Spring Break

Well, it's Spring Break and we have been mostly laying low.  And typical Spring break, we have had warm weather and we have had tornados.  It will probably snow tomorrow.  Welcome to Arkansas. 

Last Thursday night, we had a women's event and Karen Alexander Doyel was our speaker.  She shared her testimony and it was AMAZING.  If you ever need a speaker for an event - you need to call her.  Seriously.  I have heard her speak on parenting and I'm still putting her advice into practice. She works with Lifeway and is just an amazing faithful woman. 

And yes - it's insane how big I am.  I have less than a month to go.  I had a doctor appointment yesterday and everything looks good.  We just about have everything ready for Will Holden to get here and I am just trying to rest as much as possible. I know women run marathons and then deliver a week later - but I will never understand how that is possible.  Just like I will never understand how someone delivers an 11 pound baby and never knew they were pregnant.  

My poor girls - I'm afraid our Spring Break isn't full of fun because I just can't do much but we have managed to sleep late and just get a lot of play time in.  I DID take them to see Cinderella on Tuesday.  WE LOVED IT!!!! I may have cried a little at the end.  

I'm trying to do one fun with thing with them a day - even if it's very simple. 

Yesterday was Scott's 39th birthday.  This is a picture of an engagement picture that sits in our living room.  Scott and I were just looking at it and trying to remember when we were this young and thin and well rested.  Our lives have changed so much in 12 years.  I'm so thankful for him.  I'm afraid his birthday wasn't very eventful.  We were having terrible storms yesterday so we just picked up Chuy's to go and ate at home.  But I have a date planned for us on Saturday night! 

And here is the most fun news of all!!!!!

A NINTH couple that met on Singles Day here on KK have gotten engaged!!!!!! How fun is that???? I mean the whole thing seems crazy and I feel like it's ran it's course sometimes but then NINE couples have met and married (or almost married) and that's pretty amazing.  Just shows me God really does work in mysterious ways - even through a silly mom blog! 

Congrats to Jenna and Cade! 

And the Party continues

For Harper's first few birthdays, we had big parties with a ton of kids and then I kind of wised up and have gone smaller over time.  Hollis has always had little parties at home so I thought for her fourth we would do something bigger for her.  Plus, I wasn't feeling up to doing anything at home. 

Hollis has always wanted to go to Build A Bear so I thought it would be a fun day for her.  

My girls and their baby "big" brother in the middle.  

Daddy's girls and the wilderness man! I told Scott he was edging on "Robertson" territory with that beard so he shaved it down yesterday. ha! 

I think Hollis had fun with a special day for her.  

Hollis really has only a couple of little friends.  Harper would invite 50 kids to a party but Hollis just loves a few friends so we invited a couple of sets of sisters and of course our friend Joseph.  I'm thankful that even though Emily is five years older than Hollis, she still likes being around her. 

My friend's Jenn's girls and Hollis. 

We only had a small party so it wasn't chaotic and the kids all got to make a fun animal.  Then we headed over for a little picnic outside.  Our food court is closed for renovations but luckily it was a nice day and it was perfect to just eat outside.  There is a little playground there too so the kids got to play after they ate.

Hollis wanted Barbie plates and napkins.  

We had so much fun celebrating our girl and it was SO easy on me! So win Win! 

Teaching Kids to Pray

A few weeks ago, when the girls had been home from school and we had been snowed in and had a little too much "together time", we were having one of those days where the fighting was just endless. My girls are normally best friends and play so well together but there are days where they just fight non stop and I will be the first to admit that it makes me lose my mind.  It was also a day where I was especially cranky with my pregnancy.  I'm just putting it out there.

So after the millionth time that I heard them fighting over toys, I went in their room with a big garbage sack and said "Okay, if you won't quit fighting over your toys - I will just pack them all up and give them to kids who don't have any and will appreciate them".  I wasn't extremely pleasant and I huffed out of their room with a sack of toys that I threw in our garage and went to my bedroom to lay down and just let out a sigh.

And then over the monitor in their room, I heard them talking and at that moment - I felt both very proud of my parenting and very humiliated.

Harper said "I think maybe we need to pray.  Each of us can pray that mommy won't be so mean and will give us our toys back".

And then they each proceeded to pray the sweetest prayers that included "Please make mommy not so mean" (which was the humiliating part and just killed me) and "Please help us be nice and share" and "Please let mommy give our toys back".

But the one thing I was grateful for in that moment was that they were learning.  They were learning that they could turn to God in any moment and share their hearts.

One thing that's so important to me is prayer and I want that to be a intricate part of my children's lives.  I want them to understand the God they are praying to and understand what prayer is.  There is nothing wrong with the little canned poems that kids learn to say "God is good, God is great, let us thank Him for our food.........." and I know they teach kids the basics of praying but they get on my last nerve.  I don't want them to memorize a poem - I want them to know it's a conversation with a REAL GOD.  They wouldn't recite a poem when they wanted to talk to me or their friends, I don't want them reciting poems to God.

So we teach them to tell Him what is on their hearts.  And that may manifest itself into a lot of prayers about grandparents or school or wanting a kitten but as they grow, I hope it becomes a relationship.

We try to do that by not just praying at bed time or meals but when the girls are telling me about something tough like kids not playing with them or being afraid about something at school or even fighting with their sister, I will say "How about we pray about that?" And we just stop and pray.   And they are listening.

I often pray on the way to school for them and one of the things I pray is that "Angels will just surround them and protect them at school" (I know this sounds charismatic especially if you aren't even a believer - but I truly believe God sends angels to be with us and I love the visual it gives me.  I love the song by Chris Tomlin "The God of angel armies is always on my side". )  And now if I don't pray that, Harper will say "Mom, aren't you going to pray for Angels to be with us?" and I've even heard her pray that for others.

They don't fully understand about God and Jesus yet.  I'm 41 and I don't fully understand about God.  But it's not too early to talk about Him and talk to Him.  I have so many adult friends who were raised in the church who will say they don't know how to pray and are terrified to pray out loud.  I want prayer to be just as much as our life as eating meals and breathing.

So I'm grateful that day that they knew to pray for their momma.

And after a little calming down (and praying for patience) and talking to them -
  I did give their toys back. 

"March"ing right along

We have had a busy few days.  March is flying by which means April will be here soon.  Which means I'm about to have three kids.  Yikes! 

 Last week I had told Harper I would come eat lunch with her on Friday and she said "okay, but can you curl your hair or something?"  (ha ha ha).  I think this was probably one of the days I didn't have to go anywhere and I was in my official uniform of sweats and uncombed hair.  Thursday night she brought me a note - "I want McDonalds (we are still working on spelling out words) and I want hamburgers and ketchup".  She has only eaten McDonalds a couple of times in her life (cause yuck) but she thinks it is the most gourmet cuisine ever.  So I fixed my hair (I didn't curl it but I at least fixed it and put on normal clothes) and took her a happy meal.  Her smile was worth it!

My parents came by Friday afternoon to celebrate Hollis' birthday.  They brought cupcakes and presents.  I would say that was a party!

I want to publicly thank them for giving Hollis a microphone.  She is obsessed with it.  It has only caused a few sister fights and Hollis has decided she likes to get on the microphone and give us orders LOUDLY.  

Why do grandparents always give big and loud gifts? Did they not learn from their parents? :-) 

Saturday morning very early I rode down to Conway, AR with two of my best friends so we could be at an "Addicted to Anxiety" event with my friend Susan.  She did a wonderful job.  I gave a short testimony and managed to not go into labor. 

We had to stop for queso and salsa before heading home.  It was fun just to spend the day with friends! 

Several college friends I hadn't seen in 20 years came and it was fun to see their faces and one of my childhood friends turned adult friends came also! What a special surprise! 

Yesterday, Hollis and I went to an early assembly at Harper's school because she got the "Terrific Kid" award.  I'm so proud of that girl! 

Yesterday was Hollis' fourth birthday.  So we did some of her favorite things.  We picked up donuts to take to her preschool class.  She had so much fun at school with her best friends and was SO proud of her birthday crown.  She pretty much wore it the rest of the day.  She requested we eat at Chick-fil-a for dinner so we did and then we went for ice cream.

She had a great day.  Of course, we paid for all that sugar later when she was running circles at 9:30 at night.  But you only turn four once, right? :-0 

Today we went to Bible Study and my friend Samantha shared her testimony.  We went to lunch with friends later.  Some of the sweetest little 3 and 4 year olds I know! 

This afternoon, Harper's school had a Leprechaun hunt for Kindergarten.  Hollis and I went and joined them.  

One of my favorite people also teaches at Harper's school.  I love seeing here there.  And she is always dressed for the occasion.  She is with one of my good friends' daughters! 

Harper was SO sweet with Hollis.  She held her hand and took her all around with her and then shared her special St. Patrick's Day treats with her.  She showed her everything in her classroom and was just so precious with her.  I love that they are such great friends. 

And we were stretching it for green clothes today.  Apparently we don't have much green in our wardrobes.  But Pink and Green are always right! :-) 

Happy Birthday Hollis

Happy Birthday Hollis!!!

Today you are FOUR!!!!! 

I can hardly believe how you have grown up into such a BIG girl! 

You worship your big sister.  Your favorite thing to say is "I want whatever Harper wants".  This goes for food, toys, clothes, etc.  You always can't wait to for us to pick her up from school each day.  You have a built in best friend and I'm so thankful.  

Y'all just started sharing a room and it's going so well.  You just moved to a big girl bed and you have done amazing! You never get up - but sleep so well.  And I love to hear the talk and giggles coming out of your room at night and in the mornings.  

Your very best friend is Joseph and y'all are ATTACHED at the hip.  You are in church and preschool together and you stay right at his side.  They already put you both in the same PK-4 class for next year because they know you can't be separated.  

You are quiet and shy but you are slowly coming out of your shell.  You have a contagious laugh and the cutest dimple in your cheek.  You are mischievous and funny.  And the days that it's just you and me - you stick right by my side and NEVER STOP TALKING.  

You are so sweet and well behaved.  I always get compliments when you have to go places with me like the doctor or LONG hair appointments because you act so well.  You are a great sidekick to me! 

You love to draw and you love to sing.  You love to go to preschool and are always excited to get out of the car with your backpack! You love to read books.  You love playing barbies and baby dolls.  You also love all princess movies.  

You are a picky eater but you do love to eat eggs and avocados.  Other than that - there is not a lot you like right now.  

We call you "Baby Bug".  You are a gift to our family and I know you are going to be a good big sister to Will Holden.  I think you might be excited to boss someone around finally.  I'm so thankful God blessed our family with you four years ago today! 

Sweet Hollis when she was born and on each of her birthdays! Four years have gone by too fast! 

We love you Hollis Barrett! Happy Birthday! 

33 weeks and a baby update

 Well, I have made it to 33 weeks (tomorrow).   Poor Will Holden - I have barely taken any belly pictures this time.  But here is where I am now.  I have gained about the same amount of weight I did with Harper.  I feel like I'm twice the size but it won't be much longer!

All three of my babies at 33 weeks.  

I thought I would give a little update on Will Holden.  I had an appointment this week and we got to have an ultrasound to check on a few things.  I was anxious to see how he was measuring.  He was actually measuring about three weeks ahead.  Mostly because he has a BIG head.  Which might be alarming except big heads run in our family.  Both of the girls have heads in the 99% range and always have.  (I'm just very thankful to be having a c-section when I think about his size and his head!)(And I say that because Harper wasn't a c-section and she weighed almost 10 pounds with a big head and I don't think I will ever fully recover).  Will Holden is approximately 5.5 pounds right now. I still have about six weeks to go.  (Yikes!) I keep telling Scott that about half the population deliver babies that are between 5-6 pounds if he wonders why I'm so miserable.

I'm in a lot of pain these days.  It's not labor pains, it's just a heaviness that hurts.  I can barely walk.  Most of the people I've talked to who had 3 or 4 kids felt this way by the last pregnancy so that makes me feel better but I just spend as much time as possible laying down.  It's frustrating when I have so many things I need to be doing but I'm just accepting that I can't do it all right now.  Thank goodness Scott has taken over grocery shopping for me (which sounds crazy but it's hard for my type A personality to let that go).  He is also helping me so much around the house and I'm going to have someone come and help me clean for the next few months.

Mostly I'm just so excited to meet our boy and I am starting to have so much anticipation.  I just keep praying that everything goes okay and that he will be a healthy baby boy!

And I was starting to think he would never have a nursery but it's coming all together!  His room is going to be painted this weekend and I have bedding coming the first of next month.

I wanted to have a special verse for him for his room and we picked the one above.  It's a verse I pray for all my children - that they would be called Oaks for Righteousness.  I love the vision of them being " a display for His splendor".  I know God delights in all of His children.  I had my friend Susie make this sign for his room and I absolutely love it.  She makes beautiful signs.  (and she just had a grandson named Holden!)

I have another project that I thought I was real fancy and Pinteresty and I was going to make it out of a pallet.  Scott saw the pallet and said "yeah - that's not going to work" so last weekend we went to Lowe's and bought wood and he build me a big wood sign.  His way was SOOOO much better!  (It's not as big as it looks - this was before he starting cutting the wood and putting it together).

Laurie is going to paint it to look like this and then it will go above the crib! I'm so excited about it!

Once we get those few things put together - his room will be finished! Just in time for his arrival!!! I feel so much better that it might actually be ready when he comes.  I've been working on getting his closet ready.  Friends have blessed me with so many hand me downs for him that we really haven't bought much. I can't wait to see him in his little boy clothes!

So that's where we are with all things baby! I say every day that I still can't believe we are about to have a little boy! God has blessed our family so much with this unexpected miracle!

Walking and Sleeping

I wanted to share about our recent days but FIRST - I wanted to tell you if you live anywhere near Central Arkansas - THIS SATURDAY - we are doing another Anxiety event! This one is going to be longer and include lunch and will get into a lot more detail on practical, tangible ways to handle anxiety.  There was so much we didn't get to when we did the event at our church and this will hopefully go deeper.  I'm going to be sharing my testimony live.  I have two friends going with me and driving me so I can basically lay down in the car and try not to go into labor. ha!  I would love to see you there! The details are all on this poster!! Grab a friend and COME!!!

Saturday the girls and I got to go to a wedding shower for one of the sweetest girls we know.  Aaryn is getting married in a few months and Harper and Hollis are her flower girls.  They are THRILLED.

These are the dresses they are going to wear.  Aren't they precious? With flower crowns on their heads? I can hardly wait! 

They sat front and center and watched every present Aaryn opened and ate their little petit fours like little ladies.  It was so fun! 

On Monday, we travelled to Little Rock to see our audiologist and get new hearing aids.  Scott went with us and drove us thank goodness or I don't think I could have done it.  They tested Harper's hearing and the big praise is it hasn't changed since about six months ago.  That was wonderful news! It could still worsen eventually but for now it is steady.  Harper's new hearing aids are bright purple and pink.  She has had her heart set on rainbow ear molds and our sweet Dr. Jan came through for us and we are getting multi colored ones.  Harper is showing you the mold Dr. Jan took of her ear that will eventually be her rainbow mold.  She is so excited.

Scott kept Hollis busy in the waiting room while we tested and my parents even came and surprised the girls because my mom happened to have a doctor's appointment in Little Rock on the same day! Our sweet Dr. Jan is just a blessing to our family.  

And yesterday Harper had to draw a picture of her mom and write two sentences about me.  And this is what she wrote.  My mommy can walk (I thought maybe it said work and that would have been not bad - but no she said it was "walk") and can sleep in her bed.

Six years of loving her and pouring into her and cooking for her and reading to her and teaching her about Jesus and caring for her every need and it boils down to I can walk and sleep. ha! I'm trying not to be disappointed.  And it's hard to tell - but that is our couch and I'm laying on one end of it with my big belly.  That part is pretty accurate.  I hope one day she can say more about her mom than that I can walk and sleep. ha!

I have some baby updates but this post is already long so I will share those tomorrow.  And maybe a belly picture update if I can fit it on the computer. ha!

The Sun will come out Tomorrow

Growing up, my favorite movie was always Annie. I had a red Annie wig that I wore all the time (which looked amazing over my dark hair and skin as a kid). And I was known to constantly break out into a chorus of "Tomorrow" or "It's a Hard Knock Life." I have seen it in the theatre a few times as well.

A year or two ago, I bought the old DVD and introduced Harper to Annie and she was hooked immediately.  She probably watched it 100 times.  So when I found out that a new version was releasing this year, I was ECSTATIC.  I think I was probably more excited than the girls were.

I have to admit, I was a little skeptical though.  I don't usually love remakes of classics, especially when it's one I really love.  I couldn't imagine Cameron Diaz as Ms. Hannigan, for one thing.  I went in knowing I probably wouldn't love it but wanted to see what they did with it.

I'm going to go ahead and say that I loved the new version just as much as the old.  Cameron was GREAT as Ms. Hannigan and I loved Jamie Foxx.  The story stayed very true to the old version with just a few modern twists.  And the music was a lot of the old classics well done along with a few new catchy tunes.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I think I smiled through the whole thing.

I will also add that I thought the new version was a little more wholesome.  I didn't realize until Harper watched the old version that there were several cuss words and adult themes.  The new version really didn't have any of that, which made me so happy!

And my girls loved it! And we are so excited it is releasing on DVD so we can watch it over and over.  (We tend to watch movies a LOT when we love them).  The Annie DVD is releasing on March 10 (the Blu-Ray version releases on 3/17).  On the Blu-Ray combo pack you also get 5 sing-a-long songs! If your kids are anything like mine, that is a BONUS!!! My girls love to dance and sing along with songs on the movies they love!

So not only do you need to go out and get Annie for your kids, but today you have a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card by leaving me a comment and telling me:

What was your favorite scene in the new Annie Movie??????

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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

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On the "snow" down

I've been on the down low with blogging this past week but surprise, surprise........we have been snowed in again.  In fact, I think today almost every single school in Arkansas was closed.  I know this blows your mind if you live in the north but ice and snow just close up shop here.  It's actually been really nice not having to set an alarm or rush around each morning and my girls have had the best time just playing together.  I'm so thankful for how they are so close and love to play because I have worked on Will Holden's room and closet and got a lot done and also rested a lot.  Sometimes it's nice to just be forced to be still.

On the flip side, roads are clear so we are going back to school tomorrow and I have a lot of errands and a fun lunch with friends planned!

So I don't have a lot to share outside of my quiet week but I do have a couple of  things I wanted to share with you.

A local lady has written a Christian Fiction book that I thought you might like.  I know I share a lot of books with you but I've never shared a fiction book.  I thought this would be great for spring break trips or snow days or just for every day reading! And on FRIDAY (tomorrow) it's only 99 CENTS for kindles on Amazon.

Thirty year old Charlie lives a perfectly average life until family scandal and personal tragedy threaten everything she believes about her family, her history, and her first love. In the aftermath, Charlie will journey to foreign countries, new phases of life, and even a past that haunts her to learn about love...and forgiveness. 

Judah once gave up everything to protect the girl he loved. Years later, will he risk it all again to have the love he wants or give all that God asks even if it means losing her forever? 

You can get "Beautiful Ashes" here! 

I had a lot of you ask me about this nativity scene I had for Christmas this year.  I LOVED LOVED this set and my girls just adored it.  I got it last year from Heart and Home Collection and she is doing a pre-sale on natives again.  

I also LOOOOVE this plush set.  Your kids or grandkids could actually touch this without you worrying about it breaking.  Even if you have a nice, heirloom Nativity - this could be a great addition if you have kids of any age for them to actually act out the Christmas story! I know Christmas is a LONG ways away but you will be glad next Christmas to pull this out when it's time to decorate!!! They have several sets to pick from! 

AND ............ leave me a comment and I will give one of you a 50% off coupon code to get your own nativity scene.  I will draw a winner on Sunday! Let me know which set you like and why you would want it!

http://www.heartandhomecollection.com/collections/nativity-pre-order

Well Hello Winter

We have had an eventful few days around here.  

Friday, the girls were out of school and Scott left to go on one last hunting trip until today.  

We spent the morning playing at a friends' house and then in the afternoon I had a meeting at church that the girls went with me to.  When we came out of the meeting, it had snowed about 2 inches.  No one in our town had ANY idea it was supposed to snow so everyone seemed to be rushing to get home at the same time and the whole town was basically a parking lot.  It took me an hour to drive about 3 miles home.  

The girls and I had a lot planned for the weekend including a fun birthday party and eating out with friends.  I hadn't even really gone to the grocery store because I figured we would eat out or eat sandwiches.  I wasn't expecting to be snowed in for three days.  But we made it! We watched a lot of movies and played with a lot of dolls.  I wish I could say I got a lot done around the house but I honestly spent a lot of time laying down.  I'm actually thankful for the unexpected rest.  We probably could have gotten out yesterday but I was mostly afraid of falling on ice so big and pregnant and hurting the baby.  So we are being extra cautious. 

But by last night we were all ready to break out of the house so we got cleaned up and they wanted their hair curled and we all went to bed early in anticipation of going back to school! Of course, word on the street is we are getting another big snowstorm this week.  I'm so ready for spring!

Today was a busy day for me and Harper.  She had to get a cavity filled so we got our first experience with laughing gas! Harper did so great!

And then we went to the eye doctor to check on a little issue and Harper gave me a huge scare.  I wrote about this on Instagram but they had her read the eye chart and they said "read this line" and she just sat and stared and said "nothing".  So they kept making the letters bigger and again she would stare and say "nothing".  I thought "Oh my word - she's going blind!" and then finally I said "Harper can't you read the letters?" and she said "It doesn't spell anything".  ha! She thought she should be reading words and they spelled out "nothing".  I laughed so hard mostly from relief.

Life is never boring.