A New "Wreath"

We needed a new "wreath".

Really any other object than the Christmas wreath still on our front door.

Yep, still had it up in January.

I run from the car to the house, not thinking about anything but warmth.

At times I would glimpse the wreath, thinking I should take it down, but not until this idea came to me (from another blog) did I get motivated.

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It took a little time to get prepped.

Needed lots of crayon shavings.

After two blisters on my finger and a sore hand we were ready to put it together.

Step 1: Shave Valentine colored shavings into a bowl

(try a potato peeler to avoid blisters)

Step 2: Let your child sprinkle shavings onto a heart shaped piece of wax paper

(okay, skipped a few steps i.e. cutting out wax paper into hearts)

Step 3: Preheat iron

Step 4: Place wax paper heart (full of crayon shavings) onto brown paper bag.

Step 5: Cover with a matching wax paper heart

Step 6: Place another brown paper bag over the entire heart

Step 7: Slowly go over the brown paper bag with the iron

(will melt crayon pretty quickly)

Step 8: Remove brown paper bag. Look to see if crayon shavings have melted.

Step 9: Repeat steps 6-8 if needed

Step 10: Hang on door or window.

The week is coming to an end.

Many times I thought "I need a vacation."

Emma has been diagnosed with pink eye again.

We've been to the doctor more with this than any thing else.

I'm not completely convinced it's the correct diagnosis.

The "routine" of life with one car has been grating on my nerves.

Waking up at 5:30am is exhausting.

My attitude has gone from thankful to grumpy.

I'll get over it.

I'll find away to press on.

Relying on His promises.

But I can still say this week was hard.

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Some precious moments I'm thankful for this morning while I blog and drink my coffee.

notice the blue marker by shortie's face. What a mess =)

LOVE HIM...MISS HIM

Introspections

I lose myself in the day to day.

I lose who I want to be as a wife, mother, believer, and friend.

I get distracted by stress; it takes over every fiber.

I look at my plans for the day, week, month, and year.

I have high expectations of what it's going to look like.

It never looks the way I planned.

Some times I'm okay with that, but some times it throws me for a loop.

The loop is hard to recover from.

Some times days will pass, and I'm still stuck.

I just can't seem to grasp the concept of being okay with not knowing.

Yes, I'm a control freak.

Not all the time.

But most of the time.

I am learning to give that over to the One who knows everything.

His hands are more capable than mine.

He's doing some amazing things.

He wants to show me how great He is.

My eyes are refocusing.

My attitude is changing.

My lack of control is not causing as many heart palpitations.

I'm learning to LOVE the adventure.

Emma's "Work of Art" for the Day

(Norah's spikey hair)

Ramblings

a little lady update

RAH RAH

Has the best smile in the world.

Loves eating bread.

Could pretty much eat all day.

Says No to everything, even when she means yes.

Continues to show aggression towards her Big Sister.

Tries having conversations in babble.

Hears music, and can't help but move.

Still loves her sleep; two naps a day at 18 months.

She's 18 months old...crazy!

Sits in chairs and reads to herself.

Hates car rides...should be an interesting trip to WI.

Attempts to do hand stands with Big Sister.

Will come up to people and say Tickle Tickle.

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Emma

Creates the most colorful, patterned outfits.

Goes to ballet once a week, and is getting better.

Has her first recital in June.

Has grown some in the past few months.

Loves to help mommy around the house.

love hate relationship with little sister.

Loves to cuddle.

Loves movies.

Loves candy.

Misses school.

Doesn't mind car rides.

Wakes up every morning ready to go.

Gets bored very easily.