Thoughts

Sometimes I look at other people, especially other moms, and I see how wonderful they are and how much they do for their family and I feel there's so much more I could be doing! However I tend to forget all the good things I do. Yes, there's room for improvement but I am doing my best today and I can improve as I go. I REALLY enjoyed President Uchtdorf's talk during the General Relief Society Meeting this past weekend - Five things to FORGET NOT. I was reminded to be patient with myself and I think I needed that. 

Principles - I am though doing some things that are working. I came up with the "Principle of the Day". Everyday, on the way to Spencer's school, I tell the kids the principle of the day and I ask them to remember and apply it during the day. At the beginning they were like "not again" hehehe. Now they ask me everyday what the principle of the day is and I remind them of it when an opportunity comes. For example, if the principle is "be helpful to others", every time they help me, I emphasize that they helped me and they are applying the principle of the day. It's been great! Here's some of the principles I am using: 

     Be loving
     Be a good example
     Be positive
     Be patient
     Be active
     Be grateful
     Be smart
     Be clean
     Be true
     Be humble 
     Be prayerful


Games - Usually I let the kids watch 20 minutes of TV before bed. One day, talking to my friend Andrezza, she gave me this great idea of playing games before bed instead. So I started to look for game board for kids. Now we play before bed and sometimes afternoons too. The kids love it and it's a good opportunity to bond. I do let them watch TV sometimes before bed but game time is always fun for them. Their favorite game is Candy Land because I give them a little candy at the end ;) 

This day we stacked up 32 and an expert usually goes up 36!! Not bad, huh? ;)

Reading - Unfortunately, I am not the best scripture reader so it's been hard to ready scriptures with the kids. We've been good during FHE. Since Spencer is required to read 20 minutes a day for school, I decided to use some of that time to read something spiritual like the Friend. I also got some "scripture books" at the library and they seen to be working. Having pictures definitely helps. Any suggestions of good books?

My Boy!

Spencer is such a cute kid! He's fun and loving. Energy is his middle name for sure. He can run so fast! We call him "speedy Spencer" :) He is my "kisser". Always giving me kisses! He loves to play outside. Too bad the weather is changing and we'll need to take a little break. These are some fun pictures of him this Summer. 

My monkey boy! He loves monkey bars or anything he can climb on!

He loves to explore when we are outdoor ..  no matter what we are doing.

He loves water! Swimming, playing, jumping ... 

Riding bike and scooter is one of his favorite things to do. He loves to show us how fast he can ride.

He's always so excited to go to school. I really love that!! As for doing homework ... it's another story ;) 

That's my boy! We love you so much!

26 Weeks!

Wow! 26 weeks! I can't believe after next time I see my doctor I'll be going every two weeks!! I really debated whether to post this picture or not ... I look so big!! Finally I started to feel the baby moving more often. The kids are always talking about the baby and I love when they pray for baby too :) Isabella is been doing this funny thing where she asks other people to "feel her baby moving". When you touch her belly, she moves it! hahaha .. adorable!

I've been doing lots of reorganizing around my house. I want to be ready when baby arrives. Then I'll decorate the nursery. I love doing that! 

I'm not sure if it's because of the big gap between Isabella and this baby but sometimes when I look at a newborn, I get scared that I won't be able to handle one more kid. Then there's those times when I hold a baby and my heart just melts and it's so exciting! I often picture myself holding baby and caring for her/him. I wonder about the looks and personality ... I know this baby will bring us so much happiness and I really can't wait to meet him or her. I love that we are not finding out before. It makes the labor even more exciting!

Yay for baby # 3!!!

Isabella's First Day of School - Preschool!

I can't believe my little girl is going to school already! She only goes two times a week and she's been SO excited! We got her a pack pack like a month ago and she's been talking about it how she's going to school and will take a backpack and will bring papers back home, etc .. love it! I personally like 3 year old preschool just because they get used to school and the routine. She's already asking me when will be the next day she'll go to school :) 

These pictures I took when they had their "open house" to meet the class and the teachers. She decorated a paper that will be laminated to be her place mat for snacks. She also made a necklace with Cheerios. 

Here's my little angel right before we left to school. I didn't get to take pictures at school. They went inside so fast :( It was weird seeing her going bye-bye .. so big .. but I was happy that she was happy :D

We are so proud of you Isabella! We love you so much!!

My Girl!

Isabella is a very fun loving little girl. I am very blessed to have a boy and a girl and to be able to experience the best of both worlds. I love seeing Isabella's "motherly" side. She's funny in many ways and loves to have fun. These are some recent pictures from this Summer I'd like to point out. She's growing up so fast ... I don't want to miss a second of it! 

When taking this picture with her, she naturally put her hand on my chin. I just thought it was so sweet.

I love seeing her sleeping for some reason. In one way she looks younger to me when she sleeps and I like her peaceful sweet expression. I actually have quite a few pictures of my kids sleeping. 

She loves painting her nails. Now that she knows how to do it herself, it's cute to see her painting her nails and wanting to paint other kids nails too.

Her new game is playing "sweetie". She is the mom and the other person is her "kid". It's so cute to play with her or even to watch her playing with somebody. She even changes her voice to a "sweeter" voice. I love it!! One of her favorite things to do is play with hair. It's called "hair cut". Marcio was her model many times while he was in town. Thanks Marcio for being such good sport ;)

For a while, every time I took pictures of her, she made sure she posed for me with her hand(s) on her waist. So girly :)

These are just some random pictures of my little bundle of joy.

We love you so much Isabella!