lily, let me hold you longer

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!!!!

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.

Flavio called me later laughing - he couldn't remember the last time he had a picture taken with Santa. I better find out what he asked Santa for.

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.

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.

Ewan, Gracie, Ellie, and Sydney

planning our day

It was "snowing", but you can't really tell that from the picture.

picture by ellie

me and my girls

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!

Kirsten and Joshie!
Sorry Kirsten - this isn't the best picture of you, but it's all I got!!!

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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.

name one other person who can get away with this look!!!

I don't know if you can tell, but that little cheek is hangin' out! Grandma and I laughed as she noticed not all of Lily was in that diaper! She did say she was a bit rusty in the diaper changing dept. - so cute that she tried!

My display at one of the boutiques I did.

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.