Happy Birthday Avery!

To my beautiful little girl,

You taught me to be a mommy. You showed me that it's worth it to slow down. I see the world through your eyes and it is exciting again. You have made me laugh until my sides hurt. When you are hurting, my heart literally is in pain. I am much more patient and even a little bit more fun. I take more in stride. I have learned to let things go. You are proof of God's grace. I can't wait until you wake up in the morning to see you. I miss you when you are taking a nap. Those big blue eyes can melt me. You smile from your heart. You call me your best friend and I tear up. When you came- I understood true contentment. You are a little miracle. You came when I needed you the most. You are proof of God's plan and timing. Some day when you have a baby you will finally understand how much I love you. I want you to pursue any dream you want. I will do whatever you need me to do to make that happen. I think about your first day of kindergarten, your senior prom, the day I am going to take you to college. What an exciting 15 years we are about to have together. No matter what path you choose, no matter where life takes you, I love you.

Update

I have just about loaded everything back onto my blog. This is what I get for wanting a cute background! I'll stick with the pink I guess! There's only a few more things I am loading back on, but that will have to wait for another day.

HELP!

While adding something to my blog I LOST EVERYTHING! So please leave a comment here if you are a fellow blogger so that I can redo my favorite blogger list! So much for a relaxing afternoon!

On Edge...

I feel the need to get real. Shane's been working a lot lately. More than normal because of some really big projects going in. It's an awesome opportunity for him and I am proud of how successful things are going. The bummer is that it always takes its toll. Reece went 2 or 3 days without even seeing him. And Avery is old enough now that she acts out and whines wanting her Daddy. It really is taking a toll on her this time.
Every time I know his schedule is going to be like this I think to myself, "Ok, not this time. I am not going to get short with the kids, be grumpy or take it out on Shane." Guess what? Yup! I did all of the above and more! I was doing okay for awhile. And then this third week of it and I just was on the edge of a total drama queen meltdown. (I was also getting my "friend" this week which is never a good comination. Sorry to my father-in-law who reads this!) One night Shane even slept in the basement because things were so bad! I don't think in 5 years we've ever done that. It just got to be too much. I hate that I end up taking it out on him (and he's not totally innocent in this either), but here I am pushing away the very person I am desperately trying to spend time with more. AHHHH! I hate my sin nature!
God is so good in all of this though. This morning after weeks of being 24/7 with the kids and just feeling run down, I got to sleep until 8:30! Unheard of in mommyland! Shane got up with both of them, got them breakfast, and most importantly just got to BE with them. I could tell a huge difference in Avery's attitude already and Reece had no interest in me with Daddy around. (About 10 mos. old the boy decides he's all about Shane and me THE MOMMY isn't numero uno anymore!) Anyway, I feel so refreshed today. My kids are happy, my husband is outside building stuff, and I am just taking some nice deep breaths. Why couldn't my tantrum have waited just a few days more. The silver lining was coming. I KNEW it was coming, but I gave into the loneliness and stress of not having Shane around. God is so faithful during these times. He's probably wondering, "Every single time she loses it. I keep showing her I am here, I am taking care of all of them, and the long days will end...she gives in each time. But I love that girl so much so I am going to try to teach it to her again. I am not giving up on her. I am going to make her stronger and more dependent on me."

Ok Lord! Maybe next time I can last three weeks instead of just 2! I know you are teaching me patience, love, and sacrifice. I am so grateful for my life. You bless me more than I deserve! I love my beautiful babies, and I am crazy in love with my honey. Thank you for all three of them!

I spent a lot of time praying, reading the bible, and focusing on my love for Shane. That helped a lot. I watched our wedding video. I looked through all of our photos, read our vows, wrote a list about why I love him. Next time I hope to do this BEFORE I get ugly. Then maybe I will remember my vows to him, " I will make our home your safehaven." and actually act like I said I would that day almost 5 years ago. The title of my blog is "My cup runneth over" from Psalm 23. I had to really sit and think about this. My CUP is running over. God is doing amazing things all around me. I hate that I get caught up in myself and lose sight of this.

Bittersweet, Goodbye to my favorite LYS!

SO LONG- GOOD-BYE- AUF WIEDERSEN!

So for the past 8 yrs. my mom's friend Holly has owned a yarn shop. She has been crucial to the girls in my family. She has taught us new techniques, encouraged us, and quite frankly-- I'm a yarn snob because of her. You see, I can't stand any yarn that isn't pure wool, cashmere, or alpaca. My fingers cringe and bemoan the possibility of using acryllic or any other yucky man made concoction.
Alas, a tragedy! She is closing! Well, once she called my mom and sister (who live close to the shop) they rushed up there to buy out the good stuff. Here's what I got. I can't even say how much of a discount she gave me. I would NEVER go and buy this amount of yarn. They cost anywhere from $7-15 PER SKEIN! So, after finding out about our tax refund, I had to get a lifetime supply of scrumptious yarn that I wouldn't get otherwise. So a huge part of me is devastated that the shop won't be there every time I go to Ohio, but at least I have this stash to ease the pain a little bit!

More Easter Memories....so sweet!

My Easter salt and pepper shakers.
Avery having so much fun and being such a sweetie!
Leftover flowers from Bunko. Still looking pretty for the festivities.
Upset and not understanding that he can't do everything like Avery.
The very sad finished product. Cranky kids and high expectations. Not the best combination.

Easter Activities

The Easter Bunny

2008

Today I wrangled my babysitter, Sam, into going to the mall with me to get kids Easter pictures. They did really well. Avery insisted on wearing the shirt under her dress, a new fashion statement? Asserting her independence I guess. She was so excited to get to meet the Bunny, but when picture time came, NO SMILE! However, Reece thought there was a party going on and he was the main attraction! Can't wait for the festitivities tomorrow!

Thursday Thirteen

13 Reasons Why I need it to be WARMER WEATHER!




I am somewhat horrified by this picture. Keep in mind that Reece is 10 wks old and I was nursing at the time. (I'm a little self-conscious about the girls)



1. I am sick and tired of being sick. We just caught another cold- thanks to other moms who can't keep their snot nose kids at home!



2. Reece can be outside and play in the mud like he keeps trying to do.



3. Avery can go to her "castle" (the playground) and release some energy.



4. I can sit on my deck in my comfy furniture and blog.



5. I can get a little color in my pasty white skin.



6. I can knit something besides a chunky wool sweater.



7. We can go on walks on the nature trail in our neighborhood.



8. I can pack away these winter clothes. I am over sweaters for a few months.



9. I can walk around barefoot because I hate wearing socks. But I have freakishly cold feet and have to when it's less than 80 degress outside.



10. I won't be cranky.



11. I can have my kids' birthday party outside where they always want to be in the first place.



12. Shane doesn't have to grill in the snow.



13. I can get myself to a beach and burn out any leftover chills and germs from winter.
Can I get an AMEN!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Big Milestones...

I cut his hair and this time it turned out quite cute. There have been a few touch-ups though!
He has the most adorable smile. His face just lights up my heart.
Yes, my little man is taking steps!
I saw this picture and choked up. She is such a little girl. Time has flown by. I am getting nostalgic with her third birthday coming soon.
She is potty trained!!!!!!!!!!! This was my feeble attempt at keeping her focused and away from Reece. After she went in it once, I was so grossed out that we went to the "big girl potty."

Time to Grow

The Desert, Avery 13 mos.
The promiseland, Reece 11 mos.

The last couple of years have been a desert for me. They have been really really happy years in terms of becoming a mother and falling more in love with my husband. But I haven't felt like I was living life to the fullest for Christ. I compare it to the desert (which is also a literal comparison after living in NV). I felt like I was isolated in the middle of nowhere floundering around, wondering what the purpose of this time in my life was. I had quit teaching and lost a little bit of myself in the process. I'm a pretty social person and I like to have things planned in my week. Living 35 miles from anything in a brown wasteland far from the beach and family was torture. But just as the Israelites needed the desert to learn to trust and follow God, I did too. I whined almost as much as they did about not being where I wanted to be, but God knew all along it wouldn't last forever. So my desert was geographical and spiritual. We had to travel really far to get to a church that shared our beliefs and it was very difficult to be involved in any way. Since that is one of my main ways of meeting friends, then came the isolation. I had a lot of "why me" and "when is this going to end" moments. But in Jan. of 07, I finally gave in and told God, "OKAY, I"LL STOP WHINING AND DO IT YOUR WAY, TEACH ME PATIENCE." I figured the Lord just wanted me to give up what I needed most. If I just let it go that I didn't want to be there anymore and accept that it was his plan, his direction, his best for my life- then I needed to trust it. Guess what? A week later Shane called me and said we were moving to Virginia. HELLO! Two long years in the desert of isolation and loneliness and suddenly I am going to the promiseland. God's pretty amazing how he times things. Sometimes he is really subtle and other times he takes a frying pan and knocks you over the head with it. That was definitely a frying pan moment.

So why am I bringing this up now after living in for Virginia exactly a year? Because life is totally opposite for me. I am involved in ministries, I am on steering for MOPS, I have friends, we are close to an amazing church, I'm on the praise team, I might play the piano for it, my house is just right for our needs and my husband actually likes his job. I know that the time in NV had a purpose, I grew and stretched, I questioned, I trusted. But I am so much happier here in VA. I almost feel guilty for having a life that I am really happy with. God is so amazing! My words are a jumbled mess and the English major in me is cringing, but it's just how I am feeling. I am so thankful that God has brought my little family out of the desert. I understand there may be more deserts, but life is really good. I want to impact my little world for Christ and I am so excited that I can get involved in things that I love to fulfill his purpose for me. I want God to receive all the glory. I wouldn't be anything without him and I am just really happy right now. I just wanted to publicly thank God for moving in my life, for changing me, molding me, and growing me to become more like him. After whining in the desert, I'm ready to thank him for the promiseland.

Very Sweet

A newborn's conversation with God
A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel wi ll teach you how to speak.'
'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.''Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.''But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.

Some cute moments

Avery had a lot of fun
pulling Reece around.
Not sure if he enjoyed
it though!


Lucy and Sadie are always cuddling. It still cracks me up 4 years later.

Reece loves being on the move, except that his feet don't touch the ground on this one yet.


Avery fell asleep when she had the flu. Notice she is NOT on the towel. How do they always miss it? It's hard to tell, but her eyes are a little bit open. Both of my kids sleep with their eyes like this. A little creepy.