As of Late. Photo dump {again}

We have stayed busy at the start of this blissful fall season.

Fun seems to be the definition of our days.

Where to start is a good question. We are just all over the place and loving every second!

Big Sister Anslee started in her very first dance classes. She attends 

Creative Movements class for 2 year olds.

It is seriously the cutest thing this mama has ever seen.

Watch out. You might just see this tiny dancer one day dancing her heart out on Broadway.

 

Each week I see her grow in ability and enjoyment for the art. I love watching her participate.

Just love seeing how she really gets into it. I finally found a pair of ballet slippers in her size.

Those will be in a shadow box someday.

Stop growing, my sweet Anslee. Stay my tiny dancer forever!

My goodness. When we are not dancing, We are LOVING kindermusik. 

Anything that involves music, singing, or dancing is on Anslee's list of favorite activities.

Little Sis Kens went for a 9 month well check.

She was well. Growing like a little champ baby and was surely the cutest kiddo at Brownwood Pediatric that day. I look at this girl and fall in love with her because of her little

spit fire personality and for what she has taught me in her short 9 months of life.

9 months of my life I would never give up. Not for one second.

Yes, this sweet girl is sleeping 12+ hours a night, every night and is happy and silly as can be.

Her sister and her are the silliest of sillies. They would not know what to do without each other.

The most precious relationship for me to see blossom. Can't get enough.

We take a few nights and treat ourselves every now and then. Love my date night outs with these two

goof balls. Is it not clear that fun is all we do around here?

Mama is so thankful for these two angel babies who sit in a stroller without a fuss while I get a nice run in. These two are along for the ride with the best of attitudes. Running has been a must in this most perfect weather, so we have spent many evenings out at the park getting in some good exercise!

Not sure what else to do but laugh at the picture above. I catch this little sleepy head knocked out in the craziest of positions. She is a mover and a shaker when she is awake and when she rests. Precious angel. You sleep however you will. I will snap away at your silly sleepy antics.

See what I mean? I can promise I will have more of these to come. 

Many mornings we spend playing in this "playhouse". Thank goodness for boxes, right? You dont even know the fun that has come out of this box. Little creative minds turn this box into so many different things. Best thing is that Anslee makes sure Kensington gets in and plays with her every single time. She already realizes that life is better with a little built in playmate.

 

These two spend a lot of time just playing and laughing together. I actually look forward to the years to come. Watching them grow together.

Every Thursday afternoon, Anslee and I pack up and head to the Brownwood Public library.

We meet with a few friends who join us for learning a letter each week. For "A" we put Apples on an Apple tree. Each letter comes with shape, color, and counting activities that coordinate. Anslee likes it, and I am starting to really believe that its making a profound difference in her abilities. She knows her ABC's, but the hope is, with these weekly activities, that letter recognition will come along with early phonics training. 

KayLee, Wyatt's mama, brings a short book that goes with each letter. The books she has are awesome. Its almost the same story line for each letter, and clearly, the repetitive nature of the story helps the learning of each letter sink in just a little more. 

Well, thats what is going on in our world as of late. We live a good life, and can't wait to wake up each morning to a new day filled with lots of FUN!

Hope this fall as started off FUN for all of YOU!

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Ever since I had Anslee, going to the pumpkin patch has become a little fall tradition! (I mean, I guess I could have gone and taken pictures with Tyler, but simply said, its just would not have been as cute. Or fun.) 

This year, it was exciting to include our newest addition in the tradition! Oh, and Kensington loved and hated the pumpkin patch with all that was in her! Needless to say, we had a great time and got some pictures to record this falls memories!

What fun it was to set these two up in front of a precious back drop and snap away. They thought they were in a little play house. Precious.

They love each other so much! Love seeing these two being sweet! 

Anslee knew the drill. She sat right down, picked up a pumpkin and straw of hay and said, "take my picture mama!" Trained well. Love her.

How cute is this little halloween kitty? Just the sweetest 9 month old alive! So easy to get a smile out of this one...

Unless you surround her in a large mound of pumpkins. Not to worry, 2 years from now she will be asking me to take her picture while posing with pumpkins. Sister will be sure of that.

What sweet girls I have. Crying and smiling alike. 

Love fall. Love a pumpkin patch. Love my precious little pumpkins more than words can say!

Ready for the cold front set to come in! 

Happy fall to you all!

The Wife of Noble Character

Proverbs 31: 10-31

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her 

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, 

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family 

and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

She can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her 

household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and her praises 

her;

"Many women  do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is 

to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and her works bring her praise

at the city gate.

Its really hard to read this and not be a little bit intimidated or overwhelmed. I honestly question if I have what it takes to be everything that this woman is. I want it so badly, and I am starting to really believe that God sees this woman in me. Right now in this passage I still see a lot of "to do's" and a long list of things that are required of me. I am certain though, that when I doubt myself, the Lord is confident. He sees me as capable and refines me to make me this very woman.

This lady, Brandy Beaumont, is Proverbs 31. She lives it so much that all around her can see it instantly. Her children do arise and call her Blessed. I have seen the way they are taken with the person she is.

Brandy spoke to us, at MOPS this morning. This meeting might have been my single most favorite and memorable MOPS meeting to date. 

She spoke God's sweet truth to us, while giving us creative ideas to do with our pre-schoolers.

She encouraged us to:

Get messy with them and not dwell on the mess

Be silly with them

Ditch the technology and focus

Stop comparing ourselves to other Moms

To be proud of our stay at home job title

To do our job with a smile when we don't feel like smiling

and most of all she reminded us of this:

Our children are God's most precious gift to us. They are our REWARD.

Our children were given to us specifically. We were made to mother.

She shared this with us and I can't get my mind away from it:

Psalm 127:

Unless the Lord builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early

and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat - 

for he grants sleep to those he loves.

SONS are a HERITAGE from the LORD.

CHILDREN a REWARD from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

are sons born in one's youth.

Blessed is the man

whose quiver is fullof them.

They will not be put to shame 

when they content with their enemies in the gate.

To me, simply put, our children are a reflection of Gods favor in our life. They prepare us for the Kingdom to come. They give us strength against the enemy.

I hope, and pray, they will call me Blessed in my days to come.

Do you view your children as reward? Reward they are!

My sweet Rewards!

Love them so!

Thank you Brandy for being the source of inspiration I needed, but thank you much more for being obedient to Gods call for you to share. I promise he used you in ways beyond your wildest imagination!

On My Mind

Ok, so I really don't have anything specific to blog about tonight.

Can't blame a girl for being in the bloggin' mood!

It was just that I decided to start paying close attention to little things that make

an ordinary day

extraordinary.

Today I had the chance to sit and listen to Anslee and Kensington laugh.

I mean roll on the floor type laughing. Together. In perfect sync if you will.

I swear the only thing better than hearing your childs laughter

is hearing it in tune with their siblings.

It was more than music to my ears.

It was music to the soul.

It was so good that I wanted to join them, but I know it would have taken away from 

their delight. Who am I to do such a thing. So I listened and smiled.

Today I started thinking about what a pickle we would be in without this treasure:

Thats right. This precious piece of plastic goes with us everywhere. 

Its home is the Moses' 2007 model Toyota Sienna Van.

I would say that Anslee takes advantage of this little chair on average...

twice a day. Easy.

After a certain diaper change this afternoon (and twice this morning) 

I decided I was ready for sweet Kensington hurry up and make this potty chair even more useful 

than it already is. I know.

I am dreaming. Only about 19 months or so to go, right?  Ok. but thats stretching it.

This evening, I realized that I spend a lot of time watching Diego and Bubble Guppies.

You would think that was normal, right?

Well it seems that too many times I have caught myself watching said programs

while the girls are sleeping.

I know, I should have not have blogged about that.

Weird, No?

Do you ever get overwhelmed?

I mean overwhelmed any time you walk into ANY of the room at your house?

I am today. And I am blogging.

Its ok, though, because at least I am blogging about being overwhelmed 

with the mess that surrounds me.

You know whats never good? 

When you hear a loud "THUD" or say, "CRASH"

and the the chorus of crying children follow.

Don't worry. No children were really hurt.

That is what happened tonight when I stepped into the kitchen to make a bottle.

*Please note*

I was no more than 20 feet away from them, but still have no clue

what really happened.

Tonight each of my girls gave me a gift.

Kensington fell fast and hard asleep in my arms. 

I am convinced there is not another person on this planet in whose arms 

she would lay so content.

Anslee asked me for 'nuggles' (snuggles) before she went to bed.

She got more than she asked for.

Thats what happens when mamas heart has been so warmed.

Sure loved my today! I hope you did too!

Help my wannabe HEALTHY kitchen.

Can you help me?

My family is in major need of a pantry overhaul.

I mean, we need HEALTHY meals stat. 

I do the best I can, with what I know, but I am not ashamed to say I dont have a lot of HEALTY 

recipes.

I need CREATIVE ideas that will put my kitchen to good use.

What is the inspiration for this particular post you ask?

I'll tell you, but I am not proud of it. 

In fact, I got a little sad. A little frustrated and a bit down on myself.

I tried to put on a pair of black dress pants from back in the old days when it was imparitive

that I dress business casual 5 days of the week.

Back in those days, they hung off my hips. They were baggy and comfortable.

Size 2. If you must know. 

Well those were the old days. Pre- kids. 

This post (2) C-section body is clearly not walking out of the house in those pants anytime soon.

While I try to not let my mind stay here for long, I really am ready to get myself back into those pants. I workout at LEAST 4 days a week, so its not a lack of exercise. Its what I am fueling my body with that is bringing me down. This mama is ready for a change.

In all reality, its more than getting back in those pants...its about being accountable to my

my family's health.

Its not good when my girls literally out eat me and Tyler in vegetables and fruits every SINGLE day.

All of this jabber to say: HELP. Tyler and I both want to be healthy (I'll let Tyler know he wants this a little later!)

If you have any healthy recipes that you particularly LOVE, please please please send them my way.

I lack creativity in the kitchen. Help!

Shea.Moses@gmail.com

Building with Daddy.

I have sung Tyler's praises many times. I always will.

When he is not being the worlds best husband, he is busy being the worlds best Dad. Hands down.

After that, he is busy being Texas' best state Trooper. 

Whew.

Can we get this guy a nap? You would never know how busy he is.

He loves every part of his life and we could not be more blessed!

So in his efforts to win #1 Dad award this past Saturday

He took his firstborn to Kids Craft Day at Home Depot.

Tyler said she put on her apron and got straight to work.

I have a handy woman on my hands. Working with a hammer was a dream come true.

She built the finest wooden helicopter that a girl could fashion with her own two hands.

Sweet girl sure loves to be busy. Building something with Daddy was just what the doctor ordered.

Testing out the finished product. Everything was in working order. 

Ready for lift off. So much fun was had. My sweet girl can glue and hammer with the best of them. 

What would make a home depot craft day with Daddy better?

Sitting in a real life helicopter of course! So why not? I might be raising a future pilot!

Don't think for one second that there is where the fun stopped. 

The fire truck came too. What a fun date to share with one amazing dude. 

I can't blame this girl for one second wanting to spend special moments with that guy.

I sure love when I get to go on dates with him too!

Thanks Shantel for letting us know about the Home Depot craft days. Fun activities like these are just what every active toddler needs to bring out their creative side! Looking forward to more mornings like these!

And thanks to Tyler, for taking these pictures. He knew I would want to see all the fun I missed out on while the little sister got in her morning nap!