Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Random

Kyra, her Zebra and her Bride Bear watching a movie.
 Reagan, enjoying some yogurt.
 The kids playing in the first snow of the season (it was so wet they could almost swim in it).
 Gavin and his snowman that was 2 feet tall (if that).
 Building a fort with the kitchen table.
 We bought this Dora backpack MONTHS ago for Carley and it hung on the wall next to the changing table.  It was her prize to have after she went all day without an accident - she FINALLY got it!  I think we are headed in the right direction for potty training - finally, finally, finally!
 Reagan holding her baby bear and pushing her stroller - she is such a mommy.
Hanging out.
If this is the "prize" I win for doing laundry, count me out.
Jed got Reagan dressed for church onemorning - her dress is tucked in to her diaper cover.  Really?!
We put our Christmas decorations up this weekend.  Gavin multitasking - eating popcorn and sorting through the ornaments.
Reagan checking out the ornaments.
 Carley adding to the tree.
 Carley requested this pose.
 The elves.
 Carley "in" a wreath. 
 Kyra checking out her ornaments.
Reagan loves to stand in the fridge.  Why you ask?  I have no idea!
 How can you resist this face?

Monday, November 15, 2010

Cuteness for the Day

We had some snow this weekend that stuck around on the ground.  The kids have had a great time playing outside in it (us, not so much - it has required lots of laundry and drying as the snow is REALLY wet).  Today it isn't real warm, but warm enough that the snow is slowly melting throughout the day.  Kyra came to me this afternoon with glassy, teary eyes and that bottom lip going.  I said, "Kyra, what's wrong?"  She responded, "All of the snow is melting.  I don't want to snow to melt yet because Santa hasn't come yet and we haven't gotten presents yet."  Poor kid - she is in for a long winter, she thought it was over already!

It's that Time of Year Again...

Many people who know me, know that I love to take pictures but pictures aren't near as much fun if you don't do anything with them, therefore, I spend lots of time on Shutterfly - ordering pictures, creating photo books (http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books) and photo cards (http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery) and sharing my pictures with family and friends who are near and far (http://www.shutterfly.com/).  While many people dread preparing their Christmas letters, cards and pictures each year, I truly look forward to this part of the holidays!  My letter is already written for this year now I just need to decide on the family picture.  So, I want your help.  I have posted a couple of my favorite photo cards from Shutterfly and I want you to let me know which is your favorite!  There are so many to choose from - they have such a great assortment of styles, colors and designs this year!  Oh the possibilities!  As for the winner...well, you will just have to wait and see, won't you!

#1 - Family Wall Red


#2 - With Love Chartreuse

#3 - Fall Wall Noir


#4 - Framed With Love


#5 - Scarlet Framed Story


#6 - Bubble Wreath

#7 - Santa's Belt
 

#8 - Modern Wreath


If you are a blogger and you are interested in receiving 50 free cards from Shutterfly, check this out!  http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Friday, November 12, 2010

Let Us Be Thankful

I am going to be attending a conference for Mom's this weekend called Hearts At Home, with my Mom and one of my best friends.  I have attended this a couple of times with my friend, this will be the first time that my Mom is attending.  This always ends up being such a refreshing, rejuvenating weekend for me.  I come home so thankful for my husband and my kids and somehow by knowing that I am not the only Mom that has "those" days, I find an inner peace and a new energy to be the best Mom I can be.  The founder of Hearts At Home is Jill Savage and she has such a nice way of thinking of things and putting them into words.  I receive a monthly newsletter from her and this month I wanted to share one of her articles.  As Thanksgiving approaches, I think we can all be reminded just how truly lucky we are to have the "simple" things in life - which really aren't simple at all, but the core pieces of our world that make us who we are.  Enjoy!

Thank you, God, for the laundry.


That seems like an odd prayer, doesn't it? But it's one I'm actually praying more often.

Turn on the television these days and you'll find just about every kind of makeover show possible. We seem to be drawn to this makeover madness by our desire for something fresh and new in our complicated, and sometimes disorganized, lives.

I've recently become aware of a makeover I can do every day. It doesn't cost a dime. It doesn't require an expert. And it takes very little time.

Rather than the external makeovers we see on television, this is an internal makeover that starts in my head and moves to my heart. It's initially unseen by the outside world, but if I stay focused on this "inside job," it will eventually become very apparent to those around me.

This might be called an "extreme heart makeover," because it moves my heart from grumbling to gratefulness.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I'm pursuing this makeover as it pertains to the work I do for my family everyday. I sometimes exhibit an ungrateful attitude in doing these tasks when I forget what blessings the tasks actually represent. This week I'm working on a shift in thinking. I'm considering a different perspective. As I evaluate all my responsibilities, I've discovered I'm thankful for:

•Laundry...because it means that my family has clothes to wear.


•Dishes...because it means that my family has food to eat.


•Paying Bills...because it means that we have financial provisions.


•Making Beds...because it means we have a warm, soft place to rest at night.


•Dusting...because it means we have furniture to enjoy.


•Vacuuming...because it means we have a home to care for.


•Picking Up Toys...because it means I have children to bring joy to my life.


•Homework...because it means my children can learn and progress through life.


Would you like to join me in this exercise? What part of your life seems to be the most overwhelming? What do you grumble about most often? What tasks, responsibilities, or challenges bring about frustration or anger?

Once identified, ask yourself what blessing you haven't been able to see. Now focus on the blessing and thank God for what it means in your life. Watch your perspective change from grumbling to gratefulness in no time flat. The "extreme heart makeover" is available to every mom, every home, and every family every day.

I can't think of a better way to capture the essence of Thanksgiving.

Keeping hearts at home,

Jill Savage,
Wife of Mark
Mom to Anne, Evan, Erica, Kolya, and Austin (and "Nana" to 6-month-old Rilyn!)





Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Cuteness for the Day...

Kyra was dancing all over the living room "exercising" she said.  A few minutes later she came to me, "Mom, the exercise took all of my wetness away."  I was completely lost in this conversation.  "What do you mean?"  Kyra, "When I was exercising my mouth felt funny, it took all my wetness away."  Her mouth was dry from breathing through it, therefore it "took all her wetness away"!

And...

I don't notice that I say this very often, but I must.  We were eating lunch and Carley points to her face, "Mom, am I a wreck right here?"  I had to laugh, and yes, she was a wreck - had pizza sauce all over her face.  "Yup.  Your face is a wreck."  So she wipes her face off, "Mom, is my face still a wreck?"

Monday, November 8, 2010

Wheel of Fortune

Can you solve this puzzle?!  Fun Wheel of Fortune story.

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/wheel-of-fortune-contestant-solves-27letter-puzzle-with-just-one-letter-as-a-clue--1717

It's the first video but if you have time, the second video down is pretty funny as well about Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa.

Funniest Home Videos

The girls sat down to watch their favorite tv show today - Funnies Home Videos.  I wasn't watching it so I don't even know what the clip was but I hear Kyra say, "ohh" and then Carley follows with "that is going to hurt forever."  Oh, it just cracked me up!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Update

Haven't posted in a while.  Here are randome pictures and Halloween pictures from the past couple of weeks.

Jed reading the kids a bedtime story.
 The girls got up one morning and were cold but could only find one blanket - so they shared (on seperate chairs).
 The newest toy they have created.  A "princess" carriage.
 I told Kyra to go get dressed for church and that she could find her clothes on the couch.  I did not mention that Reagan's clothes were also on the couch.  I was rushing around getting stuff ready and she kept saying, "Mom, my pants don't feel right."  Well yeah, you were  size 5 and you have now poured yourself in your sisters 12 month clothes.
 And this little outfit...not quite doing it for me.
 Doesn't she look like she is about to get into trouble?!  Yup, probably!
 Kyra was creating Halloween costumes for one of her craft projects.  This one was a robot.
 Carley riding combine with Grandpa.  She was not at all afraid, jumped right up there with him and rode for almost 3 hours.  We were all suprised at how long her attention span was with the "farming" but when they stopped we learned why - she had fallen asleep.  :-)
 Uncle Brandon felt that our house was not complete without this addition.  Now, we used to have salamanders when I was a kid and they were about 4 inches long.  This one is about a foot long.  Are you kidding me?!  Thank you, thank you VERY much Uncle Brandon.  Just a side note, Jason will be getting the biggest, loudest drum I can find for his Christmas present this year.  You are welcome!
 This is what happens when Mommy goes to church.  Daddy gives Reagan a bath and while he is helping Carley get dressed, a very clothed Reagan decides to get bath #2 for the night with Kyra.  PJ's and all!  She thought it was really funny for about 5 seconds and then she started screaming and crying.

 Uncle Mike and Aunt Sharon came to visit for 4 days.  The girls were making cupcakes and cake balls for our Halloween party.
 Uncle Mike playing Banana Grams with Gavin and Kyra.
 Carley decided her doll house was big enough that she could live in it.
 Aunt Sharon and Reagan having some snuggle time.
 Grandma and the girls decorating Halloween cupcakes.
 Carving pumpkins.





 And the finished product....



 Gavin was a cowboy law man for Halloween.
 Kyra was a cheerleader.
Carley was a ladybug.
 Reagan was a "fat" spider as the other kids always said.  Not just a spider.  A "fat" spider.  But a darn cute one.