Lily's Sleep Chart

Quite the day today....Friday the 13th for sure!!

A new plan to keep our bedtime and morning routines a little less hectic.

4 promises Lily made to me and each day she is succesful, a pick from the treat tin!

Thanks for the great idea Erin!

Thoughts

i am: known as Irene (also called Rene by Jeff and my sister) or Mommy
i think: i can do anything with Jeff by my side
i know: my children are my greatest accomplishment
i want: Jeff to have a safe deployment
i have: a wonderful husband and 2 happy children
i wish: my family was closer, there were 6 more hours in every day, my sister could get some peace, Lily and Em would nap every day with no struggling, Jeff was home right now
i miss: my family being together for dinner every night
i hate: intolerance, bugs, selfishness, clutter, deployments
i fear: something bad will happen to the people I love
i feel: that most people are inherently good
i hear: the Olympics on TV and a quiet house
i smell: fresh flowers
i crave: sweets....always
i search: for self acceptance
i wonder: about friends I have lost touch with
i regret: some decisions I have made, although I have learned from them
i love: hidden love notes, organization, time with family & friends, sincerity, thoughtfulness, the feeling after I exercise, watching my children grow, photography and scrapbooking, creativity, orange tick tacks, adult conversation, new blog comments, being outside, candle light, great Mom days, Grey's Anatomy, solid friendships, bubble baths, Christmas, warm chocolate chip cookies, being in the water on a hot summer day, hearing my girls say I love you, sleeping in, travelling, living in Europe, a clean house, cuddling on the couch with Jeff, pedicures, being inspired by other blogs....
i care: about my family, contributing to society
i always: say I love you
i am not: always right
i believe: in God and the goodness of others
i dance: with the girls to fun kids music almost every day
i sing: in the car
i don’t: always know the right way to say things, but I usually mean well
i write: on my blog
i win: when I see the situation for what it truly is
i lose: when I can't keep my cool
i never: stop thinking about how blessed I am
i listen: when confided in
i can usually be found: with my girls
i am scared: of heights
i need: a little time just for me every day
i am happy about: being a Mom and wife

Your turn....leave me a comment when you post your answers! THANKS for the inspiration Bernie!

Counterproductive

WHAT I WAS DOING......

WHAT THEY WERE DOING!

It's a true miracle I can get anything clean in my house!

Thoughts

I have no pictures to post of our fun filled family weekend, just my thoughts. We had a busy weekend as usual. We tried to squeeze in as many family activities as possible around Jeff's work schedule, all while catching up on outside (and a few inside) chores that I didn't get done during the week.

Saturday was an all day pool party at our neighbor's house, Jill and Rob. They have a pool and an amazing deck for hosting. We had great food and enjoyed getting to know all our neighbors. Lily was a complete FISH! We recently bought her a life jacket and she has instantly become fearless in the water. She swam for almost 3 hours straight. Around 7:30 we were packing up the kids and our neighbors daughter, Emma offered to babysit the girls so we could stay and enjoying some adult time. Jeff and I of course rushed home and put the girls to bed. They fell asleep in minutes. Then Emma arrived and we were off across the street to sit in the hot tub and enjoy a few drinks. It was truly a relaxing night. It was so nice to get to know all our neighbors. It makes me feel much more comfortable about Jeff leaving, knowing all the people that share our street. They all offered ( in one way or another) to help while Jeff is away. I'll also have lots of people keeping an eye on us. This is the first place we have lived that we are friends with all our neighbors. There is a real community spirit here, everyone looks after one another and there are just kids everywhere!

After Jeff got out of work on Sunday, we spent the afternoon at Ocean Breeze Waterpark. The kids love it there and Jeff and I love taking them. This time we actually spent more time in the adult pool, wave pool and larger slides. Lily is making SO much progress in the water. She even went under several times (a few by herself). Jeff and I took turns riding a few of the fast slides and we of course devoured some Coldstone ice cream.

I guess I wanted to journal this because all weekend I really made a point to slow down and enjoy the time with my family. When the four of us are together I feel so complete and happy. It's going to be really difficult when Jeff deploys. He is such an amazing Dad and husband. I always feel like we're a great team and can do anything with the kids when we're together. It's a feeling that is so hard to describe, happiness isn't even the right word. There will be such a void when he's gone. Although I am savoring this happiness, there is a looming sadness. I know in a few short months there will be no more Daddy weekends (albeit they are short right now, we still have him a little). Six months is truly going to feel like an eternity with out Jeff here. He'll miss so much with the girls and we'll miss him so much! So... no pictures this weekend. I just completely absorbed the time with my amazing family. I love you Lily, Emma and Jeff. I feel blessed and complete to be living the role as Mom and wife to the three of you. I am already wishing away this deployment so we can pick up where we are leaving off... just happy being together.

It's a Good Day When...

• I can sleep past 7 a.m.
• I get a break from being a referee
• I get a cheerful call from my sister
• I can talk to my friends or family with out Lily harassing me to play
• Emma takes two long naps
• Lily has school
• I can take a peaceful walk with the girls and Kastor
• LILY NAPS
• I can go to the gym
• I get dessert
• Lily and/or Emma learns something new
• Jeff gets home early
• I get to blog
• My laundry is done and the house is some what clean
• I get a shower before lunch
• The kids don't watch too much TV
• We have a healthy, peaceful dinner as a family
• I get a magazine in the mail
• Emma doesn't wake for a 3 am feeding
• We are all together

Attention Moms

Just wanted to share this new find with you all. My friend Erin introduced me to the best alternative to those messy biter biscuits. They are called "Baby Mum Mum" and you can find them at your local Walmart. They're similar to the Gerber Puffs as they dissolve very easily. Emma loves them and I love the easy clean up. Just wanted to share this product with my fellow Moms. Anything that makes my day a little easier is always appreciated. Thanks Erin!