Now you see it...now you don't

I am almost over the shock of Sarah calling me and telling me she cut off Chelsea's hair. I believe I was a bit sick to my stomach actually. Chelsea has never had her hair cut, and she has such beautiful hair. I think I was just as sad that I couldn't be there when she did it to capture the moment in pictures. I guess I can't be there for everything, but this was a big moment and I am sorry I couldn't be a part of it. Chin up, smile, and be glad for the moments I am there for....

So, here is a glimpse of the new hair cut. She loves it and it is so much easier to manage, even though I never complained over having to fix her hair. When you ask her about her hair she says, "My mommy cut it....and she cried" It really is cute and I am almost over the shock of it, but not totally. Lovin' her to pieces.

You Color My World

Chelsea's Sidewalk: Where she rides her bikes, inspects the flowers (and is now pruning them by herself) and she even decorates her sidewalk. Of course she wants everyone to come play with her, so down on my knees I go and we color away. After all, how can I say "NO"

Papa came home and she insisted he help out too. I knew immediatly what he was going to draw, since they are the only two things he ever draws, his cowboy and horse.

Papa surprised us and drew a game of Hop Scotch for Chelsea too. Notice how she inspects his work? She doesn't miss a thing.

I could never of planned to capture this picture of her in mid air. What a fun day.

Princess Goes to the Country

Do I even need to tell you how excited Chelsea was to get to go see the horses and donkey at Aunt Helens house? Notice she chose to wear her crown for the occasion. Everyday is an adventure and it is so much fun to be a part of these moments. I must say I was a little nervous with her being so close to them, especially when Helen had to make sure the one on the left didn't get too close since it isn't very friendly.

These last two pictures crack me up. The tiara is gone, the coat is gone and I think she is having a heart to heart talk with the horse. She wanted to ride it but as soon as Helen lifted her up there she wasn't having anything to do with that.

Wouldn't you just love to know what she is saying to the horse. I will have to ask her next time she comes to visit, I am sure it will be an interesting tale.

Wildflowers

"In the corner of my garden,
Where the wildflowers grow,
I sit and I admire,
How God has graced us so.

Special Friends

"To Imagine is Everything"
Since Chelsea was big enough to stand up in the bathroom she has loved to close the two mirrors around her like this. She jabbered and jabbered, and the whole time I thought she was just enjoying looking at herself.

Well, now that she talks clearly I am understanding this facination a little better. For the past year or so she tells us these are her friends. Well, duh, how silly of us to not know that. Friends is plural although I am not sure how many friends she has in those mirrors but I do know it is the cutest thing in the world to witness her talking and playing with them.

And the older she gets she learns more tricks to play with her friends. Here you can see she is dancing with them. I think she likes the friendship she has with these friends because if she wants them to dance, all she has to do is dance and they follow suit.

Her friends have names but I haven't got them all down yet but you can bet I will be listening close to find out.

The mirrors always need cleaned when she is done visiting with her friends, but such a small price to pay for the total enjoyment I get watching and she gets from her "playtime" Don't you just wonder what she is telling them here in these pictures? Does it get any better than this?

Here I come Papa!

Have I ever told you how much JOY I find in being a Grandma? If Chelsea is here to visit, you can bet I have my camera with me. Instead of watching TV, like she always wants to do, I persuaded her to go for a walk...and look what we found. Papa was coming home from his run and I was lucky enough to capture the moment she saw him.

Away she went, as fast as those little legs could move, yelling for her Papa the whole way.

I don't know who's face was brighter, hers or Papa's.

I think it is safe to say he enjoys being a Papa as much as I enjoy being a Grandma.

Christian Ways to Reduce Stress

After reading all the ways to reduce stress (below) I thought I would research a bit and find out how "stress" is defined. I thought of how proud Ronda would be that I Googled the word all by myself. I am not sure that was a great idea as I have now found out the following: Stress is a noun, but can also be a verb, and it can be good stress or bad stress. There are stress tests, heat stress, tramatic stress, stress fractures, and stress management to name a few. Crimany, can't I just find a cute definition? Yes, I looked at a bazillion dictionary definitions and didn't like a one of them. Then I found this paragraph, so I am not alone in my search....

"If you were to ask a dozen people to define stress, or explain what causes stress for them, or how stress affects them, you would likely get 12 different answers to each of these requests. The reason for this is that there is no definition of stress that everyone agrees on, what is stressful for one person may be pleasurable or have little effect on others and we all react to stress differently."

I guess no matter what we face in life, we have a choice in who and what we will turn to to help us through it. I challenge myself to not only turn to my source, (my God who loves me so unconditionally), in the hard times but also in the good times, the everyday times. I am learning to place my hand in his and go for a walk through my day with Him. Who better to spend your day with anyway.
*He picks me up when I fall, even when it is in the middle of the street from falling off my shoe.
*He laughs with me, and maybe even at me.
*He comforts me, not only from the cold but from all the arrows thrown at this ol' heart of mine.
*He guides me, I just forget to listen sometimes and end up on a one way street going the opposite direction.
I hope some of these help............
CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS...
An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?"
(Romans 8:31)

A Little Lost

I have been at a loss for words lately. Hard to believe huh? After having Chelsea live with us for 3 months her mom felt it was time to take her back to live with her. I knew that day would come, I knew it was only temporary, but the more time went on and the more Mark and I poured our heart and soul into raising her, the harder that reality became.
With Spring Break came the day of Heart Break for Mark and I. Sarah was ready to take her back and my heart just wasn't prepared for the pain that would cause. I can't really remember the last time I cried for an entire day and could not get it together. The harder I tried to dry the tears the harder they came. Even today, a month later, tears are finding their way down my face as I try and write about it.
People wonder if after having one child if they can possibly love the next one the same. The love you feel for that first child is so overwhelming, you can't imagine you have more love to give. But then with the birth of each child you find that your heart just keeps holding more and more and you love each child the same.
I don't think my heart was prepared for how much love it would hold for a grandchild. There was instantly a bond that I don't know how to put into words. A love that consumes my heart, in every minute of every day. A love that holds so many hopes and dreams, a God-given Love.
In some aspects, I think it is a second chance at life, to give something more than maybe you were able to give to your own children. There really is nothing that can replace the wisdom we acquire from being parents. I see all the mistakes I made with my own children, we all make them no matter how hard we try to do things right, we can all look back and say we would of done something different. I don't think I was a bad parent, I am not saying that, I just see now where I could of taken more time to enjoy life instead of get through it.
And now I learn how to be a Grandparent. Just as there was no manual for becoming a parent, there is no manual for me to walk in this new role. I find myself wanting to walk in the shoes of a parent and yet knowing that that is my daughter's role now, and I have new shoes to fill. I am finding I have to think about the role I wanted my parents to play in my own children's lives, the role they had as Grandparents, and try and respect the boundaries that come with that role.
I have to be willing to step back and allow Sarah to learn, as I will have to do with all my children as they become parents. I am just not real good at stepping back and not saying anything. I want to fix the wrongs, I want to see change, I think I want to be in control and I am not.
So, I choose to just be the best Grandma I can be. I keep on loving, to keep on giving, to keep on praying. To accept the role God is giving me, and to let him lead me and guide me. I think I am a full time job for God sometimes. I can just see him waiting so patiently for me to just stop and listen. I know he will heal my heart and dry the tears. He is just asking me to trust him.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the soft faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have never insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not have worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realised that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When the kids kissed me impetuously, I would have never said, ‘Later now go get washed for dinner.’
There would have been more ‘I love yous’, more ‘I’m sorrys’,
But mostly given another shot at life,

I would seize every minute … look at it and really see it … live it … and never give it back.

Let us think about what GOD has blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually. Life is too short to let it pass you by. We have only this one shot at this and then it’s gone. I hope you all have a blessed day.

The Castle Park

You just aren't American if you don't think these aren't the cutest faces you have ever seen. During Spring Break Ronda and I braved the weather and took the kids to the park. Although officially named Pioneer Park, Chelsea has named it The Castle Park and Landon calls it The Wood Park. Anyway you spell it, the kids love it. It took us 2 1/2 hours to convince Chelsea to leave so we could go to McDonalds and play there. Landon is such a good sport with Chelsea. Kinda like Ronda is with me...LOL. Chelsea and I both kinda like to be in charge, make the rules, change them to see fit, and insist it is done our way, and then Ronda and Landon both just say Okay, we can do that.

Landon was great for getting Chelsea to pose for a picture and I am not sure she knew it most of the time. She has some lessons to take from him though on how to pose. That kid has more poses and facial expressions than I ever dreamed of. LOVE IT.

They played on the slides, climbed the wall (although not one of their favorites), dug in the sand, and anything else they could find to do.

I think Chelsea is pole dancing here but not sure. I do know that Ronda had to set her camera to a very fast setting to capture her, she doesn't stay in one spot for more than a few seconds.

You about had to be there to enjoy the tire swing pictures. They weren't happy if the swing slowed down even a little bit and the higher the better. Most of the time they were sideways they were swinging so high and Chelsea would just throw her head back and laugh hysterical.

All in all, we got over 300 pictures from our outing. Not bad since my battery died in my camera as soon as I got there, Ronda brought her camera and and extra one for me. The one I had the battery went dead after about 10 pictures and Ronda's card was full. After some creative swapping of cameras and cards and a lot of

patience, we got some terrific pictures. I won't bore you with all of them, well, maybe just a few...

Dancin the Day Away

Boy, did these two ever have a fun day together. Molly and Chelsea are both girly girls and love to dress the part. After we refinished the hard wood floors we took our time in moving the furniture back in, so Chelsea thought it was her own dance studio. I think she loved the sound the shoes made on the floors. I should of tried to get video of this event but they were moving too quick, it was all I could do to snap these.
 
I give them a perfect "10" on this dance move. They are in perfect unison and I am sure they didn't have a clue. Oh, to be young again, to be so full of life.
 
Molly is always willing to pose for me when I get the camera out, and Chelsea won't let anyone get more attention from me than she is getting. This makes for fun pictures when Molly comes over to play.
 
It will be fun to watch these two cousins grow up together. I know you will find this hard to believe but Chelsea is the bossy one and Molly is the follower. This fact makes me a little nervous, as I can only imagine the places Chelsea will take Molly. I think stong supervision will be required.
 

Who ever said, "all dressed up and no place to go"? I am never afraid of a challenge, so when I needed to go to Wal Mart, I just loaded them up and away we went. I didn't say I was "smart" I just said I wasn't afraid. Molly's shoe broke in half in the store, they fought over who got to sit where in the cart, then cried because they wanted to walk. The jewels and crowns were on again and off again, they wanted a toy or two, and I wanted to go home and rest. We did get some quizzical looks though, "WHAT, we dress like this everyday, don't they know that?"

More Prettiness....

Now, just in case you are wondering....she goes into her room all by herself and comes out dressed like this. She picks out her dress, adorns herself in jewels of her choice, and today, applied make-up again. How can I not stop and take pictures.
 
On this day she chose to wear matching Princess shoes, and to wear them on the right feet. I love her fat little feet, that her Papa calls "Flintstone Feet" 
Make note of the ear-rings, they however do not match today which is okay when you are a "Princess". When in doubt, wear one of each.
 
Cheese! Once again posing for Grandma. You must remember the phase she went through where I wasn't allowed to take her picture so most of my pictures were of the back of her head as she ran away from me and the camera. I must say, I like this phase much better.
 

And, my favorite of all, when I actually get a picture of me and the Princess. It is not easy taking these pictures of myself and getting us in the lens but I am getting better at it. Maybe one day I will dress up in my best royalty attire and try a photo shoot. How much fun will that be.

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty

I just never know what she will do next. Chelsea has her own "make-up" that I believe I got her for Christmas. Great idea. More opportunities for photo shoots.

She was very proud of her cosmetology lesson, and ever so ready for me to take a picture of her beautiful make up.

Capturing these moments on film is one thing but it is another to experience them. I am learning that I have more patience than I ever thought I did, and to "not sweat the small stuff". She has got into this make up at some very inopportune times, and I have had to really check myself as to whether it was really that big of a deal. Don't be thinking I am a saint for this trait though, I recently missed a great photo opp by reacting to one of her "bad behaviour" moments, instead of capturing the moment.

Being a Grandma is the best job I have ever had. Absolutely PRICELESS!