We did celebrate, I promise!

My little boy is growing up fast.....five already!! He is my monkey boy, who loves to climb anything he can, especially if there are ropes involved. "Mom, mom, take my picture!" He says this as he's dangling from the swing set or the tree or rappelling down the stairs with his rope.


Here was his cake, though his gluten free version was in the fridge. Not that I'm trying to dupe him-he's way too smart for that, but how can one blow out candles on an unfrosted cake?
Happy Birthday, buddy, we love you!!!!

Shrek, it's what's for dinner....

You never know what things might greet you when you open the refrigerator with a two year old in the house. It was tough deciding between the red bear, the car and the ogre. We eventually settled on the little green guy, and, with a dollop of sour cream it wasn't bad.

One, already!

From this:

To that:

To this:

Addie, how are you one already? Where did the year go by? What fun you have been, your personality has been evident from the start! I am so happy that you not only slept in our bed when you were a newborn, but literally across my abdomen. My rhythmic breathing and heart beat seemed to comfort you and lull you into sleeping just a little bit longer at night. I will always cherish every moment of that. I love that you have two speeds: high and low. You either love it or hate it, there is no middle ground with you. Somehow, I don't think we'll ever have to guess at how you feel about something. Moderate, medium, in the middle, in between, undecided, not sure, maybe, I'll think about it, let me look into that, ummmm, will never be a part of your vocabulary :-)! I love your spunk and determination; I love that you cry for me when I walk into the room; I love you gi-normous smile that could totally light up time square....and I promise you'll grow into to your teeth beautifully; I know I will look back and love that you still get up in the middle of the night with a cry that says "woman, get in here, bring me back into your bed, snuggle me in and nurse me back to sleep, then I'll go back to my crib peacefully"; I love that you can't talk yet, it's so easy to take you anywhere, especially since you don't ask for anything; I love that you love outside, it's mommy's favorite too; I love that you try to keep up with the "posse" around here; most of all, I love that God chose us and blessed us to be your family, we just couldn't imagine it any other way!

Happy 1st Birthday Adysen! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

A Quick Before and After

Here was our lovely fireplace just a few short days ago, note the darkness (den, anyone?) and the beautiful brass fireplace doors:

And now:

The room is soooo much brighter and livelier now! And I must tell about my finds: the "new" fireplace screen was found on craigslist (love that!) and bought for $15 (they were asking $25), the candlesticks were a garage sale find from last w/e-$2 (they were asking $4 each)!! Now I just need to purchase candles....they'll probably end up being the most expensive part of it :-), but hopefully my coupons will come in handy for that!

It was so worth the "elbow grease", now if I can just finish those curtains.....

MIA

Sorry for my absence of late....but, it's been seventy degrees and gorgeous here! Somehow, I just can't seem to drag myself to the basement and blog, check my email, facebook or really do anything that would require me to be indoors. The kids and I have been basking in the sunshine, planting, weeding, watering, biking, walking, playing on the swingset, going for ice cream and fishing (well, the kids and daddy anyway).

Did I mention we have a new roof? This has been a total answer to prayer and something that we have needed for quite a while. Two days of more noise than you can imagine and voila, a beautiful composite shingle roof. Goodbye wood shingles, you will not be missed, nor will the silver fish and spiders that love you.

Hope you all are enjoying these glorious days of spring, catch you soon!

This I must see!

My good friend Carrie and I (along with two other great girls) have Bible Study at my house every Thursday morning. Carrie has four kids very similar in age to mine and they usually stay after for lunch and some playtime. This is a total bonus for Carrie and I since our kids play great together, burn lots of energy and we get to chat away. Today was no exception.....well, except for one thing. Carrie casually mentioned she had done a back flip and a front flip for her kids on their trampoline at home. This created crazy excitement among my kids who begged her to "Do it again, do it again. Show us Miss Carrie, show us!". Carrie, not being shy to adventure, borrowed a pair of shorts (she was wearing a skirt) and flipped away for the kids.




Now, can you guess what my kids are begging me to "try"??

Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe......

What I should be doing:

What I want to do:

We'll see how good my self control is today.....