bits and bites....

YUMmmmmmm don't cha just LOVE those things?!

Anyways, what's it been? A week since I've updated this blog? I'm slacking!!! Nah, I've had photo shoot after photo shoot...and 3 more to go this week!

Anyways things are going well here! Getting prepared (mentally) for our drive back home in a week today!!!

I wanted to add a few pics...just some bits and bites throughout the day!!! ENJOY!

Matthijs' hair is a tad on the long side! Not too bad, but long enough to SPIKE his hair...doesn't he just look like a little man in these pictures!!! No wonder why I call him handsome more often than calling him by his own name....




My bestest girlfriend...KRYSTA!!! She knows me WAY too well to put together a surprise like this! I love her!! Thanks Krysta!!!!! I love it all way too much! Guess there's NO CHANCE in quitting the kickboxing eh?! THINK PINK!!And she also knows about my "not so secret" love affair with MICHAEL...I mean MICHAELS


Yeah, yeah...even though my favorite chip is DILL PICKLE...I do share with my cuties!!!



And just because you don't see near enough of him....
Matthew trying hard not to look happy :)

my kiddies....

My goodness I love em'
This was us playing outside yesterday....
I LOVE how their personalities SHINE THROUGH....

not to complain but....

My house is a mess,
I look like a FRUMP,
I have no clothes for this new season that fit me
and
have no time to myself....

in other (more happier news)

I have an awesome husband,
three healthy, amazing & sweet kids,
a wonderful family,
the bestest friends,
beautiful home...
and to top it all off GOD IS GOOD.....PERIOD!!!

So I'm just remembering the words to my all time favorite hymn...

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done

When upon life's billows
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done

CHORUS

Are you ever burdened
With a load of care
Does the cross seem heavy
You are called to bear
Count your many blessings
Every doubt will fly
And you will be singing
As the days go by

CHORUS

When you look at others
With their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised
You His wealth untold
Count your many blessings
Money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven
Nor your home on high

Sit Ups....and breakdowns!

A sit up from Isla and a breakdown by Matthijs!!! Cute!

The MANY faces of Isla at 4 months

So Isla is 4 months old today!!! I can't believe how fast time goes

* You LOVE nursing...and now refuse to take a bottle at all...leaving mommy a little tied down (it's okay, it's totally worth it!)
* Still love when mommy wears you!
* All we have to do is look in your direction and you blast us with a beautiful smile!
* Loving your bumbo, exersauser, chair and jolly jumper now - gives us some options when we can't hold you!
* Not rolling over yet...just determined to do sit ups. You sit up really good assisted! (You roll to your side)
* DROOLY JULIE
* You totally know your name...we just call out "ISLA" and you'll turn and face to whoever just called you
* Stiff as a board, just like your sister was! Always want to stand!

PLEASE ENJOY THE MANY BEAUTIFUL FACES OF ISLA....

Ezra's 1st day of JK

On Thursday, Sept 11th Ezra went for her very 1st day of school!!! She has been patiently awaiting this day for a long time now...and was so excited to go!

Parents were invited to stay the morning with their child, then leave at lunch and the kids stayed the rest of the day on their own! Ezra of course didn't have any tears at any point, she did wish I could stay longer but had no problems letting me leave either.

They did a staggered entry so her group on the first day was only 8 kids! Ezra will go to school every Tues & Thurs. This Tuesday will be her first full day on her own and with the entire class of 21. And Ezra's countdown is on...every morning she asks if it's Tuesday yet!

Right before we left for school




Ezra on her way up to the path to her new school




The walk down the hallway to her room (open concept school)


She found her hook


Kiss goodbye to daddy


Circle time


Freetime


Snack time


Finger on your lip, hand on your hip


Gym Time


Lunch time

OH Isla...

I'm gonna use this picture on a scrapbook page for sure!!! Love this outfit...and of course the ADORABLE SWEETIE in it!!!



In her Jolly Jumper for the very first time!



and just because

trained!!!!

so...I think it's safe to say that Matthijs is now POTTY TRAINED!!!

I can't believe how easy it was for him...I was soooo dreading the potty training process and wanted to avoid it at all costs! It was a frustrating time with Ezra! She did well too, but it was just not fun!

It just seemed like one minute Matthijs had NO interest whatsoever, then the next morning, he wanted "doe (go) poo" all the time!
He has been in his spiderman undies for a week now...with only one accident!!! He even goes for his naps without diaper! We still put one on a bedtime, but it's dry in the morning....

"I DOE POO" he says, and doesn't matter if he's outside fully clothed in the sandbox, he stops whatever he's doing, comes inside and pees or poos!!!

We are SO proud of you Matthijs!!! Keep up the good work handsome!

This picture has a little story behind it. This afternoon when I was putting Isla for a nap, Matthijs woke up! I was trying to feed her in her room when Matthijs came in and said "I doe poo poo mama" I said okay...he makes his way downstairs to find his potty locked behind the fireplace gate! I heard that he was upset about this so I ran down quickly and took it out for him. I could see that he started having an accident while waiting for his potty....but when I came back downstairs he not only FINISHED what he had to do on the potty BUT also found a kleenex and cleaned up his mess! WHAT A SWEETHEART!!!

lil' miss mohawk

This is the hairstyle that Isla sports each day! Poor girl...just peach fuzz on the sides and a whack of hair right on top.
When daddy bathes her, he just lets her hair do its thing. But when mommy does it I give her a good ol' comb over and it'll stay down! But then daddy thinks she looks like a boy...
what are we to do???




Does she look like PINK?