Thursday, September 28, 2006

Gardening With Papa

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My dad is an amazing man. One of many things he is amazing at is landscaping. Most don't know that he has a horticulture degree and worked in landscape sales for 15+ years ( is that right dad?) I remember growing up and always being proud of our backyards. He even won an award for one. I got a little spoiled to say the least. I still remember my shock when Chris wanted to have a rock front & back with just a few trees. Something nice & easy. WHAT? No grass and immaculate bushes & flowers? What you don't like spending hours working in the yard?? Now a smart Titus 2 woman would've spent her early years learning from her dad with a green thumb. I unfortunately did no such thing and am having to learn now. Last spring I planted some rose bushes but unfortunately they didn't survive the summer.... could've been because I stopped watering them. What do you think dad? Is water a necessary component for plants to survive?

I am thankful that Taylor is learning at an early age. She went with Papa and Nana to pick out flowers than was taught how to plant them. I'm hoping she learned enough to plant a garden for me :-)


Here's Taylor Picking out Flowers at the nursery



Look at her cute gardening gloves!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Fighting Battles

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I won a battle this morning. I've been involved in a lot of battles lately. Battles of the will... battles with a little boy with big blue eyes. Oh it may not seem that big in the scheme of things but it was God's grace to us this morning. Trevor, in anger, threw his cup across the floor. After disciplining him I looked him in the eyes and said "Trevor go pick up your cup and bring it to mommy". He looked me square in the eyes and said his favorite word " NO" and ran away. At least he was clothed while he ran. Yesterday he took his diaper off and when I came to put a new diaper on he ran away from me screaming "NO, NO, NO" over and over. Anyways, this was one of those moments when you just know your in it for the long haul! I disciplined him again and gave him another chance to obey. Again, a loud "NO" and he runs. We repeated this process quite a few times but in the end the word "NO" changed to "Obey" and he picked up his cup and gave it to me. HALLELUJAH!

I remember coming into the "terrible two's" with Taylor. It scared me to death. What happened to my sweet little girl? Whose child is this? Certainly she can't be ours! What I remember most was feeling inadequate to be her mom. This time around with Trevor, I am not surprised by his sin. I know full well that he is our child. But he is our child in need of a savior! However, I am still tempted towards feeling of inadequacy. In perfect timing I read this quote this morning upon waking up.

"God knows the feeling of discouragement, inadequacy, and failure which conscientious parents feel. But it was His idea to make them parents and to give them this particular set of children. He knew they would not do a perfect job. He is Father to the parents, and promises every kind of help they need. He stands beside them in every situation, ready to give wisdom as needed and grace to help in time of need if only they will turn to Him and ask for it" Elisabeth Elliot; Shaping of a Christian Family

I'm praying for all my mommy friends fighting battles today! Remember that God is there in every situation ready to give wisdom.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

No More Tears

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Taylor has beautiful hair. Always has. Thick, a little wavy and naturally highlighted. Yes, I am jealous of my four year old's hair, I admit it. But beautiful, full bodied hair, equals lots of work. I knew her hair was hard to brush through but I didn't realize how hard until we had one of her friends spend the night. I gave both girls baths. I washed both girls hair and applied half a bottle of conditioner on Taylors hair like normal. Afterwards I brushed through her friends hair first and that took all of 10 seconds and then it was Taylor's turn. Poor girl, it took me 5 to 10 minutes to get it all brushed out. We have had more training moments with Taylor, in doing her hair, then probably any other issue. Now thankfully, through her maturing, there are fewer tears when it's time to brush her hair. Oh I'm not talking about just Taylor either! Usually we'd both end up in tears! So it was time. Time for an easier do for Taylor & Mom. It looks quite cute too and we are going to save money in the long run on detangling spray & conditioner!!

Here's the before picture:


And here are a few after:

Sunday, September 17, 2006

One Month Beauty

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Our sweet Rylee turned one month yesterday. She has begun to greet us in the mornings with some "real" smiles. The kids have adjusted wonderfully! Taylor is my big helper & Trevor wakes up every morning asking about "baby wrylee". The other morning I came out with Rylee calling her my baby doll. Taylor, always mimicking everything I do, began calling her baby doll too. Trevor, not missing a thing, picked up on the new name and began calling her baby dog. I laughed so hard! "No Trevor, not dog, doll!" He's got it figured out now. She has been my best sleeper of the three! Thank you God! Already I have been graced with an occasional four or five hour stretch. And last night I was given the gift of my first six hour stretch! I pray it continues.

Monday, September 11, 2006

It's That Time Of Year Again....

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Yes football season is upon us, preparations have been made, two teams, two different leagues- it's on! What two teams you may wonder? Well I have learned, through being married to Chris, that it is not enough to LOVE football, it is not enough to watch games & be a devoted fan to the Chicago Bears. No, one must join up, with a bunch of other football loving men and play against one another's "fantasy" teams each week. Wow- to say I was unprepared for fantasy football when we got married is an understatement. I can't say I wasn't warned, but really there is not adequate preparation for what happens to a man involved in Fantasy Football. Or should I say what happens to Chris every Sunday night during football season. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy football! I'm one of those girls who understand the game & could follow a team. If AZ could actually get a "team"... although I have hope for the Cardinals this year! I just didn't understand the whole process of being an owner, drafting your own team etc. I admit the first few season I had to fight off being annoyed at his idol, I mean love, for fantasy football. But thankfully the Lord has given me grace to see that this is one way I can support and show love for my husband by taking interest in what interests him. In the Ricucci's book, Love That Lasts, Besty writes about enjoying shared interests with your husband. "Delighting together has made us closer friends" Besty writes, concerning her taking interest in Gary's love for military aviation. She reminds wives of the verse in Philippians:

Do nothing from rivarly or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others (2:3-4)

So, this is an opportunity for my to glorfiy the Lord in our marriage by taking interest in Chris' passion for fantasy football. I can beat him to turning on the game ask lots of questions on Sunday and throughout the week on how his team is doing. So honey, I'm sorry about your loss this week, but I have confidence you'll be ready to take the win next week!

* The trophy is the actual trophy the guys play for each year. Not to brag on my hubby or anything but it has taken up residency in the Daukas house two out of the last three years!

Sunday, September 10, 2006

New Mommy Award

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I read this in a parenting magazine the other day and it made me laugh. Although I think it could apply to all moms not just "new-moms"!


"Ever think that you should be given a medal just for getting through a day? So do we. If any five of the statements below apply to you, you deserve something engraved."

1. You did not scream " Are you out of your mind!?!? when you childless friend asked if you'd read that newspaper article on the national debt.
2. There is not one Cheerio on the floor of your home. (well not that you know of)
3. You have a complete change of clean clothes on today, socks and underwear included.
4. You did not scream " Are you out of your mind!?!? when your husband asked when you might start cooking again.
5. You managed to laugh when your baby threw up in the supermarket checkout line.
6. You have tissues, toliet paper, paper towels and dipaers in your home at the same time.
7. You have no visible roots.
8. Your baby watched only one video (twice) today.
9. One person in your home has their hair brushed.
10. You smiled reassuringly (okay: you didn't cry) when the baby dropped your cell phone into the toilet. (this really happened to me last month! )
11. You haven't mixed up your kids names once today.
12. You Shaved!
13. Choose one of the following. ( If you choose two, you are a saint and therefore overqualified for this award.)
a. There is a bowl of fresh fruit on your countertop.
b. You have stuffed yourself into your pre-baby jeans and worn them for at least an hour without fainting.
c. You have not stepped on a binky, spit-up, or anything sticky today.
d. You and your children have napped at the same time. ( If so please write and tell us how you accomplished this.)

Friday, September 01, 2006

Week In Review

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Not much posting this week... been a little busy. I'm holding on tightly to my sanity. You'll often hear me repeating over and over "if God has called me than he will equip me". Meaning, if God has called me to be a mother to three children than he will equip me and give me Grace for the call! My basic goals for the day are to have my children clothed & feed. Once these goals are accomplished I might get a shower. However, I still haven't figured out how to keep my house clean & laundry done... I don't think it's going to get figured out anytime soon!

Here's the week in review with some pictures.

Taylor had her first day of preschool.

We celebrated Papa's Birthday.

Trevor tried on every pair of shoes he could find. As well as insist on wearing this pajama shirt because it had "balls" on it.

The kids got six shots between the two of them... it seemed like a good idea at the time to get it all done at once

We have a belly button! Rylee got her first official bath!



Have a great labor day weekend!