Happy Birthday My Precious Girls!

This post is a little late, but I wanted to go ahead and share some of the pictures and stories from our exciting weekend last week. We celebrated Gracie Claire's 3rd birthday on the 14th and Sydney's 1st birthday on the 15th. Those days were so fun and I've documented them in pictures which I'll share in another post. This one is packed full already. We had a double princess birthday party on Saturday. So many of our precious family and friends were there to celebrate with us! The girls & boys all dressed up in their princess/prince gear and we even had a special visit from "Princess Belle," from Beauty & the Beast. All in all, it was a success. I'll talk more about their actual birthdays in an upcoming entry, but I want to dedicate the rest of this one to my babies.

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Dear Gracie Claire,

I can't believe that you're already 3! You are such a big girl and have grown in so many ways that Daddy and Mommy are so proud of! You have a special place that is all your own in your Mommy's heart because you were my very first baby. You showed Mommy what an awesome job it is to be a Mom. You made my hopes and dreams of being a Mommy come true.
You've been given so many wonderful gifts and Daddy's and Mommy's strongest prayer for you is that you will use them all of your life for Jesus. We want you to use your compassion, sweet spirit, spunky attitude, love for worship, and even your strong will to introduce people to the one who gave you those qualities. We've already seen you be used by the Lord and we can't wait to see what His plans are for you!
On the day you were born, I didn't know if it was possible to love you any more than I did on that day...but, with each passing day, my heart swells bigger and bigger with love for you! I thank Jesus everyday that He lent you to Daddy and Mommy to take care of while you are here on earth. Besides Jesus, you and your sister are the best gifts that God has ever given us! I hope that with each passing year, you will continue to grow in the One who made you and live your life completely for Him! Daddy and Mommy love you bunches Gracie Claire! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Dear Sydney Hope,

Your first year has flown by in the blink of an eye. The day you were born seems like it was yesterday. You, too, hold your own special place in my heart. You taught Mommy that Jesus gives us enough love to love all of the babies that He gives to us! My heart overflows with love for my sweet Syd!
As you've grown over this past year, so many of your gifts have started to peek through. You are patient, joyful, love to learn, and aren't hesitant to tell it like it is...you make your feelings known! These things are all going to be great ways for you to reach out to the lost and show them who Jesus is! Daddy and Mommy cannot wait to see how He is going to use you for His glory! You have already been used to hugely bless our lives. We pray that you will grow to be a great woman in God's mighty kingdom!
The day you were born was a step into a new adventure of being a Mommy of 2. I'm so thankful that Jesus chose you to lend to Daddy and Mommy as our 2nd baby girl! Your special attachment to me is something that Mommy especially loves and will hold onto for as long as I can...because I know it won't last forever! Besides Jesus, you and your sister are the best gifts that God has ever given us! I hope that with each passing year, you will continue to grow in the One who made you and live your life completely for Him! Daddy and Mommy love you bunches Sydney Hope! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Here is a video of some of the birthday party pictures as well as some of their 3 yr. & 1 yr. old pictures. (I know they're a repeat, but I wanted to add them on this!) By the way, grab a tissue, this song is a killer! ;o)

You Don't Win Dude!

A while back, I committed to reading "The Purpose Driven Life" and blogging about it everyday. Sad to say, I fell off the purpose bandwagon and fell short of my commitment. So, I am starting back up in order to follow through. It's amazing how wonderful things, like my girls' birthday and birthday party, are used against us by the dude down south to distract us from strengthening our walks. I think I'll stomp on him with even more exuberance today as I start my purpose blogs back up. Dude down south...you don't win this one.

Check it Out...

I'm running my first contest with my new little business! So, go check out my Froggie Bloggie Designs blog and enter my contest! I would love to have tons of entries! Tell your friends too!!

You can click the cute little froggie to enter!

In other news...I am a bit behind in my blogging. I need to post about the girls and their birthdays and I have TONS of pictures from their birthday weekend. So, that post is coming soon!

My Birthday Girls

Gracie Claire turns 3 on Thursday and Sydney turns 1 on Friday. It's unbelievable how fast time flies! I wanted to share their birthday pictures...so here they are!

READ ME!! READ ME!!

I've started my own business!! I've loved figuring out how to make my own headers and edit the "html" to make my blog cute. (Yes, I'm a wannabe computer nerd.) After a couple of people e-mailed me to ask me about my layouts, I decided that I could make a little money doing it. So, I came up with (drum roll please....)

FROGGIE BLOGGIE DESIGNS

I've set up a blog, www.froggiebloggiedesigns.blogspot.com, to do all of my business through, so, if you're interested, go see my blog!!! And, if you're not interested, go look at it anyway!!! I would love for you to pass my name along too. Word of mouth, or rather word of blog, is the only way I'm really advertising, so I would definitely appreciate your help! If you click here, here, here, here, or here, you can see some of the blogs I've made over. Besides doing my own, these people were my guinea pigs, so a big THANKS definitely goes to them.

I hope that you'll go take a look!

Blow on My Hand

Surprise, Surprise! Gracie Claire is sick again. Poor baby!! It seems like once we get over one thing, another one sneaks up on us. Yesterday she had a fever of 102.8, so this morning I called and got in with our doctor's nurse practitioner. Something that she kept asking GC to do over and over was to blow on her (the nurse's) hand. I understood why the first couple of times, but after what seemed like the twentieth time, it became a little odd. Overall, it was a good visit except that we left with a prescription for an unknown virus (not unknown to the doctor...just to me) and a nebulizer (which she promised would be billed to our insurance...fingers crossed.) Gracie Claire did her first breathing treatment in the office and was quite the little trooper...at first. She was so still getting the little mask put on and waiting for the nice nurse to hook the tubes up, but once the nurse left, she freaked. Her words were (in a bit of a panicky voice,) "Mommy, I done with the disosaur!" (Spelling intentional.) My sweet girl has to do four breathing treatments a day for the next few days...should be fun!

What was Sydney doing throughout our little adventure, you ask? She was as happy as a bug as long as she had puffs to eat. I love you Gerber!

Sydney Updates

It seems like my sweet Syd gets left out a little bit in blog land. It's totally not on purpose...Gracie Claire is just involved in so much more and doing so many new things and talking non-stop that it's just a little easier to blog about her. Not that I couldn't sit here and write a bazillion words to describe my sweet Sydney...I don't know, I guess I'm feeling a bit guilty about it, so I'm sitting here taking up space on excuses rather than getting down to business.

Sydney is two weeks away from turning one! If I think about it too much, it makes me a little sad to think that my baby's first year has flown by in what seems like a second. I seriously believe that your second child's first year goes by way faster than your first child's. She is beyond precious! Her personality is so laid back and she is usually always content. She smiles at just about anyone and has the sweetest giggle. She's got quite the right hook when Gracie Claire gets in her way and she definitely lets us know when she is unhappy. I love her SO much and am completely thankful for my second baby girl. I'm saving a few things to write for her birthday post, so I'm not going any further. Here are a few pictures of my sweet girl!






A Few Picture Explanations:

• I can't help but love the crying picture. She was mad at Gracie Claire...just too cute.
  
• In the pictures with her blanket, she had found it in the basket of laundry I was folding. When she sucks her thumb, she rubs the silky edge of the blanket between her fingers.
• Bath time pictures are pretty self-explanatory. She LOVES the bath.
• I had to include the picture of Sydney and Bennett playing. He's one of our favorite playmates!
  

Stolen From Jennifer

1. Do you wear a name tag at work?
When I worked I did.
2. What kind of car do you drive?
Ford Explorer
3. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell?
A chili cheese burrito or 3 soft tacos supreme with a Mt. Dew...disgusting, I know.
4. Have you ever had a garage sale?
Yes and I hate them. Too much work for too little money.
5. What color is your iPod?
My iPod is on my iPhone and it's black...boring, boring.
6. What kind of dog do you have?
We don't have a dog anymore. Lexi the Lab went to live on a prisoner's ranch in Abilene. Last we heard she sleeps with a goat named Bob in a haystack. Seriously. She's so much happier there.
7. What's for dinner tonight?
I haven't figured that one out yet. It's only 11:30!
8. What is the last alcoholic beverage you had?
Does Nyquil count?
9. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone?
If dropping it is stupid then I'm stupid all the time.
10. Last time you were sick?
Don't remember. But I do remember that it was gross.
11. How long is your hair?
It's short. I don't have the patience to grow it out.
12. Are you happy right now?
Yes!
13. What did you say last?
Let's clean up the red Play-Doh!
14. Who came over last?
Jennifer and Bennett
16. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted?
No...but I did tell my sister that. They told me I was bossy and a goody two shoes. Go figure.
17. What is your favorite key chain on your keys?
A frog with sparkly eyes.
18. What was the last movie you watched at home?
Jojo's Circus: Animal a Go-Go
19. What is in your pocket?
Nothing.
20. Who introduced you to your crush?
I met him at church. He introduced himself to me.
21. Where do you hurt?
My lower back at the end of the day. Does that make me old?!
22. Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear?
NO...but we went to a Build-A-Bear birthday party on Saturday and Gracie Claire chose a horse...she named her Daisy.
23. What DVD is in your DVD player?
Jojo's Circus: Animal a Go-Go...didn't we cover this earlier?
24. What's something funny you did today?
Everything...I'm a funny girl. (Just kidding! I'm not that vain!)
25. Who was the principal of your high school?
Mrs. Kelly...not the most personable person, but she was always nice to me.
26. Has your house ever been TPd?
No.
27. What do you think of when you hear the word 'meow'?
Huh?! A Cat.
28. What are you listening to right now?
Gracie Claire talking while playing with Play-Doh and the radio.
29. Drinkin?
Nothing.
30. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart?
The picture frame aisle. You can never have enough picture frames. :o)
31. When is your birthday?
November 8th
32. What's the area code for your cell phone?
None yo bidness.
33. Where did you buy the shirt you're wearing now?
Old Navy...love that place.
34. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror?
No.
35. How many states in the US have you been to?
I think 21 if I counted right.
37. What are you going to do after this?
I'm taking the girls to the church to play with friends at the playscape.
38. Who was the last person you went shopping with?
Paul
40. What about your favorite dessert?
The Great Wall of Chocolate from P.F. Changs
41. What is something you need to go shopping for?
A few groceries.
42. Do you have the same name as one of your relatives?
No...My parent's just picked names they liked.
43. What kind of car do your siblings drive?
Caleb drives a big truck and Gracie drives a Ford Escort.
44. Do you like pickles?
Love them!! My grandma used to jar her own pickles. Her dills are the BEST!!
45. What about olives?
Yep.
47. What is your favorite kind of juice?
I don't drink juice very often, but I would probably pick orange over anything else.
48. Do you have any tan lines?
I wish...Maybe if Paul and I get a vacation in this year.
49. What hospital were you born in?
One in Iowa.
50. Do you remember the name of your kindergarten teacher?
Mrs. Benner...One of the best teachers I ever had!!

The Pink Eye

Our little family has gone through quite an "exciting" couple of weeks. About two weeks ago, Sydney woke up with goop coming out of her eye. I took her to t he doctor, he prescribed some drops for pink eye, and then we went on our way. That bout was cleared up in a couple of days. Saturday morning, Gracie Claire woke us up saying, "My eye hurts, Daddy!" It was all red, puffy, and, yes, full of goop. Thank goodness for the drops that we already had. Especially since it was the weekend. That afternoon, Sydney woke up with new goop. YES! Double the pink eye!! Sunday morning, they both woke up with both of their eyes swollen shut. I can't tell you how sad it was to see either one of them hurting...but, I had to take their picture. I may be a little morbid, but it was just a little hilarious to see my baby with a smile on her face and her eyes full of neon green goo. (Gracie Claire wasn't as thrilled about the camera.) I am happy to say that even though they are still both getting the drops, their eyes are clear and we are one big happy family again.

Moving

Nope, we're not moving, but the blogs that I'm doing while I'm reading "The Purpose Driven Life" have. Instead of cluttering up this blog, which I like to save for everyday happenings, adventures with my girls and the hubster, and other fun stuff, I decided to make a whole new blog just for my posts about "The Purpose Driven Life." If you've been keeping up, which I hope you have (it's really good stuff!) then you can find my purpose blog here. I'll also add it to my friend's list or sidebar. If you haven't been reading, don't worry!! I'm not writing my own commentary--just highlighting some important parts, the points to ponder, verses to remember, and questions to consider. Everything is taken right from the book. So, take a look--again, it's really good stuff!!

Gracie Claire's First Haircut

I've waited forever to get Gracie Claire's haircut. I really don't know why except that there was the thought that loomed in the back of my head that her hair was the last "baby" thing that we'd kept and I was sort of holding onto it. Weird, I know. She has been asking for a haircut for a couple of months now. So, when I told her that we were going to get our hair cut on Wednesday, she was so excited. When we got there she climbed right up in the chair without being asked to and just waited. Our hair girl said, "Well I guess you're going first!!" The funny thing was that she was so excited, but SO serious during the whole thing unless I told her to smile for a picture. Lori, our hair girl, made it even and gave it some shape and it looks so much better!!

BEFORE:



DURING:



AFTER:
(Notice in the picture w/ Lori, Gracie Claire can't keep her eyes off the mirror. We tried taking the picture again, but had the same result. No self-confidence problems from this girl!)

A New Goal

All of a sudden I've gotten a hungry appetite for reading. I've never been a big reader unless I found a book that just held my attention, but lately I've just really wanted to read. Since I just finished "Redeeming Love" (see my post below) and just started my new Tuesday morning Bible study, I didn't want to start something (like "Redeeming Love") that would divert my attention from my study. So, I've decided to read, "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Something that can be used in addition to my study. I've actually already read it almost all of the way through, but decided to start again and really focus on each daily reading. Everyday I will be blogging about what I've read to help keep myself accountable. Just short blogs with the Points to Ponder, Verses to Remember, and Questions to Consider and anything else that really stuck out to me. So, here is day one's blog for "The Purpose Driven Life."

Day One: It All Starts With God
"For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible...everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16 (Msg)

Stuff That Stuck Out:

• "You didn't create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for."
• "Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose."
• "You were made by God and for God."

Point To Ponder: It's not about me.

Verse To Remember: "Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him." Colossians 1:16b (Msg)

Question To Consider: In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

Sorry if this gets boring for anyone who reads. I'm mainly doing this to keep myself accountable, but if anybody has any insights that they'd like to share, I'd love to hear them!

All taken from: "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren

For All You Cheetos Lovers Out There...

UPDATE: Gracie Claire, the girl who quit taking naps at 2 1/2, fell asleep on her bed mid-meltdown! I think a nap is just what the doctor ordered...for me and her!

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I have found a new flavor that I completely love. Cheetos, being in the top five snack items that are my favorites, has a new (maybe it's just new to me) flavor. Until now my favorite has been the crunchy Flamin' Hot, but now crunchy Cheddar Jalapeño has moved into the number one spot. If you're a Cheetos lover (and if you're not, I think you're just a teeny bit weird) try them! They're good! (Sorry about the weird post, but GC is in her room on her bed having a meltdown as I type. I needed to write about something that would help me calm myself before I go talk with her. What better than Cheetos?!) :o)

Gracie Claire's School Picture

School pictures were always so fun to look at when I was teaching. The pose, the background, the smiles on the kids faces, I loved it all. They always made me smile, but usually made me laugh. Little did we know that when GC started YCW, she would be getting her first "school" picture taken. Notice the pose, which I love. Her hand is cupped and placed ever so carefully on her leg and her elbow is resting in just the right position. The background is a lovely marble finish and it looks as if she is sitting on a perfectly sized staircase. Her precious little face and sweet little smile are my favorite part of the picture of course.

I'm a little late in posting this, since they were taken a couple of months ago. But, I had to share anyway!

You Go Girl...I Mean Your Honor!

Blog Recommendation, Book Recommendation, & Bible Study

Blog Recommendation

If you haven't read about it on Betsy's blog or looked at it for yourself, I would definitely recommend checking in on Tricia, Gwyneth Rose, and Nate on Nate's blog. He updates quite a bit and every time I read about their powerful story I am reminded of how powerful God is. The faith that this family has is amazing! Nate's faith especially tugs at your heart as he has said that no matter what happens to his girls, he knows God will be glorified through it. No matter what! That is a faith that I can definitely learn from. Click here to check it out! Pray for them! They can use all of the prayers that they can get!

Book Recommendation

I think that I am definitely behind the times in finding this author, but I am SO excited that I did. I know that some of you have been reading her books for a long time, but if you haven't, go get this one: "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. SO GOOD! It's a retelling of the book of Hosea and can I tell you that I could not put it down. READ IT!!

Bible Study

This morning marked the first day of the spring semester of Ladies' Bible Class. I really like the group I'm in and can't wait to get started discussing our first chapter next week. We're doing "Bad Girls of the Bible," and I'm anxious to see what I learn from this study. Should be fun!

Rayna

I was so excited to be at church on Sunday morning as one of my former 1st graders (who is now a 4th grader) was baptized!! I can't even explain the pride and joy I had as I watched her make the most important choice that she will ever make. The tears definitely welled up as I heard her say "YES" to Jesus!! It made me even more anxious to one day watch my own babies make that most important decision. I am so proud of you Rayna! I will love watching as you continue to grow in and love the Lord!

(Side-Note: Other than being a wife and mommy, I have to say that being a teacher was the best career choice I could have ever made! It's still rewarding, even though I haven't been in the classroom in 3 years!!)

AARRGGHH Matey!!!

Dear Friends at YCW,

Thank you for sending home the treasure chest that contained many lovely little pirate themed goodies! We especially enjoyed the pirate patch. It brought much joy to our family!

Love,

Our Easily Entertained Pirate Family

Gracie Claire Quotes I Want To Remember

I think I need to start doing this more often, because she says things everyday that make me laugh or amaze me.

• After asking her to stop talking for a couple of minutes she says in a matter of fact voice, "But Mommy, I WANT to talk!"
• "Hi Mommy, it's ME, Gracie Claire!"
• "Sydney's so SFWEET!" (spelling intentional)
• "YOU leave ME alone!!" "YOU go AWAY!" -- There are usually consequences when she says these two phrases, but sometimes it's hard to stifle a smile because of look on her face and the tone in her voice.
• "I a pwincess! I so boofiful!"
• When calling, "Gracie Claire, where are you?" She answers as she walks in the room, "Here my am!"
• Sometimes when you ask, "What are you doing?" she answers, "Just chillin'!"
• "WIKI, WIKI!" -- If you want to know more about this one, just ask.
• "Jesus likes me!"
• When I leave her room at night, she says, "I love you bunches!"
• "That makes me so FWUFWATED!"

I sure do love that girl!

The Lake

The weekend after Christmas, my family, all of us minus Nkere, took a trip out to east Texas to spend some time together. We stayed at a timeshare that my Grandma owns at Sam Rayburn Lake. It turned out to be really nice and we spent lots of time watching movies, playing games, eating, laughing, and just having lots of fun together. Here are some of the pictures from the trip.

Right before Daddy went fishing with the guys, (he had to wear the camo you know,) Sydney posed in his stocking cap and gloves.

She doesn't have much hair, but my mom found a new way to style the hair she does have! :o)

Just chillin' in the Bumbo. (Yes, she can sit up on her own and yes, I know the Bumbos are recalled...but, I'm not one of those parents who left their child alone on a counter hoping the chair would keep them in place. Just my thoughts. :o)

Hangin' out on BigPa's shoulders.

Aunt Sandra put make-up on Gracie Claire for the first time. She LOVED it! This is her serious pose. Don't her eyes look "fierce?!" (For those of you who watch "Top Model") :o)

My mom, Gracie, Gracie Claire, and I took a trip to the lake. GC had a great time throwing rocks in the water and exploring.

Gracie Claire and Mommy

SO Excited!

She's a Ham!!!