slower rythm

Life has been happening just like normal around here. Except now there are BOXES everywhere and a small bit of Christmas is put up, just enough for the kiddos to feel like it's magical.  I wanted to do less this year anyways, but with news of the job and moving on my brain it helped me to only put out things I love.
 I'm excited for the kids to be on break, to bake and to just relax and soak in these sweet little moments with them. Tomorrow is the last day of school and then we are SO close to Christmas. It's kinda freaking me out how fast it has come. Only TEN days!
I've been really trying to not let anything stress me out and let the kiddos really enjoy every bit of this season. My oldest, is starting to really question his belief in Santa and y'all that has been the hardest part of this season. My heart feels so sad that it's happening already. I think Santa is such a fun part of Christmas, even though we are believers and are trying to teach our babes about the birth of Jesus, it's still fun to have him around!
I've also taken a little break from social media- my blog mostly. Y'all these little people in my life are growing and I just can't miss a second!

Also, I have to share our sweet Christmas pj's tradition! The kids dis not want to cooperate but it is still so much fun. I'm hoping Alijah will hang on a few more years!! Fingers crossed! lol :)

Alijah (9) Aubree (6) Tevin (4) Benjamin (2)

Be still my heart! Christmas 2013!

What are y'all up to lately!?

November Recap and a look into the FUTURE!

November went by in a flash. I can't believe it's over and it makes me a little sad how time flew right on by. November was kinda wild and we had a lot going on as a family.

I turned 29.

My baby turned TWO!

My husband had an amazing job interview come up.

We celebrated a small thanksgiving. 

Also, my hubby went out of town a total of 3 times and I had strep throat twice.

Eventful as always. I am really happy to say that the job interview went fantastically, and pending a few more things it looks like we will end up taking this job and moving. I'm excited for the new start. And also I feel like God has totally had His hand in all the details of this job search. We have had several opportunities pop up, and none of them worked out in timing/pay or whatever and this one really seems to be where we are led. The most exciting part of all of this, is that for the first time in 8 years I will live in the same town as my mama and daddy. Sunday dinners? Yes, please! So if you feel moved, please continue to pray for the final pieces to fall into place.

how sweet is this snowman I painted?! I love how he turned out.

Life size Lincoln Logs. He is a little excited! lol

He CLIMBED onto the counter to sneak candy y'all. So cute and so naughty. :)

December is a month I really like to move slowly. I want to soak in the goodness December brings. I am almost finished with all of my shopping and that makes my heart SO stinkin' happy. I don't really have a lot I want to get accomplished but just a few things I want to focus on.

~ advent calendar, and scripture readings. Obviously my kiddos are little, we worked on this last year and it didn't always get finished, but I'm going to keep trying. We use Unwrapping the Greatest Gift.

~light Christmas decorating, It gets to be WAY too much If i overdo it with decor. I'm keeping it really simple this year.

~working out. I need to work out everyday, even if its just 30 minutes. ya know... Christmas cookies!

~Baking. My kids love this part of Christmas so I want to commit to making their special cookie or treat.

Hooray for December!

On turning 2

On Thursday, my sweet Benjamin Aaron turned two. Seriously I don't even know how that happened. Two years came and went in the blink of an eye. The older I get the faster time seems to go.

I can remember the day he was born SO clearly.

He was two weeks late and when I got to the hospital and was begging for an epidural in triage, they quickly told me I was already 9/10 cm and wouldn't be getting that epidural. (This was my second all natural birth, I'm not sure why I was flipping out for that epidural.) I walked NAKED to the delivery room. Seriously I was wearing only a sports bra and I refused to get into a delivery gown because they are itchy and uncomfortable and I wanted nothing to touch my body. My sweet husband just held up a sheet and followed behind me. That poor, sweet man who had to follow behind looking at that huge pregnant butt. lol Luckily, I was the ONLY delivery at the hospital that night, every nurse on the floor was in my room. I felt completely at ease knowing he was coming and honestly I was just so ready for this baby to be here!

We were surprised with his sex and when he came not even an hour later. my heart was completely full. His little personality was already so evident. Laid back- easy going, fat little 9 pounds 4 oz.

You can read more about my delivery here- if you feel inclined :)

What a joy it is to be his mama. Even though I never got to sleep until he was about 20 months old, it was so worth it. His Paw Patrol birthday bash will be on Sunday and I can't wait to see how he reacts to opening gifts and blowing out candles. sweet boy.

Until then I will bombard you with pics from his 2 years of life!

hours after birth! Brand new and a very tired mama.

Big TWO year old!

Quick update!

I have not disappeared. I got strep throat yet again and man my house has just been turned upside down with mama sick yet again. 

My birthday date was. The. Sweetest. Ever. I dropped the kids at grandma's and when I got home my house had been transformed! Candles, yummy dinner, wine, and after we finished a couple of bottles we snuggled up and watched a movie, I have to say it was one of my most favorite birthdays. 2 thumbs up to my husband ;) 

I am finally feeling a bit better, I pray it lasts. Especially since it looks like this winter is supposed to be really wet and yucky! I hope to be back in full swing next week. Any prayers for me to not get sick anymore would be SO appreciated! 

Thoughts on turning 29

It's true.  Today is my birthday, the big 29. Birthdays honestly make me a little sad and a lot happy. What a weird feeling that I'm another year old and time has been speeding by. I can remember my 18th birthday like it was yesterday and here I am, and y'all I am just so very thankful to be here.
So- here's a few things I think about when I get older. In no particular order.

1. face care- good lord bring on the anti-aging something something. I used rodan and fields in the past and even though it's pricey I'm gonna start that habit back up.

2. Gifts- I'm a very busy and usually very tired mama, I just want to take a hot bath and drink a glass of wine for my birthday. seriously and buy me some really good pj's. No fleece, my body will feel like it's going to catch on fire I get so hot.

3. A super sweet date with my husband- yep this was my "big" request. I told him to spend very little to zero money, so I'm excited to see what he came up with (the date is saturday so I will have to update you.)

4. I don't want to be in charge of anyone or anything for one day- I love being a mama and a wife but just one day I like to not have to do anything at all. This didn't happen, but I did snuggle with my babies and eat pizza. I call that a win for sure.

I'm really looking forward to 29. I pray it's the best year yet, 28 was a tough year for me and I like the idea of a new year!

Public Service Announcement:

I was just getting over my virus when I got slammed with strep throat. I have been sick for about 3 weeks now and it's getting really old. But it did give me time to catch up on my dvr. Oh sweet dvr, I love that I get to watch shows I like when I actually have time.

But that's where this post comes in.

I know how much I love Scandal- I'm sure a lot of y'all watch it too. I love it. The entire show is interesting and I can't wait to see what happens with Fitz and Olivia or Jake and Olivia. But here is the thing- It is NEVER okay to sleep with a married man/ woman. Affairs are really terrible. They ruin lives and the people that are involved get hurt somehow. I know it's hard to think about- but in real life being "the other woman" is not really something to be proud of.
I know it's just a show, but I'm afraid it is glorifying affairs and essentially ripping apart families.(Maybe not that extreme- but how many woman can associate with olivia?)
I can honestly say I have been wanting Fitz and Olivia to end up together, but after the episode with Fitz playing hide and seek with his little one and Mellie coming in to get her stuff,  I actually felt a little guilty.
So what do you think?

The Balloon Fiesta!

My husband and I were wondering if it would be worth it to travel to see the balloon fiesta. He had in his mind that he didn't really think it was worth it- granted he has lived and gone to the fiesta his entire life. I totally disagreed and said that it is so awesome. This conversation all went down the night before we woke up at 5 am to drag our babies out to a crowded balloon field.
Just hours later, I asked him if he had changed his mind. Totally. 100%. The Balloon Fiesta is magical. I'm not just saying that. You will literally be like a little kid, in awe over all the balloons. I just wish my pictures could do it justice. I do know that the ABQ fiesta is the only one left in the United States that allows you to be on the field while the balloons are filling, and taking off. It is INCREDIBLE!
You absolutely have to make it to Albuquerque one October and experience it. They have special shapes, balloon glows (at night) and then of course mass ascension early in the morning! Hooray!

These are just a few of the photos I snapped,

How FUN is this!? It was on a chase truck and I thought what a lovely idea. :)

The ZIA balloon. Crazy story. I was close friends with a grandson of this family team and my husband's family was close friends with the mother. And now we are all connected. Small world!

taking off!

These are my FAVORITE! A sweet little bee family. I wish I had a better picture. Sometimes the mama and daddy "kiss" It's pretty much adorable!

Maybe I'll see ya'll at the fiesta next year!

the virus

Y'all. Seriously my house has been a hot mess this past week. Yes it's pretty much always a mess because... kids.
But apparently a virus called " hand, foot, mouth" has invaded. All of my kids have had this before, and I thought, no biggie, And I'm not even joking when I say this- I would rather be vomiting, or any other virus you could give me.
Supposedly, it's VERY rare for adults and even children over the age of 5 to get this, but I'm not normal I guess.
It is a rash, all over my feet, inside my mouth and throat, and covering my hands. When I say rash, you think- no big deal- ummm no.  I can not eat. I can only have very cold drinks or I feel like my mouth has been set on fire. I can only wear slippers to do school drop off.
Think canker sores all over. True story. Fever, body aches, and a missing husband who has been gone before we wake up and home after we have gone to bed. All stinking week. I'm over it.
Of course it started with baby Ben, then came to me and then hit my 9 year old. Skipping my 4 and 6 year old altogether. It lasts about a week apparently and today is day 4.

OMG- pray that I don't lose my stinking mind by the time this is gone. And that NO BODY else gets it.

on saying goodbye

It was a hard decision. I think it was the decision that had to be made though. Just last week my husband said good-bye to the Army reserves. We really struggled with making the decision, just because of insurance and how much my husband loves the army. But in all honesty I really think He made the best choice.
His unit was set to mobilize early in the new year and even though he felt a little guilt for not going with them, I can't say I'm sad, one single bit. He would have been in Cuba and working the prison at Guantanamo bay
While he was gone doing his pre-deployment training, he kept telling me he really felt like this wasn't a good decision and that he didn't want to go with this unit. They had a LOT of issues and honestly the leadership was really poor.  Unfortunately that happens sometimes. So, we prayed a lot about it and he didn't extend.
Overall, I feel sad for him, just because he is sad to move on from this season, but I'm happy that we can actually be together for a bit. He has been applying for a ton of jobs in the civilian world, and I'm hopeful with his degree and his experience, he will find something great!
I will tell you the craziest thing ever- my husband has really been looking into the police department here in our town. I really was trying to talk him out of that, it was hard on him in the past and also the climate for officers is really terrible right now. But back to the craziness, after looking at the pay, no JOKE, my husband would only make twelve CENTS an hour more than he makes now doing maintenance work. Y'all. That is a big hell no in my book. maintenance work vs. getting shot at? umm just no.  So, as of right now the pd is out and we are continuing to look.
Please say a prayer for us and this new chapter!

Hello October!

October is here and I'm so excited. October is my favorite month, It just feels new and fresh and I just love how the air is. It's been busy as usual but I can feel us getting into a better groove and relaxing into our new normal for this school year.
We had an unexpected visitor come and seriously my entire family has been enthralled.
Baby Landry is here! I know I have talked a little about him before and seriously I am in LOVE.
My sister called Sunday morning and asked if she could come stay for a couple weeks and it has been so much fun. She leaves today to stay with my older sister, in our same town, for a few days, and then I will take her home to Amarillo.
But until then, my blog will be really neglected because... babies of course!I hope y'all enjoy October!

sweet little moments and a happy weekend

Hooray for Friday! Basically I have a million things going on in my brain so I'm going to tell y'all a little bit about everything! 

Today has been a good day. I threw out my back this week and I have had to take it really easy all week and my two littlest guys have really been feeling caged up! lol 
They needed to run off some energy so after the two big kids were dropped off at school, my husband and I took the little boys for a bike ride! Well I should clarify that my husband pulls the bike trailer, so basically I'm in charge of no one and that feels pretty nice sometimes. 9 miles later and I was exhausted. Not too shabby for someone with a hurt back. I'm feeling so much better than I was, seriously having back issues of any kind I would not wish on my enemy!

~It's been crazy around my house, but honestly I think my house just might be crazy with 4 kids and a huge German Sheppard. I've been really trying to soak in sweet little moments with my kiddos. Like this:

Ben and his babies. He carries these two stuffed animals around ALL DAY LONG. It's ridiculously sweet.


~Also, I have been incredibly annoyed with this news story. Kim Davis.  As a believer- this really makes me sad. I won't go to much more into it though. I will say this: 1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

~ Hope spoken. This video makes me want to go back so bad! I didn't buy tickets for the 2016 conference, but I really wish I would have. Maybe one day I will speak at this conference :)

~And this is what I'm looking forward to!! Rascal Flatts on Thursday. I'm so pumped.

I hope y'all have a great weekend! 

Sunshine Blogger Award

Julie at Jewels Wandering nominated me for the sunshine blogger award. I love her blog of awesome travel! Also I try MY VERY hardest to answer questions when I get nominated because the questions are fun to answer. You are really supposed to nominate 11 bloggers! Aah the pressure. I am horrible at that. And they are supposed to link back to you and you are supposed to write your own 11 questions. So I'm just going to borrow Julie's questions!  

I am going to nominate my friend Sandy at Confessions of a Sane Mama. She just started blogging and she shares some funny stuff! She and I have been friends since middle school! so crazy. 

And also Mckenna at of  Seas and Sundry I just love her heart and her writing.

Anyways- here are the q&a's.

1:  If you could be one flavor of ice cream, which one would you be and why? 

I'm not sure I would pick an actual flavor- but hook me up with a pecan mudslide from Dairy Queen any day. Salty and sweet. so good!

2:  What are your nicknames? What do you prefer to be called?

I was called "sissy" growing up. My name is so short that I really never had any nicknames, my little niece calls me "shooshi" because she couldn't pronounce sissy. lol. 

3:  What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?

I feel silly answering this, but as a teenager a very close friend of mine had me absolutely CONVINCED that there were bodies buried at the Italian American club that his dad was the president of. I still kinda believe it to this day. Italian Mafia anyone? ha ha

4:  What does high maintenance mean to you?

I would say it means putting all your effort in to your appearance and how "things" look. I am NOT high maintenance at all- lol I like to look put together but I also love top knots and sweats :)

5: What is your one constant daydream?

I really want to eventually speak at christian women's conferences. It's a big dream of mine to encourage other women in their story!

6:  What are the top three qualities that draw you into someone new?

kindness, being genuine, and also I have to like how they react and behave towards my babies. I'm a mama bear I guess :) 

7:  Do you remember your dreams? Did you dream last night?

I took a pill for my back last night so i was out cold, so no dreaming for me. But a lot of the time I do remember my dreams.

8:  What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?

coffee and letting the dog out. also Thank you Jesus for another day <3 p="">

9:  What are your best characteristics?

Patience and maybe kindness. I really believe in being kind always. always. always.

10:  Would you break the law to save a loved one?

Honestly, it would depend. On who it was and what I had to do. For my kids- definitely!

11: Any new and exciting things you would like to share?

Nothing new over here. I wish I had something awesome to share though! I will say only 2 weeks until the Balloon Fiesta and I. CAN. NOT. WAIT! My 20 month old is going to be ridiculously thrilled!

Comfort food

I'm a BIG fan of comfort food. Especially when I can tell my kiddos or husband or even myself have had a bad/hard day.  Daddy-o has been really stressed with work lately and what better way to fill up a love tank than with some yummy food!
This soup is the easiest, yummiest potato soup you can make. seriously. And all 4 of my kiddos eat it up. It only has 3 ingredients and you just have to let it simmer- and it is SO good!

3 Ingredient Potato Soup

5 pound bag potatoes (I prefer russet)

1 block cream cheese

chicken broth

additional optional toppings

bacon

shredded cheese

chives

sour cream

salt and pepper to taste

wash, peel and chop the entire 5 pound bag. Even if you have a smaller family this freezes really well for individual servings.

depending on the consistency you like, you will need 2 to 3 of these.

I use a little less than two because we like ours thick almost like a chowder. I especially like it when it has some remaining chunks of potatoes.

Let your cream cheese soften on the counter while your potatoes simmer- usually about an hour. Maybe even longer if you are really wanting thick soup.

Your soup will start like this. Simmer your potatoes, occasionally using a potato masher to mash the potatoes. Leave some chunks- trust me. you don't want it too smooth. It just tastes better this way.

After you have cooked your potatoes and you have the consistency you like, add your block of cream cheese. Use your masher the mash it into the soup. The heat will help it melt down and you can just stir it in once you get it broken apart.

* sometimes if I am feeling really crazy, I will chop two heads of broccoli and toss it in to simmer with the potatoes. I will also chop up a ham steak to toss in at the very end with the cream cheese and it changes up this soup so much. Both ways are equally delicious.*

Now it's time to serve it up. I usually give my family some rolls or even a yummy side salad goes well with this.

I have no idea why this picture will NOT turn, so y'all get an upside down spoon. LOL

YUMMY and total comfort food. Let me know if you make it, cause I wanna know how y'all like it!

Ten years later

I just celebrated my ten year High school reunion. How weird it is to say that, ten years. wow. Seeing everyone was so nice, It was a super small turnout considering there were over 700 graduates and I want to say about 70 people showed up.
It had me thinking of my life  SO much. Especially thinking about what I had done in ten years. I wouldn't say I am crazy successful, at least based on how society views success. But overall I would think in ten years my life has been wild,crazy and pretty beautiful.

In ten years I have:

-dropped out of college

-Married my very best friend

-had four amazing babies

-miscarried a baby

-moved 4 different times (not including in-town moves)

-supported a husband that has deployed to Afghanistan and spent a year in Korea- and countless times away at schools

I would say that's really not too shabby a way to have spent ten years. And honestly thinking about it, there really isn't anything I would change. Overall my life is pretty wonderful. And hearing all my old friends chat about wanting to start families and get married, made me even more thankful for how my life has turned out. It definitely hasn't been how I planned, but goodness, who's life ever turns out how they planned. And thank God it didn't turn out how I pictured.

The night was an absolute blast. I drank a few too many liquid marijuana's. Y'all those are so ridiculous, you don't even know you have had any alcohol until its too late! lol I have about a million photos from that night, but I will spare y'all from that. So here are a few highlights. and guys I totally danced to the THONG SONG!?! Who am I? ha ha ha

Look at daddy-o in the back- so serious lol

A road trip and a new baby!

It's been a CRAZY week! 

Daddy-o came home early from training, which was a huge weight off my shoulders. Also my sister was due any day and on Wednesday night my older sister and I jumped in the car sans kiddos and went to see our brand new nephew! 

Landry Thomas born on September 1st and he is pretty much the sweetest. Seriously baby fever is a real thing no matter how many kiddos you have. I joked saying I was talking my baby fever down off the cliff ;)

Y'all babies are the best ever.

I'm in Texas until Saturday morning and then I head back to go to my TEN year high school reunion. What a weird feeling!  

I feel really old. It's crazy. 

 I hope it's a good weekend! Now I'm off to snuggle a sweet little boy <3

currently

I can't believe August is nearing the end and my kids are on week 3 of school. I have said just how many times I am glad summer is ending and fall is in the air. It feels new and it's hopefully time to slow down and soak in all the goodness. The cool weather just helps me breathe better. And hopefully my heart can relax a bit.
We have some crazy news too, that I can't wait to share on here, but I feel like I should wait until details are 100%. So that will just have to be a surprise!

Loving that daddy-o will be home within a few days- training was cut short. Can I get an AMEN! for husbands returning and solo parenting to be over at least for a little bit.

Reading this An Open Door marriage is hard work. REALLY hard work. This post makes me feel all the feels.

Drinking all.the.coffee and taking.all.the.naps. 

Wishing for a vacation, honestly by myself, My heart and my brain need to rest.

Re-making this headboard and I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Taking pictures and imprinting them on my brain.

What are you currently up to?