On Account of I love you!

So, Let me preface this post. Laura Beth LOVES to sing, dance, etc when in the car and at home. BUT when it comes to being IN FRONT of other people, she kinda "freezes up" a little. Ha! 

 I will tell you that she has thoroughly enjoyed dance this year. She looks forward to dance class every Tuesday. So let's analyze the following photo:

Besides the very confused looking face, she is doing GREAT. Pretty hands, feet together, facing forward...I mean she's a natural. ha! The girl to Laura Beth's right (our left) is Laura Beth's Best friend Kathryn (KK to us). She really is a natural dancer even if the photo I chose to analyze doesn't show her skill. ha!

Now this video is the beginning of the dance and the second video is the end of the dance. Steve took Laura Beth to this show at the zoo. It's a PRE performance for their recital... ya know, to get the kids used to dancing in front of lots of people. The card on the camera was full half way through the dance (because mom is a momma-razzi with the camera). Steve is quick on his feet though and whips out the iPhone to catch Laura Beth performing her FAVORITE part of the dance, the end move. Watch for it....you'll see that Andrews Technique she inherited from her mom when she holds that last move. :) That's right she has my moves and daddy's stage presence. ha. Nah. It's probably my stage presence too. However, he would claim her good looks if he were to write a post about this performance. :)

Enjoy...or just bear through it. ha! Sorry for the poor quality. One is an iPhone video. The other I must not have uploaded it at a good quality.

Believe it or not, Laura Beth came home and told me she was the best superstar on the stage. he he.

Lucky Us!

Laura Beth on St. Patrick's Day (or "Patrick's day" as she calls it)

 Julie Ann on her new riding toy at the park

Ok, so maybe it isn't "Luck." In our home, we don't usually use the word "luck," instead we call it a "blessing from God." We are so blessed with Laura Beth and Julie Ann. They are such a delight for us to care for, discipline, and love. 

Marching into March.

I am so thankful to be out of February. It is the month our first child was born 4 years ago, so we love it. However, it seemed to be a sick month this year :( 

On another note, Julie Ann is 10 months old!

I found this cute little outfit at a major clearance sale at a fancy boutique here in Pineville. I had no idea where she would wear it, but thought the ruffles were just fabulous. As you can see the fabric under her and the ladder in the background, I was trying to get some cute photos for a valentine pic a few weeks ago. I got 2 of the pictures, but this little girl is on the MOVE and never slows down. She is actually doing her "one leg up" crawl in the picture. ha! She wanted the camera. And Laura Beth, well she's just such a beautiful little lady :)

Yesterday, we returned home from a short visit with my parents in Greenville, MS. It is so nice to visit your hometown every once in a while and reminisce about childhood and teenage years. As of today, the girls are finished with antibiotics. As for the "house hunt," we are still looking for a house here in Pineville. We are waiting patiently {at least we are patient most days} on God to guide us to the right one. Our youth have disciple now in a few weekends. We are praying for that time to glorify God. We are looking forward to spending time with Drew Erickson as he leads our youth that weekend. 

So bye bye February, March here we come!

Plagued with illness.

SO starting February 4th, we had sickness enter the Mears house.

 It started with Julie Ann running a fever on Laura Beth's birthday party day = trip to the Urgent Care. It was Strep. Julie Ann started her antibiotics for this nasty illness, which is apparently a little uncommon for a 9 month old to get strep. Then, February 8th (4 days later), Laura Beth ran 104 fever= Urgent Care again. Turns out, she has no strep and no flu. Hmmmm. Doctor gives Laura Beth Antibiotics because she has been exposed to the strep. Then, 4 days later February 13, Steve runs fever=Urgent Care visit. He is diagnosed with Strep. Then February 15th (2 days later), Laura Beth finishes antibiotics and starts to runs a low grade fever again=Regular doctor visit. Doctor states she is fine (didn't check her temperature and didn't run any tests) and "she is not contagious." Laura Beth goes to school the next day. Friday February 17th (yes 2 days later), Laura Beth begins to run 102 fever= back to the regular doctor. The doctor states she thinks it's viral and nasty cold. I suggest a flu test just to be sure. AND Laura beth tests positive for flu. Now, Laura Beth is on Tamiflu. February 20 (3 days later), Laura Beth wakes up with a ear ache and Julie Ann didn't sleep the night before = another regular doctor visit {are you calculating the co-pays just on the dr visits?}. Both girls have an ear infection in one ear. They both start antibiotics. February 22 (2 days later), Julie Ann didn't sleep hardly ALL night and had some weird breathing= regular doctor visit. Julie Ann tests positive for RSV today. Julie Ann starts breathing treatments today, which is added to all the other medicines.  

WOW, what is that saying? "When it rains, it pours." 

We are praying for healthy bodies. 

HELLO Kitty!

I cannot believe Laura Beth is 4 years old! She is so grown up. We have enjoyed these past 4 years that God has blessed us with her life. She enjoyed her party so much. She was completely exhausted (as you can tell in most of the pictures) from jumping, running, yelling, etc. It was a great time!

9 1/2 months

Julie Ann has been a blessing to our family! Periodically throughout the last 9 1/2 months (ish, I'm a little behind on the blogging), I have missed opportunities to be thankful God's blessing of Julie Ann, as she was challenging for us (mainly, more challenging for me). However, ultimately I have forgotten most of the difficult moments and I love Julie Ann more and more every day. 

She's laughing here, it's pretty cute to hear it.

She started saying "da da da" in a sweet high pitched voice. Steve eats it up. Now, when I want her to say  "ma ma," then she says, "da da." nice. Steve eats that up too. ha! We are getting ready for Laura Beth's birthday party this weekend. Hello! Hello Kitty. 

Boot camp!

I am usually a pic blogger...meaning my entries ALWAYS have a pic. But today, that isn't gonna happen. Just wanted to let the blogging world know about the new activity happening at the Mears' home during the girl's nap time. POST NATAL BOOT CAMP is what Mrs. Mears will be doing several days a week during the nap times at this household. Yes, 9 months...read that again NINE MONTHS post natal and I have begun to exercise again. I started today and WOW, I know why they call it Boot Camp. I even did the "beginner" exercises (you know, the leader in the back of the video BARELY moving).

Well, I'm excited about it. However, I dread it at the same time. Still, the dvd cost me $11.99 with free shipping through Amazon. I have no reason NOT to do the exercise. It didn't cost too much. I didn't have to drive to the gym. I don't have children to watch (nap time). AND it only takes 30 ish minutes. I cannot believe that 30 minutes makes my legs and abs feel like they do. This is definitely a sign that I needed to begin to exercise again.

For some reason, Steve won't do the video with me. I'm assuming it's the title of the workout thats holding him back. ha!