happy birthday mom!

Whenever people ask me how I survived the first year with twins, my response always includes: "I couldn't have done it without my mom." Seriously... above and beyond, people. And come to think of the it, she's pretty much been a major player in this circus ever since.

I have always known my mom was special. But you really understand the love and sacrifice when you become a mom yourself. She is always there. Always eager to help. I hope I can be there for my kids like she is for me. What a blessing it is for Hayes, Embry and Ellie to have such a close relationship with their Minnie. I love that they feel so close to her that sometimes they want her instead of me... and you know she digs that.

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you.

thankful

I'm thankful for God's love. When I begin to think about the uncertainties that we face right now with residency junk and finances, it's comforting to know that even though things change, he doesn't. He is faithful. He is forgiving. He is my shelter.

I'm thankful for Kyle. I'm thankful for the love we have. No one knows me like he does. I'm thankful that after ten years of marriage, we still crave that alone time. I'm not talking about sexy time alone time (Borat anyone?)... ok, maybe I am (ahhhh yeah) but what I meant was ditch the kids and let's hang out alone time. It's the thing I look forward to most.

***fyi... a little awkward for me to admit to seeing Borat right after talking about how much I love Jesus. If you've seen the movie, you'd understand. We were looking for funny. Funny it was... but oh my goodness, can anyone say traumatized?

I'm thankful that I have been blessed with three healthy children. Being a part in the shaping of these little people is truly amazing and I don't want to ever take it for granted.

I'm even thankful for the days my kids drive me crazy. Those trying times remind me that I am the one who gets to stay home with them day in and day out, nurturing and disciplining them... not someone else.

I'm thankful for our families. I can't even put into words my appreciation for what they have done for us. I'm thankful for their love and giving hearts.

I'm thankful for music. I can't imagine a world without it. A song can completely change my mood. I love that music is an outlet for my husband. I love hearing my kids sing and watching them dance to music. I'm thankful that I can turn it up really loud in the car to drown out the whining.

I could go on and on... a place to come home to, a car to get around in, friends, my camera, photoshop, air conditioning, hot showers, internet, online shopping, ipod, contact lenses, spanx, diet coke, sunbutter, ener-g egg replacer, modern medicine, sippy cups, washable markers, kandoo wipes, grocery stores (can you imagine trying to fit growing your own food into your daily schedule?), student loan deferment, life church messages online, mexican food, vacation... ok, ok I think you get my point. No matter how down or unfortunate we feel at times, we really are truly blessed. I am going to try and be better in thanking God for all of his blessings, big and small.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Be Thankful

by Nicola Ashcroft

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

so long sucka

And now ya know why my kids are always sick. Sneaking each other's sippy cups, gnawing on the same toys, sharing suckers...

At least they are sharing, even if it's germs.

ellie goes goth

Daddy knows how to do a lot of things. But makeup? Not one of them.

thanksgiving break

Kyle is working tonight and gets off tomorrow morning for a nice long Thanksgiving break. Like over a week break. I know. Crazy, right? Trust me, he'll get to make up for it with working Christmas. We'll take what we can get. We can't wait to spend time with him. He has been gone way too much lately. He has worked overnight three nights in the last week.

I guess we should be thankful at this point that he still has a place to work. Kyle said something last night that stuck with me. He said he can't let himself worry about the hospital drama, he can only focus on the things that are certain... like taking boards in December and improving his surgical skills.

I'm tellin' ya, God has really been working on our faith in the last year. How liberating it is to turn your worries over to him and trust him with your future. How comforting it is to have a husband who reminds me of that when I let the worry begin to creep in.

fun fact... I snapped this picture of Kyle while he was scrubbing the garage floor with gasoline.

happy birthday dad!

So here is the kind of guy my dad is... he is coming to my house on his birthday to lay tile in our bathroom. That's my dad. Always looking out for his girls. Papaw, we will try and be on our best behavior. Riiiiiight. Love you!

workin' girl

here kitty, kitty

While unloading groceries from the car last night, I walked into the kitchen to discover a cat. Well, hello there kitty, what can I do for ya? I had to hold him outside while Kyle closed the garage door because the little thing was determined to make his way back in.

When Kyle left this morning at 6, I heard meowing in the garage. Sure enough, Mr. Cat managed to get back in. Poor guy is probably hungry... or cold... or lonely. I'm hoping he didn't belong to the people that just moved out next door.

He was hanging around to greet Embry, Ellie and I when we got back from dropping Hayes off at school today. This is how much my kids have been around cats... they were scared and running away and then became brave enough to offer him leaves. You know, like the hungry caterpillar.

Please cat, go back home or find someone who can take you in. I don't know how much longer I can not feed you. Kyle would shoot me if I did!

on my mind

Philippians 4:6,7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

seriously paula?

I love Paula Deen recipes. Every recipe I have tried has been delicious. But seriously girl, this one is a little too much. A hamburger with fried eggs, bacon and Krispy Kremes for the bun? I better not let Hayes see this. Hamburgers, eggs and doughnuts? Oh my! He might just lose his mind! Maybe Paula found her inspiration from the Luther Burger.

I don't know, maybe I shouldn't knock it until I've tried it but it makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it.

my little girl

My little girl makes me smile...

everytime she sings her abc's. She tilts her head to the side and sings, "abdb abdb abdb abdb."

when she runs. If there was ever someone that ran like a girl, it's Miss Elle.

when she exclaims, "I did it! I did it!" It is one of her most common phrases these days. She is so proud when she figures something out. Her other common phrase is "bad girl!" She yells that at anyone who she becomes frustrated with. That however, does not make me smile.

the times when she wants to be held. She will find her blankie and paci and come looking for me, rubbing her blankie to her ear.

when she wants to pray before dinner. She reaches for our hands and says, "Pay, Pay." Tonight she closed her eyes, threw her head back and said, "God! Food. Amen!"

when she says hello to everyone she sees and continues saying it until the person acknowledges her. Good for her! One of the things that really irritates me is when a person doesn't say hello back to a child. What is wrong with people?

after I take the trash out to the garage, I come back in the kitchen and she is waiting for me with a new trash bag. She is such a good little helper. She sees me get the broom out of the closet and she runs to grab hers. She loves to help with the dishes and laundry too. Of course you never see the boys doing any of this. Typical. Boys.

I am so thankful God has blessed me with this sweet and spunky little girl.

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

decisions, decisions

no cavities!

Our big trip to the dentist this morning could not have been more pleasant. Hayes had been anxious all morning, so in turn I was anxious. But once he saw the toys in the waiting room (and by toys, I mean video games), the worries went away. The hygienist called out Hayes and he yelled, "That's me!"

Now growing up in Small Town, America, I have never experienced a pediatric dentist. It was quite impressive. A room full of mini dental chairs, each with a flat-screen tv playing Over the Hedge. About ten different flavors of toothpaste to choose from, including cookie dough. Hayes picked cherry. And he left with a bag full of goodies. I'm pretty sure he'll want to go back.

Hayes didn't have any cavities but he does have a crossbite. I learned today that means his top teeth on one side go down over the bottom ones like they should but they don't on the other side. Just one more reason to try and break the thumb sucking as early as possible! So it looks like we will be doing some sort of expander in six months. Yea!

I'm so proud of him for being brave today and working through that fear. He was such a big boy.

one, two, three...

pumpkin cake

Here is a perfect dessert for the holidays. It is so simple and delicious. My mother-in-law, Bev made it a few weeks ago and we all went crazy for it. She literally had it in the oven within minutes. You gotta try this. It will not disappoint!

Pumpkin Cake

1 spice cake mix
1 large can pumpkin pie mix (not plain pumpkin)
2 eggs
1/4 c. oil
1 container cool whip

*Mix all ingredients (except cool whip) well with mixer.
*Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes.
*Cool completely.
*Top with cool whip.

garlic toast, anyone?

Mommy's thoughts: "What's that smell? Freak! I was toasting bread wasn't I? What is wrong with me?"

Hayes' thoughts: "Hey Embry! Let's go play in the smoke!"

life with two boys

Ellie took off to Blackwell for a few days. So it's just me and the boys. Life is easier. I'm not saying Ellie makes things hard. Of course, I'm not saying she doesn't. ;) I'm just saying two is easier than three.

We headed to the park today and I pretty much had to drag the boys away from the stream. Embry wants to do everything his big brother does. It's too cute.

Thanks to Hayes, Embry's favorite sayings are "cannonball!", "to infinity and beyond!", "fire in the hole!" and my personal favorite "for-ehh-ver"... think Sandlot. Of course Embry's translation of "for-ehh-ver" means "that's mine, get away!"

Thanks Minnie and Papaw for allowing the boys this time to bond. Thanks for giving Miss Elle that personal time that I wish I could give more to each one of them.

spaghetti face

5minutesformom.com is holding a Fun with Food contest sponsored by Prego. The winner gets $500 from a local grocery store! We could use the food. We've got the fun... spaghetti face and a hat to boot! Here's our entry.

***uh-oh spaghetti-o***

I'm bringing this cutie back to the top... seeing that my first attempt at Mr. Linky was unsuccessful. Now I know!