Everything Green

Ever have one of those days when you feel like you are accomplishing SO MUCH yet look around and you can't see what you have accomplished? No? Just me?

Today was that day.

I still have a sink full of dishes (though they were already done once).

I didn't get those bathrooms cleaned like I intended.

And I am still behind on de-cluttering my "piles".

But instead of getting stuck on what didn't get done, we are just going to embrace what did get done, like it WAS on the list in the first place...and we are just going to pretend I dominated today! ;)

And because I like to put things that match in an oober-themed box and tie it up with a coordinating bow, my brain tends to do this without even thinking....case and point ALL things we did/made today were GREEN, so we rolled with it!

We made Low-Cal Green Monster Bread (recipe found on Pinterest)

This stuff is GOLD! Hudson asked to eat three pieces in one sitting. "More, more please??!"

Little did he know...he was eating spinach! Sneaky and satisfying. Nuff said.

While I had the blender out to make the bread, I decided to make my first batch of homemade babyfood for Piper. Green peas and Green beans! Love the color of fresh made babyfood vs. the store bought stuff. You really notice the brown color when you hold them up next to each other. (I am not saying I don't feed her food from a jar. Promise! I have twenty jars in my cabinet and she will eat some for breakfast!) I just like the pretty colors. ;)

You can learn more on how-to whip up baby food from scratch here.

Easy-peasy! and way cheaper!

PG rockin the green in her Bumbo chair. Where did my baby go?

And in sticking with the green theme. I would like to enlighten you.

You won't want "normal" chicken salad ever again! Man this is yummy!

Ate it for lunch yesterday....and today.

Avocado Chicken Salad (found on Pinterest)

I used half sour cream and half mayo for the dressing and red onion instead of green onion.

Dee-lish!

So to sum up my day...it revolved around food! (and laundry)

What did you accomplish today?

Sunshine

All this rain has made for lots of whining, lots of running in circles, lots of screaming, a little complaining and a pinch of crazy. As for the kids....they have been great! ;)

Betcha saw that one coming?

Last week we snuck outside for a few moments of "warmth" and sunshine. The ground was just dry enough to play without getting disgustingly muddy and the driveway was in need of some chalk art. The Cozy Coupes had been recently rain washed and were ready to cruise. No need of jackets or hats...Riley wore one just because.

It was much needed time to breathe and just have fun.

Piper slept. We played.

Love. Love. Love that they actually want to play together.

This blog post is brought to you today by Fischer Price. Not really. But one could dream.

He's three. Check out the annunciation.

And No, Riley does not know how to draw perfect circles.

This boys smile takes my breath away.

I am praying for more days like this soon.

Or a vacation (some place tropical).

Whichever comes first.

Because, I will not to take all three of them to the library again by myself. Ever.

That's a whole post in itself.

I am still recovering.

Sunshine, we miss you.

Sweet Piper Grace

PG-You are an absolute joy to wake up to- no matter the hour

(Today that was 5:30am ;)

Your smile is bigger than your face most days. I wonder sometimes if the reason you are crying is because your cheeks hurt from smiling all day.

Your first word: "Dada."

As jealous as I might have been when this was Hudson's first word...I can let this one slide. Because I know in my heart you are still a momma's girl and knowing that someday soon you will say my name makes the wait exciting and sweet.

You just started sitting on your own in the last few days. Just another milestone to check off the list. You are right on track with your siblings. Maybe this means you won't walk early either and that's ok-I don't mind you staying my baby for awhile.

Of all our babies you are the cuddliest. You actually want to be snuggled and rocked to sleep, if and when we can escape to silence (which in our house isn't very regular ;) So we cherish these moments and allow our schedule to be rearranged for them.

I can't believe we have known you for more than half a year. What a blessing it is to see your face each day and to be your parent.

Sweet girl, we love you.

7 months

Baby girl is 7 months old tomorrow. I can't believe how much PG has grown and how I can't remember life without three kids. Funny how that works?! Life for us was intended to be this way and I can't imagine it any differently. Crazy, but good crazy. So of course things like developing photos don't happen too often because that just takes time I don't normally have or maybe it's brain space to think about doing it. BUT I finally ordered some from Shutterfly thanks to my $20 credit! What's better than free stuff AND pictures!? not much. ;)

Here are some of the lovelies that will be going up on my wall this week! My husband will be relieved to know that the frames that I have up with creepy people stock photos will come down. I may or may not hang frames before I have a picture to go in them! (Photos were taken by the wonderful photographer and friend from church Julie Evans. Check her out at Urban Grace Photography.)

Random memory: The day of Piper's photo session we had gotten maybe 3 hours of sleep, sister chick was colicky for the first few weeks of life and nothing would calm her to sleep. So not only were we tired but she was hard to get to settle and pose. Don't let these sweet pics fool you! ;)

We are linking up with the Anderson Crew.

Coffee break

It's nap time. Just imagine the quiet. You have your choice of the comfy, suede glider or big plush leather couch. I will be sipping a cup of coffee, patiently waiting on the next load of laundry to come out of the dryer. The load might not be folded right away, but it will be rotated out in hopes that I can keep up with the mounds that wait to be cleaned. I am actually showered and dressed (with make-up on) because for the first time in awhile I was able to get up and go to Bible Study-BIG!

Chances are because you are here, I will probably fold that load of clothes so that I look like I am being productive and because things are always more pleasant when others are around to chat with. Won't you come over more often?!

I will tell you how encouraging bible study was for me today and how I am always refreshed and convicted when going through this study on the book of Acts. I will tell you that I am trying and failing miserably at a restricted "cleanse" diet that I was trying to do in order to lose the last of the baby weight and eat healthier. I love food and I love coffee. Not to mention those things are vital to get me through the day with little ones- just in small, healthier portions.

I am learning (re-learning) that everything needs to be done with and through the grace of God. Loving our spouses, parenting, how we eat, how we spend our time. We need God's grace in all aspects of our lives. Today, I so want to be free of the mommy guilt, the sin of comparison, frustration, and laziness. And because of grace, I am set free- I just need to keep reminding myself of that.

So as I continue to sip on my illegal cup of coffee. What's new with you? Where has grace found you this week?

Intentional

Holy Moly it's 2012. Twelve days in. I feel like we have been here for-eva! I friend (via Facebook) pointed out the slowness of the last few weeks coming off of the hustle and bustle of Christmas and such. So true. Thanks Dawn!

Recap of December:We went from sadness/mourning to celebration in a mere 14 days; from the loss of my sweet aunt, to the graduation of my totally awesome brother from Ga. Tech, then hurling ourselves into Christmas and lastly, embracing sickness with the kiddos ;( We are now on the mend and ready to take on this year with full force.

I have no resolutions, I have no major plans or long lists of things to tackle. I want to embrace a way of life. To some that might more daunting than resolution. To some that sounds uber exciting. I find it....well...both! I want to live INTENTIONALLY- I want everything I do to ooze God's love and grace. I want Him to guide my days and give me discernment when things need to be left alone while other things need to be tended to. I feel this is important in order to live a life that will honor Him. If we are intentional about our words, our actions, our lives-how much more do you think we could accomplish each day?

How do we do this in our family? First it starts with saturating ourselves in His word and obeying his commands. Teaching those commands to our kids and living them out through our marriage. Being an example of the gospel to first to our kids and second to those around us.

Hard to flesh this out-I know for sure. I find myself resting in my purpose/my calling and what God has for me in this season. Amidst diapers, disobedient toddlers, dirty laundry and sleepless nights, I get to enjoy those sweet toothless grins from Piper, Riley's belly laughs, and "double kisses" from Hudson. These are worth living with intention and for a purpose.

We might not intentionally get sick...but it happens. And so Piper Grace and I spent some quality time in the waiting room and I can't get enough of this baby! Her eyes could melt anyone's heart....promise! We are linking up to "Embrace the Camera" with The Anderson Crew. Sometimes the momma has to get in the picture....it's proof we are actually are here and surviving, right?!

Before the doctor....sick baby.

At the doctor....Even with her eyes closed, she's cute!

Pretty Girl.

Blessings,

Lauren