We've been absent ...

News from our little household has been slim lately, hasn't it? I do miss blogging here regularly, but will stop in as I can.

God has continued to fill our home with the laughter of our little ones. Selena is progressing in her quest for learning to read, slowly but surely. She can read simple (three letter) words, and is learning to sound out. We studied apples in September, pumpkins in October, and we are studying turkeys this month. She helped make apple pie and pumpkin muffins too! Shana joins us as we read and color, her little hands busy trying to take Lena's papers or knock over her carefully planned building blocks. It is a good learning experience for both of them! Lena is mama's helper, and is growing so quickly. I am so thankful for my intuitive girl who has inherited mommy's talkative nature!

Shana has very little to say, but her eyes tell us everything. She is simply sweet with her impromptu kisses and hugs. She is very purposeful in her play -- stacking plates and cups, pretending to fold laundry, and clapping and singing. Her favorite word is "Neenaa." She is always at my feet when I am cooking or cleaning, watching and imitating.

I am reminded every day of the blessings God has given me:

I simply love being a mom. Especially to these two girls who drink in every word I say, imitate my every move, and teach me where I've sinned without even knowing it.

How wonderful to be able to live, love and share common goals with my very best friend in the whole world. Watching my husband with my girls has increased my love and respect for him. He takes the time to listen and to teach.

What am I working on? My organization!! It seems I do this every year, because my tendency is to be extremely organized for a short period of time, and then fall into old habits. I need to develop a system for my coupons. Right now they are in a basket next to my bed, and this isn't working as well. I also need to go through our entire file system and put old paperwork in banker boxes.

How are all of you? How are you enjoying fall? It hasn't been very cold this fall, so it doesn't seem quite right that Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

Check my sidebar for Speakable Gifts' Christmas list. My mom and I are hoping that everyone who buys presents at Christmas time, will consider at least one spiritual or at least character building gift this year!

I just wanted to stop in here to wish my man a Happy Birthday. He is truly a gift from God, and the girls and I are so blessed to have him. He jokes about being outnumbered in our household of girls, but he is adored by all three of us.

You can read more about my wonderful husband here, here, and here. Oh, and here too!

Bedside Chats

What do you say to your children before bedtime? Selena is now three, and the going to bed routine has gotten longer. As I've mentioned before, the two girls sleep in the same room now. Shana goes to bed about an hour before Lena does, so about 8pm, Lena and I (or Daddy) tiptoe upstairs for teeth brushing, final pottying, storytelling time.

After Lena is tucked into bed amid her many billowy blankets, stuffed animals and two pillows, she is ready for a story. She has an imaginary friend, so I often spin my stories around adventures that she, Shana, and her imaginary friend would have.

After one particularly discouraging day, my heart was full of love for her. Full of love and longing that she will one day be a woman of God. I started my story as usual:

"Once upon a time, there were --"
"TWO GIRLS!" she whisper shouted.
"And their names were Selena and Shana, and they were --"
"BEST FRIENDS!" she finished for me.

Then I paused, looking at her wide eyes and eager expression. I realized what a teachable moment I had, and began to tell my story in such a way that it would be character building for her. She was raptly attentive, and I was able to talk to her after the story. We said one of the verses that she knows, and as always, we prayed together for her and Shana.

Ever since that night, I have tried to take full advantage of those moments before she sleeps. I encourage her for the wonderful traits her daddy and I have seen in her, and I talk to her about some of the areas that need attention. We do this at naptime sometimes too if there is something good or otherwise that needs to be mentioned. And there are times, when I feel that all of this would be burdensome, so we just have our little story and then she goes to sleep. I pray that this will bear fruit in both of my girls. Sometimes Shae wakes up while we are talking, and I tuck her into bed next to Selena and talk to both of them for a few minutes.

Do you have a special place for your teachable moments? I'd love to hear about it!

Happy Birthday, Shana!

Shana.

Shana of the sparkling eyes and irresistable smile. Today is your first birthday, babybug. There are so many things that I love about you. Would you like to know a few?

You are a busy little bumblebee, always doing something. When we go downstairs in the morning, you go right to the baby cups and plates and throw them to the floor, screaming with delight as they clatter. You started walking at nine months old, and I love watching you toddle around the house behind your big sister. You love us so freely, and we all adore you.

You growl with delight when something pleases you. You try to make us laugh with your little joke of blowing into the lid of a cup. You do it over and over while we pretend to convulse with laughter.

You love life so much. You are happy from the moment you wake up until you lay your little curly head down at night. When you laugh, you'll throw yourself backwards no matter where you are. Sometimes you bump your head, but you rarely cry about it. You are always discovering new things to love. You astonished me when we went to storytime with Selena, and you enjoyed it so much, even at your young age.

My favorite time of the day with you is when we sit on the floor together, just the two of us. I hold out my arms, and you run to me. We rock and you pat my back.

You and Selena are truly the best of friends. You hold hands in the car, hug and kiss all day long, wrestle until one of you cries, and play together in quiet reading time. You stay in your crib, and your sister "reads" to you, or you sing together and pretend to cook. You are never perfectly happy unless your sister is nearby.

You are definitely a Daddy's girl, which is adorable. As I type, you and Daddy are rocking in the big chair. You are lying down on him, eyes wide open, perfectly still, except for the slow movement of your pacifier. You are making contented sounds deep in your throat. Daddy is your rock, and you wait for him to come home all day.

Shana, I simply can't believe that you are turning one. You are such a joy to all of us. When I look at you I remember the first time I saw you, just a year ago. You are our precious babybug.

I. Love. You.

Happy One.

Love,
Mama

Five Years

I remember what I was doing five years ago at this time. It was the night before my wedding, and I was watching Pride and Predjuice with my bridesmaids, and mom. We were sprawled out on mattresses and sleeping bags on the floor of our apartment - our new home. The kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms were all set up. Items from our hope chest were lovingly placed, and there was even food stacked in the pantry. I was in a sort of surreal cloud. I was feeling that bittersweet emotion. Leaving home for the first time. Thinking about marrying the man that I truly loved. The details of the wedding had become irrelevant. I just wanted to get that white dress and veil on.

Tonight, I am wrapped in a thick blanket, sitting on the bed. Children's toys are in a basket in the corner. We are in a different house, in a different state.

Instead of two, we are four now. The love we had then has multiplied. All I know is that God in His perfect wisdom knew who was perfectly suited to me. I love being married to my husband and best friend. I can't believe we've crammed all of this happiness into five years.

Happy Anniversary tomorrow sweetie ...

Remembering

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children."
- President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

Today, on this day that we remember, the windswept rain is beating against our windows. The girls are sick, the humidifier is going, and our bodies are tired. But we have so much to be thankful for as we remember. For we still have our family intact, the illness is temporary, and our home is full of laughter. How different it is for many. So easy to forget as we live our day to day. But today, especially, we remember.

Happy Birthday, Selena!

Selena.

You are turning three today, and we can hardly believe it!

This year, you have grown like a weed. It has been hard to keep you in dresses and pants because you have gotten so tall. Even though you are growing and changing week by week, you still have your beautiful smile and lovely eyes.

Every day, Daddy and I feel so blessed to have you. We love your songs, dances, and leaping hugs. We love you.

This year you have started to retain what you learn in Sunday School. We enjoy hearing about your lessons, detailed to the point that you tell us when Mrs. Reuther turns the page! We are delighted as you tell us how Paul was in a basket, and about King "Cadnezzar."

You are still a little bookworm, rapidly devouring our library books, and the books mama gets to review. You love to color, and will spend an hour sitting and carefully trying to stay in the lines.

You've come out of your shell. We have watched you blossom from a very shy girl, to someone who loves having guests! You talk to random people in the store, and make friends wherever you go. You even charmed the people at Dunkin Donuts into giving us more free donuts than we could eat! You played soccer, went to VBS, had a couple sleepovers at PopPop, Nanna's and Auntie Nee's, and even ask to ride with them to and from church. You love to go out with Daddy, happily skipping out the door holding his hand.

We've watched you become a sister to your precious Shae Shae. Loving her came naturally to you, and you opened your heart, and room to your sister. You're learning to share your toys too. You are always making sure that we are taking good care of her. We really couldn't ask for more. Yesterday was the first time that you and Shana were able to walk together holding hands. How exciting for you!

You've started to display a helpful spirit that mama is so happy to see. You will offer to help with anything at anytime, and you will stay until the job is finished. You also have been "making breakfast" out of play food for mama and Shana each morning during your quiet time in your room. It is so interesting to see how you choose to spend your hour alone each day, and you make some excellent choices.

You sing your Bible songs loudly in the store when we go out, and you love to learn hymns. You've started to pray for our meals too, and to memorize Scripture. We pray that this will continue, and that you will love Jesus with all of your heart.

Mama loves reading to you, teaching you, and snuggling under blankets with you. I love singing in the car with you. Your imagination is astounding, and we've started making up bedtime stories together. Sometimes, Shana wakes up just to listen to us. You are a great companion, making it fun to shop and to have girl nights when Daddy is late coming home. We already talk nonstop to each other all day long.

Lena, I love you so very much, and forever. God has abundantly blessed all of us. You've made my heart sing. You've made me love being a mama.

Happy Three.

Mama

Kids Need …

Awesome Video!

 

www.ThumbuddySpecial.com

Your child is truly Thumbuddy Special!

Share this video with your friends.

Preschool Plans

I have been a terrible blogger this summer, both in posting and in keeping up with other's blogs. I keep intending to write, but then there are so many things to do! I usually settle in with the cold weather, and that is just around the corner.

I can't tell you how I'm feeling about my two girls turning three and one. I am excited that they are growing up, but really, how did that happen? Lena is doing so many things, getting so independent and losing her shyness. My little Shana is walking ... walking. Every night I walk into the girl's room, look at the two tousled heads on their beds, and thank God for His abundant blessings to us.

So we are almost ready for preschool. Lena will be three next week, and I've told her that we'll start school when she turns three. Almost every day, she spins around in a circle as quickly as she can, "Mommy, I'm turning three!"

September is our month for apples. Each month will have a different theme.

Our Bible verse for the month: Proverbs 25:11 "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."

Poem: "Apples big, apples small. Guess what? I like them all!"

Song: "Here we go round the apple tree, the apple tree, the apple tree. Here we go round the apple tree -- on a frosty morning." Here we ... climb the ladder, pick the apples, wash the apples, peel the apples, cook the apples."

Books: The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree - Gail Gibbons
Apple Picking Time -- Michele B. Slawson
Johnny Appleseed --Steven Kellogg
How Do Apples Grow? -- Betsy Maestro

Field Trip: Apple picking at a farm nearby

Concepts:
Calendar Concepts
Bible: "A Bible Alphabet" along with "A Bible Alphabet Activity Book" by Alison BrownSequence (first, second, third)
Review Colors
Reading Comprehension
Sorting
Matching
Review Same and Different
Review letter sounds
Hooked on Phonics

So that's our September! I'll be back next weekend with Lena's birthday letter. Hope you are all well and that your summers have been wonderful. I'll be catching up on all of your blogs soon!

See.Taste.Hear.Touch.Smell.

It is 4:49pm.
Wednesday afternoon.

I SEE
One curly headed girl playing "tea" with Mommy's teapot and a sugar bowl.
One precious baby drinking from her bottle while watching every move of her big sister.
A storm brewing outside. A darkening sky.
The flicker of a candle on our dining room table.
Crayon marks on a white toy box.

I TASTE
White chocolate chips melting on my tongue.

I HEAR
A little pretender murmuring to herself as she plays.
The rumblings of thunder.
The crock pot lid as the air pressure from the bubbling cheesy macaroni lifts the lid.
The subtle tapping sounds of my fingers against the keys.

I TOUCH (feel)
The warmth of the laptop on my lap.
Happy and content.
The beginnings of hunger. Glad that dinner is coming soon.

I SMELL
Macaroni and cheese.
The scent of Yankee Home Sweet Home.

And it is a home sweet home ...