My little kindergartener

Well Miss Bri started kindergarten today.  I have been a nervous wreck all month just waiting for this day.  She was so much braver than me.  She had a cute little purple tutu skirt with a Jurassic Park lunchbox and a TMNT backpack.  That's just her style.  Apparently a little boy tried to tell that wasn't her backpack but she set him straight. 😆

The whole crew dropped her off.  Jackson was styling in his pjs and eating a pop tart.  

She gave us all hugs and kisses.  She especially gave Jackson a super big bear hug.  They fight but they are also great playmates.  It's going to be tough for them to get used to this!  But the great thing is Bri gets out at 1:50 so it's not a full day.  Dad and I were brave too... At least I only cried in the car lol.  When we picked her up she said she loved it!  That made us so happy.  And then took a two hour nap ha!  

It was a successful day!  Later we went to the park to play.

Other lovely photos: this little chica slept in her crib for the first time last night!

Baby Mirie enjoyed mommy working from home today!

Tomorrow we begin again.  I hope my little loves enjoy it all!

Here we go again

Father's Day 2015

I know a year ago we could not have imagined how different our lives would be today.  Different as in now our hearts have grown to three times their original size.  This was the first Father's Day with our Miranda Grace, and even though it was the first, it was as if it had always been with three little ones.  Each day is unpredictable and generally full of chaos, but our home is so filled with love and laughter that the trials and challenges are just a minor blip.  I'm not saying they don't exist - parenting is hard.  But it is the most rewarding thing I have ever experienced.

As usual the day didn't go as planned.  We barely made it to Sunday school this morning.  In fact, we were pretty late, but Bri had time to attend 'baby church' which she loves and I didn't want her to totally miss out.  Jackson's mood prevented him from joining the class today so he sat with me and Stephen in the nursery.  

Along Came the Rain

Today we set off on a little adventure.  First stop was the doctor's office for Miranda's weight check.  Good news - she's up to 9 lbs. and 3.5 oz!  We're on our way to getting her back up to her birth weight.  The doctor was pleased with her progress so we won't need to go back until her two month check-up.   Since it was one of the few days that had been sunny, we went off to Hermann Park to get reacquainted with nature.  We stopped off to buy bread for the ducks and various creatures we would come across.  The kids had a blast going through the park and feeding all of the animals.  Stephen even fed a few squirrels right from his hand.  

It was a little warm but there was a nice breeze to cool us off.  We were having a good time and suddenly the sky got dark and we heard thunder... and the bottom dropped out.  The kids were kind of scared and we tried to take cover under some trees so we wouldn't get totally soaked but it didn't help much.  Miranda was the only one we could keep protected in her stroller!  In that moment, we reminded them to always be positive.  Getting wet wouldn't hurt us and hey, they love mud puddles anyways.  So we started making our way back to the car and let the kiddos jump in every puddle they came across.  It helped ease their minds and they really had fun with it.  It was a wet and long car ride home but we made it back and everyone got nice and cozy once we were home.  Jax and Miranda took naps and Bri curled up with a PB&J and watched Dolphin Tale.

Happy Mother's Day to me - times three!

Today was the first Mother's Day I celebrated with my three children!  Miranda Grace joined our family in early May and we have just been ecstatic.  Big sister Brianna absolutely adores her and big brother Jackson is still getting used to 'new baby' as he calls her.  I feel so happy and blessed it is actually overwhelming at times.  My babies just seem too good to be true and I'm so glad I get to call them mine.

My friend and colleague Jessica visited us today and it was a lot of fun.  It was good to have some company over since we have been stuck at home while I've been recovering.  We started the day with my fave coffee - Grande Iced Skinny Caramel Macchiato  - yes I know it's a mouth full and I am proud my husband finally knows how to order it! - and honey butter chicken biscuits from Whataburger.  We had Lenny's for lunch as a nice gift from my mom and Stephen put a brisket in the smoker at my request for dinner.  He also blew us away with a yummy cake he made for dessert.  My kiddos got me two lovely picture frames/collages that I can't wait to put in the house.  The hard part will be narrowing down what photos I want to include!  Overall we had a lovely day and just spent time together.  I know our life is going to be full of chaos as we head down this new journey, but it is so full of love.  We are so incredibly happy and I know we will get through each day with our faith and trust in God.

Benson Benjamin Strawder

Ole Benny Cat.  The kids loved you so.  Stephen and I always thought that if you could talk, you would have a British accent.  I'll never forget the day I found you and took you in.  You washed up to Oxford, MS after Hurricane Katrina came through MS.  I bought you a plush light blue velvet pillow to curl up on and you loved it.  That's when you earned the nickname 'Princey Bensy'.  The pillow became so dirty and worn out we eventually had to throw it away.  
 

Bri loved on you so much the past 3 years and Jax had started using you as a pillow lately.  You were always so patient with the kids and kept them entertained.   We had never known a cat quite like you and I don't think there will be another one with your personality and un-cat-like characteristics.  Thanks for all the great laughs and memories.  You are greatly missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Comfy on Benson

 

Princey Bensy

 Queen Bri and Prince Benson

Mother's Day Weekend!

After having terrible storms late Thursday and early Friday, the weekend turned out to be beautiful!  Saturday morning started out with the American Cancer Society 'Making Strides' 5k!  Stephen walked with me and it was his first 5k.  It was a great event and I'm so glad we were able to join and that the weather was amazing.  Later we made a quick trip to the lake to feed the ducks and came across sweet little black baby ducks.  Bri and I were not able to catch any today but it was fun watching them play.  We also went shopping for Grandma's Mother's Day gift.  Later that night we took the kiddos to their first drive-in movie at John Eagle Honda.  Wreck-It Ralph was showing and we had plenty of food, candy, and drinks.  Bri got super comfy on the blanket with pillows and watched intensely.  Jackson didn't make it through the whole movie of course, but I finally got him to sleep comfortably in my arms.  All the kids slept on the way home so Stephen and I tucked them into bed when we got home and then called it a night.  It was a lovely but exhausting day!

I was definitely glad for the rest since I knew we had a fun-filled Sunday ahead of us!  I wanted to have a picnic at the park and play with the kids all day.  So we went by Little Caesar's and grabbed a pizza and headed to the lake.  Stephen broke out the Barbie fishing pole after we ate and I blew bubbles for the kiddos to play with.  We actually did catch a catfish - Bri was so surprised and thought it was adorable lol!  She wanted to pet it and take it home - ha!  Jackson had fun chowing down on pizza and catching bubbles that flew by.  He's such an easy-going baby!

Oh yeah, I gave my mom new tennis shoes that she got to test out at the park and some chocolate truffle coffe and peppermint tea.  I figured the tea would be relaxing after having such a fun weekend.  And, I got some pretty awesome gifts from my babies.  Brianna kept telling me that there was a treasure box upstairs that she wanted me to get.  Word to the wise - don't take three year olds shopping for gifts - they can't keep secrets!  Ha, thankfully like I told Stephen, I had no clue what she was talking about!  But she did pick out a cute animal print treasure box for me and filled it with chocolates.  She also made a cute pencil holder for my office desk.  She painted every piece of it and put stickers on it herself - I love it and it is in use on my desk now!  Stephen also helped Bri and Jax pick out a new piece of artwork for the house.  He thought it would look great above the mantle - too bad it is about a foot too tall!  Bri tried to tell him it would not fit, but he just knew it would.... too funny!  So now the challenge is finding a good spot for it but we will make it work! 

To top off the day, I requested smoked brisket for dinner.  So Stephen got the smoker going and we had a delicious dinner. 

Seriously the weekend was wonderful.  It was my first Mother's Day with Jackson and it was so special.  I can't believe I am the mother to these two amazing babies... how lucky am I?!

Below are a few fun pics of all the good times.  Enjoy!