Dental Pro and Dressing Room Diva

Erin had another Dentist appt. this morning, only the coldest morning of the year! She did an amazing job, much better than last time. A dentist came to her school last week so she's been talking about healthy stuff for your teeth all week. She informed the dentist today that juice boxes weren't healthy for your teeth and that she had let me know! No cavities in sight, so it was a good visit.

After that, we picked up Baba and Anna to head to the store to shop for an Easter Dress for Erin. This was Erin's first experience trying on clothes in the fitting room. I just wasn't sure if she'd need a 4 or 5 this year. She got the biggest kick out of being in the dressing room. She kept saying all my friends look pretty, meaning the 3 reflections of her in the mirror were her friends. She looked like such a princess in all the dresses and she had quite the opinion of her likes and dislikes. Oh what do I have to look forward to in the next few years.

All that aside, I can honestly say times like today give me such joy as a mom. I never knew taking my daughter into the fitting room for the first time would make me feel so happy inside. I absolutely LOVE being a mom to girls. I know there is a unique bond with a mother and son and believe me, I'm dying to discover it too, but I am fully content being a mom to girls. Joe often claims I'm just playing baby dolls and maybe I am, but what's wrong with that. All I did growing up was play baby dolls, so seems appropriate I would do it for a "living" now! The only difference is I didn't have to discipline the dolls, but there were no hugs either! So even when my real life dolls veto their nap and have a meltdown, I love them just the same and am thankful for every little milestone I cross with them.

And just for the record....Joe is quite content being dad to little girls as well. Man do they own him. This is what I caught after dinner was over. Joe was feeding Anna a secret Jello treat!

Chewbaccanna

Anna has learned a new trick and boy does she like to practice it. My poor sister had to hear this through the phone as I was trying to talk to her in the car. I do believe I have a strong alto on my hands, so at least Kim is happy about that!

Fresh Air

We were blessed with 2 days where it was just warm enough to play outside and grab some fresh air. Good thing we did, snow is in the forecast for next week!

Anna and her pal Clifford!

Erin is my gardener, hopefully she'll have more skills than I do!

You'd think....

...we really like driving to Norfolk every now and then to visit CHKD.

...we'd been hitting the town to try and collect as many germs as we can.

...we're going for a record of colds in a 2 month period.

...I never clean my house or the toys.

...we have a sign on our backs that says, "Hit me one more time."

After yet another trip down to CHKD, we are relieved to find that Anna only has an Upper Respiratory Infection this time. Bags packed and ready for a stay, we headed off to the ER yesterday when Anna spiked a 104 temp. and started showing all those lovely signs again. Praise the Lord, her chest is clear and breathing fine, it's just in the upper respiratory region. So, here we go again, as secluded as we've been, we have to do it all over again. Please pray for us to have wisdom. I really struggle on when it's okay to take her somewhere and when it's best to stay home. I would hate to miss church for the next month, but she just still puts everything in her mouth. Pray that I don't go stir crazy, I love going out and this staying at home everyday wears on me. Thank you all for praying for Anna's health!

We have to get a picture everytime we go. The nurse thought we were crazy, but who cares!

We finally got her to drink some juice out of a juice box!

It's Official

I am THRILLED beyond belief to report that we are officially labeling Anna - "A WALKER." She has really taken off this weekend and spent most of it going back and forth between the 2 couches. She brings us so much joy as we watch her romp around. When any child walks for the first time it is so exciting, and we have certainly been waiting for this day for a LONG time! "Thank you Lord for my precious little walker, guide her every step and protect her every fall!"

A fun weekend!

It has been a very enjoyable weekend since we are all healthy. Not to mention it's 71 degrees out today and absolutely beautiful. We layed low Friday night and had ice cream cones at home and then some jungle gym time with Daddy.

Saturday we went to the Living Museum and both the girls loved it. When Anna wasn't riding with Nana we made her walk and she did a great job - lots of practice! She especially loves the aquarium part and Erin loves the outdoor trail.

We had lunch at one of Papa Joe's favorite places and they have a family sized Banana Pudding. We thought it would be funny to give it to Anna and see what she'd do with it. She was very excited, but decided to share with all of us! The pictures are out of order because blogger is being very stubborn and won't let me move them as I wish.

Wow - is this all for me?

That's what I'm talking about!

Daddy is under there somewhere!

MMM...icecream

second that

Anna is sooooo big!

My 2 precious little girls.

What do you see Erin?

Anna's favorite ride, Nana's favorite rider.

Hello Mr. Turtle

Hello Mr. Crab

A few thoughts

Okay, don't know quite where this post is going to go, but feel burdened to put a few thoughts down. I don't know if it comes with age, or maturity, but within the last year I have felt that I have had so many more people to pray for. Sometimes I feel surrounded by people experiencing hurt, disappointment, sickness, troubling times(including myself). I admit, I used to be one of those people(Christians) that said, sure I'll pray for you, and sometimes the prayer was lifted up once and then forgotten about. Maybe I didn't realize the effectiveness of prayer and that came from naivity, maybe I figured there were so many other people praying, how would mine make a difference. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn't the Christian attitude the Lord has called me to. Ever since Anna was in the hospital(the first time) though I have felt the enormous burden to pray for people. I know the power of prayer, I witnessed it first hand in my own child's life. I felt the power of prayer from all of my friends, family and strangers lifting up my child. I cannot deny the power of prayer and it gives me such joy to know that my prayer does make a difference.

I recently joined in with the Women's Ministry at our church and we took a Spiritual Gifts test to help us see where we should serve. My number one gift has always been teaching, so I was surprised when teaching had fallen to 3rd place. It was replaced with FAITH. Faith is my number one spiritual gift right now at this point in my life. It didn't surprise me that much given all the Faith I've had to conjure up the last year and a half. What surprises me is that a couple of years ago, worry could have been my middle name. It is just amazing to me how God knew where I needed to grow and brought me to a place where I could experience that growth.

So to bring this together - I have Faith and I have prayer and together I'd say they're a winning combination. I want you to know, when I tell you I'll pray for you, I do and I pray believing that God will answer it, in His perfect timing and in His perfect will. I have been so touched by the prayers lifted up on my behalf as well as my family's that I feel unworthy sometimes. All I can do to repay you is to pray in return for you, that God will pour His blessings on you and smother you with His unfailing love, peace and joy! Our God is still in the business of miracles!

This quote from Beth Moore's Esther study really got me today, "Sometimes God uses the winds of a new threat to blow the dust off a past miracle that has moved from our active file into the archives. Remember what God has done for you!" I know that I don't ever want to forget it!