the cutest thing

Saturday morning Aqeel left for work at 8:30. He had gotten Jr out of bed and fed him before he left and then gave him to me with Jr's fav dvd. So, I continued to sleep while Jr watched his movie on the laptop next to me in bed waiting for the girls to wake me up. I assumed I would be woken within the next 20-30 mins. However to my surprise I awoke at 10:30 with Jr still in the bed next to me. I went out into the living room and found Amaya dressed and watching a movie. I proceeded to the kitchen where I found Aysia making scrambled eggs for everyone. She had also made sure that she and Amaya had taken their showers and gotten dressed for the day. Needless to say I was pleasently shocked! I mean I knew aysia was growing up, but wow! I was so pleased and loved every minute to her grown up attitude. It is moments like this that show me I am doing the right things with my children.

Tribute to Dads

Every Mother's Day there is an overwhelming amount of praise and gratitude given to mother's and women around the world. Then Father's Day comes and we say thanks, but it seems the same praise and gratitude is not given to men as women. So, for this blog I am doing so.

In praising father's I must start with my own. My dad is a fun dad. Growing up he always took us camping. This became one of my favorite activities and though I haven't been in years it is still something I get excited about. My dad was the man who taught me to start fires while camping, change oil in the car, fix leaks, and pretty much anything that had any mechanical aspect. He took us to Wallowa lake to feed the deer and ride the go-karts and bumper boats. He taught me to have a tough skin and brave the cruelty of this world. He showed me by example how to follow the commandments and not to stray from them. He taught me to swim, by throwing me in, ride a bike, and set up a tent. Through all of the practical knowledge I gained from my father I also learned about trust and love. My father was and is a great man! He is loving, kind, and generous. Here a pic of me with my dad...



The other man I would like to mention is my husband, Aqeel. He is a wonderful father. He has the right mixture of stearness and compassion for our children. He loves them and is interested in their interests. He finds time everyday to have a connection with them even if it's just over a bowl of cereal. He is a wonderful, patient teacher. He is the one who taught Aysia and Amaya to write their names and recognize their ABC's. He has also taught them how to empty the dishwasher, sweep the floor, and pull weeds among many other things. He has also helped to take care of them by bathing them and getting the clothed and off to school in the morning. I know that if I ever needed to be away he could handle the children as good or even better than I. There would be no running around crazy and eating out of the pizza box if he were in control! He has great potential to be the closest to perfect that a father can be and I know he will reach that potential! Here is Aqeel with the kids...

Working with Aysia in the yard


Playing in the backyard

Swimming

Here is some footage from my phone of the kids swimming. Jr wanted nothing to do with me when the camera was out. Earlier he was jumping in the pool and having a good time. I guess he got over it. Amaya just remembered that she could swim without her floaties, but she still won't go far from the steps or the side. I suppose I should be grateful for that!

Need opinions, Please

Ok ladies, I need your input on this piece. It's made of amazoninte and crystal, with swarovski crystals and glass heart bead, and sterling silver toggle and wiring. There's even a bracelet to match!!!

Yeah!

I love to play these games. I know I am simple, but it's ok with me! Here goes...

1. The kitchen sink, cleaned by my husband who has taken over KP duty to help me out while I am doing my online studies...



2. Fridge - inside and out...





3. Toilet - the cleaning supplies are there, but sadly have not been used yet this week...



4. Laundry - I just finished it yesterday and already there is more...



Tide and bounce remind me of my mom because it's the soap she used. I have tried others, even knock off tide, but I can't stray from good ol'mom's brand.



5. What the kids are doing - sleeping....

Aysia & Amaya love sleeping together so much they will even sleep on the floor just to be with each other. Isn't that cute? I think so...



Seriously how can you not LOVE a sleeping baby!



6. Favorite room - this is the room where everything happens. It is actually not my favorite, my kitchen is, but you have already seen it's highlights, so...


Notice the treadmill...I know it doesn't belong in the living room, but if it's anywhere else I will ignore it and not use it.

7. Closet - This is ALL of my clothes, except pj's and under garments which go in my dresser, sad I know, but oh well!



8. favorite shoes - I wear these every day! LOVE flip flops!!!!



9. Self Portrait - Aqeel took this. I am in my pj's. Seriously this was the hardest pic to take. I hate the way my body looks.



I tag -
Sunshine
Melissa
Michelle
Laura

Today

Today was a wonderful day! We started our summer calendar events for this area, which I had to promote because it wasn't being done here before. It was not so much of a good turn out, but a lot of the ladies have their kids in swim lessons during June right before calendar events. Anyway, after swimming I took Aysia and we went on a mommy daughter date. Really it was just running errands, but I told her it was a date and so it turned into a date. We went to the mall, costco and target and really had a blast. I forget how much fun Aysia is. She is a much calmer, easy going, and aggreable person when the other kids aren't around. Sometimes I think about how much easier my life would be if I only had one child. There would be no fighting, no unfairness, no having to share everything. Then I think about how much I would miss out on. I love all of my children and they each bring something special and unique to our family that I feel we would be lost without it. But, this is just me. Anyway, our day continued with a trip to Steak and Shake where we had an awesome cookies and cream shake together! This may seem like a dull day, but I loved it!

On a comedic side note, Amaya, while in the pool today, very plainly said, "Hey mom that lady is fat like you." Don'tcha just love the honesty?

Here's one more

I don't know if I really like this one. We'll see what you guys say. This piece is full of jade and onyx. Simple and easy piece, but beautiful if you love green.