The Twinkle of Bedtime...

Peering through my little treasures' doorway, this is what I see...

A little glow radiates from around their bunk beds as they sleep.

it's christmas time, you know.

My heart is tender. I'm tired from a long day. But my heart over flows. 

They are dreaming about the story

 daddy just told them as he tucked them in...

they sleep.

my princess...

I'm so thankful for her. 

the hard days. the laughs. the strong will. the tears. dress up.

and oh yes... the drama! 

i love her.

 And my first born son. 

100% of the day he is wild. 

he is tender. he funny. he is a copy cat of his big sister.

my heart swells.

i love him.

rest well my treasures. another day will start too soon. 

i will keep these moments close to my heart.

thank you Lord Jesus for these 2. keep them always in Your care.

"The Days are Long, but the Years are Short"

My little boy who turned my world upside down... is now 3 years old. Seems like yesterday the doctor said, "We need to induce you. The baby will be safer outside, than inside of you." I thought I still had a month to go in pregnancy... but in God's perfect timing, my little baby, unknowingly was a little boy... arrived

November 8, 2010

8:28 pm

in Boone, NC 

USA

So, in celebration of this little wild man... 

who loves Toy Story and Buzz Lightyear... we had of course: 

Pin the alien in the claw 

(blind folded: pin the tale on the donkey)

 For a boy who LOVES HOTDOGS... we had a full out hotdog and chili night!

 With a mom-made Toy Story Cake!

Lots of friends over to open presents... 

we are blessed to have family and friends here in France with us

and of course... to enjoy birthday cake

little brother watching and taking it all in. 

(hello chunky cheeks)

The aftermath of cake and toys...

my 3 year old!!!

I've read recently... 

"the days are long, but the years are short."

...so very true...

2nd Annual Paris Pumpkin Carving!

Here are some highlights of our Halloween party with friends and family…

Superman, he doesn't have to fly… he can sit on the ground if he wants to.

Ariel and Tinker Bell showed up too!

my sweet Tink

All of our "girl friends" decided to dress up like different modern day princesses:

Rapunzel, Esmerelda,  Princess K, Ariel

Princess S, Pocahontas, Mulan, and baby girl in her Ariel Pj's

 Brooke, be proud of me… I made the pumpkin stew! Is this what yours looks like?

It was super yummy!

 Let the carving begin!!!!

Stephen's creation: Yoda

 Gravity (movie), Team Paris logo (?), Yoda, Toy Story, Jasmine, and awesomeness 

created for Noah and Sadie Mac

The Artists 

Super fun night… thankful for our sweet memories and friends!

My Mr. 6 Month!

That's right… hehe

  

oh haha… mama… I am 6 mo!

AND… I'm eating big boy food now!

 Insert spoon here mama

Don't let go...

Adventure to the Northern French Coast

We went on a little family day trip almost directly north to a quaint little town called Le Treport.

Perfect as it's only 2.5 hours from our house... and with enough to do to entertain us for several hours and enjoy time as as the French 5! 

Playing on a large ship anchor!

We learned as we were scoping out cities to go that most every northern city in France has a carousel with bright immaculate colors and designs. I think most are situated right near the coast line... Here is

the one in Le Treport.

We walked out on the rocky beach and waited for the cold water to hit our toes!!! 

It was sooo fun!

Fun family pics... with amazing backgrounds!

The cliffs of Normandy...

Here is the large church that sits high above the town... 

Le Treport has a funicular that (is free!!!) and takes you to the top of the cliffs!

A view from the top... it's amazing!

Thankful for our fun day together and for the adventures we're able to experience here in France!

Statues Around Town...

You NEVER know what you will see here in Paris. This man... painted himself in gold and plays a small pretend violin. He is a "statue" until someone puts some money in his little bucket... then he'll "play" you a song and will move, and give you a wink. 

This was was especially notable, as he SITS THERE like this (somehow)...

Well, it was cool.

My 34th Birthday... Really?!?

There are many a day when I wake up and feel 25 years old... and wonder where these three kids came from. I laugh at myself, seriously, as 25 is nearly 10 (!!!) years ago. Where as the time gone and whose kids are these? They're cute and fun... so I'll keep them... but I'm not old enough to be a mom. At least, that's how I feel. 

I am blessed beyond measure with a husband who loves me, is faithful to me and is an amazing father to my children. He's taken me around the world and shown me sights and wonders I dreamed of as a young girl. What a guy!! Love him. Thankful for him. Will forever keep and treasure him.

I am blessed with 3 heathy and beautiful treasures... and am thankful for each moment with them. They exhaust me, make me want to scream (well, lets be honest... I do from time to time...), and they are 100mph every day. They are loud, dirty, silly, fun, crazy, and wonderful. Yes, they are the reasons I'm starting to see a little salt among my brown hair. I wouldn't trade them for the world. 

I'm blessed by the assurance of my future. Jesus loves me and He holds my tomorrow in His hands. Whatever I face, I'm not alone. I know it won't always be good, but the One who will be there with me is my good Shepherd. 

34 years... Wow. Really? I'll take it. And I feel like every laugh line on my face was earned... as well as every gray hair. 

Here are some of the joys of my day:

 Cookie cake, my fav: 

Homemade from scratch by Stephen. 

Decorated by Sadie...

 and Noah

 A new lens for my camera!! 

50mm... what i've been wanting!!!

forgot to take a pic of the decorated cake until we got here...

it was SOOO GOOD!

And... birthday smiles from my baby...

Happy 34th birthday to me (on Sept. 21st, trying to post in a timely manner)... 

oh what a blessed woman I am.