numero 9

3 of the 4 dressed up and hit up our local pancake house for a free decorate your own pancake yesterday. Love the cuteness!



(This was the picture we had prepped for yesterday, but had technical difficulties.)

day 8

Frozen Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Whipped Cream.



It's like a party. In your mouth...
YUM!

7 of 30

Living up to our Random Moms title, we have slacked in the everyday posting. Here is an update from yesterday.
We went to the state fair the other day. Actually, we have gone many days. We are frequenters of the fair.
We have so many fun fair pics, that I suspect you will be seeing more over the remaining days of this picture adventure.

Day 6 of 30

Fall Bake Day. Happy Faces, Full Hearts, Delicious Treats.

Day 5

I heard someone say yesterday, "You know your parents love you. But, you have no understanding of how much they love you until you have children of your own."

So very true.

4 of 30

I have a mild (or major) diet soda addiction. So, this picture cracks me up!
That was actually empty when I gave it to him because he does not drink thin liquids. But, boy, he sure worked hard getting nothing out of that straw :)

And I just could not pass up this photo op...

Day 3

In my previous life (before I was a mom), I was very particular about my laundry. I didn't want anyone else to touch my laundry. I loved doing it. I had a very specific system. It never sat in the washer or in the dryer. It was immediately hung and put away in an orderly fashion. My closet was organized in the way the clothes hung and where.

Life has changed. I got married, had some kids, learned some tough life lessons and gained some new perspectives.

This is my clean laundry pile as of last night. It has grown today...
And, I am only slightly embarrassed to inform you that I haven't slept on my bed in 2 nights because I just don't have the energy to fold it and put it all away.

Day 2

I stole this picture from Dareth. We were beyond blessed to spend a girl's weekend away with not just one of these giant jacuzzi tubs but 2. And today, I am taking myself back to that happy place.

Day 1 of 30

Jenn had an idea that we love! We are borrowing it and will post 30 pictures over 30 days. A glimpse into our everyday lives...enter at your own risk :)

Alivia is loving spelling right now. Most days begin with her grabbing some paper and a pen and asking me how to spell words. I love this stage! I bought her some cheese crackers with letters and we spent a morning spelling words of her choice (while trying to play defense against a certain grabsy 17 month old :) Here's what we came up with...

Provision

Addie needs eye therapy. Basically her brain/muscles need to be trained to do some things that typically develop on their own. Eye therapy is fairly costly, and they recommend you go to therapy 2-3 times a week. We have committed to taking her once a week, and even with that, we aren't sure how the payment is going to be made each week.

A beautiful thing has happened in this circumstance. Chris and I have the opportunity to work the next 4 weekends (this one included), so he will work one of the days, and I will work the other. Today was my turn to work. As I stood there this morning, I suddenly became teary eyed when thinking about God's provision. His timing is always perfect, and He knew before we did what this need would look like. And He created an opportunity. I was overwhelmed by His kindness, by His detailed timing. I stood in gratitude. I squeaked out a thank you.

I know I could stand in this season and focus on the lack. Believe me, I have done that a day or 25. Instead, I am desiring this to be a season of maturing, of strengthening of faith, of growing perseverance. I think I will be most successful in that when I choose to see His provision, His grace, Him.

Retribution

...that's the word I use to sum up what happens to parents upon coming home after being away from their children. I mentioned here about finding a new job. I have. I started about 3 weeks ago. I braced myself for the adjustment. (Have I mentioned that Alivia is not a big fan of change?) And I was pleased. The kids seemed to be adjusting pretty well. I am enjoying the family that I work with. Bedtime was more rushed than I liked, but it has really been going fine.

This week, however, is the week of retribution. Apparently week three brought with it the realization that this new schedule is actually going to stick. And, as usual, my children's sleep pattern is the first one to alert me that it is not pleased. Last night I was awakened 4, maybe 5, times. And, during a 7 hour time span, that is -what I like to call- no bueno.

My dear children,
I love you. So very much. And I do want to spend more time with you. But, middle of the night wake up calls never bode well for any of us. You are cranky. Mommy is cranky. And after too many of these in a row, it unleashes an irritable spirit in me unlike any other. I don't like it. And I know you don't either.
Let's all get a good sleep tonight and enjoy some good, quality fun this weekend.
Thanks.
All my love,
Mommy

PS- Thanks for being so fabulously adorable and funny. It more than makes up for the times when I feel like I could collapse.