The great outdoors and other fun stuff.

Today we were blessed with sunshine and 70 degree weather, and we took advantage of it.

We broke out the sidewalk chalk, and for the first time since we've moved, ventured out to the patio to try it out.

Hannah really enjoyed the fresh air!

She quickly moved from sidewalk chalk to gathering sticks and leaves from the yard. Landscaping has been added to our list of house "To Do's" for the spring!

Sarah enjoyed the sunshine and spring air as well!

Everything was fine and dandy until we told Hannah it was time to go inside for a nap. Major meltdown. We quickly redirected her with a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse before naptime. ;)

We have a party going on here tomorrow...for my baby. She'll be two on Tuesday. I'm still in denial. She's growing up so fast. I want to hold on to each day, each stage, each milestone with everything I've got. I don't want one thing to slip by too quickly, but it seems as hard as I hold on, the time still slips through my fingers like sand.

My two beans. I love them so.

Basking in the sunshine, even indoors.

My girl is SO excited about her party tomorrow.

Little Bean's excited, too.

There's been a lot of preparation going on in this house. This is included, but not limited to, lots of baking.

My kitchen sink is full.

My family room is a total mess.

We have a lot of cleaning to do for the party tomorrow. And no, my house usually doesn't look quite this bad.

We're going to buckle down and clean, decorate cakes and cupcakes, and wrap birthday presents. We're all excited to celebrate.

Don't worry, little one, tomorrow will be here before you know it!

Be on the lookout for a birthday post in the next few days!
Have an extravagant weekend!

Still in the moment.

Finding joy in the little things...

Like a baby who chooses not to nap and hang out in her room for three hours making a mess by emptying out her pajama drawer...

and then passing out on the floor...

And finding this when she does choose to nap...

(this is her "please, Mom, open the door" plea)

Enjoying pretty skies that hold the promise of spring...

Being thankful for awesome parents who knew what was most important growing up and continue to express their love even now.

And a husband who treats all three of his girls like queens. A husband who knows just how to fix a leaky roof after a strong storm.

And he even does it with a smile on his face!

Grateful for the quiet moments we spend at home, just us girls.

(Check out Hannah's new shoes! She's in a size 6 now!)

And basking in the sunshine, no matter how fleeting those few moments may be.

Life is priceless, and we're drinking it up.

Thankful.

Today I am simply thankful.

On a whim this morning, I got dressed, brushed on a drop of makeup and tossled my hair, kissing babies and a husband as I rushed out the door. I was headed to Target for a few necessities and I felt energized and motivated.
Despite the loss of an hour of sleep last night, staying up way past our bedtime, and hosting a houseful of visitors, I was awake and alive and ready to take on the world. I jumped in the Escape and blasted the Jesus Culture CD that's been in my CD player for several months. I just can't get enough of it.
Merging onto the highway, I picked up speed, swaying slowly to the vibrant beat. I felt free.
I wallowed in Target for a little more than an hour, trying on clothes, trying desperately to accept my new body after two babies. I decided I'd had enough of the full-length dressing room mirror and moved onto picture frames and baby shoes and crayon sets and birthday cards. It was peaceful and enjoyable, but I missed my babies and I was ready to head home.
In the car, I resorted to my CD, blasting the tunes once again and dancing to the uplifting song..."I don't want to talk about You, like You're not in the room, I want to look right at You, I want to sing right to You...
And I began to think. There at the redlight near Toys 'R Us, cars scurrying by, song playing. I am so blessed.
I've said it before, but today it just hit me really hard. I have everything I need. We are healthy and vibrant. We are financially stable. Micah and I are totally and completely in love and I'm secure in knowing that we will always be...that this will never change. My girls are both perfect. They are healthy and thriving and perfect. And I love them. I love them so much.

Last night, we hosted a FHGI (check them out here ) meeting at our home. It was amazing to feel His presence as we sang and prayed. It was revitalizing and rejuvenating, and refreshing. His love for us is so amazing, yet I so often forget. I forget to be thankful for the little things. Today I remembered, and it was so sweet.
I don't even know where to go from here. I'm still overwhelmed by His blessings. Today, His peace is overwhelming and I'm taken aback by His blessings. He has blessed our family so abundantly...



...and I am so thankful.

Let It...

SNOW WARM UP!
This morning, we woke up to this:

And while it is gorgeous outside, I'm pretty much over it. Between the rain and dreary skies the past few days (which resulted in a leaky roof and windows causing damage to my dining room carpet...which now requires replacement) and the several inches of snow that fell overnight, I'm ready for spring!
We're kinda over being stuck inside.

We long for the warmth of sunshine, even from the inside.

For now, we hang out inside and wait for the warmth of spring.

(Yes, Hannah's face is chapped.)

We'll strive inside until it's time to venture out!

That's our story, and we're sticking to it!

Have a great weekend!