Go Fly a Kite!

I have a confession to make.... I have been in the worst mood lately! I think it's a mixture of stress, and lack of sleep, and maybe (just maybe) a certain time of the month. But it really stinks when you know you are in a bad mood, and there's really not much you can do to snap out of it. It is definitely not fun for me, and I know it's not too fun for the rest of the family either.

So on Sunday, I went to run some errands to get out of the house for a bit, and I drove by a family doing something that I haven't done in such a long time. It struck me that it was exactly what I needed to do! And I thought there couldn't be a better way to cheer up the rest of the family as well!

I drove straight to Toys R Us and got us a couple of kites to fly! It was even more fun than I expected!

Todd's neice Jordan was here with us, and even though she's a teenager now, she even enjoyed it!

Logan loves spending time with her!

Hayden and Nama loved watching the kite fly!

Although we got the first one up with ease, the second kite wasn't so user friendly. Here is Logan cracking up at their failed attempts to fly it.

And they kept trying.....

And trying....

And trying.....

And even Hayden got in on it!!

 

But much to Todd's dismay, they never were able to get it to fly. So instead, we focused on the one kite that actually did work, and of course the great family time we got to spend together!!

Don't know who these little boys were, but once Hayden saw them trying to fly "her" kite, she was determined to finally fly it herself!!!

It really was a great afternoon!

Mother's Day 2010

I had such a great Mother's day this year. There is nothing better than celebrating a day in honor of the most precious role in your life, and to me that is motherhood! I can't believe that it's been 10 years - I almost don't remember what my life was like before I was a mom.

On the flip side to that, my heart was heavy for all of the women out there who desire to be a mom and for whatever reason have not been able to fulfill that role. I know that for some women, mother's day is nothing to look forward to.

I have never had trouble with infertility so I can't say that I understand.....but I can certainly imagine how devastating it would be to be disappointed every single month. I have read so many testimonies through the blog world, of women who dread seeing a baby, or a pregnant woman....and my heart truly goes out to those women.

Sometimes, women just find themselves in a season of their lives where motherhood simply isn't in the cards - perhaps one day it will be, but for the time being it isn't, and I can also imagine how difficult that must feel to them. But I do know that there are countless people who "mother" other people's children, and who make a difference in those lives, even though they may not have experienced the actual act of giving birth.

In my life, I know two such women, who have truly impacted my children's lives for the better. I can not picture my girls' lives without these two very special influences, and I am beyond grateful and blessed to have them as role models for my girls.

To you, Den, my loving sister.....and to you, Amy, my best friend in the whole world....THANK YOU for making such a positive difference in the lives of my girls. Thank you for taking the time to make them feel special and loved and heard.....thank you for being a mom to them during times when I needed an extra pair of hands, or just someone else to carry the load. You have both been such a huge part of my motherhood experience and for that, I want to celebrate you for this special day. I know that I didn't exactly tell either of you this on Mother's day, but I'm telling you now (better late than never, right??)

I love you....my girls adore you....and you will always hold such a special role in their lives and mine!!!!

The Tutu

Recently, my aunt and uncle sent Hayden the most adorable tutu! I knew when I saw it that she would absolutely love it. What I didn't expect is that she would be wearing it literally non-stop for the next week! She has danced in it, slept in it, gone on errands in it, played all day long in it....the girl is obsessed with it! So today, as Hayden and Brenna were outside jumping in the trampoline, I decided to take a video in order to remember this wonderful addition to our little girl's wardrobe.

As a side note, I am actually liking this whole video blogging thing because it gives me a space for those home videos that I haven't transferred yet! :)

ENJOY!!!

Thank you from Hayden from Carleen Maurer on Vimeo.

Hip Hop sisters!

I had to post this video because it is too darn cute! I love my girls so much!!! The music is from Logan's hip hop class and is not really my favorite, but the dancing is simply adorable! I love it how much Hayden just adores her big sissy, and I am so thankful that Logan adores her just as much!

Logan and Hayden's hop-hop debut! from Carleen Maurer on Vimeo.

Taylor Swift Concert

Last week, I had the opportunity to take my little Logan to see Taylor Swift in concert. It sort of happened by a fluke, but I was so grateful that we were able to share such a great memory together! Taylor Swift is awesome!!!!! I am such a teeny-bopper at heart! And clearly, Logan is too.

She screamed louder than I have ever heard her scream before! It was such a great experience to enjoy that with her. I picture many more concerts in our future!!!

Our seats weren't that great as you can see, but it didn't matter one bit. We were still rockin out!

Logan was excited to wave her glow stick!

What a great way to spend a Thursday night, just me and my girl!!!! I love being her mommy! She is so much fun!

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter!!!

Here we are trying to take a family picture. I honestly can not for the life of me get a good picture of all of us! haha. Brenna's over there pulling on Logan's hair, Hayden's upset that we took her paci out, and Todd is just antsy to get it all over with. Oh, the joys of parenthood!! :)

Despite my picture despairs, today is such a day of celebration! Easter is one of my favorite holidays because of all that it represents. We went to two church services this weekend -  one last night at our new local church. They played one of my favorite songs by Hillsong, entitled "You are Here." I love that entire song, but my favorite part is where it says:

The same power that conquered the grave

Lives in me, Lives in me

Your love that rescued the earth

Lives in me, lives in me

I so often forget that the power of our Savior lives within me....the power to change my negative attitude, power to get me through one more crying fit, power to help me relate to those who I simply do not understand, power to overcome all of my fears....I needed to hear that message, and I hope that I can train myself to truly call on that power in my times of need...

This morning we went to our "other"church in Yorba Linda, and that was just as inspiring and uplifting. I'm definitely blessed to be able to call both churches my home.

Afterwards we came home to spend some great  family time with both of our moms and my sister.

 I can't even remember the last time my sister and I took a picture with my mom. That must mean it's been way too long!

And while we were taking pictures, Hayden was all pooped out!

Look at that cute little tushy!! She is such a little doll.

Here is one of me snuggling with her on the couch after she had woken up. I could just eat her all up!!!!

And Brenna got some good cuddle time with her Deda. My sister wants me to give Brenna to her, but sorry Den - she's all mine!!! However, I can be gracious on Easter and let you borrow her for a bit :)

And of course, Logan had to get a little silly to liven things up a bit.

My silly girl!

One thing I like most about the holidays is having extra hands around! Todd and I rarely get time just to relax together because the kids simply out-number us. But with all the help, we were able to get our own cuddle time.

And after all of the festivities, the Easter Bunny decided to bring some special gifts. (Ok, well actually Todd decided to go out and spoil the kids!!)

Though Logan was at her dad's for the second half of the day, Todd bought her something she has been wanting a long time

Ssshhhhhh....it's a surprise! Her very own IPOD charger that doesn't have to be plugged into the computer. Oh, how their taste changes as they get bigger, right??

And for Hayden, he got something that we knew she would absolutely love!

Her very own car!

Here's Todd reading the instructions.

Don't let that smile fool you. He HATES putting things together. But for his girls, he'll do just about anything. Brenna saw that he was getting a bit impatient, so she decided to pitch in.

 Too bad before she could actually read the instructions, she ate them!!! HA!

But in the end....

We had a happy little girl!!! 

(And I know Logan will be super happy when she come home and finds her new charger!!)

As for Brenna? Luckily, she's too young to really know the difference just yet. She's just happy to crawl all around!

Talk about another cute tushy!!!! :)

Bubble Fest!!!

Discovery Zone's Bubble Show

Last week I met with my Tuesday play group (I love them!) My friend Johanna got free tickets to the Discovery Zone in Santa Ana, and  they were having a mommy and me Bubble show. It was a lot of fun! The kids were a bit antsy, but Hayden actually really enjoyed it. Here are some highlights....

How can we resist these cute little faces????

And here's Hayden, Isabella, and Jordan....who would have thought when we were at all those Greek parties, that we would have little girls the same age! I am so thankful that our kids can play and become friends just like us! Let's hope they aren't as wild and crazy as we were when they're in college :)

Say CHEESE!!!