Party Planning

So I have approximately 6 months until E's birthday and 9 months until J's birthday, and I am party planning. I adore Birthday parties, I love love love big parties, I love birthdays, I love celebrating the day my kids were born. My kids are the best gift I have ever received so I will celebrate them and I will do it big!!

Yesterday we went to a Birthday Party yesterday and they had clowns. The clowns pained faces, and made balloon animals. Emma loved it. She had both cheeks, her nose and forehead painted. So the theme for her party was an easy decision. Emma will have a carnival party. We will do game booths, clowns for face painting, magic, and balloon animals, and maybe a popcorn machine. It will be the best carnival ever.

Jack's is still up in the air. He loves balls, and trucks so I am sure one of those will be our themes. There is a treehouse at a church not far from here that does free parties, but there is only an hour of playtime which I don't love, and he might be too young so I am keeping that option open. Since his birthday is in November we really need something inside so we shall see.

As I said I love birthdays and we do them HUGE around here, so off to plan!

It has finally happened!

Two things have happened in the past couple of days that I thought never would. Well to be fair they are both things that probably have been happening for quite a while, but they just came to fruition. These things are both HUGE and will make a difference in our lives! Are you ready.
Well here they are in no order of importance, okay so they are in order of importance.

1. Jack is talking and I mean really really talking! I swear last week I was asking my sister about getting him an Early Intervention Eval, she thought I was crazy. Literally a week ago he had maybe 2-3 words and he was not using them consistently at all. Heck he did not even use Mom and Dad consistently. Fast forward to this week. As of yesterday morning I counted over 20 different words and he will repeat anything I say. He is officially a talker and it is so sweet to hear his voice. I melt when I hear Mama and he gets anything his little hear desires. The same is true with Dada, so I am not the only one that spoils him:) I am so excited to see what my little man has to say!

2. Emma's hair is getting thicker. For those of you that don't know Andrew, Jack, and I have the most amazing thick hair ever. I mean we have tons and tons of hair. Our little girl not so much. It has always been thin and stringy, I have tried vitamins, cuts, and every other old wives tale out there, nothing has worked except for time. I have had several people told me that between 3.5-4.5 her hair will get thicker. Well E turns 3.5 next week and it is getting thicker daily. I am so very excited!

I know, I know how can I even compare thicker hair and talking? To those of you that know me you have probably figured out this is kind of a joke. Although I am happy both things have happened it is obvious which is the most important.

So ladies and gentlemen raise you glasses to talking babies and thick hair, we have come a long way!

Our Perfect Weekend

I have to admit I was totally bummed going into last weekend. I wanted more than anything to see my family and just go home to Houston. It just did not work out, but funny how it turned out to be the perfect weekend.

Saturday morning started out with Andrew sleeping in and the kids and I just bumming around the house. I spent the morning cleaning while the kids played and played together. Jack was finally back to his sweet normal self, and he and Emma were enjoying playing together. There is nothing better than watching your kids spend time together and really enjoy each other. When Andrew woke up we took a trip to Sams and the kids were amazing. I mean they were perfect. I began to wonder if someone had switched kids with me. It was then home for a nap. Both kids went right down and so did I. We all woke up around 3:45 and headed to a local school playground with the kids and Lilly. We spent over an hour playing fetch and chase with Lilly. It was so neat to see the kids playing with the dog. We all had an amazing time. On the way home we picked up a pizza and ate dinner together around the table. We put Jack down, and Emma, Andrew and I played Sleeping Beauty for a while, we each took turns being everyone. We then put Emma to sleep and I sat down to enjoy my glass well bottle of champagne.

Sunday we spent the morning outside. We took a really long walk, played with the bike, and tricycle, Emma rode her motorcycle. The weather was beautiful and we had such a great time. The kids then napped and since the weather turned cold we spent the afternoon in the house just playing and spending time as a family.

It was an amazing weekend. We spent hours just playing together, ate all our meals together, and just enjoyed being with each other. It was about as perfect as could be.

Say Bye-Bye

Here is a short video of Jack saying bye-bye it is too cute!

On a Walk

Here are some videos from our walk today. Emma is getting better and better on her Motorcycle and Jack actually started off in his car, but ended up pushing it.

This is Love

This is my favorite picture of all time. I took it with a point and shoot when Emma was in the NICU. No fancy camera, no fancy flash and no edits this is real. Real life. For some reason this picture keeps coming back into my mind. I want to do something with it, maybe a canvas or just a large print. I can't really decide, all I know is I feel it deserves a prominent place in our house. This picture means so much to me.

I still remember every moment of Emma being in the NICU. She went into the NICU on Tuesday morning. We got the call Thursday morning at 4 am that they needed to put a chest tube in . I crawled into bed with Andrew at our room at the Ronald McDonald house, I was sad, confused and spent. Andrew said, do you want to go over? He knew me so well. We dressed quickly and walked to the hospital long before the sun was up. By the time we got there Emma was sleeping and the chest tube was in place. This meant that we would have to wait at least 4 more days to hold our daughter. My arms and heart ached. We were trying to be strong for each but so lost in our own sorrow. This was not how we imagined the birth of our first child to go, this was not the dream we had imagined. Andrew leaned over Emma, we were so tired. I picked up the camera and took the picture.

It is all there. The sorrow, pain and confusion. When would we be able to hold her? When would we be able to take her home. Would we ever take her home? Did God give her to us to take her away again? We were so unsure about everything. We prayed like there was no tomorrow. We thanked God for this amazing gift and begged for her life.

I think this is why this picture has been in my mind lately. We so often turn to God in times of need, sorrow or pain. How often do we turn to him to praise him and thank him for the gifts we have been given? Our life is so wonderful right now, we are living the dream. We are happy, successful and our family is healthy and perfect. I am not so good at going to God in times like this, life gets in the way I forget. I think God uses this picture to remind me that he carries us through it all. He has plans for our life and we need to turn to him in sorrow, pain and joy. So I will work on praising him loving him and turning to him in all times.

Life is great, painful, and confusing. Just like Emma's time in the NICU. It is not always pretty, but it is real. Thank you God for giving us so much and reminding me to praise you always!

Happy Birthday Andrew

These pictures are from Andrew's party at our house and a dinner birthday with his Dad's family. We had a really nice time.

Emma's gift to Andrew she signed the tag if you can tell.

Jack's present to Andrew (Band of Brothers- Blu Ray) He colored the wrapping paper all by himself!

Emma's other present to Andrew a build-a-bear, he had glasses like Andrew, a worlds best Dad shirt and Emma's voice saying I love you, it was all her idea and he loved it!

Emma named him Shoot Star- So fitting for Andrew

Emma picked out the cake, it says Daddy I hope your birthday is dino-mite. The lady at the cake store thought it was a mistake and actually called me to ask about it:)

We went to dinner at a hibachi restaurant and it was really nice. Jack literally fussed and cried the whole time so except for the 5 minutes that Uncle Jody offered to take him, I got to walk around the restaurant with him the whole time, but Andrew had a nice meal and that is all that counts!

He got his big present a new I-Pod touch at the beginning of Febuary it was a joint gift from my parents and me. So I got his old one, and Emma got my old one for valentine's day she is super excited to have her own I-POP with all her music on it.

Wordless Wednesday-Snow Fun

Our Family Travels

Andrew and I love to travel, it is our thing. We budget carefully for it and enjoy every minute of it.

Here are the places we are going this year.

March 12-15- Sea World! We have been wanting to take the kids for sometime now, but something always comes up. We have recently found out that Andrew is owed money from unclaimed property in Texas so we will enjoy a weekend in Sea World with it! We are going with my sisters family and can't wait. Andrew and I will drive down with the kids on Friday night. Amy, Fernando and their two kids Marissa and Mark will meet us at Sea World on Saturday. Andrew will fly back on Sunday and the kids and I will go to Houston for the week during spring break.

March 15-19- Houston. The kids and I will spend this week in Houston and spend a day at the Houston Livestock show and rodeo. I am sure I will also fit in some time with my great friend Jamie.

April 4-11-Jamaica! Andrew and I will once again be spending a week at Sandals Ocho Rios in Jamaica. We are so excited and can't wait for a week to reconnect and just be together.

May 6-10-A cruise- My best friend Jamie and I are taking a girls cruise to Mexico. No kids, drinks, sun, sand, books, and relaxing. Just amazing!

June-9-15- Disney World- We are taking the kids to Disney World thanks to my parents, it will be our whole family including my sister and her family, and my parents. I can't wait and neither can Emma!

August- Lake Brant- Andrew and I will meet his College buddies at a Lake house in upstate NY. This is always a fun relaxing weekend. Andrew's college friends are truly some of the best guys around.

We are also trying to fit in a trip to Atlanta at some point to visit Andrew's Grandfather.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday- Andrew is going out for his Birthday so it will just be me and the kidos. Probably just chicken, corn and pears.

Tuesday- I am going out to dinner with friends so it will be something easy- Frito Pie

Wednesday- Emma and I eat at church so it is just Andrew and Jack- Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwhiches

Thursday-Pioneer Woman Lasagna and Ceasar Salad

Friday- Chineese food

Saturday-Turkey Loaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Sunday-Pioneer Woman Ranch Style Chicken and Smashed Potatoes

The good thing is with sales this week I should keep these 6 meals under $50!

I know I can do it!

I know I can get this diaper on my head

Almost there

Got it!

Valentines Photoshoot

FAIL!!!!!!!!!!

The life of a princess

Today Emma and I went to a princess tea party, we had an amazing time! Our friend Chloe was supposed to go with us, but got sick at the last minute. We missed her, but had a wonderful time just mother and daughter.

A princess should always:

Dance while waiting in line


Be able to entertain herself when bored (she turned the trashcan into a puppet)

Have her makeup done by a professional

Have her nails painted with glitter!

Show off her beautiful makeup job to her loyal photographer

Have her hair done with glitter spray and clips

Take time for a little snack

Wear beautiful handmade jewelry even if it is out of candy

Socialize with other princesses and princes

Have her own personalized balloon-Okay this one is random, but how cool is this?

I am so thankful for my beautiful princess she is a joy.

Our first casulity

So I have not blogged all week, don't blame me, blame the dog. Yep that is my excuse, the dog ate our computer cord. Oh I kid you not. So $75 and a week later we are good to go. So far the only thing I can't keep Lilly from chewing has been our computer cord and Jack's $30 shoes. What can I say she likes things that are expensive, she is my dog afterall:) Anyway so that is why I have been MIA, but I am back now and with Andrew out of town this week I have plenty of blog entries planned.

Just a little idea of what is coming.
-My week as a single Mom
- Pictures of our Princess Tea Party that is Today!! Emma and I are so excited.
-Why I love 1 year olds and 3 year olds
- One of my biggest faults
-Jack's School experience so far
- And with Andrew's Birthday next week I will do 10 reasons why Andrew is the best!

So anyway big plans for next week so check back when you can.