They Say it's Your Birthday.....

Did someone say BIRTHDAY????
We're having a triple birthday - Sophia and her two cousins.
There are 60 cupcakes on that thing!

Sweetness!

Daddy and Sweet Yaya.

Here is the BOY, asleep in his own bed!

Doing the Happy Dance!!

My very BIG boy, Danny Jr, has tackled a great big accomplishment in his life. Due to our small home, and our lifestyle choices of extended breastfeeding and co-sleeping (breastfeeding was over in Nov '05), Danny has slept with us since he was born. The girls were each "kicked out" of the bed when their new sibling came along, but since no one replaced Danny, he lingered around much longer. We had a toddler bed for him, but he didn't like it, so never slept in it. Later, we got a twin sized bed, which fits into a corner of our bedroom. He never really wanted to sleep in it until.......12 days ago! We set up a chart for him - sleep in his own bed for 28 days, and he will receive a reward of his choice (he said he wants a train, so we got off easy!). Danny has slept in his bed every night for the last 12 nights...he goes into it peacefully, no arguments, and falls asleep immediately, doesn't wake up during the night, and wakes up in a good mood! WOOHOO! And an added bonus is Mom and Dad getting the best rest they've had in years! This has been a great transition in our home.

Knitting Blah!

For some weird, unexplainable reason, I am having trouble picking up my knitting! I can knit, no problem, for my class, but at home....I just can't seem to do it! There are always a million other things to do! This ever happen to anyone besides me? My brain feels a little...challenged....lately.

I think I might know a little of my problem....I get bored with plain, repetitive knitting. I need something with a challenge, but I need concentration for that. I have none! My mind just wanders to other things. To-do lists, the kids, the books I am reading, blogs I am following, what stuff goes out of the house next...you get the picture. I think I have to do some de-cluttering of the mind and heart! HA! (I wonder if I can count that towards my goal of a thousand?!?!)

A Few Things That Matter...

Life is sacred:
Live on Purpose.
Be intoxicated with this world and astonished with the world you imagine.
Growth is a Journey...
Success doesn't require arrival.
Want what you already hold.
Give no place to public opinion.
Delight in your friends.
Practice the art of doing nothing.
Embrace moments of grace.
Give the child in you a wide sky.
Understand that laughter is prayer.

This was on a wall hanging in the shop I work at. It's by Terry Hershey.

I was really struck by these words.

Peace out.

Wisdom

A few years ago, my spiritual "mom" who is a very special person in my life, told me that if there is any one passage in the bible that I should memorize, the following would be it. I admit, I never did memorize it, however, I still have the original index card , stained and crinkled, in front of me. These words were important then, and even more so pertinent to the current affairs in my life. So, read and soak in these profound words that are found in the precious Word of God.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and in purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Phil 2:14

What's Happening?

I have been spending more time reading blogs and less time writing them! The following are a few pics of the happenings around here.
Here are the girls with their cousin, Sylvia, who spent spring break with us.

Here is Danny with the easter egg hunt bag. (note no easter baskets were bought, we used bags that we had!)

Here's me with my brow stud, if you haven't seen it yet! : )

A lace bookmark that I made for a special friend.

We have been de-cluttering and cutting consumerism! Another thing to keep me busy!

Today I went to a new restaurant here in town, called Nicoya. It was absolutely fabulous! The food is Nicaraguan - the environment is bright and cheerful, the presentation, impressive. Our town has been in need of something fresh and new like this.