Signing in to say Goodbye...

...just for a week. A week that I am hoping is filled with change, vision, new routine, clarity, and insight. I am taking a week off from things I rely on everyday... computer, Starbuck's, and books (my books that is, however I will be reading the Bible of which I have not been good at lately, and you can count on that I will still be reading Dr. Suess :). I will expound when I come back...and I will miss you in blogland! But I know the calling will be worth the sacrifice. Have a wonderful week friends!!

Mission Accomplished!

I made it my goal to have Christmas shopping finished before Thanksgiving this year so that we could relax and enjoy both holidays without having to be exposed to our indulgent "society" during it's peak time of year. I have succeeded and am relieved to have it out of the way! It makes me cringe when my kids see a commercial on TV and say, "Look, Mommy, I want that!" which is why we eliminated commercials a long time ago.
I read an article recently in a magazine that I receive from MOPS which talked about resisting the urge to go to toy stores with your children (including on focusing on toys, etc at everyday stores like Wal Mart) in order to allow room for the Lord to embed the real meaning of Christmas in their hearts and minds (my interpretation). We are still implementing and innovating Christmas traditions for our family, and being intentional about "living" the real reason that we celebrate is our goal this year. Have a great weekend!

Punkin Wunkin

Jaeda coloring her pumpkin

Brice is a pumpkin head!

Taylor very busy!

So much fun!!

Some results!!

What an amazing pumpkin carving day we had today! Our cousins came up and we made pumpkin muffins from scratch, and then colored and carved pumpkins together! It was very fun. Does anyone know of a pumpkin carving kit that is heavy-duty? I purchased one that we used today and it lasted for JUST that long! We do lots with pumpkins so it would be awesome to have a kit that lasts :) These are two of the patterns that are in the book we used...Aunt Stefi cut these out.

McDonald's has icecream?

AMAZINGLY enough, my four year-old son who knows everything DID NOT know that mcd's serves icecream...until tonight. We decided to surprise the kids and drive over to Morro Bay tonight for icecream after dinner. As we were walking in and we told them what we were doing, Jaeda clapped, Kaitlin said, "frice fream!," and Brice (who has eaten at mcdonald's several times) said, "I don't think they have icecream here." I couldn't believe it, but am so thankful for the fun and precious reaction of the kids when they discover something new and exciting! This is Addie wearing a bathingsuit that Aimee bought for her before she was born, but it is almost too cold to wear, so I had to snap a shot of her! Isn't she simply irresistible?

welcome to being 2, kaitlin jane

What is everyone up to?

Brice has become a HUGE football fan, watching ESPN headlines early in the morning and games in the evening...in particular the Louisville Cardinals (thanks Mamaw and Pepaw for the hat & tshirt!) and the Oakland Raiders (we did not encourage this, he has just always had a thing for pirates). He is doing incredible with his numbers so keeping score and number recognition is a big part of him watching the games. (And Addie just so happened to already be sitting on the couch :)


The girls have been obssessed with matching...and Addison is already in on it at such a young age! Jaeda gets mad when Addie doesn't have something to match her and Kaitlin. (I don't know why Kaitlin had to stuff a sandwich in her mouth right before the picture)


Brice and Jaeda are now in AWANAS and go to Cubbies on Thursday nights. They LOVE it and are finding it fun and easy to memorize God's Word!


Kaitlin is in gymnastics, and have I mentioned that she is part monkey? This is a fantastic outlet for her and the structure is much-needed for this girl as well! Now if she would just stop climbing on counters at home it would be completely worth it! For more Kaitlin gymnastics, click here


Addie's new favorite thing is sitting in the Bumbo in front of her toy with a big mirror, lights, and music (thank you Aunt Harrison!) She is getting good at pushing all of the big buttons. And her hands go straight to her mouth when she gets excited, which is like, all day long!
It's amazing how in the short while I have not blogged about the family, so much has changed! At such young ages, the kids change and grow so quickly!

read this...

and then go see this, released October 17th.


The book has been out for four years, and is excellent...laugh, cry, it's wonderful. But I always encourage people to read the book before seeing the movie even though this trailer looks pretty true to the story. Great read--one of my very favorites, really!