Busy Weekend

It started off slow.  Just the girls and I on Friday night. Trent was with Grandma and Drake was at the Santa Fe Alumni Event.

So we picked up a nutritious dinner (Juliana's choice),

to enjoy at a scenic location.

Big sis kicked back in the front seat while she divulged all the kindergarten gossip...if you're not a good listener (cough Parker) Mrs. Henken makes you a chart and if you're good you get a happy face at the end of the day and if you're not you get a sad face and Mrs. Henken will talk to your mom.

Come Saturday, Daddy made his pancakes with a little something extra...

*he's such a fun daddy

We had a Halloween party Saturday night and I was wracking my brain trying to figure out a costume that I could wear these shoes with.

However, it was a family Halloween party and everything I could think of using stuff I have on hand wouldn't have been appropriate. So we came up with this instead.

Here's what happens when two barista's fall in love...

Question: What do you get when you put a couple dozen sugared up kids together??

Chaos. But in a good way. This isn't even all of them.

the "Jessie's"

Hostess with the Mostess and her super creative costume

She's one of those Barbie heads you put make-up on.

The big boys

Trent's girlfriend, a.k.a. Cuppy, a.k.a. Avery

The party was fun and everyone went home tired. Especially mom. Sunday after church we headed over to the Ermanis' to hang out and watch football. We love this family. Dad's are buds, Mom's totally get each other and the kid's play happily for hours. Thanks Ermanis gang, can't wait to have you over in a couple of weeks.

My eyes are heavy and my bed is calling. Tomorrow is Halloween. Stay tuned for costume pictures part 2 (just the kids this time).

Friday Confessions

Here goes...

1. I have only opened my Bible twice this week.

2. Being a mom is A LOT harder than I ever thought it would be. I have never been more convicted of my own sin nature until having children or rather THREE children. Trying to civilize uncivilized beings can really bring out the worst in me sometimes. Pride, anger, irritation. Being a parent is like character truth serum. Thankfully, the Lord is always faithful when I cry to Him for wisdom and guidance. Praise you Lord Jesus!

3.  I locked (word used very loosely) Juliana and Trent in the backyard yesterday.

be still my heart. so precious.

4. So I could eat this...

*warm from the oven...heaven.

5. Drake has a Santa Fe Alumni event tonight. I came up with a series of good excuses so that I could stay home, but the truth, I just plain don't want to go. I worry that people are starting to think I'm a recluse.

6. Snotty nose and dirty feet, this kid steals my heart.

He stood in the backyard tossing his hat in the air while screaming "yeehaw" for five minutes straight

Have a great weekend!

Crazy Sock Day and the Great Dog Rescue

Hey there, just popping in because we had a fun morning and I wanted to not only share, but have it stored in my memory bank.

Today was crazy sock day at school and never one to be outdone, Juliana made sure that her socks were both festive and spirited. She came bounding out fully dressed this morning and couldn't wait for school to start. Oh yes, the red ribbon. It's drug awareness week for Carlsbad schools. She has already informed me that "alcohol can mess up your cranium."

After drop off, Mama needed some fresh air. So the little two and I took a detour just to enjoy the beautiful sunshine. About 15 minutes into our detour I get a call from my brother. He's just finished surfing (Thursday is his day off) and has found a lost dog. He has the dog in my parent's backyard, but doesn't have the key to their house and he needs to google the address on the tag.  Detour again, now we're at Grandma's. Turn's out Trooper (that's the dog) lives just down the street...

Precious.

Mission complete. Trooper is home safe.

That's all for now. Check in tomorrow for Friday confessions. I've definitely got some confessing to do. Hopefully one of them will be that I've conquered the hidden beast in our home a.k.a. the laundry room without too much frustration.

Yikes, I'll let you know how it goes...

Glittertastic

In the wake of Trent's birthday Juliana has been wracking her brain for the perfect party theme for her sixth birthday (in 8 months). She has mulled over Hello Kitty, My Little Pony, Fancy Nancy, ballerina and for the moment she has settled on "glittertastic". Yes, she made this up. However, it seems perfectly suited to who she is and I kind of hope she sticks with it. She has games, decorations and specific cake instructions for Grandma all mapped out in her head. I might need to negotiate with her on the party favors though...Twinkle Toe shoes for every guest is a little out of our budget ($40 a pop at Nordstrom).

We have always joked that it would be fun to go through life in Juliana's world. Rather than walking she dances. Instead of talking she sings (literally she makes up a song for everything). On the morning of her preschool graduation she walked out wearing her dance recital costume and tap shoes because she knew they would get to go up on stage...this is our girl. Glittertastic is the perfect adjective to describe her and it's only fitting that she made it up.

Don't worry, we do use situations like the preschool graduation as teaching opportunities to explain that life is not all about her. We in no way encourage narcissism or entitlement in our children. However I love that she is not a stranger to the spotlight and she is confident in who she is. My prayer is that her glittertastic personality sparkles for Jesus because I know He has great things for her.

Mama loves you

Our Boy is Three

Three years ago I cradled all 9 lbs. 14 oz of his body and kissed every inch of his sweet face. Today I cradle all 35 lbs. of him in my arms and do the same. Rather than breathing in the sweet smell of newborn I breathe in the smell of little boy. Fresh air and sweat. He has a crusty nose and dirt under his nails. I can't imagine loving him more.

Celebrating him was a treat. Watching him was a treat. Being his mommy is a treat.

Woody and Jessie

Sweet Sammy

We opted out of a big party this year and just had family over for dinner. We are truly blessed.

Grandma outdid herself on the cake...

Happy Birthday to Trent

Papa was in charge of putting together gifts

Uncle Mark was in charge of making sure the gifts were being played with properly

He melts my heart

Good times all around

Trent, you are the second Kellas boy who has stolen my heart. I love that you're a Mama's boy, that you still let me snuggle with you and that you randomly run up to me during the day to give me a kiss. You love to learn and already have mastered all your letters and their sounds. Just the other day you sounded out a word in a book we were reading. You love to collect things. Rocks, leaves, pine cones, the neighbor's newspaper...you also take every chance you get to pick flowers for me. I know that I can't keep you little, but I promise to make every attempt to enjoy and appreciate who you are in your littleness (even at 4 am). My eyes fill with tears when I think about how much I love you. Happy 3rd Birthday Trenter Bug!!

P.S. This is for Sarah...Jake and I share a love for Tim Tebow and he not only started, but pulled off a win for the Broncos on Trent's birthday. Tebow!!