Sleeping Beauties

I love my girlies, but at the end of the day I am ready for a little break.  They love to fall asleep together on the couch and I can hardly resist taking their picture whenever the camera is around.

Cinderella

In my quest to be a great mom I have been trying to figure out how to be consistent with discipline. While in college I remembered learning about Love and Logic so I looked to see if they had it for young children. They do! I borrowed the book from the library and read it cover to cover. It was just what I was looking for.  It gives the child choices, but also consequences for not obeying.    

One of the things this book talked about was chores.  They said that children can start doing chores at age 3.  I figured since Annabelle was so close to 3 we could try it and see how it went.  I acted really excited and told Annabelle we were going to do chores.  She was really excited and loved helping mommy out.  When I told her she was done, she wanted to do more and found things to do herself.  I don't have a consistent chore schedule for her, but I do have her help me when I am cleaning. 
Hopefully she maintains this attitude as she gets older and will be expected to help out a bit more.

Check out some of the things Annabelle helps me with

Cleaning the sink

 

Hanging the laundry to dry

Cleaning the mirror

She also likes to help put away her dishes, set and clear the table, and use the dust buster.

Ready or not here we GROW!

As Ariel took a nap today, Annabelle and I took some time to look at pictures of her when she was a baby.  I cannot believe that I have a 3 year old.  Wasn't I just in college staying up late and making "surprise cupcakes" with friends?  And now here I am a wife and mommy of two beautiful little girls.

As I looked at the pictures of Annabelle birth, it is so hard to believe how fast these precious little ones grow.  Not to long ago she was needing me to do everything for her and now she is telling me her monkey has a problem because it would like to swing on a vine and we don't have a vine in the car because vines are in the jungle.

As I watch my sweet baby Ariel taking her first steps, it is hard to believe that she is almost a year old. Almost a year ago, my second precious baby was born.

Time sure flies when we get caught up in life.  I need to remember to take the time to enjoy my babies while they are little because before I know it they will be wanting the keys to the car. 

I love watching James with his girls.  He is such an awesome daddy.  He plays nonstop and loves unconditionally.  

I LOVE my family.  Thank you Jesus for giving them to me!

Tell me these aren't the cutest pictures.

Everyone Needs Compassion

Be All That You Can Be - As A Mommy!

When Annabelle was born, she was a bit of a challenge (crying from 2 weeks until about 7 months nonstop).  After she calmed down, I thought that it was going to be easy from here on out (or at least until she was a teenager).  Anyway my little girl turned 2 1/2 one day and I realized it was more than just playing house.  

My first born baby was figuring out who she was, what she liked and didn't like, and how things should be.  Although she has been talking for awhile and had a large vocabulary, she would cry if something wasn't going so great.  One day it sort of stopped and she was agreeable and super sweet.

Then a few months later it all started again, but with a new twist.  She was starting to act like me.  I have always liked that I was a bit CDO (That's OCD, but in alphabetical order like it should be), however I didn't realize what a challenge it is for others who do not see things the same way as you do.  

Annabelle will not wear jeans, she will change her clothes if she gets a drop of water on them, she can't stand the tags in her clothes, she will not wear a diaper at night even though she can't make it through the night (this one is the best!). She knows what she wants and if it isn't just right she will have a melt down.  

I am now beginning to realize how frustrated my mom must have been when I would not wear jeans in middle school, or cry about what I was having for hot lunch the next day.  

I am being challenged as a mom raising a child just like me.  I have to think ahead about what might bother Annabelle so that I can prepare her for it or do something different for her.  I don't feel like I am spoiling her or anything, I am just helping her get through things smoothly.

Anyway, in my quest to be the best mom I can be I have been doing a lot of research.  I found this great website that has interviews with specialists in child development.  I found one interview with Dr. Kevin Lehman on www.bamradionetwork.com.  It is about raising a first born child.  It is a great interview.  If you have a a first born child you should take the time to listen to the interview.  (Go to radio, then on the right choose parent channel listings.  Dr. Lehman's interview is #74).  There are lots of other great interviews on lots of great topics.

Even though I am a first born and have a few OCD tendencies, I am finding it quite challenging to raise a first born.  I have to ask the Lord for patience everyday so that her personality does not get the best of me.  Of course I get frustrated, but I deal with it by reminding myself that this precious child was chosen for me!  

Take the time to thank the Lord for your children when they are causing you to become frustrated.  It will help you calm down and remember how much you love your child and how you would do anything for them.

One Proud Wifey

For the past almost 10 years James has worked at MPS (SVH).  He worked there part time in high school and when he was home for the summers during college.  

Recently there was an opening for a customer service person so James applied even though someone else was going to be getting the job anyway.  He had a phone interview with the lady in charge of hiring for all of MPS.  James did such a great job on his interview that they made up a position for him.  He is now working in the customer service area before his actual shift starts and going in on Friday (which he used to have off).  

This week he is going to be working 11 hour days to help out someone who is on vacation.  

We are looking forward to this turning into a permanent position.  The girls and I will love to have him home with us at night.  

I am so proud of my wonderful husband for working so hard (not every man would willingly work 11 hour days).  

The Truth

I found this on someone else's blog.  Take the time to watch it.

  

Show Me the Money!

Our pastor is doing a series on money and this Sunday he gave us these 7 points to think about.  

Earn money honestly

Tithe money faithfully

Spend money wisely

Watch money carefully

Save money consistently

Share money willingly

Enjoy money thankfully

I was at Target this afternoon and was going to buy Ariel an outfit.  I decided I better not get it until I look at see what I have that will work from Annabelle.  

I think that is 1 point for me for spend money wisely! 

Here I Go!

I have decided to become a blogger.  I have given it a try a couple of different times, but now I am really going to stick to it.  

Wish me luck!