Jeanie and Abe's First Day of Preschool - 2015

Big brother Van gave them a good talkin' to this morning. His best advice: "Do NOT poot in your class...that would be so embarrassin'" (In Van's good ole southern twang). Gotta love him! Got to love all three!! So proud of this bunch.

"Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back to, and reasons to stay." -Dalai Lama

Van's First Day of Kindergarten

"Mom, would it make you happy if I just stayed home with you forever? 

...Because I can do that..." -Van

Of all the emotions I am feeling on Van's first day of school, I am mostly filled with pride. I am SO proud God chose me to be Van's mommy.  I wish I could keep him and nurture him and let his spirit nurture me forever but I know he is ready to share his gifts and talents with his teachers and buddies. I pray that this year he learns, plays, and adjusts to his new school as easily as possible. We had a successful tear-free drop off, I told Evans "I am doing okay!!" ...took two steps...then burst into tears. Van is a wonderful role model for Jeanie and Abe. Such a special day, Van... I love you!!

I can see the light!

This mother's day I am celebrating the feeling that we are finally turning a corner in our family!!

We have sold our home, bought a new one and are simultaneously witnessing Abe growing into a little boy.  Each day he gets a little less screamy, less gooey, and a little more independent. Lets just say the past few months have been some of the hardest I have ever experienced and I WELCOME our future with wide open arms. Thats not to wish away any of Abe's baby years (with the exception of a few significantly impossible days here and there;-) but I am proud of where we are and Lordy...proud of how far we have come.

What a wonderful day to celebrate these little monkeys that made me a MOM!

Van: Five years old--LOVER of LIFE. Plays tee-ball with 110% effort--sliding into  each base, attempting to catch each ball, and a pretty good hitter! LOVES going to Taco Bell and Golfsmith with Pop Pop who spoils him with golf trinkets and Dr. Peppers and has given countless free lessons. He can hit the ball nearly 70 yards! Van tackles any and everything--his mantra is the more bruises--the better. He is the greatest big brother and helper we could ever ask for. Tonight at dinner he asked: "If I do 100 chores in 100 days, does that mean I'll have $100?" He still spends lots of time in his music room and thanks to his Hall and Oats fan grandparents can discuss the meaning of the song "Man-eater" for hours. I cannot believe he starts kindergarten next year but I KNOW he is ready!! 

Jeanie fierce: currently 3 years old, a true three-nager, never leaves the house without a tutu. Probably our most scrappy child--she can climb and balance onto anything. She balances out her sporty, tree-climbing side with plenty of time wearing high-heels, playing dolls, mommy, and princesses. She loves to sing Taylor Swift at the top of her lungs in the car. Her teachers say Jeanie is the social coordinator of her classroom and yet, some days at home- she will go to her room, shut the door, and play alone. She LOVES to read books and colors with so much determination. Wherever she goes she makes a million friends and doesn't know a stranger. She is truly a bright light in our family.  

ABRAM! He deserves an exclamation point behind his name. At nearly 19 months, Abe is our "passionate" child. He LOVES hard, PLAYS hard, CRIES hard, HITS hard, PULLS hard, KISSES hard etc... I am determined to push through the difficult parts of his personality and hope that one day, we will appreciate his diligence and ambition. Abe loves to chug milk, but these days whenever he sees a cup within his reach--its fair game. He has finally gotten enough teeth that I could maybe at least hope we are beyond the days of teething (which caused lots of stress, ear infections, and discomfort for him and ultimately the entire family :-) Although he can be a chaos bomb, I am not sure what on earth we would do without his little fiery spirit in our family.  He looks up to his big bro and sis so much and tries to keep up with them every day. When he smiles and laughs it melts me. He has the dimpliest dimples and the most beautiful smile. He gives us "pushies" by snuggling his head into our chest (with fervor) and has started to sing "row row row." With each new word he learns-- thats one less scream in the house. Right now he has the basics down: "Cup" "cookie" "pop pop" "mama" "dada" "that" and "owwwwww."  I am in disbelief that this fall brings his 2nd birthday but also very ready for a little more stability and predictability from our last little babe. What an adventure our life has become since he arrived! He has taught me to appreciate patience and commitment--and ultimately how to love better. 

6 years, 3 babies, countless memories! Goodbye sweet house!

Awesome daddy planned and cooked a fancy candle-lit dinner for Mother's day (he even invited a knight and a princess!)

Grateful to be a mom and to be a daughter. Lucky all around. 

Happy 3rd Birthday Jean-Margaret!!

Jean-Margaret has always been our little bookworm and lately I have realized she is outgrowing her "baby" books and ready for lengthier and more in-depth children's books. I thought it would be fun to throw her a book shower to celebrate her third birthday!

Jean-Margaret is the most spunky and adorable little girl I have ever seen. She is so loving and helpful with our family. I LOVE having her around with me always.  Jeanie LOVES a party so I let her pick out a new dress, shoes, hair bow, and jewelry and let her loose. She was just the CUTEST! For her birthday, we let her get a fish. She has been asking if she can give it hugs and feed it "glan-ola baws" (granola bars--her favorite snack). Hopefully "Bezonia" sticks around a while.

Happy Birthday Jeanie!! We LOVE you!

Evans caught me with a mouthful of cake (but its our only picture!). Love you Jeanie!

"Bezonia"

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

We have had a wonderful Christmas/New Year!

Somehow we managed to steer clear of bombarding ourselves, our kids, and our home with too much excess-- and instead tried to focus on teaching our kids about the beauty of giving.

Two days before Christmas I helped the kids clean out their rooms and pass on several unplayed with toys to Goodwill--an idea I learned somewhere along the way. Decluttering really helped make room for the new without feeling as overwhelmed :)

We spent several days baking goodies for friends and neighbors and got to spend several wonderful meals with friends and family.

Van's Christmas Program
SMPDS 2014

We went on lots of family hikes, visited Santa, and Jeanie accompanied Granny Rhombus and I on the Candle Light tour in Historic Oakwood.

When Van gets tired of hiking...

CHRISTMAS MORNING!

We hosted a fabulous party for Auntie Snags's Almost Famous Women book launch and were so happy to have her close by around the holidays.

Almost Famous Women book launch party (Anna Routh photography)

At some point over the past month Abe has started walking everywhere!! We cannot keep him still and he lights up our lives with his smile!!

Our New Year is off to a great start--full of anticipation...not so many expectations and trying to hang onto the idea of operating less hurried (aka: cutting back on the caffeine;).

Here's to 2015!!