New Ceravolo baby

NOOOO.. it's not what you think. My parents visited this weekend and brought us a precious new kitty! As of now, Elizabeth has named her Ariel (from 'The Little Mermaid'). I'm still working on trying to change that.. she really just doesn't look like and Ariel!

This was us surprising Elizabeth with the kitty. She was so excited!

Isn't she adorable?

Kitty loves to curl up in the basket for a nap.

Silly Ava

Two things you should know:

1. Ava loves baths (as if you couldnt tell from the previous post). She especially loves to take
a bath in my tub.

2. Ava loves these pink sunglasses. On Saturday she walked into my bathroom while I was getting dressed, wearing the pink sunglasses and told me in Ava-ese that she wanted a bath. She played a lot and did lots of funny things. I was laughing so hard I couldn't hold the camera straight! She wore the sunglasses during the entire bath. If they fell off, she insisted that I put them back on.

This is her famous "Did you SEE that???" face. It's my favorite expression of hers and it always makes us laugh...which is probably why she continues to do it!

Food for Thought

This was an email that I receieved today. I had read it before but it was a nice refresher for me. If all of us mothers could be this way more often...

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours toget her.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow b ubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers And fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't ha ndle it anymore.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a ittle longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.............

Birthday Party fun

We were invited to a birthday party for a two year old, Ellie, last weekend. The girls had a great time. There was a pinata, a huge spacewalk, swingset, bubble machine, and LOTS of lollipops (Elizabeth's FAVORITE).


Ava loved digging in the ice bucket!

Bathtime..take TWO!

On Sunday, after I had already given Ava her bath and dressed her for bed, she decided that she'd like to bathe AGAIN! I heard her giggling from the bathroom and this is what I found...

She thought it was hilarious! (that's an old neclace of mine that she likes to wear)

Drumroll, please...

Okay..I know you're thinking.. "who's baby is this?". Well this is Peyton. He's the new baby of some friends of ours. I had the privilege of photographing him this past weekend. He's adorable. Anyway, the reason I'm posting this is because I had a revelation of some kind last night. One of the books I'm reading, Boundaries, is part of an 8 week Bible study. Last night was the first night of the study. The speaker stated that one of her favorite quotes, from Joyce Meyer, is "Do It Afraid" , meaning..even though you may be scared, just step out in faith and DO IT! We were actually discussing a sub-chapter of the book on "using your talents" when she made this statement, "do it afraid". And I just felt like something clicked. Now, I've never considered myself to be "talented". But photography IS something that I have a passion for. And it has been a dream of mine to have my own photography business one day. I just finally feel like this is something that I should seriously pursue. So I guess the pictures of this baby may just be the start! The mother of this baby called today and already has a referral for me! I'm really not sure how to go about opening a business, but I think I'll start researching!

I had to wash the slipcover to Elizabeth's chair this morning. She, in turn, created a makeshift bed of sorts with the cushion inserts. She and Ava were maxin' and relaxin'!

Movie Time

Because Ava does everything her big sister does, that also includes watching movies, or "oooh-wee" as Ava says. And even at 17 months old, she has a favorite.. NEMO! This child loves Nemo. Her attention span is forever amazing me. Is it educational? probably not, but it's so cute!

Donuts

Okay.. so I have a love of powdered donuts that began when I was pregnant with Ava. This love has carried over to Ava (as seen in the slideshow pictures) and also Elizabeth. Every now and then, against my guilty concience, I allow myself and the girls to indulge in the sinful little things.

Elizabeth was scarfing down a few before going to "school" (mother's day out). ...such a healthy breakfast for a growing girl!

Big Brother 9

Is there anyone out there that loves this show like i do?? tonight was AWESOME!

Bedtime Prayers

Tonight Elizabeth decided that she wanted to say her own bedtime prayer. It was so adorable and heartwarming. I wanted to share a little of it. I dont remember it verbatim, but here goes:

"Dear Jesus, God bless us. Thank you because I know you're keeping an eye on us. Thank you for keeping us safe. Help us to be good. Thank you for my stuff and my food. Thank you for Jasmine. Thank you for mommy's beautiful flowers. Keep us safe. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen."

And then she ever so sweetly says, "Good night, mommy. I love you, mommy."

....tissue, please!

Playtime with Granddaddy

The girls love their granddaddy. Here are some pictures of them

tackling him on the floor, just like I did as a kid!

pretty pictures

We made our annual trip to my grandparents' lake house last week. It was a great trip as usual. a few of the pictures of the girls are actually on the slideshow above. i managed to capture a few other pictures of God's beautiful creations while, there, too. Just thought i'd share.

These were some beautiful water lilies blooming in the lake near the pier.

And thanks to sweet, little Ava I was able to catch the sunrise one morning. It was breathtaking!

Oh where to begin...

This is officially my first post. After much hesitation, I have decided to try this blogging thing. I'm hoping that this will be a better attempt at documenting the girls' daily adventures than scrapbooking, which i've been "meaning" to do for 3 years now...and maybe i still will some day. The scrapbooking is a wonderful idea. but the thought of having to pull out all that STUFF, with the risk of one or both of the girls destroying it, just overwhelmes me. I'm gonna include some recent pictures of the girls. I've been quite the slacker lately when it comes to emailing pictures to the family. So i'm thinking this will be a better way for everyone to keep up with us.