Thankful Thursday

Totally spaced this off last week and I was about to this week too.

However. I'm actually doing this a day prior as today (5) we are off to p-town to visit aunt k and 5 shaye girl. We are doing some free time at the gym, lunch with uncle j possibly, and of course maybe smoothies from smo'roe or cherry donuts from the bakery. My kiddos adore both. Plus I have a secret fetish with the town, brings backs floods of memories of the glory college days. My oh my how things have changed though.

1. Fresh white snow
2. Downton Abbey - side note. We are watching the first two seasons after watching the third. We are flying thru them. In fact we watched three episodes last night. No wonder we are dragging in the mornings of late. D and I love it though. Thanks Elizabeth & Erin for letting us in on the secret!
3. Small things off the checklist
4. Talks with my mom
5. Co-Ed volleyball, huge thanks to D's parents for watching the kiddos
6. Sledding with Daddy
7. Tickle parties
8. God's grace - I'm so so undeserving
9. date nights
10. birthday parties
11. D coming home even 15 minutes early
12. The random junk I have laying around. Makes for cheap projects
13. Spray paint
14. Junk shops
15. Ells going #2 on the potty - wow!
16. slippers
17. fireplace
18. the smell of candles lit


Romans 8:5

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Question: Where is your mind set? Praying that the Holy Spirit dwells in you so that your mind is set on what the Spirit desires rather than the flesh.

Sage 11 months

We are exactly one month from my littlest's first birthday. I can't believe it. I need to get going on designing his birthday invites etc but really I think I'm just scared to start as then its reality. It seems like just yesterday we were trying to sell our house, getting ready for the move and waiting out his birth. He was my two days late and really stubborn birth.

If I recount each birth story I think I have experienced pretty close to it all minus a home birth. From one thing to the next. Just goes to show you that each experience is totally a new one and you can never be 100% certain on what to expect. 

Oh Sager...

He is a busy little one. By far my busiest. Or at least it feels that way. If I turn my head for a moment he is into the pantry dumping out a bag of potato chips, climbing up the stairs, fishing in the toilet, etc. The list goes on and on. He definitely knows how to get around and how to stay busy. He typically follows the bro and sis around but sometimes you can find him off exploring on his own.

He here is in a quick snyopsis:

Sleep: Goes down at about 7 each night and is up around 6:30 each morning. He loves to snuggle his blankie and his owl (thanks grandma rene). He curls up tight against the bumper in the corner of his crib. He still sleeps through snoring big bro which is amazing.  Still napping in the morning and afternoon most days.

Eating: Nursing 4 times a day. Just dropped the after morning nap. Eats three meals a day plus snacks. Finally drinking out of cup all by himself. Yea! Loves all kinds of fruits and veggies. Eats pretty much everything other than mashed potatoes, avocados, and eggs. Tried some peanut butter and he loves it plus no allergy. Yea.  Might start to introduce some milk in the next week or so. 

New Things: He is mimicing sounds. He can click his tongue. Love to laugh. Cheeses for the camera. Can say momma, dadda, ball. Probably a few more words coming soon. He loves to be in on the action. Loves the snow. Walks all over the place. Loves to push the chairs or stools in the kitchen. Loves to help with the dishwasher. Plays in the cupboards. Loves to read stories especially touch and feel ones or ones with sounds. He loves balls, trucks and trains. He even gets into Wild Kratts. He loves to dance and listen to music. He is super ticklish under the arms. 

He is growing up. Right before my eyes. Love love you so much Sage. 

The Careful Climber

The joy an empty box can bring. Even a 10 month old.

I watched Sage entertain himself climbing up and back down for at least 30 minutes. Probably would have went on longer had supper not needed to be made.

The Zoo

We got a family pass to the zoo

Thanks to Grandma Joyce & Papa Don

We got to enjoy it the other day with some of our bestest friends.

It wasn't crowded and some of the normal stuff was closed but fresh air and friends. What more could we have asked for.

We had a blast.

P.S. We have a pass plus 2 so we can get in two additional people anytime. So if you wanna go with us, just holler. We would love the company!

These legs are made for...

WALKING

I think I can finally say Sage is officially walking. He has been at it for a few weeks now. But I would say in the last week or so his primary mode of transportation is his feet.

In fact, I watched him try to get from the bedrooms to me in the living room. His pants are always a tad long so this hindered his movement some but each time he fell he would promptly stand back up and keep walking my direction.

Here is the best video I have on my phone. He seems to see me most of the time and then stop and come crawling quickly to get my phone. I know I need to break out the camera and actually record it but at least we have tidbits here and there on our phones.

Try this link to see the video...http://youtu.be/bYpnAqlETYY

Thankful Friday

1. my valentine (and little valentines) - spoiled me rotten with gerber daises (my favorite), a movie, pie
2. my little explorer (Sage pretty much totally walking)
3. pearl earrings
4. beautiful weather in the middle of Feb.
5. zoo pass (thank you grandma joyce and papa don)
6. dinner with friends (thanks kinzenbaws)
7. simple nights in
8. sugar cookies
9. crafts with my kids
10. funny phrases ellsyn says
11. new books - the kiddos valentine from us
12. mail - the kids have enjoyed getting cards and treats lately
13. our driveway and not so busy street - makes getting the mail and playing outside so much fun
14. vaccines & stickers
15. the pure entertainment we provide, pretty much everywhere we go
16. God's stirrings
17. sleep filled nights, sager has been sleeping all night pretty every night (fingers crossed tonite)
18. adoption (read my friend tracy's blog if you want an AMAZING story)


Ponder on this passage...it is from my bible study this past tuesday. So much truth. Amazing stuff.

2 Corinthians 2: 7-18

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed,but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[b] Since we have that same spirit of^[c]faith, we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. ¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Happy Valentines Day

We made a cute little treat for some of our friends. Gotta love that silhouette machine. In a matter of minutes you can whip up a cute little card and make it look like you spend hours cutting.

The kids had a blast. They received a few valentines in the mail and in person. They just love the holiday. I personally think its the hearts. Don't you. How does one not fall in love with a heart. I remember the day I used to think they were ugly and overdone. Then I bought this little guy.

My first Junk Bonanza purchase and he hangs above our bed and I love it.

On our slate for this evening is preparing some  hot beef sandwiches for the hubs (his favorite) and corn on the cob (a kiddos fav). We may even attempt the candlelit dinner again this year. If you remember last year - Ells practically lit her hair on fire playing around with the paper heart on the table so it may be a little more supervised this year, but she is another year older so we will see.

We have tried to be a little busy too today...

 We had to attempt some frosted cookies. Tough act to follow as my mother in law and sister in law's are famous. But they will taste good.

Gotta love the helpers.

We also finished some artwork in honor of the grandparents. Hoping to get some handprints on there but we will see how cooperative we are after nap today.

Of course - tis the season to celebrate my loves.

Sager...I love your little belly laugh as I chase you around. I love your wrinkled up nose smile. I love how you snuggle your blankie close. I love your affectionate looks. I love your love for food.

Ells...I love your spunk, your funny sayings, your crazy curly hair, your snuggles, and seeing your little tush in undies (finally)

Shaddy...I love your soft heart, your big brother guardianship, your eager to learn mind, your love for wild kratts and anything dad approved, and the way the Lord is pulling at your heart.

D...I love you! You are my best friend. I love the way you make me laugh. I love that you can call me out (or play a little friendly tune - Cruella Deville). I love your love for our kiddos and me. You are great leader and provider. I love that you love the Lord.

Can't say it enough but I have been blessed. Given some littles to love on and one big to love and let him love me.

Sit & Stand

From sitting to free standing...without aid.

Just a little new trick. I was hoping to get it on video but no dice.

Florida

well we are back. yes. a nice fun trip to florida was definitely a blessing in these deep cold winter months. plus the kiddos felt like they had vacation too enjoying days with both of their grandmas and papas.

i think they were pumped to see us but wouldn't mind if we were gone longer. tough to swallow as a momma yet love the fact they enjoy their grandparents that much.

however, sager had a little tougher time. he did great while we were gone but he sure snubbed us when we got home. hard to say if that little guy really knew what he was doing but didn't really want to go to either one of us initially. then to make matters even worse - he refused to nurse. i was distraught to say the least. i mean i wasn't ready to be done nursing. well he refused the noon feeding, again after nap and then again before bed. turning his head away and crying till he recieved a bottle. tears and regret filled my heart. i spent the night praying that if it was God's will he would nurse again in the morning. and he did. Amazing! what a small request but a HUGE answer to prayer for this momma. sager is getting back into the swing of things again and hasn't missed since.

i don't know but i secretly think sager was trying to prove a point. he was a little bit perturbed that we would just leave him for 7 days. for a little guy who has been with his momma since his birth, I guess I understand. just makes me even more thankful that he is my little guy and that i have the opportunity to spend that time each day/all day with him.

we sent each kiddo a postcard from our destination. of course, two arrived and one didn't. Shadd's was delayed a day but he took it in stride and reassured frama that his would be coming. what a sweetie. sometimes i am amazed by how mature that boy is.

we did laugh over a few attempts to get daddy to answer to papa but other than that we seemed to fall right back into our normal routine the rest of sunday and into monday morning.

as far as the trip...

it was everything i could ever ask for...

6 best friends. my bestest friend. golf. beach volleyball. the gulf. an island. ice cream. great food. games. fun. a date night. laughter. shopping. movies. isu basketball. waves. sun. seashells.

all in all perfect.

huge thanks to the hubs for the amazing trip.

plus our 3 friends who put in a lot of time to build us our home and their wives who put up with the long nights and all the extras.

along with the best parents in the world - who willing spent the entire week spoiling enjoying our kiddos.

but its always good to be home!

so here is the wrap up via instagram. hopefully i will get more of my pics off of my phone and uploaded but if not. this is a glimpse into the week.

one of many ice cream stops - cream was our fav though

our house - beach breeze

lorenzo's pizza. yummo

the sunset at the pier

golf day 1 for me, day 2 for d - kb and bron were the lucky partners

the beach duo - doubt we'd be able to go pro

a washed up devil ray

leaving their imprint

kauffy's famous breakfast sandwich

the sunset

pre-departure bliss. look at the white skin. 

thankful thursday

I'm typing this from my phone from the beach so no hard feelings from any one reading. This is beach style thankful Thursday.
1. Walk in clinics
2. The best parents and in-laws in the World
3. Best friends\couples
4. Beach volleyball
5. homemade ice cream and homemade waffle cones
6. phones
7. Words with friends
8. Golf
9. The sound of the waves
10. A date night
11. Competition, friendly of course
12. Laughter
13. A good flick
14. The sound of our kids voices
15. Seashells
16. Outlet malls
17. Kleenex...and my extra moms looking out for me
18. Breast pump
19. Adventures in trying new things
20. My hubs for taking me on this wonderful getaway.

Well i better get back at it. The rays are calling my name. Sunday will come too soon for cold weather but.i.could use some kiddo snuggles.

Papa G turns 60

D's dad turned 60 a couple weeks ago and to celebrate we all got to stay in a hotel in DSM. We had a blast. I was all prepared for a night of no sleep but nope. Sager slept all night in that stinkin pack n play. Made me almost throw out the crib and just sleep him in that. But he's been doing a little better at home.

We played at the pool, ate yummy meals and snacks, had birthday pie and cupcakes, hung out with our cousins super late and slept in. Just kidding. We were up bright and early. 6 am on the dot.

We had a blast though. Didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. 3 littles in the pool and a early sleeper made it a bit tough but still some cute ones to commemorate his big day.


Happy Birthday Papa G.