it's the little things

It's the little things that keep you going as a mom. While laying my girls down for bed, my daughter Zoey needed a little extra cuddle time so she crawled into Paige's bed where I was singing with her sister. I gave them both a big squeeze and said, "I just love you guys so much." A few seconds later, I look over and see my daughter Paige crying and I didn't know what was upsetting her so I asked, "why are you crying?"

She turned to me and said, "You are the mom I always wanted." Oh my gosh. Now I am crying. Thank you God for these little moments that turn out to be the big ones you have been waiting for.

My Men

I need a man. I know ... you feminists are screaming, "NO" right now. But I do for so many reasons. These are the men in my life and they not only look alike, but act alike too. They both are fun-loving, sweet, and somewhat goofy. Can you tell I miss my husband? :) Work related trips should be banned while any child in the house is still wearing diapers!

The big 7!

14 girls at one birthday party! Yes, I am either a saint or one crazy mom. The girls were so much fun and polite. They kept calling me "P.'s mom" and asking if they could help me ... too cute. Thanks to Steph for hanging out during the party and snapping photos and helping the girls make hair ties. Yes, we even did a craft at the party - my frozen drink at dinner was well deserved. :) My hubby is off to Chicago for two days and I just happen to have one of my busiest weeks ever. Soccer practice, baking for a bible study brunch, kindergarten visit, birthday treat to preschool because my other daughter's birthday is in the summer and we can't forget it, carnival at church, fine arts night at school. Can I get a Holy Cow! One thing at a time - breathe - it will all get done. And if it doesn't, it will be o.k. By the way, I read 'My Sister's Keeper' in three days. Loved it. I laughed, I cried, it moved me women. Really. :)

My kids

These are my kiddos. In order to maintain their privacy I will just tell you they are my one P and two Z's! (1st initial of their names in case you are having trouble figuring that out.) They really are sweet kids ... except of course when they are fighting. I just found the first "diary" of sorts of my seven year old on a mini-notepad laying on the kitchen counter (I swear I wasn't snooping.) Now that she can write she spends a lot of time doing just that and I thought I would share with you a couple of her "entries." Please keep in mind, these are the exact order that they were written in.
#1 Z. you are a meany and you are a baby
#2 Dear God thanks for the world and me. amen.
#3 Z. your cute and sometimes disgust (ing) little baby.
#4 Dear Jesus thanks for the sun and my family.
#5 We might have stromboli tonight. YUCK.
#6 I want to dance like crazy.
#7 I love pizza.
#8 I am hungry.

That's real life in our house. We dance, laugh, and express ourselves sometimes a little too much! :)

Alright folks ... the two of you that are reading my blog! :) Here is a picture of my hubby Jeff and I in Florida on vacation(minus kids - that's why we are smiling.) I was telling someone that I thought blogs were kind of a strange thing and he likened them to a family Christmas letter you receive every day. Christmas letters vary from the really funny, to the basic info. about the family, or the ones I will label TTMI (totally too much information.) I hope if I continue blogging my entries will fall into the funny category more than the TMI one! :)

And so it begins ...

I am becoming a blogger. Somewhat unwillinging. I have been on withdrawal from my computer for four weeks (yes, an entire month people) and now that my computer is fixed I have been told by my good friend Steph that I really need to set up my own blog and stop just reading other peoples. When I heard it was free, my Dutch heritage kicked into high gear and so ... it begins. Thanks to my brother-in-law Hugh for fixing my piece of junk, virus riddled hard drive. Your stubborn belief that you are smarter than any computer proved you are right !

I promise to be funnier, smarter, and say much more profound things in blogs to come. Until then ...