Mommy For A Weekend... Part Four

It truly is amazing to see the world through the eyes of a three year old.

I cant tell you how many "why" questions Bella has asked me in the last 24hrs, but we've gotta be up to at least a few thousand by now.

Every answer I gave was then followed by yet another curious question or funny response.

Indeed Bella has kept me laughing and running all day long, but I wouldnt have it any other way.

I learn a lot with Bella by my side.

They say God doesnt give us patients, instead He gives us opportunities to practice patients, and boy does Bella provide me with a plethora of opportunity.

But her larger than life personality and stubborn nature are qualities the Lord placed within her tiny beautiful spirit, and I for one love every part of who she is.

Here are a few things I've learned from my sweet little Bella this weekend:

1. Coloring and painting are quite relaxing and therapeutic activities.
2. Your day is always better when you start it off with a cold up of juice and some morning cartoons.
3. Showers are WAY more fun with bubbles and kitchen cups to play with
4. Dressing up like a princess is a real self esteem booster.
5. Taking the dog for a walk is not simply a chore... its an adventure into the unknown world of the outdoors.
6. A "boo boo" will automatically feel better if given a Popsicle to eat.
7. Car rides are more enjoyable when singing funny songs at the top of your lungs.
8. And finally, goodnight kisses are always a great way to end the day.

Mommy For A Weekend... Part Three

Ready....

Set....

GO!!!!

Today has been a wonderful day with the kids.... wonderfully exhausting that is.

Who knew such tiny little human beings could tire out a grown adult the way they do.

After a day out and about around town, the kids and I decided a little water time in the backyard would be a perfect way to end the afternoon.

Here are a few (unedited) shots I took while the kids splashed around in the water.

Love the Face!

Blow up splash pad from Target... $25

Hours of endless summer fun... Priceless!

Nothing like sibling love... and a little booger picking.

What a beauty!

Prayer Request

Ok prayer warriors I have an assignment for you...

Please be in prayer for my mom who was admitted to the hospital early this morning.

I don't know much except for the fact that her blood pressure is quite elevated and the doctors cant seem to get her heart out of tachycardia (tachycardia= extremely fast heart rate, above normal). I know she's in good hands, but she can use all the prayers she can get right now.

Test are being run and hopefully we'll know more later this afternoon.

Thanks everyone!!

Mommy For A Weekend... Part Two

Well, I seemed to have made it through the first night with the kids.

Everyone alive? Check!

Everyone fed? Check!

Everyone clean and happy watching morning cartoons? Check!

Wahoo!! Hip hip hooray!! I did it... and survived!

Now for the rest of the weekend....

Mommy For A Weekend... Part One

One of the greatest joys in my life is being an Aunt.

There's really nothing quite like it in the world, and the best part is that I get to spoil them like there's no tomorrow!!

This weekend my sister and her husband went away for for two days to celebrate their 6th year of marriage, and while they're relaxing by the pool sipping margaritas, I'll be playing "mommy".

Right now the kids are napping, which means I get a few more minuets of peace and quiet before the little munchkins wake up and craziness ensues.

Who knows what the weekend will hold, but I'll be sure to keep you all updated with pictures and possibly even a short video or two... depending on how much energy I have left.

Wish me luck as I bravely take on two energetic kiddos under the age of 4....

New Home, New Friends

Wow has it already been two full weeks living in Arizona already??

I can hardly believe this born and raised California girl now calls Scottsdale home.

Surprisingly I'm adjusting rather well.

As I've mentioned before, the heat can be difficult, but I seem to be surviving so far.

Last night was my first time attending the young adult group"The Element" at Highlands Church, and although I was a bit nervous going in not knowing anyone, the Lord was truly watching over me as He so graciously brought wonderful friends my way.

I dont think I've laughed so hard as I did last night in a very long time.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and making new friends, and cant wait to get to know everyone even better.

I think finding and making new friends in a strange place can be the hardest part of moving sometimes, but as my mom told me last week,

"There's no way the Lord would move you out here to Arizona and leave you stranded. Trust that He has a plan for you."

What a wonderful blessing it is to have a mother who can point me back to the Lord and have enough faith for the both of us when my own begins to lack.

I've kept her words in my heart and mind all week, and as usual, she was right.

The Lord did not forget about me. His plan for me is far beyond what I can see, but I will continue to move forward in faith, trusting that His plan for my new life here in Arizona is far greater than what I can even envision for myself.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

One Year Ago

With all the hustle and bustle of life lately, I realized my one year anniversary of finishing treatment has come and gone without me even noticing. This last April was officially one year since I graduated from the eating disorder treatment center Healthy Within. I suppose it slipped my mind simply because it feels as if it was a lifetime ago. I look back now at the broken shell of a girl I used to be, and I dont even recognize her. What an amazing work the Lord has done in my life. Not a day goes by that I'm not reminded of my past struggle with anorexia. Its strange, even though I'm in recovery and happier than I've ever been, my eating disorder past is not easily erased. Perhaps because each day I'm forced to face what used to be my enemy (food), or maybe its because the pain I felt ran so deep not even time could fill what used to be. Regardless, I continue to wake each morning and remember. I remember every detail, every ache, every pain, and every life I affected.
But today I celebrate my freedom. I celebrate in the fact that I no longer measure food, count calories, weigh myself, or live on diet soda. I dont care about the size of my pants or if my stomach is slightly bloated. I dont freak out when offered carbs or sweet treats. I dont avoid food and social gatherings like the plague. I dont read fitness magazines or celebrity diet tricks. Above all I've learned to accept that each body is made to look different. I've embraced the fact that my body is continually changing, choosing to love my flaws instead of trying to change them.
Sure, I have my difficult days. Days when I wake up and wish I could change everything about myself, but then I glance down at my ankle and see my tattoo and I'm reminded once again that I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

Here's a picture of my tattoo for those of you who haven't seen it. Please forgive the angle and quality of the photo, I just snapped it myself and trying to take a picture of my own ankle was no easy task.

UPDATE:

For those of you who read my sister's comment and wondered what she's talking about in her reference to my tattoo artist using spell check, its a bit of a long explanation. So in an attempt to make a long story short, my tattoo artist made the mistake everyone fears... he misspelled my tattoo! According to proper grammar, the book is supposed to be spelled "Psalm" not "Psalms". Surprisingly, I wasnt upset or angry when he made the boo boo, instead I chose to see it as a beautiful representation of who I am.... imperfect yet still beautiful in God's eyes.

Happy Birthday Colleen

Today I dedicate this bog to a dear friend of mine. A friend who knows me better than I know myself sometimes. A friend who has been there for me through thick and thin and continues to love and support me through all the decisions I make, good or bad.

I met Colleen about a year and a half ago, and ever since then we've been fast friends. As a matter of fact, Colleen is much more than a friend to me, she's family.

No matter how much time goes by, at any moment I know we can pick up the phone and start right where we left off with each other, and I for one love friendships like that.

Yes indeed Colleen is a wonderful friend.

I admire she strength, her determination, and her heart for the Lord.

No has taught me more about having the courage to be genuinely authentic in life, and for that I am so thankful.

The Lord truly blessed my life when he put her in my path.

Happy 25th Birthday Colleen!!!

I love you to pieces!

xoxoxo

I Live In An Oven

Phew, life in Arizona sure is HOT!

I suppose I knew that considering I voluntarily moved myself to the desert, but let me tell ya adjusting to the heat is far harder than I expected.

Life is different when you live in a virtual oven.

For starters, its totally unnecessary to bundle up in the morning when I take Tirzah outside for her morning potty walk. Gone are the days when 6am meant 45 degrees. I now walk out the door and am greeted by a brisk 80 degree morning.

I've learned that air conditioning, ice cold bottled water, shorts, and lots of homemade Popsicles are my new best friends.

Another friend of mine..... my new automatic car start.

If you've never heard of it your seriously missing out.

This control panel slides onto my key ring and can actually start my car and cool it down for up to 15 minuets before I even get into the car.

No more sticking to the seats or wearing gloves because the steering wheel is too hot to touch.
I simply press a button when I'm in the store check out line, and *voila* my car is cool as a cucumber by the time I get to it. Its a life saver indeed!

As for Tirzah, well she's learning to manage the heat as well.

Tirzah now drinks double the water she used to in a day, and her new favorite hobby is when I place a cold ice cube on the kitchen floor for her to lick and chase around.

More often than not I find poor Tirz just sprawled out on the cool entry way tile just relaxing.

I've learned that during the heat of the summer its best for Tirzah and I to take several small walks a day rather than a few long walks. This prevents her (and myself) from over heating.

Yep, life sure is different now.

But I have to say, I'm starting to love my new life as an Arizona girl.... on the other hand maybe thats just the heat talking ;-)

My handy dandy homemade Popsicle maker.

Simply pour in your favorite juice (My favorites are organic blueberry and lemonade)

and place in the freezer. Once frozen, pop one out and enjoy the cool frozen goodness.

Here's a cute shirt I just couldn't resist buying. As a matter of fact I bought one for both my sister and I. If you cant read the print, it says:

"sun-loving, desert-hiking, mountain-biking, spa-hopping, poolside-lounging, blissed, blessed, at-one-with-the-universe, ARIZONA GIRL. Is it hot in here or is it just me?"

Not Me Monday

I can hardly believe its already June 1st as I sit here in my new apartment with my air conditioner blasting and organic homemade blueberry Popsicle in hand. Time sure does fly by when your busy having fun... or rather just plain busy. But regardless, life can get crazy sometimes, so join me in some therapeutic fun as I deny all the embarrassing things I've done in another round of Not Me Monday!

1. I did NOT leave the house at 6:45am this morning in order to make it to my new summer school class.... without coffee much less!


2. I did NOT nearly fall asleep during my first lecture due to the fact that I stayed up far too late last night watching the new completely cheesy 4 hour Lifetime movie "Maneater".


3. I am NOT secretly proud of my mom who has now officially joined the blogging world by creating her own blog (with the help of my sister and I of course)... Click here to visit her site: http://www.sharonsemptynest.blogspot.com/


4. I did NOT spend a good chunk of my evening coloring in a Barbi coloring book with Bella while watching Tom and Jerry cartoons.


5. I did NOT later bribe Bella with an airhead candy in order to keep her quiet and happy until my sister came to pick her up.


6. I am NOT panicking that my car is leaking some kind of fluid and I have to be a grown up and take it to a mechanic tomorrow morning.


7. I am NOT obsessed with watching various Monday night reality TV shows such as The Bachelorette, John and Kate Plus 8, Here Comes the Newlyweds, and Cake Boss.


8. I am NOT counting down the hours till I can get in comfy clothes, sit with my sister and a glass of wine, and watch the reality shows mentioned above.