Since when is it okay to...

• use your hands to mash green beans into a messy pulp and then wave your arms in the air?
• cut pictures out of my magazine before I have a chance to read it?
• run away from me after a bath and hide behind the curtains in the nudey?
• call Mommy "Princess Poop"?
• lick the top of the salt and pepper shakers?
• draw on your arms and legs with markers?
• pour the whole contents of the peanut jar on the carpet?

Ahhhh, yes! Life with little girls continues....

Life With Little Girls

Some days the demands of potty-training, laundry, sticky floors, endless bickering and interrupted sleep get the best of me. Other days, I just have to laugh and take a minute to write down the funny things that were done or said. Here are a few:

1. I finally got around to hanging some pictures on the walls of our house last week. After months of staring at blank walls, I could tell that Sierra was concerned. I asked her what was wrong. She gave me her honest answer, "Mom, you're just junkin' up the house."
2. Sierra often approaches the dinner table with skepticism. When she saw that I had made chicken and broccoli divan she immediately turned up her nose. Ally, on the other hand, perked up as soon as she smelled the curry. Pointing to the little green things on her plate, Ally said, "What 'dis, Mom?" "It's broccoli," I replied. With a sweet smile on her face she said, "MMMM...tank you, Mommy, for da brocci." How many 2 year olds do you know that are grateful for broccoli?!
3. Both Sierra and Ally like to make silly faces at each other to see who can make the other one laugh the hardest. After several minutes of side-splitting laughter, Sierra said, "That was so funny that it made me heart go all the way up to my head." I know the feeling!
4. Before the girls fall asleep at night, I usually pray, tell them a story and sing a few songs. A couple of nights ago Ally sat up in bed and said, "Here you go, Mommy." I thought that maybe I had forgotten to take out her hair clip or maybe she was going to give me a big kiss. Instead, she handed me a slimy booger that she had just picked out of her nose. ICK!

So maybe that's not all that funny to you...but it's what makes staying home with two little girls SOOOO VERY WORTH IT to me. I love being with them from the minute they wake up with their horrible dragon-breath in the morning until they can barely keep their eyes open for the last bedtime story.

Potty Training 101.


Ally gives herself a thumbs-up for the tower they built.

Art in the Park

Still a princess.

Pray for Reese

I just read a sad update from some of our college friends in California. Last October, Todd and Ashley Kostjuk welcomed their third child into the world - sweet Reese Renee. They knew ahead of time that her life would be difficult and full of physical trials. She has spent every day of her life in the hospital and has undergone several difficult surgeries and procedures. Todd and Ashley have maintained an incredible testimony through all of this. A few weeks ago they were receiving training and hopeful that they would be able to bring Reese home. Sadly, things have taken a turn for the worse in the last couple of days. Reese is battling an infection that is threatening to take her life. You can read more about it here. Please pray for Reese's comfort and for divine wisdom and strength for the family as they make difficult decisions in the coming days. I'm sure that Todd and Ashley would appreciate knowing that they have your support in prayer.

The Amazin' Grace Race!

The youth group at our church runs a mock version of the Amazing Race on several consecutive Wednesday nights at the end of each summer. Last night was the grand finale. Over the course of the last three weeks, the Jr. High girls' team and I have come in last or second-to-last place each time...BUT WE'VE HAD FUN!!! The staff does a fantastic job of putting together the clues and challenges. Just to give you an idea, we've had to: wash a car, eat a watermelon, balance atop giant spools, blow up balloons, melt ice, complete a picture scavenger hunt, shop at Albertsons, build a fort, toss frisbees into a small target, locate historic buildings, etc. Each evening ended with a testimony and/or devotional about God's amazing grace. (Get the play on words?!)

Even though we may not have been at the top of the pack, the girls and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and learned a lot about each other. For example: These girls can rock out! Emily L. likes to go first and read the directions later. Quinn knows a lot of the back roads around town and where all the drug-busts happen. Gabi and Kierstin can ham it up in front of the camera. And Emily D. and I DON'T LIKE TO RUN!!! Thanks for all the laughs, ladies.

The girls are ready to puke after running around with tummies full of pizza and warm black cherry soda:

A team snap-shot at the base of the Meridian water tower:
A bunch of posers at the post office:

Art in the Park

If you live in the Boise area and you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, we suggest going over to Julia Davis Park for Art in the Park. The girls love the kid's craft tent and it's fun to walk around and see the different vendors. Plus, it's FREE! That is, if you don't plan to eat any delicious mini-donuts or take home a knick-knack or two. Addmission to the art museum is also free all weekend.

Hither, Thither and Yon

This Labor Day weekend felt like our last big summer hurrah! The cooler weather certainly reminded us that fall is just around the corner. We packed in all sorts of fun activities and made the most of every minute together.

Friday evening we joined several friends from MFBC at the Hawks' Stadium in Boise for a tailgate party, baseball game and fireworks show. We got to sit next to Pastor Randy... that's Grandpa to us. Ally was terrified of the "chicken" (Hawk mascot) and the noisy fireworks, but it was a good time just the same. I got such a kick out of watching Sierra belt out "Take me out to the ballgame..." at the top of her lungs.

On Saturday we took the girls over to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch and then did a little shopping at Tuesday Morning. Here is Ally modeling some good buys: $4.75 swimsuit for Sierra and $9.99 rain boots for Ally...plus the free Hawks helmet from the day before. Silly girl wore this outfit all afternoon.

After church on Sunday morning we drove up to Garden Valley. Chuck and Missy were already at the cabin and Mom and Dad joined us after the evening service at church. We took several nice walks, rode the motorcycle, had a bonfire, threw pine cones, picked and planted ferns, played games, ate meals outside, and had an all-around perfect time. (Except for the fact that the Becks weren't there.)

Week in Review

This has been a stay-at-home week for the most part...but it was a busy one. I am happy to announce that my house is clean enough to welcome the queen of England. The girls enjoyed playing in the yard while I washed windows, organized closets, dusted base-boards, etc. (It's depressing to think that it won't stay this way for long.)

Last weekend we discovered Powell's Sweet Shoppe in Boise. Chuck and Missy had invited us to spend the day with them on Saturday and took us on a quick detour before heading to the river to play. The girls enjoyed picking out some candy that you can't find at WalMart and the adults enjoyed all the oldies-but-goodies. Yummy!

The highlight of the week was a visit from our good friends Phil and Jen Champlin who now live in Spokane. Marc and Phil were friends at Oakmont High in Roseville, CA. God used Phil to lead Marc to the Lord when he was a senior in high school. Although we stay in contact, we hadn't seen each other in almost 5 years. It was great fun to introduce our kiddos to each other and spend an evening together. It was just too short!

Sierra comforts Ally during a "scary" scene in Dumbo.

Whose idea was it to let the girls use oil paints?!?!

Grandpa's Girls. (Poor Annie!)

Kid in a candy shop.

The Champlin/Mouser crew at Chateau Park.

Second generation friends: Sierra and Lauren.

Dear friends, Phil & Jen, Lauren, Dan and Drew.