How the Times Change

Recently, I have been thinking about how times change. At this time last year, we lived in a tiny, crappy rental house and I couldn't wait to get our house finished and get moved in. Now here we are a year later and I am dying to get moved out!! Last week we showed our house 3 times- 2 of those times were to the same people. We found out today that we are in the top 6 or 7 houses (they looked at 13 on Saturday) and they are still trying to decide. We keep praying for another little miracle for our family so that we can be together again. If you don't mind, please keep us in your prayers so that our house can sale SOON! (our house is listed under randyrobertson.com if you want to tell your friends :0)

Also a quick update on the Barbies. They are in the cupboard above the fridge (they used to be on the fridge but had to be put away to show the house). The girls have realized that they must EARN them by cleaning up their toys for a week straight (we are sticking to it because it was too great of a deal to take them back and I am a sucker for my kids). Last week they cleaned up 3 days in a row but then we had to start again at zero. We are still at zero today but the day Hallee and Jadyn get their Barbies I will post some pictures because they will be the two happiest girls in the world!

A Homeade Valentines

This year we got a little creative for Valentine's day. The girls made Jason little heart valentines with wiggly eyes, a button nose, and their own red lip kiss. They also made their cousins in town valentines that we colored (it said 'Hope you have a Beary Happy Valentine's Day) and gave them each mini gummi bear packs. Our Valentine's day began with pink, heart shaped pancakes for breakfast (not pictured). Then after lunch we gave the kids their valentine's- I made Hershey Kisses out of rice krispie treats. They were soo cute! I also made Jason his gift. It was a paint can with vinyl (of course) on it and it was filled with Riesen candy and all the 'riesens' I love him. Then for dinner I made homeade pizza with a heart shaped out of pepperoni. We just hung out together all day long which is really nice when Jason is gone all week. Nothing too romantic- but we all LOVE eachother and that is the most important thing.

What To Do

For weeks and months I have been trying to get the girls to clean up their toys by themselves. It has really been a struggle to motivate them. I have tried the 'naughty chair,' taking away toys or TV privileges, spankings, helping them clean, making clean up time a game, treats...just about everything! It has been frustrating to say the least. On Saturday night, I was in Walmart grabbing a few odds and ends when I came across the clearance section. They had marked down some singing Barbies the girls had been drooling over since before Christmas. I talked it over with Jason and we decided we would buy the Barbies and use them as a bribe to motivate Hallee and Jadyn. So Sunday morning the girls saw the Barbies and went crazy! They were sooo happy- they didn't know there were strings attached. We told them that if they could clean up for a week that on Valentines Day they would get their Barbies. We put them on top of the fridge, made a clean up chart, and thought it was the best idea ever! WRONG! They have not cleaned up their toys once! I told them they won't get their Barbies and they think that's ok- I can just give it to them next Christmas. AAAHHH! If anyone has some advice, I would love to hear it. We have the cutest little girls that can be so much fun- but they make the biggest messes!