Three-Girl Circus and One little monkey!

New Territory

2011-07-22T09:07:00.007-05:00

Mara: Mom, can you buy me some perfume?

Me: Why do you want perfume?

Her: Because perfume makes boys come around you.

Me: (After choking on my coffee.) Do you want boys to come around you?

Her: Yes.

Me: Why?

Her: So I can get a boyfriend.

Me: (After being revived from cardiac arrest.) Why do you want a boyfriend?

Her: So we can fall in love, get married, and have kids. I want to manage my own family when I grow up. (She really used those words.)

Oh. Sweet. Mercy.

I do believe I have a tween on my hands. That makes my blood pressure go up, my palms sweaty, and my prayer life more active than ever before.

I want so desperately to teach her that beauty comes from inside, and that nothing is more beautiful than a girl running after God with everything she is. And the world will contradict both of those definitions of beauty.

Lord, help me protect, teach, love, discipline, and raise up these young women. I'm feeling overwhelmed right now and honestly down right scared. Lord, thank you for loving my girls more than I do. Please protect and raise up Godly husbands for each of them.

Mercy, I need some more coffee!

What we've been up to...in pictures. Part 2

2011-07-17T21:50:00.000-05:00

The first part of 2011 is mostly a blur of sleepless nights and falling more in love with this little booger during every one of those sleepless nights.
Emily Elizabeth turned 6.
Celebrating Em's birthday at the pottery place.
Easter egg hunt at Nana and Papa's.
One of Mara Lin's writings was published in a county wide publication.
And she got to read her story for the whole school at arts night.
We dedicated Ruthie Carolyn.
The cicadas invaded.
We celebrated our family's 10th birthday (our anniversary).
Becca Sue graduated preschool and is Kindergarten bound. *sniff sniff*
I completed my first 5K!
Becca and Mara performed their ballet recital.

My three big girls (the original Three Girl Circus!) with Mrs. Sharon, their ballet teacher.
Vacationed on the beaches of Saint George Island.
The boy turned 2.
Oh what a mess he is!
Whew, and now I'm caught up. So much is happening in the next month, it makes my head spin. On the to do list is to blog while the memories are fresh though.

What we've been up to...in pictures.

2011-07-16T14:05:00.006-05:00

Looking back now, I can see why the last year has flown by....we were a little busy!

Rewind nine months with me, will you?

Here are my four (number 5 was still cooking) at the pumpkin patch the first weekend it was open.
Trick or treating with friends.
We joined a new church and are enjoying getting to know some new friends, some old friends better, and learning lots about how to be the body of Christ. Here's Emily at the Sending Kids Jr. event where families did mission projects together around Smyrna.
We dedicated Samuel John.
I had lots of help cooking for Thanksgiving.
Ruthie Carolyn made my blog name obsolete on December 13th.
But we are all so in love with her that all is forgiven!
I just had to include this random next picture. This is Ruthie and I heading home from the hospital. The nurse carrying her is one of my clarinet students from 1998...small world!
Ruthie and I got home on Mara Lin's 7th birthday.

Celebrating my big girl's birthday at Build-a-Bear.
And five gorgeous boogers on Christmas Eve.
So that catches me up to 2011. Up next is what we've been up to this year so far!

Eight Months

2011-07-15T22:54:00.002-05:00

Has it really been that long since I've blogged? Wow whee, where does time go?

This is my attempt at getting back in it....not that I have any readers left anyway! I just spent the last two hours reading old blog posts and I'm sad that I don't have memories from the last eight months written down while they were still fresh. I'm going to do my best to fix that.

I'm planning two or three big "what have we been doing" posts to catch up on the last eight months, and then my goal is to post once a week. And I guess I need to start with a new header and probably a new blog name since Miss Ruthie has made this house a four girl circus...and the little monkey is not so little but still very much a monkey!

I've missed my little space here in the blogosphere and can't wait to get back!

Becca's 4th Birthday

2010-11-09T21:49:00.000-06:00

I love, love, love birthdays! Love birthdays of the people I love and even love my own birthday. Becca Sue's birthday was on a Saturday this year, and it was so much fun to celebrate it ALL day.

We had a party at the local donut shop that morning. Here's Becca with her BFF...I love the relationship these two have that she doesn't mind that he helps her blow her candles out. Dawson can help but her sisters better not even breathe anywhere near her candles!
Sam found friends with the Warta boys and was entertained all morning. They're teaching him how cool it is to be a boy!
This is her blowing another candle out after our lunch that day...or rather with her eyes closed wishing before blowing it out.
Ok, who gave the boy a cupcake? He's such a mess and so proud of it!
And the birthday girl lounging while we sing to her yet again at supper!
Becca Sue, You are such a big girl. We have had so many changes in your little world over the last six months and you have just gone with the flow...evidence that you are still the easy going little girl I first met four years ago...underneath the stubborn exterior of course! You're still the best surprise God has ever given me. Love you so much...Happy #4 Becca Boo!

Pumpkin Farm Trip

2010-11-01T17:30:00.000-05:00

We love the local pumpkin farm here. This year it was huge. They did have a large area of overpriced activities, but still had a large enough area of free and reasonably priced activities too.

Here are the girls trying to negotiate the hay mountain.
...and success!
Say cheese Emily.
Mara coming down the huge slide.
Emily on the tire swing.
Emily and Sam on the huge teeter totter.
Sam hanging on for dear life in the slippery straw.
And getting help from big sis to figure out the rope maze.
Hmmm, don't get lost in the corn maze big boy!
"Sam, blow Mommy a kiss." Love it!

Emily and Becca playing peacefully in the sand. It really is a rare occourrance....these two can argue like pros.
I did unbelievably well letting them get dirty.
All four next to the huge pumpkin.
And now the boy doing what he does best...getting dirty and making a mess.

And finally picking out pumpkins. I think this is my favorite picture of the day.

Photo Booth Fun

2010-10-29T08:08:00.000-05:00

Who'd have thought one simple little macbook program could be so fun?

Many, many, many pictures of faces trying to squish into the shot...
Crazy faces....
Random body parts... like hands....

...lips...
...and eyeballs!

Tough Girls

2010-10-28T08:02:00.000-05:00

Good thing these attitudes were put on for the camera cause this scares me!

Curls!

2010-10-27T08:06:00.000-05:00

The girls love rags in their hair cause they know Nana used to put rags in my hair all the time when I was little. And the curls the next morning are just a plus.
And I totally forgot to take an after picture of all the curls.

Sam's O-N-E

2010-10-26T08:06:00.000-05:00

The little booger has been with us for over a year now, and it's so cool to know that the girls are all still as crazy about him as when this picture was taken!
He was so sick the entire week of his birthday which included not only turning the big O-N-E but also his first haircut.
I do believe this was his only smile the entire week. He loved the attention of everyone singing to him.

He wasn't too sure about digging in to his cake...
...but still managed to make a huge mess!
My sweet boy,
I can't believe that you're already a year old. Mommy, Daddy, and all three of your sisters are crazy about you. You're so fun and will do anything for a laugh...including making a mess or getting into trouble! You've never met a stranger and just love life. We love you so much and can't wait to see what God has planned for you crazy boy!

First Days of School

2010-10-25T18:50:00.000-05:00

Mara Lin...six years old...First Grade
Becca Sue...three (almost four) years old...last year of preschool.
Emily Elizabeth...five years old...Kindergarten
Emily had like three "first" days of school with the Kindergarten phase-in and I totally dropped the ball and didn't get her picture holding a sign like I do every year. Oops!

Here she is with Mara on her first half day of the phase-in.
This is when she looked at me and said, "Ok Mama, now I'm really nervous."
And my big girl at her desk in her classroom.

Emily's Preschool Graduation

2010-10-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm still totally in denial that Emily is five let alone in Kindergarten. This girl has grown and matured SO much in the last year, it makes my head spin. To say that I'm proud of her just doesn't seem like enough. I'm so very proud of this little booger who always manages to push my buttons every single day!

Here she is at her preschool graduation last May...
Showing off the stone she made for the garden...
Walking in to "Pomp and Circumstance" with her characteristic head cock...
And Becca Sue singing a few songs at her end of the year program early that same day...
They're growing up so fast, but there's no rule saying that I have to admit to that fact!

Radical Faith = Radical Commitments

2010-10-21T10:12:00.007-05:00

I have recently read the book Radical by David Platt. Our entire church read the book along with a six-week sermon and small group series. To say that it has changed my life is an understatement. It has changed they way that I look at everything in life.

Two weeks ago my family made five commitments.

1. Read through the entire Word.
This is probably the commitment that scared me the most. My four children make it difficult to spend any length of time in a 'quiet time'. I've found a couple of devotional books designed specifically for moms with small children and they were working for me...but now I've just made the commitment to read the entire bible in a year...that's about five chapters a day. Eleven days into it now, I'm loving it. My children interrupt some days more than others, but it's working.

2. Pray for the entire World.
We're doing this through Operation World. I love reading about specific things that I can pray for each country. The girls are also starting to ask each night at bedtime, "Mama, what country are we praying for today?"

3. Sacrifice our money for a specific purpose.
This is the one that we had to really brainstorm about. The word "sacrifice" kept giving me trouble. We can decide to give a certain about of money to a number of great charities, but where's the sacrifice. You know....the bills are paid for the month, this much is left over, so let's give it here. Not really a sacrifice. So we decided to first, not go grocery shopping for one week each month. It's amazing how many suppers and lunches you can make when you think you have no food in the house. We then chose a Compassion child to sponsor. As we thank Jesus for our (sometimes interesting combination) supper each night that week, we pray for Ama and her family who might be going to bed hungry. The money we would have spent on groceries goes to our sponsor child and family. This week was our first week to try this....It's Thursday now, and I can definitely say that the cupboards are getting quite bare, but none of us are hungry. And we've spent the entire week praying, talking, and thinking about a seven year old girl in Ghana.

4. Spend time in another context.
We committed to spend one week, 2% of our time in Gospel ministry outside of Middle Tennessee. I'm somewhat limited to where and when I can go since I'll be nursing a baby for the next year, but I'm really excited that my husband will get to go anywhere. He could go to Africa, or Belgium, or Mexico, or even just Mississippi or Seattle...but I'm excited to see how God is going to change the other 98% of our time because of this 2%.

5. Commit my life to a multiplying community.
We're very excited to join forces with Life Point Church to serve God and change our community.

I'm so excited to see what God teaches up through these commitments and what other commitments he shows us along the way.

So if you've not read David Platt's Radical, I highly recommend it, but just be ready for your world to be ROCKED!

Easter

2010-10-18T08:08:00.000-05:00

You'll be excited...ok, so maybe I'm the only one who is excited...that I only have six more posts before being caught up.

Here's our Easter picture...and I do believe my favorite picture of all four of my boogers!

Mara's Kindergarten Program

2010-10-17T08:09:00.000-05:00

Mara's Kindergarten program last spring was so very cute. There were kids dressed as pigs, sheep, cows, farmers, probably some more animals I can't think of since it's been seven months since the program, and some very cute chics.

Here's Mara doing the very cute "Cute Chics" dance.
And my cute chic after the show.
Can you see it in her eyes?...."Can I take my costume off now?...How bout now?....I really want to take it off now....Now?....PLEASE!"

Uh oh...

2010-10-15T08:07:00.000-05:00

...we're running out of room on the swing set!

Does it happen in my house?

2010-10-14T08:04:00.000-05:00

It drives me nuts when people ignorantly criticize large families like the Duggers. The most repeated complaint that I hear is about their "buddy system". Each older sibling is responsible for one or two younger siblings. The criticism is that "babies shouldn't be raising babies."

My family isn't exactly big enough to use a "buddy system", but we definitely talk a lot about how it's our responsibility as a family to love each other and take care of each other. That could mean helping your brother tie his shoes, or holding your sister's hand to help her feel less anxious about walking into school, or feeding the baby a bottle so mommy can go pee!

So call it what you want..."babies raising babies", or (I prefer) learning what being a family really means...it definitely happens in my house.

Lipstick?

2010-10-13T17:05:00.000-05:00

Eyebrow-stick? What's the difference?!

Christmas Spirit

2010-10-12T18:25:00.001-05:00

Since Christmas is 'only' 74 days away, I thought I'd get you into the Christmas spirit by sharing pictures from last year's preschool Christmas program (and desperately try to catch up on blogging!).

Emily got to carry baby Jesus.
And Becca was an angel....oh she looks so sweet and innocent here...the little booger!
Here's Em putting baby Jesus in the manger.
Emily singing....
And Becca singing...
After the program, they both got to tell Santa about the boots they wanted.
And this last picture was taken just moments before Sam realized some big scary guy in red was holding him.
Can't believe that I'll only have one doing a preschool Christmas program this year!

Random Conga Line

2010-10-07T22:50:00.000-05:00

What? Doesn't everyone have one going through their house at any given moment?!

Mara's 6th Birthday

2010-10-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

Mara's 6th birthday party was at the skating rink...the same skating rink I used to go to in middle school. So much fun!
The girls did so good after we figured out there was a such thing as "slow-roller" skates.
Look how little Becca Sue looks in these pictures.
Emily was the dare devil of the bunch. She did not want to hold your hand regardless of how many times she wiped out. You can just see the lack of concern for bodily harm in her eyes here!
Love this picture...I think she wore Papa out!
Blowing out the #6 candle. I can't believe I need to buy a #7 in just two short months!
And here's the present opening frenzy...
I can not believe how fast my baby girl is growing up. She's such a lady, and I couldn't be more proud of the person she's becoming. So here's a happy late #6 birthday little lady...love you so much!

Gymnastics

2010-10-01T13:00:00.000-05:00

We're not doing gymnastics anymore...ballet pictures coming soon...but here are some pictures from their gymnastics class last winter. I can't believe how little they look. I bet they've all grown at least six inches since these were taken in November.

Family Photos

2010-09-30T13:00:00.000-05:00

Since fall is here and we're getting ready to do this year's fall pictures...I'd better get around to posting these from last year.

Oh these four are so much work for this mama, but so much fun and full of love.
Nana and Papa with all five grandbabies.
My family...man, I love each of them so!
And here's the chaos of setting up for the previous picture. Love Sam's face here...he's got that 'save me from all the estrogen' look!
All of us together...the Eisher/Jerkins family.
And another shot of the loves of my life. I love Emily's real smile here. It's so hard to get pictures of them with real smiles.
The Jerkins/Butler family.
DeeDee and Grand with all six grandbabies.
I love how Frannie's holding Walt and Becca's hands here, and Mara's goofy smile too.
I'm excited to do fall pictures in a few weeks again (whew, thank you Jesus for the cooler weather)...even though I'll be hugely pregnant.

Miss Patty Cake

2010-09-29T22:12:00.001-05:00

Let's rewind all the way back to last December...our annual morning with Miss Patty Cake. This was our third year to go see her. Look at how little they were last year (well, I guess technically this post would be "last year's" trip but you know what I mean!)...oh my word, and the year before too!

This time we had front row seats.
We LOVE Miss Patty Cake and can't wait to see her again in just a couple of months.

A very important first

2010-09-22T17:06:00.000-05:00

First ice cream...very important indeed. And look at that face. He's so very proud of both the treat and the mess!

I Wanna Go Back

2010-09-20T22:10:00.000-05:00

We took our annual trip to St. George Island, Florida at the end of July. I can so hear the waves, smell the ocean, and feel the 200% humidity just by looking at this picture.
The girls were so very busy all week. They did several "wood crafts" with Papa...
Had a luau one night...
And made cookies with Nana (sporting gorgeous self-inflicted make overs).
It was so very hot outside we pretty much spent all of our outside time in the pool or in the ocean. Here's Emily ALL decked out for the pool!
Sam loved the water as long as he had his tennis ball to play catch with.
Becca Sue would not even get close to the pool last year, but she was paddling all over the place this year.
Here's Emily in action...I love it!
I think this picture is my favorite one from all week. You totally can't tell here how much these two love to argue!
Sam looks happy here, but he pretty much hated the sand.
My four trouble-makers...complete with a couple fake smiles, a pair of grumpy arms, and one finger pointing.
Dancing on the beach...too fun!
I'm sure Mara Lin was singing some song here.
And Em was laughing at a joke none of us will ever get...or possibly a fart she'd just let rip!
And oh my word, where has my baby girl gone?! Becca Sue looks so gorgeous here, but way too old.
And finally my sweet stinker of a baby boy!
We accomplished a lot of fun, but accomplished way more relaxing too. Man, I wanna go back!

First Things First

2010-09-17T21:33:00.002-05:00

Fifteen months ago I was able to keep the "Three Girl Circus" part of my blog and just added the "and one little monkey."

In twelve more weeks, adding just a tag line is not going to cut it.

We're adding another baby girl to this crazy circus. So what in the world will my blog be named then?

Help!

Grand Plans

2010-09-16T09:59:00.002-05:00

Make sure you're sitting down.

I don't want to be responsible for any injuries from your shock.

It's been six months since I've blogged and I really want to get back into it. I have grand plans to do some catch up posts but we'll see what actually gets done. I've got a lot on my mind lately and am excited to have a place to dump those thoughts again.

So, to my two readers I have left....I'm back!

This little monkey...

2010-02-18T15:07:00.000-06:00

...is getting more personality every day.

As if I didn't have enough hair to fix...

2010-02-12T10:20:00.001-06:00

Well, at least I don't have to talk dolls down from a fit when I 'pull too hard'.

Check it!

2010-02-11T15:19:00.002-06:00

See that new header up there with pics of four gorgeous kids?

All. By. Myself.

Seriously, I did it all by myself with this tutorial!

Ok, so maybe I asked my husband a couple of questions. Ok, ok, maybe three questions....but still!

Girl Paradise

2010-02-10T20:00:00.000-06:00

Day two of our big trip included a disappointing visit to Northpoint Church. I was so excited to visit the church and especially to check out the children's ministry, but they had canceled services that Sunday. (I'll spare my opinion here about them canceling services for one of the biggest Christian holidays, but if anyone whats to know my opinion just ask I'd love to give it!)

So we had a relaxing slow Sunday morning at the mall instead.

The girls and I ate lunch at the American Girl store while Sam and Daddy ventured out to find an electronics store.

I can not tell you enough how well the American Girl company knows and caters to little girls. We had THE best time at this lunch. They had these little high chair like things that attached to the table for the dolls to sit in.
Emily only has one of her twins here cause she left Elizabeth #1 in the van. She said that "Elizabeth was too shy to go eat lunch and wanted to stay in the van."

The waitress came to the table and asked the girls' names (and remembered their names) and the dolls' names (and remembered those too!). They brought us all menus and the dolls their own little menus too.
Then they brought each of the dolls a little chocolate chip muffin. The girls had fun sneaking little bites of the muffins and pretending that their dolls had eaten them.
It was a very fancy three course meal. The girls had fruit and yogurt, mac n cheese, and a chocolate milk shake....typical 'kid' food but the presentation was gorgeous.
We finished lunch before the boys were done at the electronics store so we went back to the doll salon and watched some dolls get their hair fixed and even ears pierces too.
They all stood just like this watching for at least thirty minutes.
I'm already wondering when we can go back!

The big trip and a new addiction!

2010-02-01T20:34:00.000-06:00

If you have a little girl, you MUST plan a trip to an American Girl store. Man, do they know what little girls like. I think the girls walked through the store with their mouths hanging open for the first thirty minutes.
There were lots of dolls to touch and feel, and lots of scenes (with little pieces) behind display cases.

Mara and Emily very quickly decided that they wanted the twins, but Becca Sue had a really hard time making a decision. She would see the twins and pick one up and say, "I want this one." Then I'd pick up a boxed one up and she'd say, "Noooo."
Then she'd walk over to the Bitty Babies and say, "I want this one." I'd pick up the box and she'd say, "Noooo."
I finally realized that she didn't care which baby she got, she just wanted it out of the box! So we helped her decide on a set of twins since the other two were getting twins.
Here's what my little baby doll did the entire time we were in the store on the first day. Guess all this girl stuff was just too boring.
All three of the girls got a set of twins from Mom and Dad and a bag and t-shirts (for them and their dolls) from DeeDee and Grand.
Check out their patient little faces as they wait to pay....
This next picture is my favorite...
And then, what Becca had been waiting on....they got to get them out of the box! Mara's doll's names change about once a week. (This week they're Hannah and Karena...what great names Rachel!)
Becca got a girl and a boy and named them Becca and Dawson.
And Emily named hers Elizabeth #1 and Elizabeth #2.
Here's my baby doll with the girls' baby dolls!....(love, love, love this picture!)
We had such a sweet family time hanging out at the hotel, playing/shopping at the mall, and IKEA too. Next up is our lunch date with our dolls at the American Girl store.....

Oh my word....

2010-02-01T11:23:00.002-06:00

Squeeeeee!

Can. Not. Wait!

The fat guy in red came!

2010-01-30T15:50:00.001-06:00

First of all, I've got to got on my soapbox for a minute and talk about the controversial fat guy in red. We 'do' Santa at our house.

We know a lot of families who don't 'do' Santa because they don't want to confuse Santa's realness with Christ's realness, and they want Christmas to be all about the birth of Christ. I totally understand their decision and am grateful that we each can make decisions for our own families. We have decided to 'do' Santa at our house and that decision was not taken lightly. We talked and prayed about it before we had children. Here's why we 'do' Santa.....

-The birth of Christ is not downplayed at all in our house, and we teach our children that Christmas is celebrated because of the Christ-Child.

-We talk every day about the realness of Christ.

-We do not talk about the realness or the fakeness of Santa.

I got so frustrated this last Christmas with adults (who don't 'do' Santa at their house) talking too openly about the fact that they don't 'do' Santa in front of my children. Hang in there, I'm almost done with my soapbox! So...if you decide not to 'do' Santa in your family, please do not spoil the fun for mine! Whew, I feel better now...jumping off my soapbox.

Now, on to what Santa brought to our house.....
The girls got a new kitchen, earrings, boots that they had been asking for forever (thanks to the Gap commercial), and some new books.

Nana and Papa got them new dress up clothes.
Aunt Carey made them these fun outfits. Oh and btw, did you see their new haircuts?!
And here we are looking at their main present. We surprised the girls with a trip to the American Girl Store for the next day. We're looking through the magazine here trying to decide which dolls they want to get!

Up next...pics of them picking out their dolls in the store and eating lunch with our dolls too....so fun!

Still Kicking...again!

2010-01-30T15:13:00.003-06:00

I be you thought I'd be back the same day to show you what Santa brought.....yeah, me too! Not sure where the last several weeks have gone but once again I'm going to try not neglecting my poor little piece of bloggityville. SO....I really will be back in just a little bit to tell you about Christmas!

Waiting for Santa

2010-01-06T20:28:00.000-06:00

I have a list of blog posts to catch up on again. I'm going to skip a few and jump to Christmas. Here is my quartet the night before all giddy for Santa.
Stay tuned to see what he brought....

Flood Warning

2009-12-31T20:31:00.003-06:00

Bath time....
...in the sink....
...for not much longer.
I'm tired of having to put the kitchen rug in the dryer after every one of Sam's floods, er I mean baths!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T20:08:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas from Phil and Carrie

Mara, Emily, Becca, and Sam

Rain, rain...go away!

2009-12-18T13:10:00.000-06:00

On a cold rainy day like today, the girls and sunshine in these pictures warm me up a little bit.

Motherhood Lesson #393

2009-12-16T21:12:00.002-06:00

Check to make sure that hubby put the baby's diaper on straight BEFORE putting him in the johnny-jump-up. Be prepared to clean poopy off of toes if you don't.

Motherhood Lesson #392

2009-12-11T11:01:00.002-06:00

Remember this lesson from last winter?
Well, I guess this could be an addendum to it.....
If you have a newly potty trained child and hear, "I'm done...", take your scarf off first.

Gobble, Gobble

2009-12-09T07:00:00.000-06:00

Turkey cookies for Thanksgiving. The girls loved making them almost as much as eating them.

Mmmmmm, Cake!

2009-12-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

Doesn't have much taste though!

So Lucky

2009-12-07T07:00:00.000-06:00

...that God picked me to be the mommy of these three hoodlums...
...and that my husband is a fabulous photographer and is so good at catching these priceless memories.

I've never seen cuter pumpkins.

2009-12-04T07:00:00.002-06:00

We've finally reached the end of my catch-up posts. I know most of you are getting ready for Christmas now, but how could you resist looking at these super cute pumpkins. I'm not sure what's cuter in this picture, Emily's hat or her "Seriously?" face or Becca's "Cheese" face, or Sam's butterball-ness!
We started our trick-or-treating at Nana and Papa's house. That poor cat....he gets abused by Mara about once a week and still hasn't learned to go hide.
Then we hit a few houses on our block.
And ended the night with some candy bowl diving.
If there are cuter pumpkins out there, I haven't seen them!

Fast Forward

2009-12-03T07:00:00.000-06:00

How in the world did she go from this...
...to this....
...in what seems like overnight.
Seriously.
I'm afraid to take a potty break cause she might be going to college when I get back.

Roly Poly

2009-12-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

Look at those legs! I LOVE me some baby fat rolls....and this little man has plenty.

Fancy Frances Soirée

2009-11-30T22:50:00.000-06:00

This is catch up post #.....oh well, I've lost track. I do know that there are only two more 'catch-up' posts left before I'll have to go back and catch up on blogging about the last three weeks while I was blogging about the last two months....did you get all that?!

Anyway, we got to be in Memphis for my niece's 5th birthday party. It was a dress-up party at a cute little bakery in town. Here is Mara and the birthday girl, Frances putting away the yummy cookies.
And here's Emily making her fancy pearl necklace.....
And all three of my beautiful princesses deep in concentration....

So loved

2009-11-25T06:50:00.000-06:00

You can tell how old these pictures are by how little the little monkey is in them.

I LOVE these pictures. We have pictures of Mara snuggling with Em when she was tiny....Mara and Em snuggling with Becca when she was tiny....and now these. There's not a picture of Becca snuggling this night cause I'm sure her stubborn filter was turned on!

This little monkey is definitely SO loved.

Confidence with a Capital "G"

2009-11-24T17:50:00.000-06:00

Gymnastics that is.

Oh, and this is catch up post #4 if anyone is keeping track.

The girls started gymnastics in October, and they love, love, LOVE it! Here they are waiting as patiently as they can for class to start.
None of them are incredible athletic but they are all doing so well. Emily did a tuck roll for the first time (she wouldn't even try it for five weeks) last week and you should have seen how proud she was. We probably won't ever do gymnastics competitively, but for the time being it's a fun way to run off some energy and add a little confidence.

My baby girl turns three.

2009-11-21T21:45:00.000-06:00

Catch up post #3.

Becca Sue is now three. We had a great birthday party at Build-A-Bear. Look at all of these great looking kids...
I think this is my all time favorite picture of my baby girl. She was holding her bear's heart in her hands and making a wish. This girl is serious about her wish making...she stayed just like this for a full five minutes!
Heidi, this picture is for the rehearsal dinner slide show in about twenty years!
Look at this sweet face. Is this really the same face that screams "NO" 24/7 and spends half of her days in time-out?
All of the kids had a great time and my three girls still sleep with their bear/bunny/puppy every night.

Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl. You still are my sweet Becca even though everything goes through your stubborn filter. I love you and your little strong will. I pray that God uses that strong will in mighty ways.

Caught in the act....

2009-11-18T22:00:00.000-06:00

...of preschool!

Here's catch up post #2. More pictures of Emily and Becca's first day of preschool.

Becca was a little timid at first and had a few rough weeks of adjusting, but she's doing SO good now.
Emily had a horrible adjustment period last year at this time. I wasn't sure I was going to survive with my sanity...well, I guess my sanity is still up in the air! She has grown up so much this summer though. She walked right into her classroom on the first day and didn't even look back to see if I was following.
She was too scared to climb this jungle gym last year, or rather tired to climb this jungle gym dozens of times and ended up in major meltdowns. She scales the entire thing now without even thinking twice.

I'm so thankful for preschool. It's so good for me to get some time to run errands without being the lady who lived in a shoe, and it's even better for Emily and Becca to have some time apart.

First Day of Preschool

2009-11-17T21:30:00.000-06:00

This is post #1 of catching up.

I blogged about Mara's first day of Kindergarten here. Just a few weeks later, Emily and Becca started preschool twice a week. Here are my big girls in their obligatory first day of school photos...

LOVE this last one! Especially since these two fight 24/7....it's good to see them looking at each other with smiles on their faces!

Center of Attention

2009-11-16T21:30:00.000-06:00

It's a good thing he doesn't mind being the center of attention.
Five months later, these girls are still crazy about their baby brother.

Siblings or Cousins?

2009-11-14T20:44:00.002-06:00

If you didn't know any of the children in this picture....could you pick out who are siblings and who are cousins?

Mad Pumpkin Carving Skills

2009-11-12T07:30:00.000-06:00

We've always painted our pumpkins instead of carving them. Partly because I can't stand the smell and mess of cleaning the pumpkin guts out and partly because the girls can do the painting all by themselves.

This year the girls each painted one like usual but Phillip and I carved a few too. We had so much fun carving, I'm not sure we'll paint any next year!

So without further ado, I present our Jasmine pumpkin...
Our glass slipper pumpkin....
And our Beauty and the Beast Rose pumpkin....
Can you tell we have a few girls in our house who are crazy about Disney princesses?!

Has anyone seen Becca?

2009-11-11T15:00:00.000-06:00

Let's Pretend

2009-11-10T07:30:00.001-06:00

I promise to have posts with more words soon, but until then here's more pictures from our photo shoot with Daddy the other day.

This one would be fabulous if they were all looking in the same direction and maybe smiling just a little bit...let's just pretend they are...see, it's a great picture!

And let's pretend that the car is not in the background here and that Becca's smile is not quite so painful looking.
Mara might catch some flies here, but I love how 3/4th of them are laughing here. Becca's probably not smiling because I had just asked her to smile. Everything goes through her three-year-old stubborn filter (that's a blog post of it own).
Even though you have to pretend a little, I still LOVE having these great pictures of my MSC (Many Small Children as MckMama would say). And LOVE having a great (and very cute) photographer with us all the time!

...and One Little Monkey!

2009-11-09T15:39:00.003-06:00

Monkeys live in trees, so he must be a little monkey.

I'm Still Kicking

2009-11-09T13:33:00.004-06:00

It only took five months but my little man is finally added to this here blog...introducing Three Girl Circus and One Little Monkey (thanks Shelby)!

I can not believe that I have not blogged in almost two months. I have so many posts to catch up on. Be back soon!

Worth it?

2009-09-18T08:49:00.000-05:00

The heartburn....swollen ankles.....doctor appointments.....
...sleepless nights.....nothing to wear because of the 'baby weight'.....
...craziness and noise of having four children....and a hundred other inconveniences in the world's eyes...
Yep, it's all worth it!

Swinging...Three Girl Circus Style

2009-09-10T21:50:00.000-05:00

Crazy style...

Princess style...

Lightning fast style...

Ummm, not even sure what to call this style...

Oh, and those of you who keep asking about my blog name....yes, I do plan on including Sam in the title very soon! I just have to get my cute hubby to get a good picture of all four of them and then photoshop it for my header. So I guess I can blame it on him that Sam is being neglected here. He is cute though...my hubby that is...well, Sam too!

So busy and So stylish!

2009-09-09T11:30:00.000-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesday go here or here.

Seems like a perfectly good day to go skating.

2009-09-08T22:11:00.004-05:00

After reading the President's address to school children yesterday and asking a couple of questions to Mara's teacher, we decided that Mara would indeed watch the speech live at school. I talked to her this morning and told her that she was going to get to hear the President of the United States talk to her today. I reminded her that his name is President Obama. Her response?....."Momma, that's kind of like Joe Mama!" Ok, that teaching moment was over so I just told her that I was excited that she would get to see the President today.

When she got home I asked her if she saw the president today. She said yes, so I asked her what he said to her.

Mara: He said that you never know if you can do something unless you try.

Me: Wow, that's awesome Mara. So we should always try our best, right?

Mara: Yes, I think I want to try skating.

Me: So what else did the president say?

Mara: Mom, when can we go skating?

Me: Mara, what else did the president talk about?

Mara: I really want to try skating.

Me: Do you remember what the president looked like?

Mara: Ummm....

Me: Do you remember his name?

Mara: Ummmm.... I don't know Mom, can we go skating now?

So evidently the President talked about skating today...or so my five year old thinks! Aren't you glad that there was so much controversy over a speech about skating.

To opt-out or not to opt-out

2009-09-05T17:31:00.002-05:00

I'm sure you all have heard about President Obama speaking to school aged children this coming Tuesday. Our school district is showing the speech in the classrooms but giving parents the option whether or not to have their children view it.

Evidently this is nothing new...Carter, Reagan, and George Bush all gave a speech to school children. Their addresses were on video tapes that were distributed to the schools. When I was in school (I sound like my dad now!), we didn't have a tv in every class room and the internet did not exist SO not every child in school was able to view those addresses.

With our current technology, all of the school children will be able to watch President Obama's speech live. That is an awesome opportunity for our children. About seven years ago I was able to see George W. speak in person at an NRB conference. Regardless of what I thought about him as a president, it was a really neat experience to see the President of the United States speak in person.

I would love for my child to experience a live speech from our president, but I do have a couple of problems with the situation.

First of all, Mara Lin's teacher has replaced me as the smartest woman in the world. I hear at least five or six times a day, "Ms. Cockrell says..." Mara really looks up to her and is very influenced by everything she says. (That's a good thing when she's trying to teach Mara to read or write or count.) A couple of questions on the government's list of suggested discussion questions both before and after the speech can be turned political very easily. I don't know Mara's teacher's political views but even if they were the same as mine, I would not want her to be influencing my child whether it be conservative or liberal....that's my job.

And finally, I do not trust President Obama to not have some hidden agenda with his speech. He seems to have a hidden agenda with everything else he does...one example being his healthcare plan to federally fund abortion....but I digress. I really don't want to get into a political debate here, I am just simply trying to figure out what is best for my child.

The government is releasing the entire content of the speech on Monday. I am waiting to read that and to talk to Mara's teacher about whether there will be any discussion in the classroom before I decide whether or not Mara will be viewing it at school. I'd love for Mara to see this speech and to see it live, but I am leaning towards opting out. If I do opt-out then we will watch the speech together Tuesday night as a family.

So that's my two cents. I would not advise any parent to opt their child out of watching the speech or advise any parent to allow their children to watch the president's speech. I would only advise every parent to be informed and choose what's best for their own family.

I'll share!

2009-09-02T07:00:00.001-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesday, go here or here.

His first Wollmeise

2009-09-01T18:00:00.000-05:00

I was 32 before I got my first pair of Wollmeise socks. Sam's way ahead of me!

Wiped Out

2009-08-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesday go here or here.

Polishing My Bow

2009-08-16T15:51:00.001-05:00

Psalm 127: 3-5

³ Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.

⁵ Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

I'm polishing my bow and preparing my heart for the release...easier said than done! Here's Mara Lin on her first day of Kindergarten.

There it goes flying again.

2009-08-15T15:49:00.000-05:00

My little girl is a Kindergartner. Can. Not. Believe. It.

Monday was registration day when we got to meet her teacher for the first time. Here's Mara with her teacher...
She is very sweet, warm, caring, motherly, etc....makes the transition for this momma a little easier!

After meeting Ms. Cockrell and hanging out in her room for a little while, we got to go on a Mommy date. I don't get to spend much alone time with the girls so this was a real treat. (Nana had Emily, Becca, and Sam...Sam screamed most of the morning and Becca Sue got two time-outs from Nana....so thanks just doesn't seem a good enough word to say to Nana!)

We started out at Starbucks to talk about where else we wanted to go...
She got her very own Mocha Frappuccino!
She decided that she wanted to go shopping so we went to the dollar store to pick out some cheap toys. Then ended the morning at Chuck E. Cheese...as much as I hate that place, I really had a blast with my girl. She talked, and talked, and talked, and talked. I needed a nap when we were done!

The only problem now is figuring out how to keep time from flying so fast!

Up next is first day of school pictures...

Catch Up

2009-08-14T15:44:00.004-05:00

Ok, it's time to catch up with the blog posts. The last post was photos from May; here's some from July.

This is the amazing sunset we watched as we waited for the fireworks to start on the 4th. Man, God's an awesome artist!
Then the glow sticks came out...

Two-thirds of the girls loved the fireworks, but Mara was very unimpressed. She wanted to see them closer. Oh well, she did love doing "fireworks" at the house though.

So if it were six weeks ago I'd say "Happy 4th of July", but since it's not...I'll just say "Happy August 14th!"

Better Late

2009-07-30T22:50:00.001-05:00

I guess since Mara Lin's fixing to start Kindergarten (in 11 days to be exact), I should probably go ahead and post pictures of the Preschool graduation from back in May...Oops!

Here's Emily walking in a waving to me. The younger classes just came out and sang a few songs. She is normally really shy when she knows that someone is looking at her, but she really did good singing all of the songs and even doing a few motions.
Then the graduation. The kids sang a few songs and then told everyone what they wanted to be when the grow up. Mara wants to be a ballet teacher. Then they got to ring the bell. Here's Mara ringing the bell...
And yes, I might have shed a tear or two when she walked out in the graduation cap looking oh so very grown up. I'll blame it on the hormones though since I was about 36 weeks pregnant!
And of course the other two had to pose for daddy too. I love this one of Emily...very artsy!
And here's the girl who grew up over night....
Stay tuned for first day of Kindergarten pictures in eleven days!

Boo!

2009-07-29T21:42:00.003-05:00

Scared you, didn't I?!

You thought I had forgotten the url to my blog, huh?

Let me just tell you that life is kicking my booty. We're surviving but not really having fun yet. Sam is a fabulously easy-going baby, but a 5 yr old, 4 yr old, 3 yr old, and a newborn....yep, kicking my booty!

I have lots of pictures to share from the last month that I've been gone but will save those for separate posts so it looks like I'm blogging again.

Along with life inside my own house wearing me out, our church family has been dealing with a lot lately too. My pastor's father (and close family friend) passed away about three months ago and then shortly after that, we found out a sweet, sweet close friend has colon and liver cancer and is now going through chemo. As if that's not enough, my pastor's 17-year-old son died three weeks ago from injuries sustained in a car accident.

God has showed up amazingly within our church family.

I've definitely been saddened, disappointed, and even angry at God, but I know that God's will for my life is to be sanctified, be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in ALL circumstances (1 Thes. 4:3, 5:16-18). I exist for His glory, and even though it is hard to say, my children also exist for His glory.

I hold my children up to God with open hands wanting only His glory. I definitely could not have said that three weeks ago, but seeing my pastor praise God through the pain and wanting only His glory has taught me that God was waiting on me to surrender my hold on my children. They are not mine, they're God's. My single desire for their lives is to bring glory to God!

It's so good to be back blogging...putting my thoughts on 'paper' and helping to work through them in my own head. God is good and we are immeasurably blessed!

Public Service Announcement

2009-06-26T18:53:00.002-05:00

Warning: All of my male readership should stop reading this post now.

No really Dad, you don't want to hear what I'm fixing to say.

Ok, if you're male and still reading...don't say I didn't warn you.

I just HAVE to tell you about the new Always Infinity pads. Oh my word, is it possible to love a pad? Well, if it is then these are the ones!

I have really sensitive skin which the nurses at the hospital loved last week since they couldn't use any adhesive on me. I have allergic reactions to anything on or against my skin for any length of time. That poses a problem when you have to wear pads for so long after having a baby.

Well, these pads are super thin, very cottony, not at all plastic-y, and get the job done super well. For real, you've got to try them...would I totally embarrass myself and post about pads on my blog if they're weren't fabulous?! They are expensive but there was a $4 coupon in the 6/7 newspaper that make them really worth a try.

And while I'm at it, I might as well tell you about a fabulous new nursing bra I found too. I HATE nursing bras. If you find one that comfortable then 'the girls' look really bad, and if you find one that makes 'the girls' look good then it is so uncomfortable. Well, Bravado body silk nursing bra to the rescue. It is really comfortable AND make 'the girls' look ok too. Oh, and I found them for about 1/2 price on ebay too. Comfort...great looking 'girls'...and a great deal too...can't beat it!

Mushy

2009-06-25T13:30:00.000-05:00

My brain that is...it's mushy, so I'll just post some more pictures of my little man and hope that I'll be able to write some real thoughts soon!

Oh and yes, I knit his vest. The pattern is free here and it's done in Malabrigo sock yarn.

Eat. Him. Up.

2009-06-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

Just get me a spoon cause I could eat up his sweet 'baby'ness!
And I had to post this picture too....This is Phillip's test shot before I got Sam naked...cracks me up!

Crazy...

2009-06-21T20:32:00.000-05:00

about...

her...

baby...

brother!

If she's not holding him, she's asking to hold him or just sitting and watching him.
This girl really is CRAZY about her baby brother. It's so sweet to see.

So good to be home!

2009-06-20T20:43:00.002-05:00

The signs say "Welcome Home Sam" and "Welcome Home Mom and Dad." The middle three are "S", "A", and "M". Man, it is SO good to be home!

Introducing...

2009-06-20T18:10:00.001-05:00

Samuel John Jerkins
7 lbs. 3 oz. 20 inches long
born June 18th at 7:29 am.

The girls are absolutely nuts about him!
Emily would hold him 24/7 if we let her.
I think I'm going to have plenty of help!
We're home now and loving getting into our new normal.
I'll be back soon with more pics of my little man.

Any guesses?

2009-06-17T08:28:00.002-05:00

Samuel John's birthday is tomorrow!

I've been wondering all morning how big he's going to be.

Mara Lin was 6 lbs, 2 oz. at two weeks over due.
Emily Elizabeth was 6 lbs, 10 oz. at one week early.
And Becca Sue was my gigantor at 8 lbs, 1 oz. at one week early.

SO Sam will also be one week early. How big do you think he'll be?

I don't feel like my tummy is any bigger than it was with the others, but I didn't think my tummy was bigger with Becca Sue either.

My guess is 7 lbs, 13 oz.
What's your guess?

Deliver Me

2009-06-16T07:54:00.002-05:00

Oh yes, I'm ready!

Only two more days now.

The list is done and I have nothing to do but wait.

Um yeah, I'm ready!

Do you see that over there on the side?

2009-06-06T07:48:00.003-05:00

Right over there where it says Psalm 139:13.
I can not believe that it says 12 more days to go.
Twelve days...TWELVE days!
My bucket list is still SO long...I've got to get busy.

Favorite Things Swap

2009-06-04T08:44:00.002-05:00

It's time to report back about a fabulous swap that I participated in. Mamarazzi organized another great one. I was paired up with Melissa. It was so much fun to put together a package for her, and then I got all these goodies in the mail the other day....
Oh, this picture is minus a few (make that about a dozen) smarties since those are Phillip's favorite and he raided them before I had a chance to take a picture!

Thanks Mamarazzi for organizing such a fun swap, and thanks to Melissa for a fabulous package!

Check it out!

2009-06-03T07:24:00.002-05:00

If you're reading this on Google Reader or Bloglines or something...click on over and check out the new header. It's so nice to have my own live-in Geek Squad for all my computer needs...not to mention he's cute too!

Leftovers

2009-05-30T07:13:00.005-05:00

I found these 'leftover' pictures hiding on Phillip's camera from Florida.

Here are the girls making cookies with Nana....aka playing with flour and dough! I love Becca's tongue here too.
And here's an after shot of Becca. She even had flour in her ears!
Here's Mara looking for dolphins...
And my favorite...this was the moon the last couple nights there. It was SO bright and gorgeous shining off of the water.
Oh man, I wanna go back now!

A rose by any other name....

2009-05-29T08:40:00.003-05:00

I have a serious post still bouncing around my head and my drafts page, so in the mean time here's something to entertain you...or distract you, whatever the case may be!

I stole this from Jenny at One Thing. I love the superhero name, and the nascar name...that could so be a nascar driver!

Rock Star Name: (1st Pet’s name & current car) ~ Babe Venture
Fly Guy/Girl Name: (1st initial + first 3 letters of your last name) ~ C-Jer
Detective Name: (Fave color & fave animal) ~ Pink Cat
Soap Opera Name: (Middle name & city/town born in) ~ Lin Ft. Leonardwood
Star Wars Name: (First 3 letters of last name + first 2 of first name) ~ Jerca
Superhero: (”The” & second fave color & fave drink) ~ The Green Diet Coke
Nascar Name: (1st names of grandfathers’) ~ Roy Keith
Stripper Name: (Fave scent/perfume/cologne & fave candy) ~ Lavender SweetTart
Witness Protection Name: (Mom & Dad’s middle name) ~ Sue John
Weather Anchor Name: (5th grade teacher’s last name & a city which starts with the same letter) ~ Bagwell Birmingham
Spy/Bond Name: (fave season/holiday & fave flower) ~ Spring Tulip
Cartoon Name: (fave fruit & article of present clothing + “ie” or “y”) ~ Strawberry Flip Floppy
Hippy Name: (What you ate for breakfast & fave tree) ~ Oatmeal Willow

Neglect

2009-05-26T19:54:00.003-05:00

I'm so glad that blogs don't run away or throw fits or even die when you neglect them. They just sit here patiently waiting on some attention.

I promise to be back soon with some pictures to share, a couple of serious posts, maybe a new header if I can sweet talk my hubby, and I'll try not to complain too much about being so hugely pregnant with no a/c in the house (oops, I think I just complained!).

Say it isn't so.

2009-05-12T09:15:00.000-05:00

Someone please tell me that I did not just register my firstborn for Kindergarten.

And for those of you who have been here before....tell me when my tears will stop!

A Year Later

2009-05-10T15:30:00.000-05:00

Then...

Now...

Then...

Now...

Then...

Now...

More pictures to make you jealous!

2009-05-08T17:20:00.000-05:00

Mara and Emily both love the water....pool/ocean, doesn't matter....they love it.
Becca on the other hand looked like this most of the week....
...and still had fun laughing with/at the big girls. Then I managed to get her in the water once, but it was a fluke cause she never did it again. Here's the photographic evidence though...
This girl would dig in the sand ALL day.
And Mara just liked running around...collecting shells, getting water to pour on her sand castle....she never stopped moving.
Someone please tell me that this is not my baby. My baby is not this big.
Love the sky behind them in this picture. We've really enjoyed God's creations this week.
Oh, and here's a picture of Sam at the beach too! Or wait...it might be a beached whale...no, I think it's Sam!

Mother's Day

2009-05-08T08:30:00.000-05:00

I've had this post bouncing around my head for two years now (still CAN NOT believe that I've been blogging for two years!). It's actually been a 'draft' for a year now. I feel really strongly about this, but the problem is that I'm struggling to get it to come out right. Well, I'm going to stop revising it and just push post....so here goes!

I have such conflicting feelings about Mother's Day. I love my own Momma so much and love celebrating and honoring her every year...so in that view, I love Mother's Day.

As a woman who has struggled with infertility for many years, I know how painful Mother's Day can be. The pain of infertility is so deep and yet so silent...making it even deeper.

During my initial infertile years, I clung to my Jesus more than ever. I cried out to Him on a daily basis, and that was the only thing that brought peace during that time.

The problem is that even though Jesus was my only comfort, the church seemed to only deepen my pain on a day that was very painful to begin with. Every aspect of the service, as well as everything before and after the service on Mother's Day reminded me that I was not a mother. It was very tough to go to church on Mother's Day during those painful years.

I don't have anything against celebrating Mother's Day (and didn't during my initial infertile years...I've already said that I love celebrating my Momma....and I loved celebrating her during those years as well). I guess I just have a problem with celebrating Mother's Day on a corporate level. On Father's Day, most churches have 'regular' services which they add an "Oh by the way, Happy Father's Day" to it.

Well, I'm not sure if any of this is coming out right so I'll just shush for now. I guess what I really want you to know is that if you know any women struggling with infertility...just give her an extra hug and let her know you're praying for her this Mother's Day.

Dancin' on the Beach

2009-05-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

Checkin' off the to do list.

2009-05-01T09:16:00.002-05:00

Gas van.....check
Get cash from atm....check
Pack swim suits and beach towels.....check

Florida Vacation here we come!

I just got done looking back at pictures on my blog from the last two vacations (Can not believe that I've been blogging for two years!). I'm so ready for the sun, sand, and fun....but my word how the girls have grown! Let me just cry for a minute about that....ok, now I'm ready for some R&R!

I think there's a Veggie Tales song about that.

2009-04-22T12:45:00.000-05:00

Way to go, Miss California!

In my best Junior voice....
Stand up (stand up, stand up)
For what you belieeeeeeve in, belieeeeeve in, belieeeeeeve in, God!
(He's the one to back you up.)
Will stand with you. (He'll staaaand with you.)

Just like God sees us!

2009-04-21T18:32:00.003-05:00

Aren't you glad that God doesn't judge us from the outside? Thank you Susan Boyle for making me cry (which isn't really hard now a days!) and reminding me to look past the outside appearances of others just like my God does!

Easter Weekend: In Pictures

2009-04-17T10:12:00.004-05:00

Last weekend was so busy, I feel like we're just now recovering. With all the busyness came lots of fun though too....

We started the weekend at our church's spring carnival. The weather was not very cooperative with the wind and 40 some degrees but that did not stop the fun.
Here are the girls enjoying some cotton candy...
and hanging out with the Easter Bunny....
Heidi, I couldn't resist posting this one! Love you my friend!
Here are the girls finding their Easter baskets on Sunday morning...

Then it was off to church and over to Nana and Popa's afterwards.
Here are the girls at Nana and Popa's in their Easter dresses...(LOVE Mara Lin's face here!)
And now to hunt some eggs at Nana and Popa's...
"I found one!"

And finally....Rhen, this picture is for you. Here is my huge roundness at 29 weeks. Oops, I mean Samuel's huge roundness!

It's swap time again!

2009-04-17T09:05:00.000-05:00

I'm doing Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap again. It was so much fun last time, I couldn't resist. Come check it out and join me!

Yep, the blue has definitely grown on me.

2009-04-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

After some consignment sale shopping, Carter's store clearance shopping, and knitting.....I can definitely say that the blue has grown on me.

Most recently off the needles....Pattern: Vintage Baby Cardigan, and my own hat and sock pattern (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Wollmeise in Barista

Pattern: my own hat pattern (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Sunshine Yarn's Twist Sock Yarn in Weazley's Wizard Wheezes

Pattern: my own hat and sock pattern (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Malabrigo sock yarn in Impressionist Sky

It's an Art Gallery

2009-04-09T15:14:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the Three Girl Circus art gallery!
It was their idea, and they've taped every drawing, art project, and cutting project that they've done all week on this wall. This picture is all three of them sitting behind the desk where they're selling the art. So far I've paid two pennies, a dime, three M&Ms, and cup of yogurt....and have five fabulous pieces of art to call my own forever.

I love that the entire project was their idea and that they've spent A LOT of time (not arguing) working on it, but the mess is about to drive me crazy. I think the art gallery might be closing tomorrow because all of the art work mysteriously disappeared overnight!