finding time to read...

One of the things I miss most in life right now is finding time to read. I love to sit down with a good book and get lost in the pages. When I was teaching it was always a struggle, but come summertime I always had a stack of books waiting to be cracked open. It is so hard during the day to get busy doing laundry, fixing meals and bottles, cleaning up, and changing diapers and before I know it the day is almost over and I am too tired to even think about reading. I have a bad habit of turning on the tv, especially once Maryn is down for her nap and I am holding Theo. I can definitely get lost in a TLC or Food Network show. But this week I decided that I was going to start reading again. No more tv during the day! It's now Friday and I can say I have done pretty well this, although I did turn on the tv briefly this morning when I saw the news about the earthquake in Japan....just needed to confess :)

As I said, I love books and this year for Christmas I got a Nook. I love it!! I've downloaded a couple of books and love that you can just download samples to see if it is appealing. Although I did have to limit myself....must finish a book before buying a new one! I can hold it while I'm holding Theo and don't have to worry about having two hands. I told Jeremy last night that the only thing I have decided is that I like it for fiction books, but not so much for non-fiction. Which leads to the book I am reading now...

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

I am only three chapters in, but there are so many things I want to write down or highlight (why I need a hard copy). Life so quickly passes us by and each day is filled with happiness, but a lot of lack of motivation, stress, fear and emptiness. As the title states, living fully right where you are....finding grace, thanksgiving and joy in each and every moment of the day, even the difficult ones. I won't give much away, but I would strongly encourage you to get a copy, find a cozy spot and read away. Ann also has a blog that is great... www.aholyexpereince.com

Theo is 4 months old!

It is unbelievable to me that Theo is already 4 months old! That old saying, "time flies by", is soooo true! Theo is such a happy and easy going little guy. About the only time he gets fussy is when he is hungry or wants to be held to fall asleep. He is sleeping through the night now which is awesome and this last week or so he has been sleeping in his crib. When Maryn was little we started the bedtime routine of reading books and praying and so we have started it with Theo as well. He is very focused on the pictures in" Goodnight Moon" :) He just went for is 4 month checkup the other day and is now 14 lbs 15oz and is 24 1/2 inches long....big change from the 5 lbs he was born at! The doctors only concern was that his head is a little flat in the back and so we are trying to not be on our back as much :) He loves the exersaucer, bumbo seat, and just today he rolled over for the first time!! Theo loves to smile...he's quite the charmer, and that belly laugh and cooing sound he makes just melts your heart!!

4 months old!!

gotta love the belly :)

figuring out the exersaucer

what a little cutie pie!!

the children's museum

On Tuesday we went to the Children's Museum with Scott, his fiancee Lindsey, her sister Angela and little boy Zach. It was such a fun day! Maryn and Zach are the flower girl and ring bearer in the wedding and are only a month apart in age. They were a little shy at first, but quickly warmed up :) We loved playing in the dinosaurs, playscape, science works, and of course riding the carousel. I really enjoyed getting to know Lindsey's sister a little better and look forward to more time when we can get together.

Little dinosaurs

Uncle Scott & Theo...he was on baby duty :)

She said she was a squirrel popping out!

Maryn & Zach on the carousel...

on the moving horses for the first time now that they are 3!!!

Scott, Theo, Zach, Maryn & Lindsey

we love our little valentines!

two of the cutest little valentines :)

Theo & his valentine bag...

don't you love Theodore the chipmunk-Maryn picked that one out!

Maryn & her valentine bag...

not sure if she is excited or not?!

little heartbreaker in the making:)

yep, I know I'm a cutie :)

Maryn's 3rd birthday

Maryn has been talking for the last couple months about her birthday. She kept asking, "is my birthday next?" And when you asked her what kind of party she wanted to have she stuck consistently to having a YELLOW party. So that's what we had!! Her birthday was actually on a Monday, but we had her party on a Saturday and just like last year there was a big snow. Our families braved the snow and ice and we celebrated in true YELLOW fashion :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARYN!!!!!!

treat bags for our guests :)

a little yellow diva!

ready to open presents!!

what a ray of sunshine Maryn has been to our lives!

she loves the birthday song :)

Uncle D, Aunt Heather, Turner, Quincy & Stone

Great Grandma Spaulding

(so thankful for all her help in staying w/ us overnight to get the party together)

Great Grandma Stephenson

Mamaw & Papaw

Uncle Scott & Lindsey (soon to be Aunt :)

Ceta & Mimi

Uncle Brad

last but not least... Theo, Daddy & Mommy with our beautiful birthday girl!!!

maryn + ice storm + 3 days stuck inside= a CRAZY MESS!!!

So proud of her empty dresser!!

family photo shoot

I connected with an old friend of mine from high school on Facebook and noticed that she has her own photography business. We had her and her business partner come over and they captured some great shots of the kids. If you are in the Indy area and need some great photographers, check out... pinkapplephotography.com

I love these two pictures of Jeremy with the kids