Fall Fun!

Last weekend, the kids and I just needed to get out of the house and I didn't want to load them up and take them somewhere.  I just decided we would collect some of the thousands of acorns we have falling from all of our trees in the neighborhood.  They had a blast!  I don't know what it is but children love the satisfaction you get from collecting things.  I just like giving them something to keep them busy ;)  I love everything about this time of year.  It would be even better if Auburn was playing better, but I guess that's not really the most important thing about fall ;)  I just love all that this season brings: fun traditions, cooler weather, amazing beauty of God's creation, family time, thankfulness, reflection, and the beginning of the holiday season. Thank you Lord, God for your blessings!
Here are some fun shots of my babies :)  Oh yeah and my Alyssah got glasses!  Isn't she cute!? ;)

I could stare at her happy face all.day.

I just LOVE this sweet expression!

My heart overflows with thankfulness for these two!

Please Pray!

Hi blogger friends!  I'm not posting any pictures of my children today or really writing anything eloquent.

This post is for my Maw-Maw.  Please lift her up in prayer.  For those of you who do not know, she had a few strokes about a year ago.  She has been trying to adapt to her life change (not being able to speak or use her right side) ever since but her poor body is giving out on her.  This week she has really taken a turn for the worse.  Hospice has come in and put her on oxygen and a pain patch.  She has been sleeping a lot as well.  Please pray peace over her and my family during this time.  Pray for minimal pain and lots of love and support.  Thank you so much!

Family pictures on the Plains

I have been wanting to have family pictures made on Auburn's campus since we moved here in 2010, and we finally did it in July!  It was probably the hottest day of the summer here which wasn't very smart on my part, but it was the only time we could do it.  We had fun and the kids did great!  The last one is my favorite :)

I'm still here...

Hello friends...if there are any of you left?!  I have been MIA for over a month now...so sorry about that. ;)  Things around here have been crazy.  I have so many things to blog about but I of course need to do the Mom thing and brag about my kiddos and give an update on them.

Mark and Alyssah both had a well check-up recently.
Alyssah had her 18 month check-up (She is now a week away from being 20 months...how is that possible?!).  She weighed 26 lbs, and believe me she feels every bit as much as 26 lbs.  Some days I feel like it's more.  She still loves being held and some days I love the cuddly little girl that she is but other days my arms feel like they are going to fall off!  She also grew about an inch since her 15 month check-up.  She is right on track and is so sweet and happy.  She is at the terrible twos stage though so some days she is a ray of sunshine and other days a crabby tantrum-filled monster ;)  She's really not that bad, haha!  *This too shall pass*

Mark went with us for a 4 year check-up as well.  He made sure to tell Dr. Carter he was not there for shots! :)  Love my little know-it-all boy!  He weighed 36 lbs and is at 40 inches.  Mark is so much fun right now.  He is learning so much in preK, and I'm so proud of him!  His handwriting is getting better everyday.  I can't wait for him to start reading.  He's growing into a big boy too fast for me, but he still cuddles with me and loves hanging out with me so I'm doing ok with it so far ;)

We have had lots of things going on with us lately.  I'll blog about our friends' wedding later and post our family pictures we had done back in July.  I love them!  I can't wait to take Christmas ones.  I love this time of year.  So very thankful to have my sweet little family to share it with.

I also wanted to share a verse that has been on my heart this week.
"Let your roots grow down into Him. and let your lives be built on Him.  Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."  Colossians 2:7

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend :)  God bless!

Church of the Highlands-SERVE DAY

exploring one of the fire trucks

Our church holds an annual SERVE day every year in July.  We got to take part in it this year and had a blast serving our community.  The kids really got to get involved and that made me smile more than anything.  It's an awesome thing to see kids giving to those who serve us everyday in the community of Auburn/Opelika.  We are so very blessed to be part of a church that loves people and knows the importance of showing that love with those around us.  I love that one day out of the year 1,000s of people in Alabama are giving back and showing Christ's love to the state.  It's true that when you bless others, you are blessed in return!

Our group went to the Opelika firehouse in downtown Opelika.  We washed some fire trucks and then served them lunch.  I think they enjoyed watching the kids have fun.  I know Mark had a blast :)

drying off the truck after it was washed

Independence Day 2012

Happy 4th of July (a little late, as always!)!  We had a very low key Independence Day but it was wonderful :)  The kids and I got out and went on a little walk that morning before it got too hot.  I was still sweating like crazy but it was nice to get for a little bit in the sunshine and fresh air!

showin' off his ninja turtle

After we went for a walk we got some water and headed to the pool. It was early so no one else was there yet.  It was nice to play with the kids and get to do something as a family of 4.  We rarely get to all go to the pool together.

little girl isn't a huge fan of the pool :/

father and son

So I have to explain both of these pictures...Alyssah has been making this face a lot lately (the one in the second photo), and Mark was the only one who could get her to do it at first.  I guess that's why he was making it in the 1st one and then she finally did it in the second one.  I don't remember saying to make the face but nevertheless it's a memory.

We (Mark and I) on our way to church and I wanted a picture of us in our patriotic outfits :)

Mark made this hat in his class during the service.  Cutie!

waiting for the fireworks and having a popsicle after church with our friends

Happy Independence Day, America!

I am very thankful to live in a country where I have the freedom to be who I am, help provide for my family, and worship my God.  I'm most of all thankful for the freedom I have in Jesus.  I'm thankful that He has set me free from the bonds of satan and sin and given me true redemption.  What a wonderful Savior!

Father's Day 2012

It's been a little while since my last post.  I can barely keep up with what day it is lately.

We had a great Father's day this year.  We went to church and out to eat at a local Italian restaurant formerly known as Provino's around here.  It's been renamed to Ventitori's or something like that ;)  The rest of the day we hung out at home and just enjoyed being together.  It was a good day!

Daddy and his kiddos

Mark and I decorated for Christopher

Mark colored Daddy a picture!

more decorations :)

                                       
                                       

I made a picture collage for Christopher's Father's Day gift and these are the pictures I used :)  We are so blessed to have these 2 beautiful babies.  They make our world more beautiful and exciting.  I never knew I could love someone so much...I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband.  I could not have picked anyone better for me or for my children.  Happy Father's Day to my handsome, amazing, loving, hott husband ;)