Happy Birthday, My Big Girl!!!

My big girl, my beauty, today you turn SEVEN! You are growing up way too fast for this mama!! I see you grow a little more everyday... You are slowly letting go of your fears and trusting & hoping, bounding and leaping! I am so proud of you!

You are becoming a happy, fun-loving little girl! I love that!! I know that it is your birthday, but you are truly my greatest gift!! You have taught my so much...about life and about myself, and bring so much joy into my life!

I love how you play, joke, and tell secrets with your little friends!! You laugh and you twirl!!! You are my girly-girl!

You are so smart!!! I love catching you reading.. You want read everything!

I was looking for a song for you...one that held all of the hopes and dreams that I have for you and I remembered the song that I played when you first came home. I have played this song so many times.. I want so many things for you my sweetheart, but most of all that you are loved~ especially by your mama! 

So happy Birthday, sweetheart! I love you so much!!!
Bonnie Jean Birthday Girl Polka-Dot Trapeze Dress - Girls 4-6X (Google Affiliate Ad)

Family Reading

Our group is an active group!! It is a struggle to keep our girls busy all of the time! Nighttime seemed to be the worst and I realized that something just had to be done! I wanted a peaceful time of rest, and enriched family time that is just so precious these days with everyone's busy schedule.

Then it hit me~  Quiet Reading Time!!!

When I taught kindergarten a long time ago QRT was just what I needed to save my sanity! I loved looking over my class with their minds engaged...imaginations running along the pages!!! I wanted that for my girls! I also needed this for my family...

I also know that kids that observe their parents reading for pleasure have a greater chance of learning to love books! I also know that if our girls are not contained...I can't enjoy my book! LOL!

So now our new favorite thing is  quiet reading time before bed. We are doing the Summer Reading Program from the library as well so we always have plenty of good books around to keep it fun! We try to keep it simple... Everyone cozy in their PJs, teeth brushed, and quiet & relaxed. James or I will start thing off by reading one book in ASL(hearing kids understand just fine) and then we all find a book and read quietly together as family.

 I can't tell you what a blessing this has been to our family! It is such a wonderful time and has added so much to our bedtime routine! There are lots of snuggles ~ a few giggles(that are quickly shushed) at the funny picture and maybe even a few smiling glances between mom & dad...

We are so blessed!

I hope you guys like this idea.. Leave a comment of what you do in your home, I would love to read them!!

So curious as to what we are reading right now???
Hubby ~ The Art Of War ~ by: Sun Tzu
Me  ~  It's All Too Much ~ Peter Walsh
Big Girl ~  The Legend Of Yoda ~ by: Catherine Saunders
Bubbles ~  Anything about animals...
Baby  ~  Mostly board books right now...especially one with babies.

The Children's Book of Virtues (Google Affiliate Ad)

CAMPING!!!!

He had a wonderful mini vacation... we went camping for the first time!!! The girls had a blast!!! We all did!!
We went up to a ranch in the hills near the Oregon border...it was a nice LONG drive out of town.

It was beautiful! We picked a nice little spot near a creek and the sound of the bubbling water was enough to completely de-stress us all after the long car ride.

I had prayed before the trip that God would restore my weary heart as well as my stress & tired body..
I don't like to complain, but sometimes this mama just needs a break! So when we first arrived the girls went over to their grandparent's trailer, hubby started setting up the tent & other manly things, and I grabbed my Bible and settled in my reclining chair over near the water. It was such a blessed time! I could relax & rest...I even fell asleep for about on hour! God had heard my prayer!

My kids had a blast just being kids!!! Lot's of open space & sunshine!

They even tried fishing....

 The best part was of course the horses!!!

Of course thanks so this man...we never went hungry!

There were also laughs & googles, smores, bon-fires, swimming, hay rides, playing by the lake, fun times with family, making new friends, and so much more!!

I was one relaxed and in this picture~freezing mama!

Eureka Apex 2 XT - Tent - Gold (Google Affiliate Ad)

My Mother's Day Letter...

It is Mother's Day my darlings..
I am filled so many emotions. I was reminded by a friend that it is my first real Mother's Day since last year we weren't finalized... Well, I'm so so sure about that but I am sure that I love each of you so much! You are each special in your own way! I am so proud to all you and beam just a bit every time you call me mom...

I know this weekend isn't so easy for you, my big girl. I know at times like this you think of your birth-mom and I am sure she thinks of you too. You have such a big, forgiving heart and at times I know it is so easily broken when you think of the past. I am sorry for the times I forget your pain shows in your behavior...I feel so bad when I forget too late. I will always be here for you... My ears are always open...my heart and arms are too. I love you so much!

My bubbly girl, what can I say...my heart still melts when you vocalize "mom!"  Honestly though, to see you sign it, and the way you sign it to everyone, so everyone knows that I am your mom does the same.. You have taught me more about deaf culture than any college class... You have made me stronger. You have made me a fighter simply because you are worth fighting for...YOU, your happiness in life, your education, and your rights! I am humbled in being your mom,  but I am so thankful! I love you so much!

I love you so much, my baby girl. You are such a little sweetie...my reminder to cuddle & to slow down and take it all in...  You really scared mommy this year...holding you in my arms at the hospital and hearing everything the Dr. had to say...I have never prayed so hard in my life! It still bring tears to my eyes...you were so sick...I was so scared... BUT God healed you. You are my gift and God gave you back to me once again..I am so thankful!  So now more than ever~ I treasure every lullaby....I love when you sing them with me.  I am reminded to put down the laundry basket to count the piggies~your cutie toes! I love you so much!

Babe, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for going through all of the work & stress it took to make me a mom. Thank you for not only sharing the burden of adoption, but leading in it!  Thank you for all of the times you hold me while I cry after a "you are not my real mom" moments. Thank you for all of the phone calls at work when I am overwhelmed... Thank you for being patient with me...for loving me...for strengthening me...most of all for praying for me. You are my  rock. I love you so much.

Entering the World of Prepping!

Well, I should say...my hubby's world. I am not a prepper at heart. I like to be prepared, but in the back of my mind honestly I trust in God...and just kinda feel that we will be just fine. I mean don't get me wrong, I have a first aid kit, but most of my time and energy go into trying to figure out what to make for dinner....surviving & cleaning the disaster of a crazy house, not one that can happen in the future. No disrespect to those that prep, it's just me... Me and my tired self most days! :)

My husband is the opposite! He was a boy scout and it shows!! He studies prepping.. He lives it!
He also wants me to start preparing with him...as his wife, helpmeet, & best friend, I say~ sure. :)
So I started thinking what would my household really need if something bad happened?? Food, shelter, water, and protection.

I started thinking...do I really want to look into my girls' eyes when they are hungry? I am the meal planner in our house so I took over the food... So I am learning, growing, and sharing with you guys!
Wish me luck!

So I am starting with dehydrating... I have wanted a dehydrator FOREVER!!!

Pictured is some watermelon candy I made for the kids... I doubt we store much of it because it goes so fast around here!

I am adding veggies, herbs, & soup mixes that I dehydrate myself to my other grains, beans and dried goods. I am taking small steps, and learning as I go..

I have started a garden..

I am studying canning... More to come later! :)

Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator (Google Affiliate Ad)

Bubbles...Sparkles...Unicorns...and a candle With The number 4!

And with rainbows and sparkles another little girl turns 4 while her mother wonders how time went by so fast...
My Bubbly girl,
I love you so much!
It seems like just yesterday I was writing your birthday letter, tears falling, and thinking to myself that I am the luckiest mom alive!
 You have grown so much this year... 
You are so expressive! 
Like your birthday party~ you knew it had to be Rainbows and Unicorns~ you got them! 

 You have also turned into a great big sister to Baby girl... 
You are kind and loving and give the best hugs! 
I love the way you always make sure I know Daddy is home from work if I am in the back of the house. You always make sure he always gets a kiss from everyone~even the cat!! 

You are the first to stand up for someone else... You have been known to punch dentists & nurses when sisters have to get poked! You have even told me to "be nice" a time or two.....which is not okay! ;) 

You still light up the room when you are happy! You love to dance on any stage you can find, and make people laugh!
 You play hard! You are brave!!! 

You are so smart! You love reading time...your favorite book right now is Panda Bear Panda Bear what do you See? 
You are really love ART!!!! 
You are so expressive...you love to tell stories!!!
 ~Today you told EVERYONE in the store that it was your birthday!!! 

I love you so much!!! 
You will never truly know the joy that you and your sisters have brought into our lives! 
This is our song for you...it hasn't changed! 

I hope you wish on every star.
I hope you never fall too far. 
I hope this world can see how wonderful you are!

You’re so amazing, you shine like the stars. 
You’re so amazing, the beauty you are. 
You came blazing right in to my heart. 
You’re so amazing. You ARE!
Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/amazing-lyrics-janelle.html#PTekxbcYYvpHrEwM.99 

I love you so much!!! I will love you forever, 
Mommy

Dedicating Our Lives..Giving Gifts Back To The Giver

Today was a day that we have dreamed of for so long... 

The day we would dedicate our children.

As I sat on the pew waiting for our children's names to be called a song from our wedding  floated through my mind: The Prayer. 

I thought of all of the hopes and dreams that I have for our girls...most of all I want them to know God. I see how much their daddy loves them and wants to guide and protect them~ how much more does their Heavenly Father?!? 

~We placed our children before the Lord and asked Him to bless them and to keep them... 

~We dedicated ourselves as their parents to bring them up in the ways of the Lord to the best of our abilities...

 ~We gave our gifts back into the loving arms of the One that gave them to us...

Knowing that all good gifts come from Him...

  ~We thanked Him with our whole hearts...full of love.

For this child I prayed; and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him.

I Samuel 1:27