First day with my iPhone

My uncle Dale took this picture when we were in downtown Seattle on Christmas Eve.

Now that I have a more savvy phone I am going to try to update with pics often. Wish me luck!

I have a blog

So I'm sitting here thinking - why do I have a blog? Well, one reason is because I LOVE to read other people's blogs. I am a stalker that way :)

I've only written a few times on here - mainly about my kiddos.

I figured tonight I would write something down. It won't be much but at least there will be an entry today. Then maybe it will start to snowball and there will be others to come.

Life is good right now. David is working full-time. He was on the work/share program for just over 2 years. It is so great to have him working full time. We miss having him around home but we of course appreciate the income.

Noah started Kindergarten a few weeks ago. I didn't think it would faze me. We know the school and staff so it didn't seem like a big deal. But as he walked into the building I couldn't hold back my tears. He is so amazing. He loves school so much - learning to him is the greatest thing ever! I'm thankful for that. He is still in speech therapy. Will probably be doing that for another 2 years. He loves to play video games - mainly Mario Kart and Angry Birds. He is learning to read and loves to do math. My favorite thing about Noah right now is his love for Jesus and his knowledge of the Bible. He can tell you pretty much any Bible story and his innocence is precious. I wish he could stay this age forever. But he tells me that he has to keep growing.

Sophia started Pre-School. She only goes 2 days a week. She's enjoying it and loves recess the most. She is taking swim lessons and ballet. Dancing is her passion - well it is if you can really have a passion at 3 years old! She loves to color and drive her brother crazy. She is a DIVA and at times she makes ME crazy! But life would be so boring and incomplete without her.

I'm the healthiest I've been in over 10 years. I've lost 40lbs over the last year and my goal is to lose another 40lbs this year. I just feel like lately I'm getting this whole 'life' thing. I am becoming the person I've wanted to be but never thought possible. I'm by no means perfect and I have a long ways to go in a few areas of life. But I celebrate the little things.

Well - that is a lot of stuff I just typed out. And guess what! I'm not going to go back and read it and edit it! WOW! That sounds crazy! I'm just going to hit publish because I just felt like I should write tonight. I'm sure no one reads this but like so many of my favorite bloggers say - its good to have it written down so I can look back on it.

Maybe I'll learn how to do that picture thing and put real life pictures on here! ha!

Happy Birthday Noah Howard

Today my son turns 3 years old! Time goes by so fast! When Noah was born I was so excited and scared. He is our firstborn so we had no clue what to expect! I remember my first week alone with Noah. David had gone back to work and my mom had gone back home. So it was just the 2 of us. I didn't know what to do! So we sat on the couch most of the day and I just sang every song I could thing of! My favorite memories of Noah involve sleep! I guess that explains why he loves to sleep so much! Noah was so cuddly as a baby - he loved to sleep on my chest and we would take many naps together! David brought Noah into our bed every morning when he left for work and I would hold him and sleep for a few more hours. Those were special times. Now he is 3 and HUGE! He doesn't like to cuddle much anymore but he will give me a kiss anytime I ask. He is growing into such an awesome kid. He has a great imagination and loves his family and friends.

So - Happy Birthday Noah! You are amazing and wonderful and I simply could not imagine life without you!!!

Earrings

So I was just thinking about this little story so I thought I would blog it!

Sophia got her ears pierced when she was 4 months old. It went really well and I am so glad we did it. The lady who pierced them told us it would be best to keep the earrings in until she turned one year old and then not to switch them to often. When I got home that day I told David - "hey, wouldn't it be cool to get Sophia some simple diamond earrings for her 1st birthday?" David (of course!) said "NO WAY!"

Fast forward to three weeks ago. We are sitting on the floor in our hallway playing with the kids. (See I remember it so cleary!) I start telling David about some new earrings I got for Sophia. I explained to him that I didn't really want to take Sophia's studs out because they have a very secure back on them and the new earrings are just the normal backs. David then tells me "well, don't diamond earrings have screw backs?" I tell him YES! He says "We should have gotten Sophia diamond earrings for her 1st Birthday."

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!!!!! I was so mad but all I could do was laugh! This is why men can drive you crazy! I then reminded him of our conversation 8 months prior and he told me I should have explained it better back then!

Well - 8 months ago we decided that Sophia would get diamond earrings on her 16th birthday since it will be her "Golden Birthday" - so that is still the plan. I did tell David I better get some before her! :)

Noah needs some attention

So I've blogged a couple times about Sophia and don't want to leave Noah out!

Noah will be 3 years old in January. It is hard to believe he will be 3! Wasn't he just born yesterday? He has been an amazing child. He has taught me so much. It has brought me smiles and tears - happy and sad!

Noah was a tiny bit delayed in his speech. We never thought he would talk! Over the last few months that has sure changed! I love hearing about the world from his perspective. He is also obsessed with cars! He loves the movie CARS! He can play with his cars for hours and he makes up little scenes for them.

One of the greatest things about Noah is that he is an great big brother. Sure - he can hit her and take toys from her - but that's normal, right?! He adjusted so well to her when she was born. Our biggest problem with him when she was born was that he was too loving! He is also a great helper. Now - don't get me wrong! He doesn't obey all the time but he is learning and it tests me to be consistent with him! Mama has to learn and grow too.

So - that is a little bit about my precious son. He is so much fun and makes the days fun and worthwhile! Life takes on so much more meaning when you have kids. You learn to be more selfless and sacrifices for them come easily.

Now - on to potty training!! :) That will be an adventure I'm sure you'll want to know about!

Happy Birthday Sophia Mahree

One year ago today Sophia Mahree was born! Today we celebrated by going to MOPS and having a lazy afternoon. Papa K came over for dinner and Sophia got a couple more gifts. It was a very nice day - even if Sophia won't remember it!

A year ago right now I was in a hospital room holding a newborn. She was tiny and had that amazing baby smell! Now she is sleeping in her crib and will wake up if I even take a peek in her room! So much has happened over this last year. We've had some trials and we've had some great joys! I've already written about how hard it has been for me to accept that my baby is 1 year old. But with it all being said and done I'm just thankful. I had a difficult pregnancy with Sophia and I am just THANKFUL that I have her and I can't wait to see what her future holds. She is so different from Noah and it is an adventure every day with her.

So, Happy Birthday Princess Sophia! You are simply a precious gift from God. I am beyond blessed to be your mama. I'm looking forward to the many more birthdays we have to share!

Time to Party

Tomorrow is Sophia Mahree's birthday party. I'm not ready for this! Not just that I am simply not prepared - I still need to make cupcakes and most importantly pick out an outfit for her to wear but I am not emotionally ready! I was talking to my friend today and I said what makes it hard for me this time is that she is my last baby. During each of her milestones there have been tears of joy followed by tears of sadness. So this whole turning 1 year old seems to be too big of a milestone for me to handle!

The most depressing book ever is by Karen Kingsbury and it's called Let Me Hold You Longer. Here is the first page "Long ago you came to me, a miracle of first; First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst. But one day you will move away and leave to me your past, And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts..."

The book goes onto talk about how we never know that last time we will rock our child to sleep or even cut up there food! Since reading this very depressing book (I truly do love it and the author - it just makes me cry) I've tried to enjoy each precious moment with both of my children. They grow up so quickly and I don't want to look back and say "why didn't I just take more time?"

So it all leaves me with this - I don't want my sweet baby to grow up but I'm so excited to see what she does next! I will rejoice in her growth and will probably always shed a tear.

Ahh - I feel a little better. But I think I may go and read that book - better get some tissues!

Oh - Heather C. if you read this - I know you told me not to buy the book! :)