En Pointe.

That's what Laura Beth's Alphabet Ballet book calls Tippy Toes.

Laura Beth loved her "tippy toes" dance class. She learned so much this year. Shuffle step, heel together, boogie boogie, and we can't forget the difference in her RIGHT AND LEFT foot! Yep, she learned that at dance class. :)

All in all, each week a sweet lady (who has lots of patience to deal with Laura Beth and 10 other girls) taught Laura Beth the sweetest Shirley Temple dance to "On Accounta I love You"

She was so excited to get that trophy in her left hand :)

Waiting for the trophy.

It's her party....

...and she cried when she wanted to. :) Julie Ann didn't actually cry the whole party, but let's just say she wasn't a fan of taking birthday pictures and having a party during her morning nap time.

She did enjoy the cake :)

It's hard for me to believe she is 13 months old yesterday.

I am sure I started singing "happy and you know it" at this point just trying to get her to smile.

 "If you're happy and you know it...clap yours hands."She clapped, even though she wasn't very happy. ha!

She loved that balloon, thats for sure. However, we couldn't get it out of in front of her face for a picture. ha!

See...no smiles. :( But she's still cute :)

Ann Thomas on the other hand was ready to smile at ANYTHING and ANYONE. :) Isn't she cute.

Julie Ann had a little practice on the smash cake. She knew exactly what to do.

Licking her lips. :)

Time to clean up.

My sweet friends Jennifer Collins and Lisa Nothstine came to the party. It was so nice to see them.

Wabee came to the party too, all the way from Texas. (Ignore the cheetos in Laura Beth's teeth. ha!)

In the mean time, we bought a house and moved to a new neighborhood (same town, just not renting anymore). Hence my absence from the blogging world. I have been packing, organizing, decorating, etc. The girls love the new house and we kinda like it too. ha! We are so thankful for the Lord's provision in this move. Surely, we won't moved again for a long long time. :)

Our Little Cupcake Turns ONE!

Julie Ann is 1 year old! Well, 1 year and  4 days old (it's harder to keep up with everything when you have multiple kids. I thought it was tough with one, but two children increases the madness joy.) These pictures are my attempt to get a one-year photo of Julie Ann for her birthday invitation. She was hilarious.

We love this little ball of energy so much. Her personality cracks us up every day. I was challenged by her at first, but she quickly taught me how blessed I am. She is absolutely wonderful!

 In case you missed it on Facebook, I am posting a movie of her walking last week. That's right, this girl loves to walk.

If you are wondering where the birthday party pictures are, then you'll have to wait. We are having her birthday party in MS in a couple of weeks with her 12 month old cousin, Ann Thomas. They have birthdays so close together that we decided to do their party together (helps with family travel too) I can't wait to show you guys her birthday outfit!

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.