Very Appropriate for This Week

I have a feeling that a lot of moms (probably even all moms) feel like this from time to time!  Have a blessed weekend not getting everything done!

A Much Deserved Celebration!

Everything Dad
A little girl needs her daddy
To love her with manly charm,
To soothe her when she's hurt,
And keep her safe from harm.

A girl needs her dad
To show her a man who's good,
To help her make right choices,
As only a father could.

A woman needs her father
Just to be aware,
He'll always be there for her
To sustain her and to care.

You've been all these things, Dad.
I hope that you can see
How much I treasure you;
You mean everything to me.
- Joanna Fuchs

All of you girls and women out there are thinking, "Amen!"  Girls and women need their fathers!!  My girls and I are fortunate to have many great men in our lives.  We celebrated our (much deserving) Daddy, Papa, and Pal (from afar) this weekend!

On Saturday, we started off our celebration celebrating Papa at (appropriately) "Papa's lake!"

Living the sweet life!



Eliza went on her very first boat ride!

Catching a few rays.

Maggie is getting a lot more comfortable in the water...thanks to Guppies!

Kerri Grace would rather stick to what she knows...the baby pool!

Eliza and Uncle B's first Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the Best Dad and Papa!

We headed back home Saturday night so that we could focus on Daddy the next day.  We started off the day with a card and "Maggie and Mommy's Famous Ham and Cheese Omelet."  

No. 1 Dad, Indeed!

Maggie loves very few things more than making a surprise meal for Daddy!

 After our bellies were full, we headed off to church!

Daddy and His "Daddy's Girls."

After church, we went out to eat with our sweet friends, the Fowlers.  We stuffed ourselves with great Mexican food.

The kiddos inappropriately waiting at the bar.

So, what do you need after church and a heavy lunch?  Naps!  I really think that was what Daddy enjoyed the most about his Father's Day.  Can't say I blame him!

After naps and rest time, we headed downtown for dinner and icecream!

Hand-in-Hand

Pretty girls at Falls Park!

Enjoying sharing a drink...too cute!

Yummy!

Silly Gooses!

Happy Father's Day to Our Favorite Daddy, Papa, and Pal!

We Love You!

Due Date

Friday was the day, and much to my sweet surprise, I felt very much at peace and joyful.  Thank you, Lord!  Of course, it helped that we had a very full day.... just a reminder of how full and blessed our lives really are. 

We went to the Pavilion to enjoy a "Fun Friday" with our school friends!

Sweet Little Gals

Fearless.....I love it!

Weeee!

Can you tell that KG isn't too sure about this train business?!

Best Friends!

After we had a super fun playdate, we went and ate lunch with Daddy at the mall.  Little did I know that my sweet man had sent me beautiful flowers that were waiting for me at home!  Sometimes I just have to acknowledge the fact that he is too good to be true.  This was definitely one of those times!  Love Him! 

Beautiful!

Yes, so thankful for our family, here and above!

After lunch, the girls and I rushed home to pack up and head to the lake!  Whew!  Fun times!  So thankful for the peace that the Lord provides and the fun that friends and family provide!!!

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Ps 147:3)

 

Stay tuned....our Father's Day Weekend Extravagenza will be posted soon!

Hakuna Matata!

This past Thursday evening, the adult girls went out for Tay's birthday!  We went to Soby's which is always scrumptious!  We sat outside, and (although I love having the little ones around) it was so nice to be able to talk without the distractions of fixing plates for the girls, taking potty breaks, etc.  I know that Taylor enjoyed the time without bottles, diapers, bouncing....and the list goes on.  Mimi was just as excited to have a quieter evening!  It is such a treat that we all live in the same town!

Shrimp and Grits, Fried Chicken, and Crab Cakes....Yum!

After stuffing ourselves with delicious food and good conversation, we walked across the street to the Peace Center.  We enjoyed a wonderful production of the Lion King! A-ma-zing! 

The singing, music, costumes, and dancing was absolutely fantastic!! 

Happy Birthday to a Sweet and Special Friend and Sister!

We Love You, Tay!

While we were out having a great time, the girls had a fun date with a few of their favorite men!  Pal, Papa, and Daddy took the girls out to get pizza.  They even enjoyed a friendly contest on the race car video games!  So fun!

Maggie and Kerri Grace got all dolled up for their handsome dates!



June

Well, it's here.  June.  The month I have been dreading as much as I dreaded November.  My first glory baby was due on November 30th.  My second was due on June 15th.  The ultrasound that showed our first baby had passed away was last June 27th and my d&e was June 29th.  Yikes.  The anticipation of the next couple of weeks will probably be harder than the actual days.  Grief is so weird.  I wish I knew how to do it well.  All I can do is cling to the Word....
 
"So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." -2 Cor.4:18

I have hope in the things unseen, and for that I am so, so thankful.  I am so glad that my two babies are living in "the unseen" right now with their Savior!  Hallelujah!

Feeling Like a Natural Woman!

Admittingly, I have never been supportive of going all natural into public.  In fact, if I'm honest, I really wish Matt didn't even have to wake up to my freckled, blonde eyelashed self in the mornings.  (Although he thinks I'm beautiful which is one of the many reasons I married my fantastic man. =)) 

Recently, however, I have been discovering more and more of my natural side.....in the food department!  And, much to my sweet surprise, my girls have also developed a taste for the less processed food approach as well.  Hooray! 

Here is what I have done so far....

I have replaced all of my girls' "staples" with a healthier version.

They love the natural peanut butter and jelly!

My girls LOVE these pancakes which are made out of mostly eggs and cottage cheese...yes, cottage cheese! 
*See below for recipe!

Maggie was pretty excited!

These chips are A-Mazing!  And, look at all of those wholesome ingredients!  Yum!
(I have to limit Maggie's intake of these due to the flax...she loves them that much!)

I have finally found a multivitamin that my girls will take...in fact, they beg for it!

We have also been trying to introduce (and reintroduce) more and more fresh fruits and vegetables!  Tonight we will be having a roast and fresh veggies from Grandaddy Hill's garden.  Thanks to the Hills and to Nana Sue for all of her picking efforts! 

*French Cheese Pancakes:


For each serving (which is about 4 pancakes) mix together:
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup cottage cheese (regular or reduced fat)
1/4 cup flour
1 T. melted butter (or more if desired)
(I add a little bit of flax to mine.)


Whisk or mix ingredients together. Drop by 1/4 cup fulls onto a pre-heated griddle and cook like pancakes, turning once after surface begins to bubble.


Serve with warm syrup ( I have started using natural syrup...yum!), or sprinkle with powdered sugar and add a fresh fruit topping. Enjoy!




Please help me out by posting your family's favorite healthy recipe!  Happy "Natural" Tuesday!