Big Boy Bed

One of our neighbors recently moved.  In her move, there were several pieces of furnture she was trying to sell.  One was a perfect twin size mattress. I walked across the street several times to look at the mattress...all the while thinking of the top bunk in the kids' room that has been empty. 

We bought a bunk bed just before Nathan was born.  The girls share the bottom full size bed.  The top bunk has been on the bed with no mattress.  It has been a source of hours of imagination and entertainment for Nicole...and one really bad boo for Hannah. 

However, I just couldn't pass up this mattress.  For the few dollars it cost us, I knew I wouldn't be able to find a nicer mattress.  So, we bought it, and changed the entire room around for the kids. 

Now, my sweet little baby boy sleeps in a Big Boy Bed.  We went to Target and picked out some linens and decorations...sports themed of course.  He loves his bed.  Nate must use a step stool to get on it, but I catch him just sitting in bed smiling several times a day.  It's adorable.

He has done really well sleep in it too. We have had just a few times of him testing his limits, getting out of bed and playing or exploring his room when he really should be laying down. 

It hit me the other day though.  I went to check on him and I saw this very tiny little boy, stretched out in this "huge" bed.  I imagined him growing through the years, as a five year old, a ten year old...an 18 year old with his large strong legs hanging off the end.  This may very well be his bed for the rest of his life living at home.  It's such a sweet site to see this little boy, curled up with his blanket, sleeping soundly in the corner of the bed and imagine him growing into it, until one day, the bed will be to small for him.

The crib is gone, make way for the Big Boy.  Just like the girls, he is growing up and Not slowing down. Capture these moments, remember and hide them away as sweet memories to take out treasure in the coming years

I pretty much....

....have the CUTEST Kids around!

No words can describe how cute this little guy is.

This was so cute...they just sat down next to each other and hung out for a while.

Love Love Love these three.

Two peas in a pod right here.

Stuck in a Rut

Stuck in a rut.  How do those words make you feel?  When someone says they are "stuck in a rut" what are they trying to say? 

I have always taken that  phrase in the negative sense.  The person is stuck doing the same thing over and over and can't seem to get away from it.  But, maybe...just maybe it can be positive too. 

The other day, I started describing myself (in my own head, to myself) as being "Stuck in rut".  I was getting bummed about the way my every day life goes.  I wake up at the same time, have the same conversations, complete the same tasks and duties, make the same dinners, have the same routine day, noon and night.  I feel like I'm stuck in a rut...and this rut is growing deeper and deeper and it is long long road.

But, maybe it's not a bad thing.  A rut means it is a road well traveled.  It is a rut that (hopefully) has a destination.  Maybe the fact that I am "stuck in a rut" means whatever I'm doing is important, is working...and is leading me to my destination.

However, You must choose your ruts carefully, right?  Because you could get stuck in a rut that leads to destruction. A rut of self-pity, pride, selfishness.  These kind of ruts can grow deeper and deeper so that when danger or difficulties come....you truly are stuck and you can't go anywhere else.

A good rut has a well worn groove, but when that danger comes, you are able to get out of it. It might be difficult and take some time, but the rut does not define YOU, you define it. 

I'm stuck in a rut....this is good and/or bad.  It's good if my rut has been made from daily activities that are important, however mundane.  It's good if the rut has created a routine that my kids can anticipate. 

It is bad if it leads to self pity.  When I notice my rut taking me from where I should go, I need to get out, as soon as possible.  It might be hard.  I might break a wheel....but a wheel can be replaced.  A drowned wagon can not.  It is important that my ruts do not create me...but that I create them, and diverge from then when necessary.

What kind of rut are you in today?

Nicole's 5th Birthday - Family Celebration

After a fun filled morning full of little girls and rainbows, we spent the afternoon Saturday resting.  We all took a late nap and woke up ready to go.  We decided to go play putt putt and get some ice cream.  Funny thing...as we were driving, we saw Greg and Valerie and flagged them down.  They were headed to a local outdoor mall just to walk along, so we invited them to come with us.  Sometimes the best plans happen when they are "unplanned" :) 

All 7 of us went to play putt putt (Nate just sat in the stroller until the end).  This was Hannah's first time playing putt putt...and she did a Great Job!  The best way to show you is probably through pictures:)

Hannah, practicing her skilz

Look at her sweet little face!

Nicole, working hard on the green

Me and my Big Big girl.

Daddy doing a little coaching

Nate was supervising

Nice form Nicole! hehe.  Hannah watching the break of the ball for her putt.

She's just cute.

Break time

Seriously...these two love each other

These two love each other too!!!

Daddy teaching Nate how to golf too

He's a natural!

The family

Today, for Nicole's actual birthday, we spent the morning at church...which she was really excited about.  She loves Sundays and loves to go to church!  So, to her, this was a great place to be on her birthday...love it!

She got to watch a movie with daddy "The Orca whale and his boy" (to us laymen that's "Free Willy" :)

Then, we had pizza and cake with Papa, Grammy, Gramps, Uncle Justin, Aunt Erica and their friends Brennan and Christy. 

Aunt Erica, Nicole and Uncle Justin.  We are excited they are back in town

We came back and she got to open her gifts.

Nicole was a bit disappointed when she opened this box.

Why did you get me diapers? She asked

She just couldn't understand why we got her diapers.

I don't need diapers...only Nathan needs diapers.

Can you see the disappointment?

Finally, we talked her  into looking in the box and she discovered....

What????

A sewing machine!

A sewing machine!

Trying out the foot pedal

She is excited to start learning

She has been asking me to teach her to sew for a while.  She really wanted one of those colorful children's sewing machines that she sees at the fabric store.  However, after doing just a little research, I realized how terribly made they are and figured it would just frustrate her. So...I found a really nice sewing maching on Craigslist for a great price.  I bought it for her (and for me). We plan on spending at least two days a week learning how to use the machine, and how to sew. 

Our sewing "curriculum"

Grammy and Gramps got her a few sewing supplies and materials too.

And $5 for the 5 year old

My mom was out of town this weekend, but Papa brought a special surprise for Nicole.

Campfire marshmallows

Filled up daddy's mouth

Chubby Bunny

They are going to have their own birthday night later this week.

All in all...this was a great 5th birthday for Nicole (and for me...it was tough).  She woke up this morning and told me that she looked like she was five. 

Nicole's tie Dye shirt from her birthday party.  

 

Obviously this is for bedtime.

She is a special blessing in our lives.  We love and adore this little girl.  She loves Jesus and says she wants to be a missionary when she grows up.  What an honor that would be if the Lord calls her to that!  Until then, we pray that she would grow in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. We are so proud of her and love her dearly. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET NICOLE!

Nicole's 5th Rainbow Birthday Party

This morning, we had 6 of Nicole's little friends over to celebrate her 5th birthday.  At Nicole's request, we had a rainbow birthday part.  I have had fun looking for ideas and decorations over the past couple of months.  Some of them happened...some are in the files for "next time".

We tried to make things as colorful and rainbow-y as possible.  This included a bouqet of rainbow twizzlers topped with a spinning rainbow flower, multi-colored table decorations, twirly straws and streamers every where.

When the girls arrived, we spent the first few minutes making rainbow necklaces out of Lucky Charms.  It was neat to see the creativity these girls had!  Kristina had a plan from the very beginning.  She alternated blue and purple, and she only wanted her "beads" to be in the front of her necklace, not filling the whole things up. 

Nicole and Abigail checking out their new jewlery

Then, we went outside to tie dye a shirt.  Some people might think I'm crazy for trying this...but I think it went well.  I got the girls aprons and gloves and had plenty of "mom support".  I can not wait to see the shirts these girls made.  The only bummer thing with this project is that we are not having a party tomorrow to see everyone's creation!  That I know of...no one got dye on their clothes or skin! yipee!!!

I don't have any pictures of this, but Nicole made up a game.  It was probably the biggest "hit" of the morning.  A few months ago, she collected a ton of seashells at the beach.  We (ok, she) has been painting them and gluing them to paper.  She hid them all this morning and the girls did a shell scavanger hunt.  Her friends had 5 minutes to find as many shells as possible.  Everyone found at least two.  The best part was about half way through when Nicole yelled "C'mon guys...Persevere!"

Then, we tried to play twister.  This was kind of a flop....I think a few of them liked it...but not all of them.

After Twister we had snack/lunch time.  See my rainbow fruit tray:)  We opened gifts and then we had cake.

Oh...the cake.  This was very exciting for me.  It was a six layer cake (made of two boxes) Rainbow cake!  It was a huge hit!  I got the idea here.

I was much more excited over this cake than anyone else I think:-)

It did topple over near the end.  Somehow, I saw it happening and saved it.  We will eat the rest tomorrow on Nicole's real birthday.

Nicole and Clancey

Kristina and Nicole (and the new dog that Nicole drags around the house and has named Lola)

Ashlynd and Nicole...just a few days apart in age.

Abigail and Nicole

Hannah Mae and Nicole

Isabella and Nicole

This was the first birthday party that Nicole had all to herself with just little girls her age.  I won't do that all the time, but I feel like it worked well for this one.  The tie dye would have been a disaster with younger ones...and I fear the seashell scavenger hunt would have been "boring" to the older ones.  It was simply perfect.  Nicole had a great time with all of her little sweet friends!  I'm so thankful that even at 5 years old, she has sweet friends in her life.