The Linak family

Earrings!

2009-08-03T17:38:00.000-07:00

It all started last year about this time when I asked Zoe if she ever wanted to get her ears pierced, she cringed and said, "Um....how about August of 2009!" I said, "Okay, August it is!" and we wrote it on the calender. Well, August was approaching and by now she was no longer cringing but begging me to take her get it done. So last Friday, (technically it was July 31...we were already busy on the 1st, she didn't mind) I was more nervous than she was, I was actually sick to my stomach going there, of course, not letting her see my nerves. She did AMAZING!! I told one of my friends before we went that I was fully prepared to get there and her change her mind. I also had visions of pinning her down after they pierced the first one and her screaming! To my absolute amazement, she didn't even flinch when they did they first or the second! I learned two very valuable lessons about Zoe that day, 1. When she really wants something, she'll do anything to get it and 2. Never underestimate any of my children. Here's the big girl with her new bling!

Getting ready...

Me, signing the "if her ears fall off, it's not our fault" consent forms :)

All done! Looking a little unsure about the holes that were just poked into her ears, but no tears!!

Calling daddy to tell him all about it! See the earrings!?

Our GREAT Wolf Lodge trip!

2009-08-02T17:33:00.000-07:00

This summer we spent a few days in Concord, N.C. at the new Great Wolf Lodge there. It was a blast!!! It is a HUGE indoor water park that opened a few months ago. There are many around the country. I highly recommend it...especially to those of you who don't mind being wet the whole time you are there! If you aren't comfortable in a bathing suit or need to have yourself primped at all times, then it probably isn't for you! :) Honestly, as you spend your days going from 11 water slides, to the wave pool, the dump bucket, to the MANY sprayers and water shooters you are truly wet the whole time. Besides the water park, they have an arcade, kids craft time, miniture golf course, lobby shows complete with singing animals and anything "lodge" like that you can imagine. Even the trash cans looked likes logs! We decided to leave Addie behind with my mom and David, so John and I could spend some quality time with Zoe and Jackson. It was the right decision, although the next time we go we will definately bring her along. There would be a lot for her to do too. Here are some fun pictures from our vacation:

Enjoying a little Edy's ice cream (on site as well) in the lobby one night.

John and the kids (Zoe's barely above water in the first picture) on the floating snake in one of the pools. It was a blast throwing each other off and everyone trying to stay on!

This was Jackson's favorite thing to do, he called it the "Wipeout thing" (from the show on tv)

Here he is in action and yes, he does "Wipeout!"

Zoe and John on a squirting see saw - water would come out of the center and drench whoever was on the bottom.

No caption needed - just a sweet wet boy!

Zoe hanging onto a floating acorn in another pool. Could she be any prettier!?

Zoe - before she got wet one day, notice the water shooting up from the ground, I'm not lying when I say, there is water EVERYWHERE! :)

Yes, the pictures could go on and on, but you'd get bored, and I think you get the idea! Did I mention - you get really wet!! ;)

Big sister, little sister

2009-04-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

I've posted before how much I love to watch Zoe and Addie and their sweet sister relationship. Well, lately it is apparent that Addie wants to be just like her big sister - whether Zoe likes it or not! :) Check out this picture below, I promise it was not staged!

Diva Addie

2009-04-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

The other day a sweet friend of mine and her 2 yr old daughter come over for a playdate for the girls and coffee talk for us moms. Hadley, the 2 yr old, started putting on dress up clothes out of Zoe's dress up box. Well, I had no idea that my 18 month old would be remotely interested in dress up clothes yet - was I wrong! Every day since that playdate, Addie wants to dress up in sunglasses, pearls, feather boas, and even high heels ! I still can't believe she can walk around in those shoes! Here are some sweet pictures and a video to show off our little Diva Addie! I know this is only the start of many years of dressing up to come!

Happy Resurrection Day!

2009-04-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

I'm about 5 days late, but Happy Resurrection Day! He is Risen! We had a wonderful Easter celebrating the glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I pray you did as well! Here are the kids in their Easter best - unfortunately this is the only picture I got of all three smiling. They did look darling though!

Zoe's 7th birthday

2009-04-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

Wow! Our big girl turned 7 on April 2! I truly can't believe that she is already 7, seriously...where did 7 years go??? Zoe wish for her birthday party was Build A Bear party and then a sleep over so that's what we did. It was a blast! It honestly was the easiest party we have done, believe it or not! The girls arrived at 5:00 and giggled, ran around and tortured Jackson until it was pizza time. We ate pizza then headed off to the mall for Build A Bear. All the girls were so excited - I highly recommend a Build A Bear party, they all seemed to love it! After taking a quick picture with the mall Easter Bunny (John's spontaneous idea) we headed out and came back to our house for cake and presents. They ate the "Sleepover" cake, which I will have to admit was the funnest cake I have ever made (see the pictures below) and the girls loved being able to pick out which face they were on the cake. One of Zoe's presents was the new Barbie Thumbelina movie from Jackson which she opened that night. So after a little painting craft, the girls got all snuggled into their jammies and sleeping bags and watched the movie. The movie lasted until 11:00, which I thought they would all be asleep or at least about to fall asleep, but when the movie was done and we turned out the lights, the giggles began. It was so cute! It brought back so many fun memories of me when I had sleepovers. They finally fell asleep about 11:30 and slept until 7:30. Pancakes and sweet rolls were on the breakfast menu, then the parents started arriving at 9:30. It was loads of fun! Happy Birthday our sweet Zoe, I hope your birthday party was one where you felt extra loved and extra special! We love you so much darling daughter! Here are a few pictures to share!

The big haircut!

2009-04-17T09:30:00.001-07:00

For a while now, Zoe has wanted to get her haircut short. I was not opposed to it, we just couldn't find the time to go get it done. I really wanted my hairdresser to do it and make it a special day for her. Usually we just go to the local Great Clips to get a trim. I made an appointment for her during Spring Break last week. It was great timing because John's parents were here from Ohio and my mother-in-law was able to come with us for the big haircut! When Chelsea made the first cut, I literally thought I was going to throw up which surprised me because I loved the idea of a cute summer cut (with no tangles!). In the end, we all absolutely LOVE it! I didn't know it was possible for my beautiful daughter to look more beautiful but she does!

Before... Her first real shampoo and head massage

(my favorite part...her's too!)...

Before the cut...

Getting it cut...

The final touches...

Ta da!...

The dancer in the family

2009-04-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

Jackson had a QU wedding in his Kindergarten class at school. It was very cute! To explain -- the class had an actual ceremony of a "Q" marrying a "U", so they will forever be united! All the girls were dressed as queens and the boys quarterbacks - very sweet! Well, after the ceremony and cake, they had the dancing part of the reception. Jackson LOVES to dance - we are constantly having dance parties here at the house after dinner. Below is a video of Jackson dancing the Cha Cha slide - and that is his loud "take it back now y'all!" singing in the video. No, he is not a shy boy! :)

April Fool's!

2009-04-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been forever since I wrote on the blog, but things have been busy around here I guess! Our computer also had a virus on it that slowed us down for about 3 weeks! Yuck! I have lots of things to write about starting with April Fool's Day. I wanted to somehow play a little joke on the kids and came up with this idea. At meal times, they usually always have milk, but this day I made a big deal that "we are having fruit punch tonight!". The kids were so excited -- it's the little things in life! When they started sipping through the straws they couldn't get anything up!...because it was Jello! Jackson was getting so frustrated that he couldn't get any drink - it was hilarious! Zoe figured it out by picking up the straw and the whole "drink" came with it. Here are some funny pictures:

2009-02-26T09:28:00.000-08:00

This is a picture frame that I have of Zoe and Jackson on our end table in the family room...

Just about every day, while they are at school, Addie carries it around with her (notice all the finger prints and the pictures look a little crooked). I find her "talking" to the pictures, giving them drinks from her sippy cup and kissing them a lot. It's so sweet how much she loves her big sister and brother and in her own little 16 month way, misses them when they are not here. Yesterday I found her sitting on the kitchen floor just looking at them - I had to grab the camera. Here's the picture I got:

Giving them kisses!

"When are they coming home, Mommy?

"Soon, honey!"

Pastor Johnny, My Bible and Me

2009-02-22T17:04:00.000-08:00

A couple Sunday evenings ago, our church honored the first graders (all 176 of them!) with their very own Bible and a highlighter. Zoe was so excited! It was a special service for them as they all got to go up on stage and receive their Bible from our wonderful pastor, Johnny Hunt. We are so blessed by our church, we absolutely wouldn't want to be anywhere else on Sunday mornings! After the service there was a pizza party complete with a magician, face painting, balloon art, etc. First Baptist Woodstock truly knows how to show their love to their members, including the children. Each child got their picture taken with our pastor and their Bible. Here is Zoe and Pastor Johnny:

Along with a copy of the picture was a sweet letter that truly shows the heart of our pastor. Here are a few lines from the letter:

Dear friend,

Let me begin by saying I love you! What an incredible blessing it is that Jesus has allowed me to serve as your pastor.... I pray that you will cherish and love your Bible...Do know that one of the greatest honors of my life is knowing you. Let's love Jesus together. Remember, we are going to be together for a long, long time because I plan to go to Heaven with you!

Your pastor and friend,

Pastor Johnny

Addie dancing

2009-02-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

Our little Addie's favorite new hobby is dancing. We constantly have to have music on at our house for her. She wakes up in the morning signing "Please!" and then dancing. Hilarious! When we took this video, we were trying to find some upbeat music on the music cable channels and this is what we ended up with...Spanish music! No, we do not speak fluent Spanish so if you do and we happen to be listening to something obscene I apologize...we had no idea! :) Addie seemed to like it! Ugh - is she not the cutest little thing ever!!!?? (Don't mind the "soiled" sticker on her back, we had just gotten home from church and apparently she gave the nursery workers a little present in her diaper - nice, huh?)

Redneck Sledding

2009-02-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

When you live in Georgia you learn to make due with the gorgeous 50 degree weather in January! I know you are playing your violin for us, aren't you? Well, John and I feel that we have finally arrived as Georgians and we have performed our first, "You know you are a redneck if..." Check out the video and you'll know what I mean. If you are in the blizzards of the north make a snowman for us too, okay?

Making and decorating cookies...

2009-01-11T16:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, we definitely had our fill of baking and decorating cookies during the holidays, and plenty of eating them too! We started just before Thanksgiving with "Thankful" cookies. Zoe and Jackson are at a great age to really teach them and have them understand being thankful for all the blessings God us provides especially our close friends and family. I had each child think of five people they are thankful for and didn't coerce them as to whom to choose. Then we baked and decorated sugar cookies in fall shapes (turkey, leaves, pumpkin, etc.) and wrapped them up real pretty and handed them out to their choice of people. Along with the cookies, was a note reading, "Zoe/Jackson was asked to choose people they are thankful for and guess what? They chose YOU!" Then they wrote (in their own words) why they were thankful for that person. It was so cute to see who they came up with and why they were thankful for them. I think this is definitely a new family tradition we will continue to do. I'm not sure which they enjoyed more, making the cookies or delivering them.

Each year my mom comes over and we make Christmas cookies, what a special time for us to have her with us to do this! The kids LOVE their mom-mom (and pop too, of course!). What a blessing to live so close to them! Below are a couple fun pictures of them together. We all wish we lived closer to John's parents (or Grammy and PaPa to the kids) and my dad (Pop Purdy), but we cherish the time we get to spend with them when we get to visit. The kids are blessed with amazing grandparents no matter where they live!

making the "thankful" cookies

Jackson and mom-mom (my mom)
Zoe and mom-mom

it's impossible to get a "normal" picture of him - what a goof!

time to sample some cookies!

Each year for Christmas we make something for our neighbors and friends to give out at Christmas. Usually, it's just something little. This year I saw these adorable Peppermint Pinwheel cookies on Paula Dean's Christmas Cookie Swap on Food Network and I thought, "I am going to make them!" They are so cute and really yummy too! They are swirled red and white cookies and then you put them on a lollipop stick so they look like a lollipop. I put a plastic bag over them and tied them with cute Christmas ribbon. So cute! I wish I had taken a picture of them. All the kids we gave them too LOVED them! Here's a link to them if you are interested: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/peppermint-pinwheels-recipe/index.html

Sisters! Addie and her sitting spots!

2009-01-10T18:15:00.000-08:00

Seriously...I don't even know where to begin to backtrack on all the things I want to post on our blog! I haven't been very diligent in keeping up with this thing and sometimes even wonder if anyone ever reads it anyway! Even if no one is reading about the happenings of our family, it's still fun to reflect on them for ourselves, ya know?

Anyway, as I finally downloaded the 158 pictures off the digital camera (I haven't done that since November) I came across some fun moments from the past couple months. Buckle up, here it goes!

The first are some sweet pictures of my two beautiful daughters. It is such a joy to see them love on each other and grow as sisters. When Addie was first born, it took Zoe a while to warm up to having a baby around the house. She never wanted to hold her and pretty much ignored her. She was very polite about it, never in a rude or jealous way, she just never had an interest. When I would ask her if she wanted to hold her or feed her, Zoe would "cough" and say she was getting a little sick and didn't want Addie to get sick, but thank you anyway. A few months into Addie's life Zoe showed more signs of playing with her and now she positively adores her and couldn't be a sweeter big sister to her! I love watching them! I think part of it is I always wanted to sister growing up and it thrills me to know that Zoe and Addie will always have each other.

Addie and her sitting spots!

Okay now, onto something else...Addie and her favorite spot to sit. She is a truly hilarious little girl. She is best known around here for sitting against the wall in any corner of the house - not because she in trouble (she's only 14 months, not sure she would understand time-outs yet) but because she loves to sit there. She will grab a doll or many dolls and simply sit in a corner. Crazy girl! Maybe this is why Santa brought her her very own chair for Christmas, it really made the most sense of any toy out there! Recently she has found some other fun spots, although the corners are still her favorites...

...sitting on top of the vent while it's blowing - notice the flying hair!

...against the wall in the dining room

...in her new pink chair

...in the refrigerator

...and lastly...in her corner

Well, it's getting late and I need to get stuff ready for church tomorrow. I think John is also wondering if I'll ever come back downstairs, I've been up here blogging too long! I'll post more tomorrow with more of the 158 pictures! (Don't worry, not all of them!) Good night!

Lunch box survey

2009-01-09T08:18:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know, I have been HORRIBLE at updating our blog during the holidays. With so much going on, I had no time for blogging. And to be honest, when I did have time, I didn't feel like blogging. I will post some Christmas pictures and plenty of fun stories later, but I don't have much time (as I hear little Addie talking through the monitor) so I thought I'd share a darling idea for your kids. I found this idea in a wonderfully cute magazine, Family Fun (thanks Nana for the subscription). It's a fun survey to print off and put in your child's lunchbox. I love it! I always include an "I love you!" message on a napkin for Zoe and Jackson and sometimes include stickers or a piece of candy. This just takes it to the next level! Just thought I'd share.

http://a.familyfun.go.com/Resources/global/printables/templates/LunchSurvey.pdf

Better late than never, that's what I always say!

2008-11-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

These are some pictures from our trip to Myrtle Beach back in September. Better late than never, right?

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Getting THAT phonecall...

2008-11-07T06:17:00.000-08:00

It is every mother's worst nightmare to get a phonecall about your child in distress and you are not there to help them. Last night, it happened to me. First let me start by saying, in the end, all was okay. Anyway, I was at my weekly bible study when I heard my voicemail ding on my cell. We must've been talking too loud and I didn't hear the phone ring. I immediately thought it was John asking about Addie (we were trying a new bedtime routine as I am weaning her from nursing). I checked the voicemail and this was John on the other line, "CALL ME NOW! I NEED TO TAKE JACKSON TO THE HOSPITAL!"...click...

uh...yeah, it was THAT phonecall.

I frantically called him back to see what in the world could have happened. When he answered all I could hear was Jackson screaming in the background yelling, "Daddy, help me!" As the horrible thoughts went running through my head, John explained that Jackson had swallowed a Skittle wrapper (the "Fun Size" from Trick or Treating) and he was having a hard time breathing. Zoe and Jackson were playing downstairs while John was upstairs giving Addie a bath so he wasn't sure of what exactly happened. All he saw was one side of the wrapper on the floor and Jackson screaming that he couldn't breath. While John was explaining what happened, Jackson was still screaming in the background, this time saying, "Please God, don't let me die! Save me!"

I told John to call 911, because I was 25 minutes away and he needed help now! So we hung up and he called 911. Needless to say, driving up to my house with the flashing lights of a firetruck and ambulance is NOT fun. (by the way, it only took me 15 minutes to get home - shh!)

I ran in and there were 4 ENT guys there with Jackson and he was okay. As soon as he saw me, he started crying and melted into my arms. He asked me, "Is it okay if I cry now?" (I guess John had been telling him to stay calm, for fear of the wrapper blocking his air passage, and to be brave.) I assured him he could cry now and he just let it out. I don't think I let go of him for a good 20 minutes. The ENT guys had checked his airways and windpipe and everything sounded fine. The wrapper must've stratched his throat and that's why he kept saying "It's right there, I can feel it in my throat." In the end, they said it would pass through his system. With our extreme thanks, they all left and Jackson got a bowl of Sherbet to help his throat and then off to bed. He wanted me to sit with him until he fell asleep so I did. As I sat there with watching him sleep, I thanked God for keeping him safe and showing me in just another way how much my children mean to me. I truly couldn't imagine my life without each one of them.

Prayer for the day...

2008-11-04T11:55:00.000-08:00

Lord, on this election day, grant us the president that our country needs, not the one that we deserve. I know you are in control and I can rest completely and fully in that. In your most precious and all-knowing name, Amen.

I received an email earlier today with these great reminders:

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

God approves this message!

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE!

Student of the Month

2008-11-03T17:26:00.000-08:00

Jackson was awarded Student of the Month for the month of November at his school today! We are sooo proud of him! His teacher really loves Jackson, with good reason of course! We had the honor and privilege of celebrating this special recognition with Zoe last year too. Wow! What amazing children I have! Ms. Putnam (Jackson's teacher) wrote to the principal, who awarded Jackson, that "he is always kind and helpful to other students. He displays appropriate behavior and always tries his best! He is working hard to become a good writer." With this award he received a free meal at Longhorn and his name printed in the school newsletter. John and I are so blessed by our sweet Jackson as well as all three of our precious children! Keep up the great work, JT! We love you!!

Halloween fun!

2008-11-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of the Halloween fun we had! Everyone kept commenting that the kids were Batman and Cat Woman - that wasn't the plan, but they kinda thought it was cool. Zoe was really a leopard. Yes, that is poor Addie with no costume. Yes, just give the Biggest Loser Mom award. To be honest, I just never found one that wasn't huge and bulky for her and she's not a big fan of things on her head so that cut out about 90% of the costumes. She didn't seem to mind and had a ball riding around in the wagon for the first time. Oh well, I'm sure she will tease me about it when she's old enough. Next year, I'll be sure to dress her as something great! As you can tell from the last picture, Zoe was so tired at the end of the night, she fell asleep on my mom. Now, that's a good Halloween!

Addie's new place to play!

2008-10-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

When my mom and I discussed making new curtains in the dining room I should've know that panel drapes that puddled ever so nicely on the floor was not the smartest thing! Don't get me wrong I LOVE them, but the practicality of them with a one year old around the house kinda slipped my mind. Addie finds them a great new place to play, she loves to hide in them, yank on them and pull them back and forth. I am constantly fixing them. How could I ever get upset though? Look at how cute she is making a complete mess of my new drapes!

One year already!!

2008-10-20T17:34:00.001-07:00

Happy, Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl! I truly cannot believe our little Addie Marie is one today. This day comes with mixed emotions for me. I am so happy to have such a wonderful, adorable, sweet, precious, healthy daughter. I am so sad that one year is flown by and will no longer have a "baby" anymore. I am excited to see her grow and blossom as the amazing little girl I know God has blessed us with. Please tell me every mother goes through this!?

We celebrated her special birthday with some close family friends and my parents this past Saturday and today, her actual birthday, was pretty low key. We spent the morning on a field trip with Jackson. There aren't many one year olds that get to hang out with 20 Kindergartners learning about the Pioneer days on their birthday, right? At least, the tractor ride out to a pumpkin patch was fun! :)

As I sang. Jesus Loves Me, to her tonight before putting her to bed, I thanked God for the precious, beautiful little angel He has blessed me with. I am truly and totally in love with my little girl! Happy Birthday little love!

Lemonade stand at the garage sale!

2008-10-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

Each Fall and Spring our neighborhood has a huge garage sale. I spent nearly all week preparing for it. I spents hours going through bins and bins of Jackson's clothing just to get rid of it all! I thought, surely this stuff will go quick - everything for $1 - come on you can't beat that, right!? Well, four hours and nineteen dollars later we packed it up and stuck it in the trunk to go to Goodwill. I couldn't believe it! What a waste! Well, not really. Even though we didn't do financially well, we had a blast as a family. It was a beautiful fall day and the kids just played outside with our neighbors all day. It was so fun to see all the kids outside running from house to house checking out all the junk...I mean, goods! Zoe came up with an idea of a lemonade stand to attract more buyers. Great idea, sweetie! Can you believe they made more money than we did!?

Lemonade mix...$2
Total profits from garage sale...$19
Watching your family have a fun day...priceless!

Breast Cancer Awareness Day at Liberty

2008-10-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Zoe came home from school telling me that they had to wear pink today in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness day at school. I told I had an even better idea, they could wear their T-shirts from Race for the Cure. (Unfortunately, we have had a conflict with every race that has happened in Georgia or Tennessee since May, so we have not been able to wear them yet for an actual race!) Zoe and Jackson were so excited with my idea!

I took a picture of them this morning so you could see them in their t-shirts! These shirts were made as a surprise for my mother-in-law, Sharon Linak....a.k.a. Grammy, who battles with breast cancer. My sister-in-law, Allison designed them and got them printed. In May, the John's family participated in the Race for the Cure in Columbus, Ohio. We were going to do it down here in Atlanta, but Zoe's dance recital was on the same day. The next two were in TN, but we went to Myrtle Beach one weekend and then the next was this Saturday and we are involved in the kid's Fall Festival at their school. One of these days, we will be able to participate! Addie even has her own onesie and of course John and I do too...t-shirts, that is. So, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month and my amazing mother-in-law, here's a couple pictures of the kids from this morning!

Oh, the things Daddy can do with a diaper box!

2008-09-01T17:38:00.000-07:00

The tradition lives on! When Zoe and Jackson were little (notice the picture) John would give them rides whenever a diaper box was emptied. Believe me, that was too often! He would pick them up, spin them around, and push them around in the "diaper box car". Well, we now have another candidate for the game, "Things you do with a diaper box!" John decided to give Addie Marie her first ride today. She loved it and then Zoe decided she wanted a ride too! John is such a great daddy - he pulled our 10 month old and 6 year old around the house. Notice I said "pulled" instead of "picked up and spun around" - John's a little older, a little wiser and the kids are a little heavier! Anyway, Zoe and Addie loved it! I got some of their ride on video. Too cute! Nothing gives a mother greater joy than watching her kids having fun! Especially when their daddy is the one making it so much fun and providing the laughter! I am so richly blessed! And the best thing is I know this is only one among many more rides in the "diaper box car"!

Where a kid can be a kid!

2008-08-29T07:23:00.001-07:00

We recently went to Chuck E Cheese for a neighbors birthday party. As a mom you gotta wonder how many germs those hands are picking up, but as a kid all you think about is...fun! Zoe and Jackson had a great time playing - especially Jackson, the video game king. Zoe wandered around until she found her groove on the horse you can ride and race. (Don't let her know that her horse isn't supposed to be going in circles the whole time!) Hey, at least she had fun!

this is a dangerous thought- Jackson behind the wheel

Zoe and Avery

gotta get a picture with Chuck E, it's a requirement!

love the pizza face, JT!

even daddy got in on the fun!

Addie's new trick

2008-08-29T07:15:00.000-07:00

Like any little baby, Addie loves to play in the Tupperware cabinet. It's great fun for her, although she does create quite the huge mess! Well, at least the mess is in one spot for the moment. Along with her exploring she also found the cabinet where I keep the bowls and colanders. She kept putting the colander on her head and was looking out through the lines. It was hilarious to see her little mind work as she kept putting it on and taking it off. I love, love, love having a baby and watching her experience the little things for the first time!

Egg on my face!

2008-08-28T17:11:00.001-07:00

Well, I've been scolded for not posting blogs more often. It seems whenever I sit down to get started something or someone calls me away from the computer. Oh, the life of a mom! :) Anyway, I thought I'd post some pictures of our sweet daughter Addie Marie. Every day of a baby is exciting. She changes so much each minute it seems. I truly cannot believe she is 10 months old! Truthfully, it makes me really sad that she is almost a year old. Each time she grows out of an outfit or conquers a new milestone, a little bit of me wants to stop time and cherish that second. Our children are growing too fast! Addie has been such a complete blessing in our family. We often say that she fits the third child role so well. She is so easy going and a pure joy to be around. By far, she is my best eater of the three kids! Now, that might not seem like a big deal but if you have a picky eater in your family you can appreciate it. Zoe has ALWAYS been picky about her food, Jackson got a little better and then came Addie. She will eat everything and anything. She has recently tried tuna fish and kept coming back for more. Crazy girl! The other morning I thought I'd try eggs for breakfast and she loved them! She didn't quite finish them, because she ate about half for bagel with cream cheese right before I gave the eggs. The only bad thing about her being such a great eater is that she wants EVERYTHING we eat and I can never eat a thing without Addie at my feet looking up at me. Who could resist!? Here are a few pictures of our happy eater!

spaghetti for the first time!

yummy eggs!

eating pizza!

2008-08-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Well, THE first day of school came and went without much drama or tears! Yah for us! Both kids woke up before the early 6:15 alarm and were excited to start the day! Today is Friday and that definately wasn't the case this morning. The early morning schedule has caught up with them, that's for sure. The good news is they can sleep in tomorrow, I assured them of that as I peeled Jackson out of bed this morning. We were blessed with great teachers and that makes a big difference. John and I drove the kids to school and Jackson was the first to be dropped off. He went straight to his seat and started coloring. I gave my big boy a kiss and he waved goodbye. That was it! No tears! Nothing! I can't say I'm totally surprised, he is such an outgoing guy, I knew he would have no troubles. Next was Zoe and it went pretty much the same. Having done this already last year, she was no problem at all! She walked in, hung up her "Hannah Montana" (another story for another day) bookbag and sat down. What a big girl! Of course, I had to include some pictures!

Leading up to THE day!

2008-07-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Well, we went through it last year with Zoe and now it's Jackson's turn....the big first day of Kindergarten. In 9 days he will be off to the new world of elementary school. I did okay last year as we left Zoe in her classroom, except for a few tears as we were driving away from what seemed like such a huge school for such a tiny little girl. I can't believe the time has come for Jackson's turn. Last week, we went to the library and left with 17 books and one special one that big sister Zoe picked out just for Jackson, A place called Kindergarten. She wanted to read it to him and teach him about all the fun he is going to have at Liberty Elementary. These two have such a sweet friendship (of course, they have their brother/sister moments) but they are truly best buds. When Jackson was first born and Zoe was only a little over a year, I thought I would nearly lose my mind, but those hard months were all worth the double poopy diapers, double cribs, double mess, double crying fits, etc. when I happen upon moments like the ones in the pictures below...

Jackson's Baptism

2008-07-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, July 12, Jackson was baptized! We are so proud of him! He was so excited to do it, he was even the first one in line when it came time for the baptism. (Of course, he was goofing around on the steps leading to the pool while the congregation was singing and he slipped in the pool and bumped his head! Oh Jackson, we love you!) What a special and precious event in his life and in our family's life. As Christians, we believe baptism is a symbol or an outward showing to announce to people that you have become a Christian. This is something we really had to work with Jackson to understand. Being Baptized doesn't save you - only Christ can do that, by accepting His free gift of Salvation. Following baptism is an act of obedience and a special event in our lives as Christians and we are so thankful to share this event with our precious son! Here are some pictures of him before and during. Once again, thank you for rejoicing with us! Praise God!

Happy Jackson before the baptism!

Talking to Pastor Matt - what a precious face!

Getting ready!

Buried with Christ in baptism,

raised to walk in the newness of Life!

Having fun with Addie

2008-06-28T16:26:00.000-07:00

Addie, our newest addition of 8 months loves her brother and sister! Having Addie in our family has been such a joy that we didn't even know was missing from our lives until she was born. What a sweetheart she is! Zoe and Jackson are amazing with her and so helpful to me. I wanted to post a cute video of the beginnings of what we pray will be a forever loving relationship between our children. Enjoy her laughter - is their anything sweeter than a babies belly laugh!?

A wonderful evening!

2008-06-27T11:20:00.001-07:00

Last night was a precious and memorable night in our family. I sang Zoe and Jackson a song before going to bed, a song that my grandmother, Helen Paul, used to sing to me. It's an old hymn called, Mansion Over the Hilltop. It's a song about having mansions in heaven and walking on the streets of gold. After singing that song, my 5 year old son, Jackson, began to cry. I asked him was wrong as I hugged him. Through his alligator tears, he exclaimed, "Mommy, I don't think I'm ever going to see the streets of gold. I don't want to go to hell. I want to ask Jesus into my heart so I can go to heaven." I called for John to come into the room and Jackson told his daddy the same thing. John led Jackson through a beautiful prayer asking Jesus to forgive him and to save him! What a special moment we were blessed to share with our son! Being the 5 year boy that he his, after he dried his tears, he asked us, "Will I be able to walk through walls in heaven!?" Too cute!

Each morning the kids and I work on some reading and writing during the summer to keep their minds fresh for when school starts up again, this morning Jackson wrote in his journal. Each day there is a question to write and draw about. Today's question was, "What was the nicest gift you ever received?" He exclaimed with excitement, "I can write about Jesus and how I asked into my heart!" That page in his journal will be a keepsake forever!

Thanks for reading this and rejoicing with us as John and I claim the verse, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." III John 1:4

What am I doing!?

2008-06-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

Wow! I have no earthly idea what I am doing! A few friends have blogs so I thought I'd give it a whirl! While reading all their cute family stories, I thought, "I want to do that too!" So yes, I have joined the blogging bandwagon. Unfortunately, my littlest one is waking up (earlier than she is supposed to - isn't that always the way when you are trying to get something done) so I will have to continue this later. Bye for now!