Thankful Thursday

I went to take Ellis to kindergarten screening today.

Lainey kept on sneezing snot everywhere and the school had no tissues.

Elliott pooped and blew out.

I somehow had no wipes in the diaper bag.

I didn't have a back up outfit.

There was no where to change her anyway.

Apparently I am a rookie.

Kindergarten makes me crazy to think about it.  

Today I am thankful I didn't lose it at the school. 

Summer Bucket List

I love my best friend. I also love stealing her ideas, she is one smart momma.

I have been very excited about this upcoming summer break. It is the summer before my boy starts kindergarten. The summer before an adult other than myself will have more waking hours with him a day than me 5 days a week. The summer before I have to let loose of some of my control.

I really want an easy going relaxed summer. Today, the first day of summer break, I slept until 7. (That is big time sleeping in around here) We also went to the pool. Gotta work on the tan. However, as my BFF pointed out, it also needs to be intentional. So here is my summer bucket list of things to do with my kidlets.

Summer Bucket List

-Pray together every day
-Go to the library once a week
-Make homemade lemonade
-Deliver cupcakes we make to some public servants
-Go to a zoo we haven't been to before
-Camp in the back yard (Elliott is not ready for full on camping, maybe next year)
-Go to the pool at least 3 times a week, weather permitting
-Try out gymnastics for the first time (Ellis and Lainey that is)
-Go to the aquarium
-Spend several days in Chattanooga with family and friends
-Have chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast at least twice
-Have an all day pajama and movie day
-Have lunch dates with Daddy during the work day
-Go on a picnic
-Read through the entire Children's Bible together
-Paint
-Individual dates with each kid
-Go to the drive-in several times
-Go see a play
-Have a milkshake at Reeves Sain
-Go to the farmers market every week
-Listen to live music
-Have play dates once a week at least
-Attend a festival of some sort
-Go on family walks or bike rides often
-Enjoy this time together, we are living in the good ole days right now

This is good. I am such a list person, can't wait to start marking things off of it.

Still here.

It has been a while since I have blogged, but after a long break I am ready to start it again.

Many things have happened over this last year and a half. Here are some highlights:


We got baptized. All four of us. Together. It was an amazingly good day. Just look at us.

We are glowing. Brian and I want our kids to have everything.

Not stuff.

Everything like a safe, happy, loving, home. Unconditional love from both parents. A relationship with Jesus Christ. The important things.

I am pretty thin in this picture you might notice. I lost 35lbs as side effect of cutting out the processed foods. So I made a logical decision after losing that much weight. I got pregnant.

Introducing:

 

Elliott Beth.

 

Interesting facts about number 3:

 

We didn't find out gender, but were convinced it was a boy.

 

Although people like to tell you if you have one boy and one girl there is no reason to have a third, she is a perfect Striepling and we are glad to have her. This sweet girl is so perfect for us she makes us want more.

 

 I didn't get my epidural in time. (I may or may not have sounded like a cave woman. Of all the all natural child birth stories I have read out of curiosity ONLY, this was not mentioned.)

 

 Oh and sweet Elliott Beth was my Christmas Eve baby. Having her in a stocking made the lack of pain meds okay.

 

 

She is now close to 5 months.

 

 

 

Other news.

 

Lainey is now 3 1/2, and has quite a flair for the dramatic. She loves her baby sister very much, although her initial reaction was, "Why does it have to be a gurl?" She is known at church and school for always smiling. She brightens a room that girl.

 

 

 

Ellis just graduated preschool. He is doing great. He loves reading, dancing, and playing Wii.

He is very excited about kindergarten, and his mother is not. That subject can be a later post. He loves having two sisters, and treats them well as he should.

 

 

And last, but most certainly not least is Brian. This guy has taken up running, and I am so happy for him. And just to announce it to the world, he is planning on running his first marathon in the next year. I am so happy we have our separate interests and hobbies, because I can guarantee I will not take up running.

 

After running his first half marathon.

 

And this is us. Our family of 5. Blessed far more than we deserve to be.