It's a Wonderful Life

Some people wonder how we SAHM's can do it. You know, being trapped in your home (which is quite the oxymoron, don't you think?) all dreaded day long with no adult interaction wiping snot and poop while your brain turns to mush. 

Well, I'll admit it's challenging at times. There are days that drag on, just like everybody else's and my creativity and level of unselfishness and patience are tested to the core. But ultimately, I think it's because we have become arrogant, stiff robots (me included) and have forgotten the words of Christ.

"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of God"

Matthew 18:3

When I study the behavior of my children, I notice that they wake up every morning full of joy, appreciative for the gift of life, carrying nothing from the prior day and never worrying about the future. 100% living in the moment. Quick to forgive, slow to anger, rich in kindness (hey, that sounds familiar) 

One thing is certain. Every day is an adventure and there are always unexpected surprises (And how I love surprises!) Take today, for example. I envisioned a quick, simple task of watering the lawn & plants while the children play together quietly from afar.

Riiiiiight. 

Somehow that picture perfect idea turned into this...

And yes, it was demanded of me to participate in the fun of getting sprayed by ice cold water. (At least it was in the high 70's despite it being 'winter' still)

A bit later, yet another surprise. While I was putting Sweets down for her morning nap, Spicy was in her room busy preparing for this...
(And yes, she placed the cookies overlapping at the perfectly propped angle. wink, wink) 

How delightful!

Yes, my job is physically and emotionally tiring wearing fatiguing. But when I think of being back in my cubicle sitting under those fluorescent lights staring into that bright monitor while my precious ones are being cared for, and formed by someone else... Well, I can't even think too long before I feel sick to my stomach. In other words, I wouldn't have it any other way. 
It's a Wonderful Life indeed!

These boots are made for walking

...And that's just what they'll do!

Yup Sweets, you are walking solo. The kind of walking that had both Daddy and I squealing at the top of our lungs to each other like we had just won the lottery! Actually, it started this past weekend. And it has continued and improved every day since. 

 Today, you walked from one end of the room to the other. Falling a couple times but getting right back up on your own and continuing on, arms slightly stretched forward or to the side for balance!

The coolest thing is when Spicy grabs hold of your hands and helps you walk (faster than comfortable) as both of you are cackling up a storm!

The other exciting milestone has to do with another set of feet. TreSoto, who we will have a name for very soon, I've been feeling you within the past few days and squealing (quietly) over your stomps and movements. This is by far my absolute favorite part of the pregnancy.

It makes the miracle of life all the more real and tangible.

Here's to happy feet!

Second Chances

Today I lugged 60 pounds of sugar and spice and everything nice to the park in our neighborhood. I was a little extremely reluctant after our last experience at the park which involved an overly tired tot expressing her contempt over leaving so audibly that I am positive every house in the Brentwood track could hear her as we passed by on our 20 minute walk home. 

On the way there, feeling emotionally drained & my faith challenged due to several recent events, the Lord spoke to me. 

 The message was simple (as always) and obvious but nevertheless powerful and oh, so refreshing. He said, just as you are giving Spicy a second chance to show better behavior at the park, I have given you a second chance and I will always give everyone a "second" chance. Bringing to mind where I came from: a selfish, joy-less, lonely life with a deep void I could never seem to fully fill with my own pleasures and those of the world, to a place of mercy and redemption, a place that restores and fulfills my purpose in life, that brings overflowing peace and joy, living for Jesus alone, I was humbled and I was encouraged.

Then I declared my sin to you; my guilt I did not hide. I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD," and you took away the guilt of my sin. Selah 

Psalm 32:5

With sore biceps, an achy lower back and a desire to just stay in bed, I sensed Him smiling at me as I towed 2 tots in the wagon and 1 in my pouch, giving my day to Him. 

The park experience was wonderful.

Unexpectedly (of course), I met an older man with a thick accent in traditional Indian garb with 2 absolutely adorable 10 month-old identical twin boys who captured the girls with his warm smile. 

A bit later, I met a friendly college student by night, nanny by day, who was incredibly knowledgeable, impressively mature and remarkably natural with the 3 boys under 4 that she watches.

Spicy and her new found friend, Jacob, played so well together sharing cars and carrying on adorable conversations. 

Just look at you. In your long pigtails on the big kid swing. You are just beautiful, inside and out. And today, you taught me so much about second chances.

 This is Sweet's second chance at blowing the wind-borne dandelion seeds...

...You're getting closer baby doll

All three of us had a great time fulfilling each of our needs for interaction, fresh air, Vitamin D, exercise and plenty of exploratory contacts, both natural and man-made. And when it was time to leave, the only response I got was 
"Yes, mommy"...

Imagine that!

Hangover

We are recovering from sugar overload; a super fun, exciting, long birthday celebration day with no naps; and several nights with little sleep for mommy (this time totally self inflicted due to crafting obsessions, not difficult children). We are detoxing and recouping. This means staying in our PJs until well after 10am I can't take the mommy guilt any longer. 

Lounging. 

 And thoroughly enjoying our "new play area" (as Spicy calls it)

And since I must fill the void for the need to be productive, practicing on my new Nikon 3100!

A Super Sweet Sundae Celebration

This past Sunday we celebrated Sweet G's 1st beautiful year of life!

 (pictured in the same dress big sis wore 2 1/2 years ago)

After much dialogue on how to celebrate while staying within our modest budget, we set the date and time and made the notice to our immediate extended family and a couple friends who, are family. Once it was official, the SUPER Duo Team Emde (aka, Mimi & Bapa) pitched in for absolutely amazing results. This included hours of research, visiting 10 different nurseries, questioning, translating, working with the landscaper to finish our beautiful cottage style soft-scape backdrop. Meanwhile, Superdad is mixing and pouring cement, scoring on his hands and knees, installing patio covers, hanging lights, sealing floors, building a fire pit, cleaning up, hauling dirt and much more I am forgetting, to make our backyard a gorgeous place for hosting and enjoying. 

Late last week, I had 1 of the hardest days since becoming a mom which included passing out in the morning (in keeping with my pregnancy tradition) and a tantrum by a certain Spicy one so bad that had me considering performing an exorcism. Once that was behind me, somehow I pulled it together and with Mimi's help snatching the girls away for a day and a half, I was able to do some much needed deep cleaning, painting that was started and unfinished from over a year ago and lot of fun little projects! 

Without the constraints of feeding, entertaining, bathing, wiping bums & napping (that is, imposing forced naps, not partaking in them myself), my creativity let loose and the ideas kept coming! It started with this banner made from wooden pendants my dad cut that I covered in various scraps of fabric I already had. 

    
Then I found a font I liked, printed out the stencils and went to town with different paper. It was so fun to make, I even used a cordless saw for the 1st time but boy were my hands sore after all that stapling and cutting! It was definitely the 'centerpiece' and the source of much inspiration!

Since I am obsessed with themes (as you can probably tell by looking at every room in my house) I took the "Sweet" theme and well, ran with it... all the way to the candy store! The next idea was for the centerpieces. Re-purposed jars (originally filled with peaches which we enjoyed as a side dish) filled with a variety of candy with a few bright faux Gerber daisies. 

The best part about this? They didn't go to waste because once dinner was finished, the flowers came out, and the jars moved over to the "Sweet Sundae Station" for ice cream sundae's with lots of yummy toppings! 

 Add some over-sized lollipops and you're practically in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. 

 kidding. 

But the party prepping fairies were definitely looking out for me. The only thing purchased for this event was a couple cans of spray paint, dowels at 75 cents a piece and the styrophone circles for the lollipops. Everything else we already had! And while I was in line waiting to check out, wouldn't you know, I see leftover Christmas items in the dollar bin and some of them, even 1/2 off! 

I couldn't resist. A variety of sanitizers, body sprays and bath salts in "Sweet Candy Kiss" and "Frosted Berries and Cream" scents, they were the perrrrfect favors!

And pictures were cropped and displayed on an old cork board that got a nice coat of bubble gum pink!

The meal was centered around BBQ Beef Sandwiches on Hoagie Rolls in a sweet & tangy BBQ sauce

Side dishes were homemade and brought by loved ones such as Grama Emde's famous tomatoes & cucumbers in a sweet vinegar marinade

 ...Mimi's yams in a secret sweet syrup

and a sweet corn bread treat made by yours truly!

Even the corn dogs were transformed into a sweet delicatessen

We had about 30 guests. Less than half of the number at Spicy's party. However, it is important to note that her event had a dual purpose, namely to give mommy a major emotional boost to survive through the 2nd half of daddy's deployment. 

Needless to say, from young to old not so young, everyone had a great time!

Me & my Sweet G

Following in her sister's footsteps, Sweets surely did not disappoint when it came time for the cake...

        Getting her 1st taste from Spicy             Spicy getting a taste from mommy

That a Girl!

Another flashback

Pure Joy. 
What an incredible baby girl you are!

After dark, we inaugurated the fire pit by roasting marshmallows for Smore's with good friends. It was the perfect way to end a perfect day.