An unexpected blessing

As the week is quickly coming to an end I have to thank God for small blessings.
Ashley as been home with a fever all week and at first I was not a happy mommy. I quickly changed my tune and was reminded by the Lord tugging at my heart that Ashley is going to Kindergarten next year. This week she may been sick and not herself but she has been cuddly and soft spoken, relaxed and just plain lovable. I believe that God gave me this week to slow down and cherish this time with Ashley. We have built rockets and crazy aliens with tinker toys. We have colored and snuggled on the couch. We have run a few small errands with no trouble at all. I have even gotten laundry washed, dried, and put away, the biggest challenge.
Last night Ashley's fever hit 104 and after I woke her and gave her yet another dose of Motrin I just cried and asked God to heal her and bring her fever down. I realized something that I had forgotten. Ashley is only mine for awhile, she is the Lords child forever.
My encouragement is that you will remember that God knows what is best for us and our plans are not His plans.
I had so many things on my "to do list" this week that I wanted to do with my "alone time" but I did not get the time to do any of them. What I did get was a relaxed week with no stress and precious time with my youngest daughter. Thanks God for this unexpected blessing that you gave me this week.

A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Ten on Tuesday

1. Ashley is still feverish but feeling better today. Dr. appointment tomorrow if she still has a fever.
2. I feel like I should have my own parking space at Scripps clinic RB because I have been there so much this year and it is only February.
3. The sun is shinning again here in San Diego but I am stuck inside with a sick kid..oh well!!
4. Today is my brother and sister in laws anniversary. I missed an opportunity to send a card.
5. I am trying to save money at Vons by using coupons but I can't justify buying something I don't use just because I have a coupon.
6. Daylight saving is arriving soon. does that mean our kiddos will be up earlier or sleeping in??
7. It is afternoon and I am not sure what I am serving for dinner this evening.
8. oh now wait one minute, i forgot that I was planning on turkey burgers and baked french fries. Whew!!
9. American idol tonight ...my favorite guy is Michael Johns
10. I am out of thoughts for today

Monday Blues

4:34 am " Mommy I don't feel good, my throat and belly hurts" Warm forehead, cough, scratchy voice...that is how Ashley started out on this Monday morning.

Happy Monday to all!!

Fun Photos

The girls always have fun at Disneyland
A huge smile from Ashley while riding with Daddy on the Rocket....to be 5 again
Ashley went to see Snow White all by herself to get an autograph and pose for a photo. She was so proud.

Friday Five

1. Rain, Rain please go away!
2. I survived the school vacation
3. Glamor night at Bunco was so much fun...it must have been my black dress and jewelry that made me such a winner. My best ever bunco game ever-yeah, me!!
4. Why is it that our small family of four goes through so many spoons?? I even bought an extra set.
5. We survived our Disneyland trip. Despite the rain on Wed. we ventured up there. It rained the whole way there but as soon as we entered the park........clear skies the rest of the day. thanks for the prayers

Ten on Tuesday

1. I thought that I would dread this week having the girls home because of the school vacation but it has been a blessing.
2. We stay in our pjs and relax and we have some fun playdates.
3. Please pray that the weather holds out for us to go to Disneyland tomorrow, the girls are so excited!! (So is mommy)
4. I am sooo looking forward to American Idol this season. There is some amazing talent and I already have my favorites. I may even vote this time.
5. My new love is a cup of decaf coffee after the girls are in bed. Not sure where that came from.
6. This week my little brother turns 31, I can't believe how fast the time goes. I sent him a handmade card...will he even notice?? Come on, he is a guy!!!
7. We finally booked a flight to Pa this summer....thanks mom for doing all the grunt work for me and thanks for the buy one get one free!!
8. We are watching Karate Dog, not the greatest kid movie ever made for sure.
9. At least the girls seem interested in it and I get some blog time.
10. Happy Tuesday all

Hanging with the animals

After church today we decided to take a visit to the Wild Animal Park. I think everyone had the same idea....it was packed!!! Anyway, we were able to enjoy the animals and a new show about Africa. The show was cheesey but the kiddos loved it. We got to see 3 lion cubs playing but of course I did not take pictures of that. My favorite always is the giraffes.
The ever famous rhino photo The new play area ....not so sure if I like the new version.
And we had to sit and pose in th EGG!
Last stop was the lilly pads for a quick hop
It was a beautiful day despite the crowds and forgetting which lane we parked in.

Wednesday we will venture to Disneyland!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Today was a day of rain and sweets. It was a nice day to bake. I spent the morning making strawberry heart cakes (Betty Crocker, of course). I decorated mine with sprinkles and M&Ms!
The girls decorated theirs after school and had to wait until after dinner to eat them. They decided to save theirs and eat some of mine instead.


Ashley is sporting a new hair cut. I love it and she is thrilled. I think it may be easier to take care of.

California Girls

The sun is shining again here in San Diego and we are enjoying the warmer weather.
We spent some time on Sunday down at Mission Bay. The girls scootered and played at the park. Ashley is sporting some new shades and if you look closely you can see me in the reflection of the glasses.

Five on Friday

1. The weekend is finally here, it is going to be sunny and beautiful.
2. My sisiter in law is having another boy!!
3. His name will be Kyan Drew?!?!
4. It is pretty cool that we had the 2 girls and my brother is having the 2 boys.
5. I have nothing else, my mind is mush tonight.

Have a great weekend my blog friends.

Where is the Weekend?

I have had a long week and looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Emilee is on her second dose of antibotics this winter. This time for an ear infection that keep her home from school a few days this week. I am just ready to sit and blog or even sleep in alittle on Saturday morning. I have plans for Chris, HaHa, he just doesn't know it yet. Remember all the trees and bushes that he cut down from our slope last weekend? Well, they are still in the back yard ready to be tackled and thrown out. If you remember it rained last Sunday and he couldn't finish the job. As for me I will be taking the girls to tap class and then making cards with Susie and friends in the pm. What are your plans?

A little bit of this and that

I got inspired by a few friends of mine to organize. I choose the panty where it is always an adventure to find what I need. Here is little before and after.

I also had Chris tackle the jungle that is our back slope

.

A gift from my forever friend back home in Pa. Thank you, Samantha. She makes her own cards as well. I have some very creative and crafty friends.

Ok so i added this old photo of the girls at the fountain...anyone know how to make it a bit smaller on the header. I am still learning how to do all of this cool stuff.

I think Cooper thought the gift was for her.

Favorite candy from Mommy in Allentown, PA. Josh Early Candies is like SEEs candy here.

A Mommy's Birthday

As I celebrate my 36th birthday ( I am not ashamed of my age) I only asked for 2 things.
1. A trip to Starbucks for my favorite hot drink...non fat vanilla latte. did that!!
2. Not to have to cook dinner. California Pizza Kitchen here I come!

I got so much for than what I asked for
1. homemade cards from my girls
2. sticky buns, gift card to my favorite salon, and Blake's CD..you know the runner up in last years American Idol. It is really fun and a great gift from my hubby
3. phones calls and text messages from family and friends
4. and cards!!!!
5. Favorite Candy ( from PA) and gift cards and even some cash from PA..(thanks Mom and Aunt Karen.)

Even though as a Mommy and homemaker I still had to empty the dishwasher, get the girls ready for school, help out in first grade and then carpool I still had an amazing day that will hopefully end with a nice foot massage from Chris.

Emilee wants to add one final thought to this post

happy birthday to mommy love emilee