Easy as 1-2-3

Sent these in the mail last week and have been DIEING to tell everyone, but thought it would be a fun announcement.... i have been anxious to talk to so many! So glad to hear so many friends an family celebrate with us over this new addition!
A few questions answered:
1. first Dr. visit? sept 13th
2. due date?? maybe end of April
3. Are you excited?  of course!  But not as much as Kehnley is! :) she almost ruined the secret
a few times lol
4.  Do you have names picked out?  Yes, and they aren't what they have been in the past
and we'll spill the beans when a reveal party comes
5. How do you feel?  EXHAUSTED! but blessed (specially by the girls napping
all afternoon....I feel like the luckiest mom on the planet all the time but especially
from 12:30-3:00)

"How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?" Psalm 116:12

half way to two

 
    

The all too familiar and dreaded "T" word people want to throw at you when you have an almost 2 yr old..."watch out soon you'll see the T******* Twos".  I sort of refuse to even use that word in my vocab especially when speaking of my darling Sadie.  Does my darling get a little flustered and scream bloody murder when we are at the store and I don't open the Fruity Cheerios fast enough? yes.  Does my darling run to the street while I give her the look of "wide-eyed" seriousness to come back to mommy, start towards her only to get a now faster pace of dissobediance? yes. Does my darling tell me "no-no" and shake her head when she does something the knows she shouldnt but does anyway? yes. Does my darlight push, pull, grab, snatch, yell, call out "myyyy" when she wants something or won't give something up? yes. Does my darling say "out side" 24,137 times a day? yes. Does my darling fight to jump on sissys bed before getting her diaper after a bath, fight to get unlocked in her high chair eating all her meals calling out "up" "up!"? yes.  Does my darling climb ladders when she thinks I'm not looking, pull tissue paper off the roll, wear my shoes around and leave them all over the house, try to use stamps on the winodw like the window colors, lay on her tummy to color and get some on the tile floor, try to ride lilly like a horse, pull my hair, pull Kehnley's hair, cry for her passie all day, dump dry beans all over the floor for "fun", scream in her crib when ive just stepped in the shower? yes.  Does my darling give the best hugs that feel so tight you think you might burst? yes. Does my darling kiss her sissy and lilly? yes.  Does my darling rub her shirt and say "saw-ee" when she i sorry? yes.  Does my darling laugh and smile and dance most of the day? yes. (to songs like the "Wheels on the Bus"  Does my darling smile and say cheeeeesse for even kehnleys little pink camera? yes.  Does my darling pat my neck when we're rocking and I'm singing her to sleep? yes.  Does my darling finally call out "mama" when she sees me or wants me? yes.  Does my darling melt my heart when she says "ammin" and prays with us as a family, when she tries to brush her teeth with me, when she runs to greet daddy, when she hold on to k in the tub and won't let go from giving her "love", when she holds my hand to go somewhere, when she looks at me with those baby blues? yes. 

It's hard to be a little person trying to learn how to say what you want/need/like and feeling like you are big enough to do EVERYTHING, but capable of actually very little... I want to encourage her towards love and good deeds, towards learning the right way to express her little firey self, and to lowering the volume of her voice :)  18 months is a milestone for so many reasons at this age they go from baby to kid and I know with that comes lots of teeth and sleepless nights all over again, but I celebrate these days because it not only makes me a better mom, a more patient person, but also its just the begining of getting to know the already amazing person in that little shell of a baby girl!  I love you sadie, half way to two means we get to crack the code you've been speaking all your life and watch you grow closer to your sissy, all the while loving you more and more.  You're a wonderful, beautiful child of God.   Love you!

My BF's getting married

I have had a few friends ask about seeing some of these pics and out takes as well from the Save the date photo shoot Lyndz and Thomas and I had.... these were a few of my favorites!

It's been forever since we took these and it's hard to believe the big day is at the end of this week. it's been surreal to go to all the pre wedding events and get to celebrate these past fast months! I got all emotional thinking about it and talking with a mutual friend about how for the longest time Lyndz was pretty sure shed never meet "the one" and it was like suddenly here she was calling me about this guy who she was hanging out with and who was a great friend and loved spending time with him.  He came to see her for her bday in Dtown and she was still claiming friendship while all the rest of us were secretly passing bets on the couple soon to be :)  Now they are getting married!  I can't imagine a more perfect fit for her. Thomas is funny and kind and easy going (even though he likes to on time.. over rated! lol) and he bleeds RED AND BLACK-duh! Wears boots love to shot and all kinds of music (wait lyndz..is that you?!) he's got so many qualities that make me proud to say he's marrying my BF, but most of all her face when she's with him or talks about him-- its what make me happiest for them.  She really lights up at the thought of him, he makes her happier than I have ever seen her!  She's so beautiful and I love her so much, but I love them together most of all! lets get this Party started!! :)

Its Fun to be 4!

4 years old and its hard to imagine that you are a little girl but with the mind and attitude of someone so much bigger.  I hope you will stay my baby forever but as I see you now, it looks like you will be growng faster than I ever dreamed or could handle.  You are so smart and funny, you say the most clever things like when you and daddy were making a tent in the living room last night and you said "common' mom get your sleep on" :)  Or when you gave me a big hug and said "i love you mom, i think I'll keep you..remember like on Olivia?!"  What a cutie, I think I WILL KEEP YOU! my love ! 
We spent your birthday party with friends and family at the park you love to play at all year and it was a PIRRRRATE party, full of swords, treasure hunts, eye patches, jolly rogers, ring pop treasure and more!  Your daddy and I got you a sonwcone maker for the party in lou of cake...wasnt sure if youd love it like cake.. YOU DID! :)  So daddy bought you your very own smaller one when we were at the beach for you actual birthDAY... he said he just had to have that for his little darling. 

Your favorite present was hard to pick, you got so many great things, but you DID want daddy to put together the barbie scooter we got you the second we got home and rode it all over the house that night and next day....why not outside? not sure lol.  You even hoped on in your birthday suit and rode it to the bath tub silly billy!

Your second fav gift was the barbie house and pool that Cole and Granny got you, I have had to move it since then to your closet bc someone's baby sister likes to slide everyting down the barbie slide and doesnt realize shes a giant compaired to it :)
The DAY of your birthday we were in Florida on vacation and mama made your usual special breakfast and surprises and goodie baskets!  i drew you on a big sheet of paper and made it look JUST like you, Fancy kept moving the picture every day after that on vacation, it was on the back of the bathroom door, in the pantry, sitting in a chair with a dress on haha..you loved it!  the night of your birthday you got to run on the beach and go out to dinner followed by your most FAV part..ICE CREAM!!! :) 

Your fav. things are starting to change, althought you love to play pretend you are getting much more active, and LOUD too haha, I am sure I tell you a few times a week that if you want to scream you need to go out side and do that (what can I say its a mamma thing) You are a dancing and singing queen, making up songs on your guitar, dancing some pretty sweet moves I must say, and teaching sissy all the fun songs to get grovin to!
You love your barbies or course, but your also becoming a sports girl, wanting to play baseball and run run run, you play with the water table fancy got you and thanks to swim lessons you are getting more adventurous at the pool!  You are giving kisses and hugs a lot being really expressive that way and more so with Sadie which really warms my heart!  You are learning so much like how to write your name, read, spell out word families...I am amazed at how quickly you learn!  You bring me my phone every morning and ask what the bible verse of the day is, you always want to know if a song playing if a "jesus song" and you are facinated with going on a trip to ap place like daddy and "speaking spanny" like Dora taught you lol and telling them about Jesus...your so sweet!

A few favorites...
Fav foods: hard to tell but snacking you love goldfish or the mama mixes i make with all kinds of good stuff like cranberries, gold fish, teddys, melts, and yogurt rasins.  You love apple sauce sqeezers.  You also love hotdogs (duh!) and eggs (SHOCKING I KNOW!!)
Fav shows: Old Micky Mouse shows, still Backyardigans, and Olivia and Toot and Puddle oh and can't forget BUBBLE GUPPIES
Fav books: The bible story book, Dr. Seuss ABC, anything by Sandra Boynton (not the hipo, going to bed book, pajama time..)
Fav game: hide and seek, Just Dance, "no you don't"

You are a wonderful artist and love to paint and make art.  I have been so busy casing Sadie that I havent had time to sit with you and make some works of art with you like we used to.  I am going to spend time with you doing that because I know its something that we both miss! You love to paint flowers its your absolute most favorite thing... but probably because you have mastered it and know you do it well :)

You love anything new crayola can throw at cha, like window crayons and sidewalk chalk paint.  I love how inventive you are at using anything you can to make something beautiful!  I pray you never loose that ability!

We love you so much Kehnley and I know that there are so many who are blessed just to know you, hear your encouraging words, your teaching spirit, your funny stories and sweet smile, your infectious laugh..its all just the begining of how great you really are.  I hope you will have a wonderful year learning new things, becoming more confident in your abilities to do things on your own, and being fearless to new places-people-skills-adventures. You my darling are one of a kind and my life is far more colorful with you in it!

Mud Pie Kitchen Project!

my new obsession... Mud Pie Kitchens!  Me and K are going to make one in the weeks ahead, I'll keep you posted! I have a seen a TON but this ones looks pretty great! To be honest K is kind of a tiddy mud pie kitchen girl, she would in no way go for the messy versions of this, even though i have explained it's GONNA get messy when you add in mud :)

However I dont think she needs it as clean as this...

To get her REALLY excited I might have to find a Mud Pie cook book!

Me and my besty when i was little would make all kinds of concoctions outside with flowers plants and grasses.  It was our little make believe wold of run aways and camp outs...I thought it would be fun to help K and S one, someting tells me S will get even more messier than K!! :)

Don't be afraid...I'm with you

This week was one of those where no day was as you planned in your mind, you raced and raced around most everyday and crashed in bed after it was all said and done, glad to get a little peace and quiet.  We had just gotten back into town from our second vacation of the summer, and were getting ready in our home and head for a trip to dallas for my Bf's couple shower and see all our besties for the weekend.  Before that could go down we had to unpack, repack, laundry, do dishes, get back on a normal sleep sched, attend swim lessons every night for an hr and a half....not to mention work on invites and shower invites and entertain/feed/care for two baby girls (Bry had inventory and bible study)  This was the week that I REALLY needed to be in the word bc it was stressful and I could feel myself unraveling slowly... and a week I really am glad for God's perfect timing. 

Ever meet someone who knows just the right things to say at just the perfect time?  Wednesday I got an email from baby center about Kehnley, they send me updates on my girls age and milestones what have you....she just had a birthday, so it sent me all about "my four yr old"  It was mainly all about how to calm fears in 4 yr olds.  We have been experiencing a lot of this as she becomes more aware and more attached to us, like meltdowns at the Y when we leave her to workout for an hr, her new experience of swimming lessons brought out a frantic side of her, big crowds, even Sunday School which she usually loves and goes to great had caused a bit of anxiety to rise up in her lately.  So it was giving good advice about not telling the child there is nothing to be afraid of bc their fears are real and acknowledging them and helping them through it with small steps, and accepting them as they are.  (I am not a worrier, Bryson is...so this is a lot of new territory for me, and I am seeing more and more she has his characteristics to worry about things, and over analyze like he does)  My natural instinct it to say "it will be fine, there is nothing to worry about because of these five very rational reasons i will explain to you" lol....

Obviously this advice was great and helpful and I had no idea how useful it would become in the days that followed.  Although, Baby Center knows a lot about babies, I sought the Lord on what to do and how to encourage her, pray for her, teach her..... here is what He gave me--i shared this with Kehnley on Thursday morning....

Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

You would think it would be enough that a child's mama or daddy were with them, but for Kehnley it hasn't been...but these words comforted her.  I hope that it will always be enough that God is with her--shielding and protecting her.  Some might look at what happened next as God's sleepin on the job lack of protection.  But I will let he words of my little 4 yr old set it straight....

I'll set the stage, after dinner Sadie had her bath already before dinner bc she decided to climb into the distilled rain water that gathered in the baby pool on the back porch, Kehnley had been playing with some new birthday gifts she had yet to open before our Florida trip.  Maybe because it was an end to a stressful week, not enough time outside, or too much sugar from the snow cone....all in all, the girls were literally bouncing off the walls!  I decided to take the couch cushion off the middle of one of the couches so that they could just bounce there if need be like a protected trampoline...it wasn't enough thrill!  Soon, Sadie brought me a book to read her and Kehnley continued to bounce, but I noticed out of the corner of my eye was was bouncing on the "trampoline" to the other cushions, and back again.  Then was the sound of things falling on glass and her scream.
I looked over to her in slow motion as it always happens when tragedy is about to strike.  She has blood running down her face from the top of her eye, her eye brow was split in two and the lower side was dented in, blood soon filled her face and i could no longer see the wound.  I picked her up screaming, Sadie starts screaming too in the commotion of all of it, hers was of fear, Kehnley's was fear...and pain.  Bry was working late that night with inventory, FREAKING INVENTORY, and as quickly as i could think to do i grabbed a towel to cover her eye and put some water on it, neither one of the girls would let me put them down, Kehnley wanted to see her eye in the mirror, and was still screaming, Sadie still crying....Kehnley takes a break from the screaming to say "don't send me to the dr. i don't want stitches!" 
**side note, earlier that day (ironic) she and Sadie her playing kind of rough and i said then don't do that because someone could get hurt and have to go to the emergency room after questions of why and how and what i said  and she might have to get stitches and they hurt really bad.. man would I eat those words later!**

It was later and I was trying to calm her down frm the fear of getting stiches.  I called Bry.no answer. I called mom. no answer. i ran acoss the street to the neighbors. no answer. i ran to the next door. no answer.  FINALLY as I am setting the girls down to watch Uni Zoomi and get their minds on things and gather my stuff to go to the ER, Bry calls, and Granny comes to the door.  Sadie stays with Cole, and me and Donna load Kehnley's crying little body into the backseat.  She's in my lap, im trying to calm her with stories and songs and prayers.  We get to the ER sit down (its always weird to me how you can be so wound up, turmoil boiling inside feeling frantic --for me that usually means crazy hair too-- and have to sit down and calmly fill out paperwork like its a routine check up your in for... not like blood all over your shirt and a swollen face and crying child.  So we do that and soon she has a nurse see her and we are headed back to a room, she freaking out about the imminent stitches and the glass doors.  They want to put her on the bed (nice try big-and-tall male nurse with no smile) so I hold her they look at her cut she screams when the press on it (lets be honest I wanted to also!)

They say something blah blah...give medicine...wait and hr...do stitches once its numbed....strap her down....
She wants OFF the bed as soon as they leave the room, mentions she heard them say strap her down and starts to panic, they try to take her pulse with the finger thing, shes like Girl Interrupted crazy right now...not helping her hopes ofr not being strapped down at all.  Time goes by she gets an icy from daddy he gets there soon and we r coloring in a Hello Kitty coloring book he brought.  I'l leave out all the extra details of her showing Granny how to play angry birds and that calming her down, how she kept wanting to look in the mirror at her bow-bow, how weird it was being in the same ER as when Sadie was there just a year ago, the nurses talking to her about the meds and her funny little "im a smart girl" remarks about how it felt like water that we drink and they were going to be done soon right and she was ready to go home....she get her meds and the numbing started to work, here is where she said "they will just come back and check me and we can go, yeah we can leave they will just check it and but a band-aid".  i had to tell her they were giving stitches, then explain i was wrong when i said it would hurt really bad, it would hurt maybe a little but that mommy had never had stitches til I had her and dr. are smarter now and they have meds to numb the pain and she seemed happy that I was wrong :).

My mom videoed the stitching (i dont think I want to watch it) at first it was okay, but then the thin to the bone skin was really painful, lots of "i want to go home, I'm done" mommy please hold me, pick me up, mommy please"  breaks your heart...i hope no parent has to go through that.  When it was all done 7 stitches made her eye look swollen and pinched and a little like the monster high dolls but she just wanted to know ONE thing...will my eye brow come back and my lashes show regular?  lol.  She drank her Ocean Water and took pics and talked a lot and was glad to leave. 

So HOW is God's protection in all of this?  She said it to me in the car.."at least the glass didn't break, at least we are close to the dr. and Granny is close by, at least you were home with me mama, at least it didn't get my eyeball, at least I don't have to go to swim lessons anymore"

Thank you Lord for the lessons this has taught us, she did say "I will never jump on the couch again I promise!"
I thought I would miss the ER as long as I had girls, not boys...looks like I was wrong again! :)

the night of

the day after

looking at it to make sure her "eyebrow comes back"

silly faces...she feels good right now

I'll try to get an upclose later :)

These are a few of our Favorite things...

Playgrounds

Popcycles

getting messy

Playing Restaurant- the chef's special is "Pasta-sagna"

Pedicures

Screaming

Swimming

Playing Horses

Candy favors!

Watching Apes


Fro Yo with friends