Interviews with my Loves

I saw this on a friend's blog, and I couldn't wait to do it with the girls. 

Kayleigh at 3 1/2 years old...

I first asked her to recite her name: Kayleigh Bonner

How old are you? She held up 3 fingers and gave me a look that she wasn't feeling this quiz. ;)

What is your favorite color? Pink

Who is your best friend? Kelsey

Favorite Animal: the monkey...no the elephants

What do you want to be when you're all grown up? a big elephant

What is your favorite movie? Beauty and the Beast

What is your favorite book? Itsy Bitsy Spider book

What makes you happy? Kelsey <3

What makes you sad? After saying I don't know like 5 times and me pushing for an answer, she finally shouted "You make me sad!!!" LOL

What is your most favorite food to eat? chocolate cookies

What is your favorite song to sing? Twinkle Twinkle

What games do you like to play? Candyland 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Campbell at 2 years 1 month...

I only got a few answers before her attention span ran out. I filled in for the rest.

I first asked her to recite her name: Camel Bonners (She also frequently refers to herself as Sissy Bonners, especially when answering the phone. <3 <3 <3)

How old are you? She held up a one then a five and said "I don't know" with exasperation.

What is your favorite color? Chocolate LOL One thing on the mind!

Who is your best friend? Sissy

Favorite Animal: Doggy (She is our little animal whisperer. She definitely takes after her Daddy and Papa Jack.)

What do you want to be when you're all grown up? This really perplexed her. LOL Maybe next year.

What is your favorite movie? Ponyo

What is your favorite book? She loves just about any book, especially Curious George. She will happily sit as long as someone is reading to her. It is quite the miracle that anything keeps her sitting still.

What makes you happy? "CDFG" (ABC song) and Sunshine (her elephant that sings You are My Sunshine)

What makes you sad? She didn't answer, but I think it is safe to assume getting put in time out all.day.long probably bums her out a little. Oh my little troublemaker. Good thing I love her!

What is your most favorite food to eat? cookie (can you tell we made chocolate chip cookies the other day?)

What is your favorite song to sing? Twinkle Twinkle This girl loves to sing. We sing a million songs before bed each night.

What games do you like to play? Again no answer, but she LOVES to play the "I'm going to do something I shouldn't and then run" game and anything Big Sister is playing of course.

Contentment

I just started an amazing Beth Moore Bible study at my church two weeks ago. I LOVE it. Along with the class, people have been emailing their thoughts, questions, struggles, etc. Now to be honest, this study is so intense that I'm not sure I can even connect and put into words all the thoughts and feelings rolling around in my heart and mind from the first week. I just keep praying that God will take all the thoughts He has laid on my heart and piece them together for me...eventually. My heart and mind are so full, after just two weeks! Some women taking the study with me have emailed some amazing, insightful thoughts on the study, and one lady spoke some truth that hit home with me. This very wise woman, Deana, noted that we as women often lack self grace. Beth Moore said in this week's video to "Side with the Lord on your own self evaluation." Now I am the first to admit that I am so hard on myself in every possible way, but I never looked at it from the perspective that I am denying myself of the grace of God. This woman noted that we are constantly comparing ourselves, to other women who "do it all," to the Biblical description of what a woman should be, and to the perfect woman/wife/mother we think we should be in our own twisted minds. This either leads to wanting to be like another woman who is just as imperfect and sinful as the rest of us instead of striving to be like Christ or feeling so defeated that we wallow in despair and defeat. We lose sight of God's grace and that through His grace I can be the woman I was called to be. This wise woman goes on to point out our struggles with believing the lies of this world, specifically as a SAHM that we aren't doing enough, that we aren't important enough or that we are just changing diapers and cleaning messes all day instead of using our degrees/intelligence/talents. This leads to a perpetual search to be more, to do more, to be better. Instead we should be seeking peace and contentment. Only sharing these struggles with the Lord will calm your mind and fill your heart. Releasing them to Him allows us to be happy in the moment, to be content with our calling right now and leaving your calling for tomorrow in His hands. Isn't that all we want to do anyway? To be in the moment and enjoy every second? Discontent only leads to distraction and endless searching, which in turn keeps us from being in the moment, which of course inevitably leads to self-loathing that we aren't doing this whole mommy thing right/good enough.

I'm going to stop, seek peace and contentment daily, and in turn, enjoy every moment in this fleeting life allowing my heart to be full of the thankfulness, joy and love that my blessed life certainly deserves.

Today was my 28th birthday. I honestly loved everything about my day. It was probably mundane compared to the day in the life of many others I know, but to me it was perfect. I woke up to a Mr. Potato head for my birthday just for me because I like big pink noses. LOL The girls climbed in bed with me and snuggled while we watched cartoons on my phone. I did some chores, gave my girls not one but two baths*, and watched them play in this beautiful fall weather. My new tripod and camera remote came in the mail from my dear husband. They were exactly what I wanted. Wonder how he knew??? Oh yeah, after 5 years of marriage, I've learned to tell him exactly what I want. Men don't do subtle hints very well. Brett also came home early, which in itself would be enough, but he came home with SusieCakes cupcakes from the city, and they.were.delicious. We drove up to RP for some Olive Garden that I was craving and even a little shopping at the outlets for winter clothes for Kayleigh bug. It is amazing how such every day things can bring such happiness. I just feel so blessed. I'm starting to think we should get to celebrate our birthday at least 4 times throughout the year. Aren't birthdays the best? Wonder if I can get my husband on board with that? ;)

Kayleigh took this from behind the screen door with my new tripod.

The most delicious Red Velvet cupcake from Susie Cakes. <3

As you can tell, the girls and I dug right in. These were the only two left by the time B took a picture.

*Yes, I am an OCD clean freak. Snot in the hair is almost enough to send me over the edge. I resisted the urge to do bath #3, for which I am proud.

Right in Our Backyard

So I started this post with the intention of telling you about the revelation I've had about all the awesome things and places we have right in our backyard here in San Fran, but, ironically, it also relates to a funny little story about our night, so I'll start there. How's that for a compound sentence?? I think I'm Queen of ridiculously long sentences...and stories. So there's a theme I suppose. Yes, I've also been told, more than once...or twice, that I could talk to a brick wall. But that's neither here nor there.

Anyway, our night was wrapping up around here and I realized that I forgot to return the movie that I rented on Sunday. I take great pride in renting from the box only when it is free and can't stand being late and actually having to pay. This is normally my wonderful hubby's fault, and I can give him lots of grief (yes, I am the cheap one). The fact that it was my fault just made paying $1.08 sting a little more.  Yes, I'm THAT cheap. I grab my purse and try to escape out the door before being caught by my two little loves when I realize that I have no keys. Kayleigh comes bounding around the corner and sees my purse in hand. "Where are you going Mommy? I want to come." Ugh. I was caught and still had no keys. I go on a mad hunt for my keys with no luck. I have a very, very, VERY bad habit of losing things. I also lack patience and get very frustrated looking for them very quickly. I usually have to try to calm myself while calling my dear husband to come find the lost item for me. I have even tried to convince him that a lost remote was in fact a good enough reason for him to leave work and come home immediately to help me. See. I do seriously lack patience. Instead of helping me on my search, he grabs the movie and decides to just run to the store to return it. Literally. Run. That was unimaginable to me. I don't run, but he has been running every day, so off he went with Kayleigh protesting because she wanted to go TOO! Don't bother attempting to explain to a toddler why she can't run to the store with Daddy. She will only tell you that she will just hold his hand and make your heart melt, and trust me. She will not understand any more than when you started.

Though I lack patience, God gave me a whole heap of tenacity. So, I continue on my search when I remember that after ballet (which went ok...better but not great for those of you wondering...all three of you) we went straight from the car to the back patio. I did my Bible study homework while the girls played. While studying, Campbell, of course, got into my purse. I quickly checked that all my medicine was there and went back to studying. I was deep in thought in my study, so I continued on after taking my purse out of her dirty, mischievous fingers. Now that I realized I had no keys, the ONLY set of keys, to my car, I remember her quest through my purse. I ask Kayleigh who is honest to a fault if she or Campbell had my keys. Campbell is totally unreliable as she will answer yes to anything. ANYTHING. Well, unless it is me telling her to do something. So Kayleigh tells me that Campbell had the keys outside under the tree. So me and the little munchkins head outside with a flashlight at 8 o'clock at night looking for my keys. I searched for a few minutes until I remember the bear sighting in our neighborhood and totally freaked myself out, so I called my neighbor, who happens to be Brett's boss's wife, to see if she would just stand outside with me. You know... in case of a bear attack. A few minutes later, Brett's boss comes trudging outside to help me look. I would be mortified at this point, except that they know me and in fact they have helped me search for keys in the grass before. We all search for almost an hour. In case you are wondering, Brett did not take that long to run to the store. He came home to a scene in the backyard and he may be embarrassed, but he joined in on the search. I decide to look in the car for the third time, and what do I find? Yes...the keys...in Campbell's carseat...where I put them when I unbuckled her. Talk about embarrassing. I would like to say that I learned my lesson, but I'm sure it will happen again. Probably soon. It has only reinforced my belief that I should just give up immediately and let me husband do the searching. He would have found it the first time he looked.

So on the the real story of the day...I got an email about local discounts for military during Fleet Week next week. It reminded me of all the places and things that we've been wanting to see and do but haven't. I thought about the short year and half we have left here, and all the things we MUST start doing. It being my birthday week and all, I think I am going to use that to convince Brett to knock a few things off our list. I am dying to go here, here and here and I really want to go to Golden Gate park a million more times before we leave. After reading my newest Sunset magazine, I am also dying to take a quick trip to Chico to let the girls play at Bidwell Park and more importantly take a few pictures at this AMAZING bridge. I think I might have gasped and squealed when I saw it in the magazine. I immediately showed it to Brett and for some reason, he lacked the same enthusiasm. I think it sounds like a perfect plan for this Saturday. Unfortunately, my husband never reads my blog. If he did, I would tell him that I need a tripod and a remote for my camera to take a family pic or two. This one and this one would be just fine. Thanks.

I am now on a mission to explore and enjoy this amazing area before our short time left here is gone. Lord knows I will be over the moon when we leave this station, but I do want to enjoy it this awesome city while we are here. Get out and enjoy the place you live along with me, even if you've lived there forever. I'll try not to be jealous of your roots. 

P.S. If you so feel inclined, you are certainly welcome to share this blog with anyone you like, especially if his name is Brett and he should be planning a fabulous birthday for his amazing wife.

Pumpkin Painting

First of all, I can't believe it's fall, that it's almost Halloween, and even crazier that some places even have Christmas stuff out already! I took a quick trip to Walmart the other day. Well, nothing about it was quick considering it is 30-40 minutes away and I left during the evening commute, but while there, I saw these adorable pumpkins and thought about how fun it would be to paint some with the girls. What was I thinking by the way? Never mind the fact that I forgot a few of the basic essentials that I actually went to Walmart for. We now have zero trash bags and I am out of my barkeepers friend, which is pathetic that that is a big concern, but seriously, it is magic when you are doing dishes...BUT we do have mini pumpkins.

So I was feeling rather Mom of the Year the other morning and decided that we would put on old clothes and paint! Thankfully, grandma bought washable paint, so I wasn't too concerned (read: compulsive) about not making a mess.  And thankfully we were outside. And got in the bath immediately after. Wow. I sound like a crazy person.

 

 We started with such cute little pumpkins

 That were just dying to be blue and white and all sorts of fun colors.

 Of course Campbell got messy...

 

And ended up in timeout...

 And was mad about being in timeout. 

 (Notice she has moved down a step because she is never going to do what I want her to do...strong willed much?)

 And we DEFINITELY needed more paint to make a big mess for Daddy.

 Mommy was just glad the mess was outside (Daddy's dept) and not inside (Mommy's.)

Bet you can't guess who painted each one??? :)

My Ballaweena

Before she realized this was not just another dress-up outfit...

So Kayleigh started ballet classes last week, but I failed to discuss or blog about this event because it.was.catastrophic! You know when there is THAT kid at a restaurant, or at the park, or in class... She was THAT kid. She had been so excited to be a ballaweena and just about died when I told her that she couldn't wear her leotards, tights and ballet slippers around the house every day, so the first day of class comes and I'm expecting all smiles and squeals...and it was a nightmare. The class is kinda early, well, early for us non-morning people. You see the best thing about being a SAHM mom is getting to sleep in. Oh, I mean spending every second with your darling children is the best and sleeping in is just a close, close second. ;) And to those of you with babies still or non-sleeping children, my sympathies. Anyway, Kayleigh just so happens to be like her momma and is so not a morning person. Class at 9 am was just too much I suppose. ;) We all wake up about 8:15 thanks to a power outage and a dead iphone and therefore, no alarm. I'm just thankful my little darlings woke me up, as I could have probably slept until 10. So we rush around to get ready and breakfast in our bellies and rush out the door to ballet. Thankfully, it is *right* down the street, so we hurried in right at 9.

This is where the catastrophe began.

Kayleigh does not like to be left behind, and I mean even one step behind...literally. My hands were a little full with Campbell (literally and figuratively), a diaper bag, my purse and the camera of course, so when Kayleigh stopped in the doorway as I proceeded to walk in and find a seat, and the melt down began. I drop everything and go grab her hand to coax her in. Her screams just got louder and I may or may not have actually dragged her by her arm into the building. Thankfully her teacher, Ms. Lanie, is fabulous and terribly understanding, so she told me and Campbell to come join them in class and Kayleigh could join in when she wanted to. So we all plop down in the corner to watch as the other girls stretch and giggle and sing fun songs. I start out with the gentle prodding. "Don't you want to go have fun with your new friends?" I ask her. She clung to me harder, burying her face in my arm. After a few minutes the girls get up and each stand on a dot to start practicing first position. Ms. Lanie asks if Kayleigh would like to stand on her dot. She didn't even look up and I'm pretty sure at this point she may have been cutting off the circulation in my arm she was clinging to me so hard. After a bit longer and a lot more coaxing, I start to turn into "Not So Nice Mommy." No one likes Not So Nice Mommy, including Mommy. She's very not nice and quite impatient. I start threatening every threat I could think of. No tv. No playing with her friends...for a week! We are going to call Daddy. Literally, everything I could think of. She finally let go of me only to flail herself onto the floor and cry. Embarrassed, I tell her to stop crying because she is disrupting class and attempt to bribe her. "Don't you want a treat after class? We'll go get chicken nuggets if you go stand on your dot. Don't you want to play with those tambourines? Only ballerinas get to play with those. Don't you want to be a ballerina?" Needless to say bribery doesn't work either. Then I try to get up and join in myself, which she just thought was funny and was still having no part in actually participating. So finally, I just hung my head in shame and just sat and watched. She did get up and try to mimic the girls, but only a foot away from me in the corner. As soon as someone would look at her, she would throw herself back on the floor.

Thankfully, the end of class finally came after a very, very long 50 minutes. We ran, maybe sprinted, out the door in shame, and I truly considered never returning. I then remember how much we had paid for the class, the leotards, the shoes...and called Brett to tell him that he MUST take off next week to deal with this situation. Later that day, after a little time to breath, it became very clear that Kayleigh had in fact taught me a lesson in ballet class. Not So Nice Mommy isn't very effective. Neither is bribery. She was absolutely terrified (though she had done swim lessons just fine and loves church nursery), and all she wanted was the comfort of her mommy. A little comfort and confidence building might have gone a long way. Did I mention I'm not much of a morning person myself? ;) Wouldn't it be nice if mommies got a magic maintain your composure potion when they gave birth?

So of course, Brett's schedule did not allow him to take off, so I spent the next week going on and on and on about how fun ballet class was and practicing first position with her. We talked about what she was going to tell them her favorite color was (pink of course) and her favorite pizza toppiing while they stretched. We even talked about how fun Ms. Lanie was.

The next ballet class rolls around, and I was so apprehensive. We woke up earlier this week, made sure we got there a little early, and I promised donuts after class if she behaved. Ok...so bribery does work but maybe just before the fear strikes. She was definitely not thrilled about going in, but Ms. Lanie held her hand and though she wasn't happy about it, she walked into class with just one sad look back at Mommy. Campbell on the other hand was devastated she couldn't join them. I had my hands full the week before trying to keep her from joining the class and standing on a dot. Class finally wrapped up and Kayleigh literally leaped in my lap. Ms. Lanie said she only started to cry a few times and she just told her that ballerinas don't cry. Why didn't I think of that???

So we headed out the door for donuts for being a good ballerina and Mommy said a few prayers that next week is even better. I also thanked God for teaching me a few lessons before my kids are old enough to remember Not So Nice Mommy and hold me to some of my bribes. :P

Needless to say, I didn't manage to get a single picture of my little ballaweena except this one through the outside window. Maybe next time will go so great that I can snap a few decent pics.

She is in the black and pink right next to Ms. Lanie.

Trying to entertain little Miss

Meatless Monday & Care Bears

So I may or may not have mentioned that we have been drastically changing our eating habits. Thanks to this, this, and this, we are a changed family. Well, mama is changed, which basically means everyone else has to join along. :P Thankfully, I married a super health conscious hippy (well, in a totally suburban sense of the word), and he is happy to oblige. I'll have to take a picture of our pantry, freezer and fridge in the next month or so. You probably won't believe your eyes. Anyway, we are slowly eating what we have and buying almost exclusively real food (AKA unprocessed). Can't do without my ketchup and mayo though. It really has been great and surprisingly a cost saver. They say that processed food is cheaper and that's why American is obese, but when you buy a bunch of junk, you eat all day and we actually spent more on groceries before. I mean who can't sit and demolish a bag of chips or a package of Oreos in the blink of an eye, but I bet you won't each a bowl full of fruit for a snack...well, unless it is in a juice, but that's beside the point. ;)

So as apart of our diet change, we've been eating far less meat and more veggies. This is HUGE for my meat and potatoes man, but he hasn't complained...too much anyway. My goal is 1 or 2 nights of meat, 2 nights of fish and the rest veggie dinners. So for Meatless Monday, I made a favorite, eggplant parm. To incorporate my new homemade, unprocessed approach to cooking, I even made my own spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes. It was DELISH! Don't fret. I haven't lost my mind by making my own noodles...yet. ;) It was a hit. I must say it was delicious, and the somewhat picky toddlers and my carnivorous husband gobbled it up.  

I dropped the fresh, delicious tomatoes (some from Whole Foods and some were home grown by one of Brett's friend/co-worker) in boiling water for about 60 seconds and stuck them in cold water, so I could peel off the skin. I even had help.

 She LOVES to be in the kitchen. She's still not sure why she can't use the knives. ;) I love her help...most of the time. Especially when it doesn't involve flour and a mixer. ;)

 We added a few seasonings. She has quite a heavy hand, so it was VERY seasoned! :)

Added a little egg and flour to the eggplant. Dropped it in a little oil and topped with parmesan, tomato sauce and mozzarella. And if you ever make this, make sure you slice and salt the eggplant and let it sit for a bit before you cook it. It pulls out the bitterness. I learned this the hard way. My cookbook failed to mention this, so I'll save you the hard lesson.

And on an entirely different note, I have two little Care Bear obsessed toddlers, thanks to replacing Nick Jr with Netflix. Did I mention we cancelled Dish too? Woah, we are headed back a century. Watch out! Wait, they didn't have Netflix back then. Oh. Anyway, I was playing with Kayleigh and pretended to fall asleep. I was curious what she was going to do if she couldn't wake me. Doesn't every SAHM with little kids wonder what would happen if the worst happens (pass out, have  a seizure, or whatever other crazy scenario we dream up while we sit at home eating bon-bons)? ;) Brett was in the basement, so I thought maybe she'd freak out and go find him. Ummm...no. She leaned over me and chanted "We care. We care. We CARE!!!" It was so hilarious that I couldn't maintain composure and stay in character. I'm the worst actress ever. Ask my husband. She was thrilled when Mommy woke up. I'm not sure whether she was more happy that I was ok or that the Care Bear chant actually worked. Oh the good times of a SAHM.

Hello God...now I am listening.

Do you ever have those moments that something God is trying to tell you hits you square in the face? Like apparently I wasn't listening hard enough and He had to smack me square in the forehead to get my attention. I'm not a good listener by the way.  I really try very hard to listen, but I'm just awful at it. I interrupt a lot. I'm rude, and I'm sorry to every single person I've ever spoken to because I'm positive I've interrupted you. Apparently I also have listening problems when it comes to God too. Our pastor spoke on Mark 11. To start off he read Mark 11:12-25.  I'll save you trouble of looking it up yourself...

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts

 ¹² The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. ¹³ Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴ Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.  ¹⁵ On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, ¹⁶ and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. ¹⁷ And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’^[c]? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’^[d]”
 ¹⁸ The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
 ¹⁹ When evening came, Jesus and his disciples^[e] went out of the city.
 ²⁰ In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. ²¹ Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
   ²² “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ²³ “Truly^[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” ^{[26] [g]}

His message, which was great by the way, centered more around verses 12-21, but when he read verses 22-25, it was almost as if God yelled the words in my ear. Weird, but I listened. Now I've always known this, but when I heard it this morning, I saw it in a new light and it completely applied to something I had been stressing over this week. Isn't He amazing? I got a lot out of his actual message too because I listened to that too...well most of it. ;) Sometimes I wish it was Sunday every day.