Time For Each Other

Oh, this life is so crazy busy!!!  Don't get me wrong, it is full of many blessings and I'm so grateful that we have the opportunities to stay busy (if that makes any sense at all), but sometimes it's nice to just disconnect. Matt and I have really been putting an effort into trying to spend more time together. We try to do the little things, like have breakfast or lunch together every few weeks. We are also blessed to have my parents so close, who will take the kids for a sleepover, and let us have a date night every so often. We even took one afternoon/evening off from work early and played 9 holes of golf together.  

For our sweet family to function as the Lord wants it to, Matt and I know we have to put effort into bettering our relationship all the time. By putting God first, and then each other, we know that He will help guide us in raising these precious children.

An AMAZEUM Birthday Party!!

This year, NWA was privileged to have the AMAZEUM open up in Bentonville. It's a fantastic learning center for children with so many fun things to do. We took Reese one time in August and she loved it, so this Mama figured it would be a GREAT place for a birthday party! There are even small areas for Brooks to learn and play. 

She had a wonderful time and loved having all her little friends there to play with. Thanks to everyone who came out to make her 3rd birthday so special!!

 

 

 

 

(Please ignore the "Mom spill" on the front of  my shirt :))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reese is 3!!!

Oh sweet girl... I truly cannot believe that you are already 3 years old. Where is the time going? I am so thankful that I get to wake every day to your sweet smile and big hugs.  There are so many things I want to remember about you at this age, so here we go....

You are always saying "I love you or I love you too," if we're going to bed or if Daddy and I have to leave the house. It melts my heart!

You love shoes!! ALL. SHOES.

You are still very into babies and have lots of new clothes to dress them up in and new diapers to put on them. This can keep you occupied for a LONG time.

You have named all of your babies "Betty." But you say it with this crazy, hilarious, southern drawl.

You love dance!! You have really grown up within the last year (after being in the 2 year old class) and are starting to really get it. 

You love your baby brother and have started to become protective of him. You make sure cabinets are closed, hold his hand in the car, get him a pacifier if he starts crying, and only want to play outside if Brooks can come. I love this and I pray that you two will always be close. 

You talk about our new baby cousin (Aunt Bee and Uncle Blake's baby girl), "Ebie" aka Evie. If we are cleaning out toys, you want to give everything to "Ebie."

Now that you've had a birthday, you like to say "I'm 3 so I can do it myself."

Jack-man is probably your best friend. You love him and always want to see him, talk to him, play with him, anything. It makes me so happy to see such a sweet love between cousins.

You are OBSESSED with Bubble Guppies. We have approximately 24 episodes on the DVR at this time ;)

You are a sponge and soak up everything you hear!! Just the other day, you took a little tumble and I said, "You're ok, shake it off girl." Well, two days later, Brooks fell out of his little car outside and while I'm dusting him off, you say, "It's ok B-man, just shake it off."  I couldn't stop laughing!

You love MDO/school. You always look forward to going and run in to give your teachers hugs every day you are there. It makes this Mama's heart happy to see you learning so many wonderful things. You also love Happy Feet Soccer and play once a week through the MDO program. :)


I am sure I will think of other things to add to my list of all the wonderful things you are doing at this age.  We are loving how inquisitive you are, how sweet natured you can be, and secretly I love how independent and sassy you can be too. (It reminds me a little bit of myself when I see those traits shining through ;))  We love you more than life, Aven Reese, and we're so thankful for 3 wonderful years with you!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend was so refreshing for our little family.  We had no plans and pretty much just rolled with the punches.  We picked up Slim's chicken on Friday night and let the kiddos play outside and wear themselves out.  Saturday, we watched Game Day ALL DAY!!  It was glorious!!  I think it's safe to say we are all very happy that football season is here.  I made some tailgate sandwiches, cheese dip, and guacamole and we didn't go anywhere.  I don't think I even put on make-up all day!

Sunday, we went up to Spring Lakes with Nick and Nora, Landon and Brandi, plus all the kiddos.  We had a blast and the kids played great together! The kids loved the giant slip n' slide, rode four-wheelers, played in the ponds and caught mudbugs, watched movies, and fished.  Nick grilled ribs and we had tons of dips, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, stuffed peppers...the works. Let's just say I should've gone running on Monday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three day weekends don't come often enough!!

 

 

 

 

Gentry Safari Zoo

Last Saturday, we decided to take the kiddos to the Gentry Safari Zoo.  It was a first for our little family, and the kids loved it. I have to admit.... I, personally, am not a fan of petting zoos. I hate having to watch every step I take because I don't want to step in poop (now add watching a 2 year olds steps while holding a 27 lb. one year old in the mix.) Thankfully, my sweet husband is a champ and loves this kind of stuff. The safari part was great. The kids loved the zebras and the camels. I think it's safe to say we all disliked the emus and ostriches pecking at our windows. All in all, it was perfect weather and a perfect day with my little crew!