I enjoy taking pictures. I enjoy scrapbooking. I enjoy the hours that I can spend at a desk hand cutting and assembling my girls’ life onto pages. The problem really is that I do not feel I have the time for that. My last full page in an album is Megan’s 1st birthday. And only because I skipped from month 4 to one year. Audrey has hundreds of photos organized in iPhoto, but not a single print has been made. (Okay, maybe 2 for frames) I feel behind. I feel guilty. I feel full of intentions but left with nothing to show at the end of another year.

After browsing a bit, I found Project Life. I am excited about this. My husband rolled his eyes wondering why I can spend $39 whenever I want, but he has to ask permission to go to lunch. But deep down, he wants our lives documented. I know he does. The basic idea is to capture a photo a day and journal about it. The designs are done for you and you can add as little or as much to it. I want to capture those everyday things. That messy room after Megan has been quiet for 1 whole hour. That smile that is missing a few teeth. And that face covered in Oma’s famous spaghetti sauce. I don’t want to just frame those photos that capture the cuteness of my child on a certain day, but I want to frame all the moments that make up that child.

Since the kit is on back order right now, I am keeping the photo and journals on my computer. (I will  probably do it that way anyway.) When I get a few weeks done, I will post some photos for you. But for now, here is my examples for day 1 and day 2 of January.

* Alyssa is so much like her Daddy sometimes. She created these letters by herself, and of course spelled something sweet. Thank goodness I have an empty spot on the mantle for her to showcase her work. *

* I found this pattern online and I was excited to see it in the mail. I absolutely love this dress and can’t wait to get started on one for Megan and a version of it for Audrey and maybe even Alyssa. Now for fabric.*

This year’s Christmas story was read by Papa and we tried to act it out with our little people. Each year we think of a better way to do it (like last year I glued all the garb on each person) and next year we need a board. Alyssa and Megan took their turn retelling the story and it makes my heart feel good to hear them tell what they know to be truth.

Christmas morning we did stockings and gifts, a big breakfast, Christmas lunch and all rested with the Polar Express. It has been a great Christmas and we were all sad to see Nana and Papa leave today. More Pics

I don’t know about you, but for the last 10 years, I have had a dreary picture of Portland, OR. My roommate from ACU lives there and the few times I have visited apparently were at the wrong time of the year. I thought it just rained there. Well, this visit proved me wrong…really wrong. It was absolutely beautiful. I took my first, and probably last, solo trip to visit Melissa, Jeff and baby McKinley. I was hesitant leaving my girls, especially a nursing Audrey, and not looking forward to the full day of traveling that it takes to get there. But I had a great time with my friends. Without Audrey, I was actually able to help with McKinley, chill out for 3 good days, and enjoy some fabulous dinners from Jeff. Little McKinley is almost 2 months old and is doing good. We went to get her first shots and I am glad I was there for support because I think it was tougher on mommy than baby. We shared some quality time almost everyday at 6:30am since I was up and so was she. I am glad that Ethan pushed me to go even though it meant he took the week off from work and was home with all the girls. I can tell that just a few days with Daddy makes their hearts grow fonder…of him that is. And I had an unforgettable time with my friend.

We celebrated Alyssa’s birthday a little early this year since we are traveling to Houston this week. She has been wanting a slumber party for awhile and we finally did it. There were only 2 other girls so it was very manageable. They were all so nice to let Megan tag along all night too. They both have younger sisters so they probably didn’t even notice. We had a silly string fight which turned more into “lets just spray the silly string all over the yard then roll it all up into a gooey ball of grossness,” the girls dressed up as what they called “fashion models,” we painted nails and had popcorn and a movie. They had alot of fun together and were all three asleep by 10:45pm. Those who have slumbered with Alyssa in the past will not be surprised that she was the last one awake. They got up about 7 am and went downstairs to color at the table all by themselves. We had a great party and are blessed to have good friends to celebrate with us this year. See all pics

I think at this age Alyssa was reciting bible stories, but they are all different, right? Megan likes to read this book before her nap and she does very well with voices too. Enjoy the video!

Audrey has done great with her cereal this week. It is fun for her to be at this new stage, the only problem is that she was my easiest child to get ready. Wake, quick feed, dressed, and we are out the door. Now that 25 min process has been stretched to an hour to allow for her to have a real breakfast. Luckily, summer is coming and maybe we can all eat breakfast together instead of Alyssa before the bus, Megan at 7:45 and Audrey at 8:30. I vote for everyone to sleep until 8:00, then we can all eat together. Any objections?

I don’t remember the time before Alison was born, seems she was always there. Basically always around. We did elementary, middle, and high school together. All the ups and downs Noz was there. Part confidant, part instigator. Part friend, part combatant. In other words the perfect blend of best friend and kid sister. I can’t imagine doing it any other way.

And to mark her achievement of thirty years I was going to list all of Alison’s various injuries or illnesses but that would take, well thirty years. So instead I will highlight my favorite three.

1. Rolling down the driveway on the skateboard on your chest, hitting the hose, falling off, and finally scraping off your face. Not literally but pretty darn close. Brother in charge: me.

2. Slipping on rocks in a creek bed while on vacation, opening a huge gash requiring stitches, and sidetracking Mom and Dad for hours. Brother in charge: me. (Although Adam did carry you back to the cabin.)

3. Finally, signing up for a coed soccer league, playing every Sunday with me, crashing into some dude who wasn’t looking and breaking your collar bone, which grounded you for months. Brother in charge: me.

Why are these my favorite three? Not because of their horrific, and somewhat bemusing outcomes. Certainly not because they are the worst you’ve been through. No, you have been through worse with all the  grace and dignity you could muster, and steadfast service to your loving God. These are my favorites because we did them together. You were always the friend to hang out with, the playmate I could always count on, the sister when I needed support. And the crazy thing is even with all the injuries and times I messed up, said the wrong thing, or behaved poorly you still came back for more. That’s how I knew you loved me.

I look back on all the fun and stupid stuff we did (remember trying to climb up on the frozen roof, you really would have followed me anywhere) and I hope that it shaped you to become the beautiful woman you are today.

I am amazed at your faith.

I am amazed at your commitment.

I am amazed at your honesty. 😉

I am amazed at your perseverance.

I am amazed at your service.

I am amazed at your really bad luck.

I am amazed at your ability to put up with me all these years.

So thanks Noz for all the fun and the laughter. All the serious talks and life moments. Thanks for the honesty and support. You are the perfect kid sister and I can’t wait for another 30.

Happy Birthday and Merry Chirstmas.

Ethan

I like this picture. I like that they are getting to the age where they can entertain themselves, even if only long enough to take this photo.