Give me an A :-)

Today ended 5 months of getting to help out and watch this precious little friend of ours. She is soooo sweet, such an easy baby. Who can resist the dimple, the chubby cheeks, belly laughs and the irresistible bows and outfits??  I am going to miss our frequent girl talks, both with little A and her amazing mommy! Great side, play dates with great friend and both of her amazing kiddos!!

We are honored by her parents trust and blessed with many sweet memories of this time. I know, I got all teary eyed. We go to church and small group together, we'll see them all the time. Sniff... must be in a melancholy mood after that tear jerker of of an episode of Downton Abbey last night.

Matthew has VERY much enjoyed having her. He gets excited knowing she was coming in the morning. He now says at most meals whether A is present or not the following, Sorry A, you can't have my _____ (sandwich, carrots, cookie, etc) cause you don't a have a any teeth. The additional a's are accurate to the pronunciation ;-) Hugs, sharing toys, putting up push toys when she's awake and getting more video time when I would feed her. Matthew liked helping Sarah carry A's car seat out to her. The last couple of times, Daniel wanted to help too. The littlest person's eating and sleeping schedule really sets the pace in the home.
Daniel has been mostly oblivious, but sweet none the less. He has just started saying her name, which is adorable.

July Fun, Part 2

Hungry Caterpillar Fun with friends

A new Hungry Caterpillar

A week with the boy's cousin Joan!

She read to them....

played with them....

and helped us bake

Mall time :-)

Lunch with Sheribeari for her special birthday

Balloon fun from Sheribeari

Bright eyed sweet boy

Time to say hello to the Olympics!

Let the Games begin!

Olympic crafts and fun with friends

Sharing turns :-D

Yeaaa for July !

To home and beyond...

Saturday was a rare day for us. First, it was a reminder how much of a suburbanite I've turned in to. I don't go further than 10 miles from my house for months at a time. The most frequent places I go during the week are church, our favorite park and my most frequented shopping center. I packed for the day after doing the grocery shopping with the boys and headed out to where most of my side of the family lives about an hour away. They are just far enough away for it to be inconvenient and close enough that I feel guilty for not seeing them more often. In this season of naps, this is just where we were out. 

We did make the most of our outing and made a family celebration and a friend celebration.

My great niece's first birthday party:

Joan holding Addisynn, Ashley holding Daniel

Thank you Joan, for this picture of me and my precious Matthew

Addisynn opening gifts

After a short stop at my sister's to nurse and change diapers, we headed over to a very dear friend's wedding. It was tear jerking in a simple, classic environment with out all the extravagance. Their commitment to God, love for each other, appreciation of each other, and joy for what God has brought them both through to this point was evident in both of their eyes and voices.

Such a beautiful spirit

Me with Jennifer on her happy day

Me and Jennifer at my wedding in 2005

Daddy was working on that Saturday. So, after we got home and ate an early dinner, friends came over to play!

Three boys and a little lady in the pool

Matthew's older friend PJ is teaching him how to
 blow bubbles while they dry off

A picnic snack before bath and bedtime!

The boys did really great considering being hauled all over town around stranger and unfamiliar places to them. There were no major melt downs. Daniel only had his full morning nap. He slept in the car between locations. Matthew got no nap that day. The next afternoon he started running a 103 fever. Talk about mommy guilt! Normally, our schedule is respectful of their sleep and awareness of their stamina.

July Photos

I just realized most of our last month was child related in some way, whether it be preparing for ours or hanging out with others.

Billy painting the nursery with our friend Michael while....
Katy helped me spray paint some mix matched woods for Matthew's room. Bye bye Dora :-) The room is still in progress. We have some things to hang and a dresser to assemble. I am working on the bedding and my Uppercase Living for the room should come in any day :-)

Visiting Jarrod and Dawn and their new son Austin:
This one just makes me smile :-))

We had the opportunity to visit our old small group for a cook out. I miss seeing all these sweet families every week. We met together for over 4 years!!

Speaking of small group we had our current one over for dinner just to keep in touch over the summer. It's nice in a way to get a short break, but I miss them :-)

Did I mention how much water has helped my back? My friend Stacy hosted several of us a few times at the pool. So many great things about this...the cool water relieving my aching back, the super cute kids running around and the company of their supportive and informative mom's !!

I know I already blogged about Rachel spending some time with us, but this pic was too cute and I didn't include it before. She's finger painting at the table.
My niece Joan with our friend Rachel:

I spent some time with this cute little guy Michael

and his big sister Avery. VERY well mannered and soo kind to each other


Once I figure out how to download from this new video camera I will post video :-)

We try to end every day with a walk to get some exercise. Our street at dusk is so nice, our neighbors are friendly and warm

Niece Time

Last week I had the wonderful company of my 15 1/2 year( the 1/2 is important) old niece Joan. I could brag the whole post about her, but I'll just say this. I admire her passion for her convictions and her heart to want to be the best person she can be. Joan is so much deeper than her looks, friends or social calendar. I walked her through how to make a t-shirt quilt so both of my sister's daughter's now have one. They are king size and take all week to complete. They enjoy theirs as much as I enjoy mine. I'll have to get a pic of all three of us with ours sometime.




With her mother's and sister's permission, she took her mom's wedding dress and made a pillow. I think it would make a great ring bearer's pillow some day. Plus, she let me keep the extra trim so Lord willing God gives us a girl one day, I'll have fabulous trim for her bedding :-)




On Wednesday we had a pint size visitor who Joan doted on and vice versa. Joan is the one who got Rachel to eat the apple and peanut butter, I was having no luck at all:

Watching a little cartoons

Walking up the stairs together many times.....
Joan was most excited she told me about attending the Legally Blonde musical at Fair Park on Wednesday night with ladies from my Sunday bible class.


Billy was a very good sport with all the girl time. He got some alone time with his computer which he enjoys. I'll catch up on July stuff and do my monthly baby update later this week as well.

May Photos

After Ladies Retreat Dinner at Mi Cocina


Sydney's school play. She's so talented :-)


Brother Kyle with roses for his sister who got the lead :-)

Sweet Rachel came to spend some time at our house

Spent some time with these sweet girls days before mommy gave birth to the twins

Fav pic from Mother's Day:

Memorial Day... let the cook outs begin! baby Emily at our first cook out with the Alexander's. She was sooo calming to hold. Makes me have a peaceful sigh just thinking about it.


Block/Street Party:


Our own yummy grilling :-)

Great find via our friend's the ways. I made the bread and all Lloyd's barbecue is gluten free.

Fried potatoes...hhmmmmm