Look what I found...

This is Caroline's FAVORITE hiding place! The only problem is occasionally she closes the door is slightly traumatized to be stuck in the dark. Anabelle's bday pictures coming soon...

Mothers Day

I had a fantastic Mother's day. It was very low key and easy. Shannon took control over all three meals for the day and the girls just waited on me hand and foot. :) Such sweet little ladies. These are my two favorite Mother's day pieces I received. I love these ages!!!

Shannon's birthday

Shannon's birthday was a hit. The girls always have a good time picking out his presents and deocrations/hats. What a sport to actually wear the supercool hat they picked out for him. Again this year, he got some very interesting gifts....a couple of silk flowers, highlighters, some grill tools (go Taylor) tennis balls meant for dogs (hence the paw prints) and a HUGE water jug. I can't wait to see what they get him for the big 35 next year.

God's Grace in a smile

There are days (like this one) that I feel like supermom, but there are more often days that I think, "Really God, what were you thinking allowing me to be responsible for three of these?" Yesterday was the later. Taylor had been complaining of a stomach ache so after spending some time struggling to make that ever-difficult decision I decided to send her to school. Only a few short hours later I got the call to come get her. I walked in school to get my poor child looking like I had just spent hours scrubbing every bathroom in my house, because I had. (There's nothing like the fear of an impending stomach virus to get you motivated to scrub bathrooms). I returned home to send my husband the following email just moments later. Before you read this know a few things...
1) When I call my child a skitsoid, know that I do so in love
2) I probably wouldn't really scream in my 1 yr old's face
3) I really do love being a stay at home mom.
4) My husband knows and loves me very well and gets a kick out of emails like this.
OK, you may proceed...



To: shannon.rushing@regions.com

Subject: Status

a. I don't feel good

b. Taylor is a total skitsoid. One minute she's complaining of her tummy ache and the next she's her normal goofy self..I don't know what's going on.

c. Anabelle is still trying to win the 'not so quiet game' Really? Do you need to know this instant the names of all the reindeer?

d. Caroline's screaming will start back in 2.5 seconds when her spinach eggs are gone.

Oh, and the floor of my kitchen puts Logan's to shame. I just caught myself wiping my feet off on the carpet after I left the kitchen. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Just thought you'd like to know what you are missing at home.

There goes the screaming again. Part of me wishes I could make that sound. I wouldn't necessarily scream back at her, but I'm just sayin'...


Update email sent 30 minutes later


I went to get said screaming child out of her highchair and she had two things for me. An enormous dirty diaper and a HUGE, toothy, nose-scrunching grin. You can't be frustrated when you see that. It's not glamorous, but I love my job.

Currently children one and two are watching a 1994 VHS copy of Lion King while #3 is doing her very best to empty out every single thing from the drawers in the armoir. Mop water is running, I've gotta go.

I've hope you've enjoyed this not so glamorous glimpse into my life. My new motto is 'you gotta do, whatcha gotta do.' I am releasing myself from the guilt of dirty kitchen floors and poptarts for breakfast sometimes.

PS The 'not so quiet game' is a reference to Anabelle's idea earlier in the day. "mommy, I have an idea, we can play a game. It's kinda like the quiet game but whoever talks the most wins."

Randoms

Baseball

Baseball has come back into our lives this year. Shannon has found a league to play in that I think he's really going to enjoy. Of course my sweet husband is one of the older players in this league. Most of the guys are just out of college. Boy is it a different world from the last time I was watching him play. The last time he played this regularly was probably when we were living in Indiana. That was 3 children and a LOT of years ago. I am sitting in the stands with all the girlfriends who are in that stage of life. It's funny to hear my little ones' "Go Daddy!" sprinkled in with all the cheers from adoring girlfriends. What a different experience. I used to love sitting near the duggout to hear what all is going on. That's not such a great plan with six little ears tagging along with me. Let's just say baseball language from 22 yr olds isn't always appropriate. (although, they try to be careful)

It is really funny to hear all of them yell for their men and then you hear these VERY exicted little girls yelling, "GO DADDY!!!" Despite his age 'advantage' he's doing really well. He's already hit the game winning homerun. The season has not even officially started and we've already been to four games. That is a pretty big feat with three little girls. I'm almost as proud of that as I am of the homerun. ;)

One of the games he played recently was at America's oldest ball park. I got a great picture of the sign and the field, but unfortunately, no pictures of Shannon. Let's just pretend the older black man in the picture working on the field is Shannon rounding third.

Trip to Ark...

We made yet another flying trip to Arkansas a few weeks back to celebrate Caroline's bday. (our first trip since Christmas). We did a lot of hanging out at the house and not going anywhere. It was great.

Papaw as the bus driver....They kept calling him that. "Hey bus driver, go that way!"

Can you tell these kids love their aunt and uncle?

I love this picture of A and P. Neither of them knew I was taking it and it pretty much describes their sweet relationship. So fun to watch.

Caroline's big day

Caroline Grace turned one on April 6th!!! I cannot believe it has been a year already. She is such a big girl. Her favorite expression is the scrunched nose, big teeth smile and I love it! She's a very pleasant little girl who loves her sisters and Daddy, and Mommy. Most of the time has patience for all of our running around. BUT she has a squeal/shriek that can make your blood curl. It usually means one of two things. Either, 'my food on my tray is gone and I would like more please' or 'I'm sick of this car seat, get me out of here.' I have had to apologize the people on the other end of the line when I'm in the car on the phone b/c you cannot hear anything but the LONG drawn out scream!! I guess being the third girl, she's got to figure out some way to get our attention and THAT DOES IT! The other day I over heard Anabelle trying to help her out. She said, "Caroline, when you scream, it just takes longer to get your food." Boy does Caroline have lots of years ahead of her sisters giving advice. I guess she'll have to get used to it.

where to start....

I don't even know. We've had two birthdays, a quick trip west, baseball, visitors and much much more. It might take me a while to catch up, so I'll start small. Caroline was quietly eating lunch in her chair and I walk back in the room to find this mess. She's just so proud.