Tiny Dancer, Silly Girl

Any guesses as to which ballerina I claim? 

She dances to her own tune. 

And I love her.

So much. 

November Today, December Tomorrow

Happy post-Thanksgiving! 

Our family had a fun, low-key day. My favorite kind.  

And call me nuts, but I did a bit of impromptu Black Friday shopping with my MIL and SIL.  We headed out at 9:30 p.m., yes p.m., on Thursday and shopped until about 4:30 a.m., yes a.m.  It was really last minute and we had no intentions of staying out that late, but one thing led to another and before I knew it I was crawling into bed just before 5am.  I won't go into details about setting off Brad's car alarm  and waking up all three of our children, and probably our neighbors for that matter, when I got home.  It's not healthy for me to stay up so late. It adds to my, already scatterbrained, problem.   

But... I did almost complete my Christmas shopping, which is great seeing as I have a 1st birthday party to plan soon.

What in the world? Emmy is already almost ONE! I'm baffled by where the last year has gone. 

 I am going to have to prepare myself for celebrating a birthday that falls in between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I've made a mental note of the things that friends with December birthdays have told me.  

1. Don't wrap her presents in Christmas paper.

2. Don't combine Christmas and birthday gifts.

3. ...

That is all that I can remember. Obviously I wasn't listening too well.  But I figure that I have a few years to figure this out before she starts holding it against me. Ha!   

I can hardly believe that there is only one day left in November, but bring on December. This time last year, our house was full of people giddy about December. December meant that our 'baby sister' was coming! And now, December means that our baby sister has graced our lives for a full year. 

Two births that I love to celebrate, Jesus and Emery!

**December**

Thinking Thankful

My eyes are heavy, but my heart is full. Jesus makes my cup runeth over.  All morning, I've been reciting a portion of Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  Without having read these words recently, they've been running through my mind all day. And the truth is, it's true.  The Lord is my leader, my trust, my hope, my maker, my redeemer, my delight and, therefore; I shall not want. I shall not want for anything: for more of what is not mine, for less of something that is in my life, for different circumstance, for anything that another has.  I shall not want.  And I love that the Lord does not just tell us these words, but he makes them true in our heart.  He seals them. I shall not want and I do not want.  We can trust the Lord protection over our lives.  We can trust His provision. We can rest in His promises and delight in his precepts.

Last night was restless for me. Without realizing what crime I was committing, I had a *caffeinated* beverage at half past eight.  I wish I were cool enough to say that caffeine does not affect my night's rest, but I'm not.  I was wide awake until after two.  Not long after I fell asleep, Noah came into our room and climbed into bed.  Shortly after, Kayt joined.  It was just one of those wild nights. Kayt and I finally moved to her bed, but the girl was wide eyed and chatty for over two hours.  I dozed in and out of sleep in the dark room only to find myself waking up to another question from a sweet-voiced girl.  Sometime after Brad's alarm went off at 6:30, I fell into a deep sleep.  I cherish sleep.  I loath the lack of it.  But as we all know, motherhood brings those few sleepless nights. And such was last night. 

In one of my dozing phases, I woke up having a dream of being on a long road.  I was standing, looking and I could hear one of my children's voices say, "Mom, you are my hope."  I woke up hearing this.  

I laid awake thinking.  I really felt like the Lord was reminding me of a truth.  And even in the light and rational of today, I still believe this. My actions and life are currently pointing my children to hope.  Hope that is Christ.  At a time in their lives when they are sifting through what it looks like to place your full hope in the Lord, they are watching me.  They watch my reactions, how I spend my time, my agenda, and they listen to my words.  But more than each of those, as I choose to acknowledge the Lord as my Shepherd, I act upon that hope and they watch for hopeful exception coming from my attitude and life. Until the day when my children each understand and make a choice to give their hearts fully to the Lord, their hearts are being drawn towards places of hope.  I am not their hope and I think Jesus that he is greater than even my greatest desires.  I am the first to admit that I am a lousy source of hope.  But I get to point others to Hope.  I get to live out the hope placed in my life. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame. And us, who hope in the Lord will not be disappointed.  I want to be a trustworthy source of pointing others, my family foremost, to Hope.  

Today, this day before a conscious day of giving thanks, I am thinking thankful.  

I am thankful that I have a Hope.

I am thankful that my Hope speaks.

I am thankful for reminders and spiritual markers so that I can continue to press on in my journey of knowing and loving the Lord more fully. 

I am thankful for callings.

I am thankful for the ones to whom I get to walk in this calling with.

I am thankful that my Hope is also a Shepard.

I am thankful for contentment.

I am thankful for the living word of God that he chooses to activate in my life.

I am thankful for a God who pursues me, even in the dark of night.

I am thankful for renewed energy.

I am thankful. 

School Actin'

This morning was an early one in our home.  Noah and Kayt were up early, but Brad and I were not as eager (as they appeared to be) to roll out of bed.   Thankfully, Brad volunteered. By the time that we were getting ready for school, the morning had turned to drama.

Let's just say that a few tears were shed.

I was trying to help Noah get dressed in his second shirt choice and he was telling me how he did NOT want to go to school today.

While dressing the boy who normally dresses himself, we had the following conversation:

N: I'm not going to school today.  I'm really not.


M: Yes you are. So why don't we stop and pray and ask Jesus to help your attitude towards school change and help you have a great day at school?

--so we prayed---

N: I'm still not feeling happy about school.


M: I know. But I know Jesus will help you feel happier and happier about school as the day goes on.


N: I still don't want to go.


M: I realize that, but I don't understand what is making you feel this way. What's going on?


N: Mom, don't you know that I am just "school actin'?"


M: No, I didn't know that. What is school actin'?


N: You know.


M: I do? Help me remember.


N: It's just something kids do. 


M: When they don't want to go to school?


N: Yeah.  It's what kids do when they don't feel like going to school, but their moms and dads make them go anyway.  They 'school act.'  


M: I see.  So, when kids don't want to go to school, they act like this to see if their mom or dad will let them stay home?


N: Yeah. But you didn't do it right.  You were supposed to let me stay home.  I knew you were going to make me go anyway. 


M: You did? 


N: Yeah. 


M: Well, at least we both agree that you should go to school today.


N: No, I don't agree, but I will go. 


M: Thanks. I think you will have a great day! And look... Jesus is already helping make your heart happier.

----a few minutes later---

N: Mom, since I told you about school actin' can I stay home?  Maybe I could tell you about more things that kids do.  Would that be fun?


M: You are so funny! Maybe you can tell me AFTER school? 


N: I will probably forget by then. 


--- a few minutes late---

N:What is that thing I was doing called again?


M: You mean "school actin'?"


N: Oh, yeah. School Actin'!

So there you have it!
My boy let it out of the bag.  It's called 'school actin' and apparently they all do it.  Don't let it fool you, parents.  Stand firm.  We can't let 'school actin' over take us!

A Fire Under My Buns

My guy read the previous post and asked me, "What is the big news?". 

No news really...just life...three lil' ones...lots of daily laughs at the things they say...some moments of frustration tossed in...and all the other things that encompass the life of a busy family.  We are blessed.

This morning we wrapped up our fall Bible study completing "Me, Myself, and Lies." Ever done it?  This is the first Jennifer Rothschild study that I have done.  There were many practical takeaways.  

We ended the actual study a few weeks ago and have filled our last two week with guest speakers.  Today, a friend came and spoke on meal/menu planning and freezing food to have on-hand.  She really got me excited to take our meal planning to the next level. --that's some serious lingo regarding making a menu--  I already love doing this, but I get really excited over new ideas and always enjoy conversations like this with friends.  It is a fun way to serve and care for my family (even though that is hard to remember at 5:30 when I'm chopping veggies while trying not to fall over a child or trying to keep another from eating all of the pantry contents before I get the food on the table) and I do love cooking.  I love it even more when I realize that I am the person that the Lord chose to care for my family in this way. My planning and preparedness brings glory to the Lord because I am doing it to promote peace in our home.  

Isn't it great how realizing our purpose, in any role, gives joy to daily tasks? 

Before this session, I started compiling a month-long menu of my family's favorite meals.  I'm fine tuning it now.  I would love to share it when I get completed.  

I would love to know how others meal plan.  What works for your family? I am ALWAYS open to make adjustments. 

A Big Texas-Sized HOWDY!

Oh, snap... my blog works!

(Oh, snap! was the popular saying when I taught third grade. Fun days.)

I clicked on my blog link tonight (which I have not done in days), decided to attempt to log in (which I have not done in weeks), and it all went off without a hitch (which it has not done in months).  But I feel very unprepared to write as I have not done this in so long.  Blogging is a groove, you know? And let's just say that I am out of the groove.

I will leave you with this and shall return tomorrow with something of more sustenance.

Any guesses on the big news happening in our home???

Ingram Land

My blog isn't working. Still. I am blogging from my phone and that works, but seriously... I cannot always blog from my phone. I don't know what the deal is. Brad has some ideas about what he would like for me to do since I'm being forced to do something, but I'm not sure yet.

Stay tuned and I will make some sort of decision soon.

We are enjoying watching the summer come to a close. Hard to believe, isn't it? I had surgery last week. Yuck. I have not been feeling well for quite some time and apparently the tube that comes out of my gallbladder was shredded. Most likely this was all due to pregnancies, but who knows. Already, less than a week post surgery, I feel dramatically better. Normal days and good health are something I never cease to be thankful for.

I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that this time next year we will be well in the midst of school supplies and kindergarten registration. Lord, prepare this attached heart in the next twelvle months.

Kayt has grown and changed and matured so much this summer. She is almost three and such an independent little beauty. The girl has captivated more hearts than she will ever know. She has every male in our family begging for mercy. I have marveled, more than once, at how I love having daughters more than I ever thought I would or could.

My sweet littlest is inch-worming all around our house. She is so proud of her newly discovered motion the she will spend all day on the floor. She adds dimension to our family that we never knew we were missing. Life is good!

That's a wrap-up of our recent days. I am going to make a decision about this uncooperative blog o' mine. Can I get away with apologizing about my inability to proof this entrance? Sorry for errors, my friends.

While the blog works, I write

Am I the only person with a finicky blog this week?  I am thinking so since I am reading posts that others have written.  I don't know what is going on with my little blog friend.  The window to posts looks like it is going to appear and then POOF!, it's gone.  I guess chickennoodlebananapasta is taking its own hiatus without my assistance.

But at this moment... we are back in business so I'm going with it.

Our week has been taken over by a sweet little three year old from Austin.  My nephew and sister-in-law are in town and my children are itching to spend every waking moment following him around to each new adventure.  It's been fun!

I am still trekking with Lori and friends in praying for my husband.  Are you?  There's a big bad world full of discouragement out there for our children and our husbands.  Let's help give them victory!

Speaking of victory, I've been studying a great book this summer with a few ladies.  I want to get to that soon so you can snatch the book up and get to claiming your God-given dignity as well.  But I am going to save for another post since I can hear the shower calling my name.  I've got an amusement park to explore tonight!  And a funnel cake to consume!

Until I get to the good stuff, you can feast your eyes on this sweet firecracker...

Let's Do It Again...

My friend, Lori, and her husband Judd Wilhite pastor a church in Las Vegas, NV.  Central Christian Church is a great congregation of people and the Lord is doing so much through them in the Las Vegas area. Brad had a chance to visit the church and see the team in action.  I, on the other hand, keep up with the happenings of their church and life via Lori's blog.  She began Leading and Loving it as  resource and encouragement for other women who partner with their husband's in ministry.  Her blog, in and of itself, has expanded past a resource to connect women and has turned into its own ministry.  Now, Lori and several other pastor's wives from all over the US contribute to http://leadingandlovingit.com.  They host virtual round table discussions and many other oh-so-cool things.

I highly, highly encourage you to check it out.  There is always something great there! Plus, they are just real wives and moms who have a heart sold out to Jesus.  I Love It!

Lori emailed me several weeks ago asking about posting the Take Your Man to Jesus prayers on her blog. I felt honored that she asked.  If you don't know what I am talking about, in January 2009 I shared a prompting that the Lord had placed on my heart.  God called me to pray intensely for my husband for ten full days.  I was surprised at the response from women who wanted to join me in the journey. So for sake of ease, I posted a ten day prayer map that gave clarity and focus to the prayer time. I shared as the Lord prompted.  After all was said and done, I had received emails from numerous women who asked to share the prayer map with prayer groups, Bible studies, friends and coworkers.   I was never looking for a response or for any credit, but I was thankful that the Lord used them in people's lives. What blessed me most was seeing so many women love their husbands enough to sacrifice time and thought in order to see them rise up to be men of integrity.  God heard my prayers during that time.  I know he was faithful to hear so many others as well.  

Lori is posting the Take Your Man to Jesus prayers on her blog for several days.  Because I love my husband even more than I did eighteen months ago and because I count it an honor and joy to be his biggest prayer warrior, I am going to join in with her.  Won't you join us?  Check it out here!

Blame It on the Sun

I've been a bad blogger.   I blame it on summertime.  And the pool.  And sunshine.  And green grass.  All of it draws me away from the inside.  And for that, I do not apologize.  It's better to live than to blog.

We have had such a fun summer.

As I am sure I have mentioned several times, Brad stepped out of a high school ministry roll some time ago.  ~Gosh, has it already almost been a year? Wow.~

Anyway... this college/young adult thing has really given us a summer.  A real summer with a Daddy around everyday.  We like it.

We pool-it-up as much as we can.  The last week has been a bit cool and rainy so it has given me a chance to stay home and work on a few projects.  Kayter-Bug's room survived it's big girl make over. She has a queen sized bed that enticed her and her older brother for one full week.  Then Noah Bear got bunk beds so the bunk-beds enticed them for five full days.  Now, they switch back and forth so not to show any favoritism to one particular sleeping space.

It has been fun changing things up in their little living quarters.  They are happy, therefore, I am happy.

I will show you pictures soon because you care.  Yes, you do.  So stick around because at the rate that I am going, that will come sometime around mid-September.  At least it will be before Christmas cards go out.  Speaking of Christmas, it has consumed the shelves of Hobby Lobby.  This rushing-into-the-next-season-or-holiday-or-weekend thing has taken people over.  It really bothers me.  I know it shouldn't, but it does.  Why do we rush our lives away?  Can't we all see that it is going so fast?  My boy will start kindergarten next year for crying out loud (literally).  Let's slow down.  When it is Monday, we anticipate Friday.  Why can't we just enjoy Monday?  And Tuesday.  And Wednesday.  And Thursday.  Because Friday will roll around quickly.  It always does.

For now, I will enjoy summer.  Not buy decor for Christmas. Come one, Hobby Lobby.  Help a sister out.  Bring the beach balls back!

p.s. This is one of those times when I, obviously, got carried away with fragments and beginning sentences with conjunctions. Just go with it, okay? :)

Whew!

My two summer getaways were compacted into less than a two week span.  I spent Memorial weekend with my college friends on a lake in east Texas and then shortly after returning home, the Hubs and I drove to San Antonio with one of our couple friends.  Fun stuff!

But I am home.

Whew. 

Tonight was a fun night back in routine.  The males of the house had a guy's night out.  They went to a concert and are still enjoying conversation at Sbux.  The girls... well, we did what girls do. We went to the grocery store, purchased princess bandaids (a must) and then drove through McDonalds for dinner.  My Kayt loves (with a capital L) McDonalds.  Those high-calorie, salty french fries wooed my mouth right over to the joint.  We rented a movie and came home to eat and enjoy the flick.  But... we ended up playing house.  I was the Sis, Emmy was the baby (big shocker), and Kayt was the Mommy.  That sweet girl is a nurturer.   I could not help but laugh on several occations listening to Kayt repeat things that I say verbatim. That girl...

So, vacations are over and summer is officially underway.  The pool is our stomping ground for the next few months and sunscreen is my morning companion.  I am soaking it all in, literally. :)  Happy summer!

Love from my baby brother

My bother sent me a text last week that said this:

Hey I was looking at your blog and noticed one interesting fact. 

Entries about Noah: 41

Entries about Kayt: 28

Entries about Emmy: 5

Entries about Brad: 18

Entries on you: 44

What's that all about?

Moms are supposed to be selfless right?

He keeps me grounded. 

I can't wait until he has children...

The Stuff Memories Are Made Of

There are things that are normal in our home that are abnormal for most. It is one of the sweet things about families.  Each is unique.

It is the stuff memories are made of.

Common events in our home: worship and preaching. It is not from the one spends his weekdays in a church office or the Momma who spends her days lovin' Jesus. It is from our offsprings. 

On a daily basis, my oldest two 'lead worship.'  Noah's room is equipped with a stage, two acoustic guitars, one electric guitar, one drum set, a bongo drum, and a microphone with a sound system.  I know I have said it before, but my boy is a music lover.  And I beleive with everything inside of me that he is Supernaturally gifted especially musically.  His younger sister has followed suit and I believe one day she will be the sweet harmony to his songs.  Trust me, Jesus has used their songs to minister to me on many, many occasions.  Frustration and anger are a bit harder to come by when I hear these voices in unison. 

Back to our family being abnormal. 

One evening over a month ago, our day concluded like this:

Noah introduced our worship leaders for the night...

Then Daddy and Kayter-bug lead us in a worship set...

While Noah, Emmy, and I worshiped with them in the audience...

Ending with Noah preaching...

(When he preaches he always refers to Jesus as The Lord, Jesus Christ. Very formal. ;)

I am not sure how well you can hear this, but it's pretty cute.  Brad didn't catch the beginning of it, which was super entertaining and very true.  Noah was telling "how The Lord, Jesus Christ came to Earth.  He came to Earth and he died and three days later he rose to heaven.  How did he get to heaven anyway? I'm not really sure.  I don't even know how that happened. But it did! It did happen. The Lord, Jesus Christ did go up to heaven. I'm very sure about that!" 

What I love about this particular video and the thing that makes it one to commit to memory is that he ends with the age old question... WHERE DO BABIES COME FROM?  

Something on every child's mind, right?

Did you hear Kayt in the background asking about praying? Funny girl.  Don't mind the text that came through on Brad's phone, the all encompassing iPhone. :)

There you have it. 

A normal night in our home. 

Nothing produced here, nothing made up, this is just how we live.  

I pulled the pictures and video off of our computer just to prove... we are abnormal & unique!

This is what our memories are made of!

Something Fierce

Guess who is as cute as can be?

Emmy girl is five months old.

Her giggles are easy to rouse.

Her smiles, even easier.

She is trying to sit up. 

She is such a content, sweet natured beauty.

She isn't digging any foods, but I am hoping that changes soon.

She sleeps twelve plus hours per night.

She naps three times during the day.

Her favorite past time is sucking her toes.

She is a trickster with the pacifier. She pulls it out, puts it in, and spins it while in her mouth. 

She is most content when our house is loud.

She is a undeniably a Momma's girl, but reserves sweet cuddles for Daddy.

This is the sweetest baby. 

And she is mine to care for.

~I love her something fierce.~

Before/After Part III

Want to see more pictures of our home remodel?

Okay.

I did not finish showing you the house, I just got side tracked. 

The bedrooms had green carpet. 

Like this...

*big grimace*

 And looked something like this after all of the drapes were removed. 

They eventually looked like this

Now one of them looks like this

And our bedroom looks like this

There are soon to be changes in our bedroom.  

Do you see the broken piece on our footboard?

It was what my children referred to as 'the step.'

Well, the step eventually gave way to the stepper.

It just needs to be nailed back on, but I have postponed that due to inclinations of future stepping. 

This is the only picture on my computer of Noah's room. I am sure that he was napping when I took the other pictures.  I know you can't really see anything so I will take another.  Someday.

  

Kayt's room is about to get a big girl overhaul. 

It will include the armoire pictured above in our room.
Ah......
I cannot wait to show you after pictures of her room.
Because after pictures mean the work is finished.
I like finished work!

Changes Birthed

I am not the same person that I was years ago, even just a few short years ago.  I am a different person.  Aside from Jesus doing radical transformations inside of me, I have three little people and one dark haired guy to thank.

I had a color coordinated closet and was not even satisfied with the second highest grade.  I laid my clothes out the night before and I had my jewelry organized.

I was a perfectionist by nature. My first-born tendencies encouraged me to be a leader and to take initiative.

Somewhere after the birth of my oldest and the latest diaper of my youngest, I have become a changed woman.

My color coordinated  closet is now a place that I am thankful to have laundry free and all the articles hanging up.

My drive to achieve the best has been traded for the simple things in life and a love for the ordinary, mundane and beautiful.

My initiative to lay out clothing, plan for each day, need to have a schedule and enjoyment of planning my weeks out has turned into a basic layout: breakfast comes first, lunch is in the middle and dinner is the finale.  Naps come in between and I give myself one task per day.  Literally.  It is all about setting one's self up for success, right?

My jewelry is in one drawer, in a tangled mess. And some of it is in Kayt's room and is now considered princess accessories.

I am less likely to place myself in any leadership role because I don't know who may come down with a sickness, what type of shape my house will be in or who may be long overdue for a nap at any given time.

I am more uncomfortable in group settings and I enjoy reserving my time for my four favorite people.  I am less of a people pleaser and more concerned about allowing my actions to be in response to what Jesus has given me and done for me.  I am slower to judge or criticize because I know how deeply I desire not to have judgement or criticism attached to me by others.

The most reassuring thing is that none of me is lost.  I have learned to lay down some of the things inside of me that stifled the work of the Holy Spirit.  I am a person who keeps most things personal.  Being an "open book" takes conscious intent.  I am learning who I was really created to be, at least in this stage of life.  And I am enjoying it deeply.

Isn't it lovely how giving life to people can change you to the core? Even without being intentional about opening my heart to the ways Jesus wants to change me, he chooses his little ones to open it up and usher in sweet changes.

It never hurts to ask questions

Why am I doing this? 

What is the point? 

Does it take away from something else?

Is that something else more meaningful?

Who is getting glory?

...this is what I have been asking myself. What do you ask yourself on an ongoing basis?

The Weekend 10 (with pictures thrown in)

1.  Celebrated five great years of marriage to this cute dude. We had a fun date night at a steak house on Thursday evening and then he took me to pick up my Anniversary/ Mother's Day surprise...

2. And this is what I got....

 a new MacBook.

Gotta love those technology lovin' guys!








3. Cleaned on Friday. all day. and you would never even know it. ah well. at least I know it.

4. Dinner with friends. Thank you, Jesus for good friends that can come over at a moments notice to share a meal. Oh, and plan a vacation.

5. ~~F.A.M.I.L.Y~~
We had a lot of family in town to share in....












6. Baby Dedication for our cute Emery Claire!

 

7. Celebrated Mother's Day.
We gave our Moms these pots filled with flowers that Sarah and I made with the kid's handprints and footprints.  That was quite an undertaking. Good thing I had Sarah...









8. Brad was gone Sunday evening and our older two were sleeping by 7:30 so I spent a lovely evening filling in baby books and reminiscing followed by a great, lengthy time with Jesus.  Nothing like baby books and Jesus to make a heart overflow with joy and thankfulness!

9. Geared up for my big boy's first T-ball practice.

10. And went to bed early on Sunday night!

F-Bombs, Four-Year-Old Style

Firefighter Noah turned four a few weeks ago.  We fanned the flames of fun at fire station number nine.  Family and friends joined the festivities as we learned out about super fast fire trucks and heroic fire men.  Jr. Firefighters even got a turn at the fascination as they flung the hose and flailed through the truck.  A big fire sized thank you to the fans who helped extinguish the fun! Thus far, firefighter Noah thinks that four is fantastically fabulous!!!

Enjoys the fotos...

  

   

Brownie Fruit Pizza

The recipe? 

Sure! 

We are all friends here.  

And besides, I just learned it this weekend too. 

I don't actually have the recipe so I will just give you the informal version.

Brownie Fruit Pizza

Bake a box of brownies as directed on in a round pizza dish.

Beat together one block of cream cheese, one can of pineapple, and 2 Tablespoons of sugar.

After the brownie is cooled, spread the mixture on top.

Top with your favorite fruit (strawberries, bananas, kiwi, etc.)

Voila!

The Weekend 10

- Laundry. Galore!

- Dinner Friday night with a few couple friends. We couldn't find a sitter for baby girl, so she joined the fun!

- A little work

- Great couple's shower for our friends who are getting married this summer

- Family dinner at the casa for my Nanna's birthday.

- Brownie fruit pizza.

- Noah got a new set of golf clubs. Which means that I fetched golf balls.

- A visit to the driving range.

- A beautiful, wind-free Sunday.

- Fabulous new plant on the porch.


This one was one for the records. Not.
But it was happy. Hope yours was happy as well.

I Will Just Give You the Highlights

We had Noah's birthday party Monday at a fire station. It was super cool and super cute. I will post pictures soon. He had a great time with a few of his closest friends.

EmmyGirl has an ear infection. I took her to our lovely pediatrician on Monday RIGHT before the party.  In fact, she had to miss the party and stay home with Meme.  Lots of holding and loving has gone on in our home this week.  Currently, she is back to my sweet, happy, laid-back baby!

Yesterday was kind of a rough day.  Nothing major happened, but the kids were wild and by the end of play group I felt like I was failing at my job.  That is not including Noah's wrestling stint with the red-head boy at the gym and the two outfits that Emmy went through while at play group. After twenty minutes of sitting on the couch in complete silence, my mom came to the rescue by just listening to me.  She is so encouraging and guess what she said... she felt the same way at times. What?  So it is not just me?  PTL!

Around 9:30 last night, I found Noah in his bed eating an apple.  I thought everyone was asleep and I wanted to sneak a hot shower.  After I got out, I went to check on the kids and found Noah eating an apple that he had cut himself with the apple corer. All I could do was be thankful that he did not cut his finger.

The night ended by Noah and I curling up in my bed and calling it a night.  I figured that if he was in my reach, I would rest better. :)

I skipped an early morning workout and had a waffle with strawberries and whipped cream for breakfast.  Now, all was well...

It's Incredible

To the boy who thinks everything is INCREDIBLE

who thinks each life event can be compared to a sport

who measures his day by practices, games, time outs and half times

who dreams about plays, catches, goals and injuries

whose outfits and roles change with the hour

whose silly words, phrases, expressions and ideas bring giggles

--this is what your Momma thinks--

You make my heart sing new songs. Songs that I have never known before. 

You are cool, cute, talented and kind.  Your sweet nature brings joy and your active personality brings excitement.  My life is more purposeful because of what you have taught me.

You may be four or twenty-four, but you WILL always be my baby even if I don't hold you like a baby anymore... my tall, fifty-pound boy.  

I think YOU are incredible! 

The most incredible of all!!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Noah Hudson!

Family Favorites

This is a BIG week for our family.

Baby girl will be four months old on Thursday.

Big boy will be four years old on Friday. 

Middle girl is having a blast celebrating with everyone else and has no clue this is not all about her.

In honor of our big week, I thought it would be fun to share with you one favorite thing from each person in our family.

Granted, I have chosen this thing without their help. I will venture to say that I am pretty right on though.  After all, Momma knows best. Right?

Let's start with the youngest....

Emmy LOVES her Nap Nanny.  From my understanding, this is a relatively new thing.  I had never heard of it before she received hers.  I love it! In fact, I wish that I had it with the other two. I put it in her Pack-n-Play (with the infant part in so that it sits up high) and lay her in it at night.  She sleeps so soundly and it just looks comfortable.  I wouldn't mind an extra large Nap Nanny for me! It has a safety belt so after they start maneuvering, you can secure them in place, it is firm, but so soft. The cover comes off for easy washing. 

When we have traveled it is so convenient to only tote this light weight (3 lbs), smaller-than-a-pack-n-play item. I toss it in the back and off we go. No more folding and unfolding of the Pack-n- Play. 

I have sat it on the floor and in our bed.  If you do the co-sleeping thing, it would be a safer option than having to worry about rolling over on your child.    

She has had one stuffy episode in her four months and it was great not having to take an extra step to elevate her.  She is already elevated!

Em is a SUPER FABULOUS sleeper. I don't know how much of it is accredited to the Nap Nanny, but I would highly recommend it to anyone.  It seems that it would be especially good for babies with colic or tummy issues.  

Most cities have a local retailer, but you can also find them here.  

Disclaimer: This is NOT my baby sleeping in this Nap Nanny. 

Disclaimer #2: That was only in case you were curious. :)

Miss Kayt loves her Fisher Price dollhouse that she got for Christmas.  It is super cute. All of the pieces are plastic.  Hers came fully furnished and with the family.  She and Noah will play with it for hours.  It really is fun to play with, I play with them a lot!  The most genius part is that all of the pieces fit inside and then you can close it up. It is easy to tote, easy to store, and doesn't take up too much space.  Plus, it provides its own storage for the pieces. 

You can find it here.

Noah ABSOLUTELY LOVES, LOVES, LOVES his football and baseball guys.

Yes, that is what they are called: football guys.  I met an awesome girl last year from OK whose son is a few years older than Noah.  As I talked about Noah, she said how much he reminded her of her own son.  Noah is a sports f.a.n.a.t.i.c.  And i am NOT exaggerating.  Ask anyone who knows him. He is knows for his love of sports, playing sports all day, and ALWAYS sporting some type of sports attire. This may seem a bit passionate and over zealous, but if you know Noah, you know that I am not exaggerating in the least.  

Back to the story... this sweet friend told me about this product. They are similar to army men, but they are sports figurines. They have football, baseball, hockey and soccer.  Noah has football and baseball, but he is getting the soccer guys for his birthday. Shhhhh, it's a secret.  

They come in a cute little carrying case.  It includes players, referees and something else particular to the sport (i.e. field goals, score boards, goals, etc).  

Noah got his first set just after he turned 3 and it was a great age.  If I had known about this earlier, I would have ordered it sooner.  Before this, we purchased the expensive collectors item sports figurines and he would break off the stand and play with them.  This item cost what only two of those cost.  

You can order them here, from Kaskey Kids.  This genius couple created them for their son, who was much like my Noah.  It is hard to find sports items for the avid youngster and I am forever grateful to the people at Kaskey Kids for the hours of sheer pleasure they have brought into my home!

If you are interested in ordering these, let me know.  I have a 20% off discount code that I will email you. I believe a set is $24.99.  Score! 

It would also make a great gift for your special little boy.  If you order the football guys, you can choose solid colors or from several college teams. Cool, huh?

As for me...

I dig this shampoo.  It is from the John Frieda collection and I get it at Target. I love the smell and I love what it does for my hair. 

I've done the expensive shampoo route and the cheap shampoo route.  This is by far my favorite.  It is kind of a middle of the road shampoo as far as expense goes.  I think it's somewhere around $8.  I had used it for a while and at one point I ran out and went back to my I won't name any names old shampoo and quickly confirmed my thoughts on how great this particular shampoo is.  

Did I mention that I L-O-V-E the way it smells? 

I did? 

Oh. 

Well, I do.

As for the Mister, he is cheating on me with his Kindle.  Not really. But he does love it and uses it quite often. Brad loves to read and this has been great for both of us.

Perks for him: 1. all of his books are easily accessed  2. all of the cool features 3. it is slim and trim and easy to carry  4. it just looks cool

Perk for me: 1. no more books to have to find another place for. Can I get a Hallelujah?  Don't get me wrong, I love that he reads. But. Come. On.  A house can only hold so many books. 

There you have it, folks.  The favorite things of the Ingram Gang! 

What are your families' favorite things?