Happy Halloween!

Cam was a pumpkin, Ava was Snow White for the party and a witch Saturday for trick or treating, and Bennett was an octopus. I couldnt get a great picture of the kids together,but this is what i do have...

Cameron was sooo happy, comfy, and just stinkin' cute (just like his little personality)

I was way bummed when I looked at the pictures of Ava and realized I forgot to untuck her white collar on the dress...dang it! So no pictures with the "full Snow White effect".

 

But She is cute anyway, right?

I definitely got the most complements on Bennetts outfit. I paid a lot for it when Cam was a baby and it is by far the best baby costume ever and I plan to use it with all my kiddos. Bennett was by far the hit of the show.  Sorry, no great pics of him either.  But you know my kids, they are all perfectly adorable!

Thats no pickle...

How many kids do you know that would just grab a cucumber out of the fridge and just start chomping down? Mine would! In fact, Cam ate almost the entire thing by the end of the day. I promise I feed my kids complete meals!

Bennetts 1st birthday

Just a couple of pictures from my baby's first birthday! He didnt do much with his cake, just poked holes in it with his finger.

Snot...It is my favorite accesory

At least it should be since I wear plenty of it. I start with none and by the end on the day my shirt and even pants are lavishly decorated! It use to gross me out big time. I guess as a mom you have an extra capacity to adjust and grow beyond what you ever thought possible.

It wasnt supposed to happen...

at LEAST until she was a teenager!

Today I had a hard-being-mom morning. I just got tired of ALL the cleaning, cooking, dishes, laundry, everything being my responsibility, and my kids are competent children, right? So I told Ava and Cameron that THEY needed to pick up the toys in the living room and put them in the basket. I got lots of protests "NO mom, I don't like that idea!" When it didn't happen, I just told them no more food, friends, bath-time, favorite blankets, TV, anything, until the toys were picked up (as far as I was concerned they could sit there on the floor and cry until they were ready to start). I even told them I would HELP them clean up the toys, but only after they started working first. Then Ava said it...

"MOM, YOU RUINED MY LIFE"

wow, didn't see that one coming my way for at least a couple more years (maybe 10?) I told her "that's OK, I still love you. Now pick up that toy and put it in the basket!" It took about two hours of crying but eventually the half a laundry basket worth of toys were picked up. No one ever told me that everything in life as a mother was going to be a battle. Now I have to get my kids to eat their dinner tonight.... ugh!

Birthday Boy

I cannot believe that it was today (about this time) just one year ago that we welcomed Bennett into the world. He is just the most amazing little boy ever and I cannot even put into words how much I love him or how much he has added to our family!
I knew, even months before I found out I was pregnant, that there was a neat little boy up in heaven waiting to come down to our family. Then when I held him in my arms I knew that he was the missing piece to our family puzzle and that he has a very specific and special mission here on earth. I am so grateful for my little boy. Never has a child been more full of joy! No child has ever been happier and more loving than this little guy. I thank God every morning when Bennett greets me with his toothy grin that God saw fit to allow me to be his mother! He is my miracle.

Birthday Party!!!

My baby i turning 1! I can't believe a year has almost past since I brought this tiny baby home from the hospital. SO it is time to celebrate!

What: Bennetts 1st birthday party/ potluck dinner!
When: Sunday, Oct 24th @ 5:00
Where: Our place!
Other info: Unless you have a better idea we will be eating taco salad. I will provide the meat/chili and also dessert. Please let me what you can bring. This is what we need: chips, lettuce, tomoatoes, cheese, salad dressing, sour cream, guacamole, drinks, or paper goods. Please have it preped and ready to eat, but no birthday presents please (we just want enough good food for a great time instead)!

It is sure to be a blast, hope you can come!