The Little Things...

I was getting ready to drive Carissa to school today and Jocelyn was quickly getting dressed and ready to go...usually she stays home with Joe until I get back, but this morning she said to me, "Mommy, I want to go with you because I love you!" At first I couldn't figure out why on earth she wanted to go on her "day off" from school, but it is wonderful to know that she wants to go JUST because she loves me.

Tonight we have our last Daisy Scouts meeting until after the first of the year, the church play practice tonight, and then (hopefully) and early bedtime! The girls were EXHAUSTED last night after school, dance, and play practice...then Wednesday is the last Family Church Night, Thursday is Carissa's school music program, and then the weekend is upon us! All of the shopping is done, waiting on it to be delivered, then wrapped, and loaded in the van and ready to go to Lincoln on the night of Christmas Eve! AND to top it all off, we get to see our new niece/cousin for the 1st time this Christmas!!!!!

Have a great week everyone!

Smells...

The best smell to me this time of year is the smell of a Christmas tree. I have enjoyed this year's tree because it is has a strong evergreen smell that I can smell clear into the kitchen! It's been wonderful...I know I could just buy candles that smell like evergreen, but for some reason a tree smells SO much better!

Today, I have accomplished something...well, a few somethings. To some of you this may seem like a very small thing, but I have both bathrooms cleaned~top to bottom! The smell of nice clean bathrooms, showers, and all equipment involved is a HUGE task for me...I'm not gonna lie, I've usually just used the Lysol wipes and quickly cleaned the toilet and moved on to the next task at hand...I know this is probably not the right way to clean/disinfect a bathroom, but time is of the essence some days!

Also, I have gotten laundry going and SERIOUSLY determined to get it all done today/tomorrow morning...the girls have dance and play practice tonight, so we will not be home too much this evening. I am helping with costumes tonight, but no scenes for me! The girls are angels this year...they've wanted to be for some time and are really looking forward to it all. They are in the opening scene, so I'm hoping for a quick exit and entrance...and then get them home and in bed. None of us seem to be sleeping well lately, so I'm hoping for a few early evenings this week. Gotta lot of stuff going on in the next 10 days and I want to have a healthy family for the holidays...

The only trip I have this week is a quick trip to Lincoln for a Dr. appointment and stopping in Decatur at Kohl's to spend my "Kohl's Cash" on the girls for Christmas outfits! Finished all my shopping online on Saturday and I am happy to say I did all Christmas shopping for about 1/2 of what I usually spend~really cutting back this year and hoping that the girls are happy with their gifts this year!

Christmas...

Today we went out to Oak Terrace Resort for "Breakfast with Santa" with the girls and my parents. The girls were so excited about going out there, but I realized that they were most excited about was making the picture frames for their pictures with Santa! They made those right away and then visited with Santa...Carissa explained to him what she wanted for Christmas and Jocelyn explained, in detail, what she wanted also...

Grandma and Papa had fun watching and visiting with them...then they (Mom and Dad) headed up to Elgin to see my brother, sister-in-law and niece...so, we headed home and have really taken it easy today. Christmas gets so hectic sometimes it's tough to just relax. So, today we have done what we've wanted, when we've wanted, and how quickly/slowly we've wanted. Overall, a nice Saturday! Next week starts the "busyness" of the Christmas season...we pretty much have something going on each and every day/evening! I know it gets like this for most people, but I look forward to it all--school activities, church activities/programs, family visits, and so on...

Enjoy the season...BUT, remember to whom we owe our gratitude.

New Pediatrician

Jocelyn and I took a quick drive to Taylorville to see a new doctor...Dr. Kallada. Jocelyn has been fighting a losing battle with a cough and runny nose for about 2 1/2 weeks, so we took the opportunity to visit this new doctor. I have to admit, she spent a good amount of time with us, explained what the plan of action would be, and I feel good about it!
So, now we are home for a lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches...Joe is away for class all day and Carissa took a packed lunch, so we are really living it up! Spending some time at home before going to pick up Carissa.
"Elf on the Shelf" was named Sprocket...he has helped out some days and other days I think they are testing his "power" but overall we are working on behaviors and responsibilities with the girls. I know they can do things to help out around the house, just can't help together...
Daisy Scouts meeting for leaders and co-leaders tonight and then a relatively slow-paced weekend which will include a visit with Santa on Saturday out at Oak Terrace! The girls are SO excited!

the Elf on the Shelf

I'm not big into working in the whole Santa topic at Christmas, but I kinda like this idea..."the Elf on the Shelf" is a "bribing" tool for Christmas time...I got the idea from a friend and we are introducing "him" tonight to the girls. We have already instituted a responsibilities/rewards chart for the girls and it has been slow-going, but they are getting the hang of it all.

Overall, life has been going well...of course, there are always little issues, certain types of people, and other things we are faced with in life, ministry, and parenthood. We have been in Pana for about 2 1/2 years and we have faced some good and some bad situations, but we are moving right along and working to be better servants for God. Are there times that I wonder~why minstry? why isn't there the perfect job out there? why aren't people the way I want them to be? why can't I be a better person? what can I do better? But, don't we all have these kinds of questions?

Joe preached on fasting as part of his sermon...I am fasting from something this week, but I don't know if it will work out for me or not...we'll see. I don't know if I'll blog about it, but I know that it's something I have to work on for myself to be a bettter person...a better mom and wife...and most importantly...a better Christian.

First snow this morning...hoping for more later this week!

The weekend

Tonight, we are going to LCU's Christmas in the Chapel. This will be the first time we will see it as an entire family. The girls are finally old enough to sit through a performance (I hope) and then we will be driving back to Pana early Saturday morning...

We have the girls' birthday party at the Taylorville YMCA. They have been SO excited about their party--their SWIM party!

Busy weekend, but looking forward to all of it!

25 days to Christmas...

I LOVE this time of year...lights, decorations, gifts given to others, and all of the different hopes, feelings and dreams that we share with one another.
Our lives always seem to get pretty crazy busy this time of year~but I'm sure most people feel like that around this time of year, right? I do wonder though, how do our homeless prepare for the holidays? I'm watching recent episodes of "White Collar" and it is shocking to me at the amount of homeless people in our world...I know there have always been homeless people, but we are approaching a time when we will have more and more homeless--including more homeless veterans. These men and women have served our country, maybe been injured fighting for our country, and we are not doing as much as we should for them...I don't know what I can do, but I am willing to find out something that I can do to help these "Unsung Heroes" of our country. I know not everyone believes we are right to be fighting in the Middle East BUT we are responsible for our actions as a country supporting it's military...what can be done???
Just deep thoughts on this Monday afternoon, but hoping that we can all find a way to help someone, show someone that we care with the hopes that it will continue on through each and every person we come into contact with during this holiday season...

Thankfullness!

I love my girls!!!! Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday with your friends and family!!!!

(I just don't have much more to say today, but I find it important to say it!)

Lunch Together

Today, we're heading out to Shelbyville for lunch by the Shelbyville Dam....the girls love to watch the water and there's a small playground they love to be at too!

Hoping to take in as much of this day as we can~I think it's going to rain tomorrow and then it only gets busier from here through New Year's, right?????

Call Me Crazy, but...

I'm SO ready for some of this! I may be in the minority, but I'm ready!!!!!

November...

This month ALWAYS brings mixed feelings...so many different things and changes each year.
I turn 33 in about two weeks...is that old? It feels old some days, but then again, it feels like it was yesterday when I started college...THANK GOODNESS I don't have to do that over again!
Jocelyn turns 4 on the 22nd--seriously, where did the last 4 years go? She is loving preschool, becoming more and more like her Daddy, and really feeling out her own personality.
Carissa will be 6 on the 29th--REALLY, how did that happen so quickly too?!?!?! She LOVES school, loves dance/tumbling/ballet, loves Daisy Scouts, and pretty much everything she's tried so far! She really doesn't have many fears--well, except a few bugs still : )
Life with two WONDERFUL girls and a GREAT husband has been, well GREAT! There are ups and downs, but overall it's been a great life! We have so much to look forward to with adding to our family in the spring, watching the girls grow and learn, and learning so much more about God's plan for our family...

EARLY picture of Baby #3

Everything's fine so far...not feeling the greatest, but I'll get over it--eventually.

Hope all are well and enjoying this nice weather...Rain, anyone????

Baby Mollet #3

So, we found out we are expecting!! The girls are SO excited...they want to tell everyone and are already praying for the baby each time we pray. They crack me up! We are excited, but now it will be a long time telling the girls, "It will happen in the spring..." and they will be even more excited when the time gets closer! So, here we go again...

Fall!

We took a quick trip to a local produce patch and got some mums and pumpkins for the front of the church. There were new doors put in about a month ago and it wasn't really decorated for anything yet. The church purchased two stone benches and then we went out and got some mums and pumpkins! Jocelyn thought it was great to be out and about with only her parents, I think. Sometimes, you forget that you are watching her sometimes because she's so independent! She loved the little straw maze and pulling the little wagon around with me.

Carissa is doing GREAT in school as is Jocelyn. I've substituted a bit for Jocelyn's class, so I see more of her "in action" than I get to with Carissa. Everything seems to be going great...enjoying the cool temperatures as much as we can and hoping to get to spend some time relaxing and having some "family time" this weekend.

Happy Fall!

Carissa...

Carissa's artwork for school...

What can I say...she is ALL girl!

Daisy Scouts and Life

Carissa and I went to a meeting last night introducing her to the Girl Scouts...as of 7pm last night, Carissa is now a "Daisy Scout" She is pretty excited about it and so am I! I always wanted to be a Girl Scout, but it just wasn't really in the cards for me--I guess.

I'm traveling down a path that I hadn't put much thought into until recently...I DO NOT want to have my children SO busy that they don't have time to just "have fun" doing what they want. I have held back on her joining everything out there, but Girl Scouts seems to focus on how she can work with others, for others, and learn different things throughout her time as one. I think I will be helping with her "troop" because I am excited to see what they have to offer for young girls.

Jocelyn and Carissa are enjoying dance/tumbling/tap classes...Jocelyn is LOVING school, Carissa is LOVING it even more I think! I'm happy with what they are learning, excited to see what the future brings and elated that God is working in our lives on a daily basis.

Quiet...What is It?

Today is only my second morning of "alone" time at home...both girls are at school on Mondays and I haven't had time to sit and just "be" in the quiet that is our home.

I am amazed at how much goes on in our house...even with no children around. The phone keeps ringing, the A/C kicks on/off, the dryer runs it's cycle...and so on. I know it's always been like this, but I don't think I've ever really been here when it's been this quiet for more than an hour. I love the sounds of the girls playing, meals around the table together, the rush to get out the door in the morning, and even the little arguments that often erupt from the living room or the girls' bedroom. However, when all is said and done, I don't know if I'm going to ever get used to the quietness of the girls being gone on a daily basis. Never thought I'd say it, don't know if you'll see me say it again on here, but it's out there!

Today, I've handled some bill-paying, some phone calls that needed to be made (without anyone talking in the background on my end!), started everything for supper, and washed the dishes. My plan was to read my book for tomorrow, but I've become absorbed with housework instead! I will get into a routine, but it's kind of nice only having to worry about me. I worry daily that the girls behave, have fun, stay healthy and learn something new each day, but I know that God is watching over them and that they have had a good, Christian foundation in our home...is it always peaceful here? NO! Is it always sunshine and rainbows? NO! Do they know that we love them? YES! For this I am thankful...

Got a picture of the girls this morning before school...they are GREAT!

The Fair

So, tonight is the last night of the Tri-County Fair...we went with the girls to ride the rides on Friday night and then again last night. Thanks to my friend Pam, they got to go two nights (she had free wristband passes). And we didn't do to badly with too much "fair food" for any of us.

The girls rode quite a few rides last night, but one shocked me! Carissa and Jocelyn had both always had us slide down the big slide with them~not my favorite, but I do it for them! Well, after we (Carissa and I) went down once, she said, "Mom, I want to go down again~BUT by myself!" What?!?!?! Already?!?!?!?!!!!!! So, I reluctantly watched her climb the stairs by herself and she LOVED going down! She got to the top, waved to us, and down she went! She grinned the whole way down! I just couldn't believe it!

My girls are growing up...becoming more and more independent...I'm ready, but I'm not...is that wrong? I want them to learn how to do things on their own, but it all seems to happen so quickly!!!

The week was busy, fun, and exhausting...all at the same time! Brown County is one of my favorite times of the year and we're upon it! I love the time away, the time visiting with family and friends, and now I'm enjoying watching my children have fun with the same traditions I grew up with along the way!

Happy September Everyone!!!

Garage Sales

This weekend, I did a garage sale with two other people...sometimes, I wonder if the work is worth the results. However I feel about the whole thing, I am still always happy to see the benefits of the work! I don't ever want to know how many hours it takes to set it all up (sorting, purging, pricing, and setting up/taking down, otherwise I probably wouldn't want to do it again. Within the past 1 1/2 years, I've done three sales...I think I'm done for awhile (til at least next summer). We did pretty well money-wise, I only packed up two tubs of clothes to still try to get rid of and happy with the business we had!

Now, it's prepping myself for taking Carissa to school next week...I know I've said it before and I'll probably continue to say it, but she has grown up SO fast! What am I going to do with her? Can I stop her from growing up any faster?!?! AHHHHHHHHHH

Now, I'm ready to sleep, but school beckons my attention. So, tonight I will sleep; tomorrow I will do church, and then work on the paper all afternoon and evening. I have until Wednesday, but I just want to start it and feel more confident about my thoughts--getting them onto paper.

Summer's Coming to and End...

Carissa starts school in less than a week...can that be possible? We've done the dentist, physical, and vision screening. She will be getting glasses to wear all the time (no surprise since nearly everyone on both sides of the family wear some kind of corrective lenses or glasses), and she has most of her school supplies ready to go.
Jocelyn has her backpack, classroom items, and she is READY to go...however, she doesn't start until after Labor Day. She has been SO looking forward to being in "school" but I just can't believe they are both there already!
Dance/Tumbling/Ballet started this week...makes for a crazy Monday, but we'll adjust. Jocelyn goes from 4:30-5:15 and then Carissa is there from 5:15-6:30. Joe and Jocelyn ate when she got home and Carissa and I ate when she got home. Not ideal, but worked out okay for a first day! We will probably be doing "Crockpot" meals on those days as well as Wednesdays....Winter is always great for that!!! Kinda looking forward to that!
I will be going to my 3rd class session of my 1st grad class and I've been enjoying it thus far. We have a pretty big paper due next week and then a group presentation due the beginning of September....going well so far--at least I think so!
Well, that's that...I'm a parent of a kindegartner and a preschooler. That's AMAZING to me!!!!
Good luck to all you parents and kids--have a great school year!