All Dressed Up!

Last night, Steve and I had the opportunity to go to a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. We had a fantastic time. It was fun getting all decked out - the most dressed up we've been since our wedding! My heels were 4 1/4 inches tall...holy moly. Good thing I brought some silver slipper shoes to change into - saved my feet on the dance floor for sure. It was fun being 5' 6 3/4 " tall for awhile :).

Our Pretty Girl

Pretty in Pink! Saela's favorite colors are now pink and white (from previously being yellow.) I told her that we can paint her room when she turns seven - I figure by then she will have settled on a tried and true favorite. Her favorite pastime is coloring - before school, after school, trying to sneak in a bit during dinner...she loves it. I can just hardly believe that she is almost five. Love my baby girl!

Our Buddy

So, Asher is pooping on the potty about 75% of the time now. This morning, he got up, took off his footie pajamas and his diaper, pooped on the potty and then came and got us - thankfully before he sat on anything. He actually tells us most of the time when he has to go now. We love that we are almost out of diapers - almost:

~

This afternoon he pooped in his diaper while he was upstairs playing with Saela. I said, "How come you pooped in your diaper and not on the potty?" He said, "I'm busy today." He seriously has an answer for everything and it cracks me up!

Eight Years Ago Today

...in Charleston, SC

Steve asked me to marry him...

...thereby making me a very lucky girl.

Love you Babe!

The Most Important Thing I Did on Superbowl Sunday 2012

...had nothing to with football

...but everything to do with my eternal life.

I got baptized.

~

I was baptized as an infant, yes. I did not accept Jesus Christ as my savior, however, until June 9, 2002. About six months ago, Steve and I went to a meeting at our church to learn about the church etc. We had to fill out a form that asked if we had been baptized and then it also asked if we had been baptized after accepting Christ as our Savior. I, obviously, could not check that second box and since that meeting - it has been at the back of my head as something that I need to do. Each week I have thought about it - but there was always something holding me back - perhaps just the public nature of the event itself. Yesterday, our Pastor concluded his lecture sermon on the "end times." When he asked "are you ready?" - I knew I had to do it. The church was having a special baptism service at 4 pm and I decided - "today IS THE day." So, I nervously went to the new life class and then with Steve, Saela and Asher watching, I was publicly baptized.

~

I can now peacefully say that when He comes, I AM ready.

So I Won't Forget...

...the things they say!

Recently:

Saela: "Mom, you smell good."

Me: "Thank you."

Saela: "You smell like markers."

Saela: "What kind of soap do you use?"

Me: "Mostly Irish Spring"

Saela: "What color is it?"

Me: "Sometimes blue and sometimes green.:

Saela: Well, it smells like markers.

Asher: "I booed ow ma bud."

Me: "What?"

Asher: "I booed ow ma bud."

cue some toots

Me: "You tooted?"

Asher: "No, I booed ow ma bud."

Me: "You farted?"

Asher: more forcefully "No, I booed ow ma bud."

Me: "You burped out of your butt"

Asher: huge grin "Yeasssss."

Cue roll on the floor laughter.

Family

Only after adding 4/5 of these pictures, did I realize that they do not go in chronological order as I would prefer. The last picture, in my eyes, should be the first and vice versa. In an effort to be a tad less anal or just extremely lazy - I am going to leave them 'as is' and we will start from the most recent and proceed 'backwards' from there... I'll let the reader decide if I am making progress on my desire to be a little less structured or if, in fact, I am being lazy!

Grandma and Grandpa Green were just here, in fact just left this morning, to graciously watch our children while Steve and I took a much needed R&R vacation to Jamaica. Ya Mon. Our vacation was awesome and I know the kids delighted in spending time with their grandparents coloring, telling stories, playing outside etc. while we were gone.

Over the last few months Uncle David has been stationed in Kentucky for the army. We have been very blessed to see him a number of times and for the kids to spend extra time getting to know him as Steve was able to do with his niece and nephews a number of years ago. David is getting ready for another deployment overseas and we wish him God's Blessings for his journey and safe return. We also owe him and all of our service men and women gratitude for their work and sacrifice that allow us our many freedoms.

The Chefs at work. Saela and Grandpa Ellwein bonded on Christmas Day while she helped him stuff the turkey. Good thing too - because my stomach cannot handle the raw meat when it's still attached to the bird. They both did a superb job and we had a wonderful meal! This was the second year in a row that Grandpa Ellwein was able to spend the holiday with us and we enjoyed every minute. We are already looking forward to next year :)!

...and to finish off our 'backwards' journey Grandma and Grandpa T were able to visit us shortly before Christmas this year for a long weekend visit. Long weekends, in my opinion, aren't ever "long enough." I think long weekends should be about 72 days long. I am being serious. We had a wonderful time hanging out and having the opportunity to enjoy the season together - always great no matter how long or short the time.