Diva in training!!!

Ava, Noelle, Brylee, Anna Kate, Rose Cerly (and Audree) having fun one day after school last week!

Had a blast with all these pretty girls getting our yogurt fix!

Noelle took this picture of me in the middle of our neighborhood creek clean-up! I manned the sign-in table for most of the afternoon but found 2 Sonic cups that I had to fish out of the creek… Noelle was freaking out because we are such girly girls. It was a fun memory! Wish I could’ve worked harder, but if everyone does a little, it will go a long way!

Here’s Noelle and our neighbor Jackson having fun keeping everyone entertained!

Jackson was so proud he found his way into the dumpster, lol!

Pretty Noelle always enjoys being outside on sunny days!

The creek looks a lot cleaner than when we got here, so that’s rewarding.  We love our beautiful neighborhood so much and are honored to help take care of it!  Noelle is a reading machine these days.  The girl always has a book in her hands… so proud!

Check out how beautifully this moth is camouflaged in the leaves!

I love Anna Kate’s inquisitive face!  This is her grossed out but still interested face!

Noelle’s first grade project… she cut out every single orange shape and glued every white dot on her monarch butterfly, which took forever!  She was a trooper though and it was worth it!  She turned in her project today and was beaming with pride on her way to school!

Keeping Anna Kate busy, or rather, she’s been keeping me busy, ha!  Love her creative little ideas.  She used Noelle’s Barbie stencil tray as an x-ray machine last week to play doctor.  She’s awesome!  

Buying/selling the girls spring clothes!  I bought all you see in the above pic plus two big bags full of Christmas presents and a cute vanity, all for $230.  I hate to spoil the surprises because you will see all these clothes and shoes this summer, but I want to encourage all of you moms to think about consigning, not at stores, but at the big events where you make 70% of your items and get to pick your price.  Also, the shopping is so great… I mean, look at all I got!  You will see the rest at Christmas.  I made twice as much as I spent and have all this new fun stuff for the summer!  It’s a big job and a huge commitment, but the pay-off is the above pic and money in the bank!  Noelle asked me if it was Christmas, and I said, “No, you guys just helped me clean out your closets and old toys, so here’s your reward!”

Going to lots of doctor’s appointments, crossing things off this list and finding answers with others!  We’re getting serious about figuring out how to get me healthy and functioning without fatigue and muscle/nerve pain (fibromyalgia… whatever you want to call it; I’ve been miserable for the last decade, and the pain and tears are enough).  We found out I’m highly allergic to many things that could be contributing to my chronic fatigue.  Answers are good; we can make things better if we know what’s wrong.  I’ll never give up trying to get healthy so that I can better help my family and friends and be more fully alive, no matter how difficult it is both physically and emotionally. 

Everyone has their struggles.  If yours is not physical, thank God for your health today!  It’s such an incredible gift that can be taken for granted because it is so automatic.  We are all fearfully and wonderfully made… miracles to behold.  Treasure yourself as such.  Breathe in the abilities you have to even be able to face your struggles.  That is a gift too, whether we acknowledge it or not.  Today, I’m thankful for provision to seek the help I need.  I’m hopeful for this to all go away and be better, but for now, in my weakness, I believe I am being made strong.  My compassion has grown, and my spirit has been humbled, and I believe I’m more understanding and wise for it.  God bless you wherever you are in your story, that God will give you peace and comfort right now.  You are not alone.

The girls had a blast trying on their new consignment clothes after school last week!

Date night to celebrate 10 years of marriage, 13 years together!  Our love grows more and more every day!  So thankful to have a happy and healthy marriage with my man!

…and when I don’t, this happens, or something comparable.  You are our wild child, Rose!  What are we going to do with you!?!  You’ve got three Mommies and a Daddy watching over you, and somehow, you always manage to get into everything!  We love you so stinkin’ much, even when you are a mess!

P.S.  You looked grossed out in the first picture, but you weren’t… trust me!  You were just confused you got caught in action!

Emily’s last name starts with a P, so the girls endearingly call her Ema-P!  Emily is such a good friend to Noelle and Anna Kate, and I’m overjoyed to watch the girls laugh and play together with their sweet friend!  She is mature beyond her years and always has a smile on her face and a spring in her step!  The girls are blessed to have such an awesome, happy friend!

Sleepy girls stayed up way toooo late having a total blast… definitely lots of giggling!

Noelle calls this ring her “Memory Friend” because she said it helps her remember what a fun night she had with her friend, Emily!

Caught our baby girls cuddling up and watching a movie on the iPad together with their fingers in their mouths, the way they’ve both been since day 1.  Our silly babies are so cute!!!

I told them to get their fingers out of their mouths and they were cracking up.  Anna Kate had to hold Rose’s hand so she’d stop sucking her fingers.  They’re a trip and so much fun!!!