Sunday Spotlight - Hugs

We had some Korby time this weekend!

And some Erin time too!

 22 weeks!  no way!

And a little snippet of Sam time. 

Our baby girl is not a baby anymore!

You know...when life gets crazy.  Or painful.  Or bewildering. 

It is good to come home.

 For some laughter....or some tears. 

 I hope our kids always feel like coming home is comforting. 

Especially in the midst of our everyday chaos.

Some things just make me feel better....

Chocolate chip cookies.

Grilled cheese sandwiches.

Singing hymns at church.

A yummy cup of hot coffee.

Hugs.

Especially hugs.



Alec's big day

 Nope - it's not his birthday yet.... 

 But this BIG boy had the same pull up on this evening when Daddy picked him up from school that he had on this morning when he left.  And he got a haircut - and did not shed a tear

 (remember he is the "cry till you puke" haircut kid.)

 And the biggest accomplishment of all....he pooped in the potty too! 

Yep - gross as that is - trust me that is quite a milestone for this little man. 

 And he proceeded to tell me all about it - in sentences when I got home from church. 

He was so proud of himself...

 Here is our little man last night with his shaggy hair....and sporting his last bad habit...his "water baba". 

Such a very interesting person our little Alec is turning out to be.  He has an extremely quick sense of humor...and knows when he is funny.  His laughter is contagious....and his Daddy has a serious soft spot for the funny stuff that comes out of his mouth....so it will be interesting to watch how discipline works for him - since he makes him LAUGH.

He is crazy smart...and tough as nails.  He runs everywhere...and loves to watch movies. 

Especially Scooby Doo. 

On his birthday he is going to be "big"...he refuses to say he is going to be 3.

I think he can sing...but I can't say that I have heard him much...

since he just started talking a couple weeks ago!

This little man does things on his own time....

and you know what?

That is just fine by me.

Love you my Alec James Jeesuk...and I really love your new spiffy haircut! 

Quite a big day for

the littlest one of Ava's "my two boys".



Sunday Spotlight - dogs

We have two of the best dogs.  One we borrow from Mom and Dad (Sandy visits us daily)...and loves hanging out when the kids are outside (and sneaking cat food snacks).  Roxie....she is such a funny little mutt...with her crazy wheezing problem and wild hairdo.

I wouldn't say they are the best guard dogs...nor do they alert us when someone drives up the lane...but they are loveable and sweet....and perfect for our family!

Videos that make us smile....

thank goodness there was 8 inches of soft snow!

Sharing ramen noodles...who knew it could be so much fun!

some funny Ayden quotes on this cold winter day....

Mom - can you cut me some apple with the crust on please?

After giving me a hug last night - Ayden mentioned that my belly felt like it was "really full" and my cheeks were very soft. 

(I think it may be time for some Zumba.)

SnowDay

 With 8 inches of snow on the ground - we dug out the costumes....

 played computer games and watched videos....

 And of course got outside when the sun started shining!

Daddy got to clear the driveway with his tractor -that he didn't have to work on for an hour before he could even start (and that was warm and cozy too!)

 It was interestingly enough quite pleasant outside...and the kids just played in the snow like it was sand....digging and plowing through it.  Making snow angels..and just plain having fun.

 Alec gets so covered with snow we can barely find him!

I seemed to have a bit of a bug working on me - definitely was not my normal self- but if I took Ibuprofen I  was better for a couple hours - so I still got to enjoy watching these guys play in this gorgeous snow.

Thank goodness Shannon's work was closed today...not sure I would have made it by myself. 

And now a couple kids seem to be a bit under the weather too - but hopefully just a quick little bug that just makes you want to lay around and watch movies. 

Which is what we are going to do tonite!

Miss Ava

 Our beautiful little "girly girl" with her painted fingernails and love of dresses and tights (and heels). 

But no hair bows or pony tails...not even a clip. 

No way...just long hair (her request) occasionally with some curls. 

 Her reward for enduring her 5th brain MRI (which always requires anesthesia) was this "cupcake" trinket holder with pink and white icing and CHOCOLATE that caught her eye in the hospital gift shop...as well as a very beautiful dress from the mall. 

Not exactly an outfit you normally wear to preschool - but today Ava got to do

whatever she wanted.

Such a trooper yesterday...not a wimper to be heard.  In fact I wonder if she might someday lean toward medicine - she was intensely interested in the IV this time.  Not a flinch...just some very wide eyes and silence.  Sam roadtripped to STL with us - which made the day so much easier - and entertaining of course.  Kristi watched the rest of the kiddos while Shannon worked

(they had a blast - even Alec told me he had "so fun" at Kristi's house!)

 I stress over these appointments and breathe a sigh of relief when they are done.  Hopefully this one will give us the good news that we can start scanning every 12 months instead of every 6 months. 

 That is definitely our prayer.

We love you our Miss VaVa. 
You are a precious gift.

Sunday Spotlight - Kids and Cars

 Fun weekend of kids and alot of car traffic in our house!  Tonite Korbyn and Sam came for dinner - the kids LOVE their Korbyn so much.

 She found my folded laundry and was "sorting" it....needless to say it all needs to be refolded now.

 But who could be mad at this face?

Korbyn was very brave being the "stop!" light for these 3. 

 They are crazy in their cars.

Who needs to go out to dinner and a movie when you have this for entertainment?

Sledding

 The perfect day for sledding.  Not terribly cold.  The snow was just packed enough for the runner sled to slide nicely...but not too fast (thank goodness). 

 We were out for almost an 1.5 hours and didn't even realize it....what a great day for playing in the snow.

Sisterly love....I do believe he was about to get a snow ball in the head.

These two are going to be unstoppable soon....they are little daredevils (especially the smiley one).

I will admit I am a little bit scared.

Sunday Spotlight...some quotes

Favorite things we have heard lately....

Alec....a man of few words.

"YUCK"

"We got some work do now" (from his favorite Scooby Doo movies)

How old will you be on your birthday Alec?   "BIG"

"Ha..ha...ha...ha...ha"  (you know - kind of sneaky sounding)

Ava...old beyond her years.

Her room looked like a tornado - so she asked her daddy...who was a little frustrated with her...

"Dadda - Are you mad at Ayden? No At Alec? No  At Me? No  At Momma? No
 At You Yourself?"

I painted our kitchen brick red this weekend.  The primer was a very interesting shade of pink.
 Ava came strolling in exclaiming..
"Oh Momma - I love, love, love your pink kitchen!"

Ayden....the guy who didn't leave my side for 2 entire years.

"Momma do you promise I can go to Sunday School tomorrow?  You can just drop me off at the door cause I know where to go."

"Momma...I can go by myself in the boy's bathroom.  Really I can.
 I even know which one it is!"

They are growing up so much...so fast.  It is so fun to listen to them....actually playing together....having conversations....learning....singing.  We worked on our kitchen between sicknesses (oh yes - we had our share) this weekend and it was wonderful.  They were wonderful.  We accomplished a ton...and they actually played...

together.

We even got to watch some episodes of "Heroes" after they went to bed!

Brown Eyed Granddaughters

 We do believe that our baby in waiting is going to be another brown eyed girl....at least that what she led us to believe during this last ultrasound!  Hard to imagine we will be meeting her in just a few months. 

Erin barely looks pregnant - in fact most days you would never know she is.  She looks beautiful as ever...especially in her high heels, leggings and sweaters...amazingly beautiful.

Erin...you are going to be the BEST MOM ever.  Rae is gonna be one lucky girl.

Our sweet Korbyn has some gorgeous brown eyes of her own.

 That melt my heart and make me laugh...cause they are jut a little mischevious.

 But oh how I love this little girl.

 

Even when she has a belly ache.  Or really really really does not want to go to sleep. 

She blesses us with her bear hugs and sweet kisses. 

And her funny little babble in her high little voice.

And her sing song melodies....and her very loud screaming!

She melts her Daddy's heart just as well....it makes my heart smile to talk to him on the phone and hear him chuckle about something his very funny, smart little pumpkin head is doing or saying. 

Sam - you are a FABULOUS Dad.  Korbyn is one lucky girl...and she knows it.

Life may take us on some unexpected journeys...but if we just believe and have a little faith....the blessing we least expect is always worth any trial we may face along the way.