We wish you a Merry Christmas!

I had to post this picture of the girls "sitting" with Santa. Molly and Ruby were such big talkers before we actually saw Santa. They kept saying, Momma, I won't cry, I won't cry, but the minute we saw Santa, TOTAL meltdown. So, I conspired with Santa to sneak in from behind, and I think it turned out pretty cute!

Gosh, it's been a long time! A lot has happened since my last post...like we have now been packed like sardines in a 2 bedroom apartment for over 2 months (I say this lightly as I am truly thankful for the roof over our head), like we are STILL waiting to find out if we will get the house we made an offer on 5 months ago (short sale if you're wondering), like I am scheduled for brain surgery the first week in January (I know, right?!). It is such a true statement when someone says, your life can change in the blink of an eye.

I will share more about my "diagnosis" over the next couple of weeks. I will just say that it isn't life threatening, but rather life altering. In fact, the surgery is the scariest part of all of it, but I will also say how grateful and thankful I am that there is a surgery that will hopefully "cure" my condition.

God continues to teach me (the world's BIGGEST control freak) that everyday is really such a gift, and that amidst all of my planning and worrying about tomorrow and tomorrow's tomorrow and premeditating over what might happen...that life happens...and that life CAN'T be planned. I've quite literally put it in His hands, and He has shown me over and over that He has COMPLETE control. I'm not sure why I EVER think that I can fix things better than God can!

Now, off to finish addressing Christmas cards and start the packing for a month long excursion to Texas. This is sure to be a very eventful holiday for us : )

Hope y'all have a Merry Christmas!
Keep The Faith,

Birthday Smirthday

Today I celebrated 34 wonderful years on this earth.

This morning, the girls and I woke up, got ready, and drove to Fayetteville to go to one of my FAVORITE bakeries in our area, Rick's Bakery. We picked out a cake, and then stayed to enjoy some donut holes. The girls seem to attract A LOT of attention everywhere we go, and it didn't help that I (unintentionally) wore my MAROON Aggie sweatshirt (like I do every morning) on the weekend of the BIG Texas A&M vs Arkansas game. There was a table of older men sitting next to us, and they were quite taken with the girls...but they continued to give me a terrible time about my choice of attire...all in good fun!!

We continued our fun filled day with a picnic in the park.

A take out dinner from my FAVORITE restaurant, Table Mesa Bistro (YUMMMMY!!!)

AND THEN THE CAKE!!!!
(quite possibly my favorite food, EVER)

Which is what these girls were waiting for all day.

Ruby woke up from her nap saying...Maaaamaaa, Maaaamaaa, hap birtday t you.

SOOOOO excited!!!

The yummmmy cake!!!

My girls
I look horrible in this pic, I haven't put on make up or done my hair in 3 days because of moving/packing so forgive my appearance!!

AND the sugar rush!!!
I couldn't stop laughing at this.

I feel SO blessed, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us this next year!

So long, farewell...

It is with great sadness that we must say good-bye.....

to our most fabulous, wonderful, don't know what I'm going to do without

FEEDING TABLE!!!

2 years ago, our Papa made this AMAZING table that we have eaten almost EVERY meal at home in...not to mention has helped our Mom have a few moments to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner...and over the last year has been our primary spot for craft time...coloring...play-do, you name it. It has also been the home of some of the sweetest moments of eye-poking, hair pulling, and food stealing to name a few. Awww, sisterly love!

It's a long story, but on a seconds notice we are moving to some temporary housing, and unfortunately there is NO room for this lovely. So, it's time to part. I'm very sad, but it's also time. Don't you worry it will be re-appearing again in a few months with a new purpose and life...that's called re-purposing, right??

I know I'm biased, but that's a punkin head if I ever saw one. Picture taken on our first feeding table experience in October 2009.and another one....AND, here they are almost 2 years later.

Feeding table, you will always hold a special place in our hearts, we can't wait to see where you will pop up!

Texas - 2nd Stop

THE LAKE!!

Yay for the lake!!

On our Texas trip our 2nd stop was at the lake. The girls and I arrived in the afternoon on the 4th of July. Sadly, pretty much all of Texas is experiencing drought conditions, so we didn't see ANY fireworks. Usually, we see at least a few displays but because there was a pretty hefty fine, and I think no one wanted to burn down their neighbors house, everyone was really cautious.

Even though duties never cease, even while on vacation...being at the lake house is always a nice get-a-way...I think it's just the mentality everyone has when they are at the lake...AND the sound of the water.

Here are my morning glorys with their grandma....yes, yes, I know...we will be getting rid of the pacis VERY soon! We only use them for sleeping.

Anyone remember this house?? My mother-in-law saved tons of toys from Wes's childhood and this is Aunt Stephanie's Little People house. The girls love playing with it.Getting prepped for the lake

Ella really enjoyed the water this year. I'm hoping swim lessons will be a little more of a success our next go round with all of the water fun she has had this Summer.Here is our family in the lake. These floats are THE BEST!! Molly really liked the water...Ruby really hated the water. Such an odd thing because Ruby is the dare devil in all other aspects and Molly is the super cautious girl.

Grandma picked up this scooter for $5 at the re-sale shop. Ella just loves it. It is just her size.

Yay for Daddy. His most favorite thing ever...so glad he had some fishing success. Ella wasn't all that sure about it.

Grandpa Rick works a month on and a month off in China. He bought the girls some silk pajamas on his way back and I thought the girls looked adorable in them. The girls also got to see their cousin Reese...they LOVE Reese.Here's Grandma with all her girls.

We had such a great time at the lake. It will probably be a whole year before we are back at the lake. I wonder what the girls will be like next year. If the twins are as sassy as their Sister, I'm really in for it!! Oh, bother.

We sure made some great memories and I so look forward to this tradition for many years to come!

Texas - 1st Stop

We're back!!

11 days and 3 stops...phew...I'm exhausted!! Let's just say that getting home is more of a vacation than actually being on vacation. But I would leave tomorrow to do it all over again. Right now, I'm trying to tackle the laundry and get everything unpacked...my least favorite part.

We made 3 stops on our trip "home" to Texas. I dropped Wes off on the way into town in The Woodlands...then he headed out to the lake with his mom and brother. I drove into Houston to stay a few days at my grandparent's house. It was wonderful to see everyone and spend some quality time just hanging out and being silly.

Molly and Ruby climbing all over Neena

Monkeying around...I don't know what it is about new places, beds, and couches that bring out the silly monster in these girls.

Ella and Big Papa (my grandfather)

Ella and Nan (my grandmother)

Ella and Neena making burgers (Ella was the pepper sprinkler). She L-O-V-E-S to help in the kitchen. When I ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, a Baker of course. I think it's quite fitting with her last name and all : )

Do your family gatherings revolve around food?? Ours sure do. This night was a smorgasbord of all sorts of food...hamburgers, deviled eggs, chips and homemade guacamole, fresh peach pie...SOOOO good!

This was the highlight for my Pop. Ruby really took to him and talked and played with him a ton. When she wanted something she would say "Come on, come on" waving her hands. My Pop said it made his whole year.

Here's Molly pushing the baby carriage at Nan's house. I played and played with this baby carriage when I was her age. I love that! Needless to say we had a few sharing issues when it came to who got to push the carriage.

Here's Pop (my dad) feeding the ducks with the girls. They loved just watching at first...then they got really into it.

This part of the trip went by too fast! We left on July 4th to head out to the lake. I'll post about our 2nd stop in a day or two when I get caught up on everything.

It's nice to be back!

Weekend with Grandma and Uncle Jeff

This past weekend, Grandma and Uncle Jeff came to visit for a few days. We had such a great visit. Grandma came bearing many gifts and spoiled us rotten. Thank you, Grandma!! I was so disappointed to find that I didn't get one picture of her with the girls. We will have to make up for that in a few weeks on our Texas trip.

All three of the girls are in love with Cinderella. I bought this Cinderella dress last year and Ella didn't want to wear it because it was too itchy...but, now I can't get her to take it off. She walks around holding the edges of the dress like Cinderella in the movie...AND, now she has learned how to curtsy.

Grandma bought Ella some "glass" slippers from the Disney Store. They light up when you walk and have a "high" heel on them...Ella is in love. She tells me, "Mama, you be the Prince and put the shoes on me to see if they fit"

2 little monkeys

And, because they are such monkeys, we decided to go to Gymnastic Joe's on Friday to "release the evil"...not really, but you know what I mean...blow off some steam!!

Ella bouncin

Ruby on the running trampoline

More monkeys

Uncle Jeff and Ruby...all of the girls love their Uncle Jeff

Molly saying Cheeeese!

Eating some yummy BBQ

My Ella girl

We made a trip to the Gentry Wildlife Safari. The last trip we made, the twins were maybe 6 months and Ella was around 20 months and they weren't all that excited about it. Well, they loved this trip!! I'm so glad we went. There are walk up cages at the front of the park as you see Ruby and Uncle Jeff talking to the baby camel.

Then we got in the car and did the drive through part...with Ruby driving...

Then Ella driving, even with all of the animals to look at, this was the highlight for her...isn't that always the case??

Big hairy camel

Very pregnant Zebra

Super friendly Rhino

Super silly Emu...looking for Ella Kate. That's what I told her anyway. These Emus are everywhere in the park during the drive through section. They will be in random places, but always right by the road. We would see one and slow down, and they would walk over to look at the car and inside.

The girls on the Lion statue...it was kind of stinky by the animal cages...Ruby was holding her nose : ) saying "phewy...tinky...Mama"

Cuteness

I look at this, and truly can't believe how big all of the girls are getting...as a Mom you never want to wish away the time because it is SO precious, but I know there have been so many moments over the past three years that I didn't think we would get to this point...the point where you finally feel like you are starting to enter the human race again.

Being a Mom of multiples is such a special and unique experience that I wouldn't change for ANYTHING. I do feel like I pretty much dropped of the planet for two years...I just kind of prepared myself for it...BUT, I am so happy to be in this place...I've said it before, and will say it again and again...my cup is OVERFLOWING!!! Thank you, Jesus, for these dear, sweet, precious, gifts. Above all, I want them to know you, and love you.

Another fabulous Summer weekend with family...I can't think of anything better!

Keep The Faith,

Refill, PLEASE!!

Neena and Papa came for a wonderful visit over Memorial Day weekend.

I got a much needed refill...refill of quality time with my Mom and Dad. I miss them so much and wish everyday that we lived closer, BUT I'm really trying to count my blessings and just be so thankful for the time we had together.
What was even better, we had been planning this visit for a few months and they completely surprised me (which is a miracle in itself, because I usually know EVERYTHING that is going on). They ended up flying into Tulsa instead of having to drive (11+hours). It was just such a blessing to me. I was beside myself with worry about them driving through the night and just knew they would be exhausted.
When they walked in the door Saturday morning, they were fully rested and ready to start the day, AND they didn't have to leave until 4 pm on Monday to make their flight. I smiled from ear to ear all weekend. I had been praying the whole week before that God would just bless our visit and give us great weekend. I would say HE went ABOVE and BEYOND!! I'm just so glad God knows our deepest desires and delights in surprising us! Thank you, Lord!

We went to the park A TON!!! And, we played in the back yard A TON!!!
Here is Miss Ruby giving her sideways glance...

And waving at an airplane...saying, bye-bye airpwayne...she is fascinated with airplanes

Ella-Bella

I'm sure you can all relate, when the grandparents come to visit, they decide there are so many things you cannot live without...like a bean bag toss...which the girls loved...

Little Cheerleader

Then after a little bit of play, it takes on a different use of course...lounging...

Blue eyes...and a smear of peanut butter...cameras pick up everything

The furrowed brow...always a furrowed brow

Ella is getting pretty good at dribbling the ball

There is no such thing as "taking turns" in this house

Monkey-ing around

Here ya go, Sis...I'll push you

Ruby, the queen of funny faces

Molly would swing for hours if you let her

On the square, LOVING the fountain

Gettin our feet wet

Love this pic, they were giggling, and having the best time...needless to say, we had MAJOR meltdowns when we had to leave.

A weekend FULL of memories I will cherish, forever.

Keep The Faith,