Girls' Night

It's the girls' night out, na na night out..... I've been known to randomly break in to 1980's songs. Aren't they great? My kids don't seem to appreciate them the way I do. I know the look exchanged between my older two girls. It is the same look my sister and I would give each other regarding our mom. My girls don't understand that I am a cool mom.They should feel privileged to have me. :) (I can see their eyes roll as they read this.)
They may not think I am the raddest mom but I sure think they are pretty special. I don't often get to spend one on one time with any of my kids. I'm determined to see that we do. Friday was mother/daughter night with D.

Things I love about this picture:

• Dakota looks so beautiful and grown up. (Perhaps I don't like that she looks so grown up....)
• She is wearing my high school cheerleading jacket. Maybe she thinks I'm cool, after all. Or at least my old clothes are.
• Her cowboy boot necklace shows a little window to her heart. My necklace was a gift from my sweet sister.
• My earrings were made by Emmaly just for me. She picked red because it is my favorite color. What an observant, giving girl.
• The background shows Austin's Chevy Luv .....the cutest truck ever!
• You can take a little peek at the play yard....swingset and trampoline.
• I would say that I like my flannel shirt and hat but I was informed by my ever-stylish girls that I looked like a lumberjack. They meant it in a "good way". Of course. Most lumberjacks try for the classy look.

D and I both love a good book. She averages a novel or two a week. I love reading the same story and then having our own book club discussions afterward. (B joins our club once in a while.) I have been wanting to read The Help. When I heard it was coming out in theatres I decided to wait and watch the movie before I read the book.

It was a wonderful movie and I had fun company. D was the youngest one in the theatre. (Unless you count the two kids that were probably there because of a lack of a sitter.) We're looking forward to reading the book now. After the movie we went for a hot drink.

D is for sure going to be a coffee drinker. I say "going to be" but she would love to be now. I let her indulge once in a while. Maybe I would give in more if I understood the coffee-hype. I'm a hot chocolate girl. I'm also really dumb when it comes to flavors and ordering at a coffee shop. I asked the barista what was good and she gave me an odd look. She answered with a "Well, what do you like?" I felt even more ignorant. If I knew what I liked I wouldn't have asked.  D ordered a chocolate mocha. I ordered a pumpkin-something-or-other in honor of the first day of fall. Then 30 seconds later I couldn't get the taste of chocolate out of my head so I scratched my order and asked for the same thing D had. (I am the MOST indecisive food customer! Something that drives my husband CraZy.) Still wanting to honor autumn's appearance we bought a big slice of pumpkin cake.

She looks like a Simpson in this shot; being yellow and all. I hope you had as much fun as I did, Kodi! It was refreshing to be able to spend time with you! You are a breath of fresh air!  I'm looking forward to next time! ....It's the girls' night to play...all night to play....so don't wait up for me...na na na na na na... :-)

4 Eyes X 2

I was hoping that my kids would all get their dad's good eye sight. After all, they got my good looks. (Kidding, kidding.) I got my glasses in the 8th grade...the age right between where Dakota and Brooklyn are now. I remember walking out of the eye clinic and being able to see individual leaves on trees and clouds that had shapes and weren't just blobs. I had a suspicion that D needed glasses. She was all squinty when trying to read a sign from afar. I was a bit surprised, however, that B needed them too. They were both delighted about having to get them. Honestly, what teenager isn't? We all might say we don't want them and what a bother they are, but you know deep down it is kind of exciting to be able to change our appearance. Or as B said, "add to our accessories."

The doctor said that both of them do not have to wear their glasses all of the time. Optional glasses? It doesn't get better than that. I remember a time when it was the same for me. Now, if I'm not wearing my glasses I can't tell a chicken from a duck. (Personal experience.)

I have a feeling that the newness will eventually wear off and I will resort to a nagging mom, reminding them to not forget their glasses. I could be wrong.

 They may like the scholarly look. 

But if they are anything like me there will be contact lenses in their future.

Birthday Girls Part I

I may not have the set of twins that I have always wanted but I do have children that share a birthday. My oldest two daughters were born on the same day two years apart. It wasn't planned by me, but it sure is convenient! They have the same group of friends so we have always thrown one big celebration. Last year they had invited the entire jr. high church youth group (girls). Giggly Girls. And it was a sleepover. And I just had a baby 2 weeks prior. May not have been the most ideal scenario but we made it work. And the girls had a blast. (If you don't count the girl who had facebook on her phone and updated about the lame party she was attending. Oops. She should have checked her friend list to see who could read that comment. All is forgiven. :-) ) Kodi and Brooklyn told me recently that they want to try to have two separate parties this year. (sad sigh) I don't blame them for wanting a little more independence from each other and of course they would be at each other's party. But with everything going on in our lives right now one of them would have to wait until June for their party. So we will have another year of lots of chatty girls. (I love chatty girls!) Since their big day is in TWO days....I better start planning. :-) No, actually the girls have it planned. We're down to getting a date set. Never an easy task when the calendar is already inked up.

Let's talk about my firstborn girl, Dakota Lynn; or Kodi. (Cue music for Sunrise Sunset).....Is this the little girl I carried...........I don't remember growing older, when did they??? FIFTEEN years ago Dakota was born after being induced a week after her due date because my doctor was going on vacation. Can we say, "Annoying!"? In fact, she was delivered by a nurse and another doc because mine was home packing for her trip. You know, those labor books said I should have had another couple hours. :-) But, God in His infinite wisdom knew what He was doing. (Of course) She was born with her cord tightly wrapped twice around her neck and she needed some help to start breathing. I had a peace while I wondered why I couldn't hold her right away. She spent her whole hospital stay under the watch of the nurses and not in my room. Kodi was an easy baby, wonderful toddler, and an uncomplicated kid. Then the teen years hit...no, I'm just kidding. She is a joy to have as a daughter! She is creative, smart and witty! She is a little on the reserved side. You will usually find her with her nose in a book. I've been known to ground her from reading. *GASP* What kind of mother am I?

D and B on rival teams during a volleyball game.

Every year on or around their birthday I try to get some pictures of them. I had a fun time this year just clicking away while they were acting goofy.

I love how they have their own styles, from clothes to personalities. It's so refreshing! I'm enjoying watching these gals grow into lovely young women and especially watching them grow in their faith. They are such a blessing to me! And my very favorite picture of them....drum roll, please........

Happy Birthday, my lovelies!! I'm looking forward to our special date!

Let's celebrate!

My sister kindly reminded me that when I woke up yesterday morning I would enter into a new age bracket. The bracket for 35-50 year olds. Hmmm.....thanks, Sis, happy to join you. The month of April is a big month in this household. Four out of eight of us celebrate our birthday this month. Here is a recap of Faith's shindig:
Dakota and Brooklyn made the cake and cupcakes. I didn't even crack an egg. I was happy to hand over that chore...er...art project. I let them do whatever they wanted with their canvases.

The weather was ahh..mazing! It was too nice not to take the party outside. It was almost uncomfortably warm. Almost. That seems funny to say today, a day that the temperature is 35 degrees cooler with a bashful sun.

Faithy Pie partied til she dropped. It was a good, no, great day! My only grumble is that I didn't get enough pictures of the cousins! And did you see the pictures of Faith digging into her cake? You didn't?! Well, first of all, she didn't dig in. She poked a little here, picked an M&M there, took graceful bites and barely made a mess. And second, my video camera wasn't charged (and the charger was no where to be found) so I decided to use my digital camera in video mode to take footage of the cake attack. Or cake touch in her case. But, fear not, there is good news! I asked my awesome photographer SIL to capture some cake pictures! She clicked away and I can't wait to see what her artistic eye observed!

Fast forward 6 days from F's party and I am now in my mid-thirties. I awoke to precious, slobbery kisses from my littlest. (She seems to know the secret to wake up in Mommy and Daddy's bed. the secret is to arouse in the night. Mommy loves snuggles and is too sleepy/lazy to deal with crying.) I was treated to breakfast in bed by my so thoughtful 7 year old! It was a bowlful of cinnamon Life filled to the rim with milk, on a tray. I was just as thrilled to receive it as I was to know there was no mess carrying it up the stairs! I shared my Life with my kissy baby. I came downstairs to find that Emmaly also cleaned (straightened up) the dining and living rooms. I also got a foot rub from her. That girls knows how to give gifts! The weather wasn't nearly as wonderful as it was a week earlier. But it was perfect for staying inside, movies, popcorn, games and lounging.

As you can see from the picture, Hubby doesn't like his picture taken. But it was MY birthday and it's what I wanted. So, thanks, Hon. :-) We don't often get to watch tv or movies together as a family. Mostly because there isn't enough time in a day. But also because there aren't a lot of movies that we would all enjoy. What did we watch?......Star Wars. Well...not my first choice. Or my last choice but that's okay. It was a good excuse to eat kettle corn and laze around. I have been so blessed my last 34 years. I wonder what year 35 has in store?? Here I am, Lord, ready or not. But mostly ready!!