Today has been one of the most wonderful days! I don't know if it was the "almost" uninterrupted night's sleep, perfect weather or the much needed morning break I had to enjoy myself without any little voices crying for mommy. All day long I couldn't help but see the wonderful things God has blessed us with!
I started the day off taking pictures for the annual golf tournament our church holds. I had so much fun driving the golf cart around with one of my most ancient of friends! (I don't mean your age, Nicki!)
Then, grocery shopping alone ( try to contain yourself...it gets better) and coming home to work in the yard with my family. Simple pleasures? Maybe to you, but this day was perfect in every way... (except maybe for the moment Luke and Parker bit Reese because they said she was a monster and they were pirates.)
Just swinging the kids, weeding out my box garden (no mom, I still haven't planted anything) watching Ricky work. All these things were swirling around in my head... I am very happy in my little house, I am super grateful for our 3 healthy kids, I am glad that we aren't drowning in debt and I am so blessed to have a wonderful relationship with my hubby! I saw a couple at the grocery store screaming and yelling at each other and it made me want to run home and hug Ricky and tell him how much I love him!
Sometimes we get so caught up in our routine, or in my case sheer survival mode, day to day that we don't realize how wonderful our life is... or how much worse it could be!
Take the time to think about how blessed you are! It will change your whole day!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Finally!
We have been living in our little house for 5 years now and we've remodeled every room except the kitchen. Ricky bought the house knowing that we were eventually going to upgrade everything, but I had no idea it would take us 5 years to do it.
Here is the before picture... it is so bad I can't believe I am even putting it on here!
It only took one night to demo. I am a very sentimental person and I have to admit, I was a little sad to see it go. Just a little. I cooked our first meal in that kitchen. I spent many days at the sink trying to wash dishes without throwing up (from morning sickness)... burnt my first meatloaf in that oven... ahh the memories... oh well, goodbye 1941 kitchen!!
Here is the before picture... it is so bad I can't believe I am even putting it on here!
It only took one night to demo. I am a very sentimental person and I have to admit, I was a little sad to see it go. Just a little. I cooked our first meal in that kitchen. I spent many days at the sink trying to wash dishes without throwing up (from morning sickness)... burnt my first meatloaf in that oven... ahh the memories... oh well, goodbye 1941 kitchen!!
Drywall is up. Do you like the purple? I thought about keeping it that color... JK.
I think this is taken at the beginning of week 2 with no kitchen.... It was the longest 2 weeks of my life! We played, ate and slept in my bedroom during this time. It was insane, but we survived!
Mom came over and helped me finish painting before the cabinet guys came. Ricky was up till 3am painting the night before.
And here is the finished project!! We keep asking ourselves why we didn't do this sooner!
I'm so proud of my hubby! He was a carpenter, plumber, electrician, a lawnman and still a daddy through this whole process!!
I'm so proud of my hubby! He was a carpenter, plumber, electrician, a lawnman and still a daddy through this whole process!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Where to start?
Whew! It is official. My life is crazy. The days are like whirlwinds... I'm blown all over the place, then left feeling dizzy when it finally comes to an end. Yesterday feels like a week ago and six months ago feels like yesterday. I am trying to let go of the little things and focus only on what is important! However, to a three year old, the little things ARE the important things. (See how complicated this can get?)
I've been wanting to blog for weeks now, but after a long day of figuring out who's turn it is flip the light switch off, trying to remember who had Tylenol last and what time, wondering why the floor's wet, dumping out the entire bottle of vitamins just to find the dinosaur with the sharp teeth and all the other mentally exhausting decisions I have to make... I just cant. So tonight I am putting away my selfish desires to sleep, in an attempt to update my beloved blog.
Let me fill you in. The last few months have been very busy with celebrations. We have Parker's birthday, my birthday and Christmas in December. Then, Ricky's birthday in January. Valentines day, Luke's birthday and our anniversary in February. I was so happy when we found out that Reese would be born in June!
Besides our annual celebrations, January had a downside. I found out I had some medical problems and had to have further testing done. Leaning on my own strength, I stressed out for days over what ended up being a false alarm.... Praise the Lord! Then, the earthquake in Haiti. It was a tragic sight for all of us, but it hit home for me because I made many friends there during my stay one summer. In the middle of trying to collect baby formula and arrange for it to be sent to Haiti, I came down with 104 fever and was put in the hospital with Pneumonia. I felt so selfish sitting in a hospital bed with minor problems watching injured Haitians on the news with no where to go. One night I got a text from Brent with a video of Reese crawling for the first time. I found myself fighting back the tears when my nurse came in. She asked what was wrong and I told her about the text. Later I found out her father was missing in Haiti. It's amazing how quickly the things that are so important to us can become so minuscule in the light of reality! BTW, the problems in Haiti are not over yet... so keep them in your prayers!
I've had a few stories stored in the back of my brain for blogging. However, only one comes to mind at this wee hour (it's 2am and I have to get up at 6am with who knows how many interruptions in between.)
Let me set the scene for this.... It's a cold, rainy, super windy day and my dearest lifelong friend and I decide to battle the weather (and the kids) and go to lunch. I'm still not sure what we were thinking, but that's not important anymore. After a long debate on where to eat and loading and unloading the kids twice, we settled for a home cooked meal, buffet style.
We marched in, two adults & 4 babies.... at this point in my life, the rude stares and loud counting as we walk past doesn't phase me. The restaurant was very crowded and the tables were uncomfortably close to each other. THAT made me nervous. I volunteered to sit with our preschool group while Jess made her plate. Then we switched off. When I returned, the color of Jessica's face was a shade darker than the tomato gravy on my plate. What could possibly have happened in the 2 minutes I was away? If you follow my blog, you know as well as I, alot can happen!
Jessica looked as if she were trying to blend in with her chair, but she wasn't doing a very good job at it. I just kinda frowned and tilted my head, asking what was wrong without saying a word. She started whispering, "opposite of skinny... opposite of skinny!!" A quick glance around and I knew right away what had happened. I looked at Parker and he was quietly eating his roll, as if nothing in the world was going on.
You see, there was a rather large gentleman sitting to the left of us and our tables were so close it was almost like he was joining us for dinner. And just in case Aunt Jess hadn't noticed him, Parker pointed him out... all of him! The urge to bust out laughing was almost uncontrollable. It was one of those moments where you want to laugh twice as hard just because you know you can't!
Later in the car, Jessica told me the whole story. Parker had said, "aunt Jess, look at that fat man! He's so fat! Look aunt Jess!" She asked me, "what do you say? You cant tell him he's not fat, because he is!" That was the most uncomfortable meal I think I have ever had to go through!
So Jess, this blog's for you!
I've been wanting to blog for weeks now, but after a long day of figuring out who's turn it is flip the light switch off, trying to remember who had Tylenol last and what time, wondering why the floor's wet, dumping out the entire bottle of vitamins just to find the dinosaur with the sharp teeth and all the other mentally exhausting decisions I have to make... I just cant. So tonight I am putting away my selfish desires to sleep, in an attempt to update my beloved blog.
Let me fill you in. The last few months have been very busy with celebrations. We have Parker's birthday, my birthday and Christmas in December. Then, Ricky's birthday in January. Valentines day, Luke's birthday and our anniversary in February. I was so happy when we found out that Reese would be born in June!
Besides our annual celebrations, January had a downside. I found out I had some medical problems and had to have further testing done. Leaning on my own strength, I stressed out for days over what ended up being a false alarm.... Praise the Lord! Then, the earthquake in Haiti. It was a tragic sight for all of us, but it hit home for me because I made many friends there during my stay one summer. In the middle of trying to collect baby formula and arrange for it to be sent to Haiti, I came down with 104 fever and was put in the hospital with Pneumonia. I felt so selfish sitting in a hospital bed with minor problems watching injured Haitians on the news with no where to go. One night I got a text from Brent with a video of Reese crawling for the first time. I found myself fighting back the tears when my nurse came in. She asked what was wrong and I told her about the text. Later I found out her father was missing in Haiti. It's amazing how quickly the things that are so important to us can become so minuscule in the light of reality! BTW, the problems in Haiti are not over yet... so keep them in your prayers!
I've had a few stories stored in the back of my brain for blogging. However, only one comes to mind at this wee hour (it's 2am and I have to get up at 6am with who knows how many interruptions in between.)
Let me set the scene for this.... It's a cold, rainy, super windy day and my dearest lifelong friend and I decide to battle the weather (and the kids) and go to lunch. I'm still not sure what we were thinking, but that's not important anymore. After a long debate on where to eat and loading and unloading the kids twice, we settled for a home cooked meal, buffet style.
We marched in, two adults & 4 babies.... at this point in my life, the rude stares and loud counting as we walk past doesn't phase me. The restaurant was very crowded and the tables were uncomfortably close to each other. THAT made me nervous. I volunteered to sit with our preschool group while Jess made her plate. Then we switched off. When I returned, the color of Jessica's face was a shade darker than the tomato gravy on my plate. What could possibly have happened in the 2 minutes I was away? If you follow my blog, you know as well as I, alot can happen!
Jessica looked as if she were trying to blend in with her chair, but she wasn't doing a very good job at it. I just kinda frowned and tilted my head, asking what was wrong without saying a word. She started whispering, "opposite of skinny... opposite of skinny!!" A quick glance around and I knew right away what had happened. I looked at Parker and he was quietly eating his roll, as if nothing in the world was going on.
You see, there was a rather large gentleman sitting to the left of us and our tables were so close it was almost like he was joining us for dinner. And just in case Aunt Jess hadn't noticed him, Parker pointed him out... all of him! The urge to bust out laughing was almost uncontrollable. It was one of those moments where you want to laugh twice as hard just because you know you can't!
Later in the car, Jessica told me the whole story. Parker had said, "aunt Jess, look at that fat man! He's so fat! Look aunt Jess!" She asked me, "what do you say? You cant tell him he's not fat, because he is!" That was the most uncomfortable meal I think I have ever had to go through!
So Jess, this blog's for you!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Happy 3rd Birthday Parker
This past weekend we celebrated Parker's birthday party at our house. When planning the party I asked him what theme he wanted and he surprised me & said, "a superhero party!" Up until this point he hasn't really shown much interest in superheros.
Nevertheless, superhero he wanted...superhero he got. I made capes for everyone with their initial on it. This took me a littlel longer than expected. After spending an hour sewing the first cape, I decided this wasn't such a good idea. Three days after I started, I finally finished the blasted things and had made up in my mind that if the little boogers declined my handmade capes I would kindly stuff them down their throats. Luckily, it didnt come to that:)! All 10 of our 2 and 3 year old guests were more than happy to take on the character attire.
I had jars of Parker's favorite things for the kids to put in their goody bags. Raisins, gum, ring pops... pretty much anything with sugar makes Parker's top 10 list!
There's my birthday boy! Man, time flies! It seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital crying for someone to help me. Telling anyone who would listen that I changed my mind and I didnt want to birth a child. Two days after starting labor, Parker came into the world by C-section. At that point, I didnt care if he came out my mouth (I have dreampt that before!) He was a beautiful 6 lbs 5 oz.... no matter what Brother Terrell says!
The super hero squad. (Ricky looks more like the hamburglar!)
The boys were having more fun digging in the dirt than playing in the bounce house. Boys.
We are now the proud owners of this lovely bounce house. Ricky and I decided for a little more than it cost to rent, we could just buy one. So, we did. Guess what we are doing every birthday for the next 10 years?
Parker's party was a knock out! Literally. We bought 2 sets of these Hulk boxing gloves and watched the kids wrestle in the bounce house. It was a little boy's dream come true!
Nevertheless, superhero he wanted...superhero he got. I made capes for everyone with their initial on it. This took me a littlel longer than expected. After spending an hour sewing the first cape, I decided this wasn't such a good idea. Three days after I started, I finally finished the blasted things and had made up in my mind that if the little boogers declined my handmade capes I would kindly stuff them down their throats. Luckily, it didnt come to that:)! All 10 of our 2 and 3 year old guests were more than happy to take on the character attire.
I had jars of Parker's favorite things for the kids to put in their goody bags. Raisins, gum, ring pops... pretty much anything with sugar makes Parker's top 10 list!
There's my birthday boy! Man, time flies! It seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital crying for someone to help me. Telling anyone who would listen that I changed my mind and I didnt want to birth a child. Two days after starting labor, Parker came into the world by C-section. At that point, I didnt care if he came out my mouth (I have dreampt that before!) He was a beautiful 6 lbs 5 oz.... no matter what Brother Terrell says!
The super hero squad. (Ricky looks more like the hamburglar!)
The boys were having more fun digging in the dirt than playing in the bounce house. Boys.
We are now the proud owners of this lovely bounce house. Ricky and I decided for a little more than it cost to rent, we could just buy one. So, we did. Guess what we are doing every birthday for the next 10 years?
Parker's party was a knock out! Literally. We bought 2 sets of these Hulk boxing gloves and watched the kids wrestle in the bounce house. It was a little boy's dream come true!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Pictures
I am up to my eyeballs in school photos I have recently shot, so I dont have any extra time to spend on here. Just thought I would post some newer photos.
This is a dog according to Parker (no, I didnt help him...he did it all by himself!)
Mr. Luke
Miss Reese E.
I came in and caught Parker wrapping his "cowboy rope" around Reese's ankle.
This is a dog according to Parker (no, I didnt help him...he did it all by himself!)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
i LovE mY lOvE
After a long exhausting day of meeting every one's needs but my own, I was finally able to lay down next to my already sleeping husband. I laid there wide-eyed with his arms around me. My heart overflowing with love for the man.
Nothing could take away from that moment. Not his loud obnoxious snoring, his long overdue stubble itching my forehead, not even the 10 year old mattress we inherited when we got married that folds up like a taco when you lay on it. I tried to ignore the tingling in my arms just to spend another five minutes wrapped in his strong grip.
He is my protector, my best friend and the only other person in the world that shares the same overwhelming love for my children.
Thank you Lord for giving me this godly man to share the rest of my life with. To encourage me, love me for who I am and provide for me and my babies!! Thank you for that moment and for allowing me to recognize this blessing!
I love you Ricky!
Nothing could take away from that moment. Not his loud obnoxious snoring, his long overdue stubble itching my forehead, not even the 10 year old mattress we inherited when we got married that folds up like a taco when you lay on it. I tried to ignore the tingling in my arms just to spend another five minutes wrapped in his strong grip.
He is my protector, my best friend and the only other person in the world that shares the same overwhelming love for my children.
Thank you Lord for giving me this godly man to share the rest of my life with. To encourage me, love me for who I am and provide for me and my babies!! Thank you for that moment and for allowing me to recognize this blessing!
I love you Ricky!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Are We Nuts?
Ricky and I decided Friday night that we would leave for the beach the next morning and stay for the weekend. This thrilled me because I am a last minute kind of girl. I love surprises and spur of the moment decisions!! I live for them! I was excited (to say the least) and started the huge task of packing three babies right after the hotel was booked.
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth, kids toothpaste with fluoride, kids toothpaste without fluoride, regular mint toothpaste.... Shampoo for frizzy hair, shampoo for regular hair, kids shampoo, baby shampoo..... Sunscreen for sensitive skin, baby sunscreen, regular sunscreen, lip screen.... the list goes on. Half way through the packing (and half way through the night ) I decided that all this work deserves more than one night at the beach, but I knew that couldn't happen. Ricky can't miss work during the summer without getting behind. Nuts. This was just nuts for one day at the beach.
We went to the Sandbar where Ricky and I were married. I did a few pictures of the kids. It was nap time and Parker would not participate. 
Luke liked the pool better than the beach.
Here's my little bug sleeping on the beach. She DOES NOT like to be hot, so I am surprised that she actually slept!
We stayed at the Queens Gate Hotel on the beach. It was nice, but not clean enough for my liking. Not sure we will stay there again. Great location though.
Our cottage had 2 bedrooms and a full kitchen. The plan was to have dinner in the room, but I couldn't stand the thought of eating off of someone else's dishes. So, we went to Sonny's instead (where we ate off someone else's dishes... I know. It's all in my head. I admit it.)
Dinner was interesting. We invited Brandon and Bryceton to join us on this trip and everywhere we went it looked like Ricky and I had 5 kids. We didn't think anything of it at first, but after a while we noticed the glares... and a few comments. While being seated at Sonny's I felt like the whole restaurant was looking our way. People did everything but count out loud as we walked by.
One kind gentleman came over and handed us a coupon for a kids meal. Ricky and I were trying not to laugh. We never corrected anyone who commented on how many kids we had. It was fun to watch heads turn when we walked by.
There they are... my five beautiful children! Man I started young! I was 16 when Brandon was born!
Lucky us, we got the broken umbrella at the hotel. So I had to make it work. If you look hard you can see Reese in between the camera bag and the beach bag. All day we moved her around so that she was in the shade. Stupid umbrella.
The jelly fish came in with the tide and never left after that, so we couldn't go in the water the next day. In this picture the boys were looking for Jelly fish to see if it was safe swim.
We had lots of fun, besides the not so clean hotel, broken umbrella, jelly fish epidemic, and all the rude people who thought I was old enough to have a 12 year old (are you 12 Brandon?) ... it really was a very enjoyable weekend! Cant wait to go back!
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