What I have learned in 2011

I have learned and seen what comes with love and solid faith, these things can get you through the happiest of times and the roughest of times.

I have learned that there is nothing so time critical that I can not stop and play with my children for 5 minutes, these are the things that they are going to remember some day, pretty sure that they are never going to know that I had laundry in baskets to be folded or toilets might not be clean enough to drink from!

I can never say I love you too much, weather it be to my children, my husband or my family

My family is my everything and that is OK, some might think it is odd but for me it works and that is all that matters.

I have realized that thought my husbands jokes are horrible at times, they bring me laughter that brings tears to my eyes at other times, the really bad ones are worth the ones that bring me to tears. (Love ya babe!)

I have learned that I'm a better person with Jason by my side, when I want to go wild, be lazy, complain or fill sorry for myself he is there to step up and tell me the truth or just to listen, he makes me a better person each day.

I have learned that my husband is an amazing father, he may not do it all the way I do it and he may not do it on my schedule but that does not mean that he does not do it with all the love in his heart. My children are so blessed to have such an amazing father.

I have realized that my husband does not like to fold laundry, I have come to appreciate (with a little grumbling) baskets of clean clothing that just need to be folded and put away.

I have learned that some of the most important photos I will take are the days that we are just at home in our jammies doing nothing of important but spending some time with one another, these are moments that we will want to look back on, not just the birthday parties and Christmas trees though those are wonderful also.

I have learned not to let my children eat pop tarts in the living room, they are really hard to clean off the leather couch!

I have learned to stop and listen to my children, I mean really stop get down and listen to what they have to say, sometimes those little minds will remind you have the things that really matter. They have a faith that I find amazing.

I have learned to enjoy moments on the couch cuddling or holding a baby in my arms rocking before bed time because I know that in just a moment those children will no longer want to sit by me or let me hold them. I must cherish this right now.

I have learned to keep learning, some of the best teachers are a four year old and and two year old!

I have learned to cherish bath time, Daddy does bath time, this is my moment to take a deep breath and remember the good of the day or just go use the other restroom by myself with no one touching me, whatever I do in those five minutes while Daddy  is in charge I have learned to cherish.

I have learned that it is OK to do things that are going to be messy as long as they bring smiles to faces and joy to our hearts.

I have learned that it is OK for kids to run naked in the backyard, as Stella told me Adam and Eve did not need clothing then why does she?

I have learned that falling asleep at night with the man of my dreams by me, makes me one of the luckiest girls in the world.

I have learned that I may be up 15 times in the middle of the night with my children and exhausted that they are still going to be going strong the next day, always keep coffee in the house.

I have learned that I really am blessed each day with the greatest gifts a women could ask for, friends to laugh with, children to play with, a husband to love, and faith in a God that can do all things.

Here is to looking forward to all that 2012 has in store for us.

and a Merry Christmas was had by all!

 My kids, I love them, bed head and all, waiting to come down stairs to see if they had been naughty or nice in good ole Saint Nick's eyes this year.

 Coming down

 Oh, how she loves her some fancy nancy ballerina!

 Does this book have a tutu on it? It must be for this girl!

 and he was done after he saw this, who cares about the forty other presents under the tree, this was the MOST important one!

 OK, well, the other trucks and cars were pretty cool too.

 Calico family and more was in heaven!

 Dress up clothing so that he can stop wearing princess dresses!

 My two men sound a sleep after a good meal and lots of running around.

This photo is so funny, I asked Stella to try on her new clothing to make sure it fits and she goes "Mom I don't have to try it on, see it fits" and procedes to lay down on top of it!

Twas the night before Christmas...

and my children were running through the house full of laughter and sugar! 

We had a very relaxing day at the lake house, just hanging out and being a family. That afternoon my grandparents, the kids great grandparents arrived and had dinner with us. The kids love getting to see Grandpa Sam and Grandma Mary, probably because they know that whatever I say no to Grandma Mary is still going to let them do it! Gigi is always wonderful about making memories that I know the kids are always going to look back on with such joy and happiness, she really is an amazing Gigi. Gigi and the kids made sugar cookies for Santa, well Gigi did not think about giving Rhett flour and what would happen, needless to say he is ALL boy and one giant mess! 

 What? I have something on my face, NO I do not!

 So here is a funny fact, my wonderful husband can not stand a mess, it just makes his skin crawl. So, every year as the kids and Gigi are making the cookies for Santa at some point it never fails that he steps in and takes over BUT it always turns into an even bigger mess!

 While the cookies were backing we left the kitchen for a few minutes and took baths! When the kids got done they decorated the finished cookies. Well, I should say Stella decorated and Rhett ate the cookies!

 UMMM, who gave the two year old a knife? NOT a good idea.

 We could not forget the reindeer, they have a very important job and we need to make sure they have some food to give them energy.

Needless to say the kids did finally make it to bed and Santa was able to get his jobs done. We are hoping that everyone had a wonderful Christmas Eve.

Santa is coming to town!

We went and meet up with Santa this evening to let him know what the kids would like for him to bring them for Christmas. Please excuse Stella's dirty tights and the drool all over Rhett's shirt, this is real life and how we live it these days you take what you can get and run with it. I was very happy that neither of the kids were scared of him this year, Stella did smile in one photo and Rhett pretty much looks stoned in all three! Oh some day he is going to love me for my comments on this blog! Stella did tell Santa that she would like a new Barbie and Rhett just said the word TRUCK over and over again! 

The kids did great while we were with Santa but after Santa it was a whole different ball game. We were that family dragging their children out of the mall screaming and crying! Stella did not take a nap today which equaled a melt down about wanting to stay and ride the car ride in the food court. Oh, the joys of parenting! I love my kids and am so proud to be there parent (well, when we are not having a melt down in the middle of the mall!)

Christmas Cards

There is nothing better than waiting till the last minute to do things! Today I took the kids out for a little walk and to see if I can get a photo of the two of them in the same shot that looked good enough to send out for our Christmas card this year. These are some that I got, not great but will work for our last minute cards. It is scary to think that next year we will have three kids to try and get a photo of for cards.