SOLD

I got a text from my brother last Thursday, he is my real estate agent. The text said "it's official! :)" It was 2 words I've been waiting to hear from him for a long time. It seemed unreal, really it sold? I've learned a lot from this experience. I remember 2 years ago, at this time, writing pros and cons of selling our place. The right decision for us, was selling it. Wednesday I dropped the keys off. I took off the garage key, pool key, 2 house keys and that is when I felt the weight off my shoulders and my hands :) This scripture came to my mind. "Come unto me all that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

I'm so happy to move forward and continuing on this journey. I love my family!

My little girl is 4!!!

I really can't believe she is 4. The past 6 months she has grown so much. We had such a great day on her birthday. The past couple months hse has been excited for it and it was the first birthday she was excited for! I had party hats and balloons decorating her chair in the morning. James took the day off and went and got donuts. She had dance class in the morning and we brought the class donuts also.

After dance class, we picked up her friend Karly from church. Karly moved here a couple months ago and they are in Sunbeams together. They were both excited to go to Chuck E Cheese.

We got McDonalds and went to Churck E Cheese to play games.

Carter had a great time also!

I asked if Chuck E could come out. Jocie was excited. Later that evening we met Grandma and Grandpa Kirk at Build A Bear. Jocelynn has been looking forward to this. She has never done it before. Her older cousin has a couple bears and she was so excited to call her.

Giving the Bear a bath

Dressing the bear with Grandma.

Grandpa watched Carter while we helped Jocie.

After Build A Bear we went to the rainforest cafe for dinner. It was fun to take the kids to see the animals. Jocelynn was a little afraid of the elephants. She had this serious look on her face and kept asking if they were real. Carter kept pointing to everything and got scared of the gorillas.

Yummy dessert! I love this girl so much! James and I often find ourselves talking about her. She is such a joy and light in our lives!!

Jocelynn -

Loves to read. She knows over 30 sight words and is reading

Writes her name and letters

Needs help with scissors

Is a perfectionist

Rapunzel is her favorite princess

Loves movies

Loves dirt, bugs, being outside

Loves dresses and bows

Shy and quiet, if she doesn't know you

Sensitive

Needs her sleep

Goes to bed around 6pm-630pm if she didn't nap

Loves her brother and his "little head"

Loves to draw and color

Eats everything (vegetables, fruit chicken)

Favorite food - mac n cheese and corn dogs

Loves cake, cookies, candy and bread

Sweet but also can have major attitude

Likes to dress herself, excercise, say her prayers, brush her teeth, and wash her face (first thing in the morning)

Pump It Up - Gabrielle's 2nd Birthday

The kids had a great time!

Gabrielle had her 2nd borthday at Pump It Up. We went there a couple months ago for Rylin and Jordyn's birthday. Jocelynn was excited to go again, especially because now she knew what to expect. She ran right in there and had the best time!

My favorite age!

Pointing to something he sees at Rainforest Cafe!

I love this age! It is my favorite!!! I loved Jocelynn this age and now that I have a second child I can second that and confirm that I love the age between one and two! I love when they walk and are more independent and have the schedule thing down great! Eat all foods, start talking! I love this boy of mine. He has me wrapped around his little finger. He's so cuddly so sweet. I love the excitement in his eyes and face when I open the door for him to go outside. He loves to be outside. I love that I live where there is a backyard and he can play outside for a long time. He loves dirt, eating it, feeling it, throwing it. I love that he tries to talk and he now yells "Jos," which sounds like "Jaw." Here are a few more things about this sweet boy of mine I love.

• Loves it when I chase him and say "Im going to get you"
• Understands the word outside and loves it.
• Transitioning to one nap but most days still takes 2. @ 10 and 230.
• Goes to bed around 8pm
• Sleeps till 630
• Signs milk, drink, more, all done, water, please, thank you
• likes to watch cartoons with Jocie or signing time
• eats everything, not picky . . . yet
• love it when he drinks and then takes a huge breath afterward
• I put him to sleep every night and then lay him down. It takes 5 minutes, he knows its bedtime so he closes his eyes. I love this time with him
• Cries with others if he doesn't know you
• Loves balls
• He likes to hit and throw. (I think that's a guy thing but we are working on that)
• LOVES his sister

Blast from the past

I met two friends from High School at Grazianos. Carter and their girls are the same age. We played soccer together and on Friday's after the football games we would go to Grazianos so it was fun to go back. I always love being around them!

Jocie is in soccer. She goes every Thursday. She loves it but is not too motivated to get the ball, she runs around though and has great dribbling skills.

Jocie used to be afraid of getting her face painted. Sounds funny but anything new to this child causes a little anxiety. She wanted to try it so we did and she loved it and can't wait to do it again!

Carter's area of choice - the dirt

2nd area of choice on top of his sister!

Vintage Style

Valentines Day cards from the 1950-60s. My mom remembers these cards. My grandma has taught me so much about taking care of the things you have!

1 cent, 3 cent and 4 cent postage cards

Donald Duck paper straws from the 1950-60s

My Grandma has lived in her home since 1959. Her home is very clean, neat organized. It's a three bedroom home. She has had the same furniture for probably 50 years. I have so many memories of everything in this home. This green chair will always remind me of her. She used to knit in this year before her arthritis was causing her pain. She has been getting rid of things and here are a few things she has kept.

Oak Glen - Fruit Picking

After Labor day, it's the first time of the year that Oak Glen is open for fruit picking. I remember going as a little girl for a class trip and James and I have been wanting to take the kids. We knew they would love it. It was a perfect day. A day that you want to freeze and don't want to end. The weather was beautiful, we got there without getting lost, the kids were happy, we were happy. We picked apples, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. There weren't a lot of blackberries but a lot of raspberries and strawberries. Afterwards, we ate and the kids played outside. Jocelynn climbed the tree and Carter was throwing rocks in the creek. They threw rocks in the pond also. They both slept the way home and when we got home I put Carter in his crib and he slept more. He was exhausted.

Carter was cracking us up because he loved throwing rocks and kept laughing at Jocelynn. It was making us laugh to see him so happy.

Happy boy throwing rocks. He is always into dirt and has dirt everywhere.

Carter's eating a strawberry. He kept picking them and eating them . . .:) Not washed . . . oh well.

Carter just as happy as can be in the dirt.

Jocelynn picking strawberries!

They were pretty, red, juicy strawberries!

PLaying in the creek.

Bag full of Gala apples.

Her first apple picked

They loved the goats

Picking blackberries, these were harder for her to pick. Raspberries and strawberries were easier.

Yummy raspberries

Picking raspberries!

Corn and pumpkins will be here in a couple weeks! I think we've found a new family tradition every year!