Hiking trip!

I meant to post these pics a few weeks ago. They are from an impromptu day at Petite Jean State Park. Mom invited me and the girls to go with her and my sister's kiddos.

Areli saw the boys climbing up the rock and she had to do it also. She's quite good... and quick. Scary! She also loved to play in the dirt! We think fast pitch softball is in her future!

My little Mila, scared of everything. Areli followed the big kids into the cave, but Mila sets her limits. Eh, I don't blame her - it's dark and scary!


In the big "Bear Cave" we were able to let go of thier leashes - oh I mean "harness," and let them play.

Areli climed onto this rock, sat down, and said with a big smile "Picture!"

It was a good and FULL day. I didn't mention that we missed our exit and didn't notice for several miles, Areli threw up in the car, and Caitlin saved mom from falling off the mountain. All this with no nap! We got in the car to go home around 5:30 and the girls stayed awake the ENTIRE way home! Overall, I think everyone enjoyed the outing. I'm so blessed to have TWO little girls to share the experience with!

Nap Time!!

Agh!! Nap time is peaceful again! Sleepy Areli is napping in her bed. Mila now takes her naps in "my big bed". Translation? In the futon in the extra bedroom. Separate rooms seems to work! the girls are happy again (mostly). They still have their moments, but that's what two-year-olds do!

Nap time ??

So the girls are enjoying the new beds a little too much. They do good most nights, but they wont' stay in them long enough in the afternoon to take a nap. We (me, mom & emily) have been battling with them for the last two weeks. Any tips on getting TWO kids to go to sleep??
HELP!!!!!!!

New Beds or Two Beds??

As Mila peeked into the extra room, I can't tell if she says "new beds" or "two beds". Both are true! Two new toddler beds for Areli & Mila were being assembled!! Friday morning they woke up to the last morning in their cribs.

Buenos Dias! (That's "good morning" for you gringos!) You can tell Mila takes a minute longer to wake up.

But in no time they are up and silly!

"Look Mama, No Feet!!" I wonder how I've made it this long without either one climbing out of the crib.

Out with the old, in with the new...

And you'll never see their room this clean again.

I think they like them!

Free night #1: Not bad.

Naptime #1: Completley unsuccessful, no nap.

Free night #2: Very good.

Naptime #2: Much improvement, 1 hr.

Free night #3: Perfect!

Nap #3: disaster, crying, no sleep

Night #4: Not good, up at 12 & 1.

*Special thanks to Tia Brooke!

God always provides

Terry has been working for Hewlett Packard for SEVEN days!! So far, he is very happy with the new job and is even carpooling with some coworkers already! He will be working in Little Rock for the rest of this year until the Conway office is completed. We are both so thrilled and thankful that it is going so well.

I got to take pictures for his ID badge. This was my personal favorite, but Terry, for some reason unknown to me, submitted a different picture.

The long story... Terry was laid off from Sperion/Acxiom in 2007. We were so stunned being that the company had previously been talking of promoting him. However God's plan was revealed to us when, after mom's accident, Terry was able to be home with both our kids and my sister's kids while we were all at the hospital for many weeks with mom. Well, a year later Terry was also let go from his fairly new job at Staffmark. Does God have a quirky sense of humor, or what? Terry wasn't happy with that job anyway and had actually already been looking for other jobs (which is part of why they let him go) and had interviewed with Hewlett Packard. Less than a week later, he was given an offer! We enjoyed the holidays, both being off work!

We are so grateful that God has provided this wonderful opportunity for Terry and for our family.

Christ filled Christmas!

We had blessed Christmas in 2008!

Areli & Mila opened a few presents under our tree Christmas morning. And enjoyed looking in their "big socks" for treats.

A few days earlier we went to the Twins Club Breakfast with Santa. I was so proud of Mila for giving Santa five! They have both been so scared of him before (even this same day). But after opening her gift, she went up to him with no problems to get some help with her new earrings! The rest of the day she would say "Santa Five!"

What's better than a Jungle Gym? Papi of course!

It's a cold, wintry night. The ground covered with tiny ice pellets. Areli and Mila have finished their bath and have their jammies on, but aren't quite tired yet. What to do?... Play with Papi!! And by "play with Papi," we mean "play ON Papi!"

Watch the video and you'll see exactly what I mean! The quality isn't great - it's from Terry's phone and the girls often move so fast it blurs. There's no sound. :( At the end of the video the girls each say "Thank You, Papi!"

I almost feel sorry for Terry, but they were doing the same thing to me, my bladder, and my ribs in a much more confined space 2 years ago!!