A First?

I think this is the first time I've ever posted something funny that Katie has said! She, like her sisters were, is very verbal. Comes with girls, I guess. Even so, I was surprised at this explanation she came up with:

While eating lunch:

Me: Katie, please stop kicking the table.

thump, thump, thump.

Me: Katie, please stop kicking the table.

Katie: Mom, my leg is just dancing.

Me: Well, your leg can't dance at the table. (Add this to the list of ridiculous things I say throughout the day, that, taken out of context would sound . . . well, ridiculous! )

One Year Ago . . .

. . . today a little boy with big brown eyes entered our home. In ways it's hard to imagine that an entire year has passed; in other ways, it's hard to remember life before -- Moms, you can relate to that, right, it's that way after a new baby enters your home too??!!

. . . I posted this the day after he arrived. It's good to look back and remember the clarity with which God spoke.

Thank You, Lord, for trusting us with this and for showing up for us in tangible ways each and every day.

March = 1/2 a Success & April's Goal

Did you think I'd forgotten? It did sort of slip my mind that I forgot to tell you that we did get the garage cleaned out during the month of March!! We have a new shed in our back yard housing much of what used to be in the garage and providing enough room in the garage to fit two vehicles. Although, we don't park both there. Are 2 car garages really meant to hold 2 cars? It's so squishy when they are both there.

Instead, we're housing my van and a treadmill (thanks B!). Blah! It's making all my excuses to avoid exercise hard to justify. This week I started this, if you're wondering. No promises as to how long I'll last!!

We didn't get the pictures in the living room updated in March.

We decided that warmer temps meant we should finally do something to this yard! We have lived here for almost two years and have yet to landscape! We're working hard and I promise to post some "after" pictures when we're finished! For now, a few "in progress" shots:

Step 1: Dig hole

Step 2: Fill said hole with healthy soil

Step 3: Move some local worms to a new home

Step 4: Plant tree

Step 5: Add water

Our vegetable garden is going in this weekend! Can't wait for fresh tomatoes!

Summer Cuts

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Classic Annabelle

The pollen around here has been unbelievable this week! You can see it in the air, feel it on your skin, sweep it with a broom, and, unfortunately, breathe it every time you're outside. Thus, many snotty noses around town . . . more specifically at my house!


Annabelle: Mom, I don't feel so good.

Me: What's wrong? Can you tell me what hurts?

Annabelle: I feel like it's my mind.

Me: (with a little chuckle) Oh, you have a headache?

Annabelle: (in a frustrated tone) No, Mom! I have a mind-ache!

A Lil' Crafty

Last summer the girls had juice cups that had detachable straps. We used them so often that I knew we needed something similar before the weather got warm! Since we purged all juice cups a few months ago and bought Nalgenes for everyone, I knew I had to come up with something on my own.

Whipped these up a few weeks ago during naptime. I was surprised at how easily they came together and at how excited the girls were about them! They carried them everywhere in Cincinnati, and I'm sure they'll get a lot more use as we're out and about in the next few months!

My favorite benefit of the time it took to put them together? I can attach Katie's to her carseat strap and never hear "Momma, I dropped my cup!" again!

Blowing Kisses

Mmmmmuuuuu...
waaaaaaaaaa!!!

Happy Belated Easter!

Easter is quickly becoming one of my favorite times the year! I love the weather, the time with friends and family, and celebrating the significance of this day in my life.
We did a few egg hunts and, of course, the girls got Easter baskets! This year they each got a sleeping bag, a blanket, pj pants, and a pair of slippers.
My favorite memory was teaching Annabelle and her friends the Easter story in Sunday School. Annabelle interrupted me as I was talking about Christ dying on the cross. "Mom," she said, "He had to let those mean men hurt and kill Him, so He could forgive our sinful choices." So, true, my darling!

It was also sweet to have Ella Grace in the service with us as we celebrated a Risen King! She was thrilled to hear the pastor's "He has risen!" and our response, "He has risen indeed!"

Downtown Cincinnati

. . . in photos:

Catch Up...

It's Spring Break this week!

We're in Cincinnati, OH with Eric's family -- enjoying some down time!

It's naptime in our hotel room, so I thought I'd take a second to post all the things I've been meaning to post over the past few weeks.

Ella Grace and her kindergarten class participated with the entire kindergarten in a program a few weeks ago:

Annabelle's class had an Easter Egg hunt:

Following tradition, we brunched (oh, such good food!) and egg hunted with our favorite peeps -- our community group from church:

We participated in night three of Soccer Club! My favorite picture of the night -- "soccer sisters!" as they call themselves:

On a side note, I'm highly recommending Soccer Club! It's put on by the parks and rec and is a pretty cool program teaching kids the fundamentals of soccer. The "coaches" are high school students and each take a small group of players and work with them on skills like dribbling, passing, trapping, shooting, etc. We've enjoyed it!

Today we spent the day at the Cincinnati Zoo (thus four tired kiddos!)! It was a beautiful day to spend outside. Here are a few of my favorite shots:

Wow! If you hung with me through all of that, you're dedicated!

More pics of the rest of our time in Cinci to come, I'm sure!!

Until then...