One Thousand Gifts, 301-310

301. Listening to my big kids sing their VBS song
302. Listening to Sophie sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Jesus Loves Me"
303. Taking Annie to her first movie
304. Taking Jacob to his first baseball game
305. Nora joining me for worship team practice
306. Lower humidity
307. Creating more time to read, with the Gent and his book next to me
308. Completing my Body for Life 12 week challenge!
309. Healthier eating habits
310. Morning walk with the puppies

One Thousand Gifts, 291-300

291. first zinnias of the season
292. last hydrangeas of the season
293. fresh flowers tucked throughout our house
294. air-conditioning :)
295. one last party with sweet friends before they move
296. a great extended family weekend at the lake
297. listening to Annie and Jacob pray
298. continuing our chapter-book reading
299. a quieter week ahead
300. time to celebrate the fathers in my life

Sophie's Ladybug Party

We celebrated our sweet Sophie's second birthday with a ladybug party. She loved opening presents but wasn't too sure about everyone singing to her. :) I had lots of fun planning her party and the cookies and cake turned out really cute. Happy birthday, Sophie!

birthday girl!


invitations are one of my favorite parts of the party


I went pretty simple on the food and put my energy into the desserts


cookies


cake


pretty decorations


look, it's a good family picture!


craft project


Jacob


and YaYa


pin the spot on the ladybug


eating time!


sweet friends


not too sure about everyone singing to her


save me, Mama!


let's blow these out together


yum!


finger-licking good


Annie


happy girl


everyone was very interested in Sophie's presents


Nora and Honey


playing with the new bubble machine!


loves her new purse


hugs for Mama Rita

One Thousand Gifts, 286-290

286. Living in the South.
287. With air conditioning!
288. Cookouts with friends while the kids play in the sprinkler.
289. A couple of hours alone on Sunday afternoon (thanks, hubby).
290. Plans taking shape for the upcoming school year.

Nora Picture Post

Found these when I was cleaning off my camera earlier this week. Happy baby whom we love so dearly!

Link for Wednesday

My sister-in-law is blogging now! You can read her blog here -- check it out and see what my adorable niece is up to. :)

One Thousand Gifts, 286-290

286. Good reports from the doctor at the munchkins' checkups
287. Vacation Bible School
288. symphony in the park
289. making plans for the new school year
290. summer reading at the library

Mother's Day and Dedication Day

Catching up on pictures. We dedicated Jacob and Nora to the Lord on Mother's Day. So glad we were able to do this with Jacob and gather all our family together to celebrate!



whole family during the prayer--note Annie picking her nose...




Nana and her girls on Mother's Day!


Tyler, Kayla, and Lillian


my crew

Nora: Four Months

Nora Mae is four months old already, eek! She has discovered her feet this month, and has learned to grasp at toys and put them in her mouth. We are trying to give up the swaddle, but meeting with mixed success. Nora is 26 inches long (that's what Annie and Sophie were at nine months!) and is 13 lbs, 8 oz. We have just moved up to size two diapers and she is still in 3-6 month clothes, but going to be too long for them soon. Nora remains a big hit with her brother and sisters. This month we celebrated Mother's Day, her dedication day, and took Nora's first trip to the beach. Goodbye May; hello June!

One Thousand Gifts, 271-285

271. Three baby showers to celebrate growing families this week!
272. Sweet and sticky munchkins running around the yard while I hold the baby on the porch
273. Fireflies
274. Celebrating Sophie's second birthday
275. Cake!
276. New books
277. Hydrangeas beginning to bloom
278. Trying something new at my favorite Mexican restaurant
279. A fresh beginning for a new month
280. Making a summer bucket list with Annie and Jacob
281. Homemade popsicles
282. Making plans for school next year
283. Nora learning to grasp at toys
284. Jacob and Annie learning our new morning routine
285. Annie's crazy blonde curls that re-emerge with the humidity each summer