Sleeping...

in different places this week. The transition is still underway. This is the second night Eden has slept in her new twin bed. Since David knows no bounds, he has been getting up at 6am to play in the closet with blocks. Around 10am he can't keep his eyes open anymore...even if he is playing with his truck.

Bad Day

Today started out with nothing major…I mean typical toddler fiascoes. Eden peed on the carpet (which I discovered after stepping in it) and wrote on the TV and closet door. I have no idea where she got the crayon and still can’t find it! Around lunch time everything fell apart. I started laundry and finished loading the dishwasher. Meanwhile Eden had got into my purse and found some fingernail polish. I turned the corner to discover David holding the open bottle. I ran to him; in reaction he screamed & ran as I picked him up he waved the bottle wildly splashing nail polish everywhere and eventually threw it on the carpet (just past the rug…so on the actual carpet). I scooped them both up and headed to the bathroom. Soon discovering nail polish covering their arms and on Eden’s brand new princess dress Gigi made for her. As I was cleaning up David, Eden knocked down the baby gate into the kitchen and got a pitcher of apple juice out of the fridge. She was attempting to go upstairs and spilled the WHOLE THING on the carpet stairs. I put the kids in their room for naps and attempted to clean up. If you have ever cleaned dark nail polish from any carpet…you know it doesn’t really clean up well. Then I go and check on them (supposedly taking a nap) and find them playing…I mean actually playing in a bunch of poop! Also Eden broke a necklace…while David tried to eat all the beads. Did I mention our ceiling has a wet spot from the upstairs toilet…which I think is leaking from not being properly sealed after laying tile. The wet spots are attracting fruit flies…so those are squirming my laundry room.

Oh boy, I know everyone has had these days. I am not really looking for sympathy (although a little doesn’t hurt :))…just complaining. Maybe reading this will help your day. Sometimes I get sick of reading everyone’s perfect life. I’m just keeping it real!

When the day was all said and done I ate a mini chocolate pie (probably 50 grams of fat), watched a movie and went shopping. All these things didn’t bring as much comfort as getting on my knees and praying. As a mother I don’t do this enough. When I pray for my children the Holy Spirit pours over my body and I know that this job is the most important one I could be doing.



Cute outfits Gigi made for them.

The day I have been dreading

David can get out of his bed...and Eden's. It all started on Thursday morning. Eden was fully dressed sitting in her crib and the room was covered in diapers and clothes. David was squealing with delight. He had brought Eden some clothes and she had gotten dressed and was ready for the day.

I thought David's climbing ability would provoke Eden to also venture out of her crib. I was wrong, she is perfectly content watching him and telling him what to do through the bars of the crib. Yesterday David climbed up into her crib and they both were jumping with delight. So now what to do? I am torn because I REALLY don't want to take Eden out of the crib...but put David in a bed before Eden? He would never stay put. I ordered a crib tent online. Which means David will go in the crib and Eden will have to be put in a bed. While waiting for the tent to arrive I guess we will shop for a bed and try to stay sane with crazy naps.

Green thumb

Paul's garden is a success! He didn't know if anything would grow in the clay dirt and survive the bugs! We are thrilled to have enjoyed some zuchini, squash, peas and bell peppers. The tomatos are almost ready.
Eden enjoying a bell pepper.

A flop

Warning: These are GROSS! I took a gamble by purchasing this new flavor thinking it would be tasty. Have you tried them? Do you like them? I wish someone would have warned me.

1 1/2

This month David is 18 months old. Which is pretty much the happiest month of our lives! All you parents know what I'm talking about. That's right- NURSERY!!! We have actually snuck him in a few times when both Paul and I teach, but now it is official and he is eligible for nursery. Notice anything different on David? Well, NURSERY can also be a battle field! I guess he was trampled. It didn't bother David as he refused to leave the Nursery when they tried to take him to Paul. If that wasn't enough he was clocked right in the eye by a swing today at Miss Sherry's house. Poor little guy.

We went to the Driggers today for playgroup. They have the coolest backyard. The picture doesn't do it justice...sandboxes, trikes, bikes, swings, mud and of course the blow up water slides and pool (not pictured). If you look really close you can see Sherry giving the kids a ride on the tracker...what a cool country backyard.

Memorial Day

I recently started working at Chili's as a server. I had decided after school gets out I would apply to a few places for part time work in the evening. Since this is a small town, there aren't many options past 5pm. That limited me to Wal-Mart, JcPenneys and restaurants. I was hired immediately and started training during Paul's 2 week break. After 5 surprisingly hard test, I passed training (failing the alcohol exam only once :)). Being a married person who doesn't drink is abnormal. I stick out like a sore thumb...wait until then find out I'm Mormon! ha Paul has been SOOOOO great taking care of the kids. They don't even miss me! The evenings I have worked he waits up for me, listens to all my complaining and rubs my feet. I will be working twice a week. I ended up working today, which was a bummer but Paul took the kids to a BBQ with some friends from church. They are the greatest people!

Paul said once Eden tasted Rootbeer she couldn't get enough. She kept asking Lisa (Abby's mom) for more Rootbeer because Paul said no. I hope Paul brushed her teeth before bed.

I guess Dad's don't know about cutting hotdogs. He's still alive...so all is well!Paul said David had a bunch of girls following him. They adore him and from this picture he doesn't seem to mind it!

Slip n Slide

Eden's favorite place in the whole world is Abby & Sarah's house. Not only do they have a whole bucket of polly-pocket dolls but a Slip n slide! Sarah just finished Pre-K and is wise beyond her years! Lisa told me about a conversation she had with Sarah before we came over to swim. Sarah said: Mom, I am going to tell Eden these are princess sea shells; if I don't say "princess" she won't pay attention.

Water + Sand = Beach

You don't need the ocean to enjoy a day on the beach! Sardis Lake is only 20 minutes away. Later that evening Eden said, "mommy, I want to swim in the dirt". Ummm...

This is how David wears sunglasses.
Building sand castles.














Look how brave Eden is.


You never get to old for fun in the sand.

Weekend Indulgence

Chocolate Chocolate Tower from Outback Steakhouse! This cake is one I dream about, I had been waiting with much anticipation for this divine piece of cake.

Buttermilk Peach pancakes are a must! Fresh peaches in a syrup with a hint of cinnamon, topped with real whip cream.

Get away

This past weekend we went to Little Rock, Arkansas & Hot Springs. The destination was the Amusement Park: Magic Springs. It was the perfect trip, perfect amount of time and we couldn't have done it without our PERFECT friends who watched the kids. A million THANKS to the Blaus, Shelly & Yamniks.

The very first ride we went on (pictured) I got so SICK! What is this about? By the third ride I threw up and called it quits. I didn't want to be a party pooper...but it was miserable. Old age? Pregnancies? Something has happened to me in the past 4 years because my body does NOT like fast, jerky motion! Now I will be the mom who waits by the bags and takes the pictures. They did have a water park attached, so we headed over there and had a BLAST! Paul LOVED golfing ALL DAY long. This picture captures the landscape with the white blossoms in the air. The drive was so green. There is something refreshing about driving along open roads with beautiful scenery.

Working it...

Last week Eden asked for candy, I told her if she went to the potty she could get a candy. She picked up on that quickly and did her business in her little potty for a piece of candy. This week she has gotten clever. She goes potty...gets a candy and then 15 minutes goes potty again. This little lady has quite a system! Today we were at Wal-Mart and Eden said, "I have to go potty". It was as simple as that and she went. So, that's it!

Today Paul planned to take Eden to the movie store to rent a barbie movie. They sneaked away without David seeing, then I heard the door open and Eden comes running in calling for David. Paul looked at me and said, "Eden doesn't want to go without David". Here they are running outside together! Is this not a parents dream come true? (side note: Paul has been SOOO helpful as he is off school for a few weeks. Including dressing Eden, notice she is wearing a PJ shirt and David's jeans...I didn't say anything, we'll see if he reads this :)) Love you Paul!

Hip Hip Hooray

Paul is done with his first year of Law School! I am so proud of him. I know it hasn't been easy to go back to school. We love and support you babe!

Eden is VERY observant of Paul. The past couple of days these are some things she has said:

Eden: Daddy, you take off your shirt?
Paul: said nothing
Eden: Why you take off your shirt?
Paul: I'm going to take a shower.
Eden: Oh

When we dropped Paul off at school this morning, he got his backpack out of the car and said good bye to us.
Eden: Daddy...you have your backpack like a purse?
Paul: oh, yes I do (as he noticed that he was carrying it on one shoulder)

Tantrums & Twirls

Do you know what this is? Yes, a tantrum. Today at the store David was absolutely antsy. By the end he was shrieking and throwing his body in all directions. Eden was looking at him like he was insane! I smiled as she has had her fare share of public tantrums. I was just grateful that it was only one of them! I usually pack snacks and goodies to keep them in the buggy. Occasionally I let them walk...but that always ends in a disaster (why do I still think they will stay by me?). I am totally that mother who pushes her buggy of screaming kids while comparing prices on spaghetti sauce.













Twirling with her pretty pink dress Gigi made.





Holding on for a horsey ride. It melts my heart to see them happily playing together.

Journaling

I started this blog as a great way to stay connected to our family & friends. Then I had the after thought of journal writing. My sister- in- law shared this website where you can print your blogs in a book (see below). I have a baby journal in word document for each child that I include pictures and write dialogs a few times a month. The other day...I just realized, why am I doing double duty? Duh...I am going to try and focus more on the little details of our lives that I want to remember. Which probably means: longer and boring descriptions for you.

With that said: When Eden was little Paul wanted to wrestle with her. He couldn't wait until she was old enough. As I imagined she grew up and now is 100% girl and still isn't keen on wrestling. This picture depicts their personalities perfectly. Paul is approaching on all fours ready to scare and wrestle. Eden ran to the corner saying, "Daddy don't get me" and here is David ready to pounce!

http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook Has anyone used this? Do you print your blogs? What company do you use? The prices seem reasonable...cheaper then the photo prints, embellishments, paper and supplies I would use to make a scrapbook.