Two peas in a pod

Andrew & Teresa are so alike it's crazy.
They have an amazing love for each other & amuse each other without even trying.
Pretty sure she's the best gift he'll ever get.
"I just love Teresa so much, Mom."

Simple Joys

1. drinking icy cold, clean water
2. snuggling with my comfy body pillow
3. Rebecca staying in her bed to nap the FIRST TIME
4. picking fresh vegetables from our garden
5. enjoying low-maitenence, high-support friends

Thank you, God, for such simple joys!

My Not-So-Small Successes

1. At my wise hubby's encouragement I went to bed at the new time-changed hour last night to awaken this morning along with the kiddos and without so much groggy. It worked! As a result I actually had us all fed, dressed, AND rode the bike AND showered before he left for work. That sure starts the day off better! Now we'll see if I can do it two days in a row...

2. I finally, FINALLY finished hemming two stubborn pair of jeans. They were my first attempt at sewing denim and neither I nor my machine were quite prepared for our 3 week adventure...but half a spool of thread, six drops of oil, and lots of restitched stiches later, we made it! I feel like I just climbed a mountain...a mountain I'd be okay with not climbing again. ; )

3. We've established a new routine to make it to my Holy Hour! I've been swapping kiddos with a friend for almost 4 years to make it easier, but schedules have changed. So, my newest neighbor and I are going to give it a whirl. I always do so much better when it's part of "the plan" and someone else is relying on me. It's such an incredibly important hour in my week...here's hoping for success!

Top 5

After finding her this morning in her crib completely out of her pjs AND dirty diaper, both at her ankles with interesting consequences . . . the top 5 ways Rebecca made me smile today:

1. Taking her doll to the window & moving it's hand to wave bye-bye to Daddy this morning

2. An unexpected "eeze" (squeeze) & "Ub you" (Love you)

3. Coming out of their room with a sly grin & an armful of Andrew's underwear . . . just for fun

4. Asking to "hug" the phone when she found out I was talking to baby Jonathan

5. Seeing her with her sleeper on backwards in hopes that we don't have a repeat of last night!

Simple Joys

Simple but oh-so-helpful joys on a way-too-early-started dark & rainy morning:

1. snuggling into a warm new hoodie fresh out of the dryer
2. except for early morning coughs, we seem healthy
3. the invention of easily WASHABLE markers
4. friendly daisies on my counter...for almost 4 weeks!
5. a little acorn shaped plaque from my Grandma's that reads:
"Don't worry if your work is small and your rewards are few.
Remember that the mighty oak was once a NUT like you."

That kind of sums it up. Thank you, Jesus, for today!