My Big Girl

For Valentine's Day Kaitlyn and I made rice crispy treats for Daddy. I forgot all about rice crispy treats! What a simple, fun cooking project that can be decorated especially for any occasion!
Kaitlyn was very proud of her creation, which she calls "a cake." She is continuously asking if she can help me in the kitchen. Don't get me wrong, I love her eagerness to help and she is turning into quite the domestic goddess at home, but sometimes she helps a little too much for Mommy. :) Like when I am sorting laundry and a navy blue sock ends up in with the whites. Anyway, although I don't completely boycott Valentine's Day I don't need a special day of the year to tell my husband or my children that I love them. I tell them, and show them, everyday. The commercialism of it all just bothers me. However, for Valentine's Day Ben got Kaitlyn, unbeknownst to me, a little cooking set from Pampered Chef. (Thanks Rachel!) It is so adorable that I forgot all about my Vday gripes and was immediately thrilled. And my gift wasn't shabby either. (The man knows how to buys gifts I tell ya, but that's a different post for a different day.) The set included an apron, chef's hat, measuring cups, "cookie cutters," and some recipe cards with all the different things you can do with them. Tonight for dinner we are making heart shaped grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. So here are some pictures of my big girl with her sweet Valentine's Day creation, complete with chef's hat, an apron, and a huge smile! Sending love to you all!

Wordless Wednesday

Lance is Eight Weeks Old!

Eight weeks. Wow. It is going by even more quickly this time than it did with Kaitlyn. Things are still busy around here, but it's the good kind :) Ben has been working a ton of overtime lately and my days are filled with baby smiles and big girl mischief. (Tune in tomorrow for wordless Wednesday to see some of this mischief. ) Lance is growing like a weed, he is in 6 month clothes now, and is such a happy baby. He sleeps well and loves Kaitlyn already, even when she's poking him in the face or talking much too loudly in his ear, he always has smiles for sister.

As Kaitlyn approaches her third birthday the sass is astounding. Seriously I was expecting this kind of attitude from my teenager, not my two year old. Good times I tell ya. For the most part though she is my big helper, eager to help with anything involving her brother and especially anything to do with cooking. She loves "writing notes" and building the Eiffel Tower with her blocks. Everyday is an adventure with her, you tell her something once and she remembers...FOREVER. She must have heard the phrase "That's not fair!" somewhere because this is what she says to me whenever she's frustrated about anything. Who teaches her these things?

Quote of the Day

Kaitlyn: "Mommy, I have a wedgie in my ear!"

That's all :)

Thoughtful Thursday

I've always known I would love my children. When I was a little girl I dreamed of being married and having a family of my own. I always knew that was going to be a huge priority for me and that I would probably do those things relatively early on in my life. But I never realized how much I would LOVE my kids. If you are a parent you know what I mean. That overwhelming feeling that comes over you, the one where you feel like crying and beaming (and often do both) for the love of your children.

This morning Kaitlyn said to me "Mommy, you're my best fwend in the whole wold." I hadn't done anything especially special. She had been awake only a few minutes and I was laying in bed with her while she woke up. No lights were on yet, and the sun was just beginning to peek through her blinds. It's moments like this that I realize how important my job is. And although I don't make six figures or live in a fancy house, I am paid far more than I ever though possible.

Now I realize that my best friend status could change at any moment, (like this afternoon when she was mad I wouldn't jump at her suggestion to go to the store and get cupcakes) but I'll take it anyway. :)

How Does this Happen???

Lance is one month old today! The last month has been a wonderful and exciting one for our family. Our "little man," as deemed by his big sister, is changing and growing so quickly and the firsts are already beginning. His first smile was on Sat. January 10th and they have been occasionally given since then. We even got a picture of one already! His first bath was slightly traumatic but we all survived it, even Kaitlyn who was very concerned for her brother while all the screaming was ensuing. Ben is back to work and I am adjusting to being a mother of two and all that entails. My biggest challenge is leaving the house! Ben's new shift is 12pm-12am so the nights are lonely and bedtime is challenging, but we survive and are thankful for all that Ben's job provides for us. Here's some pictures from the last few weeks...

Meals and More

Since having Lance we have been inundated with not only visitors but meals as well! The girls at MOPS graciously set up a list for anyone willing to bring us meals. Some of my girlfriends not involved in MOPS participated as well. Not only was it a huge relief not to have to cook every night and be able to spend that precious time with the newest member of our family, but it has been a financial help as well. What a blessing to have someone make a home made meal for my family. For me, nothing shows love like food, seriously. Thank you so much to everyone who brought over a meal or snack basket, it means the world to us!

I must say however that a certain aspect of one meal was the Icing on the Cake! After the meal was dropped off I was (excitedly) unpacking it when I noticed a fancy box. I took care to let my three year old continue to exclaim over the bag of tortilla chips and grabbed it quickly out of the bag. When I opened the box here's what I found...





























Did you hear me gasp?


It really is the simple things in life that give me pleasure. Thank you Lord for the wonderful women I am friends with, and the ones I have yet to get to know, and thank you for cupcakes. :)