The count down begins!

     I am in disbelief! I can not believe Christmas is only SIX days away!!!! I am taking a few moments to myself as both of my babies are sound asleep... This week will be full of madness! Today has been filled with all kinds of cleaning... bathrooms, floors, beds, laundry etc. etc. etc.!!! Although I rush around and sometimes stress out completely while I try to get everything just right before we have company or host people over... I am so thankful for having a home that can accommodate everyone. It is fun to see where Justin and I have come from since we first met :)
     Our plans for Christmas are a little bit different this year, usually we go to several places all in one day but this year one of Justin's brothers will not be in town until Monday so we will have Christmas with his family then. This gives us a small break and hopefully we will be able to enjoy our day with our kids with out being so rushed around. I think this year my family is coming over Christmas eve to spend the night so they can be here in the morning when the kiddos wake up to presents! I've invited my grandparents as well... we should have a house full of fun! Then since Christmas is on a Sunday, it is off to church around 10. After service we will go have lunch with my grandmother and eat her AMAZING lasagna... this is one of my favorite meals ever! (only made by her though) Around two o'clock we will go get James from his mother and come home to have Christmas with him. Usually we would just go straight over to my mother in laws to have Christmas with the family but this year I am thinking about coming home after we get James, baking a cake or cupcakes in celebration of Jesus' birthday, then maybe we will take our goodies over to my inlaws to share :) I love spending time with everyone, I love the madness, the hustle and bustle that comes along with the holidays. I am excited about the time we will all get to share together this year. We are so blessed to have so many places to go and people to see.

 Thank you Lord for each day and each person we get to share our lives with! To Him be the Glory!

A+

     So this is my first Sunday in a long time to be LAZY!! The semester is officially over! I am able to hang out with my friends and family and not stress about what paper is due, what math homework I still have... etc! I have to pat myself on the back for a quick second... I earned 3 A's and 1 B... I am feeling very accomplished! Yesterday Jessica came over and she baked 'till we dropped, today she's back and better than ever (in baking terms). Today's treats include homemade caramel candies, rum balls, and s'more brownies... YUM.

     Today began like any other Sunday morning,  we all rushed around to get to church on time. Today was a good day- we were EARLY! This never happens in the Mann household... I'm doing good to barely make it in time most days :) Today at church our family decided to sponsor a young man from Wera, Uganda. His name is David, he was born in 1998 and he only has one parent living. We are excited about this new adventure and for the opportunity to have a positive impact on someones life. Oh how I wish I could do more... I know that the small payment of $34 a month is going to be huge in Davids life. This means food for this child every day! We take so many things for granted here. We have everything at our finger tips... I can not imagine not being able to provide meals every single day for my children. I am very thankful for our life and everything God has allowed me to have here on earth. I hope that Justin and I can teach our children the importance of giving back and how blessed they are. We are so grateful!
   
     Now it's off to dinner with the family... very blessed.

sweet creations...

After a long day working at the salon... I came home to an amazingly clean house. My hubby cleaned and did our laundry today... I am truly in love :) I decided to cook my first ever of a poppy seed chicken casserole... thanks to one of my clients recipes! It was pretty yummy! After cooking dinner Jess and Preston came over and I watched as she baked her little heart out. We had some delicious treats this evening....

     First up was "salted caramel chocolate thumbprints" We had a grand time with the homemade caramel, it was a tad bit messy and lots of the caramel ended up on the floor. Thankfully there was plenty of caramel for the cookies as well! The caramel was so delicious I could eat it with a spoon...
    
    Next was "chocolate peppermint bark cookies" dipped in white chocolate and peppermint. DELISH! These were so good! I am not much of a baker myself, but I love watching and helping and taste testing my dearest's friends sweet creations!

      Had so much fun tonight, stayed up way too late though! The kids got to play and eat some goodies too! Hooray for the season of baking and great friends to share it with! Until there's more...

Good News!

     Being a mom is hard work! I know... I talk about being a mom and how adorable my kids are constantly, but I just can not help it. Those kiddos are my world. As I sit here eating breakfast with my kids, I can not be thankful enough for my healthy boys. We are blessed. Days like today are nice, I can actually enjoy my boys and not rush around like a mad woman trying to get us all ready and out the door!

     I have to share a sweet little story about my Henry boy. A few nights ago we were all getting ready to eat dinner, and I was trying to get everyone at the table to eat dinner together... as a family (with our crazy schedules, this doesn't happen very often so I try to soak it up when we are actually all together) I ask Justin "Are you going to pray?" He never had a chance to respond because little Henry just began to pray when his eyes shut as tight as he could get them... (and I quote, in the sweetest little two year old voice) "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for food, James, Charlie, Henry, Daddy, Mommy in Jesus name, Amen. Lets Eat!"  I am telling you right now I don't know if I have ever heard anything so sweet in my life. Definitely a proud mommy moment! 

     In other news, we went to see Santa a bass pro this weekend... James was trying to prepare Henry for Santa, telling him all about what Santa does. "He says HO HO HO! and he brings us presents on Jesus' birthday!" I told Henry after his nap we will go see Santa and he woke up came straight to me and said "Mommy I want presents and Santa" Although when we actually got there, Henry wasn't so sure about Santa Claus. All three boys did cooperate though. I have a beautiful picture of the kids with Santa. No body cried or screamed like last year. Henry since has been talking about Santa every day. He can also sing "Santa Claus is coming to town..." It is very fun. 

     I heard some very good news last week, one of my closest friends told me a little secret. I can't express the joy in my heart when I found out she herself was going to be a mother. I am so excited for her and her husband and their family! I am thrilled about the next several months that will follow with baby showers and gifts galore! I especially can not wait for her to get to experience the joys of being a mommy herself, for her to have that feeling of so much love in your heart you feel like you might explode! That feeling that you have when you meet your child for the first time and your feel a love like no other, a love you've never known before until that very moment! She will be such a wonderful mother and I am beyond excited for her. :) I also have the baby fever so I am going to get a little fix! 

      What should have taken twenty minutes or so has taken me almost an hour to blog... writing when the kids are awake is not the best time to do it, but sometimes you just gotta make it work! I can not believe there is only 11 days until Christmas!!! 

Until next time... 

'Tis the Season...

Is it really December??? I can not believe that the thanksgiving holiday has already come and gone! I absolutely love the holidays! When you have kiddos around it makes them so much more exciting and fun! This year after thanksgiving my dearest friend Ashlea and I decided to go black Friday shopping (well I decided I wanted to go and BEGGED her to come) It was a bit intimidating but SO much fun! I believe we will make a tradition out of this (she ended up enjoying herself as well).... We got so many great deals and the memories we made are priceless. I was lucky enough to be in a Wal-Mart while protestors began shouting... I about peed my pants! It scared me! I thought I was going to be shot... but I guess it made for a great story later.
So this week is the last of the college semester for me and I am one HAPPY GIRL! I am so thankful to be able to go to school and finish my degree and each semester that goes by I am one step closer to the finish line. I am looking forward to a much needed break!
The kids are cracking me up more and more as each day goes by! James gave us a great laugh this last weekend... As Justin was putting him to bed they were talking about prayer and James told his dad that he has decided to pray to Santa as well right now, (some of you might find this odd... but the innocence and pure honesty in a child makes me smile) Apparently a friend of his, Preston,  told him that "he had been bad lately and he really didn't think Santa was going to bring anything to him this year"... So our sweet little James said he'd been praying to Santa that he would at least take Preston one gift, even if he was bad this year he deserves some toys :) " Of course I called Preston's mom we had a good little laugh. Those kiddos keep me going! I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they are having conversation... Their idea of how the world is and works is so sweet... So if you are wondering if your kid's believe you when you "hang Santa over their heads" I think it is fair to say they believe. The past two weeks I have been fighting off my sweet little one year old from the Christmas tree... It is so hard to get mad at him when he is in such awe or when Charlie brings me a bulb from the tree and says "no no" in the sweetest little baby voice. Randomly I am finding Christmas ornaments around the house. Henry loves the tree he just says "its pretty mama!" and of course I hear the occasional "Don't touch it Charlie!" Henry also LOVES the lights! We took the kids to see Christmas lights and he oooed and ahhhhed at them all. All the kids especially loved going to Ash and Cory's house to see their Christmas extravaganza! They are way cooler than us... they have a train around the tree, which James loved to operate and they even have  Santa on the roof with raindeer and everything! I am loving this Christmas holiday already and we still have so much more ahead of us! Hopefully I can keep off the ten pounds I lost earlier this year.... if not.... Oh Well! I'm not missing out on my mother in laws delicious homemade chocolate candy, googoo bars are my fav! Thank you Doris Mann :)
On a more serious note,  as Christmas is upon us and the year of 2011 is wrapping up I am so thankful for the time God has given us and the people here that we get to share it with. It is so amazing how everything works out in His timing... my patience is tested daily on that note, but I know that His timing is always perfect :)

Until next time...

Its been way too long...

     Today went by so fast, (as do all of my days)! I had class today, went grocery shopping, worked until 6:30... but came home to a wonderful husband and kiddos, with dinner made (that is the way to come home) :) I can not put in to words how I feel about my family. I had always dreamed of being a mommy and a wife, but before my children I could have never comprehended this kind of love. Today I am thankful for so many things, Jesus,  my husband, our children, our family, and much more! The best feeling in the world is coming through the door and having your babies run into your arms, yelling with excitement "Mommy!!!" and of course to have a husband meet you with a kiss! Justin is so good to me, always telling me how thankful he is for me... he alone reminds me how much I'm loved. As we were putting Henry and Charlie to bed this evening I found myself just praying and praising God for such incredible blessings.
     I put Henry to bed tonight and of course he wants his daddy, so daddy comes in and lays with us for a bit. After Justin left it probably took Henry about five minutes to realize he was gone and he starts shaking me saying "Mommy where is Justin??" (with his little lisp in a whisper of a voice)... too funny! I have never heard him call his daddy, 'Justin'. He is also trying to potty train now... boy will I be glad for that to be over! Mr. Charlie boy is getting quite the personality too. I always thought Charlie was so mild mannered, but in the last couple months he has shown us what a little firecracker he can be. It is so funny right now when he gets frustrated or upset, he just looks at you dead in the eyes and screams at the top of his lungs (a short scream). He is also obsessed with the television... turning it on and off, on and off.... As soon as you look at him and tell him "no no" he stares you down and waits for you to look away, and find his chance to push the buttons. He is still my little cuddle bug baby though, I love how he lays his head down on your chest or shoulder just about every time you pick him up. He is a very loving child and I am trying to soak it all up. Charlie is also learning all kinds of new words... (well I call them words, but they are more like sounds that he makes and then I in turn know what he means... what don't all you moms call that a word??) :) He says night night, nose (and he can find yours), bubba, momma, dada, hi!, and lots of other sounds that I interpret. James is getting so grown up these days... He is so good to those little boys and let me tell you... they love their bubba James! It is like Christmas morning for them every Friday afternoon when their brother gets here for the weekend! I love seeing all our kids loving and playing with each other, it is music to my ears. James is of course becoming quite the reader! I made up some treat bags for Halloween, and got James two chapter books, he finished them both with in hours. I am going to have to start taking him to the library instead of buying him books... its going to break me! :) I can not believe James is in 3rd grade now!!!! Where did the time go???!!! I remember the first day I met the little guy, he wasn't quite two yet and he walked up to me, wearing his pink little polo shirt, and said "Hi! I'm James, J-a-m-e-s" He has always been such a bright little boy, I will never forget that. Every time I see that kid I will always think of the little baby boy James... it's hard to imagine them all grown up and boy are they are all growing up so fast, I really wish someone would invent some kind of bubble.... because I'd really like to freeze this age of all my kiddos! I never knew what joy being a parent would bring....
     Well time is ticking away and I need some sleep! Hopefully Charlie will sleep all night again... that sure was nice! I know I keep saying this but I will try to write again soon.... the holidays are just around the corner- this makes me so anxious and excited! I love this time of year!
Giving God all the glory!

Until next time...

Life is CRAZY!!!!!

Well it has been almost two months since my last post! Way to long! I am trying to balance so much right now and I find myself either laughing or crying at any given moment- craziness is happening! I am now finishing up my bachelors degree, working part-time in the salon, and of course I will always be a full-time mother and wife :) I find myself feeling a bit of accomplishment but at the same time I want to crawl in a dark hole and just let these next two years pass by. I know this sounds crazy, but as much as I am stressed I also find some kind of weird peace in being so incredibly busy. Tonight was my women's bible study, which I look forward to every week, and I had to miss on a day which I probably needed it most. My morning started off by waking up late, my phone ringing during my first class (which is a big no no!), crying, getting my kiddos, going to the doctor because Charlie decided to get a rash all over his body and inside his mouth...(pretty gross, but poor baby), hanging out at walgreens for an hour waiting on prescriptions then coming home to my incredible family. I missed a great night with my ladies group, but I enjoyed being able to stay home and take care of and hang out with my boys. I find it amusing that in times of stress, whatever it may be, Justin seems to always remind me how blessed and happy we are as a family. There are times when I can not understand how I deserve such amazing blessings in my life. I am reminded a wee bit of how much we are loved by God when I look at my children and I know how much I love them... and God's love for us is so so much greater. It is crazy but incredible. I love the craziness we all endure in this lifetime, as God brings us to hard times I used to sit and almost grieve, now I find myself looking forward to see how it all turns out. I am anxious to see how God is going to show us his love and faithfulness, how he will bring us through anything if we let him. My family and I are so busy right now, we are broke, we have no time to do anything, but we have so much love. It is some of the small things in life that are HUGE... I wouldn't trade my crazy life for anything. Hopefully I'll write again sooner than later. :)
Thank you Lord for showing me a glimpse of your love through this life.

full plate!

I am determined to finish! I have officially taken on one more title "full time college student"... ( I know what you're thinking... "what was I thinking?!!") My plate is officially FULL!!! I am really enjoying doing something for myself though. I like my schedule and classes this semester and I am sure I will finish with pretty decent grades too! Now I know why you are suppose to go to college and finish before you have children! I find myself thinking... "if I would have done this 4 years ago, how easy would it have been?!!" but of course I wouldn't trade my kids for the world so I have to find some sort of balance for my new life as a student. I am trying to figure out how to make it all work, but I know with a little time (and frustration) it will all work out! I am absolutely exhausted so tonight my blog is short and sweet. I will highly encourage (as did my parents) my children and any other adolescent to finish college after high school and before children :) My brain is pooped!

08-22-2010

My day began at 4:30 am. Charlie woke up crying pretty hard. When I walked across the house to his room I stopped to make him some milk, warmed it up, and when I looked at the clock I realized this was almost the exact time, one year ago, that my water broke- Many times when he wakes up crying or throwing a fit I am usually irritated and cranky, but tonight I found some kind of weird peace about the fact that he woke me up crying at the exact time that I woke up one year ago- thinking then... "here we go"... I found myself just talking to my baby as I rocked him back to sleep, telling him the story of the day he arrived...
It was an early morning, I kept getting up thinking I had to pee AGAIN.... but this time it was a bit different (I won't go into graphic detail), I remember waking Justin up (and feeling so bad because I knew if it was a false alarm he'd have to go lead worship on little sleep) on a Sunday morning and saying "Baby, I think my water broke...??" He of course rushed up out of bed and was in some what of a hurry... I called my grandparents and they came over to the house to sit with James and Henry while we went to the hospital to meet Ashlea (she was going to be my ride home, had it been a false alarm, this way Justin could get to church and lead worship that morning) We got to the hospital and they confirmed- it was time... I had to have a c-section this time because of some minor complications- My nurse went off to call my doctor and twenty minutes later I met my 8 pound 4 ounce beautiful baby boy- Charlie Everett Mann. He was so pretty, dark skin, a head FULL of black curly hair. I had a wonderful doctor she came in, although she was not on call that morning, to do my procedure. I love Doctor E. Sparks!!

 God truly does still work miracles, everyday a child is born is no more than that... a modern day miracle from the Lord. There are times in life that we doubt our faith and we wonder and question different things, but the times that I was pregnant and soon after having a baby, I do not think I have ever felt closer to God. It is so incredible that we (HE) can create life from our life. I don't think I have ever prayed more in my life than during the times that I was expecting a child... (I'm sure my prayers will get more intense as they grow). The experience of carrying your own child is indescribable. It isn't always fun... but none the less incredible.

Charlie was such a wonderful newborn. His cry was faint... he would wiggle and grunt and I'd get up to nurse him and then off to sleep he went. He was such an easy infant, he slept next to my bed in a bassinet for about six months and I have to say I'm a sucker for my babies. I hate moving them across the house, into their own room. Thank the Lord for modern day inventions such as the "video baby monitor"!!! As a new mom I think this is a MUST! At first I debated on whether or not to splurge and get the video monitor, but I am very glad I did. The kids rooms are on the opposite side of the house as our room, having a video I can look at puts me a ease with out getting up, walking across the house to make sure they are still breathing.. lol (you know you've done this).  Back to Charlie boy... He is such a blessing in my life. He has a passive nature, but at times can be a little firecracker! He and Henry play so well together now, it brings me much joy to see them play and laugh together and James is such a wonderful older brother and great care taker of these two! One of his favorite games to play right now is getting a pillow and let his head fall into it- this will create an outburst of 'belly' laughter- he just thinks he is so funny. I love watching him discover new things, like how to put blocks together, or hitting a balloon over and over again. He has a few words, Mamma, Dadda, Bath and I think he tries to mimic Bubba and bite...  He loves bath time and as soon as I say "bath" he rushes to the bathroom with much excitement, he loves to splash and play in the running water!  He loves his sippy cup of milk, especially if you warm it up a bit, and after his party yesterday I would have to say one of his favorite foods is chocolate cake with chocolate icing! I can not believe he is one year old. I feel like last week we brought him home from the hospital (and Henry was trying to feed him animal crackers :) I am sad that this time has flown by so quickly, but excited to see how all of my boys grow up. I have always said being a Mom is the greatest most rewarding job ever, but also the hardest thing I have ever done- mentally, physically, and emotionally. Nothing can prepare you for the trials or the joys motherhood will bring. With all of this being said... I love you Charlie boy- Happy Birthday!

Charlie's Party

What a day!!! We began at Harrah Church this morning... new series, GREAT service. I have to say, I love my church. I love hearing Kevin preach and I love to hear my husband sing and worship our great God.  Witnessing my husband lead people in worship is one of my favorite things in this world. I may be a bit partial, but he is gifted in such a way- He's the best I've ever heard :) I love you babe! We rushed home after service and then began to prepare for our little guys big day. Everyone arrived about 3:00 and we started to party! He got some fun stuff... a basket ball goal (one for little guys of course) a scooter, clothes (which mom loves!) and lots of other great stuff! We had lots of people here and we had a great time. Charlie loved everyone singing him happy birthday and clapped when they were through. Then we gave him his own little cupcake and to town he went!!! He LOVED his chocolate cake! He ate that thing for over 30 minutes!! Icing and chocolate cake were everywhere!!!! We stripped him down and washed him off in the kitchen sink. I know I have said this several times and I will probably write about it several more, but I can NOT believe my baby is one! They all grow up too fast!! I was very happy with how everything turned out today- I don't know why I always stress out about how everything is going to work out... but it always does :) I love my life, my family, and my boys. I probably sound like such a mush, but when it comes to being a wife and a mom- I get a little mushy. I love em all! What a great day...
To end it off we went to Grandpa Charlies house (yes- my baby is named after his gpa's). My cousin James is in town from Afghanistan for some R&R... he has had a rough week- He was hit by an IED this past week and lost some very close friends. We are so lucky that God has kept him safe over there. He is here for two or three weeks and then back he goes :( It is my prayer that he is protected while serving our great country. He is a brave young man and I am very proud of him. I have several cousins serving in our military and I appreciate and look up to them very much. We had dinner and visited with my cousin James and family. My three boys had a little too much fun... they started off by playing in a small dirt pile then Grandpa got out the water hose. They were soo muddy and dirty!!! It so fun to watch your kids play and laugh together. What a blessing. Now everyone is in bed and its about time for me to call it a night. I start school tomorrow- hopefully I can handle it with everything else. Wish me luck!

One of my favs... Charlie Boy

Charlie Everett Mann ~ 08-22-2010

8-22-10

This was Charlie's first time to meet his brothers. I can not believe it has already been a year. This picture has always been dear to my heart. I love my beautiful boys.

Getting ready to Party!!!

Today was a great day with my hubby and kiddos! I worked half a day and then spent the rest of my time with my amazing family. We prepared for Charlie's first birthday party (which is tomorrow)! I can not believe the time has already come. It seems like when you are pregnant that baby is NEVER going to make it into this world, and then they are here and BAM... they are one! It's like my life is flashing before my eyes. Everyday goes by quicker and I just wish I could slow down... enjoy this time. Which I am totally enjoy it, it just seems to be going by soooooo fast!!! I always thought of myself as an adult and what my life would be like as a grown up, but never did I think I would make it here. I can not believe I am old enough to have kids of my own. When I first brought Henry home from the hospital I can remember thinking... "when is his mom going to get here, Oh wait- thats me!" It was all so surreal. I also can not believe the good Lord has blessed me with not one, not two, but three kiddos! I remember all too well last year when my water broke and Justin and I went to the hospital for Charlie boy to be born. While I was in the hospital Henry learned to walk... that was hard to leave him behind, but he was in good hands. (thanks Mel)! To think that was one year ago is absolutely unreal. So I am debating on whether or not to go to church tomorrow. I really need to clean my house before I have company over here- but the party isn't until 3:00, so surely I will have plenty of time to get all things done after the party right????? I am so thankful that we finally live in a house where I can have company. It is so fun to entertain and have family and friends over. I love it! Well this is all for now... wish me luck tomorrow... hopefully I won't be a basketcase! Happy Birthday (party) Charlie~ Mommy loves you!

Last Friday before school...

Today marks the last week-day before I try to finish my college degree once again... third times a charm right? Next week I will be going to school full time, working part-time and of course being a full-time mommy/wife. I am trying to finish my early childhood education degree, I keep asking myself if I will actually teach in a classroom ever? I think it will be hard to go to work and actually have a boss... I've been so spoiled to being my own boss and working for myself as a hairstylist the past six years. So why now you ask...???? Lately I have been feeling like I haven't done anything for myself. I need some self worth, I need to be Heather again and not just someones mommy or wife. Although being those boys Mommy is the BEST job ever!!! I still need a place to be myself or feel like I have worth. Sometimes as moms I think we tend to put ourselves on the back burner... I don't want to sound selfish at all, I absolutely love being a mommy and I am very blessed to have been able to be a part-time "stay at home mom", but I really feel like I need to finish school for me. I would like to have professional options, what if I don't want to be doing hair when I'm sixty?! At least when I finish school I will have a degree in my back pocket and I will have a choice... and it is something no one can take away from me! I am scared, nervous and excited about Monday. Now on to more stories about the boys....

Henry was his usual funny self today. He decided today he would free fall sideways off the arm of the couch into the couch! I know one of these days he is going to have to be rushed to the emergency room- that boy has NO fear! He usually loves to play with Charlie and today he played with him a lot, but at one point I noticed Henry is sitting in front of the tv and Charlie is no where to be found. When I asked Henry where his brother was he said "in my room" (you should know he had closed the door to his room and therefore his one year old brother could not get out) I then proceed to tell him he can not close the door on Charlie, and his response to me is "I no want to play with Charlie Mommy... I just want to watch tv." in the sweetest way possible. I have to admit it made me laugh on the inside but at the same time I'm like REALLY??! TV??!! Oh dear. Charlie on the other hand was perfectly content in Henry's room playing by himself.
James came home today... he started third grade yesterday. It's unreal that he is already in school, much less third grade! When asking him about his day today he began to tell me that he always has liked school a little but he LOVES third grade. He was very excited about all the journals he gets to do and his new teacher. I love hearing him talk and tell stories. James' funny quote of the day "having a birthday party with no theme, is like having a huge crack in the knights shining armor!" Note to self... Always have a themed party!! Henry was very excited to see his big brother today!
Well it is past my bed time and after the last couple of nights with my babies waking up every few hours I should probably get some zzzz's!

sleepless nights

Sleepless nights really do make me love my babies even more.... Although the entire day I've been dragging, and my kiddos aren't feeling the greatest... I love being able to love on them and tend to them. I think we have a touch of a small virus- getting better every day!  On another note...Henry is so cute with Charlie right now, he's constantly calling him by name and he sounds British when he says Charlie. "Charlie come play! Charlie give me a hug! Boomer Sooner Charlie!!" it is his mini me! I know I keep blogging about Henry but he is in such a cute and funny stage right now. This morning he brings me my phone and says "Mommy, I tell Daddy I love you"... So we took a video and sent it to Daddy of Henry boy saying he loves his daddy!! We are all missing James today and wondering how his first day of third grade was. I can not believe he is old enough to be in third grade. It makes me sad that he is growing up so fast! He is quickly changing from a little boy to an independent big guy :/ He is such an old soul and I love him dearly, when he is away it is like something is missing. We will all be so excited to see bubba James tomorrow!! Fridays are fun because I'm off with the baby boys and the big boy comes home!! Today has been long and I am looking forward to seeing my Hubby this evening and not cooking...  pizza night here we come!!!

Five Dollars...

Today was just another normal life in the day of Heather... The boys and I had a good day at home together. Wednesdays are my days at home with the kiddos. Today both kids slept for two hours and at the same time!! I love it when this happens- I actually get to be productive on days like today!! After dinner and Justin coming home, I went to a girls night out with some girl friends from work. We had a "gold party". People bring all their old gold jewelry- I have heard of these before but never participated in one. Unfortunately I do not have any ex boyfriends or husbands therefore I have no old jewelry to get rid of. Did you know that gold is worth almost $1800 per ounce??!!! I watched women walk away from this party with over $1000 in cash for a handful of jewelry they probably haven't worn in years, nor will they ever wear it again!!! I however had one pair of sterling silver earrings and one silver ring- you want to know how much money I took home.... $5!! Haha!! It was worth the fun with my girl friends though! And hey I bought a gallon of milk on my way home for the kiddos... luckily I had my five bucks ;) I think I will be hosting one of these parties in the near future... the hostess makes some nice mula her self! Anyway not too much exciting happening today- but I did come out ahead... $5 that is.

My sweet Henry

Tonight as we are getting everyone settled down after bath time,  I find myself trying to hurry the night away. Everyone eat... as I swallow my dinner whole.... Time for a bath- rush, rush, rush, the night away. I am sitting talking to a good friend and Henry is ready for bed (and should have already been in bed) his little voice starts at me, "I hold you Momma, pwease"... It is during these little sentences that I find myself trying to slow down, Reminding myself to soak him up. These past few years have gone by so fast and I want to remember every little thing- especially from my boys. The time we have with our children is so limited. I really wish I could put them all in a bubble- or just save each cute stage they go through. My how during these times I realize how incredibly blessed I am. My children are safe, they are healthy and we have love. As I put Henry to bed, he is in a phase where, we have to lay down with him at night to get him to go to sleep. Usually all I can think about, as I lay in his room waiting for him to give it up, is everything I have to do... dishes, laundry, emails, etc... I'm rushing through life. Tonight I made myself slow down a bit as he begged me "Mommy lay down pwease"!!- as I lay next to one of my babies watching him dose off. The joy I found tonight from that sleepy child is indescribable. I love him so much and I wish I would slow down more often and enjoy the simple things! It is the simple things that make life so worth living.

To begin...

I have always loved to write. My entire life I have kept journals, wrote poems and kept records in books. As my life has drastically changed over the past three years the journals have become few and the books I do have, the pages are empty. I am committing myself to write this way- to have access to my thoughts at all times. I want to keep the memories I am making now so I can relive them later. My life is so incredible- I have been blessed by and incredible God. I have a loving husband and three wonderful boys! They are my life. I am excited to see where this blogging adventure takes me. Until next time...