Okay

so this week was full of some AMAZING shots

really

So

no room for blogging my thoughts

I got lots to say tomorrow...

but for now...

here is Monday's picture roll

a day late

they are beauties if I say so myself!

 

 

 

Can you say the cutest things EVER!

I walked in briefly to get something and I came  back to this

not prompting

I AM SO SERIOUS!
They were sitting on the bench in Riley and Walkers garden

and Baylen arm was around Hudson

I wish I knew what they were talking about

Best Bud's

Samantha is so sweet when she wants baylen to come in her room and play

He was very proud of the design that he made

what is sweeter

that he wants to do whatever Samantha wants him to do

Or the fact that Samantha lets him play with her stuff?

Lazy Saturday morning

there is something cozy about sweats and a pair of socks!

Thanksgiving day

playing Buzz and Woody with Pat Pat

she has not changed a bit

Love that Baylen is getting to have fun times with her

brings back many memories

Can't believe everyone is looking...and it was so painless!

four generations

Samantha Mom

Mommys Mom

MeMes Mom

Got it :)

 

Very excited to be a Dawg fan

 

waiting to see if we can win it all

 

GOOOOOO DAWGS

 

Loved these leaves

They are precious

Kevin getting ready to be Clarke Griswold

He said he needed his 22 oz dew in his Dew Goblet to get the job done!

So glad I had my camera handy at 7:40 am

in the Walmart parking lot

while Baylen was sporting footy pj's

insisting that Woody was seated

belted

right next to him

He even got a cookie from the bakery!

Love Love Love

watching the kids go through all the Christmas catalogs and putting their names on the pictures

Love to watch them believe and get so excited

Ryan our elf is BACK

The first night he wrote this on the bathroom mirror

He is on the light fixture above the mirror

and Yes that is my belly that did not seem to make it out of the picture

And then the next night

a mean transformer trapped him under a cup!

Bo decided to leave him a mint to take to Santa

that was SO sweet and cute

I could not resist taking a picture of Samantha

she looked so cute all the way to her boots and bow

I love how Baylen wanted to jump right into the picture!

Baylen had a blast this morning

He was so busy just playing and playing

Here he was giving Woody and Grinch a bath

I love how it looks like the Grinch is looking at Woody like

I am so not okay with this

and his arm even looks like it is hanging on for dear life

Baylen and I enjoyed our hot co-co as he says....

Love a morning with no where to go

with My Bay Bay

I would be lieing if I did not own up to some last few weeks cravings

there is just something about salty and sweet

and by the way I have only done this two times

okay three

but that is IT

the other times I just get a slushy or shake :)

 

Monday Memories in Motion

Whew

What

A

Day

I am putting my feet up

and letting out a deeeeeep breath

Thank the Lord Kevin came home for an early night....7:00

First in a very long while

and it was amazing to watch his patience with baylens

on and on and on demands

lasted about ahhhh

a minute

thank goodness Sam and Bo were on their A game

or their may have been a small

eruption

at 145 Parkway Drive

and thank goodness Piper had not dug anything up today

or

Well I don't want to think about it..

So

I have had one of those days that I have really reflected on

while I have been at stop lights in the car

It really was an amazing day....

But first I must paint a picture.....

We started the day at the peditrition for Bo's check up

which during the entire visit Baylen was grabbing my chin saying

I wanna go home I wanna go home I wanna go home

and yes

over

and over

and over

I swear that child is a broken record

it is like he gets stuck and he will not let up

really he will not

So if that was not enough

I got to surprise the three of them with......

Flu shots

Yeah!!!!!

they were thrilled

So then off to the playgroud

Which I thought would be good

But the three of them at the playgroud

Not so much

Bo wanted to play zombie and scare the you know what out of Sam and Bay

which were not into it at all

So instead of hearing

I wanna go home over and over

Here I heard

Bo Stop

BO Stop

over and over and over

The highlight was when Bo ripped his shirt off and did a lap around the track

only stopping for chin ups

and then Baylen wanted to join in

only to stop half way around the track

at its furthest point to yell

Momma

Momma

get me

get me

So I did

and our journey contined to the orthadontist

Which my luck had some older grandmoms in the waitning room

which did not seem at all interested in my brood

and gave me that look I have gotten

many times with three kiddos

and a belly

So as they were on and off the couch and fighting over the tooth chair

I decided to get them some hot chocolate

which was a bad choice since it was SOOOOO HOT!

Baylen did not understand

and so we went again

I want some

Its too hot honey

I want some

its too hot honey

and on and on

until he proceeded to pull it out of my hands

and yes

it went all over the sofa

Soooooo

moving on

we were called back to a very little room

with nothing in it by very breakable things

like models of teeth

and sharp things

So as they were telling me about the thousands of dollars it was going to take to fix

Samanthas teeth

Bo was using the stool to spin around and around and around

as he opened every drawer asking

whats that

whats this

and putting things on his head

and I would calmly say

Bo sweet honey love bug

lets not do that

And then Baylen

oh bless his heart

was on a new phrase

perhaps the worse of the day

mommy I need new diaper

new diaper

new diaper

new diaper

as if the new scent that has just appeared in the room

had not made us all aware

I had to excuse myself for a moment

from three doctors

to go and take care of buisness

So

if I could do it over again

no

I would not take two boys between the ages of 2 and 6 to a orthadotist consultation

but

on a posisitve note

we did make it through

only for Samantha to tear up in the parking lot

about everything that was talked about

she was not in the slightlest phased about how here brothers acted

she was more concerend with what was said

the money it was costing

the surgery

the cranks

and all the other strange words they were using that she did not understand

but knew could not be good

I realized that I had not yet really digested all of that

since I was consmued by

thing one and

thing two

did I mention that my pants were way too tight at the waist band and I swear they were cutting off circulation to the babies head

So

we calmed down and we moved on and we delieved thanksgiving food to the needy

which put things in perspective

which it always does

and then I came home

and sat for a moment

and read an update from the little girl Samamthas age battleing cancer

that is not doing well

and is in lots of pain

which put things into perspective

and then I saw on the news that the little boy that had a limb fall on him

was responding but still had tubes in him and a long road ahead

which put things into perspective

So

as I was wallowing in the dollar signs

and the uncomfortableness that I feel

and the patience that was being tested

I found myself smiling and really thinking what a wonderful day it really was

That I crave taking care of so many

and seeing how far my patience really will go

becuase I know in a blink of an eye

I will have no more braces to pay for

Boy that climbs the walls like Spiderman

Diapers to change

or pokes in my belly

I will just have a super clean house

that stays that way

because no one will come through to wreck it

and that will make me VERY sad

even if it sounds nice for a moment

so

Was today a good day

why yes it was

it was life for me

and it ended with giving Bo a quarter at the grocery store and letting him decide if he wanted to put it in the basket for the salvation army

or put it in the machine to get a plasitc toy

he did ponder

but he chose the bucket

and it made my heard swell

and then to see two happy boys over joyed with cookies from the bakery

it is the little things

And that Bo seemed so proud of himself at basketball practice

as he kept wiping his forehead with the sweat rag he instisted on bringing

and his manners were soooo good....he loves to impress

he really does

 

 

Tree Decorating Time!

 

Love that she loves her hair done and bows!

Making cookies for teachers Thansgiving gifts

Go Dawgs

Baylen celebrating after the Georgia Win and the number 1 and 2 team fall

Gooooo Dawgs

Sam picked out these pjs without knowing what I was putting on baylen...

cute

They told Santa what they wanted...

bo said ninja zane and Samtntha said an easy bake oven

Five Points open house....very fun

Just off the horse ride...Baylen LOVED it

Bo told me he was a chef

and made me a flower

carrots on yogurt around a cucumber

nice 

Bo found it quite funny that I can put things on my belly

They both are pretty facinated with the kicks they can feel when they put their hands on my belly

I hope I never forget the feeling of a baby doing sumersaults in my belly

I hope I never forget the feeling of Samantha grabbing my hand

I hope I never forget when Bo hugs me out of the blue and says mommy I just love you so much

and cuddles at night in our bed

I hope I never forget how it feels to rock Baylen singing songs with a blanket and a passy

 

So keep on looking people

keep on looking at me with the eyebrows raised

and the whews

you have got your hands full comments

not really

my heart is full

that just about sums it up

 

Wednesday Whatevers

So I rest my case with not really having control
I say it often
but it is so true
Yesterdays blog went on and on about how good it is
and believe me
it is
But....
My agenda today was story time
clean a little
play with Baylen
Shop a little
and get a haircut and brow wax
Like for real
Just me
In a chair
getting pampered
Just for a few
And then
Bo comes in our room
at 2 am
and throws up all over me
and then again
and again
for the next eight hours
He managed to hit just about the hardest places to clean
sofa, carpet, comforter, rug.....me
I really was not even planning on showering today
Really
And I will be honest
really honest
I still didn't
yuck
I am honestly just realizing that as I am typing this
wow
So....
the washer ran all day
and I went to buy Gatorade
Did a lot of back rubbing
and pillow fluffing
and it still was a great day
It reminded me of what motherhood really is all about
And how it gets better and better the more you have
I love not knowing what the next minute may be
Well I should not say I love it
but I do love how it constantly reminds me of little me
and how BIG God is....he calls the shots
He makes the plans...even though I try
I love helping with homework
then pulling Bo out of a tree
and then rocking Baylen
and feeling this one
knowing that soon I will see him or her
So it ended up being a wonderful day
We decorated the Christmas tree
I love to watch Baylens face
He was very concerned with us having a tree in the house
I love that
Bo did some dancing
Samantha did some bossing
Piper did some sleeping
It was perfect
I love to sit by a lit christmas tree...I love lights
As I continue to feel anxious about keeping a clean house having gifts bought and wrapped and on and on
I am reminded of what really matters
and how as long as we are all healthy
and together...
that is all that matters
I hear daily of tragedy all around me and it always ropes me back in
Baylen is laying on daddy right now....
and yes it is almost ten...
but he is being so good
He is repeating everything that is on tv
and he is pushing the frosty the snow man button on a Christmas animal
over and over
and it is quite humorous
So here are to days that are days that we did not plan
Even though I am still praying that this baby waits until the day I planned...
really
Just hoping I am not going to be ultimately tested on whether or not I can handle something unplanned
we will see
we will see
and by the way
I do not sleep anymore
and I wonder if I will ever forget the numbness/burning sensation that I feel hip down most of the time
I would not mind forgetting it...
but I hope I never forget the feeling of a heel trying to come out of my belly button!

Dear Lord, please help me trust You and empower me through Your Spirit to stop my emotions from bossing me around. I want to quit worrying about what might happen and focus on what has already happened by remembering and praising You for Your faithfulness in my life. In Jesus' 

Monday Memories in Motion

It's one of those nights I feel I have much to say

I really should divide it into many blogs

First of all

I am nesting

I know that sounds like something everyone says

but I have this since of urgency

like I need to get everything done

every piece of laundry

the fridge cleaned out

rooms spotless

everything perfect

mail sorted

shopping done

tree up

everything wrapped

it is like this baby is a ticking time bomb in my belly

who is calling all the shots

when I sleep

when I don't 

and when he or she is coming

It is amazing how much control they even have over you before they are even born!

I know that this is unnecessary 

and all will be okay

and that life will happen without me

I sound like I think I am way more important then I am

I just want everything to go smooooooth

and nobody feel like they have to miss a beat because I am not here...

Which is why

today's devotion meant so much! 

As it usually does...

It was about how sometimes we see different as wrong

This is so true

We think because people do things not the way we would

then they are the ones that are wrong

I do this so much

I think my way is the best

don't we all do this?

As I watch my kids

I try so hard that even if they are doing something in a not so efficient way

I am patient 

and enjoy them doing it

I can mentally ask myself questions that will empower me to maintain calm emotions and keep my "mama mouth" in check. Like ...
Does it matter now or will it matter tomorrow?
Will it affect eternity?
Is God trying to teach ME something? If so, what?
Can I pause and praise instead of interrupt and instigate?
Am I just being a control freak and need to let it go?

Psalm 139:4 "Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether."

Here is some MUCH LOVED BATH TIME

I could not get any of them out!!!

Samantha is modeling her bubble dress....she is quite proud...

they have a blast in the tub together...room for one more?

Samantha made all stars again

We are SOOOO proud of her

Here she is in the pregame picture

So this morning was SO much fun

It really is the little things

Baylen and I went Christmas shopping and I have to tell you

just watching him go through the isles of Khols  made me so happy.

To watch him was so fun

He was so excited to see each and every little thing

Look Mommy

Look Mommy

Look Mommy

I could listen to that all day long

Then we went to trader joes and he wanted to hold the basket

He was struggling towards the end

But it was fun just letting him do it

Did it take four times as long to shop

Yes

Did I care

no

I love just being able to not rush

I wish we could always be like that

You are able to stop and enjoy

when you just let yourself

Here is a picture of the veggie chips that he picked. 

He was VERY proud and ate them the whole way home

I don't know who enjoyed the trip more,,,me or him!

I forgot to show this picture earlier

It is the example page Samantha made for face paining at Bo's Halloween party

I thought it was SO cute!

I love the broom

So "mini" taco night was a hit

Put everything out

and the kids made little mini tacos

You would have thought it was Christmas mornings

They loved it

They even asked for me to get the camera and take a picture!

Here is Bo making a happy face ....the black beans are eyes!

Got to love how hard it works on a smile

It is so funny to me how he struggles with a posed picture!

And then here is Samantha's Creation

She was VERY proud

All minis in a row

She put everything on one at a time...

and yes baylen and Bo were done before she started

I love

Walks in the fall 

Listening to Baylen point out everything in site

As he holds on to Pipers leash

I love windows open at naptime

with a cool breeze coming in the den

as I get caught up on emails

and Piper sleeps on the couch....

Love Love Love it

Life is good

I feel like I am about the open the best Christmas present ever!

Well one of the four best ever!!!!

Can't wait to meet this little Sam Bo Bay

I feel like he or she will be a mix of all three of them

and my heart is already wrapped around them like you would not believe

rest

I have noticed I have not been blogging
shame on me
But that is the story of my life
all of our lives
excuses
I will make none
I have to say I had an AMAZING bible study yesterday
I will be catching up at the end of the study on Hebrews
sharing all that I learned from it
But for now
I learned about rest
I AM RESTLESS UNTIL I REST IN HIM
rest is not a familiar word for me
I run from it
I feel there is no time for rest
I feel if I do not go a million miles an hour then I am well
just not right
Sometimes I wish I was in that slow motion mode on the tv
where you just ease into things
I don't know
I am just not wired that way
In our study we talked a lot about rest
I will write more on that soon
But today's study remiended of me it also...

About how our emotional lives need just as much rest as our physical. We let thoughts consume us and whirl around....When we do not allow time to rest and regroup from the stresses of life, we allow cracks in our spirit that make us emotionally and spiritually fragile. We keep going at break-neck speeds, rarely slowing down long enough to be refreshed.

We must stop even for a moment

We must dig into the scripture EVERYDAY

In our fast-paced society we rarely get to sit in a quiet place. Televisions blare. Computers sound out webcasts. iPods and MP3s crank out music at times when we could be seeking solace.

As a result, stress chisels away, creating tiny cracks that although barely visible to the eye

Matthew 7:25, 

"The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn't collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 

What I NEVER want to forget about being pregnant...
The kicks
The limbs that seem to poke out from the inside out and push your skin further then you think possible...the little pinch that does not hurt but kinda does
The hicups
The rolling from side to side at night
the different stages of feeling the baby from a flutter to all out movement
I wish I could describe the movements
As I sit here and type
they are always so different
sometimes a little poke
many times a whole belly shift from side to side
sometimes you can feel little fingers and toes tickle
I know it is not comfortable, but the uncomfortable pressure and sharp pains down your leg and hips
Pillows everywhere at night
An itchy veining belly
Having to go potty all the time and then not having too and then having too
Cravings
clothes not fitting
ice
Belly buttons
People just looking at you like oh I remember that
I find myself looking at other pregnant moms and thinking...oh I wish I was pregnant
Really weird I know
The feeling that you really can not stand up from a sitting position
the doctor appointments
I really do love them
I feel it is the time I can just give to the baby
I CAN NOT WAIT TO SMELL MY BABY'S HEAD!!!
But I will save that for my post on
What I love about a newborn...
for now
I want to savor these last four weeks
simply savor
every moment
for this is such a blessing
one that deep down I knew I would have
if God so willed
That is why i kept the clothes
and all the stuff....
deep down I knew
I hope I will always feel this little one inside me
what a miracle
truly....

Monday Memories in Motion

Got together with old friends Friday night

Baylen loved throwing the football.....

It was a nice cool fall night

Fun to watch all of our kids play together

Baylen and Logan

Best friends forever

Just 11 months apart

and their siblings will just be three months apart

Here is Samantha right after her 

FIRST GOAL!!!!!!

She was so happy

and I was tearing up

so proud of her

 Bo decided it was not that hard to smile in a picture

 Bo even wanted to take a picture of mommy and daddy

 Bo decided he wanted to have a yard sale and sell some things from his room

every few seconds he would yell...YARD SALE!

It was a great weekend

one of those that we got a lot of little things done

definitely starting to nest

more on that in tomorrows blog

I am so thankful for the little things

walks with my dad on a Sunday

cuddling with the kids

Saturday night football after a win

sleeping with the windows open

watching Baylen follow Bo's every move

watching the kids do something that they are proud of

good moods

blessings

falling

at every 

moment