the big 34

"Hey Mom, how long before I will be as old as you are? Like a hundred years?" - Lucy

The big 34 hit yesterday.  As I lay in bed last night my mind turned to an assessment of my life...  And I have to say that I am right where I want to be.  I have an amazing, successful husband who works so hard to support his family in so many ways.  He is an awesome example for our children.   We have very similar ideas and goals guiding our life together, and while I can't say we never disagree, I couldn't have found a more perfect companion.  I am so thankful that he is mine forever.

I get to be home with my children- which is the most important thing to me right now.  A career was never a priority- I am completely fulfilled being home, helping to enrich my children's lives.  I look forward to what each day brings, and enjoy soaking up all that their little personalities have to offer.  I love watching them discover, learn, grow and spend time together developing their own relationships.  And I am amazed at all that they teach me as well.

I will get to welcome yet another amazing spirit to this earth very soon.  Feeling him move around is the most incredible feeling ever.  Knowing Andy and I have created this special, sweet little baby that will come home to live with us and make life even better, is perhaps the best birthday present ever. 

34 is just a number.  What really counts to me is that we are happy, healthy and thriving.  And I am happy to report that we are:)

A few more for the grandparents...

Here are a few more pictures for the grandmas and grandpas.  

Can't decide which I like better between these two.




Check out the difference between these two pictures... I found a terrific photo blog that told how to really make the eyes pop on pictures where the eyes are a main focus. I thought the first one was good but when I tried her technique, I have to say I LOVE the second one!



The Big Brother

Up until this weekend, Jack had successfully avoided having his picture taken. However he turned 7 in September and his mama needed some new pictures. I found a really awesome building down by the train tracks that I took him to, and will probably continue to go back to because there are just so many different textures and colors. The lighting is a little off on a few of these, but ... 'tis a learning process. (Although I want to be perfect now...)

Nesting

"It's like Katie is nesting even when she isn't pregnant. And when she is... it's like nesting on crack." -Macie

A few of the projects I have undertaken in the last 2 1/2 weeks:

$10 Goodwill toy box

Before:

After: A little fabric and a few coats of heirloom white. love.

Bathroom #1

Before: Kinda cold... pink and white

After: My friend Becky helped me paint it Martha Stewart's 'Dill' and I finished a new cornice for the window

I absolutely love how warm and homey it feels now. A special thanks to my friend Heather for the color suggestion! (You should see how stylish her house is!)

Bathroom #2- the kids bathroom

Before:

Once again, pink counter tops (WHO choses to have all their counter tops pink?! And then who chooses red, pink and green wall paper to go with it? Which btw, I had to scrape every last inch of because it didn't want to budge.)

After: A few coats of paint inspired by the shower curtain I fell in love with, a few new wall decorations from my fabric stash (thanks for the inspiration Pinterest!), some new hardware and a light fixture (which were installed 100% by muah), and a super soft rug-- whalaa!

Right now I am finishing up some bedroom switches since Cassidy will be moving into Jack's room and there will need to be room for a crib in Lucy's room. With the bathrooms done, I feel like I am nearing the end of the major changes that needed to take place before baby arrived. Good thing... we are about 3 weeks away.

'Punzel

The last few weeks have been full of princess. While the spunk is still intact, the princess in Cassidy has made itself very apparent. She has adopted Lucy's Rapunzel dress and has warn it over her clothes every day for the last 14 days straight, at least. She even rocked the 'Punzel dress in Menard's and proceeded to whimsically twirl as a princess does with her arms and hands gracefully floating up and down at her sides as we made our way down the aisle (much to the amusement of the gruff contractors we passed). She corrects me if I accidentally call her Cassidy (because her name is PUNZEL) and she refers to me as 'Mutha knows best'. Her pet Pascal is never far behind and she usually can be found toting her baby 'Punzel doll as well. I love this little girl sooo sooo much and can't wait to see what her imagination comes up with next.

Dry Ham

I made a rather dry ham the other night. The kids love ham. It is one meal that they will ask for seconds on every time. They were eating their meals so well, and were visably happy with their dinners. Then came the insulting, but totally innocent comments. Lucy: "Mmmmm this ham is like ham jerky!" as she cleans up the rest of the meat on her plate. Then about 5 minutes later Jack chimes in with "If you just take a drink of water before you chew, it is a lot easier to swallow. Can I have some more please?" They were not trying to be rude or even to convey the fact that I had indeed made yet another displeasing dinner. They were not displeased at all. Rather they were quite satisfied, despite the apparent dryness.

Relief Society Gone Wild

Last Thursday I went to a Halloween get together with a bunch of Relief Society sisters. We all dressed up in costume, chit chatted, had a trick or treat exchange, and enjoyed a yummy meal together. So who would I dress up as? BELLA of course! Because I am only a little excited that the next movie is coming out in less than a month. Macie, who you probably mistook for Alice, and I have such fun together when we can let loose sans kids... and we didn't disappoint! All mothers need a chance to decompress once in a while. And that we did.

spoiled rotten

l to r: Libby, Mandie, Elizabeth, Macie, Me, Crystal, Danielle and Asavari

I got totally spoiled by these wonderful ladies today. In celebration of the near arrival of baby boy, these fine ladies gathered and showered me with love, delicious food, rousing conversation, and special gifts to pamper both baby and myself.

The decor was soooo elegant... baby blue and cream. Elizabeth should be featured in Country Living. No joke. And I loved these pacifiers that adorned the tables and chandelier.

It was so fun to get some new blue baby things to replace all the pink we have had around. Hard to believe the last time we had a baby BOY was over 7 years ago!

I feel so blessed to have the wonderful friends and family that I do. For every one of my pregnancies, I have had friends who treasured each one as much as I did. And I have been fortunate enough to have been spoiled with a shower for each one. I am so thankful for all of the thoughtful friends I have made through the years. And for my family that I love so much too:)

back to reality...

We were quickly rushed back to reality... the fall in the northwoods features temperatures more in the range of 40-50 degrees, rather than the upper 70's and 80's we had been spoiled with for the last few weeks. And any excuse to get my camera out and practice with it, I am going to jump at. So when the fall jackets came out and so did the camera. We happened to be standing in the windy cold drizzle waiting for Jack's bus when I decided I should have taken my camera out. The girls were good enough to let me get a few shots.

Lucy is constantly picking Cassidy up and hugging her... for some reason "baby" has been a popular game around here latey. (That and Cassidy likes to walk around the house in her Rapunzel dress up dress, because it is part of her wardrobe now, and tell anyone who will listen that she is having a baby.) I love to watch these girls together. I am so glad they have each other because they are best friends. They play very well together and it make my heart sing to see the friendship that exists there.

fall in the northwoods

The leaves have pretty much all fallen off the trees now, but it was just gorgeous up here for a few weeks. The kids had a great time running through and playing in the leaves and we had about 2 weeks of upper 70's and 80 degree weather so we could enjoy them up close.

We even took the opportunity to do a little service for a FHE and went to Grandma and Grandpa's house to rake their yard. The kids learned that it can even be fun to do work!