the benefits of being the Papa

This morning Grace and Everett where playing house.  Grace was the Mama and Everett was the Papa.

Grace talking to Everett:  Papa is a Rock Star and he gets to sleep with Mama."

Wednesday

I took the kids to my workout this morning.   I really considered skipping it because it's so hard to get out the door some mornings.  We had a really busy day yesterday and I figured the kids could use a easy going morning.  But then I thought about how sad I would be missing my workout and we rushed out the door anyway.  So glad we did.  I love working out.  I feel so good dancing and grooving for an hour.

We left my workout early so I could get the girls to school on time.  We where still 10 minutes late but we got there and that's what matters.

Everett and I had some one on one time while the girls where at school.  We went to the Library and participated in story time.   Everett loves to sing You are My Sunshine and I need to record him singing it someday.  I will always cherish his little baby voice singing to me.

\After storytime Everett and I came home and made Sandwiches for lunch.  Then we went and picked the girls up from school.  We drove across town to run some errands.   The Post office, The tacoma Pet Control office and to Costco to buy socks.  Unfortunately I didn't find any socks at Costco that I liked so we went to target, and then Carter's and ended up buying the girls new outfits for our family pictures on Sunday.  Yippee.

We arrived home 10 minutes before James got home.  We fed the animals and played in the yard for a bit.  I went inside to cook dinner and James went to pet Jack our big bunny.

James found Jack's intestines hanging out.  Not sure if he got caught on something and his stomach ripped open or if something attacked him but we had to say goodbye to one of our very favorite animals.  He was the Papa bunny so we didn't plan to butcher him.  It was sad to see him go and reminded me how fragile life can be.

I don't know why but it has always bothered me to think that Mary watch Christ be crucified.   But when James said he was going to put teddy down I had to watch.  Not the same as Mary but for me I think I'm beginning to understand why Mary was with Christ.

After dinner James went to mutual and I helped Grace cut out a few pictures to put in her new locket.  She bought it with the money she earned taking care of our neighbor's dog.  She is very proud of herself.  That is why I decided to blog today.

 


I decided to let the kids  play in the yard a little longer while I uploaded a few pictures onto the computer.  Then Gwenevere walked inside and said mom take a look at this.  I looked over to see a 6 ft long worm crawling up her arm.  It was gigantic.  Okay so it wasn't 6ft but it was huge.

The surprises I get when my kids are busy discovering our world.


Gwenevere walked her friend home and now it is time to get ready for bed.  Today was a good day.  I'm glad I worked out.  Now I need to go shower.

Just to make me happy.

We have matching shirts.  

We talked about weather for preschool today.  I love that Gwenevere said she likes every kind of weather.  

After school we made melted crayon raindrops and cut out silhouettes figures to go with our Umbrellas made at Rebecca's school forever ago. 

I can't believe how blessed we are with good friends.  the man on the right came over to cut down some branches from my tree when I saw him trimming his trees and jokingly said do mine next.  I love having good friends but it's ten times better when they are your neighbors too.  Then the men in the truck are some long time friends I care a lot for.  You know the kind of friends you Heavenly father placed in your path to help you feel loved and uplifted.  That's the Day family for us.  Nate and his two boys brought us fill dirt so we can level our front yard.  FREE of charge and delivered.  They are so wonderful and I hope to emulate their goodness.  

Gwenevere made a little swing inside the club house and I must say it's a big hit.  

Everett pretending to fly with his sword reminded me of another lost boy from long ago.  

Tonight Everett was playing with my wedding rings.  When he was putting them back on my hand i told him that someday when he hets ready to marry a pretty little girl he can have my wedding ring.  Afterall the diamond belonged to his name sake long ago.  And by than I probably will enjoy getting a new band.

Everett got excited and said "yeah, i give it to Gwenevere or Grace."  He loves his big sisters.  That's so cute.

Some of my favorites from today

Homeschooling victory:  When Gwenevere came running across the park yelling. " I have a hypothesis,  I have a hypothesis."  then excitedly tells me about her observations.  Science first hand.

I hear Grace yelling from down stairs. "mom, mom, mom. We got three eggs"  then i hear a load thump on the stairs and Grace corrects herself. "We got two eggs."   I was laughing so hard I was happy to clean up the mess.

Grace reading an new Usborne book we got asks. "Is this a library book?"
"Nope, i got this book for you."  I reply.
 With an exhale of happiness she quickly replies. "I love it".  everyone starts laughing.

Brittany and sons come to visit.

Last weekend Dallas had a overnight activity near my home so Brittany decided to come stay the weekend with us while Dallas was busy.  I have been secretly dreaming of a day when Brittany could come to my house.  I wanted to show her my home and share in the joy of our many similarities.  I was so excited for her visit.

Brittany arrived around 8pm Friday night  the kids where so excited and while they played happily I tried to frantically clean the remaining odds and ends around the house.  Once beds where made and toys put away it was time for bed.  We read stories together and then James put the girls to bed down stairs while Brittany put the boys to bed upstairs.

Saturday morning James had to go to work.

The rest of us slept in.  Then we got up and made Waffles for breakfast.  I took Grace over to a neighbor's house so we could feed and water the dog we where watching.  When we got back Brittany had turned on Conference and had started to listen.  We watched the first session of Conference and got ready for the zoo.

The zoo was busy but we all had a lot of fun.

We came back home and I once again left Brittany with most of the kids so I could check on the dog and pick up Pizzas for dinner.

 After dinner we had more free play time and then did baths and stories before going to be at a reasonable hour.

Sunday morning James made us monkey bread.  It was wonderful and everyone enjoyed all the sugar.  We turned on conference and listened to most of the morning session.  

Then it was time for Brittany to pick up Dallas.  

Thank you Brittany for coming.  It was fun to spend so much time with your lovely family and get to know you more without a lot of words.  I love learning knew things and you tough me a lot this weekend.  I hope your drive back home was safe.

Beautiful

Dear Grace, 

A while ago someone asked if they could brush your hair so you could be beautiful.  I wanted to jump out of my skin and say "She's beautiful already."  But i didn't and I'm sorry.  Your response was much better.  You just gave the person the look  "do you think I care" and then walked away.  

I've been thinking of this moment for a while, I wanted to tell you over and over again how wrong this person was and that you are so beautiful.  But i know you don't like being told you are beautiful.  Your soul doesn't care.  Your soul already knows of your worth and you are happy with who you are.  I have been trying to understand your views and last night it occurred to me what you have been trying to tell me.  I think i'm beginning to get it.  Thank you Grace.  

Grace, the world wants us to believe beauty if a physical thing. Something that our eyes can behold.  But beauty is much more.  Beauty is a feeling.  When you feel beautiful the world knows you are beautiful.  I know you know this already know this but someday if you are questioning your beauty please remember; I know you are beautiful, I felt your spirit shouting it from before you where born. 

I wish I could put into word the feelings of my heart.  My love for you so strong I can't begin to express my gratitude for you in my life.  You bring a greater happiness and beauty into my life that I have never felt before.  Thank you for your sweet reminders of beauty.  

Love,

 Mom

Today was a good day

We slept in.
Ate chips for breakfast.
Said goodbye to Papa so  he could go Mt. Biking.
Decided we wanted to bike too.  Family bike ride up and down the street.  I even rode my bike.  Picked flowers.
Gathered eggs from the chicken coop.
fed and watered bunnies.
 Packed a picnic lunch.  gathered up fun beach toys,
Went to the beach and played with friends.  went to the grocery store in swimsuits and bought popsicles.
Came home and unloaded sandy beach stuff.
Found my phone and read Texts from Papa.
Papa bought a new knife from REI.  It cost 4.00.  AWESOME
Played with neighborhood friends. Ate popsicles before dinner.
Practiced jump roping
Ate spaghetti at neighbors house.
cleaned bedrooms and started dishwasher.
Watched Shaun the Sheep.  Put kids to bed and waited to for Papa to come home.

Grace decided to give me some Marriage advice:  "If you are married and don't have kids talk to your husband.  If you aren't married talked to your friends".

I'm sure there is wisdom in her deep thoughts.