Worded Wednesday

So my wordless Wednesday needs words today.

The past few weeks have been difficult. First the passing of a friend's 4 year old son due to mitochondrial disease, then hearing of other's who children are sick and fighting for their lives, and today I learned of the passing of a former student at 20 years old. It leaves me questioning why and what for. . ..these children are such inspirations and have such sweet spirits. Their time on Earth has been short and I know they leave a large impact on all who know them.

Above is a special picture of my Pumpkin. This was taken out at the hospital this summer. She spent three months in the NICU at this hospital and we will forever be grateful. This appointment was very stressful for both of us and we left feeling hopeful. Miss Pumpkin had fun taking pictures with all of the "animals" outside the hospital and looking for George in the hospital. Thank you to the nurses and doctors for being there for us and our special friends who are fighting for their lives. As always- hug your children extra tight tonight!!!

Family Weekend

After a crazy first few weeks of summer, we finally made it to the cabin as a family. G was off work and we spent two nights at the cabin. It was wonderful! We relaxed friday night after a long day- the girls enjoyed sliding, climbing over the couch (hours of entertainment!), and finding all of Grandma's moose and bear friends!

Saturday was a typical cabin day. . .a trip to the park in the town, a walk down the street to check out what is going on with everyone, quad rides with Daddy (and which stresses Mommy out!), eating yummy food, swinging, playing in the dirt, and then Grandma and Grandpa arrived! The girls were so excited to see them! We broke in the newly finished downstairs room by watching the Boise State game and watching the girls entertain themselves! Who needs toys when there is an empty room? They ran in circles, twirled, wrestled, and just had fun being silly! So much fun to watch!

I was able to get some quality "mommy time" in- I finished a cross stitch project that has been begging for years to be finished! And I completed about half of a scrapbook that also has been calling my name! It was nice to do something for myself!

Sunday we came home earlier than usual for a family mini-reunion with my dad's side of the family. 10 great-grandkids, 5 cousins, plus my parents, uncle and aunt, and my grandma! It was a fun day at the park- the kids had fun hula hooping with Uncle S, playing in the sand, and being outside! G and I enjoyed seeing my cousins . .. its been over 5 years since we have been all together. Hopefully it won't take 5 years for us to get together again!

This family weekend was just what I needed. It has been a rough few weeks emotionally. . .many of my friends are going through hard times with their kiddos. I'm so blessed to have my girls and that they are healthy. Miss Pumpkin had such a rough start in life and to see her now is just amazing. Tonight after I tucked her into bed I came back and just sat by her bed, while rubbing her back. She's amazing. . .I can't believe this beautiful 4 year old is the same little baby that I sat watching for three months through plexi-glass. Every day I still give her extra snuggles, hugs, and kisses knowing that I'm so lucky to have her to hold. Miss Sweet Pea is also a snuggler. . . she loves to relax on us. Tonight was a special night were she actually fell asleep on me. . .its getting less and less since she is getting bigger and likes her bed. Tonight we were in her room and I enjoyed holding her while she drifted off. I love my sweet girls and I hope that we will have many more of these nights in our future. I have hope that even in high school, my girls will still love being with us! Don't laugh. . .I know several girls who still love to be hugged, held, and loved by their mommies!

Wordless Wednesday

First Day of School!

Sleepy Girls!

This fall Miss Pumpkin was so excited for school to be starting! She was missing her friends over the summer and was blessed to have one of my good friends as her preschool teacher. Not only was Miss L her new teacher, but her cousin was also in her class! The morning of school was a little rough since we weren't used to waking up so early. . .but we made it! I tried my best to take morning pictures but both girls were not being very cooperative. I was able to capture more of a candid shot of Miss Pumpkin as she was walking away from me! Once we got to school, she quickly ran in the room and looked for her new teacher and cousin. Unfortunately her teacher starts after breakfast so she had a hard time getting used to that. She is loving school this year. . .she can tell me more of what they are doing, singing lots of songs, and just plain growing up!!! (I don't like it!!!) I know it will be a great year for her!

Now she's ready!

As far as my Sweet Pea. . .she is in the same classroom as last year (until her birthday) which is good. She is familiar with her teachers and other kids. . . but she is attached to her mommy. Some mornings are great and others I leave a very sad little girl! The easiest trick is to be able to time it right at breakfast. . .leave her with food and she is a happy girl! She is always ecstatic to see me after school and will drop everything and come running! Hopefully school will help her learn new words and help her language development! She is still signing and always learning new signs and her receptive language is great. I love that I can tell her to go put something away and she understands! Now we just need some more words!

Sweet Girl!

This will be our last year for awhile with the girls at the same school. . .sad to think that next fall my little miracle baby will be going to kidnergarten! Amazing! Now time to start the countdown until Christmas!

Bye Bye Summer!

Our beautiful morning at the lake

For Labor Day this year, the girls and I adventured up the hill to my parents cabin in Shaver. Unfortunately, G had to work the CSUF football game (I know. . .how hard. He got paid to go to a football game!). The first night it was just the three of us. It was so nice to be able to get out of the heat and relax. The cabin is perfect since I never feel that I have to do anything. . .only what I want to do! After Miss Sweet Pea went to bed, Pumpkin and I curled up on the couch to watch a movie. That is exactly where we woke up in the morning!!! I think I started something . . . she now wants to nap on the couch!

My girls and their "shobels"

After breakfast, we decided to go check out the lake. I was worried about the beach being crowded since it was a holiday weekend, but the little cove area was almost empty! The girls and I set up our little blanket and they got busy with the buckets and "shobels". I entertained myself by practicing some photography and enjoying the beautiful scenery! It was beautiful and peaceful! These ducks swam by and then decided to take a nap on the beach right in front of us. I was so surprised at how close to us they were.

After naps, my aunt arrived to spend the night. Her and I enjoyed staying up late and talking. Miss Sweet Pea was a little nervous when she first arrived and kept a close eye on her. By the end of the weekend she was giving her lots and lots of love! Sunday we enjoyed going for a walk up and down the street, chasing butterflies, throwing rocks, and playing in the dirt. The girls were exhuasted and slept on the way home.

On Monday, our cousins invited us to go to Pump it Up for open gym time. This was on our summer list of things to do and we never made it! We were excited for the chance to go. After initially being hesitant, both girls loved it! Miss Pumpkin loved to jump. . .Aunt K would double bounce her and she would fly!!!! Miss Sweet Pea loved to slide and was brave enough to go down the big slides all by herself!!! It was quite the workout for Mommy. . .I had already completed a 3 mile morning run and going up and down the slides with Miss Sweet Pea in my arms was definitely another workout!

Thank you to my friend LD for coming to hangout!!! I know college students do not always think hanging out with mommies of preschoolers as entertaining, but she is always such a great sport!! She was even nice enough to take photos for me! Love ya LD!

Next summer we will try to add this to one morning a month. . .especially since the girls both took marathon naps when we came home. Always a good thing!

Miss Sweet Pea sliding!

It was a fun weekend with me and the girls. Daddy unfortunately worked almost all weekend. . .hopefully he'll be able to go with us to the cabin later this month!