The Burp Cloth

2011-06-30T21:06:00.000-05:00

Just saving a spot for June...check back in a few days!

"gymnasticker"

2011-05-21T09:06:00.002-05:00

My best girl...the gymnast. Or, as she calls herself, a "gymnasticker." After working hard all year, she finally got the chance to show off her skills at her school's recital. First, a walk across the balance beam. Except Kate didn't just walk. She spun in circles all the way to the end. I probably shouldn't mention that she was the only kiddo to spice it up. Nah, I won't mention that.

Then there was this funky move:

For the grand finale, Kate caught a ball behind her back. Wow! That's a BIG DEAL! She was so proud of herself!

At the end of the program, she was awarded a medal (which she loves) and was given a bouquet of roses by her adoring fans. We're so proud of our girl!

to God's ears...

2011-05-20T07:48:00.004-05:00

Kate's bedtime prayer (I've memorized it as it's pretty much the same every night):

Thank you, Jesus, for this beautiful day. Thank you for everything you've given to us. Please help us have good dreams and no bad dreams. Help us always be together. Help all the children with no mommies or daddies. Help all the children with no shoes and all the naked jaybirds with no clothes. Help all the mommies and daddies to not punish their kids. Help the mean guys know you're real. Thank you for my American Girl doll. In Jesus' name, Amen.

funny girl

2011-05-13T14:58:00.004-05:00

One of our favorite traditions each Easter is our "Bunny Cake." The kids help divide the pastel M&Ms and eat as many as they can while my back is turned. I should have known better than to mess with a good thing, but Kate and I decided to shake things up this year and make a "Butterfly Cake" instead. One round cake, cut in half, and then two small triangles cut out of each half-circle. Easy Schmeasy. Except that it wasn't. It was awful. The whole thing fell apart before we even got started. Still, it made for a fun (albeit messy) Sunday in the kitchen. And, it led to this conversation with Kate:

Kate: I think this cake will be perfect for Easter.
Me: Really? Why?
Kate: Because they beat up Jesus and he died on the cross, and this cake looks like somebody killed it.

She was right. So, we resorted to the tried and true "Bunny Cake" and Easter Sunday dinner was saved.

Lesson learned.

sorry, baby...

2011-05-13T14:54:00.003-05:00

Sweet Benjamin, you know I love you, and I'm hoping that you don't hold this particular photo against me in the next few years. For the record, I did not purposefully style your hair this way. Just an unfortunate gust of wind, I guess. Still, your umpa lumpa self is pretty cute. Love you!

a little more Easter

2011-05-13T14:52:00.000-05:00

an interruption: The Royal Wedding

2011-04-30T21:16:00.006-05:00

I have many more Easter pics and tales to share, but the royal nuptials between Kate Middleton and Prince William took place yesterday at the early, early hour of 6 a.m., and I wanted to be sure to record it here on the Burp Cloth.
Kate and I decided to wake up and watch the wedding together. I'm so glad we did. We snuggled and commented on all the pretty dresses and strange hats. Kate loved the princess's gown, as did I. I love that our tastes in fashion are so similar. Hoping it stays that way for a good long time. Here's just a few conversations with Kate that made yesterday morning so special:

My Kate Elizabeth as William's Kate Elizabeth stepped out of the car: "Today is a big day for her AND a big day for me."
Me: Why is it a big day for you?
Kate: Trike-a-thon.

Upon William and Harry's arrival:
Kate: Who are they?
Me: That's Prince William and Prince Harry. Prince William is getting married today.
Kate: There are only TWO princes????
Me: Yep.
Kate: I sure do hope there's a prince left when I get married.

It was a sweet morning...one I'm hoping she'll remember when she's all grown up.

here comes peter cottontail...

2011-04-30T21:00:00.002-05:00

When did Easter get so busy? I'm accustomed to the craziness that comes with Christmas, but the busyness of this Easter season took me by surprise. It was all wonderful--egg hunts, bunny cake, another egg hunt, Easter parties, dying eggs, Easter baskets, and, of course, Easter Sunday. Every bit of it was fun and good and wonderful. But I need to be careful lest I allow my calendar full of activities to distract me from the enormity of Christ's resurrection. My Savior died in my place, and He rose again. He loves me. Simple words, profound truth.
And it was fun. Kate and Sam both enjoyed Easter egg hunts at church and at school. Sam - for reasons yet to be understood - completely freaked out at his first egg hunt. He started off with a strong sprint but nearly collapsed in tears just moments later. We're guessing that he felt a bit overwhelmed by all the hoopla. After all, his 3 year old self was expecting a "hunt," not an all out stampede.
His second attempt was much less traumatic. He was thrilled to find each egg, and even more thrilled to show it off to me. Check out his basket. Better yet, check out his face. He was so stinkin' proud of himself, and that made two of us.
Look at my Kate. Running. Running and not falling. This is somewhat a big deal. You all know that I adore my girl. Adore her. So thankful for her. She's my best girl. And that's why I can say that my sweet Kate is not especially known for her grace. She's prone to falling off of chairs and tripping on invisible objects. But nothing held her back on this day. She took off with every bit of excitement her little self could contain. And she racked up :)

The Other Kind of March Madness

2011-03-31T21:28:00.002-05:00

No, Blogger is not mysteriously deleting all of my posts. I'm cheating! Truth is, I haven't had the kind of time I'm craving to really sit down and recap all the happenings inside this busy home of ours. I haven't even moved the pictures from our camera to the computer. Ridiculous, I know. But, to hold me over, here's a few cute things from the kiddos:

Kate's adorable mispronunciations are few and far between these days, but I'm noticing that she still has a hard time with "ambulance," which she pronounces as "aliens." Weird, yes, but cute nevertheless.

Sam has developed super powers. For real. If you don't believe me, just ask him. Super power #1 - the ability to find things. His favorite books lately are the "Look and Find" type (think "Where's Waldo"). Ask him, say, to find the alligator on a certain page. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out his invisible super power, throws it onto the page, and BAM! There's the alligator. Super power #2 - his "seeing eyes." According to Sam, he sees the whole world right outside his bedroom window.

Benjamin has taken to streaking, as in the naked-as-a-jaybird crawling all throughout the house. He loves it.

Kate this morning: Mommy, you remember my first day at preschool? Remember that I was scared and you weren't? Now that I'm going to Kindergarten, you're scared and I'm not. (So true!)

More to come...promise.

to benjamin on his 1st birthday

2011-01-30T22:26:00.004-05:00

My baby boy is one today, and I’m putting off all the things that are pulling me in a thousand different directions to just sit down, quiet myself, and be thankful for this beautiful blessing God has given me, my Benjamin. And he is beautiful. It’s not just that handsome face of his; it’s his personality, his manner, his slow grin, his happy eyes. I adore this boy, and I want him to know it. So, here’s my open letter to Benjamin Cole on his 1^st birthday:

Sweet Benjamin,

Happy birthday, love. You have been with me now for one year—just one year—and yet, I can barely remember my life before you. Isn’t that funny? I lived 31 years before laying eyes on you, and now I can’t imagine lasting even one day without you.

You are so loved, Benjamin, and you love so sweetly in return. Your sweet smiles and tender hugs—they make the worst of days the best. You love to play and to rough house…to be treated just like the big kids. But don’t be in too much of hurry, sweet boy. Take your time in growing up. Let your mommy love on you, fuss over you, sugar and hug you. All too soon you’ll be a big boy running out my front door.

I pray for you each night, baby. I pray that God will grow you into a man of integrity and godly character. I pray that you will love Him authentically and radically—that you will know Him. And I pray for grace—not only for you, but also for me, because I know I will let you down. I won’t always be the mom you need me to be. I will sometimes let selfishness get in the way of loving you the way you ought to be loved. I will sometimes let a bad day determine the way I talk to you. I will sometimes neglect the eternal things for the sake of the temporal. I won’t always understand what you need, and I will inevitably embarrass you from time to time. It breaks my heart to think of it, but I will disappoint you.

So when those times come, I pray that God will cover my shortcomings with His steadfast grace. I pray that He will love you and speak to you with understanding, compassion, and truth. I pray that He will open your eyes to the eternal. I pray that He will encourage you and build you up. And He will, love. You just watch.

You are a blessing, Benjamin—God’s very special gift to me—and I’m so, so very thankful for you. You bring even more joy and more laughter into this home of ours. Happy birthday, sweet boy. I love you forever.

christmas 2010

2010-12-31T22:11:00.009-05:00

So, this particular Christmas post is a work in progress. I'm just now including a picture, and it's...um...May 14th. Oh geez. It seems even worse when you actually type out the words. May 14th. Well, as always with the Burp Cloth, I'm hoping that late is better than never.

This Christmas was a big deal. The kids are getting older, and they are better able to understand the wonderment of our Savior's birth. I love hearing their questions and watching their eyes grow wide as we talk about baby Jesus and the manger. And I love to hear them sing...Sam this year was especially funny with his own rendition of "Jingle Bells."

And, it was a big deal for one more reason -- we celebrated Christmas for the very first time EVER in our home. Well, our Christmas morning was actually Christmas Eve morning, but, hey, close enough. I even had presents under our tree (this was a first). It was pure joy to watch the kids sleepily work their way downstairs, rubbing their eyes while trying to be the first to spy what Santa had left for them. Kate and Sam received a leapster and a mobigo (respectively) and Benjamin became the proud owner of a very cool pirate ship. We had cinnamon rolls and played Christmas music...it was perfect.

Then it was time to pile into the van and head north. We made it to NC in time to play with Avery and open the NBCs (pajamas, of course). I know full well that my children will very soon have very strong opinions concerning what they will and will not wear, so I had to seize the opportunity this year to do this:

I know...so cute, right? Avery wore the same PJs as Kate...it was adorable.

The next morning was wonderful, just as it always is. After all the presents were opened, Kate and Sam started an impromptu "snowball" fight by throwing wads of wrapping paper at the unsuspecting. So, just to paint a picture, we had 4 kiddos 5 and under simultaneously throwing and dodging wrapping paper wads, while Pops - trash bag in hand - tried to contain the chaos, and everyone else passed around the bowl of sausage balls. In short, it was Christmas perfection.

Just a day later - the day after Christmas - a real snowball fight ensued...

Although I was a little disappointed that we just missed a White Christmas, we were all thrilled to have snow at all. We heaped on the clothes (poor Sam could barely walk), and hurried to make fresh tracks in Nana and Pop's backyard. There were snow angles, snow cream, snow balls, and of course, a snow man:

Yes, those are the Green Lantern's shades. And if you know the boys in my family, you know that anything belonging to super hero would be perfectly befitting for a Burton-made snowman.

Christmas has always been one of my most favorite times of year. And, as a mom, it's even better. So much better :)

a mixed bag (a smodge podge of fall photos and a bit of commentary)

2010-12-31T22:10:00.005-05:00

Once again, I've totally neglected Halloween. I wish I could say it's because I'm super holy, but we all know that's not true. Yes, we Burtons allow our children to dress in costumes and partake of the neighborhood loot. Please don't judge me.

And, when your daughter is Kate B., Halloween is a complicated affair. For the last few years, we have had to accommodate several costume changes. This year was a bit more streamlined with just two: Fairy Princess and Rapunzel.

(Side note: I have since vowed to NEVER buy another dress-up wig. Not only was Rapunzel's hair impossible to manage, it wound up everywhere in my house. I'm talking on the carpet, between couch cushions, in the dryer, all tangled up in everyone's toys, etc. In a word...AWFUL!).

Sam, drum roll please......was Woody. Was there ever any doubt? Never. He certainly made for one cute cowboy...and a funny one, too. As we trick-and-treated (or tricked-and-treated?) around our neighborhood, Sam embodied Sheriff Woody and threatened each and every monster or otherwise creepy kiddo we encountered with an authoritative "Get outta here!" Kate, for one, was very much appreciative of his efforts.

At a Halloween party hosted by a preschool friend, our Woody sang a different tune. Left all alone on the swings, he reminded me of Desperado. Poor guy...

And then there was Benjamin. Brace yourselves, friends. The cuteness you're about to behold may prove too much...

Humpty Dumpty, or, a.k.a., The Cutest Halloween Costume Known to Man. If Benjamin fights the urge to puke one day as I gush over this costume, so be it. It was adorable. It may not have been comfortable, but definitely adorable. And it's not like I made him wear it all night. He and I headed in early and waited for Kate and Sam to return home with all the goods:

And here's where I find myself in a sticky situation. We allow our kids - encourage them, really - to gather up as much candy as they possibly can. And then we spend the next two weeks telling them "no" every time they ask to eat some of that candy. I don't need my UNC degrees to know that this makes no sense, and they know it. Oh, if only the fun of the hunt was enough, but, no. They really do intend to finish the job and eat ALL of the candy. Duh. Silly mom.

A few other Halloween pics that deserve to be shared:

It really must be said that Stephen's pumpkin-carving skills get better and better each year. Wish I could say the same for my roasted pumpkin seeds which are always a little hit or miss.

My apple cider, on the other hand, is pretty darn good. We'll pretend it's homemade.

I'll end on this sweet photo of my three loves. Each Halloween, I wonder what they'll want to be the next year. For now, I'm betting that Woody makes a second appearance and may even be partnered up. And for my girl, who knows? I'm sure she'll have a list of characters come October. But none with wigs. Absolutely no wigs.

giving thanks

2010-11-24T08:23:00.002-05:00

Eight years ago today, Stephen asked me to be his wife. Oh, how I love this man. He “gets” me and loves me anyway. Can you imagine that? I’m so hugely proud of him…of who he was when I was a messed up 14 year old girl, for who he is now as my husband and Kate, Sam, and Benjamin’s daddy, and for who he is still becoming. It gives me so much joy and comfort to think that I get to grow old with this man.

I’m so thankful for my husband.

Five years ago this past Monday, I was handed a devastating diagnosis—a potentially fatal heart condition that would prohibit future pregnancies. I sat weeping in the back bedroom as the doctor explained everything over the phone. Stephen held me in his arms—the crumpled mess that I was—and then, without warning or time to prepare, we walked into what has been the darkest, scariest time of our lives.

And, yet, I’m so thankful for that diagnosis. I now so clearly see God’s gentle hand in the midst of all that fear. PPCM made clear just what kind of mom I wanted—needed—to be. It caused me to hold my precious baby girl even closer, to memorize the feel of her tiny face pressed against mine and the rise and fall of her chest as she slept in my arms. It taught me the value of cherishing, guarding, and respecting the moment—the here and now that we’ve been given right here and right now. It introduced me to the fighter within me (one tough cookie, if I do say so myself). Above all else, it taught me that God loves me. He purposes everything—even the darkness— for His glory and my good.

Yes, I’m thankful for the darkness.

Three years ago this week, my beautiful Sam was born. The baby who, doctors warned, would cause my heart to grow too much. They were right about that. This sweet boy, prone to tantrums one second and fits of laughter the next, may just cause this heart of mine to burst. He is so precocious, so funny, so sensitive. Samuel is walking, talking, laughing (noisy?) proof of God’s goodness and grace.

I’m thankful for my Samuel who reminds me every day that, yes, “God heard my prayer.”

Today, Benjamin is sprouting four new teeth (four!), Kate is playing with her Barbie dolls, and Sam is scouring the kitchen for a “nack” (snack). I’m not sure, but I’m guessing that Stephen has found a comfy couch and is enjoying a well-deserved, much needed mid-morning nap. We are well. We are happy. We are blessed.

I’m so thankful for my family.

fb meets the blog

2010-11-06T20:59:00.004-05:00

Okay, I know there aren't any good excuses for going so terribly long without updating the blog. However, let me just say that it's tough to meet all of my online obligations. First there's work, then there's browsing the news, then there's hunting for bargains on craigslist, and then there's facebook. I resisted for as long as I could. I even poked fun (lovingly, of course) at my friends who were on facebook. And then, in a moment of weakness, I caved. I've been updating my status ever since. I know it's completely ridiculous, but what I can I say?
So tonight I've decided to merge my two online loves. Here's a sampling of my status updates over the last few months. Together, they pretty much sum up life here in the Burton home.

My 2 y.o. this morning: Mommy, why do we have to get out the boat?
Me: Not the boat, baby, the vote.
2 y.o. dressed himself today. He was so proud; I didn't have the heart to change anything. So....Woody and Buzz underwear have been on backwards all day long. I love it!
My almost-3-y.o just woke up in hysterics from a bad dream, and I held him until he fell back asleep. I can't remember the last time I rocked that beautiful boy to sleep, and I soaked up every tiny detail. Oh, my sweet boy. I love him too much.
Sam cut his hair, poured cereal in the middle of the living room floor, peed on the carpet upstairs, ate the baby's teething tables (harmless, btw), wrote with a marker on the kitchen wall, poured soap all over the porch, turned the trash can upside down and climbed on top of it, and threw peas at his daddy at dinner. ...All in one day. All with that adorable smile on his face. I'm in way over my head.
Just so you know, according to Poison Control of GA, a 27 lb. 2 1/2 y.o. can eat 7-10 vitamin gummies with no serious side effects. Oh my word...
Ever wonder how many silly bands it would take to stop up a toilet? We're about to find out.
‎4 y.o. noticed a woman's cleavage yesterday. I did my best to explain it and thought I did a pretty good job. But then she asked "Does she keep food in there?". I'm still laughing :)
I had to discipline my 2 y.o. for saying "no" and walking away when I asked him to hand over the book I'm reading, "The Strong-Willed Child."
This morning, Kate brings me a cereal box while I'm drinking my coffee in the living room. "What is this for?" I asked. "So you can make me some cereal, silly goose! Happy Mudder's Day!"
‎"I am especially sympathetic with the mother who is raising a toddler or two and an infant at the same time. There is no more difficult assignment on the face of the earth." Thank you, Dr. Dobson. I was starting to wonder if it was just me.
‎It’s 2 hours past bedtime and I'm sitting outside S's room listening to him pull out and play with who knows what. That boy is a mess.
I love, love, love a baby sleeping in my arms. A little sad that he's my last :(
‎4 y.o. this morning talking to her brothers: "In your area there will be thunderstorms and tornadoes."
Kate tonight at bedtime: "Soooo....whose belly did God come out of exactly?"

hey stranger

2010-11-06T20:09:00.004-05:00

It’s Saturday. My husband is in the basement gathering up all of our recyclables, my “bigguns” are speeding around on their plasma cars, and sweet Benjamin is sleeping soundly upstairs. Where does that leave me? With a moment or two to update the blog. My long-neglected, poor, pitiful blog. In all of the craziness of the last 6-9 months, two things have taken major hits—my hair color and the Burp Cloth. I intend to make amends for both this afternoon.

Why so crazy? Well, because God answers prayers. Five years ago, I pleaded with God to allow me to have more children. He answered that prayer, and I’m now stepping over kiddos. They are everywhere. Then I asked God to bless me with a part-time job—something from home—that would take some of the burden off of my husband. Again, God answered my prayer, and I soon found myself working 50+ hours a week from my kitchen table.

It’s been an adjustment, and I’m constantly—constantly—reevaluating my priorities. Not that I’m not sure what they are—or what they should be. I’ve just learned that it doesn’t take much to knock things off balance and that there are certain things I have to vigilantly protect. I’m also learning to let go of my perfectionism. It’s about time, right? I mean, c’mon, I’m not very good at being perfect. Downright lousy at it, honestly. So why not hang it up and adopt a new standard – goodenoughism. I’m pretty good at good enough.

Something else I’ve been thinking of hanging up lately is this notion of our dream home. We are blessed – no doubt about it. But it’s too easy to look around our home and focus on all the imperfections and to compare our stuff to other people’s stuff. And then I go nuts. I make lists. I plan trips to Lowes and HomeGoods. I start stalking my favorite home décor websites. And I waste colossal amounts of time. What if rather than focusing on our dream home, I focused on our dream life instead. It’s SO liberating, and it has changed my perspective from discontentment and wanting to contentment and gratitude. I am thousands of dollars away from our dream home. But, our dream life…I think we might just be living it right now. And how very, very sad for the dream life to go unnoticed while in pursuit of the dream home.

Other changes are in the works, but I’ve got maybe 5 more minutes of quiet, so this will have to suffice for now. Moving on….

9 months (and 1 week) old

2010-11-06T20:08:00.002-05:00

My baby Benjamin. Sometimes my heart actually aches when I hold him. Aches in that warm, wonderfully content kind of way. He’s turning into a little boy more and more, and I’m more than a little ashamed of myself for doing such a poor job documenting his babyhood. He’s a doll. He loves, loves, loves to eat. I mean he loves it. He eats a minimum of 7 jars of baby food a day, nurses 4 times a day, and has a snack or two thrown in, too. And as he eats, he oohs and ahhs as if he’s feasting on…I don’t know…Nan Nan’s homemade fudge or something. It’s a hoot. Even if it’s just puffs…pop one in his mouth and just wait for it. Mmmmm….ahhhh…..too funny.

He’s learning to crawl although his primary mode of transportation is rolling. No matter where I sit him down, he’ll roll and roll until he’s at my feet. Yep, looks like this one might just be a mama’s boy, and I’m just fine with that.

He eats well, sleeps well, and travels well. He’s a great baby. Handsome, too.

samsonite

2010-11-06T20:07:00.011-05:00

Not too long ago, I could watch an episode of “Super Nanny” and feel a little puffed up. I’d think, my kids certainly don’t behave like that. My kids don’t climb counter tops, pitch fits, or pull down their pants in public. No way. My kids use their manners, listen, and obey. Wow. I must be an awesome mom.

Well, I take it all back.

Sam has taught me more about humility and patience than I ever cared to learn. He’s taught me that, despite your best and most consistent efforts, kids are kids. They make mistakes, and they require careful training and lots and lots of love. Sometimes the mushy kind and sometimes the tough kind.

Sam is a beautiful boy. He’s so smart and funny. He’s got the best sense of comedic timing—it blows me away. He’s sweet, too. He brings me flowers and offers up unsolicited hugs and sugars.

But he has his moments. Right now, I’m chalking it up to his age, but he turns three at the end of the month, so I’m not sure how much longer that particular explanation will hold up. He tends to be a little opinionated and a bit strong-willed, but I know that God can mold those characteristics into powerful tools used to change this world for the better. That’s my prayer. Lord, grow this boy into a godly man who loves you, seeks you, and turns others towards you.

Now, I know you’re not going to believe any of this once you glance down at these pictures. I admit, he’s a charmer, and there’s no resisting that smile of his. You’ve been warned.

But lest we overlook his sweetness, let me just indulge in some of the things I adore about my Sam-man:

He loves Woody and Buzz. Woody most, but Buzz is a really close second.
I never have to ask Sam what he wants for breakfast, 'cause I know it's gonna be waffles. Every. Single. Morning.
Poor thing. He loves yogurt and cheese sticks. He would eat them all day every day if I let him. Not a bad choice, right? I know, but I'm supposed to restrict his dairy. So not fair!
He calls his baby brother "Benfamin" and his sister "Tate." I love it.
He calls his super heroes "hoop heroes." Again, I love it.
He knows just about all of his letters. I think this is a big deal. He's TWO!
He's convinced that his Pops is terrified of owls (long story...sorry dad!), and he revels in any and every opportunity to frighten Pops with a "Hoo hoo."
He starts many a sentence with "Actually...." Can't explain why, but it cracks me up.
Rather than the contraction "won't," Sam prefers "willn't."
I nearly forgot to include this one which would have been a small tragedy because we think it's so hilarious. Each and every time we pray and give thanks for our food, Sam concludes the prayer with an ever-enthusiastic "HALLELUJAH!" Booming voice, hands in the hair, the whole bit. This kid for sure has COG blood running through his veins.
His favorite movie is Letter Factory. His favorite color is blue. His favorite book is Curious George. His favorite Bible story is Joshua and the battle of Jericho. His favorite girl is me :)

So, despite his occasional fits and frequent mischief, this little boy holds my heart. And he always will.

No. 5

2010-11-06T20:07:00.006-05:00

I’m still struggling with Kate turning 5. It’s a little ridiculous, I know. This is what kids do, right? They outgrow their adorable clothes, they lose all of that adorable baby fat, they start throwing aside their adorable toys, they stop making those adorable mistakes in pronunciation (I haven’t heard “Hohohantas” in ages). They grow up. It breaks my heart, but I have to keep reminding myself that, so far, I’ve enjoyed every single phase with Kate. Every single one.

We enjoyed a really beautiful day for her birthday party. I wanted it to be special. I wanted it to be Kate-inspired and memorable. I think we did it! She was happy, so I’m counting it a win.

I love that Kate has an October birthday. October has always been my favorite month of the year—so much so that I sort of kind of planned to have our first baby born in October. We were hoping to really embrace fall with Kate’s birthday, so we had pumpkins for decorating, marshmallows for roasting, and a hayride for, um, riding. It was a fun, exhausting, beautiful day.

You'll have to excuse the order of the pictures. The cake and bike came at the end of the party :)

kate's worst day ever...so far

2010-10-20T14:56:00.002-05:00

Kate: Mommy, something sad happened at school today.

Me: What?

Kate: Some boy called me "Chicken Head" and he called Annagail "Pretzel Head."

Me: I'm sorry.

Kate: Yeah. It was the worst day of my life.

birthday girl

2010-10-10T21:23:00.003-05:00

That sweet baby that I held in my arms just yesterday...she turned 5 years old today. How blessed am I? How much must my God love me to give me such a precious gift? She is my delight, and I am insanely thankful for this sweet child.

Crazy Times

2010-08-31T21:09:00.002-05:00

(Disclaimer: Kelly is normally the one posting but she's been quite busy these days so she has entrusted this important task to me momentarily. Needless to say, any post with my name on it will lack the clever quips (I just used the word quip...wow) and complex sentence structure my brillant wife is known for. I am aware that I just misspelled brillant due to the amazing development of spell check. I've left it as is to further establish my point. I hope anyone reading this will graciously tolerate the comments as you enjoy the pictures.)

School Days: Kate and Sam had their first day of school last Wednesday. It was Sam's first day ever! You're in for a long ride buddy. I hope you always enjoy it as much as you do so far in this very short career of yours.

I'm trying to figure out what stands out more...how cute Sam is or how gorgeous Kelly is. OK, it's tie.

We know, we know...Kate is getting so big. Keep your comments to yourself!

summer sampler

2010-07-31T22:08:00.004-05:00

Summer Vacation: We had a great time with the Russell clan at Myrtle Beach.

This picture definitely doesn't speak for itself. Let's just say that this is one of the rare moments when Benjamin was actually content outside the room on the trip. He is adorable though huh?

We told the kids all week that we were going to take them to a carnival. It came down to the last night and it looked like we weren't going to be able to fit it in. We were in North Myrtle and were only aware of the little amusement park in Myrtle. We headed out anyway not sure where we would end up. No sooner did we leave the condo that we saw the bright lights of a ferris wheel. It was late, the kids were exhausted...but memories were made!

Kelly and Pops are suckers for "critter traps". If we are anywhere near an animal attraction of any kind you better believe we are there.

I love the simplicity found in kids. Of all the attractions on vacation, two of Kate's and Sam's favorites were the elevator and brochure stand we passed every time we stepped off it. You would think that once you go to Dixie Stampede you no longer need a brochure about it. You would think...

Yet another simple pleasure...

Proof that we actually did venture onto the beach. Despite Kelly's disproportionate fear of sharks or any kind of oceanic creature of that matter.

OK, so as I browsed the camera for pictures I came across a whole slew of photos similar to the one shown. It seems Kate has a knack for staging stuffed animals. If you're looking for someone to enhance your craigslist and ebay marketing strategy she's your girl.

baby benjamin

2010-07-31T22:07:00.005-05:00

home office

2010-07-31T22:07:00.003-05:00

beach bound 2010

2010-07-31T22:07:00.001-05:00

it's been too long!

2010-07-31T21:55:00.001-05:00

baby benjamin

2010-05-31T22:01:00.000-05:00

"dancing on stage"

2010-05-31T21:44:00.002-05:00

Kate's first dance recital was this spring. We were so proud of her! It wasn't a given that she'd actually make it on stage; she was a little nervous. So we arrived to the theater early, and she picked which seats she wanted us to sit in so she'd know exactly where we were. Sure enough, as soon as she tip-toed into the room, she looked to make sure we were there--Mommy, Daddy, Sam, Benjamin, Nanny, Pops and Nan-Nan. And we were, cheering her on. She danced beautifully!
Kate's fellow "ballawinas" were so adorable. They were flowers blooming in the springtime. Kate, of course, loves, loves, loves her costume and already has big plans for Halloween.

3 months old!

2010-05-31T21:32:00.004-05:00

Benjamin. I adore him. He is such a chunk of love. And when I say "chunk" I mean it. He's already over 17 lbs., and he's strong as an ox. He has this weird habit of holding himself stiff as a board...as if he's going down the luge. Funny, yes, but it also makes things like burping and dressing all the more challenging.
He's a great baby; he sleeps through the night and has been since 10 weeks old. His routine these days is to go to bed between 7:30 and 8:00, sleep till 6:30, nurse, and go back to sleep until 8:30-9:00ish. He's a good eater (obviously) and loves to laugh at his daddy. I'm so thankful for him!
I had to include this picture. If Sam has a love language, I'd say it's gift-giving (although, now that I think about it, he's been giving me lots of sugars lately...maybe he's bilingual.) I found Benjamin showered in Sam's brotherly love the other day. So cute.

1st trip to the ER

2010-05-31T21:07:00.002-05:00

We always figured it would be Sam who would require the first injury-related trip to the ER. In fact, I had kind of mentally prepared myself for it. Sort of. It was really a futile effort because, in the end, there's nothing to prepare you for seeing your little boy covered in blood. It's unsettling and heartbreaking and...well, I don't like it one bit.
He hit his head on the train station at the square, and blood was everywhere. The saddest part of all was that he kept begging his daddy to kiss it. He was so desperate, and he really, really believed that his daddy could make it all better. Pit.i.full.
But here's the funny part. This was our first real family-night-out since Benjamin was born. We were going to our favorite pizza place to celebrate my new job, and more specifically, my first paycheck. Now, I hadn't worked too many hours, so my paycheck was modest, just $200, but that's more bacon than this mama has brought home in nearly 4 years, so we were excited. Until Sam's unfortunate fall and the trip to the ER. A trip that cost, that's right, $200. Geez.
Of course, it was worth every penny to make sure Sam-man was okay. They were able to use glue instead of stitches...yay! And the orange popsicle made everything a little bit better.
Now a word for Sam: Listen, love. I've tried to follow doctor's orders and keep SPF 50 on your forehead and use mederma, but you'll have none of it. NONE OF IT. Imagine that.

the ballpark in spring

2010-05-31T20:51:00.004-05:00

One of my biggest worries throughout my pregnancy with Benjamin centered around Stephen's baseball schedule. The baby was due on the same week as the start of baseball which meant that Stephen would be home late every night...not good news for a mama of three recovering from a c-section. But, as it turns out, my fears were unfounded. We all loved going to the games.

I would pack up the kids' plasma cars (best toy ever) and a snack or two and spend the entire afternoon at the school. It worked out well for me...I got to sit and love on Benjamin while Kate and Sam played with the "big girls" and watched the game. The weather was beautiful, the kids loved being out of the house (a new baby tends to keep you in doors), and it was time with Dad that we would have otherwise lost. A win-win. And speaking of winning, Stephen's team did just that...a lot. It was a great season!

easter morning

2010-05-31T20:38:00.002-05:00

Two problems here: first, the pics are out of order. Secondly, the above picture is awful in terms of quality, but AWESOME in terms of expression. I can't get over Sam's face...so funny. So Easter morning was crazy busy but lots of fun, too. The Easter bunny left treats for the kids outside Nanny's front door and a mess all over her floor. Despite the mess, all were pleased with his (or is it her?) generosity. Happy Easter!

party of five

2010-05-30T21:31:00.000-05:00

easter 2010

2010-05-30T21:27:00.001-05:00

2010-05-30T21:21:00.002-05:00

Ah, the egg hunt. Lots of candy that I then had to secretly confiscate to use as bribes throughout the year for a host of unforeseen situations. Burton and me...we're quick learners.

bunny cake

2010-05-30T21:12:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite projects of the year with the kids--the bunny cake. I wish I had a picture of last year's...I think we've made a few improvements. Kate loves separating the M&Ms. Interestingly, the pink bowl always ends up a little less full than the others. Hmmm...sneaky girl.

wazzup

2010-05-30T21:00:00.000-05:00

blessed!

2010-05-30T20:55:00.002-05:00

Kate (4), Sam (2), Avery (6 mo.), and Benjamin (2 m.o.).

quintessential sam

2010-05-30T20:51:00.000-05:00

pj day, 2010

2010-05-30T20:44:00.003-05:00

Sweet Kate...I love that girl. Love her heart, she is such a homebody. She would be perfectly content to spend the whole day in her pajamas just coloring, playing with princesses, and watching Arthur. Needless to say, PJ day at her preschool is among her most favorite days of the year.

SMOOCH!

2010-05-30T20:30:00.003-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day! We don't really need an excuse to love on our kids, but what fun to treat them to a special morning, complete with heart valentines, new coloring books and their favorite homemade muffins.

winter 2010

2010-04-06T21:23:00.003-05:00

This was a cold, snowy winter. Stephen, who has a weird affection for frozen precipitation, enjoyed every second. So did Kate and Sam. Our snow gear was a little inadequate; poor Sam would have stayed outside much longer had his little hands not nearly frozen. Still, I think they had a lot of fun, and I had a lot of fun watching them.

Kate's preschool Christmas party. She's in that cheesy grin phase.

Christmas tree shopping! Actually, it was more like Christmas tree browsing. After a serious case of sticker-shock, we opted to go with the fake tree in the basement, again. Maybe next year...

before and after

2010-04-05T21:40:00.005-05:00

Why in the world am I sharing this photo??? I've lost my mind. I look haggard. Truly. But, I've got a sweet baby boy in my belly, and he might one day be curious to see what he looked like way back when, before he ever set eyes on this great big world. So, here you go Benjamin. In case you ever wonder, this is proof that I love you like crazy.

2010-04-05T21:37:00.001-05:00

Faithful Readers (Mamaw & Nana),

Thanks for sticking with me. I know that my consistency with the blog has hit an all time low, but I’ve been busy birthing babies. My life is returning to normal now, so I’m trying to fill in the gaping holes of the last 9+ months, and I’ve been rummaging through my picture files for the momentous occasions I neglected to post. That’s hard work for a sentimental, still hormonal mama of three. Each photo reminds me of a story; each story stirs up emotions; too many emotions send me straight to the pantry and into the loving embrace of my pastel, Easter-edition M&Ms.

The photos that follow and the ones to come will likely be a little out of order and a bit disjointed, but I figure it’s better than nothing. I’ll try to keep the chit chat to a minimum since I know that all anyone is really interested in is photos of my loves, but I make no promises.

Speaking of chit chat, here’s a couple of conversations I’ve shared lately with Kate and Sam:

Sam knows he’s hilarious. He knows he’s a charmer, and he knows that that smile of his can get him out of all sorts of trouble. And he uses it. The other day as I was feeding the baby, I noticed that Sam was unusually quiet—I should have known that meant trouble. A few minutes later, he came into my room shouting “I did it! I did it!” That’s when I noticed the gobs of gooey gunk matted to his hair. The culprit? My pomade—easily the most expensive product I buy for this mess on top of my head. Just as I was about to fuss, he looks up with that smile and says “That funny?” And it was.

The kids have been inhaling sugar lately with all of the egg hunts and bunny cakes. I’ve tried to set some limits, but that’s more easily said than done. After her preschool egg hunt last Thursday, I told Kate to not eat any of the candy until after dinner. A little later she came into my room and asked if she may puh-leeeeease have just one sucker. I told her no and added that if we could go all afternoon without eating any candy that we might be able to have a piece of cake after dinner. She made a funny face and left my room only to return a few seconds later. Then, in a single breath, she said “Mommy, I did eat a piece of candy. I ate it before you told me about the cake. I love you. I love Jesus. Amen.” …..Deep Breath.....“May I still have a piece of cake?”

We traveled to NC for Easter and both kids were super excited about spending time with their grandparents. For a few days before the trip, Sam would often and all of the sudden shout “North Carolina!” During the drive, his excitement went up a few more notches, and he asked several times if we were in North Carolina. So when we finally arrived at Nana’s house, I thought Sam would be elated to know that we had made it. “Sam, do you know where we are? We’re in North Carolina!”. “No,” Sam said, “we’re at Nana’s house.” Turns out he has no idea what North Carolina is; he just likes to yell.

stone mountain

2010-04-01T20:44:00.000-05:00

lee day 2009

2010-04-01T20:12:00.003-05:00

Everywhere I go, people comment on how much Sam looks like his daddy. And although I would love to hear someone say that they see even an inkling of myself in him, I really must agree. He's truly a little SRB. That's why I love this picture. Like father, like son.

It's hard to tell, but Kate is wearing my shoes. I know it's cheesy (honestly, you should come to expect that by now), but I earnestly hope that Kate will be proud to "walk in my shoes" when she's all grown up. That's why I rely on God to cover my parenting with grace...I'd fail miserably on my own.

When Stephen and I first started dating, I was inundated with tales of his frat days--or should I say his "social club" days? Anyway, I was falling in love and thought all of his stories were terribly interesting and hilariously funny. It's not so much that I don't delight in them now, but let's just say that stories of pink-dyed underwear have somewhat lost their luster. Still, I loved seeing him reunited with his brothers. I sometimes wonder if I should have gone to Lee; I wonder if I missed out on four years with Stephen that I could have had. Watching him with all these guys--I felt like I caught up just a bit.

2010-03-31T22:13:00.000-05:00

party of five

2010-03-31T22:01:00.002-05:00

finally...a proper introduction

2010-03-31T21:58:00.005-05:00

benjamin's birthday story

2010-03-31T20:33:00.007-05:00

I was a conflicted girl throughout my pregnancy with Benjamin. On one hand, I knew he was likely to be my last baby, and I wanted to soak in every moment. On the other, I was miserable and couldn't help but wish the weeks away. And, of course, now that he's here, those long nine months don't seem so long, and a *small* part of me wouldn't mind doing it all over again.
Benjamin was born on Saturday, January 30th, at around 3 a.m. I never want to forget the big and small details of that day, and--with my mommy brain--it's likely I'll do just that unless I write it all down. I'll start on the day before.

Friday morning: I busied myself with cleaning all morning. Both sets of grandparents were coming down for the weekend, and the pressure to "deliver" had me feeling a little overwhelmed. I didn't feel well, but who does at 9 months pregnant?
Friday afternoon: Still cleaning (you never really stop when you've got preschoolers) and playing with Kate and Sam. I really wasn't feeling well--kind of crampy--but I'd been feeling icky for days. Mom and Dad arrived, and I was relieved to have some extra hands on deck to help with the kiddos. Stephen and I had made plans to have dinner at Scalini's. Their eggplant parmesan sent me into labor with Sam; were were hoping for similar results.
Friday early evening: Mamaw and Papaw pulled in just as Stephen and I were leaving for dinner. We hugged their necks and told everyone we'd be back in about two hours. As we settled into the drive, I noticed that my "cramps" were a bit more regular than I thought...about every 6 minutes. We kept driving. By the time we arrived at Scalini's, my contractions were every 3-4 minutes apart. We ordered anyway. Three bites into my yummy dinner, we realized that we had to go to the hospital. That is some serious eggplant parmesan :)
Friday night: My worst fear walking into Labor and Delivery was that they would turn me away. You think a girl would know when she's about to have a baby, but I was so nervous that they would send me home. And they nearly did. The triage nurse was not impressed by my contractions and said that I could either get a shot and go home or walk the halls for an hour. We opted for the walk. Forty-five minutes later, everyone was certain that I was in labor. Mom and Dad came to the hospital and we all tried to settle in for the night. I was nervous and excited; Stephen was asleep on the ridiculously small couch. Around midnight, Mamaw called. Kate was awake and anxious. She missed her mommy and insisted that she couldn't sleep without me singing "Where are you going?". And so I sang. It may seem silly, but it was such a precious moment to me.
Early Saturday morning: The nurse suddenly realized that Benjamin was breach. They suspected that he turned sometime during labor. I knew right away that I would have to have a c-section, and the tears came. A lot of them. I was scared, nervous, disappointed, frustrated. Mostly scared. Stephen was right there beside me, reassuring me that everything was okay, that this was Benjamin's story, and I knew he was right. Fifteen minutes later, Benjamin was in his daddy's arms. My beautiful, beautiful boy.

Benjamin's delivery wasn't at all what I expected. But he's here, and I'm here. That's about all that matters in the end. And an emergency surgery can teach you a few things. The big one for me: The perception that I'm in control is just that--a perception. Thank goodness I have a God who loves me like crazy and makes the details of my life--big and small--his business.

Dear Annagail

2010-03-12T14:52:00.002-05:00

Yes, we do in fact have a newborn, and we've actually managed to take a good number of photos of said newborn. So why no blog posts showing off Benjamin? I've got no time, people! I want to sit down and really take my time to tell his birth story and properly introduce him to the blogger world, and I haven't had sufficient free time to do it. It's coming, promise.
In the meantime, I couldn't resist taking just a few minutes to share this little note that Kate insisted dictating to me. It is addressed to her best friend, Annagail, and it's straight from Kate's lips to this keyboard.

Dear Annagail,

I would like to have a play date. Can we color there, please? Do you like purple? Stars are up in the sky. I want to play with ponies there. We can count freckles. I want to go somewhere to eat together in my car. Somewhere fancy. The pizza place. I can let you play with my watch.

Thank you,
Kate

So sweet. So random. So Kate.

we heart avery

2010-02-28T21:20:00.005-05:00

We really do.

christmas 2009

2010-02-28T21:02:00.007-05:00

I remember Christmas at my nana's house growing up. There was always a mountain of presents piled under the tree, spilling out into the living room. Stacy, Adam and I had our designated seats, eached marked with an overstuffed stocking. I didn't think Christmas morning could get any better. But it has. It's so much fun to "do" Christmas as a mom of little people. I
love watching their eyes grow wide as they turn the corner and see all of their goodies. It makes my heart happy!

season's greetings!

2010-02-28T20:51:00.005-05:00

"I hold myself supremely blest" Jane Eyre

2010-01-31T22:29:00.005-05:00

We are officially a family of five! Benjamin was born around 3:30 Saturday morning (a more detailed story coming soon). He was 7 lbs. 13 ounces and right around 20 in. Thank you God for our new little guy!

2009-12-31T11:05:00.006-05:00

I'm sitting in the middle of my house--a house that is in complete disarray due to budget-friendly renovations--fighting a now 3-week sinus infection and feeling what must be every possible ailment of third-trimester pregnancy. Everything hurts. My head, my ears, my eyes, my throat, my back, my legs, my "round ligaments." Not sure what those are, but they hurt. But, it's New Year's Eve, and for a sentimental girl like me, that stirs up all sorts of nostalgia.
Crazy to think of all this last decade has brought about. It started with a bang--graduation from Carolina in 2000. And while I thought that was a big deal (and it was, mostly because of the God-given friendships that came from those four years), it was only a start to the blessings that followed.

2000 - Graduated from UNC and headed straight to graduate school.
2001 - First year teaching. Got an interesting phone call from an old friend named Stephen. He told me that I was his "biggest what if" and invited me to visit him in Florida.
2002 - Fell in love with that old friend.
2003 - Married that old friend and moved to South Florida.
2005 - I became a mommy for the first time. Kate was born in October and changed my life forever. For the better.
2006- Found out what it means to really trust in God's goodness.
2007 - Samuel joined the family. My little man...be still my heart.
2009 - Learned that Benjamin was on his way and fell head over heels in love with a Burton boy for the third time in my life.

So while I feel a little miserable at the moment, I am hugely blessed, and those blessings make every ache and pain worthwhile.

To all my friends and family, we pray for a blessed new year. Can't wait to see what the next ten years will hold.

hey you! look who's two!

2009-11-30T15:42:00.010-05:00

Sam turned two on November 30th, and I, of course, am in awe of how quickly the time has passed. Broken record, I know. I'm so proud of the little boy he's becoming. Temperamental, yes, but full of love and joy and mischievousness. He keeps my days interesting, and I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with the opportunity to be his mom. I know all mothers must feel this way, but it just about knocks me off my feet when I think that of the millions of moms in the world, God chose me for Kate and Sam (and this new little fella). It is my divine appointment, and although I fall short far more often than I would like, I relish every moment. My prayer night after night is that God will grant me the wisdom, love, and patience I need to point these little lives in His direction and to fill in all the gaps (and there are many, I'm sure) with His grace. What a relief to know that I'm not on my own in this grand adventure.

So, here's a look at our little Sam Man on his 2nd birthday. My handsome boy...

Sam loved his football cupcakes. Stephen took him to the party store and let him choose between super heroes and football, and he made a great choice! He's also into dinosaurs these days and often stomps around the house pretending to be one. A few other cute Sam-sayings:

"The most!" Explanation: this is how Sam tells me that he loves me. He gave up on arguing who loves whom the most and instead beats me to the punch.
"Papaw's house..." I can't really do this one justice. You just have to hear him say it. Very cute, and it comes with several variations (Pop's house, Ivan's house, etc.).
"Date!" Sam's pronunciation of "Kate"
"Bendamen" Sam's pronunciation of his baby brother's name, Benjamin.
"Bitamin" Sam's pronuciation of "vitamin." Kate's pronunciation, "violin."

Kate's had her fair share of funny sayings lately. Here's just a few:

Halloween night, Kate stood outside and YELLED "No candy for monsters!" and she meant it.
Talking about what she's thankful for : "Pony tails and ribbons and flowers that smell pretty. And my clothes and the mall."
She's adopted a nifty little method of categorization for the animal kingdom. Any time we talk about a new animal, she asks "does it bite, sting, or knock you over?"

More to come!

trick or treat

2009-11-30T15:42:00.006-05:00

The photos are a bit out of order, but this should give you a pretty good idea of Halloween at the Burton house. Kate and Sam trick or treated in style thanks to Daddy and Pops taking turns pulling their wagon. Kate, terrified of encountering anyone resembling anything slightly monstrous, hid underneath a beach towel. She ventured out to knock on doors, but only to return to her hide away. Silly, silly girl.

All of you with children know this, but I can't help but offering somewhat of an explanation for the quality of these photos. It is seriously HARD to get a picture of preschoolers simultaneously looking and smiling at the camera. So, these will have to do. Sam, clearly, is Thomas the Train. In his shot, he's saying "Choo Choo!" Kate is Barbie Three Musketeer. Check out her boots...how cute!

halloween...hollywood style

2009-11-30T15:41:00.007-05:00

I'm not sure if it is indecisiveness or plain girliness (one in the same???), but Kate's Halloween Extravaganza included three venues (school, church, and the neighborhood) and just as many costumes. Mamaw Burton made the Ariel outfit, Belle is an oldie but a goodie from last year, and the third outfit, Barbie Three Musketeer, was our latest addition to her growing dress-up repertoire.

burt's farm, 2009

2009-11-30T15:41:00.006-05:00

We discovered an amazing pumpkin patch this year, "Burt's Farm." It's a two hour beautiful drive through the Georgia mountains and worth every minute. I'm hoping it becomes a family tradition. Maybe after a few years the kids will become more accustomed to riding in a wheel barrel :)

baby boy update

2009-10-24T19:49:00.005-05:00

It seems as though the pregnancy bug is in the water these days. I know of so many expecting moms, and a few of them have posted this cute survey on their blogs to track their progress. And since I'm fairly certain that this will be our last hurrah, I thought I'd join the fun and document a few tid bits.

How far along? 25 weeks
Total weight gain / loss? 8-10 pounds gained
Maternity clothes? Exclusively wearing maternity jeans, but I can get away with some of my regular shirts and sweaters. I have to keep pulling them down, but it can be done.
Stretch marks? Not yet...
Sleep? Becoming more and more difficult. Laying on my side causes cramping, laying on my back is discouraged, and laying on my stomach is impossible.
Best moment this week? It was a great week, but as it relates to this pregnancy I'll say the best moment was when Kate insisted that we name this baby "March," as in marching / stomping and spent the rest of the afternoon making LOTS of noise stomping around the house.
Movement? Yep and lots braxton hicks contractions.
Food cravings? Stephen is so good to me. He makes me a semi-healthy treat every night: frozen berries with cool whip. I could do it myself, but it tastes so much better when he does!
Gender? boy
Name? still thinking...
Labor signs? no, but I have a feeling this baby may come early. Just a hunch.
Belly button in or out? Just kind of flat
What do I miss? The gym, coke zero, and my 2nd cup of coffee
Weekly wisdom: Forget raging hormones. If I choose to give in to a grumpy mood, my kids will suffer from it. I set the tone. Being cranky when I feel like it is a luxury I can't afford when little people are depending on me.
Milestones: I'm officially in the third trimester! Woohoo!

So that's about it. I'm getting more and more excited to meet this little man!

tid bits

2009-10-23T07:13:00.002-05:00

Last Tuesday as all the ballerinas were filing out of the studio, Sam found himself surrounded by pink leotards and hair bows. Everywhere he looked were little girls and their mommies. One lone man--whom we did not know from Adam--was standing in the hallway. Sam made his way through the sea of girliness, walked right up to the man, and in his manliest voice shouted "FOOTBALL!". Male bonding in its earliest form.

Now 25 weeks pregnant with our third baby, I find myself feeling more tired more quickly after spending all day keeping up with our first two. Yesterday, I decided to take a break and sit on the couch for a few minutes while Sam napped and Kate enjoyed "quiet time." Before I knew it, Kate was staring at me from the upstairs banister. "Mommy," she said, "it's not good for your brain to watch TV all day."

I heard from another mom at Kate's school yesterday that her little man has somewhat of a crush on Kate. He insists on sitting next to her in class, talks about her at home, and has named some of his toys "Kate." I know, so stinkin' cute. Last night, Stephen asked Kate about Max, and she said "Yeah, he likes me a lot. He wants to hold my hand and go to McDonald's and he doesn't let anybody mess with me." Stephen asked me if I have "met this boy," and my mind flashed forward 12 years. Lord, how in the world will I ever survive the dating years???

Sam's new phrase: "Daddy da boss."

birthday girl

2009-10-10T21:54:00.004-05:00

We enjoyed such a great day with Kate...my birthday girl. We started the morning with banana chocolate chip muffins (a Kate favorite), feasted at Chic-Fil-A for lunch, picked out a new coloring book at the book store, took in the fun at a fall festival, enjoyed burritos at Moe's for dinner, and ended the day with this humble pony cake at home. (Kate really wanted a pony cake for her birthday...How do you make a pony cake???). And throughout our fun, crazy day, I kept thanking God for this sweet girl. I am so blessed to be her mom...she has such a sweet spirit, such a tender heart. Just this morning, we were eating breakfast and I told Kate that I couldn't believe she's FOUR. Before I knew it, she was standing beside me, patting me on the leg and said "Don't worry, Mommy. Don't be sad. I'm still little. I'm still small." My goodness.
So here's a Kate-update to commemorate her fourth birthday. I can hardly believe so much time has passed since the day I first laid eyes on her...

Favorite toys: Three Musketeers barbies specifically and all other barbies in general
Favorite TV show: She still loves most anything on PBS, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Agent Ozo
Favorite foods: "Hot dogs and rice and peppers." Translation: Kilbosa
Favorite activities: going to the park, play dates with friends, playing with Sam, telling jokes. Her favorite: What did the moose say to the other moose? Moo! Now THAT'S funny!
Funny words: Cootie Toobie (cutie patootie), Bow-ay (ballet)
Favorite colors: pink is still holding strong but she's added purple to the list
Favorite hairstyle: easy...pony tail
Favorite book: Not sure if it's her favorite, but we read "Sophie and Sam" a lot these days.

She's a hoot. Stephen and I find ourselves laughing at something she has said or done all the time. I can't imagine what my day to day would be like without her...not nearly as much fun, for starters.

2009-10-10T21:47:00.005-05:00

Geez luise. My baby girl is four. FOUR. Our celebrations started about a week ago while in North Carolina with princess cupcakes and Three Musketeers Barbies. Kate was in heaven. It was a small get-together of all those who love her most; it was perfect.

baby avery!!!

2009-10-10T21:36:00.006-05:00

We welcomed Avery Noelle to the world on September 30 at 5:30. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 12 oz., was 19 inches long, and showed off a head full of beautiful dark hair. She's gorgeous! I feel like I've waited forever to meet this baby; I can only imagine how Stacy and Ivan feel. I can't wait to watch this sweet girl grow and love on her every step of the way!

dancing queen

2009-10-10T21:25:00.005-05:00

For the last several months, Kate's been talking a lot about "bow-ay." She'll twirl around the house, put on make shift tutus, and insist that she's a "really good bowawina." We've wanted to put her in class, but the cost seemed a little high for a three year old. Then, a few weeks ago, Stephen heard that the Georgia School of Ballet would be offering classes at his school at a reasonable price, and we couldn't resist. She goes once a week and seems to be enjoying it. We're working on listening to her teacher and going potty before putting on her leotard, and I think we're making some progress. Here's a look at our ballerina...

2009-09-14T22:10:00.002-05:00

PREGGERS!

2009-08-31T21:14:00.002-05:00

I'm sure many of you have heard our latest news, but we're pregnant! Again! And so is my beautiful sister, Stacy (she's a bit further along). Stacy's baby girl, Avery, is due Oct. 5, and our little peanut is due the first of February.
I'm so thrilled and for so many reasons.

1. I think it's so cool to be pregnant at the same time as my sister.
2. I've always seen us as a family of five, so this sweet baby is completing our home.
3. I always keep in mind what a miracle it is to be able to have another baby.
4. I have so much fun with Kate and Sam; how awesome to be able to do it all over again!

I could go on and on...

On a personal note--Sweet baby, forgive your mom for not posting our news earlier. I'm every bit as excited as I was with Kate and Sam, just a whole lot busier. I can't wait to meet you and sugar that sweet face of yours.

nana and sam, best friends forever

2009-08-31T21:13:00.000-05:00

beach bound '09

2009-08-31T21:05:00.003-05:00

This year the Russell family vacationed together at Carolina Beach. We rented this amazing beach house and enjoyed some great family time. With a few hiccups. First, with two pregnant women in the house, you're bound to have your typical pregnancy ailments. We won't get into specifics; suffice it to say that Stacy and I both had some uncomfortable moments and sleepless nights. Secondly, my dad fell ill with what I just knew was H1N1 (it wasn't) on the first full day of vacation and was out of commission until the next to last day. Poor guy. Nan Nan had a little difficulty navigating the various floors, and there was one unfortunate mishap with the elevator (I don't mean to implicate Nan Nan...she wasn't the culprit). Other than that, we had a GREAT time. No, really. It was a great week, and I'm so thankful for my family and this chance to hang out with them.

***I've been meaning to add this little tid bit for weeks now, but just now getting around to it. Funniest moment of vacation: Kate just finished up a bath when I hear her walking up the steps to the main floor where EVERYBODY is hanging out. Her PJs had somehow been left on the couch, and as she makes her way upstairs, she's shouting "Everybody stay calm! I'm naked as a jaybird! Everybody stay calm!". Oh my. Cracks me up.

beach or bust

2009-08-31T20:57:00.003-05:00

It took the kids about an hour to make friends with the beach, but once they did...wow. They had such a great time. Kate pretended to be Ariel, and her daddy (Prince Eric) had to rescue her from the evil Ursula. Sam stomped his feet as the waves came in and ate sand until he was just too tuckered out. Mommy rested in her beach chair snacking on fritos. Aunt Stacy got knocked over by a wave (a bit alarming at first but absolutely hilarious once we realized mom-to-be and baby were just fine). Nan Nan, Nana and Pops enjoyed watching all of the aforementioned. Needless to say, a great time was had by all.

2009-08-31T20:51:00.002-05:00

Mom and Dad found this place at the end of the island one afternoon where a river (don't remember which one) and the Atlantic collide. It was gorgeous and a tad bit windy. I think we all wished we would've stumbled upon it earlier in the week; it was a favorite.

lisa, dennis, and will!

2009-08-31T20:40:00.003-05:00

It just so happened that while we were vacationing at Carolina Beach, my BFF Lisa and her sweet family were in N. Myrtle. Since the Bakers live in Asia and we rarely get to visit, we were thrilled to be so close and planned a get-together. Best part of the visit: watching our kids play together. Here's why: I vividly remember conversations between Lisa, Maria, Heather and me in our Church St. apartment where we would imagine our futures...whom would we marry? how many children would we have? what would we be doing? God is still working out the finer details, but look how beautifully blessed we are!
I'm so thankful for the friendship I share with Lisa. We're cut from the same fabric (the one with frayed edges and the funky pattern!). She "gets me," and I love her to pieces for it!

why water paint reads "for ages 3+"

2009-08-31T20:37:00.000-05:00

Fourth of July, 2009

2009-08-31T20:27:00.003-05:00

We celebrated Independence Day with flags and cherry icies at our favorite spot in town, Marietta Square. Sam just kind of went with the flow (while proudly waving the flag), but Kate loved every minute of it. There were tons of vendors lining the street, and Kate's budding love of shopping was on full display. She had to walk through every single aisle, touch all things remotely shiny or shimmery, and even tried on a feathery hot pink boa. All with patriotic pride, of course. We could'nt stay to enjoy the fire works; we just didn't have it in us. Toddlers outside in soaring temperatures tend to drain every bit of energy out of you.

2009-07-04T06:57:00.002-05:00

Yesterday Stephen made the kids some mac and cheese for lunch, and while they were eating I heated up a box of Santa Fe Rice and Beans (takes me back to my Waddell days...oh my). Here's the conversation between Kate and Stephen that followed:

Kate: (sniffing) Mmmm....what's that?

Stephen: Mommy's lunch. Kate, you've got a keen sense of smell.

Kate: Not KING, daddy! PRINCESS!

Do you remember the time...

2009-06-30T21:41:00.004-05:00

Oh my. I'm dealing with a bad case of mommy guilt. Before our little Sam man came long, each month of our life was enthusiastically documented on the blog--pictures, commentary, the whole bit. But, sheesh, two is harder. Well, maybe not harder...busier. To make matters worse, we no longer have a camera (can you even imagine?). Hoping to get one in the near future, but that offers little help to June, 2009. A month that will go down in Burp Cloth history as the most pitiful, most poorly documented month ever.
So, here's my attempt, puny as it may be, to give this month a little something to claim as its own. And although there will be no pictures to dote over, I'll be so thrilled to have this little update on the kids a few years down the road and remember how funny they were way back when.

Alright, let's start with Sam...

Samuel is going through a transformation of sorts. For what seemed like forever, he was a tad irritable, pitched a lot of fits, and just seemed generally unhappy a good bit of the time. At his 18 month check up, we discovered that his iron levels had fallen (again) and we started him back on his supplements. What a change! I'm loving having my sweet, happy, silly boy back!

He is still taking a morning nap. I've tried to break him of it, but he won't have it. If I haven't put him down by 9:45, he'll show me his blanket and start heading for his bedroom.

My boy can get jiggy with it. And by "it" I mean anything with a beat, but particularly "Move It" from Madagascar and "Kung Fu Fighting." He's hilarious. With "Kung Fu Fighting" he strikes a formidable pose and lets out a ferocious "HEE YA!" Too funny.

He's got some pretty good comedic timing. Can't really describe this one, but his looks and gestures--he just knows he's being funny.

Oh...this is a big one...he has finally moved up from the 5th percentile in weight to the 10th! Yay!!!

Papi. Yep, Sam is still enjoying his paci. I know I should start to wean him from it, but, honestly, I'm scared. Any suggestions?

This is cute. Quite a few times each week, Sam will find my phone, then find me, and say "Pop pop pop" until I call his Pops. I think they both get a kick out of it.

And now for Kate...

Why not start with a heart breaker...Kate has decided she doesn't want curly hair. She tells me all the time that she can't wait to be a big girl with long hair and no curls. Why the sudden change? Barbie Mermaid. This is why we really shouldn't let our kids watch ANYTHING!

Speaking of Barbie Mermaid, she now wants me to have a baby boy and name him Nalu. While that's cute, what makes it hilarious to Stephen and me is how funny she thinks she is. She gets so tickled talking about it...cute.

Cinderella has been dethroned. Last I heard, Belle is her favorite.

She's such a good big sister. While she and Sam have their fights and fusses, she almost always looks out for him, makes sure he's included, and points out any doggies or Elmoes she might run across.

Kate's a talker. But, I mean, we saw that coming. She really didn't have much hope.

Her bed is now crowded with animals. It's been a slow process starting with just Bear and Blankie, but we've now welcomed in Suzy, Sally, Bolt, Bolt Jr., Miss Zebra, and few others.

She tells me all the time, "Mommy, I love you this much" and holds up ten fingers over and over and over and over. I love you more, baby girl!

bye bye baby

2009-05-30T21:24:00.005-05:00

Sam got his first big boy haircut today at his daddy's barber shop. He wailed, I cried, Stephen took pictures, and Kate danced around like a "ballawina." Here's a look at my little man:

Sweet Sam. The poor kid had no idea what was about to happen...

Not too happy. Pitiful.

All done! I think he looks so much like his daddy now. And, hello, he could do A LOT worse. What a blessed girl am I to have such handsome fellows.

kate talk

2009-05-30T21:16:00.004-05:00

Pulling into a crowded Walmart parking lot:

Kate: Wow...so this is where the party is!!!

One day while playing with me and Sam:

Kate: Mommy, don't call Sam "baby." Just me. You may call him "sir."

and another one...

2009-04-05T17:59:00.003-05:00

It's not at all unusual for Kate to hang out with me in the bathroom on Sunday mornings while I get ready for church. She asks me about all the different kinds of make-up, my jewelry, etc. Today was no different, except for this part:

Me: Alright, Kate, I think I'm ready. Do I look nice?

Kate: Well, I don't think anybody will laugh at you.

The take-away: If you don't really want to know, don't ask.

sampler

2009-04-04T15:03:00.003-05:00

Just a smattering of conversations I've shared with Kate lately...

At the dinner table, just finishing lunch:

Kate: Mommy, guess what?

Me: What?

Kate: I'm about to pee pee in my panties.

Me: Well don't pee pee in your panties! Run to the bathroom!

Kate: I can't run. Air might come out of my bottom.

Later that day:

Kate: I want to go to the crap.

Me: What?!? Where do you want to go?

Kate: (completely confident in her answer) To the crap. I want to go to the crap.

Me: Do you mean the creek?

Kate: Uh huh. The creek.

Driving downtown one day, we passed a large cemetery:

Kate: Mommy! Look at all those flowers!

Me: I see! Aren't they pretty?

Kate: Uh huh. (...thinking...thinking...) Mommy? Is that heaven?

Me: No, that isn't heaven. What makes you think it might be heaven?

Kate: It has lots of flowers.

Me: Who told you that heaven has lots of flowers?

Kate: I just learned it in my head.

Today while helping Kate in the bathroom:

Kate: Mommy, do you see my toes wiggling?

Me: I do!

Kate: That means I'm happy.

spring has sprung!

2009-03-31T21:05:00.010-05:00

It's been a busy season, made busier still by Stephen's baseball schedule, but we've managed to squeeze in a lot of silliness in the midst of the craziness. Here's a look at what we've been up to.

I mean, seriously. I know I'm their mom, but come on! These are CUTE kids!

Now that the weather is warmer, I love love love taking the kids to the park. Our sweet friend Sarah has the best park in her neighborhood, and we head that way once or twice a week. Both Kate and Sam have friends their age to play with, and I do too!!! It's a win / win!

Every once in awhile, we all head down to Marietta Square to play on the train and maybe indulge in an ice cream cone. This particular afternoon was all laughs until Kate fell and scraped her knee. My goodness, if ever a child didn't like boo boos...
Community Helper Day! So after much deliberation, Kate decided to be a "fire girl." Our initial plan was to be a seeing-eye dog (she makes for a super-cute dalmatian), but "fire girl" won out in the end.

Breakfast with the Burtons! I love these two stinkerpots. Silly!!!

Kate and Stephen's very first father & daughter dance. She was so excited. We bought a new dress (one that will double as her Easter dress, so you'll see it again, soon), painted her finger nails, and even stopped by Pigtails and Crew Cuts for a hair cut. She didn't want Stephen to see her until she was completely ready and then made a grand entrance reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. They had a ball, and while I hated to miss out on the fun, I was so thankful that Kate and her daddy were able to share such a special night. He knows full well the responsibility he has to teach her how she ought to be treated, and he takes it seriously. What an awesome daddy!

2009-03-27T21:16:00.005-05:00

No pictures tonight--can't find that pesky little cord--but wanted to catch up on what my little stinkerpots have been up to these days and all they are teaching me (in short, a ton).

Kate is a wonder. She's full of energy and imagination...cracks me up all the time. I need to keep a running list of all the silly things she says because I inevitably forget them. Today she told me she wants Aunt Stacy to have a baby boy so that "Sam can have a little buddy." She's becoming a little mama, following Sam around and saying things like "No no buddy. You're gonna get in big trouble!" She comforts him when he's sad and invites him to join her in her princess games. She can't wait until he's a big boy and can dress up like the prince.

She has new ideas every day and begins many a conversation with the phrase "you know what we haven't done in a looonnnggg time?" Her joys are all pretty simple: playing with paper dolls, dressing up, going to the bookstore or meeting her friend Abbey at the park. She insists on wearing a princess dress everyday when her daddy comes home from work, and yet, everyday, delights in the "surprise" of it all. So does Stephen.

She's the girliest girl I've ever seen and argues that she won't be a princess if I put her in anything other than a dress to leave the house. I never would have imagined that a daughter of mine could be so frilly, but, my goodness, I'm so glad she's my girl.

She hates boo boos. A splinter brings about a complete emotional collapse, but then she hates to see anyone else hurting, too.

And she loves to dance. And sing. Her favorite songs: "I like to move it, move it" and "Jesus loves the little children." The first she sings in her deepest voice and the second she has modified. Instead of "red and yellow, black and white," Kate sings "PINK, and yellow, black and white." Pink, of course, is her favorite color.

And my Sam man. He's finally learned to walk. It took him 15 months, but don't let him fool you. This boy is fearless. Take him to any playground, and he will scale walls and hurl himself down slides without a moment's hesitation. It's hilarious to see such a little peanut come speeding down the tube slide. He loves it.

He's still a cuddler, although his waking hours are becoming too busy to sit with mommy these days. Still, as I rock him at night, he holds my hand before pulling it to his face. Some nights I'm sure my heart will burst.

He loves loves loves dogs. Goes crazy when he sees one.

Like Kate, he too loves to sing...loudly. He turns heads in the grocery store and wakes Kate from her nap everyday with his enthusiastic singing. He sings at the dinner table, but only if we all hold hands.

He's learning new words and phrases...all done, bye bye, here you go, daddy, Kate, shoes, doggy, Nana, blankie, juice, and GO BLUE! (that would be Carolina blue, of course).

What amazes me about these two is how much they teach me. They make clear my strengths and weaknesses and inspire me to do better, be better, everyday. They keep things simple and joyful, and they make me oh so happy. Even on terrible, rotten, no good days, they still give me sugars at bedtime, and I'm reminded that they're worth it.

happy valentine's day!

2009-02-14T09:43:00.003-05:00

There are three men in this world that I love with all my heart. My dad, my husband, and this little man. So to all my Valentines, I love you. Thanks for filling my life with lots of love and TONS of laughter.

pajama day!

2009-01-30T23:25:00.002-05:00

I could cry looking at this picture! Doesn't she look like a big girl? My goodness...it's flying by so quickly. Some mornings while Kate and I cuddle on the couch, I'll beg her, "don't grow up today...let's grow up another day." Silly mommy, I know.

Merry Christmas!

2009-01-30T23:12:00.002-05:00

Let me start by saying that I realize I'm crazy late on this post. I'm sorry. I'm not all that sure what happened. January has come and nearly gone, and I'm titling my post "Merry Christmas." It's a little sad. But, as they say, it's better later than never, and my kiddos won't know the difference when they're sixteen and I'm forcing their dates to scroll through the ol' blog. And that, my friends, is what counts.

Kate in full princess garb playing with her cousins Spencer, Lincoln, and Fletcher. These boys didn't know what to do with such a girly-girl.

My boy is such a ham. He's loving his new car seat. Thanks Nana and Pops!

Have I told you about Sam's obsession with Elmo? It's nuts. "Elmo" was his first word.

Spoiled rotten. Need I say more? I think there is more Disney paraphernalia in my house than in an entire Disney store. Kate was overwhelmed and overjoyed by the sight. It was so funny to watch her walk in and try to decide where to go first. Her new Cinderella dress beat out the others, and she's been wearing that dress ever since.

christmas eve 2008

2009-01-30T23:03:00.004-05:00

Kate and I love baking together. She'll tell you that she's a "good stirrer." That she is. Of course, this recipe didn't require much.

Kate was determined to include Rudolph in the midnight snack for Santa.

We Russells have a long-standing tradition of opening the NBC gift on Christmas Eve. This was Sam's first real go at it. His gift? This is a shocker...a cute pair of Christmas PJs.

thank you uncle richard!

2009-01-30T23:00:00.002-05:00

Uncle Richard's Christmas gift, while a bit unconventional, was a big hit. Sam totally pulls it off. I mean, literally--he pulls it off.

Kate's Christmas Party

2009-01-30T22:48:00.003-05:00

I couldn't be happier with Kate's school. She has learned so much, and she talks about her friends all the time. Her teacher, Miss Donna, is such a gem. We are so thankful for her and her love and passion for these kids. I was a little hesitant to put Kate in preschool this year; I felt like she was still so young. But...one semester later, I'm a believer. She loves it!
Here, Kate is munching on her 3rd or 4th cookie at her class's Christmas party (this was just after her performance--see post below).

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing LOUD for all to hear!”

2008-12-18T22:19:00.005-05:00

While this video speaks for itself, there's just a few things I want to point out. First, I love love love how excited Kate is when she first sees me. Love it. Secondly, watch for the little tiff between Kate and her friend Evelyn. Evelyn, it seems, was a bit peeved by Kate's singing, but our girl just kept on, and added a spin to boot. Cracks me up.

One more thing--Kate isn't pouting at the end of the song; she's getting ready to rock baby Jesus for their next number, "Away in a Manger." She's so on top of it.

happy birthday, beautiful boy!

2008-11-30T21:22:00.002-05:00

It astounds me how quickly a year goes by! One year ago tonight, I was gazing at this beautiful brand new baby, all tiny and perfectly scrunched. And now, he's sleeping soundly in his crib, a tummy full of green beans and rice, and worn out from a day of play and travel.
In a lot of ways, this first year has been a series of introductions. He's a different boy every day--always changing, always learning. I just try to keep up as his personality emerges more and more. He's a cuddler and a charmer. Sweet thing, my Sam. Happy birthday, baby boy.

growing boy!

2008-11-30T21:13:00.000-05:00

party time!

2008-11-30T21:08:00.002-05:00

before...

2008-11-30T21:02:00.003-05:00

My favorite part of the 1st birthday is, hands down, the baby's cake. I LOVE IT! Kate was a bit reluctant to dig in on her 1st, but Samuel showed no hesitation at all. After realizing that we weren't going to stop him, he helped himself to handful after yummy handful. He was hilarious!

during...

2008-11-30T20:58:00.002-05:00

after!

2008-11-30T20:47:00.003-05:00

happy thanksgiving

2008-11-30T20:24:00.002-05:00

I'm so thankful for these two. They keep me tethered to all that truly matters. My mind is prone to get swept away in the temporal things of this world, wishing for this and for that...all just stuff. But then I see these two, and I'm reminded (again) that I already have it all. I recently ran across this old saying, "Measure your wealth not by the things you have, but by the things for which you would not take money." I'm one blessed girl.

powers of persuasion

2008-11-07T15:39:00.002-05:00

After Kate's nap today, she couldn't, wouldn't stop talking about the zoo. This topic came out of nowhere and seems to be going nowhere anytime soon as it is now nearing 4 p.m. and she is still incessantly talking about the zoo. Here's a snippet of our conversation:

Kate: I want to go to the zoo today.

Me: I don't think we can go to the zoo today. It's expensive.

Kate: Oh...(and then with lots of enthusiasm) I've got a good idea! Let's go to the bank and get some money!

Me: I still don't know if we can go to the zoo. It's pretty far away.

Kate: Okay...I've got a good idea! I'll wear a pull up to the zoo and then take it off!

Me: Well that is a good idea, but if we go to the zoo today, I'm afraid all the animals will be asleep by the time we get there.

Kate: Okay...(thinking, thinking) I've got a good idea! (I'm not exaggerating...she said this every time). We'll go "tickle tickle tickle" and wake all the animals up!

So went our discussion for the next, oh, hour and a half. She offered a solution to every problem. We're still not going to the zoo today, but I'm pricing tickets for tomorrow. She's good.

you're it!

2008-11-04T14:02:00.012-05:00

Sorry, folks. I know it's time for Halloween pictures, but our camera has once again quit working on us. This just weeks after sending it off to be repaired by the manufacturer. So, we've resorted to using a disposable camera, and we can't make a CD to then download to the blog until we've taken all 27 pictures. We're on #19. Keep checking in....only 8 more to go.

In the meantime, I'm tagging Ashley, Heather, Maria, Lisa and Sarah to complete this survey. My friend Christie tagged me, and now it's your turn!

"The Five"

Ten years ago I:

was TWENTY years old (seems so young now!) and starting my junior year at Carolina
was building amazing friendships with girls I still consider my BFFs
had no idea that Stephen Burton, my old buddy from youth group, would be my best friend and husband
was planning my spring semester abroad in England
was living in Cobb Dorm with the fabulous Margaret

Five things on my “To Do” List today:

Vote!
Clean the bathrooms
Cook dinner (vegetable stew)
Take the kids to the park to enjoy this beautiful fall day
Get ready for bookclub night

Five snacks I enjoy:

green apple with peanut butter
trail mix
almonds
Kate’s Dora yogurt (so yummy!)
Chocolate covered pretzels

Five things I would do if I were a millionaire:

Pay off any debt (including the house)
Help out our families
Set up a trust for Kate and Samuel
Build a beautiful, big home on our land at the Creek for the whole family to enjoy
Adopt

Five places I have lived:

North Carolina
West Virginia
Nevada
Florida
Georgia

Five jobs I have had:

waitress
staffer for The Daily Tarheel (UNC newspaper)
tutor
English teacher
Mommy!

pumpkin patch

2008-10-26T21:21:00.002-05:00

The Burp Cloth

"gymnasticker"

to God's ears...

funny girl

sorry, baby...

a little more Easter

an interruption: The Royal Wedding

here comes peter cottontail...

The Other Kind of March Madness

to benjamin on his 1st birthday

christmas 2010

a mixed bag (a smodge podge of fall photos and a bit of commentary)

giving thanks

fb meets the blog

2 y.o. dressed himself today. He was so proud; I didn't have the heart to change anything. So....Woody and Buzz underwear have been on backwards all day long. I love it!

My almost-3-y.o just woke up in hysterics from a bad dream, and I held him until he fell back asleep. I can't remember the last time I rocked that beautiful boy to sleep, and I soaked up every tiny detail. Oh, my sweet boy. I love him too much.

Just so you know, according to Poison Control of GA, a 27 lb. 2 1/2 y.o. can eat 7-10 vitamin gummies with no serious side effects. Oh my word...

Ever wonder how many silly bands it would take to stop up a toilet? We're about to find out.

‎4 y.o. noticed a woman's cleavage yesterday. I did my best to explain it and thought I did a pretty good job. But then she asked "Does she keep food in there?". I'm still laughing :)

I had to discipline my 2 y.o. for saying "no" and walking away when I asked him to hand over the book I'm reading, "The Strong-Willed Child."

This morning, Kate brings me a cereal box while I'm drinking my coffee in the living room. "What is this for?" I asked. "So you can make me some cereal, silly goose! Happy Mudder's Day!"

‎"I am especially sympathetic with the mother who is raising a toddler or two and an infant at the same time. There is no more difficult assignment on the face of the earth." Thank you, Dr. Dobson. I was starting to wonder if it was just me.

‎It’s 2 hours past bedtime and I'm sitting outside S's room listening to him pull out and play with who knows what. That boy is a mess.

I love, love, love a baby sleeping in my arms. A little sad that he's my last :(

‎4 y.o. this morning talking to her brothers: "In your area there will be thunderstorms and tornadoes."

Kate tonight at bedtime: "Soooo....whose belly did God come out of exactly?"

hey stranger

9 months (and 1 week) old

samsonite

No. 5

kate's worst day ever...so far

birthday girl

Crazy Times

summer sampler

baby benjamin

home office

beach bound 2010

it's been too long!

baby benjamin

"dancing on stage"

3 months old!

1st trip to the ER

the ballpark in spring

easter morning

party of five

easter 2010

bunny cake

wazzup

blessed!

quintessential sam

pj day, 2010

SMOOCH!

winter 2010

before and after

stone mountain

lee day 2009

party of five

finally...a proper introduction

benjamin's birthday story

Dear Annagail

we heart avery

christmas 2009

season's greetings!

"I hold myself supremely blest" Jane Eyre

hey you! look who's two!

trick or treat

halloween...hollywood style

burt's farm, 2009

baby boy update

tid bits

birthday girl

baby avery!!!

dancing queen

PREGGERS!

nana and sam, best friends forever

beach bound '09

beach or bust

lisa, dennis, and will!

why water paint reads "for ages 3+"

Fourth of July, 2009