2007

Where did the last week go? We went to Knoxville to visit Mike's Grandma Doris and Arie over the New year and time has flown. It was a great trip thanks to our new DVD player for the Green Monster...Abby spent about 8 out of the 10 hour trip watching movies and Lilly never fussed but got lots of sleep! Our whole routine was, of course, not the same while there. I always feel like I'm in a time warp because we go to bed so late (2 am most nights) and get up so late and have breakfast around 11 am. I can't believe I've been going out there with Mike for 10 years now. We had gotten engaged by our first Christmas together and so I met his family 10 years ago. All his younger cousins have grown up since then, and heck, 2 have been born since then. Kinda cool to think about!

Lilly entertained everyone on our trip. Grandma Doris taught her how to say, "AHHHH!" after a drink from a big cup...everyone spoiled her rotten playing and walking her around. Abby has totally come out of her shell at Grandma's now. She used to have a really hard time answering questions and saying goodnight, etc. but this trip she even told Grandfather Arie "good night" and gave him the biggest hug ever. I'm so proud of my shy one. She had a blast playing with 7 year old cousin David the entire time!

I think this is the first year ever that I haven't sat down and made a list of resolutions...I'm not sure why but it could be the busyness of everything! I hope to enjoy life more in 2007 than ever before, love more, and laugh more...Happy New Year!

OH NO!

just a little update. we've been through the "ick" 3 times now. i've had it twice in one week and now abby has it and was up sick half the night last night. it's never fun when your kids are sick! it did kick me into normal mommy mode and i have felt better today. something psychological when it comes to being mom and taking care of your child, it's like magic. even if you feel awful you can take care of them. and it makes you go into nesting mode all over again, or at least it does me. the bathrooms must be bleached. every shred of dirty laundry done. the pile of dishes in the sick gone. too bad she has to sick to get me motivated to do these things.

i'm doing the countdown til' christmas and making my list (i know, it's a little late) and checking it twice. i hope to get started and done with my shopping tonight. yep, you heard right. i have only bought a few things so far and still need to pick up for a few folks. i'm way behind this year. i'm in need of a christmas miracle, and fast!

lilly is almost walking but gets around really fast on all fours. i'm not sure how she does it sometimes but she's a little houdini. just now i've gotten paper out of her mouth about 3 times. and that only covers about the 15 minutes it took me to make our bed and put away some clothes left in piles. i'm beginning to wonder if it would stunt her development a lot if she just stays in the playpen for the next 6 months or so. she has learned the meaning of "no, lilly" for sure. when told no she just looks at us so cute and starts violently shaking her head no. still sort of a game but she's getting it. soon we'll be onto bigger and better words like, "yes, mommy, i would be glad to do what you asked". dreaming. one can wish, right! good thing she's so darn cute!

happy stuff

just a little painting break to post about a little bit of stuff. i know the sayings, "the best things in life aren't things!" and all the others like it and i know that's true and believe it but sometimes things do make me smile. like this little assortment of goodies. a friend was cleaning out her mother's sewing machine and thought of me when she came across this stuff. that in and of itself is enough to bring a smile, but when it's some of my favorite things to collect, well, that takes the cake! and it's the best colors and it is from the day when a package of ric-rac costs only 15 cents or 12 on sale. and i'm thinking the vintage crayon box would make a really cool home for a preschool mini album or something...just a little happiness to brighten my day!

on another note, i'm sitting here typing with the air conditioner going full force. you read correctly and it's just not right to be running the ac just 13 days before christmas. unless you're south of the equator, right? just a thought. good thing we didn't pack up the flip flops yet :)

oh yeah, and i'm looking for some old high school photos of me to share with you a little late for high school blog week. should be fun!

so much for being normal

i have no pictures today. i'm so tired from the clipboard sweatshop that i can barely function. carolyn and i leave on thursday morning bright and early. i'm so ready to get there and have fun. i've painted so many polka dots that i'm seeing spots lately.

mike and i did 'rock,paper,scissors' to decide who would go to walmart and who would bathe the kids tonight. sad, isn't it? i got to stay home and bathe the girls and i think it's what i would have chosen were we a normal couple and did something besides 'rock,paper,scissors' or shooting hoops (to see who has to wash the dishes) or played 'see who can match the most socks' while folding clothes....competitive, you say? nah, we just like to have fun!!!! okay, maybe a little competitive!

so much for being normal at this point!