There we were just a walkin' down the street...

It's no secret that I have been beyond excited about moving back to Texas. It's been pretty perfect being back on our "home turf". Seeing friends, family and eating at all of our favorite restaurants (wow, that just shows how much I love food, it made the top three in that sentence). Moving is never easy, but this time it almost has been. It's as if God smiled a bit and said, "Hey, I know the past few years haven't exactly been a piece of cake so here you go, enjoy!" Because not only did He park our family back in Texas, He also just happened to park us in the same town with a couple of my favorite people.

One of them has been around my whole life. I haven't always treated her with the love she deserves (namely around my drama queen adolescent years) but I'm so glad she stuck by me and likes me anyway. She is truly my best friend. She's my sister. Did I mention we get to live in the same town now? Yeah, I'm pretty pumped. The other lovely lady is family too. She just happens to be married to my dads cousins son (if you can tell me exactly what that makes us I'll give you a dollar). She is also as sweet as pie and I can't wait for future fun to be had. Carter is one lucky gal to have her adorable kids to play with. They get along quite nicely which means we get time to chit chat, all you moms know how valuable that can be!

Case and point this past week found us enjoying our very first play date in San Antonio. The second we walked in the door Carter disappeared with the boys and only showed up once over the next hour or so for a snack. Cayce and I had a lovely visit. Kimmi showed up and the afternoon only go better. At some point we decided that walking to a nearby park would be a good idea. Off we went (okay, it wasn't quite that simple, getting out the door with 5 kids can take a minute or two) and we were quite the production. Kimmi and these little guys led the pack...



Following closely behind were a couple of moms (each with a baby strapped on) and a couple of BOB's. Needless to say we drew some second glances from people driving by. It was great. The park was great. Carter loved every minute, which was great. I'm pretty sure she and Jaden are cut from the same cloth. They seem to be in sync on a lot of different levels. Hudson is their adorable little side kick. I'm so glad she has a couple of new friends...

By the time we made it home dinner was on the agenda and we met up with our guys for a burger (or nachos if you happen to be me) at this great joint called The Cove. Nate was a little star struck because we saw an actor from one of his weekly faves Criminal Minds, or as I like to call it Creepy TV (I actually recognized him and no one believed me, but that's beside the point). Apparently he and his fam live here in San Antonio...



I realize all this is a bit random, but if you're still reading (hi mom) I do have a point. Here it goes... Moving is never easy... Unless you just happen to be moving to the same town that your sister and her sweet as pie friend (who just happens to adopt you as a friend too) live in. Then, and only then, it might, just might qualify as easy.

The Power of Words

I am a lover of words. I'm especially drawn to words attractively printed on paper. I dream of one day having a space "just for me" and all my paper. In my dreams it looks a little something like this...

Because of my love for words I just had to share these with you in case you haven't heard/seen them yet. It was created by a woman named Katherine Center for the Mom 2.0 Summit (I'm not sure exactly what that is, but I found this so inspiring)...

and the words…

WHAT I WOULD TELL HER:

(If I knew what to say.)

You are a miracle.

And I have to love you this fiercely: So that you can feel it even after you leave for

school, or even while you are asleep, or even after your childhood becomes a

memory.

You’ll forget all this when you grow up. But it’s okay.

Being a mother means having your heart broken.

And it means loving and losing and falling apart and coming back together.

And it’s the best there is.

And also, sometimes, the worst.

Sometimes you won’t have anyone to talk to.

Sometimes you’ll wonder if you’ve forgotten who you are.

But you must remember this: What you’re doing matters.

And you have to be brave with your life so that others can be brave with theirs.

The truth is, being a woman is a gift. Tenderness is a gift. Intimacy is a gift. And

nurturing the good in this world is nothing short of a privilege.

That’s why I have to love you this way. So I can give what I have to you. So that you

can carry it in your body and pass it on.

I have watched you sleep. I’ve kissed you a million times. And I know something that

you don’t, yet: You are writing the story of your only life every single minute of every

day.

And my greatest hope for you, sweet child, is that I can teach you how to write a good

one.

Beautifully written words, did I mention I love words. They sum up so much of what I wish, hope and pray for my two sweet girls. I think I'll give them a couple of extra kisses today.

Monday Carter Edition #61~She's been waiting & waiting & waiting...

The day finally arrived! I took off for a "date" with my sister and Carter got to feed her sister a bottle (she's been anxiously waiting for this day)! So Monday Carter would like to share this momentous occasion with you (pics aren't high quality from Nate's phone, but I'm so happy to have them)...

Random Ramblings of a Sleep Deprived Mom

Here are some things that may be of little or no interest to anyone, but lo and behold I am writing about them anyway. After my post about our germ filled visit to the pediatrician I was prompted by a couple of comments (one in particular, thanks Jessica) to finally DO something to change our circumstances. So for the first time ever this week our daughters both saw a pediatrician of our choice and it was fabulous...


I will never go back to our old health care plan again (okay, never say never, but hopefully never)! Anyway, our little dumpling Emme is weighing in at 10 lbs. 5 oz. and according to the Dr. she and I have established a very "healthy" relationship (meaning breast feeding is now going well, just in case anyone was wondering)...



Which leads me to my next point even though I know I am going to get a lot of flack from my brother for posting something else about breastfeeding (gasp), but he's been putting up with "girly stuff" his whole life so why stop now? Sometimes you run across those inventions that make you think, "WOW GENIUS", and just yesterday I found one. So to all of you who were so supportive and helpful with your breastfeeding tips, I'm happy to have one of my own to share. It's called a Milkie and it is revolutionary if you ask me. It collects every little drop of milk that otherwise might go to waste, it's fabulous...
I must admit I am jealous. I wish I could think of just one brilliant idea that would make me millions. I am beyond impressed that some moms brains seem to function well enough without sleep that they can still come up with successful new invention. And with that I'm headed to bed, maybe just maybe I'll dream up a money maker!

Bend It Like Beckham

There will soon be a new girl in town on the Saturday morning soccer circuit! Nate and I are happy to report that our spunky little four year old is hitting the field for her athletic debut. Being sports fans we are pretty excited to be embarking on this phase of childhood and life...it should be fun! Look out soccer world, here she comes...


She has been so excited, which can be contagious...

I was a little bummed that I couldn't be there to watch her first practice. I do find Nate and I are "tag teaming" things a little more now and it just didn't make a lot of sense to take a newborn out for a chilly night at the soccer fields. But, dad came through and sent me some photos via phone, he's such a champ (oh, and he'll make a pretty great Assistant Coach too, just one of the great things about "shore duty"). Here she is at her very first practice...

And be still my heart she just happened to wind up with my "old" number...

So, I'm officially a "Soccer Mom" and I'm also mommy to a newborn...two very different phases, but I can honestly say I'm loving it! It's the good stuff.

Wild Thing You Make My Heart Sing

I have wondered for 9 months what our new baby would look like. I was hard pressed to imagine her looking anything but just like her big sister, so in a lot of ways she has been a very fun surprise.

It started at birth when she popped out at almost 9 pounds. Carter was a little over 7 pounds at birth and what a difference a couple of pounds makes!

Emerson is so fun to hold, you don't feel like you have to be careful with her and I love that. Another thing about Emme that makes my heart sing is her WILD hair!

She came out with a full head of dark hair and in the past 4 weeks it has continued to grow. At this point I think I could throw a little "product" in and give her a hair style. But, for now we just allow it to do its thing.

She does share a few similarities with Carter, blue eyes and their daddy's distinctive chin to name a couple.

One thing is for sure, she makes our house a lot more full and a lot more fun. We are so glad she is finally here to fill the spot we didn't know was empty!

Monday Carter Edition #60~My family is so creepy!

Monday Carter is running a little late this week, we'll just go ahead and blame that on sleep deprivation! About ten days after Emme was born Nate headed up to Washington to officially "check out". Lucky for me I had a little company over one of the weekends he was away. For those of you who voted on the "should my brother cut his hair poll" I owe you an apology...my brother doesn't really have long hair. We just got a little creative with our entertainment one evening. Jenny and Kim "lent" their hair to the rest of us and the result was pretty funny, or maybe just kinda' gross, regardless here we are in all our glory...



According to Carter we are "creepy", I think I would have to agree!

Dear Valentine,

I think these two may be the best thing that has ever happened to us, how bout' you?



I love you more than ever.

They call the thing a Rodeo

While we've been out and about for the past couple of weeks visiting restaurants, friends, etc. our family of four made our first public appearance in an entertainment venue a few days ago. The event was appropriate being that we are enjoying being back in Texas...we headed to the Rodeo! Some good friends of ours were sweet enough to pass along tickets (thanks again Cayce) and we had a great time! It's just a little more work getting out and about with an extra munchkin' but the effort was worth it and we had so much fun! Our family of four...


Carter enjoying the best seat in the house (in lieu of not having many friends her own age yet Aunt Kimmi is doing a great job of filling in on the "best friend" role)...


Emerson and I (you really wouldn't have even known she was there, she was quiet as a little mouse in her pink house)...


Of course the night wouldn't have been complete without a few treats...


They even sell BLUE BELL ice cream bars that get dipped in chocolate and your choice of topping (jealous aren't you?!)...


The perfect end to a perfect evening was a little concert by Third Day...

I see a lot more fun outings in our little foursome's future!

"I want a husband!"

After Nate had been home for a little while last night Carter woke up. We all wound up laying in her room together for a few minutes. I was slightly sentimental because my guy had just showed me a little gift he's been working on. He's gone and out done himself again and is making a "movie" with all of our pictures and videos from the past 3 years in Washington. Let's just say that watching your first born go from an 18 month old to a 4 year old in a few short moments set to music will bring a tear to your eye. While we sat there in her room visiting I told her I was going to have to "freeze" her, I just couldn't handle her getting any bigger! She looked at me and laughed and said what she always says, "I have too!" When I asked her why she leaned over and whispered in my ear, "I want a husband!" I have to admit if I was 4 and had Nate as my daddy/husband example I'd want to grow up and get one too! We're all pretty happy he's home.

Chuck E Cheese on Steroids

This past week we took Emerson for her first check up at the on base Pediatric Clinic...

Is it bad that I felt like we were actually visiting Chuck E Cheese on steroids...

All the germs, coughing and sick kids everywhere were giving me the heebie jeebies...

Luckily she doesn't seem to have picked anything up! Is it just me or does it seem a little backwards to take your brand new healthy baby into a germ infested office just to have them tell you she is "normal"? I was almost in tears when we left, convinced she would have some serious illness by the end of the day! Overly emotional mom alert, I'm firing on all cylinders!

A New Chapter

Wow, where to begin? A little over three years ago our little trio made a cross country move from sunny Florida to a rainy place I knew nothing about Oak Harbor, Washington...

We knew the road ahead would be difficult at times, but we were up for the challenge. We had been preparing for several years for the separations we would face, in a lot of ways we were more than ready to "get the show on the road".

To say the past few years haven't held their share of tears and heartache would be a lie. But, interestingly enough, I also wouldn't trade them. Tonight marks the end of a chapter for us. Nate arrives in San Antonio to stay and I'm happy to report, for the first time in a long time, I don't know when he will be leaving again. I will breathe a huge sigh of relief when he walks through our front door in just a few short hours. In many ways I feel like we have our life back. Time to be a family, get involved in things together, enjoy all that day to day life brings. We are Texans again but what we left behind in Washington were some valuable lessons learned. We learned what it means to love in spite of the distance between you and survive moments that you think you can't make it through. We are stronger people for pushing through when things weren't easy and finding the bright spots when they were doing their best to hide from us.

As I type all this I realize that we aren't really leaving these things behind, they go with us in our hearts, and will always be there to remind us of what it means to be a family.

There is one thing we really did leave in Washington...this sweet little baby face...

We traded her in for a bright eyed, sensitive, sweet, sharp as a tack, not to mention hilarious four year old (we think she's pretty special)...

We're also happy that moving, while it did slightly complicate things, couldn't stop this little bunny from joining our ranks...

Of all the lessons I've learned over the past three years the greatest one may be realizing that the everyday little things should not be taken for granted. When you are left without them you quickly see they are the things you miss the most. So what am I looking most forward to as we step into this new chapter? Well, for starters, I'm just thrilled that at the end of each day this face will be walking through the front door...

"We Heart Kisses" at I Heart Faces

I Heart Faces is gearing up for Valentine's Day with a "We Heart Kisses" photo challenge. I just had to post one of my favorite "kissy" photos....

Monday Carter Edition #59~I've Got Sunshine...

I've got sunshine

On a cloudy day

When it's cold outside

I've got the month of May

I guess you say

What can make me feel this way...

My Girl

29 and Holding!

This past weekend I turned 29. It was sort of overshadowed by the fact that I'm just a little tired, and we are still adjusting to the newest member of our family...but, it was still a very special birthday. Mainly due to the fact that my husband always goes out of his way to make me feel adored. I used to think this was just the norm, but I realize more and more that he is about as special as they come. He also makes me laugh, as in when I opened up the cookie cake he and Carter got me and it looked like this...

When I asked him if he had them write that he said no, he just told them I was turning 29 and would like a lot of icing. He couldn't have been more right. I love that he knows the road to my heart is paved with butter cream icing (a trip the spa and a new ipod are pretty nice too). The cookie made me laugh, but it was also kinda' true. I am 29 and holding. Not in the sense that I never want to be 30 or anything like that...but, in the sense that I am doing my best to hold on to the moments that are right here in front of me. Some of those find me feeling a bit overwhelmed and exhausted, but they also find me feeling like maybe, just maybe this is exactly what life is all about. Two little lives that need you and a man that you are madly in love with, I couldn't ask for anything more...

For the year ahead I'm hoping I can hold on to all the little moments that really matter...let the ones that don't go...and treasure all that I've been given.

*Note to self: This is the year Carter picked out a "barking birthday card" for you. She had to have it and sang along with the dogs as they barked.

Monday Carter Edition #58~Guess Who...

Is spending the week with Monday Carter???

That's right Roxi's in town! We are three very happy girls!!