Our Little Lady turns 1!

On April 26th, Sydney will be 1 yr old! We can hardly believe it ourselves! It's amazes me that in one short year she has learned to roll over, sit up, smile, laugh, crawl, pull up, make us laugh, play with her sister, bounce to music, drink a bottle, eat real food, get teeth, splash in the tub, play in the grass...the list could just go on and on!

Yesterday we celebrated her little life by having our family over for dinner. It was a gorgeous day, so must of our fun was had outside. I made the little girls ladybug antennas to wear as the "flew around" outside. We had a ladybug salad, homemade pizza (thanks Amy!!) with pepperoni and olives, and ladybug cupcakes. The kiddos had ants on logs and veggies to munch on too, since of course they were bugs for the afternoon!

Since Sydney seems to be getting most of her little teeth in at one time, she wasn't so happy during her party (remember that song "It's My Birthday and I can Cry if I Want Too"?), but she sure did perk up when it was time for her to dig into her very red cupcake! She didn't hesitate once it was set in front of her and she had it all in her hair and obviously (by looking at the pictures below) all over her face!!

Reagan did great getting ready for the party and all through it. I wasn't quite sure how she would do since the party was all about her sister and all the presents would be for Sydney, too. But I'd been talking with her all last week about birthdays and that we were having a special party to celebrate her sister's life. Also, that Sydney would be getting presents and that when others get something, we want to be happy for them and that we don't always get things when others do. So, come Sunday morning, Reagan was SO excited about her sister's party. She even practiced singing her "Happy Birthday" twice on our way home from church...my favorite part was when she'd sing "Happy Birthday my dear Sydney"!

The BEST Job in the World!

My days are pretty repetitious...get up, breakfast with the girls, read to Reagan, play a little, pick up the house, nap time for Sydney, make lunches, do house work, listen to the girls play, nap times again, make dinner, clean up more dishes, put the girls to bed, pick up the house again. BUT, I wouldn't trade these days for ANYTHING. I think I have the best job in the world! Today I took the girls to Costco (one of Reagan's favorite stops because if we go at lunch time she gets to eat a whole 1/4 lb hot dog by herself)! As we were walking through the store, Reagan kept alternating kisses between Sydney and I. And I took all of them she would give! She asked what seemed like a million questions as we walked through the store, and instead of telling her she needed to stop talking, like oftentimes I have to do, I just let her ask. And I told her I always want her to come to me and ask questions!

Lately it seems as I have been not embracing this calling with joy. I was reading in Carolyn Mahaney's book "Femine Appeal" today about homemaking, and thank God for His gentle reminders and the conviction He brings to my heart when I begin relying more on my abilities than seeking Him for strength for my days! So, today, I repented and asked the Lord to see my tasks set before me with new eyes...ones that would see that each task at hand is one in which I have the opportunity to either bring Him glory and make my home one of joy and comfort! I want to remember everyday that I have been given the Best Job in the World!

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts and I am helped." Psalm 28:7

Here are pictures from Easter...

Easter 2007

This past week Steve pulled our Easter baskets and eggs out of the attic and the girls and I spent the afternoons hiding eggs in the yard. Reagan was so excited about Easter - about dressing up in her pretty dress and hat and gloves, and about eating candy out of her basket and going to eat and see her grandparents and aunts and uncle and cousins. One day soon we hope she is as excited about Easter as we are for the reason we are. I start thinking about what Easter represents and I can hardly contain myself. It is the time when our Savior rose from the dead! What a glorious day! Here is a song that has been on my heart all week...

You Led Me to the Cross

You led me to the cross
And I saw the face of mercy in that place of love
You opened up my eyes
To believe Your sweet salvation
Where I’d been so blind
Now that I’m living in Your all forgiving love
My every road leads to the cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross
I won’t forget the love You’ve shown
Savior, teach me of the cross
I won’t forget the love
I won’t forget the love You’ve shown

And there’s an empty tomb
That tells me of Your resurrection and my life in You
The stone lies rolled away
Nothing but those folded grave clothes
Where Your body lay
Now that I’m living as a risen child of God
My every road leads to the cross

27 Years...

It's so hard to believe I have been alive for 27 years already! Last Friday was my birthday and Steve gave me a wonderful gift! He took off early on Friday, arranged for the girls to go to Mom and Dad's for the night and took me to the Florida Mall Hotel. We shopped, had dinner at Bucca Di Beppo's and then shopped some more! I was able to buy perfume and clothes and shoes and a purse. Best of all I was able to spend some one-on-one time with my hubby!

Thanks to all of you for your encouraging cards and emails and sweet gifts! I am blessed beyond my wildest imagination. God has been so good to me! I was just reflecting this morning on all I have to be thankful for and it is amazing! Have you thought about what you have to be grateful for today?!?!

Fun in the Sun!

Friday I was a brave soul and ventured out to New Smyrna Beach with my two cutie pies! Well, I wasn't totally alone ;)...I met up with Tracy and her mom-in-law Susan and Michelle and her boys met us out there, too. It was a beautiful, sunny, breezy, warm-but-not-too-hot Florida day and Reagan and Sydney were all smiles! We had so much fun! I was a little nervous taking the girls without Steve. Reagan is easy to transport, but with Sydney also comes enough stuff to fill up the back of the mini van. Also, last year when we hit the beach, Sydney seemed to be all tears. So, it definitely took some encouraging from my husband to muster up the courage to pack everything up and drive an hour to the beach! And boy, am I glad I did! Reagan has been asking to go to the ocean for weeks now! She loves the sand and this year, Sydney does too! She grinned and giggled for hours! Here are some shots from our day at the beach...