Two happy sisters

Bowling birthday party

Anna's friend Madison had her 5-year-old birthday party yesterday at Main Event. So, Anna got to experience bowling (bumper bowling) for the first time! She had a great time and she and her daddy won! The only bad part came when Anna realized she was not allowed to keep the shoes. She sobbed... YES, sobbed. She is usually very even tempered but I guess you just don't come between a girl and her shoes (even unattractive bowling shoes). =)

My girls

Anna playing the piano at Nana's house!

Serene doing what she does best!

Getting better

I took Serene to the doctor yesterday and thank goodness it's not an ear infection or in fact anything that requires antibiotics (hate those)! Just a good old common cold virus. Her fever was down yesterday afternoon and she slept well last night.... we put her car seat in the co-sleeper next to our bed so she could sit up a little while she slept! Although, I am not sure what it would take for Serene to not sleep good. She loves to sleep! =) Her name says it all!

Jimmy went to the doctor as well and he had a pretty bad ear infection. I don't think I have heard of many adults with ear infections BUT, he said the pain was pretty bad. He got some meds and is on his way to feeling better!

I am so glad everyone is doing better.... it is so scary when little ones are sick with a high fever! Thanks for all the prayers!

Sick baby girl

Please say a prayer for our sweet baby Serene. She was sick all day yesterday and had a pretty high fever all night. I am taking her to the doctor this morning. OH, and Jimmy is sick too.... just say a prayer for all of us!

"Camping 3"

"Camping 2"

"Camping"

This past weekend we went "camping". It was not real tent camping but it was at a camp! =) I subscribe to a WONDERFUL magazine called Above Rubies that is all about encouragement for moms in the highest calling of motherhood! The incredible women (Nancy Campbell) who writes the magazine as a ministry to moms speaks at retreats all over the country (and world). Last year we wen to the Texas retreat and had such an amazing time that we went back this year. Serene and I went to hear Nancy speak while Jimmy and Anna fished, played on the AWESOME playgorund, hiked, flew a kite, played basketball, etc. We all came home feeling refreshed and renewed! It is always great for me to spend time meeting and talking with other moms that are like-minded and as for Jimmy and Anna those two would be happy to live outside! They both had a blast being outdoors for 3 straight days!

I am glad to be home BUT in a way I wish everyday was like this weekend!

Playtime

I could just eat her up

I met a man at Wal-Mart

Yesterday I went to Wal-Mart to get a few things for our trip this weekend and while I was shopping I had the oil changed on the Tahoe. Anyway, after we were done shopping, Anna, Serene and I went into the little waiting room since it would be a few more minutes before they were finished with the car. There was a nice older men in the waiting room and he inquired about the ages of girls and made some small talk about children. I politely asked about his own children and he told me he had 3 children and 6 grandchildren. As we continued to talk he told me that he has just recently moved back from Hawaii because of health reasons so he could be closer his kids again. So, I commented on how it must have been so nice to live in Hawaii. Then I was shocked by his reply. He went off on a tirade about how it wasn't nice at all and "they really hate the gringos over there you know?" He then made SEVERAL less then politically correct statements about the different ethnic groups represented in Hawaii and told me he was just glad to be back in the USA...

Yes, you heard right... someone forgot to tell this guy that Hawaii is in fact an official state of the United States. BUT, that is really neither here nor there.

I sat looking at this man in AWE. Here is one of the most beautiful places in all the world and he can't see past his own prejudices to the incredible creation around him. Not to mention that I don't ever remember anyone telling me anything negative about the people of Hawaii. I have only heard wonderful things about the hospitality and warmth of the people. PLUS, the last I checked this guy is a regular joe sitting in a oil change waiting room in Wal-Mart. What in the world made this guy think he was so much better or had anything better to offer the world simply because his skin is a lighter (and quite freckly) shade of white.

It made me think of a line from one of my favorite childhood movies Pollyanna. In a very poignant scene in the movie Pollyanna shares with the preacher a quote from a locket her father gave her before he died. It said "when you look for the bad, expecting to find it. you surely shall."

Need I say more... ?

Mothering these two precious girls

I think I have already posted this same thing on several other posts but I must say again just how much I love mothering these two precious girls! God has been so incredibly good to bless Jimmy and I with Anna and Serene and I hope He continues to bless with more amazing children! I never could have imagined that being a mom could be this fulfilling and rewarding. Seeing the smile on Serene's face and hearing her precious laugh. Watching Anna grow and learn new things every day. Seeing how much they both adore their daddy. This truly is a blessed life I have.

Afternoon down time

This is one of my favorite times of the day and we are finally back at because the weather is so gorgeous. We have an elementary school across the street from our house and so every afternoon when the kids are walking home from school and the parents are walking to meet them and there is a general buzz to the neighborhood, Anna and I (and Serene) go out to watch, say hello to neighbors and Anna plays in her sand box. I love just sitting, holding the baby while she sleeps and reading, watching Anna play and just relaxing! It's one of my most enjoyable times of the day. All the housework is done, dinner preparations are still a few hours away and peace reigns!

This one's for "Unclee John"

Anna wanted you to see her riding her scooter John... so she told me "you should take my picture and put it on the blog"... so, I did! Here they are! Hope you like them! LOVE YOU!!!

Red party

No she hasn't joined the communist party... she just loves parties with color themes! So she planned her own! She loves to watch Ina (Barefoot Contessa) and Ina did a pink party with everything pink and I guess it inspired her! She came running in last night with the biggest smile on her face telling us that she wanted us to come look at her "red party just like Ina's pink party!" She had gotten everything red in the entire playroom and put it out on the floor! I can't wait to see the future parties she will plan!! This girl is my clone... in every way... good and bad!!!! =)

First matching outfits

My mom got the girls their first matching outfits! I have a feeling this is only the beginning of their matching days!! =)