Yes!

I haven't had much to say here lately.

I've been struggling a bit, and I've chosen not to drag you into my struggle. Being silent is the best way to do that, I think.

A friend of mine, who prays for me often, prays that I will be amazed through my struggles. In my head, I believe that God will do that----amaze me. Redeem my anxieties, my story, far beyond what I can imagine. But, my heart cries bull shit.

(I said that to a group of friends the other day, which included our pastor's wife. I'm thankful for a pastor's wife who thought that was funny.) 

So, I struggle and I pray to be amazed. That one day, my heart will see the truth that my head knows, so that I won't have to say bull shit anymore (about that).

While praying to be amazed, I've struggled to see the miracles around me.

I've told you here before, I believe everything is a miracle. When I choose to pay attention, listen and take one thing at a time---I believe I can see all those miracles best.

So.

That house that I absolutely fell in love with? We have a contract on it.

So, we are in the process of selling our house. (Know someone who wants to buy a three bedroom home in the St. Louis area? Have we got the place for you!)

If you've ever done this before, you understand the work that goes into getting the house ready for people to walk through it. 

I have often, over the past month, found myself getting our house ready, on short notice, while Brad is at work, or out of town. Frantically mopping the floors, only moments before potential buyers walk in.

Doing this with two toddlers, is no easy feat, as you can imagine, or maybe have experienced, but I have to tell you---I have seen many miracles through it. (1337) I thought I'd share some of those miracles with you today.

The girls know what it means when I tell that people are coming to our house. I often hear them saying, People coming! As they go about their work. And they take it seriously, they get down to business helping me clean. (1338)

They meticulously pick up and put away all their toys and books (1339). I'm often stunned to find things put away---even when I haven't thought to ask them to put it away. (1340)

There is such joy to watch the delight in their little faces helping me get the house ready. (1341) And--they beam, literally beam as I praise them for obeying me, and doing such a great job of cleaning. (1342)

Then, we pray. We pray that God will bless the people that come to see our house, and that the right person will like our house and put an offer on it.

After I say that last part, I look and see Hadley eagerly nodding her head, and Brynne pipes up with an enthusiastic, "Yes!" Fervent prayers, these girls are----joy! (1343)

Once we pray, I load the girls into the car and go back through the house to tidy up last minute things. I'm always finding small miracles of things the girls have done without me even asking during these last-minute sweeps. (1344)

And, this too. Yesterday, we got a bit of rain for the first time since June 16th. (1345) With the city-wide watering restrictions, most of my garden, sadly, looks like this:

But---some of my flowers are still thriving (barely). (1346) I'm delighted to say that when people have come to see the house, there's always been something blooming. (1347)

 

Linking up with Ann and Jen.

Mama Loves: Cheap Ways to Entertain Toddlers

Welcome to another week of Mama Loves! So glad that you've stopped by!

Mama Loves is a linky party where mamas can share anything that has made your life easier as a mama.

Maybe you've found: 

• a toy or book that captivates your child(ren)
• gear you just can't live without
• a recipe your choosy toddler gobbles down
• a parenting book that you've found perspective changing
• an activity that wears your kid(s) out (these lead to good naps, which we all love)
• an outfit that flatters your post-baby body and makes you feel fabulous
• or anything else you're loving--creativity welcome!

Share it with us! Blogging has made me a better mama, because I've learned about all kinds of great things, like those listed above, from mamas just like you. Here's your chance to share it with all of us!

To link your post up, click on the linky tool at the bottom, and follow the directions, it's really easy. You can also add this beautiful button to your post. Just grab the code in the box, copy and paste it into your post. Easy.

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I'm done Christmas shopping.

Wanna know a secret?

I never set foot inside a store to get it done.

Truth? Shopping around the holidays makes me sweat (a lot). Add in two toddlers? Insanity!

I, like Katie, did all my Christmas shopping in yoga pants enjoying a tasty beverage.

Katie has a great list of websites you should check out to get great deals. Over the past months, I've gotten some killer deals on Christmas gifts for the girls by keeping tabs on those great bargain websites. You can "like" them all on facebook, or get daily email updates. Check out Katie's post, and don't miss an opportunity to get a great deal!

Did I mention there are some great deals to be had? Sheesh! I need to stop saying "deal"---there's gotta be another word for that. I'm too tired to come up with it right now. So--deal. Ha!
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I may have mentioned my obsession love for Pinterest. Yeah, okay, maybe more than one time this week.

Today will make it three. (Sorry if this is getting old for you).

When I find ideas on Pinterest, I think they're all great ideas. My girls are the ones that determine if they actually are great ideas.

This one proved to be a great idea. Mama and twin approved!

The best part? It cost exactly $2.

I got some sparkly pipe cleaners at Target for $2, and got out my colander (it was a wedding present, so it was free).

My girls will sit and work on putting each end of the pipe cleaner into the holes in the colander for a good 20 minutes.

This is the end result:

Easy, fun activity for toddlers on days when it's

Too wet to go out

And too cold to play ball.

It's much better than sitting in the house and doing nothing at all.

Yeah, okay. We love Dr. Seuss around here.

Happy Saturday everyone! Can't wait to see what you're loving!

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10 Things I've Learned About Toddlers (So Far)

1. Food tastes better when it's attached to a spoon or fork.

2. Toddlers want to do it themselves. That makes the food taste even better. 

3. Toddlers fall down. A lot. It's okay; don't freak out, even though you want to. Most of the time they just shake it off, but they will cry if they see that you're upset. Use your best p-p-p-p-poker face.

4. Toddlers will get lots of unexplainable scrapes and bruises (see #3).

5. Toddlers like to help pick up (and sometimes they even clean). "Go pick up the yellow stacking cup," or "What else belongs in this bag?" They're smart little whips---my girls get so excited when they figure out what toy I'm referring to, and quickly toddle over. My girls actually race to see who can pick up the toy first. I know, I'm milking this one for all it's worth!

Here is a picture of Hadley wiping down a board book with a dryer sheet, actually. I think she's seen me sterilize every page of every board book with antibacterial wipes a few too many times. Whatever. I'll take it!

6. Toddlers love, love, love to go outside. It's a great way for them to burn off energy!

7. Toddlers need baths more frequently. See #2 and #6.

8. Don't underestimate your toddler. Here's my husband's facebook status the other night:

Apparently Hadley did not like us using Eucerin on her dry skin. I found the jar of it floating in the toilet...with the toilet lid down...and the child proof safety latch in the locked position. She's good. Maybe too good.

9. Toddlers love to be praised! Everyone wants to hear that they're doing a good job. Praise a toddler, and you'll get more of a good thing. When we go outside, the rule is that the girls must hold my hand. Hadley likes to let go and venture off on her own. The other night when she was about to let go, I told her what a great job she was doing of holding my hand. You know what? She smiled at me and tightened her grip.

10. Jedi mind tricks work on your toddler.  If one of the girls is doing what they are supposed to, I heap on the praise. The other twin quickly follows suit (see #9).