Give me 3 Steps, Give me 3 Steps Mister

My baby doesn't want to be my baby anymore...he's trying to be my toddler.

Low Stress, High Calorie

We had our October Recipe Exchange party on Tuesday night at Amber's house. Oh man, was it fun!

Everyone had such a fun, stress free (read child free) time

 We talked, laughed and ate and ate and ate and ate and ate and ate and ate

 There was so much good, high calorie food. The theme was comfort food and was it ever!

I looked down at my plate after I fixed it and have never seen so many different shades of beige with the only green surfacing under french fried onions and cream of mushroom soup! You should have seen the facebook status updates afterward. They ranged from, "I should have waited to start Weight Watchers" to "I feel like I'm going to throw up" to "I will probably have to run a few extra miles tomorrow!" We had a blast and I can't wait until November :) 

Thankful

My new friend Janna shared this song with me the other day and this video and lyrics were such a blessing to me. Words could never express how much I love my husband and I love him more and more each day. We live in a mean and ugly world - I'm so thankful to be dancing through the minefield of life with him.

A Little Taste of Fall

I was so excited to put my fall decorations up in our new home. Something about holiday decorating just makes your house feel a little more "home-y" I love getting everything out each year and love how festive my house looks from October to January with all of the fun celebrations to come.

I found this candy corn idea in a magazine and I just love it!

I love getting my fall "foilage" out each year

I have a candle lit in my pumpkin to help make my home a haven of peace

And my most prized decoration this year is this pumpkin Jackson made for me at church!

Too Soon?

As I watched Luke crawl back into his exersaucer

I thought to myself

Maybe, just maybe

we put this thing away too soon...

Play Group Shots 9/16

Here are some cute shots from play group a few weeks ago at Ginger's. I have been looking for them and finally found them on a memory card I rarely use. I love these sweet kids - they are all so precious!

Lunch Time!

 Luke Bug - ever teething

 Sweet Shepherd

 Harper found the silly bands and had the best time putting them ALL on!

 I love this picture of Matthew!

 And Jackson and Braxton cooking - how cute is that?

I just love our play group dates! Sweet kids, wonderful Mom's to fellowship with a yummy food - does it get better than that?

Thanks Aunt Pam

 Ben's sweet Aunt Pam sends the boys packages more often than we deserve. She is so good to us! She packed a big box full of books, shirts, cookies, flashlights, treat bags and a stuffed pumpkin!

Aunt Pam always knows exactly what to send - like this Biscuit book. Jackson absolutely loves Biscuit and we had just been to the pumpkin patch the weekend before!

 She also always has the best timing. This week the package came on tuesday, right after Jackson got back from getting a steroid shot. As you can see, he seems just fine going through his goodies. And look at these super cute matching shirts for the boys!

 Jackson loves to read and Aunt Pam sends him the best books! I think I get just as excited to see what books are in the box :)

 Ben was excited to see this cute book about a ghost named "Ben" :)

 Can you tell how much we love ev.er.y.thing.?

Jackson said he'd just send himself to Aunt Pam - I don't think she's ready for that just yet - ha! After opening the box Jackson said, "Oh that Aunt Pam! She's so sweet to bless us!" I agree :)

Thanks Aunt Pam! We love you!

My Golden Birthday

I've been excited about my 28th birthday for as long as I can remember - it is, after all, my golden birthday! I had such a wonderful, blessed day. I woke up toballoons, a card and my almost 3 year old singing me happy birthday, it was so priceless! Later Ben called and had Jackson get a box from under his bed that had a new coffee cup and some candy in it. That man knows what makes my heart beat! :)

We have bible study on Tuesday mornings and I was so thankful to spend my birthday morning with so many of my new friends - they are such a blessing to me! We also had a new member's luncheon where each new member got a "prize" along with a wonderful lunch. I got this beautiful bag filled with lots of goodies to take with me each time I go to Bible Study! Sweet Rachel made an a.mazing dessert that will be on my other blog soon. It was so.stinking.good. When Ben got home for the day he brought chocolate cupcakes with him so I got another sweet treat from him along with a precious picture from my boys and a super cute new dress from Target!

That evening we got a pizza and took it to the park so the boys could play and we could eat in peace. Ben asked if I wanted to go out to dinner for my birthday but I quickly said no - the thought of battling the boys through dinner did not sound fun to me - ha!

We did meet up with our new friends Dennis and Janna for a late dessert and had a wonderful time. They are such a blessing to us and I was thankful to spend a few moments of my birthday with them. Of course, the boys were tired so we had to cut out early but it was such a great day. I feel so very blessed :)

birthday letter

10/1/2010

Dear Jackson,

Words fail me when I try and explain how fast time has gone by the past 3 years. It seems like just yesterday when your dad and I first found God had blessed us with you. This past year I have watched you grow from a toddler into a little boy. You are so smart, so independent, so, well, you  No matter how hard I try, I just can’t keep up with you. Where does energy like that come from and why won’t you share it with me – ha! You’re teaching me to be a better mom and a better Christian. I want to know more of Jesus because of you – thank you for that. Here are a few things about you as a budding 3 year old that we never want to forget.

• You love Jesus and you love your church – I hope this never changes!
• You’ve decided to be a picky eater in the past few months. My child who would eat anything now has a preference.
• You are one of the funniest people I know. Seriously. I’d rather hang out with you than watch tv.
• You are so compassionate. You care about other people and hurt with them if you see they are hurting.
• You name everything you find pickles or tickles.
• You love your daddy so much and wait at the window each day for him to come home.
• You love to “watch a show” – which is why you are limited
• Potty Training you was so easy – you just did it yourself really. Super thanks for that one!
• We love how you say hi to every person you meet – you offer the joy of Christ to each person you pass, never discriminating your greetings to anyone.
• You love your family, all of us and find such joy in just spending time together.
• You love to sing, dance and perform for anyone, all the time. We can’t go anywhere that has music without you busting a move in the middle of the store.
• You have a care free confidence that is contagious and admirable. I hope that never changes
• You love to rock a stinky face when you get mad. You may get a naughty mat for it, but I think it’s kinda cute.

In bible study we have been talking about how God loves to surprise us and how He is able to do way beyond our wildest prayer or imagination – He definitely did that with you. Everything we prayed for, everything we imagined our first born could be, God has surpassed it all… We give Him so much glory, honor and praise for your life little man. We love you.

Mom and Dad