Easter Weekend

What a fun Easter weekend we had! We spent a long weekend with Aaron's family. The kids enjoyed dying eggs together. We spent a lot of time outside because the weather was so nice!

Here's one of Zoe's 'signature' looks.

My attempts at getting a picture of all 3 kids on Easter Sunday before church were interesting...

Utah Trip

If I had to use one word to describe our trip to Utah, I would say Amazing.

Amazing lodging...amazing skiing (love you Deer Valley)...amazing friends...amazing basketball (too bad that had to end). We HAVE to do it again :) Thanks to the amazing grandparents who took care of our kids!!!

One of our favorite runs of Deer Valley.


Justin & Edee


Aaron & Tiffany


Jace


Chris & Kara


We neglected to get a group picture until we were in the airport ready to fly home! So here we are before saying our good-byes.

A Good Reminder

My husband sent me this last week. It's a good reminder to live in the moment! Although the days may seem long at times, the years are short!!!

Wet Oatmeal Kisses
By: Erma Bombeck

One of these days you’ll explode and shout to all the kids,
“Why don’t you just grow up and act your age!”
And they will…

Or, “You guys get outside and find something to do –
without hurting each other. And don’t slam the door!”
And they don’t.

You’ll straighten their bedrooms
until it’s all neat and tidy,
toys displayed on the shelf,
hangers in the closet, animals caged.
You’ll yell, “Now I want it to stay this way!”
And it will…

You will prepare a perfect dinner
with a salad that hasn’t had all the olives picked out
and a cake with no finger traces in the icing
and you’ll say, “Now this is a meal for company.”
And you will eat it alone…

You’ll yell, “I want complete privacy on the phone.
No screaming, Do you hear me?”
And no one will answer.

No more plastic tablecloths stained
No more dandelion bouquets.
No more iron-on patches.
No more wet, knotted shoelaces,
muddy boots or rubber bands for ponytails.

Imagine…. a lipstick with a point,
no babysitters for New Years Eve,
washing clothes only once a week,
no PTA meetings or silly school plays where your child is a tree,
no car pools, blaring stereos or forgotten lunch money.

No more Christmas presents made of library paste and toothpicks,
no wet oatmeal kisses,
no more tooth fairy,
no more giggles in the dark,
scraped knees to kiss or sticky fingers to clean
Only a voice asking, “Why don’t you grow up?”
And the silence echoes: “I did.”

Stats Update

At 9 months Zoe is:

13lbs 12oz, .25 %-tile, yes, that is 1/4 of 1%
27" long - 31st %-tile

9 months!

This was one of mommy's outfits when she was a baby!




At 9 months you:

*Scoot wherever you want on your bottom.
*Say mama, even when daddy tells you to say dada.
*Stayed away from mommy for the first time (for 4 nights!) & did awesome!
*Love being outside & swinging at the park.
*Love taking baths - if we give your brothers a bath & you see them, you crab at us until we put you in too :)
*Take a bottle for at least one feeding per day.

Stats to come later this week after your appointment. We'll see if you have finally broken the 14lb mark!

Sweet things

Here are some pics of my sweet kids that I'm going to miss terribly this week! Know we will all have fun though - the kids with the grandparents & Aaron & I with our friends!

In 1 week

No laundry
No cleaning
No disciplining
No whining

Skiing
Snowshoeing
Hot-tubbing
Relaxing

Adult Conversation
Peaceful meals
Fight Free bedtime
No night-time awakenings

Justin & Edee
Chris & Kara
Jace & Jill
Aaron & Tiffany

Bring it on Utah :)

Verdict: Boys are messier than girls

Zoe had her first biter biscuit today & was really 'clean' about it. My boys were so messy with them. They would smear them all over in their ears, in their hair...everywhere!

Brecken

Leighton

Zoe

Catch up

I've been a slacker lately when it comes to blogging! We traveled to San Diego right after my last post...and I just can't seem to get caught up on anything. The nice weather (Praise the Lord!) has kept us outside this past week, which has put my laundry/cleaning/organizing even further down the list :) So here's a quick update or story on each kid :)

Brecken: He was bathing with Zoe last week & as I washing her, he said, I see her woo. I said, well, or lack-of-woo. He said, Lackawoo? It's a Lackawoo? I couldn't keep a straight face & am afraid this has become a new term in our household.

Leighton: He likes to wrestle & has figured out how to get out of any holds...he either says, I need to go potty!!!! OR Stop, You're going to make me throw up. (with his sensitive gag reflex, we don't chance it). How early they learn things...

Zoe: Is saying Mama, which makes her mommy very happy since the boys both said, dada first :) She can push herself into a sitting position, is attempting to pull up on things (just to her knees...and then gets scared), and is doing a lot of rocking on hands and knees. She'll be crawling before long! She is also starting to sign 'All Done' & 'More' when she eats!

8 months!

At 8 months you:

*After letting you cry it out a few nights, you are a good sleeper & usually only up once, at 4am.
*You apparently gave up your aversion to a bottle for Lent, because you will now miraculously take one!
*You clap your hands & are so thrilled with yourself when you do.
*Love eating 'big girl food' including Puffs.
*You are getting more hair. We have to tuck it behind your ears constantly or you look like you have massive sideburns.
*You lay on your back & scoot to get places (see previous post).
*You are a mommy's girl & won't let anyone else hold you if I am in the room (except daddy, sometimes).
*Are a tough girl...you took your first fall push off of the couch & cried for a shorter amount of time than your brother who 'helped' you (and got in trouble).

Oh what a blessing you are, baby girl!

Zoe's Method of Movement...

How much longer?

This little lady is ready for warmer temperatures!

5 Years ago!

5 years ago today, we were anticipating an upcoming appointment with our fertility specialist, yet again, to discuss & make plans for IVF, but I was also several days late... On a whim, I bought a pregnancy test & was expecting another negative, since that was what we had been so familiar with for the previous 3 & 1/2 years. I took it while Aaron was at work & although there was a VERY faint 2nd line, I said nothing to him. I wasn't hopeful that the test was accurate. I purchased another one & tested again the next morning while he was at a basketball tournament and it registered the same results!

It's so easy to forget all that we went through - the appointments, the surgeries, the failed attempt at IUI & the monthly heartbreaks. Sadly, it's also easy to forget the amazing answer to prayer we received, not just once...but three times. I wouldn't trade the struggles we went through! We grew individually, as a couple & in our faith!

I think the doctors that told us we wouldn't conceive naturally, would be shocked to know that we had 3 children within 3 1/2 years :) When I met with the nurse for my first appointment when we found out we were expecting Zoe, she said...your chart says you were diagnosed with infertility...and laughed knowing our successes!

Count your blessings & reflect upon the struggles!!

Spring Cleaning...

I know it's not spring, but I'm hoping by doing some early spring cleaning, it will arrive earlier :)

I came across a blog Clean Mama & it got me motivated to do some organizing & purging of unneeded stuff.

She basically picks a spot & sets a timer for 15 minutes - takes everything out of the spot, cleans it, sorts things into 3 piles (trash, keep, give away) and puts things back. I have a LOT of areas that will take longer than 15 minutes, but it's a start :) I've just been doing one area per day & I'm loving the results! I cleaned out our bathroom cabinets while the boys were taking a bath, reorganized the craft closet while they were working on an art project & last night cleaned out the freezer while they were playing a game in the kitchen. The amazing thing with the freezer is that I didn't throw anything out...cooked a couple things for supper & just stacked it better. Looking at the first picture, that's hard to believe :)

Freezer Before:

Freezer After:

Plllthhth...

Zoe thinks when we wipe her nose, she has to make 'the noise' with her mouth.

Inspired to Action

I came across this new blog & am really excited about reading it. I thought I would share it with you! Here is an excerpt from her post earlier this week.

Perfection vs. Balance

The world calls us to be “perfect” mothers, but I believe God calls us to be “balanced” mothers.

A “perfect” mother puts appearance above relationship. A “balanced” mother sacrifices appearance for relationship.

A “perfect” mother seeks approval from others. A “balanced” mother seeks approval from God.

A “perfect” mother finds reward in perceived success. A “balanced” mother’s reward is a peaceful heart, family and home.

A “perfect” mother perpetuates the lie and spreads disillusionment. A “balanced” mother breaks the lie and spreads hope, truth and inspiration.
The Challenge

The challenge for us today is to focus on being balanced rather than perfect. That every moment we’d love our children more than our clean house or the approving look of a stranger. That our confidence, strength, hope and identity would be found in God and the trust He’s put in us by giving us His perfect little gifts that look to us and call us “Mommy.”

Click below to go to Kat's blog & to download her free e-book!

Inspired to Action

I am a Princess :)

Thank you Erica for this prestigious award. I have so many people to thank...but I'll spare you my acceptance speech :) This award is for readers & anyone that knows me has seen me with my nose glued in a book. I can't tell you the number of books I go through in a year, but I will say that I just finished 2 over the weekend (thanks to a visit from my sis-in-law & nieces who helped to entertain my hoodlums) :) I do most of my reading after my kids are in bed at night. Aaron has to remind me at night to PUT THE BOOK DOWN & GO TO SLEEP, TIFFANY!

This is my nightstand & stack of books waiting to be (or currently being) read.



1. Name an author you love.
Karen Kingsbury is my current favorite, but I also love Jodi Picoult, Andy Andrews, Dan Brown, James Patterson & many others!

2. Name an author who highlights your personality.
I see myself in a lot of the books I read - but can't pinpoint a subject who is really 'me'. Guess that makes me unique, haha.

3. Name some books you love.
Just finished the Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury - loved it. I really like most of the books I read. I have come to the point that if I am not enjoying a book, I'll quit reading it - why waste my time reading a book I don't like!?

4. Something that always excites you.
Always? Hmmmm...at the moment, a full night sleep or 20 minutes to myself :) A new book, sunny weather, a new baby, a date with my husband.

5. Something you hate
Negativity! Hamburger, or any ground meat, for that matter.

NOW I am passing this award along. All they have to do is grab the princess award above and post the questions and answers. Call me if you need a good book to read :)



And the nominess are:

Courtney @ Carpenters Colorful Collections

Kara @ My Sweet Little Life

Jericho @ Faith Family Fun

Jamie @ In Full Bloom Photography

Opinion on Bibs = Dislike

This is that opinion I was talking about in the last post...she pulls her bib off every time I feed her & was struggling a bit with this one.

7 months

7 months old

*Rolling all over the room...and finding things you shouldn't have.
*Developing a little temper when mommy takes those things away from you.
*Sleeping in the dining room because you were waking your brothers too often.
*Loving all the foods mommy feeds you - even peas!
*Still getting up during the night at least once, usually twice, many nights 3 or 4 times. We're still trying to 'train' you on this sleep thing.
*Still not really into the bottle. You won't actually drink it - you just chew & swallow whatever comes out.
*You are an absolute joy & really developing your personality! You are pretty easy going, but definitely have an opinion on things already!

Commercial...

This is one of the commercials that Aaron has created for TVT's local content channel, advertising a local kitchen store, Clay Gourmet (one of my faves) :)

Bedtime Stories

Bedtime stories always lead to a lot of questions from my boys (in an attempt to prolong bedtime, I'm sure). It has made for some great teaching moments & memories I cherish :)

Last night, we were reading from the book The Story of Jesus. Brecken is quick to remind me of which stories we have already read, so we were down to one story in the book, The Easter Story.

As I was reading the part about Jesus dying, Brecken said, Poor Jesus, he died. I took this opportunity to remind them of how Jesus died for our sins so that we can live forever with Jesus in heaven. I talked about how our hearts are dirty from doing naughty things and how our hearts can be made clean by asking for forgiveness and asking Jesus into our heart. Leighton replied, Or we could take a bath.... They then hammered me with questions about how Jesus can get into their hearts. My answer of 'by asking Him in', was not the answer they were looking for. I pray for & look forward to the day that they understand this! :)

William Michel

7 years ago, Aaron & I began sponsoring this little guy through Compassion. He was 6 years old.

We have corresponded with him through the years. His letters have include drawings, current math problems, brief descriptions of his family & living conditions & thankfulness for our prayers.

This is William today. William & his family are in need of our prayers this week. They live in Haiti. I have been checking the Compassion website daily to see if they have posted information about the sponsor children. The devastation is great in Haiti, a country that was already poverty stricken & in need of aid. We're praying that William, his parents & his 4 siblings are safe.

As they grow

Aaron's brother, Paul, & his wife, Christina gave these to our children as Christmas gifts through the years. We've had Brecken's on his wall for a few years & just received Leighton's & Zoe's this year. They are so fun & the kids love to see how big they are! Isn't Christina talented???

First Christmas Outfit

Over Christmas break, my mom went through a box of baby girl clothes that she had saved from when I was a baby.

This outfit was the outfit I wore for my first Christmas 31 years ago. My Grandma Mary Lynn (whom Zoe Lynnae is named after) bought it as soon as she heard I was born. She died from a virus that attacked her heart, a week later :( I never got to meet her, but have heard many stories about what an amazing lady she was!

And here I am in it 31 years ago...

And Zoe received this chair for Christmas...which was mine...which was originally Grandma Mary Lynn's.

Christmas 2009

Christmas #1 - Our house

Christmas #2 - Poppa John & Nonny's House

Christmas #3 - Grandpa Jack & Grandma Lulu's House
The two additions to the family this year (Jack & Zoe).


Christmas #4 - Papa Phil & Mama Linda's house

Zoe slept through the picture & openings...so here she is a little later sleeping again with Uncle Doug.

6 months!?!?

At 6 months, you:

LOVE cereal, applesauce & squash. Can't wait to try more things!
Will now take a bottle if you have to, but still not from mommy.
Roll all over the place.
Laugh out loud.
Sleep in your crib - sometimes (but rarely) through the night.
Love to read (and chew on) books.
Put everything in your mouth.
Are a happy, easy going baby!

6 month stats:
Weight: 12lbs 15oz (less than 3rd %tile)
Height: 25 1/2 inches (30th %tile)

Winter Day Activities

This weekend was full of fun holiday activities.

The boys made cinnamon applesauce ornaments.
1 c cinnamon
1 T ground cloves
1 T nutmeg
1 T allspice
1 T ginger
3/4 c applesauce

Combine first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Add applesauce & stir to combine. Work mixture with hands 2-3 minutes until dough is smooth. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Using straw or pencil, make small hole in top of ornament. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 150 degrees for 1 hour. Remove from cookie sheet & bake on oven racks for another hour & a half. (I didn't do this...I just flipped them).


The 2nd project was making Aaron's Grandma Flossie's caramels. They turned out tasty!


The 3rd activity was snow painting. Squirt bottle + water + food coloring. Paint the snow! Of course, like most children, my boys couldn't just paint the snow. They also squirted the dog & each other, despite being told not to. Oh well :)

Invisible Woman

A friend sent this to me in an email. It's good...take the time to watch it. Although moms don't receive a lot of accolades for all the work they do...their work doesn't go unnoticed.