Soccer

Joshua played soccer this spring. Kinda. He loved running off the field, taking breaks, and getting drinks ("me firsty!") more than actually chasing the ball. Oh well.  At least he had fun.

This was while we were waiting to get his picture taken for team picture day.  He had much more energy  waiting for his picture to be taken than he did during the games.

 

Joshua and Seth

 

The three stooges. Jason, Joshua and Seth

 

 

 

Team picture

 

Dave was even able to come to a game.  He helped Audrey get her socks and shoes back on, her least favorite thing to do.

 

And make her laugh.  Her favorite thing to do.

 

Jason was a soccer star!

 

Joshua and Seth had fun tucking their knees into their shirts.

 

 

Pretty sure they are making a bee line off the field, but it looks pretty ferocious!

 

Steps

On Wednesday, I was scrubbing the tub so I could give Austin a bath. Joshua wanted to help, and being the super fun mom I am trying to be, I let him. He had a great time getting in and out of the tub and using the rag to wipe it down. It was all rinsed so I didn't worry about the cleaning chemicals. I moved on to the shower, while Joshua finished the tub. A few minutes later, Joshua said, "Look Mom! Me help you!" I looked and he had found lotion and had squirted it all over his hands and then had wiped it all.over.the.tub. He also had one of my nice makeup brushes and was using it to scrub the lotion into the tub. Back to square one. Rescrub the tub. With a rag, not my makeup brush.

After the tub was cleaned, I bathed Austin. Bathed him, lotioned him, baby powdered him, dressed him in a clean onesie, and then even before I could pick him up to enjoy his fresh clean smell, he spits up. Everywhere. Back to square one.

It felt like I had taken two steps forward, and then ten steps backward all day. It was hard to feel like I was accomplishing anything. How was I going to get everything done?! It was at that moment when I realized something. Two steps forward, and ten steps backward, but they were all in the same direction ... creating a home of learning, of love, of patience, and hopefully creating a very happy childhood for my little ones. So all these steps I take every day, either forward or backward, can either lead me to frustration, or lead me to a recognition that this is a very short, very special time that I have with my kids before they grow and don't want to be next to me all day anymore.

My laundry will never all be done, there will always be some sort of chore to do, my kids will want to help and it will inevitably take longer when they do, but it's not all about getting things done, it's about the steps we get to take, together.

Girly Weekend

Audrey had her first dance recital Mothers Day weekend. She loved every second of it. Her dress rehearsal was in the morning with the actual recital that afternoon. After the dress rehearsal she said, "I can not wait to get back on stage!" Quite the little performer.

Tatum. Abby. Audrey.

 

 

 

Abby. Audrey. Tatum. Kaitlyn. Cassia.

 

We went down to the front row to take pictures. The black thing is the stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We surprised her and brought her flowers.  That night when I asked what her favorite part of the day was, she said, "When I got my roses, and when I went on the ballet stage."

 

 

Tatum. Hallie. Audrey.

 

In between the dress rehearsal and the recital, Audrey and I went to get pedicures for Mothers Day.

 

 

Sweet Austin loved coming on our girls date.  Such a trooper.

 

Mothers Day was awesome. Breakfast in bed (cereal with fresh berries. Church is early.) After church we had Texas toast french toast (while we are still Texans, Dave said. Sad.). Then I had the best nap I've had in a long time. For dinner Dave made steak, a fruit salad, and then a green spinach drink. He doesn't like green salad at all, so for our "something green" he made a spinach drink. A for effort!

 

It was a fun weekend of doing lots of girly things...dance recital, pedicures, and Mothers Day!

Bumbo-licious

Austin's first time in the Bumbo. He wasn't sure what he thought of it at first, but now he loves it. 5.13.11

 

When I was pregnant with Joshua, my sweet friends threw me a shower and made me onesies. My friend Jamie, made this onesie. It says, "Audrey's brother" on it. It applies to Austin too. It's her favorite outfit he owns.

Saturday Morning Snuggles

Lazy Saturday morning with my sweet babes. We missed you Dave.

And then Austin had enough.

My Favorite Day

Today is my favorite day of the whole year, even more than my birthday which says a lot. I love celebrating my mom and mother in law, I love celebrating all the woman in my life who have influenced me, and I love feeling celebrated.
I feel so incredibly blessed to be the mother of these three special babies. They bring me so much joy, teach me all about patience, and have taught me how to love more than I ever imagined possible. It is my privilege to be their mom.

I learned how to be a mom from such a great example. I am amazed at her love for others and her capability to selflessly serve. She is amazing.

One of the many reasons I love being a mom is because my husband supports and honors my roll as a wife and mother. I am so grateful for his amazing mom and his upbringing. I feel so blessed that Dave was raised by such a wonderful woman.

Audrey's paper from church

3 Months

Austin is three months. How did this happen? We love this sweet boy so much. There is something about a child who doesn't talk back, who doesn't tease his siblings, and who just smiles all day that melts a mama's heart.
At three months Austin:
* still loves to be swaddled. But with one arm out. It's been that way since he was 3 days old.
* smiles, smiles, smiles. People comment all the time what a happy baby he is.
* loves to sleep. He is such a good napper, and will sleep between 8 and 11 hours at night. Sorry to brag Jocelyn, but you are in Bora Bora right now, so who has bragging rights?
* coos and makes the cutest noises.
* is a fabulous little traveler. He has flown four times now and each time has just slept the whole way.
* is basically an angel baby.

This boy is so easy to love.

California

On March 26th, Dave and I took the kids to California to visit our families. We blessed Austin while we were there, but that's a different post.
It was so fun to have Austin meet all his aunties (except one, we missed you Jess & Ryan) and uncles.
Meeting Aunt Ritz

 

Ritz has made a blanket for each of our kids, and this is Austin's. I love it.

 

Meeting Andrew & Carrie.  Andrew, as in THE Andrew. Austin Andrew.

 

We were able to just hang out and relax while we were there.  Heavenly.

 

 

 

 

 

While we were there, we celebrated my Mom's birthday. We went out to lunch and then went and got foot massages. That night we went to Melissa's where she had made an amazing dinner for everyone. So fun.

My parents with their five grandkids

Sugar high

I was able to see some of my high school friends while I was there

 

Kathy was so nice to come see me at my Mom's house.  Austin loved snuggling and sleeping on Grandma Kathy

 

 

 

My Dad has a 1941 Pontiac that we lovingly named Betsy. I loved riding (and then driving) Betsy when I was younger, and it was fun to see my Dad drive my kids in it.

 

 

 

Until next time California!

Audrey

* Joshua had messed up Audrey's barbie house while she was at school yesterday. When she got home, she was pretty devastated. I had Joshua go in and clean it up, and Audrey wanted to help so that everything would be put back where it belonged. I was picking up Joshua's room next door and heard Audrey say the sweetest thing: "Joshua, I am your sister and I will always love you. Even if you mess up my things, a sister's love will never change."

* I was putting Austin to bed last night and he was crying because he was overtired. Audrey was next to me and asked what was wrong. I was snuggling a crying baby and just said, "Oh he is just beyond tired." To which Audrey said, "He is beyond beautiful."

It is the little moments like this that make it all worthwhile.