Can you believe they are still driving around in this thing!? She's had it since she was 3 years old. I finally changed the batteries in the radio so I'm sure you can see Ms. Christina singing along to something :) This is just a typical Saturday afternoon spent outside, everything blooming, kids playing, the only thing better would be a hammock for momma to nap in outside!
What a better way to end a beautiful Saturday afternoon? This is my favorite time of year...
To all my loved family and friends...I wanted to share a couple of things with you on the Mother's Day, I hope you enjoy!
Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
Before I was a Mom .
This is a poem that has been "passed down" in our family and I've shared it with many others over the years and it's always worth reading again...
What Matters.....
My parents say they do not care
about the color of my hair,
Nor if my eyes are blue or brown,
Nor if my nose turns up or down.
It doesn't really matter.
And, my parents say they do not care
If I am dark or if I am fair,
Or if I am thin, or if I am fat.
They do not fret over things like that.
It doesn't really matter.
But, if I cheat or tell a lie,
Or say mean things to make folks cry,
Or if I am rude or impolite,
Then that does really matter.
It isn't looks that make one great,
But character that seals your fate.
It's what's within your heart, you see,
that makes or mars your destiny.
And.......that does really matter!
I wish you all a beautiful Mother's Day! I love, respect, admire and appreciate each and every one of you. And now for a scroll down Motherhood lane...
Last weekend, Izabella wanted to wash my car since it was such a beautiful day outside. She asked Christina if she wanted to come help and it was a YES! We spent all all last weekend outside because of the weather. See for yourself how much fun we had...
Not a bad job, huh?
As the kids were washing the car, I spent some time in the yard, trying to clean up the beds a little bit and then I noticed all the iris' blooming and thought I would take a few pictures of how they are coming in this year. A couple of the smaller trees are the ones we planted or transplanted from last year. 
The iris' came from a neighbor of ours that thought they'd look great on our fence! I have to agree that they filled in nicely!
More to come....
I knew Izabella had gotten up before me this morning because I heard her shut the door on her way out. I don't know what time it was but I suspect it was about 7-7:30 ish. The next thing I know I wake up and glance at the clock that said 9:54 (thank you GOD!!) I was laying there trying to wake up and the next thing I hear is our smoke detector going off and I can smell muffins...remember Steve is not home, he's actually on a cruise in Quatamala right now! Then I hear the feet coming up the stairs faster and heavier than I have ever heard them. Poor Izabella is running toward me with her fingers in her ears and tears streaming down her face. She was making breakfast for us all by herself. I knew that sound and immediately went downstairs, turned off the oven, got the stick and reset the alarms. We got these new silicone muffin pans and every time we use them the damn alarm goes off. Anyway, MY baby had done EVERYTHING by herself!! She got the mixing bowl, the measuring cup, the muffin mix, the milk, the muffin pans, the non stick spray, she preheated the oven. Mixed it all up and filled the little muffin cups up, put them in the oven AND set the timer. She was so upset when the alarm went off because she thought she was in trouble and she had ruined the surprise. I assured her that was NOT the case and that I was soooooo proud of her for doing everything by herself. She didn't load the dishwasher but she did soak the mixing bowl and utensils ;) Her daddy would be so proud.
By the way, he is on a Holland America cruise right now to Quatamala. He got a call late Monday night and was gone Tuesday morning before Izabella went to school. They changed the cruise up to only sail at sea with no ports because of this swine flu, he'll end up in San Diego and come home on Tuesday. We aren't able to talk except he's gotten on line a couple times, but we keep missing each other.
Lots going on right now, with the end of the school year. I think there's only 19 days of school left so we'll have lots to post so we'll see you then.
