Barbie Cleaning Service

Today Carlee invited me to Barbie's house to play for a little while.  

When I got there, I immediately began deep breathing through my OCD....

I mean how can Barbie find anything in this!?!

  sadly, this is me.

Don't worry, I played for about an hour before I actually went right to the Dollar Tree to spruce things up.  (Carlee will thank me later).  Anyway, I'm teaching life skills, right? 

 I guess Chelsea got a little crazy in the bathtub one day because the first thing I noticed was a  scratch/stain.  

Carlee refused my real life remedy- a homemade rug (is this my future, doesn't mother know best?)  

We got creative with the dog bowl and dog food basket (which isn't a dog food basket, we just thought it looked like it could be one).

Seriously, I had no idea Barbie was such a dog lover.  She has like 10 dogs living with her.  She is running a dog rescue program out of this place.   (My old Barbies housed shoes and purses. #forreal)

This is where the extra dogs play, and the mermaid, and the shark, and the Narwhal....

I put a little table in the back for the kitchen utensils and I cleaned up the fridge.  

The OJ was spilling everywhere!

I added a 1.00 table for Barbie's computer/glasses and books (under the table).

I put some hooks for Barbie's favorite dress and bagged up MATCHING shoes.  
Now when Barbie needs those sunflower yellow platforms in a pinch, they are going to be there!

At Carlee's demand, Chelsea's Dreamtopia's bed stays in mom and dad's room, but she approved the hooked pin for Wonder Woman's rope and pink school bag. 

 We moved all of  Barbie's beauty supplies to the beauty station.  It looks like someone is getting pink highlights with a pedicure. 

 This is Barbie's office.  Carlee says she collects sales from the Beauty Shop. I know when I can afford a chair like this, I have made it in this world!  #independentwoman

We I moved the outdoor items onto the deck.  Another dog, the bike, pool float, and Christmas snowballs.  

 

Down below is the shopping cart for those last minute items and the fairy door, that can lead you right into Barbie's home.  

Connor gave Carlee this pinball machine leftover from bubble gum.  Every house needs Pac Man, right? 

Just look at Kristoff and Barbie hanging out with Tracy (ANOTHER DOG), like Ken who??  

I thought the glass penguin (from our Science Center trip) moved downstairs was a nice touch.  

Barbie's small table houses her treasures- cell phone, lantern, and ice skating trophy.  

We had a few extra tables for the school room. 

All fresh and clean.....

Barbie Cleaning AT YOUR SERVICE.  

I'm thinking about making business cards.

Carlee is really thankful I'm so organized.

You can see it all over her face (as she puts things in a different place).

Meanwhile I'll be looking for Barbie's pharmacy with therapy office attached .....💁

but I do think this Barbie cleaning glam pack would make a neat gift.  here :)

Christmas Pirates 2016

Once again another Christmas has whirled in and out like an awesome storm.  

2017 is sneaking around the corner and if the last few months are any indication I am in for some change.

I. don't. like. change.  

I don't like when people retire, when people leave, when people move, when family changes... 

I don't like it and I don't care what you say (blah. blah. change is life).  Even when that horrible coworker transfers- I'm like 'hey that was my horrible coworker, where you going?'

This is usually the time I turn into the 'fixer' but for now I'm doing what I hate most.  Nothing.

As I reflect on the beautiful holiday of this month, I am reminded of God's powerful promises and strength in times of change.

I'll let the pirates tell ya'.

These vagrants know all about change.

I was in charge of these precious pirates.

What an easy job!

I mean no problems at all....

I had everyone completely engaged and focused. 

My whole life has been about wrangling little wild boys, 

I finally get quiet little girls!!

Ok...maybe not Pirate girls.  :)

(minus little K., the only very calm child, who has the chicken nugget tub in her lap in this video.  Who gives a turkey chicken about singing when you have nuggets!?!  

I'm with you girl.)

this makes me laugh every time I watch it! 

No matter how WILD, these Pirates will teach ye a few things about God, Mateys!

God's word is true.

The bible is the true treasure. 

(Hebrews 4:12)

God's word is surprising.

How was our king born?  Where was He born?  Why was He born?

The answers may surprise you.

(Luke 2: 1-20)

 God's word is for everyone,

even crazy pirate wranglers like me!

(Acts 2:  42-47)

God's word is comforting.
If we have faith, God has the rest.

(Psalm 23:  4, 6)

God's word is life changing.

(John 3:16)

The decor was amazing! 

This year was an excellent Christmas play that reminded us that God's word is a true gift and true treasure to us all.

I was so proud of Connor, Carlee, and all of my church babies.

I wouldn't dare tell these pirates that I am worried about the future.

They would make me walk the plank... 

or clean the swab!

And, we want to be servants that God can be proud!  

When we listen to the Captains Callllll-

we say ARRR you gonna love me, ARRR you gonna serve me, ARRR you gonna help me reach the people on the beach! 

Arrrrrr!!! 

#wild4God

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

My God Bless you and your children this year! 

Our Hearts Rejoice in Him

This year I said 'no' to the Christmas play.  

Timing was in a way that play practice started while Connor had homework, Awana, football, and basketball all at the same time.  I didn't think he could do anymore and I knew I couldn't do anymore.  

I also knew that Carlee would NEVER detach herself from me to take a role.  I had decided we would just go and enjoy the show.  

It was Connor who was asked to be a wise man and he was on board for it.  His friends from church were doing it and he told me he wanted to also.  At times, he didn't want to run lines or attend the longer practices, but he understood and kept his commitment without trouble.

Parenting Tips 101:  

1. If you have a young energetic boy who volunteers for ANYTHING positive- support it.  2.  Good influences are important.

Next, I was told Carlee in fact wanted to be an angel in her Awana class.  (Apparently, she walked up with the others in practice.)

someone likes to take pictures like her mama

SO just like that, my kids were a part of the play.

The church play offered a Christmas message of hope, love, and rejoicing in the birth of Christ... 

all of which can be lost when you are the mother of a child in the play.

Don't judge me.  I just wasn't feeling so spiritual when trying to calm nerves, rehearse lines, discipline backstage behavior, find lost hair pins, argue about the costume, finding toys/ puzzles/ snacks/ songs/ coloring/ etc. to entertain,  clean up messes, missing cell phone, silliness on stage, tears before showtime, and just when I was about to pull my hair out.....  the show began.

I am still.  I hold my breath (while I hold my angel) and our three little wild, wise men came out to say their lines loud and clear.   They nailed it.

My son proudly said all of his lines including "and one star shone more brightly than all the others.... and just like Jesus sent his Son that would lead the world out of darkness, this bright star led them to Bethlehem."

....and suddenly my cup was so filled with up with the goodness of God.  

Really, one could name 100 reasons why the birth of Christ should not have happened.  I mean there was such political turmoil, the anger of such powerful people, difficulty in travel, family shunning, the possibility of medical complications, no solid place to live, the massacre of innocence... the list goes on.  Yet, God gave us one reason why Jesus would be born.  

His one trumps anything else. Just like the children sing, 'If God is for us, who can stand against us?" 

Don't let anyone stop you from your relationship with God, there is no reason that could stand against His birth and sacrifice.

Jesus was born for me, He was born for my family, He was born for everyone!

Then my precious angel (who prior would NOT detach herself from me during practice)  grabbed the hand of her little friend.  She walked to the front of the crowded church, and my shy, little angel started to SING.  Yes!  Carlee started to sing and bob her head.

Rejoice in Him!

I was so touched, I forgot about my outfit (that may or may not have been clean), the cheerios under my feet, the pocketbook that had been turned upside down, and I just let myself rejoice in our church children delivering such a powerful message.

Behold the Lamb of God has come
Behold the Lamb of God has come
Behold the Savior is born
Sing of His love
To everyone


Today our hearts rejoice in him
Today our hearts rejoice in him
Today the light of His birth
Fills us with hope
And brings peace on earth

Merry Christmas to All

and

Blessed New Year