Laughter IS the best medicine...

Yesterday as I was home caring for Amaya and her strep throat, I decided to lay down with her for a nap. We were all snuggled into bed ... warm and cozy, eyes closed and Amaya softly whispers
"Mommy, I think I need to laugh."
I whisper back "Yeah? Okay!"
She turns her face into the pillow and starts giggling.
I open my eyes
and she lifts her head to make sure I'm watching...
then giggles again.
I smile... she giggles louder.
I start to giggle, too,
and then her giggle turns into a full blown belly laugh.
And soon I am laughing uncontrollably as well.
Mommy & Mya laughing until we have tears in our eyes
and then we doze off into dreamland.

Then...
at bedtime last night, Amaya asks "Mommy? Can we laugh like we did 'esterday?"
"Oh, yeah baby!... we should laugh like that EVERY day!"

School Pictures.....

I got the girls school pictures back today and they turned out pretty good. And I was quite pleased with my color coordinated outfits!! You can tell in Juliana's eyes, however, that she was coming down with something --- as this was less than 24 hours before her flu started.

Wild, Wacky, Wonderful.. Wordless Wednesday

Okay! I changed my mind...

I was completely overwhelmed by the amount and type of comments, emails, messages, and face to face conversations that I have had in recent weeks since posting that I would not be continuing with this blog. Who knew so many people were that interested in my boring little life!! And then, as one individual pointed out, (Thanks, Marlene!) I might want this stuff saved for my kids in the future... so when I was ready to delete everything I went back to the beginning (Hey Misty.. my first post was about Lyza's baby shower!) to save the stories for the kids and once I started reading and re-reading I was bawling like a baby. So many stories and memories that I had already forgotten! I just couldn't make myself delete them -- I wanted it here where I can come back to it and read and remember. SO this blog will stay.... and I will continue to write! Because the memories are too precious NOT to and because life moves too fast and the little everyday joys too quickly pass away into oblivion. These are my joys and my blessings and I am joyful and blessed to be able to share them with all of you!!

To be continued.......

Saying Good-Bye!

It seems that this blog/forum/outlet for journaling our daily lives has reached its end. In a few days time I will be deleting this blog and all its contents. I am so grateful for all of the friends I have made through this blog, but it is time to move on.

So good-bye... for now!!!

And I will leave you with these final two pics ---

My little DIVA!

And..... Princesses eating breakfast.

Sassafras!!!

It has only been a few weeks since she turned three, but in that short time Amaya has aged about 10 years (and so has her momma!) I remember joking (sort of) for the past year that we all knew who was in charge of the household -- the 2 year old, but that would soon change when she turned 3. Yeah, right!! We have gone from the terrible two's to the OMG! what kind of alien creature has invaded my house Threes. And the little girl that I have been affectionately calling Princess pouty pants has earned herself a new nickname, Sassafras. Because this girl is S-A-S-S-Y!

And even though it can be quite trying at times, being the momma to this girl can also have me rolling on the floor with laughter. Here are a few of Amaya's infamous, sassy one liners/phrases from the past week:

"You don't KNOW me!" said with an eye roll and hands on her hips after I gave her "the look" for doing something she shouldn't be doing.

"What is your deal?" directed at me at the dinner table when we were talking about the days events.

and my personal favorite

"I AM three years old! I am NOT a child!" spoken to Papa (my dad) who tends to treat her like a baby.

But, of course, not all of the Sass is so funny. As was the case when I Amaya called me over to where she was at the park the other day so that she could announce that she "hated" some other little girls that were playing near here.

The next year (or maybe .. decade) should be fun!

and OH, so worth it..... for the few (and far between) moments when the little angel/monster crawls up into my lap and puts her hands on my cheeks and says "Mommy, you're beautiful. I love you the mostest!"