Earlobe Rehab and other Friday Miscellany

This morning Kayla informed me that she named her fingernails.

Fang.

Howie.

Corey.

Lily.

and Pinky. Of course.

Fang is the thumb. Which means we need to trim that one.

So that's weird. And gross.

Anywho.

"It's Friday.  Friday.  Gotta Get Down on Friday..."

I know it is SOOO 8 weeks ago and she's already been covered on Glee.

But it won't leave my head.

Are you one of the 137,886,272 that have seen this?

The good news is that there are 6,852,472,823 that have not.

But you know, I do not envy Rebecca Black.

She's got some big decisions to make.

Like whether or not she wants to kick it in the front seat?

Or maybe in the back seat?

These two like to kick it in the dog bed.

A dog bed that I bought after our move and was never used.

We have carpet in our new house.

Apparently, Kobi thinks the whole floor is his bed.

So it's working out well.

Most of you know our littlest is addicted to my earlobes.

So we checked her into earlobe rehab on Sunday night.

Cold turkey.

Me and my ears enjoyed a green tea frapp and carrot cupcake in peace.

While Dave sleep trained a 4 year old.

And it's actually working out quite well.

She and Dora chat about it until they fall asleep.

No bueno.

I love that the powers that be feel the need to explain to
parents of preschoolers what vomiting and/or diarrhea is.

So far, so good.  Which is fabulous news.

Super Bug is not welcome at rehab.

Frappy Hour!    From 3-6 each afternoon all Starbucks frapps are half price.

I'm loyal to my green tea, 3 scoops macha, light whip blended in.

But I'm about a pump away from perfecting the new Mocha Coconut by voiding it of all coffee taste.

I know.  Big goals.

Speaking of goals, the Sharks got 3.  The dumb Wings got 2.

My husband is happy.

They play more on Sunday.

That's about all I know.

Happy Friday, friends!

10 on 10: May 2011

Usually I'm lazy and use my camera phone.  Today, I was feeling brave.

And dorky as I lugged Dave's Nikon around.

Which I have ZERO clue how to use.

Enjoy my pictures.  Taken on auto setting.  Auto corrected in Picnik.  Don't cringe.

Right ear infection.  Antibiotics Day 4/10.

I wonder why they can't make all medicine taste so delightful?

Watermelon and waffles for breakfast.

When did she grow up?  And WHY does she keep getting taller?  She looks so old to me here.

My sweet little snow white porcelain doll face has turned into a raging beast this week.

I think it may be a combo of the ear infection and our move but she is not herself.

I wouldn't let her hold the toothpaste.  The horror of it all.  Such tragedy.

I love this magazine.  It's cheap.  And SO worth it.  I think I will keep them for decades.

Ikea overwhelms me.  Always.

The little tags and numbers.  The marketplace.  The smell of swedish meatballs.

Self-serve 600 pound boxes.  1 of 8.

I arrived with great plans.

I left with a tool set to put together nothing.

And decorations for Emily's baby shower.

Someone please explain this to me.

Why on earth would one wait miles in the sweltering sun for a free 2-item Panda meal?

There were even strollers in that line!  And small children.

They probably used up in sunscreen what they would have paid for in food.

I rearranged this table today.

Do you think the people on the ends will be cramped?

We need to make room for a hutch that I will probably never buy at Ikea.

Kobi helped.  And he does have 2 front paws in case you were concerned.

He always tucks one weird like that.

Catching up on blogs.  Can I share with you a few of my newer favorites?

Something Real

Hello from the Nato's

The Reed Life

Naptime Diaries

You will love them better than Smart Ones fettucini and broccoli.  That's for sure.

The Beast spent much of the afternoon on time out in her room.

I tried to catch up on laundry.

And made cupcakes for an event I thought was happening tonight.

But really is next Wednesday.

Kayla wrote and narrated a story about a cowboy named Max.

That was our day.

How was yours?

Motherhood

Those little peek-a-boo eyes allowed me to celebrate my first Mama's Day 8 years ago.

I was 8 months pregnant.  Large.  Anxious.  Exhausted.  Excited.

So naive as to how much those brown eyes would change me forever.

And bring overwhelming joy.

And struggle.

A supernatural need for patience.

And endurance.

A continuous opportunity to watch my words.  My tone.  My attitude.

A chance to show love and sacrifice differently than I've ever known.

More than I've ever known.

A humbling change.  Lots of messing up.

Requesting and extending forgiveness.

A change that is impossible without my daily reliance on Christ.

As He refines me.  Tries me.  Makes me more like His Son.

And gives me the most wonderful gift in my two little girls.

A change I wouldn't change for all the world.

Week in Review: InstaFriday 4

Since most of my brain cells are still packed with my Pyrex, these posts are working out real well for me.

No collective, organized thought required.  Thanks Jeannett. I love you.

Isn't this the cutest little baby you ever did see?

Her mama, Teri is one of the sweetest people I know and a dear friend.

Teri's husband, Mike was Dave's partner on the ambulance when they worked as paramedics.

I also graduated from high school with Mike.  He's pretty incredible, too.

They cared for Kayla every Tuesday night while Dave and I went to youth group.

Youth group started at 7:00.  Inconsolable, screaming colic fest also started at 7:00.

We owe them BIG. Like 2,178 date nights.

Our new neighborhood is kind of like a petting zoo.

Our across the street neighbors feed ducks.

Our next door neighbors feed squirrels.

And everybody gets their feathers ruffled when cross-feeding occurs.

Ducks are not allowed to eat squirrel food.  Squirrels cannot go near the duck food.

It's all a bit weird and everybody might just need to find a different hobby.

Anyway, Kayla was feeling left out.

Hope's order of service on Sunday.

Sidenote: I love the "Worship With Our Children" part.

Patrick leads the kids in song while Claire and Camilla teach them sign language.

And my kid, the only one who really needs the sign language, is usually the only one who doesn't pay attention.

Kayla has taken a sudden interest in softball. And Dave is very interested in Kayla's sudden interest.

And I think Kayla is interested because Dave is interested in her being interested. Ya follow?

Ashlyn is only interested in cheerleading.

House cleaning is 300 times more fun when the Supertones are involved.

Six years ago we drove down to Biola for their final concert.

And six years ago I realized I was too old for the mosh pit.

I forget the details exactly, but I remember a kid pushed one of our girls.

And I pinched his ear.  A total mom pinch/earlobe pull.  Out of my control almost.

So the band's retirement was also my mosh retirement.  It was time.

Unfortuntely, retiring from cleaning is not an option.

I love strawberries left on our front porch.  I love Cindy.

I'm thankful ducks and squirrels do not love strawberries.

Ashlyn had a playdate in South City on Wednesday.  This sign has always intrigued me.

After 9/11 they painted the "U" and "S" red, white and blue.

And when the Giants won the World Series they painted the "S" and the "F" orange and black.

It was pretty thrilling to be so close. I'm not kidding.

Huge fan of flip flop weather.  Huge fan of the fact that our new dentist AND hygienist are former youth group kids.

Not a huge fan of the fact that my oldest needs a retainer, then braces, then another retainer.

We have bedtime issues somthing terrible. This is Ashlyn "playing monster" at 9:59 PM. Send help.

The weather around here has been phenomenal.

It's kind of hard to tell, but Ashlyn is swan diving at the country club with Pop Pop.

While I was unpacking boxes in a sweltering garage and Dave was working at a homeless shelter.

We have such a weird life.

Cupcake Carnival

If ever I were a contestant on Survivor, I would bring my bible and cake.

I love it.

All kinds.

But cupcakes?

FTW.

Currently, my favorite geeky acronym.

“For The Win.”

First place.

Although, I have to tell you.

A girl who knows and shares this key to my heart, came bearing gifts on Saturday.

Tasty, perfect, delicious little gifts.

Cup, meet mini-Bundt.

And take a back seat for a bit.

You guys.  If you live anywhere in the Bay Area.

Drive to Sunnyvale.  Or Dublin.  Or Los Gatos.

And buy as many as they will let you.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, FTW.

OK.  Back to the point of this post.

Mel over at Larson Lingo has a fun little linky party going on.

I love her blog.

I love how she tells her sweet family stories with beautiful pictures.

I love how she interacts with her readers.

Sincere interaction. I can’t wait to meet her.

Larson Lingo.  FTW.

She asked that we share our favorite cupcakes recipes.

Which is like asking me to chose my favorite child.

So I’m linking to my top four (in no particular order).

{Click on each picture to link to original post/recipe}

Cupcake Recap.

FTW.

Saturday Snapshot

My Week(s) in Phone Pics

I've got some catching up to do.  Bear with.

Hope started it's small/life/community/bible study group two weeks ago at Grandma Jean's.

In case you couldn't tell, verdict is still out on the name.  But all are invited.  We're studying Ephesians.

Girls met last week at Grandmum's and had delicious cake pops made with love by Ellen.

Guys met this Wednesday at our casa and sat on boxes.

Next week, we start all over again at Grandma Jean's.

Got it?  Good.  6:30.  Wednesday nights.  See you there.

I've got BIG plans for this weird, misplaced, drywalled and carpeted-over fireplace in Kayla's room.

Speaking of misplaced, ignore the brown boots in 7o degree weather.  Shoes were packed.

What happens when you are a church planter's kid who celebrates a birthday between a huge move and Holy Week?

You have your "day of" birthday party at a local yogurt shop with 7 adult friends and your grandma.

But all is OK because you get to pick your own outfit and dad gives you all the sprinkles you want.

KK catching up on her scrapbook mid-move.  The toys were not unpacked yet.  Except for Thomas.

This is what happens when you "borrow" new neighbor Angie's internet a little too late.

Thanks for nothing, Ang.

Blessed beyond measure by our sweet little church.  Their generous gift pretty much covered our closing costs.

So much more than we expected or deserve.  We love you and are so thankful.

My sister-in-law to be had her shower last weekend.  Isn't she the cutest?  I love her.

And she got this which I wanted to rip out of her cute little hands.  I could marry multi-functional kitchen items.

Also, I think new home owners should be able to re-register.  And have a new home shower.

The only halfway decent Easter picture I got.  With my phone.  Kayla's in last year's dress.

But I'm secretly happy it still fit.  Because it's my favorite dress of all time.

My friend Monica made these magnets and passed them out to everyone on Easter Sunday.

She has such a thoughtful heart.  And she's quite crafty.  And that's my favorite combo.

Dave is really excited about that swing.  I'm still really excited about that dress.

Ashy's "real" birthday party.  At Red Robin.  Thrown together last minute.

Post on that rager to come later.  Maybe.

This is the face that she makes when she's not pleased with an outcome.

It worked once.  Maybe.

Way to go, Whitman's for keeping Easter legit.  But I don't really know what to do with it now.

It's the only piece left because I can't throw away.

It's seems wrong to trash a chocolate cross.  And even worse to ingest it.

Chocolate chip cookie dough stuffed cupcakes.  Make them.

And use Southern Living's Deluxe Cream Cheese frosting recipe.  And add real vanilla bean.

You won't be sorry.

This is my good friend, Betsy.

Hard at work in our living room last night while watching Michael Scott's last episode of The Office.

Which made me sob something awful.

I've known and loved Betsy since she used to hoard candy on junior high ski trips.

Go check out her Etsy shop.  And support an excellent cause.