I feel like I spent so much of the last few years in *survival* mode--always pregnant or breastfeeding or toting an infant or 2 young children or more....you get the picture.

I feel like I'm just starting to come out of it--my house is usually clean, I'm usually showered, I'm actually exercising (ran 2 miles today thankyouverymuch!) and I almost never feel crazy. =) HA!

So....I've decided to structure our days a little more--we've always had a regular schedule but it's time to mix it up! Maeve has started working on preschool-y things! I wasn't sure at first--but she's so eager to learn and it's very fun to work with her! 

Today we started a number book--counting, gluing shapes, and learning to write her numbers. We also worked on spelling her name and some cutting! It was a little scary at first but she quickly developed more confidence with the scissors and with writing--I have underestimated the little blond one! =)

Here she is:

 Ezra worked on emptying & filling a box of crayons/markers (which is why he is shirtless in the picture below =). And then they moved onto color sorting with Connect 4!

I couldn't believe how quickly Ezra picked up on just getting the yellow checker-things (technical term =) and sorting them into his box before placing them in the game!

And then we took a nice long walk in the stroller and they serenade me with *Firework*....I have GOT to teach those kids a new song!!! 

Also, I pinned about 12,000 things on Pintrest because I can't stop myself. Love, love, LOVE!!! 

Check it out!

Happy Thursday!

In three weeks she will be 4.

How can this be?!

I asked her, "Maeve, won't you be my baby girl forever?"

And she replied, "No I'd rather be a big girl who does fun stuff every day but I will always love you."

I can't imagine life without my Maeve!

She is so delightful!

The years I waited for her were painful and full of loss--but the Lord certainly knew what He was doing when He placed her in our lives.

It's so amazing to think about the children He's given us--all for a reason, all part of His plan, unique in purpose, personality and in the joy they add to our family.

So. Thankful.

Window(s) Shopping: Christmas !!! Dresses

Today my Maeve had a grand-girl day so Ezra and I were on our own! While Maeve was busy playing with Granny and shopping for a new book--Ezra got to go on errands! Ha! 
What he doesn't know won't hurt him! =)

He was up SUPER early again today and was SUPER grumpy so he went down for a SUPER early nap.

SU.PER. 

Oh well--even if he's cranky he's still handsome! 

In other news, there is no other news. It's raining and I got a huge stack of books out from the library (I went for one and came out with ten--how does that happen?!) so my plan is to sit and read them until it stops raining. 

I saw online that fall-y weather is coming and I can't wait! We're going pumpkin picking this weekend! =)

Happy Wednesday!

today i spent a lot of time being thankful

for my friends, family & church

today i spent a lot of time praying
for my friends, family & church


a passage that came to mind:

Psalm 103

 ¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul;

         And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
 ² Bless the LORD, O my soul,
         And forget not all His benefits:
 ³ Who forgives all your iniquities,
         Who heals all your diseases,
 ⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction,
         Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
 ⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 
         
 ⁶ The LORD executes righteousness
         And justice for all who are oppressed.
 ⁷ He made known His ways to Moses,
         His acts to the children of Israel.
 ⁸ The LORD is merciful and gracious,
         Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
 ⁹ He will not always strive with us,
         Nor will He keep His anger forever.
 ¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
         Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 
         
 ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth,
         So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
 ¹² As far as the east is from the west,
         So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
 ¹³ As a father pities his children,
         So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
 ¹⁴ For He knows our frame;
         He remembers that we are dust. 
         
 ¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass;
         As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
 ¹⁶ For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
         And its place remembers it no more.^[a]
 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
         On those who fear Him, 
         And His righteousness to children’s children,
 ¹⁸ To such as keep His covenant,
         And to those who remember His commandments to do them. 
         
 ¹⁹ The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
         And His kingdom rules over all. 
         
 ²⁰ Bless the LORD, you His angels,
         Who excel in strength, who do His word, 
         Heeding the voice of His word.
 ²¹ Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
         You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
 ²² Bless the LORD, all His works,
         In all places of His dominion. 
         
         Bless the LORD, O my soul!

We were planning on heading to the shore today as a family for one last day of rides & games but the threat of rain kept us from going (and the worry that if it did rain the rides would close and we'd have very sad children, very far from home =). 

So, Granny and Pop treated us and the cousins to the next best thing--Chuck E Cheese!

The kids had a blast--and I went across the street to shop at Old Navy--which was fun for me! =)

Ezra loved playing driving games with Daddy!

(Matching *Awesome* shirt with Daddy!)

Granny, Pop, Aunt Micayla and the littles.

A serious pose from Ryleigh-girl!

My beautiful nephew!

Two handed skee-ball!

Amelie concentrating!

Thanks for a great day Granny and Pop!

Maeve had a little friend over today and she was so happy!

They were so happy and giggly all day--they played together perfectly and were so sweet!

Some pictures of the little princesses:

Seriously, aren't they the cutest!?

And the little prince who just had to dress up to fit in! =)

Tuesday Pictures

It was a dreary day-it rained lightly on and off all day and we laid low. I decided to tackle the toys in the playroom because we have a house-full of fall/winter birthdays and I wanted to weed out before we bring in new toys. =) 

It was a HUGE job but I got rid of 2 garbage bags full (1 to donate, 1 to trash) and everything is neatly organized--for a few minutes anyways!

The kiddos were very good while I worked--they both played house--

Maeve played girl style--with princesses:

Ezra played boy style--with trains:

Maevey has been playing in her room during naptime instead of sleeping--which is fine because she's my low-maintenance child. =) Sometimes, she really is tired though! Today she was watching and playing with Gumby and fell asleep on the couch. So cute!

Ezra took a normal nap and was only marginally grumpy today--yay!

That's it! Off to list a few odds and ends on ebay and pack some stuff up to ship! Happy Tuesday!

It was a long and weird and wonderful and hard and fun day.
Ezra has been off.
off schedule
off sleep patterns
off temper
off off off
ick.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's two year old molars coming through and not a case of the super early tiresome twos (I'd say terrible but everybody knows 2s are annoying-ish but 3s are the real horror story).
He was up at 5.
Gah.
And woke up the girls.
Double Gah.
And was pretty grumpy so I tried for a morning nap and it didn't take.
So we went on a long walk to the park and played and then to the lake to feed the fishes and the ducks--and that went well. Then a bit of fun playing/interspersed with screaming until THE WORLD's SHOREST NAP for Ezra and a non-existent nap for Maeve.
Yes. These details are mundane but WOW. 
They felt important and MAJOR today.
So now...it's bedtime and everyone is pretty melty. =) Hopefully tomorrow brings a later wake-up call and a happier Ezra-boy! Honestly though, even on a difficult day there isn't anywhere I'd rather be than with my babies. I'm so thankful for our days together--it's really pretty wonderful, even when it's kind of terrible. =)

Before Church; Literally.

Today we had the most cool, clear, crisp and lovely fall weather! 

Which, apparently for me, meant 

THE WORLD'S WORST ALLERGY ATTACK.

Soooo....I took a Zyrtec and a long nap. =)

The girls had a fun grand-girl day with their grandparents and when they came back we put on warm, fuzzy, pj's and had a living-room picnic. 

Warm Fuzzy Kiddos:

And that's all I have energy for. =) Goodnight!

Rainy Day Pictures

It was kind of a dreary day--we were going to go to the park--but were scared off by the clouds

and then the SUN came out

and then it went away

and then it rained

rinse. repeat.  =)

So we built trains:

Ezra's favorite! =)

Watched Tangled and had a Chick Fil A picnic. 

Had a in-our-pjs-Dance Party!

And now--we're ready for bed! Or at least, Mama is! =)

Last night I treated myself to a movie (at home =)--the new Jane Eyre.

I *loved* it!! It is such a romantic story and thoroughly enjoyable. My only complaint is that the actors in this didn't have nearly the chemistry (or the acting ability?) as in the previous version I watched (out in 2006, Masterpiece Theater).  Definitely a must see for any lover of literature, period pieces and romance. 

And to give you an idea of the range of my movie preferences, tonight I plan on watching Thor. HA! =)

Did you watch Up All Night (new comedy with Christina Applegate, Maya Rudolph and Will Arnett)? I was a little disappointed by the first episode but hopefully it improves with time. Also, there have been three tv shows in the last few years by the same exact name. I wonder how they get away with that? =)

Well, that's it for now--hoping for a peaceful day and drama-free children. Happy Thursday!

TuesdayWords

*i finally figured out how to pin things on pintrest! YAY! can you say, *new addiction?* =)

*the cute little/affordable/orange ipod shuffle i ordered is here! i WILL be able to run again!

*my least favorite four letter word (and you would understand if your husband was a teacher at my husband's school) C*A*M*P

*the leaves on the tree out front are starting to look crunchy and fall-ish

*1 Samuel 16:7b

"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

*yes, this is underlined, bolded and italicized for a reason. 

Legalism is hogwash. 

It makes me ill. 

*we had a lovely playdate with friends today and excellent naps--these days are so sweet--i wish they would last forever!

Goodnight!

It's strange adjusting again to having 2 littles around instead of 3! Amelie acted as our activities director so I find myself adrift a little bit. Today I decided to start finding *projects* we can work on and it was a huge success!

We used beads!

Maeve started out popping them together and making necklaces but had just as much fun sorting and mixing them on a large sheet pan!

Ezra LOVED taking his large bead blocks and placing them in a new container and back and forth and back and forth. This kept him happy and busy for over an hour! So fun!

Isn't it funny that sometimes the simplest ideas have the biggest pay off? =)

Why do the weekends fly by so quickly!?

We had a lovely one, at least! =)

I felt so refreshed after church today--it was a great message and some wonderful hymns/praise choruses that really lifted my spirits.

I'm so thankful for our church!

Today was promotion Sunday and Amelie moved up to the next grade level/Sunday School Class! She was so excited--she's such a big girl!

Some pictures of the kiddos before church 

(Ezra wasn't into it! =)

In other news, usually I take Sundays off from exercise but it was so lovely and cool this afternoon I went out and 1 mile into my 2 mile run my ipod died. 

Again. 

It's been dying and coming back to life for two weeks now and it always quits right when I'm desperate for music to lift my spirits and my feet! Ha!

R.I.P. 2008-2011

I'm no running purist--I can not go further than a mile without my boyfriend Adam Levine and gal pal Adele along. 

It simply can't be done.

Le sigh 

and

C'est Le Vie!  

Happy Sunday night!

My husband and I went to a wedding today-

-the bride and groom were so lovely and young and excited-

-I couldn't help but think back to my wedding and the fact that wedding vows are wasted on the young. 

All the things you pledge and promise sound so romantic but don't really mean a thing until you go through 

the sickness 

and the health 

and the good times 

and the bad times 

and the really bad times 

and the great times. 

I said all of those things but I can remember thinking the entire time, 

"I can't wait until we are just married and away from it all."

And here we are--10 years later, and I finally understand why people would renew their vows--because after a while--you really understand them and you totally mean it.

I'm so thankful for my husband and for God's provision of marriage and that HE put us together.

It's pretty much my favorite thing that's ever happened to me. =)

Mark 10

6“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’^a 7‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,^b 8and the two will become one flesh.’^c So they are no longer two, but one. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

disCOURAGEd

 We had a lovely day with friends (and my favorite kind of peaceful rainy day naptime) but I have a lot on my mind.

Doesn't it seem like upsetting situations always pop up in 2s or 3s or 4s?

All of them beyond my control, all of them discouraging in different ways but none of them beyond the encouragement of Scripture.

The verses I'm thinking about right now:

Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 26:3-4

 3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

 

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And in unrelated items--pictures of two of my darlings because they always make me smile!