so much good.

It's nearly seven on Sunday evening, not a typical blog moment for me. But I was in the middle of washing some pans that had been sitting in my sink since yesterday. I looked out my kitchen window and felt so much peace. That feeling was needed. These last few months have been an adjustment for us-- new house, new baby, added job responsibilities. But right now. I feel peace. And I'm so thankful for that.

This weekend was refreshing. Busy, as usual, but a sense of renewal came over me. I think that comes with the change in season. I'm shedding some colors and tenderness, just as the leaves are. I love how God made the seasons for that, a gentle reminder that time is ever moving and this too shall pass, both good and hard. That's kind of my life motto. Yeah, I think so.

Back to the weekend. I wanted to quickly come and jot down all the good from the weekend. I didn't take hardly any pictures. But sometimes words can be so much more powerful than a picture. {And sometimes a picture can speak a thousand words.}

My favorite moments from the weekend include:

*Last minute girls night on Friday night, which include creme brûlée and a glass of Moscato. And good laughs. Laughter is such a beautiful gift from God.
*A very early Saturday morning fire in our fireplace. {I dreamt of having a fireplace for so long.}
*Our trip to the Farmer's Market. Which happens nearly every weekend. I'm certain the girls and Linc are going to have that as one of their favorite childhood memories.
*Our walk from the market to Wonderlab, a local hands-on science museum. My roots lie in this town and when we take that walk, I think about how thankful I am to be raised here and now get to raise my own kids here.
*Celebrating one of my best friend's upcoming baby. I was the first of my five best friends to have children, and one just joined mamahood six weeks ago and her sister will join it in just two months. Mamahood is a bond that cannot be broken.
*Audrey asking me if she can dress up at her friends house. Audrey-- "MOM! Can I please dress up?" Me-- "If your other friends are, you can." Audrey-- "They are! The fashion show is about to begin!" Me-- "Well, you better hurry then!"
*An epic nap with Lincoln this afternoon, his sweet little body conformed to mine.
*Asking Naomi how old she is going to be and she responds with "four." Because that's how old Audrey will be, she wants to be big so badly just like her sister. Their relationship is in full bloom right now and I love it.

So tell me, what was your favorite moment from the weekend?

fall fun. {come on over}.

Growing up, one of my fondest memories was having friends over. A lot. My mom had an open door policy. Anyone can pretty much come over anytime, as long as they eat. She loved to feed people. And have tea. And talk. Boy, could she talk. [I sure do miss her.]

I'm so thankful that her legacy continues on through me. I love to host. When we were house hunting back in early spring, we wanted a large house with an open floor plan and a large backyard for the purpose of having people over. And we are so incredibly thankful that our home now allows for that. We have an open door policy. We want our home to be a safe-haven for our kids and for anyone else.

On Saturday, we had over twenty adults and twenty plus kiddos (age 7 and under) in our home. It was kind of awesome. Face painting. Pumpkin painting. Fire pit. Grilling. Pitch-in food. And just plain ol' hanging out.

This is my absolute favorite time of the year. 

Disclaimer: We have big plans to paint those rooms a light grey, get rid of the dining room light fixture, paint the kitchen cabinets white, and change out the counter-top, and white wash the stone around the fireplace. All with due time. You know, in between rocking babies to sleep, changing diapers, potty-training, working, and enjoying life. 

right off my fingertips.

I couldn't remember the web address I type in to get here. To my blog, my personal space. I could not remember it. It's been that long. And I can feel my head about to explode with emotions and words that usually run off my fingertips as I blog. I need to blog again. To clear my head. Especially now. In the absolute busy-ness of life, when I hardly have time to shower, at least by myself without someone peeking in the shower curtain to say hi. Or asking me to help velcro the back of a dress as I wash my hair. Or quick Lincoln is down for another short nap, I have 10 minutes, girls please make good choices while I shower. Or just stand in the bathroom while I shower because then at least I know you aren't coloring on the walls again.

(Why yes, I have a turquoise-y door, 

I really need to share more on the house--we've now been here over three months!) 

This space is where I figure out motherhood. This crazy-never-ending-always-questioning-if-I'm-doing-a-good-job motherhood. I want to come here and talk about it. The good, gosh there is so much good in mothering, and the hard. Because this mama gig is not easy. Not one mama has it totally figured out, no matter how well the Facebook status might be.

Today I got frustrated when Audrey kept asking the same question over and over and over. When I already answered her. Didn't you just hear me?! I answered you already. And I got upset when Naomi would not put her marker lids back on. And Lincoln, come on would you give me more than a half an hour nap.

But I was also really proud today when Audrey took her dishes to the counter without being asked. And she gave the pretty pink flower to a friend and took the not desired green one instead, because she wanted her friend to be happy. And I didn't have to tell her. We are working on putting others before ourselves. It doesn't come naturally. When I say we, I mean, we, I am working on this too. Naomi shared her swing today with Audrey, it was a sweet moment. And even though Lincoln isn't the greatest napper, he is almost always happy.

Yeah, the good is so much better than the hard.

And I'm back to record it.

first day.

Look how big she is!!

She's only going two mornings a week. But we made a big deal out of it--she picked out a backpack and lunch bag, princess no less. I made her a cute-healthy lunch. And now I've been eyeing all these fun Bento pieces that I want to buy. If you do Bento, let me know what you recommend most! Surprisingly, there were no tears by any of us. Her teacher said she did wonderful and couldn't believe that was the first time for me leaving her. I'm pretty sure she was sold on preschool when she walked in and immediately found a snow white dress to put on. She came home with a rainbow she colored and her own name written on it. I about died from the cute.

Saying goodbye to Audrey to attend preschool wasn't hard, but leaving my three month old for a half a day was. Naomi and Lincoln will also be going the same mornings as Audrey. I'm working a bit more, so we needed some scheduled care. Naomi spent the morning with her Gamma, but Thursday she will join her siblings. I had a great report on Lincoln--he slept and ate well. When we got home, I made sure to nap right next to mister. I missed his sweet baby smell.

Naomi was so excited to see her sister again. These two are becoming quite the pair.

I'm glad the first day went so well, it makes this transition slightly a bit easier. I'm thankful for my job and for finding a great place to care for my littles. I'm thankful that I can mostly work from home, but still get some quiet, needed work time in at the office. This is a new chapter in our family book, and I'm excited for it. It's going to make me appreciate our time at home that much more. 

where i've been {lately}.

Warning: this post is filled with randomness. It's time for me to release all the stuff cluttering my brain. We are only a week into August and all of this has happened already...

Let's start with a picture, shall we?

We hit up the fair last week. I remember when we first took only Audrey and here we are bringing three kiddos now. Oh, and that picture of those two holding hands? For the most part, they really are that sweet with each other. I'm so happy they have each other. 

Besides the fair, life has been, well, just crazy-great-oh-my-gosh-busy. We hosted a housewarming party last weekend. Every single time we drive into our neighborhood I seriously breathe a sigh of relief. I'm so thankful we are here. 

I've started seriously working out again and eating better. I'm ready to make a commitment to it. I want to be healthy for me and my family. What I do, sets the example for my kids, I want them to know we should take care of the body God gave us. This boot camp (which I scored through a Groupon!) is awesome. Totally intense and awesome. It's only a five week course, but I'm learning so many great exercises I can implement at home (and I already have!). 

August has also brought more working hours for me. Previously, I worked at my church (as the Director of Elementary Programs) about 10 or so hours a week, well that just doubled. I'm so excited about it. I'm thankful that I can work mostly from home and be apart of such an awesome body of believers. I get to use my degree too! Now it's just finding the balance. For the first time ever as parents, we had to hire a babysitter to come to our house a couple times of week so I can get fixed hours in. So far, it seems to be going well. 

This month Audrey is beginning a real dance class. I say real, because she took a class before, but it was with friends at a friend's home. Which was a great introduction for her, but now she is so so excited to be in a class for dance and gymnastics. We went to an orientation class this past Monday and she just smiled and listened so well the entire time. Preschool begins for her too! She will be going two mornings a week (while I'm at work). Girlfriend is growing up. 

We got a kitty last week. And let me tell you, it is the sweetest thing ever how Audrey just adores it. And this kitty, which Audrey named Millie, is such a good sport. She even tolerates getting doll clothes put on her and getting pushed around in a stroller. I'm not even kidding. However, she isn't fond of Naomi trying to pick her up by the tail. Ahem. 

We transitioned Naomi to a toddler bed. She has been doing really well, especially considering the girls share a room. I think there has been one night I had to remind them to stay in their beds. They like to talk to each other before bed too, which is so funny because it usually ends with Audrey whispering but in a loud whisper "go to bed, Nae Nae! Shhh!" Audrey our rule-follower, Naomi our mischief. 

I think that catches me up for August. Let's end with a picture too, shall we? 

I love that I was able to wear Naomi (21months) and Lincoln (3 months) at the fair.

P.S. New header coming soon! 

three months.

Buster Boo/Lincoln Loo, our little Linc is three months already. Which is crazy to me, because hello, he isn't a newborn now. But I keep calling him one. He is still next to us in our room in our co-sleeper at night. I still hold him for almost every (20 minute) nap he has. We nap/lay together in the afternoon while the girls are napping. It's my favorite time--nursing and napping with him. He did his first belly laugh on Friday and I caught it on video. I've watched it no less than 50 times.

He is our last baby, can you tell?

I'm not sure what he weighs at three months. But I do know his 3-6 months clothes don't fit anymore. Let's take a peek at his growin' over the last three months, shall we? 

freshly baked...

He's kind of a stud, no? Now your Sunday is complete. 

[What can I say, I have no shame in sharing his cuteness.]

Hope your week is filled with many joyful moments!

diy birthday gift for the kiddos.

I have a love-hate relationship with Pinterest. There are some pretty things are there that inspire me by words, or in decorating my home, or what to cook. It's been handy to find a craft for the kiddos to do. But sometimes I get rather overwhelmed and the "am I doing enough?" feeling comes into play. That's when I close it up and stay off Pinterest for a couple of days.

Recently, though, I have opened it back up to find some yummy recipes and great activities for the girls. One of the easiest and fun things to do is make homemade play-dough using this recipe. The girls enjoy the mixing then of course the playing right afterwards. Yesterday we made a double batch so we could give some as a gift for my nephew who turned four.

To store the play dough in, I bought some small mason jars and took to another Pinterest idea. [Although I never actually pinned the idea.] I had everything else I needed---super glue, little plastic animals, and spray paint. I super glued the animals onto the lids, let it dry overnight and the next day put a couple of coats of spray paint on the lids.

And ta-dah!

The little gift turned out like this:

Pretty cute, huh? I'm thinking this might become the year of play-dough and cute containers for gift-giving.