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Let me just preface this by saying -
(1) No, this is not our backyard. I only wish. We had to trudge up the hill behind our house to get these pictures.
(2) My little 3.2 megapixel camera does not do justice for what we actually saw in person.
(3) Okay, I'd like to blame this on my camera, but really, it's just the lack of picture-taking skills.
This morning was a bit hectic and stressful as I tried to do too many things before getting Lola to school. You know, those things that I thought about the night before, but then said 'Naah, no need to do them tonight, I'll have plenty of time to do them in the morning'! (As if.) Needless to say, it wasn't the most peaceful of times in my household.
We have been having quite a bit of rain over the past few days, but as we walked out of the house this morning, it was a crisp and beautiful clear day. As I turned from the end of our street, we had the most breathtaking view of snow on our mountains. (This is where the lack of picture-taking skills comes in - you can hardly see the snow, but trust me, it was just gorgeous!)
I really felt like it was God's little gift to me, telling me to s-l-o-w down and look at the beauty of the world a little more. Of course, as I drove a little further and got stuck behind a very slow moving bus, then I thought 'Ha, ha, God. Now you're just having a little fun with me.' So after we dropped Lola off at school, Bella and I hiked up the hill behind our home and shot some pictures. And we weren't the only ones - there were about ten other people up there, too. I think this was God's little gift to all of us here.
Do you find this true for you - what is really supposed to be the most beautiful time of the year, can sometimes be the most stressful? Truly we should be celebrating God's greatest gift to us, instead of stressing out about all the material things. Much easier said than done, right?
So, in keeping with the less-stressful theme, I thought this idea for an advent calendar from Chris at Just a Girl was just perfect. 
But wait, you say, another activity? Isn't that going to add more stress? No really, I think it's a great idea - one that puts the focus on spending time together.
Each day the kids get to open a box, which contains an activity that the whole family does together. Some of the ideas Chris had were - eating breakfast for dinner, coloring a picture for someone, decorate a gingerbread house, make a fort and eat dinner under it. Really simple and easy things - I love it! And while the beautifully decorated boxes and jar really catch my attention, I know my kids won't care that it looks pretty. I could just write a list of 25 things to do together and they would be happy! Anyone else going to steal this idea for next year, too?
Well, I am finally posting again. What a crazy few weeks it has been since Thanksgiving!
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we took the girls to our city's 'Santa's Workshop and Celebration'.
There were crafts and games, the girls made angels and christmas trees and got to decorate their own cookie to eat. We had such a blast, but the girls really fizzled out at about 4:45, so we decided to take them home. There were two little half-hearted protests that we weren't going to stay for Santa's arrival at 6pm. We were home and both girls were asleep by 6:30. It was no surprise to me that they both woke up the next morning sick.
Luckily, it was just a head cold and by Thursday we (of course I caught it, too!) were feeling better. Which was great timing, because my husband's work Christmas party was that Friday.
The girls were very excited because (1) they got to see Daddy at work, and (2) Santa was going to be there. However, you'll notice I don't have any pictures of them with Santa. Once we got there, neither one of them wanted to go even remotely close to him. Not only that, but they wouldn't even let me or Kaz get near him. 'No momma! You must STAY A-W-A-Y!' We still had fun looking at Santa from across the room and eating goodies and doing crafts. Sparky the Firedog was also there and he was a big hit. No hugs, but the girls gave 'high fives' and got fireman badges and hats, which was a blast for them.
I must say that I am extremely thankful for my sister-in-law. What a wonderful friend and aunt she is. The girls and I went over to her home on Monday and spent a great day with her. 
She is so thoughtful and creative, she planned this craft for Lola and her to do together while Bella napped. Well, Bella didn't nap, but they still did this anyway. So thank you, Kiki, for being a wonderful aunt to my children and friend to me. We love you!
Early October I put up our fall decorations, anticipating those brisk Autumn days (okay, brisk for us out in SoCal, you know, 68 or so). I bought some pumpkins and gourds, Indian corn and mums. I even made a Gratitude Garland, an idea which I got from Heather. Thank you, Heather, for putting those ideas out there where people like me can steal them! (We all have our talents, right? I am crafty, but not artsy. I can make something once I've seen it somewhere, but cannot think up the idea myself.)
Halloween was great, The girls had a great time getting dressed up and going to their Harvest Festival. So great in fact, Bella & Lola still wear their costumes at least 4 times a week.
Ever since then, however, my holiday spirit has been seriously lacking. I truly have been trying to get into the spirit, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, after all. But with all the stores pushing Christmas (really, why can't they wait until at least the week of Thanksgiving?), and the temperatures here still hovering around 90, it just doesn't feel like Thanksgiving.
Well, if it's not going to feel like Fall or Thanksgiving, then let's play like it's Summer!
You'll notice that Lola is playing in her dance outfit - she has already outgrown her bathing suit from Summer. And what have we here? As I was downloading the pictures above I came across these pictures from last November.
(workin')at the car washworkin' at the car wash, girl
After today, my holiday spirit is back. It may not be what I had anticipated this time of year, but we're going to enjoy it anyway!
*side note - We were very lucky to be South of the wildfires out here in California. Despite the girls and my fun with the weather, my heart and prayers go out to those who lost their homes and the firefighters working hard to keep us all safe.
I was reading a blog that I follow, Bring The Rain, when I saw this button. If you have not read Angie's blog before, I highly recommend you do. There are some women out there that are so inspiring to me, this is one of them. I don't know Angie personally, but I feel as if I do know her through her writing.
Her blog about prayer really hit home for me. It really made me think about the way I pray for my children. Instead of focusing on all the small things, it made me realize I needed to start praying about the large things, too - their qualities & personalities, the choices they make, their faith, their future spouses; how to use my personality & qualities to be a better mother. Because truly, isn't this why I am a mother? To raise my girls to become Godly women, to teach them values and morals?
So even though Angie's 7x7prayer week blog was earlier this month, it's really just beginning for me.
I thought you might like to know a little about me and my family.
I am married to a wonderful husband, Kaz. We have been married for 8 years now, and yes, he still makes my heart flutter. Kaz is a great husband and father - he is patient and loving with me and can still make me laugh like no one else. I love his smile and his compassion, his forgiveness and support.We have two daughters, Lola and Bella. 
Lola is 4, and just started Preschool this fall. She amazes me everyday with how fast she is growing up. She has such a sweet and compassionate heart, she loves to nurture and take care of everyone. She is so creative and loves to draw and color and paint. There is not a day that goes by that we don't do some kind of art or craft together. She also loves to dance and sing, and Bella and I love to boogie & sing right along side her. I love her sweet nature and huge smile, and her gentleness and kindness to others. Bella is 2 1/2 
(or 9 1/2 if you ask her) and is the most amazing little whirlwind of a girl there could ever be. From the time she wakes up in the morning until she goes to bed, she is nonstop dancing, singing, pretending, running, jumping, playing. She loves to swing at the park, or 'fly me to the trees, momma!' as she puts it. She loves to be funny and make people laugh, whether it's pretending to fall on the floor or doing silly voices. I love her outgoing little personality, so different from my own; her friendliness, and her never-ending hugs and kisses.As for me, I am Ami. Wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend. 
I am a stay-at-home mom and love every moment...er, well almost every moment of it. I sometimes love to dance and sing, other times sit and read. I am an organizational freak (what, not everyone alphabetizes their spices?!), and love to cook. I love to have a clean house, but don't always enjoy doing the cleaning myself. I love to make cards and other crafts, scrapbooking and organizing..oh wait, I said that already.
Welcome to our lives.
First, let me just say that words and I don't always mix. You may wonder then, why am I writing a blog? I have been following some blogs for a while now and have been inspired to try my own. I must admit, I'm not sure what I'm doing yet, but here I go...
First I had to pick a name. I had been thinking, and thinking, and thinking (yes, for WEEKS - here is where that not mixing with words comes in) about a blog name, when I heard a speaker at my mom's group talk about 'amateur'. Lo and behold she said the word amateur, when translated from the French amator or amare, means "lover" or "to love". I felt that 'amateur momma' described me perfectly. I am passionate about my husband and children. I have a personal passion to stay at home with my children and create a loving and peaceful environment for them and my husband. Not that things are always peaceful...with two young girls (21 months apart) and one momma who can be quite eh, expressive with my emotions at times, things are far from perfect. But I continue to strive to be a better momma and wife each day.
Secondly, I needed to pretty up my blog a little. That was definitely the most fun. (Thank you to Lena Toews at Simply Fabulous Blogger Layouts!) I wanted my blog to reflect my personality a bit and I just love for things to look beautiful, too!
Lastly, I had to post. This wasn't so hard after all.
Come along with me as I start this new journey. I enjoy company.
We have been having quite a bit of rain over the past few days, but as we walked out of the house this morning, it was a crisp and beautiful clear day. As I turned from the end of our street, we had the most breathtaking view of snow on our mountains. (This is where the lack of picture-taking skills comes in - you can hardly see the snow, but trust me, it was just gorgeous!)
But wait, you say, another activity? Isn't that going to add more stress? No really, I think it's a great idea - one that puts the focus on spending time together.
