her in your prayers and

Please visit here to help and read about Monica's story.

Would you please call me Cordelia? Autumn in Avonlea

There is so much I love about the Fall season. I love wrapping myself in big, cozy sweaters. I love the crisp apples and big orange pumpkins. The changing colors of the leaves just warm my heart. Sipping on hot cider and eating pumpkin bread or apple pie --Delicious!



But, most of all, I love spending these cozy times with friends. I borrowed this fabulous idea from Monica of The Homespun Heart. She had created this fun idea with her friends on the first day of Fall. However, since I read about the idea afterwards, I couldn't wait a year to do it on the exact day. So, I had my own Autumn in Avonlea evening with my friends, kindred spirits, in October.


It was a dashingly delightful evening. In Anne's words, "What a splendid day!... I pity people who aren't born yet for missing it. They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one." - Anne of Green Gables

We had lots of pie, ice-cream, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, popcorn and a fabulous movie. We watched the first Anne movie as there were some that had never seen the movies before.... We all laughed and cried our way through the movie. This quite fun and I hope to continue to this as a tradition each year.


"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?"

Chum Latte

Thank you friend for the wonderful night of fellowship in the bookstore with Pumpkin Spice Latte and Spinach and Feta Pretzel. Yum! I missed you and it was nice to catch up.

Okay, everyone....remember to take time out of our busy days/evenings to spend some quality time with a friend (no kids) and talk. This is important and much needed for a healthy state of mind. It is refreshing to escape for a few hours from responsibilities and bond with other adults.

And a treat to a latte is quite nice too while spending time with your fellow chum. La-la-tey! Now, go grab a friend and drink and have fun chatting away......

Friendship doubles your joys, and divides your sorrows.
"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17

Happy Birthday Uncle Pete

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 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!

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)

Friends, Fwends

I work at the YMCA once a week for three hours. Lydia likes to call it "her school time". She has two other little girlfriends (whose mommies also work the same shift as I do) that are the same age. You can imagine 3 --3 year olds....sassy and sweet at the same time!

We caught them this day having a great time playing together. They were playing so well. Not everyday is like this. They set up an area for a picnic for their babies. I love the fact that they were all dressed in pink. If only you could of heard the conversation. Friends.

Everyday Lydia asks Sophia after we pick her up from school; "How's you fwends Sophia?"...Now, Lydia has begun telling Sophia after "her YMCA school" about her own fwends. "We pay wots too-getter and singa and dance and babies! Dey good. My fwends good!"

Ah, Fwends. Fwends are fwends for-evah!

Do you still have childhood friends that you keep in contact with?

Girlfriends

"Give me one friend, just one, who meets
The needs of all my varying moods."
~ Esther M. Clark

Check Out More Wordless Wednesday

Showers of Love for Rosalia

Today we were blessed by friends of the church with showers of blessing and love for Rosalia.

A delicate brunch: Quiche, Fruit, Croissants, Crackers and Cheese, Juice

Fun Games: Alphabet Name Game, Name the Mom & Child of each Animal (i.e. Chicken --Hen, Chick)....and the last game was a memory game ( I went to the shower and brought a Sassy Rattle, a pair of booties, etc.)
A cute idea: Each of the game gifts matched the game that was played. The Alphabet Game Winner received Alphabet soup. The Animal Game received Animal Cookies. The Memory Game winner received a scripture planner. I thought this was a clever idea.

A sweet inspirational devotion: A special friend and mentor Dona shared her words of wisdom.

Lovely presents: homemade quilts and a bib, soft yummy material for me to make the girls some sweet jammies with a gift card to JoAnn Fabrics, a couple of much needed girl outfits, and lots more!


Cake: How can I forget the lovely cake. White cake with fresh raspberry filling and a buttercream frosting. Delicious!

Lydia enjoying her cake too!

Friends Come to Visit

We have been blessed to have friends come and visit us. I should mention they are not just any "friends" but, very special friends. My sister Kristin, from Germany, came to see our new little bundle and of course visit with all of us. I love being with her.
Just a wishin' and hopein' and prayin' that one day we will live a lot closer to one another. Germany is just too far away! I miss being with her so much! It has been a fun visit with her and her little son Jannik.

Here are two beauties! Kristin and Rosalia

And sweet little German boy....Jannik! I love this little guy. He is such a cutie! Big ol' eyes and adorable smile!

I couldn't resist to include a sweet little picture of Rosalia....just a little over a week old. Love her!

Thankful ---for this day....

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.



It is a drizzle rain outside today. Calming.
Today I lit a candle. Soothing music playing in the background. Made my bed. Cleaned the kitchen. Vacuumed the floors and swept. Helped girls to clean their room. Drank some Hot Chai tea. Cleaned with Pinesol again!
Now, I am about to do some sewing at a friend's house while sipping on some Hot Cider and some homemade Minestrone soup. Beautiful time of fellowship with friends.

About a week left before this next Lil' Daisy arrives. I am excited to hold her sweetness in my arms and not have her kicking my ribs out of whack anymore.

Sweet, sweet Saturday. I am enjoying this day.

Meine Schwester Kristin

It is truly amazing how the Lord brings special friends into our lives. He brought my very best girl friend, whom I consider a sister into my life during high school---the years of soul searching, identity crisis, etc. Kristin is one very special gal---and for anyone that knows her or would meet her, you would completely agree. It is pure joy just to be in her midst. She is a blessing. Kristin has a very sweet, sweet spirit and kind soul. She is the most generous person I know. She gives and gives of herself, her time....oh, I could rant and rave all day about her....
Well, it would be in my heart's desire to be able to spend every day with Kristin, but the 5,000+ miles between us is a bit of a travel to stop by for an afternoon of coffee talk. Kristin is from Germany. Originally, from the Eastern part of Germany ---the famous little town of Cottbus. She came over to the United States as an exchange student and from that time we have been friends ever since we were 16 years old. Kristin came back to the states to attend College with me and was my roommate for several years. She also was one of my maid of honors in my wedding and I was also her Matron of honor in her wedding a few years ago in Germany!! I would love to tell you the story of her wedding sometime....it was the most amazing wedding I have ever been too. Even Ric loved it...which says a lot for a guy. But, I will save that story for another day. Just a little note, that her husband Michael is a gift from God. We had been praying and praying for a man that loves God for Kristin---and he is her perfect match.
About 8 months ago, Kristin gave birth to her first little miracle and joy ---a baby boy, Jannik! I would have loved to have been there....but again, those miles just seem to be in the way. Hummph!

And now....to the true point I am writing this today.....is I have finally met little Jannik. He is so wonderfully cute, adorable, sweet, etc...just like his Mommy. Kristin came to the states to visit and introduce Jannik to friends here. I have loved having her here. It is going to be very hard to say goodbye. I know that there will be streams of tears flowing for at least a few hours.
Holding Jannik makes me feel like he is my own. I was truly blessed how instantanious I became attached to this little guy. I love him so much. God you are so good and you creation is beautiful.
Well, I need to prepare myself for a goodbye---which I am not looking forward to doing. The girls absolutley loved meeting their "cousin Jannik"... Sophia was so happy that he would let her "mommy" him. She would hold his hand, sing to him, give LOTS of kisses and hugs. Both girls wanted to see Jannik immediatley, first thing in the mornings. It was like having a little brother. So sweet. I know that we have created many cute and fond memories this week. These are the only times that I wish time would not pass by so quickly----couldn't time just stand still?
By the way, the title of this post is in German (appropriate don't you think?)---which translates "My Sister Kristin" for those of you not fluent in German. Yah?
Chus Chus!!