Mommy Daughter Day

Today, I decided to take the day and really spend it with my daughter. I have been going and blowing so fast and furious, that I have neglected the important things in life and that is slowing down to smell the roses! I read a book over the weekend called The Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free. It was recommended to me by my girlfriend, Jeffie. If you haven't read the book...it's a MUST read!

One of the chapters was centered around life, priorities...moving too fast. And Nancy Leigh DeMoss made an observation. If you were to ask a mom how they were doing, most of them (us) would say that we are exhausted. We are tired. There aren't enough hours in our day to get what we need to get done. Does this sound like you? Well, I know it's me. I feel this way all the time that I never have the time to get done what I need to get done.

BUT...she made a very good, valid point. We actually do have enough hours in our day to get done what we need to get done. How is that possible?? Well, my guess is if you are like me, you are trying to do too much. Her point was that we have enough time in our day to get done what we are CALLED to do...what we are supposed to do...not necessarily what we want to do or what we cram into our day to get done.

Wow...that was very convicting. So, this week, I am working on organizing my life and getting back to the basics. Reid and Cole's school theme this year is Simply and Glorify. That is to simply your life in order to glorify God. Do you think that God is trying to tell me something being as I am seeing this from every angle of my life right now?

So...back to today. I had a ton to do for my photog business and a ton to do around the house and I even was going to call a couple of girlfriends to go to lunch as I hadn't seen them in awhile and I was going to go workout. Really? Weren't you just tired from reading that sentence?

After I dropped the boys off at school, I was driving home and I looked in the rear view mirror at my sweet daughter and thought...that's it. She is all I'm going to do today!

We went home and I got ready for the day and we headed out. We started off by getting a pedicure...ok...so that was for me. BUT she was in hog heaven being with me and sitting in my lap and enjoying the chair massage. We laughed together and seriously had some girl time. Then we headed to lunch together where we shared fruit, sandwiches and part of a cookie! She was telling me stories in her own little way and her eyes were full of excitement the whole time.

Then we came home for her to take a nap before we got the boys from school. During her nap time, I was able to work on some things that I needed to get done...but this time, in peace and without guilt and with a special joy in my heart that I had done the most important thing that day and that was have real one on one time with Ella. No regrets...only special memories to have forever!

Here we are at the nail salon. Can you tell she was having a great time with Mommy??
Below...She is sitting in her own big chair!!

Below...She is enjoying the massage. She loved pushing the buttons and kept saying: "See Mommy, I did it! Here is comes Mommy!!"

Here we are at Celebrity Bakery for lunch. I thought a girly place was in order for our girly day!

Ella's First Dance class

I signed Ella up for dance class with her girlfriend Haley. I think that Mommy was just as excited if not more excited than Ella. Seriously, don't you just want to eat her up in this outfit?






She went into class like such a big girl. She just followed Haley. I watched a little bit from the window and of course Ella is the smallest on in there (she's only the 18% for height for her age)...but she was doing a great job keeping up with the girls and was following the instructions of the teacher. It's so exciting! I so can't wait for her first dance recital! Can you tell that I'm giddy???

Oops....I messed up....

I thought that yesterday was picture day for Reid at school...not sure where I got my dates off, but I did. So, I made him let me fix his hair and then of course, I had to take my own picture of him. Isn't he just precious???



Well, apparently it wasn't picture day! Reid got in the car after school and was quite upset with Mommy that I would fix his hair and he didn't even have pictures! Nobody else had their hair fixed Mommy! Oh me. I told him that he looked so handsome though...he doesn't want to look handsome. He just wants to be a boy...not a lady killer!

But hey, at least I got this really cute picture of him!

Audrey Woolard Workshop

Ok...I just wanted to post a couple of pics that I took at the workshop this weekend. Isn't this little girl just beautiful? She is a child model and apparently wanted by many and we had the privilege of photographing her. It was hard to get a bad picture of her. I hope to post more on my photog blog later this week.

Lots to share

Ok bloggers...I have lots to share, but little time. BUT I wanted you all to know that I have joined the Facebook world! Yes, I know...it took several of my friends to "continue to encourage me" (ie...bug me) to do it...so I'm there!! Look me up if you are on as well.

I have to blog about taking Cole and Ella to the Dallas World Aquarium last week. Will get to that tonight.

AND...I had an AWESOME workshop this weekend with Audrey Woolard and my friend Kim. We learned soooo much. I can't wait for my next photoshoot! I'll be posting pictures soon of images I captured of this beautiful little girl!! BTW...Audrey Woolard does about 90% or so of the pictures of the Pottery Barn Kids catalog just to give you an idea of how much she ROCKS!

Be back soon....

La Hacienda Ranch

Just wanted to share some pics of our kiddos outside of La Hacienda Ranch riding the horsies as they say! Just too cute to not share!

This cute face???

I have to share a story about my sweet Ella from yesterday. We were at the mall while the boys were in school.

I am pushing her in her stroller just minding my own business, in a hurry to get my errands ran before having to go get her big brothers from school. I walk past this man who is tattooed all over...you know, one of those men that look a little rough and you sure wouldn't want to really talk to him? I know...so incredibly judgmental based on his looks alone. HOWEVER, Ella thought she would make an impression on this man. Mind you, she hasn't talked to anyone on our little stroll in the mall, so why this man, I'm not sure. BUT, she looked up at him and flashed him her little flirty smile with her head tilted on her shoulder and she started growling at him! Yep...you read that right...she was growling at him.

He stopped and looked down at her; I stopped and looked down at her. And she growled at him again. I replied in a bit of shock: "I think my daughter just growled at you?!"

He couldn't help but start laughing and he said to me: "Momma, you are going to have your hands full in a few year." I just kinda of laughed and kept walking and immediately started praying....PLEASE don't let her date this in the future!

Oh me...my sweet, sweet daughter has one of the most fun personalities I have ever seen in a child. Honestly, she has been such a joy. I don't know of a 2 yr old that has more personality than her! She's way too much fun!!

I know you are looking at this face thinking surely not! But yes....it's a true story!

Cole's 4 yr pictures

I now have some pictures of my sweet Cole posted on my Photog Blog. Take a moment to check out his sweet face!

Sweet story about Cole

This morning on the way to school, Cole said to me:
Mommy?
Yes sweetheart?
I want to forgive Jesus.
You do?
Yes.
Honey, why do you want to forgive Jesus? He's perfect and doesn't ever do anything wrong?
No Mommy, I want to forgive Jesus because I have done so many things wrong!
Oh...you mean you want to ask Jesus to forgive you?!
That's what I said Mommy, I want to forgive Jesus!

It doesn't get much sweeter than this. Out of the mouths of babes.....

Ella gets a BIG girl bed....

I had to blog that our sweet Ella got her very own big girl bed. She was very excited to get to sleep in this bed for the first time during her nap. It's funny because she looks sooooo tiny in this big ole bed. But here are a couple of sweet pictures of her in her bed.

Yes, I have the boys' pillows by her right now until I get her SnugTuck pillow in.

Wow....we are completely done with baby beds in our house! How in the world did that happen? Time is moving fast my friends...way too fast! I am doing my best to cherish every single moment with my children. I wish that I could just freeze time for just a moment! My goal in life right now is to SIMPLIFY my life in order to better GLORIFY Christ. And in this, it means...more time with my children and just soaking in their changes, them growing, and them changing! The best way that I can glorify Christ right now in my life is by being the wife and mother that I am called to be. I think I'm just reflective right now as we have just moved into a whole new phase of parenthood with a child in Kindergarten and now no more baby beds!

Simplify and Glorify!

Happy Birthday to Cole

Today my little man turns 4! Can you believe it? I know that I can't.

We started Cole's birthday off this morning with Daddy making his famous pancakes before we took Reid to school. Then Daddy took us to lunch at the boys favorite restaurant, California Pizza followed by a cookie for dessert.

Before we headed to school for Reid, we gave Cole his present from Mommy/Daddy and Ella. Reid gave him his present on Saturday before the party because Reid couldn't wait any longer! But, we got Cole his long awaited Tarzan toys! BTW...do you know they don't sell these things anymore...thank goodness for eBay! ;-) He was so excited to get his little Tarzan toys. He took Tarzan with him everywhere he went today!

Once we got Reid from school, I took them to the park before Cole had his long awaited ice skating lesson. He had decided that he wanted to play ice hockey, so I told him when he turned 4, he could "try out" the skating thing to see if he would like it. When he first put the skates on, he just grinned ear to ear. I was kicking myself because I forgot my camera...really? BUT, my wonderful husband came and saved the day. He wanted to come see Cole's lesson and grabbed by camera on his way.

Cole started off liking skating until he fell and noone picked him up and he of course couldn't get up by himself! Poor little guy. He looked back at me as if to say with those sweet, brown eyes of his, "Mommy, please come get me." Course, I can't do a thing. Anyway, he got passed that and was fine the rest of the lesson. I'm not sure he thinks he's ready to go back right away, so we'll see. I'm thinking he was just secretly upset with Mommy for dressing him in shorts and a T-shirt. Do you notice that the other kids all have on pants and gloves? What was I thinking? Apparantely, I forgot that he was going to be on ICE!

Here is Ella at Cole's skating lesson! Isn't she just having the time of her life and making life so grand for her mommy! I couldn't resist taking this picture, she just cracks me up when she gives this look on her sweet little face!

Here, you will notice that all these other kids have really good mommys that dressed them in warm clothes! Oh me....he didn't complain one time about being cold, so that's good.

They start them off on the ice pushing buckets for balance. So, here you will see Cole pushing his way from one side of the rink to the other side. He looks like he's having fun, doesn't he??



After dinner, Cole got to have another cookie and ice cream. What can I say? It was his birthday! As you can see, he truly enjoyed his ice cream! I mean who wouldn't?

What can I say about this little guy? He has such a sweet, sweet heart. Cole has for sure taught us many things as parents. Don't all of our children just teach us sweet lessons about Christ? The other day in the car, he said: "Mommy? I want to be pleasing to Jesus!" Bry and I both teared up. Tonight, he told me the same thing, but then he said: "But Mommy, sometimes it's really hard to be pleasing to Jesus!" Wow!!! He is already learning at an early age that it's hard to do the right thing because our flesh/human nature wants to step in and take over. He can't put it in those words, but we all know that he is starting to get it! Cole does seem to have a tender heart for Jesus and that is something that we pray daily he will continue to develop. Everytime we go to the park and we swing, he wants me to push him really high so that he can say hi to Jesus!

Cole is beautiful both inside and out. We don't know what life would be without him. He is a precious gift and blessing for which we are truly thankful each and every day.

So, my sweet Cole...Happy 4th Birthday! All I am asking from you this year is TO QUIT GROWING UP! ;-) We love you more than you will ever know.

BTW....stay tuned for Cole's 4 yr pictures coming up! I should have them up this week. They are super duper cute!

Cole trying out his presents

I wanted to post a couple of pictures of Cole with his new gigs! He received a lot of great presents from his friends and was pretty excited about each and every one of them. He is a simple kid who only asked for candy, a party favor, and a Tarzan for his birthday. So, he was thrilled at all the fun things he got.

For one, he got this GREAT fireman costume. He put it on right away. I mean, how cute is this? We all feel safe with this little fireman in the house.

Then he posed for me with his new helmet on and on his skooter! Don't you just want to eat this little man up????

We will still have a little family celebration with Cole on his actual birthday and he will get his present from Mommy and Daddy! He doesn't know this. He's our sweet boy and we are so proud to have the honor to celebrate his 4 little yrs of life this weekend.

A busy day....

We had a very busy day today!! We started off with going to Reid's soccer game at 9am. He's on a new team this season as his old team moved to the 1st grade level (and mom missed sign ups). Anyway, I really wanted him to play in the Kindergarten league as we thought that would better serve him. He has really loved soccer.

Well, today toward the end of the game, I had to leave to head to a shower I was helping to throw for my dear friend Leah. I didn't get 2 minutes down the road that Bry texts me to say that "Reid SCORED!!!" Are you kidding me? I missed his first score!????? I was crushed. Reid was super excited. I am so proud of him.

At 10:30, I was at a baby shower for my sweet, sweet friend Leah. She's having a sweet baby boy on Oct 9th, named Deacon Ross. The shower was such a blast! Lots of chatting and laughter.

Jenn, Ape, Leah, me

My next venture for the day was getting Cole balloons for his birthday party! Yes, his birthday is coming up. He turns 4 on Monday! There will be a special post about him on Monday.

We had his party at Peter Piper Pizza (now that's a mouth full). Lots of games and pizza and cake and ice cream...and did I mention gifts from our sweet friends? Cole has been talking about his birthday party for weeks. He has been soooooo excited!

We were serving all the kiddos their pizza and I thought we had them all served, till I turned around to find Cole still standing by me.
I said: "Cole, aren't you hungry?"
"Yes mom, but there isn't anywhere for me to sit down."

Sure enough, I looked at the table to find that all the seats were taken! Poor birthday kid. He said, that's ok mom, I can just sit over here and eat (with the adults). Oh me.
Cole wanted a Tarzan party. Apparently, they don't sell anything Tarzan anymore, so the cake and his invites were the only real Tarzan we had...but he was thrilled with that!

Ella thought that Cole would need her help in blowing out the candles! He didn't mind. He's really good at letting his brother and sister helping him with things like this. He even let Reid help him open his presents.

Yummy Yummy cake and ice cream! I would say that he had a great, sugar filled birthday party. I can't believe that he will be 4 on Monday. More to come on Cole this weekend.

Pen with the short sound of "e"

Strange title I know, but you'll understand why after reading this post.

My sweet son, Reid, had a "homework" assignment. He had to find something in the house that had either the short sound of the letter "a" or the short sound of the letter "e" in it to take to school today for show and tell! Each Thursday, so far, they have been asked to bring something for show and tell. Do you remember those days? I almost forgot that we did show and tell at school! Anyway, they have to take one item in and tell what it is, which letter it has in it and a little bit about why they chose that item to bring to school.

Reid and I went through all the things that we (I) could think of that he had with those letters in them and then he got to choose what he would take. Well, my little man, chose this pen to take today. A pen? That sounds a bit weird. But this is not just any pen, this is a special pen for Reid. See, when I took him on his date, I bought him this pen. He calls this his special pen. He keeps it at my desk so that his little bro and sis can't reach it and tear it up! He's a bit protective over it.

He wanted to take this pen and tell his class about his special date with mommy! What a way to grab mommy's heart this morning.