Here's the Deal...: May 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Fingers

Aren't these just the cutest little fingers? And I love how great they are for holding hands, clapping, tickling, coloring, nibbling...

The girls would paint their fingernails every day if I let them. They especially like the new decorative stickers we found for our little manicures.

I have a tendency to lean toward projects that capture little hands and fingers :)

Besides knees, I think I kiss finger boo-boos more than anything else.

We've had to scold a few fingers lately, though...Brenna has developed a troubling habit of twisting her hair into knots. She twists her hair when she wakes up, she twists while she's eating, she twists while she's watching tv, she twists while she's talking. Her hair has thinned significantly in the last few weeks as she pulls her fingers free from knots and as I try to untangle them. I am having to really stay on top of it :(

I like to think about just how many millions of little fingerprints exist in our house...by our girls and our friends. Some are sticky ones, yes, but overall, they are sweet lasting touches on every surface!

I know these little fingers won't be "little" for long, so I clutch 'em while I can and kiss 'em while they will still let me.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Memorable Memorial Weekend

We had a great Memorial Day Weekend spent at home playing in the water, going to church, dog-sitting, visiting friends, and playing golf. The girls spotted American flags all over town and spoke some thank-yous into the air for the soldiers who protect our freedom.

"Cops, soldiers, guards, and firemen protect us from thugs, snakes, and quicksand." --Audrey

I've also included pics from our pre-weekend fun with Ms. Linda's grandkids Kylee and Cody from El Paso! We love when they come visit!

We purchased our yard pool for the year and tried to wear it out in one weekend!

A very memorable part of the weekend was going to play golf with Daddy! It was a beautiful morning riding around in the golf cart watching our very own hero.

We got to spend some time with our friends from church, too--twins Michaela and Rachael!

And after all that, we are pooped! Hope yours was relaxing and exhausting and overall memorable all in one weekend also!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Summer Send-off

We've just about wrapped up this school year...just a couple of days to go next week. We've already said goodbye to a few friends for the summer. We will still see all of them throughout the summer, but it was still hard not to get sappy when I reflect back on the great year we had!

How could I not miss these fun times and sweet faces coming through my door every day:

This makes three and a half years of keeping kids in our home...the longest job I've ever had. Counting Audrey and Brenna, I have kept ten little ones over here total. Our house will never be the same nor will my heart!

I have a very rewarding job. Yes, there are many tiring and busy and messy and whiney times. I can often feel stuck in my own home, but if I keep my perspective on the bigger picture, I know this is my purpose. Overall, it is a blessing and honor to welcome these friends into our home. I have been entrusted with precious cargo by mamas as well as the Lord. I try to be the babysitter I would want my own girls to have and picture myself as a substitute mama while theirs are away.

Many times this year I taught the kids about patience through my own failures and forgiveness through my own faults. I had grumpy days with the best of them. But overall, I know the kids felt loved this year, and I pray they saw the love of our Lord over the love of Ms. Amber/Amber Deal/Abba/Ebba/Amba/Mama.

So yes, I have gotten sappy as the little feet have started quieting around here for the summer. They have been my life for the past 10 months...and this is my blog....so I am allowed :)

Don't get me wrong...the girls and I are ready for some summer freedom with Daddy and just spontaneous playdates!

So welcome Summer! Take care of our friends until they can come back and play!

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from Him." Psalm 127: 3

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Family Lately

We've had a great dose of family lately with more to come!

Here's Mother's Day in Krum where we spent special time with Mimi, Pop, Nana Martha, and Gina! Doesn't everyone look great!

If you only knew how memorable this fish tank has been for our two little girls at their favorite Denton Mexican food restaurant.... They love looking for the rainbow reflection hiding in the side.

Riding the "Bota" with Daddy and Pop

We also spent quality time at Nana and Awpa's last weekend, visited with Granny one evening, and even got to watch Awpa and Hayden rope!

Next on the family agenda...time with Uncle Austin and Aunt Mel this upcoming week! So blessed...

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Aspiring Artists

We took on a paint project yesterday. This was the "before" picture.

We had just about all of our friends here...eight total! I conned Ms. Jessie into bringing Weston and coming to help :)

The project was inspired by the book "Fancy Nancy: Aspiring Artist."

We flicked and flung paint. We used brushes and stamps. We even got a little paint on our arms and legs...

Don't worry...we all wore "disposable" clothes.

The kids had lots of fun getting creative and messy, and they loved displaying their work on the fence for their mamas. (Thanks again to Ms. Jessie for helping me indulge in my crazy craft activities :)

This was another project inspired by a book/movie. The kids enjoy watching "Ramona and Beezus," so we copied a part of it where they draw "the longest picture in the world"! We included all of our favorite things we did and saw over here this year, like chasing butterflies, riding the gator, painting, flying kites, jumping on the trampoline, hunting Easter eggs, and just being together.