Daddy's visit!

Well, hopefully, prayerfully, PLEASE dear Lord I beg of you, this was Nat's last visit. We kinda thought we would be closing on the house on the 29th... but... I've heard buying a house is crazy insane and things dont usually go as planned. We were still pretty bummed when we heard that things weren't going as we had thought. It makes matters a little worse that our family is split up and has been for 3 months and that my poor dear husband has been having to live all alone in a motel for 3 months and hasn't had a home cooked meal, or anyone to wash his clothes for him in 3 months. We have done a lot of back and forth this week with the realtor and loan officer and supposedly things are getting underway and we will probably be closing next week on the house... and if that changes again, I will not be a very happy or nice lady.

ANYWAYS... so I had a fun filled time planned for us this time around. I always try to have something excited for us planned when Nat comes. All 3 of the kids took really good to Nat. I always worry about that. Mostly just Madelynn, but she did awesome this time around.

We went to the pumpkin patch, where the girls (mostly Madelynn) were pretty tired and fussy. They both pretty much were whiney unless they were being held. After awhile they both warmed up and had a good time.

It is simply IMPOSSIBLE to get a good picture of all 3 of them.

Pretty girl.

Madelynn's oh so lovely white pumpkin that SHE picked out.

The zoo... Where the weather could not have been any better! There was hardly any people there and the girls had a blast.

feeding the giraffes.

ok... so I win white trash award of the year. We totally forgot Payton's shoes at home and didn't realize it until we got to the zoo and went to put her shoes on her. This trip was 85% just for her (cuz she is REALLY into animals right now) so I wasn't about to make her sit in the stroller and not be able to get out and explore. So fortunately, I did have an extra pair of socks that I always carry in the diaper bag so she totally walked around in SOCKS!! It was funny, and ridiculous all at the same time. Oh well.. one of those things we'll always remember.

Nothing brings joy to my heart than to see my kids happy, smiling, and having the time of their lives.

and oh my soul... this girl. This precious little 2 year old girl. The girl, who 2 years ago stole my heart and made my dreams come true. This girl whom drives me absolutely INSANE and then 2 seconds later has her arms wrapped around my neck telling me she loves me. THIS picture... describes THIS girl so well. It goes a little something like this: "Madelynn hold momma's hand" .. "NO... I hold my own hand"... and so goes my little angel walking around the zoo, holding her own precious little hand. Strong willed?? Slighly. Stubborn??? Slightly. Adorable?? YEP.

A fall festival.

after playing many games, and having many melt downs over wanting a scuker and not getting one, she finally got one. and her face tells you all about it.

Payton listening to the guitar. The girls got an ear for music. We all walked away and realized she wasn't following us and turned around to see her dancing to the music. It was so sweet.

mister is just as happy as can be in someone arms.

Nat and I carved our pumkins, and Madelynn painted her pretty white one.

Our little pumpkin family. :)

Madelynn and Micalea dressed as 80's girls.

Wow, that was long!! So sorry, but if your still here THANKS for reading my blog and THANKS for your feedback. I appreciate each and every little comment I get about it. I LOVE to write and I LOVE my kids... so put the 2 together and I LOVE to blog about my kids. Through the ups and downs... Gotta remember all of it.

I'll keep ya updated on the house business. Looks like I'll just be on my toes this week waiting for that phone call that says to come sign your life away.

Play time!

Although it IS October now... and technically we should maybe be wearing a light jacket. We have still enjoyed the cooler weather... still in tank tops and shorts of course. I know, I know, we (I) complain that its 110 degrees outside in the summer, and when God finally blesses us with 80 degree weather, we (I) just keep on complainin. (Lord forgive me, and THANK YOU for the cooler weather.)

We have enjoyed going outside and playing in the mornings. I would love to take them on a walk and get some exercise, but I have yet to figure out how to push a double stroller and a single stroller. Hello triple stroller??? No thanks.

Madelynn did her own make-up. Isn't it just lovely??

Chalkin. That is a (lovely) picture of me... don't I look fantastic?? Nice and thin.

Little girl was sittin in the car eatin chalk.

Picture just doesn't do the make up justice. The concealer perfectly lined her eyebrow.

My little mister has been needing more, wanting more, he's ready to explore the world. So our first step to discovering the world is something to look at.

He really, REALLY enjoyed this little play mat. Neither of the girls really cared to much about laying under one of these things so I never really used the one I had, so I got rid of it. Stetson really likes to be held, so for him to lay under here and look at everything, and talk, and smile is kinda a big deal for him. Well worth going out and buying one!

Oh my sakes alive!!! I know I carried this guy for 34 1/2 weeks and I gave birth to him after 2 weeks of bedrest and almost losing my life for him.... and I know he is a part of me forever and for always but YOU cannot tell me he isn't just about the most adorable, precious little piece of baby boy you ever saw???

mmhhhh... I mean look at those long, dark eyelashes, and those eyes just pierce my heart and make it melt. I said it once, and I'll say it again, I feel sorry for this boys wife.

Everyone has been saying he looks like Nat... and I just honestly don't see it. I dont think he looks like me either... but I just cannot figure out who he is... until this picture:

Hello Nat!! I will admit tho, he does have my eyes on Nat's face.

So here we have it-

Madelynn- all me. with Nat's body structure.

Payton- all Nat. with my body structure

Stetson- Nat with my eyes... not sure about a body structure yet.

ok, so maybe I'm weird for caring?? Its just fun to me. Like the pupmkin jammies.

Pumpkin Butts.

We bought this little pumpkin outfit back when I was pregnant with Madelynn... and its one of those things that we've been able to pass down to all the kids.

Madelynn- 3 months

Payton- 2 months

Stetson- 2 1/2 months

I know, I know, I'm silly about this kinda stuff. But I just think its fun to see that all 3 kids have worn it. Sadly, this will be the first and only time Stetson will be able to wear it. Looks like I waited a little to long to pull it out for him and his little toes are all crunched up in there. If my memory serves me right I believe that we had the same exact issue with Payton girl. Madelynn on the other hand wore it a month before pumpkin season... and a month after. Not to mention she is about a month older than the other 2 in the pictures.

Anyways... On a more serious note, Just wanted to ask for prayers. I am feeling pretty overwhelmed right now... to say the least.

Pictures

I love pictures, in case you couldn't tell. To me, pictures capture so much that in years could be forgotten. I love even now with my girls, looking back and feeling that special feeling from the time a picture was taken. I very often look back at all my pictures and just close my eyes and remember that special day. That trip to the pumpkin patch, the day my babies were born, First birthdays. I NEVER wanna forget these special times in my life. When my kids grow up, I want them to have more than enough pictures to look back on. I want to hold onto my life right now, in 20 years when my kids are creating their own lives. You might think I'm goofy for being so passionate about pictures, or maybe you know that feeling that I am talking about. If I had a lot of money, time, and extra energy, I would LOVE to get into photography. I would love to capture this "feeling" for other people. I would love to bring joy to other people like it brings me. I would love to capture MORE pictures of my beautiful family. Unfortunately, I don't have all that right now, so I am glad for special people in this world who do. One of them being Nat's cousin, Carrie. She is such a great photographer and has been capturing our lives since Madelynn was 2 weeks old! Better late than never, we had needed to get some "newborn" (although I wouldn't consider him one anymore) photos of Stetson. Plus the girls "2" and "1" pictures. I wish I could sit here and upload all of the pictures, these are just a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

I really wanted to get some of Payton with her special blankie, cuz thats one of those things you'll never wanna forget.

and of corse, pictures just wouldn't be normal without Payton having bruises or scratches all over her face