Charlie's big boy bed.

About two weeks ago, Layla climbed into Charlie's crib with him.  And then, she climbed out.

Thus enters the great idea into Charlie's head to follow lead.  A lightbulb went off in his head, and as you other fellow moms know, our lives have completely changed.

That afternoon, I was sitting at Olive Garden, having a lovely lunch for Layla's birthday, when Dallas calls me.  He said, "I just put Charlie in his crib for nap, walked out the door, and he walked out right behind me."  I couldn't help but laugh, because I wasn't there.  But believe you me; I wasn't laughing that night!

The girls never got out of their beds for the first couple weeks.  But Charlie isn't no newbie.  He has seen this all before.  He got up, we put him in, he got up, we put him in.  Dallas took over, and some long time later, I received a text: This was your idea.  Come take care of this critter.

He never did get out of his bed that night, or so we thought.  Come to find out, he would go crawl in with Maleah.  After a couple nights of this happening, whether we wanted it or not, it was.  So here we are.  Three big bedrooms upstairs, and all three children in only one of them.  They are sleeping fantastic, and we are happy parents with lots of sleep.

The arrangements?  Maleah in her bed, Charlie in Layla's bed, and Layla in the pack'n'play.  Those of you who know Layla well are laughing right now.  Even at the age of four, she dreams of her glory days as a baby.

Dallas made the cutest bed for Charlie out of our crib.  He sawed it apart, and nailed it back together to fit perfectly, with "built in" siderails. 

He looks pretty excited about his new bed, eh!

They always look so tiny at first in a big bed.  And take note; the camo comforter was dug up from the basement, just for the time being.  This laying down in bed was the practice round.  The real deal wasn't nearly this happy looking.

They must not mind their new sleeping arrangements too bad, because when Wheel of Fortune started at 6:30, Dallas and I were already enjoying the evening to ourselves.  The first couple nights weren't great, but hey, they are now!  Sometimes our life feels like an absolute circus.  And for that, we are thankful.

Menu

Monday: hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes & corn
Tuesday: BBQ beef cups & mixed veggies
Wednesday: Chicken, bacon, and tots crock pot dish & green beans
Thursday: Chicken tortilla soup

Extras: blueberry muffins & pumpkin chocolate chip bread

Happy Birthday, Layla!

Oh, Layla.  There is something about you I am so drawn to.  You are so interesting and unique.  So loud and boisterous, yet reserved and very loving.  You are so girly, yet are the first one to want to watch Daddy shoot targets.  You love, love, love being around people.  We left the house yesterday morning at 8:15am and got home at 10pm; that is a perfect day for you.  I adore so many things about you, but mostly your JOY.  There are very few grumpy moments with you, and for that I am so thankful.  Well, other than when you should be grumpy (like when you get in trouble), and you smile anyway.  You, my girl, are one of a kind.

This is my favorite photo of us.  It is taken hours after your birth.  Your eyes are locked into mine, as if to say, "I love my mommy."  From the second I laid eyes on you, I loved you too.

You have been gorgeous from day one.

Birthday doughnut!

Ready to go for your big day!

After MOPS, Layla wanted to have lunch with Noah and Asher at their school.  The girls (Alisa, Maleah, Layla) went one way and Dallas and I went the other with the little boys.  When we got back to the house, Layla was doing nails, make-up, and hair.  Complete birthday bliss for this little girly girl!

Opening present from Grandpa Rod and Grandma Bonnie.

Birthday ice cream.

Your other request was to go to "Waverly McDonald's" to play and eat chicken nuggets.  All the kids had a blast!

4 years old!

Your very wanted rainbow birthday cake!  You loved it, and I loved to see you so happy.

 We had such a special day with you, Layla.  MOPS, lunch, make-up and hair, playing with cousins, birthday presents, and yummy, sparkly cake made for a most excellent 4th birthday. 

I am so blessed to be your mommy!  It is a challenge, sweet thing.  We aren't a whole lot alike, so I don't always understand you, but I sure do love you.  I love all the things that make you unique, and pray you are as bold and yourself all the years ahead.  You are so likeable, and I can't wait to see God's dreams for you as you grow.

Happy birthday, Layla!  We love you!

Christmas 2012: Giving & Serving

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is when we make goodies and distribute to neighbors and friends.  The kids really get into it, like really get into it, and it makes me so proud.  We spend an evening making all our treats...

This little lady might be a chef, or baker.  I know she'll be a really good wife and mommy.

And Charlie, the taste tester.  What?  You need those too.

Poor little girl.  We had music blaring, cookies baking, lots of dancing, and she was over on the chair sleeping.  We were hit with sickness off and on for a month, and this night, she was the downer.

Next, we box everything up and head out on the town.  We bring to neighbors we know, neighbors we don't really know, and then a couple widows in town.  You wouldn't believe how much it brightens their day!

On our adventures out and about, Maleah said, "Let's carol!"  How do you say no to a sweet little 5-year-old who just wants to spread some Christmas cheer?  So, carol we did!  Uncomfortable and weird, a little.  But, an absolute joy!

After getting home we drank hot chocolate and talked about why we do this every year.  These are the things I hope stick with the kids.  The true spirit of Christmas; giving.

Menu

Monday: Southwest Salad & corn muffins
Tuesday: Multi grain pancakes & bacon
Wednesday: Steak & sweet potatoes
Thursday: Layla's Birthday Choice!
Friday: Vegetable Soup

It's a GIRL!

We had our ultrasound last week, along with the big reveal, that this baby is a GIRL!  We were thrilled, and so thankful for good health.  It is such a relief to look at the baby moving all around (this little girl is a squirmy one!!), sucking her thumb, kicking her little footsies, and knowing everything about her ten fingers and ten toes is perfect.  Girl or boy, we were overjoyed to see life.  Finding out she was a girl was just icing on the cake. 

Here she is...

We can't wait to hold her!  Seeing her on the screen makes the pregnancy seem so real, and knowing we are over halfway there seems unbelievable.  Now, let's find this little lady a name...

Snow Fun!

Mother nature gave us a nice big dump of snow right before Christmas.  It was absolute perfection.  It allowed for some good days being snowed in, and some fun days playing out.  The kids were totally digging it this year. 

I loved hearing all the squealing and giggling, grunts of frustration trying to walk through inches, even feet in some areas, of sinking children, and seeing their rosy little cheeks in a permanent smile.  Good, good memories.

The sun is going down (beautiful), but these kids don't care!

I remember doing the same thing I watched my own children do; build snowmen, climb huge snow piles then slide down, making forts, and creating snow angels.  What a joy!

Menu

Monday: Spec'n Dicken!
Tuesday: Chicken & stuffing bake, ceasar salad, pineapple
Wednesday: Baked potatoes & lettuce salads with craisins/walnuts/feta/apples
Thursday: Lemon poppyseed chicken with bow tie pasta & green beans

Christmas 2012 - the Santa Express

The day after getting our tree, we kicked off the Christmas season by riding the Santa Express.  After riding the scenic train in Boone, we decided we had to go back for the Christmas train ride.  Kids wear their jammies, we ride out to the "North Pole" while they read you a book, they deliver hot chocolate and cookies, Santa visits and his elf gives each child a bell, and we carol the way back home on the train.  So fun!

We went for Bonnie's birthday.  We missed Erica, Kurt, and kids, but thought it might be cutting it too close with baby on the way and her past baby history.  The train was sold out, as in packed, so when we figured they could come, there was no room.  And, wouldn't you know, they are still waiting on the little babe. 

Layla was VERY into Santa this year.  She is so excited - here he comes!

All the kids up front taking turns singing into the microphone.  Of course, Maleah said this was her favorite part.

It was such a fun day, and huge in the eyes of the kids.  As we drove away from the North Pole, Santa stood outside and waved good-bye.  Their precious little eyes were huge and glowing.  So sweet.

Christmas 2012 - the Christmas Tree

Christmas 2012 was fantastic.  And I mean fantastic!  The kids are at such a good age for the wonder of it all.  It was a great time with family, old and new traditions, and lots of sweet memories made.

First up, the Christmas tree; one of my very favorite memories growing up.  I'm thankful for a husband who came on board and sees the joy in it too!  We pile into the truck, put some Christmas tunes on, and mozy over to the tree farm to hunt for the perfect one. 

This little dude thought he was the bomb diggity for not having to sit in his carseat throughout the farm!

 It is tradition to give the kids a new ornament when decorating the tree.  The ornament represents them that year.  It's so fun, already, to put on the ornaments from the past years.  I can't imagine all the memories that will flood when they are in their teens and beyond!  They hang their special ornaments themselves, so they are all along the bottom.  Makes my mommy heart overflow.

Charlie got a train ornament this year.  We rode a train twice this year, peaking his interest in "nains."

Layla got a Curious George ornament, because well, she's crazy about the little monkey.

Maleah got a little snowman sitting at a desk with a color and paper for her first year of school.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches...

We came home to the smell of hot apple cider, put on The Polar Express, and got right to decorating.  It was a special night, and one I look forward to every year.  It's the little things that truly mean the most.