Asha's Birthday

Tomorrow is Asha's 6th Birthday. Today I brought cupcakes into her class to celebrate. Our whole family got to come into her classroom and be a part of that moment. They sang happy birthday to her, and then went around the room and shared things they liked about Asha. Things were said like: she's so nice, she is fun to play with at recess, she is my best friend, and she plays nicely with me. Very sweet! Today I feel a bit sad though. To think she is six already...where has time gone? One thing I remember about Asha as a little baby was she always loved to be around people. She never liked to be alone (some may have thought she was a bit clingy). That still reflects her personality today. She is very loyal and loving to those around here. She would be a good best friend. Happy Birthday my sweet little (big) girl!

Quote of the day: "I want it to be my birthday!" Lana

Smiling

Things that made me smile today:

*Seeing Jeffrey slide down our long staircase singing "Weeeee" the whole way down (the same stairs he once fell down a few months back).

*Watching Luke smear mud with his hands all over our barbecue grill outside, and then saying to me that he was simply "cleaning the grill".

*Matt showing me that he successfully put new lights up in our bathroom and finished repainting the walls. If you saw our downstairs bathroom before, you would know why this made me smile.

*Making a meal with shrimp that nobody complained about.

*Wearing a new shirt that I got at Value Village for only one dollar. That would make anybody smile!

*Being able to pray for a couple at our church who are in the process of adopting a little boy. Just found out today that he should be coming home with them anytime. Very exciting!

First Steps

Today Jeffrey took his first steps on his own! He is now 15 months old, so we were beginning to wonder when he would begin this process. He walked by himself from me to Matt (we were just a few feet a part), and all the kids were jumping up down, clapping and screaming for him! Jeffrey wasn't quite sure what everyone was so excited about, but he clapped along too. A while back we did go to a special doctor to have them look at Jeffrey's feet (his feet were turned out a bit), but the doctor thought they would be fine and wasn't too concerned. I agree now.... it looks like it won't be long and he'll be walking around the house. Though deep down I'm not too sure I'm ready for him to be doing that! Yikes!

Cute Word Of The Day: "Pupcake" - I love how all my kids say this instead of cupcake, which they had some of last night.

Compliment #2

Tonight at dinner my daughter Asha turned to me and said, "Mommy, your so pretty!" This was a very sweet compliment coming from my almost six year old, but I couldn't quite believe her. For one I hadn't combed my hair all day, I was wearing sweats and an old shirt, and I probably had big bags under my eyes from staying up too late the night before. I know I know....true beauty comes from the heart! But, all I could do was glare at her and say, "what??" Then she looks over at me and says, "Oh, I meant your necklace is pretty." Aren't children so honest? I had to laugh!

Quote of the day: "Before I can go to bed I have to give Jeffrey a hug." - big brother Luke

Compliments

In Asha's kindergarten class they have a compliment chart. Every time a classmate gives someone a compliment they get to put a star on the chart. When it is all filled up they get a treat as a class. What a fun idea! Compliments are great! Especially ones given from the heart. Yesterday someone paid me a compliment. She said that our kids are good and well-disciplined. I chuckled to myself! Though, I thought that was really kind, especially since I have many days that I feel like aliens have overtaken our kids. We all need compliments! They give us encouragement to keep going and hope for the future!

Quote of the day: "When I grow up I want to be a mommy so that I can go shopping." Lana

Spring

Signs of Spring

-My outside thermometer read 62 degrees.

-The kids played outside for hours.

-Jeffrey ate dirt for the first time.

-The parks were packed with kids.

-Flowers were almost bursting to come out.

-Asha was so excited that she didn't have to wear a hat or a coat.

-Actually saw our neighbor outside.

-Kids went to bed tired and full of fresh air.

Ahhhh.....

Quote of the day: "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..." -Jeffrey (all he says when he is on the swing)

Laughter

I love to laugh! Of course, I don't do it as much as I probably should or wish I could. Today though was a laughing day. My kids were just cracking me up right and left. First Asha and I went to the store to get a few groceries. Afterwards we sat outside the store and snacked on some cookies (yes it was nice enough to sit outside). A pigeon kept circling around us doing funny things, and we just laughed and laughed at this silly pigeon and started calling it funny names. Then tonight at the table Luke was telling us really silly stories that didn't really make much sense, but with his facial expressions it was cracking us up. Than Lana lets out one of her funny cackles, and I laughed some more. If only I could laugh like this everyday!

Quote of the day: "With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die." -Abraham Lincoln