and baby makes three

MK's Tasty Homemade OJ Popsicles

2012-01-26T21:11:00.001-06:00

1. Peel four small oranges and put the slices in a bowl. We actually used Cuties...the most delicious little clementines!

2. Mash the orange slices with a potato masher.

3. When the potato masher gets boring, use a meat mallet.

4. Pour the juice from the bowl in to the popsicle mold.

5. Add mashed up oranges (we like fruit chunks in ours) and a little water to top them off.

6. Insert popsicle stick.

7. Freeze and enjoy!

how to entertain a sick kid...part 3

2012-01-26T14:10:00.001-06:00

This could actually more correctly be labeled: how to get a sick kid to eat. However, that would throw off this little impromptu series I've got going on over here now wouldn't it? Plus, I did hope that it would be fun and entertaining as well.

MK and I had to leave the house to get some milk for her. Considering that is ALL that she has taken in in days, it was somewhat of an emergency. Luke was at church, so we got dressed and drove to the store.

We passed the break and bake cookies on the way to the milk and Madelyn's eyes perked up. We've never made those (or broken them apart? ha) together before but she saw the enticing picture and got excited. So, in hopes that it would motivate her to eat her dinner in order to have a cookie, I bought them.

We bought a few other things too along with the milk and cookies. I picked up some fresh crab dip that Luke loves for a snacky sort of after church dinner. You know why I love our local grocery store? The dip rang up wrong so we got it for free. Free. I feel like I have to stand watch over the groceries at Wal-mart because nothing ever rings up right. It's almost more exhausting then shopping for everything to begin with. Anyway, back to entertaining a sick kid.

We unloaded the groceries and immediately got busy on the cookies. Madelyn pulled them out of the package and on to the sheet all by herself. "My do it" is her favorite thing to say these days. Then we counted them one by one and covered them in sprinkles.

Then we let them bake while we ate dinner. At least that was the plan.

No dinner was had by the munchkin but at 8pm I gave in and let her have a cookie. Even then, she only nibbled on it! At least she had fun! Operation entertain gives this little activity (for lack of a better word) a success. Operation get-your-kid-to-eat would rate this a failure.

how to entertain a sick kid...part 2

2012-01-25T23:59:00.000-06:00

MK woke up this morning requesting her Dora pajamas. I resisted the temptation to tell her no or fib and tell her they were dirty (because I knew she would wear them all day meaning I would have to look at them all day) and let her wear them. Character pajamas two days in a row was a bit much for me, but I survived!

In my ongoing attempt to make our time inside as fun as possible, I dug through one of my boxes of teaching treasures and pulled out the puppet theater! MK loved it and so did I. We played for over an hour with it before she tuckered out. She is so creative and her imagination is full on at this age.

When Luke made it home from work, even more puppet theater took place. This time MK thought it would be fun to read her Bible to the puppets though. It was pretty cute to watch.

Since MK didn't eat anything all day long, I decided to try a popsicle. She took a few bites but that was it. Poor thing just isn't in the mood.

I am so thankful that she doesn't get cranky when she doesn't feel well. The back of her throat is red and I am sure it feels terrible, but she's still fun to be around!

how to entertain a sick kid...part 1

2012-01-25T23:30:00.000-06:00

MK has had a sore throat this week. She's been pitiful and I hate it for her. She has been so healthy all winter so it was kind of a bummer that she started feeling icky this late in the game. In addition to that, the weather has been dreary and wet so I have tried to do some different things with her to perk her up.

One day we did a little experiment.

I remembered doing this with Emily when she was little and she loved it so I thought MK would too.

First we filled a pitcher with water, leaving about two inches of room at the top. Then we added oil. She thought that part was pretty cool and even liked mixing it up with her hands to see the oil bubble down in to the water and float back up.

Then I said, "We should make some fireworks in our oil and water".

Big mistake.

For some reason, she did not want to take part. She hasn't ever really been exposed to fireworks (at least not recently enough that she would remember) so I have no idea why it freaked her out, but freak her out it did.

The "fireworks" were just a few squirts of food coloring. They drop to the bottom of the oil layer and then eventually break through and look like fireworks in the water. MK didn't stick around for that part though (you can see her climbing down behind the pitcher in this picture).

How to entertain a sick kid you ask? I'll get back to you on that. So far all I know how to do is scare a sick kid. This was a fail. We may revisit it when she is well again (or 10).

hand to hold

2012-01-24T23:00:00.000-06:00

Confession: I am a people watcher. As in, sometimes I stare. I have really worked on this through the years, but it is part of my DNA I think. My mom and I went to dinner together last night. As we were being walked to our table and the server kept winding through the open rooms full of empty tables, I had a gut feeling we weren't going to be put in one of those empty tables out in the open with a good view. Then it happened; he sat us in the corner. Like, the very furthest corner of the restaurant. Mom got first pick and I got two brick walls. This my friends is a people watcher's worst nightmare. Actually, it resulted in some really good conversations instead of me staring at the people around us playing the guess-what-they-are talking-about-game.

You know, where you insert words in to their mouths? Don't act like you've never played. And if you haven't, you should definitely give it a try.

On the last full day we were in Africa, there was a moment that I played the guess-what -they-are-talking-about-game.

We were visiting some of Pastor Emmy and Supermom's children on our way through town. It was the day before we would journey back to America on what would be Supermom's first trip. For a few minutes they walked away from the group. They held hands and talked.

I have absolutely no idea what they talked about. It could have been the muzungus (white people) who would not stop with the pictures (although I doubt it because I think they've gotten used to that). It could have been to decide on the plans for the evening. It could have been that they were talking about the upcoming tests their children were going to take. I have no idea.

However, in my head (you know, in the guess-what-they-are-talking-about-game), they were talking about the trip they were about to take together.

For a split second I thought about what it would have been like if Luke and I had made the journey to Africa together leaving Madelyn at home. I thought about how nervous I would have been the day before. How the touch of my husband's hand on mine and the sound of his voice speaking wisdom and care over me would have been one of the only things that would have calmed me.

In my mind, that's what happened.

Regardless of whether that's really what they talked about or if they were even talking at all, this little moment that I couldn't help but take a picture of is something that I will always remember. For me it was a visual reminder that my husband and I, no matter what the circumstances, are a team. We are in it together. We are each other's consultant, friend, encourager and hand to hold when we need to step away from the crowd for a minute.

safari day

2012-01-23T17:50:00.000-06:00

Yesterday afternoon, Madelyn asked me to get her little bin of "fari animals" (toddler translation: safari) out for her to play with. After literally two or more hours of her making them hunt for food, building homes for their babies and practicing up on the roars and growls, I thought she might enjoy watching an animal documentary. Her only visual exposure so to these animals has been via the zoo (which we haven't been to in a few months) and the Lion King as far as how they interact and move.

I found an Animal Planet African Safari episode on Netflix and turned it on. She didn't seem in to it at first, but I sure was. It took me right back to Africa.

I remember a conversation I had with Luke leading up to the trip when I heard that we were possibly going on a safari one of the days. "This makes no sense. I honestly think a safari might be neat, but I can't imagine going half way around the world to meet Emmanuel and all those amazing people and spend a whole day looking at animals. (Insert sassy tone of voice) We have a zoo." I can't believe I actually said all that, much less typed it out, but it's the truth. I said it. Up until the day before we actually went on the safari, I thought it was actually just a possibility. I was still a little disappointed and internally (my teammates may beg to disagree on the internally part, but I was trying hard to keep my negativity to myself) pouty right up until the moment when we saw this.

An elephant? Seriously! There's this massive creature 25 yards from me. Eating and roaming and doing it's thing. Did I mention it was only 25 yards from me?

When I saw that elephant it was as if the scripture that I had tucked away in my heart as a small child, taught to various groups of kids through the years and most recently my own, came alive!

"And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." Genesis 1: 24-25

It was captivating!! To see the creeping things and the beasts and the living creatures that God spoke in to it's very existence was faith building for me!

I felt myself continually thinking, "Praise you Father!". Here we were, standing in awe of the works of His hands.

The safari was broken up in to two parts; the first half was on land, the second on water. Our guides for both parts were awesome. Part of the water we were on led to the border between Uganda and the Congo.

As Madelyn and I watched the documentary yesterday I kept blurting out, "Madelyn, Mommy saw that in person when she went to Africa! And that too! Oh and that one!!". She kept looking at me like I was crazy, but I couldn't help but be excited.

What a humbling experience and a reminder of how marvelous all that He has created truly is! I am thankful that despite my moaning and groaning he allowed me to experience something so awesome!

you love her lots

2012-01-22T17:57:00.000-06:00

MK,
Even though we are 35-40 minutes from Grandma and Grandpa now, Grandma still drives out to see you every chance she gets. She spoils us all and loves you dearly. You love her just as much! Yesterday she came out to see you and the two of you read books in the play room for quite some time together. You are so blessed with four awesome grandparents! I am thankful!
Love you sweet girl,
Mommy

just a cousin fun day

2012-01-21T23:30:00.000-06:00

We were missing the girls around our house so I asked if they could come play at the house today. Marlo dropped them off a little after 10 this morning and we hit the ground running. The girls played in the playroom, watched about 37.6 seconds of Rapunzel, popped pop corn in the pop corn maker they bought MK for Christmas and then we painted.

All the girls had fun painting. It was pretty funny to see their staggered skill levels in the finished products when it was all said and done.

The girls were begging to go outside. After a near 80 degree day the day before, it was so cold outside. We bundled up and I promised them 15 minutes of outside time.

Grandma and Grandpa stopped by too after helping Luke move a few chairs out here. I am pretty sure that was the high light of the day for all of them. Grandma stayed for the duration and kept us all company!

Emily and I had fun sewing while the little girls giggled in MK's room. Then we made some hats and scarves while they napped. I've never made a hat before, but after looking at one of MK's beanies I thought we could do it. It definitely isn't perfect, but Emily thought it was pretty cool that she made her very own hat from start to finish.

We love the days we get to spend with these two!

rub a dub dub, a sweet girl in the tub

2012-01-21T15:54:00.000-06:00

Different days, but same sweet smile!

a welcomed detour

2012-01-20T23:00:00.000-06:00

Gigi was in East Texas for work yesterday and today so she made a detour to our house. MK was super excited and loved playing with Gigi for a few hours. They fed the ducks (of course), ran around the backyard and enjoyed the new swing set.

I have no idea why she was pouting when this picture was taken, but it makes me laugh. She's a tad on the dramatic side (and completely covered in a powdery substance from the duck food).

They laughed and giggled and had a great time together.

She was sad to see Gigi go, but we all enjoyed the welcomed detour!

my favorites.

2012-01-19T23:58:00.003-06:00

MK and Luke spent sunset on the dock.

Feeding the ducks.
20 minutes later.

A sweet high five.

I love spying on these two.

pine cone feeder fun

2012-01-18T17:12:00.001-06:00

Madelyn adores animals. All kinds of animals. Since we've moved to the lake, she has especially grown fond of ducks and all sorts of birds. At any given moment you can look out the front or back and see beautiful, brightly colored birds. She loves Blue Jays and thinks hummingbirds are cute! So, today we made some bird feeders from pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed.

I remember making these in school and taking them home in ziploc bags. By the time they made it to my house, they were always completely crushed. I remember my mom walking me to a neighbor's house one time to grab a few pine cones out of their yard so that I could make another one! Oh, the things that stick with us.

Madelyn enjoyed "painting" with the peanut butter. In the end, we hung four pine cone feeders or "eaters" as she called them. It was a fun little thing to do together and super cheap too. We had the pine cones thanks to the massive pine trees out back, had just enough peanut butter in the pantry and bought a large bag of bird seed from Wal-Mart for $1.97. There is enough in the bag to make approximately 121 pine cone feeders. In other words, there's more than enough for future pine cone feeder making!

MK goes to the movies! Take one!

2012-01-17T20:30:00.000-06:00

When I saw that Beauty and The Beast came back out on the big screen, I knew I wanted to take MK. She has watched it at home a couple of times and loved it! This morning, I asked her if she wanted to go to the movie theater with me. Of course, she said yes but had absolutely no idea what she was getting herself in to! Ha! I just told her it was a really, really big TV.

She ran off a little energy outside before we left. Once we made it to the theater, it was obvious that we may be the only ones at our show. I counted eight cars in the parking lot! We bought our tickets. She was free! That was a fun little surprise. Then we got our $1 popcorn and $1 drinks. Our local theater does that on Tuesdays. Our little date to the movies cost $10 and was so worth it.

We were the only ones seeing our show! She picked our seats and then we waited! The only thing I would have done differently was arrived about 25 minutes after the show time. I wasn't sure we were going to make it through the previews! I even thought some of them were scary. That being said, she played games on my phone until the cartoon previews came on right before our show started. After 45 minutes of previews, it started and she clapped.

It was so fun watching her smile so big as she watched! We took two potty breaks at scenes that I thought might scare her that I usually fast forward through at home. It worked out perfectly. She danced in her seat during a few of the songs. I couldn't believe that she actually sat through the entire movie and loved every minute of it.

After the movies, we ran in to Target and MK spotted this Belle shirt. I am literally allergic to character shirts, but then she said, "It's Belle! I loved Belle with you!" I couldn't help it! I had to buy it.

I loved Belle with you too, sweet girl!

uneventful, low key and fun

2012-01-16T17:56:00.001-06:00

We had a crazy night last night. Here's the short version of how things went down but first you must know that the hubs and I were slipping in to bed at 9pm, a full three-four hours earlier than our normal bed time:

distant gunfire (according to the hubs-any gunfire I can hear is too close for me)
30 minutes pass
after being in bed for over an hour MK starts talking
loud crashing sound in to house by our bedroom
911 call as we are not sure what it was (was so loud it sounded like a car could have hit it)
hubs goes to investigate while MK and I sit in our bedroom on the phone with 911
finds a large limb that crashed from the top of a very tall tree on to the house
call 911 back to tell them not to come :)
MK is wide awake and begging for "2 minutes of shows!"
after 30 minutes of Lion King she's quiet and settled in her bed
two whole seconds later her monitor starts making the freakiest noise ever and wouldn't stop
freakiest noise continues
hubs goes to investigate and brings back a yet again wide awake toddler to our bed
we all slept off and on but I was awake for about four solid hours wondering what craziness would take place next

Moral of the story, I am never going to bed that early again!

I was determined today would be uneventful, low key and fun so I asked MK what she wanted to do after breakfast. Her response, "let's go outside and be super babies and save all the animals". I can do that.

She picked out her outfit, requested to two ponies (pony tails), agreed to wear shoes as long as they were Toms and grabbed her glasses on the way out the door. All this super baby is lacking is a cape.

Madelyn says the funniest things. I love it and wish I could remember them all, but here are some of her quotes from today.

"I'm going to wait right here until you are done taking my picture."

Obviously that didn't last long. Ha! Usually she doesn't care, but today she cared for all of 37 seconds.

"My shoe pooped off, Mom. I got it! I pooped it back on!"

"Super Baby to the wes-scue (rescue)!!"

"I love it here. I love the new house (she still calls it "new house" every time she speaks of it). I love the grass. I love the trees. I love it. I love it. I love it. Just like Punzel (Rapunzel) Mommy!"

"My glasses are awe-thum (awesome)!"

"I like it when we play hokey pokey! Want to play?"

"March two, three. March four, five. March six, seven. March. March. March!"

"I can't go on the bridge with out you Mommy! It's dangerous (her new most overused word)! Come on!"

We spent a solid four hours outside today and then she spent another few with her daddy this afternoon. The daylight is almost gone and they are sitting on the dock feeding the ducks.

It was a perfectly uneventful, low key and fun kind of day!

how to entertain a daddy

2012-01-13T22:30:00.000-06:00

The day she fell in love...

2012-01-12T12:57:00.000-06:00

with the hot-pink-grandma-glasses.

They were 99 cents.

It was January 3, 2012.

The place was Gymboree.

True love, I tell ya'!

"feed da ducks momma"

2012-01-11T18:01:00.000-06:00

Most days, at least once, we make our way down to the dock to feed the ducks. Even if the ducks aren't there, we feed them. Madelyn loves crossing the "bridge" to get to them.

Usually she has a snack for herself in tow.

Then, after spending half an hour or more looking out over the water together talking about the birds and fish, we make our way back to the house.

Since we moved, we don't go and do as much, but it's been nice. It makes the days we do go in to town more fun and the days MK sees friends that much more special. I've cooked more, been more creative with my time with MK and we have really loved the scenery!

Our daily walks down to feed the ducks are fun and as the lake rises, I know the duck feeding time will turn in to fish catching time.

you are beautiful

2012-01-08T16:30:00.000-06:00

I am so blessed by you, Madelyn Kate. You are smart, cheerful, thoughtful and beautiful. You bring joy and laughter to each of my days. You are a blessing!

I love you sweet girl.

Love,
Mommy

A typical sight...

2012-01-07T20:03:00.000-06:00

before teeth cleaning, hair brushing, breakfast eating, clothes changing or toy playing takes place, is MK drawing at her easel.

Sometimes she scribbles. Sometimes she draws faces (which she is getting better at). Sometimes she wants us to color with her which is also code for "come draw something and I will scribble over it".

Most mornings her little pajama wearing silhouette can be seen in the front window with markers in hand.

P.S. Can you believe that the markers stay out 24/7 and MK hasn't used them to color on anything other than her easel??

P.S.S. Can you believe she always puts the lid back on the one she was using before she grabs another??

pop it like it's hot

2012-01-05T23:30:00.000-06:00

MK got this awesome pop-corn machine for Christmas from her Aunt Marlo, Uncle Jarrod and the girls.

She loves it and wouldn't you know, it's way cheaper than the bag stuff (which is already pretty cheap). We bought a $2 bag of kernels from Wal-mart that will probably pop 35-40 buckets worth. Craziness.

"somebody is following me"

2012-01-04T17:16:00.000-06:00

MK,
I loved our little impromptu lesson in shadows today. You insisted on bringing your princess balloon outside and I agreed because there wasn't much wind. I was sure it would blow out of your hands and you'd be devastated, but you held on to that balloon as if your life depended on it. When we were walking back from the dock, you suddenly yelled, "Somebody is following me!!". When you pointed to your shadow, I couldn't help but laugh. I love discovering new things with you. Even shadows!

Love you sweet girl,
Mommy

We're back!

2012-01-03T23:00:00.000-06:00

We left the flat lands of wind mills and tumbleweeds to return home.

MK had so much fun at Gigi and Papa's new house and so did we.

The first order of business when we returned home? Gathering all of her doll house dolls and piling them in to bed with her.

She kept saying she missed them and giving them kisses.

One of MK's buddies broke his leg over the holiday so we went to cheer him up and wish him well. MK got sign his cast. Poor guy is quite the trooper and didn't seem to let it slow him down much.

Of course we also had to meet up with Grandma for dinner! Grandma spoils us constantly and treated us to some yummy Mexican food!

It was such a wonderful holiday, but now we're back!

Laundry anyone?

New Year's Day

2012-01-01T18:30:00.000-06:00

MK,
Today is a new day! A new year! I have always thought that New Year's Day is kind of a fun day. Most people are off work. Your grandma used to prepare a yummy New Year's Day meal when I was little (although I think black eyed peas are terrible and eating them on NYD is a plot by farmers to keep them from disappearing all together). Some stores have good post holiday sales. It's just a fun day! Another reason I have always loved NYD is because it brings with it a freshness. To do something new...leaving the past in the year that is ending and moving forward in to the new. You know why I love that so much? Because that ability, to truly leave something in the past, is because of Jesus.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

If we believe in Him, He has made us new!

Becoming who He has called us to be is a daily process and while I know that New Year's Day doesn't hold any sort of magic, it symbolizes the new! I think everyone can appreciate a fresh start every once in a while.

Some people make resolutions. Others make a resolution to make no resolutions. Some people think it's cliche. Everyone is different, but Daddy has always challenged me to make goals for the year. We set goals for the year that we want to reach personally and goals that we want to reach together! The first year we were married and he sat down with a pen and paper and asked me for my goals I was a little intimidated. However, I have grown to look forward to it. Grown to get excited about being challenged to make the year count! We haven't made our goals for this year yet, but I am sure we will soon.

We went to church this morning at Aldersgate, the church Daddy grew up in. It was so neat to worship there knowing that is where the roots of his faith were planted. The pastor challenged the congregation to make goals! It was great and refreshing and exactly what that sweet daddy of yours says to me each new year.

Then we spent our last full day at Gigi and Papa's house with Great Granny, Aunt Kenda and Michael too.

You adore Gigi and Papa!

We tried for a family shot with the remote, but it was a little tough since you were ready for a nap!

Take two!

This year these two will be married! Fun things are ahead in 2012, little girl!

I can't wait to share each day with you!

Love,
Mommy

NYE 2011

2011-12-31T23:51:00.000-06:00

New Years Eve consisted of:

Swinging

Playing backyard games (all of which I lost)

Jumping

Celebrating Great Granny's (belated) Birthday

Soccer

Basketball

Sidewalk chalk

Jumping in to leaves

Again

And again

And again (not sure who enjoyed the pile of leaves more??)

Admiring the in-laws awesome backyard (pool, hot tub, in ground trampoline and swing set!)

More jumping

A little self portrait taking

Hawk watching

More yard games

A delicious dinner out
A little piano playing

Ringing in the new year in the hot tub!

Happy New Year!

Post, Texas

2011-12-30T23:00:00.000-06:00

This afternoon we drove about 30 minutes South to Post to see where Luke's dad grew up. I love history. Not really the boring school text book stuff that my husband loves, but I do love stories. Family stories. Knowing and seeing and being where a family member grew up is exciting to me. So this little excursion was right up my alley!

We made a quick pit stop at a scenic turnout to look out over the cap rock. It was beautiful!

Then, we were on our way to Post, Texas, population 35. Not really. More like 3,500 but it definitely had that charming small town appeal!

We saw the church where Luke's parents were married. I love the steps!

We also drove around the neighborhoods and stopped in a few cute shops downtown. Then we were off to the property his family owned.

He grew up on a ranch.

The house he lived in has been abandoned for nearly three decades. Walking through it was pretty fascinating.

I am sure it was hard for my father-in-law to see it in that kind of shape considering the memories that house held for him, but it was such an honor to be able to go back there.

The property was gorgeous. And flat. Really, really flat. I've lived in Texas my entire life but it never ceases to amaze me how the various parts of the state are just so different.

I think I took about 150 pictures while we were there. All the textures were pretty neat. We took a few cabinet doors from a built in to use for decoration in our house. I can't wait to find a place for them!

We all enjoyed listening to his dad tell us stories about the property and his family, even Madelyn! She loved exploring too.

Just before we were about to head back to town for dinner, Luke and his dad got out their rifles for a little target practice. Luke hasn't had the chance to shoot the rifle his dad got him for his birthday, so I know that was a treat for him!

Madelyn watched from afar! Gigi covered her ears for each shot.

I took my turn too. I am just as awesome as the last time I shot a rifle! That time a couple of years ago when I impressed the hubs and my sister-in-law with my mad deer hunting skills. I am not sure who should be laughed at more...the dumb deer that stuck around after being shot at five times or me, the one who missed five times! The milk jug full of water was just as safe as the deer when it came to the few rounds that I shot!

I love these two men!

If you've never seen a West Texas sunset, put it on your list. It's absolutely breathtaking!