More Spring MOM

How creative and kind of God to give us the changing seasons ! I love this time of year waking up to the sunrise and the birds chirping. The air is crisp but not cold and by afternoon the sun feels so great on my skin. I want to be outside all the time. I have been trimming trees, weeding, picking fruit, hiking and lots of morning walks. Awe Spring time! There is something to love in each season but I would have to say this is my favorite with everything blooming and the perfect weather. I want to enjoy each and every one of these days to their fullest they will past quickly! Hope all my girls are enjoying this season too!

Spring!--Nicole

The best time of the year. I break out the flip flops, we grill, we make iced tea, and my girls get to wear rompers and sun dresses. Walks do not require socks, shoes, hats, jackets, blankets (I know we live in Cali, but we're cold wimps!) The days start to get longer, then really long thanks to the jolt from daylight savings. And the best part: flowers. EVERYWHERE!! It's been my attempt to bring my camera on some of our park days and walks to capture some of Sierra Madre's beauty this time of year, but well, it hasn't happened. You'll just have to settle with these which were taken at the "Flower Place." Also known as the empty lot (yes those actually exist in LA) across the street from us which is covered in pretty yellow flowers and has a big pile of sand in the middle. Needless to say, Lyla LOVES this place! We've been spending many of our mornings hanging out here especially since it's just across the street and we can jet back home to go "potty" since yes, we are in that training time. Dresses aren't just for looks, they also make this chore much easier! Hope you're enjoying spring!

It's SPRING!!! ~Timarie

I don't love that it's getting warmer but I do love that it is SPRING!!! Our hike with Uncle Steve last Monday was fantabulous! I think it may have been the hardest hike I've ever been on... not that I hike that much, and not that it was that long, but it was just 5 miles of climbing upwards and then 5 miles back of feeling like you were going to fall over forwards, and my calves were screaming for the 3 days following :) But it was a blast! Dad, Jon, Erik from church, Uncle Steve, and I (Veteran girl on the family adventures) all went and we had a good time together!!! And of course, only Uncle Steve would bring beer, chips, and salsa in an ice chest for the end of the hike! Such a good reward! :) I had a blast and totally got a tan too! okay, so the warmer weather is not BAD, I just like the cold...

Where have the days of cheap toothbrushes gone??? ~Timarie

So I go to the dentist every 6 months and they always give you a new toothbrush and my dentist finishes cleaning my teeth and gets to the "hand me the new toothbrush and say goodbye part" and instead he says "sorry we are out of toothbrushes"... FOR THE LOVE...YOU ARE A DENTIST OFFICE... anyways, so I treck over to Target to pick one up like no big deal, and did you know TOOTHBRUSHES are like $4-$7 now!!! I mean some plastic and bristles, REALLY??? I understand the automatic ones, or action packed crazy ones, but just a NORMAL TOOTHBRUSH... like HELLO where is the $ section when you need it!?!?!?! I even checked Walmart tonight, and still the cheapest one was $2.50... seriously, ridiculous if you ask me!!!

Where Have All The Sippy Cups Gone?--Nicole

I seriously buy like 2 every time I go to Walmart, never throw one away and yet can never find one when Lyla needs a drink. And to make matters worse, now Georgie uses one too. I mean seriously, is there like a hole in my house where all these cups escape to in order to have one giant sippie cup party?

What mom has been up to!

Spring is in the air here in Tucson and it's hard to stay inside. Here are a few things I have been doing the last few weeks! Lots of walking ,hiking and gardening. The rain has made everything grow. the orange poppies at Picacho Peak are gorgeous this year!

To My Women of Dominion-MOM

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before us Him endured the cross , despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:2-3

What encouragement to my hardworking, self-sacrificing mommies. I am so proud of you as you daily devote your lives to loving your husbands and caring for and training your precious little treasures. I pray that you are strengthened each day by God's word and that you will not grow weary. What joy you bring to me and daddy as we hear and see of your hard work and the fruits of your labor. "So in the meantime, good and faithful mommies who are taking the rugged path of selfless obedience walk with your head held high, for you are stepping in His noble footprints. Be assured. They lead to rich joy and everlasting glory." Womanly Dominion

Praying - becky*

I've been learning a lot about praying lately. Seems like praying like a child is the best route to go. Real. Honest. Whatever comes to mind.

Drew's prayer this morning....

Thank you for Bella's happy heart.

Thank you for my Jesus book.

Thank you that my blankie isn't lost.

Thank you that my mom is beautiful (I'm not making this up! I almost cried :) )

Thank you for Nora's park, please help us not to die there.

Amen.

I have a lot to learn from these cute people that I pray with every morning....

Daddy Days - becky*

Matt is super-dad. He does the coolest stuff with our kids on the days that he has them. I'm always excited to come home and hear what cool (and usually free unlike my big ideas haha) thing they did while I was gone.

Typical days involve free cookies for breakfast at A.J's, the dinosaur park (a.k.a. the riparian preserve), the library, home depot, free kids meals at "Chicken and Play" (a.k.a. chick-fil-a) and long bike ride.

Some days they toss it up, like last Saturday when a kind couple in our church let the kids come ride their ponies. One thing daddy doesn't do: hair, look at my ragamuffin! :) so cute.

A couple of weeks ago we were on our way to a wedding in Matt's truck and I spilled something on my dress. He reached into the basket behind his seat and pulled out a pack of baby wipes and handed me one, so cute. Pink pull-ups and wipes in the work truck :)

Amongst the many reason I love Trader Joe's=The Daffodils ~Timarie

So you simply CANNOT go into Trader Joe's during this season without buying their $1.29 Daffodils!!! It's just a MUST! They start out so as 8 small little buds but within 3 days they are bright and bursting with color blooms that fill up a vase! They pretty much make me smile every time I walk by! They are absolutely delightful! It's such a simple little joy in my life... but just one of the hundred and one reasons why I LOVE Spring!!! They also make a wonderful little "just because" gift for someone! I used to always bring them to Mrs. Abrams... Today it was Tori when I stopped over at her place! So fun!

Next time you are there... don't leave without some! ~Timarie

Our Valentine's Trip--Nicole

Each year (near Valentine's) Jonathan and I take a weekend trip with our dear friends Stephen and Karen--and only them...no kids! We alternate which couple plans the trip--this year was our fourth year and our turn to plan. We decided to go to a place we'd already been (a first for our group) San Diego. Who doesn't LOVE San Diego, seriously, it's like the perfect city I think.

We had tons of fun doing what we love best: talking and eating. Well, we did make it to Balboa Park for a day and the beach, but mostly we just ate and talked and relaxed. I slept 10 hours the first night! That was as much as my last two night put together! When we weren't hanging with Stephen and Karen Jonathan and I had a really nice time just enjoying each other's company without two little squeakers in the picture.

Definitely enjoyed this weekend more

now that I have kids, but was definitely ready to get back to them as well. They enjoyed their weekend with grandma thoroughly. (The day after we got back I gave Lyla a snack of pretzels and she told me, "Grandma gives me cookies.") So thanks Grandma. :) Thanks Jonathan for working hard so we can have vacations and thanks Stephen and Karen for starting this tradition with us...until next year!