Date Night

Woo Hoo!  Big thanks to Grandma Jan for watching the girls tonight while Justin and I escape for a much-needed date night.  I'm looking forward to drinking a beverage and eating a meal without two little moochers begging for a taste!  I will certainly miss my little ladies (and will definitely be praying that Quinners will take a bottle without a fuss), but am excited to reconnect with Justin. 

A Just for Fun Summer Giveaway!

The ultra-fabulous Emily of Jones Design Company is hosting a giveaway on her blog (see button at side to enter).  Emily has FANTASTIC style and her home is beautiful.  She always dresses her kiddos so adorably, especially her newest addition!!!  I'd really love to win, but I'd be happy if one of my friends won, too...kinda  =-)

Lessons

"Everyone should be...Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." (Taken from Saturday night's sermon study of James 19, 20)

Justin and I spent Saturday evening at church with Marc and Stacie and their girls.  The message was wonderful and so pertinent to our lives.  I often find myself shushing one of the girls or speaking over my husband or getting so angry about some petty little detail.  During the past few days I have been trying much harder to LISTEN - really listen to what the girls have to say and to be patient.  I'm also trying to really enjoy and BE PRESENT during my time with the girls this summer.  This means I close up the computer, turn off the TV, let the laundry sit (unfolded) in the laundry basket and PLAY.  I realize that I don't do this nearly enough and so I am really trying to make this change.  My girls are too important to be put "on hold" for a silly TV show or facebook post.  Anyhow, this is what I've been thinking about lately....

I hope that you are having a wonderful week!
Tonya

Random bits of goodness

In the past week or so, we've had some good times...and some bad times...let's start with the bad.  The girls (M&E) came down with fevers.  It turns out that they had Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.  Ella had a horrible blister on the tip of her tongue and could not each much more than Jell-O without crying.  She also ended up with blisters on her fingers and feet.  Here are some sicky pics:

And on another bad note, our Evenflo ExerSaucer has been renamed the "Poopersaucer"  (WARNING- poop picture follows)

On a good note, our anniversary was this week and Justin brought home these beautiful roses for me!

And....I have the most beautiful girls!

  

Justin had the past two days off from work, so we have been able to do some really fun things with the girls.  Yesterday, we went to the Groveport Recreation Center and swam.  Maddie is turning into a little fish.  Quinny loved hanging out in the water with Mommy or Daddy and Ella HATED it!  She refused to get in the water and wanted to go home as soon as we went near it!

Today, we had an amazing time at Firefly Play Cafe in Clintonville.  The owners are super friendly, the area is clean and modern, the coffee and snacks are great!  I would ABSOLUTELY recommend this place to mommies with little ones who are looking for a fun indoor play area.  The cost is $5.00 per child (ages 2 and over) and the fun that they will have is totally worth it! 

Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy Anniversary!

Just want to wish my wonderful, kind, loving, sweet, patient (VERY), smart, cute, funny husband a Happy 7th Anniversary (tomorrow)!  I know that we joke around and say that it feels like we've been married forever, but honestly, I can remember just about every detail of our wedding day.  I am truly blessed to have such an amazing man in my life.  Thank you for keeping us happy, safe, loved, and laughing!

 (Photos courtesy of Amy Clark [baby steps studios], July 2009...Oh, and Quinny was in my belly at the time that these photos were taken, so they are pictures of our WHOLE family!)

"I can hear her heartbeat...from a thousand miles, and the heavens open everytime she smiles.  And, when I come to her, that's where I belong, and I run to her like a riversong.  She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love.  She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love."  (Crazy Love ~ Van Morrison)

On a sadder note, both of the older girlios have come down with some sort of virus.  We believe it to be Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.  Maddie has had a fever and sore throat.  Ella has come down with a fever and has a nasty blister on the tip of her tongue.  Get well soon babies!  Mommy hates to see you sick!

Happy Independence Day!

I don't really have much to say except a few words of thanks to those servicemen and women who protect the freedoms that we hold so dear.  We had a busy weekend - cookouts, swimming, ice cream, cupcakes, and lots and lots of fun.  Thanks to Sandi and Derek and Ty and Jess for having us out!  We had such fun!  Here are some pictures of the weekend.

                                                                             *Silly Girls