Sweet Memories

Sometimes you may never know what comes out of a 4 year old's lips. I just have to share a few funny moments.



In my efforts to try to find some time to exercise within our chaotic life, I recently purchased an exercise DVD. Greta Banks was patiently waiting and I think entertained by my attempt to complete the workout. She then exclaimed, "You've got good moves mom!" Hey, I've still got it...those dance classes did pay off! :-)


This past weekend, we were headed to the park for play time and an evening picnic. Greta Banks had said she was interested in fishing with Daddy. Daddy was preparing for the trip when Greta Banks exclaimed, "Daddy, I don't want to go but did you find any "wishing" worms?"

Just tonight I was asking Greta Banks how did she get so big so quickly. "It's the hiccups mom. They make me grow!"

Gotta love her! I know I do!

What I've Learned

The beginning of this year has been a struggle for me for many different accounts. As many of you know, my mother is fighting Alzheimer's Disease and the bitter effects it has on her state of well being and changes that constantly occur. I worry that my own girls won't ever really know who my mom truly is. They know what she looks like, know the sound of her voice, and know where she lives. But there are things they won't know about my mom. They won't know how crafty my mom was. She could crochet, paint, make jewelry, cross stitch, sew...just to name a few. She always had some type of project going on. My mom is/ was great with kids. She worked for many years with high school students in a job she loved. She was a second mom to many teenagers and a listening ear when needed. She is a great woman of faith. I have fond memories of getting ready for school in the morning or waking up on Saturday morning to see mom reading her daily devotional.

As much as I have struggled with accepting her disease and her prognosis, I have also come to learn how much my girls and I are learning from her. Greta Banks has developed a greater compassion and understanding for people with disabilities. She helps grandmama up the stairs, turns on the light switch, and even tries to help mom unbutton her pants when she can't do it alone. I've seen my daughter react with such empathy that not many adults can display. She is always asking if grandmama is okay and does she need help. Mom may not be able to do the things she once could but she can still teach us alot about life...even at an early age!

I Survived...

February has been a busy month. LOTS of sickness (horrible coughs, bronchitis, ear infection, and strep throat...that's just from the girls) and of course 2 adorable birthday parties! Who knew having 2 girls born 3 years and 12 days apart creates birthday mania within such a short time period.

Even with the girls' birthdays so close together, we chose to keep their parties separate. It would be much more cost effective to combine the two. However, we just felt the need for each girl to have her own day! Much to my dismay, my camera was in the shop for most of the month but sweet friends were there to help me capture those Kodak moments. I'll have to post some pictures of each girls special day when I get the images!

Greta Banks had chosen her party supplies (paper products) a couple of weeks before the party. We had already decided that Dora was the chosen character this year! However, on a recent trip to Wal-Mart before her birthday, it was decided that all plans should change to accommodate the need for Strawberry Shortcake. Unfortunately, or fortunately for me, Dora was already purchased! No going back now! The forever changing mind of a woman begins at early age! :-)

Greta Banks' party theme this year, besides Dora, was to have cooking party with her friends. All the kids decorated chef hats, made pizzas, fruit loop necklaces, decorated their own cupcakes, and played pin the pizza on the chef. It was ALOT of prep work but I must say our garage was transformed into a wonderful "kitchen" for our little chefs! They had a great time and the birthday girl handled the party like a true princess! Happy Birthday sweet baby! I love you more than apple pie!

Sick Baby Girl...

Yesterday was Ella Claire's 1 year well check. She ended up not being able to have her immunizations due to a nagging cough and bronchitis...ugh! Greta Banks tagged along for the appointment and received the sweetest compliment in the waiting room. She was helping take off Ella Claire's jacket ever so gently and kindly. She saying to her sister, "come here sweetie!" Other moms there oohed and ahhed over her nice demeanor...only wish she was that kind all the time!

It's just plain hard trying to raise kids...the little things no one ever tells you! How do encourage your child to speak to other adults when they ask a question but then to remind them never to speak to strangers? How do you teach them to be thankful for what they have but then never accept candy from strangers? How do you discipline them for having such a strong attitude about not wanting to obey but then encourage them to say to no to others if it's not a good choice? How do you encourage Independence (dressing self, brushing teeth, etc) but then not step in when it takes them so loooong to complete the task?

Ugggggh....I only think it's going to get worse!

Fun Weekend...Changing Times

What a weekend we've had. Ella Claire celebrated her first birthday Friday night. It was wonderfully shared with family and close friends. She had a great time, the weather cooperated, and not nearly as hectic as Greta Banks's first birthday...some things are better off the second time around!

Today we celebrated my grandmother's 90th birthday! What a godly women she is! My grandmama is now living in an assisted living facility but her ability to continue her "matriarch" duties is in full force. She's able to gather us all to honor her and the legacy she continues to imprint in each of our lives. I can only hope I'm as sassy as her at 90!

This past week, a young mom in our community lost a valiant fight against breast cancer. I can't help think of her and my own children. Taking time to treasure the days, taking time to play with our kids and off the computer, taking time to say the "I love yous." Life's too precious to take it all for granted, even amongst the sassy tantrums an almost 4 year old can perform. Again, we get too caught up in the tasks to enjoy the little moments. A friend told me once that life with young children that the days are long but the years are short...how true it is!!

All you need is love...

Okay, I've been horrible, terrible, no good blogger. I started the new job, got consumed with the holidays, and evidently my kids did nothing cute (now we know that couldn't be true!) In order to get back in the groove of blogging, I've decided I need to really focus on the things that make me proud to be mommy to my 2 precious ones. When it comes down to it, I feel like we spend too much time focusing on what are kids don't/ can't do instead of the great qualities they possess. My girls are great, talented, gifted, and of course, on the fast track to graduate college at an early age (with full scholarships, of course). As the older Ella Claire is getting, I am realizing that their personalities are becoming distinctively different. I do believe they will have different interests, characteristics, and hobbies.

Greta Banks is truly one of the most compassionate children I've known. She's always empathetic to others' feeling, checking on how others are doing, and willing to help out when needed. She has a great love for her little sister, great excitement about events, and at times, can be quite mannerly (we're still a work in progress here!) I love her dearly and love her quirks too. She LOVES wearing dresses, always needs a hairbow, and does NOT like her hands to be dirty/ sticky!

Ella Claire, only at 11 months, is full adventure. She's just started walking and into EVERYTHING! At this age, baby gates would deter Greta Banks from accessing anything she wasn't supposed to be into. However, Ella Claire attempts to crawl over the gate, around or even over. She lets nothing get in her way! She constantly needs to know where everyone is and what everyone's doing. She needs to "stay in the know." Above all, she is quite loving with her adorable kisses.

Great time with my girls have happened over the past 2 months and great stories too. Greta Banks has a new favorite snack....rice squishy treats!! (rice crispy treats) Got to love that!

During Christmas, Greta Banks had no interest in visiting Santa. We made a list to mail to Santa but I did try to encourage her to visit Santa to give her list to him. Her statement was, "No mama. I can go with you and you can give the list to Santa. I can just stay over to the side and wait for you!" Independent woman isn't she??

My girls are precious gifts full of love and laughter. I love their funny faces, funny habits, and funny words. Each day is a treasure and with the new year I want to try even harder to record their precious memories too!

The pictures above are a few of my favorites over the last few months!