She

SHE wakes up happy just about everyday and almost always asks to crawl into our bed with us.

SHE has very strong opinions about her clothes. Poor thing wears a uniform to school so the first thing she does when she gets home is change into something pretty, usually one of her princess dresses.

SHE wants to do everything herself. She is strong willed and very independent.

SHE loves imaginative play. While we were at the dollar store the other day she picked out a crown with earrings and then a new princess wand. I have enjoyed listening to her play mommy. She told me several times to be quiet her babies were sleeping. I can often hear her singing random made up songs while cooking dinner at her Dora kitchen.

SHE says “yes, please” & "no thank you" more often than not – some of the best words in the English language.

SHE loves the colors purple and pink and blue.

SHE has the best giggle. She finds humor in so many things and laughs right out loud.

SHE loves to try and read books and has even started reading some on her own. Her current favorite to try and read aloud is Go Dog Go! She loves to listen to me read to her this gigantic princess book.

SHE is sassy, soft, curious, cuddly, creative, confident, courageous, and wonderful.

SHE is an awesome little four-year-old.

Idea borrowed from Ali Edwards blog

Happy Earth Day

How are you going to spend such an awesome day? The weather here is amazing, so we took a walk to the dollar store and Dunkin Donuts this morning. The kids ate their doughnuts outside and played make believe princess and pirate with their new items from the Dollar Tree. We moved around a few plants for daddy to plant and then made meat, cheese and crackers for lunch. Once again we ate outside and had a blast giggling and laughing the whole time. Daddy and Reece went to Feldman's to landscape and swim while Raine and I rested here at home. Now I am off to take my daughter shopping for some new Easter sandals and going to give some old flip flops to Old Navy. They will collect your old flip flops and turn them into the bottom of playgrounds. You could also go for a nice hike in and around a National Park for free! Go play outside today!

Family Movie Date

Look what we went to see today!!
It was such a cute movie; we all laughed right out loud!

These boys had so much fun dancing to the songs at the end of the show.
Reece was excellent at shaking his booty and rocking out!

Raine enjoyed the movie the most.
She would laugh so loud and say,
"This is my favorite part, this is where they shake their booties!"

Reece & Daddy played Angry Birds Rio while we waited for our delicious sandwiches.

We decided to enjoy some lunch after and what better sandwich to have than a Capriotti's Bobbie and Capistrami. YUM-O!

Spring Swimming

She is so sweet, I just love her hair.

Reece has been learning how to dive, he almost had it last summer but a winter without swimming and he's forgotten what to do. Now he's back at it and loves it as much as I do.

He really is a fish and loves the water.

We are so blessed to know and love the Feldman family. They are even joining us for a week of our summer Jersey Shore vacation this year. I can not wait for that. It will be so much fun sipping yummy adult lemonade on the beach with Tina. Today, she let me bring the rascals over to swim all while she prepared herself for a staycation at The Four Seasons. What a life huh?
I sat on my tush and enjoyed watching the kiddos splash in the pool. Sunny 86 degree weather lends itself well to a relaxing by a pool on this Tuesday morning. We will definitly head back there a couple more times this week.

Today

Life moves so freaking fast, take your time and note down what you did TODAY.
Today is very important.
Yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn't certain.
The best day to live is TODAY.

Here is what I did today:

made homemade cinnamon vanilla waffles

3 loads of laundry

opened a Easter package from Noni & Pe Pere

played with new dancing Easter bunny

read about Princesses and rock climbers

1 puzzle

read lots of blog posts and Facebook status updates & comments

chatted with friend on the phone & made plans to swim

explained what free will is to my 6 yr old son

listened to a lot of Justin Bieber music

tickled, kissed and hugged the little people in my home (a lot)

vacuumed

watched a very frustrating hockey game

called my sister

attended an amazing bible study and ate a delicious brownie

shopped for more Easter goodies at the dreaded Walmart

I enjoyed the first day of Spring Break and am trying to appreciate the little things this week since I can not have my way and spend a few days in California. What did you do?

Someday...

I will go on vacation during spring break.

I will not have to save money for it because there will be extra money in the blow fund for it.

I will get to go a shopping spree for a new spring/summer wardrobe.

I will get to be a stay at home mom.

I will have new floors and counter tops.

I will be cheering on my son as he runs around the bases or steals the ball from the other soccer player.

I will encourage my daughter to keep practicing her ballet dance.

I will be able to fly up to Reno for a girls weekend without a plan or budgeted trip.

I will be soaking up the rays and playing in the waves in Maui.

I will be free from grading papers.

I will have an extensive collection of stories to tell my children's spouses.

For now I will appreciate the blessings God provides.

LOVE

At service this morning the pastor spoke about all the sacrifices Jesus made for us. Upon the close of service he asked us to go out and love others like Jesus loved us. I cry every Sunday morning while soaking up all the pastor has to share yearning to hear more; this morning though, I wept. My heart was aching as I watched the images of the road to cross. The relentless amount of pain Jesus endured for me, a sinner who doesn't deserve his love. It was good Mo wasn't there because I have been quite somber all day.

Then I was reading a friend's blog and she said this:

I came up with this quote and I hope you enjoy it. "You are worth more than the sum of your choices, more than the value that the world places on you. You are a priceless gift to this world and the impact that you make in this world will be evident in the lives of those who met you and truly knew you. Use your time, words, and actions wisely"

I pray that as you go through this life that you are moved to make a difference in this world. Sometimes I think we all believe that we have to do something HUGE to make a difference, but really all we're called to do is love and to love without expectations or boundaries.. Love unconditionally.

I cried again. Easter is horribly emotional for me. Every since I became a mother, I can not look at the images of Mary & Jesus without sobbing. I couldn't imagine watching my son go through something that horrific. I am so very blessed that God sent his only son to live as a human with desires and temptations and to prove that God is the almighty father. But why oh why did God have to have his son die that way? I guess so we always remember what a sacrifice he made for us. During this Easter week I hope you reflect on how truly blessed you are. And if you don't know Jesus, I pray you will come to know him because having a relationship with him is such an amazing experience. God Bless You!

Camping with Daddy

Ready to sleep in the tent.

Reece fell in love with Arthur the dog
and hung out with him as much as he could.

Raine was supposed to be taking an afternoon nap.

Sweet, sweet blessings from the Lord!

I love this picture. It shows the innocence of my children and the joy they have within them, especially while camping with daddy and his friends. I had planned an all day scrap event at church from 9 until 9. Mo put on his super dad cape and took the kiddos to a huge Easter egg drop extravaganza, then out to Lovell Canyon for the a little spring camping. The had the best time and didn't want to come home. All three of them wanted to stay and camp another night. They loved playing in the dirt and made swords with sticks. Raine said she loved the smores the most. Daddy loved every minute of it. I was spoiled by how much mommy time I had to myself, Mo should probably take them camping at least once a month. Glad they all loved it!

New Position

YEP, I found a new career, well not really. I will be moving into the Special Education Department. I will be one of two resource teachers in our building. Not quite sure which grades I will be working with yet, I think 4th & 5th. We are still working out the placement of students for next year. I will be attending several meeting throughout the end of the school year and will have to brush up on my special ed laws and IEP writing over the summer but overall, I am excited. It is unfortunate though that I can not show my excitement because we are losing 5 regular education positions from our building. While I am cheering for my latest teaching adventure, two of my dearest colleagues and friends who teach in the classrooms on my left and right are having to find new schools to work in. Why is it we have to cut so much from education but can fund other dumb things?