Mommy to a 3 year old...

Ok so 3 is definately not my favorite age. I think Ryan and I have decided to skip Melody's 3rd birthday. Maybe that will help.

We are doing well- but always busy. Let's see since the holidays- my neice Amelia Mae was born- December 24th. She is precious and perfect. We have visited Fl several times, planned 2 mini vacations, one to San Antonio in May and another in September to Disneyworld. I have planned both girls birthday parties- I know they are several months away but I always enjoy planning a party. We played in 12 inches of snow in our backyard this past weekend. Now that was a blast. We had lots of fun and my parents were even here to enjoy it with us.
I have started another Bible study- Covenant by Kay Arthur- not my favorite but the ladies are great. Also last night we began our Sunday night Bible Study- a marriage study on Staying Close. WE played the Not so Newlywed Game last night and I think all the couples had a few laughs----and a few arguements too:) Anyway it was all in good fun.

That's about all for now:)

Rambaling....

Dad has since been back to the hospital for a stomach infection- which has been no fun. He is home now and improving.
Yesterday Meme, my grandma fell and fractured her knee. They don't think surgery is necessary, thank the Lord.
Melody and Chelsea both have stuffy noses. Hopefully that is all it will turn out to be. I leave Wednesday to fly to FL for Nikki, my sister-in laws shower. It has been lots of fun planning. I got crafty and even sewed and created a couple little surprises.
The weather has been beautiful and we are enjoying being outside these days. Bike rides, park visits, or just jumping in the leaves- loads of fun.
We celebrated being at Inglewood for 5 years. It is hard to believe we have been here that long and all the major events in our lives that have happened while here, surgery, 2 pregnancies, the passing of Ryan's grandmother, my grandfather, a friend Ryan grew up with, and a friend from Wedgewood. We are blessed where we are to have a very supportive church family and we appreciate all their prayers, encouragement and love. They have certainly helped us grow and we look forward to many more years together:)
I never thought that when we left the fab 4 in FW ( Powells, Skippers, Alexanders and us) that I would be able to find as close of friends. I'm not saying that the Fab 4 will not always be the Fab 4 but God has brought new people, new friends into our lives. It is just an extra blessing that I know I can count on my dearest friends in FW- and AL- now:) and some treasured friends here too. God is good.




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Since August...

Ok so since August let's see...September, nothing eventful really- Chelsea started school again. She loves her new teachers, Ms Kim and Ms Becky. She is beginning to trace letters, quite well-sometimes she starts in the wrong direction but it does resemble the actual letter.

October-nothing too exciting till the end of the month. Dad went in for a heart cath and ended up having triple bipass surgery on october 19th. The Lord was really with our family. He gave us all strength and comfort as we waited for HOURS and HOURS...Melody and I flew in the day before the heart cath so we were there for the surgery. He is now home and recovering slowly but surely.

After we got home I spoke at a ladies event at our church on an unhurried life. I believe the Lord used this to speak to me- I so need to slow down. The day was filled with fun and inspiration. The Sister sang and we made little Holiday treats....lots of fun. My mom in law was able to come and share it with me which made it extra special.

Chelsea is definately full swing in the 3s!!! I am convinced this age is much more difficult than 2!! I have started a happy jar and sad jar- she puts marbles in depending on her choices and behavior. It has been working pretty well until this morning. Actually let me back up to last night. I was putting Chelsea to bed and reading our devotion when she said,
"Mommy I poured all the marbles out of the sad jar and put them in the happy one."

"Chelsea, I am so sorry you did that, now tomorrow you will not be able to put any marbles in the jar, mommy or daddy will have to do it for you."

"Mommy I'm just kidding." We said our good nights and I walked into the family room to find she had dumped them all out:(

This morning she just whined and cried over silly things. I caught myself saying, If you keep crying I'm going to to give you something to cry about. I am convinced that whoever came up with that statement had a girl......DRAMA!!!

She really is a sweet precious little girl and I love her:) Heopfully we can get out of the 3s and into 4s, I hear they are easier:)

Melody is growing like a weed. She is laughing more and starting to become a mama's girl- which frustrates Daddy to no end. She has started baby food and unlike her sister loves sweet potatoes and not peas. She hasn't had any reaction to anything yet either:) She sleeps really well too- only getting up once at night.

I can honestly say I love my life.....my husband and my girls. They are an incredible gift and blessing. Till next time.....

Chelsea's home

Chelsea got home on Friday just after lunch after visiting with Gran and Grandpa in Houston for the week. I missed her the sceond she was gone. Later that afternoon I went and just sat in her room and cried. Monday and Tuesday were hard too, especially because Melody was really fussy and I wasn't accomplishing much on my 'to do' list. By Wednesday, Melody was better, (I think she is bothered when I drink Slimfast or maybe it's the chocolate) and I was able to get some things done. I'm just glad she had such a memorable time and she is back safe and sound. Today we are on our own again. One week till school starts. I have 2 goals this week 1) not to go to the grocery store more than once and 2) cook with Chelsea from one of her cookbooks. While she was gone I added to her notebook of fun activities to do with her and created a folder for each day of the week. That way I can go through the folder, pull out the activity and PLAY PLAY!!! We'll see how much time I have to complete the activities. I am also goning to set the timer each day for quiet reading time- Chelsea and me:) This way it supports and teaches her the value of reading and it may be the only time I have to do some sort of quiet time while she is awake.
Hopefully this week will be filled with sweet memories before PDO next week.

A Lot

A Lot has happened since my last post, as usual.

Chelsea turned 3. We had her party at a toddler size water park. It was so much fun. One of our friend's sons said, "This was the best party ever." Chelsea had an Ariel theme, Ariel balloons, cake and cupcakes all of her favorite princess. My parents, Ryan's parents and my grandparents were able to celebrate the event with us. It made it extra special.

We also found out my brother and his wife Nikki are having a little girl- Amelia Mae and Matt, my cousin and his wife are having a little boy. They are still working on a name.

I turned 30 on July 21st...Wahoo. My friends and husband planned a surprise party for me at Salgrass... Yummy! It was my first surprise party and lots of fun.

We continue to be busy during the summer, even with school out the last couple weeks. Playdates are scheduled, sometimes more for Mommy's sanity than the kiddos:) We have been to Abbey's Playtown, Uptown, the movies, each other's houses.....lots of fun and good friends to share it with.

Chelsea went to Houston on Saturday alone with Ryan's parents. I cried as she was leaving. (with my sunglasses on so she couldn't see) Later that afternoon I just went in her room and cried some more. Really I am not a crier so this was very unusual. I have talked to her 3 times since she left and plan on talking to her at least twice a day till she gets home on Friday. I just love her:)

Ryan worked on his plans for building Chelsea's nightstand last night so he will be spending the rest of the week finishing the project. My list is coming along too:) I am thankful for some extra time to get some projects complete that might have been impossible with Chels here.

We enjoyed some time with Melody last night and actually got to hear her first real laugh. So precious. We had pictures taken with Melody and Chelsea on Friday and they turned out so sweet. The pictures on the header and to the side are some of my favorites.

Also Thanks RIKKI!! for designing the new header. You are so worth the $$$$ I pay you:) Just kidding- no really you are a priceless friend and so talented.

Well, I guess I will try to cross some more things off my to do list. Ta ta for now:)

Diluted

Yesterday Chelsea and I were playing restaurant and Chelsea asked what I would like to drink. After listing several choices, Coke, Root Beer, water milk and lemonade. I told her I would love some lemonade.

"Would you like me to dilute it?" I couldn't help both giggle.

"What does diluted mean Chelsea?" I prodded.

"I don't know, it's just what you always say when you order my lemonade. " LOL

She cracks me up:)

Catch up

Ok so after many more days of being alone..we are all doing well. We have had several visits from our families and Melody and Chelsea continue to bring new joys and challenges.
Chelsea is back at school this week after a week vacation. It is DIRT week this week- whatever that means. I just made sure and put her in something I didn't care if it got ruined. Funny story about something Chelsea said last week when my parents were here. My dad enjoys strange food like tofu. He was fixing some for breakfast one morning and I said casually, "Dad I will give you $5 if you can get Chelsea to eat that." You see Chelsea is a VERY picky eater:) Dad begins trying to convince Chelsea to eat some of the "delicious tofu" to which she relied, "EWWWW, YUCK! I don't want to eat that!!" Dad says well, you aren't being very money smart. $5 is a lot of money. Without missing a beat Chelsea says, "I'll do it for $6!" We laughed for several minutes and I have laughed everytime I think about it:) Where did she come up with that???

Melody is such a great baby. She is sleeping at least 6-8 hours at night and has started smiling and cooing. She just recently discovered the fan and enjoys staring at a toy bug that has all different patterns of black and white. She is just precious.

This past week I turned the BIG 30. My family and friends surprised me at Saltgrass with a birthday celebration. It was lots of fun and such an unexpected thing. I went on Friday and got my hair cut and colored- trying to get rid of the 'white' hair, as Chelsea calls it.

The next big event is tomorrow finding out if Aaron and Nikki are having a boy or girl:) I can't wait to hear:) Then on Wednesday it's time to shop.

I need to get busy getting everything together for Chelsea's 3rd bday. I think I found where to get the cake- but I need to buy the drinks and food..... My grandparents, parents and Ryan's parents are all coming to the big event. This will be the first time Meme and Papa see Melody. YEA! I am so glad they are making the trip and can't wait to see them.

Ta Ta for now