Gracie Claire Happenings...

Gracie Claire is in the stage of being SO fun, but at the same time, very trying. She is definitely declaring her independence and I am definitely declaring that I am thankful for these times of patience building...at least I try to be. Her sweetness and hilariousness (is that a word?) completely outweigh everything else. She has lately been saying things that we have no idea where she got them from. She has a tricycle that she loves to push herself around on. (She's not riding yet. There was an unfortunate tumble when she first got it, but that's another story.) She loves getting on it and pretending she is leaving. She'll go get her purple, plastic purse, her keys, phone, and sunglasses and say, "Bye guys!" I'll ask her, "Where are you going?" She'll get on her bike and tell me, "I'm going to eat pizza!" That is her usual answer. The other day, she looked at Paul and me and said, "I want to ride my bike, ya'll!" YA'LL! Where in the world did that come from? She also loves repeating everything we say! Unfortunately I'm a backseat driver...I know, so annoying. The other day while on the highway, some crazy person cut someone off in front of us, and I yell, "WATCH IT!" Of course, GC yells, "WATCH IT!" from the backseat. Oh brother! My dad calls my brother, Paul, and Nkere "bud." It's kind of his term of endearment for them. Gracie Claire has heard him do this and has started putting her arm around us (as much as possible) and saying, "Hey Bud!" I love it! She is SO much fun!

She has also become quite the little "fashionista." She loves pulling clothes out of drawers, hers or ours, and trying them on, and then usually taking them right off again.

Wearing Daddy's hat, shoes, & socks.

Using goggles for an accessory is a must!

More accessorizing w/ Mommy's glasses.

She picked this shirt and her sandals. Notice her sandals are on backwards.

Sister GC...Her nun look using one of Daddy's t-shirts.

More accessorizing w/ her Elmo leash (yes, I believe in using whatever works to keep your child attached to you,) her lovely hat, one sock, and some Elmo panties that she has put on over her diaper. We're working on the potty issues!

She got into my clothes for this look!

Our Summer So Far

Instead of writing a big, long post, to make-up for my absence, I'll let the pictures explain!

Sweet Sam

Caleb and Sandra welcomed sweet Samuel Luke into the world on Friday! We are so excited that he is finally here! Sandra did a great job through all of the labor and Sam came within 12 hours from start to finish! He weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20.5 in. long. We are so excited to have our precious nephew and cousin here! Caleb and Sandra are going to be great parents and we can't wait to watch Sam as he grows!

Samuel Luke

What a beautiful family!

My Reunion

So, I graduated from good 'ol Haltom High 10 years ago. When I was in high school, I loved every part of it. I had great friends, was involved in lots of extra-curricular activities, and just had fun while I learned from great teachers! I have to say though, that I don't miss any part of it! It was a great time in my life, but I look at what I've been blessed with now and can't imagine yearning for anything else...even if I was in the best shape of my life at the ripe old age of 18! ;o) Being at the reunion was fun to catch up with old friends, but spending time with my awesome husband and sweet girls and walking through life's experiences with them takes the cake!

The reunion was fun though, so here are a few pics! GO BUFFS! (The buffalo was our mascot, just in case you needed an explanation...:o)

Paul and Me

Trupti, Laura, Angela, and Me

This was my group of girls through most of highschool.

Angela, Brooke, Me, and Laura

Sarah and Me

Sarah and I played basketball together and years later I met and taught with her sister Brooke who became and still is one of my bestest friends. Two of the funnest girls ever!

The Wedding

Last weekend we went to my cousin Elizabeth's wedding in Oklahoma City. It was our first long car ride with Sydney, and I have to say that she did pretty well. Gracie Claire and Sydney both did great the whole day, and it was an exhausting day. This was the first time that most of my mom's side of the family got to meet Sydney in person (they all live in IL.) So, that was fun! It's so fun to show off your babies! My dad performed the wedding, and if you've ever been to one of his weddings, you know that it's always great! The reception was fun too! Paul and I actually got to dance a couple of times, because we had so many people to look after the girls for us. It almost felt like a date! (I'm finding that we definitely need to be making time for more of those, or I just feel burnt out...we're working on it!) All of that said, we had a great time seeing family! Congrats Mike and Elizabeth!

Paul & Me Dancing

Gracie Claire, My Dad, My Sister Gracie, and Me

Gracie, Elizabeth, & Me

My Dad & Me

This picture is probably my favorite. I love the relationship that Paul has with our girls!

Gracie Claire dancing with her cousin Liam. She had a blast on the dance floor!

Blue Steel? ;o)

Sydney got some dancing in too!

The Fam

Smiles

I just love my sweet girls' smiles!

Playtime

Sydney's 3 months old! I'm really making an effort to take in every single moment and am enjoying every single stage that she goes through. How can 3 months go by so fast?!

Concentrating hard during tummy time!

Dancing With the Stars

YEA!! For our anniversary, Paul got us tickets to the "Dancing With the Stars" tour! How fun is that?! He is so good at coming up with the greatest things to do for special occasions! He knew I would absolutely love to go to this show! How blessed am I to have a husband like him! (And, yes, I felt this way even before he told me about the show! :o) He's the best!

Can you tell I'm excited?! I just realized I ended every sentence with an exclamation point! HA!

The Queen

I've just finished reading Esther and loved the courage that she showed for her people as well as her faith in God's sovereignty. I continue to see God's sovereignty in our lives over and over again. I wonder what God has in his plans for me and my family, and more importantly how I would act "in such a time as this." (4:14) I would hope that I would have the faith and courage of Esther.

Mayfest

We went to Mayfest on Sunday and loved watching Gracie Claire take it all in! Having kids is just the best!

Gracie Claire's first ride on a carousel. She giggled the entire time (and then cried when she was made to get off.)

Sydney had a good time too! She snoozed in the Baby Bjorn with Daddy!

Gracie Claire's absolute favorite part of Mayfest was the pony ride. Again, she giggled the entire ride and then cried when she was made to get off. During the two minute ride, she decided that the pony belonged to her. This girl cracks me up with her love of horses.

Bluebonnets, Chicken Hats, & Purple Toes

I will apologize ahead of time for this being a very random blog.

Bluebonnets

This past weekend we went up to Paul's mom's. They live in a little "Germantown" north of Denton called Muenster, and every year we go up for Germanfest. As we were leaving to come back home, we stopped in front of Paul's mom's gate where she had tossed some bluebonnet seed. There was a pretty good little patch, big enough to get some pictures of the girls. Our mistake...waiting until right as we were leaving. The girls were exhausted and every picture we took, pretty much looked like this!

Chicken Hats

Along with Germanfest comes Polka bands (yeah, I know...weird.) Along with Polka bands comes, "The Chicken Dance." People walk around Germanfest with chicken hats on their heads (yeah, I know...even weirder!) Anyways, one of the things that Paul's mom likes to do is stand at her gate and cheer on the people that take part in the bike rally, which is one of the activities that comes along with Germanfest. Usually, she wears a chicken hat while doing this. This year though, Gracie Claire and Parker, our nephew, wore the chicken hats. I have to say that Gracie Claire is the first person I've ever seen that still looks adorable, even while wearing a chicken hat.

Purple Toes

As I was painting my toes last week, Gracie Claire became really intrigued with the whole process. Obviously she wanted her little toes painted too. Amazingly, she sat really still while I painted! She loves showing those cute little purple toes to anybody who will look!

Baby Weight

Since I'm trying to lose my baby weight, I thought this was cute! Makes you feel a little better about what you eat. HA!

Food on foot: All food eaten while standing has no calories. Exactly why is not clear but the current theory relates to gravity. The calories apparently bypass the stomach, flowing directly down the legs and through the soles of the feet into the floor, like electricity. Walking appears to accelerate this process, so that an ice cream bar or hot dog eaten at the state fair actually has a calorie deficit.

TV food: Anything eaten in front of the TV has no calories. This may have something to do with radiation leakage, which negates not only the calories in the food, but all recollections of having eaten it.

Balance food: If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out.

Food for medicinal purposes: Food used for medicinal purposes never counts. This includes hot chocolate, malted milk, toast and Sara Lee cheesecake.

Food on toothpicks: Sausage, mini-franks, cheese and crackers are all fattening unless impaled on frilled toothpicks. The insertion of a sharp object allows the calories to leak out the bottom.

Children's food: Anything produced, purchased or intended for minors is calorie-free when eaten by adults. This category covers a wide range, beginning with a spoonful of baby-food custard, consumed for demonstration purposes, up to and including cookies baked to send to college.

Custom-made food: Anything somebody makes "just for you" must be eaten regardless of calories because to do otherwise would be uncaring and insensitive. Our kind intentions will not go unrewarded!

Thanks Bri...(who I stole this from!)

My Beautiful Babies

Yeah, I know I'm their mommy, but you have to admit they're pretty beautiful! :o)

Mowin' & Fishin'

Gracie Claire has been having a great week with Daddy at home. We went to visit Papaw and Janny last weekend and she got to go fishing and ride the lawnmower. Oh the things that make a two year old happy! I love it!

Gracie Claire loves riding on the lawnmower!

Paul is so proud that Gracie Claire was so excited about going fishing!

My Sweet Smilin' Girl

Sydney is smiling, grinning, and cooing now! I love watching as she goes through each little stage. I'm trying to savor every little moment!

Easter

I have to say that Easter has to be up there on my "Favorite Times of the Year List!" Growing up we always woke up in the morning, ran to the kitchen table to dig through our Easter baskets, and dressed up in our Easter outfits for church. My parents always made the most important part of Easter about Christ and His sacrifice for us. Now that I'm a parent, I understand the longing that they had for us to choose Jesus as the Lord of our lives. I can't wait for the day that Gracie Claire and Sydney say "YES!" to Jesus, for the day that we can tell them that the angels in Heaven are partying it up for them, and that the Father and the Son are even more proud of them than we, their earthly parents, could ever be! I'm so thankful that I can look forward to those moments and one day see them come to fruition. Thank you Lord for not forgetting Paul, me, and my girls, and for engraving us upon the palms of your hands.

I so love going to church on Saturday night! The Easter service they did was awesome! One of my favorite songs, which we sang on Saturday is, "For All You've Done." I have made a mess of so many things, and He is my Cleanser. He has patience for my learning curve. He traded places with US! How could my soul not explode with how wonderful His mercy is?!

Oh Cleanser of the mess I've made

Upon the hill our places trade

Stretched on a cross Your body crushed

By human hands You formed from dust

How wonderful Your mercy is

How awesome are Your ways

I come, I come to worship You

For all You've done

Oh cleanser of the mess I've made

Your boundless love for me portrayed

With patience for my learning curve

By holding back what I deserve

How wonderful Your mercy is

How awesome are Your ways

I come, I come to worship You

For all You've done

Oh cleanser of the mess I've made

With everything at Your feet laid

I watch as all my cares erode

And from my soul these words explode

How wonderful Your mercy is

How awesome are Your ways

I come, I come to worship You

For all You've done

If you haven't read Courtney's blog about Easter, you need to. She says it very well.

Our Family on Easter

Sleepy Head

On occasion, our sweet Gracie Claire crawls into bed with us. We typically don't let her stay there, but sometimes it happens. Here's what I found when I woke up this morning.


We've noticed that when she falls asleep on our bed, she always lays down with her feet at our heads...lucky us! I'm surprised that neither one of us has been kicked in the face yet. And this time, she used Daddy as her pillow. He's such a great Daddy! I probably would've shoved her off of me.

My Hubby the Chef & The Apple Incident

When I go grocery shopping I always ask Paul if he has any requests or wants anything different. I just started back on Weight Watchers and made my list based upon what I needed for my diet, but I definitely didn't want to leave Paul out. Although he is really good about eating what I fix...usually. Anyway, back on topic, he said he wanted me to get a big salmon fillet. So, I found what I thought looked pretty fresh and brought it home. I truly had no clue how to fix it, so Paul said he wanted to try. He marinated it in lemon juice, poured on some capers, and put some butter on (don't worry, this butter is the fat free kind that WW allows :o) He wrapped it in foil and put it on the grill. It only took a few minutes on each side, and, to tell the truth, it was really good. I tend to worry a little when it comes to Paul and the grill...he tends to go a little over the top sometimes. What is it with a man and his grill? I guess I should stop worrying because whatever he is grilling usually turns out pretty good! Good job on the salmon babe--it was yummy!

On to the next topic. After leaving Gracie Claire at the table eating her lunch for just a second (yes, I know it only takes them a second) I came back to the kitchen to find that she had reached up on the counter into the fruit basket, grabbed a couple of apples, and chomped right into both of them. I couldn't bring myself to punish her for this since I was the one that left her unsupervised in the kitchen...for just a second. Oh well!

Grocery Shopping Nerd

Who says that shopping with a two year old and an infant is easy? We all know that it isn't, but instead of waiting for Paul to get home from work to stay with the girls for a little while so I could go get the groceries, I decide to venture out on my own. This isn't the first time that I've shopped with the girls on my own, but this time Super Wal-Mart didn't make it easy on me -- or maybe I didn't make it easy on myself. It was probably a combo. Anyway, usually I put Sydney in the Baby Bjorn and sit Gracie Claire in the cart, but I knew that Super Wal-Mart has those huge carts with the extra seats attached to the front, so I took Sydney in her carrier to put on top of the cart and was going to put Gracie Claire in the extra seats, but, of course, they were out of the big mama shopping carts. So, instead of going back to the car and getting the Baby Bjorn, which would've been the smart thing to do, I decided to put Sydney and the carrier on the top of the cart and I threw Gracie Claire in the back of the cart. Long story short, Gracie Claire spent the time that she wasn't yelling "HI" to strangers, which is a completely different story, stacking all of the canned goods I'd put back there into a tall tower. I can't blame her though, she didn't have much room and she didn't fuss at all. So, I guess the moral of the story is, don't put your two year old in the back of the grocery cart when she's going to get groceries stacked on top of her. I know...DUH!

Gracie Claire w/ Uncle Caleb's sunglasses on :o)

This picture has nothing to do with my blog, I just thought I'd share it because it's too cute not to.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish...and Some Other Animals

Yesterday we took the girls to the Dallas World Aquarium. Obviously it was mostly for Gracie Claire, but Sydney enjoyed a nice long nap while we were there! I LOVE watching Gracie Claire having so much fun, being curious, and learning all at the same time! I have always loved going to zoos, aquariums, etc., but it's so much better seeing it all through your baby's eyes! Oh, and I would definitely recommend it if you've never been!

Here are just a few of the almost 100 pictures we took. I know, I know, a little much, but I don't want to risk missing the chance to capture a cute moment! Besides, I know that most of you love pictures!