friends :o)

These are from 2 weeks ago. I know... I've been terrible at updating. But these pictures are worth the wait. We had a great time visiting with a couple of fabulous friends and their little ones.

Bell, Bean, and Molly

Rachel and Kim w/ Rachel's new little guy, Henry

Me and my girls, Rachel w/ Henry ,and Kim (this picture is great, but missing molly and carson)

3 girls and an un-rip-able book

love this one

getting sillier

Raining Cherries

"You better get your umbrella! It's raining cherries!" -Bell

she wore my old point shoes one morning for over an hour

Bell - Mommy, look what i made
Me - wow! what is it?
Bell - a telescope
Me - what? a telescope?
Bell - yeah!
Me - how do you know what about telescopes?
Bell - from Dora
Me - ah. so what's a telescope
Bell - you use it to look at stars, like little star
Me - wow, that's right. nice picture
Bell - and... i just put some noodles on there too.
Me- you drew noodles on the telescope
Bell - yeah, just a few noodles on there... that's so silly.

the telescope with noodles

Poor Bean has been sick and lying on the couch for 3 days now. She's a trooper, but she's exhausted. Bell, who had the virus first, has been full of energy and humor.

Yesterday she was riding the swiffer mop around the kitchen singing "Jesus Loves Me". When I asked her what she was doing she introduced me to her horse, Candy. Later, a small part from Candy's handle broke off and Bell was upset. I said, "oh no! did candy's leg break off?" Bell said in a slightly annoyed voice, "No, her tail".
of course... so obvious

and just because i've been neglecting this blog lately - here are some pictures from a couple of weeks ago.

posers!

I really don't think I ever taught my girls how to pose, but maybe it's instinctual. Maybe I photograph them too often. Maybe I should stop forcing them to watch America's Next Top Model reruns for hours upon hours a day... wait....

Bell

Bean

Bell

Bean

Bell

Bean

Bell

Bean

Bell

 

Bean

 oh my

Jesus's Little Lambs

"

Bean and her grandfathers

"The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." John 10:3-5

Bell with her Lamb

Bean and her Lamb

¹⁴I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

Bell and cousin playing with window decorations

Bell and cousins making lovely faces!

We are His sheep. Walking the wrong way and confused most of the time, yes. But He came for us, He finds us, He leads us as only our Shepherd can. Not just any shepherd, not just any man. A Shepherd to whom we belong, who lovingly gave Himself for His sheep... whose voice we know. A man who is also God, a God who was willing to die for his beloved children, to those who belong to Him. How blessed, how incredibly blessed am I to be His child: loved, forgiven, and chosen as His.

Easter Pictures

I know, I've terrible about keeping you updated lately.
Here are some pictures from Easter. :o)

Bell (looking very unimpressed)

Bean (slightly more impressed)

Bell and Bean

Bell

Bean

Christ is Risen
He is Risen Indeed - Alleluia

Lions

The lions made a cage for themselves.

I was a big proponent of this game. I prefer my animals to be caged. :)

playtime

I know I'm behind on blogging. I've been busy. :)

Here's what's been going on.
Bean is Bell's baby. (almost all the time)
She doesn't seem to mind... yet.

And then there's Gio and Millie. I have no idea where those names came from. Bell is Millie and Bean is Gio.

gorgeous garage

As we pull into the garage:

Bell - Wow! This place is Gorgeous!

Me - (laughing) the garage?

Bell - Yeah, this place is GORGEOUS!
Bean - How gorgeous is it, Bell?
Bell - REALLY gorgeous.

yep....
the garage

the question is, how gorgeous is your garage?

"Miss Independent"

According to Erik Erikson (the developmental psychologist), my girls are in the developmental stage of "autonomy vs shame and doubt". This stage is an explanation of their constant desire to "do it MYSELF!". They are building confidence, perseverance, and just plain strong will. 

It's clear after spending a short about of time with Bean and Bell that Mr. Erikson didn't just make this stuff up.

And yet... is this really a stage that ends at age 4?

I'm pretty sure that for most of my life I've spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to convince God that Kelly Clarkson's hit, "Miss Independent" should be my theme song.  God, most likely rolls his eyes at me and imagines a more appropriate song like, "Lean on Me" or "Can't Breathe without You". 

 

He's tried to correct my obsession with independence many times:

I knew all about babies and knew I could handle being a mom... so He gave me two. Ha! Now try to do it all by yourself, Miss Independent!

After Darin's death, I once again needed help. The support poured in and I was/am humbled by the caring friends, family, and body of Christ. Again, wouldn't ever make it on my own.

time passes

I start to feel like I'm doing well. I can do this "only parent" thing if I have to, I'm figuring it out. And on good days, I feel pretty darn proud of myself. So proud, I start singing my Kelly Clarkson theme song and forget, yet again, I am capable of nothing without Him. So, boom, I'm knocked out for two days feeling terribly sick and I can't take care of myself, let alone the girls. I have to rely on family. I have to recognize my own weakness, my own limits, my humanity. He teaches me, once again, to cling to Him and be grateful for those He has placed in my life to pick me up when I fall down.

And right now, I get it. I'm grateful for the lesson. But, realistically, He's going to to need to remind me again soon. 

 

Bean going potty this morning (by herself) while Bell listens to the story.