blesedbythree

March

2009-05-15T16:21:00.005-05:00

In March I obviously thought enough to change my background, but not so much on the blogging..... AND, I am feeling a little stupid, because I can't seem to delete the correct html to change to a new one....oh well....one day soon, besides who doesn't want to remember St. Patty's day in May??

Well, March started off with my baby turning THREE!! A very bittersweet day. We did our tri-annual trip to Build A Bear, which is always a treat (insert gagging sound, no wait, press tummy for gagging sound!) We added a new, smaller version of last years, bunny to the BAB collection and Mollie's choice for birthday dinner was Chick-Fil-A, lucky us. Roy and I both tried to persuade her to go somewhere else, but to no avail. Because I was a failure in the "talk your three year old into another party theme" discussion, we enjoyed another year of Dora the Explorer.

As you can see Dora had an unexpected fall into the wonderful purple icing. I can't say that I was much for the look, or taste, of the cake, but WalMart saved me this year by providing a cake within two hours of my request. I can't remember why I procrastinated for so long.......perhaps I was hoping for a change of theme.

Exactly a week after Mollie turned 3 we had her sedated so her teeth could be cleaned and fixed. No need to go into great detail but here are a few pics of her playing around in her gown while we waited (an hour and a half) for her to go back for the procedure. Thank goodness for the 1000 stickers, coloring book, and quality cartoons that entertained us while we waited.

February.....a little late!

2009-05-06T16:49:00.004-05:00

Okay, so the only thing note worthy in February was a trip to the Omniplex... enjoy!

"MR" Mom Rules!! I love my kids!!

Whirlwind update

2009-01-12T15:16:00.008-06:00

Perhaps this is the year that blogging will take off for me (insert eye roll)....who am I kidding.....facebook has taken over my life. I love it.

Anyway--

I will try to do a whirlwind update for those of you who have been pestering me to do so.

Thanksgiving was a quiet time since the kids were celebrating with the Greenway side of the family. It was nice and lonely all at the same time. I did get to enjoy the day with my brother, his girlfriend, my half brother, and my parents. Gotta love the table pics.

Christmas was with my family in Kansas City. We were aiming for skiing in Colorado, but when you wait to book for 15 people until October.....you end up going to Kansas City instead!

However, we did enjoy snow tubing at Snow Creek, which is a man made snow hill in the Kansas city area. The kids were a little skeptical at first, but as you can see by the pictures Jonathan and Abbey were thoroughly enjoying themselves and actually decided they needed two days to tube instead of just one. I enjoyed it, but day one was gorgeous and day two was absolutely freezing. The bitter cold made it a little less enjoyable.

Yeah- I got skills, this is an action shot of Jonathan (and I) going down the hill.

Christmas was fun because we were all there. It is a rare occasion that one of isn't missing, but this year we were all able to attend, My parents, brother and Michelle, My sister and her family, an aunt, uncle and cousin, as well as a short visit with another cousin I hardly ever see. Good times. I am so thankful for my family and the love and support that they provide....among other things!

On to New Years--- an exciting night, and morning, with friends and a little trivial pursuit. FUN. Probably don't need to go into more detail than that! No pics of that one, sorry.

I am SO glad school has started again and the kids can expand their minds with information given to them by someone other than myself. :)

Well, that about sums it up.

Until next time......

Thirsty anyone???

2008-09-28T21:38:00.003-05:00

I know that there are MANY posts that I need to place on here to catch up, but I have to share a story about Abbey and Starbucks. Lately, when we pass by a Starbucks Abbey asks if we can get a "crapp-a-chino." For those of you uneducated Starbucks people that would be what I like to call a caramel frappucino. Kids do say the darndest things.

I promise for those of you who are just dying to know what is going on in our world that I will update soon.......I promise (insert fingers behind back and crossed :) ).

OKAY! OKAY! I'm updating!

2008-07-11T22:54:00.004-05:00

Martin Nature Center- a wonderful find!

I had always wanted to take the kids to Martin Nature Center, because my mom took us to Oxley Nature Center in Tulsa when we were growing up and I thought it would be something different and neat for the kiddos.
Well, it was better. We ended up finding a little stream set back and we were all able to play in it and just hang out for a little bit. The kids loved it so much we went back the next day to show Roy.
Jonathan was “swimming” in the stream and Abbey enjoyed digging in the water for shells. On the first day Mollie wasn’t as excited as everyone else, so she just sat in the stroller and watched. (Just in case you couldn't visualize that in your head)
I definitely recommend Martin Nature Center to anyone who hasn’t been. Even if you are not an outdoorsy person you can just leave whenever you want.
There is a pretty high bridge and under it there was this huge turtle. This picture doesn’t do it justice!

Kindergarten graduation

I cannot believe that my baby boy has graduated from Kindergarten. All three of my children are such blessings and they have taught me so much. I should have taken an entire box of Kleenex. I don’t even want to think about how I will handle high school graduation……..

Here are just a few pictures of my grad!

Jon and Chan..

Afterwards at McAlisters...

Mommy's birthday and Edmond Arts Festival

2008-06-04T16:02:00.004-05:00

I have to brag on my little man. May 2nd was my birthday and when I pick J up from school occasionally we indulge in a little happy hour sonic and a cookie from Eileen's. Well, that day I had a car full of sleeping children, so I asked Jonathan and Chandler to go in and get the cookies. I gave him some money and this is what he came back out with:

He is such an awesome kid!

I don't remember when the Edmond Arts Festival was, but here are a few pics of the kids getting their faces painted and riding the very expensive ponies!

Sonshine School program 2008

2008-06-04T15:57:00.002-05:00

Abbey and Mollie had their Sonshine School program, oh, about a month ago and I am just now posting. I really wanted to post the videos from the program, but I am not that computer savvy.....yet!
Abbey did GREAT and Mollie only got a little emotional when they were escorting her out of the auditorium and she noticed that I wasn't coming to get her. Very sad.
Sonshine school has been such a great learning place for all three children. Ms. Laura and Ms. Aubrey taught Abbey SO much this past year. I can not even begin to tell you the long list of accomplishments.
Well, I was going to post pictures, but after taking a closer look they are ALL blurry, so I will try to edit the video another day and see if I can get it on here.

My sweet Mollie....

2008-05-19T22:21:00.002-05:00

I just have to share a very sweet moment tonight. (I will share about Jonathan's Kindergarten graduation when I have more time)
I am sitting in bed doing homework and Mollie was singing very softly "pound, pound, pound, saw, saw, saw, build your house for Jesus and spread joy all around." She was even doing very gentle hand movements. When I looked at her to say "good job" her eyes were closed and she was totally asleep in about ten seconds. I love being a mommy!!! Moments like these are so precious and I do not want them to end.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!....well, almost

2008-05-10T20:36:00.003-05:00

This is for all of the mom's out there. I received this devo around New Year's, have kept it on my fridge and thought now was the perfect time to share it. Enjoy! and Happy Mother's Day.

Real Resolutions for Moms
By Karen Ehman

“… But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:13b-14 (ESV)

Devotion:
It’s that time when many of us are making New Year’s resolutions, so how about some resolutions for mothers? Here are mine:

I will put my Bible before the television, the radio, the telephone, and even before good Christian books, for my children will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.

I will make my prayer requests known before God and my children, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord will they learn of a living God who still answers prayer.

When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life’s every problem.

I will erase the words “luck” and “lucky” from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point my children toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives and brings all good things to pass, for by this my children will learn of an omniscient God.

When bad things happen, I’ll neither grumble nor complain, but will instead help my children see that in the scope of our lives even the bad times are allowed for a reason, for by this my children will learn quiet trust in their Maker.

When normal childhood mishaps occur, I will remember that although difficult, it is still easier to remove grape juice from off-white carpet than to erase harsh and unloving words hurled at a child whose chubby little fingers have failed her, for by this my children will see a God who understands when our best efforts fall short.

When my children have witnessed something ugly in me - unkind words, an angry temper, “harmless” gossip, biting sarcasm or even my infamous “mommy pout” when things don’t go my way - I will confess it as sin before them seeking their forgiveness, for by this my children will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.

I will teach my children the importance of cleanliness and order while at the same time remain sensitive to the fact that a skinned knee or hurt feeling is more crucial than a spotless floor or uncluttered counter, for by this my children will learn to value people above things.

I will make time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and will bring my children along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window they will have opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the “least of these.”

I will make our home a haven of rest and retreat from the outside world and a welcomed place for my children’s friends, for with each impromptu backyard soccer game, each video viewed on a rainy day, each cup of hot cocoa or chocolate chip cookie, my children will have opportunity to practice the art of Christian hospitality thereby learning to share all God has given them.

I will by my actions and my speech let my children see a mom love their dad, for by this will my children sense family stability at a time when marriages all around them are crumbling.

I will not require of my children obedience, honesty, patience or kindness without first being willing to submit to the same rules whether in speed limit, in miscounted change from the grocery store or when answering a toddler for the fourteenth time, for by this my children will see a mother who is also learning and not a perfect parent to whom they’ll never measure up.

In all things will I remember that more is caught than is taught.

There are little eyes upon you, mom. You are the first Bible your children will ever read.

Dear Lord, may my goals this year spring from a right relationship with You and may carrying them out point others heavenward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sutton Courtney Williams

2008-05-02T09:29:00.004-05:00

I just want to throw a "shout out" to new baby Sutton Courtney. Proud mama and daddy are Sydney and Heather (Hammonds) Williams and big brother Baylor.

Good luck....you will need it!! :)

Garden of Awesome

2008-04-30T14:09:00.002-05:00

Check out my new template. You can go to www.pyzam.com and go to layout and select from the hundreds of FREE blogger templates. I like the colors, but I really liked the name of this one: Garden of Awesome......'nuf said!

Random, shocking, fact

2008-04-28T16:28:00.002-05:00

Do you know what you are eating?

Calories in 1 medium sized Avocado:276
Fat: 27.6g

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 Medium

I could post the other stuff, but really those two numbers are what blew me away!

2008-04-28T16:01:00.003-05:00

Yey, Arts Festival, where Oklahomans get to gather round the ol' sculpture park, eat yummy food and see some very interesting outfits.........

Saturday the children and I ventured out to the Arts Festival and enjoyed FOUR hours of exciting entertainment. Since the Myriad gardens was running a special for the festival we took advantage of it (and the clean, air conditioned rest rooms) and saw some pretty and exotic flowers. Mom, I even took a picture of one.....

After the gardens we walked around the pond only to see an enormous alligator snapping turtle for two seconds before he disappeared back into the green abyss. I'm sure he enjoys time swimming with his gigantic gold fish friends. Please keep small pets and children away from the edge of the pond.

The kids were able to pick a dessert for a late afternoon snack. As you can see Jonathan picked the homemade, chocolate dipped ice cream cube. Quite good. I ate my 100 calorie bite and left it alone. Mollie liked the ice cream and it was much less messy than the chocolate covering so we all came out in the positive.

Abbey wanted "the thing that daddy got with sugar on top." After several attempts to nail this one down we saw someone with a funnel cake (which had already been suggested, but apparently she just knows it by the sugar on top, not it's actual name) and that was exactly what she was trying to tell me. We shared a funnel cake and all was good. I can still remember getting a funnel cake at the May fair in Tulsa growing up and getting a sticker that said "I got a funnel cake and I ate the whole thing!" Still one of my fair faves!

We were able to enjoy a few moments with Uncle Brant and Michelle before heading home to some peace and quiet. Sorry no pics.

Yikes! Bikes

2008-04-28T15:40:00.003-05:00

So a week, or so ago we took the kids out to look for bikes. Jonathan and I had spoken of it, once or twice, and Roy and Jonathan had found the most amazing "dirt bike" at Walmart and it was love at first sight for Jonathan. Seriously, he wouldn't stop talking about it....bikes in the morning, bikes at bedtime.........However, Jonathan was a little big for that one and after much looking he got an even cooler one that is red and has trick bars (?) on it. Oh, did I mention it also has training wheels. For now........I don't have any -on bike- pictures, but I will get some posted soon.

Abbey got a lovely Disney princess bike complete with front bag and water bottle, oh, and I can't forget the totally awesome shimmery ribbons coming out the handle bars. WAY COOL!

Here are a few pics of the soon to be Amazing Greenway riders---

Come one, come all, or something like that!!!!

2008-04-28T15:38:00.002-05:00

So, welcome to all who have yet to read my most amazing blog!!!!
I wasn't trying to keep people out, just not wanting everyone in. OH WELL, too many requests for access so here you go America! Enjoy!

A few songs to brighten your day

2008-04-10T12:44:00.002-05:00

The first is just too cute. I got it off of a friends blog. crank it up...
Go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFOpO0IpcHw and it should just start on its own.

The next song is a song that I LOVE and has been a huge blessing to hear at least once a day for a while now. I am sure several of you have heard it, but I just wanted to share a song that has touched my life in a great way:
(I did not make the slide show to go with it and don't particularly like it, but I am not blog savvy enough to just attach a music file....sorry): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw

Enjoy

O Happy Day....

2008-04-03T19:59:00.004-05:00

Yeah, yeah, I know it has been FOREVER since I last posted and sooooo much has happened.

Well,

Jonathan lost his fifth tooth a few weeks ago at school and his teacher was gracious enough to tape it to a sheet of paper for him to bring home. I do not have a picture, but if you can't remember what Jonathan looks like without a few teeth I guess you can look at the previous post, or maybe the one before that :).

We had Spring Break the middle of March and the kids and I enjoyed a very close family trip (with Grandma, Grandpa and Ty) to visit aunt's and uncles and cousins and Sam Moon, and the awesome Great Wolf Lodge. If you have children ages 4-6 this is a great place for you. I will get to that after I post a few pics and details from our Houston/Dallas trip.

We left "early" Saturday morning and headed down to Houston to visit my aunt Terry and Uncle Lynn. I was feeling like a not so great niece when I realized that I haven't been to their hometown since my thirteen year old cousin was born. Bad, bad niece!!!

Sunday we went to late service and then to the Avens for a delicious lunch. That afternoon we got to experience a Texas tradition: The Houston Rodeo. My aunt tells me that this is a great part of the culture and that I should have been very thankful that the weather was on the cool side......I'm not sure I know what she means, can someone please explain it to me???? :) We did get to see a few wild outfits, pig races, milking cows, chicks and, .

Whew-- it was a great experience.

Sunday evening we were able to enjoy another wonderful dinner with the Aven's and my mom's cousin Lori (sorry if I spelled that wrong) and her husband Mike and my kid cousins (?) Sylvia and Cami. Wow, times flies when you live hundreds of miles away. I think the last time I saw those girls they were on the verge of potty training. They have turned into gracious, beautiful young women and I wish we would have been able to spend more time with them. Sylvia is attending Abilene Christian and is leaning toward a business major (Go Sylvia!!!) Cami is currently in high school and I am not sure where she will be heading soon.

Oh and I must brag on my dear cousin Emily, who also has turned into quite the beautiful young woman herself. Emily is really involved in Highland Fling, something we Oklahomans don't know much about. She is awesome and I would love to be able to watch her compete. She has won numerous awards, on state, national and international levels. I don't think she got the Grim/Guyer jeans there. Avens that is all you........ I am really hoping that if she chooses to attend college in Georgia that she will "come through" Oklahoma on her way home sometime. Abbey and Jonathan loved Emily (and Matthew).

After our very short stay in Houston we traversed up to Arlington and then to Allen to see the grandparents and Aunt Gwen and Jan. The kids were able to enjoy an Easter Egg hunt with Jan and they LOVED it!!!! Tuesday we had quite the downpour and, of course, mom and I had to make a short trip to Sam Moon. Not very smart when the water running down the street is ankle deep. Did getting drenched stop us? No, onward to Sam Moon. Looking is fun.

That evening we headed to the new Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas. Very neat. for those of you who are not familiar with the GWL it has an indoor water park and lots of other really neat stuff. They even have a Starbucks!!!!! It's a one stop shop, there are several restaurants, a pizza hut, and arcade, a fun magiquest game that lets you go upstairs, and down stairs, and upstairs, and down stairs, and upstairs....well, you get my drift. slightly sore quads the following morning, but very fun. I strongly recommend the GWL for anyone with preschool age children.

I hope everyone enjoyed the time travel. I really am trying to post more often. Not doing so well, am I?

Alright, now time to upload some pictures.

Gimme some Jet Dry?

2008-02-11T22:49:00.001-06:00

Jonathan: " Mommy, do you think the dishes are wet when the dish-washer is done?"
Me: " Well, um, sometimes. Why do you ask?"
Jonathan: "Maybe you should get some Jet Dry. It makes your dishes dryer."

Very observant six year old. Doesn't miss a thing! :-)

Sometime soon I'll be posting the more important stuff. Like: Jonathan lost his THIRD tooth last week, (or maybe it was two weeks ago). Also, we have had some pretty gorgeous days and lucky for me I had my camera ready.

Here's another funny from Mollie, *who will be two next month :-( :

Me: "Mollie do you want water, or milk to drink?"
Mollie: "Jooce!"
Me: "Well, juice wasn't a choice, do you want water, or milk?"
Mollie "Wa-doughmilk"

She is so cute.......

This one's for you....MANDY

2008-02-11T22:47:00.000-06:00

Sorry to everyone else, only Mandy will get this.
Picture me with my fingers in my ears, my eyes shut, and singing "LA, LA, LA, I CAN'T HEAR/SEE YOU!!!"

Deceptively Delicious

2008-01-20T22:09:00.000-06:00

Well, for those of you who don't know....thanks to my dear friend Mandy and her making me aware of Jessica Seinfeld's new book Deceptively Delicious we have started eating a little "healthier." I think that every meal we have had for the past twenty four hours has had extra veggies and the kids didn't even know it. Can't say that the kids enjoyed ANY of it, but perhaps repetition will be the key to success. I guess I will try to start taking pictures of these delicious dishes. For those of you who are familiar, here are the recipes we have tried:
-Chicken Quesadillas were not a hit with the NINE children that were tested last Wednesday. I guess Abbey liked them the first time, but didn't really like the leftovers. I preferred those that were made on wheat tortillas, topped with a little salsa and sour cream (low fat, of course!!)
-Eggs with cauliflower. Jonathan helped me make these yesterday morning and actually saw the picture and said "Ewwww, yuck, broccoli in eggs." I said "Nope, that's cauliflower" Didn't feel the need to tell him that is what he was eating. He actually loved them and ate half of the 6 eggs!!! Mollie and Abbey weren't so hot on them.
-Macaroni and Cheese with butternut squash. Jonathan loves mac and cheese and thought this was "gross." I thought it was fine. I may try to alter the recipe, because it also has cream cheese in it. I think if you leave out the cream cheese it might taste more like normal mac and cheese. Worth a shot.
-Devil's food cake with pumpkin. It's a hit with everyone!!! Definitely will make this one again.
-Lasagna with: spinach, yellow squash, red peppers and carrots. Not my favorite, but not too bad. I don't guess I'm a fan of lasagna on a normal day, so that is my excuse.
Tomorrow we will be trying the french toast with pumpkin. Sounds yummy.
Aside from the new recipes not a whole lot of new things are going on around here. Tomorrow Jonathan is not in school so we will be travelling to the grand Omniplex. Hopefully half of OKC won't have the same idea we do and the Omniplex will not be crowded (Um..yeah right!!).
Until next time.....

WOW

2008-01-07T16:18:00.001-06:00

Really, I am thankful for the new year and a new start to this blog...SO, I am going to not put any pictures with this one and start afresh.....possibly sometime later in the week. :)
Sorry to disappoint, but I didn't actually take any pictures on Christmas, or any other time around the holidays. (SORRY family members)
I am, however, trying really hard to want to take pictures for my incredibly late Christmas card that will arrive sometime in 2008.....(for those of you who were wondering why you didn't receive one this year). That is something exciting to look forward to TEHE:).

Well, I guess that's it for this one.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and that you have a very blessed 2008.
I hope you are all as excited as I am to see what amazing things God has planned for my life this year! (well, me for my life, you for your lives :) )

more November

2007-12-10T12:50:00.000-06:00

The week before Thanksgiving my sister, Eryn, and my niece, Allyah, were able to come for a visit. Allyah felt right at home on the front bench with Mollie.
Allyah being pushed in the swing by Abbey.

Mollie reading to the baby doll.

Random thoughts

2007-12-10T12:36:00.000-06:00

--One day one of Jonathan's good friends, Chandler, came over for a little playtime and Jonathan wanted to show her how to play his gameboy. I thought it was cute:

--Mollie has been big into "baby"'s lately. She like to carry them around, read to them, and attempt changing their diapers. It is really sweet. She was giving a little love to this one and I was able to capture it.

--Jonathan and Chandler being the great sidewalk chalk artists that they are. I think they were drawing a tall building that went from the top of the driveway to the very bottom. It was a joint effort.

--Another unseasonably warm day in November. Roy put up the Christmas lights and the kids watched.........outside.....the entire time. the lights look great though. Maybe I can get a picture of them up in a later blog. Perhaps after the new year :).

Zoo!!!

2007-12-10T12:30:00.000-06:00

On the 3rd of November we went to the Zoo. I am sure the weather was unseasonably warm and we just couldn't help ourselves.

Jonathan loves noticing the leaves changing so when we see different colors we take pictures.

Here is the incredibly large and scary Anaconda at our Zoo. I tried putting my hand close to it to show its amazing size, but I don't think the picture does it justice. Really, a very large snake. Gives me the creeps just thinking about it.

This picture is of Jonathan and Abbey showing me how dogs/cats scratch themselves. I thought it was noteworthy. :)

That about sums up our trip to the Zoo.

Omniplex....yey!!

2007-12-10T12:15:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know it has been a very long time since I have updated my blog.

Apparently on the 2nd of November we decided to go to the Omniplex with some friends. I believe we went because Jonathan had a day off of school. Don't really remember the trip, but took pictures, so I thought I would share.

The little monkeys always love the gymnastics area and also playing on the tree house.

The line up:

Abby Jo (in stroller), Mollie, Jonathan, Anna Kate, Abbey and Nadia.