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Friday Confessions.

1. I have avoided bedtime stories every night this week. They each like to read their own book. It takes awhile, it's somewhat tedious and I just didn't have the mental patience for it this week.

2. I can't remember what I ate for dinner last night, but I can remember that Drake ate lobster on Tuesday night. He just happened to be in Maine for work and managed to squeeze in a lobster dinner. Did I mention there was a side of lobster stew in there? The man that hates soups and stews because "the steam makes him hot" somehow managed to choke down a hearty bowl of lobster stew. I am grateful for his job, however, I do get slightly bitter at all the amazing restaurants he gets to eat at. Oh Honey!

3. Something "started" this week that has been absent from my life for over two years now. I used the visitation of this old friend as an excuse to consume as much chocolate as I wanted. There may have also been a frightening amount of peach cobbler thrown into the mix.

4. All three hampers are overflowing.

5. I only exercised once this week and I went an entire day without brushing my teeth. Gum anyone??

6. Sarah told me that she weighs herself once a week just to keep things in check...I haven't weighed myself since January. I finally worked up the courage this morning. I have gained almost 6 lbs. This does not make me happy.

Smiles.

1. The way this one sits in her carseat.

2. Close friends that feel at home in my kitchen and a table full of kiddos and their sweet laughter.

3. Trent and Avery's relationship. Hands down they are the most adorable three year old best friends ever!!

4. Juliana's fashion sense. Sister adds flare to everything she wears.

5. Samantha is battling an ear infection which makes me sad, but I sure do cherish the nighttime baby snuggles.

6. My Honey comes home tomorrow. Whether or not he smuggled home some lobster for me I can't wait to wrap my arms around him.

What about you all? I'd love to hear how your week was...

Daddy Love

We made the drive yesterday we've become quite familiar with. The airport drive. I've gotten so good at timing it, that the past two times we've picked him up we've seen his plane flying in as we exit the 5 and make our way across the train tracks and into the hustle and bustle of Lindbergh Field.

Typically we have to circle the terminal a few times until his bag comes. Their big blue eyes know to pick through all the people waiting on the sidewalk and they usually see him before I do. "I see him!" "I see Daddy!" Their excitement can't be contained. They shriek and shrill as he opens the door to quickly greet them before the airport hall monitors shoo us away.

Inside our vehicle none of the weeks joys, sorrows, victories, injustices, or owies go unmentioned to Daddy. They must tell him everything he has missed. He is eager to hear. We have a good Daddy.

He takes us to lunch.

And to get cupcakes.

Once home the love fest continues. I know he is tired, but he knows they need him.

We had a beautiful Sunday. After church we went over to Grammy and Grandpa's to swim and bbq. Juliana was eager to show off her mad diving skills and Trent is content to squeeze on mismatched floaties and motor around the pool.

Samantha doesn't quite share their enthusiasm for aquatic activity.

She acclimated...kind of.

These cuties on the other hand would have stayed in all day and night...have I mentioned how much I love the exhaustion that swimming brings? Just sayin'

We will say goodbye again to Daddy in the morning. Work is calling him east this week. We will miss him terribly like we always do, but we are so grateful he works hard for us. I tell the kids he works hard for their warm beds, the food in their tummies and for their 24/7 access to Mommy. Indeed, they love their Daddy.

Mommy loves their Daddy too.

Hooray for Friday

It's been a good week. We've tolerated the absence of Daddy and occupied our time trying out new things at home. I am a homebody and I feel like this week I've settled deeper into the grooves of my home as I continue to embrace the "less is more" philosophy.

Not only do soaring gas prices encourage homeyness, so does the realization that the Lord has greatly blessed me in my surroundings. As does conviction that I'm to train my children to be content.

So we pretty much stayed home this week.

Enjoying our backyard with friends...

and the joy of post rain mud.

I opened my kitchen and my mind to a new way of "cooking".

My friend Vanessa came over and taught me how to make a paleo cheesecake. We cheated a bit and added a layer of dark chocolate, but other than that it was completely raw and absolutely delicious.

{I'm now convinced I need a vitamix}

{"cheese" part made from cashews and crust made from almonds and dates}

Trent loves to challenge his mind and embraces new concepts. The latest, telling time.

I'm blown away by how smart our children are and their eagerness to learn. This past year I've loved watching Juliana learn the art of friendship. This is her best buddy from school Maryann (her mama is Vanessa). 

Well folks can I be honest right now? I'm trying my darndest to articulate thoughts so that when I look back I can remember these sweet days of being at home with my children, but right now I have a certain someone scaling my body and crying. She absolutely can't stand it if my attention is occupied on anything other than her. I won't name names...

I must go. She's driving me crazy. What was I just saying about sweet days at home with my children..? Happy Friday!!

Praise the Lord

I've been feeling very sappy lately. Songs, sounds and moments have been effecting me differently. My mom and I have been having an ongoing dialogue about gratitude, thankfulness. Thanking the Lord for even the irritations in our midst because they are signs of life, of vibrancy going on around us.

Samantha gets frustrated very easily. She squawks and throws herself on the ground. Praise the Lord I have a healthy little toddler who is spirited and eager to learn. Praise the Lord he has given me purpose in training this precious blessing. Praise the Lord I get to be her mama.

Trent is focused and likes routine. He demands a lot of my attention and cannot do ANYTHING without getting dirty. Praise the Lord for the incredible intelligence he's given my sweet boy. Praise the Lord for the loyalty he has to his mama and that he is healthy and active to go out and get dirty. Praise the Lord I get to be his mama.

Juliana doesn't miss a beat. There seems to be nothing going on in the house that she's not aware of. She asks me hundreds of questions everyday and won't hesitate to tell me if the answer I respond with is wrong. Praise the Lord for my curious firstborn. She holds me accountable, watches my every move and forces me to live more like Christ. Praise the Lord he has given me a helper who is willing to entertain younger siblings. Praise the Lord he chose her to make me a mama, I love that I get to be her mama.

Praise the Lord for my Honey who loves our babies.

Praise the Lord for toy cars that race down our hallway.

Praise the Lord for little feet that dangle from dining room chairs.

Praise the Lord we live in a house with running water where I get to bathe my three little loves.

Praise the Lord that I see this scotched taped over Juliana's bed.

Praise you Father.