Bed time

Bed time around our house seems to be getting later and later.  As the girls get older they fight going to sleep more often.  It starts with a little whining, maybe some screams and tears.  But you know when they are really tired when the crazy giggling and nonstop full speed sets in. 

Last night we hit full speed crazy zone pretty fast.  I had Amelia in a leg lock, trying to get her PJ's on when Jules stops (right in the middle of jumping on the bed) and says "mommy, I don't ever want to have any kids."
  Me: "well why not Jules?"
 Jules:  Because they are way too much trouble....
I laughed and told her that I would "be way too bored if I didn't have them around"

For the record, Lilly chimed in and said she was going to have 5 kids, and Amelia started yelling Me kids, Me kids!

Pictures finaly

These are a few pictures recently taken from the camera. 

 Amelia getting caught in the act of steeling cookie dough from the fridge.

 The look of surprise is what makes me laugh.

This is MISS KATIE

 She was Juliana's preschool teacher, and an amazing lady!  She got married a few months ago, and it was the first wedding Juliana has gotten to see.   She was in AWWW, the music, the ceremony...

 Especially the food and decorations.  She got hold of my camera and took a bunch of pictures that I didn't see until this upload.  She has a talent.

 It takes a special woman with a sencer love of children to get on a floor, in her wedding gown, and let preschoolers pile on her. 

Jules and Ava running into the church

Amelia with Papaw, uncle Gary and Malory.  The only pic to load from Amelia's Bday.

The water department opened up the fire hydrent in front of our house on one of the hottest days of the year.  It was a great treat!



Going and Growing.

This working full time garb is for the birds.  The house is messy, and the girls are really clingy on my days off. I do like the fact that they like to crawl up in our bed and fall asleep watching movies.  They are so sweet to snuggle with.  Big plus though is that Paul cooks a really great dinner when I work the weekends.  Last night was Talapia and Lima Beans yumm.
I got to take Lilly to dance for the first time last week.  Wow, didn't know there were "Dance Moms" in such a small place.  Holly MOly!  I on the other hand, got all teary eyed like a big ball bag, because she was SO cute in her little leatard, and she loves it so much!  It fills a mamas heart to see her babys loving something, and you can see the excitment in her eyes when she gets somthing corret.
Jules is still enjoying the boys at school.  Thats about all we hear about.
Amelia is working on potty training herself.  Which is good, because you really are tired after a few kids. 
She is really putting words together... do it myseff...candy myseff... put it myseff.  Getting the idea.

Messy house and fast food.

This computer needs a transplant, and I stink at keeping up with pictures.  The combination = bad blogger.
Since starting a new full time job a few weeks ago, life is going at warp speed.  I now  understand why there are so many  home cleaning companies out there.  My husband would probably appreciate one.
Now that I can get on line again, maybe the inspiration will renew to cook, because the fast food is adding to the growing waist line!
Jules still loves school.  Her "boyfriend" had to give her a ride home this past week, while I was working.  You seriously would have thought she went on her first date. 
Amelia is talking our ears off. And pulling her sisters hair out. She's going through a bit of a bully phase.
Lilly is liking school.  And doing great in dance. She focuses so hard on everything the teacher is saying, and really tried to keep up. 
Jules hates dance.  But will be completing this season, since she begged for a year to take it and refused to enter the room on the very first day.  She says it's hard, which it is!  I mean, where is the running around like a butterfly and twirling stuff. They do ballet style line drills!

Busy days!

I can't believe I haven't uploaded pictures yet!  This has been such a bust last few weeks.  Juliana started kindergarten!  And Lilly started pre school!  And I started a new full time job (out of the house).  And Amelia turned 2!  I really hope to be able to update better tomorrow.
Juliana and Lilly have done wonderfully at school.  They were both a little nervous, but jumped right in and are having a lot of fun. 
I was surprised at all of the mixed feelings.  I really struggle with keeping the girls busy, active, and learning, and to keep them from fighting.  But to turn them over to other people, that don't really like to keep you totally informed, is very stressful!  I took Jules to school first.  She was such a big girl!  Went to her seat, took a few pics, forced by me, and gave me a kiss and I was off. 
Lilly, RAN into her class, full of excitement.  It was such a relief.  She started right out singing all of the songs, following the line.  Her big thing is she does not like sleeping on the cots.  Other tan that she is loving it.
Jules came home on day 2 announcing that she had a boy friend and fell asleep during nap time holding his hand!  Dear Lord, please help her daddy and me, to make it through the next 13 years!  She is already boy crazy! 
Hope to update more tomorrow.

What did I do?

After my very long post yesterday, I stood up from the computer to find this

 Amelia in the craft drawer, and she had emptied almost an entire bottle of glue.  And that is Jules hanging off the coffee table, watching her do it.

 "What?"

And this is Jules upset because Amelia is taking over the stool, bare butt, and wanting to eat her apple.

Yay!

Life's a vacation when you have no job

Paul has been without a job since May.  At first we, mainly I, freaked.  This meant no health insurance, no cell phones, no truck for Paul, not to mention NO income from the man that put the turkey on the table.  I have had a part time/fill in position, but no guaranteed hours, and no benefits.

We tried to jump into action, pulling Jules out of school so there wouldn't be that payment, trading in both of out nice cars for a KIA (I almost cried), no satellite TV, and no dinning out.  And I started picking up as many hours as possible at the clinic, still not much though.

Alot of praying, crying, and nagging worrying.

I was offered a job that fell through, Paul had a few prospects "that would be available in the future" but not much.

Then I was reading in a daily devotional book about how God is in control, and if you keep coming to Him with worry and fret over the same thing over and over...you really are not trusting Him at all.  And that's when the light went off.

I wasn't putting my trust in God to bring us through.

So,

I stopped worrying.

And you know what happened?

Life started to go smoothly.

It started with an unknown person gifting us some money.  It was just enough, and when I say just enough, I mean the exact amount of a bill that had come in.

We started selling small things, and so on.  It always seems to be enough to pay bills and make ends meet.

The best surprise was the fact that we had applied for AR Kids First.  I got the rejection letter in the mail, and cried.

But, the day I found out about the job, we received a letter with the girls cards.  I had accidentally applied for both forms of Ar Kids, and had been denied for one kind, but not the other.  God just kept making things happen.

" You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you." He also promises to "guide our feet into the path of peace."

Once I stopped worrying and trusted Him to take care of it, Paul and I just started living and seeking God's will in our lives.  I really think that God placed me in that temporary job at the clinic because it is such a faith based atmosphere.  There were a lot of awesome women there for prayer and support, and also to help strengthen my trust to be able to completely lean on Him. 

It is amazing that for the first time in our 13 year relationship, Paul and I talk about God on a daily basis, we pray to Him, and we have both seen that He has big plans for our future and family.  We are here to serve a greater purpose.

More on that later.

but as for now, We feel like we have been on vacation for weeks!  We are so rested, and having so much fun together as a family.

 This is what we call the attack of the BIG A! This was taken the morning after a very late night Barbie hunt.  We set out at 8pm, thinking it would be a quick trip to the local Wal-Mart for the ever coveted mermaid barbie.  Jules still had a gift card from her birthday, and finally knew what she had to have.  Well, leave it to walmart to disappoint...so after a call to the Barbie Queen aka Saletha Jean, we headed to walmart in the next town over.  Guess what. They don't sell those anymore.

The girls had their hearts on taking home a barbie, so we sat and played with EVERY barbie in walmart for 2 HOURS!

And they finally decided on those/ let me re say that Jules finally decided.  Lilly held the pony from the moment she laid eyes on it.

 This is why.  She has fallen in love with horses.  This is on the 4th of July, at Bryant family fest.  Her very first time on a pony, and she wasn't the least bit scared!

 We spent a week at the lake and it was great.  Jules and Lilly are at the perfect age to be able to sit back and watch them play.  They had swim lessons the first of summer, so they think they are pro swimmers.

And this is my happy husband, doing what he loves most...About to smoke some ribs. 

So, the last 4 months have been a sort of vacation.

God answered prayers because Paul and I both got jobs today.  Insurance again and making more that before.  Thank you Lord!

Heat and patience

Well, now I can't even find the cord that allows me to upload photos from my camera to the computer. 
We took all three girls to the lake for the first time yesterday.  It went so much better than we could have hoped.  Jules and Amelia jumped right in, Lilly had a mild drama attack, but once she realized there were no sharks, alligators, or sea monsters..she was fine.  She and Jules actually tubed! And through all the anticipated excitement, Jules still had time to maintain her looks.  She didn't want to wear a hat because it would mess up her ponytail, and in the truck yells out "O no, I forgot to paint a toe!"
I felt so blessed, they loved the water, didn't complain once about the heat, and were still champs at the restaurant during dinner.
So I guess today is payback.
They have screamed, fought, yelled, and complained allllll dayyyy longggg! 
Not to mention, Willow House broke out a HUGE sell this am, so I have been feverishly gathering orders all day, and trying to navigate a site that is on the verge of overload, complete a survey for a job, and a dishwasher that won't wash. 
All said, the blender, ice chest, and ice cream maker are calling my name for this weekend.
What does your family do for the 4th?

Summer daze

Wow, it's been nearly a month since the last post.  We have just been around, playing in the sprinkler, swimming, and Paul planted a garden.  The girls love to go out and water it, so it's actually staying alive.  Paul and I have both been job hunting, which is a part time job in it's self. 
Next weekend is the 4th!  Yay, cookouts and fireworks!  Hoping for a great time with friends.

Crapy no picture taking mom!

We had Juliana's 5th birthday party this past weekend.  It was blazing, and thankfully a pool party.  It was so hot indeed that I forgot to get out of the pool to take pictures of my beloved oldest daughters 5th birthday party!  Put the looser stamp on my head now please.  Haven't we all learned you have to hire a photographer if you want the memories in pictures?  O well, my mom got a few that I can maybe upload latter this week. 
Any how, Jules wanted a Little Mermaid party (ewww in my mind).  So I set off googling mermaid party's and there were some really cute ideas...none of which I executed.  We did how ever have teal and purple cupcakes, fun ocean colored balloons, gold fish, "sushi sandwiches", and starfish cookies.  Most important lots of sweaty friends and family  alot of fun in the pool with friends, and probably the most relaxed party yet.  Jules got embarrassed during the song, had a lot of help opening presents from eager friends, and told everyone thank you in their ear???  Hopefully she will remember even without the pics.

Juliana is 5!

I know, right!  I feel the same way!

You were born 8lbs 9oz, 21inches long
We spoiled you from day one, and proud of every moment of it.

You breathed in some fluid during delivery, so had to go to the NICU for a few days.  We were so excited once we got to go home, that you were never put down.  You slept with us until you were 6mo old.  I couldn't stand to be away from you for even a moment.

You decided to be Joseph for the preschool book parade.  We were shocked, because I couldn't figure out why you wanted to be Joseph.  You said, " because I want to be Jesus' daddy."

You are an awesome big sister.  You really are a "little momma"

Notice Jules arm around Lilly.  She was trying to make her feel safe.

You still love toilet paper.  When you are sick, we just go to Sam's and buy you a case.

We love how the little things in life bring you such joy

This was kindergarten registration day.  And today was preschool graduation day.  You and I are both pretty sick, but we still went (sorry, we tried to make sure not to be near anyone).  I stayed in the very back since I still have fever.  After you said, Mommy, did you not see me crying up there.  "No, Why were you crying?"  you "I didn't know it was going to be like that."  I think you meant that you didn't realize you would be on stage with everyone watching.  You don't like to be stared at. 

You would rather be in the kitchen helping to cook and "set up for a party" than getting dirty and "sweated"

You STILL ask to sleep with us, or for one of us to sleep with you.  The answer is usually no, unless you are sick, then you will sleep with me in the big bed.  I actually like it.  It's comforting hearing you breath through the night.  We love you so much sweet girl!  Happy Birthday!

"Ewww"

Amelia is talking

She has been saying mamma, dada, 'mon (come on), go (for here you go).  But now she says Lilly "llllilly" and Jules "Ju" and a slew of other repeats.  It's like she just decided that last night was the night and out it all came.  Of course we had to be cheesy and video it all.  She was loving being the center of all attention.  Her fav remains "ewww" when she finds that old milk cup under the bed when you give her something she doesn't like or want, such as apple juice without ice. 

This is Juliana heading home from the hospital.  It's hard to believe she will be 5 next week!

Check back Wednesday for her birthday post.

I may have to beat you with a belt

I am sad with a heavy heart right now because of something that another mother said to me at church today.

We were keeping Amelia's nursery class today, with another couple. The parents were starting to pick up and Paul was going to get Amelia's pants on (because she couldn't keep them up today) and go get the older two.

It's 12:30, an hour and 1/2 past her nap time, she is hungry and tired and starts to have a melt down.

The other mother, looks at us and says "looks like someone needs a belt."

I'm sad because I didn't slap her in the mouth: I mean have a proper come back. My job is to be a child's advocate, a protector. It is my job to show my kids love. Believe me I know my kids are on the verge of out of control some of the time...ok fine most of the time. BUT they are children! Children will miss behave, it is our job as parents to discipline and train up our children but anyone that can "spank" their child with a belt... A child that is this small, this precious makes me very sad.

Jesus does not want us to discipline out kids out of anger. We are to use love. (I don't want any comments please about yellin now guys, that is another post for another day ;)

I don't know, none of us ever wants someone criticizing out kids, or our parenting skills, but look into that beautiful innocent face and tell me how you would feel?

Just on a side note, if I ever see you "spanking" a child, especially one this small, with a belt, be prepared because this mother is coming after you and your belt.
My statement is prepared for the next encounter.

Month Wrape Up

There is no way that I can remember all that has happened over the last month! I can hardly remember what happened last week...we have been so busy. Paul is finally over his month+ long battle with the shingles. This was him on a "good" day.

Next big event, we got FREE tickets to the Disney Princesses on Ice! People laughed, but I think I was more excited than the girls were! They dressed up in their pretty dresses

and we set out on a night of big adventure!

They were so sweet holding hands, walking all around the arena. All the little girls were dressed up, I don't think they knew what to think. After we parked, and were getting out of the car, a family pulled up beside us. There was a dad getting out with his wife and daughter. Lilly looks at him so seriously and says "hey, boys aren't suppose to come to princess things!" LOL Thankfully he just laughed and said he had tried to use that line.

Mommy and her silly girls

Jules tried to play it cool...But all acts were off once Cinderella hit the ice. Note the big smile above. It was definitely a Magical night...well worth the $15 snow cones.

(A.K.A. sticky ice with no flavor)

This past week was Zoo Day at school. The kids always have a great time. Here are two of the MONKEYS playing around.

Hard to believe we are planning her 5th birthday party! (sniff...sniff)

Need time to catch up!

I sware I will get caught up on blogging soon! Paul has been really sick with the shingles, and I have been working way too much! (for Satan reincarnated) More on that later.
We are going to the Disney Princess on Ice tonight! I feel like a little kid because I'm so excited. Can't wait to see the girls faces!
Tomorrow will probably be a long one, so come prepaired.

Begining a new week.

It's the beginning of a new week, and I vow to face my eating habits face on like a raging bull! The girls and I joined Fitness Unlimited this past week and I am so excited! I have longed to be back in the gym, but money has been so tight, that is one thing I let go. But, we planed on using some of the tax return to pay for the gym. The girls love it because the kids play area is ginormous! and they get to use the indoor pool.

Ok, so I realize I'm not this large any more but I still feel this way! and if I continue with my eating habits, I will be soon!

How can you not eat these little faces up! Jules was only 17 months old here!! I felt like she was such a "big Girl"

AND this beauty is 18mo here, and she is still such a "BABY"

Man I love these kids, and they drive me so freakin crazy!

I finished my first month of being a Willow House Design Consultant, and with much thanks to my great friends and family, was able to hit my sales goal! It really is a fun thing, I get to get out with some fun girls, (without my lovely girls) play with some really great products, give people design ideas (eat it up!) and make a little money! I say little, because so far, I have ordered something small at each party! But who can resist. Thankfully, I have gotten alot of free stuff too.

I really must go, I'm suppose to be working on my weekly menu. And my sweet husband is waiting patiently for me.

A story of warning

Well, I have a story of warning for you today.
You have probably seen my post recently about selling Willow House. Well this past week I had my first parties. Exciting, but also a little nerve racking, standing in front of your friends and having everyone stare at you. So of course you want to look your best.
On the nights that I have parties, Paul has to be home by 5:45, in order for me to get out the door and set up at the next home. Those of you that know Paul....well, I'll stop there.
Monday night, I wanted to be sure to have dinner prepared for the fam, so all Paul would have to do is grill the meat. Well, he was late, the kids were hungry, so I decided to light the grill.
In order to not smell like grilled meat at my party, I decided to take my dress off. We do have a privacy fence after all, so no one would be able to see me back there. I was feeling so good about preparing a good meal for my family, and also knowing I was getting to leave to go to a great party, with friends. Lo and behold, someone showed up at my door. Not a bug deal you may say...I was standing at a glass door, that faces 2 windows, and who was at the door....2 guys that work for my husband!! AND we made eye contact! At which point they went and lingered at their truck for a while.
Point of the story, A privacy fence does not good if your standing in front of a glass door.

It's a parade

I Love Saint Patrick's Day! It could be that Kelly Green is my favorite color. But I really think it's the fact that I had an excuses to pinch people when I was younger. (I'm now passing that on to my children, SORRY GSFBPS)

We go to the St. Patty's parade down town each year. It is always a lot of fun. Lilly really gets into catching candy and beads.

This year, Jules wasn't "feeling it"

She just sat there, on the curb, looking board. She wouldn't even take the candy that the folks were trying to hand her. I should have know! She had 103 fever! Another UTI.

Amelia on the other hand had a GREAT time. Once she realized that it was candy that people were throwing, she got REallY excited! I think she ate 5 dumdums. My arm and leg were drizzled in sticky druel.

Now we are headed to the library for Irish Day!

Hope you all have a great St Patty's Day, Don't forget your green!

We have beaches in Arkansas!

We took the girls camping this past weekend.  It may not have been very relaxing, but it was fun. Things are beginning to get a little easier as the girls get older.  The last time we attempted to camp was July 4th 2 years ago.  I was 8 1/2 months pregnant!  Very bad idea. 

It was was pretty cold, but Lilly had to go to “the sand box”  Since we missed our trip to the beach this past year, we pretended that's where we were.  They loved it just the same.  Dad let us borrow his flat bottom boat to fish.  The girls were so excited to get to put on life jackets and play in the boat.  Everything was great, all the way down the boat ramp, then it hit.  A very loud screeching scream came from Lillys mouth.  She was terrified!  Paul was embarrassed, since this is major fishing time, and the area was full of fishermen.  I personally thought it was hysterical.  No one was bothered, they all looked, but then saw a dad with two beautiful blond little girls, and they were all laughing and feeling his pain. 

http://mail.aol.com/33356-111/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=27631288&folder=OldMail&partId=3

Amelia decided she would work on her yoga stance. 

My new buisness

I've been having a hard time finding time to blog lately. As the girls get older, they demand more and more time. Yes, they play, and do stuff, but it seems like as soon as I try to sit and do anything, they start fighting or pulling at my legs, and asking one milllllllliooooon questions. As I sit here at this very moment, they are yelling at each other, Amelia has grabbed Lilly's hair and Lilly has hit her for it, Jules had grabbed my cell and is asking how to turn on Angry Birds, and it's only been like 1.5 minuets.
I haven't been able to work much lately either. So, after going to a neighbors Willow House party (use to be Southern Living at Home) and seeing all the new stuff I wanted, and being totally depressed because I'm sick of being broke and not being able to shop, I decided to sell the stuff. So, this past week I signed up, received the starter kit, started working on a presentation, and already booked 9 parties! I'm so excited. Not only do I get to get out of the house and hang with a bunch of girls, but I get to make a little money too!! And earn free products! Yay.
Please come check out my web site! http://kimjames.willowhouse.com

Do they have a drug for this?

This past week has been beautiful! Could not ask for better weather. I got to host the great girls from our Sunday School class Thursday. I look forward to the ladies nights each month. We just get together and basically eat and talk a few hours. It's a nice release. Well, I decided that I wanted to have a game night. The Amys suggested a game called Nerts since we didn't have enough to play Bunco. If you haven't played Nerts, give it a try, it was a blast. Paul took the girls to Chick-fe-la to get them out of the house for a while. But it was really busy, so they didn't stay long. After getting home, Jules decided she wanted to join us. I know I should have been nice and said "sure honey come on," but this is usually my ONLY grown up girl time. My sweet/ crazy spirited daughter was getting very loud (could be because we were yelling during the game :) But I started shhhhing her. Finally Paul got the idea, and made her come back in her room to play with him and Lilly, but I couldn't stop shhhhing!! It was so embarrassing. Is this so embedded in my mind that any noise and I'm going to shhhh everyone?! I kept apologizing, but a few minutes later and I would hear the SHHHHHH. Lord help me. Do you think I could get a script for this? I bet it would be called, the DeMommy me for 3 hour drink...or the anti obnoxious host drug...Sorry girls for the shhhhing. I had a great time.

Kindergarden! 'Mom, you are crazy if you think I am going with this lady!'

Really! Is it possible? Is it really time for you to start Kindergarten!!??

Jules, I think about 2 weeks old?

Jules today, 4 1/2 years old. Kindergarten registration day.


I've really tried to be positive about this time in her life. I know she will have fun meeting new friends, learning new things.


We showed up about 20 min early, after hearing that the school we are zoned for fills up quickly.


There was already a line, so we took our place at the back. Soon I was handed a file folder with aprox 15 billion papers to fill out on my sweet.


In the meantime, I had discussed with Jules that some people would be asking her a few questions about numbers and ABC's..so on and so on. She always does best if she knows what to expect.

WELL.... A very sweet lady comes over to her and ask Jules to come with her. Jules is looking at me like 'you are crazy mom if you think I am going with her.'


So after the nice lady (principle) tried several tactics including validating her fears, explaining what they would be doing...Jules looks at her straight in the face and says "NO, I will not go with you."


Have to say, proud of my strong/ stand your ground girl, but we did then have to have another conversation about how school is different, and you need to do what teachers ask you to do. Especially when it comes to work stuff.
(and especially the Principal)

After some prompting from the woman that taught her to stand her ground, she went with them.

Now for the soap box:
WTH with three full sheets designated solely to ADHD questions. Why do these folks insist on labeling these children so early in life. This crap will follow them for the rest of their school career. And not everyone is lucky enough to get loving caring teachers, that are willing to give them their own chance.


I know alot of this is steaming from my own torture, other wise known as SCHOOL. And she is my first, and oldest, and I am so protective of her.



Baby, I love you and your wild and crazy spirit. I will always be here for you, no matter what. I hope you LOVE school!