The Love Dare

I have been taking The Love Dare as featured in the movie "Fireproof" for 24 days now. The results are amazing. The first half was rough, but I hit a certain point in the book and everything began changing for B and I, and now he has started from the beginning and is taking the dare with me. I challenged my closest married friends to take it with me and started a blog to give them their dares.

In the last week even though we have been faced with the same amount of stress (and as little sleep) as any other week, our house has been peaceful and content. Since we have had such an amazing experience, I wanted to open it to everyone who reads about us. Check it out!

My Love Dare

P.s. You need to start from Day 1

Are they twins?

More often than not, when we take the girls out now we are asked if they are twins. My OB told me this would happen. He has children 18 months apart and says that the older will slow in growth, allowing the other to catch up. To people just observing, they will appear to be the same in age. E is still a couple inches taller than Isabel (less of a difference than the photo above taken in October), but today we were sitting down to lunch and a nice lady asked if they were twins. B said "Well, they are Irish twins!". Then she remarked how much they look alike. Yes, but two children couldn't be more different! She also asked if we felt they looked more like me, because the eyes are mine. Hmmmmm, I've heard it all now! They look like B, they look like me, they look like my mom...we've heard it all!

I can't help but think to myself that it would be much easier to answer the question affirmatively. Then I wouldn't have to go into detailed explanations of how they are 10 1/2 months apart, and the obvious retort that follows.

I also can't help but imagine that it would have been easier with twins. I know you think I am crazy now, but I HATED being pregnant. And nursing was rewarding, but not always enjoyable. All that could have been knocked out with one shot if they had been twins. Also, yesterday Iz got this crazy idea that she didn't need diapers anymore. Naturally E had to follow. I set out the potty thinking "wow if they do this together, I won't have to do it twice". They didn't bite. They peed on my floor twice and went through 4 pairs of panties before I held them down and forced the diapers on them.

Ahhhh parenthood!

Kids say the darndest things

Let's just say that E is really coming out of her shell lately. This is great....for her, but has put us in some embarrassing situations. Luckily so far, the people have just laughed with us and her. Let's hope it stays that way.

All of these happened this past Saturday:

1. A young African-American man came up to our door selling magazines. I kindly told him we were not interested. As he persisted to sell them, E (hugging my leg for dear life) asked in a loud voice "Mommy. Is that Obala?"

I think she meant Obama....

2. At dinner the same night she saw two teenage girls walk in with their mom and sit down. Pointing she replied in a very loud voice "Mommy, I love her shoes!!!!"

3. A few minutes later she leaned over to the table behind us where a lovely couple was enjoying dinner. When the husband got up to refill their drinks she asked (again in a loud voice) "Where did her daddy go?" Thank goodness it is a couple we sort of know from church, and she thought it was funny!

Paul Revere

J had his Open House at school last night. Something his school does that's a lot of fun is the 3rd grade living historty museum. Each 3rd grader picks a famous person in history and des a report on them. Then at OH, they dress up like that person and visitors can visit with them and learn about these amazing people. J had originally picked Les Stroud, but at the last minute decided he wants someone who was actually "historical", so he settled with Paul Revere.

He was shy, as to be expected with J, but did a great job.

Random photos from the weekend

E ready for church

J and B roasted marshmallows on Saturday...
It was his first time apparently. What ever happened to camp?
No that is not fire in the foreground...that's the dog lurking for any marshmallow victims

Ballet class- take 3

She's a natural!

Learning steps for recital.

I'm a big kid now!

E's new fashion sense.

Everything has to be worn with some sort of tights.

This is her retro 80's look. We can't get the bangs to stay up though.

She has also made it her mission to rescue any bugs from the house and send them outside to see their mommys and daddys.

How does your hair behave in humid weather?

Today was miserably humid. I can actually complain about this because for the last week, our A/C has been out. Our house has averaged 50% humidity and today went as high as 60%. Not good for early music instruments, or hair. Luckily the unit was replaced today. The crew was here for 11 hours rezoning and changing out the unit. Now our upstairs and downstairs can cool at separate times. That will save SO much money in both summer and winter! I'm actually excited to try out the heater tomorrow! LOL

So the girls and I had to get out of the house. We stayed at my parents house most of the day so the girls could nap. When we got there they asked to take a bath, so I obliged. I combed E's hair straight and didn't bother to dry it. This was the result! Don't you wish your hair would look like this with no effort?

Wonderful weekend away

I was blessed with the opportunity to go away on a women's retreat with a group of ladies in my church called the Daughters of the King (DOK). They are a fabulous group of women and I have always wanted to join, but have not had the chance to make the timing work yet. Unfortunately, the reason I was able to go is that one of my friends was ill this weekend and could not attend. She was missed terribly. We went to a beautiful place in East Texas called the Selah Inn. It is a GORGEOUS home! We stayed in jammies in front of the fire and had a relaxing, peaceful time.

And a HUGE thanks to Brad who dropped everything he was able to take care of the girls at the last minute so I could attend. His support was amazing! I felt that God had a reason for wanting me there, so I did a lot of soul searching in my "free" time. I know...a mom with free time....what's that like?



We had a presentation on the book above: Praying in Color. If you are easily distracted in your prayers, like me, this is a book for you. It spoke directly to me: one who falls asleep when praying, forgets who to pray for, or for whom I have already prayed, gets frustrated, and just stops. I have not personally read the book, but I plan on it! I started doodling and humming and things started flowing much easier. My only problem....hiding all the art supplies from J!