"I love you.. Sweetheart."

That's just what Sister bear said to me tonight, out of the blue as I was putting on her jammies and getting her ready for bed. She tipped her head down a bit, looking directly into my eyes as if she was going to take my hand and ask me to dance and said in a tone just lower than her usual, I'll repeat, "I love you.. Sweetheart." (there was a slight pause between the words "I love you" and "Sweetheart".) Then of course, I laughed and she giggled and ran off!

God love this child.

"Bear Cubs Daily" -Mirror Mirror on the wall...

bathtub junkie.

It's bath time and Brother bear LOVES the mirror.

One more look before he washes up for bed.

"King of the Playground."

"Thanksgiving Thursdays" -Better late than never!

So I'm a bit late for this one, aren't I? Read the "title". Am I forgiven?

What am I thankful for this week?

Forgiveness!

I was going to go with something else, but this improv is so much better. Dontcha think? I think we overlook the power this word has. We all make mistakes and we all think about forgiveness, don't we? I know I do. It's easier said than done. I'll say, it's an ongoing process -a work in progress.

Get my point?

I think the older I get, the better I am getting comfortable with this whole "forgiveness" thing.

It could be as simple as being cut off on the freeway by a complete stranger and just letting go and just forgiving them for acting like a real jerk. Time to think deep thoughts.. maybe they are in a hurry because their child just fell off their bike and they were working their early shift at their second job and they had to leave their job early and lose pay that they really need, to go and be there for their kid. I can go on and on, but do I really need to? Maybe, they were just being a jerk. Honestly, who cares, right? By the time you go through the, maybes and the thoughts of wonder, you almost just don't have time to think bad thoughts about that complete stranger. Right? So lets try and put this whole thought process to good use. Try it on someone you actually know and maybe even quite well. Here goes my deep thoughts written, well, typed on, not paper, but my little ol' computer.. .

I think part of our challenge with "forgiveness" is we live in such a fast forward, rat race, everchanging, keep up with the times, don't miss a beat, can't be late for this and that, when did that come out? should have done that yesterday kind of WORLD and so we don't have time to stop and forgive someone, anyone. You know, I thought about going on and on with this, but do I need to? I am not your mother, preacher, role model, teacher of life. SO, just stop and think a good thought -even for a stranger who did you wrong. AND think about forgiving just one person, you may be holding a grudge against. You might feel better and gain a smile on your face -and you know what a smile on your face does for the world? Yep, it adds a bit of sunshine in places that were more on the gloomy side. I'll share what others have to say......

Sometimes just saying the words, "I'm sorry" can be the hardest and almost impossible two words to udder. Sometimes, we need to swallow our pride and just say them, with meaning, of course. So know that when I am not around here for awhile at the "Treehouse", it's usually because I am spending precious time with my children. I know I am forgiven for that. Here's what makes me smile every day...

Isn't she lovely?.......

"Bear Cubs Daily" -Potty Time? or Party Time!

This is pretty much where you can find Sister bear -she's learned to wash her hands and she is compelled to do it on the hour. She knows how to scoot her potty to the sink (it also transforms into a step-stool) and she washes her hands and uses the soap, dries them and is off to the next thing. But within the hour, she returns for a good cleanse.

This morning, Sister bear mentioned she may have to uh, you know, use the potty. So naturally, I gave her some privacy. She was in there for a while, and I was getting antsy to go in and check in on her, you know, one eye, raised brow and a little, "you ok in there?" kinda non-chalantly. She calls for me in and says, "Wook, mama, I'm ready to use the potty". This is what I found..


She is used to me using the public potty and apparently, our "Big Potty" is comparable to the one down at the local gas station. Let me add, she's in there now, you guessed it! She's washing her hands! Gotta run, BPD = Bathroom Patrol Duty calls.....

"Yo Mama!"

Well, he didn't say it quite like that, but Brother bear DID say "Mama" for the very first time this morning.

He woke up and was in his little bed, Sister bear was there and wow, what a moment! My baby says my name!

All us mothers anticipate this moment from the time we find out we're pregnant!

We officially, will never have a quiet house AND that's ok with me. I love you, baby. Thanks for being my little Sunshine.

Sister Bear's favorite lunch, taken by she, herself while lunching at the Zoo w/her friends.

"Bear Cubs Daily" -Proud Moments.

she's getting so big, this age is full of surprises.
just being happy is all that is on her daily agenda!

i love to watch sister bear learn something new each week, whether it be a new dance move with ballet, or a somersault in gymnastics or just how to take direction from her instructor. she's a little girl who has a mind of her own and to see her evolve, makes me so proud.

i look forward to each week.

little brother bear is growing too, he has so much spunk, when he watches sissy thru the glass at dance class, it's like watching fireworks on the best fourth of july night. he's all smiles and wiggles and if he could, he'd be bouncing around right with her.

and the jibber jabber that is coming out of his mouth the last few days. he is trying to tell me something!

"Bear Cubs Daily Part 2" -Sundays are best spent w/my Family -read bottom for our life lesson learned today.

Tonight, I found Sister bear doing Yoga, all on her own. She was watching the "Goodnight Show" on the SPROUT channel. I was catching up on some emails and she was winding her evening down with a "REACHING FOR THE STARS" pose. Love this child.

Littlest one.
Camping Dept, here we come!

"Up up, in the Alligator we go!"
-her favorite.
We stopped to watch the airplanes take off and land.
-after church.

Sister bear made friends w/her Sunday school teacher today. (Sis bear was a bit timid with Miss Purple's strong personality) We talked about this teacher for weeks and how she was scary. I thought about talking with Miss Purple, but I didn't have to. We walked in this morning and she greeted Sister bear so warmly and with a welcoming smile that I think it may have taken her by surprise. She did not expect that I'm sure.

This week, I asked her if she knew her name and she said, "no". So my plan was to get to know her a bit and so together Sister bear and I made THEE plan that we would ask her, what her name was. After Sister bear was so kindly greeted, she immediately asked -on her own and so matter-of-fact, "What's your name?" Miss Purple smiled and answered, "Miss Purple!" It was a smooth and happy breakthrough.

Sister bear walked all the way into class and never looked back for me. I slipped out quietly and met Papa bear for service. What a relief. Normally, I have to coax her in to staying, because she had a little fear towards Miss Purple.

We learned today that we cannot run from things, people or situations that may feel a bit uncertain or make us feel uncomfortable. We can talk about it and find solutions. Some things may take time, but we can try at least and go from there. I was so proud of her for asserting herself with such a -in her words, scary situation. I almost detoured us to another church, so I learned too, not to run or give up, but try to work through it. See, our little ones teach us just as much as we teach them, life lessons.

"Bear Cubs Daily" -Better than Coffee!

Mornings with my bear cubs............

Naked Fridge Door..

I just flipped over one of my magnets that has been living on my fridge doors for the past decade plus. I've moved around all over town and across the country, this magnet is still going strong and apart of my "Magnet Family". I'm a collector of many things, magnets being one of them. They tell stories, or at least help me tell stories when I have company from time to time. It shows me where I've been or where a loved one thought of me and brought back a piece of their journey.

I LOVE MY MAGNETS!



One day I went nuts with the whole online shopping -in the early days when it was almost risque to buy things online. I came across this site called fridgedoor.com and could not stop hitting the "add to cart" button. Well, it just dawned on me to flip one of them over, I still have each one, and read the sticker that has the website printed out. So I got a bit curious and checked to see if the website even existed after all these years............ well here they are, if you love magnets as much as I do -you're going to go crazy over this site!






http://www.fridgedoor.com/















Now go and cover up that door of yours! It's probably pretty chilly without a little "Fridge Door" attire.

Happy Birthday to our favorite Football Player!

Baby,


We wish you the happiest birthday ever. We love you and miss you and can't wait to spend some time with you either in Texas or California. Real soon, baby.. real soon.

Love you to the stars!

Aunt Mama Bear, Uncle Papa Bear, the little cousin bear cubs and Pearly Bear

"Bear Cubs Daily" -The Three Musketeers + Baby Ruth

We were invited for a trip to the zoo with a friend today and we met up with another one of her friends and her adorable little boy. Let me just say that each one of our children are just pure heaven in human form. See for yourself.

I have more photos and I am so tempted to add them. We couldn't stop ourselves, these kids are just magic together. They get along so pleasantly, they are just delicious! I may just surprise you with a video of them being flying monkeys........... Come back and see.

All these photos were taken by Mitzy Marshall-Parton (she's beyond incredible with that camera)