Big Girl Bed for Meredith

Meredith has been begging for a big girl bed for some time now...some days she even requests a bunk bed. 

Richard and I have talked about whether we actually want to get a bunk bed, but we haven't come to any decision as of late. 

I do know that we had a guest bed hanging out all alone without any regular use.  And although I like the idea of having an option, having it take up space for a once a year guest wasn't ideal.

So on one of these rainy days this week, I had the kids help me clear out Meredith's room, take down her crib/toddler bed, and move the guest bed into Meredith's room. 

She was overjoyed with the new change!  (Sorry, I didn't pick up for you!  Imagine a clutter free room!)

I had picked up a quilt on clearance at Tar-jay a few months ago that was adorable and it was $7 (hello! i couldn't leave it in the store!)

And Mere was in love with the flowers when I showed it to her.

She tested out...

and she was satisfied! 

Here's to a good nights sleep! 

Disclaimer:  If you ever intend on being a guest, we have a couch that sleeps wonderfully and a newly purchased (also clearance!) air mattress.  But who knows, we may end up buying a replacement mattress or even a bunk bed! 

Birthday Bunny!

Since my Mere was sick on her actual birthday weekend, we didn't get a chance to celebrate properly. 

She insisted that her birthday was not over until we gave her a cake. 

And at her request, she wanted a bunny cake. 

I knew that I wanted to make her a cake similar to what my grandmother made for me when I was growing up.  I have always had a thing for bunnies.

The cake was in 3-D, with a body made out of a circular cake cut in half.

Coconut as the fir of course. 

And there are few things better than coconut.

I didn't really think this though before hand.

But I decided to make my mom's award winning coconut cake as the cake form.

I really wish I could have discussed this with her beforehand. 

I forgot that her cake (that has coconut milk drizzled over the top) would become super moist and would not stand very well. 

So although the bunny was not able to defy gravity, it tasted amazing!

And with her 3-year-old mind, she thought it looked amazing too!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Meredith!

We actually gave her gifts to her last Saturday.

Have you ever seen a kid so excited over a kite?

Most definately the best $1 I have ever spent. 

She adored Lucas' kite and wanted one all her own. 

And of course, the weather was perfect for flying a kite!

She couldn't have been happier with her birthday celebration!

Good Friday

I grew up in a Christian home.
And in all my 29 years, I had never known of a Good Friday service taking place. 
Service was always a celebration - a traditional Sunday celebration of Easter.
But our church was offering an evening Good Friday service. 
So tonight, for the first time, my husband and I attended a Good Friday service. 
We had no idea what to expect, as today is such an important day in history. 

It is observance of the day that our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross...to forgive us for our sins and provide salvation.

So should we hear a regular sermon?  Would there be a special presentation? 
What does one do in remembrance of such a life-altering day in history?

Everything was perfect. 
We sang a mixture of old hymns and contemporary music, remembering the Cross. 
We reread the moments leading up to the Crucifixion. 
We took The Lord's Supper in remembrance. 

And although, we did not sing this particular hymn, my thoughts were brought to my mother's favorite hymn.  How Great Thou Art. 
She would sing this out of the blue.  Or often humming the tune while doing housework.

My thoughts are with her today as she finally has met the Great and Glorious God.  And she is spending her days continuing to praise him.

I will share with you, Carrie's version of this beautiful song on this Good Friday.

"And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee"

Whose Birthday??

How was your weekend?  Mine was pretty uneventful....

My Mere woke up on Thursday running a fever.  She was pretty awful, and I prayed she would miraculously recover because Friday was her birthday. 

She decided that sleeping off her illness was way more important than any celebration this year, so we celebrated with lots of ibuprofen and napping. 

The cool thing about a little one being sick is that she wants lots of snuggles (which means I get to nap when she naps).

The uncool thing about a little one being sick is that it is exhausting giving lots of snuggles.  
I know you won't believe me until you actually do it. 

Lucas did convience her to put candles in a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich (that she did not eat), so he and I sang "Happy Birthday" to her at least.

Since I was hoping for her to recover, we decided to hold off on sharing our own presents with her until she was feeling better.

My love bug finally recovered and is back to herself.  And she has not forgotten that we did not celebrate her birthday.  

But she is officially three, celebration or not.  Although she fully expects us to celebrate soon. 

Random Singing Videos

We play music around these parts alot!  So someone is always singing something, even if it is out of tune. 

I hope you enjoy!!

I have posted three videos of the kiddos singing....

"Old McDonald"

"I'm a little Teapot"

A make-your-own-version of "Jesus loves me"
Please excuse the last video, as it is really just audio.
The kiddos were singing in the car at nightime.

I think I have the next American idols!

Time

For a while now, I have been wasting  spending time reading other blogs instead of updating my own. 
My heart wasn't in updating or keeping a blog anymore. 
I had reached a point where I wasn't doing it for ME.
I was only wanting to do it if someone was reading....

And sure, someone is reading this.  I know I have at least five family members that check daily to see if there are updates with the kids and their latest adventures.

 Because that is all anyone really cares about anyways...the cute faces and the stories. 

But my heart still wasn't there.  I felt like it was a chore I wanted to ignore.  I wasn't seeing it as a cathartic experience any longer. 

I tried for a while to force posts.  But eventually I gave into the blog vortex of crafting and organizing....until my eyes glazed over from people who posted photos of what their junk drawer looked like after they had reorganized. 

Really, what had I become that I sat and looked at this stuff like it was interesting?
And why do people waste their time taking photos of putting pens and keys and batteries in a basket to share?

It was only then that I realized I had to stop.  I had to evaulate what I was doing, because I wasn't spending time anymore. 

I really was wasting time. If I wasn't going to be on my on blog, then I needed to be doing something more constructive.

I really have so much stuff I want to share, but I cannot bring myself to do it because I am bogged down with myself. 

I had to find balance.

So I cleansed myself. 

I prayed.
I read...
I drank.

and I prayed some more. 

And somehow, I have reached a point where I feel peaceful. 
Where in my heart, I need to continue on with this blog instead of abandoning it....which was my intention about a month ago.

But I will continue with it as I see fit, and I can do so without worrying about who is reading. 
And if you are reading, well that is pretty cool too!