TWO MINUTE DISASTER

So, what happens when mama walks out of the room for TWO MINUTES and leaves THIS on the table?

Are you ready?

THIS!

This was the scene just before sending them into the playroom for me to make an attempt in saving the carpet! I thought about scooping some of it up to try and save,(it was almost a *gasp* full box!!!) but then I remembered just minutes before that both of their little germy feet were dancing in this lovely pile.  I think I vacuumed for 20 minutes!  


I've said this before, but...AGAIN... Just when you feel that you've got it all together, the humbling will come!  This is just another episode that keeps life in our nest......interesting! 


Blessings!
~k.

Just because...

It's Thursday night...just an ordinary night.  But Dolan suggests we surprise the kids and go out for ice cream after dinner...just because!  So long ordinary night! Lucky us, "Sprinkles" is a mile down the road.  Here we are... 

Savannah wanted to pull up a chair so she could see all of the choices...Hmmmm

"Cotton Candy" won out because it was a "girl kind." (She's all into categorizing things into girl/boy these days).  If it's pink or purple, it's for a girl.  Blue/green...definitely a boy.  

 For Noah...Peach Frozen Yogurt.

 For Levi...a paci and a little entertainment.

Ice cream looks pretty blue...it's pink on the other side...trust me.

 Such a big boy.

 She loved sharing her ice cream with her brother. 

 Talking to Mrs. Lori behind the counter...such a little flirt.

 Mama stealing some kisses from sweet baby Levi.

And now, time to get home and put our sugar-happy children in their cozy beds.  I love these special moments of spontaneity.  They make life fun!

Happy Valentine's Day

Just like all of you, I love my family.  I love them every day of the year...but on February 14th, the opportunity presents itself to show our love perhaps a bit more.  So many take this as an opportunity to lavish gifts.  We don't want our children to look at Valentine's Day every year as a day that they will "get" something, but a day that they "feel" something...a day that they "know" even more so how very much their mommy and daddy love them.    This year, we are showing our children how much they are loved by giving them their own book.  Take a look at Noah and Savannah's little flip books.  (Levi will get his book a little later when he can appreciate it).    

~OPEN his book~ 

~OPEN her book~

And for my sweetheart, Dolan.  Well, I can't post his little "I love you" gift, since I haven't given it to him yet and he reads all of my posts!!  So, check back later and I'll post it for you to see.  On the subject of my sweetheart...I am so very grateful for that man.  Life is just sweeter with him in my life.  We are the absolute best of friends and are very much in love.  Though we may not always "feel" like being in love...ok...I know there are lots of you who are no different....we have chosen to love no matter what. And because of that, we are more in love today than when we wed almost 10 YEARS AGO!!! Dolan, you are my life partner, our family's spiritual leader, our children's father, and so many other things...and I love you with all of my heart. 


We hope you have a wonderful valentine's day and that you show those you care for just how much you love them.  Each day is such a gift...let's treasure it and remember that the most important "things" in life aren't "things."  
Much love,
Kristen 

Oh, blog, how I've missed you!

It's late Thursday night, and I realize it's been nearly a week since my mind, heart, and fingers have mustered up any words for this blog. We've been quite busy and I have used what spare time I have had elsewhere.  But, I'm surely not proud of that.  After all, this is for my family.  The everyday, ordinary moments that fill our day.  They'll want to know about them.  I'll want to remember them.  So... here's a little look into our last few days.


Some of you may know that Dolan and I are beginning the journey of homeschooling our children.  The "why" of this is a whole other post that perhaps I'll get to one day soon.  But let me tell you...we're excited and nervous all at the same time.  We know..."we've only just begun."  But, remember, it's about the journey.  So,for now we're taking it one day at a time...and are loving the learning process. 


Last weekend, Dolan and I along with some friends of ours, attended a homeschool conference in Wake Forest. We left feeling inspired, motivated, supported, encouraged, still nervous, but excited. The conference was enjoyable, the ride home...not so much.  Dolan began feeling ill Saturday and by Saturday evening, he was just sick! The stomach bug invaded!!! By Sunday evening, he was feeling some better.  He worked from home Monday, in our garage, and was back in the swing of routine on Tuesday...the day the bug invaded Noah.  The fact that he is also teething makes for one irritable tot.  It breaks my heart to see him hurting, and without the vocabulary to describe it to me.  So, yes, today sippy cups were thrown, along with his brothers "papeez" (paci)...hair was pulled from his fairly patient sister (she knew he was not well), cries were heard for what seemed like hours, food was left in the plate, several bananas were eaten, throw in a dose of children's tylenol and lots of hugs, and finally call it a day around 8:00.  I think I still feel him on my hip right now. =) We did end with a fairly calm dinner and bedtime story.  Our poor baby.  Praying for an improvement tomorrow and that the bug is gone for good! 


I'm blessed today.  I love my family.  And I love the God who blessed me with them.  


Night Night... 

Girl Time

A Sunday afternoon nap for one little girl turned into a giggly snuggle time for her and her sleepy mommy.  I delight in these little moments.  Wish I could remember what we were giggling about...  I'm sure it was silly, mindless, even childish...  Whatever it was, what I'll not forget is snuggling with Savannah one sleepy Sunday afternoon in her bed for some much needed, much enjoyed....girl time! 

 Thanks, "Daddy" for capturing this moment for us. =)

Shots of Levi...3 months

Yesterday, Levi was in a great mood...which really describes him most of the time.  But anyway, the other 2 were sleeping, so we decided to do his 3 month pictures.  There are more to come, but I'd like to frame one of these photos.  Now, which one?  Do you have a favorite?  I love how he is holding that head up so well and observing the world around him! =)

A look into last week...

3 months today...

Levi James is growing....REALLY growing.  He looks like a completely different baby.  Can I just say it's breaking my heart.  I want to pause time and press play whenever I want to! There's something about thinking it's the last one that makes me want to hang on....Hang on to every "coo," smile, laugh, hiccup, burp, cry....Then there's the little accomplishments that take him one more step away from complete innocence.  I'm going to miss so much.  This baby is growing so much faster than my first two and it's oh so hard!  BUT, I know the next stage will be just as precious, even if it only lasts a couple of days!!!!! 

So....here's Levi at 3 months (yes there are feet pictures... because I do LOVE baby feet.)  

This is a look into our car after a trip to Smithfield Chic-Fil-A with a friend.  While Levi is not pictured, he's to your left sleeping peacefully too. =) And mama, well, she's the one taking the pictures wondering if she should just leave them in the car while she goes inside a quiet house.....hmmmmmm?

A little fun in the dryer! Some days, they play so well together! 

And this sweetheart just had her hair dryed after a fun bath.  She's growing up! 

Thursday's mail brought great things... The "Christmas at our house" book, and the 12x12 scrap page I made for our 1/11/11 day at home! 

Our room...a little challenge for me is keeping this room "haven-like."  Know what I mean?  We don't have a "junk room" so to speak, so this is where things get thrown often times.  I don't like it!  So, I thought I'd take a picture of it all nice and 'tidy' to remind me that I really like it better this way!!!

 "Look how long I am?"  This is Levi's "safe place."  In the kitchen behind the gate.  =) 

That's a little look into our week.  Hope yours was great and that  you feel as blessed as we do!