First Date

Espy went on her first date today.
She was so excited she could hardly stand it.


One of the guys in our youth group told me this story:
So when I was a young lad, my sister's best friend's older sister took me on a date to the ice cream shop. She was like 18, and I was 5. So I have remembered that day my whole life. So I want to take your girls on a date one night (if you trust me driving), but I am good - haha. But I think it would be really fun. Let me know what you think.


After lunch this afternoon, I took Espy outside to meet her date. You should have seen the smile on that little girl's face - adorable.


Thank you, Matt, for taking out my little Espy and showing her how a gentleman should treat a lady - she will never forget it!

Photo by: Scott Beale / Laughing Squid

Read This

Something to think about:

A Fool's Defense
I make more money while typing this post than most of the world has to live on per day, and I keep and spend 92% of it on myself,
but I am a good person.

I live less than 20 minutes from homeless families living on the street, and their condition is not anything I work to change,
but I am a good person.

I spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on my kids' sports and extra curricular activities each year while children in poverty in my community and around the world are ignored by people like me with means to help,
but I am a good person.

My neighbor is confused about spirituality and has been burned by the church in the past, but I don’t dare raise spiritual topics with her because she might think badly of me, and after all,
I am a good person.

I live in a neighborhood of people who look like and view the world mostly like me, and avoid areas of town and the people where this is not true,
but I am a good person.

Instead of teaching my children to sacrifice for the sake of the least, the last and the lost all around us, I teach them to ignore these so that we can live the same comfortable lifestyle as our neighbors,
but I am a good person.

I have interpreted the command of Jesus to “Go make disciples of every nation” and to “love my neighbor as myself” to mean that I should congregate in comfortable chairs on Sundays with others who do the same, and love only those in my holy huddle,
but I am a good person.

Even though I know that 2 out of every 3 unchurched people I am friendly with would go to church if I invited them, it has been years since I invited anyone to church,
but I am a good person.

While Jesus came to win the lost and set the oppressed free, I focus instead on creating space between me and the lost, and hoping some politician or social activist can manage to set the oppressed free,
but I am a good person.

While Jesus spent his time connecting his life to people far from God so they might find life in Him, I connect my life to those far from God so that I can live the same life they do and not feel deprived like I would if I had to really live like Jesus,
but I am a good person.

While I affirm the power of transformation in my words and stated beliefs, I deny the power of transformation when I turn my back on the poor, ignore the oppressed, distance myself from the under-resourced and refuse to share the good news with the spiritually confused or searching,
but I am a good person.

While I have made an idol of my beliefs about God, I have ignored the very heart of God and the way of Jesus,
but I am a good person.

I do not feed the hungry, care for the sick, clothe the naked, visit those in prison, comfort the afflicted or stand with the oppressed, but I am a good person. While Jesus asked, “Why do you call me good,” I ask “Why do you not call me good?”
You should know by now that I am a good person.
-Alan Hitt-

Photo by Make Stanne

One Year Old

Happy Birthday Little One

I Don't Know

Please listen to this song.
I love it.

I love her voice.
I love her hat.
I love that five people are jamming in a small box in a bar.
Don't you?

Toilet Paper

I love my husband's parents. I don't like calling them my "in-laws" - just has a negative connotation to it. They're in town for the weekend and we always stay up talking and laughing. Last night, they wanted me to read this:

The Miracle of Toilet Paper
Fresh from my shower, I stand in front of the mirror complaining to my husband that my breasts are too small. Instead of characteristically telling me it's not so, he uncharacteristically comes up with a suggestion.

"If you want yuor breasts to grow, then every day take a piece of toilet paper and rub it between them for a few seconds."

Willing to try anything, I fetch a piece of toilet paper and stand in front of the mirror, rubbing it between my breasts. How long will this take?" I asked.

"They will grow larger over a period of years," my husband replies.

I stopped. "Do you really think rubbing a piece
of toilet paper between my breasts every day will make my breasts larger over the years?"

Without missing a beat he says, "Worked for your butt, didn't it?"

He's still alive, and with a great deal of therapy,
he may even walk again.

Stupid, stupid man.

I almost peed my pants.

Photo by Mike O'Neill

Not Normal

Read this.

It is so true - don't you think?

Enjoyable Evenings

I thoroughly enjoy talking with the husband during the quiet evening hours - especially after a busy few days, or even weeks. It doesn't happen often, but when it does - it's awesome.
It reminds me of our dating days.

During the wee hours, I also enjoy getting lots of stuff done
while the girls are sleeping.
Getting up bright & early the following morning, though -
not so enjoyable.
Photo by Michelle Scheiss

Never Gets Old

Because I can't get enough of him

or this song, here is a cover of my favorite at the moment.

I love it because

1. they are singing in the bathroom,
2. he almost runs into the shower door & she giggles, and
3. they're Asian, of course.

Enjoy!

Birthday Gift

Isabella just received her first package in the mail today! How excited was I to see a little baby doll that looks just like my Isabella.
I love it.
She loves it.
Espy & Gianna love it.

What's not to love?

Thank you Kristen & family!!!

Too Fast

Espy started kindergarten this morning.
Gianna starts preschool in two weeks.
Isabella's turning one in seven days.
WHAT IS GOING ON?

Photo by Russ Morris

Espy wonders why I walked her into school today instead of just dropping her off.
Gianna spins around the house making random statements that always make me smile.
Isabella stands on her own and is on the verge of walking.
What happened to all of my babies?

Disagreement Resolved

Photo by Jimmy Navarrete

Baby Fever

I have baby fever.
It varies in degree depending on my mood, my own children's behavior, and the number of newborns and/or pregnant women in my close proximity. Two of my friends have recently given birth to sweet baby girls so the fever has been pushed up just a notch.

Pictures like these don't help either.

Photo by Mazen Tawileh

Photo by snodiva360

Lunchtime

GRACE
Who's going to pray for lunch?
GIANNA
I will.
GRACE
Ok.
GIANNA
Thanks that Miss Joyce feels better.
Make sure we get to go to the beach house again.
Make sure we can see NeNe soon.
Amen.
ESPY
Amen.
GRACE
Amen.

Done!

I'm NOT going to share my ToDo list with you. I will, however, share with you my HaveDone list.

Today, I have:
1. dressed three little girls
2. made two meals
3. hit two stores (in the sweltering heat)
4. drove-thru one bank
5. gave three children their baths
6. baked one batch of brownies
7. drank one cup of DD coffee from my hubby
8. had one meeting in our home
9. washed all the dishes
10. put one baby to bed
11. folded two loads of laundry
12. watched one movie
13. created a new Pandora station
14. wrote two letters
15. made one blog post and last but not least
16. hugged and kissed my three favorite girls more than once.

There. Now I don't feel so bad for not getting everything done on my ToDo list!

Simplifying

The clutter is driving me mad. I'm on a mission to get rid of things our family doesn't need or love. I guess I'll keep the girls, but we definitely have way too many toys, clothes, shoes - I could go on and on and on.

Just look at this example of organization. It makes me smile.

Last night I got rid of 398,328 towels/sheets and 12,361,235 stuffed animals. It felt good.
The girls actually had a good time purging - imagine that.

My advice for today - get rid of some stuff. Get rid of a lot of stuff. It'll make you happy - promise.

Lucky

I love my husband.
I love this song.
Jason Mraz isn't so bad either.

photo source

On Thursday

I don't know who told Gianna how awesome Thursday is. However in Gianna's world, Thursday is when it all happens. Here are a few examples:

GRACE
Are you going to school?
GIANNA
Yes.
GRACE
If you go to school, you can't suck your thumb.
GIANNA
I know that.
GRACE
So when are you going to suck your thumb?
GIANNA
On Thursday.

GIANNA
I want to play soccer like Espy.
GRACE
This fall?
GIANNA
No Mommy, I want to play soccer like Espy.
GRACE
When do you want to play, Gianna?
GIANNA
On Thursday.

GIANNA
Mom, is it time to go to church yet?
GRACE
No, not yet?
GIANNA
When are we going to church?
GRACE
Tomorrow.
GIANNA
No, on Thursday.

This photo of Gianna was probably taken on a Thursday.

Let's Go to Home Depot

Bill has painted our living room three times. In fact, he's painted each room in our house except for our bathroom and bedroom. Those are next on my list. However, this adorable couple puts all my repainting/redecorating/renovating desires to shame. They make me want to go to Home Depot and buy stuff - right now.

photo source
What do you think? Do you want to go to Home Depot with me? Or would you like to go to Lowe's? I'm not picky.

Make This

Please make this today. Thank you.
Bill made this for dinner last night (I'm not Martha Stewart, remember?). It was SO good. Make it - you'll be happy you did.

New Name

In case you didn't notice, I have a new name for the blog. Don't get me wrong, I liked the old one a lot. However, my sweet husband pointed out something that made me want to change it - as soon as possible.

What do you think Bill discovered about the old blog name? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

On another note, I shouldn't drink coffee after dark - it makes for late night ramblings on the blog.

Monday Musts

The ToDos grow so fast first thing in the morning. By the way, I think the Musts in Monday Musts sounds too much like musty and that kind of creeps me out. So if you have any suggestions for musty, I'll love you forever. I'm at a loss.

1.
Finish my blueberry pancakes. I love anything remotely blueberry.
2.
Wash the sheets. There is only one thing that will calm the anguish I feel inside when the beds aren't made.
The days when I wash the sheets.
3.
Coffee. ASAP.
4.
Go to Target.
Along with blueberries, nicely made beds, and coffee - I enjoy Target. It doesn't matter what I might be shopping for, I always end up with more. You never know when you might need little girls' hairbows, toilet bowl cleaner, or whatever might fascinate you at The Dollar Spot.
5.
Catch up on my notes. I love writing notes to people. Usually I'm way better at sending a quick email or text, but I'd rather send a handwritten note. The Note List is very long, but I hope to catch up one day. The girls and I love getting them - it's like getting a little hug when the mail comes.

I'd love to know what's going on with you - leave me a comment and let me know.
I hope your day is fabulous.

Family Time

I miss my cousin.