This and That

Our weeks are flying by around here. I seriously can't believe how quickly Friday comes every week. I really have to be intentional about mentally slowing down during the day, and trying to live in the moment. Because there are so many moments during the day that need to be enjoyed and remembered. Those moments are what make the day so sweet. 

Like these...

I finally re-covered our dining room chairs and painted the cane back. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time. The kids seriously destroyed the old fabric with food, spills, paint, markers... destroyed. I love my new fabric, and I may or may not be crazy strict about the kids eating on them. :)

We moved Max's crib into Bella's room, and Bella has been sleeping on the top bunk in Jack's room. We've been trying to have Jack and Max share a room for oh... 9 months now. It just wasn't working. Max kept waking Jack up. Max was capable of putting himself back to sleep in the middle of the night, but during that process, he was waking Jack up, and then Jack would get up and come to our room, and then Max would see him leave, and then Max would get hysterical, and then the whole house would be partying at 2am every morning. :) Awful. Not cool. What did we learn? Give the baby their own room. Whatever you have to do to make that happen, just do it. It's worth it. Max was sleeping 12 hours through the night after one night of sleeping in a room by himself. There are just no words for how happy this makes me.

I am taking a break from Facebook and Instagram. I think sometimes we all can get to a point where we just need a technology break... whatever that may look like. With our days being so busy, and our weeks flying by, I want to quiet my spirit. I want to listen to... silence. I want to watch... nothing. I want to be still and respond to the Holy Spirit. And that's super hard sometimes, am I right? We have too much to do. I could fill every minute of the day with something on my to-do list. So that means, something has to give.

Be still and know that I am God. 

Psalm 46:10

Homeschooling is going great. It's amazing how much Bella and I have both learned in the past month. We would not be where we are without the support and advice of two sweet friends, Kate and Holly. They are two friends who also homeschool, and they have helped me stay balanced. I've learned that I have the tendency to push too hard... to the point of frustration and past the point of productiveness. I have really high expectations, but I didn't know when to say 'enough for today'. Once I CHILLED OUT :), and relaxed, our school days have been so much better. Bella is enjoying it, and big announcement... She has started to read! Holly and my mom told me that teaching your child to read is the coolest experience. They were right. It was truly incredible watching her piece everything together in her mind each day, and then one day all the pieces just fell into place. I put her first reader in front of her, and she began to read it. 

Very. Proud. Moment.

And just because I like to keep it real... here is some evidence that it's still crazy, and at times, down right out of control around here. :)

the never ending pile of laundry

a third of a bag of cheerios. dumped on the floor.

this happens on a daily basis. 

Jack's 3rd Birthday

Jack turned three on Monday, and we celebrated with family and horses. :-) We had A-mazing weather... I was so thankful for that. Cousins rode horses, the adults walked and talked... great times were had by all. It was the most laid back birthday party, and I loved it.

I was talking with a friend this week about when Jack's love of horses began. I can't even remember. He has just always loved horses. Since he was a baby, he has been out to the stables watching Bella ride, and he was on a horse by the time he was one. I love that he loves part of God's creation so passionately.

This year for his birthday he got horse books (he has memorized the names of dozens of horses), chaps, new boots, rifle, play horses... it just doesn't get old to him! He had a great birthday (we missed the family that couldn't be with us), and we are so proud of our little boy. Happy Birthday Jack!

Erika Knox Photography

1st Week of September

The first week of September was a busy one. This post is basically just pictures, and if you follow me on Instagram, you will see a lot of doubles. :) 

Speaking of busy, this little guy invented the word.

Serious cuteness happening here.

Great Gran and Max. I LOVE this picture!

On Tuesday, Jack had his first day of Mother's Day Out/Preschool. We met his teacher last week, and he cried when I told him we were going to meet her, cried in the car on the way, and cried when he finally did meet her. Sigh. By some miracle (and lots of prayer), he did not cry when I dropped him off his first day. However, he cried when I picked him up. Poor guy. I think he was just really tired and didn't realize how long he would be staying there. He is used to being in Sunday school for an hour and a half.

On Wednesday, it was my birthday. :) Last weekend, we celebrated with my family, and this weekend we will celebrate with Mark's family. So, the actual day was pretty normal routine. It was actually a rough day if I'm going to be honest. Really rough school day. (Every week I'm making adjustments to our school, so I'll do an update post soon). But, the day did end with cake. Mark got his mom's mad cake making skills... he made me a triple layer chocolate cake. Yum! Everything is better when there's cake. :) There's 32 candles there. :)

My sweet lifelong friend, Kate, took me out for my birthday the next day and SPOILED me! Massage, jewelry, dinner... Oh my. I so needed her company. Thank you dearest friend.

New bangles!

I also got this in the mail from my sweet sister-in-law and brother. A necklace with Exodus 14:14 on it. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.

How awesome is it to wear that verse around your neck everyday?! Love it.

Thursday, Bella had her first day at Science, Etc. I don't think I've mentioned this before. Through a friend, I heard about this school. It is a school that supports homeschool families by offering a variety of subjects/classes for all different ages. I had been looking for something like this for Bella. One of my biggest worries about homeschooling her was not having a place for her to be around others kids. She loves socializing! :) So, this was a major answer to prayer! She is taking science and art.

Petting a giant spotted gecko. Completely up her alley!

Here are the kids boycotting their nap one day this week. So, we headed to Sonic for happy hour half-price slushes.

Friday, Mark and I got to go on a DATE! Yay yay yay! We really needed this. My parents took all three kids overnight (that's clutch), and we went out for sushi.

I got to get dressed up a bit. I love this skirt. Target clearance. I think you've seen it all throughout this post. It's so versatile. Love it.

My handsome husband

So happy to be on a date

Our plan was to go see a 10 pm movie after dinner. We were too tired. We are so old. We decided to get an awesome full night of sleep instead and get up early to run in the wonderful 60 degree temperatures. Mine was more of a jog for 30 minutes :), but Mark put in 8.5 miles. What a hoss.

So that was our week! This next week, we will add BSF to our schedule. I am so looking forward to this study. Have an awesome weekend with this gorgeous weather!!!