Our life with the Littles

I've been inspired by one of my favorite bloggers, Ashley Ann Campbell of Under the Sycamore. She is such a delightful blogger, I always leave her blog feeling encouraged and inspired to see life through different eyes. Instead of seeing how I wish things were I start seeing the beauty in the way things are!

Ashley has a gift of capturing beautiful photos of real life. She also loves teaching others her techniques and tips. I've been gleaning advice from her and just through trial and error I've been retraining my eye to see beauty in our everyday life.

I love the shots I captured using just my phone and my new favorite editing app: Pic-Tap-Go!

They are watching Lion King. 

If they aren't watching it they are acting it out, every detail. 

My brothers and I did the same thing when we were little.

Bowl #4.

This kid loves his cereal.

It was my first time cutting his hair. 

He was enjoying his M&M prize after being so patient. 

I tried styling it after his bath but when he got dressed it was sticking up.

He does this all day. 

All over the house. 

If only you could be as big as you think you are...

Dads and good for a lot of things.

Giving rides around the living room is just one of them.

Spring day in January!

The weather is so perfect today that we had to venture outside and play after nap time!

Thanksgiving Challenge: Day 2

Plenty of snow on the ground and more coming down

baked potato soup in the crock pot

and a day playing inside with my littles

  thats what I'm thankful for today!

Rainy days.

I guess when it rains day after day, they start running together. I am completely aware that I didn't get the little's updates posted last week. We've been enjoying just hanging out and playing together at home. Without even realizing it, I kind of unplugged us, the kids and I, from our media outlets. Less shows, Facebook, blogging, etc and just been together.

It's so refreshing!


I'm more naturally a get-out-and-go girl, but God is preparing me for a new phase of life. As we make the needed changes to become a one car family and continue to work on simplifying our life of busyness and media input, I'm so excited for the future of this little family.

Every time I think of ways to simplify our lives and focus more on being a family and what we can do to live and glorify the Lord! Because regardless if  the world ends tomorrow or not {only God knows, it's His call} our time on earth and in this life is short. I want to make it count!

So there may or may not be regular updates on the littles milestones, at least as the blog world is concerned. In the mean time, if you don't see or hear from us here, just know we are unplugged and hopefully on a family adventure, even if it's in our own living room!

A days worth of thoughts.

This isn't going to be a deep, thought provoking post. Just a purging of my thoughts and doings from today. {Insert possible snooze alert!}


This is looking like a busy week for us. And I'm excited about it! I've honestly had the blues the last couple weeks and I'm not sure why but I am actually motivated this week and it feels really great.

I get that way sometimes where I don't really want to do anything, even get dressed, let alone go any where or see any one. I know those are the times that I need to make my self reach out, and I did {a little bit} but it was hard and I struggled to enjoy it.

This past weekend I got to spend some one on one time with hubby and that was so refreshing! Anyone without littles or with big 'littles' probably doesn't understand or remember how draining and tiring it can be and we have neglected to nurture our relationship first and foremost for several {dare I say} months. It's sad, I know. 


So we made a decision to try and get out together, for fun at least once a month. I'm sure that commitment will be challenged by the enemy because he doesn't want our marriage to work or be enjoyable. But we know, love and serve someOne greater, who does want us to succeed! All for His glory!!

So back to our busy week... today we went to our monthly group from our church of moms with on the way babies, all the way to 12 month old babes! I love this group and getting together with them. There is just something wonderful about spending time with other women that are in the same stage of life! Even if it means that conversations get interrupted by diaper changes, spit up or sleepy babes. We get that about each others lives right now. And being able to encourage each other and if nothing else find out that we ARE NOT alone in what we are going through. I love this group of women!!

Through this group I've made several friends that we meet outside of the once a month group and our friendships continue to grow. Our kids are playing and growing up together! I love that. As a kid my family moved a lot and it was difficult to make and then keep friends, and as a result I don't really have friends I grew up with {we don't really keep in touch at least}. Don't get me wrong, I loved being able to see so much of the U.S. because we lived in a lot of different places and my brothers were my best friends growing up! But I'm excited for my kids to be able to experience friendships that started before they even walked or talked. {That is if the Lord doesn't move us away from where we are, which He may someday, only He knows!} But we love where we are and look forward to what the Lord has in store for us here, now.


And on another note, I went to the fabric store today...

I can not wait {but I'm going to} to show you what I'm turning this little finds into!! Aren't the colors fabulous?! I'm really excited!

Happy Tuesday to you!

It's hard enough.

I've had a bit of freedom lately. And I've been enjoying it off and on these last couple weeks!

The freedom I've found has come through realizing life is hard enough with out adding the stress of trying to appear that I have all together.

Because {and here's the kicker} I don't.


There mom, I said it! I can admit it. But only recently has this been something I'm comfortable saying out loud. 


I have always been a bit of a perfectionist and control freak in some areas. I struggle with worrying about what other people think of me. As a woman, a friend, a wife, and a mom. I want people to like me and I want others to approve or agree with how I do things and decisions I make. But living like that is really been stressful and less than enjoyable. And there are a few things that helped me realize that it's ridiculous to live like this.


1. You can't please everyone. There will always be someone who disagrees with you. 
2. Everyone is different! And praise the Lord because how boring would it be if we all did everything exactly the same. So- there can be more than one right answer to the little things in life.
3. Most people don't really care if your carpets are always vacuumed, your dishes are always done, or whether or not your kids faces have food from lunch still on them! {Because they probably have the same things going on}


I came across this blog this morning and I really appreciate what it says. And it's so true.


We aren't helping anyone, or encouraging our fellow moms by pretending that we have it all together or that we have this job figured out and mastered it! Because the truth is, none of us do! 


I know that I am more encouraged to know that I'm not the only mama who has a hard time balancing kids, dinner, marriage, ministry, friendships, etc. And I want to do a better job and just being real, on this blog and in my home. 

A new chair!

Today Little lady received a gift in the mail!

Opa and Oma got her this chair. She was so excited!

Up to this point she would always try to make a chair out of what ever she could find. For example, her play table, a box, her brother, etc. Whatever she found fitting for her hinny!

But now she has her own personalized rocker {yes, it even rocks!} and ottoman. And she looks so darn grown up! I can hardly stand it :)

Just a few Little things we've been up to lately!

There is a certain big sister reading one of her favorite books to a little brother. She's a good big sister!

                    

There is a new sheriff in these parts. And he is a mighty cute little feller if I do say so myself!

And a big boy too, as I can report that his first night in his crib in his room was a success! It actually happened by chance because I was planning on making the change after we finished the details of his room in the next couple weeks. But Little dude has been taking his naps during the day in his crib and he fell asleep last night around 7pm {about the time Little lady is going to bed} so I fed him, swaddled him and laid him down thinking he would wake up no later than 2 hours and I'd move him to our room for the night. 

9 pm came and went... then at 10pm, when he was still asleep I figured I better get some sleep myself so hubby and I headed to bed. When little dude woke up at 1:45 am I was really surprised but just went with it and fed him in his room and laid him back in his crib. He only woke up one other time before getting up at 6 am! I just hope tonight can go just as smoothly!!

Little lady showed off her big girl skills by going down the 'big' slide at the park. She climbed up on the equipment by herself as well! Oh, she's getting so big!!

And yesterday while my car was in the shop for regular servicing....

...the littles got to cruise in their first convertible!

It was a really windy day so we only wen to the end of the street with the top down. It was a fun family adventure!

That's some of the little things we have been up to. 

What about you, what have you been up to lately?

Wondering

When my sweet tiny baby girl....

...became this BIG little lady?

BUBBLES!

My little girl LOVES bubbles! 

She asks for them every night before bed.

And every morning when she wakes up in the morning.

And at nap time.

She just loves having us blow bubbles

and trying to catch them

and then trying to pop them!

This morning we enjoyed the sunshine 

and blew bubbles outside!

It's just so gorgeous out lately! 

We are loving being out side in the warm sunshine. :)

We even played with 'Lion' in the driveway.

And took a short walk.

And pointed to all the airplanes that flew over us.

How have you spent your morning so far?

Sensory play

Today is another beautiful 60 degree weather day. {3 in a row!}

After I set up a sensory tub on the porch,

we all sat out and enjoyed some fresh air.

Little dude watched as Little lady played.

There was some sweet hand holding,

lovable hugs!

Smiles galore. :)

We are making the most of these warm-ish days before more cold weather , moves in at the end of the week...