I've updated our links...check them out if you haven't in awhile!

My attempt to get a cute picture before breakfast (and 6am) this morning!

Charisism # 562

"God is watching me be wicked from his car."

(We had just finished reading in the Psalms about the wicked and the righteous and we've been teaching about God's omnipresence...I think we've got some clarifying to do.)

The day after the storm

Both Charis and Emma woke up at 5:30 this morning...yikes! But our morning actually went pretty well (not counting the 10 minutes snooze I accidentally took on the couch during which time Charis managed to spill 16 oz of water on our wedding album). The girls ate, played, bathed and Charis and I read Psalm 6 together. I fed Charis lunch at 11 (she ate breakfast at 5:45) then she snuck a paci from somewhere and I went in her room to check on her and this is what I saw...she was laying on her bed, sound asleep with a pillowcase (from the dirty laundry) over her legs as a blanket. She was so tired! I covered her up properly and put Emma down for a nap but she's been fighting a cold so I tried to prop her up on some pillows to help her sleep better. This is how she ended up sleeping:

(yes, I realized that the pillow looks a little dirty...I'll wash it, I promise, along with the one Charis used as a blanket.)

Happy Birthday Charis!

Charis got an early birthday present...a swing set!

Visitors from afar...

This weekend we had some friends from CA come visit us. They made the long drive and arrived at 1:30 in the morning on Saturday! That morning we set up a gallery viewing so the kids could watch Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

E & E had a great time talking with each other. They are about 2 weeks apart but couldn't be more different!
Mmmm...that stroller tastes good!
We went on a train ride around the park.

A & C rode in the caboose.Here's Superman on the carousel.

We played in the water...it was hot (around 107)!

Thanks for coming to visit guys! We had a blast! Please come again...oh, and Ben's right, we'll babysit while you look for a house in AZ!

Golf anyone?

Emma sits in her high chair while we eat dinner in an attempt to get her used to sitting at the table (also it keeps her contained and entertained). So after one rather fussy dinner Ben picked her up out of the high chair and I noticed this strange waffle pattern embedded on the back upper part of her thigh. "What's that?" I asked. "I don't know, maybe the seat belt." Ben answered. But it couldn't have been because she was buckled in. Then we hear a little voice say, "It's my golf ball!" As she reaches into the high chair a picks up her golf ball with a huge grin on her face. "I've been looking for that." she says

oops...I guess that explains the fussiness...you try eating dinner while sitting on a golf ball!

Worth a click...

http://www.shibumi.org/eoti.htm

This was me, in Costco, today...

Charis (crying)- "I don't want to get older! I don't want to ever be 3!"
Charis (crying again)- "I want Mimi! I want to hold Mimi in my arms!"

"Mommy, write my name, please?"
"Ok, C-H-A- what comes next?"
"Zero!"

It's a good thing Kindergarten is still a ways off...maybe I should consider preschool first?

Firsts...

Emma tried rice ceral for the first time this week. I haven't kept up with it. Feeding her a bottle is so much easier. I just thought I'd give it a try. She drinks an 8oz bottle every four hours (except at night...she goes about 12 hours). Her next Dr. appt is this week so I'll talk to the Dr. about solids then. Funnier then Emma eating rice cereal was Charis eating it. She desperately wanted to try Emma's cereal. I warned her that it had formula (Alimentum) in it and even the smell of her formula makes me sick (she has special hypoallergenic formula). Charis wanted to try it anyway, so I let her. I wish I got that on tape! Needless to say, she isn't going to be stealing any food from Emma any time soon!

Ben took Charis to Walmart to buy a pool this weekend. So after they got home we all went swimming. This was Emma's first time in a pool. She didn't seem to like it all that much but she didn't cry either.

Extreme Soccer

This one's for you Jesse!

It's going to be one of those days...

It's only 6:15 in the morning but already I can tell...it's going to be one of those days. It started with Emma waking up at 5:30. Ok, I can get up early (maybe I'll get a shower in today). So I fed Emma and brought her upstairs where I woke a sleeping Ben in hopes of taking a shower before Charis woke up. He agreed to watch Emma for me. I took a nice hot shower (rinsing all the soap out) and stepped out to find the house in a bit of an uproar. It's going to be one of those days...Charis was standing in the bathroom with eyes wide, saying, "I peed, I peed, I peed." Emma was laying on the bed crying because she'd been left rather abruptly. Ben was frantically looking for something to clean up the pee on the carpet. (Those of you who know Ben might know that he is totally unable to function before a shower. So this made it all the more interesting. The other night in the middle of the night I heard Emma crying and I asked him to go check on her. He said, "She needs more insurance.") Back to the pee...Evidently Charis had woken up, taken off her diaper walked to my side of the bed, peed on the carpet, went downstairs got a clean diaper, walked upstairs, peed in the hallway, then woke Ben up to "change" her. It's going to be one of those days...

A little bit later Charis was overheard saying, "That's not wise." (Was she referring to the pee or me leaving Ben alone with the girls before he showered?)

It's going to be one of those days...

Charisism #478

Let's set the stage: at about 12:00 pm this afternoon we had just finished lunch and I was sitting on the stairs holding Emma and talking to Charis.
"Mommy, are there any boys around?"
"Um, no. There's nobody around."
She starts taking her dress off and says, "Then I want to be naked!"

I thought this was funny...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUdWApwbudQ
(Since videos don't seem to work on here I'll just give you the link.)

Surviving...

Well, we survived the night with no bee stings! But this morning I woke up to the sound of buzzing again. Ben killed those bees too, but throughout the day we found a few random bees around the house. Ben went investigating and figured that the bees were flying in the air conditioning vent on the side of the house then getting thrown out into the house in random places. He went to Home Depot and bought some screen material and covered up the vent. I suggested that we go so far as screening the whole house...top to bottom, windows, doors, walls and all! We haven't seen any bees since about lunchtime. When we were getting ready for church I made Ben take a shower first then I had him sit in the bathroom while I showered...just in case. It was a really terrible shower. I kept thinking that I was feeling bees crawling on me and I showered so fast that I don't really feel clean. I'm sure there's still soap in my hair! On another note, while Ben was at Home Depot I was home alone with the girls and the bees. Emma started to wake up from her nap so I went up to get her. Now I was already really jumpy and as I walked to open her door this huge moth flew in front of my face! It was sitting on the hallway light and decided at that time to swoop down and give me a heart attack! I ran downstairs and called Ben. I told him to hurry home because Emma was awake and I was too scared to get her. He doesn't understand that I'm not scared of the stinging from bugs, I'm just scared of the bugs themselves. I don't like the flying and flitting and the ability for them to get caught in my hair. (That's also why I hate birds...that and thanks to Alfred Hitchcock!) But I conquered my moth fear (for the moment) and picked Emma up. I still feel all itchy and creepy all over my body (but that may be from quick rinsing in the shower) but I think the bugs are gone for now.
While at Home Depot Ben saw this cool stuff that you sprinkle on your lawn that is supposed to kill the bugs on the grass. I thought it was a better idea to just take all the grass out, lay some concrete, put a pool in, some of that rubber stuff with our swing set (maybe an umbrella or two) and call it a day! Pray for me tomorrow...Ben has to go to work and I'm home alone with the girls...and maybe some bees! (I'm scared!!)

Bee Careful!

There's something that a lot of you might not know about me...I hate bugs! Now "hate" is a very strong word...but not strong enough. I loathe, detest, despise anything with more then four legs (and some things with four legs). So now that you know, let me tell you about tonight...

We went out to dinner as a family and had a wonderful time together. Just as we were getting home I said, "Ben, I've really got to go to the bathroom!" (They had really yummy iced tea at the restaurant.) When we pulled in the garage I jumped out of the car, grabbed Emma out of her seat and went into the house. As I walked it I heard what I thought was a fly stuck behind the blinds in the kitchen window. I turned to Ben and said, "Oh yeah, there's a fly stuck in there. It's been there all day." I asked him to hold Emma and I ran up the stairs to our bathroom. I had to go so bad that I rushed into our room without turning the light on and raced for the bathroom. As I neared I heard, "buzzz, buzz, buzzz, buzzzzzz, buzzzzz." I froze! It was way to loud to be a fly....and WAY TOO LOUD to be one fly! I flicked on the light and looked in the bathroom window. It only took me about 1/16th of a second to realize there were at least seven bees swarming the window! "BEN!!!" I yelled. "What?" he asked. With a very shaky and nervous voice I yelled, "There's like a ton of bees in our room!" Dead silence..."Alive?" he (nonchantanly) asks. I quickly shut our bedroom door, raced to the other bathroom, did what I needed to, then raced downstairs where I grabbed both girls, the diaper bag and my keys. As I rushed out the door I yelled over my shoulder, "We're not coming back until they're gone! DO SOMETHING!" I put the girls in the car and pulled out of the garage. Thankfully it had cooled way down by this point so it was only 99 degrees outside (but it's a dry heat). The girls and I camped out in the car for awhile. Charis actually loves to play in the car so I rolled down all the windows and opened all the doors. We were out there for about 45 minutes. During that time I changed two poopy diapers, fed Emma her dinner, checked the mail (and read it all) and pretended to let Charis drive. Ben called our good friend Darry (he's the exterminator). Darry told Ben to spray soapy water on the bees then vacuum them up. (I guess the soapy water breaks down their exoskeleton and kills them before they can attack you.) So Ben made up a solution of Simple Green and water in a spray bottle then he went on the hunt. Remember those "flies" I heard in the window? Not flies...but bees. Ben was our knight in shining armor tonight. Armed with only soap and a Dustbuster he managed to conquer at least ten bees and provide his ladies with peace of mind (sort of) and all before 8pm! Now I am walking around with that soapy solution at my side and trust me, I'm not going to bed without it!

Faster, Faster, Faster!

We were driving in the car tonight and Charis says, "Daddy go faster...Emma likes it! Don'tcha Emma?"

"I want to go outside and catch lizards!" -Charis
Oh yes, we do live in the Southwest!

Beatin' the heat!

Emma can sit in her Bumbo seat!

(I can't believe it but this outfit was given to Charis for her first birthday...Emma's only 4 months old!) It's not too hot today (only like 100') but we put on our bathing suits and played in the water during Emma's nap anyway.
The water was a little cold! But very refreshing!
Snack Time!

We sat in the shade and enjoyed a yummy yogurt for snack.

After playing outside for awhile we came in and played inside. I had to take this picture because I needed proof that Charis can actually entertain herself. (And for almost 10 minutes too!) She has the first born child syndrome...mommy always is there, mommy always plays with her, and mommy NEVER leaves! We're working on re-training her. But she sat on my bed and played with Noah's Ark Little People for a good chunk of time. Another thing about Charis...she's not super into toys, she'd rather run around outside or ride her bike or play on a swing set. Sitting quietly (sitting period) is not her cup of tea. (We're working on that too!) I never thought I'd say this but I wish my child would watch T.V.

She said, The boy lilon and the girl lilon are friends, they're gonna have baby lilons."

When she's sweet...she's so sweet, but when she's sour...watch out!

Charis-ism #429

After one of Emma's particularly bad gas induced screaming sessions Charis says, "Emma's no fun these days!" Then she pats Emma's tummy and says, "Did ya get all yer gassies out yer bum now?"

Guess Who's Preggo?

HA! Gotcha, didn't I? I know for a split second you thought it was me. No, I'm not pregnant (praise the Lord)! But our friends Phil & Megan are! Congrats guys! Check out their blog too for the whole and very cute story...(look in the links to the right -->)

Two year old musings...

We always pray before bed and ask Charis what she is thankful for and who she would like to pray for. This is how tonight went...
"Charis, what are you thankful for tonight?"
"For ladies."
"Um...ok, anything else?"
"For Ben."
"Do you mean Daddy?"
"Yes, Ben."
"Ok, and who should we pray for?"
"Breat-Bahma and Breat-Bapa." (Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa)

Earlier this evening...
After having dinner with Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa we were getting in our car and Charis asks, "Where's my little Bahma?" (She meant her "regular" Grandma.)

Mother's Day

I didn't post about Mother's Day because we didn't take any pictures, but I didn't wait you to think that Ben forgot...he didn't. We woke up and went out to breakfast early in the morning. One of the best gifts I got was that Emma slept through breakfast so I got to eat! Then we went grocery shopping. After we got home Charis and I (mostly I) dusted the house then Ben gave me the biggest gift of all...he vacuumed! I absolutely hate vacuuming so it was so sweet of him to do it for me. While he vacuumed I was able to sit and play with both my girls...something I don't often get to do uninterrupted. After lunch and the girls napped we headed out for church. Then we went to dinner with some friends from church. It was really a nice day and it felt great to wake up to clean floors!

My Little Squiggler and My Little Helper

Emma tried to escape from her swing today! She scooted and scooted until her legs were hanging off the edge and she obviously thought it was very funny.

Charis is such a big helper. This morning she loaded all of the towels into the washing machine then said, "I have no soap down here. Mommy, get some at the store!" After I explained that I did have soap it was just up high she was ok and let me finish the wash.

In other news...it's supposed to cool down significantly this week, they're forecasting a high of 99 for tomorrow!

_____

Charisism of the Day:

While pulling Emma's diaper down in the back, "Let's see what's inside this little bum!"

"Mimi, I love you more than two worlds!" -Charis

Happy Mother's Day!

Every Story Whispers His Name

For any of you who are interested we've found a great Bible storybook for kids. Our pastor recommended it to us and we've throughly enjoyed it! Every story is Gospel centered and exalts the name of the Lord. I've seen it on Amazon.com for about $10. Charis is only 2 and she loves it! She is so excited to read every night and she gets so involved. After reading the story of creation she said, "God said, hello birds, hello trees. He made everything from nothing!" Check it out if you're wanting something new to do with your kids!

Charis is sitting on the bathroom counter while I was getting dressed this morning. She picks up one of my necklaces and says, "Mommy, you buy this from the store or from the mailman?"

Uh, oh...I've got to stop buying things online...It's just so convenient.

One night of victory!

Last night both Emma and Charis went to bed at 8:30 and they both slept through the night, in their own beds, in their own rooms until 7am!

_____

I am so excited that in 13 days our very good friends, the Duhms (MamaDuhm), will be coming to stay with us for the weekend. We're trying to plan lots of fun, free (and cool) activities for when they're here. It will be interesting because we will be housing 10 people in 3 bedrooms! I can't wait!!! Charis was looking out the window yesterday and I asked her what she was looking at. She said, "I'm waitin' for Cathy and Darry and Aiden and Molly and Eli...and Coop too!"

_____

When we were in CA Charis and I had a good talk about sin and redemption. After we were done talking she said that she wanted to tell people about Jesus. She said, "I tell Nicolette, Darry and Luke about Jesus so they can go to heaven with me and my mommy!"

_____

I ordered this book online because I had seen it in a friends house and I thought it would be fun to share with you all. So periodically I'll be posting an excerpt from the book for you to enjoy. The book is called The Lady's Guide to Perfect Gentility.

The Art of Conversing with Fluency and Propriety

A practical view of the subject- the power exercised by ladies in conversation- how wives should speak of their husbands and husbands of their wives- conversing with gentlemen- things, words, and sayings to be avoided in conversation.

A lady's influence in conversation. Every woman whose heart and mind have been properly regulated, is capable of exerting a most salutary influence over the gentlemen with whom she associates; and this fact has been acknowledged by the best and wisest of men, and seldom disputed, except by those whose capacities for observation have been perverted by adverse circumstances.

Conversing with modesty and simplicity. Always seek to converse with gentlemen into whose society you may be introduced, with a dignified modesty and simplicity, which will effectually check on their part any attempt at familiarity; but never say or do anything that may lead them to suppose you are soliciting their notice.

An instance can scarcely be recalled of a lady, either by direct or indirect means, attempting to storm a man's heart into admiration , who did not effectually defeat her purpose, and instead of the coveted homage to her charms, awaken a feeling directly it's opposite. What sight can be more pitiable or repulsive that that of a female, advancing in the vale of years and leaving behind her all the youthful attractions she might have once possessed, and yet retaining her inordinate thirst for the society and admiration of gentlemen.

The End...now we're caught up!

That's all folks!

Knott's Berry Farm

On Tuesday Papa took all of us to Knott's Berry Farm.

(You can get tickets at Del Taco for $28 and children under 3 are free!) Emma was out like a light as soon as we got there...she was dead to the world!It was so hot! We found this little cave under a waterfall and played in it for awhile.

Camp Snoopy had all sorts of fun rides! Mimi took Charis on the school bus,

Mommy took Charis on the Ferris wheel (I was scared),

and Papa took Charis on the roller coaster...she wasn't so sure about that one!

It was so incredibly hot, we stripped Emma down to her diaper and got wet paper towels from the bathroom to cool her off!

We stopped at one point, found a restaurant just to sit in the air conditioning and ordered a root beer float, a boysenberry float, a mocha frapp and Charis got a Snoopy ice cream.

Ahhh...finally some shade!

Thank you Papa for taking us! We had so much fun!!!

Park Day with Friends

We met a few friends at the park on Monday.

I took about 10 pictures of Luke to try to get a smile...this was the best we could get.

"Higher, higher!"

Charis & Olivia (or as she pronounces it, "Oyiyia!")

Water fun with Dede

Auntie Dede and Charis played with the hose on one very hot Sunday afternoon.

Charis obviously thought Dede's skirt would make a nice towel.
After church on Sunday night we sat to eat a nice dinner...
Well, some of us sat...others were roped into holding Emma so everyone else could eat.

(Thanks Jesse...and I don't think you look awkward holding a baby ike Paul said, you just need more practice!)