Is it 5AM already???

So, in an attempt to get healthy and fit I have been waking up all week at 5 AM to workout. I am very proud of myself for doing it; it has not been easy. My goal is 20 pounds by next summer. I would just love to be back to my pre-baby weight before we try for another. This seems like a HUGE goal, but I am determined. Now, my eating habits need an overhaul too, but I am waiting on that for when I am done nursing Leah. I just can't do it all at once.
So, here's to a better body-though it may be a tired one!

Rearranging, organizing, cleaning

I have been in major overhaul mode in our house lately. Probably why I have not been finding time to blog-FB is easy because I can do it so quickly as I pass by the computer.

Over the past couple months I have rearranged the toy room, school room, and most recently totally cleaned out and reorganized the kitchen cabinets. I just love things to be efficient and work the best it can for our day to day activities. I have also felt the internal pressure to have things working in order before we take on the big task of starting Kindergarten with Chiara. Since I have started this major cleaning I have noticed a big change in what "needs" to get done around the house on a daily basis...it is a lot less! My kitchen seems so clean, the toys all have a place, and the school room seems to be staying clean. Amazing.
Funny, everyone kept telling me to stop cleaning so much and I was never going to get ahead. I am glad I did not listen. I knew that I could wrap myself around all this chaos. Yes, it meant getting rid of some things and yes I did not play with the girls all day long (some days they would not notice because all they do is play with one another), but I am finally able to breathe a little.

The choice to home school is one I am happy to make, but I know I would not have been able to concentrate on teaching if I was in a house of chaos. Here's to a clean and organized house! Yippee!

Time????

I am amazed at all you wonderful Stay At Home Moms who have time to blog daily...even weekly! Gosh, I would love to. I am so convinced I would have to get up prior to 5 AM if I wanted to get everything done I want to in a day. It's not like I go to bed early...in fact, I am going to be later now than I was months ago. Where does the day go?

Well, I guess consumed by girls and cleaning. Ok, teaching, nursing, organizing, and eating too!

I keep saying I am going to make a better effort....'time' will tell...

Good Morning!

When I tell people how early my girls wake up they shudder at the thought.....yes, 6 AM is early, but we are morning people in the D'Amato household. David wakes at 5 AM to start his day...thankfully he does not have someone greeting him each morning, but usually by 6 or 6:30 AM we are all up.
Living in Arizona we are very limited on outside activities this time of the year. It is hard for Mayah who is my outdoor kid.

Let me tell you though that anything prior to 9 AM is gorgeous outside. This morning we even had a bit of cloud cover.
With our bowl full of cut strawberries I took Leah outside
and soon after Mayah followed, then later Chiara. By 7 AM we were all enjoying the morning outside. Love it!

Still Praying....

The Lord has had me praying for a mentor for some time now. Someone who has 'been there, done that'. Someone who is head over heels for the Lord and her husband! I am still praying. I have felt led to a few Godly women this past year, but I have not felt the Spirit leading me into that mentor relationship.
I greatly desire it. I fully believe in seeking Godly wisdom....and the older my girls get, the longer I am married, the more I am seeing the need for a woman like this in my life.
So, I will keeping seeking the Lord. I will wait on Him. I know He has great things planned for me!!

My Thoughts for Father's Day

I enjoy Father's Day-though I truly hope that both my own father and my husband feel loved and appreciated each day of the year.
As I sat with David tonight-alone at a late dinner-I asked him about this past year of being a dad and what he has learned. It was a nice reflection on the changes that have taken place not only within our family, but within ourselves. David is a very present father, not many seem to be that way. I would not know any different. My father was always around, always involved, and always present. I married David because I had a dad that did more than just provide for his family. My Dad was about family. He was about teaching...even if it was with a red pen sometimes!
I can remember spending time at the dining room table with him working on math or editing a paper. Playing basketball outside. Watching hockey-even though I did not like it. (wink) For one of my birthdays we were at the store and he bought me a single red rose-that moment had more of an impact on my life than he ever knew. I remember him being angry with me for making bad decisions. Punishing me for lying. I can remember the hug he gave me before he and mom left Vermont my freshman year of college. I smile watching the video of him walking me down the aisle and our father-daughter dance together. I smile even more, and get a bit teary-eyed too, when I see my girls run to be with him.
My dad could teach many dad's some lessons out there....

So Dad, this year I did not get you a card, because hallmark just would not cut it. Happy Father's Day-I hope you know the impact you have had on my life.

A Parenting Shift

If I had just had my sweet Chiara, just one baby, than life would be very different....quieter I think. ;)
Mayah is my peanut and my pistol! She can drive you crazy and then turn around and have you rolling on the floor laughing. She takes work. Time. Patience.
I have decided to take a new approach with my "My-My". I am going to see her how The Lord would want me to....what is He trying to teach me? How is He trying to grow me? What lesson can I learn today by being Mayah's Mommy?
Why should there be pressure on a 2 year old to 'make me happy' or 'please me'? I have this overwhelming sense lately that God is trying to get through to me....through her! Sounds crazy, but He is.
David and I tring a new method with her. This week it is about 'attending' to her. We never realized how most of what we say to her is either a question or demand. Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever just sat with your kids and took in what they were doing....no correcting, no directions, no questioning???? Try it. It is not as easy as we thought.
What it also made me realize is she does not get enough one-on-one time with either of us. Chiara gets school time, Leah gets nursing and held often, but what does Mayah get? I hear ya Lord...loud and clear. It is something mothers are doing all across the world-balancing the needs of their children. Mayah's need is attention-just being with her. She does not really want me 'playing' with her persay, but she wants me right there. Watching her and verbally noticing her. It has made a difference already.
For those reading this who do not know my sweet number 2...she is STRONG WILLED....yes, in all caps! She requires something different from me than Chiara (leah is too hard to tell right now since she is still so young). Chiara is happy if we cuddle on the couch and read books together. She is happy if she and I sit at the table and do crafts or school work. Mayah's personality requires me to think WAY outside the box....
David and I are praying that as we progress in this new approach with Mayah we will continue to see a difference in her behavior, attitude, and actions throughout the day.
Parenting is not easy-and it is especially not easy with a strong willed child- but I would not ask for any other 'job'! I love each of my girls and look forward to God's lessons through this season.