I woke up this morning, telling God I didn't just want to "get through" the day but throughly enjoy it by praising Him through it. Honestly, with potty training and dealing with a strong willed 4yr old, the last couple of days have left me wondering when we'll ever get to bed-time, and that in and of itself is a CHORE. I read Psalms and it gave me a good perspective to begin my day with. How about focusing on how great God is and not on myself? Novel idea but easy to forget. With this renewed focus, my day was much less serious, and dramatic and exhausting. I laughed more than usual with Gwen and thanked God for this time in my life with two precious girls and one on the way. God is so great and deserves so much more focus than I give him. Plus focusing on Him is so much more freeing and encouraging.

Play time

Today we had Jack and Mia over while Mariah and Dave went to the mall. We totally owed them! I was determined to keep them busy and have fun, with as few time-outs as possible. (These poor kids have been forced to "have fun" together way too many times this past week) So we stamped, which Mia was by far the most entertained by this project, while listening and singing to Jack Johnson. Had a yummy snack of choc. chips, marshmellows and corn chex. Jack was the most impressed by this concoction of mine. Then after a small amount of free time , which of course led to time-outs for both of my kiddos, we went into the entertainment segment of our playdate. Gwen played the guitar while Mia and Jack sang "Since you've been gone" and Claire danced around everyone. Jack and Mia both got a chance to play the guitar also and Mia was pretty darn good at strumin and singing all at once! And of course , Jack's dancing was fine entertainment all by itself. We love you Froehlich kids! Maybe a little too much.

Devotional I wrote for our JANES Granola Devotional:

Just a few minutes alone please?

I just want a few minutes alone. I got up half an hour early to read my bible and pray and here she is at my side, putting her feet all over me while I try and start my day with God. How am I suppose to have a meaningful conversation with the creator of the universe while a 3yr old is staring at me with her feet on top of the bible in my lap?
I mention this to my Dad one early morning while we drink coffee. When I visit back home I always get up extra early to be with my Dad alone, before he goes to work. “ Oh yes, I remember those days.” He says, as he puts down his bible. “Except you started that when you were two. As soon as you heard me stirring the coffee you were by my side.” He says this with a smile.
“Oh.” I say, slightly dumbfounded at what I’m saying and doing to him at that exact moment and at the age of 28. Funny thing is I always had an inherent feeling every day began with bible and coffee.
Clearly there was a lesson to be learned here. I think from now on, I will try and treasure those early mornings times, expressing to my daughter the same love and patience I had been given and was still being given by my father. My prayer is that she will not know how to drink coffee in the mornings without the bible either.


Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:18-19
“ Fix these words of mine to your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. “

Prayer:

“ Lord help me to see the big picture in the middle of my daily tasks. Help me guide my children with your words and teach your words to them, diligently.

Different Strokes for different Folks

It's amazing to observe different personalitles in little ones.
At my girls' ages it is especially evident. From painting to eating ice-cream, they both march to a unique beat.
Today, after church I really wanted to take a good nap and just chill out and read the paper. Well, Claire's record short nap and Gwen's continual giggles over saying the word poo poo in every way she could think of was making my desires wishful thinking. Instead we went outside with a tub of Chocolate ice-cream. They were in heaven with this cool treat and a water hose clean up. I never knew a ice cream carton could be converted from chocolate soup to a swimming pool! As I stood outside feeling the sun and watering my vegetables, I thought how much more fulfilling this was than a nap. And it's amazing how playing in the sun and water can completely diminish that nappy feeling.

No pictures for today, but it was very DIRTY. Had a great time, at our Crafts for Kids Bevy, where the kids made tooth fairy boxes, played on a trampoline, fed some bunnies and Claire effectively drenched someone's dinning room chair with pee. We are potty training beginning yesterday, and it has been nothin but cleanin up pee in our house. After the Bevy we went to Sonic and the kids ( mine and Mariah's ) played their little hearts out on the playscape. Gwen had sand and dirt all the way up her nose! After a small nap, Gwen and I whipped up some yummy mud pies on the back patio complete with wildflower decorations. Claire just fiddled with the water hose, her all time favorite pass time, because she refuses to get her "pip pops" dirty. After baking the pies we headed to the grocery store at 3:30. This is the worst time ever to go to any grocery store, but I had to do it, because Beach to Bay is tomorrow and there is no getting off the island until way after noon AND I was out of my HEB coffee. Just can't do the fancy coffee in the mornings. But, I can do Timmy's, Crissy, and I had just finished that up. Saddness.
After all that this prego mama was feeling pretty bushed so we ate left overs, I put Claire to bed and then just finished my Grisham novel, "Rainmaker". Very good, but I like all of his. Now I'm looking forward to a bath and the news and hitting my pillow like a rock. Exept don't you hate that "just finished a book you really liked feeling"? I just want to start another Grisham right now, but don't have one. Plus I have like 5 that need to be read before I read another Grisham. okay that's all my jab. Peace out...

Spring Program

girls were precious tonight in their pre-school Spring Program. Gwen sang loud, did all the movements and was the model for program behavior and performance. Claire's performance was.... creative and nonrestrictive. She clearly displayed her "Kirby characteristics" tonight. And she was adorable doing it! This is her laying down on the stage, in the middle of "Wheels on the Bus."
After the program I attempted more pictures but Claire pretty much said,
"Peace out Mom, I'm done,"

THANKS MOM FOR SHAPING ME FOR MOTHERHOOD:

I'm glad to realize I pattern much of my motherhood after my own mom. Most of all, she showed me how to unconditionally love. I never wondered if I was loved, or if I mattered. It was obvious in our every day how much I meant to her. I hope I do this for my girls. Everyday was an adventure for my Mom and there were no meaningless tasks or boring days. Her positive nature shaped me for motherhood, and when I wake up in the mornings and really don't feel like "dealing" with small children, I remember not once growing up did I get the impression that my Mom didnt want to be around me or was tired of taking care of me. I want to be like her. I love you Mom.

Mother's Day Gifts !


Yes, I love gifts and am not ashamed of it. I was given a beautiful watch and an awesome Jack Johnson C.D. We went to church and my fam took me to La Playa. The restaurant experience was not exactly relaxing, as we were attempting control over our tired , hungry children the whole time, but I didn't mind, cuz I wasn't cooking or cleanin! Kirby did a good job of making me feel special and I'm so grateful and proud to be the mother of our children.

All in a Day's Work:


Today, we all seemed to be working on something. But the day ended with the most beautiful sunset. Gwen must of told God "thankyou for the beauuuuuuuuutiful sunset" at least 5times during bedtime prayers.

TRIBUTE TO MY LIL' SIS

My Meg turned 17 yesterday. The little sister, 12 years my younger is well on her way to womanhood! I can still remember when she cried her 5yr old eyes out on my college doorstep. It just wasn't right for us to have to part our ways. Meg spent every morning my last years in highschool sitting on my kaboodle watching me put on my makeup. We would trudge to breakfast together and then I would take her to pre-school. Frequently she went on dates with me and oddly I really wanted her there. Once in college she heard my plea for money over the phone to my parents and sent me a card full of pennies. My first thanksgiving away she sent the bread they served in an envelope for me, all the way from Ca to Tx.
Meg is much more than a loyal sis though. She is a straight up GOOD person, who I know without a doubt knows right from wrong and is not afraid to live that way. She loves God and wants His will in her life more than anything. Meg is a riot, unabashedly shameless at times and pure fun to be with it. She's talented out the wazoo, she makes me cry when she sings , it's that good. She is also great at helping others not take themselves soo seriously. I have benefited from this characteristic more than once. One time on a family trip, I was whinning and whinning about the fact that I had just bounced a check and would not let it go. Finally the 6yrold smarty pants says, "Sunny would get over yourself , there are alot more horrible things going on this world." Yep, she's got a knack for "saying it like it is."
Meg also got the coordination gene, which me and Whitney did not. Once on a canoe trip, Whit and I just couldn't seem to get the boat turned. Meg finally got tired of our lame attempts and took both oars from her two grown up sisters, turned the boat around and hauled back to the bank.
There is so much more to say, but I'll stop here. I love you Meg, always and forever.
your biggest sis

UNEXPECTED PAMPERING

SPENT 2 DAYS AND 2 NIGHTS IN Historic Bastrop Bed and Breakfast Inns. Had planned on Camping , but the rain forced us to change our plans and this very pampered vacation was exactly what we both needed. The rooms we stayed in were fabulous. The first house was very Victorian the second very 1800s with lots of beautiful anitques. Kirb and I's idea of relaxing doesn't usually entail the normal, but this time we obviously needed alot of Relaxtion. We walked on the river, ate out when we wanted, took frequent naps, read on beautiful porches and swings, and did a very short rollerblade through the neighborhood. It was nice to just enjoy each others company, sometimes not even talking! Yes, this was truly a different kind of vacation for us. I most enjoyed looking into the blue eyes of of the person I love the most in this the whole world and knowing I would have many more years to look at them. I love him more than words could every say. I spent alot of time thanking God for him this weekend. It was nice to be togther as just "sunny and kirby" rather than "mommy and daddy" or "women's ministry leader and nurse practioner." We have a special thing going that I am aware is not always common. I am grateful that my best friend and the person I love and respect the most on this earth is my husband.