Out of the Mouths of Babes!

OK, this update is going to be a painfully honest update, because I owe it to Bella. Last night she got in trouble about six times: not cleaning up her room, ling that she did, bringing glasses full of water into her room and dumping them all over herself and the carpet - the third warning in three days, not going to bed when she was suppose to and not staying in bed when she was put there. Well, Aaron and I were frustrated with her and I was getting angrier and angrier and then Aaron and I got into it about that and other of life's frustrations, in front of her, while we were cleaning up her disaster of a room. The next day I was telling Bella how much I loved her and she was hugging me and she said "mom, if I give you a big hug, will you promise to never fight with Daddy again? I don't like the words you say when you fight with him". Then she proceeded to tell me if I would just wave my hands side to side "like this", she said as she imitated what looked like the hula dance. "Your anger will just go away". I'll have to remember that;) Out of the mouths of babes! That was quite a reality check for me. I have been battling with my Meniere's disease all summer and it makes me very tired, on top of which, the medicine I take to help me feel better does the same thing. Sometimes I just get so discouraged, feeling miserable so much of the time and I take it out on my family. I will definitely be working on that! Later after nap, she was having her snack and was talking about her snow globe she got for Christmas - it was only a very tiny little thing, but recently Natalie Jane broke it and Bella was pretty sad. Bella said "I really miss my snow globe" and I said "why don't you ask for one for Christmas" and she said "I don't think Santa does those". Natalie learned how to say no and Bella among other important words. She's showing a stubborn streak a mile long and keeps throwing small fits. It's been a taxing week with that little one!

Funny Little Girls

I always wanted a little girl - always - so let me just say that I am over the moon that I have two and one's with hilarious personalities as well. I feel very blessed and lucky although I don't really believe in luck, you know what I mean all the same. The other night Aaron went up to put Bella to bed and there she was already in bed with her helmet, knee pads and elbow pads on. Aaron asked her what she was doing and she said "they are for in case I fall out of the bed - I won't get hurt". What a funny little person. She's always so cautious and so safe. I had to fill out a form for her school asking questions about her personality, fears and likes and I asked her what are you afraid of and she said "I'm afraid someone will take me and I am afraid of bridges". Well, we tried to talk about stranger danger with her without scarring her, because she is such a friendly, sweet and trusting little girl, but She thinks about things well after our discussions. How much is too much? I just don't seem to know. The other fear she mentioned was funny to me, because it is my fear. I despise driving over bridges above water. I don't ever remember telling her about this fear and since she was born, I have made it a point to now speak about it out loud. I don't want her to have learned fears. I want her to be braver and more sure of herself than I was when I was little. Natalie is funny too, but in a naughty way. I could write a book about her naughtiness, but she's still cute and lovable, so that is how I get through the day - with endless kisses and hugs from this little person who continues to show us who she is every new day.

This weekend

Well, my parents came up to visit this weekend and we had a blast. Bella liked swimming in the hotel pool and even Natalie Jane got in! I finished a couple of stained glass projects I was working on, so I have a nice sense of satisfaction and Aaron and I got to go on another date this weekend! I'm excited to watch women's gymnastics at the Olympics and share it with Bella. Natalie learned that the remote does indeed change channels on the TV, much to the dismay of Bella:) I found naughty Natty feeding fat Bosley dog biscuits through the hole in the screen. She was going back for seconds when I caught her. I think she is his new best friend!

What a Great Summer

We were just taking advantage of this great summer weather with the girls and I was thinking of how blessed we were this season. The temp. outside has never been too hot for more than three or four days in a row when a nice cool breeze would blow in and it would be comfortable again. It has rained quite a few nights and we have not had to water the grass at all and it's now August 3rd! We have never had a summer like that. Aaron burned the grass accidentally with weed killer, so today we are trying to revive it, but I am so thankful that we got exactly what we have needed in the months when it is usually so hot you don't want to set foot outside for weeks at a time. We finished our softball season and we again are the league champs. We didn't come in first in the tournament yesterday, but I think most of us were ok with that since we didn't want to be outside in the sun for 8 or 9 hours. Five was enough for us. We had fun and that really in the end, is all that counts! Praise God not one of us got injured this season. Not even accident-prone me! We missed the annual family reunion on Aaron's side this year because of the tournament. We are looking forward to next years already. I am getting better at my glass cutting and that is also very exciting. Creatively it is very exhilerating to conquer another challenge that I thought I never would never be able to. I wish it weren't such an expensive hobby. You have to practice a lot to get better and glass and supplies aren't cheap. I'm so happy that Aaron's mom has given her time to help me learn this skill. I bet everyone can guess what there are getting for christmas:) Well, Natalie Jane said her first sentence! When my mom told her she loved her over the phone she said "I wub you". She said it back to me the next day and then I was sure she really did say it and it wasn't wishful thinking. She's such a sweet-heart. Bella is getting ready for preschool and we got all her form in and paid for the year and so now we are looking forward to what the school year will bring. I'm sure Natalie will enjoy having me to herself three mornings a week. She's a different kid when she has me to herself. We put the slide in the pool after church today and the girls took turns sliding into the water. Nat loved it! She learned to pull herself out of the water and get out over the big inflated side of the whale pool all by herself! She never seases to amaze me by her independence. We also learned this summer that the girls love freeze pops. All of these summer-time treats that we take advantage of will soon be a distant memory before we know it. Time goes by so fast! Ok, well I think I solved the mouse problem and I didn't have to do anything myself. I was painting the basement hallway a few days ago and I took the vent plate off to paint around it and I found a dead mouse. I think it's the one Zoe has been smelling in the vent, so I am thankful he died of his own doing and I didn't have to make that desicion for him. Whew! God is so good! Take care everyone.