The Simple Things

I love the evenings in the winter. It's filled with books, cuddles, and often times, a roaring fireplace.

It's the simple things in life. ♥

Doing Life {with our Life Groups}

April and Jordan left this afternoon after church. It was hard to see them go. I'm so glad that she got a teaching position... I just wish it would have been here in Abilene. When you see someone at least once a week for two plus years, it's a little difficult to switch to only seeing them maybe once every couple of months. Especially when they love on and encourage your kids as much as they love on and encourage you.

We miss you already and will be praying as the "big day" approaches! ♥

After baths and before Life Group, Ben read stories to the kids. I love listening to him read to our children. Reminds me of when we were kids and we would beg Daddy-Man would read to us.

She is most certainly going to be trouble.

We had Life Group tonight at our house, as we do most every Sunday night. Life Group is such an important part of our lives - we truly live life with them. Our Small Group {Life Group} in California held some of our dearest friends. And they walked with us through so much - just thinking about all that they have prayed over us makes miss our time together. The same holds true here in Texas. We've seen couples come and go for various reasons and we walk along with them, whether they are here, other parts of Texas, in California, Oregon and all the other places that God has sent them.

I couldn't imagine not having such a group of people to love on, to be loved by and to encourage one another.

Tonight was our first session back since taking a break for Christmas. Instead of diving right into a Bible study, we took tonight to reconnect, fellowship, and craft.

The guys etched mugs so that we can have a Life Group Dinner Out to Cypress Street soon.

The ladies, since our babysitter cancelled, still worked on some Valentine's Day wreaths, but also kept an eye on the munchkins. Two of whom, were pirates.

And who also made me want another baby...

{Nixon, wrapped up in Ellie's miracle blanket}

Time with Friends

I broke out my camera once today.

Mostly because I was too busy spending some time with our long-lost, now out-of-town friends, Jordan and April. They arrived in town late last night and we're so glad they are here... and so are the Little Ones. ♥

A Good Mail Day

I love my Mom.

I'm lucky to have her.

She's taught me lots of things. Like how to be a good Mom. And how to crochet. And, every so often, she surprises me with something fun in the mail... like cute little matching head wraps for Ellie and I:

We love them Mom {and you!}! Well done and thank you! ♥

Also in the mail today... Becky Higgins' new Project Life extras. I simply cannot wait to get started telling our story with them! {Thanks Aunt BB!}

Glimpses of Today {from my phone}

Haircut for Noah at KoolKuts for Kids... he chose to sit in the firetruck and to watch Thomas, of course!

Pretending to be Elmo... in between running to look at himself in the mirror.



Bathtime for the messy baby... after eating her weight in spaghetti.

MarioKart with Daddy before bedtime... at Noah's sweet request: "Daddy play MarioKart wid Noah, peas?"

***

And, while I uploaded the photos from today, I uploaded the rest of them as well....

Standing in line at Walmart on Black Friday...

... waiting to see the doctor at the Walk-in Clinic on Black Friday.

And, just for fun, a little drumming on the letter basket in the tub.

Afternoon Snack Time

Afternoon snack time is a big deal around here... and is usually eaten in the kitchen.

Except when we have popcorn.

Popcorn demands to be eaten in the living room while enjoying the latest episode of Thomas on the DVR.

I know, Sissy, his bedhead is out of control.

And it does seem like he has more than you.

Probably just because you're eating faster and not singing along with the songs like he is.

In other news, we've {almost} totally switched to cloth diapers. {The only time she wears a disposable is overnight and at church.} I'm finding myself daily regretting having not done it with Noah - partially because they are so darn cute but mostly because of the effect that it is already having on our budget. No more Pull-ups for Noah {naps and bedtimes for him are now in cloth diapers, especially since he's mostly dry} and a drastic cut in disposables for Ellie. Not to mention, I'm totally in love with the bumGenius 4.0 prints that we got at Green Bambino in OKC...

♥

Three Year Well Child {and a CreamSlush}

Noah had his 3 Year Old Well Child Check-up today.

At 2pm.

Which, anyone who has spent any amount of time with us knows is smack. dab. in. the. middle. of. naptime. Talk about annoying.

Noah weighed in at 27.78lbs {9%}, 35.8" tall {7%}, with a head circumference of 20.87"... making him a skinny, short little guy with a big noggin. It's no wonder that he can still fit in most of the same clothes from last winter. At this rate, Ellie will catch up with him sooner rather than later.

Luckily {for me, at least}, Ben was able to come to his appointment and help wrangle kids. Ellie all but fell asleep in his arms while we waited.

Noah wasn't quite as patient. Or as lucky.

He didn't have to get any shots today, which was lucky for him. But we've been needing to get blood drawn to see if he is, in fact, allergic to cinnamon. Today was that day.

Not so lucky for Noah.

Or Mommy, who got to hold him while they stuck him. Twice. After they rooted around for what seemed like an eternity searching for his "rolled" vein, I told them to take it out and that they only had one more chance. I also promised Noah ice cream if he could be brave one more time. In between sobs and screams, he kinda said he could. As soon as the second {and, thankfully successful} try was finished, in between sniffles he told me, "Let's go Mommy. Let's go get pink ice cream."


Pink ice cream changed to blue ice cream once we got in the car. So, a Blue Coconut CreamSlush it was for the brave little boy.



Which was decorated with stickers from the lab tech during the drive home.

Buddy, you are so brave.

2010 {In Review}

2009 {In Review}

2008 {In Review}

Like the previous years' review posts, the sentence is the opening line from a favorite post and you can click on the month to read the entire post. Enjoy looking back, I did!

January: My baby is growing up.

February: Happy Birthday, Dear One!

March: Today at lunch, my friend April asked me if I painted a room every time Ben goes out of town.

April: A Week in the Life

May: I turn 30 this year.

June: We skipped church this morning.

July: Just because I'm a sucker for a messy baby photo. {And another: Happy Fourth of July!}

August: Overheard today: "Come 'on Ellie!"

September: Happy Birfday Ell-wee!

October: We were super busy today.

November: There are so many photos from today, that I'm just going to do a simple photos + words post today!

December: Happy Third Birthday Dearest Noah!

♥

Time-Out.

A certain Little One was pestering her Big Brother to no end today.

Even after I told her no less than four times to leave him alone.

I know she understood, because at one point, I looked over and saw her trying to touch his eyes and as soon as she saw me {and Noah started whining}, she jerked her hand away.

After the fourth {or fifth?} time, I picked her up, told her "No-no Ellie. You don't hit your brother. You must use kind hands." and sat her in the hallway.

I couldn't help but giggle at the face that greeted me as I walked back 10 seconds later with the camera.

I know, Sissy. But maybe Mommy and Brother need a time-out too?

See You Soon.

I know I've said it a million and one times already, but I hate leaving.

We went to church this morning and Noah was more than excited to "go play with the kids". It wasn't difficult dropping him off but it was difficult picking him up. He didn't want to leave. It was pretty weird though, being the one dropping off a child to a room that I worked in for so many Sundays.

After church and lunch, we came back home to get ready to head for home. While Ben and I were packing up, Noah was entertained by entertaining Aunt BB and aunt Jessie while Ellie ate her lunch with Nana {since she fell asleep while at Chili's}.

I just love them so.

Dearest Family, thank you. For letting me wash diapers, for spoiling the kids {and us}, for giving up your rooms, for running all over town, for being understanding, for caring for the kiddos and for loving us back. Can't wait to see you again. ♥

Story.

Last year, my One Little Word was Simplify.

In 2009, it was Cultivate.

This year:

I kinda stole it from Ali Edwards {it was her word last year}. But it fits where I'm at and where I want to be this year. I'm behind in my scrapbooks/photobooks and I want to be caught up... while the stories are still fresh in my mind. Because not only do I want to be caught up in the moment, but I want to remember those moments for years to come. And I want to remember the important ones. The meaningful ones. The ones that will make all of us laugh, cry, or smirk as we remember them.

As a result, already ordered and on my reading list for this year: Writing Motherhood. Along with a subscription to Seeing the Everyday. And I'm drooling over this necklace {Mother's Day, Ben?}.

And, just in case you are curious... Ben's One Little Word for this year: Invest.

I couldn't think of a more fitting word.

Hello 2011 {New Year's Day}

Hello 2011.

Many memories were made today, ones I'll carry throughout 2011 and beyond.

The first one, I wasn't even awake to witness in person.

I love getting to sleep in a little and waking up to find photos like this on my camera.

I also love looking into my parent's bedroom after breakfast to see three of my favorite guys enjoying Curious George together.

Bed-head, PJs, coffee, New Year's noise horns and all.


After the kids woke up from naps and Dad and Ben returned from Target, we headed over to visit Aunt Marsha and Uncle Mike. Noah was more than excited to get to open some presents.


Ellie was too.

And Aunt Marsha was happy to get to hold her little niece and nephew.

We headed back to Mom and Daddy-Man's so Marsha and Mike could head to church and so we could get the kid's their dinner.

I couldn't help but giggle when I looked into Mom and Daddy-Man's bedroom again to see the guys watching football.

Ellie passed out lots of snuggles before her bedtime.

And before bedtime, Noah had Bryan building him Tidmouth Sheds {again}.

But my favorite of the day is one that I didn't get a photo of...

Noah snuggling with Papa, after his bedtime, while Papa was watching OU play in the Fiesta Bowl. And then Noah begging me, when I told him it was time for him to lay down in his bed and go to sleep, "Mommy, no turn off game. No turn off foofball with Papa."

2011, I ♥ you already.