Yeah, I Do...

is Emily's new favorite thing to say. This was her response to every.single.thing I asked her today.

me: "Emily, do you want a snack?"
E: "Yeah, I do."

me: "Emily, do you want to watch Barney?"
E: "Yeah, I do".

me: "Emily, do you want to play outside with Lilly?"
E: "Yeah, I do".

You get the picture. So stinkin' cute! I'll try to catch a little video of it tomorrow.

Kids say the darndest things...

Kason said the cutest thing today and I know I'm going to forget it someday (probably soon), so I thought I should probably write it down. And, I did, on facebook...but, come on, am I going to have facebook 50 years from now when I really want to remember? No. But, I am going to have this blog printed in the form of a book. So, expect random short posts every now and then of the cute things my kids say.

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Kason was pretending to go to work today. He got in his jeep and said, "Bye, Mommy, I'm going to work." I, in response, said, "Can Emily ride with you?", to which Kason replied, "No, Mommy. Girls can't go to work because it's miserable". I'm sure they will make some special girl very happy to hear someday.

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This one's from a few weeks ago when I told Emily to say, "I love you, Noah". She responded with, "I luh you, baby NoNo". When he's older, he'll have her to blame for his nickname.

Making Memories Last

Kason needed a family picture for school this week and I realized we didn't have any with Noah, besides the ones from the hospital and those certainly aren't going to school. So, we had our neighbor snap this for us last night. I love it!



I have been reminded a lot this week that these times won't last forever and we're really going to miss them when they are gone. So, since I can't gather all these memories and store them in a bottle to bring out as I please, I have decided to do a few things to make sure I capture all those little moments in pictures, at least.

1. start a 365 blog
2. update the blog at least 1x/week
3. Complete a challenge posted by Jill, of BabyRabies - choose 4 days out of the year and take 1 picture each hour of regular things. No cheeses, no posing, just an ordinary day. If you choose not to visit her blog, you should at the very least see this video she posted. Have tissue ready.

The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison

With Smiles Like These....

We're in for it. They always know how to flash those smiles at just the right time. They just might have their Mommy and Daddy wrapped around their little fingers.

That's so funny!


Yes, I know I'm cute!


I love you sooo much, Mommy!


This smile gets me out of a lot of trouble!


Cheese!


Shhh....

On this day, 10 years ago...

When the first plane hit the twin towers, I was a senior in college and in class. I vividly remember the steps between my two classes that day as news of a plane hitting one of the twin towers in New York was buzzing around campus in quiet whispers. After my second class, I heard of the second plane and called my mom. The reality and the seriousness of the situation didn't hit home until I was in front of a tv watching the towers falling to the ground, hearing the news of a plane hitting the Pentagon, and of the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. After watching the news for most of the day, I went to work at Dillard's, one of the only two stores in the whole mall that stayed open that day. We had 2 customers that night. The rest of the time, we huddled together in the shoe department, listening to the radio. There are few days in my life that remain such clear memories. September 11, 2001 is a day I, along the rest of America, will never forget.

I will never forget the great acts of heroism that took place that day and the days that followed. I will never forget the looks on the faces of those who survived the attacks that day and the grief on the faces of those who lost a loved one, a friend, a coworker.

Today, 10 years later, I continue to pray. I pray for all those who lost loved ones on 9/11 and all those who have lost loved ones in 9/11 related events. I pray for all the men and women who work to keep us safe and for those who fight for our freedom. I pray for our leaders, that God would put His will on their hearts. I pray just as hard for our 'enemies' as our friends and I pray for a better, more peaceful world for our children to grow up in.

Texas Wildfires

In case you haven't heard, Texas is on fire. Well, not all of it, but unfortunately, a lot of it. On our way home from San Antonio last weekend, we drove through the smoke of at least 4 of those wildfires. Please keep all the families who have lost their homes and especially those that have lost their loved ones, in your prayers.

Smoke from the Bastrop fire


Roadside burn


Cars leaving Bastrop county, lining up to get to the gas station. Can you see the haze in the air?

Since I'm Up...

Our sheets are in the dryer and I hate our extra sheets, so we are waiting...

In the meantime, I think we could all use a little update.

Our little NoNo (Emily's nickname for Noah) is 2 months old. Poor little guy seems to be getting over a stomach bug that caused some slowed weight gain over the past 2 weeks and an eye infection. You'd never know it, though, as he is just a happy and content little man. His 2 month appointment was yesterday and he is weighing in at 13lb 1 oz and 25 in. Tall (94%) and lean (64%). We were hoping his weight gain would catch up a little since his stomach virus seems to be gone, but now that he has had his vax (Rotavirus, specifically), his multiple dirty diapers per day have resumed. So, it might be another few days before he really starts playing catch up.

How we take most of our naps around here


Noah has been an easy baby so far (*knocks on wood*), nursing every 2 hours or so during the day, but giving us loooong stretches of sleep at night, sitting happily in his swing/bouncy/boppy, etc, and smiling a majority of his waking time. In the past couple of weeks, we have taken a day trip and a weekend trip (he is a GREAT car rider *knocks on wood AGAIN*) to meet his two new buddies, Brendan and Owen. These are the babies of two of Kyle's very best friends and destined to be great buddies of Noah's.

Noah (8 weeks) and Brendan (2 weeks)


Noah and his buddy Owen (Noah is 3 days older)


I love you, Ollie the Octopus


Did I mention he's a happy baby?


Kason and Emily continue to love on their little brother, but are letting up just a little so that he is actually able to enjoy his toys now. It helps that Kason started school again last week. He loves his new teachers so far and is happy to be back with his buddies from last year. He does not, however, like to tell Mommy and Daddy about his day. Everything is a secret these days, from his friends at school to the songs they sang. A little reverse psychology, though, and he spills everything. :)

Lovin' on baby brother


More lovin' on brother


First Day of School


Grrrrrr....


Emily is still home with me and Noah and was none to happy about it on Kason's first day of school. She desperately wanted to stay and play with all the little kids and fun toys. We are planning on a January start for her if there are spots available. Otherwise, she will wait until next school year, which is fine by me. I am very much enjoying our time at home together. It is so nice to be able to get some one-on-one time with her while Noah naps and Kason is at school. She is also enjoying regular play dates with our neighbor and her best buddy (aside from Kason and Noah), Lilly. They are even able to play outside together in the mornings, because it is finally getting a little cooler. I can feel fall in the air and I can't wait to see pumpkins and scarecrows all around!

Too busy to stop for a pic


Emily sat next to Noah and said, "Cheese", insisting I go get the camera


Best Buddies (most of the time)