I am wearing green

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Still no camera, so just picture the kids and I dressed in our best green because we are! We went to lunch today to celebrate my friend Kim's upcoming birthday on Saturday. We went to the usual pizza spot Via's.

After lunch was over we were just going to head home but I made a quick decision to try taking the kids to the St Patty parade, we made it and they loved it. They were thanking me in the car for taking them, I guess we'll be going to more parades in our future!

I am ten weeks today and feeling pretty good so far. The morning sickness isn't too bad! I am extremely EXTREMELY tired! I go to bed early and really enjoy my sleep!

On another note, Alayna has been saying Da Da today, her first time was actually on Aaron's birthday, but I couldn't get her to say it. Today I ask her to say Da Da and she did, lets just hope she does it for Aaron.

I hope everyone is wearing green and is having a great day!

Girls night at the Rowhouse

Ali, Keri, me and Cyndi




Friday night some of my girlfriends and I went to dinner at the Rowhouse, a local fine dining restaurant. If you have been reading my blog for a while you know I always take pictures when I go to dinner here because the food is too fabulous not to.
Here is the menu for the night :
* Salad: "Mock" Caesar Salad with Roasted Garlic Croutons
* Soup: White Bean and Swiss Chard
* Vegetarian Entree: Spinach, Artichoke, and Ricotta Focaccia with Wild Arugula Salad
* Entrees 2: Beef Tenderloin, Wine and Mushroom Sauce, Roasted Beet Chips, Risotto
* Entree 3: Sea Bass, Red Pepper Romesco Sauce, Zucchini and Basil Risotto
* Dessert: Blood Orange and Prosecco Sorbet
* Dessert: Goat's Cheese Cheesecake
* Dessert: Chocolate Filled Cream Puffs


Here are the pictures in the order we received them: (Warning this wasn't my camera and it worked much different than mine, so the pictures aren't as clear as I like and I didn't feel like taking a camera class with this wonderful food in front of me :)

We started off with a goat cheese souffle with pesto, garlic and tomatoes- this was my favorite!!!Then we had the soupSalad
Then the three main courses, yes three. Its a sample, so you try everything. Oh I did forget to take the picture before we started eating, so it looks a bit messy.
And finally dessert

We had a great time, with great friends. This was our birthday celebration to each other, and so worth it!

Alayna 8 months!

Alayna is 8 months old and getting so big!



(picture to come)....




She is 25 pounds and growing.......
She loves being sung to, it will turn her tears into smiles on the first verse. Especially if your singing patty cake.
She eats cereal for breakfast a fruit or veggie for lunch and a fruit and veggie for dinner.
She gets a bottle of milk about every three hours.
She still prefers to take three naps a day.
She sleeps through the night (thank goodness)
This month we had some long ear infections, but they are gone and she is well
She goes to bed around 8pm and is up around 7:30am
She does great sitting in the cart at the store and at restaurants, she makes it too easy to go out!
She wears some 6-12 month, 12-18 month and 18-24 month clothes, she is all over the place.
She tries to crawl, or I should say wants to crawl, but it probably wont be until after she is 9 months old.
She is a delight and I love her so much. She is really going to love it when we get to spend a lot of time outside.

1895 days

I thought this would be fun to look at:


I have been Married 1895 days

I have been pregnant 856 out of the 1895 days

I have been nursing 610 days out of the 1895

That's a total of 1466 without being "normal"


Crazy huh? Aaron our next five years are going to be soooooo different!

Memory

I am camera-less for a while, but for those important days like Alayna's 8 month birthday I'll be borrowing a camera. I miss is, but it is in much need to be fixed. Let's just hope they do fix it!

I would be devastated to lose all the picture and video I have of all the children. Do you ever fear you'll lose your memory? I am NOT saying literally lose your memory, but more like lose your memory of all the little things that your children have done to make you laugh until you cry, or maybe just made you cry. Or what if you lost the memories that are the sweetest, that melt your heart?
This is my fear, fear of forgetting. I have been thinking of writing this post now for a few days, but I wasn't sure I would know what to say or find the words to explain how it makes me feel.

God walks through everything with us, especially our fears. And during my prayers/conversations about fear of losing memory He has spoken to me and given me peace.
Psalms 34:4
I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.

God reminded me that I am the one who holds all the memories, maybe not in my brain where I can quickly recall them, but they are built up in my heart, they are in my DNA. These memories are who I am. They cannot be taken away from me.

If I do forget that night I tucked Preston in when he was just over two years old and he couldn't stop kissing all over my face, then that's ok because those kisses made me a better mom.

When Alayna was 5 months old and having a grump night, Aaron handed her to me and she laid her head on my shoulder and within a few minutes she was asleep. My heart was out of my body and in heave, no joke! If I forget that moment, that's ok because the moment my heart melted, it took a new formation.

And the memory I have of Taylynn when she was almost 16 months old and we were slow dancing in her room while Preston was in my belly(due to be out in a matter of days). We danced, sang and I cried. I didn't know then, but that is one of my finest memories. Those moments are beautiful and because of them, I am who I am.

I am so thankful to the Lord that He has blessed me with memory. It's something we expect to have, but He can quickly take it away from us.

I am also thankful for the memory I have as a child. Those have also made me who I am and even though I can't even remember all of my childhood, it's running through my blood and I am the mom I am today because of the child my parents raised.

This is a reminder everyday that even though our children probably won't remember much from 5 and under, they are being formed and molded and we are creating the parents they will one day be.

Swings, Fondue and Birthday

The other day we got to go play outside on the swing set. Alayna was big enough in fall to swing, but now she can really express her excitement. She couldn't stop smiling and laughing on the swing, I guess she likes it!

This summer needs to hurry up we have lots to do and lots to see. Everyday someone asks to go to the zoo, and we will go but I want to make sure all the animals are out and about not freezing in a corner. We get an annual zoo pass so we can go as many times as we'd like, it's great because we use it at least once every two weeks, but sometimes once a week.

This year we'll be working on Preston's bike skills, he can reach but he gets frustrated and so do I, so his daddy will be doing this with him.


On another note:
Last night we had life group and I made chocolate fondue, so good! I really need a new fondue pot, a really nice fondue pot. Mine works ok for cheese, but its way to hot for chocolate. I like this copper pot, you use a flame which I think is easier to control that and electric that is really touchy.

My birthday is at the end of the month!

Speaking of my birthday, I did already get one gift. My parents bought me this copper chafing dish while I was in Arkansas.It didn't make it in the car with me when we left, so mom and dad remember you got that for ME! Love you both!

What I really need is a new saucepan, ours has been worn out after only five years. I'd really like to have some pots that were good for a lifetime, does anyone have any brands they'd suggest?

Cherries

Alayna will be turning one in July, so the party planning has started. The theme is cherries and the colors are red and turquoise blue. I don't know where the party will be yet, but it will be outdoors.

I had this sun suit made for Alayna from Charming Necessities it turned out so cute! I also found these cherries on etsy, but they were over a dollar per a lollipop. Later that day I went to TJ Maxx and you'll never guess what I found........yep the same lollipops for dirt cheap! It was a great day!
I am not sure how I am going to use them, but they are perfect!

I also am planning a pirate party in April
A kitchen shower towards the end of the summer
A baby brunch sometime before July

I love parties!!!!