Kindergarten

Tonight was a big night for Kinley.  We have been planting seeds of excitement throughout the summer about going to kindergarten. We finally made it to meet the teacher night.  Kinley is not one to outwardly show her emotions, but a mother always knows her child and sees the nervousness in subtle ways. I know the butterflies are there but I'm confident she is going to have a wonderful year.

Kinely and Clara are long time friends from mother's day out.  She was so excited to see her.

Russell and Kinley sorting through school supplies. 

Mrs. Bellows has been teaching for 11 years.  I know she will be the perfect teacher for Kinley. 

Twirling the hair and walking down the great big hallway.  In just a few days my little girl will be a big kindergartner.

Facing my fear

I remember the dread I felt as a child when I had to go to the dentist. It never failed every time I would go they would pull a couple of teeth because my mouth could never keep up. Today I'm thankful for my parents who went the extra mile to make sure their kiddos had the perfect set of teeth. despite the screaming and flailing all the way to the office, my mom persevered through it all.

Things haven’t improved much as I’ve gotten older. I thought my weak- kneed needle days were behind me hence three kiddos later… Nope, I still dread the dentist.

Today was the day of reckoning; I dressed for success in my khaki shorts and even went as far as putting on makeup! As drove toward the office I coached myself the whole way, come on, Diane, you can DO this.

I sat in the dental chair and began my deep breathing. I actually felt pretty calm and collective. No sweat, part of my strategy to remain upright would be to play on my strengths and engage the dental assistant into light conversation. She was so sweet and made me feel a little less uptight.

As the dentist came in the room and started prepping the area, I knew it wouldn't be long. "Ready?" the dentist smiled, "Sure," I responded with an artificial smile silently thinking, I wish I had a fast forward button I could push.

The procedure was a bit tense as the drilling began. I realized it was the sound of the drilling that makes my stomach turn. As soon as that part was over the rest of the visit was a breeze. As the procedure came to the end, kindly the Doctor and assistant asked if I was OK and said with a smile I did a really good job.

I am so embarrassed that it took me almost two years to come back for fillings and yet the whole office humbled them selves enough to let me know I wasn't alone with my fear. There's a lot to be said about empathy. When we need encouragement or hope, nothing is quite as powerful as a word from someone who understands.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.  Proverbs 25:11

This is why I like to postpone trips to the dentist office.

right before the grinding started. look at that terrified face

 this is the before shot right after they finished the drilling and before they did the fillings.

I was glad it was finally over!



Texas heat wave

Ahhh, summer, your making us suffer... I think all of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism. We've had 34 strait days of triple digits and the weather channel's forecast through August 13th shows no day with a high below 102! For the last couple of days we've been cooped up in the house and I've exhausted all of my indoor activities.  Looks like we might be heading to the dollar store in the morning for some cheap entertainment.

After dinner, I decided to ride my bike to starbucks ALONE. As soon as I sat down and took a sip, my troubles of the day seemed to dissolve away. There is something about green tea that makes everything seem a little bit more optimistic!

Some Days...

You know those days when you feel you are on your last leg? Every nerve is frayed? They pushed those buttons that you didn't even know existed and you start believing they have a way of making you feel younger than they are.

Instead of ending the day frustrated, hopeless and discouraged. 

We chose the one less traveled. 

And it made all the difference:) Thanks Market Street Bakery! 

  

Miss Goody Two Shoes!

It's official!!!  My baby girl can tie her own shoe!  I have to admit, I love these milestones…well kind of.  I just feel like here lately it’s all going way too fast for me to comprehend.  And, in less than three weeks she will start school.  My little, carefree, spindly legged baby is growing up.  I feel like I need to hold on to every single second …tear drop, sigh, my heart feels so heavy.

This is the book we just happened to trip upon yesterday that started this down pour of emotions.

well, there you have it! Heart wrenching to watch isn't it?

Life is a three ring circus

We took the girls to the circus last night and had a great time. It was so entertaining to see the thrills of each performance and watch the excitement build as the girls waited for the next big trick. There were a few times even Bailey seemed astonished at the outcome. I can't begin to imagine how much practice and patience goes into making this show flawless and complete. And yet they make it look so easy.
 
After the show, Russell and I jokingly said we should run off and join the circus...Ha! But we concluded that the Marlow circus goes on everyday in our world even if we don’t want to participate. For in our little world, we pretend, perform, balance and juggle many things including trying to be perfect at EVERYTHING. And even some days I would like to get a final applause and curtain drawn like in the outcome of the show and move on...
 
But the saying goes, the show must go on. However, In the midst of this life under the Marlow big top, I am thankful for a God who looks beyond my life’s performance and sees the real me. Underneath the layers of flaws and imperfections and my own personal desire to be extraordinary, I know deep down He loves me not for what I do, but for who I am. His love sees straight to my heart. When it's all said and done, and the last performance is over we should find comfort in knowing Gods approval is the only one that counts! After all isn't He the ultimate ringmaster?

 

 Just clowning around.

 Everyone enjoyed the elephants.

 Pretty amazing, this elephant was holding his weight with his trunk!

A true balancing act!

Here are a few clowns short of a circus...

Cutie Pie!

My sweet baby boy had his 4 month check up today.  He weighs 15 lbs 3 oz and checked out at an A+.  He is the sweetest most layed back little boy.  I don't think God could have given me a more perfect gift. 

Afternoon Date

Neither one of us have family close by to watch the kiddos so going out on dates are pretty rare. This last couple of weeks has been pretty rough around here so getting out ALONE was a much needed break.  I called up a baby sitter and out we went.

 To know him is to love him

  His...

  I can't believe I ate almost the whole thing!

 I cherish these moments we spend together. 

we had to pick up a few items at Sams. 

They say find your peacful place.  So I did.  From the looks of it, I think we need to get out more often...

Ten things that you will never hear me say

1. I wish I had one more diaper to change.
2. Can someone please give me more laundry to fold I am completely caught up.
3. My car is so clean
4. I can't stand one more venti iceed green tea with three splendid
5. Does this outfit make me look too skinny
6. I absoulutely love grocery shopping with my kids, it's such a enjoyable experience.  Especially at the checkout counter when they want to play with everything.
7. Oh no, not another nap!
8. I have an excellent idea, let's load up in the car and go shopping for a new outfit for mommy!
9. I wish my girls would talk more and have more tantrums. 
10. I really wish it were hotter!       

MOPS Steering Team

You are looking at an awesome group of MOPS women;)

We had our over night MOPS retreat this last weekend at Cedar Creek lake.  It was so nice to get away and celebrate our plans for this upcoming MOPS year.  We are all enthusiastic and excited about what God has in store. 

Prayer in Music

Prayer is exhailing the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God. - Edwon Keble

I love music. So many times I come across a song that speaks to the depts of my soul. This song is one of them. He constantly reminds me He will never forsake us or leave us.

Summer Day

Having a splashing good time!

Seized the Day!

I got a ticket last week for an expired inspection sticker. I neglected the process of getting it done because I knew it would be a beating and I kept putting it off. They say there are three kinds of people in this world: The ones who learn by reading. The ones who learn by observation. And the rest of them who have to touch the fire to learn it’s hot. I guess you can figure out which one I am in this situation:) Unfourtunately it was a BIGGER beating and a lesson learned the harder way. 

 My BIG helper.  My sugar pie, gumdrop, lollipop kid.

She had shoes on and in the five minutes we were waiting they went missing.

Your looking at the world's greatest policeman.  He noticed the irratated look on my face and offerd the girls a dumb dumb.  He also gave a lesson in not taking candy from strangers.  Such irony...

Little Patriots

I leave the room for one minute...

A moment in time

We didn’t get fireworks this year. The only snap, crackle, and pop at our house yesterday was when we made our rice crispy treats! We all had fun decorating them though.  Can you guess who the decorator was?

Queen for the day

Saturday was my 32nd birthday! Wow, when did I get so old? I am beginning to notice all of the things everyone warned me about. Little jewels like crow’s feet, grey hair, creaky bones, and a muffin top…deep breath, sigh, Oh wows me… I guess that’s just the way life goes. Despite growing older, it was a wonderful birthday weekend way more than this old woman could ask for.

Friday Holli took the girls and I for cupcakes. During our time together, she took some awesome pictures. She is one amazing photographer and has a wonderful talent for catching the perfect shot. We had a great time!  Here are a few pictures of the weekend celebration!

 

Cute but dangerous!

Sisterly Love

So handsome!

Those eyes... 



So sweet!

I can't get enough of these little people!

 The first picture of me with Colson

This woman is awesome!

We shopped til' they dropped!

This was my birthday present. Biking buddies:)

Sweet Ending...