Happy Monday!

We started the day off with a trip to the pediatrician's office.  Mary Connor has been running a fever since Friday and after a very sleepless night in our house, I decided to take her in.  Last week Brian was home from school last week 3 days with a very low-grade fever.  Like 99.2 low, but it's our school's policy that you can't be at school if it's over 99.  He acted fine and played outside pretty much all day.  Anyway, apparently it was a virus and Mary Connor caught it.  She's just really fussy and just wants to be held.  We are praying Anna Cate and Lyla James don't get it too.

To celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday, our school is having the kids dress up in a theme from one of his books every day this week.  Today was crazy hat day.

Brian's is not so much a hat as it is a mask, but I'm learning to prioritise my battles and that is low on the list.

Fun, Fun

We have had a fabulous weekend!  My parents and younger brother came for a visit and we had the best time....it just wasn't long enough.
Anna Cate and Brian were so excited to have a sleepover with Uncle Brad.  Uncle Brad was a trooper even when the kids woke him up at 5am Saturday.

CC feeding the girls

Riding the bikes CC and Coach gave the kids for Christmas.  We are making great progress!

Anna Cate dressed for a birthday tea party.  Of course, it didn't phase her to have to go to Brian's basketball game like this....

Brian's basketball trophy

And Todd and I got to go out for a fun night...by ourselves!

CC was even nice enough to get up with the babies this morning since we got in late, by our standards.

My New BFF

Mary Connor's poor little gums have been causing her a lot of pain and making her wake up during the night...not good for any of us.  We have tried the natural teeting tablets- I couldn't even get them to dissolve.  We have tried orajel, but she can't stand the way it tastes and makes the most pitiful face.  Several people have mentioned a teething lotion that was developed by a pediatrician in town, so we decided to give it a try.

Sound the music

Seriously, this stuff is magic in my book.  She has slept 13 hours for the past 2 nights and is napping her normal amount during the day. That equals a very happy momma!

The lotion has iodine in it and says it will stain clothing, so being the paranoid person that I am, I woke up from a dead sleep at 3a.m. (and then woke Todd up) to discuss whether or not it was going to stain her teeth whenever they do decide to make an appearance.  He loves when I do that, by the way.  The pharmacist has assured me that it won't and besides, I'm so happy to see her back to normal that I might just risk it.

A Corner of Our Home

This little area is where we eat most meals, have morning coffee, do homework, crafts, etc. 

In the past, the cabinets at the bottom of the built-ins have been a catch-all for all kinds of junk.  Last week I cleared them out and designated one side as the lunch packing cabinet.

It holds thermoses, food containers, storage bags, napkins, lunch notes, etc.  I had already packed lunches when I took this picture, but the kids lunch boxes can sit on the top shelf.
The other cabinet is the homework cabinet.

Each child has a box with scissors, crayons, pencil sharpeners, etc.  The red bin holds their sight word cards and spelling journals.  This has been so helpful and sped up the whole homework process because we aren't digging through the cabinets trying to find what we need.

Sharing this today at Sarah's Organize It Party

My Latest Obsession

These little legs in a red mini-skirt

A First

Today was the first day we took the babies to the nursery at church.  They did pretty well considering it was their first time.  I ran in to check on them after Sunday school and laughed because Mary Connor was snoozing away while being rocked and three women were trying to keep Lyla James happy by doing the bounce walk up and down the hallway and then they put her in the highchair and rolled her back and forth.  Finally, she went to sleep too!
They were in good company in the nursery- 6 babies total, 2 of which are another set of twins 1 month younger than the girls.  Can you imagine what that will be like at this time next year?  I'm so thankful for all of the willing hands at our church!

While driving home from a birthday party this afternoon, a song came on the radio and the lyrics were something about a girl referring to herself as stupid.  I turned the radio off and Brian said, "Why would she call herself stupid?"  I was a little bit lost for words because, well I guess there are many reasons we think of ourselves as "stupid" and not all are suitable for 6-year-old ears.   I said something to the effect that it's important to hold yourself in a high regard because you are God's creation and you show other people how to treat you with the way you treat yourself.  Anna Cate thought about that for a minute and said, "Did you read that in the Bible or a parents book?"  Wow, she is REALLY paying attention.

Saturday In The Park

Lyla James thought it was either really boring or really relaxing.....

A Daddy and His Girl....

Tonight is the annual Daddy Daughter Dance.  To say that Anna Cate has been looking forward to this night is a huge understatement.  This morning when I went to wake her up for school, she was wide awake and busy laying out her dress, tights, shoes, and acessories.

To make the day extra special, we went to have a manicure and pedicure this afternoon.  We spent an absurd amount of time selecting a color of polish even though she had already picked a color weeks ago.

Being silly, Todd was practicing his dance moves in the kitchen this morning and without missing a beat Anna Cate started dancing with him and begged him to do their "dance routine" tonight.  I love how smitten with each other these two are and know AC is a very blessed girl to have such an incredible Daddy.

Alma Mater

This week's topic for Show Us Your Life Friday's at Kelly's Korner is show us your alma mater.

Following in the footsteps of my parents and older sister, I attended Middle Tennessee State University in Mufreesboro, Tennessee. Todd and I met there, at an intermural football game.  I think it's so neat that my parents, Todd's parents, and Todd and I started dating while at MTSU.
It has grown like crazy since we were students and every time we have visited I'm amazed at how different the campus looks.  Such great memories!

Feels Like Spring

We have had some gorgeous weather for the past few days and it's making me crave one of our favorite warm weather meals on the grill.  Actually, we grill pretty much year round since our weather is typically pretty mild.  At any rate, I thought I would share this recipe I'm making for dinner tonight. 

Mango Salsa
1 cup chopped mango
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
1Tbsp. chopped mint
3 Tbsp. orange juice
1 jalepeno pepper, seeded and minced  (I leave this out when the kids are eating and substitute bell pepper)
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients and chill.
This is so good with grilled chicken, fish (especially salmon), or as an appetizer with chips.

Message Received

Proverbs 16:1, “We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.” (NLT)

As I was sorting through emails today and stressing over all of the things I needed to accomplish, my eye caught this verse in an email a friend had sent me a few weeks ago.

Sometimes it's more important to just play.

Happy Valentines Day!

Lots of sweet treats to share with friends at school

Rachel at Moments With My Miracles deigned these valentines and we just printed them...so cute! 

Todd and I spent the morning at the Doctor's office for Lyla James and Mary Connor's 6 month check-up.  For the first time LJ weighs more (17 lbs 15 oz) and is longer (27 in) than MC (17lbs 2 oz and 25 3/4 in)
The appointment went well and they did great until the shots- 6 total! 

Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day!!

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you...

John 13:34

Favorite Beauty Products

Kelly of Kelly's Korner is hosting Show Us Your Life Favorite Beauty Tips.  I certainly don't have any tips but I am a huge fan of beauty products, so I'll share my top 3 favorites.
1. My younger sister introduced me to this great blush and it is fabulous!  I have to order it online because I once tried to buy it at the counter and thought I was going to pass out from embarrasment trying to say the name.
   

2.  Bare Minerals Well Rested Powder Concealer

This stuff is great and really covers the dark circles without looking like you have rings around your eyes.

3.  Paul Mitchell Quick Slip Styling Cream
Todd actually brought this to me by mistake when I was on bedrest in the hospital and I love it.  It isn't too heavy and shortens drying time.

6 Months

Lyla James and Mary Connor, y'all are 6 months old today!

You girls are so much fun!  You both laugh, squeal, and chatter all of the time....especially to each other.

Both of you are sitting up with very little assistance and rolling around like crazy.  Lyla James, you don't really like being on your tummy, so you scoot around on your back!

You all love your exersaucers and get so tickled watching each other jump.

We have tried a variety of solids and both of you seem to love it all.  This morning we tried mashed avocado with banana and oatmeal...a big hit!

You all are on a great 3 hour schedule of play/eat/sleep and then go to bed for the night between 6:30-7.  Sometimes one or both of you wake up around 3a.m. to eat, but usually you go until 5a.m....this makes your parents very happy!

I'm afraid you all might be a tiny bit spoiled since your older brother and sister run to you any time you start to cry.  You both adore them and just sit and stare at every move they make.

It seems impossible tht at this time last year, I was put on bedrest (for the first time).  We are so blessed to have you both in our family and love every minute.

A Few Things....

Brian has been sick and at home for the past few days.  After a trip to the doctor's, we are thankful it is a virus and not the flu.  On a funny note, when the nurse went to swab his nose for the flu test, Brian pulled away and said, "How about I just pick my nose and give it to you?" 
That was a lot of commas used in that sentence, but I am tired and not at the top of my game when it comes to puctuation.

In other news, Lyla James has a tooth! 

The Breakfast Stare Down

Weekend Round-Up

This weekend was Follies for Junior Service League.....lots of hard work, but lots of fun for a great cause.  Anna Cate was in the children's number and loved every minute of it.  Brian and I went to Friday's performance while Todd stayed home with the babies and then we switched for Saturday's performance. 

The rest of the weekend has been spent making Valentine's boxes, making lots of food for the Follie's parties, and today we are recovering.

100 Days

Today was the 100th day of school for Anna Cate and Brian.  To mark the day, our school had each child bring 100 items, made trail mix with 100 items of food, and the kids were to dress as they will when they are 100 years old.

Anna Cate had been planning her costume for weeks.  She wanted to dress like an old queen.  Really, she has been looking for an opportunity to wear her Halloween costume to school.  Part of her vision included make-up to look like "those lines adults have on their faces," but unfortunately her momma crushed her creative juices because it just wasn't that kind of morning in our house.
Brian, on the other hand, took the task very literally.  "I don't know what I will dress like when I'm 100 because I'm not 100."  Daddy came to the rescue and put something together.....that's fair since he is the closest to being 100, according to Brian.