What's a Mommy to do?

We are alive... and well. My head is spinning with all that we've been up to these last few weeks of summer. Bottom line is that my kids are GROWING UP!

I am starting the weaning process.

Hope turns 1 in about 2 weeks.

She started taking steps this week.

Jayden started school today (tear).

Journey is officially out of pull-ups (day/night).

Demetrius' mom and brother are here with us and have been a huge help with all the craziness. We took a trip to Alabama and North Carolina. We have been swimming daily and going to SeaWorld a bunch. We are still looking for a house to buy in Holden Heights, where our church is exploring the possibility of an urban church plant. I can't seem to find the time or energy to update as often as I would like but I'm not giving up just yet:)

Best Donuts Ever

Thanks to my girl, Sarah Bruner I have now experienced the BEST donuts in the world.

This was a fun time for us... the big kids had their very own donut!

Sugar highs for all of us...

I have a four year old.

Jayden turns 4 tomorrow. I can't believe I have a KID!

Jumping for joy (with one of his flip flops and one of journey's flip flops) because his friends were over. You know you have a KID and not a baby when his friends knock on our door and ask if Jayden can play with them.

He is really an amazing swimmer. He is now snorkeling! He is so calm in the water and it's so fun to watch him learn and grow.

Tomorrow we are having a race car themed birthday party. I know some people despise "themed" parties but it's his day and that is what he loves!

Hope at 9 months!

It doesn't seem possible that my sweet baby is already 9 months old.

That would be a pancake she's munching on. She refuses to eat baby food. Just big kid food:)

Hope Floats!

She hurts my eyes... seriously. It should be a crime to be this pretty.

like a fish. like a mermaid.

Journey swimming from instructor to the steps.

We started swim lessons this week! This isn't something we originally planned to do but we were given a great opportunity and given the fact that we are here in Florida to stay we decided to go for it. I'm so glad we did. This is PediaSwim. It is more than just swimming and/or survival. It's day 3 for us and I can tell that my very strong-willed little guy is gaining self control and confidence. I can't wait to see what this does for him (and the girls of course).

Journey again swimming from instructor to instructor. She could not and would not swim even a little 3 days ago.

Hope is learning to get to the surface and float. She will eventually learn to turn onto her tummy, kick to the edge and hold on. At this age, it's all about survival and she will need to have refresher courses to progress her to "swimming." No doubt... she hates it. She started crying when we walked up to the pool this morning. But, she is learning!

If you know my boy (or have read my blog for any time at all) you know that it's a fight to get his hair washed. He has never liked to get his hair or face wet. Our weekly or bi-weekly hair washing is d.r.a.m.a. I had no idea how he would do and honestly I was a tad scared he would throw some fists (not a fit...i'm talking punches here). Fears were confirmed and he went nuts! But, his no-fuss instructor was amazing and now he is doing awesome!

Hope and Journey floating on their backs (day 2)

Journey-girl was all about it on day 1. She couldn't wait for her turn. Now she is being challenged a big more and didn't want to go back. She is doing really well and will be like her best friend, Ariel (aka the little mermaid) in no time!

Facing his fears. I'm so proud of him.

Perspective

I have shared the link before. But, if you're like me you need to hear her account again and again. For perspective and for remembering what we have been made for.

katie's blog

almost a quitter

I really thought about quitting this blog... and I might still. There is just too much life going on to capture it all. I get behind and then who has time to catch up on blogging when you're...

hanging outside with 3 little kids expectantly waiting for daddy to get home from work.

figuring out how to parent an incredibly cool, almost-four-year-old.

bathing and rebathing children who seem to pee on everything and who are always covered in food (hope). not to mention the high maintenance hair of the older ones. i love doing their hair but they don't exactly love it:)

making sure we keep up with these cars... and that the boy in this picture is confident in being the fastest, tallest, strongest, etc.

making sure that your two athletically talented children don't come crashing down from the playground built for children 5-12 years old.

daily removing permanent marker (lotion, diaper cream, vaseline, makeup, crayola marker, etc) from your child "artist."

busy snapping iPhone photos of a princess sleeping in such a way as to not disturb her pre-nap tea party (which she had in her brothers bed).

finding and enjoying time with your husband and best friend... oh and 8.5 month old baby who loves to make funny faces.

responding to "look at me mommy" all day long:) aka pouring on the praise and encouragement.

watching your 2.5 year old get so big it makes your heart hurt.

teaching a baby to eat, and sleep, and watching her fall in love with her brother and sister.

watching for parking lot traffic so you're toddlers can ride their bikes over the speed bumps again and again and again (the joys of apartment living).

ummm... does anyone else's house look like this 5 minutes after the children awake? impressive.

Photo Shoot Give-a-way!

My fabulously talented and beautiful friend Melonie is giving away a photo shoot for one lucky pregnant mama! If you or someone you know lives in the Orlando area...ENTER NOW!!!

Go here for the details... and you'll get to see my belly bump while you're there~

Part II: Oreo Truffles

For all of my non-healthy eating friends out there (julia)...I would like to share a recipe for Oreo Truffles. I would bet that my non-healthy eating friends (julia) probably already know this one but in light of my last post I think I better share it just in case.

OREO TRUFFLES (with no cool step by step photos)

1 package oreos

1-8oz cream cheese

chocolate bark

chop up the oreos in a food processor. mix in softened cream cheese. roll into 1-inch balls. refrigerate until hard. melt chocolate (or whatever candy coating you'd like) and dip balls. place on wax paper or a baking sheet and refrigerate until chocolate hardens. keep refrigerated (because of cream cheese) and try not to eat all of them because they are really. really. bad. for. you.

How-To Tuesday: Oreo Truffles

So I made that title up...almost sounded like a "real" blogger for a minute:) Anyway, on to my regularly scheduled program:

Step 1: Take big bite and allow the chocolate to drip all over your face.

Step 2: Show your mommy the yummy goodness while your taste buds do a dance. Does she look a little intoxicated or am I exaggerating the power of chocolate?

Step 3: Show just how happy chocolate can make a girl.

Step 4: Take another big bite before your mommy asks you to share.

Step 5: Pop the rest of that gooey mess in your mouth.

Ta-da...mission accomplished!

TROUBLE.

My rule is that if I take a picture then I shouldn't discipline you for getting into something. I think it's a fair trade.

His Turn

Stay tuned for their Daddy/Son "special time."

newborns

hope

journey

jayden

My semi-annual, non-kid post

GET THIS BOOK!!!! I'm only 1/5 of the way through it and I believe it will change the way I'm living.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

"Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy.

And he writes...

Daddy Daughter Dance (Dad-daw-dance: In Journey)

Our night began with a fabulous dinner at Pei Wei. What a great idea! Have all these dads dress up and take their daughter(s) to what felt like the prom but to the annual Northland Church Daddy Daughter Dance. Journey (dressed in her beautiful white gown) and I arrived at the church to the smell of buttery popcorn, flashing lights and music pumping loud enough to hear in the streets. I walked into the foyer of the sanctuary and had a flashback to my old clubbing days then quickly realized this was a redeemed version of what fun, music and dance should be like. We go from table to table, eating fruit, cheese and cotton candy. Then the dj yells out “Time for the Cupid Shuffle!” We hit the dance floor and danced for 20 minutes (btw..that song is way too long) most of it with Journey in my arms. As we dance I look in Journey’s eyes and she is amazed!

After we danced to a little Stevie Wonder, the associate pastor came on stage and guided the fathers and daughters through vows made to each other. As I am holding Journey in my arms I began saying the vow to her, she reaches up, clasps my face in her hands and gave me the most endearing look ever. I began to weep and she just laid her head on my shoulder squeezing me with both arms while I finished vowing to protect her, guide her, pray for her, love her and love her mother. Wow! That was the highlight of my night.

At this point it is about 8:30 pm, I’m exhausted from dancing, she is tired too but she sees the face painting line and had to have her face painted. So we stand in line hot and sweaty, music pumping, dads on the dance floor next to us dancing as if there was no tomorrow. Thirty five minutes later and a beautiful flower painted on her face capped off a wonderful night of fun. I did keep her out way past her curfew and I told Journey “only daddy can keep you out that late and NO ONE ELSE.” I never knew a Daddy Daughter dance could be so amazing. I am hooked, can’t wait to go back with both my baby girls!