Monday: nachos & smoothies (don't judge. i brought a meal to my sister-in-law, and dal was outta here for a meeting. it was easy peasy).
Tuesday: dal & the kids! i'm back at teaching kindermusik.
Wednesday: Chicken & peppers.
Thursday: Beef & bean dish.
Friday: To Dubuque waterpark hotel for the weekend! Woo Hoo!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Frigid Days
It's been stinkin' cold, which means lots of time inside. Thankfully, I only had a day or two of severe cabin fever. Maleah didn't have school for a week with snow/ice/cold, so the break was nice (not to mention she is great at entertaining the littles). Here's what we've been up to...
There also has been not as pretty moments as the pictures portray. Being together 24 hours a day, many days in a row, can get looooong. However, I am so thankful everyone (for the most part) enjoys being home. There is no place I'd rather be.
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| We've made playdough. |
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| Lots and lots of playdough. |
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| These girls love to paint while Charlie is napping. |
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| They live in a world of rainbows. It's alllll about rainbows right now. |
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| This picture melts my heart. Canaan looking at Layla with pure delight, and Layla loving on little man. We've had some good cousin time. Love. |
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| The bean bin. |
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| This little lady is getting real good at coloring. She spent a lot of time doing it. |
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| Freezer meals. Such a blessing! I am part of a freezer meal group. We make six of the same meals, meet once a month, exchange our meals, and end up going home with six different meals. What a treat, and so convenient on the days I don't know what we are going to do for supper. Plus, doesn't food tastes so much better if someone else made it for you?! |
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| Not gonna lie. Lots of TV watching. |
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| Even kept my hubby busy making me a "photo gallery wall." Looooove it. |
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| Cousins over doing puzzles. |
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| We have done lots, and lots, and lots of cleaning. |
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| 300 piece puzzle! |
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Christmas 2012 - Family
Finally, the end of our Christmas stories. That only took me way too long.
It was such a memorable, nearly perfect Christmas season for us. The kids are at such a sweet age for the magic of it all, and starting to get old enough to start and appreciate traditions. I love Christmas and all the memories that come with it. Sweet family times.
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| Opening presents from Mommy & Daddy. |
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| Lots & lots of book reading. We wrapped up 24 Christmas books, and put them under the tree. Every night, starting on December 1, the kids opened one. It was such a neat tradition to start. They loved it! We kept a basket out of the open books and they loved reading them during the Christmas season. |
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| Proud of his new John Deere cowboy boots! |
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| Maleah got a couple LEGO friend sets. I was apprehensive getting them for her. Not ready if she was ready for them, or if it would be something she would enjoy. She rocked it and absolutely loved it! |
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| Santa at Grandpa and Grandma Bonnie's house. |
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| Layla with Santa. |
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| Waiting patiently to open presents, and looking cute doing it. |
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| He got Dallas's old barn from Grandpa Rod and Grandma Bonnie. It's so neat, and he has played with it lots. |
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| Layla got her very own Barbie house, made by Grandpa Rod. |
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| Really how after present opening goes...putting together, assembling, inserting batteries, etc.... |
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| Maleah got Anna a best friend necklace. Maleah said it reminds her of Anna when Anna is in Lincoln. Precious. |
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| Erica put together costumes and script for the kids to act out the Christmas story. My dad was the narrator, the littles the animals, Layla the angel, Cora (missing in action was a shepherd), Madeline the inn keeper, the triplets as the wise men, and Lydia and Noah as Mary and Joseph. Baby Jesus (Julia) is also missing in action, so a doll stepped up. It was darling to see them put on the play. We plan to do it every year, and see how they change over the years. These are the things I *love* about Christmas. |
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| Christmas morning. Santa came! |
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| All the grandkids at Papa and Nana's. |
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| After Christmas Eve service. Charlie has had enough! |
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| Papa & Nana with the kids before Christmas Eve church. |
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| The triplets had a sleepover here. So much fun and tears when it was time to leave. |
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| The final book, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." |
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| Lots of game playing, snacking, being lazy... |
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| Ugh! This is a great picture of Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Rod with the kids, but not showing up clearly. Argh. |
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| Charlie looking so handsome. |
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| All the great grandkids with Grandma Hayes on her 90th birthday! |
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| Me and my girls. |
My annual review.
As a mommy, you don't often get "reviewed." Or, if I do, I consider it by the amount of yelling during the day, tears during supper that nobody is eating and I slaved over, precious times cuddling and reading, or how well they go to bed at night.
At MOPS, the idea was given to interview your children. I've done this time to time with their interests, etc., but never an interview about how they view me, their mommy. It was interesting!, and something I will continue to do every year. My sister encouraged us to consider this a job assessment. Their little perspective of me was darling cute, and made me chuckle.
Maybe you don't care. And frankly, this was for me. But, I also know me too well. I will lose these sheets of paper before they make it somewhere safe, so on the blog it goes. This is, after all, our family journal.
Here goes...
Maleah, age 5
1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you.
2. What makes mom happy? When I give her kisses and hugs.
3. What makes mom sad? When we don't obey Mommy and Daddy.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? When she says funny things.
5. What was your mom like as a child? A baby.
6. How old is your mom? 27.
7. How tall is your mom? No guesses.
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Mom and dad shows.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Hang out.
10. What is your mom really good at? Cooking.
11. What is your mom not very good at? Nothing.
12. What does your mom do for her job? Play piano.
13. What is your mom's favorite food? Sweet potatoes and smoothies.
14. What makes you proud of your mom? When she cuddles with me.
15. What do you and your mom do together? Cuddle.
16. How are you and your mom the same? Both our names start with "M" and we both have blonde hair.
17. How are you and your mom different? She is big and I am small.
18. How do you know your mom loves you? Because she tells me lots and lots and lots of times.
19. What does your mom like most about your dad? Whatever she wants him to do, he does for her.
20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Pizza Hut.
Layla, age 4
1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you.
2. What makes mom happy? That I smile at her.
3. What makes mom sad? That Daddy would die.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? She talks silly.
5. What was your mom like as a child? She had short hair.
6. How old is your mom? 60.
7. How tall is your mom? 58.
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Wild Kratts.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Clean.
10. What is your mom really good at? Coloring.
11. What is your mom not very good at? Lifting up a house.
12. What does your mom do for her job? Clean.
13. What is your mom's favorite food? Pizza.
14. What makes you proud of your mom? That she doesn't die.
15. What do you and your mom do together? Go grocery shopping.
16. How are you and your mom the same? We both like to go to the park.
17. How are you and your mom different? God made our body different.
18. How do you know your mom loves you? Because I love Jesus.
19. What does your mom like most about your dad? That Jesus is in his heart.
20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? To Nana's.
There ya have it. Good stuff.
At MOPS, the idea was given to interview your children. I've done this time to time with their interests, etc., but never an interview about how they view me, their mommy. It was interesting!, and something I will continue to do every year. My sister encouraged us to consider this a job assessment. Their little perspective of me was darling cute, and made me chuckle.
Maybe you don't care. And frankly, this was for me. But, I also know me too well. I will lose these sheets of paper before they make it somewhere safe, so on the blog it goes. This is, after all, our family journal.
Here goes...
Maleah, age 5
1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you.
2. What makes mom happy? When I give her kisses and hugs.
3. What makes mom sad? When we don't obey Mommy and Daddy.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? When she says funny things.
5. What was your mom like as a child? A baby.
6. How old is your mom? 27.
7. How tall is your mom? No guesses.
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Mom and dad shows.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Hang out.
10. What is your mom really good at? Cooking.
11. What is your mom not very good at? Nothing.
12. What does your mom do for her job? Play piano.
13. What is your mom's favorite food? Sweet potatoes and smoothies.
14. What makes you proud of your mom? When she cuddles with me.
15. What do you and your mom do together? Cuddle.
16. How are you and your mom the same? Both our names start with "M" and we both have blonde hair.
17. How are you and your mom different? She is big and I am small.
18. How do you know your mom loves you? Because she tells me lots and lots and lots of times.
19. What does your mom like most about your dad? Whatever she wants him to do, he does for her.
20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Pizza Hut.
Layla, age 4
1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you.
2. What makes mom happy? That I smile at her.
3. What makes mom sad? That Daddy would die.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? She talks silly.
5. What was your mom like as a child? She had short hair.
6. How old is your mom? 60.
7. How tall is your mom? 58.
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Wild Kratts.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Clean.
10. What is your mom really good at? Coloring.
11. What is your mom not very good at? Lifting up a house.
12. What does your mom do for her job? Clean.
13. What is your mom's favorite food? Pizza.
14. What makes you proud of your mom? That she doesn't die.
15. What do you and your mom do together? Go grocery shopping.
16. How are you and your mom the same? We both like to go to the park.
17. How are you and your mom different? God made our body different.
18. How do you know your mom loves you? Because I love Jesus.
19. What does your mom like most about your dad? That Jesus is in his heart.
20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? To Nana's.
There ya have it. Good stuff.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
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.
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.
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.
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| He looks pretty excited about his new bed, eh! |
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| 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. |
Monday, January 21, 2013
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
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
Friday, January 18, 2013
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.
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!
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| 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. |
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| You have been gorgeous from day one. |
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| Birthday doughnut! |
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| Ready to go for your big day! |
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| 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! |
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| Opening present from Grandpa Rod and Grandma Bonnie. |
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| Birthday ice cream. |
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| Your other request was to go to "Waverly McDonald's" to play and eat chicken nuggets. All the kids had a blast! |
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| 4 years old! |
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| Your very wanted rainbow birthday cake! You loved it, and I loved to see you so happy. |
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!
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