Kind Brother

We have been trying to teach Easton what kindness is. So when he does something kind. We tell him so he knows what he is doing and that it is nice. Or vice versa when someone does something to him or he does something unkind we say that was not very kind. We will say that was not kind. Well, today I gave Makenlee some chicken that was a little too hot. I was REALLY sick yesterday with a tummy bug so I really did not want to blow on it if I am still harboring some germs so I scooted the chicken off to the side of her hi-chair tray so it would cool. She grabbed a piece and obviously it was a little too hot. She made a funny face and I said, " I know it is hot." Then Easton jumps out of his seat and says, "I'll blow on it." I did not even say anything to him prior. What was funny was I was thinking maybe I'll have E blow on it for her. I told him that was very kind of him to do that.

Does this comfortable?

Look how his legs and toes are. This kid cracks me up.

Climbing everything

Makenlee is certainly a climber. She has started climbing up onto the couch, the dining room chairs and now the stool in the bathroom I guess she wants to wash her hands like big brother. She is so proud of her skills. Can you tell?

We had just had dinner and were heading for the bath.

"Where is Braa Braa?"

Easton went on a playdate to Sprout with 3 friends today. My friend picked him up while Makenlee was still napping this morning. When she woke up we had lunch and she played and then the next thing I know she is going up the stairs toward Easton's room saying,"Braa Braa." She was looking for him. It was really cute.

Returning baby bottles

I just found out that Babies R Us is returning all bottles that contain BPA. My kids used Avent so all those are going back for a credit. But even Dr. Brown's are being returned unless they are the glass bottles. I completely freaked knowing that I had something like that in my house that could have potentially be causing harm to my children. I am so thankful that they rarely got a bottle so my worry is subsiding. But heads up to all those who may have those brands. Call the local BRUS and ask what brands they will return.

Easton saying Go Packers

I found this old video of Easton. It was made right after we moved to TN. So he was like 20-21 months at the time. It shows me how far he has come speech wise. WOW!

I am Sad

As some of you may or may not know Steven Curtis Chapman lost his daughter this week in a tragic freak accident. I watched this video of the song he did called "Cinderella" and my spirit is shook from the words he says at the end. How could he have known he would lose his precious daughter but God was stirring in him months ago to slow down and take advantage of the moments. It makes me do the same. I don't know how long my babies will be here on earth. So I need to treasure them and love them everyday. Watch this and get a tissue out. My heart is broke for the Chapman's but I rejoice she is with Jesus and know they feel the same way.

My fav pictures of my boy

He is such a loving and caring brother and son. We are so blessed by him.

Some of my favorite pictures of Miss M

My precious kiddies

She is blossomed into a little girl. She will always be my baby girl.

New babies

It is that time again where it seems like everyone is having a baby. It goes in spurts. I have had I think 4 friends have babies in the last few weeks. It then made me get all reflective and think how I was in their shoes just a year ago. I then look at my precious girl and think wow, you are so big now. I actually shed a few tears today over it. Makenlee has made me a better mommy, more emotional and sentimental. I praise Jesus for her daily b/c she has brought so much to our lives. There has been a lot of change since she has been born and there has been healing in relationships. I am so thankful for her and excited to see all that God has in store for her in her life. I also went through the blog from last year and after reflecting, reading all the stories and looking at their old pictures I feel so blessed by my kids. I find no greater joy then being with them and raising them. They are growing so quick. I know you hear that all the time. I do cherish it. I love them so much. I feel blessed. Someone told me today that I have the highest calling being a mother. Higher then a pastor or evangelist. I said so I am on the same level as Billy Graham. I am still mulling over that conversation. I know my calling is high but never heard that before.

"Give me some sugar"

E and I got Makenlee up from her nap yesterday and he says to her," I am going to give you a kiss." Jon and I do it to him where we make it a game. Like give me a kiss and we run after him. Anyway well he did it to her. Then at Sam's club I had them in the cart together and he leans over puts his arm around her and says, "Give me some sugar." He then kisses her. Jon and I call kisses sugar sometimes. It was so funny.

Sprinkler fun

I got this at a sale cause I thought it was like a fountain. It is more like a hose. Easton enjoyed it though. We got to get them a pool to play in.

Enjoying the spring weather

My daredevil daughter climbed up there then went down the slide.

It was windy
Playing at the playground
Good smiles

Character traits

It is amazing that the character traits you model or talk about for what seems like forever finally come to fruition. I watched a friend's boys today and they were a little sad leaving Mommy. So we were driving to our house and Easton says, " Boys it is ok. You can come to my house and we can watch a movie." He was so kind and tenderhearted it made me so proud of him. He had such humility. I am so proud of my little man. He has also been wanting to say the prayer when we eat and when he goes to bed. The stuff he prayers for amazes me. I am blown away. He is so attentive to things that I did not even know he knew anything about. Like a couple month's ago a friend was struggling with some work stuff and Jon and I had been talking about it. Well, that night Jon asked Easton who he wanted to pray for and he said our friend's name. He has a very sensitive spirit.

The Backyardigans came to Sprout

We met Pablo and Uniqua today at Sprout. The kids were not quite sure what they were seeing but at least they did not cry. They were just a bit sheepish.

Happy Mother's Day

I had one of the best Mother's Day today. I am was very thankful for it. I was woken up at 6:30 am when Easton came in and threw my present on me. I was like what the heck are you doing. I am a bit of bear when I wake up abruptly especially when someone throws something on me. Then Jon comes in and I say what is this holding up a chain. He goes your present it is a necklace. I said all it is is a chain. He said, "Oh Crap and starts digging through the sheets and found the pendent part." I said, "Do we really have to do this now." He said, " I thought you were already awake." I said, "No I was woken up by Easton." Easton told him I was awake so that is why they both came in. Jon says we have to let Mommy sleep it is her special day. So I got to sleep more then later that morning we went out to Pigeon Forge to the outlets and had lunch. It was a wonderful day. Then Jon got me a yummy ice cream cake. I got a very pretty 3 diamond necklace (click on the above photo to see it) and card that Easton recorded a message too. He did a great job spoiling me and made me feel very appreciated. The kids had a great day and had lots of fun too.

Playing at the park

I met a friend at the park today. Makenlee climbed the play structure and went down the slide all by herself. She is so daring and fast.

Here I go

Win a baby carrier from Heavenly Hold

Win a baby carrier from Heavenly Hold worth up to $100!! Entering is simple: visit Heavenly Hold and choose your top three carrier picks. Then email them to amber (at) heavenlyhold (dot) com with CONTEST in the subject line. Winners will be announced May 31st on Babywearing Buzz and be emailed as well. If you want a second entry, blog about the contest (feel free to use our graphic) and email Amber again with CONTEST BLOG LINK in the subject line and include your blog link in the email. Sorry, contest is only open to US residents.

I hate Junk mail

Since I am trying to make a better earth for my kids I found a site that let's you get rid of junk mail which always ends up being thrown away anyway. It is free and it gives you the info to remove yourself from mailing lists so you stop getting all that junk mail.

www.greendimes.com

Oh, Yummy!

Makenlee is a independent girl already. She wants to feed herself and try her hand at the spoon now. I knew there was a reason I did not let E eat w/ a spoon till he was a lot older. E walked up to her after and said, "Oh, Makenlee."