Here's what we've been up to

This past week was a whirlwind of fun with friends and family (and lots of travel). Brad's parents headed our way to pick up the girls and me, since we are down to one car. My parents came over and the six of us (and the kiddos) had a Mexican feast for Valentine's Day. Brad's mom made some cupcakes that resembled a box of chocolates in a heart shaped box that were absolutely adorable. That is what you see #1 munching on and #2 drooling over (yes, she had one too, but I'm sure hers was gone and she was wishing she had eaten it slower ;).

Since Monday was President's Day, Brad's dad had the day off work, so we all piled in the car Monday morning (minus Brad) and took off for the week in Tennessee. Pheobe traveled with us.

I left my big girls at Gramma and Grampa's house on Tuesday and headed to see my bestest friend in Murfreesboro - just Maggie and me. We met up with the Wilson's for supper and basically just had a really great time. It was so good to get to see them again.

Maggie: "What are you doing? Get your finger away from my mouth! It stinks!"

Michael: "Oh, come on! Let me just see how many teeth you have now!"

Maggie: "Okay, but just for a second or I'll bite your finger off."

We took Wednesday off and enjoyed relaxing at Gramma's. Well, I enjoyed relaxing while Gramma babysat ;). On Thursday we headed to Chattanooga. Brad's mom has a friend there that she has been wanting to go see, so the girls and I dropped her off to meet her friend then we drove on another 30 minutes to see some of our best friends!

While there, our presence was graced with the fairest princesses in the land. (Notice how especially lovely my girls are - Kate gracefully holding her dress up to her knees, and Livie pulling hers down to show off her wife beater.)

The room was FILLED with sweet little girls... (and Michael ;). Here is Sadie sporting two new teeth.There was even time for cupcake decorating.

And a little time for rest - but no naps.

Then it was time to say goodbye. Too soon. But it was a really, really fun trip. Jessica, Rosie, and I had the greatest time catching up and wishing and dreaming we lived closer to each other.

Somehow I got home without a single picture of the girls with Gramma and Grampa. Brad's mom works so hard when we are there, cooking and taking care of the kids, that I know she is absolutely worn out by the time we leave, but these girls are absolutely crazy about her. They are always pretending they are going to Gramma and Grampa and Pheobe's house and diligently pray every night for them. Every time we get on the "big road" or see cows they want to know if we're headed back out to the country ;).

Here's the big girl I brought home with me. She sprouted two new teeth while we were gone, and learned a couple new words. She is clearly obsessed with dogs and when she sees one she points and says, "Dodo!" It's pretty cute, if I can say so ;). She has also started saying her version of "thank you". If you don't believe me, I have some witnesses. She is standing alone and acts like she's going to take a step, then drops to her knees and starts crawling. She'll take off before too long!

It's hard for me to see pictures of my own girls without thinking of this sweet family who lost their beautiful baby girl to cancer just a couple of weeks ago. I've been following their story and have just been beyond heart broken for them. Say a prayer for them today that God would give them an extra measure of strength and courage and the ability to make it through this extremely difficult situation.

I have so much catch up work to do - not so much with the house as with the girls and discipline ;) - and a stamping class to teach later this week, so I decided to take the week off of the computer and focus my efforts on more important things. I'll hopefully be back to reading and commenting by the beginning of next week.

(this break may or may not have anything to do with the fact that I finally got my hands on a copy of Twilight last week thanks to you and in a roundabout way you too ;)

So thankful for friends

Playdates are so much fun - especially when they include cute kids like this...

Isn't he precious? He is so happy and contented.

Alaina and I have been friends since high school, we were in each other's weddings, and now she has three boys almost exactly the ages of my three girls. They are such handsome boys and the girls loved having them over, and the four "big kids" played together so well. Alaina and I finally got to catch up a little bit, and return a couple of each other's things that we've been holding on to for - oh, a year or so ;). It was a great start to our week!

Rice Krispies on steroids

Resist the urge to buy Jumbo Multi-Grain Krispies even if they are only $0.66 a box after sale and coupons. I haven't tried them as a cereal, but as a Jumbo Multi-Grain Krispie Treat, they're downright scary. I can't speak for the kids, however, who were fighting over who got to lick the spoon, until #1 ended it with: "Mom, tell Livie I get to lick the spoon 'cause I'm the oldest."

Rejoice with me

After two months of very tedious searching, I found it. Where?

Well, in here, of course! Why did I randomly decide to clean out this terribly unorganized box of ribbon today? It was on my to-do list, and it seemed like a pretty harmless task, so I did it. And what do you know? I found a treasure!

I called Kathryn in right away to show her what I had found, since she knew what I had lost and how special it was to me. She was so excited at first, then furrowed her brow and said, "Mom, I'm so sorry. If I had said, 'Did you look in the ribbon box?' a long time ago, you would have found it." Bless her heart!

To answer the obvious questions, we're calling to get it insured today, and going to have it sized as soon as we find a jeweler. If anyone in the Indy area knows a jeweler that you trust - really trust, let us know!

All my ducks in a row

You've probably been wondering "why pictures of sandwiches and grills? where are the babies???" Well, we've been sort of out of commission lately with all three kiddos sick with bad fevers and coughs (then throwing up from coughing so hard). Did I post about this before? Ah yes! Two weeks ago - and yes, it's just now over (that is, if Brad and I are lucky enough to escape it). After three trips to the doctor, and a chorus of coughs, I think it's safe to say we're all on the mend. So we're slowly transitioning from watching movies, being rocked, eating snacks in the living room, and drinking Sprite for breakfast, back to the "norm". I was pretty sure Olivia was better when she came running to me yesterday holding her stomach saying, "Mom, my stomach hurts. I think I need to watch a movie." ;)

Because life is too short to only grill in the Good 'Ol Summertime...

No time for sandwiches

I must have gotten distracted. I can't imagine how. Maybe it was when the phone rang, or thing #2 needed to potty, or they all three were crying for a drink. Either way, Three hours later, I came upon my lunch. Yes, I forgot all about it. I think I'll give up - skip the main course, and head straight for dessert.