Thursday, January 27, 2011

Thursday, January 20, 2011

post Christmas Orlando

Every year we go to Orlando with my family after Christmas, before New Years. My mom's birthday is in December and she requested a birthday dinner with characters in Disney World. (Such a wonderful Mimi.) Well "the clubhouse" as Josie calls it (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) has given us a love for all things Disney. Josie was excited to spend dinner with Pluto and Goofy. Can you tell how excited she was?


Sharing desserts with mom. Doing what we do best.
She loves her daddy!! This was her face after she saw Goofy was coming to our table next.
Cousins...(aka Josie's imaginary friends in every possible playing scenario).
Raleigh 7, Camden 5, Durham 3.

Friday, January 14, 2011

some of the best parenting advice...


some of the best parenting advice came from my mentor at church. she has five children (that are wonderful) so i am all ears when she shares.
"never do for your child what they can do for themselves."
she told me this nugget of goodness when josie was just a baby but i locked it away in the forefront of my mommy brain. the truth is it takes A LOT of patience to carry this out but the Lord has helped me realize that is what my days are about. training up my children for life and godliness. so to sit and watch my 2 1/2 year old put her own shoes and clothes on is my portion right now. even though it takes a good 15-20 minutes. i force myself to sit and truly let her do it all by herself. the joy is the confidence she gains.

the other reward (for me) of instituting this advice early on was that josie was very independent when izzie was born. it is now one less thing for me to do. and she loves to do it "all by my-self". (the potty independence is awe....some).
this blog today was so good and reminded me of the value of this principle.
do any of you have nuggets of goodness to share from over the years?
(my sweet izzie. she really is the sweetest thing you have every seen.)

Thursday, January 6, 2011

blogs vs. tv

Blogs are winning.
However my blog is losing.

I have found myself more involved in blogs than tv lately. I love being able to just get the information about the topics that I like without all the other fluff.
Since it has been 3 weeks since I blogged last...I thought I could at least post my 2 new favorite blogs.
Today's Letters is my most recent addition. Super cute and funny. Largely just life stuff.
Kendi Everyday has been a sister, consult and money saver. Kendi is a cute confident realistic fashionista. She shows how to create new outfits out of what you already have. Hence the saving money part. When I am feeling like I have "nothing to wear" I just pull up her cute blog and thumb through the pages and brainstorm on the new combos in my closet. Like I said very valuable.

Hopefully more posts are coming about the holidays, Kiki's wedding, Josie's broken collarbone and our trip to Orlando.