We've got a couple birthday girls over here

I am a firm believer that you should be spoiled on your birthday. So we are having a lot of that around here-a "Happy Birthday" banner, stuffed unicorns, chocolate cupcakes and other junk food, pretty dresses, presents...you get the idea.
The little Cuties are having such a happy 4th birthday. They are ecstatic that they have said, "GOODBYE" to being three-years-old. That was SO yesterday.
They are napping right now, because it's downright exhausting to do so much celebrating.

We love to sing around here

and I have to say that this artist, Elizabeth Mitchell, is my absolute favorite to listen to and sing along with the girls or even by myself.

We have all four her CDs- You are My Sunshine, You are My Little Bird, and You are My Flower, and the CD she did with Lisa Loeb, Catch the Moon.

Her husband and her five-year-old daughter sing with her also.

It is such sweet music, soothing, folky... just right.

Beautiful Girl in a Beautiful New Dress

Cutie: Do I look pretty or not pretty?

Me: You look SO pretty.

Cutie: But my dress doesn't have sparkles.

Me: That's okay. You don't need sparkles.

Cutie: Why not?

Me: Because your eyes sparkle.

Cutie: Oh.

There are so many magical moments

watching the girls.
Playing on the beach, dancing around the living room, flying a kite, eating "sushi."
I just want to slow down a little so I don't miss them!

Our Journey

Before we "had" kids, Matt and I lived a quiet, predictable, happy life. It was just the two of us, and we were content. We loved spending time together, having long talks, going to movies, eating out, taking trips, whatever we wanted.
Everyone asked us when we were going to get pregnant and we would just shrug our shoulders. We didn't know, we didn't feel worried about it, only worried that we might be letting people down. We were wondering what God might have for us.
Then God put adoption on our hearts. In a really powerful, undeniable way. I couldn't stop thinking about it, reading about, hurting for children whose parents weren't able to care for them. Since that time, God has continued to lead us down a very exciting, unpredictable, sometimes bumpy path.
We are in such a different place now. Life isn't quiet or predictable anymore. It is loud, sometimes really loud, and messy. Our time is no longer our own. Instead of movies we give baths and put on jammies, instead of long talks we grab time together after the girls are asleep. We are busy. We are overwhelmed.
And it is beautiful.

You might be surprised

at some of the subjects that make up a lot of our conversations around here.
Here are a few examples:

Cutie: Do horses bite?

Me: Sometimes, but not usually.

Cutie: How about sharks.

Me: Yes! They have sharp teeth!

Cutie: Do frogs bite?

Me: No. I don't think frogs have teeth.

Cutie: How about acorns?

Me: (Laughing) You silly.


Me: What kind of pudding would you like, chocolate or vanilla?

Cutie: Acorn.

Me: (Laughing) I'll get right on that.


Cutie: Sweetie won't share with me.

Me: Ok, Sweetie, you can play with (whatever it is) for two more minutes and then you need to share with your sister.

Sweetie: ACORN!!!


Not totally sure why they latched on to this acorn thing, but it makes Matt and me laugh every time! I was browsing on one of my favorite etsy shops and I found this print. It's called "Acorn Twins." How perfect is that? It's hanging in their room right now. They love it, and so do I.

Happy Valentine's Day

On Wednesday the girls and I went over to Shannon's house for some yummies and love. It was absolutely the cutest party EVER. The girls had so much fun being pampered with their friends Mandy, Cami, and Jordi, and then we played a little Wii.

On Thursday, Matt and I were exhausted so we stayed in and ordered ham and pineapple pizza from Rubino's and watched Once cuddled under blankets. Best pizza, wonderful movie, sweet husband...it was my idea of the perfect evening.

Hope you Valentine's Day was filled with love.

It happened again

I was washing my hands at lunchtime and glanced in the mirror.
My shirt was on inside-out. Ummmm...I REALLY need to be more vigilant.

"I Do"

Following Robin's lead on marriage.

How long have you been together? 7 1/2 years

How old is he? 39. Crazy.

Who eats more? I'm a good eater, but he is better.

Who said I love you first? He did. I responded, "Thank you." This went on for a month or so until I finally returned the sentiment.

Who is taller? Matt.

Who sings better? Me. I love to sing and I sing all the time. But he sings to the girls and it is the cutest ever.

Who is smarter? Definitely Matt. He's a thinker and a learner.

Who does the laundry? Me. But he bought me the fabulous new washer and dryer.

Who does the dishes? Matt does the dishes after dinner. But I do the dishes throughout the day and unload the dishwasher once it's full.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you're looking from the foot of the bed, me.

Who pays the bills? Him.

Who mows the lawn? Our lovely friend Jodie.

Who cooks dinner? Me or we eat out.

Who drives when you are together? Me. I love to drive (controlling?) He loves to give me helpful driving tips from the passenger side :).

Who is more stubborn? I don't know? I usually get my way, so I guess me.

Who kissed who first? I kissed him sitting on his couch in front of the fireplace.

Who asked who out? He asked me out. Very persistent!

Who proposed? Matt proposed at the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. Then he'd planned a surprise engagement party for that night. Amazing.

Who is more sensitive? I think me. I get overwhelmed/stressed/irritable, but he stays calm/cool/collected.

Who has more friends? We're both extremely popular. ;)

Who has more siblings? I have six, he has two.

Who wears the pants in the family? Ummmm, I have a very strong personality and like to make my opinions known, but he has a quiet strength about him. Ultimately he does make the final decision, and I'm happy to leave it in his hands.

A Cautionary Tale

I'm sure our home is not unlike yours in that mornings are a blur of waking, eating, cleaning, bathing, dressing, laughing, cuddling, playing, crying, scolding, and rushing out the door. I feel grateful if I get the chance to shave my legs or apply eyeshadow before we're off to wherever we need to be. Most mornings I throw on something that almost matches, partially blow dry my hair, slap on some lipstick, and give my reflection a quick once-over.

Well, last week my quick once-over was a bit too hasty. I should have taken the time to notice that my cute little black H&M sweater had a gaping hole the size of a baseball in the armpit. And no, I hadn't had a chance to shave that morning. And no, none of my co-workers or students gave me a heads-up. It wasn't until LUNCH time, when I met my sweet husband, Matt, that I was made aware of my fashion blunder. Not that fashion is high on my list of priorities, but a hole in the armpit is downright indecent!

So, fellow moms, let this be a lesson to us all. Take a little extra time for yourself. Shave your legs, put on eyeshadow, heck, paint your toenails or drink a cup of cocoa. Slow down, do less bustling around, and more being still... being present...being aware of unraveling seams.

Jesus Storybook Bible

I cannot say enough how much I love this Bible! We read it most evenings with the girls before bed, and I am continually amazed and blessed by the beautifully, profoundly written stories and the amazing, unique illustrations. The girls, too, look forward to Bible time. And they ask such thoughtful questions.
Tonight we read about Jesus praying in the garden before his crucifixion. They were completely stunned that Jesus was going to die. They had to keep looking ahead to the pictures of Jesus on the cross and then Jesus alive again.
They kept asking:
"Why Jesus have to die? Why He have so many oowies? Jesus came BACK again? Why He still have oowies on his hands?" Matt and I probably talked with them for 20 minutes about our sin and Christ's payment. It was really wonderful. So wonderful.
Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this Bible?

A Good Movie is Hard to Find

I usually allow the girls to watch a TV show or part of a movie in the evening as we are winding down for bedtime.

We have some cute Leap Frog videos, and we've DVRed some "Signing Time" and "Charlie and Lola" and "Thomas the Tank Engine" shows from TV. They are turning four this month, and these shows are perfect for their age.

But so many "children's" movies have inappropriate humor {Barnyard}, frightening characters and scenes {pretty much every Disney movie}, are low-budget {Thumbelina} or are just plain lame {Thomas and the Magic Railroad}.

A few weeks ago, I picked up a movie at Ross for $6.99. It was Milo and Otis, made in 1986. I remember thinking it was cute when I saw it as a young girl, and I was delighted this evening, when I put it on for the girls. This movie is funny, clever, and heart-warming. It really held the girls' attention, too.

I wish I could find more movies for them like this one-intelligent, slow-paced, interesting and just right for their age. Any recommendations?