Oh how time flies..

Ella September 2008

Chloe September 2008

I was looking over all the pictures of the girls and couldn't help but post a photo of them from a year ago. It still amazes me how quickly time passes, even more faster now that I am a mommy. Lord, please help to treasure each day and to never take anything for granted. Thank you for your many blessings in my life.

"Time passes quickly when you are in love and you can never get enough of the other person."

- Unknown

From here to there...funny things are everywhere

Ella received this book on her first day of preschool from daddy, mommy and Chloe. We began reading it to her every night before laying her down. If you have never read it, it is a rather long book (63 pages to be exact). After almost two weeks of this same nightly routine, she started finishing the sentences of each page before we could (she cannot read yet). So, out of curiosity we decided to see just how much of it she actually knew. To our surprise she recited almost the entire book with just a little help from mommy and daddy. Not even the crazy words of Dr. Seuss can stop her!
Today is gone. Today was fun.
Tomorrow is another one.
Every day,
From here to there,
funny things are everywhere.

Happy Feet!

Ella and I spent the afternoon together while Chloe napped (daddy stayed @ home). I thought it would be fun to get pedicures together...Ella of course, was all for it! I let her pick the color and she was adamant about us have matching toes. Needless to say, I have the brightest toes around. I love having girls to do girly things with!

Ella + Chloe = best friends

Growing up I was blessed with two amazing sisters. I couldn't ask for a better friend. To this day, I know that no matter what, I can always count on them. They are there to share my laughs, my tears and to hold my hand in life's journey. What an incredible blessing.

It brings me so much joy to see the love and friendship that Ella and Chloe already have for each other. Of course there are those times when they just need a break from one another, but they truly love and care about each other. From the moment Chloe made her entrance into the world, Ella has taken on the role of "mommy" to her. She is so patient and protective of her. When we go to the park or play date, you can be sure that Ella will be right by her sister's side making sure that no one gets too close.

Chloe adores her big sister. Every morning when I go to get her from her crib she is already asking for Ella. She makes every effort to keep up with with her and always has to add her two cents to whatever Ella is talking about. It was an adjustment for Chloe once Ella started school, and even though dropping off sister for a few hours has become part of our weekly routine, she still can't stand to leave big sister behind. She usually waits at the door to her class calling her name, just hoping that Ella isn't really going to stay.

I am grateful that my girls have the chance to have the same relationship that I had and still have with my amazing sisters. To Simone and baby J...I love you with all my heart.

"To have a loving relationship with a sister is not simply to have a buddy or a confident -- it is to have a soulmate for life." Victoria Secunda

When will daddy be home?

This has come to be the question of the day for quite some time. My answer is simply, "After daddy fixes the bones". That seems to satisfy Ella for a bit. But in reality it could be anywhere from 5 in the evening to 5 in the morning...it is the inevitable unknown of having a husband/daddy who is a doctor. The girls have adapted very well to this reality, but some nights it is just too hard for them to wait even one second longer...

Often times Barth will call to let me know his eta...placing huge emphasis on "expected". As soon as I tell the girls daddy should be home soon, you will be sure to find them, faces plastered to the window, eagerly watching for his car. This particular night daddy took longer then he thought, so the girls requested the chairs cause their legs were getting tired. Well, daddy did come home and as always, got the best greeting a daddy could ever ask for!

We love you daddy...

The Flower Patch

Meet my new hobby! As all of you mommies know, it is nice to have a little something to do outside of our everyday duties of changing diapers, cleaning up after the kids, making meals, endlessly picking up the toys, disciplining, cleaning the house, laundry, and did I mention cleaning?

My current task...Flower clips! Super feminine and really cute! I put tons of bows and ribbons in Ella and Chloe's hair and it can get expensive, especially when you try to find a matching accessory for all their outfits. I am loving these clips! I have made them in lots of different colors and they are really unique too. The style of clip I am using for these flowers are alligator (great for babies and kids). I am also mounting some on snaps clips as well (ideal for adults). I am looking for a good source for headbands in bulk and will soon be offering those as well.
Ultimately, I would love to utilize the potential of selling these clips to reach others in need. It is my hope and desire to start a little side business and use the proceeds to help support a mission or charity whose goal is to reach people with God's love. At this point, I am trying to determine where to sell these items. Currently I am using my girls' as little models for the clips and getting the word out that way. However, I know that this will only take me so far. Possible ideas are: Internet, boutiques, local farmer's market...I am open to any suggestions! For now I will continue to pray that God will lead the way and either open or close doors for His glory.

All aboard!

Ella wants to be just like daddy

Kisses for mommy

Ella's 1st day of preschool

I am jumping on the blog train...finally! It has been a long time coming and I am looking forward to sharing a glimpse into our lives with all my family and friends! I also hope to never miss another precious moment of my girls and think this will be a fun way to keep track of the never-ending excitement of our day-to-day comings and goings.
A quick recap of where we are today...I am loving my life as a mommy to my precious girls. I never knew beforehand what adventures mommy hood would lead me on, but I love every second of it (yes, even those rough days).

Ella is 3 soon to be 4 and started preschool at the end of August. She loves it!!! Her teacher calls her the "quiet perfectionist". She has tricked everyone at school into thinking that she is shy, but mommy and daddy know better!

Chloe is 18 months today and has quite the personality. She is both sassy and sweet...definitely more sassy! She knows exactly what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. No locks, zippers, child-safe/proof mechanisms will keep her out. She never seems to stop. That being said, she is a mommy's girl and I LOVE it!!

Barth is in his last year of residency..I really thought it would never come! Although the journey has been long one, I am extremely proud of him. In less than a year from now we will be relocating for a year to USC! Barth will complete and upper extremity/hand fellowship and from there we will see where God wants us!