Back to school, back to school...

I can't believe it is time to go back to school. I report back Monday and I am so not ready! All the work/school stuff I said I wanted to get done this summer just didn't happen and neither did most of the fun summer stuff either. With Elliette being so young there were just so many times we couldn't go out and do things because of the heat. I am starting to look forward to cooler weather though when we can take her to do things (and when I can wear hoodies!).

Jackson is pretty much ready for school. All the supply shopping is done, new backpack and uniform clothes purchased and he's started to get excited. He has a teacher who is brand new to our school this year and that is worrying him a little bit. He knew the other teacher that he was supposed to have and her classroom and he was looking forward to it. Now that teacher took an administration job at another school and his classroom got traded from the big bright one to one of the less cool rooms with no windows!

Baby E will be starting daycare too and that has mommy a little nervous. In some ways I am excited for her to be able to socialize with other babies (there are so many this year) and maybe break out of her 'only mommy' phase some, ut that is what scrares me a little too! She is such a mama's girl and a lot of nights won't even let Josh put her to bed or down for a nap; so I am a bit concerned how she will do at daycare. Plus she has to go from all my attention on her to it being spilt at daycare. I just keep reminding myself that this isn't a bad thing and she is just a building away from me if she needs anything. I really wish they'd just let me put a pack in play and toys in my room and let her stay there!!! I definately need to get back to work. Being at home everyday is starting to make me a little crazy. Not to mention with not being able to take her outside for walks with St. Louis heat, this staying at home thing has made loosing baby weight almost impossible!

Oh well, guess we all will adjust! Here's a picture to make you smile...

a prayer...

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.


Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.


Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.


Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, how patience, empathy and love.

Wordless Wednesday

camp and city garden

Jackson spent the week down in Fredericktown at Campmeeting with my mom. He had a blast! Elliette and I went down for the last 3 days and she loved it too! The weather was unusually cool and so she got to spend tons of time outside which she doesn't usually get to do in the typical 90 degree weather. Neither myself or my mom took any pictures except these for posterity before we left...

E got a tat like mommy's

We finally made it out to City Garden today and LOVED IT! Elliette went on her first real picnic and had a blast. Unfortunately I thought my camera was charged and it wasn't so it died after about 3 or 4 pictures and before we looked at the garden stuff at all. We had a blast anyway and I told Josh we have to go back next week on his day off so I can actually get some pictures!

Happy Anniversary

Married 2 years today...hmm...why does it seem like so much longer than that???

Hope it keeps getting better! Love you ALWAYS!

3 months

Can't believe she's 3 months old already! Where does the time go?? She is so sweet tempered and laid back. A natural charmer! I can't wait to see what she blossoms into. Happy Day Sweetness!!

Call it a good one

Let's see...

* Caught a 30 minute nap this morning

* Celebrated the last day of summer school and the green team's win at field day with snow cones

* Went to the library and got to read to my little man for the first time in a while

* Got to hear little man read to me - always fun

* Fed baby girl carrots and sweet potatoes without getting them all over myself

* Little man got to play outside with friends riding bikes and scooters and jumping on the tramp until dusk

* Told the boy child he could have breakfast with his friend next door tomorrow...became the worlds best mommy and got a dozen kisses

* Got both babes bathed and dressed in jammies. Sent one to bed with a book and the other with her arm around her ducky

* Got 1 load of laundry put away and another is drying

* Gonna take a shower and go to bed

...I'd call it a good one

Better late than never

Pictures from the 4th...

The day before the 4th my mom and I took the kids to the pool. Elliette wasn't so sure it was as fun as everyone thought!

almost mobile

caught this today while at the doctor...yeah Elliette!