A Dose of Everything

One of the important things we teach our children is how our choices result in consequences.

So many people cringe when they hear the word consequence. 

Folks, a consequence is a result of a decision.

It's not always a bad thing.

For Ava, well, let me brag. She picked up a lot (and I mean a LOT) of toys, all by herself, with me only asking once. That is a big deal for my little girl!

I pulled out a "happy consequence" for her excellent choice.

She was thrilled with her chocolate chip ice cream!

Now that is a happy ending for both of us.

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 My bathroom window has had lace curtains and linen drapes.

The problem with lace is that it is not my taste in decorating at all.

The problem with drapes is the towel rod under the window. A little inconvenient.

The solution: $1/yard striped ticking at WalMart.

Love it, and I got enough to make some pillow slipcovers for the family room. 

The pennants add to the nautical feel of the bathroom.

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 Miss Lucy fell off a bike.

No, really.

She likes to ride the tricycle around outside. She can get on and off, and scoots backward in circles.

I was with her, sweeping the patio, and I saw her try to go forward, get stuck, and as I was running toward her in slow motion (um, not literally, it just seemed that way),

Miss Lucy face-planted on the concrete.

It was traumatic.

I think she needs a shirt that says, "You should see the other guy".

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I'm so blessed to have my creative Ava.

I need some frames for my custom-designed watercolor paintings.

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Are you ready to welcome June? This year is going by so fast.

Breakfast

Lemon Blueberry Pancakes, from Pioneer Woman

 Ava loved them, Lucy didn't. Lucy more tolerated them.

 Breakfast was pretty silly today.

And really, isn't this one of the best faces on earth?!

 Ava was loving the sticky syrup, and reciting "If You Give a Pig a Pancake".

Her version: "If mommy gives Ava a pancake, she will want some syrup to go with it."

 Love this smile!

 And the funniest: "take silly pictures, mommy!"

 After I asked where her nose was:

 My wonderful little 1-year-old:

Happy breakfast eating, everyone! 

Swimming

 My little miss helped pick out a new suit. 

(the other one was way too small)

 We decided to break in the new suit and have some fun.

 Can you tell which girl has more fun in the pool and which girl has more fun not in the pool?

 I even got Lucy out, thinking she looked a bit cold, and she climbed right back in!

 I think the way the water reflected light and sound was interesting when her head was down like this.

 What a ham!

 It was a great way to spend our Sunday evening.

Layers

Turkey,

provolone,

tomatoes,

purple onion,

lettuce,

on rye

spread with mayo

and dijon mustard.

Color on your plate makes food that much more appealing-

and this sandwich did not disappoint.

Touches of Pink

I'm not overly feminine in my decorating. I like things clean, neutral, and soft.

However, a girl has to have bits of her favorite color all around her.

The more I looked, the more I found.

My dish soap.

The pennants on my square wreath.

My favorite shower gels.

 The roses on a new card, gifted to me by my sister-in-love, Lori.

The giant pink bottle that entertains the Littles for hours.

My new favorite book, that Ava loves too, about "bow-er-nee-na's".

 Miss Lucy's pink jacket.

 My wish list of books on my refrigerator.

And (brace yourself) this scary lady here.

"Is this woman crazy??" you ask. 

No, I really like this odd little keychain. 

Scott brought her home as a gifted "souvenir" of sorts, and I really think she's hilarious.

There's always a reason we love a certain color. 

Enjoy the times you catch a glimpse or surround yourself with it.

In Our Yard

We blow bubbles in our yard.

Yesterday was the perfect day to blow bubbles! 

  We had so much fun.

 I was excited to get these shots: 

Giant bubbles!

and just as Ava popped one. 

 Miss Lucy is getting more explorative. She's so cute.

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We swing in our yard.

Daddy put up a second swing, so now there's less wait time for turns. Or, if the babies are sleeping, Ava gets mommy and the swing all to herself. Best ever!

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I have a garden in my yard.

 I've been working on this corner for a while.

 I used the edging from another place in our yard where it was completely useless, and moved a few stepping stones to make it easier to get to plants. 

There's a couple tomato plants in there, already blossoming, a gorgeous succulent plant right up front, and decorative grasses we moved last fall. The red pots are strawberries, and there's a pot of chives in there. The stucco pot is a rose, but I think it's dead...oops.

So, that's what we do in our yard. Fun, right? Well, maybe a dead rosebush isn't so fun.

Girl Talk

This evening was lovely.

I laid in the grass with my girls, and we talked.

I love hearing what my darlings have to say.

 and there is nothing quite so lovely as moments with the Littles I love the most.

Mother's Day

{Mother's Day morning, my Darling and our beautiful girls!}

My dad, sister and I had been planning a special day for my mom. Scott, the girls, and I surprised her by showing up at church, then we managed to surprise her even more by making lunch! We snuck away after church and my sisters and I put together an elegant table and lunch for everyone. My mom was delighted and we had a wonderful afternoon!

My sweet husband gave me two of my favorite things:

The most amazing cookbook I have ever seen

 and my most favorite ice cream ever!

I am glad there is a day devoted to mothers. 

Mothers through the ages have sacrificed and worked hard for their children. 

I am so thankful for my mom!

And I am incredibly blessed to be a mom, 

to these charming little girls

and their sibling in heaven.

My greatest joy would be to know that all my children will meet in the presence of God one day-

because the goal of my motherhood

is that Jesus is Lord, in every space of our lives.