February in Pictures

Holding hands in the car

Showing Canon how to roll over

Reading a book to Canon

Walking in Mommy's boots

Scaling the refrigerator - it's not that I purposefully take so many pictures of Avery. But she is our little one who is into EVERYTHING and always DOING something. Atley will play longer with an activity and also actually watches a movie. Avery is so funny and I can't help taking pictures of all the crazy, cute things she does.

I got a little creative this month, making shirts and pillowcases for my 3 little ones and my friend Leah's little boy who just turned one.

Already trying to push his weight around :)

Big girl Atley. She is jibbering up a storm lately. And...Phillip and I really thought she read the word "Daddy" the other day. Probably a fluke, but as her parents we went ahead and called her an early reader. :) ha!

Daddy and Canon in their blue and brown

Avery with her lamb and paci, which are constantly attached to her.

Avery can now (almost) wear a big girl pony tail. Doesn't she look so big?!

Can those blue eyes get any bigger? I love this little man.

And I stole an idea from my friend Beth and made these blessing rings for my 3, and little Noah as well.

See you in March!
-S-

Bye Bye Bumper Pads

Its about that time...already! He is only 4 months old and can scoot around on his little tummy (when he is really upset and crying) and land face first in the bumper pad. I guess they call it a bumper pad because it really pads against the hard, wooden rails of a crib. But that is all he'll be bumping his head into from now on. I was so sad to take them out. I never had this problem with the girls...things were SO different with them. I LOVE these bumper pads. My mom made them for the girls and I didn't have to fully take them out until they were almost 2!



We got them cleaned and ready for Canon's bed.

Sweet baby sleeping...this was about a month ago.


Today. So bare! Also these sheets are not quite as cute as the circles, but they are so much softer. (right Besty?)

Who blogs about bumper pads anyway? Not me!
S

love dare

Hopefully most of you have seen the movie "Fireproof" by now, but if not, you MUST watch it! And then, after you watch it you should get the book, "The Love Dare" . It is a 40 day challenge for husbands and wives. Each day is 2-3 short pages of great advice, wisdom, and scripture, and then one dare a day. ex: day 10 dare "Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse - something that proves (to you and to them) that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash her car. Clean the kitchen. Buy his favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. Demonstrate love to them for the sheer joy of being their partner in marriage." Phillip and I are doing this at the same time, and taking up to 2-3 days to complete some dares. We are on day 18 and we started The Love Dare on Jan. 20. I love taking it slower because we get to savor the sweetness of it! If your husband is unwilling to do this with you, just secretly start doing the Love Dare on him! He'll notice a difference for sure, and you'll notice a difference in your attitude towards him. Every day that I read it I am convicted of yet another area where I need to move myself out of the way and let the Lord work in me. He is my only hope for change in myself. That is how to be a better wife, not by trying harder, but by letting the Lord take over. Here is another great excerpt from the inside cover, "Receive this as a warning. This forty day journey cannot be taken lightly. It is a challenging and often difficult process, but an incredibly fullfilling one. To take this dare requires a resolute mind and a steadfast determination. It is not meant to be sampled or briefly tested, and those who quit early will forfeit the greatest benefits. If you will commit to a day at a time for forty days, the results could change your life and your marriage. Consider it a dare, from others who have done it before you."

I dare you!
-S-

all by myself...

Phillip is off to Dallas to stay with my parents...and I'm staying here! Pretty crazy.
But so exciting because he is going to the Gateway Pastor's Conference and I can't wait to hear all that he learns there. He is going with other friends and family and they will be home on Wednesday, so it is a short trip. And leave it up to me to give him my camera so that I can't upload ANY pictures while he is gone for my blog. We took some video today so he could show my parents when he gets there. But now all you'll get from me is writing and no cute pics. Sorry!
We are just going to lay low while P. is gone. Off to Chick-fil-a in the morning to play with Mimi (since her hubby -Phillip's dad) is gone too. Bible study on Tuesday, and before I know it, he'll be home:) We have done some updates in our basement (nothing big, but fun) and I've been up to some crafty fun lately as well. So pictures to come...as soon as I get my camera back:)
And, since I have no hubby or camera...be on the lookout for a post about my newest favorite book in the next two days.
i love it!
shelly

call me mckmama

the other day I was reading "mckmama's" blog and got inspired do try some new activities with the girls. keep in mind that mckmamas boys are 3 and 4, or maybe 5? Anyway, mine just turned 2! So here is how it went...

"Yeah! Shaving cream on cookie sheets! Lets play! I'll show you how and then you can do it!"


"Avery, we don't eat the shaving cream...yucky." which resulted in tears and then she just followed me around the rest of the time, wanting nothing to do with the "yucky" shaving cream.


Atley was finally getting the hang of it and enjoyed getting her hands dirty. She just didn't realize that when she picked up her apple to eat it, it would taste like shaving cream too. She didn't care at all, and only when I said, "oh Atley, yucky shaving cream" did she then break down in tears like her sister. I should keep my mouth shut :)


After the fun we had to take off her shirt because it was a tad dirty....but here is her play station, otherwise known as the kitchen table where we eat all our meals, which now has a very clean smell to it!


Right after capturing the previous picture, I turned around to see Avery carrying the container that holds all the pee pee from her little potty! And...it was empty. That was bad sign. After surveying the hallway, I came to the bathroom and found pee splattered everywhere. I immediantely begin cleaning it up, and spraying my favorite all purpose cleaner (vinegar and water) everywhere, even on Avery's feet. By the time I had finished cleaning up that mess...I went back to the kitchen to find this one (above).


On to a new project. Glue! This turned out okay and next time I'll add more glue to the water because nothing was sticking very well. After the glue spilled over twice, I had had enough and we were through with this project. Again, they just turned two:)


On to playdough. Something we've been practicing for a few weeks now. They really like the playdough, but are not really creative enough to play by themselves with it as of yet. They use cookie cutters and are good at putting it back in the right containers. Someday, this will be a lot more fun.

On to the outdoors... It was semi nice that day so we all went outside to eat our snack. Even Canon came along time. He sat in his bouncy and watched his sisters pick up sticks. We are anxious for summer around here!


And since we are stuck inside most days the girls have resorted to playing with baby toys, sucking on their paci's and carrying around their lambies all day. I think there is a tiny bit of "regression" happening around here:)

We went to the doctor yesterday for the girls' two year check ups and Canon's 4 month check up. They all did great, healthy and right on track for growth. The girls are up to 27lbs and Canon is a healthy 15!! He holds it all in his super chubby legs, sweet boy.

What a Wedding!

We had the best weekend in Dallas, enjoying wedding bells as my brother Danny got married to the sweetest, most beautiful Amber. Hopefully I'll have some actual pictures of the couple soon, but for now I only have a few that I took. We are so happy for you Danny and Amber! Be on the lookout for 3 funny things about Avery as you look at the pictures.

Canon after the rehearsal dinner. He was SO good the entire weekend and spent the whole time being held, or in the baby sling with me. At this point he was really tired.


oops! This is what happens when you leave two 2yr. olds alone for 5 minutes....


Aunt Angie and Canon

Isn't he just the cutest! Look at his little outfit for the wedding! He is drooling all over the place lately so he had to wear his sweet bib too :)

Atley getting her hair fixed. She looked like SUCH a big girl on the wedding day.

Avery was content as long as she had her "lamby" and enjoyed relaxing in the wagon.

My Uncle Tony was the only one the entire weekend that got a picture with all 4 grandkids!
It was so good to see you Griffins!

Brenley and Atley in the wagon

All three flower girls. They were practicing riding in the wagon. They were PRECIOUS and adorable, all three of them together!

Atley was running all over the sanctuary and having the time of her life after we took pictures.

Avery is again content with her "lamby" and waiting for everyone to take pictures

Family picture!

Daddy picture
Phillip officiated the wedding and did such a GREAT job! We were all so proud of him and he got a million compliments that night. He pointed everything back to the Lord, and showed how a marriage is a binding covenant with the Lord. Thanks for speaking Truth baby!

Phillip and the girls reading and playing before the wedding started.

Canon's first super bowl

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!
Do you have any ideas about Avery yet?
Well...
#1. Her bottom is hanging out in the "books everywhere" picture. For some reason, those pants just didn't want to stay up!
#2. She always puts her lamb up to her nose and smells it.
#3. She was wearing her pearl bracelet on her ankle. She always wants to do that with bracelets for some reason :) Sweet girl!

Check my sister's blog for more pictures of the weekend... I know she'll post them soon.
We love you Danny and Amber and are so happy we got to be part of the big day!