Dirt

I can't say I enjoy gardening at all. Kevin created a nice little garden this spring and planted tomatoes, squash, herbs and some other stuff. Our squash somehow ended up in our neighbor's yard but the little boy was so nice to tell me. I'm glad cause it was very tasty!!

Anyway, with winter here and everything dead and a move only a couple days away I knew I needed to clean up. I don't think the next renters in the house would appreciate a dead garden and some weeds. I don't like playing in the dirt though. The worms and bugs just freak me out! But I got out there and did it in about an hour. All Kevin has to do before we leave is figure out the tires. But it's all clean!! I should have done a before pic but totally didn't think about it!!




And here's a pic of my goofy girl. We met a friend for lunch today! We were both out and about so we grabbed a quick bite to eat! Hadley was in rare form. She seems like she's turned a corner the last few weeks. A lot less screaming and crying and lot more giggles and spunk!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

It's beginning to look a lot like...

We're moving...not Christmas.


I'm definitely getting there with the packing. Last Thursday some sweet and amazing friends came and helped with the garage and kitchen. The 2 places in our house that were simply haunting me. So since then I've tried to pack at least 2 boxes a day. I have two little people here that have a huge role in if that goal is accomplished but so far we are doing ok. We are 4 days away from leaving.

My emotions are torn. We have absolutely incredible friends here. I feel like I've known them much longer than 11 months. We've watched each others kids, double or triple dated, had awesome GNOs, hung out, shared parenting and health tips, and just did life together. I'm dreading saying good bye to them.

I'm also dreading leaving our community at the YMCA. I've never felt more comfortable leaving my babies with anyone. The ladies who work in the child development center are irreplaceable. Ms. Patti is so special and my kids love her. Thursday will be my last work out day and I am dreading it.

Ayda's last day of school is Friday. My stomach turns knowing she has to leave another school she loves. She loves her classmates and teacher. Ms Courtney really helped Ayda (and me) transition into her new school. She's learned so much from Ms Courtney. It'll be a tough good bye.

But...a lot awaits us in FL. One of the biggest and most important is Kevin!! I cannot fully express how tough the last 6 weeks have been. We balance each other out, especially in parenting. And our girls need him. That's been so obvious in this time away. They adore him. So I cannot wait to be together as a family again.

I'm sure we'll meet new friends, though I say I'm not making any! I don't want to get attached again! Haha!!

Ayda's head of school and teacher have both been in contact with me and already made me feel so welcome. I feel so good about her school. Her teacher is so sweet.

So new things lie ahead...I just have to make it through the good byes. And in the meantime, I'm packing, wrapping Christmas presents, playing with my kids, getting any time I can with friends, and making phone calls to cancel services here. And while I was on the phone today here is what my ill munchkin was up to...





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Trying to find the Peace

Ever since I received the text on Friday from my husband I have had a heavy heart. A text that briefly told me about the school shooting. I tried to stay tuned out...delay the inevitable. An elementary school. I knew I had to get my girls down for a nap. Once I did I turned to twitter and tv. I spent the next 2 1/2 hours crying, praying, cussing. The emotions went through me. And then as my girls woke from their nap, I went numb. I had to. I don't want them to know this kind of evil yet. Ayda picks up on my emotions well. I had to smile and go about our day. But my heart was so heavy. And so it has been all weekend. My kids playing together and laughing...my thoughts go to the quiet, grieving homes of the victims. I've been in prayer for the town where it all took place, for our torn country, for myself to find peace. I can't find peace in this. I hug my kids tighter, kiss them more, but in all honesty I don't think I've taken my children's lives for granted one day. I worked in a NICU for 4 years. I learned quickly there how precious life is. But yes, an event like this reminded me of the many blessings in my life. So I wish as I conclude I could say I found peace. Listening to President Obama speak helped. Reading some writers and bloggers who I respect has helped. But I'm not there. I'm wrestling with it. I think about it in the quiet of the night. And so I continue for now as I did on Friday...I cry, I pray, and I cuss. I let my emotions flow. I pray and pray and pray for Newtown and our country.

Jesus be with us.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Making Memories

Christmas is a fun time of year. But with the hustle and bustle of finding the perfect gift so much can be lost. I want our girls to remember serving and having traditions at Christmas. This is the second year in a row that we've gone thru the Christmas season without Kevin here and had a move right at Christmas. But we are making the best of it and starting some traditions now! Driving around looking at Christmas lights, watching Polar Express and eating popcorn, making cookies and sending/bringing them to ppl, jamming out to Christmas music (and not a second before Thanksgiving is over!), serving the needy in our community, etc. Ayda has really jumped in this year and its been so fun!

Our neighbors have a 2 story Santa in their yard! The girls think its hilarious...as do I. There's an equally large Rudolph as well. Ayda asks me to drive by there all the time. So funny







We also had fun making Hanukah and Christmas cookies one night. Ayda really got into pushing the cookie cutter into the dough and then painting them with icing after they had cooked. It was a fun afternoon project! I made one of the little gingerbread girls preggo to take to my friend whose due Christmas Day! It made me laugh! We sent the Hanukah cookies north to my dad and fam up there. And we took the Christmas cookies to my friend that night! Ayda even sang Jingle Bells to them. It was so cute. I want to set traditions for our family that we look forward to every Christmas season. There are such great memories behind every family tradition!





- Rebekah

My Precious FOUR Year Old

I cannot even believe another year has passed and Ayda is now 4. It has been quite a year for her as well. We moved to NC right after her 3rd birthday. She settled into her new school very well and made new friends in no time. She transitioned great. In the spring/early summer we had a bit of a rough spell though. She tested her boundaries but it didn't last long and she was back to her very happy go lucky self. And since the day she turned 3 1/2 she has seriously been the best! Kevin and I are truly so blessed by her. She lights up the room when she walks in, she is so patient and fun with her sister, she loves to make you laugh, she says the wittiest things, she adores her friends and family, she has such a great outlook on life, she is patient, and she just loves life!

Ayda,
You made me a mommy 4 years ago today. You came into this world bright eyed and screaming. You keep me on my toes but you are such a joy to be around everyday. I miss you the few hours you go to school everyday because time without you is much quieter and less funny! You love when you can get me cracking up and you keep going to keep me laughing. You know when something isn't right with me and remind me that you love me. I am so blessed to be your mommy and I am so thankful to watch you grow everyday. You are so smart! In some ways I feel like you've been four for months now. But I remember the day you came into my arms and I will never forget that. I love you sweet girl. It's been fun celebrating you this week! You make your daddy and me so proud! We love you to the moon and back...no matter what!

Here are some things Ayda's been saying lately:
Daddy: Ayda, I love you no matter what!
Ayda: What?!?

Grand-Pam: I don't know where to go to dinner!
Ayda: What about Welcome to Moes?!

Ayda: Mommy, what's that?
Mommy: It's Daddy's money he made at work. That's why he works so hard...so we have a house to live in, clothes to wear, and food to eat.
Ayda: Chinese food?

After about 3 hours of driving Ayda woke up from her short nap...
Ayda: Mommy, what continent are we on?
Mommy: North America
Ayda: STILL?!?!

Grand-Pam: Let's go find some reindeer (Christmas ones lit up)
Ayda: There are NO reindeer!
Grand-Pam: Yes there are!
Ayda: Reindeer are in Arctica (Antarctica)

Ayda: We are following the UPS man!!! Maybe we can get my meeguks!!! (She calls her vitamins "meeguks"! She has called them that since she first started talking and it doesn't matter how many times I correct her they are still Meeguks!

(My personal favorite)
Mommy: Ayda, I love you to the moon and back!
Ayda: I love YOU to the moon and back again!

 Ayda a few days old!

 Newborn Pic

 1 Year Old

 2 Years Old

 3 Years Old

4 Years Old

Ayda's 4th Birthday pARTy!

We celebrated Ayda's birthday Saturday. Kevin was able to come up for the weekend so we wanted to celebrate early! My mom and best friend came from ATL as well! It was a fun weekend! Ayda was beyond excited to have daddy, Grand-Pam and Aunt Lauren here!

Her party was "Art" themed. She helped me pick out the projects and worked hard on the decorations the week before the party. She and Hadley both spent a few afternoons coloring! It was a fun party and the best part was watching her with her three closest friends. Sadie and Kate are in her class at school and Sofia is a sweet friend we met through Hadley's playgroup. Our family loves Sofia's family so it's been fun to have the girls get to know each other and play so well together this year.

Also Ayda has literally been asking for at least 6 months for a bike. Kevin and I really try not to just give our kids whatever they want when they want. Granted they do get plenty! So we told her she could get a bike for her birthday. Bless her heart for being SO patient in waiting. I have a love/hate relationship with the timing of her birthday. Part of me loves that it is in the middle of the holidays and all the excitement that goes with that and part of me hates that she gets Birthday and Christmas presents so close together. But she waited and waited and we made sure she got her only request!! And she was SO very excited. She rides it any chance she can get! Today she was perfectly content to ride in circles on the driveway. It's hard for her to get to really ride it while I am also chasing Hadley around. She is so proud of that bike, bell, basket and helmet!!

We had an awesome weekend celebrating our (almost) 4 year old! 

Thanksgiving

We headed to ATL for Thanksgiving again this year. It was such a needed break for me. To have my mom and Kevin helping with the girls I felt like I got a mental and physical break!

Wednesday my mom and I just bummed around with the kids.

Thursday Kevin and I got up early and ran a 10k race. Then my mom and Step dad met up with us. Kevin took the girls home and I walked the 5K with my mom and Jim. I was so proud of my mom for walking it and beating her best time only 9 months after she broke her leg! It was a great accomplishment and I was happy to walk with her! We came home, cleaned up, enjoyed some Chinese food take out (nothing else open!), and spent time with my step sister and her kids! Ayda LOVED playing with her cousins. Thursday night my brother's crew came so we got to spend a little time with them (they had to leave early Friday to head back to Bham...that's kinda a long story!)

Friday mom and I got up early and headed out for a morning of shopping. We both agreed that the retail stores have all but ruined (well let's just say ruined) black friday shopping. When people are getting trampled, shot, etc...it's definitely ruined. But we went for a relaxing trip to the Avenue and then to the mall to rome a bit. Neither of us really had anything major to shop for. I loved time with just her too...no kids! Friday evening we enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Day (a day late) dinner! Angie, Joey, Natalie and Michael came over again for most of the day and hung out. I don't get to see them much so that time was great with them! It was all around a fun holiday!

Saturday was spent with just Kevin, Me and the girls. Also very much needed. We bummed around in the morning, took naps in the afternoon and then Kevin and I went on a date with some friends that night. 

 Hadley getting a pep talk from cousin Michael

 Ayda LOVED playing with Natalie! They got along so well!

 Four little cousins cheesing it up for the camera!

My grandma with four of her Great Grandkids!