Photo Day 6: Everyday

Today was family picture days!  We did Grace's 3 year old pictures, Abi's 1 year old pictures, family pictures, me and Aaron pictures, girls together pictures, ALL KINDS OF FUN STUFF! I can't wait to see them all!

We may have bribed Grace to be on her best behavior by promising ice cream.  So that is the picture above...our post picture session treat.  She earned it - she did great!

She has been cracking me up lately.  She remembers so much and shocks me with the things she comes up with sometimes.  She was trying to tell me a show she wanted to watch that we happened to turn to the other night.  I had asked her if the people on it were big or small and a couple other questions (gotta keep it educational!).  So she told me the answers to the questions I had asked.  It was crazy.  I hope these things shock me with Abi too - it is just so fun.

Mornings

 

i don't like mornings.

i wake up slow - and usually cranky

i like my coffee...with a lot of sugar and an excessive amount of milk

and then i like to sit. quietly. for awhile. to think.

 

 

these faces are what i usually wake up to.

(although I'm supposed to be waking up for quiet time with God)

i love their silliness.

grace tends to wake up pretty slow...sometimes.

 

abi is off and running from the second her eyes open.

there is no slowing her down.

she needs to explore her world.

and play music.

and laugh.

and hug.

 

they delight me.  even on days that have to start with "grace, mommy hasn't been using her nice words and I'm sorry"...she is very forgiving.  i hope i extend that same forgiveness.

 

my beautiful girls - both getting so big and so wise.  i adore them.



Photo Day 2: Father

 

Day 2: Father

Father seems so formal.  That's my Dad - Grace's Poppa.  I'm so blessed that my parents live nearby and LOVE LOVE LOVE my kids!

Twelve For '12 Update

I've been thinking today about priorities and the things that have been slipping.  I realized that I haven't been doing a great job keeping up to date pictures of my kids when I couldn't take more pictures the other day because the camera was full from not being deleted for months.  I do take a lot of pictures on my phone but my camera takes better pictures (but a new digital camera is HIGH on my wishlist...if anyone wants to donate one I'll tell you where to find me ;)

Here are my Twelve for '12 goals revisited. 

1. Frugality
I am doing pretty well!  I got caught up in the "I CAN GET IT CHEAP SO I HAVE TO HAVE IT" mindset at first and picked up some things that we didn't need and thus didn't save money.  I have found most make up, paper products and bathroom products do NOT have to be expensive and toothpaste/toothbrushes do not have to be bought.  My next "big" goal is to make my own laundry soap and get serious about meal planning.

2. Schedule
Fail.  I feel like every time I try to schedule I get frustrated quickly.  My new goals include breakfast at the table every morning with a devotional for Grace, some "alone" play time for the girls each day and QUALITY time with mom in the mornings.

3. Prioritize
I have found I like to do the easy things first which usually aren't the important things.  I need to work on this still.

4. Repurpose before Purchase
I have been doing better!  I am trying to get back in the mindset of not wanting to part with my money just for the sake of buying things.  Retail therapy might work for some people but spending a ton of money (even on worthy stuff) will make me a headcase.  I have been doing some serious decluttering and still have a lot to go.  Once I get down to bare bones it'll probably be more of a challenge to figure things out!

5. Hospitality
Eh.  We don't have people over often but I have tried to say "yes" more often than not when it comes to hosting or joining in fellowship (I think the two go very much hand in hand).  I put down the excuses of babies and messes to allow myself the freedom to enjoy people.

6. Fellowship
I love the women in my life.  I love my 'support' and I love knowing that they can call on me as well.

7. Memorization
Um...

8. Don't lose me.
Um...not that I've lost me, I just haven't spent a lot of time on me.  And you know what, I think that might be because "me" right now is a mom and a wife and I'm good with that!

9. Journal
I need to write more.  Its in my bones.  I feel like it is a craft that is easily lost and I want it back.

10. Disciple
I love my big kids - so proud of them!

11. Treat My Body Well
I am down 10-ish pounds!  Would like to lose about 20 more (which would be more than pre-Grace but two babies later I'm ok with my new "adult" weight - just not quite there yet!)

12. Be Purposeful
I am considering some radical things: no tv, limited computers (other than work), stop reading blogs on phones, etc etc.  But I have a bent toward legalism that I'm aware of so I think before I make any crazy resolutions I need to figure out the WHY before I figure out the "rule".

September Photo Challenge Day 1: You, Now

It's here!  The September Photo Challenge!  I'm going to try to make it past day 2 this month :)    If you don't have a blog you can do it on Facebook!  Here is the original website with the list!

Day 1: You, Now

My baby has NOT been wanting to go to sleep - so we've been spending some extra time together before naps and bed time.  She's a great snuggler!

I still can't believe she is one and Grace is almost three!  It goes so fast!  I love my family and am excited to see what God has in store for us down the road!