Plans Change

And so last week and this week have proven this.  A big family reunion was in the works on my side of the family last week.  Which included my sister and her crew driving all the way from Canada.  Something that only happens once a year.  Something I look forward to as soon as it ends each year.  My sister and I are tight and thousands of miles of separation has only strengthened our bond and desire to spend every millisecond possible together.

Enter sickness.  Stomach flu.  Trip postponed.  Re-plan for next week.  Next week comes.  Stomach flu still being passed around at my parent's place and now my little family battles severe allergies + colds while I battle sheer exhaustion.  Trip canceled entirely.  Words cannot express the deep dissapointement I feel.

Silver lining?  We made an unexpected trip to see Jason's parents!  And we had a great time with them.  Their home is full of unique items and family heirlooms.  Like this adorable blanket Korban wriggled around on during our stay.  Look at that gorgeous hand stitching!  Jason's Mom's aunt made this before dying of cancer.  That hand stitching suddenly becomes even more precious.
Ivory ate her little snack off this vintage disney tray. Ivory enjoyed lots of Nana snuggles and I enjoyed some special alone time with Nana as well.

Grandaddy took the kids out for lots of fun times in the sunshine.  Korban lights up when his grandaddy is around and talks, coos, and smiles for him.  Ivory enjoyed some morning snuggles with little man. She also spent time teaching him to play on the LeapPad.  She is an excellent little teacher with a very attentive pupil. Micah's bed during our stay.  Love this little tent!  So lightweight and folds up so easily and small. Unfortunately our allergies began acting up during our stay, Micah feeling it the worst.  See those pitiful little eyes?

We started some remodeling work while we were there.  This involved reorganizing furniture, buying + painting paint samples, taking all the pictures down and reorganizing them + creating + spray painting frame collages, lamp makeovers, and other miscellaneous jobs. The finished projects were not photographed.  But, they will be when we return to finish what we started!  Oh, and this spray paint handle is a MUST if you plan to do any amount of spray painting.   I <3 Yellow.

Ivory enjoyed chilling in a little space Nana made for her in Nana + Grandaddy's room.  She loves having her own quiet little place to retreat when she needs alone time.

Micah chilling in Nana's chair.

The boys.
We had a special time with Nana + Grandaddy and we're grateful for all their love and generosity toward us.  Love and miss ya'll!

Car Rides

Let's suffice it to say car rides with my adorable three are not my favorite.  Korban cries.  Thus, Micah cries.  Ivory hysterically giggles and screams to relieve stress.

Korban *finally* falls asleep.  Breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Ivory decides that pulling Korban's pacifier out and pulling on his arm would be a great idea.  Korban wakes up.  Screaming commences once more.

Korban cries.  Thus, Micah cries.  Ivory hysterically giggles and screams to relieve stress. 

And so the cycle continues. 

Care to share my pain?



And that was the short version.  As in 3 hours and 18 minutes (give or take a minute) short. 

TGIF

Just in case you need a reason to smile today.

4 Month Check-Up

Korban -- our smiley little man.  He has rolled over twice from tummy to back.  He loves to talk, coo, smile + laugh.  He lights up when someone gives him attention, particularly his immediate family.  He enjoys snuggling mommy + laughing with daddy.  He still has a sensitive tummy so mommy's slightest deviation causes a grumbly tummy + one fussy little man.  He interacts some with his toys and enjoys being on his tummy more then any other position (besides being held, of course).  Korban + Micah playing peek-a-boo. That smile just melts mommy.  ev-er-y time.   So much fun watching these boys interact.  Love how happy Korban was for his doctor.  He laughed, smiled + cooed for him.

Blossoming Friendship

Last Wednesday we enjoyed a visit from our friend Addie while her parents went on a Valentines date.  Love this picture of the girls all dressed up ready for the ball and holding hands so sweetly.  These are two sweet, spunky girls.   
I'm normally of the opinion that throwing an extra kid or two in for a play date or babysitting every once in a while is not that big of a deal and only a little more work.  Well, on this day I realized that it's possibly even moving into the *easier* range.  As in, they actually play happily together by themselves.  Wow.  They sure grow up fast--and ususally that makes me sad--but this makes me oh so happy.

And they didn't even wreak too much havoc on our little home!  It was fun to see Addie joining in with Ivory's imaginative play as they searched for gold beads, rubies, diamonds, and emeralds and brought them to me by the handful.  We're grateful for our friendship with Addie + her parents.

Memory Verse Reverse

Memory Verse Reverse :: Ivory teaches daddy a "memory verse."

Self-Portraits + Outdoor Play

So, taking pictures of just myself feels awkward.  Posting pictures of just myself feels twice as awkward.  But, I figure since this is to chronicle our life, and I'm in it, there should be a few.  I got a haircut which included a few inches off and some new bangs.  I'm loving this feather thing.  Not all and I'm picky, but I love them.  I love kids.  I love how they break the awkardness by jumping in at just the right time. So of course we had to get some Ivory + Mommy love pictures. Then Micah joined the fun...for one picture. Korban happily chilled in the sun on a blue blanket in all his cuteness.  Of ocurse, he let us know when the fun was over...
Then we all played in the yard and enjoyed the sunshine and gentle breezes.
 
I'm so grateful for Florida sunshine in February.

Shoe Love

Shoes.  I've always loved them.  Ask my family.  I always had the largest shoe selection.  Now I was no big spender with shoes--I can probably count on one hand the shoes that I spent more then $30.  In fact, I've always prided myself on the pair of black mary jane heels that I bought for 69cents.  I love to repurpose shoes.  I love shoes in all different colors, styles and patterns.  Of course, now that I'm home most days all day I rarely have need for a variety of shoes.  But, I'm still a sucker and will succumb to the temptation at times to buy unnecessary "fun" shoes if the price is right.  For Christmas my husband + daughter treated me to a special pair of red heels.  When debating between red heels or silver ruffled ones the deal was sealed with the red pair when my husband referred to them as "all dressed up and ready to go out sexy shoes."

No, they're not super sexy stilletos, though I was extremely (still am) tempted by a pair of black ones, but for this baby toting momma, they're pretty sassy.  And the comfort + stability factor makes them that much better.  I can even comfortably grocery shop in these snappy heels.

I've passed on my affinity for shoes to my daughter.  She loves to wear shoes.  All day long.  Even if we're just at home.  Her current favorite pair?  Her "stepping on toes shoes."  They have a small heel and I suppose they make her feel that much more like a prissy princess.  If only she could put them on + take them off herself.  Oh how we hate to put them on. every day.  several times a day. 
I'm often tempted to hide these shoes.  Especially after she steps on bare toes.  But, I realize that decision would be a selfish one.  She loves them so much.  And being a mom isn't about my comfort after all.  One day I'll wish I could put those little white stepping-on-toes-shoes just one.more.time.

Brotherly Love

Ivory giving some Korban love.  Korban thrives on attention from his siblings. Micah loving a little too much on Korban... Love my crazy, silly, exhausting, precious children.

Bonfire

Another backyard bonfire with our crazy teens. Some old church records needed burning...the teens were happy to oblige.
Unfortunately, the excessive smoke got to me and I ended up with an early bed time--but I'm glad they enjoyed themselves.  Thanks, Joni, for the pics!

Snuggled Up

Micah's crib sleeping days will all to quickly be coming to an end.  Korban's nearly outgrown his basket and will need to move in to the crib and Micah will need to move out of the nursery and into Ivory's room.  Let the fun times begin...again. Until then, I'll enjoy walking in to see this sweet boy smiling in his crib. while sister sleeps in her room, us in ours, and brother in his basket in the hall.
Love my sweet, smiley boy.

My Little Pixie

Ivory hair grows S-L-O-W-L-Y.  So I'm always quite hesitant to cut it.  But it was time.  It was looking a little on the rag-a-muffin side of things.

Thanks to Leap Frog entertainment and a very still girl the hair cut went smoothly...even though momma was a little nervous cutting off so much hair in a style never done before. But, I'm pleased with the finished result, even if it is a little on the short side.  She wears it well. 
Ivory's inital reaction?  Calmly, "I don't like it."  *pause* *smile* "I look like Bobo."  And then it was okay.

Play Date

Last week Addie's Mom invited us over for a play date.  We had such a good time.  And, of course, enjoyed some delish cinnamon rolls.  Melissa getting some baby love.  We're so excited that soon there will be another baby to love in July!

Love these sweet little blondies. I love the wonder and awe of childhood captured in this photo.  The girls snuch into the dark bathroom to enjoy Addie's shiny, spinning, glowing toy.

Thanks for having us over--we had fun!

Missions

Jason is leaidng our youth on a missions trip to Nicaragua.  They're raising money by selling oranges.  $10 for a 12lb. bag of freshly picked oranges.  Buy oranges + give to missions = delish. My sister-in-law is selling beads for missions.  Half of the profits benefit an African orphange she worked in last summer.  The other half goes to a family she's close to who is raising money to adopt two orphans from this orphange.  Beautiful beads + give to missions = look fabulous.
Interested?  E-mail me!