Catching up

Boy I feel so out of the loop. I didn't realize so much time had passed since my last post...I apologize! I got some comments from the last post that I enjoyed. It is always fun to know that people are actually looking at your posts.

Marcy...I'm glad that you can keep up with us this way and you can always call. You know me and that I will just tell you if I am busy and try to call you at another time. Don't be afraid!

Lisa...running in Chicago sounds great! I wish that I could enjoy the cool air here and it would be just perfect. I have been getting up and leaving the house before 6am and the temps are already 80+. I come home completely drenched and it is so humid I can barely breathe. I look forward to the fall/winter so I can be out more but am totally blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the country where I can run almost every day of the year! Where do you run in IN? I am going to be visiting next week and am already anxious about where/when to run. Also the Echincea brand is "Herbs for Kids". My sister has a link to their website on her blog. I just purchase it locally but she gets it for the same price online.

Susie...I will never get tired of your comments! I love hearing from you. Thanks for the warning about the bugs. Hopefully they will subside some before we arrive but I will definitely be trying the Listerine if not. Let me know if you get a chance to try it out.

Now for our week:

There was no preschool or VBS this week so I was a little worried about what we would do all week but apparently we found something to do because I don't remember being bored. Tuesday Tonya, Lily & Ivy came over for a play date. The girls enjoyed to swing set and then we had a snack. They had so much fun. It is so cute to watch them play. Molly and Lily totally play together and Roz & Ivy could care less about each other. They are too busy doing their own things. Its funny how things change as they age.

Apparently sometime this week we did manicure/pedicures because I took a picture of everyones toes...

The girls think that playing beauty shop is so fun and I have to admit that I like it too! One day they will hopefully be able to pamper me too!

Thursday I worked most of the day. Ryan stayed home with the kids. His work has been slowly but surely disappearing. Customers can no longer find the funds for extras and so they tend to cut us out. Praise the Lord that my business seems to be growing! I got another job on Thursday that will really help out. God is good and always provides us just what we need when we need it! I think that he does this to continually build our faith...it is working.

Thursday night Molly and Ryan went to the baseball game for dollar night. Roz would have been a mess so her and I went on a bike ride instead. It was nice, the weather had been cloudy all day so it was only around 84 and we didn't have to sweat the entire ride.

Then came Friday...what a day! It started out harmless enough with a little yard work and playing outside then in the house for naps and a shower for me. We planned to do Chic-fil-A for lunch with Ryan then a little shopping for our trip. Roz slept longer than usual and when she got up we headed to Chic-fil-A starving to death. About a half mile from home a man told me that I had a flat tire so I pulled over and sure enough it was completely flat. I could see the screw in it and so I called Ryan. He said that we should stay put and he would be there to help in 20 minutes. I thought we might die of starvation but don't worry we all survived the wait. I gave Roz her drink to hold her over and apparently she drank it too fast because it wasn't long until Molly was knocking on the window of the car saying "Rozy threw up!". It wasn't that bad but she did do a good job of getting it all in her car seat. So Ryan put the spare on and we had to change our plans from lunch at Renita's and shopping to lunch at home. In the middle of the chaos my boss called and needed me to come to work ASAP. Luckily I had time to catch a bite first and then spent the rest of the afternoon working (Ryan stayed with the kids again...what good daddy he is!). We then had small group last night and didn't get home until late. Did I mention that the tire did get fixed and put back on so I didn't have to drive on a donut? Ryan is so quick to fix those things...a good husband too!

I think that I forgot to say that somewhere in there, I think it was Tuesday night, I decided to put the girls back in the same bedroom at night. They had been sleeping in separate rooms at night since the early fall when someone got sick and kept the other one up (I can't even remember who). It was a total fiasco at first but they had so much fun that I couldn't even think of separating them. Once they fell asleep they slept well and even slept in a little...a miracle in itself! We decided that was a good thing so we took down the extra crib and things have been going great. They think it is like a slumber party every night and even ask to take naps together now. It is amazing how close they are already! I hope that continues....

Here is a video that I took yesterday as we were getting ready for small group. The girls play so good together but I sometimes wonder what the neighbors think. Check it out for yourselves.

Until next time....

Warning...no pictures

Well I don't have any pictures to post but I couldn't resist writing anyway. We had a great time on our date Saturday and of course spent all of our gift certificate. It was really nice just being together as a couple again...I sometimes forget that is what started this whole journey in the first place. I am such a hopeless romantic and talking about our earlier years always makes me giddy. Ryan would never admit it but I think a little part of him likes to reminisce too.

Speaking of Ryan I have been wanting to post about him for awhile but always get wrapped up in what the girls are doing that I forget. He is so cute/funny about this blog. At first I didn't even want to tell him about it because I figured he would think it was crazy...and he sorta did. He wouldn't admit it now but he is completely hooked. He is constantly checking our counter and wanting to see who all cares what is going on in our lives enough to visit the page. He encourages me to take pictures and video for "blogging material" all the time and secretly enjoys reading and visiting my new blog friends sites too. He is so cute!

Well I guess I should be getting to bed. I am planning to run in the morning before Ryan heads to work and the girls start another busy day. We are having Tonya, Lily & Ivy over in the morning for playtime so it should be interesting at the least.

By the way, our girls started coming down with the sniffles a few days ago and I loaded them up with Echinacea with wonderful results yet again. Anybody that had trouble keeping their kids healthy I would highly recommend it. It has done wonders for us! I am hitting the airborne for the next couple of days as a precaution and will be doing some things to keep everyone healthy pre-vacation this week. I would love using natural products so any recommendations are always welcome!

Last but certainly not least I am so excited to say that my sister Shawna is expecting a new baby next year. We are all so excited for her & Mark and look forward to meeting the newest member of our clan. Anyone want to take bets on the chances of a boy coming along?

Until next time...

parties, practice & preforming....

I couldn't resist posting some pictures and videos from the last couple of days. Thursday evening we went to Lily's birthday party and it was so much fun. Lily has been a great friend to Molly the last year and a half and we are becoming really good friends with her parents and little sis as well. Molly and Lily are about 2 months apart in age and Roz and Ivy are about 3 months apart so we get along really well and tend to be going through the exact same things which gives us tons in common. They are super nice people inviting us to lots of activities and events and we have really grown to appreciate them and their extended family over the past year. Lily's actual birthday is today (Saturday) so happy birthday Lily!!
Friday was the last day of VBS at Molly's Preschool so afterwards Maddi joined us for lunch, swimming and swinging. The girls had fun practicing for their finale on friday night and then enjoyed some popcicles in the playhouse. Maddi's cousin Tonya helped me keep track of all the kidos so that no one drowned in the little pool and then enjoyed a popcicle with the rest of us. Roz was having a bad hair day after the swimming...we can't wait for Amber Jo's arrival so that we can get a good cut for her. This video is of the girls practicing their song.




Then friday night was the big VBS finale. The girls had a blast singing and dancing and I caught a little bit on video. I was sitting behind them, as you will be able to tell, so unfortunately I couldn't get their faces. Roz was a mess the whole time wanting to join the big girls so for the last song we let her escape. She was so cute just standing there watching her big sis. They love each other so much.




Ryan and I are planning a much needed date for tonight. We are heading out to Stonewood Grill with a free appetizer and $50 gift card all for giving blood. There is this League of Donors here at Suncoast Communities Bloodbank and every time you give blood you get a stamp. After 2 stamps you get a free appetizer and after 3 stamps you get a $25 gift card at Stonewood Grill & Tavern. We used one appetizer card for my birthday and now we are going to use the rest of the goodies. It is a really good deal since we like to give blood anyway. It saves lives right ;)

And just a little update on my new committment to 'savor every moment' with the girls...things have been going good. I have taken more time to play and less time to work and the girls seem to be enjoying it. I feel good about what I am doing and less guilty about missing out. I know it will have to be an ongoing thing that I will remind myself of but I feel just a little closer to being the mom that God wants me to be (althought I know that I will always be a work-in-progress). I am tuned into his still small voice a little better and want to continue on the right path. Thanks for your encouragement!

Until next time....

stages....

I know that I go through these stages often but I have lately been feeling like I have not taken advantage of this time in my life by always wishing for tomorrow. The girls are doing so much fun and cute stuff and I think that I am so selfish wishing for easier, less stressful times to come (as if they ever do). I have really made a commitment in the last few days to enjoy them today and in all the stages they go through. I want to be more patient with them and spend some quality time with them instead of thinking that the quantity of time I spend with them is sufficient. I guess I am posting this to make it more 'official'. I am putting it out there so that I can hold myself more accountable knowing that I have now told the whole blog world my big step. Motherhood has been such a roller coaster ride for me, nothing like I expected or anticipated and unexpected experiences around every corner. I want to be the best mom that I can and with God's guidance and help I know I can improve on my past performance. Thank you to all those mom's out there who have given me inspiration through your blogs.

Tonite I was posting a few new songs to the blog and Molly got out her dress up clothes to dance. I couldn't resist the video so here it is. Also aunt Renita said that she loves the videos on here and so this one is for her.



Also, tonite after baths and before bed I was singing Roz a couple of songs with Molly's help. I sang 'Jesus loves the little Children' and afterward Molly looked a little confused. The song has that line 'red, brown, yellow, black & white; they are precious in his sight' and she said that she knew Jesus loved her too, but wanted to know why 'peach' wasn't listed. It was so innocent and cute. I explained to her that her color was white and that Jesus did indeed love her but I could tell she wasn't exactly satisfied...her brain is constantly working! She is definitely the scholarly type! Bless her heart...

Until next time...

flowers, fathers & faces

I have so many pictures to post so I guess I will get started. I am posting a slideshow again so I will try and explain. I couldn't get the slideshow in the post so it is on the side listed as 'Father's Day 08'. The first pictures are of Molly and some flowers that we have out back. I transplanted that hibiscus plant from the front and basically butchered it in the process. I didn't dream that it would live but it must be pretty hardy. I thought that the blooms were gorgeous so I couldn't resist taking the pics. The other flowers are zinnias that my aunt Karla sent as seeds for Molly. She is super proud of them and they are really doing well...thanks Karla!

Sunday for lunch we went to mom and dad's for a father's day lunch. I put up pictures of all of the father's and their girls...except for my dad and he has the grandkids instead of his kids...it was just cuter. It was a nice time and of course everyone ate too much, after all isn't that what holiday's are for?

After lunch and naps we left the plans up to Ryan since it was father's day and he decided that it would be fun to take the girls to the beach. We went to turtle beach instead of the public beach. The contractor that I work for is working on a property right on the beach so we parked there and had direct beach access. It was really nice and the water was great. We only stayed about an hour. The girls are just about too much for us to handle in the sand so an hour was plenty for all of us. On the way home we picked up some pizza and the last few pictures are of Roz after eating. She has so many expressions and they are all so funny! Ryan and I are constantly laughing and Molly thinks she is totally goofy! She has that funny gap in her top front teeth that makes her even cuter and after the pizza with black olives she had an olive stuck in her bottom front teeth. We couldn't stop laughing and she totally played it up and thought she was being so funny. Those times are the best.
Well I need to get going. The girls are needing some attention.

Until next time....

VBS, the park & popsicles

I can't believe it is friday! Molly went to VBS at Bethel Mennonite this week and I guess it just made the days fly by. I really don't know where the week got to to be real honest with you. I decided to post a slideshow instead of all the pics because there were so many. The first couple of pictures were from the park on Wednesday. We went in the morning and the girls had a great time. It is just down the road so we take the stroller and they enjoy the ride so that I can get in some extra exercise. It was good for us all. They swang most of the time but also like those little "bug" things.

At the grocery store this week we came across those popcicles that I think every kids from the beginning of time must remember having. I couldn't resist so we bought the big bag and have been enjoying them all week. The next couple pictures show Ryan giving Rozy her share. She loves them! Molly thinks they are great too and starts asking for one soon after breakfast every morning. The rule is not until after lunch but I would hate to say how many they eat from after lunch time until bedtime. I guess it is a good thing that they are inexpensive.

VBS went good overall. Molly cried a few times during the storys. I think that they acted out the stories for all ages and it was just a little much for her at 4 years old. The first night she said that she only cried because Maddi did. After that things went well until Tuesday night when they told the story of Daniel and the lions den. The lions roared and to quote Molly "I just couldn't help it mom...the tears just came so I had to cry". After that she did fine and says that she had a great time. Her favorite parts were "snack & singing". The parents could come for the final assembly on Thursday and it was so cute to hear all of those kids singing and dancing their hearts out for Jesus. I couldn't help but think that he must be up in heaven smiling down on those kids. What a blessing that must have been to him. Great job Bethel for putting on a wonderful VBS!

This next pictures is of Roz this morning as I was vacuuming. She carries that little stool around everywhere.

One last thing...I couldn't resist posting the page that I sent to Charley for Father's day. He has already gotten it in the mail so I am covered. Apparently it was a big hit but I think that any pictures of his "little angels" would have passed.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! Have a great weekend!

Until next time...

BBQ, Sleeping Beauties & VBS

Friday night we went to the benefit BBQ with the Steeds at Bethel and ran into a few people we knew. It is amazing how small the world is and how everyone is connected. The food was fabulous, Ryan said the best he had ever had, and it seemed to be a sucess. I hope that the family in need will be blessed. Afterwards we went to the park and the kids had a blast playing together. It is so cute to see them make-believe and what they come up with. I wish my imagination was that creative sometimes.

The kids looked so peaceful and sweet on Saturday night that I couldn't resist taking their pictures as they slept. That is the time when you love them the most ;) They had played so hard at my mom and dad's cookout that they were totally exhausted. Molly didn't get a nap on Saturday because we were working on cleaning up the new swingset and she actually slept until around 8 am Sunday morning. I kept on checking to make sure she was breathing because that was totally unusual!



The swingset was a huge hit as expected. It took some cleaning up but Ryan did a great job and it looks almost brand new. The girls had so much fun playing in it on Sunday and Roz just loves to swing. I think I almost forgot about her being in there she was so quite...just kidding!

Monday morning is my yardwork morning and the girls played so good outside. Roz swang forever and then played in their new 'house' until nap time. Maddi came over around 10 and as Roz went down for a nap Molly and Maddi had a blast playing for 2 whole hours while I finished working in the back yard. I just couldn't believe how good they were...not a fight or anything which is really unusual.

Last night was the start of VBS at Bethel and Molly and Maddi seemed to have a good time although they both admit to crying at one point. Molly says she cried because Maddi was and Maddi says "I just tried because". They both want to go back so it must not have been too tramatic. Maddi said her favorite part was the playground and Molly said her favorite part was the snack. Hopefully somewhere in between they learned about Jesus but who knows.

I will leave you with a clip of the girls swinging. My camera ran out of memory so it is short and sweet. Until next time....

Last night Ryan took Molly on a date (which I highly recommend for you fathers with daughters) so Roz and I rode the bike over to my mom's. While I was there I got the pics from her camera that I have mentioned over the last couple of weeks and I thought I would share them.

The first ones are of Roz and her first corn on the cob endeavor. She enjoyed it, as you can tell, and we all look forward to some good Indiana corn in July.

These next pics are from our bike ride to mom and dad's on monday night. Mom had been experimenting with dark chocolate covered pretzels and Molly thought they were pretty tasty. We really like our "new" bikes and use them alot. It saves lots of gas/money and the exercise and outdoors are good for us all! Tonite we are off to a benefit BBQ and then a cookout at mom and dad's on Saturday night. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Until next time....

scrapbooking, kinda

Yesterday was a busy and stressful day here at the Abel household. I had to work so that always makes things a little complicated, especially now that Molly is not in preschool. So off the the sitters we went. Roz fell down the stairs as we were about to leave and it was way worse for me than her. She went down head first and I just about lost it. She was fine and only cried momentarily but it was completely devastating for me. It was horrible seeing her tumble, knowing how badly it could turn out and being totally helpless. Praise God she didn't have so much as a scratch or bruise from the whole incident. Maybe I am going overboard but it just helped me to realize how much we have to depend on God to care for our children because we can't be there every second. He is so good to me and my family.

After such a stressful day I found I needed some time to wind down so Ryan swam with the girls while I did some digital scrapbooking. I am totally hooked. I just don't have the creativity gene and this way is totally easy. This is what I came up with last night...

Thank God today has been a better day. We went swimming this morning with our friends the Steeds and will maybe get the swingset that our neighbor is giving us cleaned up and ready to go this afternoon/evening.

I forgot to mention that I just read It's all about Him by Denise Jackson (thanks Brooke) and it was really good. Any more book suggestions would be great!

Until next time....

Mowing disaster....

Well its mowing season again and I have already had it with our mower. Last month when we decided to mow for the first time we couldn't get the mower to start. Ryan worked on it for several hours and soon we decided to get some help. We decided that we really wanted to get a reel mower (no motor and more environmentally friendly which I like) but that if this one worked we wouldn't junk it for a new one. Of course after we loaded it up and hauled to Chris Graber's, he started it up and it ran like a top. I felt like an idiot but he didn't seem to mind so we brought it home and it mowed fine. Last week I used it on Monday with no problems again so I though it must be fixed. This week I went to start up the dumb thing and again it wouldn't run. Ryan came home and after working on it for awhile I said that was it...I was buying a new one. Shawna gave me a gift card to Lowes for my birthday and I had a $10 coupon so off to Lowe's I went. The salesman there did everything in his power to discourage me from buying the reel mower. He took a good look at me and said, "Now you know you are going to have to push this thing right?" I thought "do I look that stupid?" Then he said that it was going to be hard work. I think he didn't realize that I already mow the grass with a push mower so I explained that I wanted that mower because it was going to be quieter, use no gas, take up less space and that I had thought this purchase through. He reluctantly sold me the dumb mower, but while I was there loading the new reel mower into the cart Ryan calls...the old mower is fixed. I told him that I was done with that thing and we went ahead with the new mower. I brought it home, we assembled it and it worked perfectly. It was super easy to push (thank you mister lowes man) and it cut our grass just fine. Hopefully now we will have a nicely cut lawn and continue on our task to be more environmentally resposible. Anybody need a good push mower...

I also forgot to mention that one of my birthday gifts was being able to sign up for the Disney Marathon in January. I am super excited about running my first 26.2 and will start training more heavily in September. The summertime here is just too hot to train so I will keep a maintenance program going as much as possible and then start hitting it hard in the fall. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Also I wanted to mention that we have decided to take a family vacation to Indiana over July 4th if all goes well. Since we are now debt free we are trying to stay that way so hopefully we can save enough money to come by then...just a few short weeks. It should be a good break from here and hopefully we will get to spend some time with family and friends there over the holiday.

Until next time....