New Bike

Flashback: As I cleaned out Chloe's playroom to prepare for the move, I found money. Money in her purses, wallets, and jewelry boxes. See, her Opa likes to pass out dollars to her...she gets dollars for saying the alphabet, spelling her name, writing her name, counting in spanish...you name it. As long as he is impressed, she gets money! Chloe likes the change the best! Anyways, as I began counting the money i found, I was stunned. The child was banking! She had almost $40.00 in her room. I gathered it up and put it all in the jewelry box.

Recently, Chloe saw a bike that she really wanted. I told her that if she wanted to use her money to pay for half of the bike, then i would pay for the other half! She decided, after i told her that she didn't have to spend her pennies, that she would take me up on the deal! We went to toys R us, that she calls "tosy for us", and picked out a bike. It is hot pink with flowers and her helmet matches! She is suprisingly a very good bike rider! She is growing up so fast!

Get Ready World....

She's CRAWLING!
.....and it is so adorable! It takes so much concentration for her to crawl right now! She can go from sitting to crawling position and back to sitting! Pretty talented young lady, if I do say so myself!! She now wears babylegs around the house so that her sweet little knees don't get carpet burn! I bought her some really cute ones today! (White with multi-colored hearts!).

So, needless to say, this momma's job just got a little more busy!

Oh my word! She is so stinkin' cute!

Lucky number seven!

Curt and I celebrated seven years of Wedded Bliss on July 19, 2009! I am grateful to God for such a wonderful and Godly husband! Chloe took this picture of us on our anniversary!

House Pics!

The kitchen



The dining area and kitchen



Living Room


The living room, dining room, kitchen, and my beautiful Chloe!






In Chloe's room! This is her kitchen area!



Chloe's bed!


Trinity's room!


Her crib is so beautiful!


That's our house! ALMOST COMPLETE!

Lately...

We have been a busy family! There are several things to make sure I add to this post so here goes!

*We are completely moved in to the house...and we even have some grass growing! Minus window curtains...
*We had an awesome garage sale! Britt and I put our things together and discovered that to many people, our trash really is their treasure! It was so successful on Friday that we closed down on Saturday because we didn't figure that we had enough junk left to wake up at 5:45 on a Saturday morning! But, without fail, people still rang the doorbell on Saturday morning and we sold a few more things that way! I don't want to do another garage sale for a long time, but the next time I do one, it will be with Britt. Thanks girlie, it was fun!
*Oh, Wesley (Britt's little precious boy and Chloes friend!) mows the yard! Amazing. He is 5 and is about to start kindergarten. His daddy helps him, but how cool is it that he is mowing a yard...now, how do I get Chloe to make her bed?? Britt, any hints? (and send me pics so I can post them!, afterall...family!)
*Chloe is going to summer camp at First Baptist Church. She is in the leopard class and is really enjoying her Tuesdays and Thursdays at "School". She comes home everyday with a new craft, a new story, and is glad to have played with other little people that day!
*Trinity had her six month appointment last Friday...Yes, she is seven months old...I forgot! They said it wasn't a big deal that we were late on the check-up because they don't get shots again until 12 months! So, no biggie, right? Anyways, enough about my mommy procrastination issues, the appointment went great! Trinity weighs 18 pounds and is in the 75th percentile for all of her measurements. The doctor said that she is right on with all of her new skills and there were no problems. He told me that Trinity was beautiful and that I was a wonderful mom! And, yes, I am pretending that he doesn't say that to everybody! Trinity got her shots, cried, settled down, and took a nap! All was good!
*Trinity has a new tooth! Her bottom, middle, left tooth broke skin on Monday. I was wondering why she was fussy and could not get enough of my popsicle in the pool! It is adorable and I think the tooth next door is working its way out! poor baby.
*and lastly, we had Trinity's picture made today. We recreated a picture that we had taken of Chloe when she was 7 months old. They look so much alike! Take a look!


Aren't they precious?!

Doubly Special!

July 8th is a doubly special day. My parents share this day as their birthday. My dad was scarfing down his first birthday cake the same day that Christine Wilhelm gave birth to his true love, Rita. I think it is pretty cool that my parents share a birthday, not too many people can say that!

Dad,
Happy Birthday. It has been a long year since your last birthday. A lot of changes in your life have accrued and you have handled it all so gracefully. It is your very evident love for Christ that has enabled you to get through this year. You know that God is in control. You have shown me that you have faith in God and truly believe in His sovereignty. You have taught me so much through your words and actions about God's love for us. As I walk through life, striving to be more Christ-like, I have you as an example to me. So, Thank you daddy! And thank you for caring for my mommy and my Children's Mimi. You love her and we see it.

Mom,
Happy Birthday. I still remember your last birthday. It was a normal birthday that we, very ignorantly, took for granted. Shortly after that birthday, you got sick. Sometimes I look back on those months that we didn't know what was wrong and wish that we had known. I am sorry for getting frustrated, I am sorry for yelling, I am sorry for not being compassionate. I am so sorry. When we learned that it was your heart, I was afraid. I thought that we were going to lose you. I hurt inside. I am so thankful for God's mercy and grace. The doctors were given the wisdom to take care of you. I know that you do not feel and probably won't be "100%", but here we are celebrating your birthday. I am so grateful to God. Mom, you are a miracle from God. I am not sure what I would be without you, but I want you to know that you have taught me so much about being a mother, wife, and friend. You have taught me that it is better to give...in fact, you find so much joy in helping others. Thank you for teaching me that. You have also taught me faith. There were so many conversations we had while you were sick and I remember you saying that God was in control and that what was happening was completely supposed to happen. How amazing! Happy Birthday!
I love you mommy!

Christmas in July

Dear Mommy,
I love the fact that you feed me yummy sweet potatoes, and that I have this really great new high chair! I love that you give me lots of kisses and always try to make sure I look totally adorable every day. But, yesterday while you were feeding me lunch, you made me wear the Santa Claus bib...I dont know if you know this, but it's July! Please let me stick to the really cute pink bibs with flowers and animals...I won't even protest the bib with my big sisters name embroidered on it!
love,
Trinity




Dear Trinity,
My sincerest apologies. I do realize that it is July. I will try to keep up with the laundry better so that you will always have a cute bib to sport during meal time. If it is any help, it did remind big sister that Santa is still watching, even in July! It kept her from throwing a huge fit! So, thank you!
love,
Mommy

Faith

Yesterday it poured. Hard. We loved it, Chloe...not so much. She (sadly) inherited the "storm nerves" from me. She was pretty nervous, but trying to act cool!

While she stood watching the downpour through the back door at Mimi and Opa's house she turned to us and said "God said that he would not let it flood ever again".

She is right. And He won't.

Chloe taught me in that little innocent statement that made all of us smile.

She showed faith in God. She believes His word.

Very cool.

I saw a sign in a store the other day that said, " Faith is not thinking that He can, but knowing the He will". Well said, person who designs signs for Hobby Lobby, well said.

May Chloe never lose her faith in God and may she never second guess his word. I pray that I can live by example for my kids, showing them and teaching them about my faith.

I have faith in Jesus Christ, my sovereign and Holy Savior. Do you?

Red, White, and Cute!

The girls had a pretty good July 4th holiday. Here are some of the days events...After the cleaning of the floors and bathrooms of course!

Chloe and Trinity went swimming with Opa. We could not find a hat for Trinity, so we improvised! Ha! The funniest part (for me) was that she had no clue that she had swimsuit bottoms on her head!


Chloe took a great nap in Mimi and then Opa's arms.



It poured outside!



And, I made a cheesecake with a strawberry star on top!

Please do not be too impressed...it is a Jell-0 no-bake cheesecake! And, if you are one of those people who spend hours making cheesecake from scratch...I want you to know that this stuff is just as yummy ( okay...maybe not JUST AS yummy) and it took me 3 minutes tops! Oh, but feel free to drop by with some homemade cheesecake anytime. Maybe I will have some slice and bake cookies to give in return! Ha!


Did I mention the amount of rain we got?



Happy 233rd birthday America!

Life Lessons...

that I have learned from Chloe...
1. always sit next to the person eating a popsicle
2. always, always, always lick the bowl!
3. playdough is super fun!
4. Mimi's bed is the most comfortable place in the world!
5. Swim...everytime the opportunity presents itself, and don't worry about getting your hair wet.
6. It's okay to get upset at your best friend, and still be best friends!
7. If you don't know, ask.
8. use big words...even it you don't know what they mean or use them out of context!
9. When you talk on the phone, always use a voice that makes you sound atleast 10 years older than you are!
10. If there is music, you must dance. No options!
11. Shoes are optional.
12. If your little sister is crying, push her all around the house in her high chair on wheels! (okay, don't do this one, she got in trouble!)
13. love to learn.
14. Its okay to make up your own words!
15. Always say exactly what you are thinking.

She has taught me so much more. She is such an interesting person. And, when she is not going through her "I am a four year old toot" phase, she is so fun to be around!

I love you Chloe!

Tossin' and Turnin'

turnin' and tossin', tossin' and turnin' all night!

This was the song I thought of when I saw this last night....

I am so glad I checked on her before I went to bed...I wonder how this happened!

Sittin' Pretty!

Trinity is sitting up. She still falls over sometimes when she gets really excited, but for the most part, she can sit up all by herself.
She also has a new highchair. Her Mimi bought it for her to sit in in the new house! It has been a lifesaver!

Beauty Shop

Chloe really missed her play vanity. It was in storage for a long time. Her first night at home, we decided to play beauty shop. I fixed her hair, then she fixed mine. She was talking to me as if she were a 25 year old salon owner!
Chloe: Hi ma'am, how are you today?
Me: Well, I'm good.
Chloe: okay...well, how are your "chirdren"?
Me: Well, they are doing good.
Chloe: good, is Chloe still pretty...

Ha! The conversation went on for a while, but I thought that was the best part!

Here is how I fixed her hair....





Here is how she fixed mine....

I got the better end of the bargain on this one!

Me: Chloe, why so many hair clips
Chloe: you silly, so it will stay!

All done!

Okay...maybe not ALL done, but mostly! We officially live in our home. There is not one box in our house. All is put away and has a spot. The girls rooms are completely finished, the kitchen is done, the living room is completed, the entry way still needs a mirror hung, our bedroom needs another picture hung, and there are no curtains yet! But, the house is livable, nice, organized, and comfortable! What more could a girl ask for?...well, curtains and a few pictures hung I guess!!

The move went (fairly) smooth. On Friday, the day after closing, the movers were supposed to show up at 7am to begin their job. Well, they were late. Okay, they were VERY late. I think they rolled up around 12:30. I was not a happy camper...or should I say mover! They finally finished moving everything to the new place around 8:30. Lets just say, they were not in a big hurry. Would you be if you were getting paid by the hour?! If you are planning on moving and need to hire movers...call me first! I can suggest to you who NOT to hire.

Chloe and Trinity went to Nana's house for the weekend while we unpacked the endless amounts of boxes! We figured that with two girls, not much would get accomplished. We were right! The minute they got home, the non-stop working halted. Moving in became a little more of a challenge. But, I didn't mind. I missed them so bad. Here is a picture of chloe as she sees her room for the first time!



We have enjoyed the house so far. I have actually enjoyed cooking dinner every night! Chloe has had a little bit of a hard time coping with living here. This was our conversation her first night to sleep at home:
me: goodnight baby.
Chloe: goodnight...mommy, when I wake up in the middle of the night and want to sleep with Mimi, will you drive me there.
me: in the middle of the night?
Chloe: yes
me: no, sweetie. This is your home now.
Chloe: you mean, you want me to live here...without my Mimi?

*sidenote*
Chloe decided that she wanted to call Mimi and Opa to come get her so that she could go to their house and swim. I gave her the phone and told her the numbers to push. She waited and waited, then said "uh, she just said she would call me back...then hung up...". A confused look consumed her face....
Curt and I began laughing...Chloe had actually heard my mom's voicemail that says "leave your name and number and I'll call you back"...
Too funny! I guess voicemail is a foreign concept to a four year old!