Whoooo's having a Happy Birthday?

Claire and Quinn both share their birthdays with a cousin. Crazy how that happened. Anywho...Claire shares her birthday with Maddox (November 24th). Their cousin Grace's birthday is November 21st. So during our Thanksgiving with family we had a super party for all three girls. Since Maddox was the one with the most significant birthday (she was turning 1) then Autumn got to pick the theme for the party. I bet you can't guess. Ok fine, it was owls. So cute! Claire turned 4, Grace turned 3, and Maddox turned 1. How fun is it going to be watching these girls grow up and getting to celebrate their life every Thanksgiving. I am truly thankful for all 3 of them. Love them!

 

 

Happy Birthday!
Claire, Maddox, and Grace.

 



Dance Dance Dance

Claire had her first dance recital with Jenks Dance Academy. It was like a mini one. They only danced one song, tap. It was held outside at the Riverwalk. Thankfully it wasn't too cold. Claire did awesome!! She didn't seem nervous at all but I was nervous enough for her. I wasn't sure what she would do but I should have guessed that she would be great. She loves to sing in front of people so I'm not sure why I thought dancing would be any different. I was so proud and I realized I am for sure one of those mamas that cry when they are proud of their children. I already know that Claire will one day be embarrassed by her emotional mama. The big recital is in May. We have been measured for and ordered the costume. They will dance one ballet and one tap number. I am so excited!! So proud of my little ballerina.

 

Such a big girl!

With her friend Kaitlyn that also danced that night.



Operation Christmas Child

This is the second year that our MOPS moms have participated in Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan's Purse. Our church also participated as well. So Jared and I thought we could let our girls fill a shoebox for two special little girls that we don't even know. It was such a blessing to watch the girls pick out things for their boxes. They wanted to put way more than what would fit. Quinn kept saying "my girl needs this in her box" and "I want my girl to have candy.".Claire couldn't believe that there were children who were not going to get presents for Christmas. It was so wonderful to get to talk them about how much we need to be grateful for and how much God loves us and how much He loves those sweet children that will be so happy to receive their boxes. I am not sure how much the girls really realized what we were doing but I do know we are going to instill in them the importance of helping and loving others even if it is just a small shoebox. I am already looking forward to this new family tradition.

Ready to fill the boxes.

Claire's box.

She wanted to draw a picture and put it inside. It is a picture of a girl and she wrote her name on the top.

Quinn's box.

She needed to but a drawing in too.

Taking our boxes to church.
Lord, we pray for those sweet girls that received these boxes. We pray that they will see you and feel your love through these toys my girls picked out. I pray for your protection over their lives and I pray those girls accept you as their Lord and Saviour.



We love SamSam

Smiling

Samson is our Golden/mix puppy. Technically he is not a puppy, he will be 7 years old in April. The girls love him. Quinn a little more than Claire. Claire is still cautious and does not like that he smells her every time she goes outside. He weighs about 75 pounds so I can justify her cautiousness. I mean his head is almost as big as she is. Quinn will chase him around and bug him. He "loves" it! However, he does love the girls outside and he loves to, what I call, protect and watch over them. I know he was jealous when the first little human arrived but now he thinks of them as family. The girls call him SamSam instead if Samson and he doesn't mind one bit.

 

Watching over my girls.

You want a piece of me? Huh?

I'm Back!

Holy macaroni!!! It has been months since I have been on here. I would like to say it is not my fault. See...blogger told me I had used too much space and it wouldn't let me download pictures. What?!?! No pictures? Who do you think you are talking to. I can not write a post without at least one picture attached!! So I asked around to see what I needed to do and I got the answer. This is where it is now my fault. I got busy and didn't try and fix the problem and so now it is 3 months later and here I am. Three months behind and a ton of posts just waiting to be posted. Plus, I need to print out my blog into book form for the year. I think the problem has been resolved. We will see. I apologize to the few that follow me for your feed will be bombarded with pictures of my girls and family. It's a good thing we are a somewhat good looking family. ;)

Carpel tunnel...hello again! Here we go...

(I am breaking into a sweat because I am NOT posting a picture!)

*Picture of the week.*

Don't you just want to eat her up? Dirty face and all!!

Thankful Saturday

Last year I started do a Thankful Thursday post for the month of November. I am already behind this year...hence thankful Saturday.

I am so thankful for my husband, Jared. He has waited on me hand and foot since yesterday after getting my wisdom teeth pulled. He has been making sure I take my medicine on time and that I rinse my mouth out when I am supposed to. He even gets the salt water ready for me!

He made sure the girls let me sleep in this morning. He has taken care of the girls and has been playing outside with them most of the afternoon. He will admit that if anything ever happens to me that the girls will be dressed like him because he doesn't know what to do with them. For instance today they went out in jeans, a t-shirt, and a ball cap over their unbrushed hair. It made me laugh and it makes me love him even more!

He has made my lunch and has picked up for me. I have to admit it is hard to let him do things for me when I am so used to doing things for him and the girls. Who am I kidding...too bad I don't have any more wisdom teeth that need removing because I could get used to this! Don't tell Jared I said that.

Seriously, I am blessed that he is mine and I am so thankful for him everyday not just today.