I'm Back

Hey everyone!  I am back to blogging with a fresh, new look and name to my blog!  I have been a little out of touch with my techie side for the last couple of months and haven't had the time to get online a whole lot.  I'll go ahead and blame it on the fact that I have been potty training not one but TWO princesses!  I am happy to report that they are both doing very well and Princess #2 has almost caught up with her sister in the potty training race.  I still have to pinch myself to wake up from this dream of not buying diapers in 2 weeks!

So here is a quick run down on what has been going on in this palace since the last time I blogged.  In May, we celebrated Princess #2's second birthday.  We officially have a terrible 2 and a trying 3 year old, which I think is absolutely terrific!  I'm really enjoying these ages and stages.  I love watching my girls develop their little personalities and learn so many new things! 

I can't think of anything super, significant that took place in June.  In July, we took a 3 week trip to Texas to visit my parents.  We had an amazing time with our family from Texas and New York!  The girls got to be with their cousins, Charlie and Levi, from Brooklyn, NY.  My times with my cousins are some of my favorite memories, so I am especially thankful that the princesses are able to make those same memories at Mimi and Poppy's house. 

August consisted of the wedding of Justin's cousin in Little Rock and a week long trip to Mimi and Poppy's house for the girls.  They had so much fun and I got my house organized! 

September was a fun month spent mostly at home enjoying my babies!  I also joined a MOPS group in Jonesboro and I am so enjoying meeting with other moms of preschoolers for support and encouragement in our mommying journeys!  My girls are loving it too!  If you have a child that's not in school yet, I highly encourage you to find your local group here and join! 

So far October has been a  beautiful month full of activities, and to top it all off we will be taking another trip to Texas the last week of this month!  I am officially "homesick" and need my mom.  These princesses are also having Mimi and Poppy withdrawals.

So basically we've just been living, loving, and learning life together.  I hope all of you are doing the same!  Remember to never take one day for granted.  Go kiss your spouse and babies before another minute goes by!  Love to all of you!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!  Hope everyone is having a fabulous week so far!  I know it is a busy week for many since Easter is on Sunday.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

Easter baskets and bunnies are FUN, but don't forget to be EXTRA grateful to Jesus for making the ULTIMATE sacrifice on the cross!

Today I am loving that our power is back on and that we are safe after the terrible storms yesterday.

Thankfully we didn't have any damage at our palace, but we are praying for those who did.

I am loving that this past weekend I was able to attend a ladies conference near Little Rock with the other ladies in my church.  We had a wonderful time and I can honestly say that I was changed after this conference.  The speaker was Rachel Coltharp and she did AMAZING!  It's unbelievable how God can speak right through a person and it is exactly what you need to hear!  You can read this great lady's blog right here.  I'm loving that I am adorned for Him!  Oh yeah and I'm loving my fantastic husband for watching the princesses while I was gone.  He did so great with them and even matched their clothes and hairbows.  I am a proud wife!

I'm also loving this amazing Boston butt that we bought from our church's fundraiser this weekend!  We paid $25 for it and it has already fed us three meals this week and I have a ton in the freezer for later!

We made it into BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, ate it in wraps, and over baked potatoes.  DELICIOUS!

I'm also loving my fenced in backyard this year!  AND the wooden swingset that will be sitting in it this weekend!  The girls and I have had a blast outside this year and I never have to worry about them running in the street!  So glad we moved!

Last but never least, I am loving my man and the princesses in the most impossible way!  How can it be that I am so blessed to have these three in my life?  So thankful!



What are you loving today?  Link up and let us know!

Life's Not Fair

Hello everyone!  I hope you all are having a fabulous week!  I did not get to do a What I'm Loving Wednesday post yesterday, but definitely look for one next week.  I've been busy enjoying this amazing Spring weather that we've been blessed with.  The princesses and I have been outside everyday for hours on end, which has been so special for them.  We are sick of being inside, for sure!

There is not a ton of new going on in this palace, but there are a few things.

Sadie is now talking better than ever.  She asked me, "Mommy, dressed?"  I said, "Yes, Mommy got dressed."  She touched my jacket and said, "Cute!!!"  How is it possible that my baby is turning two in exactly one month???

Emma magically acts and looks like she is 5, now that she had her 3rd birthday.  How is it that they automatically grow up a little more on their birthdays?

And in other exciting news!!!  My wonderful parents are up and moving to Orangefield, TX!  The have been elected to pastor the Orangefield United Pentecostal Church.  So after 5 years of traveling and evangelizing, they are excited to call Texas their new home.  We are super happy and excited for them in this new phase in their lives, and foresee many trips to Texas in our future.

I have had the honor of teaching princess #1 a new lesson in her young life, lately.  She watched her beloved Clifford movie a couple weeks ago and learned the phrase, "It's not fair!"  Oh and did I mention that she knows exactly how to use it too? 

"Mommy, can I have fruitsnacks?"  "No baby, we're about to eat supper."  "But, it's not fair!"

I give Sadie a cookie after dinner because she ate all of her food and Emma is still picking at her's so she can't have a cookie yet, and what do I hear?  "It's not fair!"

So my response is exactly what I was taught and that is, "Life's not fair!"

A little harsh for a 3 year old?  Maybe so, but if I make everything fair for the princesses their whole lives they are going to be in for a rude awakening.   Because no matter how equal things may seem, there will always be an unfair outcome for someone.

I could go into all the reasons that life hasn't been fair to me or to someone I love, but the list would never end!  As parents, we have to learn that life will not be kind to our kids at all times.  I don't claim to know one bit about parenting, as I have only been a parent for 3 short years.  I was, however, raised by pretty awesome parents.  Who, by the way, give fantastic parenting advice if you need any!  They have been experts at teaching my brothers and I that life is not going to always go the way you plan or want it to, but in order to be blessed with something better or more you must always give thanks for the little that you do have. 

Although, I don't necessarily enjoy this part of parenting where I have to differentiate at times.  It is teaching them and me amazing lessons that I know my kids will appreciate me for later.  So for now, princess #1 will have to just deal with the fact that, "Life's Not Fair!"

But aren't you glad for the amazing blessings that we DO have!  Be thankful on this Thursday!

I'm especially thankful for the three most amazing people in my life today!

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  1 Thessalonians 5:18

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Hope everyone is enjoying their Wednesday!  We have had a fun day of playing with all of Princess #1's birthday gifts today.  Emma Grace had a wonderful 3rd birthday yesterday and we are so very thankful for her!

Today I am loving that Emma Grace had a fun birthday party at Chick Fil A yesterday!

I'm also loving this vanilla cupcake body lotion and body wash that my sweet pastor's wife bought me for my birthday!  It smells just like cupcakes and I literally want to eat it, but I will refrain!

I'm loving my new Karen Kingsbury book, Leaving!  Sooo good!  If you have not read any of her books, READ them!  They are awesome.

I am also LOVING that I have officially lost 15.2 pounds this week!  Weight Watchers and going to the gym work!

The thing that I am loving most this week is my wonderful mom!

My mom just left today after being around for a couple weeks and I am going to miss her big time.  She has been a huge help around here!  I love you, Mom!

As always I am totally loving my three favorite people!

What are you all loving on this gorgeous Wednesday?  Link up here and let us know!

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday, Princess #1

Hey everyone!  I have arrived back in the blogosphere, after a week and a half break.  My mom brought the princesses home, and it seems like we haven't stopped going since they arrived back last Tuesday. 

I am back just in time to wish princess #1, my Emma Grace, a very happy 3rd birthday!  I cannot believe it's been 3 WHOLE years since the wonderful day that Emma "Graced" us with her presence.  Time flies when we're enjoying the wonderful blessings that God gives us.

I love you so very much Emma Gracie.  You are the light of our lives and I can't imagine life without our beautiful tornado/princess.  You storm through life with excitement, dramatics, and happiness.  God has amazing things in store for you and I love watching you grow up.

Enjoy these photos of Emma's magical life so far...

My baby doll...only a few hours old

Daddy's girl...

Emma Gracie and her boys, Char and Pebi...

First Christmas...

One of Emma's many hilarious expressions...

First birthday portrait...our little ballerina...

2nd birthday...

The best big sissy in the world...

Cousins...and best friends...

Emma Grace with her Mimi and Poppy, sister, and cousins...

Mrs. Incredible...

Loving on her Sadie Rose...

Building her first snow man with daddy and Sadie...

Hope you all enjoyed this sweet picture journey of Emma's first three years of life!  Have a great week!

24 Will Be Fabulous...

Hope everyone is having an amazing weekend so far!  My weekend has been extra wonderful and it's not over yet!  For those who don't  know, it is my birthday weekend.  I will reach the whopping age of 24 tomorrow!

So I'm going to tell you guys what I've done so far this weekend and what I have plans to do!

My sweet mom took the princesses home with her on Thursday and they are gone until Tuesday.  I miss them a million times over, but I am loving having some date time with my hubby.  So once the princesses left, my sis-in-law, Loren, and I went and got pedis.  Mine was fantastic!  I had extra birthday money from my mom and dad and my Mamaw, so I spoiled myself with the super deluxe pedi from Diva Nails.  Let me tell ya if you have about 2 hours and extra money, I highly encourage you to go and get one.  AMAZINGLY relaxing! 

I also went shopping and bought some much needed summer and spring clothes.  It's honestly just been nice to spend money on myself!  A little selfish?  Maybe...but I'm enjoying it! HA!

The highlight to my day on Friday was having lunch by myself at San Francisco Bread Co.  I know I am a loser!  But I seriously love those rare lunches alone where I can just think and people watch.  It's peaceful!

So today is actually the day before my birthday, but since we will be busy with church all day tomorrow we celebrated today!  First, Justin went shopping for me this morning.  He came home with a gorgeous Kathy van Zealand purse from Dillards.  If you have never felt her purses, you owe it to yourself to just go in Dillards and touch one.  The SOFTEST leather ever!  I'm in love!  However, he didn't just buy a purse.  He stuffed it with a beautiful blouse and cute flip flops and the Karen Kingsbury book that I have been wanting.  Oh and he didn't forget a card!  It was the sweetest card from him and the princesses.

I'm super proud of him!  He did awesome!

Tonight my man took me out to Outback for a yummy steak!  Next, we went and browsed at Barnes and Noble.  The perfect end to my birthday date was a trip to Cracker Barrel to enjoy my favorite dessert, the apple dumpling.  Such a fun night out with my sweetie!

Tomorrow I will turn 24 and I will spend my day in the best place I can think of.  I will be with the people I love at church!  That just sounds like an incredible start to 24!  24 will be fabulous!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

Today I'm loving listening to Francesca Battistelli's new album!

I seriously feel like she wrote her songs about me!  They speak to me so much!  Check her out, she's awesome!

I'm also loving this wonderful new snack that me and the princesses found at Sam's Club!

Try them they're so yummy!

I'm loving that my husband is such a fun and good daddy to the princesses!

Check out these pictures of him teaching them how to play teaball.  Can you say ADORABLE?!

I'm also loving these beyond cute dresses I bought for the princesses to wear on Emma Grace's birthday next month!  I can't believe my princess will be 3!!!

Oh and what I am loving most today is that my girls Mimi and my mom and bestfriend is COMING today!!!

Emma and Sadie are on the edge of their seats with excitement!!!

What are you all loving today?  Link up here and let us know!