She's really a GIRL now.

That may seem like an odd thing to say. After all, a girl is a girl from the moment her life begins. But, as a parent, have you ever had that moment when you look at your child (in this case, daughter) and think, "wow. She's not a baby. Not even a toddler. But a GIRL." I don't know if I'm making myself quite clear, but I'm sure that those of you who are parents know exactly what I'm talking about. It all of a sudden hits you that your baby is growing up and they seem so old and mature. This very thing has struck me about Emma lately. She turned 4 a couple weeks ago, and there is something about having a child who is 4. Three still seems like a toddler age, still young enough to be a baby in some ways. Four-- well, that is a whole different matter. Four is one year away from school! Only 12 years until they can drive!! That may be overreacting-- but you get my point. Four seems so grown up, so suddenly not like a baby at all. In Emma's case, I've noticed it most in the way she talks, the way she carries herself, the thoughts that she expresses. She and I have fun conversations all the time, and she has become my little helper more and more. I've noticed a certain independence about her; a way of doing and saying things that show me she's got a mind of her own and knows how to use it.

Our FOUR-year-old on her big day! She especially requested a "ribbon and bows" cake.

And here she is with the brand-new bike we got her for birthday:

Can you believe that a mere 4 short years ago this beautiful little girl with her curly long hair and little petite figure looked like this? :

Yes, our Emma used to be a super-chunk! Of course she was an adorable baby, but I didn't relize just how CHUBBY she was at the time until looking back at these pictures. This picture, from when she was about 4 months old I think, is at the height of her baby fat-ness. Thank goodness she started to slim down, or I fear she may have exploded!

She started out so tiny and little-- we even had to put preemie clothes on her, she was such a petite thing. Here she is at about 6 weeks:

It was so fun looking back at all her pictures while I was finding the ones for this post. It brought back so many wonderful memories. I couldn't help but get a little teary thinking about those days when it was just Jeremy and I with our new little one, trying to figure out how to be parents while still practically newlyweds (Emma was a honey-moon baby, for those of you who wenre't present in our lives then-- she was born 9 months and 3 days after we got married!). We lived in a couple tiny little apartments, in not-so-great neighborhoods, and didn't have much money at all-- but it was so sweet. Don't get me wrong, our life now is more wonderful and blessed than I could ever imagine, and I am grateful for each little thing, especially the fact that God has blessed us with yet another daughter. But there is something about those first days with your first child. It is all so new and different, and each day is soaked up with a unique sort of anticipation-- simply because it is the first time you have another little life that is a part of yours. The memories of those days are sweet and dear to me, like a precious little heirloom to be tucked away somewhere safe, always there to be rediscovered and examined gently when I want to be reminded of first loves and where we started.


I hope and pray that God will bless us with more children through the years, and I know that if He does, each one will bring their very own blessing to our lives and so many special, amazing memories and times. Each one will be loved more than I can say, each for their own unique self. But Emma will always be our firstborn. She was the one who came along and made us a little "family", forever changing who Jeremy and Talia "the couple" would be.

And now, this daughter of ours is a grown-up four years old. It's hard to believe that we've been parents for four years already, yet in some ways it seems unimaginable that we haven't always been. While Emma is not without her faults and in need of lots of discipline and training--trust me, there are DAYS, if you know what I mean-- I am proud of who she is becoming. She is so very bright and quick to learn that it's hard to keep up with her, and it is so fun to already begin to see where her skills and talents lie. Her love for silliness and imaginative play is something that I relate to and delight in; she never ceases to entertain us with her stories and her giggles. We love to hear her talk about all sorts of different things, esepcially when what she says makes her sound like she is about.... oh, say 40. And of course, it is a lovely thing to watch her and Annabelle together. While she can bug the crud out of her little sister sometimes and even be mean from time to time, for the most part she is a loving and sweet big sister, who loves to "mommy" as much as possible. They crack each other up, which is one of my favorite things.

I love our Emma Joy-- each lovely little part of her imaginative, creative, silly, smarty-pants self. Watching her grow and change, Lord willing, as the years go by; helping and teaching her to use each amazing gift she's been given for the glory and kingdom of God-- it will take much prayer and hard work, but it will be rewarding and wonderful. These first 4 years with our girl make me excited and willing for all that is to come. Just don't grow up too fast, little daughter.

One of my favorite pictures ever taken of Emma-- it's like a glimpse into her imagination.
(taken by the lovely Cousin Stephanie of Those Corwins, last Mother's Day)

And now, a word from our sponsors.

(not really. I don't have any sponsors. But, I will be doing some product endorsement in this post-- what a snazzy phrase "product endorsement" is-- so I feel like I'm advertising... or something.)


Today was a big cleaning day for me-- you know, bathrooms, floors, sinks... all that really fun stuff. In my years keeping my own home (which is now almost up to 5-- I know, it's still a relatively small number), there have been lots of cleaning products and tricks that I've tried and loved, as well as some that I definitely didn't like for varied reasons. I love to have a clean home and revel in a house that is neatly organized, deep cleaned, and smells and looks inviting in every aspect. Of course, getting my house to this point is not my favorite part (except for a few tasks), but it must be done. Since I am still a relatively young housewife, and not exactly the queen of clean in some areas, I feel a little bit funny passing on my "tips"; but, I know I have always appreciated any new tips and ideas that have been passed on to me about this part of my job. So, here are a few of my personal tricks of the trade, and I hope they can benefit you in some way. After all, everyone, no matter what else they do, has to clean at some point. :)

*Do you have a drain that seems to be a little smelly? Sprinkle some baking soda over it, and then follow that by pouring vinegar on. The deodorizing qualities of both the soda and the vinegar, combined with the fizzy reaction works wonders. Just rinse it down with some water after a little bit.

*When it comes to cleaning showers, especially if you have the clear glass doors, I have found something that works wonders. TIDE. (Or, any liquid laundry detergent would do, I'm sure) Just pour a little on a scrubby sponge and go to town! It makes your shower sparkle and shine and smell great, just like fresh laundry! Plus, if you're like me and would rather clean your shower while IN the shower, you don't have to worry about it getting on your skin like you would with bleach. (Note: I've never tried this with actual tile showers, so I can't make any guarantees when it comes to that)

*My favorite thing for cleaning bathroom faucets (the standard shiny chrome kind) is a couple sprays of glass cleaner and a paper towel. So shiny! And if you're looking for a great glass cleaner, I highly recommend Method from Target. It smells like mint, is all natural, and works wonderfully.

*We have a lot of electronics (computer, TV, speakers, monitor, etc.) and they're all black, so they show dust very quickly. Since regular dusting spray isn't good for the electronics, I have found that the Swiffer dry dusters (the fluffy kind with the handle) are perfect for this job. It's easy and quick, so I don't mind that I have to do it often. If you're looking for a more thorough cleaning if they are really dirty or spotted, Pledge makes a dusting spray for electronics. It works really well, and can actually be used on all surfaces.

*We also have a lot of real wood in our home, from our barstools to our bookshelves. Some of it is antique, which requires even extra care. I love to use Murphy's Oil Soap (diluted in a spray bottle) for all these jobs. I think this is one of the gentlest cleaners I've ever used, and I love the smell-- it's nostalgic to me, for some reason. The spray also works great on tougher jobs too, such as countertops.

What about all of you? Do you have any great cleaning tips or favorites? I am always looking for better, more efficient ways to keep my house clean. Please do share. :)

Happy cleaning!

It doesn't take much to excite them.

Seen and overheard:

Emma climbs up on the toilet and proceeds to do her business, then asks of her sister, in an excited tone, "Wanna see?"

Annabelle walks over, takes a peek into the potty over Emma's bare tuschie, and exclaims "oh, wow!"

Yup. I'm so proud of my girls. :)

Just look at those mountains!

I like this one because you can see how white they are with fresh snow (it's what looks like the cloud bank behind those houses). You can also see that it is trash day in our neighborhood. Not quite as lovely on the eyes, but ever-so-helpful.

Tuesday was incredibly gusty and windy, with dust blowing everywhere. Our air outside looked so gray-ish brown and murky with the dust that it was just positively yucky. Wednesday was gray and very dreary all day long. Then, the rain started towards the evening. It rained all night long off and on, and this is what we woke up to this morning. Sunshine, blue skies, and clean air! The mountains that surround us on three sides were just dazzlingly gorgeous, and covered in a beautiful layer of new-fallen snow. My girls and I couldn't resist the loveliness outside, so even though it was a bit crisp and cold, we went for a walk around our neighborhood.

Yesterday was a rough day for a few different reasons and by the end of it I felt just as gray and dreary as the weather. You could say that the sky and I shared similar moods and even cried together. But we won't say that, because well, that's just kind of cheesy. However, I will say that it was a wonderful blessing to wake up to all this happiness and sunshine outside. What a great reminder of the Lord's mercies which are new every morning.

The Loops of Life

Sometimes, life is completely NOT what you expect. I can't even tell you how many times I've witnessed this in so many different ways in the lives of those around me-- as well as my own from time to time. It may be silly little things, like finding an unexpected and unwelcome bill in your mailbox or a child throwing a fit over something that they've never minded before. Sometimes though, it is an event that is totally and utterly life-changing. Losing one's job, a pregnancy that ends in miscarriage, the loss of a child or spouse, a marriage that falls apart in what seems the blink of an eye. And sometimes, it is the things that don't happen that throw us a loop and cause us grief-- the children one can't conceive, promotions that never come, the offer that doesn't get made even though everyone thought it would.

Thankfully, these loops aren't really loops at all. Instead, they are Providences of God, perfectly planned and orchestrated in His will, before time even began, to work out for our good and His glory. He knows what is best for us, even when it seems like He has snatched something good out of our lives. He loves us in all circumstances, no matter what they may be-- and He will always, always give us the grace that we need to deal with whatever He sends our way. It is ours for the asking.

I am so extremely comforted by the fact that those I love most dearly know these truths and can cling to them through every circumstance. It makes me so grateful to see, time and again, the Lord working out His plan in these people's lives and sustaining them while in the midst of their struggles. Not once, even though some circumstances have been a bit (okay, a lot) "loopier" than expected, has He failed to do what He has promised. And I can honestly say that the people in my life have amazed me time and again with their strength, faith, and trust. Praise God for that.

One thing that I try to remember, and sometimes don't, is the "big picture". It's easy to get upset about things, even those silly little things. It's in our human nature to be upset when things don't go the way we would like them to-- and that's ok, to a certain extent. But when I think about what we who are Christians have to look forward to, it helps me to realize how very trivial some things really are. We have heaven! We have eternal life! However much there may be of suffering or pain, nothing can take that away. It is this truth that enabled men like Stephen to face pain and death with hardly a qualm. Surely it can encourage and strengthen us too, in whatever may come.

Life is a journey, and it is sometimes an incredibly bumpy, twisty, turny road that we travel. We don't know what is ahead or where our paths lie. But oh, what a Guide we have. I can ask for no more than that, and all the comfort that comes with it. For me, for my loved ones, for every one who trusts.

"There fore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for You." ~1 Peter 5:6-7

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer making request for you all with joy... being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." ~Philippians 1:3-6

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." ~Romans 8:28

"And He said to me, ' My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness,'... Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." ~2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus. " ~Philippians 4:6-7

"You will keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord is everlasting strength." ~Isaiah 26:3-4

"The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those hope in His unfailing love." ~Psalm 147:11

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." ~1 Peter 1:13

... and about a million and one other scriptures that speak of all these things. These are just a few that I keep coming back to. The Bible is so rich with comfort and truth! It IS comfort and truth...

Every Mom Needs One...

.... don't you think? One can only take so much of peeing in front of other people, after all. And a quiet bubble bath from time to time is a must.

This was a silly little thing I made as a gift for someone, and I was actually rather embarrassed to even give it at first-- it seemed like a corny idea. However, on further thought, I was tempted to keep it for myself. My kids might not be able to read yet, but they could learn the meaning of a sign, right?? :)

comfort in a cup

Steaming hot tangerine-orange tea with a teaspoon of vanilla and one packet of splenda, served up in a nice and cozy big mug. Ahhhhh...... warms me right to the tips of my pink-furry-slipper-sock-covered toes!!

It is COLD today.

refreshed and ready

Everyone needs a date from time to time

Lately, I've been very unmotivated. There are about a million things I could be doing besides my normal chores. Organization, deep cleaning, thank-yous to write, projects to finish (and start!), journaling to catch up on... but instead, I've done the bare minimum of keeping the house looking nice, the kids occupied, and food on the table. It's not that I've been feeling down or depressed in some way; just unmotivated and tired, left without the desire to fill the day as productively as possible. I've noticed this in other things too, such as my reading. I love to read, and I need to read-- especially the Scriptures, of course. I've not been as diligent in that lately either. I have no excuse, it is my own fault. This unmotivation in some of the very vital parts of my life might be due to a number of things-- not really having a chance to recover from the crazy holidays, being overwhelmed by having so many things to do all of a sudden, not getting enough sleep, or (and this is a tough one to swallow sometimes) my own sinfulness.

Whatever it may be, God has shown His graciousness once again in giving me exactly what I needed, even when I myself didn't know quite what that was.

This past Friday was my birthday, and as a wonderful gift my mother-in-law and her husband took the girls that evening and kept them all the way until Sunday morning. It was the best present they could have given me. Jeremy and I went out to dinner at a nice restaurant and spoiled ourselves, saw a movie afterward, slept in until 10 (TEN O CLOCK!! I haven't slept that late in forever), and had a delicious day of vegging and cuddling, just the two of us, no kids, no cares.

I love that we got to just be a couple again and remember what it was like when it was just the two of us. But, by Sunday morning, I was so ready and eager to have my girls back. I missed them and all that they add to our home. It made me realize all over again how much we are blessed to have kids and how much we love being parents, which is something that can occasionally get lost in the everyday grind and challenges.

Also, I found myself this morning with new energy and a desire to plunge right in to work and productivity with all the diligence I could muster. I wanted to tackle as much as I could, and I rejoiced in the thought of all I could do! My heart ached to feed myself from the Word of God, and new prayers bubbled up from within.

Maybe it was simply the extra sleep that I got, or the break from our normal routines; who knows. But I am definitely grateful for the renewing of so many different things, especially because I know I didn't deserve it and have been a slacker with a bad attitude. God is very good.

My blogging juices have been flowing a bit better too (a renewal of creativity, I hope! I've needed some lately), so be warned-- there may be a few new Talia ramblings coming your way soon. :)

How's this for an attitude adjustment? :
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." ~Colossians 3:23-24

On the day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

I never really posted about Christmas, which means I missed out on telling you what my sweet hubby surprised me with this year. He got me this:
It's fabulous. It takes great pictures, it's easy to figure out (perfect for someone techno-stupid like me), and it FITS IN MY PURSE. I capitalized that because that really excites me, people. We've had a really good camera for years actually, and it's always done a fine job of picture-taking, and still does. However, it is fairly good-sized-- with a huge, honkin', stick on the top flash that is about two feet tall (I might be exaggerating a bit, true). It's perfect for Jeremy, who likes to take really good pictures, but not ideal for a mommy like me who just wants ease and accessibility to capture all those wonderful little moments that happen everywhere-- at the park, in the grocery store, at a friend's house, out to coffee. Not to mention, now that I'm trying to keep up this blog, the pictures are even more in demand. A camera is a blogger's best friend (well, that, and the ability to write :))! So yes, you will be seeing more pictures on here of the silly little everyday things that make life interesting or funny; because now I have an easy way to capture them.

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm bragging about my new little toy, or the fact that I was given such a nice Christmas present (I certainly don't deserve it). What I'm really trying to show is that I have a very thoughtful, sweet husband who knows my silly little "wants" and likes to surprise me with them when he can. After all, you know what one of my favorite things about this camera is? The fact that this picture greeted my eyes when I first turned it on:

Isn't he cute???

My new friend Megan

This is my friend Megan and her adorable son Christian. Truth be told, we have actually known each other for a little while. We've found out how much we have in common, we've shared stories and encouraged one another, we've been able to learn about each other's lives. She has known my husband and sister-in-law for years. It's just that the two of us didn't meet until a week ago! I first talked to Megan on myspace and that led us to each other's blogs, which has helped us to connect and communicate as so many other people do in this blog world.

It was wonderful to meet her face to face finally and put a voice and a clearer picture of her warm personality to the great blogs that she writes. I think I could have easily sat there and talked with her all day. It was a treat to see in person her young son and get to know him a little bit too-- I read about him and how he is growing all the time, so what fun to actually be around him. Our paths may not cross in person that often (although I certainly hope they do), but I am certain this friendship will continue to grow-- one click at a time!!

The Gloomy Grumps

Today is gray, gray, gray. Later, we are supposed to get lots of rain, and it is cold and windy outside. "Gloomy" describes the weather outside perfectly. That same word could probably be used to describe the moods of me and my girls today. Normally, I LOVE gray, rainy days and being able to stay inside all cozy and warm. For some reason today, however, we are in a gray-day grumpy mood. Don't ask my why. Maybe, the weather does have something to do with it, or maybe it is becuase we are tuckered out from a very busy day of running errands yesterday with NO NAPS (never a good thing, you have to agree).. Or maybe it is just us being sinful. Hmmm... :)

Being with my grumpy girls and feeling grumpy and out-of-sorts myself this morning isn't any fun. The weather is getting even grayer, and the only thing I have to look forward to today is LOTS of laundry and another night sitting at home, instead of the pleasnt prospect of a night out with my husband after a month, like I thought we might finally get. We definitely did not start the day off on the right foot, and I can't help but feel like the day is shot.

But..... BUT! I was providentially reminded a bit ago, through a little blog my friend Sunny wrote, about fresh starts and how the Lord graciously gives them to us whenever we need them. The new year was a fresh start, and resolutions are all good and well, but I really needed to be reminded that the Lord's mercies are new every morning, not just once a year when we write out our lists of goals on a clean slate. Also (and it is a wonderful thing), He has told us "Ask, and you shall receive". And that means that there is still hope for this day to be well-used, happy, and God-glorifying, even if the morning wasn't a good one and we missed out on reaping those fresh mercies. I will ask my Lord for a fresh disposition, a cheery heart to deal with grumpy children, a loving touch and voice in all that I do, and then try with all my might (and by that I mean His!) to live worthy of my calling.

It's true that this day is gray, gloomy, and grumpy in its weather. But I am so glad for the truth that God's children are to be reflections of Christ-- not the skies outside.