A long weekend

It has definitely been a busy weekend! By chance of things that are... we ended up with a 5 day weekend. (Ben didn't have to go to work Thursday, Friday, or today (Monday))
And we have been going-going-going for all of it! 

Thursday was the high school graduation for my cousin, Kayla. So a lot of my family came down from various places. Thursday afternoon was spent with the family catching up with each other. 

Friday we spent the day watching our friends' 2 children while they went to Tucson. It was fun and a lot easier than I was thinking it would be, but it reinforces the fact that I do NOT want to have 4 kids of my own that close in age. But we kept the kids busy playing with toys, playing outside in the sandbox, coloring, and swimming.We also chose this day to give Tommy his first haircut (well, buzz really). I think it is adorable!!  Friday night was a BBQ at my grandparent's house. Let's just say a lot of people + good ribs= a fun night. 
Saturday was another day of excitement at my grandparent's house. I took the kids over there while Ben stayed home and painted our bathroom. (And by the way.... I LOVE my bathroom now! It's Dallas Cowboy themed and it's awesome.) That night's menu was "Earl" steak and baked potatoes. Yum Yum. 

Now onto Sunday... we spent a much more low key and relaxing day at Ben's parents' place. Rebekah, who last summer was terrified of pools and small bodies of water in general, pretty much wants to live in her bathing suit now. If there is water nearby, she wants to be in it! : ) 
And now we're at Monday. For the most part we are staying home and doing the housework that we've put off all weekend. That and Ben still has to do a few finishing touches to the bathroom. So I guess I should get off this computer and get back to the grindstone. After all, the kids will only nap so long.... and it is a lot easier to clean without them right there to mess it up again. 

I found Nemo, and you can too...

if you're able to make it to Rebekah's birthday party. :) 
21 more days until my baby girl is 2 years old. (25 days until her party) I cannot believe how fast this year has gone! She went from just a little thing, not even able to walk... now she's running, jumping, and starting to say sentences. 

I'm probably more excited about this party than she is. I am planning it out, and want it to be just perfect. My biggest task will be the cake. I've never been much of an expert in the cake baking/decorating department, but for her party, I'm going to try to do a 2 tiered masterpiece (you can bet there will be at least one picture later on... if it turns out right). Just today, I made the invitations and they will be sent out soon. 


I know Rebekah is never going to remember or understand the effort I'm putting into her party, but it doesn't matter as long as she enjoys her special day.

It's good to be home!!

2500 miles in 6 days + 2 days hiking + 1 graduation= 1 very tired, but happy family. It was fun to go see Yosemite. Ben and I really enjoyed our time there. When the kids are older, we definitely want to go back so they can experience it and remember! And it was just a good fun to spend time with Ben's family and help celebrate Melissa's graduation from college.

All in all the trip wasn't nearly as bad as I was thinking it would be. But to be completely honest... travel DVD systems and pacifiers saved our sanity! Needless to say, now that we are home, I have to keep telling Rebekah she really doesn't need to watch Nemo 3 times a day. 

Just for a concise rundown of the trip.... We left home Tuesday afternoon after Ben got off work, and we drove through the night and got to the Park at around lunch time. We more "meandered" around that day walking here and there, but mostly driving to catch the sights. That night we stayed in a hotel about an hour away from the park. The next day we met up with Melissa and her fiance at Yosemite and did more hiking and looking around at the sights. From there we left and drove to the house that Ben's dad rented for all of us to stay in. That was the best night of sleep I go on the whole trip! We were so tired!! The next day (Friday) we just kind of relaxed and hung out at the house because that evening was the Baccalaureate ceremony. Then Saturday morning we had to be at this (HUGE) church for the graduation
ceremony. 

<< Just look at the huge crowd that came  out to see and support Liss on her big day!!





The next morning our family packed up and headed out to Las Vegas for a quick run in, eat,  and sleep visit with Craig and Heidi.  It was nice to spend a few hours chatting and visiting. And I loved being able to see their house. But the time we spent with them was definitely too short. (This being said, we need to make a trip back!!! ) 
So with a good night's sleep we were off again, the only difference was at the end of the day we were back in our own beds! We got home around 7pm, got the kids their baths and put them down. Then we followed suit. And I will say... I don't think I have EVER had a better night's sleep! :) 


Well..... that's our trip in a nutshell. Now it's time to get back to the normal groove of things!! 

 

Without them I wouldn't celebrate today!!

I have to say it: I am so thankful for the children I have been blessed with!!! 
***I write this even as I am almost to the end of my patience rope with Rebekah...***
No matter what they throw at me (literally and figuratively), I will always love each of them beyond measure. 

I guess that is just the sort of unconditional love that is ingrained in a woman that only truly shows itself after they become a mother. And I think it is just fantastic! 

I look forward to all the fun times and learning and memories that we are going to share through the years to come. And I hope that in raising both kids, that they will cherish those memories and hold tight to the lessons & values Ben and I teach.

----{--@   Thank you, God, for making me a Mommy!!   @--}----

In the words of Rebekah....

I have no idea how or where Rebekah comes up with some of the things she says.... but she has a language all her own! For example: 
Eeoheeoh = Pinocchio
Nah-guck = Grammy 
And then there are always the normal words that are just too cute when she says them... like... kiss (kess), or bubbles (bubblsh), or owie (oweeeee) or jacket (ja-kit) and one of my favorites pictures (pik-tres). 

It amazes me how quickly and how many new words she can say every day. It definitely makes talking to her a lot more exciting! 


 And just so I can add a picture to my post... today Rebekah went to spend some time with Meemaw & Bompa (That's her names for my grandma and grandpa). While she was there I went to FBC to help make cinnamon rolls for a youth fundraiser. I made these several years when I was in high school, so it was fun for me to go back and do it again. The only difference was this time I had to pay attention to a little boy sitting in a swing while I worked. :) 
BUT!! don't these look YUMMY!!!?!?! 

Rhinorrhea....

Also known as "runny nose"... Poor Rebekah's nose has been running non-stop for 4 days now. I'm still not sure if it's allergies or a minor cold. Her poor nose and philtrum (for those who don't know, that's the area between the upper lip and the nose) ((gotta love google!)) It's getting so chapped and red. Every time I have to wipe her face she says "owiieee!" ... Oh the joys of motherhood. BUT... other than that, she seems to be completely happy. Who could ask for more!?!  I'm just hoping whatever is going on with her nose, will be gone by the time we leave next week!!!

In other news... Ben has been busy helping the neighbors with projects on the weekends. First he helped our next-door neighbor build a 10x14 shed from scratch. It's done and "Joe" could not be more excited to have his very own "Man Retreat". (LOL) and this past weekend he was at our across-the-street neighbors' making a paver extension to their driveway that way "Helen" doesn't have such a hard time getting her motorized scooter chair on and off the lift behind her car.. and so she doesn't get stuck in the rocks anymore. 

Ben really enjoys being able to use his talents to help others. He said he's thinking about making a goal to do something to help every person on our street. That is quite a big task, but if the need is there he can do it!! :)