10+ months

Here's a little greeting from the beach - this one kept me on my toes....she was ALL over the place. She had herself contained here, as you can see, so I snapped a quick one.
Will certainly post more later.

beach

Well, we're at the beach......relaxin & eating all sorts of things that I'm certain God never intended for food...and I'm loving every minute of it. I can't wait to post pictures & share some stories - it's been a good time for all of us.
We got here & the first day we walked outside & the oldest paused, turned her head a little & said, "I smell sand"
She captured it! That's the beach smell & I have never heard it described as perfectly as that 4 year old did.
Hope you're having a great week.....update with pictures real soon!

these 2....

These 2 LOVE each other. They all love each other - but it is so funny to watch these 2 very very young people express how they care for each other. The way he stands by her crib to say very "matter of factly" - "good morning" & the way she burst into squeals & applause at the sight of him. Or like at lunch today whens he patted his head & kindly said, "No no. Not right now. I eating my lunch."Sweet times. Crazy. But really sweet.

my boy

Well, I got myself a new computer :). And I am learning that it takes a lot of time to reorganize one of these things. I thought technology was supposed to save time & i've never found that to be true. Anyway, not the point of this post. I was getting my pictures up on the new computer & was looking through them as I went. And I saw this one........have i posted this one before?
Sorry, if I have. I ran into a friend the other day & he mentioned that of the 20 times he's seen my boy he's had this shirt on 18 of those 20 times. I think he's dead on right. We do love our Superman shirt.
This picture captures so much of what I think I will remember about him being 2. He's a carefree kid. Just content to be on the path as long as he can stop, point & speak to any bugs along the way. And he usually moves his head around as he walks....or when he talks....he can be very expressive & "matter of fact." Like in this picture, I imagine that he's saying something like, "I am walking on the sidewalk, Mommy" or "my name is TWO" or "my shirt is red" - "no buddy - your shirt is blue" "no, mommy, my shirt is red"
When I was in labor with the 1st i was told by my OB that I was very "matter of fact" - I have wondered ever since what that meant....how sweet of God to give me a boy to show me.
So this is just a post about my boy :).

I am only surprised that his crocs are not on backwards. Another thing I will remember about him being 2.

the 4th

I am fully aware that today is like the 10th of July & that I am way delayed in posting anything, but better late than never, right?? We spent the 4th with some of my family up in Tennessee - it was wonderful. Relaxing and peaceful & i have tons of pictures on memory cards & memories swimming around in my head - but i thought it would be good to post these 1st. The kids loved the fireworks & they really were spectacular.

My big girl woke up that morning to put on her red white & blue that I had laid out for her & she asked "why, Mom? why do we wear red, white & blue?" and "Why, Mom? Why are we going to a parade?" So I gave her her first "we are celebrating our great nation! The freedom that we take for granted! The freedom that you even are ALLOWED to wear that adorable little skirt & shirt that we have the freedom to buy a Target! We have a Target in this great United States of America! And the breakfast you ate today - do you realize how incredibly fortunate we are?" And I am not sure when she walked away or how long I stood there with my hand over my heart talking to myself.....but I think Daddy will get all of the questions from now on. I fell certain that Mommy has been relieved of her duties temporarily.
But it was a great day. I'll post other pictures in a little while when the kids are not screaming & nipping at my heels. Enjoy these for now.

You'll notice here that she is in brown.....well, it is late in the day & I don't prepare multiple holiday outfits...the other one was just plum worn out after all of the picnicing & bike riding & candy catching. But isn't that a fun picture???

the first!

Well, this is it - the 1st tomato from our 1st tomato plant! It's not so big & it just so happens that the type of plant I bought will not produce really big tomatoes, but man o man.....it was yummy! My big girl was so excited to have a ham & tomato sandwich today......I just had straight tomato. It was perfect. Summer just officially arrived for me.

my birthday....again

Someone asked me recently what I have learned & loved most about each of my parents. Good question & it's brought back some good memories. Both of my parents cook well, as did my Dad's mother & my Mother's father- I think I get my enjoyment in the kitchen from each of them. My mother always celebrated well - a fun person. I feel the need to celebrate even the little things & to make birthdays & Valentine's day & it's simply really hot so let's make it a popsicle day as special as I can. I remember her waking me in the mornings by singing & dancing.....I get these things from her. I love to sing out a loud "Good Mor-ning!" to the kids & I think of her each time it comes out of my mouth.
My dad & I are similar in a lot of ways so there's simply that similarity that bonds us. He's a do-er. Likes to find solutions to problems. Very practical - he taught me early how to change a flat tire. A skill that has come in handy on many occasion. Family is incredibly important to my dad. Being a part of our lives on an almost daily basis is something he does well. Keeping extended family well connected has become something I crave & I feel certain that is because of him. I have fond memories of just a regular Wednesday or Monday having aunts, uncles, cousins & friends over for dinner & then meeting again the next morning for a pancake breakfast. Birthday parties were always a family affair & I find that I need that.....I think he has built that into my life. And I am thankful that I married a man whose family believes in that same togetherness. For each birthday or holiday you can count on us all being together....often aunts, uncles & cousins are present....and it feels so familiar. I love that! I grew up so close with my uncles & aunts & I want my kids to have the same. So here we are celebrating mine & Lee's brother's birthdays.....great memories inthe making....

my baby

Man, I could eat her up. Just looking at her makes everyone of us in this house tilt our head, grin & forget for a moment anything that might have caused the slightest stress. She has this captivating presence about her. I cannot imagine our lives before her. I LOVE HER SO MUCH! She is 9 months already - which is crazy. She pretty much feeds herself - 1/2 on the floor & 1/2 in her mouth. Crawls everywhere and into everything. We went to the pool the other day & she pulled up for the 1st time. I feel like she went from doing not much to everything overnight. The brother & sister are just as crazy about her. I am so so thankful for that. I came from all girls & Lee came from all boys so these are unchartered waters for us - which is good. But this brother/sister dynamic is not familiar......and we both love to watch them all together. Each personality brings out something in another. I learn something about myself & this amazing God who created us every day. Quite humbling really.

my tomato plant!

more jackson pictures

My big girl really took to Mim mim. She is enamoured with the artist! And she asked me just the other day, "Mom, why did God make me, you & Mim Mim artsts?"

We had Sunday brunch at the place where Lee & I had our rehearsal dinner. Good memories :)

Jackson.....finally

OK, so we took a much needed trip to Jackson to introduce that baby to some very important people....some of those important people were in Santa Fe - but we'll see her in a few weeks.
They celebrated my birthday while we were there which was such a treat! My aunt & cousin had this great cupcake cake made for me :) She calls me cupcake & that may or may not be because I'm somewhat obsessed with cupcakes.....well, dessert in general, but I was NOT afraid to jump on the cupcake bandwagon. And these, my friend, were A-mazing.

I truly love this picture because that boy was losing his mind. I think it's fun to have such a posed sweet picture interrupted by simple true reality....and that is why you never have to look at a screaming toddler & say "how old is he?" Everyone knows the signs of a 2 year old.

And that sweet granddaddy.....he loves these kids & the baby is a little bit of a momma's girl & doesn't sit well with many people....but she took to him. She's smart....he'll spoil her rotten :).

Hoping to get more pictures posted soon - the computer is still acting a little crazy......

computer problems

Well, I've been having some pretty major computer issues & can't upload any pictures.....and without pictures I see little reason to blog. I have learned that most people don't even read the words anyway, for example, I was on the phone with my little sister & she was looking at the blog. She would see a picture & say "what's he doing there?" or "where are you in that picture?" and I was like...."READ THE WORDS SLACKER" - not really, caroline - no need to get all testy right now...except that I fell certain you are not reading this. All words....no pictures.
Anyway, I have some great ones.....of my tomato plant - I know you are all dying to check that one out and we went to Jackson to see my dad & family...and I had a birthday all in the middle of it.....good pictures...and no means to post them. So, I just thought I'd let you know.
And the quote of the day from my eldest......she filled up the watering can in the bathtub & brought it out to me to water the tomatoes & as she walks out of the back door lugging this heavy watering can she says, "I tee teed in the potty, mom. Not in the watering can."

Botanical Gardens

Well, Dad came home from Germany - YAY!!!! Life is just better here when he's around. We had a great Saturday. We went to the botanical gardens - they have done some renovations - amazing! You really need to make a trip over there.
Here are some pictures from the day.

That adorable boy was actually in conversation with the frogs....the same frogs that his older sister runs away from. He was seeing what book they were reading. I know he's 2 & that with 2 come some pretty frustrating moments....but the adorable & funny moments are starting to outweigh the temper tantrums. I would tell you some things he's doing, but it involves me imitating the way he talks...which just isn't the easiest things to do - so I'll pass, but just know that you're really missing out - 'cause he's a fun-ny guy.

And, oh my goodness, that face. Look at that sweet sweet face.

Preschool Mother's Day

Well, Thursday was Mother's day at my big girl's school. It was a blast! I felt so special....I cannot believe I got to be a part of this. They created portraits of us - that's all of us moms looking all pretty there. Mine is 3rd from the right. It's on my fridge right now - right next to the one she did for Dad's day about a month ago. We make a cute couple. They filled out those fun questionnaires about how old I am & what my favorite color is. It was sweet. And I knew it was mine about 3 questions in. She kept a great poker face, but seemed pretty psyched when I guessed it correctly. They had a nail painting station & a place to plant tomato seeds & make bracelets....all of it is such an amazing memory in my mind.

This was her showing off her nails....the room was crowded & I couldn't get far enough back to get a good shot of them, but trust me....I did a good job. The left hand is bright pink & the right hand is bright purple. You know, to match her red dress.
Happy Mother's Day!

more soccer

So not many action shots here. But seriously, she's four.
Regardless, here's the deal....her confidence has really grown out there. I don't think she has a deep love for the game of soccer, but I'll give her credit for trying.
Lee took her out the other day to just kick the ball around & apparently she had a bad attitude about it. Really threw the wet blanket on a supposed to be fun experience.....and the next Scripture memory verse came to be...."Whatever you do work at it with all of your heart as working for the Lord & not for men." And I'll you......she's getting it. Little by little she's getting it.

How adorable is that sweet face??

soccer

We are playing soccer this spring. I should probably re-phrase that.....we are running around on a field. We are playing chase after a ball that frquently goes out of bounds. We are really having a great time & all under the direction of some very brave dads/coaches. It's been a blast. And ain't she cute. This picture looks like the kid in the orange kicked it straight at her - but I don't think there was much force behind it as I don't recall any tears that day.

She likes it & that's what's important at this stage, right? Lots of smiles & learning to be a part of the team.

And the boy ......... well, I have no other words. He just makes me laugh. He looks like the big man on campus.

good times at home

I can't believe that my boy is two! I mean look at him. He looks so big to me. Bigger than even a month ago. And bless his heart he's trying to hold the baby. Doing a pretty good job of it actually. She was safe. I was there.

And then the bi ggirl jumped in. Lots o lovin happenin. I am so incredibly inlove with these little people & their laughs can just drown me in total joy.