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My dad groovin’ in that awful gag-gift necklace thing:
My fifteen-year-old brother pretending he is like the Incredible Hullk while I try out the new backdrop:
and my mom looking all smug in her new Homedics Massage Chair that I was certain would wind up in the black hole of an area they call their garage:
Last I heard, she is still using it 
I love my goofy family. So, so much.
They are not just any ordinary mug. They were the inspiration for our red kitchen. The red appliances. The red heart jar on the red kitchen shelf. We found one right after Valentine’s Day 2002 and decided that those were the mugs that would grace our kitchen cabinets. The ones that would hold our morning cup of joe (that really measured about three cups worth of liquid). We stopped at four or five Starbucks to buy a collection of four red Abbey mugs after that holiday, some friends even helped us out in our hunt for a full set (we wound up with eight of these things). But after five years, their ceramic skeleton and fire engine finish cannot hold up to out virtual daily use and dishwasher handling. We washed them by hand for a long time, but found it much easier to wash them in the machine.The lips have begun to chip as well as small hairline cracks have appeared on the edges, so we decided their time was up. Our oversized red Starbucks mugs have been replaced.
And it’s okay.
Maybe I should have known it was going to be one of THOSE days when the 22-month-old was pulling the 2-month-old across the living room by her arm like she was a ragdoll (she seemed to be enjoying the ride, I should add).
Where was I?
Just puttin’ my pants on and getting dressed. We stay-at-home-moms have some unsaid mantra about getting the pajamas off and into regular clothes. You know- to feel "normal."
….
I have to face it, not every day is going to be glorious and something to write home about.
But, out of desperation, I am allowed an emergency call to my mama to cry a little. Because to be honest, somedays, I am in over my head. Especially when said two-month-old cries for over an hour and a half and none of Oprah’s baby language makes any sense to me. Nonewhatsoever. It all sounds alike. Hmph.
….
Of course, now that today is all said and done and I can refocus and get all prayed up for tomorrow. I am once again reminded of this verse:
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
1 Corinthians 15:58
Amen.
A few years ago when I was involved in MOPS, a wonderful speaker came and introduced the idea of "Family Night." She proposed one night of the week that was set aside to invest time in her children, instill Christian beliefs by spending time in prayer, thanking Him for blessings and lifting friends and family up in prayer. She shared a plethora of ideas for activities that would bring the family together in a common purpose, including making a special treat to enjoy and time to learn from the Word. I was sold and bought two books on the subject.
Following our nightly Advent celebration in December, Andy and I decided that it would make sense to transition to one night a week of focused family prayer, worship and one fun activity with the girls. Between the two of us, we have been alternating weeks who plans the story and lesson, the verse to memorize, the fun worship song to sing, and of course, the activity and treat. We try to make each Sunday night as fun as possible since Sarah and Ashleigh are ripe with energy, even before bedtime. For Ashleigh, it is mostly about interacting and language practice (I know, I’m a dork), but for Sarah, it has been so much more. She is memorizing scripture, learning how to intercede for people we love and have fun all at the same time (she keeps requesting flashlight tag, over and over and over)- not to mention that special treat- what kid doesn’t like dessert?
And for us, we pray that one night a week for the next however many years, we will make it a priority to set aside a night to come together as a family, free from electronic distractions, to focus on our values and making time for one another.
1. I can feel my teeth beginning to move. How do I know this? Stuff getting caught in between them more often. Drives. Me. Crazy.
2.We had a lovely time on our belated Valentine’s double date this past Saturday, except for the part where I fell flat on my face in front of everyone waiting for valet. Mmmhmm. I’m a klutz.
3. My nails keep chip-chip-chipping.
4. Which makes me think of chocolate chips and now I want some chocolate. Do I mention that every Tuesday?
5. I have finally succumbed to the world of online photo printing and am sending my family members recent photos from Costco’s Photo Center. No more print, run to Target to buy an envelope and get to the post office for me. Don’t you love modern day conveniences?
6. I burnt my tongue on extra hot coffee last night. Really, even drinking water is difficult today.
7. Have you heard of Rocco DeLuca & the Burden? Their song Colorful is on repeat right now.
8. Amazing Race started up again this past Sunday. Go Beauty Queens!!
9. Guess which cutie newborn is two months old today? Yep, ours.
10. Lauren’s baby dedication was this past Sunday. We took all the girls up on stage with us. And Sarah did a hop-hop-hoppity off stage in front of the entire congregation of alotta people. It’s so evident that she has the joy of the Lord in her. Love that.
Your best iTunes music to run to.
Sounds need to be fast and upbeat to get my blood pumpin’.
Leaning on the side of cleaner lyrics, although Gwen and her Hollaback Girl made the cut.
No Johnny Cash, thankyouverymuchhusbandly.
Ready, go.
We had an afternoon tea party today, sort of. It was during lunchtime so cucumber sandwiches were replaced with PB & J’s and lemonade was served instead of actual tea (which I am convinced neither of these cutey food and beverage critics would drink anyway). Sarah and Ashleigh have a lovely porcelain tea set from Andy’s Aunt Colette, but we opted for the plastic Barbie set today. In addition, their pretty sundresses were worn yesterday, so park clothes had to do.
Having said all that, I think they had a nice time on the patio.
Sipping. Spilling, Arguing over whose fish were whose. Trying to perfect the 45 degree pinkie tilt without spilling.
And of course, downing the pretend tea like it was a tequila shot (I promise I didn’t teach Sarah this technique or tell her to do that- but it still made me giggle).
And Lauren? She drank milk.
My Sarah has been struggling with giving the first letter of her name a tail, it kept being formed as a "C"- and then that’s it. But today- she did it and I just couldn’t stop smiling about that (oh yeah, lots of mama pride going on in those few minutes after).I had to document the occasion because it’s not everyday "S" gets a tail, you know what I mean?
(never mind that I wrote the wrong form of tail on the layout- it’s late, I’m in need of sleep)
1. I have 90 minutes left in today, I might as well be productive.
2. I am pretty sure today was the busiest day of my life. It consisted of two bible studies, a speech appointment, shopping for shoes, a dinner and a cake being made and a dance class attended. We did it. Did you count how many times I put the girls in and out of car seats X 3? I think I dealt with car seats 24 times.
3. Our local Payless Shoes Source does not have little girl tap dancing shoes- of course, this was not discovered until I dragged all three girls out of the car (do you see a theme for today?).
4. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Andy and I do not exchange gifts but we have a sweet dinner date planned at The Melting Pot.
5. Lauren has my toes. My long, thin, ridiculously finger-sized toes. And it really couldn’t make me any more happier. One of my kids got something of mine!
6. Making the bed is highly overrated because in about ten minutes, I’m just going to go and mess it up again.
7. Fun mail packages that arrive as surprises make any day instantly better.
8. It was so cold out during Sarah’s speech appt. that Ash, Lauren and I went back to the truck to wait with another mommy and her 2- year-old. Is it possible to have a play date in the car?
9. My dad sent Valentine’s cards for the girls. It was quite a sight to see them rip into those little envelopes from their Peeps.
10. This is why it sometimes stinks to be a crafty mama. When one signs up for Valentine’s pencils for the preschool class and can’t find any after four stores, she resorts to making felt toppers with sequins:
Andy to Susie, "You realize you’re going to all this work for three-years-olds, right?"
Yea, I know. I know.
I feel rusty with the camera lately. Thought I’d take a few shots just to make sure I still knew how to use it.
