My poor little Lily is sick. She has a cold - complete with bright neon green boogies, a lovely cough, and some congestion - I always feel so bad when they are sick - especially at Lily's age - she can't really tell me what hurts or how she feels.
Anyways, yesterday she woke up from her nap, but I could tell that she was still a bit sleepy so we headed downstairs to snuggle on the couch - before I knew it I heard the familiar sucking sound of a sleeping little girl trying to suck her thumb and breathe all at the same time. We sat there snuggled together for about 30 minutes . . . she slept and I kissed and held my baby as tight as I could. I was given a book at Lily's baby shower about the lasts - Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kinsbury - we remember the firsts - first smile, first giggle, first foods, first words, first . . ., but we don't really remember the lasts. I remember roughly when Ellie stopped using her pacifier, I remember taking her bottle away at two, but there are so many lasts that happen without realizing. As I sat there holding Lily I just wanted to freeze time - would this be a last too? I certainly hope not, but the opportunities to hold my baby while she falls asleep listening to my heartbeat are becoming fewer and fewer. I remember the days when she would just fall asleep in my arms, on my shoulder, next to my chest . . . what a special memory that I will always treasure.
When Ellie was born I didn't want her to grow up - but, she has and I have loved each new stage more than the last, but why does it have to happen so quickly?!?!?! I feel with Lily I am more aware of the rapid changes - she wants to be just like her sister - do whatever her big sister does, if the cousins are jumping, so must she. I know she has an intense desire to grow up and be like the big kids in the family, but yesterday was a wonderful moment to remind me that she is still my baby!!!!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
lily, let me hold you longer
Thursday, December 13, 2007
visiting santa
So, today we went to see Santa! On our way I was helping Ellie remember all that she has said that she wanted from Santa - I, of course, help her remember the things that I know she is going to be getting :o). I ask Flavio if he can help her remember some of the items that she has said she wanted and he proceeds to name random things . . . I don't know what he was thinking! I had to, very quickly and discreetly, change his course. We can't have her asking for things she isn't going to get . . . Aye yaa yaa!!! Next time I will have to spend some time prompting him before I start prompting her. Anyways, you are probably wondering what she asked Santa for - last year she asked for a vacuum cleaner - all on her own! This year she wants bedding for her babys' bunk bed (Mrs. Clause has to get to work on that), band aids, and a talking Ariel. Fortunately Lily isn't talking yet, so . . . well, she will have fun unwrapping her goodies -whatever Santa brings.
Later in the day Ellie and I had this conversation:
Santa had to leave right after we finished taking our pictures.
Ellie: "Where did Santa have to go?"
Me: "He probably had to eat lunch."
Ellie: "and to feed his reindeer?"
Me: "probably."
She asked something about Mrs. Clause and then said
"Mrs. Clause is probably making dinner while Santa watches a little baseball."
That just cracked me up - cause what does her dada do while I am making dinner? Yup, you guessed it - watching baseball, football, golf . . . if there is a ball involved he is probably watching it.
Did you know that you could, if you so desired, watch sports all day long? I found that out 10 1/2 years ago - anyways that is for another post.
Ho! Ho! HO!
ps - we do tell our children that Santa is fun, but the REAL reason we celebrate Christmas is because of the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I think John 3:16 says it so well
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Do you know Jesus? Is He your Lord and Savior? Do you have confidence in where you will be spending eternity? I hope and pray that you do and yet I know that some of you don't!
Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are saved by grace
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Love to you all! I do pray that those of you around me who don't know Christ as your Saviour will come to know Him. Eternity is a LONG time - are you going to spend it IN the presence of the Lord or APART from the presence of the Lord?
Who knew starting with Santa could bring us to this? Well, that is my heart!
Merry Christmas!
the golden compass
I don't know if you are aware of the big holiday movie The Golden Compass - it just came out last week. I have heard and read some interesting reviews on this movie - in no way am I a movie critic, but I think that if you share my faith based upon the Word of God you will want to read what Al Mohler had to say about this movie and what our response, as Christians, should be. From what I understand this movie is the antithesis to C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. This review is a bit lengthy, but worth your time.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
singing and disneyland
Yesterday was a fun day! We started out by meeting up with our Master's Kids friends at a local senior center where the kids sang Christmas Carols and passed out wreaths that they had made. The kids were so cute singing and the seniors really seemed to enjoy listen to our little ones. My camera is doing funny things so I don't have great pics - hopefully someone else got some good ones.
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After singing a few of us headed down to Disneyland! We had a great time! The kids were so good and each had a turn to go on their favorite rides. I think we actually got on about 6 rides - that is really good for us! We did get to go on my personal favorite - Buzz Lightyear - I just wish I could get past level 3. I guess I have something to work towards.
Monday, December 10, 2007
catching up
Hi there!
I have missed my blogging time. I was really enjoying sitting down and jotting my daily events down on "paper", but then life happened - as it seems to do. I have been busy sewing, doing a few boutiques, trying to get decorated for Christmas, playing with the girls (the most fun of all), and heaven only knows what else.
Here is a recap, in no particular order, of the things that have gone on here in our house.
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Chuck E. Cheese
Flavio got home early one evening so we decided to take the girls to Chuck E. Cheese. What fun! Where else can you spend $40 on so-so pizza, ehh salad, and play games? The girls had a blast and that is really all that matters!
with this strategy you woulda thought we'd get a bunch of tickets, but not so much!
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USC vs UCLA
I FINALLY got to go to a game!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This has been a serious bone of contention in our house! But on December 1st I got to go with Flavio to the game! We had a great time and here are a few pics. I also got to see one of my dearest and oldest friends!
Grammie Great
This was so cute! My mom watched the girls while I did a boutique - she put the girls down for their nap left grammie great in charge and ran out to do a quick errand. I arrived to the house - not even thinking the girls would be up - they had, at that time, only been down for an hour or so - anyways I come around the corner and see the three of them taking Riley (grandma's dog) for a walk - oh did I mention that Lily woke up with quite the diaper.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
lots to say . . . not much time
I haven't forgotten about my little blog - just been busy with a few different things - let's see - sewing, cleaning up after sewing, sewing some more, playing with the girls, chuck e. cheese (Flavio was actually home early one day so we packed the girls up and off to Chuck E. Cheese we went - we all had a great time and I will post pics later), master's kids - so fun - usc vs ucla game!!! I finally got to go to a game! I had a great time - mostly because I got to spend an entire day with Flavio! Such a treat!! One of my dearest friends flew in with her son to see the game and we were able to see each other for a bit - that was probably the highlight!!! (miss you, Kirsten - can't wait to meet that little baby!) Again, I will post pics of our fun day.
I am now off to bed - gotta get a few hours of shut eye before I finish my work - I have three days of boutiques (thursday, friday, and saturday) so please pray that I sell a lot and that it doesn't rain friday or saturday!!
Love to all! Enjoy this last month of the year and try to remember that we celebrate Christ's birth not the giving and receiving of gifts (I say that to remind myself more than anything)!!
I will post more later.
Monday, November 26, 2007
thanksgiving
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5For the LORD is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:3-5
I absolutely LOVE Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday of the year! I love that there is no gift giving attached - it is just a time to be thankful. Ok, we should be thankful always, but in the rat race of life it is so easy to overlook all that we have and all that we have been given.
I have been thinking about what I am thankful for - here goes-
- Forgiveness and redemption from my sins - God was willing to send His only son to this rotten, sin-ridden earth to die for me! (and you - if you ask Him to be your saviour). (John 3:16)
- My husband- I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband who loves me and our girls.
- My precious little girls - What a gift they are to me and such a tremendous blessing. I love that they are so forgiving. I love their hugs and kisses - I can never get enough!!!
- My parents - individually and collectively - they have been and continue to be such a tremendous example to me of love, sacrifice, patience, godliness, and so many other things - a post all its own.
- My grandma - she is, again, in the hospital. I talked to her yesterday and had an opportunity to tell her how much I love her and what a tremendous impact she has had on my life. I hope to be able to sit down with her again and share my heart. I don't know how much longer she will be here and I am reminded to take each day captive and tell her how much I love her.
- My brothers and their families - God has been so gracious to give me two of the best brothers in the entire world - yes, there were times I would have gladly shipped Danny off to a foreign country, but God knew that I would need these two men in my life. I prayed and prayed for a sister and God sent me Peter - Praise the Lord, He knew that I wouldn't be good with a sister. And then God sent them each a wonderful wife! I am so thankful for my sister-in-laws - they are such a great balance to my brothers and make them better men. I am thankful for their friendship!
- My nieces and nephews - what a blessing they have been in my life. Laura and Megan (while technically my second cousins, they are my nieces) were the first to enter this crazy family and what fun we have had ever since. I also got two great nephews from my husband and what sweet boys they are - they are so patient and play with Ellie and Lily and do whatever those little girls say.
I also have the sweetest nieces and nephew from my brother - Alyssa, Parker, and Reagan, what a joy they are and . . . what to say - I love them all so much!!! - My family - family is very important to me - my cousin is my best friend and I could not live without her!! God has blessed me with the best family in the world, whether it is my own family, my in-laws, my extended family - I am thankful to have them all!!!
- My friends - I have great friends - friends who call just to see how I am doing when they hear that my grandma is in the hospital - so sweet! Friends that go scrapbooking with me. Friends to build great memories with!
- Food- What would Thanksgiving be without the food???? I don't know!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Alyssa is FIVE!!!! Oh my!!!
Well, today is Alyssa's 5th birthday - my little niece is FIVE! I really can't believe that five years have gone by so quickly! I remember getting the call that Laura was in labor - I was pregnant with my precious girl (although we didn't know we were having a girl) and couldn't wait to meet my little niece! My brother was going to be a daddy!!! At the time, a completely unbelievable thought, not because I didn't think he would be great, just because it seemed so weird that the little brother I used to play with and get in trouble with was now responsible for a life! He has, as I knew he would, exceeded my expectations of what type of father he would be. He is loving, firm, kind, humorous, strict, gracious, and so many other things. It is really fun to watch my brother as a dad. Of course, he is only half the equation - my sister-in-law is such a wonderful mother and makes my brother a better parent for her yin to his yang. They are a great team and are raising such a wonderful little girl in my niece (and of course, in Parker and Reagan).
Last night, Ellie and I met Laura and Alyssa at McDonald's for an intimate birthday party- seeing that we were really the only healthy ones. It was really fun and I know Ellie had a blast!
Dear Alyssa,
I will never forget standing next to the door waiting to hear the first little cry of my niece! I remember holding you and anticipating my own little baby, knowing what fun you two would have as you grew up. That really seems as though it were yesterday and here you are such a grown up little girl. I know that we all told you to stop growing up so quickly, but I have to admit I am enjoying watching you grow - I don't like to see the time passing so rapidly, but I love watching you and seeing your little mind work. I am so proud of you and proud to be your auntie! You are so mature and eager to learn and such a sweet big sister. Not only are you sweet to your brother and sister, but you are so kind and gentle with your cousins, they love you very much.
I pray that you will grow to love Jesus with your heart and soul that He will be all that you desire and that He will use you in a mighty way.
I love you dear girl!
Do you think you could slow down a little???? I think we should go with Ellie's idea that this is it - no more birthdays, but somehow I think you will both change your minds.
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Auntie Shell
Sunday, November 18, 2007
etsy
Ok, I heard about this site called Etsy - it is really cool! It is for all selling and buying all things handmade so I set up a store. I posted a link to my store on the right, but just in case here it is. I just put it together tonight and since it is very late I only put two of my blanket and pillow sets up. I will do more tomorrow. I will also post some pictures of Alyssa's birthday party - well, not really a party, since it has been postponed due to the fact that everyone invited has or is finishing the flu! So much fun!!! (HA!!!) Lily still hasn't eaten anything - except a few bites of "ice cream" really golden spoon frozen yogurt, but my girls think it is ice cream - I don't want to ruin that for them - it tastes better than ice cream to me, so they can think so too! Anyways, the party ended up being me, Ellie, Laura, Alyssa, and Reagan at McDonalds!
Love to all and GOODNIGHT!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
projects, peliculas, and, oh yeah, PUKE!!!
Like my alliteration?!?!? My high school english teacher would be proud, I'm sure!
Anyways, long time, no blog. In a nutshell, I started a new little venture, hence the Project, because of that the girls have been watching a few movies (mainly The Little Mermaid) - it cracks me up that although Ellie has watched that movie no less than 50 times she still asks me what is going to happen or why King Triton destroys all of Ariel's stuff and other silly questions. And then finally, PUKE!!! Lily, poor little angel, had the flu yesterday. She was the happiest sick girl I have ever seen. Thank the Lord, she is healthy today!!
So, here is what I have been working on - these are travel blanket and pillow sets - great for keeping in the car or taking on long trips. So cute. I also have burp cloths - I didn't take pics of those yet, but they are from the same fabrics. Both make great gifts. I loved my cute burp cloths with Lily and my girls LOVE their pillows - they actually keep them in their beds - I guess I should make them new ones for the car. If you are interested in purchasing either let me know. Tell your friends - these make great Christmas Gifts and are all handmade by little ol' ME - even the pillow!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
What 7-0-0 rule?!?!?! Did we have one of those?
Ok, so my dear friend in Chicago, Kelli (miss you and can't wait to see you guys this Christmas! Yeah!!!) she had instituted the "7-0-0 Rule" in their house. What is the "7-0-0 Rule"? Well, kids can't get out of bed until 7-0-0, aka 7:00am! Great rule! We have a digital clock in Ellie's room and below it a piece of paper indicating what the clock will look like at 7:00 - if it is a match she can get up. So, this rule has worked splendidly for the past year and a half or so, that is until . . . Sunday! What happened Sunday, you ask? Aside from the time change, Lily is now in Ellie's bedroom - remember that oh so brilliant idea that I had!?!?! I am beginning to think it was not such a moment of genius rather a lapse in serious judgment, because Lily likes to get up at around 6:15 - not so bad when she was in her own room because she would play quietly in her crib and sometimes even fall back to sleep for a bit, but now . . . her sister is just feet away! Who would want to play or read or even go back to sleep when you could talk to your sissy???? Not Lily! So we wake up to Lily talking, which is so cute, but not at 6am!!!!! The first morning was church, so it worked out ok - we had to get up earlier than normal anyways, second day I ran in and grabbed her so she wouldn't wake Ellie up. Today, Flavio went in and put Lily in Ellie's bed (since she was awake, no doubt due to Lily) - they played for a little bit and then got up - no it wasn't 7-0-0! What to do, what to do???? Hopefully this early rise and shine is primarily due to the time change and will correct itself in a few more days. Yeah, right! I will just keep telling myself that! I guess there are worse things that could happen . . . although waking up at 6am is not something I look forward to.
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Ok, but so sweet, I went to bed late last night - helping Mrs. Clause out with a gift Santa will be giving the girls - so Flavio took the girls downstairs and fed them breakfast. Awww! So sweet! What a good husband and daddy! He is so nice - he makes them chocolate chip waffles - I don't! So for them it was a win-win - up early and extra special breakfast.
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So yesterday, was our Master's Kids field trip to the ice skating rink, I might add that it was in a rather "interesting" neighborhood. It was near our church - if you know where our church - that is the relatively good part of Panorama City - the skating rink was in a not so good part, but by the grace of God we all left unharmed and had a good time. Ok, well, not all of us had a good time. I think Ellie would have rather had her teeth pulled out without drugs than go ice skating - I am not kidding! You would've thought I was forcing her to do the worst thing ever! I am such a terrible mom - I made her go ice skating with her friends, what can I say!?!?!? Take a look at the pics and you tell me what you think. We started out great, but quickly went downhill. What a fun memory! Haa Haa!!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
amazed
I am thoroughly speechless! I mentioned our friends, the Kostjuks, who are going through so much since the birth of their little bitty Reese just last week - they are such an encouragement to me and an unbelievable testimony to all around them of Our Lord and Saviour. My mom ran into Ashley's mom, Teri, yesterday and at that point they were planning to take Reese off of all the machines, then this morning I read their blog and it sounds like they got a bit of good news - read their blog to get it all. The point of this entry is their attitude. God promises to His children (that is the key - the promise is to those who have asked Jesus into their hearts and asked Him to be the Lord of their lives - the promises in scripture only apply to those who live by the scripture) that He will never give us more than we can handle and here are Todd and Ashley going through what must be the most agonizing week of their life and they are praising God for all that He has done and recognizing that any miracle that happens is only because of God! I would love to say that if Flavio and I were faced with the same trial our attitudes would be the same and our faith would be stronger, but I don't know and I pray that I don't have to find out.
Oh, to have such faith! They are living out James 1:2-4 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Naturally, God is not suggesting that we are rejoicing in the fact that little Reese is fighting for her life - rather we rejoice in the fact that God is at work and that there is nothing we can do apart from trusting in Him. He is, afterall, the Great Physician.
Pray for them as often as you think of them. They, I am sure, appreciate all of the prayers. We don't know why God has allowed this trial in their lives, but we do know, for certain, that He is in control.
To God be the Glory!!!
Monday, November 5, 2007
who woulda thunk?!?!?
Ok, so today, I became a sewer! I mean I wouldn't go to seamstress by any means . . . but I used a sewing machine all by myself and sewed a "comforter" for Lily's new room. I couldn't very well have her sleeping in her new room with her blue, yellow, and red bedding now could I???? Ok, truthfully she would be sleeping with the other stuff if I didn't have half (and the most important component) of what I needed to create this new comforter/blanket. I'm not totally crazy!!! I was ok with the $5 pink crib sheet from Target, my favorite store (crazy how times change - at one time in my life Nordstroms topped that list! Oh well, gotta love Target!!). Well, in the "move" I ran across a window panel in the exact same print as Ellie's duvet - I had totally forgotten about it, well, $8 later and my mom's sewing machine - VOILA!!! This may not be a big deal to anyone else, but I have never done solo sewing - I usually have my mom within earshot, but not today! And I didn't even have to rip any seams to redo them!!
Ok, I am done!
I was doing the happy dance, when Ellie even told me, in so many words, I had gone over the top!
I'm on a roll - hide the fabric I just may sew it together!!! :o)
Sunday, November 4, 2007
moving day
We didn't move, but yesterday I moved Lily into Ellie's room and made Lily's old room a playroom!!! I have to say I think both rooms look so cute AND I couldn't have done it without the help of my mom!! Thanks mom!
Friday, November 2, 2007
my lily bear
Ever since Lily was born we have called her our little Lily bear - I think it came about with all of the sleeping a little one does. Anyways, I cannot believe that she is 20 months old! It is really crazy how quickly the time goes and how much she has grown. I can remember by dad saying, before I got married, that I was a baby and one day he blinked and I was getting married - I never thought that time would or could pass so quickly, well it does and it has!
Here are a few highlights of my precious, not so little, baby girl!
- she loves to eat! Healthy, junk food, and everything in between - she loves to eat!
- complete character! I love the look she gives when she is doing something naughty - the innocent little eyes and adorable smile that comes over her mouth - so hard to not laugh!
- we have a serious game of "monkey see, monkey do" going on here. Lily LOVES her big sister and will do just about anything Ellie does. Comes in handy when I need them to get out of the kitchen.
- she is becoming more and more verbal - good and bad I suppose! Some of her latest words are: dewy (Tilly), alial (ariel), down, up, elwie (Ellie), meow (Bogey or any other cat), nana, tata, papa, and a few others that I can't think of right now. I am thankful that she is not as verbal as her sister (Ellie had about 75 words in her vocabulary at 18 months!!! Yikes! I barely can get a word in with Ellie - imagine two talkers!)
- she loves to climb on the play equipment at McDonalds - the one by my parents' house is a bit more advanced - Ellie would have never gone near it at Lily's age. Lily climbs all of the way to the top and slides down. Quite a bit more adventurous than her sister.
- she is so sweet - it melts my heart to see her, out of nowhere, give her sister a hug and kiss.
- strong willed!!! I am not really sure where she gets this strong little nature, but oh does she give me a run for my money. Yet out of her strong will is such sweetness and if we can, by the grace of God, make this weakness her strength I really think this strong nature can become a great positive. But pray for us as we mold her into the little girl God would have her to be.
- she is a little mama! Lily LOVES her babies. Ellie had babies, but didn't really about them until Lily came along. Lily is always taking care of a baby or two. She tucks them in, gives them kisses, turns off the lights, shh's them when she is holding them, takes them for strolls in the strollers, and anything else you can think to do with a baby. She has this rough and tumble side and this sweet nurturing side to her. It is so neat to see this gift from God unfold in front of me each day.
- I haven't even touched the surface on this precious girl, but that will have to do for now.
I love my Lily Bear and as much as I don't want her to get any bigger and older I find that I love each new stage more than the last and wondering what new and fun thing is around the corner.
Baby Reese Kostjuk
Our friends, Todd and Ashley, just had their little girl Reese Renee on Tuesday. Things are not looking good - please pray for them and their little girl. Here is the link to their blog where you can read all about Reese and her family.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
halloween
Let me first begin by saying that we do not celebrate Halloween as a holiday in any way, instead we allow the girls to dress up - in nice, sweet costumes and get candy. That is all that Halloween is to us - a way to meet some neighbors and get free candy! Sounds good to me!!! If you are interested in a greater understanding of our views of this "holiday" you can read this article - we go towards the third scenario talked about. Anyways, here are some pictures from our fun night of candy getting!
Just put your cursor over the pictures for a little description.
I know you are probably thinking - for people who don't celebrate Halloween their kids dress up a lot. We had to take our car back to Ford and then see Flavio at his work, so I thought I'd dress the girls up and show up at Mercedes with my two little princesses. All of Flav's co-workers thought the girls were so adorable (I mean, really, who wouldn't?!?!?! Maybe that is just me!!)
Hope you all had a great evening getting and giving candy!