Time to shop!

Today Mom and I braved the mall with three darling girls and Grandma! We had a great time! We shopped and had lunch and then shopped some more! The day flew by! As you can tell by the pictures, Grandma and Jordyn were done by the time we headed home! All right, well I'm off to get ready for dinner with some dear friends!!

Beach Vacation 09 - Part 2 in Pictures!

Slowing Down

I just read this transcript from a radio show by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I'm planning on rereading it soon. Recently I've been praying about my daily schedule and even this past week have really been trying to evaluate what is essential for my day. It seems if I am constantly hurrying my girls along in their day and I do not want to continue doing that. It's been wonderful to step away from "normal life" for a couple of weeks and watch them play more and have more conversations with them!

Psalm 23

The Lord Is My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Quick Vacation Post!

Ah, we are at the beach. (Sorry I haven't called, Mama =)! We are still alive and well!!) I decided to give up the computer for as much time as possible for our trip, so I've been playing, reading, jogging, eating, playing, sleeping, resting and trying to soak in the sun for the last few days! I have a few minutes until Steve and Reagan get back with Slurpees and we head back down to the ocean so I thought I'd try to post a few pictures!

Our place is gorgeous! The beach is beautiful and there are very few other people here. (Thankfully there was a kind couple here yesterday when we locked ourselves out and everything else inside the condo at 4:30 PM!) Steve and I had so much fun the first two days. We went out to eat, took a long walk on the beach, enjoyed the hot tub, didn't have any sand put on us when we sat down at the beach =), slept, ate out again, went kayaking...ah, it was such a refreshing couple of days! I've been reading a lot and enjoying watching the girls play together!

Reagan is almost fearless in the ocean. She's loved going out with Steve and playing in the water. She is also like a fish in the pool! Sydney loves being able to have snacks and Gatorade at the beach =)...she also has been enjoying playing in the sand and finding shells! Jordyn is a little better than what I was expecting. She had a better day yesterday and has been a little rough today. Hopefully she'll enjoy going out this afternoon!

I am so grateful that the Lord gave us this opportunity and that my wonderful husband has taken time off to vacation! It's a lot of work with three little ones, but so worth it! It's been great to get away from "normal life" and spend extra time with each other! It's been fun to give the girls little crafts to do and surprise treats! I'm hoping that we make many fun memories and grow in our relationships with each other and with the Lord!

Here are a few pictures! Gotta go...Slurpee time!! =)

Step-by-Step!

Jordyn is finally pulling up! She was playing this morning by the stairs and I went to do something in the other room. When I came back she was on the second step! She gave me this super cute look and then let go and almost bonked her head on the wood floor. I caught her, though! ;) She's starting to progress in so many ways...slowly but surely, step by step! =)

Our Family Fun Sunday Night and More!

The past couple of weeks have been hopping! Mama and Sissy came to visit a couple of weekends ago which was a lot of fun! Sissy was meeting up with some friends from high school, so Mama rode up with her and came to our house! Well, I haven't been shopping much (besides Publix and CVS) since we moved here, so I was ready to go when Mama got here! The first afternoon we hit Trader Joe's. Reagan was so cute walking around and filling up her own cart. Of course it's fun to go with Grannie, too! She bought us some fun things that we don't normally buy - like super yummy cherries! Then we went home for some grilled burgers and a game of dominoes! We got up the next morning and all of us girls went to Kohl's, Target, had a little Starbucks and went to this mom-and-pop produce place to see about getting some peaches. Then Steve watched the girls all afternoon and evening and Mama and I went to the Perimeter and Lenox! I was able to get some fun things - my best buy was a pair of Gap jeans for $10!! It was great to just some one-on-one time with Mama! We picked Sissy up late and got to have a couple of laughs with her "crew" and headed home. I was glad we were able to visit at least a little bit before they had to leave on Sunday!

Then, last Thursday JJ flew in from Wales. We were her first stop back in the States and it was so fun hearing her new way of talking =) and getting to have her chocolate chip pancakes and be with her as she talked about how much she loves being back in America and hear all about her year!! It was a whirlwind and I think we talked almost the entire time. (I think Reagan was getting a little annoyed at how much I was "hogging" JJ!) I am grateful to God for bringing JJ into our lives when He did. She is one of the most encouraging people I know and her desire to serve and glorify the Lord is contagious!

This past Sunday we spent the afternoon at the Pfallers' house for lunch and played some cards. It was so relaxing and fun! Then when we got home we ordered pizza and watch Kit (the American Girl movie) with the girls. It was so much fun (except that I cried through almost the whole movie - I didn't realize it was going to be so sad!!). I love when we all snuggle up on the couch together and watch movies or read books!

Wow! I'm sitting here thinking about the last few weeks and just how kind God has been to give us such amazing family and friends! This week we've been to the pool with friends, today the girls and I went to a new friends house and the rest of the week and next week is full of the same. Then we head to the beach for family vacation (the first for the 5 of us!!) and then to Orlando for a week! Hopefully I'll take lots of pictures!

I have some new pictures, I just have to find them! =) Will post them soon!