Before & After

For those who don't know, five women in our small group were pregnant at the same time:


(L to R) Me, Sudeana, Jessica, Melissa, Tracy & Cindy

What a difference a few months can make!


(L to R; in age order) Ian, Makenzie, Katie, Lucas & Isaac

Memorial Day Weekend 2008

We celebrated today in true American style by cooking out with good friends! There were 15 kids, 5 of which have been born in the past six months. They splashed around in the wading pool and went through 100 water balloons in record time! Thanks, guys, for celebrating with us today!

Not to forget the reason we celebrate...

The older I get the more I'm aware of the sacrifices made so that I can celebrate today and everyday in any way I please. I'm thankful for the sacrifices made by men and women who chose to fight for our country's freedom; I'm also thankful for the sacrifices made by their Mothers, Fathers, Wives, and Children. Dad, thanks for being my hero! Papa Powell, Grandpa Williams, and all the others in our family that served in the Armed Forces: today we honor your memory! Thank you!

Banana Splits...for Breakfast!

I don't have picky eaters so I've never had to be very creative when it comes to making meals. I saw this "recipe" somewhere and decided to try it; the girls love it and gobble it down, so I thought I'd share!



Split a banana
Add two scoops of vanilla yogurt
Slice some strawberries on top
Sprinkle with cereal
(We add real sprinkles too)



Enjoy!

PS--Thanks, Ansley, for the fun ice cream bowls; they make breakfast even more fun!

Today's Sitcom Moment

Do you ever get the feeling that you're stuck in a sitcom? What I mean is, something is happening to you that would truly be funny if you were watching it unfold on TV? This often (almost daily) happens to me; most of the time I actually look around to see if people are indeed watching and laughing!

Today the girls and I stopped at McDonalds for lunch. A bit frazzled looking, I think, (since the guy behind the counter commented that it looked like I had my hands full) I ordered two Happy Meals and a sweet tea and we headed into the play area to eat. Katie was hungry so I began to feed her. At the halfway point Ella Grace announced that she needed to go potty. Out loud I said, "Can you wait?" In my head I'm screaming "Are you kidding me?" "Yes." she said out loud, but the look in her eye screamed back at me, "No!" (I've learned not to mess with that look--once in Wendy's; nevermind, that's another "sitcom moment" for another day). As I pull Katie back to make the trek to the bathroom, she spit up. This isn't unusual, but this time it landed down the front of my pants in such a way that it looked as though I'd wet myself. And off we went: Me, wet pants and all, Katie over my shoulder, Ella Grace and Annabelle poking along behind--what a sight I'm sure we were.

We'd just gotten settled back into eating--Katie and me in the corner--Ella Grace and Annabelle back to their cheeseburgers, when Ella Grace declares that she has to go to the bathroom...again. This time I think I really said, "Are you KIDDING me??" Again, we marched back to the bathroom--past the same tables full of the same people watching the same parade they'd witnessed only moments before. To their questioning looks, I answered: "Yes, I know it's unbelievable, but we're going BACK!" Most of them sympathetically answered that it really wasn't unbelievable with three little girls. This time before we left the bathroom I asked, "Is there anything else anywhere that needs to come out of your body?" Maybe I should make that a standard question from now on?

We did finally make it out of McDonalds with three full little tummies, two new junk toys, and one tired out momma! Oh yeah, and one very empty bladder!

A Few Pictures

The End of the Beginning

"I liked doing the projects!" is Ella Grace's answer if you ask her what her favorite thing about this school year was. Today was the last day of her first year of "formal" education! I'm feeling a bit sentimental about it! I know, I know; she only went for a few hours two days a week, but still...

We've seen Ella Grace grow in ways we couldn't have imagined by being away from us for that few hours each week. She slides down almost any slide without fear. She plays well with other kids--even ones she doesn't really know. She knows how to write her name and almost every letter in the alphabet. She's gained confidence in herself and empathy for her friends. She enjoys learning. She's learned better how to "love her neighbor" and "do unto others". She likes to try new things and has a vivid and entertaining imagination.

We know all of this is, in large part, due to her phenomenal teacher, Mrs. Bagley. Her encouragement, prodding, and genuine love for our little girl was something that we will forever be grateful for! Mrs. Bagley, could you keep teaching long enough for Annabelle and Katie to be in your class, please??!!??

Mondays are Grocery Day

Mondays used to be predictable. They used to be grocery day--every week--we'd load up on Monday mornings and make a trip to the grocery store. Then came Katie! There are several things I can't figure out how to do with three kids, going to the grocery store is one of them.

Don't get me wrong. Over the past several weeks, I've tried! I've been seen pushing one cart while pulling another; carrying the baby in a Baby Bjorn while pushing a cart; pushing the mega-sized carts with seats for the big girls; setting the baby carrier down in the cart and stacking food around it; pushing the cart with Ella Grace and Annabelle wandering aimlessly behind me (touching everything they can reach). I've tried!

And now I'm out of ideas. Mondays are no longer predictable. Funny how the interuption of one little routine can shake my whole world. Funny how one little baby girl has shaken my whole world!

Any suggestions?

Happy Birthday, Annabelle!

Today marks the two year mark for our sweet Annabelle! The past year has brought about a lot of change--she seems to have grown up so much since we added Baby Katie to our family. Annabelle, there is so much we love about you! You are funny, independent, smart, gorgeous...we love most your heart! We see your tenderness with your baby sister and your kindness with your big sister. As it should be, you adore your daddy and love your momma! We are blessed to have you as a part of our family! Thanks for being our middle girl!! We love you!