The Resolution Revolution

The last women's Bible study I participated in at church was called "Going Deeper Still" by Kay Aurthor, Priscilla Shirer, and Beth Moore. I LOVED it! I love discovering new speakers and authors and Priscilla Shirer definitely became a new favorite of mine. Her newest book will be released on September 1 and it's called "The Resolution Revolution." It sounds like it is going to be an amazing book. On her blog she listed the 13 Resolutions that will be addressed in her book and they really hit home with me. Here is the link if you want to check it out: http://www.goingbeyond.com/blog.

I have been keeping busy lately with some fun outings, fully enjoying this gorgeous San Diego summer!

The girls and I met my cousin and her family at the mall and we let the kiddos play a little bit and then we enjoyed some frozen yogurt. Allie and Katie loved these little rides even when they weren't moving.

The next day, I ran a 10k with my sister-in-law, Jamie. I had only been going on 3-4 mile runs but my mother-in-law wasn't able to run it so I decided to push myself and run in her place. Funny thing is, I won first place in her age bracket :o

So far, we have been going to the beach once a week which has been so much fun! The girls and I are definitely getting our summer tans.

Lately, Allie has been crying everytime I brush her hair so Josh and I thought it would be cute if we got her hair cut really short.

Her Aunt Jamie was so patient with her; Allie started crying when Jamie tried to put the cover around her to keep the hair off of her dress, and then she kept tilting her head to the right, and alas another battle over the hair dryer. We are really happy with the results, though. 

Life has been happening at a seemingly slow and uneventful pace. I usually feel quite fulfilled in taking care of the girls, cleaning and organizing my little house, and being a loving and supportive mate to my husband; but sometimes there are moments when I want something more and every little task I've accomplished (or not accomplished) during the day seems pointless. Point #1 on the Resolution Revolution list is being content in the season of life you are in. This really hit me. I keep thinking of how much better life will get when the girls are older and less needy, when we (hopefully) have a house, and when Josh gets the job he really wants. But I need to stop and enjoy and learn what God has planned for me in this season of my life. He is definitely teaching me patience. Everyday there is at least one moment when one, or both, of the girls are crying about something, they spilt their cup of milk over my clean floor, there are cheerios all over the couch, and I have boogers rubbed on my shirt; all I want to do is scream "save me!I can't take this anymore!" But He always comes through and strengthens me when I don't think I can do it anymore. Blessings are so often in disguise.

Janelle

Sizzlin' Summer

The hot summer months have arrived so we have been making the most of them:

strawberry picking....

inflatable pools...

popsicles...

the beach...

and bike rides with daddy :)

We had such a fun time on the 4th celebrating with friends. Katie pointed and talked through all of the fireworks and Allie ran around playing with all of the big kids.

JANELLE

Five and Years... and Counting

We celebrated our 5-year anniversary on the 20th...we had hoped to go to Hawaii but alas all of our extra money went to bills and new tires for the car. Soooo....we stayed in San Diego and had fun being childless for a day and a half.

After we dropped the kids off on Monday, Josh took me to the Carlsbad outlets and to Ruby's Diner for lunch (my absolute favorite place). We took some really fun pictures there but for some reason my computer is saying those files are corrupted :( We went shopping and then headed drove to La Jolla Shores to the spot where we got married.

Our engraving on the rocks.

Our self-portraits

 We caught a late night showing of X-Men and then we got to sleep in the following morning.

This was the first time since having kids that Josh and I were able to just chill at the beach by ourselves; it was bliss.

My Handsome Hubby

It was so refreshing to have that time for just the two of us and we are going to start saving now for the vacation in Hawaii within the next couple years.

Janelle

You're Gonna Miss This

I have found myself repeating the four words in this title over and over lately. My 3-year-old has been "challenging" lately. Can any other mothers out there feel my frustration? My Allie showed her extremely strong will at about 18 months and it has sent Josh and I to our knees in prayer more than any other person, thing or circumstance in our life. A few months ago, I thought age along with maturity was setting in and I was delighted with Allie's increasingly obedient and compliant personality. But something hit this past month and I have been stunned by some of the things this child has said and done. Last week, she woke up grumpy as usual and then asked me for her warm cup of milk. I replied with "just a minute, sweetie". She glared at me, stuck out her lower lip and said, "it's your job to get me milk". Wow....I asked the Lord for wisdom and some patience to extinguish my anger and that little blue-eyed girl was sent to her room while I considered what her consequences should be. How do we teach our children gratitude in this self-absorbed country where children are given so much in life? I welcome any comments from you moms out there!

On the bright side, Mother's Day ended up being pretty wonderful (despite the 11, 2&3-year-olds I had to teach in Sunday school that morning). Josh brought me a Starbucks and flowers to start my morning off. After church, both girls slept for 2 1/2 hours and I made the most of that time and layed on the couch doing absolutely NOTHING but watch tv. :) We then drove down to Coronado, our favorite place, and tried this BBQ place that I have been itching to try for months.

Lil' Piggy's Bar-B-Q!!!

It was so yummy and casual so we didn't have to worry about the girls being loud :)

 Me and My Girls!

 Lil' Katie Kat

My Allie

After dinner, we took the girls to the park nearby and let them get some energy out.

I am not much of a gardener but my rose bushes just bloomed a few days ago and they are gorgeous! I give all the glory and honor to God because I don't have a clue when it comes to plants.

Janelle

Easter Time

Vibrant Spring colors are my absolute favorite! I love celebrating Easter and the joyful significance of a risen Savior. Each year becomes even more delightful as Allie gets older. Last Wednesday we dyed eggs while on a play-date but I think their little hands absorbed more dye than the eggs.

As usual, I was asked to bring dessert to each family gathering on Sunday, so I made my man's favorite cookie- the sugar cookie with cream cheese frosting. Allie was having trouble resisting the urge to lick her knife every 2 minutes while frosting so I had her handle the sprinkles.

Her Royal Highness

Allie's Artwork

The day before Easter I went to get a pedicure with a good friend of mine. I wanted a bright, chick yellow to match my dress so I picked the lightest yellow they had. Turns out, it looked way different in the bottle.

(Looks like "Big Bird" Yellow)

The women in the salon would look at my toes, laugh, and then chat with each other (and obviously I couldn't understand them). So I finally worked up the courage to ask them to repaint my nails in a safe, pink color.

Here are a few pics from Easter Sunday:



Loving their baskets!

.... Janelle

Finally...

I have been wanting to start a blog for quite sometime now so I'm finally doing it. Being a stay-at-home mom of two young children isn't exactly thrilling but I want to write down the little significant moments that make life so fulfilling. Our little home is definitely reflecting the ages of our children. It never looks clean and yet I clean all day long. I have been so frustrated and worn out by the constant state of chaos. Lately, though I think the Lord has been prompting me to stop and just enjoy the little moments with my precious family; a sweet kiss with my husband, reading a book to Allie, and just snuggling and tickling Katie. I have to remind myself that, thankfully, I won't be held accountable for the cleanliness of my household when I meet my Savior.
A huge triumph for today was drilling Allie with her letter flashcards. She is rewarded with a jellybean everytime she gets a letter right (not the healthiest, I know, but hey, it works!). Today she achieved a new record of 14 letters! We both jumped up and down and screamed with joy!
Allie thrives on activity so Josh and I took her out to the tennis courts to see Greg and Katrina Failla who taught us tennis when we were kids. Their daughter, Julia, kindly offered to teach Allie tennis and so she received her first private lesson on Tuesday. Julia interacts with Allie so well and is very patient with her.

I can't believe how big she is getting!

Last Thursday we took advantage of the warm weather and met Josh at the beach in between his work shifts. It was WONDERFUL! I love San Diego! The girls absolutely loved the sand and the cold water. Katie scared me because she crawled right in and didn't cry when the first little wave hit her; I'm going to have to keep both eyes on her around water. She just sat there shivering and laughing at each new small wave.

And that's all for now!

Janelle