Our Life Against the Grain

Tower of Fun!

2012-01-27T12:28:00.000-06:00

This picture makes me laugh, here is our little Piper, eating her toast an hour after I prepared it, still with messy hair and chasing it down with an herbal infusion. Can't you just imagine her 15 years from now in that same spot? The past couple of days she has slept in until about seven so she hasn't changed from her pajamas when we drop off Charly at school.

Most mornings so far have been great, but yesterday and today we left Charly while Piper was crying for her to come back and give her just one more hug. It's sad and happy at the same time to see that. The time we have while Charly is home seems to be adding up to a lot of quality time for the sisters to play.

Winnie is changing right before our very eyes, just days ago she was babbling jibber jabber and now in the past three days has started saying two phrases. "Uh-oh", and "thank you". It seriously might just be the cutest thing I have ever heard.

Today was her first time to get to help with the dishes in our beloved learning tower. My dad purchased this for us back when Charly was nearing 18 months and it is proofing to be a solid investment still!

Piper continues to want to squeeze Winnie's hands all the time!

All is Well!

2012-01-25T09:36:00.000-06:00

We have past our first official public school week and our excitement is still going strong! Charly loves waking up and getting ready for school while Piper, Winnie and I are getting lots done at home and enjoying the one on one time. Yesterday we went to a little program at school where all the kids are recognized for their strengths and Charly was introduced as a new student. The program was held in the cafeteria and for most of it Piper sat quietly in a chair away from Charly. She decided she had had enough of just watching Charly and quietly got up and joined her sister's class. I was squirming inside, hoping her change of seating would go unnoticed. Yep, looks to me she blends right in.

It's been so nice every day getting to hear of Charly's learning adventures! She is doing so well!....and so are we!

(Second) First Day of (public) School!

2012-01-18T10:48:00.001-06:00

Remember this day (click here), when Charly went to school for one day back in kindergarten, and how the whole day with her gone was spent with me knowing it wasn't the right thing to do? Remember that? It was awful.

Well, yesterday was SO not like that at all. I spent all day yesterday with a stronger testimony of prayer and overwhelming feelings of comfort and peace, something I was desperately praying for as we made this difficult decision about six weeks ago. I have been in blog hiding for fear of writing any of this down because, to be quite honest, I wasn't sure I would have the abilities to be OK with all of this when it was all said and done.

I can not even believe the place I am in right now, I know we are only on day two but I can see a definite change in how things will go from here, and how something I viewed as negative for so long will actually turn out to be a blessing. I can feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders by not being completely in charge of school curriculum (obviously we are continuing to teach Charly at home and working with her), I feel like now I can focus my efforts on making sure the time we are all together is true quality time. God is so, so good.

While I prayed for peace to come over me and not feel feelings of despair over this change I'm not sure I had the faith that my prayers would be answered. I stand taller today with a stronger testimony which in turn strengthens that of our children. What a good place to be!

Charly of course had her first "official" day of second grade public school yesterday. Charly has had a countdown on her calendar for the last month, reminding me every day how many more days she had until school....as if I had forgotten, lol. To gear up for getting up early, she set an alarm clock and has shown great responsibility by getting up by herself, which was on her own initiative. I'm so proud of the effort she puts into getting ready for school. It's fun to see her want to be so independent.

My mom came up for the first day, she took it the hardest. I offered her some ice cream after her emotional morning but she settled for going through a car wash in Paris, told you we lived fabulously!

I packed Charly's lunch the night before and Piper wanted one too. So there we were, Charly at school, Piper at home, both enjoying their love filled lunches. There are no words to explain the good feelings all around!

Our day at home went by so fast, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the clock near three! Charly was all smiles and excitement when we picked her up. I wish I would have had my video camera handy when she explained her first day, she really had a blast making new friends and being the shiny new student. Nothing but positive words came from her mouth and she was eager to do it all over again today.

We knew she would be fine about the whole thing, turns out she was more than fine, she was over the moon!

I wonder what today's adventures will bring!

Cowboy UP!

2012-01-07T16:12:00.000-06:00

What does this city gal do when her blog is totally behind and I can't even begin to wrap my brain around the billions of pictures that need edited? Post these cowboy pictures of my brother and sister in law, of course. Thanks to Lacey for giving me the inspiration 2,000 miles away.

I'm not sure if it was the cool weather at my dad's house, or the smell of dip lingering in the air from the carnival (completely fiction, lol) that inspired my brother's countrified look, but luckily we had a four wheeler handy and a giant Ford truck to use as photo props.

He was too funny, Lacey and I were both laughing hysterically while Rudy did us in for some "serious cowboy" poses. Yep folks, this is my brother, a city boy, pretending to be the cowboy from 'Footloose'.

Oh dear......

It was a good day, the Christmas of 2011. Can't complain about eating tacos and tamales then running around the sticks while my brother shows his true cowboy colors...oi!

It's going to be a riot from here on out, these are my new sweet nieces, and two of my girls with Grandpa Rich. It's nice to have a family that keeps on growing.

GIRL POWER!

BYU -vs- Tulsa

2011-12-31T11:00:00.001-06:00

As I try and weed through the pictures from the last few weeks and collect my thoughts for a decent blog post, I am relieved to have something simple and fun to blog about. Yesterday Nate took the family to our very first football game. In the beginning I thought the day would last forever, but I was on the edge of my seat the second half.

Who would have thought I would actually think football was fun! I have never seen Nate get excited about sports. Every time he would shout or grunt I looked shockingly over in his direction. He was pretty cute, and because of that very reason I have also decided that we have adopted BYU as our team and are going to make an effort to watch their games next season. I figure it's a great way to get the girls excited from a young age about a really great college.

Also of significance yesterday, Piper wrote "mom" all on her own and Charly wrote a sweet note to service members saying "Thank you so much, I love you becos you serve us"

Winnie Takes The Cake

2011-12-13T10:05:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe a year has passed since our lovely little Winnie joined our family. From day one all of us have been smitten with her and the only thing that has changed is the amount of love we have for her.

Charly and Piper helped me make her birthday cake. Piper picked the inside (chocolate) and Charly picked the outside decoration (every last bit homemade, of course). We had left over fondant in the freezer from Charly's birthday so we decided if we were going to make her cake we may as well put some fondant on it! You only turn one once right? In the past I have been against having a really sweet birthday cake for the babes but I just couldn't resist making one up for Winnie. I just knew she would love it, and boy did she ever!

Out of the three girls Winnie is the first to actually take a bite and eat her cake. At one point she had stuffed cheeks. Made this momma and daddy proud. We all were so excited to see her enjoying her cake!

Of course she wanted to share her sugary, love filled cake with the older girls, and Charly and Piper happily gave in to her generosity. This (below) is my favorite picture!

A few days before her actual "party" the girls got to pick out something for Winnie to unwrap. Charly picked this red velvet dress and Piper got her a fun little clickety clackey ball.

It's so fun to see her little hands tucked into her birthday cake! Winnie is awesome and we love her so so much!

So, my friends, this is what one looks like! A jolly, squishy, full of life and love, one!

Piper Love

2011-12-03T18:05:00.001-06:00

Wow, if you are still with me after reading the last post I bet you could really use something uplifting. Something cheerful and loving and, well, this.......

(Piper is turning out to be the sensitive one of the bunch, as well as the one you'd least expect to be sensitive. Last night for movie night we were watching "What a Girl Wants" and during a scene where the teenage girl and her mom are driving away from her dad she sat there crying and was so upset. It was tender and heartbreaking to see her so touched by a movie. Who would have thought? After Nate reassured her that there was a happy ending and that it was all make-believe she seemed to calm down a bit, but I sure am going to have to be more mindful of what we watch. Sometimes with all the running and screaming and jumping around she does I forget to recognize her sweet little spirit inside all that commotion.)

We took the girls out last week to try and get some Christmas photos, this of course is one of those "in between" shots I love so much. As I sat here looking through the "roll of film" I have decided we need to do this again. The girls coordinating outfits totally get lost with the white door, which on its own is fantastic. Also, Nate is wonderful and tries to get them to smile but next time he's gotta stand directly behind me, otherwise we get shots like this one below.

Hey, Winnie was looking at her momma!

In other Campbell news, one of our chickens is finally laying some delicious yard eggs! After a week long mystery of who it is Charly solved the case this afternoon when she found a warm egg and a suspicious looking chicken coming out of the coop. The laying chicken is GILFIE!!! Go Gilfie!

Also, and way more important than a laying chick...Winnie took her first steps yesterday! She is up to two as of today! Can not believe our baby is learning to walk!!

PS After re-reading my previous post I all of the sudden feel like everything is going to be OK. I guess writing it down and seeing it in print was a good release for me.

Writing. Therapeutic? Imagine that.

Humble Pie For the Proud Mom

2011-11-29T17:31:00.001-06:00

Being a mom is hard. Coming to the realization that you actually may not be able to do it all for your kids, even harder.

Wanting an explanation? Sorry, not now. Perhaps you could enjoy this little link in the meantime.

Humility

Thanksgiving Times

2011-11-26T14:47:00.000-06:00

Blogging seems to be getting neglected due to this sweet little baby and her two top teeth barging through her tender gums. She is happy, but grumpy. She is sweet and clingy and if I didn't know any better I'd think she was part vampire (slight tendency to bite). Thank goodness Nate is here to relieve me at night, which he does so gently.

I am a lucky one and I know that.

Also happening this month, we sent Winnie on her first shopping trip around the neighborhood. Only kidding, but Winnie is standing firmly and likes to push stuff around....so long as Piper is not pulling. LOL

Hard to believe Thanksgiving has come and gone! Winnie enjoyed every last bit of my mom's cooking. Perhaps my blogging schedule will allow for some catch up time in the next few weeks. Perhaps I'll be carrying on like I have been lately, with an almost one year old upon my hip. That makes me happy. Sorry blog, she takes priority, for I know in the not too distant future she will be tying her shoes and reading books all by herself.

I must eat her up now, while she will still let me.

Happy 11 Months!

2011-11-08T13:30:00.000-06:00

How delighted was this mom when I noticed the leaves all around us were finally starting to look as though fall is upon us! I love to see babies, when they are being held, clinging to the arms of those holding them. It's such a cute detail that I miss as they get older and start flapping their arms around.

As Winnie turns 11 whole months today, I am reminded by these pictures how much she is changing. The constant hand in her mouth lets me know that her top teeth are just around the corner. You know what that means! Top teeth + bottom teeth= no longer a tiny baby!.....and of course some screams emitting from my mouth. Watch out, our baby bites! Well, she bites me at least. Trying to find a solution to this problem, other than waiting it out. I don't think either of the older two bit as hard a Winnie has, or as often. Regardless, she is adorable, and we will keep her!

Piper wearing two different colored flip flops, hey I'm just glad she is wearing shoes! Most of the time she is running around barefoot, always forgetting her shoes.

Charly ran from me yesterday, sometimes she is totally fine with me chasing her with the camera but yesterday she had other plans. At least this cat's "bole" can't run. How cute is this! I love it when I come upon words Charly has written that are spelled wrong but totally make sense. Most of the time she'll ask me how to spell and I will tell her, but I also encourage her to try and sound things out and figure it out on her own...even if she misspells a few. Here is just one example. I love it!

If I Close My Eyes, I Can Almost Smell the Tiny Newborn {Flashback Edition}

2011-11-04T17:10:00.000-05:00

We are literally on count down mode in the house. Counting down, of course, to Winnie's first birthday. None of us can believe the time is almost here, seems like just yesterday she was a tiny little snugly newborn.

Can't you just smell her sweet newborn goodness? She still smells pretty fantastic now as well but her sweet milky smell is slowly fading and becoming a precious thing of the past.

Hey Baby, Wanna Go For a Ride?

2011-11-03T16:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the older two and I were reading on the couch when we noticed Winnie standing there without holding on to anything. We all busted up laughing and shouting "look at her, look at her"!

Seems as though the times will only get more fun as Winnie gets older!

I love that I was able to get a photo of Charly squeezing her face, as she always does and Piper tenderly grabbing her hand....something she never does. LOL Usually Piper is almost too excited to get a piece of Winnie and ends up hurting her, squeezing her too hard or just in her face a bit too close.

This cooler weather we are having will mean much more play time inside. Looks like this won't be Winnie's last ride.

My Baby Sister

2011-11-02T15:53:00.000-05:00

Is Finally 18! She is officially old enough to buy spray paint and white out. We went down to San Antonio to help her celebrate and got to eat cake made my our fabulous mom! It was delicious!

Happy Birthday Rochelle!

Happy Halloween!!! {Part Two}

2011-11-01T19:34:00.001-05:00

All right, here it is, my epic Halloween post. Only, it's not really epic and being a day late, I can't really call it a Halloween post. Eh, here it goes.

Usually on Halloween I don't even attempt to dress up. This year and hopefully in years to come, it will be different. I had so much fun rocking my costume(I'm not smiling cause, you know, it would toally ruin the "look") with the family this year. I don't believe I have seen a hotter looking skeleton than Nate was. You would think it would be weird putting makeup on my husband but it was actually pretty entertaining to watch him flinch as the eyeliner approached his eyes. LOL

Piper and Charly didn't really decide what they were going to be for Halloween until last minute and Winnie was completely confused with all the costume changes. It was actually pretty entertaining to watch Winnie as she would not keep her eyes off of the interesting people around her, mainly Nate and I.

The cool thing about Charly's Dorothy costume is that her Granny made it for my sister about 11 years ago. How weird is it to see Charly wearing Rochelle's old clothes?

Piper's and Winnie's costumes are awesome because they cost us a whopping 6 bucks each! The older two were pretty excited to get to wear red lipstick, although Piper's wiped off in five minutes due to her circular lip-licking. Silly girl.

OK, I'm going to say it again....look how handsome Nate is....even from the back he looks H-A-W-T. *chuckle* And Piper, she was so excited to get as much candy as she possibly could.

After hitting up the Trunk or Treat in the town square, we walked back home and did some more. It is such a great feeling to live in our neighborhood. Everyone knows each other and is so friendly. I love the atmosphere near our house...if only we could transport better weather here we'd be set. Oh, and a higher up job for Nate to showcase his amazing love for all things nature. Who knows, maybe something will open up.

In the meantime, I am living moments like these up. I know if and when the time comes that we leave this place I will miss it oh so much.

I love love love this picture of Charly on the right sneaking a candy in between stops.

Handsome Day of the Dead hubby, he is the perfect match to my costume..... and in real life too.

Here is a little insider secret, Nate is wearing my hat. Hey, a guy will do anything to make his costume work.

Smiling would have made us look way nicer than we intended. We tried to stay in character as much as possible, LOL.

And the best for last, Winnie and her curious little face checking everyone out.

Now if you will excuse me, I have some candy to attend to...and some children headed for a major sugar crash. Better get to them before it happens. Wish me luck!

How Fun is 32? Ask Nate!

2011-10-30T17:34:00.000-05:00

The cool thing about Nate turning 32 is that he seriously gets funnier with every year that goes by. On his special day this year he put on his best goofball face for the camera. I'm still not sure what look he was going for with this giant wig and red scarf but it was funny anyway.

I'm always talking about what a great teacher he is to the girls, but this year takes the cake. He totally schooled Charly on the proper usage of silly string when she tried to get him with it.

Oh, and Charly's glasses finally arrived...rather, I finally was able to pick them up. She totally rocks them! Here she is modeling the new specs and one of Nate's new ties.

(Charly is a little moody a lot of the times but she really is a cool little kid when she wants to be. LOL)

Halloween Bound

2011-10-29T22:25:00.000-05:00

We have been so busy the last week or so and so my blogging has gone on the back burner. As soon as we got back from our wonderful time in San Antonio we had to rush Charly to her dress rehearsal for the second production she is in with the Kidz Krew. This time she plays a zombie dancing to the awesome sounds of MJ's "Thriller", after which she plays a jolly little pumpkin who's only wish is to not be carved this year.

Bet you thought that was Nate in the scream mask below aye? Guess again! Nate is kind of obsessed with making our porch the scary place to be. This big dummy is the latest addition to our front entry. After we got home from our outings tonight I gotta say, it was kind of creepy walking up to the door with this stuffed person looking at you. I am paranoid and my brain starts spinning and I swear all I could think of was that is was going to move. You bet your butt I didn't turn my back on him! LOL. Charly and I are a lot alike in that area.....being scared sucks.

Tonight was also our wards "Trunk of Treat". I went to Charly's play last night so Nate escorted her tonight while I took the little two in full costume to get some goodies. Winnie was a delicious cupcake, not surprising aye? Piper of course was a cute little bee. Oh, and for actual Halloween Charly is planning on being Dorothy, this is her zombie costume for the play. I have never had so much fun with dressing up, and my costume was super easy and last minute. I dug down into my Mexican roots for this Day of The Dead get up. I love it so much, I seriously am going to do it every year with different clothing and makeup combinations. Charly gave me a major thumbs up too! Anything with her approval has to be good right?

I can't wait until Monday! Nate is going to let me paint his face!! Can Halloween be every day please?

Winnie sure enjoyed carving pumpkins earlier today, she did a lot of exploring and stuck quite a bit of pumpkin guts in her mouth. Happy first Halloween Winnie!

Daddy Birthday Preview

2011-10-18T14:35:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my darling husband turned 32 years old. Exactly ten years ago in Germany I was with him when he turned 22. Back then I didn't yet know who he was. I wonder if he knew back then that he would have three daughters to show off to in ten years. Three daughters who would laugh at him and pose awkwardly in the street just for him, to exhibit all the fun he is. I wonder if he knew that the gal who came along to the party just to get a bite to eat would be lucky enough to be his wife.

Fun to see what ten years time can do for a man! He gets funnier and funnier as the days go by.

Happy Birthday Nate!

My Baby Purse

2011-10-15T23:13:00.001-05:00

Don't you just think Winnie is the perfect accessory? Oh I could just bottle up her cuddles and keep them forever!

Sometimes Charly takes the most flattering pictures of us, don't you think? Yeah, me neither. LOL (PS Nate took the one above, Charly took the one below)

Speaking of Charly....um, how do I put this gently? Well, I'm pretty sure she is hormonal at her ripe ole age of seven. Yep, I'm seriously starting to make note of days like this so at least I can see it coming. Woohoo, we have some crazy teenage years coming our way! Aye aye aye.

11 Months Ago Today...{Flashback Friday Edition}

2011-10-14T14:24:00.000-05:00

As I was looking for pictures from exactly one year ago I mistakenly grabbed the November folder instead of October. So, eleven months ago today I was busy acting like a really pregnant "diva" as Nate taunted me from behind the camera. Even when I am completely rude and terrible, Nate still makes a point to make me laugh and snap me out of it.

While I can't believe almost a year has passed since I was this pregnant, I still feel like it was forever ago! How can time hold two different feelings? Weird.

Eh, eat your heart out Mariah Carey! I'm taking the diva crown for this photo shoot!

Cruising We Will Go

2011-10-14T11:41:00.001-05:00

Winnie had her very first blueberry and blackberry experience a couple of days ago and was feeling pretty good about showing off her new look. She cruised all the way from the front porch, met up with Buttercup the cat (Had a staring contest, and won), then made her way to the front sidewalk where she did some work on Charly's bike.

Oh, and in case you are wondering....Winnie is indeed even more delicious with blueberry juice all over her sweet little face!

Ice Cream Mania

2011-10-13T23:45:00.000-05:00

An ice cream truck cruised through our neighborhood yesterday, a sight I thought I would never see. Quickly I hurried through the house to get some change, the camera, and Winnie on my hip. When I came out, Charly and Piper were waiting patiently alongside the little van playing the whimsical music.

Charly has been talking about this truck coming on Wednesdays but we never seem to hear it or be home when it comes through so we were pretty excited. This was the first experience our girls have had with home delivered ice cream.

As a kid, I remember always looking forward to the ice cream truck, or the peddling cart with the delicious Mexican ice cream bars on them. My brother and I almost always got to get one. My favorite was vanilla with raisins at the top. Gosh, I wish I could remember what they were called.

In other Campbell news, Charly lost her seventh tooth last night. I have become quite the tooth pulling master mom, so far I have pulled three VERY loose teeth from Charly. They have been so loose, she doesn't even realize I pull them until I show it to her.

Nate is always teasing her about different ways he would pull the teeth. I suppose when you tell a little girl with Charly like personality that you are going to tie a string to a door knob and yank it shut she is likely to never let you near her mouth. Who would have thought I would be the one actually excited to get her teeth out? I have a feeling once Piper gets around to having loose teeth, she will let Nate do the fun pulling, Charly is much too cautious for those things, LOL.

Speaking of Piper, she has just blossomed right before our eyes the past couple of days. I know I have said this before but I'll say it again, being able to be home with them all the time I really get to see the changes more magnified I think. Overnight Piper has gained an interest and understanding of letters and a curiosity of spelling things. Today her word of choice was 'spider'. It's written on my porch a few times, some paper, and the chalkboard in our kitchen. What a fun milestone for her! Her E's still have four arms instead of three but they are unique and so is she. Sometimes I think she does things on purpose just to be different. (Remind you of someone else you know?)

2011-10-10T17:22:00.000-05:00

What does one do on a Saturday afternoon when the hubby is off working and the kiddos are driving this momma slight crazy at home?

A photo walk of course!

On Winnie's ten month birthday, the trio and I set out for an early walk to meet up with friends for some donuts...sorry, no donuts for Winnie. I quickly remembered that our local photography club was going to meet for a little photo walk downtown, so as soon as we ate the delicious sweets we headed back home to pick up our cameras. Yes, all three of them!

Charly is really interested in how the camera works. Until now I have been adjusting it for her and letting her choose the composition. We both decided that she is ready to take on manual herself. Really, it's not too difficult for her to understand. She already knows what the light meter is and how to use it. Major success!

If I can't make money off this whole photography business, it's best I teach her now so she can right? LOL.

Piper was eager to pose for Charly!

After photographing the local shops, we scoped out the library for some hidden letters and then enjoyed some soda in a glass bottle for a treat.

"Flour" Child

2011-10-06T20:08:00.002-05:00

Remember that one time I was making pancakes in the morning as I almost always do and I spilled the whole canister of freshly ground wheat on the floor?

It was a good thing I did too, because Winnie enjoyed a whole five seconds of playing in that mess before she was off to the next thing.

Look at her cute little butt!

Accidents are inevitable when one is the master of multi-tasking. Bah ha ha ha

Life Lesson # 327

2011-10-06T19:48:00.000-05:00

Sometimes when I look at my life, where I came from and where I am now, it's hard for me to believe this is all mine. I often see my trials and don't know what I did to deserve them. It's a beautiful place to be in when you look at moments in your life that you thought defined who you were only to see that they were blessings to help you grow.

I know, this means probably absolutely nothing to the people reading this, but for me I can look back and be grateful for today, grateful for two weeks ago, and yes grateful for all of the trials that have led to this point.

This week I am so grateful for the lessons I have learned as I have forgiven and let go of very old burdens. Burdens I have been carrying around for far too long. It really is true what they say about forgiveness. It definitely helps you more than the person(s) you are forgiving.

For now, I'm enjoying even more beauty....which seems to be surrounding me more and more these days.

Let's Hang Out

2011-10-02T14:06:00.002-05:00

Totally forgot to put this picture in the previous post. Piper was literally hanging out as she waited for her turn.

Rodeo Queens!

2011-10-01T14:02:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again! Not only are we excited about cooler temperatures the first weekend in October brings but it's also time for Davy Crockett Days in our little town.

Remember last year when Charly took home 2nd place in her age group at the bike rodeo? This year Piper got to enter and show this little town how to rock and roll on a three wheeler.

The girls were both pretty excited to participate. Piper showed up with her little balance bike Nate and I made her but she could barely reach the floor on that thing, so when I saw another little one rocking the tricycle I rushed back home to switch Piper's ride out. It's a good thing I did, because even though she can't reach the pedals on her tricycle, she still peddled Fred Flinstone style fast enough to earn her second place.

Charly pretty much had it in the bag, and she knew it too. Charly gave it her all and even knocked down a guy as she flew around a cone with lots of intensity. They were both fine, I think the guy thought maybe she was going to fall so he went to stop her and they both fell. She didn't cry, which surprised me, and got back on her bike to do the course again. Good girl!

Both the girls got pretty great prizes. Charly was pretty surprised when they called her name for first prize, but I think she was trying to act like she didn't know she was going to win. I have a feeling she saw it coming.

Piper was so cute and proud when she accepted her trophy. Don't have pictures of that because right before awards I broke my lens in half. Had to wait until we got home to get their trophy pictures. Also, in true Piper style, she broke the wing off of the eagle on her trophy in the first five minutes when she dropped it. She is so funny! If you look closely at the pictures you may be able to see the broken wing, totally suits Piper don't you think?

It was really cool to get to watch Piper enter this year, and exciting that my mom got to come up for a second year in a row to be a part of it.

Nate will have to hear about it tomorrow when he gets home from guard duty, I can't wait to tell him all about it!

I just hope next year Piper will be able to reach the pedals of a 'real' bike. LOL

It's Flashback Time!!

2011-09-30T11:36:00.000-05:00

This has always been one of my favorite pictures of Charly. And I love the intense look Piper has as she tries to open some mascara.

If You Wanted Water, You Should Have Just Asked. Silly Babe!

2011-09-29T11:41:00.000-05:00

Here we go again, the adventures of keeping baby number three out of the dog water dish. Just in case you are wondering, which I'm sure you were, I was indeed in the same room with her when this happened. I tell you, she is one quick baby! One minute she is cheerfully playing with the refrigerator magnets, and the next she has a full water bowl all over the floor in one quick maneuver. As quickly as I ran to get the camera she already had the bowl on her head sucking the remaining drops out of the bowl. All I could think while I was laughing at the giant puddle with Winnie splashing in it was, "Oh, thank goodness I just took it out of the dishwasher this morning"....and of course, how adorable her little doggy water face is!

"Sweet" Mess

2011-09-26T17:32:00.000-05:00

I'd say it's been a pretty wonderful week! Following my brother's wedding, we returned home and the very next day the girls were greeted with a box just for them. It was from a dear family at church who always takes an extra moment to share their love, they are a great example to us. Along with the box of goodies there was a typed note that was overflowing with thoughtful words, I couldn't help but just stop and be extremely grateful. Here I was editing the pictures from the wedding, looking at my whole family, and then on top of it I was reading this sweet letter. I was so touched.

What does this mom do when her emotions have reached maximum happy capacity? Share the joy with Winnie of course.

That joy was shared in the form of a sucker. I still can't believe I let her have one. Pretty sure I will never live this one down. She was pretty entertained with it for about ten minutes, but ten minutes was all I needed to finish some editing. Of course I could have bought 15 minutes ,but how would I prove this event if I didn't document it with some photography? Yeah, no one would ever believe me huh?

Here's the proof!

My poor little almost ten month old enjoying her very first bit of sugar, all in the form of sugar on a stick. This isn't going to happen again for a loooooong while. LOL

Rudy and Lacey Say "I Do"!

2011-09-25T19:55:00.000-05:00

Come on over to my photography blog to see pictures from their special day! Click HERE!!

The Epic Moments That Make it All Worth While

2011-09-24T13:36:00.000-05:00

Oh, and this is just a peak at the multitude of pictures I have with both my parents and all the siblings in one shot at Rudy and Lacey's wedding! Thank you Nate for taking this!!! A treasure in my eyes for sure!

Flashback Friday, huh, What? Oh Yeah....

2011-09-24T11:49:00.001-05:00

Dear Diary,

One time I missed flashback Friday because I was recovering from a crazy two day trip down to San Antonio to attend the wedding of my brother Rudy and his beautiful bride Lacey.

Signed,

The recovering make-up artist, hair stylist, flower designing, photo snapping, tired, excited new sister-in-law to the beautiful and long legged new Mrs. Rich.

More to come!

So Typical, Nate looks Haaaawt and I'm Distracted.

2011-09-16T18:23:00.000-05:00

Flashback Friday...Look Who is Crawling!

2011-09-16T18:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday marked the first day Winnie took off crawling. Sure she has taken a move in one direction or another a few times, but 24 hours ago she really took off and made her official crawling debut, and can I just say how adorable it is to see her little knees shimmy back and forth!

Doesn't it seem like yesterday she was confined to one spot on the bed, all snug in her little wrap?

Now she is ready to go, like all of the sudden she can crawl and check things out on her terms, like for instance, Shelby who has been dying to have some Winnie attention since she arrived.

Even though Shelby drives me nuts, she really has been such a great dog. She is so gentle and never budges even when she may be having her hair pulled by tiny fingers.

Did I Get a Bad Haircut or What?

2011-09-16T12:16:00.002-05:00

(By the way, that was a rhetorical question...ya like that Kelly?)

This one time when I was 29 I got to wear glasses full time and was super excited about it. I waited nearly three weeks to get my main pair, which I love!

With a little help from my seven year old assistant I was able to get some very cheesy and cliche shots of me rockin' the new, nerdtastic specs.

I like to play it up for her when she is behind the camera, otherwise she gets bored. Charly will either love my goofball side or will be mortified by it as she grows older, I vote for the first one!

We Love Our Airman!

2011-09-13T13:51:00.002-05:00

Writing a blog post a day is actually not as easy as I'd hope for. However, I am finding lots of pictures that I'd forgotten about. That's the thing about the digital age, makes it really easy not to have actual pictures to hold in your hand. One of these days I'm actually going to just print a whole bunch at once and make a photo album. Until then, I have this bright shiny box in front of me that displays them wonderfully.

"The Look" - Before and After

2011-09-12T14:34:00.001-05:00

Apparently I have a look. Cock my head a bit to the right and look over my shoulder. Snap!

It's really unfair for me to hog all these cool people around me to make me look so fabulous, and to capture my most marvelous moments. I don't think I know a single person who has a make-up artist, let alone, one like I got! These little people crawling at my feet sure do have some mad marker skills. And Nathan, what a dreamy guy to make sure we grab a hold onto these magnificent times. Surely when I am 100 (If I am so lucky to live that long) I will look back with fondness on the day I had "dork" written across my forehead and a goatee that even the strongest of gangsters would be jealous of.

Yeeeeah, you know it's a slow news day at the Campbell house when this is the best I got for the blog.

On Track

2011-09-11T19:10:00.001-05:00

You know those days that are great from start to finish, and you don't even have to try to count your blessings because your eyes are so focused on them? The days when things are seen in such a clear view, as if you had a new mind to see them. Today was definitely one of those days. Everything spoken at church, and when we got home, felt like an answer to my prayers. The power of prayer never ceases to amaze me!

The girls' attitude was completely loving today and I know it is directly related to what I was feeling, so crazy how a mother has that affect on the whole family, whether it be good or bad. And even though I absolutely know that to be true, it's still a struggle for me to keep my attitude in line. Something was said at church today that just clicked with me, how one person can affect the direction of so many others and even one choice in the wrong direction can lead someone completely off the righteous path. While my girls are generally happy kids, I can definitely see more of a sparkle in their eyes when kindness begins with me. This mom has a lot of growing to do, it is such a humbling journey, a journey I am so thankful for!

The gospel of Jesus Christ is so perfect, I am so happy because of the influence the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has had in my life, being married ,and raising our girls. We literally have a "How to Raise a Family" guide book right at our fingertips within the fullness of the Gospel in the scriptures. This truth and happiness is something no one can take away from us. It is a blessing that is indescribable!

Lucky in love

2011-09-10T16:48:00.000-05:00

How Cute is Nate?!!!

Nathan picked up his glasses today (yes I'm jealous, his were ready before mine...I'm still wearing my back-up pair) while the girls and I were at a fun birthday party. I literally can not keep my eyes off this cute face of his! Clearly, I have some sort of soft spot for hot geeks! Now, if you will excuse me......

Nine Months In, Nine Months Out!

2011-09-09T18:16:00.000-05:00

Because both Charly and Piper were completely uninterested in their first birthday cake I thought it would be a great idea to introduce the "cake" concept to Winnie first at her nine month birthday. You know, so she could be ready for the big cake coming on her first birthday in three months.

We had a great plan, it involved finger paint, an empty canvas, carob muffins disguised as cupcakes, and balloons. The only problem of course, was that once paint gets on your fingers it makes the cupcakes taste pretty gross. Oops, didn't think that one through did I. At the suggestion of a wise friend, I will use vanilla pudding colored with food dye for her first birthday masterpiece.

It was fun anyway, after the paint dried and being hand fed by the girls Winnie seemed to enjoy herself on the swing for the very first time.

Check out Charly's new trick!

Flashback Friday

2011-09-09T17:48:00.000-05:00

It was August of 2009, our walls in the playroom were dark and the girls were ever so tiny. Winnie hadn't even been thought of yet, it's so weird to imagine our life without her.

Sign of The Times

2011-09-08T11:47:00.000-05:00

When I was eleven years old I received my first tape, it was Janet Jackson's album titled "Janet". I'm not even sure I had a walkman at that age, I probably played it on my parent's tape player in a common room of the house, so when I walked in on Charly dancing and singing in the mirror I had to chuckle to myself. She was jamming out to music streaming from Pandora from my iPhone, it was the "Mamma Mia" channel.

Charly will never know what it's like to wait all day for a song to play on the radio just so you can record it onto tape. She simply knows how to look for music on a CD and has the entire world of music at her fingertips in the form of the internet.

One thing her seven year old has in common with my seven year old self is for sure, we both love singing and dancing in the mirror, even if that means a bit of off notes coming out of our mouths. Charly has the confidence to not care and I love that about her!

Fall is Here!

2011-09-07T14:23:00.000-05:00

OK, I know it isn't here officially, but the glimpse we are getting this week feels like a little peak of heaven on earth.

I love to have our windows open. I love to hear the wind chimes clanging from our back tree, the cows mooing a block behind our house and the crackling of blowing leaves, sounds I seldom hear or appreciate when the temperatures are scorching hot.

Most of all, when the weather is a lovely warm temperature, I love to sit outside, close my eyes and soak up the warmth while listening to a soundtrack provided by the girls.

Winnie obviously distracts me a little from completely indulging in my sun filled cat naps ,but being outside when it's like this is bliss, pure bliss...even if I am wide eyed and taking pictures instead of sleeping, LOL.

Is there anything better than a naked baby with a bonnet? I think not.

Turkey Baster Says We Are D-O-N-E

2011-09-04T16:48:00.000-05:00

It sure is a good thing we are getting a "cold front" this week, because clearly the heat brings out the best of us, and when I say best I actually mean it brings out our inner crabs for all to enjoy.

Exactly one year ago, notice the pregnant belly, Nate and I were having the same conversation we find ourselves having now.

Nate: "It sure is hot up in these parts"

Me: "yuuup"

Grab your kids, grab your wives, grab your huuusband and even your dog, there is a cold front coming, supposed to bring us temperatures in the 50's overnight!!

Nate and I are completely aware of the stupidity in this post, we don't care. We're hot.

Four Eyed Posse

2011-09-03T15:11:00.003-05:00

There has been two things I've wanted since I was little, to play in a Mariachi band, AND to be a full time glasses wearer. Well, the second part of my fantasies came true this week! I took the girls for a routine eye exam Monday and went in thinking I was just going to get my drab reading prescription taken care of when I got some of the most exciting news of my adult life. I too would need a vision correction in the form of full time glasses! I'm not sure if the excitement that was oozing from inside of me showed at all, but you bet your butt I was anxious to get to pick out frames with Charly. I seriously thought perhaps the optometrist misspoke so I asked him politely if I heard him right saying, "you mean for reading right?" and a big fat N-O-P-E came out of his mouth followed by the instructions to wear them full time. You know me, always following doctor's orders.....well, at least when it comes to the future of me involving specs. I wasn't going to turn this order down!

As Charly and I picked out frames (which will take a whopping three weeks to be done), Piper had the most pathetic, sad meltdown I have ever seen. She too wanted glasses. She wears Charly's old frames all the time with the lenses popped out but she wanted real glasses like us. She felt so left out, it was sad, my heart broke for her. Being a little girl and dreaming of belonging to a club so great, exposing you to just one more accessory is something I know far too much about. LOL

In the end after we picked out our main pair, we took Piper to get her glasses as a "special store" where the frames were much less expensive ($9 to be exact) so she could pick some out too.

So here we are, my four-eyed posse, I wonder when Winnie and Nate will join the club. I have a sneaky suspicion that Nate isn't too far behind.....at least I hope so.

{Charly and I are sporting our place saver glasses, (this pair is my back up and not near as great as the main ones) the real boom will come in a couple of weeks! }

Charly is holding our farm cat, Garfield, and Piper is holding the hen, whom I suspect is actually a rooster, and 'it's' name is Ranger. Go figure, I pick out the chicken who can't lay eggs, but has really cool feathered feet. Functional but not practical, it's what I always say anyways, tee hee hee.

And I am holding our smallest chickpea Winnie, who is also excited about the whole new gaggle of glasses, she scored a new toy out of the deal that will always be available right in front of my face.

Funny story about the cat Charly is holding....last Tuesday we walked to the library, which is about three blocks away from the house and this darn cat followed us the whole way. Not only that, it waited right outside the door for us to get out, and, followed us back home. I guess that cat and I are a little alike, we both can't seem to get enough of the girls.

Piper shares her love with all the chickens and is an amazing "rounder upper" of them. She has no problem catching them and holding them like little babies. Here she is holding Charly's favorite, Pippa!

There still aren't any eggs being laid but shortly we should see some production from these ladies. Unfortunately we are one short as I type this, the other day the gate got left open and our smallest chicken Eglentine must have gotten eaten or snatched by something. We came home Wednesday, and she was nowhere to be found, the smallest of the bunch was an easy target for any predators. Lesson learned: always double check the coop and make sure the gate is closed.

This picture is just a little blurb of our daily happenings, makes my heart smile in so many ways.

{*OK, so getting glasses obviously isn't the best news of my entire adult life, but it is definitely tied for fourth or fifth place! LOL}

Flashback Friday

2011-09-03T14:16:00.001-05:00

The Dog Days are almost over, I can feel it in my veins! I just know the crunchy grass will be replaced with the beauty of deep green grass before winter strikes and it gets brown again.

This photo was taken our first spring here, look how lush our grass was! In this same spot now, there stands a much larger peach tree and grass that is so crunchy it no longer feels pleasant to walk on. But more importantly than that, there stands a much larger Piper! A more radiant and energetic darling Piper than we could ever imagined, seeming to get more energy by the minute. One day we will catch up to her levels of fun, but for now we are enjoying chasing her.

Winnie. Is. So. Close!

2011-08-31T19:38:00.001-05:00

Before we know it, this little baby will be walking. She is definitely mobile these days, it is only a matter of time when she figures this crawling thing out. Winnie is already trying to pull herself up on things too, and the other day she totally rolled!

The kitchen floor is pretty much the "it" place to be in the house, she loves banging on the fridge with magnets while I'm hustling around getting food for everyone. She loves it until Piper comes and tries to pick her up, or forces toys out or into her hand. *Sigh*....flash forward to a time when that memory makes me laugh. But for now, it's a little annoying when Piper does that.

Trying so hard to gently drill into Piper's head what it means for a baby to be content, and when that said baby is content, we leave them alone. LOL

Come and "Like" my photography page

2011-08-30T20:48:00.002-05:00

Hello all, I have been working really hard the past few weeks trying to revamp my blogs and I finally have a FB fan page for my photography. Come and "like" it to enter for a free mini session.

Click here!

2011-08-29T10:58:00.000-05:00

Going through old photos, and picking new ones to go on my FB fan page has made me realize I sure did leave out a lot on the family blog through my pregnant haze....Like the time we surprised Rochelle at school on her birthday.

Her whole ROTC class was rallied into class and they thought they were in trouble. I actually feel kind of bad for Rochelle, look at her face, the poor girl didn't know what to think. I could not believe how well she kept her composure!

After a few minutes, I think she realized the whole being in trouble was just a ploy to get them all into the class for the surprise.

I promise Rochelle, your 18th birthday won't be anything like this! Seriously can not believe my baby sister will be 18 in less than two months.

Once Upon a Time....

2011-08-27T20:41:00.000-05:00

There was this lucky mom who had three little girls and a wonderfully charming man. For her birthday, which was almost a month ago(July 31), they made her a most unusual cake. Because this family has nothing to do with the ordinary, the four of them made a cake mix into pancakes and topped them with a strange looking frosting. Introducing the Pan Cake!

Don't judge this weird looking cake by it's looks my friends, it was delicious, and very rich!

Piper, Charly and Nate were pretty proud of their creation. I had my doubts when I saw this little "masterpiece" but I could definitely taste the love that was poured into it and that was what made it so darn good!

Happy 29th birthday to me!

Look What I Found!

2011-08-26T23:26:00.002-05:00

The past few days I have been a mad woman trying to get my blogs in order and my photography FB page up and running...you know, so I could actually get some paying clients? LOL

Anyway I came across these pictures of Piper and Winnie taken shortly after W was born. I don't remember ever seeing these. Perhaps in my mommy fog I passed them over.

I'm not sure if it's Piper's awkward pose or Winnie's tiny body snuggled in a knitted cocoon that makes me cherish this photo, but regardless, I thought I'd share the cuteness with everyone.

I think if I counted the pictures I have of Piper kissing Winnie, there would be well over 100!

Guess Who Is Trying to Crawl?

2011-08-25T17:29:00.000-05:00

Winnie of course! Not only is she working on her second tooth but she has bypassed rolling and moved on to attempted crawling. I guess she decided rolling over is overrated, and for babies. She has higher aspirations! Whew, I know I sure will be busy when she figures out how to move her little legs out from under her.

She is ready to go!

Makeover Time!

2011-08-24T18:33:00.000-05:00

Currently working on making some fantastic changes to our family blog! I would love input from my readers, let me know what is working and what is not. What are some things you think I should add? Anyone want to write the "about me" section for me, that is always so strange writing solely about one's self.

Thanks so much for patiently waiting...all six of you. OK, OK, perhaps we are up to 10 by now.

Our One and Only....PIPER!

2011-08-24T11:44:00.000-05:00

Who was so excited Sunday night she couldn't sleep? This girl was! Piper could not get her excitement out of her about the fact that she was officially a Campbell School Preschooler as of Monday. To me, all this means is a bit more time working with her number and letter recognition, but to her it means that she is now recognized as a big girl in the whole family dynamic! After all, she did grow a whopping two inches the past two months!

Doing school with Piper is basically taking all the opportunities I can to play and do fun things with her. She usually allows for about 20 minutes of one on one play with puzzles and then is off to do her own thing. We made sure and got a lot more learning puzzles and games for her this year that were just for her. Last year she so badly wanted to do "school" but I wasn't sure how to get her involved while I was trying to help Charly with her school. So glad we are prepared this year. I know it hasn't yet been a week but already I can tell she is having fun with her just-for-me activities.

Schooling at home is definitely a learning opportunity for all of us, one year something works and the next, not so much.

Piper has such a fun spirit, and while at times it is challenging, it is also so fun to have such a vibrant personality adding so much life within our home's walls.

Charly, Second Grade, a Peek

2011-08-23T14:53:00.004-05:00

Yesterday after dinner we embraced the heat and walked across the street to our lovely neighbors house to get some official second grade photos on her great yellow swing. I guess Charly was feeling a fall vibe because she was very adamant about wearing a sweat shirt and having it placed, just so, over her hair.

Finding time to edit is scarce lately so I thought a little peek was in order. Winnie is teething and I will post more as I get to them.

Piper's pictures are adorable! I found out the secret to getting them both to focus while taking pictures of them is to take them one at a time. Genius!

Stand by.

It's a Potato Thing, You Wouldn't Understand

2011-08-22T16:39:00.000-05:00

How's that for potty duty!

2011-08-22T15:15:00.002-05:00

In a house full of potty trained big people, the girls find it fascinating when Winnie goes pee or poop on the toilet. It is pretty comical when a baby as small as her hops up on there are pees...OK, so she has some help from us to get on there but regardless, it's funny. Funny because it's insane how capable and smart babies are!

Charly and Piper jump at any opportunity to help her on the pot. It's a family affair this whole elimination communication thing. Just one more thing to bring us together, who would have thought that Winnie dropping her loads off would give us so much excitement! LOL (Gosh, I sure hope people can read the sarcasm coming through my type...otherwise, well, it just sounds strange.)

As if that weren't enough for your viewing pleasure.....

How cute are these two?

And just in case you wanted something more for your viewing pleasure...

Oh yeah, we are walking Napoleon Dynamite impersonators, all of us!

Humble Pie Anyone?

2011-08-22T11:14:00.001-05:00

It's easy to dwell on the moments you have as a parent when you reach a point of embarrassment you never thought existed. Just when you think you're doing a great job with parenting, one of your kids {*cough*, Charly} will put you in your place and serve you a pie of humble pie right in the middle of a Sunday Sacrament meeting.....in front of all your peers and those you look up to and want to think your life is just fine and dandy and your kids never have tantrums!

Nope, that never happens.

I could go on about this situation or I could focus on the positive, which is where I like to be, thank you.

With that being said, I have been looking over all the pictures that have yet to be loaded onto the blog and I'm thinking about all the small daily things that took place over the summer. Our three daughters sure have fun together.

I love the feelings I get when I look at pictures that hold so much simplicity. It really makes my heart smile to be a part of this family and see the joy in our kid's hearts.

To the untrained eye, when they see the picture of Winnie with her sisters, it may look as though she isn't enjoying herself but I know better than that. I know her heart, and as she grows older, she will see past her scrunchy, cute little face and see the undeniable love Charly and Piper have for her, their baby sister.

Sums up Our Summer.....

2011-08-12T10:34:00.000-05:00

Risked the life of my camera to take this photo, but I would say it was well worth it!

Freckles!

2011-08-12T10:23:00.000-05:00

The past few mornings have been so lovely outside. So much so that I can enjoy laying on the hammock with Winnie in tow while Piper and Charly blissfully play. I am beginning to remember what fall looks like and that summer will not be around forever. With temperatures above 100 for over a month now it almost seems like the fall will never come, then I start to see hints that it is on the horizon. It makes me happy.

Freckles also make me happy. A while back I noticed some appearing on Piper's little cheeks and around her nose. (You can barely make one out on her right cheek in the picture. )

She reminds me a lot of the little girl I think I probably was. She is so spirited and fun. With that being said, our little Piper is blossoming and learning new things, although in a completely different way than Charly learns. It's an adjustment and a challenge to figure out how to channel her energy...she has lots of it!

Seven for Sunday

2011-08-07T17:29:00.000-05:00

Remember when we first moved here? It's been almost three years, still can't believe it myself. I stumbled across this picture of the girls that was taken shortly after moving into our house. Look how little they look!

Piper adores Charly, and I hope to foster that relationship for as long as possible. I love to listen to them playing, usually it's nice and occasionally they will fight, but that's normal right?

August is the time of year where ~~I take back my Texan pride~~ we pretty much stay indoors and focus on other things that don't involve melting like....

Cooking delicious meals

Reading great books on bunk beds you thought you wanted,only to take them down two days later because you miss cuddling with your sister. Eh, I guess we have bunks for guest beds now.

Taking baths with floaties on because ya know, you never can tell when one might need them in a bath.

Also, with all this indoor time we are getting, it's a great opportunity for mom to get photos of the girls in their natural state....only kidding, Piper is just trying on this face. Charly on the other hand, that was pretty natural. She more than makes up for it with her smirks we get off camera when she announces to us she wants to learn the Napoleon Dynamite dance.

Yeah folks, our daughters are pretty great!

PS Grandma Orr, Charly wears the birthday dress you guys got her just about every week for church, she loves that dress!

A pampered baby

2011-07-26T22:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday as we were cleaning the girl's room I took advantage of some killer light while Charly and Piper took advantage of an eager to be dolled up Winnie.

Here she is just bee-bopping in her new chair. Winnie is pretty hard to resist when she looks this cute, I was actually thinking of putting some bows in her hair myself...although it never would have looked as cute as her sisters did.

Piper, "Hold still Winnie, we got you"
Charly, "now for a few small adjustments...."

(If you click on the picture you may notice the cutesy drawings Charly has done on her hands, along with her multi colored paint job on her nails. I love the details that encompass a little girl's daily activities.

P-E-R-F-E-C-T!!

Now pose with your stylists, that's a good girl.

Winnie, "playing dress up is exhausting, would one of you mind letting me lean on you?"

And now for a little hug fest on the floor after the exhausting makeover. I literally almost ate them up after witnessing this love fest.

And for dessert we are serving........FEET!!

2011-07-23T15:59:00.000-05:00

Socially awkward...purely fiction

2011-07-22T14:48:00.000-05:00

Remember that time when Sally came over two years ago when we wrote that EPIC(click here) blog post?

This will be sooo much better than that!

With the two years that has passed, our brood of children has grown by one and the other five have bonded as their mothers need for ridiculous blogging has spun out of control.

It has been unclear as to whether or not the kids would have the same relationship as their parents, one filled with laughter and tons of fun memories, until a fateful day in July where we almost lost it all to those more privileged than us.

*Flashback*

Not so long ago we peasants were fortunate enough to hitch a ride, and also a free ticket to a little place we like to call Sea World. It's a place where whales, dolphins and maniacs roam freely.

Despite the heat being a whopping 150 degrees outside our spirits were high. Halfway into the day we were enticed to settle down for quick diving show when we smelled remnants of fresh fish, dolphin excrement and frozen lemonade. It was really a bad idea from the start. What were we thinking? To take part of such an event and sit in the third row splash zone is just unheard of in the peasant community. It's really miraculous that our shirtless children did not get spotted and kicked out of such a prestigious event. Luckily we were able to document it with this photo.

All was swell, until, it wasn't.

As you can see we were sitting behind very, very, respectable and privileged folk. I believe the clip in this ladies hair to be sculpted from wood taken from the honorable George Washington's leg. Oh how lucky to be in the row ahead of us, holding such regard for American history.

Whilst Sally and Renée (names have not been made up to protect peasant identity) sat rather loudly discussing the joys of churning butter, a rather foul sound came from directly in front of us. Was this really happening? The more privileged, talking to us?! It couldn't be. Certainly not.

But, oh, it was!

We would both like to have fond memories of this moment, however, the wood wearing potty mouth had us drowning in language unsuitable for even the lowest of lowlanders. You see, our provincial lifestyle brought us up to believe that when you are in an arena with loud music and laughter and joy everywhere that it is acceptable to use outside voices. How dare we. Our lesson is learned, for we had no idea such behavior was intolerable to those of higher society. Lucky for us, we had a protector.

His name has been held back to protect his nobleness. I am shocked to be sitting here, still married to the man in the beige hat. For his actions have demonstrated that we peasants stick together and the morals we share are evident when an intruder, even when of high society, throws trash out their mouths towards ANY of us. We will stick together as two families and have decided to become one. Our children are betrothed to each other, as presented in the following symbolic photos.

Poor little, saddened Layla must wait until a Campbell son is born to complete the union of the two families.

However, the friendship between these two is one of "Sally and Renée" and is believed to be one with lasting qualities.

In order to prepare for such a horrific event in the future, we have decided to make Isaiah a noble knight in our peasant world. It is customary for the knight to take pictures where two girls are making him smile and one where he is surrounded by three girls for training purposes.

When he becomes the protector of our united families the beige hat will likely be passed on to his noble peasant head.

Until then, it shall be known, these kids are walking away from the idea that their mothers would take such abuse in the future.

It's fun to eat!

2011-07-16T13:41:00.001-05:00

Nate and I consider ourselves pretty experienced when it comes to feeding babies but nothing in the past has prepared us for the joys of feeding Winnie. Both Charly and Piper were late when it came to eating, Charly about a year and Piper was a whopping 2 years old when she started eating food other than my milk. And even then, they both started off slowly. It is a whole other experience when feeding a six month old, and can I say, a very exciting one! She literally wants to eat something at every meal ,which she then chases with a warm milk shake, lol.

Her favorites so far seem to be anything we give her, avocado, watermelon, banana, squash, beans, peas you name it she eats it. She hasn't once had a reaction like Piper used to.

Feeding Winnie is a family activity!

There she goes making the adorable stink face.....

I love that my little helpers even picked up how to clean her face with the spoon after each bite.

The really cool thing about Winnie eating is that it makes the whole elimination communication thing a lot easier. Her first poop after eating food was accompanied by a distinct poop face. It has been nearly 2.5 weeks since she has pooped in a diaper. How cool is that?!!

Just so no one is confused, I am not potty training her, more of me just noticing when she is about to go poop and moving her to a more comfortable place, the toilet, to do it other than in her pants. She told me in her sweet, vanilla frosting breath that she really appreciates me noticing and looking for her "poop cue". Now if only I could fine her pee cues.....

In other very exciting news, Charly is officially swimming!! After dinner last night we went swimming and after about two weeks of dog paddling, Charly finally gave in and tried to swim with her face under water. Much to her surprise it actually was easier to do it this way. Nate and I are very proud parents to see her reach this milestone. Much credit is due to Nate for patiently teaching her techniques to get her there. While most people know I am a great swimmer, I definitely lack in the patience area, so teaching her to swim has certainly been a team effort. We still are working with Piper and I'm confident she will be swimming by the end of summer.

Winnie is there for the ride and LOVES being in the water. Not surprised! I finally am getting lots of use from my water sling I bought when Charly was a baby.

We are super grateful to have neighbors that trust us enough to have free access to their pool, what a blessing!

"Dealer"

2011-07-16T11:22:00.000-05:00

I never thought there would come a time in my life when I referred to myself as a dealer but I have reached a point where I can accept the fact that I am literally walking around with a baby on my hip which I believe to bring more happiness than even the best of drugs. I will freely give anyone a sample of some Winnie Love, just look at her, she is bound to make you happy!

As Winnie approaches 8 months I thought surely the newness of having a baby around would wear off with Charly and Piper, but they are just as in love with her as they were when she was first born. Actually I think they are even MORE in love now. It's so heart warming watching Charly and Piper smell Winnie and kiss and snuggle her like, they too, can't get enough of her. Even as I type this, I want to stop just so I could squeeze her cute little face.

Speaking of cute faces, she has a new one, we call it the stink face! The stink face was born when Piper was trying to make her laugh a couple of days ago at my mom's house and it stuck, she will make it at the funniest of times and we love it!

This look is similar, but not to be confused with, the "poop face".

She has so many similarities to her big sis Charly.

Like Charly, Winnie sure does make us work hard for those smiley shots.

Stay this little.....

2011-06-30T19:28:00.001-05:00

Today as I picked up Winnie for the millionth time (yes, I hold her that much) I realized that her floppy newborn body has been replaced by a strong, vibrant almost seven month old one who feels heavy in my arms. When did my tiny little baby become so big and dense? How did I miss this change? How did she grow so fast in our arms?

My dad recently got me the newest Taylor Swift CD and funny as it seems I was listening to it for the 100th time when I heard these lyrics.....

....Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, just stay this little

Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, if it could stay this simple....

I'm sure when little miss Taylor wrote this song, she was imaging someone like me holding her sweet little girl wanting to freeze time as I do now.

We can't get enough of this precious baby. Literally. Cannot. Get. Enough.

Piper turns 4

2011-06-21T12:45:00.001-05:00

It sure is crazy to me what a difference a year can make when you have little ones.

Yesterday our little family got together and held a birthday celebration for Piper. At her request, we ate Victor's pizza (a local Italian joint) in the Honey Grove park. It was very hot and windy so we saved the cake and presents for the house.

While Piper may be a rough and tumble little girl, she is also so sensitive to the feelings of everyone around her. She is always thinking of Charly and Winnie and is so forgiving when others do her wrong. We cherish her loving spirit and could all learn a little from this sweet gal of ours.

Here is Piper getting ready to go down the slide at full speed and Charly walking back down the steps after evaluating the risks of this particular action. LOL, it amazes me how different they are in that department. Charly being the cautious one with everything she does and Piper just jumping into everything, literally and figuratively.

Sweet little Piper doesn't like cake, any form of it, so Nate made her this terrific giant chocolate chip cookie cake which I then frosted. We were sure it would be a hit with the little cookie monster that she is. How could any kid turn it down, especially when placed next to a scoop of chocolate ice cream?

Guess how many bites of her cookie cake she ate.........ONE!

The cake sure wasn't a hit but her gifts certainly were the best part for her, especially her LaLaLoopsy doll, which Charly wanted to buy with her own birthday money. Rochelle gave her a box of scrumptious Cheez-its and Nate and I worked hard preparing the blocks we made for her, my arms are still sore from sanding the 30+ blocks.

She loves carrying her doll in the Ergo carrier we got for her after trying to wear mine and discovering it was much too big. Big thumbs up for this future attachment parenting momma!

Happy Birthday to Piper, who officially turns 4 tomorrow!

Momma drama

2011-06-20T14:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was in such a funk, not sure how I got there or why I stayed but regardless, I was there. All day I moped around feeling drab. I can't even remember the last time I was in such a sour mood.

We went to church, came home, relaxed for a little bit, finished Piper's birthday presents and after all that I was still feeling funky. I even tried eating a piece of cheesecake in solitude but was interrupted shortly after so it didn't work.

It wasn't until I was feeling better later in the day that I realized it wasn't sweet and chocolates I needed, I just needed some nice fresh air with my family and a little laughter on the hammock. After we went outside in the evening and played in the garden, picked some veggies and held our "feathered cats" I felt a million times better.

Charly is becoming quite the little bird whisperer, I often find her outside relaxing with a little friend in her lap, calm as can be.

Thank goodness I have these awesome kids and sarcastic, funny hubby to bring this crazy momma back down to earth.

Winnie appreciated the momma kisses, at least I think she did......She'd better!

Piper also got a piece of Winnie....

Here Winnie was just minding her own business, having fun looking at her hand.....

When, WHAM, Piper comes in from behind and squeezes her ever so tight....

Out of all the photos we have ever taken of the girls, I think I love this one the most. Piper's love for her baby sister is literally jumping out into my lap when I look at it.

I must warn you....the following little write up may in fact make a *sigh* come from your mouth.

After moving Winnie up to our bed last night I went to go brush my teeth and came back to a most adorable sight. Nate holding his baby girl's tiny little hand as they sleep.

What a gentle reminder of the lucky little family we have. What a great daddy Nate is.

I couldn't help but feel a little foolish for walking around with a pout all day when I have moments like these all the time with him.

You don't have one, but I sure do

2011-06-20T12:34:00.000-05:00

So this is my little sister Rochelle, you may remember her from the prom post a few months back.

She is so adorable, I can't stand it. Not only can she rock hot pink lipstick on perfectly lined lips but she also has a personality and laugh that is contagious. Sure she is a little hyper sometimes but I really love these moments I get with her, she is the best. I sure hope she doesn't outgrow letting me dress her up and play make-up with her.

Winnie can do tricks!

2011-06-17T16:30:00.002-05:00

Our delicious little baby cake showed us a new trick today. Cute little gal still won't roll over but she will sit up and chew her toy. She totally caught me off guard today when Charly was playing with her on the floor and kind of moved back a bit so she wasn't leaning on her. The next thing I heard was a very thrilled Charly shouting with excitement for Winnie's sitting abilities.

{Click photos to enlarge}

Look at those baby toes, I could just eat her up!

Look who's using the snazzy camera!

2011-06-16T15:38:00.001-05:00

I was so excited as I glaced through photos and come across a folder titled "Daddy day date".

Behold, I give you three photos snapped by Nathan while on vacation! I am so glad he is finally playing around with my non-film camera! He has mad photo skills when it comes to all things nature but has been hesitant to practice people shooting skills, which really isn't a big deal because, you know, I take a few myself. LOL

I sure hope he does this more often because he did a really great job at capturing these goofy gal's personalities.

Can I get a "Hoo-Rah" for my fantastic hubby?!!

The "Grand" exit

2011-06-16T15:08:00.000-05:00

It seemed impossible when the end of May came up and it was already time to leave Utah. How in the world had it been three weeks? Time flies way too fast when you'd prefer it just to stop for a moment.

After seeing Bryce Canyon, which is unbelievable, Nate and I decided to make a detour to the grand Canyon which added about six hours to our trip. I had been there countless times as a child but going as an adult brought feelings I didn't know existed. Being surrounded by such a massive form of nature really is a reminder of how small we are. What a magnificent sight.

Of course I was a nervous wreck every anybody went near the edge, as there is no fence. I was surprised at how close people were getting to the drop off. I know Nate was keeping the girls safe, but still. The pictures just don't do this gorgeous place justice. I wish we had more time to spend at these places. I was just dying to take the trail where we stopped at Bryce Canyon, it was a scene straight out of a movie....only better! I honestly couldn't believe my eyes. We would be driving in the middle of the desert and out of nowhere there is a majestic piece of art you would never expect to find in such a place. It is a reminder of our creator, Heavenly Father, and the beauty that exists when you but chance to look for it. Beauty really is all around!

{And to think, there are politicians/common folk who don't want to protect these glorious places! }

Thank goodness someone was nice enough to take our picture! Funny thing, the couple who helped us was visiting from a town not too far from where Nate and I met in Germany. Piper's face cracks me up in this picture.

We also saw Glenn Canyon damn on our way home and took a tour. Nate and I were more intrigued with the tour than the girls for sure. Charly was probably most excited about meeting this little fellow at the water fountain while we were waiting for the tour. She jumped up from excitement when she learned he was in the same grade as her AND was home schooled! What a treat to get to share stories and ask questions with like-minded families.

Where there is water.....there is love

2011-06-16T14:13:00.002-05:00

Flipping through all of our vacation photos I saw a pattern. Whenever there seemed to be water around, the girls were very affectionate with each other...perhaps we should dig up the backyard and throw a fountain in it.

{The picture above was taken at Glenn Canyon Damn, the other two were taken at Temple Square in SLC, no wonder there was so much love felt and given!}

Charly's BFF

2011-06-16T13:37:00.000-05:00

As an adult I understand the importance of lifelong friends, I appreciate how special it is when you meet one and I'm thrilled for Charly to have found a few at her young age. These two have known each other since Charly was practically a toddler, and they just happen to be next door neighbors to my in-laws. Charly is always telling me that Kaly is a friend she will have forever and their bond radiates when they get together.

Cousin love while in Utah, and NO not THAT kind

2011-06-16T12:02:00.001-05:00

It is a rarity to get these cute little people together for sure. So glad we decided to get some photos when he came to play at Mickey's house. Seriously how cute are these guys? Piper and Charly just eat him up, a little boy is a novelty around them, after all the only boy they are around most of the time is a grown up!

Logan is a couple of years younger but you wouldn't know it by looking at this picture. He stands a whole lot taller than our shorty Charly. He was so cute with Winnie too. He couldn't get enough of her, can't say I blame him.

Perhaps he is trying to hint to his momma that it's time for a sibling. *cough, cough* No pressure Lance and Lindee.

People always say how fun girls are, and I think so too, but would you just look at this kid! Whenever Nate and I have a son (and it WILL happen, one way or another) I envision he will be a mini version of Nate just like Logan is TOTALLY a mini version of his daddy!

It's so cute that he looks like/dresses like Lance, from his head down to his feet.

I sure wish we lived closer, I have dreams of my kids having cousins nearby that they grow up with. And yes that is a formal invite for my brother Rudy to get married and have kids, or Rochelle to get hitched as well, after HS of course...after all Rochelle is only about a year younger than me when I met Nate. Hard to believe huh?

Raise your hands if you like birds!

2011-06-16T11:13:00.000-05:00

Have I mentioned how freaking cool my father in-law is? Oh, I haven't? Well I am now. I always mention Nate's love for all things nature and it being attributed to his grandpa and almost every time I completely forget to give credit to his free loving, hippie dad! LOL And in case you didn't know, for me, calling someone a free loving, hippie is like the ULTIMATE compliment!

Larry has been volunteering at a bird rehab for the past few years which means we get a backstage pass to all the little creatures. While in Utah we took lunch to Larry while he was at a bird festival and Winnie was so cute, a local photographer {Click the word photographer to see his site} had to get a piece of her.

Nate and Larry would both cringe if I couldn't identify this bird right but I'm almost 100 percent sure it is a falcon, the fastest animal in the world!!! Oh good grief I hope I am right.

When these two get together you'd better be prepared to chat about birds, it's pretty much a passion of theirs. Me, well, I like em and all, just not as much as they do.

To Utah {Days 1-3}

2011-06-15T14:14:00.001-05:00

Forcing myself to recall details for our trip to Utah that started over a month ago is tricky, especially with a bouncy baby on my lap. I will try and hopefully what is lacking in words will make up in pictures. Seeing as how we planned on driving to Utah this time, Nate and I thought we would hit national parks and other sites along the way and make a mini vacation out of it. We are genius' for thinking of this. Our first stop along the way good ole' Clovis, NM where we got to partake of the most delicious Thai food (Saeng's Orient) we have ever had in our entire lives. To say I was excited about this part is a major understatement.

Of course this is also where Charly was born and where we spend the first couple years of her life. A lot of great and wonderful friends were made there. It was delightful to take a tour of Cannon AFB, to see what has changed and what looked exactly the same. Our old house, the hospital where Charly was born and Nate's old weather shop were all on the list of attractions.

To save money we skipped the hotels and stayed in KOA cabins instead. The first night was in a cozy little cabin with only one bed. It was a sleepless night for Nate and I but a funny story to tell after the fact. Fitting a family of five on a full sized bed is really not as easy as it may sound. Wait, that doesn't sound easy at all does it?

Somehow we made it work.

Day two of the three day journey to Utah was spent driving to Durango, CO. This KOA cabin had a better sleeping arrangement and the girls were totally stoked about getting to sleep on bunk beds! Before settling down after a long day's drive we played a game of mini golf and played in the KOA playground where of course I got some major squeezing in after having Winnie in the car all day.

Day three was my favorite! Not only did we get to go to Arches National Park, Hole in the Rock, and Moab, it was also the day we would finally be in Utah!! As we drove and made rest stops the girls explored the different nature backdrops, it was quite the treat. I know this trip brought back memories for Nate growing up and traveling these same roads as a child with his grandparents. I love standing back and watching Nate share his love of nature with the girls, something I know he is passing on from his grandpa.

Because we were traveling with Shelby (our dog) we couldn't really take the trails to the arches. We saw them from afar and stopped along the park to climb and explore.

These sweet looking binoculars may look cool but unfortunately they didn't split into two separate pairs.

Sharing after being in the car for three days is not so easy. You can actually see Charly pouting in the picture where Piper has them. Poor girls, they really did do great for having no form of electronic entertainment during the whole trip. Nate and I figured we would go old school this time, after all that is what, we agreed, made our childhood vacations so memorable.

Charly and Piper both really loved this particular stop( below) we made in Arches where the could climb to their heart's delight. Luckily Piper was being super careful this day. They also forgot that just thirty minutes prior they were arguing. It's really hard to stay mad at your sister with all the beauty of nature surrounding you.

This certainly was a great rest stop, even Winnie seemed to enjoy the joys of being a baby, nursing high atop a rock. There is something about nursing my children in the wide open spaces of nature that makes this gal think.

It certainly is one of my life's joys. I love it!

I think we may have forgotten something....

2011-06-15T11:33:00.000-05:00

As I sit here thinking where on earth am I even going to get started on catching up the blog I came across this picture of the girls with Grandma and Grandpa Orr. I literally sat here looking at this picture for about ten minutes just trying to soak up all the love that exudes from it. It's hard to put into words the time that was had while we ~~vacationed~~ went home to Utah. Without saying much more, I just wanted to post this picture that says 1,000 words. I'm sure I speak for all of my family when I say this photo embodies the emotions surrounding our trip.

It was simply wonderful!

I AM a firework!

2011-05-22T20:27:00.004-05:00

The build up this week to the marathon has been undeniably intense for me. In my mind I'm constintly going back and forth with the idea of whether or not I even want to do it due to complete lack of training. Why did I sign up for this, what was I thinking?

I'll tell you what I was thinking, I was thinking of how amazing it would feel to cross that finish line and what a personal accomplishment it would be to do it. To top it off, how freaking fantastic would it be to do it with almost zero running leading up to it this year. I already know my body is capable of doing powerful things(three un-medicated births), why not this one?

Wasn't too hard to do....or was it?

Oh also, almost forgot to mention. I would be doing it ALONE! Something came up with my mom and she wasn't able to fly out to be with Winnie so Nate opted out this race and I took one for the team. *wink* After all this was my bright idea in the first place.

Friday night I went to bed at 7:30 but in true Renee style I didn't actually fall asleep until 10:30. I was super frustrated at myself for not being able to just turn all the thoughts in my brain off. I had to be awake at 3:30 in order to catch the bus up the canyon at 5am. Why oh why was I torturing myself with thoughts of how embarrassed I would be if I couldn't do it, not to mention all the people I would let down.

Morning came and I was feeling OK and wasn't turning back, I had to at least try.

Boy that bus ride up the canyon totaling 26.2 miles was a looong one. I couldn't believe every mile more we were going and how soon I would be taking it by foot. I was fortunate to have the company of Nate's uncle to distract me from counting the distance. He was no first timer like me, in fact he thought I was a wee bit nuts for biting off a full marathon as my first race. Perhaps I should have started with a 5K.....

He learned a lot about me that day. I like a challenge. In fact I like CRAZY challenges. And when people doubt my abilities it pushes me harder to complete them.

The top of the hill had the coolest vibe, I definitely enjoyed the atmosphere. Music playing, fires in trash cans (to keep us all warm, it was in the 30's) and fit people EVERYWHERE (surely some of them were crunchy like me). I tried to keep my cool because in all honesty I was terrified they would find out my secret. Here I was about to embark on their journey with no training when surely these guys/gals had trained months, years for this event. How dare I take it so lightly.

Once the time approached to head to our places in the startling line, me waaay in the back at the 5:30 pace group, I got a little bit star struck to see the amazing dad who pushes his son along the way. I guess the Ogden Marathon really is a big deal. People were there from all over and while we waited to start it was interesting to hear their stories. And surely they thought it was a little big funny that I was there sporting my fanny pack with breast pump inside. Yes folks, I'm here for the entertainment. Not to mention I pumped in the port a potty before the race and dropped it on the floor! Yuck, but terribly funny. That had to be a first!

Let the race begin!

I couldn't believe how fast mile 1, 2 and 3 came. Every mile sign I hit felt so great and I was feeling pretty fantastic the first couple of hours. Whenever I would come to an aid station I would get butterflies in my stomach knowing I would get to grab water from encouraging volunteers and drink as I ran and then the best part, I would get to just toss it to the side like I have always seen in movies. And yes it is as fun as it looks (don't worry they cleaned it all up). In my normal life I would never do that but in my alter ego running life it got me high, LOL.

Things were sailing along pretty smoothly until about mile 8 when my pelvic bone was aching with every drop of foot. I was staying pretty positive and not letting it get in the way but towards mile 9 it was hurting even more. It was then that I decided to just take it mile by mile and not worry about getting to 26.2 but getting as far as I could without the pain taking over. My first goal was to then at least make 10 miles. Once there I made it my goal to finish a 1/2 marathon, after all I was only three miles out. It really didn't take much pushing to keep going. I knew I wasn't quitting before a half, there was just no way, I had come this far.

I was tempted to be disappointed and majorly bummed to not make the full marathon, and just as I was thinking that I saw a sign someone made on the side of the road that read "Baby you're a firework" and as cheesy as it sounds I was uplifted by those words. Nate has mentioned more than once that he thinks of me when he hears that song. In my mind it was a reminder of what I have accomplished by coming this far.

Once I hit twelve I gave it my all until I reached the halfway mark at a little over 13 miles. My regret at that moment was that I didn't sign up for the half in the first place because there was not the crowd of people or my family to see me reach this goal. I was OK though, I had done a half marathon! ( I ended where the 1/2 marathon started a few hours earlier so they shared the same finish line as the full)

You can imagine my excitement when I got on the bus with some others, some were part of the relay teams and others like myself, and find out that we all would get to go across the finish line and receive our medals. I would get to see my family cheering me on, a far cry from the countryside where I officially hit 13.1. Here I am coming down the homestretch toward the finish line. Yeah, I was pretty excited to be D.O.N.E.

My body is pretty achy today as I write this, actually it's a lot achy. Running a 1/2 marathon is indeed a wee bit challenging when you don't prepare. The weird thing though is my legs and feet feel absolutely fine and not achy at all. My hips on the other hand hurt way more than they did after birthing Winnie. How does that work? LOL

There will be a next time and I can't even imagine how much I will kill it with some preparation! I can't wait. In fact since being here in Utah Nate and I have had a lot to think about and ponder, one of which involves gaining family/friend sponsors as we run to help us adopt in the future, but that is an entirely different story that deserves its very own blog post. It always amazes me how one day's blessing can change your entire life's purpose. But really, I mustn't go on about it on this post.

Looks like we all ran huh? Poor girls were exhausted! Winnie was of course pumped to get her mama back but in all honesty I'm pretty sure she was taken care of just fine.

Who has a modern day wet-nurse that comes in the form of a great friend and runs half of a marathon with no training other than chasing three girls around? I do my friends, I do.

*Also worth noting, oranges have never tasted so good in my entire life as they did along the run. Seriously oranges trumped any type of food possible that day!

Here's to next time!

Piper or Winnie?

2011-05-04T09:32:00.000-05:00

Do you remember when Piper was a baby and she had this same look? Check out Winnie's pseudo uni brow. This cracks me up! I love her face so much, I could just eat it up!

On another note, last night Nate and I got last minute shopping done for our trip. In our purchase was a package of diapers, you know the "fake" kind. Anyhow Nate was holding Winnie last night and he says this..." Aww, poor Winnie's butt has never been in a fake diaper".

Two things are funny about this statement. One, my husband just said that and two, he is to the crunchy world point of thinking plastic diapers aren't real. LOL he quickly corrected himself saying he knows they are "real" He didn't have to say that, I knew what he meant. LOL

Wall crawlers

2011-04-29T18:42:00.002-05:00

I know probably all my readers have no idea about my middle school skating days, you know what I'm talking about....wooden floors, Boys II Men, and the infamous "make out corner", which I, BTW was never able to take part of, probably because boys were intimidated by my awesomeness...yeah Renée, thaaaat's it.

Yup, I was quite the partaker of skating rinks in my day so you can imagine the excitement I had when we got invited to a skating party at an actual rink in Paris (just when you thought I couldn't get any more fabulous).

The only thing cooler than skating is learning how to skate which, not to our surprise, Piper seemed to get the hang of pretty quickly. The girls both had their share of wall crawling and falling, still managing to have fun through the mishaps.

Nate even got to whip out his blades which haven't seen any action since we moved here. Bumpy roads and blades don't mix....actually now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure nothing mixes with blades anymore and for that matter who even calls them "blades" still?

I suppose I'll let Nate slide with this lack of coolness this one time. He is a pretty awesome baby daddy to our girls. And when I say pretty awesome I actually mean he is the best!

PS. This time around, along with skating with the girls, Nate took me to the "make-out" corner...OK, OK he didn't really, but I know it's definitely on his to-do list, it just has to be!

Oh and just for the record I am totally kidding about boys being intimidated by me as a young lady, I totally get that I was a complete dork, a little bit awkward and maybe even a tad creepy at times. It's just more fun to pretend I was this totally awesome gal when clearly I was not.

It's a good thing creepy, awkward, and dorky girls are actually exactly what Nate was looking for to mother his children. I sure lucked out on that one.

Oh and ALSO, I'm super tired right now because I thought it would be a really great idea to wake up early and watch "The Royal Wedding". Mucho mucho sarcasm comes out when I am mucho mucho tired.

The end....for real this time.

Spring is STILL here. Can you believe it?

2011-04-29T18:16:00.001-05:00

Life is what happens when you are busy planning for a trip to Utah and are super duper uper muper excited about it! So sorry I have been a fair weather blogger the past few weeks. You see, I have been over the moon about our upcoming trip that blogging has been on the back burner. You know a gal is excited when the new serger purchased a few weeks ago still sits, practically unused and dying for attention from me.

Did I mention I am excited for Utah? Oh, I did? Hmmm.

The girls are pretty stoked too, Winnie showed her enthusiasm when she rolled for the first time a couple of days ago. She hasn't done it since but I know this little sweetheart is just dying to meet her family.

Weather has been amazing here the past few weeks if you don't include the tornadoes zipping through and around our town. Usually by now the sweat is a constant companion but as you can see, long sleeves are still in season, I'm wearing a sweater even as I type.

Playing catch-up on the blog is always so hard. Throughout the day I am constantly coming up with one liners that would be perfect for my blog but, as always, they escape my mind long before I am able to write them down.

Dear diary,

Why oh why can't the

thoughts in my

head automatically

be turned into a blog post?

That would be SO cool!

Love,

Me, a momma who is desperate for an easier approach to blogging without actually "blogging"

In the meantime, you can oogle and google at our sweet little delicious, adorable and sometimes "so loud you think you need to get their hearing checked" children. *Squeal*

Oh and in case you were wondering if I was the only gal in the universe lucky enough to marry prince charming....Kate Middleton has now joined my very exclusive club.

The end.

Poll?

2011-04-29T17:08:00.002-05:00

Color or B&W? I love love love black and white but I also love the color. Such a difficult life I lead. LOL

Prom was awesome..... the third time around

2011-04-20T11:55:00.001-05:00

So lately my sister and I have become closer, which is something I have wanted for a very long time.

I'm not sure why but a couple of months ago I asked her if I could make her prom dress, you know, cause I like a challenge, and when I say challenge I actually mean sometimes I have high expectations of what I can do. Do I always meet those expectations? Of course not.

Rochelle is getting cooler and cooler especially when she is over the moon excited for a re purposed prom dress that didn't turn out any where near perfect. In fact she texted me during dinner with "Emergency", her strap had completely come off. It's a good thing safety pins are around.

What I admire most about Rochelle is the fact that she didn't let a broken strap or crooked seam ruin her night. I think about myself at her age and how there is absolutely no way I would have worn a homemade dress to prom. Rochelle was completely cool and confident regardless of her get-up. Her confidence I'm sure is inspiring to those around her. I hope she goes through life not caring what people say behind her back and having a thick skin.

Look at how adorable she is sporting her false lashes and made for her prom dress. ( I also made her little clutch, which fell apart at the seams as well...either she is really rough with her clothes or I need to start making double seams on the things I sew.)

Rochelle looked radiant and I was so honored to get to drive them around for the night. First stop Bravo's. Her date David was adorable and I really liked him a lot. In fact he is my first choice for future brother in law. He was funny, charming and most importantly he was a gentleman with Rochelle.

I'm thinking for next year's prom I won't volunteer to make her dress but I will definitely want to be a part of the experience with her, it was a blast and such an honor that she thinks I'm cool enough to share her stage. I love you Rochelle!

This is huge

2011-04-20T11:27:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you need an experience to make you feel like you are part of something big. Something really big.

Nate has been planning a trip to the air expo at Carswell in Ft. Worth since he found out about it a couple of drills ago. I'm always a little reluctant to do day trips that are a couple of hours away because of the preparation for just one days worth of fun but as soon as we arrived I felt a lump in my throat and was full of pride. I guess because the girls and I aren't involved in base activities as much as we were, say in Utah, that I forget how awesome it is to be a part of a military family. In Utah while Nate was in the Reserves we were constantly reminded of military because it was all around us with the base right down the street.

I forgot about the pride you feel to have a spouse wearing the Blues/BDU's, even if it is on a part time basis. I felt a little sick that we gave this lifestyle up full time, but then I remembered how awesome it is to have my husband home at night to tuck the girls in and how unbearable it would be for him to be gone for months.

Every once in a while I forget the blessings that we have from getting out of the military full time, while most of the time we could certainly use the extra money the military would bring, we are far more blessed from the family time we have than money could ever buy. I feel lucky to know that.

Besides seeing an amazing display of static planes, talking to a real life pilot (Charly was very excited about that part) and feelings of patriotism we all got sunkissed after a long day in the sun on the runway. But really, I ask you, what is an airshow without a little sunburned noses?

Winnie spent the day sleeping in the sling or cruising in the stroller, I still don't get how her little nose managed to get sunburned with a giant bonnet covering her face.

So while this was one of those lifetime moments where Nate and I both wonder if we made the right choice by getting out of the military, I am quickly brought out of my haze and remember the little moments that make it all worth while.

But seriously my friends, if you have never been to an air show, I would suggest you put it on your bucket list. There is no other way to get the "proud to be an American" feeling, at least not in my opinion. I am so proud of my Airman and every one else serving our country, it is quite the honorable position!

Sherlock Holmes dance

2011-04-02T21:59:00.016-05:00

Sherlock Holmes epic dance!

Check out the link above for my home video of the coolest dance ever from the play tonight. ....yep I felt pretty ridiculous holding the giant iPad up to get this. Eh, the things moms do right? LOL

Also here is a link of a video I found on my iPad from the other day while I was sewing. While I was in the same room I must have completely tuned them out because I had no idea they were recording this. I think it's so cute how Piper is saying exactly what Charly says.

Cutest Sisters

So I think I may officially be addicted to iPad videos, hooray for finally figuring out how to load them on youtube!

Charly in "Sherlock Holmes and the Grimm Imbroglio"

2011-04-02T12:14:00.000-05:00

It's pretty awesome being in your first play, especially all the time you have backstage waiting for the moment you get to speak your lines. It certainly helps to snuggle up on a cozy chair and read a book...actually that only lasted a few minutes, but it made for a great picture anyways.

Charly played Ingrid, alongside Hansel, Gretel, and Dietrich. While she had a few speaking parts I think her favorite, and mine too, was the dancing scene where Charly is front and center (below). Her belly dancing lessons really payed off as she twirled and whirled around Sherlock while he put the puzzle together.

I am still amazed at the work the director put into this play in such a short amount of time. It was cute, funny and very entertaining for all of us. Charly loved it too! We are all a little sad that tonight is closing night but to be honest, I can't wait to hear what Miss Lisa has in store for the next play.

PS I got to make the skirts for Ingrid and Gretel as well as altering a few coats for other characters (see above). I had to squeal a little when Lisa asked me to help in the area. "Who, Moi?"..."You want ME to help sew?" LOL, it is exciting to be in the position to help, seven years ago all I was sewing was strait lined curtains. Now if only I could get there with piano, LOL.

Duh, WINNIE!

2011-03-26T20:25:00.000-05:00

I would like To thank Charlie Sheen for giving me the inspiration for our new catch phrase for Winnie.

He bought them red corvettes, yup pretty spolied

2011-03-23T18:02:00.000-05:00

You know those grandpas you see at Dairy Queen always telling their friends the same stories about their grand kids? My dad is totally one of them. I imagine when he approaches a gathering of people they all kind of turn their head and suddenly look busy for fear of just one more episode of "Want to Know what my Granddaughters did?"

He is certainly one proud dad and grandparent (as of course they all are) but I was lucky enough to capture his love from our short trip this weekend.

We just had to visit him so he could make his famous tacos and Charly could introduce him to her dessert she makes with marshmallows, Nutella and a tortilla. She made it for Nate and I a few months ago on a holiday she called "kids work day". I'm pretty sure she just wanted to not do school that day. Eh, none the less, it was delicious enough to have three even after a belly full of beefy tacos.

If that wasn't enough fun, he also brought out two red corvettes for the girls to take home(Matchbox cars).Poor little Piper missed out on the fun, she stayed back at Grandmama's due to a fever and not feeling well.

It was hysterical to watch the sheep surround Charly for an afternoon snack.

We had a really nice time getting to reminisce while looking at old pictures while my dad made unlimited supplies of sweets. I do love my sweets. We usually meet my dad at a restaurant when we come to town but this was so much fun we will probably ditch the China Bowl for home cooked tacos next time.

Germany isn't THAT cool

2011-03-23T17:38:00.000-05:00

So this past weekend the girls and I headed for a very short trip down to SA while Nate went to Ft. Worth for guard duty. Rudy has been in the talks of moving to Germany with a gal he recently met (Lacey) but I was dragging my feet wondering if he would even go. I decided last week that we would surprise both him and my mom for their birthdays and his going away.

We showed up Friday night at my mom's door, girls and my kitchen aid in hand. She was super excited and totally surprised, I love doing that!

Since Rudy and my mom's birthday are only a day apart we always have a cake for them to share, only this year I got to make them one. Yup, that's fondant! The inside was delicious homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. You would never know it was so good because even with Rudy's friends there to share with we were still left with half a cake.

It was too sweet, blah blah blah!

Suck it up, I say...and eat the darn cake. LOL I'm a little confused as to why there are some people who don't like sweets, I mean seriously I'm starting to think something is wrong with me for liking them too much. In my own little version of heaven I will be forever eating sweets with no ill effects to my health....my mom will be there too, eating her bottomless jar of cream cheese frosting.

Before the cake and gift exchange, which I will get back to in a bit, we of course had to get some photos of us as natural as we get. I still don't know why Rudy would want to leave this behind. Seriously, look how cool we are!

I'm sure one glimpse at the photo I gave him (a blown up picture of him when he was three ,relieving himself in a beautiful field of flowers) will send him into shock and make him realize he is too darn far from his awesome sisters.

Yes, friends are super awesome and all (Danny and Lacey below) but really, I ask, would they EVER think to give you such a cool gift? That's a big fat negative.

Rudy will also be leaving behind his uber cool nieces and mom (Piper not pictured, she was sick....and Winnie, well she can't vogue yet ya know)

Despite our greatest efforts to get him to stay, he is on a plane as I ~~speak~~ type probably embarking on an adventure of a lifetime...having fun and eating really great food to say the least. But Rudy, as a former occupant of Germany I can assure you nothing is cooler than this family you got. Really!

Soon enough you will get tired of that gorgeous scenery, unlimited speed zones, great schnitzel, kids at the bar, that whole foreign language thing etc.

Or maybe not.

In all seriousness(cause I was totally using sarcasm, in case you aren't cool enough to get it) I really hope Rudy has a blast and nurtures his relationships, gets married, has kids (in that order too) and all that good stuff.

I am approaching 30 and it would be pretty cool to see him settle down with a nice girl before Nate and I have our forth child. There you go Rudy, a deadline for you to get married. And you better meet it or you never know what kind of blown up naked baby pictures you will get on your next birthday.

Dang, I'm feeling feisty!

The End

Whitney Part 2

2011-03-16T13:25:00.001-05:00

I almost forgot to mention that while shooting in front of the amazing red door we saw a lady walking her dog and asked if we could borrow the dog for some shots. Poor dog was pretty scared, I guess it was just picked up from the kennel, we got a great shot of Whitney anyways. I'm pretty sure this goes more along the lines of "cute" rather than "edgy" though. LOL

Cookies on the runway

2011-03-15T16:59:00.000-05:00

I have a dad who sends Charly, Piper and Winnie Nutella and matchbox planes in the mail.

I have girls who play with these airplanes. Only, in their imagination, the planes can talk and are people who fly off a runway made from a skateboard. Naturally.

I also have a scrumptious daughter who, while even though it is spring, will wear snow boots. I guess you never do know when a snow storm will strike in these parts.

Whitney preview...

2011-03-15T12:19:00.006-05:00

A year has gone by since I last got to shoot Whitney for her junior recital. I was thrilled to get to do it again this year, editing is a piece of cake when you have so many great shots to choose from. She is always so fun to work with and so photogenic! Here are a few from her session.

This one is my favorite!

Three months!

2011-03-11T11:41:00.000-06:00

...And oh so adorable! We are more in love with her sweet smelling self every day that passes. Ah, the joys of having a baby around to squeeze and smell and kiss and squeeze and smell and kiss...did I mention squeezing and smelling and kissing?

Mar. 1st is the new Feb. 29th

2011-03-08T15:16:00.001-06:00

It's so hard to believe it has already been seven years since becoming a mom to this most wonderful little girl. I was looking through her baby things the other day and came across her birth stories one written by our doula Angie and the other from my perspective, thought it would be fun to share marking this special occasion.

(As I read through Charly's birth story I felt myself on the verge of getting discouraged at the intervention that took place at her birth but then I remembered how wonderful her birth has always been in my mind, probably not because of what did or didn't happen at the hospital but because it was her birth that transformed me into a mother. We may not have known what we know now about birth but we did know that we would love her unconditionally and eternally and for that I am so thankful. I can't believe it has been seven years since that amazing day. )

Check out this flashback from when we first moved into our house nearly two years ago.

Happy unofficial 7th birthday to Charly Ava!

From our lovely Doula Angie's perspective(Below)

Renee labored in the bathtub on all fours while Nathan hovered over her protectively. As I walked in at 8pm on February 28th, I was pleased to see than she had instinctively gotten into this classic laboring position. Getting through the contractions took all of her concentration and self-control.

We places a hot water bottle on Renee's back and gently caressed and soothed her with warm water. Nathan remained in the bathtub as well, reluctant to leave Renee's side for even one second. Soon Laura arrived and Renee relaxed with her presence, visibly giving into labor she had still tried to deny. She labored this way quite awhile, eventually feeling what she described as a "pop" during one of the contractions. So, Nathan and Renee decided to venture to the hospital, ten minutes away.

He helped her shower while Laura and I found clothes for Renee to wear. As we dressed her, we paused frequently to help her through the contractions. At this point, we determined that her membranes had indeed ruptured. Eventually, we made it to the car. I drove while Nathan and Renee huddled in the back.

I stopped as close to the ER entrance as possible and ran inside to get a wheelchair. Nathan helped Renee form the car and into the chair. Then, I rushed her inside while he hurried to park. He entered the hospital, laden down with bags, ready to continue his amazing support.

Renee settled into the labor room around 9:50 pm and the nurse determined that she was dilated to four or five centimeters.Renee labored for awhile and then Dr. Moore entered with some disheartening news: The baby's heart rate decelerated with every contraction and didn't return to normal quickly enough. He inserted an internal monitor and also did an amnio-infusion. It appeared that Renee was a little dehydrated from her long day, so the nurse started an IV. Soon, Charly's heartbeat steadied and Renee continued with her labor. Nathan, Laura and I surrounded her bed, encouraging and massaging her through the intense pains. At 11:02, Renee achieved eight centimeters and was allowed out of the bed to go to the bathroom. In the process, she requested a shower and the nurse agreed. For the next 45 minutes, Renee sat on the birthing ball in the shower while Nathan sprayed her with the water and we encouraged and supported her through transition. By 11:45, she felt the intense urge to push and returned to bed to complete the final stage of labor.

Nathan sat behind Renee on the bed, holding her. They were a beautiful sight, working together to bring their child into the world. Renee pushed beautifully, especially for a first time mom. Her fear of pushing for three hours proved to be unfounded as she delivered Charly Ava at 12:04 am on February 29th, after only fourteen minutes! Shortly after the delivery, Renee said "That's it? I did it? That's all there is? It's over?"

Renee and Nathan~ The love and affection that exists between you touched everyone present. Your incredible joy and delight in your precious daughter was evident from the moment Charly entered your world. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this beautiful event!

{And from mine}

Nathan and I planned on taking a walk when we arrived back from his work. He had been working on something dealing with the equipment while I was walking the stairs outside his office trying to get labor started. When we got home it was around 7pm and we were getting the leash ready for Shelby. Throughout the day I was having contractions, which I thought nothing of because they were only tolerable but sort of all over the place as far as the time was concerned, ranging from three minutes apart to eight minutes apart. Before we left for our walk I decided to call Angie to give her an update on how I was feeling. She wasn't home when I called so I left a cheery message on her machine and went on my way, not before calling my mom though.

As we headed on down the street about 25 yards I felt a slightly more painful contraction and continued to walk. As we continued to walk I said to Nathan that I was going to keep breathing through this and keep walking, still thinking nothing of it. We must not have gotten a full blocks length away from the house when it hit me that I was having actual labor pains. We quickly walked back to the house, and from one minute to the next it seemed to come on more intensely. I had no time to process this and in a way I was short of shocked that it happened so fast. I immediately called Angie, at which point I could barely talk through a contraction. She was in Portales and said it would be 30-45 minutes before she could arrive. My mom, who was alsoa very short distance away received a phone call, during which I started crying. I had not yet figured out how to breathe and control the pain. While I was making calls Nate started a hot bath at my request. I leaned on him through the hallway and made it to the bathtub between 7:30 and 8pm. Nate helped me slip into my swim suit and led me to the bath. Immediately I got on my hands and knees and leaned forward as each contraction came on.

At this point Nathan was in the bath with me, my mom and Angie were only minutes away. While I labored at home, and after my other support arrived I kept saying to Nathan and my mom "Call your mom, call, your dad, my dad and Sally, let them know we're in labor." I was still in denial because I was asking them if they were sure I was in labor. I thought maybe I was just not handling the Braxton Hicks well. Of course they insisted that indeed I was.Through my contractions all three of them were rubbing me and putting warm bottles on my back. As the contractions got more intense my mind seemed to be focusing more on the bath water than what was happening around me. Nathan was really concerned about getting me to the hospital very soon, trying to avoid an unpleasant ride for me. Angie and my mom agreed, he was right. By this point I had lost my inhibition. I stripped off my suit as my mom and Angie got me some clothes. Nathan, I think, was calling the L&D to let them know I was coming. He was rushing around the house getting things together. I began to feel the urge to throw up so I threw the toilet seat open and made a sloppy mess all over it . As my mom was putting my socks on I sat on the toilet and another strong contraction came on, only this time I felt a warm rush of water run down my legs. All I could say and think about was how gross I felt and how everyone at the hospital was going to see my wet pants and think I peed myself. Angie and my mom insisted I not change and that no one would notice. This leaking sensation occurred through the next five or so contractions.

As Nate predicted the car ride was very unpleasant for me. A towel was placed in the back seat before we sat down. Angie was driving and I remember Nathan asking her if she knew how to drive standard. She replied "This is what I learned on." Nathan began breathing very close to my ears. It was pouring rain and it seemed like Angie was driving very fast, I felt as though my mom, who was behind us, was going to loose us. I kept asking if my mom was still there.

Earlier that day Nathan and I had eaten at The Cotton Patch, where he had catfish and I had chicken fried steak. All I could smell was fish on his breath, which is my least favorite food.

We arrived at the hospital and I was placed in a wheel chair and taken to the admitting desk. I could have been signing my life away for all I knew, I just wanted to sign the papers and get to the L&D. It seemed like there were so many people in the waiting room, I can only imagine what they saw. Before we got through the first set of doors a contraction came on at which point I put my hand up, signaling a stop. That didn't work so I started to drag my foot on the floor and concentrated my hardest to get through this one. Making our way through the L&D to the labor room was a blur to me. Vaguely I remember a nurse running into the the room asking if I wanted anything for the pain, simultaneously my mom and Angie replied sternly that I didn't want anything. At this point I was a bit discouraged finding out that after this work I was only five centimeters dilated. I was convinced I should be at least and 8. The next thing I remember was laying on my right side with Angie in my face. Three hours into my active labor and I wanted an epidural. I will never forget her look when I said that. She replied with the idea of waiting 20 minutes and then see how I felt (it's a wonderful thing she said that). Pain medicine was never brought up again on mine or anyone else' part, for the exception of Dr. Moore asking if I needed an epidural. He got the same stern reply the nurse got earlier, a head shake from me and a "no" from my mom and Angie.

All of the sudden a rush of people burst into the room saying the baby's heartbeat wasn't stabilizing with the contractions like it should be and that I was dehydrated. Dr. Moore had an IFM and some other weird thing that was supposed to keep fluid around the baby. It was very vague to me. I was saying how I didn't want that in me and I didn't need an IV. After ten seconds of me fighting it Dr. Moore was placing the Internal Fetal Monitor in me and the other gadget as well . I felt none of that. The pain of my contractions were much more mind involving. I was then on my left side looking into the space of the room when I noticed a nurse getting the IV on my hands, I closed my eyes as it went in. To my surprise it wasn't noticeable due to the back/thigh pains I was having.

At this point I was unaware of my surroundings completely. All the movement going on beside my bed was like a blurred vision. I have snap shots of memories. After being at the hospital for an hour and a half I made my way to the shower where I got on the birthing ball and was completely naked without caring. I do however remember seeing my mom taking pictures and wondering if she knew I was naked. Nathan was so calm throughout this as he stepped into the shower still wearing his shoes and jeans. The shower head was in his hands and he was moving it from my chest to my back as I gestured with my head where to go. Mom and Angie were standing by the shower as well. The next thing I know, Nathan is in shorts, I don't remember him leaving to make the change. My contractions were now intense back pains that spread down my hips into my thighs and were coming one on top of the other. As the peak was creeping on I would lean back into the shower and roll my hips forward on the ball as they held it in place. Thirty minutes into the shower I felt the urge to push, it felt just as they described it in the class we took at the hospital. In my mind I thought I had to make a bowel movement really bad. I kept saying I need to push really bad and that I was pushing. There was more rushing around me as I got out of the shower as they prepared for the delivery. As I was in the shower a nurse came and checked my cervix, I was at 10. I kept insisting that I was still probably going to push for three hours, when everyone kept assuring me I was almost there. Another contraction came on and I leaned on the person nearest me, which happened to be a nurse, to help ease the pressure. I just wanted them to let me get on the bed so I could push. I even shooed someone off me who was trying to get my robe on. Quickly someone asked Nathan if he wanted to sit behind me, I shook my head yes as he got behind me to hold me. I was very much comforted by this. Through the next moments I was getting directions on how to push and when to push. Every other push I gave, I yelped and lost control of my concentration, I was probably heard throughout the halls. At one point I have a mental snap shot of my mom, nurse, Dr. and Angie telling me to gain control and not to push because I was doing really good and was almost there. Just minutes before midnight I looked at the clock and heard someone say this was going to be a leap year baby. I was excited after that, and as I felt her head falling through me I came to a realization that I was really almost done. This gave me a slight burst of energy to push harder next time. I was very much in uncontrollable pain through this as well.

Through my pushed it seemed as though her head should be out, at least it felt like it needed to be. A feeling of happiness came to my mind and I smiled when Dr. Moore said that our baby had a head of hair on her head. I couldn't hold my thighs, my hands were on them, but Nathan was holding them back for me. A burning sensation came in between my legs and I realized that the head was almost out. Having the urge to push I was halted by the nurse and Dr. so I wouldn't tear. I could not believe they were telling me not to push. It took me a couple of seconds to stop screaming and start panting so I wouldn't tear and avoid an episiotomy . I could feel her head move slightly in and out of me as I panted. Finally, her head along with her right arm slipped out and within a millisecond so did the rest of her body. From my point of view it looked like she was pulled out. Mom cried out, "It's a girl" and I cried and saw Nathan's face clearly, finally. The contractions and all the pains were completely gone. I got a rush of happiness. I was in awe that that was it, and I was done. "I did it", I recall saying "Is that it?, I'm done? That wasn't bad" . From that moment on everything in my mind is clear. I had pushed for only fourteen minutes, because I knew exactly where to push. All of that talk of pushing like your pooping really paid off. (LOL)

Nathan and I had the most glorious birth experience I could have wished for. I could have never experienced this natural childbirth had it not been for my wonderful, supportive coaches, but most of all, the love and nurturing from my husband. Becoming a parent with him is the most rewarding experience I have ever had and as I watch him with Charly all I can think about is how lucky I am to have married him and how lucky Charly is to have him as a dad. But most of all I think of how lucky we are to have such a blessing in our lives as beautiful and rewarding as Charly Ava.

Do I stink?

2011-03-01T12:17:00.000-06:00

So as many of you may know our quest to find/make the perfect non-toxic deodorant has been an ongoing effort for a few years now. I usually wear nothing and hope no one notices and occasionally I will wear it to church when I remember. I was super eager to try out this recipe to see how it works. The reasons it would work sound pretty convincing right?

I whipped up a batch this morning, took all of two minutes, and placed it in an actual deodorant container. After letting it harden in the fridge I put it on and three hours later there is not one single hint of even a little BO. I'm pretty excited about this concoction....especially if it works! Anyhow I thought I would share, I know there has to be at least one of my readers who would benefit from this very simple recipe. BTW I didn't add any essential oils to mine and I halved the recipe which when done was enough for two sticks. Happy smelling!

CLICK HERE TO SMELL YUMMY!

Bead mania!

2011-02-27T17:14:00.000-06:00

I wasn't expecting it, I really wasn't. All I did was turn my back while making a snack for the girls. I was literally three feet away and eyes turned for a couple of minutes. I should have known this would happen, it is inevitable that Piper will strike at any time towards Winnie without warning.

This time it was with colorful beads and a beautiful baby with marker on it's face, next time it may be something even crazier...like perhaps underwear on her head. Eh, had to get the camera in between my laughter for proof of this undeniable love.

Mardi Gras

2011-02-27T15:57:00.001-06:00

It's nearly three on Sunday afternoon, the girls are playing behind me with "their treasure" (beads from Mardi Gras), Winnie is sleeping in her usual place (in the sling) and I am reflecting back on the last 30 hours and what a whirlwind it was.

Saturday morning I woke two very excited girls up at 5am to get on the road to Shreveport, LA for a Mardi Gras celebration where we would be meeting up with my mom, Kristy and Rochelle who were driving up from SA.

Upon arrival, after three straight hours in the car, my mom dressed the girls while Winnie and I took a much needed nap until everyone was ready to head out to the parade route.

I guess this Mardi Gras thing is kind of big in Shreveport because there were loads and loads of people staking out their spots beginning early that morning. Lucky for us we didn't need to show up to our plot until around noon where a yummy filling lunch was provided by Kristy's family.

While it is always fun letting the girls play it was overwhelming for me to constantly have an eye on them in a sea of people everywhere. Despite the busy atmosphere there are always moments with my girls that make it all worth while.

Like these....

I guess Piper has added skateboarding tricks to her "to-do" list. A little boy there was flipping the board in front of her and that's all it took for Piper to want to do it herself.

We got to the route about 5 hours before the actual parade started so there was a lot of sitting around, along with even more running around. Charly lit up when yet another birthday cake came her way with candles on it, seven to be exact!

Forty floats later and a gigantic bag of beads in tow we headed back home this morning, nearly 20 hours after arriving.

I'm not trying to brag or anything but despite getting back home at 8am we managed to shower, dress and eat breakfast all before we had to leave at nine for church. Yes, all four of us, minus Nate (serving guard duty this weekend), it was a proud mommy moment in my tired fog. LOL

While this weekend trip was almost a blur and we are very tired as a result, I am happy with the cheerful attitudes we are all trying very hard to keep up. The girls had fun and at the end of the day that is what really matters.

PS...Patti, this is for you ;)
Below: two tired girls after a couple of hours of church in shirts of mine I turned into dresses just for the occasion. It is a quick and easy trick taking very little time, what a great use for shirts that are too small for me. Click here for the tutorial

Here is the link for the fondant I made for Charly's cake. This one is definitely going in my recipe book for later, I will NEVER frost a cake again.

Sunkissed!

2011-02-23T22:29:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday when we were enjoying the sunshine in the park for Charly's birthday Winnie was sleeping away in arms of love. February sun crept up on all of us and none of us, I think, were expecting to get pink....but Winnie did. Her first sun kiss. So naturally momma had to make her a couple of bonnets to protect her in the future.

Our sweet little Winnie in a bonnet may just be my new favorite thing....especially when she is splashed in loads of colors!

Piper really wanted Winnie to hold a stick in her picture, but couldn't quite get her to grab it. She settled for it resting on her belly. LOL

Charly is continuing to prove her awesomeness to me with her skateboard. Nate is teaching her a couple of tricks and she is catching on quickly. It probably helps that she has some super shiny, confidence building shoes from her Grandma and Grandpa in Utah...those babies really skate well!