big

My baby girl is just on the brink of turning six.  Even writing that tears me up.  Wow has she ever changed my life.  And sometimes changes are scary.  But sometimes they are wonderful, lovely, exciting, and exhilerating.  Today?  Things are scary and Hannah tells you why. 

sometimes

Sometimes Drew will play and play and play. 

And his Big "Little" Sister?  Ya.  She loves him.  And will hug him.  And kiss him.  And play with him.

But sometimes.  Or maybe only once.  So far.  Has this sweet chubby little boy falls asleep.  While playing.  With no fussing.  Or letting on that he is indeed Tired. 

Pure sweetness.

who knew?

who knew that this little guy

would absolutely

melt.my.heart.

and that this little girl

would make me laugh

like no one else.

and that this "big" little girl

would brighten up my day

with one of her famous smiles.

who knew that my heart

could hold so much love

that somedays it feels like its going to explode

for these three children God has blessed me with?

just another silly sunday

my kids have great imaginations

I am not sure what they were actually playing but they were definetly in their own little world

having fun.

its all about love

My days are filled with toothless grins, cheeky smiles, giggles,



 diaper changes, outfit debates, tickle fights, swinging, stick fighting,



 treasure hunting, and much, much more!



And I wouldn't have it any other way.



 God has blessed me with three amazing, big hearted, lovable children.



And I couldn't imagine life without them. 



To know that it is Danny's and I's whole responsibility to raise them is sometimes



overwhelming and confusing but I know with God's instructions we are doing Him proud!




And I couldn't do it without my loving, good natured, responsible husband.



  I love him to bits also!

yummy things i hope to make this week

Chicken Fried Chicken

Fiesta Chili Dogs

13-Bean and Sausage Soup in crockpot

Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Bars

Chicken Pot Pie

Grilled Pork Chops

fall harvest party

So we decided to have a Fall Harvest Party much to Hannah's persistant. We were originally going to

 have it on Friday but I decided to do it on Monday due to Hannah having the day off.

  Big Mistake.  Huge. Why? Because my usual smiley pretty content little boy

was scheduled to have his

immunizations that morning. And boy was he high maintainence that day. And I don't blame him.

His poor little cry clearly indictated that he was in pain. My heart was breaking for him. And I totally

 stretched myself way too thin that day. Between trying to keep Drew comfortable and the girls

enjoying their Harvest Party without feeling stressed  and not feeling neglected I

 was exhausted by the end of the day! But there was dancing, apple bobbing, giggling, smiles, and of

 course eating!

Here Is Our Menu:

Chicken "Don't Hold The Apples" Chili

Orange and Black Tortilla Chips

Caramel Apples

Candy Corn in Cupcake Liners

Orange Frosted Cupcakes (not pictured)

Pumpkin Mac 'n' Cheese (not pictured)

And A Video To End The Night!

upside down dinner

Here it is folks:  I know you have been on pins and needles waiting on the pictures from our upside down diner dinner night!

Here it is in pictures:

Here I am in Danny's shirt as pants and my skirt as a shirt (with a tank underneath...gotta be modest, ya know).  Notice the pictures and balloons?  All upside down....   :)

And Here is Hannah in her upside down appearal.......

And upside down in her upside down clothing:

Drinking out drinks at our table. Now if you don't forget (like I did) pick up some juice boxes at the store and poke holes in the bottom to drink them upside down. I *thankfully* found these hiding in the back of our pantry and they were fun so they didn't question it. Whew.

Dinner consisted of pot pies, upside down, fruit (as upside down as you can get fruit to look) and upside down cupcakes!

And now I am like the coolest Mom ever!!!!

siblings

Wow.  I stumbled acoss this post and I was amazed at how much Drew is looking like Kylie these days!! 

That is just incredible to me.  I mean, I know they are siblings and all but Hannah and Kylie always

looked like, well themselves.  And Hannah looks like Danny, and Kylie looks like me.  At least that is

what I am told.  heehe Even by complete strangers.  Anyway............. We first thought Drew resembled

Danny and Hannah but now...I think he is starting to look more and more like Kylie.  Only with big ol'

blue eyes!!  I love my kids!  And I love how they are all their little own selves. No matter who they

look like.

 My cup runneth over.

smoky-flavored bbq ribs

WELL....This was suppose to be done....oh, about a day or two ago. But with a newborn, a 3 year old and

a 5 year old time gets away from me.  So here goes.  This is a great recipe that my family has enjoyed for

a few years and we have made it for our family who has visited.  Pretty easy, oh-so tender, and of course

delicious!!  Hope you enjoy it Raechel!!

Smoky-Flavored BBQ Ribs

3 1/2 lbs. of pork loin back ribs (I prefer to use baby back ribs.  But your choice)

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon pepper

3 tablespoons liquid smoke

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cola

1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce

1.  Spray the inside of a 5-to-6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray.

2.  Remove inner skin from ribs.  Mix brown sugar, pepper, liquid smoke, garlic and salt; rub mixture

     into ribs.  Cut ribs into about 4-inch pieces.  Layer ribs and onion in slow cooker.  Pour cola over

     ribs.

3.  Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 9 hours or until ribs are tender.  Remove ribs from cooker. 

     Drain liquid from cooker and discard.

4.  Pour bbq sauce into shallow bowl.  Dip ribs into sauce.  Place ribs in cooker.  Pour any remaining

     sauce over ribs.  Cover and cook on low setting for 1 hours.

You can serve with whatever, but we do rolls, potato salas and baked beans for an easy, old fashioned southern bbq dinner!  :)

the one with the penguins

So we decided to go to the zoo on a whim last Thursday.  Kylie wanted to introduce Baby Drew Drew

 (yes, this is what she has "nicknamed' her brother) to the Penguins.  And yes, Penguins needs to be

capitalized because they are "berry, berry important" according to Kylie.

Drew meet the Penguins:

A sweet Daddy and Son Moment:

Kylie talking and looking for penguins:

I can't get enough of this sweet little face!









 



:::Sweet Photos Of Our Fun Day:::

It was a great day at the zoo.....even though we missed our Hannah terribly.  Dumb school.

And yes, if you happened to notice that Drew is wearing two different pairs of socks, you are correct!

This is what happens when you have three children under the age of 5.  At least to me. 

its worth it

Drew has been fussy. 

 And restless.

And cranky.

And inconsolable.

But the few moments I get this:

Make it all worth it.

As for the girls....

when they aren't agruing

or hitting each other

or pulling hair

or yelling

they are loving on each other.

I will take the good with the bad.



 

it is well with my soul

Take up your cross and follow me

Take up your cross and follow me



I am repeating this phrase over and over to myself as I pour my heart out tonight.  I am sitting here

sobbing and getting my thoughts out on "paper". 

When Peace Like A River Attendeth My Soul

When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roar

Whatever My Lot Thou Hast Taught Me To Say

It Is Well, It Is Well With My Soul



You know what is NOT well with my soul?  Having my babies and not having my Grandma being

here to snuggle them and love on them and dote on them.  Not being able to share this wonderful

awesome blessing from God with her.  She was my best friend growing up.  I spent summers with her

 and we would play cards from sun up to sun down.  Swing on her porch.  Go for walks.  Sip iced tea.

 Go to her garden club.  Go to her church with her while sucking on certs.  Snuggling up in her warm

soft arms.  Breathing in her wonderful Grandma smell.  Watching her soaps with her. Being pen pals

 with her.  Watching her study her bible.  Yes, I miss her tremendously.  It is NOT well with my soul

that I got cheated out of having her here with me.  But her?  She got the most awesome award.  Living

 with her Heavenly Father free of pain and worry.  Yes, that IS well with me soul.


Something else that is NOT well with my soul?  Being so far apart from my family.  My blood

family.  I vowed never to move my family across country because I hated that I lived in Michigan and

 my Grandma lived in Ohio.  And what do we do?  We move.  To Texas.  For my husband.  It kills me

 not to have my family around.  My children are growing so fast without their grandmas and grandpas

being close by to savor the little moments.  You know what IS well with my soul?  Having the means

of travel we do:  airplanes and cars.  Its the little things really.  And the time off everyone is willing to

give up to come visit or put aside time for us to visit.  That is really what is important:  making the

most of what you have.  Also...I have a great church family that I absolutely love.  And without them I

 would be truly lost. 



It is well with my soul.....Pick up your cross and follow me.


I am learning that it IS well with my soul.  And I am picking up my cross and following

 Christ...wherever HE leads me. 


And yes, everytime we sing this song at church I tear up (or flat out cry).  Just pass me a tissue and all

will be well.  With my soul.

Updated: Jar O' Lanterns End Results

For the one or two who want to see the end results of the jar o'lanterns here they are:

 

I think they turned out pretty cute and so does Kylie! 

Upside Down Day

I am planning an Upside Down Day/Night later this week. Probably Friday. Perhaps Thursday. We will see how the week goes. It should be fun. And crazy. And super duper silly!! Can't wait. And thanks to my cousin Mark and his wife Tracey I now have a camera that I can take pictures with and post. Yippie!! Stay tuned for some Gallahar Fun to show up!!

Ongoing Upgrades....

Sorry abt the pics...still under re-construction!~

What We've Been Up To

Whew! What a whirlwind the last three months have been. But I am finally getting into a schedule. Hannah's in Kindergarden and Loving It! Kylie and I are slowly getting into a schedule where we *try* to do preschool each day. She is getting better at writing her "K" and she loves to cut and paste! She is so different then Hannah when it comes to learning. At this age, Hannah was already writing her name and her attention span was quite a bit longer than Kylie's. But I think when you add two more squirming attention loving children into the mix you realize you don't always have the flexible schedule you once had. All that being said....Kylie and I are beginning to extend our preschool sessions and I find that if I plan in advance (duh!) the session goes much better!

Today we are making Jar o' Lanterns. Yes, Yes, I know its a bit early to be pulling out all the orange, green and brown paint along with gathering all the fun Fall Crafts but I can't help it! I love the seasons!!! And I didn't hear Kylie complaining. :)


First We Gathered All Our Materials

Then I asked Kylie what kind of faces she wanted on her jar o' lanters...Here is what she showed me:

I tried my best to "capture" the "Kylie Faces"

Then we got to the fun part: Painting!!

And Here are the jar o' lanterns completely painted and drying.

Finished Project Pending! Will Post Later!

As for Drew...well he was a bit fussy which made for an extremely busy morning of multi-tasking. You know, helping Kylie not cut her hair and not paint the table or her clothes or herself along with a lot of rocking, singing, talking, rocking, feeding, rocking. Ahh...life is good.