The Day of Rest

I know I know, I need to update about Christmas. We'll get to that but I just wanted to put it out there permanently that we had a relaxing Sunday! 

Church only had one service at 10 am today and we had no other plans so we just caught up on stuff and hung out! 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Sundays and they are always my favorite day of the week but usually they are a whirlwind of crazy, business. 

About 18 months ago Jared and I volunteered to make coffee on sunday mornings before Sunday School hour. The honest truth is that as a couple we tend to always show up ten minutes late for basically everything and we both felt guilty walking into church late EVERY Sunday so we opted to show up an hour before everyone else so that we wouldn't me late! Well about a month after we started Addiston got mobile and then we recently tacked on baby #2 so it's been slightly more entertaining! We have grown to love it and especially love the early sunday school class "mature" folks who always check in with us and steal the good creamer! 

So we usually get up for church at 6:30-ok our alarm goes off then, we don't actually get up till 7 and then run around the house coordinating clothes and doing hair till we pile in the car with breakfast for four packed and my make-up in toe (it gets done in the car-Jared shaves while he drives, don't judge) We make coffee at have Church, lunch with friends, which we host often and then maybe an hour of clean up time before we go back to church at 6, which puts us home in time for baths!

Today we read books before church, went out for lunch, hung out around the house,  put on pj's in the middle of the afternoon, and ate leftovers for dinner so I truly did nothing! It was beautiful! 

And a baby eating toes shot for good measure!

I hope you enjoyed your day of rest!

faux gingerbread

Last week I decided to be creative super mom and searched the internet for gingerbread recipes. The good kind that doesn't crack while it's cooling or crumble from the weight of a whole tub if icing slathered on the roof of a little house adorned with mini confections. I thought I had found the perfect recipe, one with tried and true reviews and advice from moms and grandmothers alike commenting on adding a tablespoon of cinnamon for aroma and to cool in the fridge as opposed to a stainless steel bowl.

Then I had reality slap me upside the head when both girls woke up from a nap needing extra mama attention and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and realized I hadn't showered in three days and my hair looked likes something out of a Dr. Seuss book. The realization that I probably didn't have time  to roll dough and print templates for walls and prop and wait all while convincing Addiston that it wasn't cool to eat giant cookies held together by a pound of frosting. So it was pinterest to the rescue and faux gingerbread christmas trees it was!



A sugar cone turned upside down on a sugar cookie covered in icing with mini M&M's for ornaments.



Excuse the putrid shade of green that became the tree. I didn't have the proper color of food coloring and mixed random other colors and sprinkles until I achieved an acceptable color.





I decided it was the holiday season and let her eat some of the candy-she almost NEVER gets chocolate, needless to say she was happy. And the little one got to work  out the jumper for the first time while we expressed our creativity through frosting.



And if we weren't prepared enough for the Christmas season Isabella got to be Jesus twice yesterday at church. We're hoping she doesn't develop a complex!

here we go again

As usual life has picked up speed as is the norm during the holiday seasons! I feel like I've seen my suitcase more in the last month and a half than in the previous 9 combined. We went to  Pumpkin fest, Niagara Falls, Homecoming at MVNU and Thanksgiving. I'm ready to be home and have a normal schedule instead of catching up on laundry and packing it again!

MVNU Homecoming



Thanksgiving





Addiston is still crazy cute and smarter than I want her to be at 2 1/2 years old, She's getting back into the potty training thing-probably because she loves her Disney Princess big girl panties! She's discovered she's strong enough to open the fridge now and gets her own sippy cup and snacks. Sometimes she pulls the wrong handle and opens the freezer!



Isabella is growing slowly but surely and amazes me at how easy of a baby she is but I don't want to jinx it so knock on wood! 



I'm done with shopping and wrapping, the halls are decked and we've enjoyed plenty evening fires, Church programs are half complete (Isabella still has to play Baby Jesus twice this coming sunday!) there are a few fun little things I'd still like to squeeze into this happiest season of all, (gingerbread houses or trees, cookie baking, and snow angels-if the south ever decides to recognize the season formerly know as winter) Cards still haven't been sent and travel plans have yet to be finalized but we're getting there.

decking of the halls



Addiston's first taste of hot cocoa


(she wanted to "taste" it about 10 times)

The Lighting of the Christmas tree downtown



Church Childrens production



Addiston was Mary


excuse the horrible washed out lighting, spotlights ruin my very meek photography skills!

Last week Addiston caught the stomach bug that seems to be making it's way through every family we know and she was nice enough to share it with me. We've both been feeling a little punky since but are on the mend. Friday night was our Sunday school christmas party to which I owe Jared props because he did 80% of what needed to done to get ready since I was bed ridded most of the day. Needless to say I pushed a little to hard trying to host a party when I wasn't back to capacity yet and saturday morning resulted in no motivation to do anything (even pour a bowl of cereal) so we finally used the IHOP giftcard my grandma sent us for our anniversary and went out to breakfast! On the way home there's a holistic pet supply store and they just happened to have an animal rescue in the parking lot hosting a pet adoption day. Since it was a redlight and we were sitting there scouting out all the cute puppies I convinced Jared we needed to go look at them. Against his better judgement he pulled a U-turn and long story short, Addiston got an early Christmas present!



but if you ask me he was excited too!



We've named him Roman and he's doing great so far! Wish us luck, because something about a 2 year old, baby, and a puppy just sounds a little crazy!!

I need a bubby

When I was younger we lived in a cute little suburb in downtown Harrison! There was a sweet family that lived next door with a daughter my age and a boy about 5 years younger than us! We called him bubby, I'm not sure why but I do know that until I was in middle school I didn't know his real name! Anyway bubby used to come over and kill bugs for my mom when my brothers and da weren't home!

So it's half an hour before Jared is due to be home. There is a huge bug in my downstairs bathroom. I called Jared to see if he could come home early which I know he can't because he takes the train downtown to work so we blockade the door and hope the creepy crawly creature doesn't escape downstairs bathroom.

Fall Leaves

A few days ago we took our annual leaf pictures! We have a HUGE tree in our front yard that likes to cover our front yard at least 3 times during the fall season and I just love the colors so I can't resist!








I just love Addiston at this age. I wish I could bottle her up! She is so smart that I can't seem to keep up and don't know what to teach her next! She's getting more and more independent and sometimes I swear she's entering her teen years. When she's playing alone in her room and I check in on her she says "it's ok mama, I'm doin nofin!" She is such a sweet big sister and I love how excited both of my girls get when they see each other! I can't believe they're mine, I feel so blessed by them and pray that I lead them in the right direction!

4 months and shots all 'round

Yesterday was Isabella's 4 month Birthday! She's so sweet and seriously the easiest baby! I don't want to jinx it and I know that it's all relative but she sleeps through the night. Eats on an amazing schedule that can be easily altered with little repercussion and travels like a champ! She does like being held but she's totally fine in a bouncy seat or on her play mat! 

She puts everything in her mouth, her hands, her toys and whatever her big sister "shares" with her. I went out and bought my new favorite thing for her. It's called chew beads and it's a necklace that I wear that is actually an teething toy for her. It doesn't look babyish at all, it's black and grey, BPA free and dishwasher safe. I don't have a picture but it's a beautiful invention and I would recommend it to any mom! 

Today we had her 4 month check-up and she's growing slowly and steady! She's in the 60% for height and 8% for weight! Long and lean just like her daddy and big sister! She had to get shots and when we went as a family because I can't handle when one of my girls get shots so I make Jared hold them during then I swoop in a save the day (in my head at least) Well when Addiston heard that Isabella had to get a shot she demanded that she needed a shot as well, and as any mother knows kids don't often ask for shots so when they do you oblige! I asked our nurse to look up her shot record and see what she  was able to get since she technically isn't suppose to get shots again till she's 3. She was eligible for a hep B shot so a hep B shot she got! only a little yelp, no tears and then it was Bella's turn! And now they have matching pink band-aids on their right thigh. 

Lunch with Daddy

When we moved to Nashville 3 years ago we anticipated moving back to somewhere in Ohio in 3-5 years. We often talk about this fact and are still very unsure where we will end up. We just know that our Nashville story isn't finished yet. We jokingly keep a score card for Nashville vs. Ohio and today I think Nashville earned a point or two!

Today my favorite food truck was a block from Jared's office downtown so the girls and I decided to meet him for lunch. Addiston was so excited to see daddy in the middle of the day and it was absolutely beautiful (70 degrees-in November) so we found a good spot on "the green" by a fun fountain and enjoyed some gourmet grilled cheeses!



All the business men got a kick out of Addy yelling how excited she was to see daddy and the "mountains"-fountain and get lots of grilled cheesy's! And I might add that whoever thought to put pumpkin in a grilled cheese is on the short list for my new best friend!

She likes to cheers anything that matches; cups, napkins, toys, and apparently sandwiches.



After we ate I decided why not play in the fountain so we had fun splashing and trying to grab the water and running through when the water was low!


(excuse the yoga clothes I had a self defense class this morning-I usually don't rock the workout clothes outside of a gym!)



Addiston loved playing in the water but was a little intimidated to go by herself. she prefers "flying" through the mist with mom or dad.


After half an hour of playing in the fountain someone got brave and decided to run through on her own

we may be a bad influence as a family because a few tourist families' kids tried to get in on the fountain action and got a swift scolding to step back! OOPS! Sorry we like to have fun with our kids!

This little one was so good the whole time, she just sat in her seat and cooed and smiled!


Nap time was approaching for the older girl and the little one needed to eat so we had to tell the daddy goodbye but not till after a quick stop at my favorite coffee shop!



+1 for Nashville

The first time

Last week we decided would be a good week to put 1500+ miles on our car. (before we sell it-more on that another time)

Early saturday morning we left home headed for my parents house. The first stop on a long road trip resulting in canada. The three days before we had planned to leave were slightly crazy with the girls alternating nap times and having too much on the calendar and I ended up forgetting our passports, we were only an hour away from home when I remembered so we turned around to fetch them. We made it a little late but we got to go to Pumpkin fest. 

Sunday we went to my nephew's football game and got to visit with my oldest brothers family a bit. Monday we headed to Jared's parents' house and the following day we left both girls for the first time and headed to Niagara falls for our 5th anniversary. I only had a minor freak out as we pulled out of the driveway but this trip was much needed!

Jared has been to the falls a few times and was excited to switch rolls with me and play tour guide for a change! We were both bummed that this was our falls view the evening we arrived.



This was our view on our last day! Crazy how different!




This is where the falls under tide evens out and there is a constant whirlpool. It turns the water a beautiful color and the fall trees made the scenery breathtaking! This picture doesn't do it justice!

Here we are in front of the American falls. 

Thanks random Irish guy for taking our photo!

When we got back to Jared's parents' house the girls were both excited to see us. Addiston turned into super hyper 2 year old and ran around in circles for about an hour! 

Friday afternoon we headed back to my parents house, where Isabella decided to stop being lazy and roll over. She's super strong and I kid you not has held her head up since she was 2 days old! She's just super happy all the time and loves being on her side so usually she gets to that position and chills. I just don't think she's seen the need but something must have changed because she decided to show off and roll over both ways several times last weekend and has since become a rolling machine!

the popular side position

showing off on her tummy

Saturday was our actual anniversary and my parents took us out to one of my favorite restaurants. Brio, it's at newport on the levee where coincidently Jared and I had our first official date. 

And Addiston was obsessed with the jumping fountain!

It was a great trip but we are so glad to be home and getting caught up on laundry. At one point Addiston said "hey mom, remember my pink bed." Yeah I said, "I like that big girl bed." she replied We knew she was ready to be home! But we are so thankful for a chance to see family and have some couple time! 

Happy Anniversary Jared-sorry you didn't get your donatos! 

Pumpkin fest

Please excuse any typos or crazy formatting in this post as it is being written from my phone as Jared and I drive to Canada!

This past weekend was the pumpkin fest!


It delivered the usual pumpkin fest charm! Junk food, junk to buy and family fun!

The girls adorned their pumpkin outfits even though the littlest was strapped to the daddy, hiding her jack-o-lantern romper.

Addiston proclaimed her favorite thing was the food after a failed hand painting experience that ended with a temporary tattoo and a pumpkin cookie to top off the festivities!

Our village

I'm a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child and so far we need two villages because we've been blessed with two girls. Our village is wide! Spanning many states and cultures, some started right around the corner and have moved away, still asking for updates on out girls, offering prayers for them and their future. Many in our village started far away and have offered more support than is possible through voicemail, text message and telephone lines.



You might not know how very much it means to us when you chase our kids down for hugs before you leave our house. That my kid is the backround on your phone. And that when I'm getting Addiston out of the bath and ask her who her best friend is she shouts your name! (I'm not jealous-promise)



We love how when you play with our girls, you get right down on the floor with them even though your back will hurt the next day. 



Don’t think we didn’t notice when we came over your house that Isabella's birth announcement is taped to your fridge next to Addiston's birthday invitation.



When you come over for dinner, you probably don’t know that we talk about you when you leave. We noticed how you turned down a comfy seat in exchange for squeezing in on the bench so you could sit by Addy. We saw your back arch a few times from lack of support and the appetized look on your face when food was thrown your way, but we also saw how radiant Addiston's smile beamed because you chose to share your dinner with her. You didn’t have to eat the macaroni, but you did.



That you have a special way of communicating with our girls that's just your own. Your unique relationship with them, and how you love them. That you let Addiston boss you around and show you her big girl bed for the 27th time.



You pretend that picking shoes out is the most fun you’ve ever had. We smile when you grimace through Addiston's hair brushing, and we love how you let her put your hair into fourteen ponytails, each with a corresponding hair bow. We think it's even funnier when you forget to take them out. You dodge basketballs from their heads in the church gym. You showed up at the hospital to hold them both while they were still fresh from the oven. 




You jump in at meal time, rallying behind us with ice cream bribes for finishing veggies, or hanging onto the littlest so we can use two hands to eat some chicken! We love the way you pick our kids up and squeeze them—how you’ve pulled them right from our own arms without even asking, since the day they were born, because you know we don’t care. You know we want them to love you and we’re thrilled to see them in your arms. 




We see those notes you write for our kids on the chalkboard walls of the toy room. Even if we don't notice them until a week after you were here-meaning we haven't cleaned that room very well!



And when we're scared for the future of our kids in this fallen world or hesistant of the "what if," truly you have no idea how loved we feel when you tell us that you're scared right along with us and will be there. That our kids will be okay. That no matter what we face in the coming years, we're not alone.



how fiercely you love our girls and how excited you get to see them!



it takes a village and I'm so glad to be a part of yours!