Pray for Us!

Just wanted to ask for prayer. Right now the devil is really after us here in the Reding household. We have been fighting sicknesses for last month, actually 3 if you count when the girls actually started getting sick. First me, then Ran, now the girls. We have also really been struggling with Abigail the past few weeks. She is so DETERMINED to do things her way. It is so hard to be a parent! I want her to be a respectful and obedient little girl, but it isn't easy when she has a mind of her own and thinks like a 16 year old sometimes! Also, there has just been so much stress that things have been strained between me and Ran. It just seems as though the devil is working overtime. As I am sure you can tell, I am just down and feeling defeated right now. Pray for me...Ask God to show me what to do and the wisdom to know the difference!

Carnival Party

Valentine's Day Party

Another Birthday Party?

This morning when the girls got up, they were so excited b/c their official birthday was finally here. They wanted to know why I didn't have to go to work. I told them that I got to stay home so that I could go to their party at Mrs. Kim's. Abigail said, "Another party?" I just laughed b/c she is right...we are already all partied out. Me, mother and Donna went to the party. They sang and Mrs. Kim gave them a notebook with markers...but they weren't washable--kinda surprised by that. Luckily no one threw up this time. Abigail did get into trouble while I was there. Just let me tell you that is SO embrassing. She refused to sit down--nothing new. But I was so embarassed b/c she kept telling Mrs. Kim--"I don't want to, I am not!, NO!" I told mother and Donna that I was going to whip her when we got home and Donna, in true Donna fashion said: "Oh, don't whip her, it is her birthday...and we wonder what is wrong with her?"

After school, we came home and baked our cakes like we do every year. Emma made purple cake, purple icing and Diego faces on top. Abigail made pink cake,pink icing with Diego faces on top...the faces were influenced by Daddy?? After baking, we went to the doctor. They have been battling these running noses since December and I was bound and determined that today we would get something done about it. Dr. Hamilton is so great with him. You can tell that he has a soft place in his heart for them. He sang Happy Birthday to them and got hugs and kisses from them. He even said--"If you were a really good mother, you would have brought your camera so I could have a picture of this" Emma was so brave this time. She didn't cry at all. You could tell in the beginning that she wanted too, but she held it back and did a great job. And, we now have 4 ear infections...SURPRISE what do you expect after 3 months of a runny nose.

After the doctor, we took the girls to Trowbridges. A little ice cream parlor. Emma ate a whole cup of chocolate chip ice cream--her new favorite and half of a grilled cheese. Abigail just wanted her coke and grilled cheese. Then I asked them what they wanted to do. You are not going to believe this, but they said they wanted to go shop shop. So we went shopping for their birthday. I guess it is bred in them and it doesn't hurt that mother and I have drug them all over north Alabama since they were 6 weeks old.

After 2 hours of shopping we went to Texas Roadhouse. Of course Emma got steak and Abigail got a burger. They got to sit on the saddle and everyone YeeeHaww Doggied them. They thought that was great.

We finally got home after 7pm. They were exhausted but we still had to blow out candles to their Diego cakes. I really think it was a great day for them, I know it was a blast for me. I am so blessed to have been able to spend it with them.

Believe It or Not...

But we are a pacifer free home! I have been telling the girls for the past 2 months that they could not suck their pacifers after they turn 3. Every night when they would go to bed, we would talk about it and Emma would proudly proclaim that she had to throw it away when she turned 3. A couple of weeks ago I decided to add a little twist to our agreement. I told them that when they threw them away they could start painting their nails.(This is a big deal to them, b/c I haven't let anyone paint their nails--no matter how hard they begged.)
Okay insert side story--about a year ago Abigail came home from Donna's house
with her toenails painted. I was heartbroken, b/c it was the first time and
I just felt like it was one more thing I had missed. And when I tried to
take it off she screamed and cried like I was torturing her. Which in her
little eyes, it probably was some form of torture. So the next time I saw
Donna I had to tell her no more painting until I say so...

Back to the story...Well this sealed the deal! They were totally on board at this point. So tonight we went to Wal-Mart and made this whole big deal about them picking out their own polish. Those precious babies held that polish in their little hands the entire time we were there. And when we got in the car they both announced that they would be throwing their pacees away when we got home.--which I really didn't believe-- Well, when we got home, they both ran to get their pacees, which we have been making them leave in their beds; Emma likes to hide her's under her pillow ;). Anyway, we videotaped them agreeing to throw them away and them eagerly running to the garbage can and without reservation or even 1 last suck...they tossed them in..and immediately looked at me and said I am ready to paint my toe nails! I gave them their polish and boy did they go to town. Abigail figured out really quick that you could do it much faster if you just brushed across the entire top part of all of your toes with 1 fast swoop. Emma on the other hand maticulously focused on the first 2 toes on each foot. They had so much fun...and proclaimed that they would now work on their fingernails. I had to say no to this--it wasn't part of the deal--and I can't let them walk around with polish all over their hands. When bedtime came Emma said, "Mommy, I sure did love my pacee" I said, I know baby, but you are a big girl now and I like your painted toenails so much better." She smiled so big. After songs and prayers I went to leave the room and she raised up from her bed and shouted, "Wait mommy!" I can't smelled Bandit if I don't have my pacee! I said "What?" She said, "I can't smell Bandit!" She goes to sleep sucking her pacee and holding Bandit up to her nose. That has always been what soothes her. That was all. With that she and Abigail rolled over, and for the first time in 3 years, fell asleep without their sassy...:( :)

My heart is so full...Thank you God!!!!!!