I know some say it's unlucky... but 13 is one of my VERY lucky numbers!

This blog entry is long over due in that I feel like I haven't talked about the baby that is Sadie in a while!  (and it keeps me from eating the rest of my salad from Taco Bell... yeah, i know, why there!?  No clue!  Anyway, the things we do when kids gotta get home for naps... ok!)

Here goes 13 things that make me lucky to be your mom Sadie bug!
1. You play in your bed EVERY morning, sure you cry for a sec but then play and talk and you have NO idea but I secretly watch you and laugh on the monitor bc your so cute!
2. Your smile with those 6 teethies all beaming make me melt
3. You are not afraid of anything and you go for it...even to the edge of the driveway. ok so that's not my favorite thing right now...but I am sure I will love that later in life :)
4.You are a foodie like your mama and will try anything ONCE, but mostly a second and third time too
5.You used to point at pics of da-da and say his name, but now you are pointing at everything calling it da-da so we are starting to wonder...does she know what da-da is? lol
6. When you say "HI" in your high pitched voice and crunch your fingers to wave, LOVE IT!
7. You started the baby kiss of big mouth to eat you kiss I forgot I loved so much with Kehnley!!
8. Your little body sitting forward in a big girl seat...it's definitely made the car appear smaller and I love looking in my mirror to your sweet face!
9. Watching that sly look come over you when you are about to do something so bad... and then like a Tasmanian devil you run off in freakishly fast speed for a baby and I can barely catch up!
10. Listening to your sweet voice singing songs only the angels know the words to, I could get used to that
11. Watching you slip onto your tummy in the tub and kick your feet like a teenager at the pool, it's a hoot and you think you are so cute with your cheeky grin you give every time you do that, or lay back and let the water get on your hair.
12. When I hold you and you still snuggle your face under my skin and let me give kisses on your head and brush your hair with my hand...I love that clean baby smell!
13. Watching you sit on the couch with your drink and snack by sissy like a big girl, like your friends, like you are growing so fast right before my eyes...slow down baby girl! slow down :)

One awesome thing, one scary thing, one funny thing:
*you started sleeping so good in your bed since we added a fluffy pillow!
*you already tried to run away when Lilly was out doing doggy stuff you cracked the door open and snuck down the drive while mommy was left clueless tending to supper and a lady had to come to the door and tell me that "is this your baby out here, i just saw her walking in the yard"...i cried instantly and thanked God for the lady who strangely enough didn't pick you up and bring you to me but left you clapping happily at your escape by the bushes!
*you like you bounce,with no actual air time mind you, on sissy's bed then fall back like her, except your fall is less graceful more like a plop on the bottom then a lay backwards... then you laugh at yourself! its awesome!! must get that on video!

Sadie i adore you, I am so thankful that you are so perfectly you and unlike anyone else.  I want you to know how unique and special you are and how from day one you have been training me in faithfulness.  thank you for letting me play with you, hold you, read you stories, turn pages for you and lay on my back with you flying overhead.  Thank you for being determined and resilient, headstrong but sweet as can be.  God will use those gifts and personalities for Him, I can't wait to see it.  In the mean time I pray you get to know the world around you with joy and patience...and please don't snatch from Kehnley anymore and pull her hair, she's really having a hard time with that.  I love you so much and I can't wait to see what all you will do in the weeks ahead.
Words & sounds: da-da, hi, rrrrrarrrr, mooooo, quack quack, signing more and finished, uh-oh, tank eww(thank you) and giving kisses and blowing kisses too ---- i forgot that one, my def. fav!
Love you
-Mama-

9 months


Chicken lover! from keri Blowey on Vimeo.

11 months

Untitled from keri Blowey on Vimeo.
13 months

Untitled from keri Blowey on Vimeo.

4:8 Mission

Of course this has to follow up a post titled "Boot Scoot and Poopy"...oh the irony! lol
So here's the deal...

I don't want to blog anymore about meaningless things, not that my children and our little life is meaningless, quite the opposite, if you know me you know they are our treasure, our world, our mission field, they are my 24/7 and I take my role in their life more seriously that almost anything else....but remember this....?


"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Phil 4:8

I can't help but desire to filter whatever I spend my time on through this...not just my mind, or my words, but my very essence I want to be characterized by this charge.

So begins the transformation of information. Let's get REAL there are tons of websites, blogs, podcasts and the like about parenting and fun stories and life--and yet there are still those of us staring in the face of the hundredth question from our toddler like "why can't we see God?" going... I wish i could get a a panel of ppl together to talk about this lol.  Most moms in the toddler trenches don't have time to look up a blog, read a book, and google search "explaining the infinite holiness of the creator God to a 3 yr old" goodness- we are lucky to just have everyone dressed all day!

My new form of organization of task and thought (there are many being developed in me as God's way of helping me to resist the born urge I have to live on the fly--free as a bird--letting things happen as they come)--can you guess that I like change and spontaneity?  oh yeah, what was I saying?-OH so yes new forms of organization :) causing me to spend my free time not watching DWTS or Gray's or (fill in the blank) Crashers but instead on planning lessons, gathering resources; for projects, exploration, and enjoyment in teaching my little ppl all about God and how He made them special, especially for a purpose...like most things we think we are doing for the Lord to bless others, it changes us into someone new along the way! 

If you have read the 4:8 Principle (an amazing book on the positive side of thinking & living life) based on the scripture above you would know there is this one part....THE part that I am making my mission, where the author tells his children every night before bed until one amazing night they repeat it back to him almost in a sleepy unison...

"you are a wonderful, beautiful, child of God"

That is my mission, that the little ones of the next generation know this truth without a shadow of a doubt. 

Keep looking for lessons, resources, and (lets be honest) crazy mishaps along the way! (not to mention frequent dance party breaks--every mom needs to work those into the schedule, just to keep her composure--just do it, you'll thank me later!) and please keep in mind my failures: you'll find those here too, because I find that when I crash and burn it, God shows Himself more trustworthy than if I had juggled all the things He throws at me with the greatest of ease.   

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What keeps me passionate about the new ministry God's given me?

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

2 Corinthians 4:7

Precious ones

Here is a sneaky peeky at some pics of some girls that are super special to us!

baby Kairi Ann and her sweet cheeks...

    

...and cousin Addy, who has a birthday coming up!

    

...then there is the wild child with a smile that can melt my heart!



And this little sassy pants always full of surprises :)





Kehnley modeling her new rodeo get up...the middle on is the "im a texan model with attitude, watch out Gisele"

Ps. I am not a photographer, I just love the way these girls make memorable moments I can't help but try to freeze and keep them forever

I almost forgot! Kehnley so happy to have her "baby friend from china" here :)

Recap: Sadie's First Birthday Party!

Birthday party Agenda:


1. visit with family and friends and see how cute you are in your lady bug outfit and hat!
2.play a good old fashioned game of lady bug hunt with your lady bug jars
3. pass out antenas for the birthday song
4. get distracted with playing in the baby kitchen for a bit
5. cry for a cupcake before the birthday song get us under way
6. eat a cupcake like a bro with red and black icing all over your face (and sissy's too!)
7. open so many wonderful presents, wow, you are going to have a fun time with these...
8. pull off your birthday hat and get ready to play with all your new gifts!
9.watch some flipping lady bugs, and wave good bye to all your guests
10. clap for a great party and get ready for another nap, I'm one tired birthday girl!!

Wordless Wed: Trip to the Waterwall!

Advent and Christmas Traditions

Dear Advent box, how I have missed you.  Last year we had a blast and Kehnley really thought you were magic how you would always have a new fun treat and instructions for a fun day ahead as we counted down the days til Jesus' birthday.  This year I can't wait to see you because she knows a little more and is going to be SO excited to see what you have in store!  Of course we have our nativity advent that helps us keep our days all in a row and as we fill the manger with all the animals and angels I can't help but get a little anxious to see what Sadie will do with you when I am not looking!

Some old some new family traditions to share, please feel free to let me know yours AND use some of ours!

25 stories of Christmas:
This year we are going to wrap a book (some old some new) that are all about Christmas and since Bry misses all the advent full all day while he's away at work, he will be the one to greet her with a new wrapped book every day when he gets home and that will be the book she gets to read at bedtime with us.  I can't wait for her to see the Grinch Stole Christmas Original, and a new book I found called God gave us Christmas!

Hidden Crown:
My husband is German and I looked up years ago German traditions for Christmas, i also asked about some that their family had when he was growing up.  Is mom shared with me how her mom, the boys Granny would decorate the tree and keep it hidden until Christmas eve!  That was the first time they got to see it!  But since I am pretty obsessed with falling asleep on the couch by only the light of the Christmas tree each year (there is just a joy that brings me that I can't express) lol  I couldn't do that one, but hiding a pickle in the tree is a tradition for many Germain homes and who ever finds it gets a special treat.  Well, this year we are hiding a crown. We did something like it last year, but I am going to REALLY hide it good this year and who ever finds it gets to put it on the cake and present it to Jesus for His birthday!  (Hopefully K will find it first! lol)

Christmas bake off:
We have a Christmas baking cookie exchange that I hope to share with some new friends and family this year!  Last year at the Blowey's K had a blast decorating "goodies"  for friends to share, she wanted to eat all those "goodies" as she called them all the time though! 

Shrinky-Dink:
Every year for many years (Bry loves this....well....he's grown to love it) we make shrinky-dink ornaments!  They are SO fun, great keepsakes and make the best gifts!  And it's just amazing seeing all those big drawings and art work shrink down to pretty little ornaments for our tree!  One day when I am old and gray i will have enough shrinky-dinks to cover a tree all on their own!  (And Bry will probably have a billion deer feeder scenes he's created from year to year on his!)

Advent Box:
I get ideas from blogs and websites and my crazy sleepless nights up for hours thinking about things to make and do on the days leading to Christmas that are fun and silly and remind us the joy of the season!  Some are the same each year... some are different.  Here is the first for this year and the sources I have for the rest I will post tomorrow.  (it's been a CRAZY week!)

W. Day 1  Make a wreath for Advent. Talk about what advent means.  Decorate the tree and Bry is bringing the first wrapped book today all about the Christmas tree!!


Speaking of Christmas Tree, this guy wanted in on the fun this year!  Happy Adventing everyone!!

Some Sources:
http://www.familyfun.go.com/ or http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/homemade-christmas-gifts/
http://www.bhg.com/
Book called New Noel
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/
http://holidays.kaboose.com/christmas/
http://christiancrafters.com/Journey-to-the-Manger-cvr.gif

           

             
 

C is for Corndogs, Cat angels and CANTON!

Annual Canton trip was underway this year with many unexpected and some new friends to join the bunch!  My mother-in-love is the coordinator for canton I swear one year I will be putting pics of her face on shirts and we will say "have you seen our Canton Queen Bee?" lol  because its inevitable even if you aren't meaning too, you will loose the people you are with and see others you never thought you would whilst roaming the grounds at the First Monday Trade Days in Canton TX.  I am in LOVE with the many hilarious texts I kept getting from Megan on my Saturday morning drive up there. We decided to forgo our individual canton rooms for Friday night and make the trek on Sat morning, not sure how I feel about that as far as for next year, but one thing is for sure, I will be baby free next year.  Sadie was a trouper and she learned how to sleep in her stroller and in my arms and in a pack and play, but an 8 month old in Canton is a little tough.  Lyndz said at one point "i cat believe you do with with a baby!" lol.  After standing in line for a sandwich some fruit and a drink for 30 min in the sweltering "wasn't it supposed to be cool" heat, hearing a 3 yr old whimper and whine for his mom to "hold me mama, hold me, hold me mama" and then her to pick him up and him still whimper and whine... it was a real realization that maybe kids should be banned from canton?  I definitely know that Kehnley would want to die if she came, and shed be crusen in one of the canton wagons fashioned with sleeping bags and pillows like the kids were having a pj party!  We founds some cool new artwork and met the artist it was my Christmas stock up, many pieces of furniture for the girls, a lot of cute clothes that would hurt my bank account to mention.  Some amazing wreaths... I bought supplies to make my own this year, pics of that coming to a Christmas album near you!  and enough frickles, sun-dried tomato and spinach pizza, and kettle corn to last me til next years trip!  Lyndz and her mom came, so did Amy and her mom and Landry's mom, Megan her mom and her friend Shelby and her mom, Cole and Donna, Lauren and Becky... it was CERTAINLY a mother and daughter affair... even Ansley and Kairi showed up for dinner at the Jalapeno Tree (the place we eat every year on Sat night..they have the BEST Tortilla Soup!) 

Some things are just too predictable for canton and too canton-licious to forget!!

1. I got so sick on Saturday so bad that it was hard to sleep that night and I just wanted to lay on the floor and cry

2. Me and mom spent half the day Sunday looking for a parking spot or trying to get to our car with all our new buys falling off our canton cart.

3. Bought enough soup mixes to keep my kitchen cooking time down to bare minimum over the next few months or more!

4.Came home wondering what in the world I actually bought because although I was thoughtful about it at the time when Bry asked me I just couldn't pin point anything but the soups!

5. Filled up my garage with all the things that canton had to offer this year and know I wont get it all put away for another few weeks.

6. Already thinking of what I might be looking for next year....can't wait!  See you in Canton 10/03/11!

Beach Bums

We all need a little sand between our toes sometimes!

Tu Tu Cute

From start to finish this first Birthday was so much fun! Picking out the cupcakes, decorating...and getting to play with Kehnley the whole day... pay close attention to the kiss attach from Lyndz and Keri at the end! Kehnley was a good sport, but not a fan :)

"Pretty in Pink" was the flavor...she wasn't so pretty when it was over!

Kehnley had her very first birthday and there was a crowd. We had some friends and family over and we opened presents and ate cupcakes. Kehnley was a good sport for all the pics and cards and presents. It went by so fast we didn't even have time to swim until later that night. mom made her a birthday banner for us to hang, I was so impressed I loved it!! it's something she will be able to keep for ever.

On her birthday we did have a few firsts...

Bry & Kehnley and me, she's eating something a little more tasty than dog food:)

FIRST time to eat dog food, she had a bite of lilly's food when I was setting up for the party and appeared to like it, she was smiling with bits running down the chin and smelled like lilly's breath! ew...

FIRST temper tantrum thrown when she thought that I was taking the grocery cart away, when all I was trying to do was cut off the plastic netting for better use!

FIRST time to ever experience the birthday song sung not only once but 4 times! By me when she woke up in the morning, by Papa when he saw her, then twice at the party because dad missed it on camera lol, so we made everyone do it again. (it was the kind of effect of the fake bouquet toss at a wedding)

*kehnley's favorite gift was the grocery cart from aunt Nicole

*kehnley's favorite snack was all the envelopes from the cards

*kehnley's newest favorite thing to throw are the wooden blocks Nate bought her

It's hard to believe that at 11:43 only 12 short months prior I had seen her for the first time and thought "she doesn't look like us!" Then after the swelling went down and the cone formed a nice round shape instead, and she opened those baby blues... I could see how so many women before me would claim to forget all the pain of labor, uncomfortable nights of pregnancy, all the meals lost to nausea, and the fear of all the things that "could" go wrong and mean every word once they embraced the miracle laying in their arms.

"There's only one thing more wide eyes and helpless than a new born baby, and that's a new mom." - Anonymous.

I love that quote because it's so true that even if you have the most natural nurturing character in the world, a mother is made through becoming, not just being. I am so grateful for so many things about Kehnley...

Her laugh, her 4 toothed grin
Her soft baby hair she sometimes lets me brush my hands through, others she pulls my hands away
Her head when it rests on my shoulder
Her lip twitch when she's falling asleep
Her clapping hands even with food all over them
Her crossed leg sitting position looking up at her favorite video
Her run and smash into the beanbag seat when she thinks you are chasing her
Her concentrated look as she tries to pull the top off the sippy cup
Her upside own grin as she looks up at me through the stroller cover on our walks
Her voice in the morning talking baby lingo to her stuffed animals in her bed
Her fingers grabbing for the page to turn it so quickly
Her legs kicking and splashing in the tub
Her squeal of delight when she sees her daddy and blood curling cry when he steps out of the room to get a drink.
Her leaning down to look out the front window to see the ducks
Her fast paced walk to get to the pool, just to turn around and reach for me once she 's at the edge
Her tiny fingers can pick up a snack, but she uses her whole hand, front and back, to get it in her mouth
Her squinting eyes when the sun is out
Her funny way of trying to put everything in my mouth after her mouth has touched it
Her passionate hatred for shoes, hats and anything that confines her
Her special laugh reserved for anything that the dogs do or we do with them.
Her bottom in the air as she pushes off to go on another adventure

But most of all the feeling that she gives me that God made me for this... I was totally meant to be a mom, and I am being convinced of that more and more every day.

So here is the Birthday girl... and yes that's a tutu you see :)

RIO FRIZZLE

So I have been on a Blog Fast if you will, but since I have been up all night for the past few nights working on a photo album for Nicole's grad with Bry's mom... and looking at all these pics of senior year and getting pics of her visits to Tech long before she ever knew she'd be Lubbock or Leavin' it soon... I thought I would let the midnight oil keep burning and post and update. Taken from Jen Colley's update list....

1. Talking with Donna about Nicole going off to college it made me think of how much I loved Tech and miss it. It seams like another life looking back... my life now doesn't resemble that very much. it sucks to grow up :)

2. But then again it has it's perks... Kehnley just learned to clap!! And I am talking a full on, walked on the tanning shelf of the pool and got so excited she couldn't help herself and clapped! Now we can play patty cake.

3. KK (KiKi as Jen calls her) also started playing a new kind of peek-a-boo where she will cover her face with a balnket and pull it off when i say the magic words. I love it.

4. We just got back from a weekend at the Frio, hence the name of the blog, which is a family tradition every year (except last for us b/c i was not about to give birth in the river) and we had a great time. It's not as relaxing chasing a baby the whole time, but we did have fun watching her play and getting to float the river with the fam. I also got to know Stephen a lot better to (Cole's boyfriend) and that was good. I tell you what there are some crazies on the river for sure.

5. I can't wait til summer... only 1/2 a day left (and however long it takes me to pack up my room on Monday) and I can just relax and enjoy my time!

6. And this is the biggest... WE HAVE A HOUSE! We close in a few weeks and move in once their home is built. I just can't wait to hear our own dishwasher going, the music playing loud while I do my Saturday cleaning session that often turns into a dance session, get to plant some flowers in our yard, and get to paint the walls in my baby's room! (am I domestic Diva or what?!) I really just want to laugh all night with Bry, sitting on our huge couch...I miss that!

7. I've been studing King David in the bible lately and I really see God speaking truth into my life about the time span between when God anointed him king, and when he ACTUALLY became king...the time in the making, that's where I seem to fit!

Here's a pic from the Frio... I think pople enjoy pic-filled blogs more than those that are pic-less.

Frio 2008

Cover up Twinks

Tradition family pic

This is why I freaking Love my husband...he makes me laugh so hard!

(This is Bryson on vacation)

Since she won't wear the hat...I will!

This was the only pic where she wasn't screaming crying and pulling the hat off

Bry and his little 70's track star!

Tubin baby! Rio Frizzle

Little Pink Bikini!!!

COMING SOON!
_____________________
Month Day photos
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While you wait... here are pics from Kehnley's first day of fun in the sun

Look at this little diva, already showin off!

In an emergancy this diaper may be used as a floatation device...

I think this purple seahorse is my new bestfriend!

(wait what is this thing again?)

My two first loves... rubber ducky and daddy...in that order :)


Mommy kisses me too much I think




I don't want to get out!