Merry Christmas

I'm not making near the progress I should with packing for us to leave tomorrow morning, but it's just and unspoken understanding that pretty much anything and everything in this house has to be done during nap time or when "everyone" (read the girls) go to bed. I did tackle all the laundry yesterday, and was able to put together the girls clothes, but I know I will be burning the midnight oil tonight to get everything else situated.

As I know there will be no more posting until we return from our trip, I wanted to post a few pics of this and that...some from Ella's school program, some of the few decorations I put up this year (and they are NOTHING like my extremely talented friends, who are AMAZING decorators, so be forewarned), and then our Christmas card (which I love this year, because it really portrays the true tone of our family).


Ella as an angel. She's smack dab in the middle with the BIG white bow (thanks again, Kelly, for the bows...this one was perfect!).
One little, two little, three little angels....VERY cute!! We practiced our songs everyday...she did SO good!

Ruby, climbing and running on the pew

The Mantle

The Buffet

Chandelier

Christmas Tree

So, yes, I know, totally un-impressive. The bottom of the tree is completely disheveled, but what do you expect?? Our tree is a combination of my childhood ornaments and Wes's childhood ornaments...and now all of the lovelies the girls make for us at school and such, but as un-exciting as it is...I love it, because every ornament is special and means something to our family. I like to imagine that one day the girls will be as excited as I was when I would help my Mom decorate the tree...each year she would tell me about the ornaments she had collected when I was younger, and she would have a new ornament for each of us kids for that year.

This is Ruby as we were waiting for the train at the mall

Molly as we were riding the train, she LOVED it!

Ruby was a little more cautious...she wanted to stay seated the whole time

Ella and Daddy

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE SWEET FAMILY!!!

I hope and pray that your Christmas is truly "warm" with the closeness of being near loved ones, friends, and family...and "bright" with the hope and joy of the season. Each Christmas, I am simply reminded that God keeps His promises. A promise that was realized in the birth of His son, a gift...to ALL people.

Luke 2:8-12
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL!!

Keep the Faith,

What's been goin on??

I'm not sure why I thought as the twins got older, things would get easier to manage. It's quite the opposite. Isn't that always the case?? Anyway, I was telling Wes earlier today, that I don't think I will ever have a clean house again. He made the comment, that a maid would be pointless. Very true! So, I've always said that Miss Ella can create a path of destruction in less than 10 seconds. Well, lucky me, now I have 3 masters of destruction. Oh, brother. Days that we spend at home, I find myself anxious all day because it's just a HUGE mess. I just need to roll with it, because it won't be changing anytime soon : ). Anyway, I say all of this so that you won't gasp at the mess that is our house in the following pictures. Thought I would just share some pics from the last few weeks....warning there are quite a few!Thanksgiving lunch with Grandma Diane, Grandpa Rick, and Cousin Reese

Reese LOVES Pumpkin Pie, and she made this one...even pinched the crust to make it pretty. Way to go, Reese!

Reese and Ella. Ella SO enjoyed having Reese to play with.

Ruby

Molly

Reese and Ella making Christmas cookies

She's a natural, makes her momma proud!

And of course, what fun is icing if I can't just reach in the bowl for a taste??The beautiful masterpieces

Grandma and her cuddle-buddy. I don't think Ruby left her side the whole visit.

Double-trouble is all I have to say...

I'll say it again, double-trouble...I mean really, what fun is our new picnic table if we can't stand on it?? And yes, those are bottles, I know, I know, but it's the only way they drink milk. I'm sure we'll give them up before Kindergarten ; ).

Love to play in boxes...and laundry baskets...
I got an iphone (early Christmas present) and Ella is a pro at the ABC/Shapes/Color game. Wes was leaning over her shoulder the other day, and she said " Go away, Daddy!"

And of course, sisterly love. They are so funny...lovin on each other, kissing, tickling, and even feeding each other. Ruby is our "Mikey", meaning she eats well. Molly can sometimes take it or leave it...so when she's done...she just feeds sissy.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving! I'm hoping to post again before Christmas, but if I don't...Merry Christmas, y'all!

Keep the Faith,

Halloween and such...

I haven't had a moment to post a few pics of the girls from Halloween.

Ella was Goldilocks, with the three bears tucked neatly into her apron. The minute the costume arrived, we HAD to play with the bears, and sleep with the bears, and feed the bears....I was glad to find them all right as I was loading everyone in the car for our Fall Fest at church.

The twins went as their cute little selves. I did find two cute tees at Target that had a fairy costume on it that said " Cute Costume" so that is what they wore. I'm thinking I might need to do my costume shopping now for next year, so I can save a little money : ).

On a side note regarding our living situation, we are all moved into our new "rent" home. We are semi-settled. I painted Ella's room and Molly and Ruby's room and still need to finish up the kitchen and intend to paint the girls' bathroom as well. I am truly thankful to have such a great landlord that was basically like...do whatever you like. I hope to get some pictures on the wall and such to make it feel more "finished".

One thing I have realized is that this is do-able. I was so concerned how we would manage in a smaller home, and it's really quite funny how quickly you can adjust to things. I find that I'm not as stressed to be "doing" all the time, because there is less to manage, and the girls love being able to play in their rooms all day. Before, we would go upstairs a few times a day to play, but I was always so nervous someone was going to hurt themselves on the stairs. Their are downsides as well, but I'm finding that is true about everything in life, and learning to accept things just as they are (instead of wishing and dreaming about when things will be different) has been quite freeing.

One OTHER side note, not something I usually talk a lot about, but over the last few months I have been feeling horrible. I've been having horrible headaches, and just completely exhausted and run down. So, I finally went to see the Doctor and had a bunch of test run. I went yesterday for my follow up and found out that I am very anemic (I was during both pregnancies, but thought it would go away), and I don't know how you say it...but, I have hypothyroidism. When I researched this condition and looked at the symptoms, I was shocked that I was experiencing about 80% of the symptoms...I had NO idea. Anyway, I am SO thankful that these are not serious conditions and can be treated. So, I am praying that I will get the spring back in my step very soon! Thank you, Lord!

We had a cold front blow through last night, and it is rather chilly here....and windy. Can't believe it is already time turn our clocks back this weekend. Don't forget!!

Keep The Faith,

Fall is here!!

FALL IS HERE!!!

This past weekend our Sunday School class met up at a local pumpkin patch. It was so fun, but definitely a cool, crisp day...and a little windy.

Miss Ruby

Molly and Ruby wondering about in the pumpkin patch - I couldn't get any good shots because of the wind.

And here is Ella in her bandanna hat. A friend of mine gave the each of the girls a little picnic basket with some animal crackers, juice, and jello...and a bandanna. As you can see, she just loved it!!

So, other than the weather turning cooler...that we are SO excited about, we are in the process of closing on our house. We are supposed to be out by Oct 18th. We put a deposit down on a rent house close to Wes's office. I get lots of questions about our current situation and never have enough time to go into detail, so I thought I would share just a little....

About 6 months ago, Wes and I both felt a real prompting (that we feel was from God) to put our house up for sale. We talked about a lot of different options and scenarios that could be possibilities, but knew we couldn't pursue anything until our house sold. The home we live in right now is a historical home or let's just say over 100 years old. It has been completely renovated, but still a little unique, so we just felt it would take a while to sell because it would take a specific buyer. WE LOVE THIS HOUSE!! We started a family in this house. We have SO many wonderful memories in this house. So, this whole process has been a little bittersweet. Another, really big deciding factor for us was the fact that when we bought this house, I was working AND we didn't have children. WELL, now I am a stay at home mom (thank you,Lord and Wes!), and we have been blessed with three children in less than 2 years. We are making it just fine by the goodness and sufficiency the Lord provides, but we just realized, we could do with less...less to maintain...and less of a house payment : )...because one thing has become VERY clear to us over the last few months, we should be saving for these 3 precious gifts we have been given and their futures....near and far.

So, that's where we are right now. We are going to rent for a year (maybe longer), place our trust in God's perfect plan for our lives, and wait to see what's in store. I keep telling myself...a house is a house, it's the family that makes it a home. So, my prayer is that where ever we may be, no matter the size or location of our house, it will always be a warm, joyful, loving HOME where God is honored, loved, and worshipped.

Happy Fall, Y'all!!

Keep the Faith,

Emily's Baby Shower - Welcome Baby Brannon!!!

This past Saturday my Mom and dear friend Elaine and I hosted a baby shower at my house for our best friend, Emily. Here we are with the guest of honor. She is due Nov 2nd, and chose not to find out what she is having. So in a few short weeks we will be welcoming a Baby Jay or Baby Lily. CAN'T WAIT!!! I thought I would share some pictures of the shower. We had SO much fun putting this together! I live for this stuff. I also had to share pictures, because this will officially be the last party I host in my house (tear).

Here is Emily with (from left) her Sister, Niece, Mom, and Mother-In-Law

Buffet Table - Roast Beef Sandwiches w/Mustard Horseradish Sauce, Salad w/Apples, Candied Pecans, and Goat Cheese, Gazpacho w/Shrimp, Parmesan Breadsticks, Strawberries w/Chocolate or Cream Cheese Dip

Iced Tea, Cranberry Lemon-Lime Punch, and Water

Place Setting w/Sugar Cookie Favor made by friend Robin (who I am amazed by!!!) She free hand decorated these cookies! They were just BEAUTIFUL!! I had her make a boy outfit...

and a girl outfit

Baby tree with vintage baby cards, pacifiers, ribbon, and initials for Jay and Lily

The weather turned out to be PERFECT Saturday (Thank you, Lord). We sat outside on the porch. It was so nice!

Wes's Aunt Debra made a quilt for each of the girls when they were born. She is so gifted. I thought they would work perfect as decoration on the table - because they were so pretty and she used all sorts of soft beautiful fabrics that worked great for a gender neutral shower.

Some of the flowers - I found some vintage baby flower vases on ebay, and bought the flowers from Sam's Club

I also found these wire baby carriages online

Dessert Table

More BEAUTIFUL cookies from Robin. She made baby carriages, monogram cookies, and baby bottles in addition to the outfits.

Diaper Cake on the dessert table

Baby Lily Cake

Baby Jay Cake

And, then I had to share this picture...couldn't resist. Wednesday is the girl's Mother's Day Out day, and they are ALWAYS so tired when they come home. I usually feed the twins dinner before Wes and I eat because they usually can't wait until he gets home. So, when we eat dinner, they sit in their exersaucer for a few minutes and watch a video. Well, Ella loves to treat the twins like her little babies, and she apparently gave Molly a pillow...this is what I found. My Molly sweetness....tired baby.

Hope you had a wonderful FALL weekend!!

Keep the Faith,

Amy