Mama of 2 P's in a Pod

It's been almost 3 years since we met Parker. She was a surprise baby to us, one we hadn't planned for but one that has changed our lives in ways we never imagined. She has always seem to have this knowledge of her presence in our lives, as a blessing more than anything else. She is our little calmer, she has this uncanny way of coming up to me when I'm at my worst and putting her sweet hand on my face and helping bring a sudden calm over me. Now don't get me wrong, she is a BUSY, BUSY little girl. From the moment she wakes up to the moment she finally gives in to sleep at night, that little girl has things to do. Whether it's dressed up in high heels and carrying a purse or finding a way to drive her big sister crazy, Parker is always up for a challenge. I can't believe our baby is already turning 3! She kept her end of the deal this summer, we told her if she could potty-train, we'd send her to sister's pre-school. Well guess who's potty-trained...

Did I ever mention what sweet little girls we have?! Parker was pretty sleepy this morning on the way to daycare, so Piper and I had a chance to chat it up a bit. She's into Knock-Knock jokes right now, thanks to her friends Camrie and Caden. Only they're all too young to understand the jist of them so they kind of just say " knock-knock " " who's there?" " banana" banana who ?" " banana peel " (PAUSE) "haha that's so funny mommy!" SO of course I have to laugh too for so many reasons. One, their innocence, I need to cherish it while I can. Two, it's a great sound to hear, your child's laughter. And three, how can I not laugh when our daughter is trying to entertain me! So we had several knock-knock jokes that really went no where joke-wise but took Piper and I a few steps further on our mother-daughter journey. I did finally get one through to her that she may repeat, so if she asks you knock-knock, just g...

I've been kind of in a little funk lately, not sure what that's all about. The girls have felt it too I can tell, their behavior has been all over the place. Its hard to stay in a funk when you know others peoples' moods and behavior revolve around how you carry yourself. I guess that is a blessing in disguise. I am grateful for my family and friends' patience. I'm ready to smile again and find some peace within myself. Chocolate doesn't hurt either...... =)

On June 14th, I got the cool task of being able to perform a wedding for two very good friends of ours! They asked me jokingly awhile back if I'd become ordained to marry them, so I jokingly said yes, well it turned out they needed me and so I stepped up to the challenge! I was so nervous, but Tony and Cristie were very reassuring and not demanding at all! I did cry during the sand pouring ceremony though, and apparently I made a few of their guests cry too! I commend them both for being such great parents to Tony's children (now Cristie's too!) and for letting Kris and the girls and I share in on their lives. I am grateful for their friendship and I think their day of love rekindled a few feelings in several couples we know.... =) It was an honor to be part of their special day and I hope as I type this, they are enjoying their honeymoon! We've had a lot going on in our home the past few weeks. Kris and I started a new doctor who helped us figure a few things out. Of...

I just polished off two chocolate chip cookies. Was I hungry? No. Did they serve some sort of nutritional purpose? No. Why did I eat them? Because they were there! I think I've finally had my AHA moment that Oprah always talks about. I am done killing myself with food. That's essentially what I do to myself everytime I over-indulge. By chosing not to get up this morning to work out before my family got up, is basically telling them I don't think they're worth my health. I am not talking about going on a diet, or joining an exercise group that I'll quit 3 weeks down the road. I'm talking about making a major life change. That means eating in moderation. I will still have a cookie at some point, but I am not in a position right now to say "there are times we just need cookies!" I DO NOT need a cookie right now. What I need is to fuel my body enough to nourish it, but eat less than I am right now, to find a healthy weight. That weight for me is about 50 ...

Kris and I got quite the scare yesterday when Piper decided to take a tumble while collecting bugs at daycare. According to Allie, her co-bug collector, Piper was carrying a bucket of Rollie Pollies, Slugs and more when she lost her footing on the deck and fell head over heels, literally. Allie says Piper smacked the back of her head on the concrete. Our daycare provider, Cheryl, rushed Piper inside and did the usual work-over. Tyenol, ice and checking her pupils. After a few minutes, Cheryl says Piper seemed fine and was allowed to go back outside. A few minutes after that, Cheryl noticed Piper had fallen asleep on the trampoline. So once again Piper was rushed inside the house and checked over, all while Cheryl called me to fill me in on what happened. Of course I texted Kris, who was on the ambulance about what happened and called our pediatrician who said to bring her on in. On my way over to daycare, Cheryl said Piper started vomitting so I knew it was more than just a bump on her...

M ay has always been such a busy month in our family. It starts off with my mom's birthday, which was a big one this year! She turned 50 and looks fabulous! I hope those genes will continue to be passed down! She is such a wonderful mom and an even better grandma! The girls adore her and are so blessed to have two fantastic grandmas all within a 5 minute drive! Then we head into Mother's Day which happened to be on my Oma's(German for Grandma) birthday this year. What a great day to be celebrated! She has Alzheimers and while we've had some up's and down's since her diagnosis, she seems to be happy with where life has taken her for now! Of course, there are some Dodds birthdays in there as well! Both of my sister-in-laws celebrate their days, Brandi in the middle of the month and Heather at the end of the month. With mine somewhere in between, my mother-in-law Pat has alot to remember, but she handles it well! My best friend of 25 years, Deneen, turns 30 two day...