I NEED TO ORGANIZE!

Did you know I like to organize? I don't like clutter or collecting stuff for future use! It freeks me out. I am usually organized in my daily business and in general but I have this secret place in my house that collects. Most recently, I put all of Kate's old furniture and bedding in my "storage closet" and it got CRAZY. It collected stuff all summer and I couldn't get in there to declutter until I got the bed and stuff out.

Brooke, Kate and I made two seperate trips with my van FULL- Brooke was concerned the tires were going to break. It was distrubing in the midst of it- but now- looking back, it was a hoot. I should have taken pictures of the work in progress.

I did get a video early Saturday morning before I started to organize and go through the remains. This is BEFORE:

It was a long morning, actually, 8-2ish. The girls were busy with their own projects and play. Daddy took Lauren for a long walk and lunch date. I have been back in that room several times to enjoy the results. This is AFTER:

What's next?

Oh Daddy!

My Girls LOVE their Daddy.

It is healthy to foster and fun to watch! Daddy is a vital part of our nightly routine and I am so glad he is interested and involved. It wasn't always that way- maybe that's why I appreciate it so much. We usually trade off, either dish duty or bath time fun. I hear him in there with the girls and he has fun stuff he does like "spaghetti hair" and racing to get dressed- just making memories. The girls love it.

The girls have always loved Daddy and their dates out. Right now, Kate is over the top and especially fond of Daddy. When she hears the door chime, she knows he is coming and races to the door with a loving greeting. She talks about him throughout the day and asks to see him A LOT. She loves to climb in his lap and love on him. When she is upset- she will climb in her bed and start saying over and over again "oh daddy, oh daddy, oh daddy" crying. It is so sad and cute all at the same time. I really want to get it on video.

This past week, we have had some crazy monsoon weather- lots of rain, lightening and thunder. It still scares me- one night I was the last one to sleep. Later that night, I felt a little body at my side. It was Kate, she slept very close to Daddy that night and I got this picture the next morning.

I am glad they are close to Daddy. It means the world to me now and I know it will mean more to them as they grow and mature. I feel a healthy daddy/ daughter relationship is more valuable than any material thing he could ever give our girls. I believe that relationship helps shape the little ladies they will be- feeds their soul. He will help build their self-esteem, give them a view of God, and help shape their identities in future relationships with boys- yikes men eventually.

This Daddy ROCKS!

Here and There and EVERYWHERE...

It's me. I wanted you to know that I realize I am all over the place in this blog. I think that's what blogging is about- but I am still trying to figure it out... Well, I have decided- it's my blog and I am going to just do it- post as I can and about anything...

Here I go AGAIN :)

"So BIG"- Kate's new adventure

No More Diapers- No More Crib

Summer brought lots of quality time at home with my girls. The perfect time to go for potty training and the big room change.

Kate was a quick and easy potty train. She had been interested and practicing for some time and so we decided to go for it. We went straight to the big toilet and rewarded with M&M's. She was the easiest of the three and I am sure it's because she wanted to do it like everybody else.

I loved the nursery- it was a little hard to change the room. We had decided to put Lauren in her own room (convert the nursery) and put Kate in a big girl bed in the room with Brooke.

The first week bedtime was a hard adjustment-Kate was so excited about her big girl bed and going to sleep with someone else in the room she wanted to talk, talk, talk.

Brooke & Kate have adjusted well. They are good friends and sweet playmates most days. They are both into picking out outfits, dressing themselves- and then changing again (as many times as they can- hence the hook and eye on their closet door). They play Mommies together, play outside and I over hear sweet little conversations about babies, toys and them making pretend phone calls.

I've had the girls share bedrooms. I like the bond that it creates and I'd rather have a designated playroom than three separate bedrooms. I am all about being a team, working together and being friends. Plus- I always wanted a sister so I am living a little bit through them...

I am having fun- I hope they are too : )

A Day 2 CeLeBRaTe ME !

Did you know Thursday is a special day for me at my house? It's my day to be spoiled rotten!

I love my role of wife and mommy- it's HUGE in my eyes . I have a heart to serve and aspire to be a Prov 31 woman. It takes a lot to manage it all and this girl (me) is in touch with getting her "love cup" (as we call it) refilled.


You won't hear me complain, very often. I am well cared for by my team- recognized, appreciated, heard, supported and spoiled.


Enough said, here are my delicious details of a typical Thursday.

• Get up and ready for the day along with my girls
• Shower, Dress in real clothes, hair, makeup
• Get my girls to school
• Head to my HBC group (http://www.homemakersbychoice.org/)
• Visit with some of my favorite ladies
• Hear from a mentor I love and trust: Donna Otto (founder of HBC, published Author, talented teacher- full of Godly wisdom, friend)
• Be encouraged in my role, inspired to grow
• While I am away- 2nd & 4th Thurs- I am getting help with my house keeping (sweet Patricia and crew).
• Go out to lunch with my girlfriends
• Get Brooke & Kate from preschool (I love their excited greetings)
• Home for naps (me too sometimes)
• If I don't sleep- I catch up on whatever needs my attention (another day- another post)
• Pick up Lauren from school
• Snack, homework, free-time
• 4:00 Mommy helper arrives (I finish any pending tasks that need my attention)
• 5:30 DATE NIGHT Begins
• Nick & I enjoy a dinner out- together ALONE (do you know how much we love to date eachother?)
• Hang out more or run an errand without kids in tow
• Come home to clean kids in bed (yippee!!)

My life is good and I am counting my blessings as I type. I'll gladly share the details of my working day another day in another post- let me finish savoring all of the above... it's still Thursday. : )

With a full love cup,

m

My Toothless Wonder

If we are close- you have probably heard me talk about how Lauren amazes me. It starts with her sweet, sensitive, loving heart - she has a concern for people, their feelings, health, needs... and she loves Jesus and wants to make sure everybody knows about him. Both, often pull me from my quiet, safe comfort zone. She's a deep, thorough thinker like her Daddy and tends to push limits, question, and voice her concerns. Her free side is creative, artsy- and loves to perform on her private stage(bed) in her room. She has creative ideas, a strong sense of right and wrong and BIG emotions to wrap it all up.

That said, I am usually either on my toes or my knees :)

I feel like I have a good handle on knowing my girls- their personalities, love languages, strengths, struggles. And this summer I wanted to be intentional about learning their heart- "where is she coming from- when she does/ says this" I also wanted to work on our life skills- aka character qualities of Christ... using self-control, forgiving, loving, team players, being respectful, truthful- it's an ongoing lesson- for me too. As Mommy, I am called to be a daily example of Gods love, grace and mercy to them- I am still learning!! The lessons & reflection has been insightful and encouraging in my own life.

I started this post with this thought in mind- Lauren amazes and inspires me at how she faces her day. I drop her off at the curb inside her school parking lot- she says "bye mom", flashes me our "I love you" sign and tilts her head with a smile and walks into school. Normal- for you maybe- but not for me. As a kid, I rarly felt prepared for what was ahead- Now, I sometimes feel the same- but I am reminded and assured in God- his grace is sufficient and his mercy is new every morning. 2 Corinthians 12:9, Lamentations 3:22-23

...and as Lauren would say (in her favor, at the most opportune times) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13

BED TIME

I've got to get to bed- these girls are up before 6!

A Tribute to my "TRUE LOVES KISS"

Happy 10 Year Anniversary Nick!

July 25, 1998

Just reminiscing brought it all back again....

Top 10 Qualities I cherish in YOU:

♥ You Love God and Want to Serve Him and Grow.
♥ Your Love and Affection For “Your Girls”.
♥ We Share Life- You Talk with Me and Include Me in Everything.
♥ The Tender Way you Care about My Feelings and Me.
♥ Your Strength, Depth- Integrity.
♥ Loyal- to Me, Our Family- Building a Healthy Marriage and Our Future.
♥ Provider, Teacher, Lover, Friend.
♥ Best Date EVER- Spontaneous, Fun, Good Listener, Great Kisser.
♥ Innovative- Always a Step Ahead, Outside the Box, Dream Big- Work Hard
♥ Protector- I Am Safe to be Me, Secure, You Care to Plan – We Succeed.

10 Trips of a Lifetime-

Florida
My Trip to Meet Your Parents- I Came Back Crazy About You and Dreaming About US!
Jamaica
Blue Mountain Bike Tour, Candlelight Dinner, Horseback Riding on the Beach, Dunns River Falls, Spa Treatments, Aunt Jemima making Breakfast & Serving it with a View.
Cabo San Lucas
First Anniversary Getaway- Realized Mexico Wasn’t for Us. Left Early to Visit OK.
Napa Valley, SF
Sweet Bed & Breakfast, Wine Tour, Gray Stone 5 Star Culinary Dinner, Shopping.
Grand Cayman
Rusted Anchor Diving Experience- Beautiful Water, Stingray City, Swimming with Shark, Walking Adventures, Started Our Map Collection.
Bahamas
Pregnant with Lauren, Atlantis Resort Adventure, Gray Cliff 5 Star Dining.
Hawaii
Newlyweds, First Club Trip -Kona, First Trip to Maui, Second Trip to Maui, Oahu, Road to Hanna, Snorkeling with Octopus, Luau, Hawaiian Cultural Center.
Monaco, France, England
Unbelievable- European Touring, Walking the Streets of Monaco, SPA, Shopping in France, Baby Brooke, Red Double Decker Bus Tour, Big Ben, Kensington Palace.
Cancun
Top Performer, Recognition, Ritz Hotel, Sun bathing, Shopping, The Making of Kate.
Australia
Amazing- Sydney Opera House, Ferry Rides, Zoo, Holding Franklin the Koala, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands, Helicopter Tour.

10 Memories I Treasure

The Day I Knew I Could Love You
Lunch @ Blue Burrito, You Wore Your Red Boat Tie, We Shared Our Beliefs and Values, Spoke of Family Memories and Told Our Future Dreams.
You Asked Me to Marry You
Surprised Me With A Date to Gainey Ranch, They Sang “Going To The Chapel”,
You Got on Your Knee- Asked Me to Marry You. I SAID YES- The Crowd Cheered.
I Couldn’t Stop Gazing at You and My Beautiful Ring You Picked For Me.
OUR Wedding Day- MY “Dream Come True”
I Couldn’t Have Asked For Anything More- I Still Love to Reminisce and Watch the Video. I loved that Day. I Still Value and Cling to the Vows I Promised that Day-
OUR HONEYMOON!!
This Was The First Evidence of Your Love and Devotion To Me. It Was An Amazing Week To Explore Each other- With Our Whole Life Ahead of Us to Celebrate.
Oracle Channel Marketing Manager Position
With Your Encouragement I Pursued and Accepted that Position. You Always Believed In Me- even When I Didn’t.
Michelle Drive
My Dream Home- I Loved It the Moment I walked In. You Stretched – We Bought it. I loved our Home- Sweet Memories of Our Beginning, Our Dreams, Our Goals.
Our First Baby- Lauren Alyssa
We Made Her Together. Hard Labor- Knowing You Were There for Me. Bringing Her Home! The Beginning Of Our Little Family-
The Arrival of Brooke Nicole
A Celebration of Us- Our Family is Growing. Knowing I was Safe To Make Our Home, Plan Our Future- Grow- Dream.
9938
Our Castle! Never in my Wildest Dreams did I Think I Would Love Like This or Live a Life Like Mine. God is so Good! Of All His Gifts to Me- I Treasure YOU most! Always!
Sweet Baby Kate Morgan
Our Last Baby- She Is More of You. Feeling That We Have come Into Our Own- We Are A Good Team. The Sweet Changes She brought - Your Break & Rebirth.

AuGuST iN A NutShELL

This is Lauren's third week for 1st grade. She is doing great. The 2nd day of school I was in the car pool lane- her teacher walked her to the car and told me "she is such a precious girl, I am so glad I got her this year." Mrs. B is next door to the classroom Lauren was in last year. Oh, my girl- I was so delighted to hear that. She is adjusting well and I think really likes to be back (especially because she doesn't have to take naps on school days). She had her first spelling test Friday. 12 words plus a bonus (bonus is from the most missed words list)- she got 13/ out of 13. She amazes me. We have a homework packet every week that we work on and a reading log every night. It's been fun.

Brooke is back to school. She started JR Kindergarten last week- Tues & Thurs mornings. She loves her class and teacher and told me she wants to go EVERYDAY- not yet. Next year she will do kindergarten full day- I want her home this year.

We were out and about celebrating her last week of summer last week and stopped into Arista Curlz @ the mall. They put some curls in her hair for a couple bucks. We then headed to Claire's- she loves and collects flip flops- they had her "best -favorites" on sale for $4. She was so smiley and happy we went next door to see if they had any availability for pictures- worked out perfect (I've been trying to get her 4 year old personality shots for awhile).

Kate is also doing same schedule in a two's class. She is in the older 2's and likes it. She was delighted to see me when I picked her up Tuesday she wanted to tell me "I had fun Mommy- I no bite"- oh so proud :) She also informed me that boys have tails in their pull ups. She is so happy to carry her own Dora lunch box and likes to walk on her own feet- this is new.

It's been fun. I love my girls- I love my life... these are my golden years!!

FREDERICK FAMILY FAVORITES

• Nick looks forward to date-nights, LOVES his GiRLs, his red car, going fly-fishing, spinning pens and spending time with his Dad.


• I LOVE my Nick, family time, easy dinners, GiRL outings, my Homemakers group, pajama days, good mail, HELP, FOLDapaloozas, eating out, and a clean house. (whew- there’s more too…)


• Lauren loves sugar, Webkins, Littlest PetShop, animals, any craft or hands-on project, pretending, running her own show, and selling stuff or her services.


• Brooke loves school days, “dates with Daddy in his red car”, being & doing anything outside; especially slides, riding bikes, and swimming.


• Kate loves to be held, likes to eat, loves to read Maisy & Barney books, enjoys phones & purses, sees and hears every airplane and wants to be included in whatever her sisters are doing.

Sweet & Sassy Baby

Kate-Kate my baby. She is changing everyday and coming into her own. She loves to play mommy- push babies around the house and play outside. She tends to busy herself wherever I am and “help me” (mimic) in whatever I am doing. She likes to write on paper (sit with a pen and some paper) at the counter. She likes to get into her sisters projects and needs some protection at times. She likes purses and everything that goes in them. She has her own purse with keys, a pink cell phone- her favorite birthday present. She enjoys just wondering around with a purse on her arm. She is recently potty trained and just started an older twos class at a nearby preschool. She keeps us entertained and busy, she loves to be carried around and is BIG into cuddling.

More fun to follow...

The Family Entertainer

We call her Brookie!

Brooke is our lively, adventurous, bubbly, babbling Brooke. She loves to be active, but will also watch movies all day if you let her. She likes writing at the table, crafts, play dough, bubbles outside, sprinklers, slides, dress up- or changing clothes… over and over again! She like puzzles & books. Brooke loves water- swimming, water slides, sprinklers, bath-time She is fun, entertaining, and BIG energy. She loves to play hide and seek and is a big fan of Dora and Diego.

Other favorites and stories to follow...

My First Born

Lauren loves to be creative- she is into arts & crafts- and any hands on project. She also uses the computer; Webkins for fun and other learning websites. She has a huge imagination and will play pretend and re-enact things: grocery store, DR, pedicure, Teacher with papers. She enjoys crafts, play dough, helping, cooking and LOTS of your own life stories. She is a great help and loves to be incorporated into what your doing. She is a tenderhearted, program oriented girl with BIG emotions. She loves positive reinforcement and attention for making good choices and doing what she knows is right.

There is so much more to her- this is just a small start...

Can I do this?

I really should have started this a long time ago. I have a few friends that are bloggers, I LOVE their sites. What I love most is that they have captured the little things, the memories- the fun that happens everyday. I am excited, but can I keep it up....

sit back- here I go!!

I would love to go back- in fact, years. I wish I had captured it all. I love this time in my life and how I would really like to have it all written out somewhere. I do great with pictures, not so well with journals or baby book updates.

I can't go back- so let's just start.