Sound the Alarm! Happy 4th Birthday!

Last week we celebrated our little boy turning 4. He's been talking about turning 4 for awhile so this was a big day for him. I really like the idea of doing an activity together as a family to celebrate our birthdays, and N is in love with fire trucks lately, so instead of a big party we opted to set up a tour of the local fire station with friends, followed by a family party at home later that night. I was excited Lucas was able to join us for the tour as well since it was a work day.

I'm not going to lie, I do love throwing a party though. I love all of the details of a party. So even though we were doing something low key and getting a few friends together for the tour, I did end up putting together some cupcakes to send home with everyone as a little favor.

We also wanted to do something to thank the fire men and women for all that they do. I made a batch of this yummy popcorn to take to them. Seriously good.

I wish I had been able to capture N walking around holding the fireman's hand. It was adorable. They walked hand-in-hand while N asked what everything was on the fire truck and was awe struck by everything he was told. I love having him get to know real life heroes.

Little Miss enjoyed the tour as well.

The birthday boy had the opportunity to get a print out of his heart rate while being shown around the ambulance that had just come in.

Holding their ears while the siren goes off.

The group. How adorable are they?

Buddies.

These two are like two peas in a pod. What a great morning.

We set up the kitchen for our little family party after dinner. N had waited patiently all day to get to dig into his presents.

A couple of the gifts.

The big gift this year was N's first big boy bike. We had been planning to get him one anyway but it was really exciting for him since it was the one thing he had been asking for. We had taken him around to several shops to get an idea of what he liked and this Radio Flyer bike is the one he kept clinging to. I'm glad I was able to snag it on sale before the holiday rush.

It's hard to believe we put four candles on a cupcake this year. I'm so thankful to God for this little boy who made me a mommy.

Thankful

We've had a lot to be thankful for this year.

When I think about all of the changes, decisions, illnesses and uncertainties that our family has gone through this year it exhausts me. I've often joked with my husband about having this be the year I'd like to forget.

But truly, this is the year I hope to remember. I have seen the Lord's provision in so many ways. Most of the time it wasn't how I wanted it. Some of the times I'm not even sure I prayed for it. It didn't come in the pretty, wrapped package I had envisioned...but it came.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you." Psalm 143:8

Every day I am reminded that God provides for His people.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9: 2-3

This weekend was one of the best we've had in a long time. We focused on relaxing, hanging out with our children and just enjoying each other.

We enjoyed watching the children's eyes grow bigger as the tree lights were turned on, and placed delicate ornaments in little hands to put on the tree.

Our Christmas books were unpacked and brought out for the month of December, ready for days of being flipped through on the couch and read from at bedtime.

Yes. I'm pretty sure this isn't truly the year I want to forget, but one I want to remember for a long time. And as we enter into the Christmas season, and I look at my nativity scene that sits atop our armoire, I am reminded again of God's provision and how He sent His Son for us, so that someday we could spend eternity with Him.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

And for that, I am thankful.

Dallas Arboretum

The same weekend the little miss turned 2, we took a last minute trip to the Dallas Arboretum to enjoy their fall scenery and pumpkins. I had read about it in Southern Living magazine and really wanted to go, knowing it'd be our last quick trip before the baby is born.

I was excited when I realized my parents would be heading through Dallas the same weekend we were hoping to go, so we met up with them for a couple of hours to enjoy the morning.

The most important stop was Cinderella's castle. By far the best fairytale story they did at the arboretum.

My favorite pumpkin house was the step-sister house. It is amazing how many different kinds of pumpkins exist.

This would have been the perfect place to take fall family photos. Maybe next time. When I'm not as big as a whale.

This photo of my parents is probably my favorite one of the day. It was chilly in the morning but turned out to be such a nice, sunny day.

This was at the Beauty and the Beast castle.

It really was a beautiful day.

10 on Tuesday

It's been awhile since I've done a 10 on Tuesday, so here goes...

1. I'm super giddy that it's November. The leaves are changing and the weather is cooling. I'm looking forward to family outings and drinking hot drinks.

2. I wish these moving boxes would put themselves away so I could just focus on decorating for fall. Instead, all of my decorations are still packed away and the rest of the house is needing an organizing specialist to come step in.

3. I wish I could hire an organizing specialist.

4. I put my baby girl's hair in pig tails today and she looks like such a big girl now. Good thing she still sucks her thumb to remind me she has a little baby left in her. And yes, I know it's probably not really a good thing she still sucks her thumb.

5. Sometimes you just need to put your big girl panties on and get it done. This is how I feel about my life right now. Just push on and get it done so you can sit back and relax already.

6. There is nothing like waking up to a clean kitchen with clear countertops. I wish I would remember that when I look at the dishes in the sink before I go to bed. My mom would be horrified if she knew. I'm working on it.

7. My children are currently sword fighting with their $1 foam swords. I'm wondering who will be the first to cry because they got poked in the head with it.

8. I am loving Edie's kitchen. Her new home is filled with all sorts of inspiration.

9. I'm hoping to get our shoe boxes filled this next weekend for Operation Christmas Child. Are you filling one? You have until Nov. 14-21 to get it done. I think this will be a great way to get our family's hearts ready for the holiday season. You can also view their gift catalog online.

10. I'm almost done reading this book by Lisa Whelchel. I don't believe that homeschooling is for everyone, I certainly never thought it'd be for me, however I do believe that it is every parents responsibility to consider all options regarding their children's schooling before making a decision. Don't base your opinion on hearsay, learn about your options first. I really like Lisa Whelchel and this book is an excellent resource for showing a variety of stories regarding homeschooling. It includes everyone from a typical family scenario and military family to how a single mother makes it work and a father who takes on the homeschool teaching role. It's a quick read as well.

Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Girl

I love planning parties. I had loads of ideas for miss M's 2nd birthday, thanks Pinterest, and yet none of them came to fruition. In fact, I'm not sure there is one homemade item that made it to our little family party...except for the birthday girl herself!

We've had such a worn out, wild ride the last couple of months that I tried to think about what my baby girl would really want. What does she love right now?

And the answer...Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Oh how she loves her some Mickey and Minnie. And while I normally shy away from all things character, I decided to embrace Miss Minnie and shower my little girl with her all Saturday long.

Simple and fun. Perfect.

I downloaded these cute printables from here. I think they added just enough "homemade" touch to satisfy me.

While she had no idea what she did to deserve all of the fun and presents, she definitely picked up on how to unwrap the gifts.

M is getting into playing dress up a little bit and loves to change her shoes and carry a purse around so when I saw this cute Minnie dress on sale I snatched it up. She loved getting to be like Minnie for the afternoon.

I took N to the store a couple of weeks before his sister's birthday to pick out a gift. He was very proud to give it to her and remembered exactly what he had gotten her.

I hope they always stay close.

Oooo-ing over one of her Snap 'n Style dolls.

She will kiss anything that is a baby or is a picture of a baby. The card was no exception.

While she loves to play with her brother's cars and trains, I was glad to get a few girl items in the house for her to enjoy.

When I was at the store I came across this musical birthday card that played the "Hot Diggity Dog" song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. M thought it was hysterical to keep opening and closing it to get the music to play. We did not.

I'm so thankful the Lord gave me the desires of my heart to have this little girl. I cannot imagine life without her. She is a determined one who already has an opinion of her own, yet she is loving and kind and gives the best snuggles and kisses.

There is nothing like this little girl's love for her daddy. The feeling is mutual.

Love her.

Big brother giving some assistance putting on this princess' shoe.

Perhaps too much sugar?

Can't miss those birthday phone calls from those we love far away.

In honor of the Clubhouse theme song...we had hot dogs.

The little miss gently blew out her candles. I'm surprised she actually blew the flame out she was so gentle.

We topped the night off by watching her new Minnie Mouse dvd.

Happy 2nd Birthday Madeline Grace. We cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for you, and we feel honored to get to be apart of it all.