{disaster relief?}

I need it!!
My house is seriously trashed.
For three days I've looked around and...
I still haven't really figured out where to start!

If I wasn't embarrassed - I'd take a picture!

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday season with the ones you love!

{wordless wednesday: santa}

{wordless wednesday}

First ... I have a few words... yes, Thanksgiving has come and gone and I've meant a hundred times to come and update from my very thankful heart. I feel so incredibly blessed at where I am in my life. I plan to post my thanksgiving post at the end of the year when I reflect on where we've been and where we are...

for now... my little loves... captured by my friend, Dana!

{frustration}

I don't typically do this... I don't vent alot to anyone other than God, my husband, my mom, my sisters, my best friend, and my sister-in-law. Bless their sweet hearts for always listening. But tonight - I'm frustrated, hurt, and a little angry. And since this is my blog- I'm going to vent. I realize that none of it will probably make much sense because I'm not going to "air" the situation...unless you are one of the people listed above because I've already used my lifelines for some support, then you have already heard my thoughts.

I just for the life of me sit here tonight and wonder why some people do what they do??? I really honestly do not get it- at all! Do they just not think? Do they not care? I've put my heart and time into something so many times to turn around and feel like its unappreciated and not valued by others. I don't like that. It stings.

I certainly don't feel like I'm in the wrong in this situation, but, maybe God is trying to teach me a lesson from this regardless of my position in it all? I don't know, yet. Maybe I've just reached a breaking point of feeling like I'm being walked on.

I do know that I need to go to bed, pray, refresh my mind set and work through this at a later time. Nothing good will become of me sharing my thoughts right now in the midst of being angry.

{wordless wednesday:: }

This photo of my girls says something to me. It shows me that life is simple, sweet and fun. It spells happiness. Life is crazy and life is busy... and this photo tells me to smile, relax and simply continue to love my babies!

{i don't know how ya'll do it...}

I want to be a good blogger. I think of a million things to share with whoever happens to read my blog, BUT-- I just don't know where ya'll find the time!

For crying out loud, the last blog I posted resulted in my walls being colored with red sharpie marker by baby sissy as I blogged her birthday post... I don't know if my house can handle much more of that!! Shhhh, right now she is sleeping!!

Paint suggestions?? :)

I'll be back sooner than later, hopefully!

{two years}

Avery Kate,

Two years ago at 2:06 p.m. we were finally face to face with you, our 7lb 1oz baby girl. You were perfect, beautiful, bright eyed and quiet. You still are three of those four things!

Your sister says that you are the silliest girl she knows.
Yes, you really do make us laugh that much.
You two are the best of friends.
You look to her for help often.
You keep us on our toes and we love you for it.
You are non-stop from the time you wake up until the moment I kiss your sweet little face goodnight.
If you are awake and you are quiet, you are up to something...
...you climb, you hide, you disturb your sisters things.
You are our little monkey.
Your talking up a storm these days and I love hearing your sweet little voice.
You love to dress yourself and love to follow your big sister trying to do everything she does.
You still smile more than you cry and talk even if no one is listening.
You keep our house entertained at all times.
You are a little bundle of personality!
You love putting on a show, and you love to make people laugh - Grandma says you get that from your daddy! So when you are the class clown we'll let "Daddy" handle it. You are independent and know what you want - I love those qualities about you.
You may be small but you are feisty. :)
You are a pure cuddle bug.
You love to sing.
And you love to dance.
You don't like dogs, but you love Sally.
You love to take a shower.
You give the tightest and sweetest hugs.
You bring us so much joy and laughter.
I am forever grateful to God that he blessed us with you.

Love, Mama

{...}

Has it really been a month since I last blogged? So busy, always running, husband on night shift... I'll be posting soon!

{wordless wednesday: ring pop}

{new york!}

It's about time I share with you all a little of New York.

We woke up early Thursday morning. Of course, I woke up a little earlier than B because I am the type of girl who can't shower the night before and get up, get dressed, and feel good all day long. I need that hot shower to wake up and get moving. Our flight was an early one! I quickly got dressed in my excitement. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a little nervous about boarding the plane. I'm also a girl who likes to know what to expect. So new experiences usually make me a little antsy. I'd also be lying if I said I didn't almost cry as I went and kissed my girls in the middle of their comfortable sleep. But, we were quickly on our way.

We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to check in and get through security checkpoints. There was a little delay at baggage check in due to some flight changes that had taken place, but after a few minutes that was all figured out as well.

We didn't have a window seat on the flight up. I was a little anxious about that.. I really wanted a window seat.. I needed to see what was going on! When we boarded I was excited to see that the window seat was still vacant. I quickly plopped down in it and prepared to have to beg to stay there. Much to my surprise the guy frequent flier who held the ticket to that seat could have cared less.

Our flight was great. I didn't even panic like I expected myself to. Well maybe once, when we almost had a delay on the runway because of air traffic in Atlanta, which would have meant we would miss our connection to New York. Instead we had 15 minutes to change planes and had to run through the airport to make our next flight. Have to keep things exciting right? Up above the clouds...



Our landing in New York was a little bumpy. I didn't have much to compare it to, but much rougher than the first... so I was excited to just get off and make our way into the city!!

We jumped in a cab and took off.. Just like we had planned. We had no agenda on this trip. Just to get there and go where the city took us and to enjoy every minute of it!

Just a FEW of my thoughts on NY:
*we are already planning our next visit!
*you must be ready to walk - and walk fast!
*visiting ground zero will give you a totally different feeling about 9/11...
*cab rides are more scary than flying
*you won't lack a starbucks - there is one on every corner - and there is a reason they are there... you need the coffee to keep up!
*NY style pizza is delicious!
*it is the place to shop
*the subway is confusing!
*the city never sleeps!
*there really are food vendors lined up and down the streets
*it is noisy- cab horns really do honk 24/7... ok maybe just 22/7.
*don't talk on your cell phone and try to cross the street.. you will almost be hit.
*if you walk past a "statue" on the ferry.. chances are it's a live statue.
*a picture with elmo will cost you $1.
*dancing on the big piano will make you feel like a big kid!
*the city at night is... breathtaking!
*central park is beautiful.. you need a full day just to spend there!
*times square= fun.. even if you just sit and people watch
*Chinatown is just something you have to experience. you come away with great purses, too!


Many of you had asked was there a special occasion for this trip and the answer is no. We've both always wanted to visit New York and we as mommy and daddy were much overdue for an "us" vacation. We've never gone anywhere without the girls and we rarely even leave them anywhere overnight. We had decided that the city would be the perfect destination for our get-a-way.

I can't even begin to post all the photo's I took on this trip so I created a slideshow. (It's fairly long - I'm sorry - I couldn't help myself). And this is only a portion, but it hits the highlights of our trip! May have to post more later!




We are already planning our next trip.

{remembering 9/11}

It's hard to believe its been eight years.

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I remember the day like yesterday. It's all so clear in my mind. I was in my car, sitting at the red light in town right infront of McDonalds. News came across the radio... I couldn't believe what I was hearing. That day forever changed the hearts of ever American.

It was so different to be in New York last week and visiting Ground Zero. Brad and I spent a lot of time there. I can't even begin to describe the feelings being there stirred up in me, the emotions.



We walked down the street and imagined what the people of New York witnessed that day. The shock, the horror, the sadness. I mean what would you do if you were walking down the street on any ordinary morning and a plane flew into the building you were possibly about to walk into? The your husband, wife, family member or friend could be in? If you got a phone call from your husband who was on a plane that was highjacked?



We were able to even talk with some New York residents, they shared stories and information. I still get chills. I heard over and over, this is not the same city it was before 9/11/01. "This changed the attitude of the city, of the people here.."





I feel like their just aren't adequate words to even describe. I'll never forget the most tragic day our nation has ever seen.

{wordless wednesday: er style}

I am somewhat proud to admit that in my almost five years of parenting that last night was our first trip to the emergency room. It was no surprise to me that it was for Avery. She heads up the excitement department around here. We actually laughed that we haven't landed ourselves there with her before and for something like a piece of styrofoam up her nose to be the reason of the visit.

We tried everything to remove it on our own without making our way downtown, but we were unsuccessful. We even tried the local fire department, but they didn't have a tool small enough. Trust me I was a little freaked out as we waited 3 hours in a waiting room full of people wearing yellow masks. At 11:00 we finally were given a room, at 11:20 I finally got Avery to close her eyes and of course at 11:40 the doctor comes in. Once we finally saw a doctor the process went fast. The process was no fun! She cried and I cried! After it was removed I was a little shocked at how large a piece, she never complained once in the hours it was stuck up there! He warned us that if this was the first time she may try some trick like this again... lets hope not!

{we are home! and totally addicted to the city!!}

We had such a wonderful time. I am a little tired..... it is true the city never sleeps!!

More soon!

{leavin' on a jet plane}

Yes, for the first time in my 27 years I'm going to board an airplane. (A little pathetic isn't it?? but true!). B and I leave for NYC early in the morning. I am so excited that I haven't had the time to think about being anxious, but I'm sure that time will come in the morning as I'm moving through security checkpoints!

I also haven't had the time to think about being childless for a little over 3 days. I know my girls will be in wonderful hands, so I'm not nervous about that. BUT, I've only ever left them overnight less than a handful of times. So, yes this trip is overdue and I'm really excited about it. But, you mommy's know how it is... I know I'm going to miss them terribly. I only hope they miss me half as much!! :)

Please pray for our safe travels and that I don't panic when our plan hits the runway. I'm only half kidding!

Talk to you all soon!

{wordless wednesday}

{quiet around here only means one thing........}

The girls were playing in their playroom yesterday. It was so quiet. I decided I'd take advantage of them occupying each other and instead of peeking in and distracting them that I would go ahead and start doing the dishes. After about 10 minutes I heard the patter of their feet running through the living room.

Much to my surprise this is what I saw...



That's right...big sister decided to give sissy a makeover with markers. Most everyone knows that my children, particularly Delaney, often times create a little body art with markers. So was I really surprised? No... But you should have seen their faces. They were oh so proud at what they had done. Of course, I just had to laugh. When my house is quiet there is always something mischievous going on...



Quickly, D decided it was time to try to clean her baby sister up...



It was just another Monday! :)

{babygirl:: K-4}

Monday marked the first day of babygirl's last year of pre-school. I had no anxiety of this "first day" because she's been going there for the past year. I even kept her enrolled all summer to not disrupt the routine she had been accustomed to. Don't worry, it was only three days (half days) and we still had plenty of time to do fun things. She really enjoys it anyway!

So our only adjustment this past week has been that she's a student for five (half) days! Yes, you all that know me well are laughing right now knowing that we no longer have a week day to sleep in... and what an adjustment that has been!!!

My sweet girl obviously had no fears!


She woke up bright eyed. I flipped back the covers to discover that she had colored her legs with blue marker after we put her to bed the night before. I wasn't surprised, and went to scrubbing. After washing one leg I thought.. what are you doing? Go get the camera! :)



We went to get dressed and she quickly informed me she wasn't wearing the outfit on her door, she was wearing this one.....



I pick my battles around here, and she picked a matching outfit. I love her independence anyway.. most of the time! We had a little fun, and babygirl requested this photo before we left... our infamous funny faces!



The morning was somewhat smooth. I had a proud mommy moment when she ran right in and hugged some friends she hadn't seen over the summer. The amount of students has increased at her school this year so it was quite hectic... so I didn't get any inside photos of her first day this year. She was happy to tell me all about her day at pick up time. It's so cute to hear the details she describes. She said that one little boy cried for his mama, and one little girl did too, she said that she was happy Madison was back, and she did the hokey pokey, and that she was upset because she wasn't in the other Delaney's circle at circle time... and quickly asked if we could get a Happy Meal on the way home!

This is what bedtime looked like... one tired little girl!

{wordless wednesday: morning walk}

{I promise.. I'm coming back to update!}

{S & J's first dance}

As some of you know... part of my recent absence involved my sister's wedding. (More to come about that later!) You must check out their first dance! Chances are you've probably already seen in on Facebook, but if not, watch now!!

(and pause my playlist!)

{wordless wednesday: the coolest baby i know}

{nose. eye. ear. pretty curly hair.}

I'm going to jump right back in and try to update and record things from July as it seemed like a great big blur.

So I'll start here with baby sissy and her cute little game. Somewhere back between months 18 and 19 she caught on to our game of teaching her to find and point to her cute little features. What's best about this is her cute little voice saying "nose." So I love that its her favorite and she repeats it over and over. The tricky part is now when I tell her "no no" she looks up at me with her sweetest look and points to her nose and says "nose." She's already charming her way out of trouble.

Enjoy her photo demonstration. :)

{wordless wednesday: its been a wild ride}

and I'm totally cheating... These photos were taken today and its not Wednesday! But, I am back. :) I'm going to do updates and I have no idea where to begin...........