Anika, 21 months and changing!

First of all, Anika has been without a pacifier for two days now! The other day I was talking with a friend of mine about her "ba ba" addiction and how I just don't know how I'm going to wean her off of it, but that I was going to get a plan in place when she turned two. That was that, I wasn't even going to worry about it for a couple months. Then while I was putting her to bed that night, I realized that she didn't have it with her and hadn't asked for it. She was more interested in taking 2 new buddies to bed with her. She slept great! She also didn't ask for her ba ba all the next day. At nap time she again was more interested in her 2 more buddies she was taking to bed. She now has about 6 stuffed animals in her bed but has not even cried once or asked for her ba ba! I keep thinking the time is coming when she is going to ask, but I've gone ahead and hid them all...and after this I'm going to go ahead and toss them. I'm so happy about this smooth transition! I was definitely imagining the worst. I'm also happy about no more pictures with a ba ba in her mouth!!

The other change is Anika's hair! She is becoming such a blondie! A lot of people think she is looking more like Caylin. She also makes the funniest faces.

Lemonade Stand

Ever since Aiana was about 5, she has loved to sell homemade goods...whether it be art, tomatoes, baked goods, popcorn, or lemonade. I remember a time when she was about 6, she got all dressed up and told me she needed me to take some pictures of her to put in the frames she made.

One of her favorites was always and still is setting up a lemonade stand. I'll never forget how excited she was the first time she set up a stand. She was so proud of her little pitcher of lemonade, table, cups, and sign. She had filled the pitcher so high that when she went to pour me a glass the top fell off and the lemonade spilled everywhere. But that didn't stop her! She was on a mission. She's a very determined girl! I love that about her!

Rooted in God's love

(Anika worshiping during the service)

This weekend we had Anika dedicated. Our friend Linda prayed over us during the service and gave us this beautiful verse:

Ephesians 3:14-20

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

During this prayer I was filled with visions of the road Will and I have been on up to this point. It was very special to have Linda praying over us, as I remember she and Ed praying over us when we got engaged, and when Will and I exchanged wedding vows, and when Will and I had our big wedding a year later, then in the hospital when Caylin was born, then when Anika was born, and many more prayers in between, and may more to come. The road has been up and down and all around, but there is so much power and strength in this verse. It is God's love that has given us the strength to get to where we are and that will continue to strengthen us for all that is ahead.

Barleys + travel = getting better!

We traveled up to Fresno to visit with our good friends this weekend. The car ride is 5 1/2 hrs and I was nervous. But both ways, there and back, the girls were awesome! We had a wonderful weekend boating, playing in the water, and visiting with our friends. I wish we could spend time with them more often. It's so fun to watch our kiddos grow up. Gavin's favorite buddy this weekend was Aiana. Caylin kept asking him "Do you like me Gavin?". Which is so funny because to Gavin, being a boy, had no idea why she was asking.

Caylin and Gavin's 1st bath together 3 years ago

Caylin and Gavin's last bath together (they are getting too curious!)

On the way home traffic was a little thick in LA (when is it not), but it was an opportunity to make the best of our situation. Luckily we weren't too far from Disneyland, so we pulled over and had dinner at Downtown Disney. We all got out and stretched our legs and the little ones danced to all the fun music that filled the air. The rest of the ride home was a breeze. Yay!!!

Summer Fun!

So far we are lovin' summertime! It hasn't been too hot, but warm enough to enjoy swimming and going to the beach, some of our favorite things!

4th of July this year was low key but a wonderful day of swimming and bbqing (yes, Amber, weird to be at your house again without you or your family there!) Our family friends are so generous to let us hang out at their house and enjoy their pool while they were on vacation.

Whenever Anika sees the camera now, she says "keees" so she comes out with this funny face.

Birthday girl!

What a fun birthday week Caylin had! It started off with performing at the Fair. Caylin has been anxiously awaiting the day to wear her costume. I hadn't ever seen her get into the dance she was going perform so I imagined she'd get on stage and just kind of stand there, but I was wrong. She knew more of the dance than I thought...and couldn't get enough of being on stage! (as soon as I figure out how to post the video off the camera I will).

After performing and coming home for lunch and naps, we headed back out to the Fair to party with buddy Kaylee. Aiana came along with some friends and hit up the big kid rides while we stayed over in kiddyland. The girls had a blast together. It was a perfect way to spend the day.

At the end of the week we had a Teddy Bear Picnic party. All our friends brought their fuzzy friends to dance and sing with. Mr. Will was there to entertain and give wagon rides...which ended in the kids giving him a ride!

I always say this, but time goes by so fast! I can't believe only one more year until Caylin is a "school age" kid! But as Caylin told me when I told her to stop growing "You don't control me, mom, God does and I'm getting bigger", I have to just slow down as much as I can and take it all in. The good and the bad, in the end, (most) memories appreciate over time and I want to create tons with my babies.