Feeling Compelled to Start Blogging Again

So, here we go again. I appear to be a major slacker when it comes to blogging. I have found it extremely hard to find the time to keep up with my blog, which honestly, makes me sad. I enjoy this blog, as a place for family and friends to see what we're up to and most importantly, a place that I have to look back and read about all the things we've been up to. Therefore, I am starting back up!
So, what have we been up to, you ask? Well. All kinds of things of couse. Aaron and I celebrated our 7th year of marriage on August 17th. I hate to tell you, but we did NOTHING exciting, other than go floating down the river with some great friends, and had pretty much an entire weekend all to ourselves. We do hope to get a date night soon, something we could really use. So, the picture below is not of us on a fancy date for our anniversay, rather, a good friends wedding, but here we are!

Of couse, one of the most recent things to happen is that my sweet Abby has started first grade. Hard to believe. So far, so good. It's definately an adjustment, as it is much different from kindergarten. Homework is all I'm sayin'. Abby got a new haircut right before school. It's the shortest it's ever been. I do miss her long her, but there is something to be said about having it this length. Two words: NO TANGLES!!!!

My three little ballerinas have been growing all summer. Here are the three of them on a nice summer day. Audrey is now 16 months old and is making new changes every day. She talks a lot and is definately part of the gang. She is an absolutely wonderful child. She wakes up every day with a smile and keeps it on her face all day. I couldn't imagine life without her. Allyson has grown a lot. She is becoming very independent and very funny. She starts preschool soon as well as ballet. She has a wonderful imagination which she uses on a daily basis. Lately she's been a dog and I have to tell her to be good, pat her head and tell her to go to her crate. She sometimes even sneaks a lick in! Abby is growing into a little girl. Not a child, but a girl. She is maturing and learning at a very rapid pace. She's reading and writing, riding her bike without training wheels, and is going to be starting the winter swim team next week.

Among other things, we are of couse still remodeling. It never ends. But, with that being said, I decided I want to do some "remodeling" of my own, which consists of decorating and buying new furniture. Aaron replaced our french doors and that started the transformation of our dining room. I found this great buffet at World Market on clearance, and then couldn't get the dining room table out of my mind. My sweet husband told me to go get it. I didn't stop there though. I then purged and bought new curtains and here is our new dining room. I love it! The table is awesome, and it was really much needed. It has a nice long bench on one side, which can fit like 5 kids if I needed to, which I won't, and then four more chairs. We now have plenty of room for some great meals which are soon to come with holidays right around the corner.

We have had a great summer. It has gone by too fast and I know that fall will be upon us in no time. At this point in my life, I could not be happier, nor could I be more blessed. God is good!

Abby the Baracuda!

Abby did excellent at her swim meet last night! I am so proud of her. Every time she swims I get tears in my eyes. I know, I know, I'm a sap, but I can't help it. I guess it's also because a part of me feels very connected to Abby when she swims. I loved swim team and spent a lot of my time hanging around the pool, the same pool that my daughter now hangs out at. I also met Aaron at this same pool when I was 15 years old. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. The children that I used to teach swim lessons to at this same pool are now lifeguards. So, with all these memories, it's very surreal for me.

Here is a clip of Abby doing backstroke. I must note that this is the same kid that was so nervous to even step foot in the pool back in March. She has made drastic improvements. Abby, mommy is so proud of you! Keep swimming my little fish :)

First REAL Haircut!

Okay. We did it. We got Abby's hair cut! Here it is! Lighting wasn't great in the picture, but it's so cute!

Here is a "before" picture.

This was a huge deal for Abby and I. I have been growing Abby's hair out since she was born. Literally. Abby was quite the little baldy when she was a baby, and then it slowly came in and took forever to grow. But boy, once it did, it really did! I loved her long hair, but, if I didn't brush it every hour, it got stringy and tangled. With summer coming up, I asked her if she'd like to get it cut. I thought for sure she'd say no way because Abby also loves her long hair. But, she actually went with it. After it was cut, she took a look in the mirror and was thrilled! She can't wait to go to school and show off her new 'do. I'm getting mine done on Saturday. I'll post some pics of mine too!

We went to the zoo today with Abby's class. We were very lucky because the rain held off. Abby was so sweet today because she told me this morning that she prayed very hard last night that it wouldn't rain for her trip to the zoo. She told me later in the day after her rain-free trip to the zoo that "prayer works Mom!" Now that's the sound of music!

Abby and her friend Emma

Feeding the giraffes!

Allyson and Audrey feeding the goats.
Today was a great day! Really hoping for some sunshine. The kids and I are doing a garden this year. I'll keep you updated with how it goes. I am so excited. I've always wanted a garden. I really hope that this will be a good learning lesson for the kids.

Randomness! (is that a word?)

Check out these two little cuties! I think they look so much alike. Just had to share :)

And look at this little one-year old and her big brown eyes. She's the only one out of my three girls who got my side of the family's big eyes. Abby and Allyson both have Daddy's squinty eyes ;)

Abby started t-ball. It hasn't been much of a success because we have been out of town or sick and missed a couple games here and there. But, she has done well and seems to be enjoying it. It's funny to watch all the kids fight over the ball.

Now. Here's what I really wanted to blog about. Last night, while having a mom's night in at my house and chatting with some of the best friends a mommy could ask for, I realized something. Actually, I had realized it before, but maybe was holding onto some doubt of some sort I guess you'd say. Well, it dawned on me that my kids are spoiled! No really, not like spoiled brats or anything, but maybe headed down that track if we don't put our feet down right now! I have always enjoyed spoiling my little girls and buying them oodles of toys and clothes. Now, I must say... I am not a big spender, not by any means. But, I will go to a yard sale or visit good ole' craigslist quite often and not hesitate to buy them toys for a couple bucks. As Abby is getting older and two others quickly behind her, I am really starting to think a lot about how I want to raise my girls. My goal in life is to raise my children to be successful adults. I want them to cherish what they have, to understand how lucky they are to have all the things that they do have and not to take anything for granted. I also don't want them to think that life revolves around materialistic things. I'd much rather us spend time together cooking, doing crafts, going for walks, talking, reading or just simply playing in the backyard. These are all things that we do already, but not as often as I'd like. Instead I feel like I spend my time bugging them to clean up their million toys that they have carelessly thrown all over the place and then go behind them putting them away myself. Okay, so you've got the picture. Last night, I was really inspired by a couple of mom's who simply do not over-indulge their children with meanlingness things. So, I had a long talk with Abby today and told her that I thought it would be a great idea to give away a whole bunch of toys and that I really want to spend more time with her and her sisters doing things together. At first she was a little whiney about giving her things away, but quickly got in the spirit of giving and we spent about an hour going through things and making a pile of toys to give to a family in need. Allyson was involved a little also, but is a little too young to understand. We are in the process of trying to find a family to donate these items to. As of right now, it is all piled up in my van waiting for a new family. Below is a picture of the girls with all of their toys to give away. This is a huge step for me as well as my children. It has been very uplifting and I really look forward to not cleaning up as much and spending more quality time with my beautiful children.

Taking the training wheels off!

So, while in Charlotte visiting some friends, we took off Abby's training wheels. We had practiced a little at home, but she just took off! Here is a little clip to please your eyes of my big girl riding her bike all by herself.

Today was a good day. We had a lot of fun playing with friends and enjoying the nice weather. Now, I'm just hoping for some rain so that our newly planted grass will take off. I also went to CVS today and snagged some free stuff! Loving my new coupon savings. Everyone should do it, it will really change your way of spending. Goodnight!

Summer, here we come!

Today we had a great day. We went to Abby's school to help out in the classroom for a bit. I take Allyson and Audrey with me, which is great, but also very distracting! Next year, I'd like to find another mom to swap with perhaps. Anywhoo... when we left Abby's school, I met up with some friends down at the beach. All of the kids had a great time wading in the icy cold water and playing the sand. The beach wore them out, and we came out right after lunch for a nice long nap! Nothing beats taking your kiddos to the beach or pool, it wears them out!
We had a nice dinner and then I took Abby to the indoor pool here in our area to practice swimming for the swim team. She did really well, and hopefully will be quite the little baracuda this summer.
All in all, great day. Looking forward to another sunny, fun day tomorrow!

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Okay, so I am really going to get back into blogging. No, really. I want to use this blog not only as a place to share our life with my friends and family, but also as a journal. I plan to print these and keep them for my children so they can read them when they are older.

Some funny things my kiddos have said lately:

Abby:

Me: "Abby, do you know how this?" (holding up a dollar bill)
Abby: "Uuumm... oh yeah, that's Curious Washington!"


Allyson:

(playing with my tummy, which is a while other topic)

Allyson: "Here mommy, let me tuck in your shirt. " (tucks in my shirt, pats my belly)
"there you go little chubby chub!"

Allyson: "Goodnight mommy! If you see any tigers let me know and I'll shoot em'!"

I have no clue where that one came from! She talks a lot about tigers at bedtime. She's been doing this for a long time. Sometimes there are tigers under her bed and she can't go to sleep. I guess tonight she decided she was over being scared of those darn tigers, she'll just shoot them! Her grandfather would be happy!

I'm sure I'll come up with more later, but it's late and my brain isn't quite functioning. Had to get these down before I forgot!!