Our little Ya yas

As a mom of multiple children, I get to witness those moments when the girls are in perfect giggling harmony as well as those other moments where I want to say (and sometimes do say), "what are you doing??? that is your sister!". Yes, they are complex relationships. On one hand, they are out to sabotage and then on the other, the avid defender when the other is mistreated. It is interesting to say the least. There have been several weekends where the girls have decided to have slumber parties together. In other words, Mary Ella joins Addy in her room. We put them to bed and then we hear giggling and laughing for about 20 minutes before the sleepy slumber takes over. My initial reaction was to yell up the stairs, "It is time to quiet doooooown! Go to sleep, pleeeease!" However, right after I said it, I realized just how wrong I was and immediately smiled. Why, you ask? Well, here it was the weekend...nothing to get up for in the morning and two of my precious girls sharing a sisterly, giggly moment with one another. I realized I couldn't and I shouldn't lay down the law because in that moment the sweet memory of hearing them love and bond was way more important. I think I need those moments almost as much as they do. On Saturday, we awoke to more giggling and talking upstairs. We heard the pitter-patter of little feet above us and wondered what they could be doing, but we quietly waited in our room knowing they would come down eventually and that they did. They both came prancing into our room wearing their princess attire with tiaras carefully placed on top of their heads....such a sweet sight. What a way to start the day, huh?

The Verdict

The verdict has been handed down. I am relieved to say I have officially gained 10 lbs of muscle mass and lost 7.5 lbs of fat mass in the last month. That helps me swallow the couple of extra pounds that appeared on my scale and the "mommy, you have a big bottom, I have a little bottom," comment from Addy the other day. Now why do they have to learn this "big/little" concept?

Has it really been that long???

Goodness. March has FLOWN by. We began with Addy Scott's 3rd birthday and Scott out of town for a week. Then the second week I braved a car trip with the girls...no hubby. I guess I'll start with Addy's party. She had it at the zoo and we all hoped, prayed and begged for the weather to cooperate, but more importantly for the Rhinos to be out in the exhibit. You see, the last time we went the rhinos were "abstent" per Addy and she did not quit asking about them hoping they would return in time for the party. Thank goodness the good, no GREAT, weather and FIVE rhinos were both delivered! Yay! Here are a few pics from that week:

Does this adequately capture her personality???

All the critters at the party

Enjoying our birthday girl

Doughnuts with sprinkles

For Spring break, I left with the girls to go to Houston, Brenham and Horseshoe Bay, Texas. I was a bit nervous because just 9 months ago, Addy couldn't be in her car seat 20 minutes without squealing and crying. Uggghh. The solution to that has, quite frankly, been to stay put and as we hoped she would outgrow it. Well, SHE DID! The trip went off without a hitch. I only came close to running off the road a few times (totally kidding, well...kinda). Anyways, as long as I could toss teddy grahams, put on movies and sing, we were golden. We had a blast seeing my parents, grandparents and cousins. Mary Ella enjoyed my cousin's daughter so much she was too sad to even say goodbye :(. Here are a few of the pics from that week:

Now we are eagerly anticipating the end to Scott's 4 1/2 month study marathon. He has been hitting the books hard and will be taking the last round of certification April 23rd! I would be lieing if I told you everything was great. All in all we are good, but it is hard to wrap one's mind around how much preparation is required for these exams. Quite frankly, many sacrifices have to be made from all of us. We are ready for Scott to rejoin family life, have some relaxation time and for this to be DONE! Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he approaches April 23rd. After he completes this, we are actually going to celebrate our anniversary this year in VEGAS baby! That gives us something to look forward to :).

Good News!

Thanks for all the prayers, the news is good....nothing to be worried about! Yay! Scott was gone all last week for a board review course, we had a birthday party for Addy at the zoo, and I've been on a road trip with the three girls since Monday. We've been to Houston, are now at my mom's and will heading to Horseshoe Bay today. Like I said...ROAD TRIP! We've enjoyed seeing family and some old friends. When I get back, I'll have lots of updating to do so be sure to check in.

Small request

Hi all! I'm not even sure who all reads this these days, but am sure there are some pray warriors out there! I've got yet another special person in my life who is undergoing a biopsy today on a suspicious looking area. I'm not able to give her name at this point, but God knows who she is. Please lift her up as she awaits results and that she would feel the presence of God's comforting hand. Thank you!

three, Three, THREE!

Addy Scott turns THREE today. How can it be??? Three years ago I remember waiting for the nurses to bring her in at night, the room was as dark and as a hospital room could get. It was 2:30am, but I didn't care, I already missed her and was ready to have more time with her. They would bring her in and all I could see was the precious silhouette of my little 7 lb 2 oz baby along with the white surrounding her big, beautiful, beady brown eyes. My heart pounds just thinking of those moments. The first year we struggled learning how to care for her sensitive digestive system. Well, I struggled, and she just smiled and cooed as if she was cheering me on. Our Addy has grown into a thriving, healthy, and spunky little girl who solves challenging situations with more ingenuity than all of us put together at times. Her favorite color is blue and she even insists that we get the sprinkled donuts from the store that has the "blue sprinkle" within the rainbow sprinkle mixture. All those who know her have experienced her sense of humor and are frequently amazed at her ability understand the jokes often firing back her own witty retort. I might also mention she shares a birthday with Dr. Seuss which is pretty appropriate for this little girl. She still gives me those little moments when she climbs into my lap and melts into my soul (ahhh, Heaven!). However, when you see her she is likely not walking, not running, but rather galloping around. I guess she just prefers to bounce but this often means we are kissing and loving on her after walls and door frames jump out in front of her. Despite these battle wounds and the challenging, daily lessons toddlerhood often brings , at the end of every day her prayers sound a bit like this, "God is good, God is good, God is good, God is good......Amen." Well, baby, I couldn't say it any better. He is SO good in that He knew your unique addition to our family would be a perfect fit. We love you so very much!

Did you hear it?

If you were at the Target on S. Broadway here in Tyler around 11:30 a.m. this morning and heard

5 y/o girl: I want something too. Are we going to get me something??? I want something too, mooooom!?!
(almost) 3 y/o girl: Give me the lip gloss! Give me the lip gloss! Give me the lip gloss!
1 1/2 y/o girl: (s)nack! (s)nack! (s)NAAAAAACK!!!!
Mom: Shhh! Shhh! SHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! No. Give it back. We'll have a snack when we get in the car.....

simultaneously....It was me :)!