A Day spent on Mountain Tops...

Saturday was a wonderful day of relief for me. Ailee has been running a fever of 102 for 5 days straight and has a terribly red throat. It is heartbreaking for me to watch her so uncomfortable. Friday night, Anna Grace shows up at the side of the bed around 12:30 with a fever of 103. Oh no! Here we go again, I thought. Because it is just a virus, there is no meds or anything that can help except Motrin every 4 hours. We just have to let it run it's course. I just pray little Adelynn does not get it too. I do not mind at all caring for the girls, especially when they are sick. That is my calling and I love it. However, sometimes we all need a little escape.

And Saturday was exactly that for me. Two of my girlfriends and I had planned to run a mountain trail at the end of main street. I was excited about it...until, we turned into the parking lot at the bottom of the trail. Yes, I say bottom because it is very much every bit of a "mountain" trail. I saw a man I knew at the bottom and questioned him about the route. He gave specific directions not to make a certain turn when we got to the very top because we would be going off the other side of the mountain towards Canton. I told him we were planning to run it in preparation for a half marathon we are training for. He looked a little surprised and said, "Well, if you can do it, you have REALLY done something." AND, he was right. It was a HIKE not a run. We attempted to run as much as possible but due to the extremely steep and narrow, rocky terrain we ended up climbing most while running the downhill slopes. And I am sure you probably guessed it...we took the wrong turn he told us about and ended up on the other side. Then, only to get lost again and end up at Cooper's Furnace. Unable to move due to exhaustion and because we were just cracking up at ourselves for such an adventurous morning, we returned to our car two hours later. It was exciting though and a different kind of fun. The temperature was only 65 degrees and in the complete mountain shade it was very chilly for a July morning. It was neat just to take in the beauty of the area. I laughed to myself because I had wanted all week to get a small getaway. God allowed this while also showing me that I should be careful what I ask for. I almost got a "getaway" to a big rock in the woods in the middle of who knows where!

Jon and I needed to spend sometime together as well. The stress of parenthood and life, in general, created a hard week for us. We are waiting to hear from God on a couple of issues we are battling right now and it brings with it a little uneasiness for both of us. We are anxious and feeling the importance of communicating with one another through it all. Sick and whining children make that a little difficult to do. So, thankfully, Mimi came to our rescue!!!!!! She so graciously watched our sickly girls so we could take a ride over Red Top mountain to eat at a little restaurant beside the lake. I forget the freedom that riding in the open air can bring. Being so close and exposed to God's creation brings with it some since of comfort. It is like you know He is carrying you while gently pointing out things otherwise gone unnoticed ~"see that... I made that just so you could see it, smell it, enjoy it and for that short second you got to experience it just like I do."

Another short moment I found myself "lost" today caused Jon to pull over and look for directions. God spoke to me in this situation too. I need to learn to completely trust Jon and his sense of direction for our family. Sometimes it is hard to sit back and let someone else take the reigns but here I go. I am going to give it a try with God's help. Even when we are winding up a mountain in what feels like the wrong direction, I am going to just latch my arms around my man and hang on, while praying hard!

We did indeed arrive at the lakeside grill. The breezy air off the lake was once again cool and made us start craving the Saturday football days that Fall will soon blow in!

What great memories of a fun and much needed date night with my sweet friend! (Girls, this does NOT grant you the permission to ride on a two-wheeled vehicle EVER! And come to think of it, I never received permission either, sorry Daddy!)

Princess Surprises...

Mimi sent the girls sweet little surprises in the mail today and it definitely brightened the day for all of us. This week has been sort of difficult for a number of reasons but also because little Ailee bug has been battling a constant fever for 3 days. It has kept us in the house mostly and the other two girls are restless. It was a great relief to be reminded we are all His princesses even on the days we are not at our best!

"Don't let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith and purity." 1 Timothy 4:12 (verse printed along with each girl's name of the front of their crowns.)

Along with a sweet handwritten note, Mimi sent a little package of love to the girls that warmed us all up inside. Remembering you are the daughter of the Heavenly King can make anyone feel so blessed! As the girls danced and twirled in their crowns and dress up, I pondered on what the verse really means for me. Thanks, Mimi, for the uplift today! We love you all the muches!

Mother~Daughter Makeovers...

I just love the days when the smiles and laughter from my sweet girls are enough to make my heart skip! It was just a simple Monday full of laundry, cleaning house, embroidery projects and sewing, along with the everyday chores of 3 meals a day for 3 little ones, nursing, diapers, etc. However, I found myself constantly praying "Lord, please make this next month just slow down and seem to last forever!" I cannot let my mind begin to wander to the upcoming weekdays when Anna Grace will be in "big" school! Since Ailee was a baby, I have loved the days when we would play all day and not even change out of our pj's until right before Daddy would arrive home from work. I love the bonds formed between the girls as sisters when no one is in hectic mode of trying to get ready to go somewhere. The hours are simply spent playing together all day...going from room to room while imaginations run wild. Today was no different! As dinner time quickly approached, the girls helped me prepare chicken and dumplings and when Daddy called to say he was on his way home, we rushed and changed out of the pj's we were in when he left for work. The girls decided we needed makeovers to surprise Daddy when he came in for dinner. So... here we are~all dolled up. The girls took turns doing makeup (even mine if you can tell) along with hair. It was fun and Daddy was surprised, mostly with my eye shadow and glittered cheeks. I will miss these days...Lord, please help me hang on to them! These are the memories that warm my soul!

My brown-eyed girl!

Blue eyes and freckles...the essence of innocence!

The sweetest sound I've ever heard...

MaMaMaMa...Each time the girls have said this for the first time, it always melts my heart. With Adelynn, no different. I noticed her saying it in between babbling Dadada and byebye the other night and knew it was coming soon. This morning, 4 a.m., she wakes up (she actually has been doing really well at sleeping through the night lately). Very, very tired I wander into her room as she sits up, reaches her arms up and says "MaMaMaMa." I was thrilled to share this early morning greeting with her! Nothing like it when that sweet voice can call out to you with full awareness of what they are saying. It was a precious and special moment I hope I never forget!

OKAY...this next picture cracks me up. I was supposed to be helping Jon clean out the garage while the girls were all three playing in the driveway. Adelynn got tired and needed a nap. Obvisiously, I did too! Anna Grace came in to check on me when I never went back outside. Beside the proof of me sleeping sitting up with my mouth open, the funny part about this is that she thought of taking our photo. She said to me when I woke up..."Mom, you and Adelynn looked so sweet together that I took your picture!" I immediately thought..."Oh, no! I have created a monster. Not only does she like to have her pictured made, she also likes taking them. Wonder what else this little "mini me" will catch on camera?"

Lazy Days of Summer...

Jon and I surprised the girls with these fun PJ's from Vegas. We thought they were still little girlie with the pink polka dots and bows but the animal print reminded us of the fun night life in Las Vegas. They adored them because they would spin so well, of course! They have slept in them most every night since we returned home. We have enjoyed just getting back into the swing of family life now that all the vacations and travels are finished for a while.

Mimi was SO sweet to do the reading program at her local library with the girls this summer. They had a little celebration and received rewards. It was fun and they felt special having their names called and going up to get the certificates. Thanks, Mimi, for reading with us!!!

More Freedom Fun...(cont. July 4th)

Red, White and Blue...Proud Americans!

Following the morning parade downtown (pictures in previous post), we headed over to a sweet friend's house from church to enjoy a July 4th party...a day of splashing in the pool, wonderful fellowship and great food~especially the homemade ice cream!

This is my favorite photo of the weekend! Jon and his middle girl...although she looks so much like me when I was a little girl, the personalities of these two are so similiar~~fun, outgoing, entertaining while keeping with the motto "love hard, play hard!"

Is it obvisious that this sweet baby girl had her first taste of homemade ice cream today...as her big sister sneaks her a few bites the loud grunts and jumping practically into a standing position revealed all efforts to keep it a secret!

What did all of us do all those years ago before inflatables? Everywhere we go, that seems to be the life of the party. I hate to admit it but we even have one in our basement ready to jump at anytime. Such fun and a great way to wear the kiddos out for a long, hard night of sleep! Yes...off to bed! What a weekend!

Happy Birthday, America!

So far, we have celebrated this freedom weekend with a cookout and fireworks at the country club and an annual July 4th parade downtown. The children loved running through the grass eating snowcones, playing on inflatables and the red wagon, birthday cupcakes for America, fireworks and watching the skydivers landing practically on top of us. Of course, Ailee looks up at me and says..."I want to do that when I get bigger!" And of all the girls of the family, you would the one to do something like that I am sure! But what a blast you are!

Even throughout the fun that has taken place over this weekend that celebrates our freedom, we have repeatedly thought of those who have paid the price for us. Thank you will never be enough to show the gratitude we have that we are allowed to spend carefree, summer days with our children this way with no worries because of your ultimate sacrifice. You are not forgotten!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!

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9 Months (a little late...)

9 Months...I truly cannot believe it! The nine months I carried you in my womb seemed forever. The long days of sickness attacked my body to the point of depletion...the simple task of walking to the bathroom was impossible. However, it was so very worth it to bring your sweetness into this family. I hate how quickly the 9 months I have held you in my arms has raced by. I want you to stay my baby girl for just a little longer.

It is fun to watch you change and grow! You have such a fun personality and it can brighten any situation. You are now on the go...all the time. You want to be near me (on my hip, rather) constantly. You have begun eating lots of table food and I even fed you chick-fil-a nuggets yesterday. You have two lower teeth that you love to show off with your huge grin and you can see in your photos. Hair...well, we are lacking in this department. Maybe soon, you will get your hairbows! For now, we sure are having some fun with hats. You think you can stand alone and you love to wave bye bye to everyone. Dada and byebye are still your only words~that we can recognize anyway but you definitely have lots to say. You are more precious with each day that passes and we all adore you! Keep bringing us smiles!

This is how I picture you in my dreams each night...laughing so hard you can barely breath!