The Essence of a Mother

I know aren't they SO precious!! This is Ana's little friend Hannah. Some friends came over for dinner some weeks back. Hannah is their first baby. Hannah was born about 5 weeks early. You can't tell. She has gotten so big. She is about a month older than Ana. We thought it was so cute they were wearing the same colors so we snapped some pics. They are so cute!! Anyway, quick update---- I have been extremely focused on my routine/schedule so I haven't had much time to do some free time stuff like blogging, surfing the net, or even checking my emails much. There is so much to do here at home and I need to catch up on alot. Plus I've been to the dentist almost every week this past month. I've been taking some of the kids in for appointments and I had a root canal. Ouch!! Actually, it wasn't that bad. I had my part 2 of the root canal yesterday. And in a few weeks, I will get my crown placed. FUN!! I much rather be blogging than sitting at the...

This week's post is about Ephraim my "So adorable, you just have to kiss and squeeze him!" little boy. Ephee is almost 18 months old. He is such a cute little boy. He has the biggest blue eyes (well sometimes they look green to me). He has the dark hair and he is so squishy. He doesn't talk much but when he wants something he will let you know with a BIG YELL!!! Yeah, not fun. Oh, and he loves to eat. He isn't very picky but you better be quick to get his food on the highchair tray or else you get a BIG YELL!! We are training him to say please and ask quietly for his food. He loves Ana and says "Ahhhhh" and gives her a kiss when he notices her. He is so sweet!!! I know, momma's love. Ephraim loves going outside. I snapped these the other morning when we were taking our walk. He also loves his baths....I think he is going to love the pool this summer. Chris

Yesterday, for Easter Sunday, we went to my in-laws. We had a blast. The kids played in the pool, made mud pies, played football, went Egg hunting, and had some yummy food. I just hung out with the "big girls" and chatted. Ana was a little fussy. This was her first time at Mema's and Pop's house. She didn't have her bed there, so she wasn't settling to sleep very well. Most of the time she was held by one of the adults. Here are a few snap shots from yesterday: (Here are the grandkids all but one...Ephee was getting his diaper changed) (Ephraim didn't know what he was looking for!) (Daddy, Tsavah, and Ana looking for eggs) (My sister-in-law puts these on Ana..sweet baby, didn't know what to think..LOL) (The girls and their cousin Ethan) (Here we are...All the "KIDS"--big and small)

Today we had Ana dedicated publicly unto the Lord. Here are a few pics of todays big day. (Taken before the dedication) (Our Pastor praying over Ana) (Another photo of all of us and our Pastor and wife) (Ana and me) Chris

Since finishing the Managers of Their Chores book and starting the ChorePack system, I highly recommend to any family who has children and has struggled with their children doing chores to buy this book. It is such a great book and so easy to use the system. When the book first arrived, I flipped through it and immediately became so overwhelmed by how much information there was. I wanted to start the system that day but I had to read the book cover to cover. It took about a week and then I started the system. ( These chorepacks are hanging up in my laundry room) ( Closer look at what they look like) (Card for the pre-reader--he is still learning) (This is where I store the rest of my cards with other chores) I have tried other ways of accomplishing chores at home and this has far gone above and beyond my expectations. The kids love doing their ChorePacks and every morning all I have to say is "Start your chorepacks!" and they go off and do them. I can't believe tho...

Ana is 7 weeks. Wow, time flies. Here are some recent pictures of her. ( She matches her bouncer seat) (She's wearing her Hawaiian Moo Moo) (The girls pick this outfit out for her, it has a little skirt) (She is so precious, isn't she)

As I begin to assess my surroundings, I am putting together my schedule.  I have found that if I want to get everything accomplished in a day, I need to wake up at 4:30 AM.  I know this sound extra early.  I have tried this past week to aim for this wake time, but I haven't arrived.  I usually will wake around 5 ish to feed the baby and then roll out of bed around 5:30 or 6:00.  But it isn't consistent every day.  My wake time is dependent on who or what wakes me first--the baby or the alarm clock.  I have found that the alarm will be blasting for 30 minutes but as soon as the baby starts to stir, I wake up.  Funny, isn't it? So here is my question:  Do I have to be so strict with my time?  This where my struggle comes.  I have a set routine I follow but if I don't wake up at the same time, something is going to be left undone.  I am still putting my schedule together by following the  MOTH approach to scheduling. This book is an excellent source of information for tho...