Tristie's a big girl now and a big snow in January!

Look who lost her first tooth:

This actually happened January 12th, but I wasn't having a very bloggy month. It was huge for her. She got a "gold" dollar under her pillow. Sister was more than a little jealous since she is "older" (by one minute) and therefore supposed to lose the first tooth (according to her).
Also in the month of January, the girls experienced their first snow. It was all of 4 hours long, then it melted but it was long enough to run around and have snowball fights and make their first snowman. Tay actually stayed in his room, expecting it to last longer and he barely got to see it before it melted.

Thad pelting me and laughing:

Tristie pelting me and laughing:
Tabby pelting me and laughing:
The only proof that I was there:
Daddy and sissies collecting snow from the cars for more snowballs:


Our backyard:

The infamous snowman (who lasted for 36 hours):

Our neighbor joined in the fun:

So did the pup in her new winter coat:

My babies are 5!!!

Here they are at their party last Saturday. I french braided their hair and it looks so sweet.
Here they are jumping with brother. He was a big help during the party (surprising since he begged not to go).
Here is Tristie with her birthday "banners" she made while sissy was sick.
Tabby enjoying her "pupcake."
Tristie enjoying hers.





It is hard to believe how the years have flown...
4 years old!

3 years old!

2 years old!

1 year old!

3 days old!

Negative 1 day old!

If I could go back in time and live the last 5 years over again, I would. I would nurse longer (we quit at 2.5) and never take a job outside the home even if I could take them with me. I would enjoy them more and photograph them more. And I would never begrudge one sleepless night or one dirty diaper. I miss my babies!

A better day...

I removed the bit about ds and I. Things are much better than I thought they were and we are closer than ever. I am learning to trust God more and worry less.

I am making costumes for our Thanksgiving play. I am making all the girls (6) Native American looking shifts to wear over their clothes and hopefully headbands if I have the time. They aren't going to be super looking because I am looking to do them on the cheap. I am also making myself a bonnet, shawl and apron to wear over a black dress while I narrate the play. It is more of a pageant than a play since all the children do is sing and I narrate in between. It is really a nice show though. Jessie (the preschool director) did a great job of putting it all together. They will sing "Give Thanks", "Jesus Loves Me", "Jesus Loves the Little Children", "God Our Father" (the blessing song), "This Little Light of Mine", "Hallelu, Hallelu" and "One Small Voice". The girls are doing a duet on One Small Voice. I think it is funny that the song is about one voice and she is having two girls sing it. I will post pictures of the pageant when we do it. I hope I don't embarrass myself with the poorly constructed costumes.

Gotta go do devotional with ds and put the girls to bed (they fell asleep on the couch again...) then it is off to bed for me. I am trying to get into the habit of going to bed early so I can rise early to do my quiet time before everyone gets up.

A bad day...

I couldn't find the yarn I needed after going to 4 different stores! So frustrating. So I just ordered it from LBY. We didn't make it to the thrift store since it took me so long to look for the yarn. I did get a few cool things: a pumpkin muffin pan for all the pumpkin bread I make this time of year, some capri tights that actually fit and don't pull my undies down (2 pair - all they had in my size) and some fabric drawers to put the girls toys in on the bookshelves. We also ate at Panera bread and everyone had the broccoli cheddar soup with bread for dipping. I also had a half of a harvest orchard salad. That has to be my favorite restaurant.

I removed the personal info here about ds's and my discussion. Typical mom and teen stuff that is better now.

I want this book: (and some musings about family)

http://store.taunton.com/onlinestore/item/070988.html

Here is an interview with the author:

http://www.craftzine.com/blog/archive/2007/10/prairie_girls_guide_to_life_in.html

Just reading it made me remember one of my life's goals is to interview my parents and other family members about their childhood memories. I was surprised to find out since I became an adult, that when my dad was a baby, his family had to live in a tent for awhile. They also owned a pig that used to greet him and his brother at the bus stop everyday.

I took out the other stuff because I felt it was wrong to post my concerns about others.