I know, I know

I have not blogged in sooo long. Well, I'm at the point now that I feel like closing it down because I never do it. But, then I'm reminded why I'm doing it...for the grandparents to see things about the kids, for me to "journal" my kids lives right now, and for ME to blow off some steam!!!! HA!

Some highlights:

• I'm tired right now - emotionally and physically....I'm potty training M. Now, it's actually going great, but even a great potty trainer is exhausting!!!!!

• O is a mess. It's fun to watch her become a little person. She loves, loves, loves her brother and sister.

• J is going great. He's been super supportive of M going on the potty! It's been cool to see

• My photo program is driving me crazy on my computer right now. I need to figure it out....one of the lame reasons why I haven't been posting
  

Well, my life right now is filled with a preschooler, toddler, and a baby. I'm just starting a bible study called "Freedom for Mothers" by Denise Glenn. So super good. It's exactly what I need. It's taken from John 15, where Jesus talks about him being the vine and we are the branches. I've come to admit over these last 5 years of motherhood, that I'm not very good at it. Now, I'm not having a pity party. I truly mean that I am not good at being a mom. Meaning, it's hard work and I fail daily. In my life I had been pretty good at most things. How do I say that without seeming arrogant? What I mean is, most things (before motherhood), came easy for me and I took on life pretty easy and laid back. But, motherhood????? Wow! When I had J, life turned upside down for me and it has continued to do that. Having 3 now is a whirl wind. But through it all, it has made me realize that I NEED Jesus. I am not good at this and it's a GOOD thing. I can't do this raising kids thing on my own. Not in any strength of mine for that matter!!! My love bucket needs to be filled with Jesus because I can't TRULY love unconditionally without him.

I share all this while battling through the decision of school for J in the fall. Up until this past year I thought it was a "no brainer" that he would be going to public school, five days a week. But the Lord has brought me through a process over the years of giving MY desires and wants over to him in that area. For those of you who have known me for a long time, I've never thought of myself as a homeschool mom. I can't even believe that I've just typed that word! But as we are raising kids, I am more and more challenged and amazed at what sponges they are! I'm also searching/asking God what my child needs right now. J is a pretty emotionally driven little guy. He has lots of energy and I'm constantly reminded how much he soaks in, listens to, etc. We are praying and seeking to see what this next journey of school will look like. It could change from year to year! I'm visiting schools to see what doors the Lord opens and closes. We'll see! Thanks for listening...whoever you are! :0)

Guess Who?

ME!

My son was looking at me sheepishly yesterday. And he preceeded to say, "you look like a rock star". LOL!

But, then continued to say that he didn't like my hair. Oh, the mind of a 5 year old!

Christmas Letter

Check out this to see our Christmas letter! Make sure you check out the video at the end.

Happy New Year!

So, the Christmas days have come and gone....so sad. I've got a little bit of the after Christmas blues...plus my hubby is gone for the week....now that's a double downer! Here are the highlights of Christmas and some highlights of life right now!

Christmas Eve at my parents is always fun. Yummy food and lots of tradition. We missed my bro and his family this year...all were sick :o(


So, I'm not big on matching the girls, but Christmas dresses are a must!


One of the traditions - an adult gets sucked in to dressing up as Santa. This year...Pop Pop! M doesn't talk much and she studies people. By the end she figured out who it was.

No, its not a real 4-wheeler! - I would be on it if it were!!!! One day folks, one day.

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit! We loved having them here and the kids had a blast seeing them.

Our freezing day at Stone Mountain! But, it was fun!

Other big news.....



No, I'm not pregnant.



O is officially walking! Yesterday, January 3rd was the day that she walked more than she crawled. She is so proud of herself!


And Jake is riding a bike without training wheels. Since he is pretty tall, he now looks like he is riding a mini bike. His legs are pedaling really fast...I guess it's time to get a new one. No picture. Sorry!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Now, who wouldn't want to just eat this little turkey up! Here is O on Thanksgiving. Such a big 1 year old (birthday pictures will be posted after her party next weekend). Enjoy some pictures of our Thanksgiving. It was a nice slow day, watching the parade, sitting in pj's, and then going to Mimi and PopPop's to stuff our FACES! I can't decide if I like T-Day's food or Christmas food better. Some of my Fav T-Day food is sweet potatoe casserole, my mom's stuffing (best in the world and of course has italian sausage in it), and my mom's gravy!!!! Enjoy these pix:

Buddies!

M loves her Aunt!

Love that face!

He's 5!!!

Hard to believe, I know. That boy turned 5 about 3 weeks ago! Well, this was probably my last year of doing "just the family" party. With having 6 cousins that live close by, it's easy to do! But, this year he kept asking: "why aren't my friends from school coming?" We did a Nemo party. It was a bast with using a video projector and making the downstairs of my parents house a movie theater. The kids loved it. Here are some pictures of the birthday boys celebrations!

The movie theater eating popcorn

The cousins


I love school parties

birthday dinner, loves his new baseball glove, random picture of happy "O"

Hope to be blogging more....we'll see :0)