end of May staycation

This weekend felt like we were on vacation. We had no "responsibilities", AJ didn't have to work, and all we had scheduled was fun. It felt like the weekend started on Thursday and since AJ had Monday off it seemed extra long.

Ari was so excited to pick cherries at our neighbors and make some jam. I am getting excited for all the canning I plan to do this summer and fall. Last year I didn't do much of it because our budget was really tight. So hopefully I will be able to stock up this year.

I wanted to have a birthday breakfast with AJ at Patachou so we waited to do that until Monday morning. So after picking cherries we went out to get some frozen yogurt. It was a simple but perfect ending to my birthday.

My mom saved several dresses of mine from when I was a baby so I have been putting them on Evangeline. The purple one above looks like something in style right now, but the yellow one below is more like the styles from back then. This will sound silly to you, but these dresses remind me of the country. She looks like she should be running through an open field barefoot. Maybe one day we will have land and will get to do that.

Friday night we attempted to camp in our backyard. I have only been tent camping twice (long, long ago), but it is something that I think would be really fun to do regularly that would be inexpensive. We borrowed a big tent from some friends (and we figured how to set it up the first time!)

But our camping experience was very short lived. By the time 11pm rolled around we decided it was best to go sleep inside since Ari was still awake. Well, all of us were still awake. We picked a very active night to try this as our neighbors were swimming in their pool, some we setting off fireworks, and some were still celebrating high school graduation. Hopefully next time we will make it through the night.

Saturday we went to Lake Monroe and enjoyed the really nice weather. I know, some people don't like it in the 90's but that is my favorite type of weather. I love it hot!

Sunday night we enjoyed hanging out with lots of friends. Ari had a fun time wrestling with his friend and wearing different costumes. I enjoyed just sitting and loving on all of my friends babies.

Then Monday AJ and I went to Patachou for breakfast then hit up some Goodwills. After naps we played in the baby pool then went to the park. This time we remembered to bring his boots so he could get in the creek.

After all the things we had to do this month, it was nice to end it with a mini vacation.

Hijacked by Hubby - A Birthday Haiku

You are a wonderful wife!

You are a marvelous mother!
You are my everything!

Happy birthday my love!


I LOVE YOU,
Hubby

one thing after another

This weekend was packed full of events. We were only home long enough to catch our breath before going on to the next thing. Don't get me wrong, it was a lot of fun. Just exhausting.

Saturday we celebrated my friend Shannon's wedding. It was fun to see all of my friends from college, since several of them live out of state. Times like this are bitter sweet because it reminds me of my past that I wish I had done differently. College was fun but I lived my life to please me, instead of God. It took me a long time to really understand the sacrifice He made for me when he died on the cross. 

2 Corinthians 5:15 "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

I said I understood, but I didn't live like it. I said I loved Him. But I didn't obey Him.

John 14:21 "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

I am so thankful for God's grace and mercy, that I have a chance right now to live for Him. I want to teach that to my children so when they get older they will be strong in their faith.

Deuteronomy 6:6-8 "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates."

Every year my cousin has a cookout just for the "cousins" and their families. 

Last year I got a pretty good picture of the kids but this year was a little more challenging. Most of the time they were running around the yard so this was the only time they were somewhat still. The boys were not interested in smiling for the camera.

Evangeline was busy trying to make a new friend the whole time. For some reason she really dislikes dogs. She started out yelling and growling at him. But this one was determined to show her that dogs can be friendly and gentle. (Even if he does weigh over 100 lbs!) And by the end of the day she was happy with him.

I am thankful to be able to spend so much time with my husband and kids. As much as I try to teach my kids, they are just as much teaching me new things each day. (Patience being a constant one and a daily reminder of God's patience with us.) 

Mother's Day and such

My little nephew is getting cuter by the day. Ari spends a lot of time hovering over him just to see a smile.

Evangeline does the same except she is the one with all the smiles around him. She loves to sit at his feet and tickle them.

For Mother's Day we had my cousin take a big family photo shoot. Then afterwards we went to get a special treat for the kids because they did so well. In all honesty the special treat was more for the adults since we spent two hours working hard to get the kiddos to take good pictures. Thanks Breana!

Ice cream is my favorite food, but the only thing that can get better than that is frozen yogurt. Any place that serves cheerios to young ones rank high on my list. Lynlee was so sweet to feed her some.

Often times I will find Evangeline doing yoga. She will try to stand up by walking her hands (and head) back. She walks along all the furniture and walls to get around. She has taken steps by herself but now that she figured out crawling she will do that instead if she doesn't have a prop to walk along.

It has become handy letting Ari take some pictures. Now I can get some of me instead of just the kids.

Besides breakfast Saturday morning, I didn't have to cook anything this weekend. AJ was so sweet and did it all. We even had a picnic at the park!

Evangeline has taken up a new challenge. Any time we are at the park she squirms out of my arms just to get on the slide. Love the static-y hair.

Being a mommy is not always the easiest job but it is a fulfilling one. All the hard work put in to raising them is worth it. But there is no way I could do it on my own. Having a husband that wants to be involved in raising godly children makes all the difference. Thanks babe for being so dedicated to your family!

birthday weekend

She decided to start crawling and walking all in the same weekend. She has taken several steps by herself and has even walked away from me to go get a toy. Life has already gotten easier with her being more independent in the transportation department!

"Doesn't this head dress make me look beautiful?"

As always, Ari is being silly. He wants his picture taken whenever the camera is out.

She has learned to hide her face to play peek-a-boo.

And then there is Ari, who wanted his picture taken of doing the same thing.

Surprisingly she did very well opening presents. The tissue paper was a big hit. I thought Ari would want to be right there opening it all but he was having too much fun playing with everyone else.

Here was my first attempt at making cake pops. So DELICIOUS and easy. I'm always nervous about making something new and serving it to people before I have had a chance to try it. But these turned out great and I am waiting for an excuse to make them again...soon!

She was very welcoming to this new thing called dessert.

But come to find out she was more interested in it being on a stick than actually eating the cake. Some tears were shed when it was time to take the stick part away.

I was surprised at her doctor appointment when they said she was in the 30 percentile on weight. She is 20 lbs. and is still pretty chunky but I guess she is starting to slim down. She was 50 percentile on her head and length.

Ari is always commenting on how cute she is. He will just look at her and say "Cute, cute, cute!" He is a proud big brother.

happy birthday baby girl

How is it possible that a year has gone by since the first time we met face to face? Instead of swaddling her now, I get to walk around with her as she holds my finger. Instead of waking in the middle of the night, I get to sleep until 7 (on a good day). Instead of carrying her everywhere, I get to follow her everywhere. Instead of feeding her by spoon or bottle, I get to watch her feed herself. Instead of listening to coos, I get to hear her say mama, dada, and "dat" (as she points to things). My baby is growing up. But thankfully she is still very attached to mommy and daddy. I will cherish every moment that she wants to cling to me...because I know it won't last forever.

1 week- dark hair, but not for long!

1 month- has her brothers cheeks and nose

2 months- already smiling for her brother

3 months- has a serious side as well

4 months- always something in the mouth

5 months- cheesin' for the camera, although she was probably laughing at Ari instead

6 months- can't get enough lovin' from her family

7 months- ready to roll

8 months- feeling like a big girl

9 months- ready to go!

10 months- thinks glasses and hats are hilarious

11 months- as sweet as can be

12 months- loving on her brother

Enjoying her first birthday treat- whipped cream! She actually preferred playing in it rather than eating it.

Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl. You do the silliest things to make us laugh. You might be shy out in public but at home you are nonstop entertainment. Your brother loves you so much he tries to make you laugh when you are crying. He shares his toys and likes to hold you on his lap. But that doesn't last for long because you are always on the move. You never took up crawling but you cruise along anything you can reach. You reach for me, but not for me to hold you. You want my fingers so we can walk all over the house. Your first tooth just broke through but it never seemed to bother you. Sleepless nights are in the past (and we are so thankful!). You are a cuddler and even more so when you have your blanket. We love you so much and are thankful for every moment with you.