Thanksgiving 2015

      Today is Thanksgiving, and we have had a wonderful day! First I am so thankful that I was able to get these super cute family photos this morning. Anyone with small children knows it takes a small miracle to get a shot where everyone is looking and smiling. I am just thrilled with how these turned out.

    We spent the day with family at Granny and Paw Paw's house. We ate a delicious meal, then we spent the rest of the day outside. The kids took turns swinging and sliding and riding the golf cart. The big "kids" had just as much fun on the golf cart as the littles did. It was an absolute blast.

    Now we are at home, and Payton is already in bed. She had a big day and no nap, so she was more than ready for bed by 530. Rylee Love is laid out on the couch watching cartoons; she's worn out, too. Ryan went with Josh and Mel to do some "black Friday" shopping. And I am enjoying the quiet house for a change. I have so much to be thankful for and days like this remind me of that. There is nothing better than spending a day laughing until it hurts with the people you love. I am thankful.

Family Time

     Today we kicked off our Thanksgiving celebrations by headed to Middle Tennessee to visit my parents. It was a gorgeous day, and I love the view at their mountain home in the Fall.

      The kids played and played and played some more, barely stopping to eat. While the adults pigged out on a Thanksgiving feast, the kids picked and nibbled for a second before jumping up and going right back to their playing.

    After lunch, Ben and I took the kids for a walk through the woods and it was a blast. They got to get out all of their energy before getting back in the car for another long ride home, and we got to work off some of the calories from lunch. We also got a chance to talk and catch up, and I am so thankful for those moments. It was a wonderful day. Now to get this last work week over with, so I can enjoy Thanksgiving break at home with my princesses!

Halloween 2015

    This was by far our craziest Halloween yet. It started on Friday at school. We finished out Drug Free week with "Boo to Drugs" day, and everyone got to wear their costumes to school. Rylee love dressed up as a fairy princess, and I joined the kindergarten teachers who dressed as "kindergarten cops" so I guess I was a "pre-k cop". It's not as catchy, but I was glad they let me join them, so I didn't have to think of something all on my own. :)

       There was a costume parade around the school, and it was a blast. Unfortunately the day went downhill from there. A stomach bug hit my class and it seemed like one after another was getting sick and going home. By the time we went trick or treating around the school I was down to 13 students (out of 20). It was insane. By the end of the day, I wasn't feeling so hot and I just knew the virus was coming for me next...

   When I got home my temp was 101.5, I took some ibuprofen and laid down, but it kept going up and ended up spiking at 103.9. I felt terrible. My whole body hurt. When I woke up Saturday morning, I headed straight to the local Urgent Care. I tested positive for strep. I was glad to know what it was so I could start feeling better. But I was also devastated that I couldn't take the girls trick or treating on Halloween.

     Ryan took over for me, and the girls had an absolute blast. They started at Granny's, then headed to Nonna's, then went to the Trunk or Treat at the church.

...And weren't they just the cutest little witches you ever did see?! I am so thankful for Ryan, and I'm so glad the girls were able to still have a good Halloween. Today I am finally starting to feel human again, and I am glad to be able to spend some time with my girls today before it's back to the real world tomorrow.

Fall Break 2015

     It has been a fabulous Fall Break! We started it off Saturday at Liz and Brandon's Uncle Ben came down to meet Baby Levi. Then Liz and Brandon had to take Levi to the Dr. to get his jaundice levels checked, so Kaden came and played at our house for a while. Then we headed back over for a pizza night. It was a lot of fun, especially getting lots of Levi snuggles.

     Sunday, Ryan, the girls, Nonna, Granddaddy, and I headed to Donnell Century Farms in Jackson. It was so much fun. We went on a hay ride. The girls slid down a giant tube slide, played in corn boxes, and rode on a cow train. We went through a corn maze, watched pig races, saw farm animal, and s much more. It was just an absolute blast.

   The girls' favorite part was picking out their pumpkins. Payt fell asleep holding hers on the way home. It was too precious.

     Monday, I caught up on housework, then took the girls outside to paint their pumpkins. They were both so meticulous in getting their pumpkins to look exactly how they wanted them. It was a lot of fun.

     Tuesday, I took the girls to the Dr for Payt's 2 year check up and for the girls to get their flu vaccines. After we left the Dr, we went to Chikfila to eat and play. After we brought daddy some lunch at work, we headed to Aunt Liz's house to snuggle Levi and play with Kaden.

 

    Wednesday, I tried my hand at photography to try to get some Fall pictures of the girls. They turned out okay, but I think I'll leave all future photography endeavors to Liz. She just does it so much better...

     Thursday, I had to go to the eye Dr, so the girls spent the morning at Granny and Paw Paw's, then we went to lunch with Liz, Kaden, and Levi. Then Kaden came over to play for a while while Liz took Levi for a check-up.

     Friday, we went to Memphis to LeBonheur Zoo Boo. It was so much fun. The girls were able to trick or treat, watch a magic show, ride rides, and see some animals. The whole Zoo was decorated for Halloween and lit up in spooky lights. The girls absolutely loved it.

    We don't have any plans for this weekend, and I kind of like that. It's a nice way to wrap up Fall Break, by just spending some time as a family at home. I have had such an amazing Fall Break, and I am glad for the extra time. I have gotten so much embroidery done. Here are a few of my favorites! I've been doing Embroidery as a side business for about 6 months now, and I really enjoy it. You can check it out at www.facebook.com/lovejoyanddesigns www.etsy.com/shop/lovejoyanddesigns

2 Year Check Up

     Payton Joy at her 2 Year Check Up today. She was 28.5 lbs (75th percentile) and 34 inches tall (75th percentile) She has started to get tall like her sissy was. Her head was still off the growth chart, but it appears to be leveling off some. Luckily, since she has no other symptoms, we know that she is perfectly healthy. And she is really stinkin' cute, too.

      I took both girls to the Dr. so they could get their flu vaccines while Payt got her check-up. Rylee got the nasal mist, but Payt had to get the shot since she has had to have some breathing treatments in the past year. I hope we have better luck this flu season than last year! After we left the Dr, we headed to Chikfila for lunch and play time.

      Payton Joy is growing up so quickly. She is wearing size 6-7 shoes and size 2t-3t clothes. She wears pull ups during the day and diapers at night. She is getting REALLY good at potty training, yesterday she wanted to wear big girls panties and wore them the whole day without any accidents. She asks to go potty all the time. I feel like once we have our 2 weeks of Christmas break at home, she will be trained, but I won't be upset if she isn't. It took Rylee Love until she was 2 and a half to be completely trained. Payt won't be 2 and a half until this spring.

       This girl has more personality in her tiny body that seems possible. She is so full of life and energy. She is so silly and smart. She has an amazing vocabulary and talks so well for a 2 year old. She tries to understand everything around her and asks lots of questions. It's really like she's a grown up trapped in a 2 year old's body.

       And she's also one of the most precious gifts God's ever given me. I could watch her sleep for hours. She is so sweet and lovable. I hug her and kiss her a million times a day, but it will never be too much. We are working on taking the paci away, but she loves it so much and it's hard to see her upset.  I tried to take it away completely and she spent nearly the whole day crying and inconsolable, and I just couldn't do that to her. We have all her pacis up high in a cupboard now, and I only let her have one when she's getting into bed. Baby steps....

Baby Levi is Here!

    Baby Levi arrived on October 1, 2015, at 11:35 am weighing 6 lbs, 14 oz and 20 inches long. A week ago, Liz started noticing some weird symptoms, she was swelling excessively and had a headache and just didn't feel good. Her mother-in-law came and checked her blood pressure and sure enough it was high. Monday, she ended up in the hospital, but after monitoring her closely, they sent her home and put her on bedrest to try to let Levi cook a little longer. Wednesday, her blood pressure went up even higher, so the Dr. decided to induce. They began the pitocin at 3:30pm, and broke her water at 4:45pm. Levi took 20 hours to finally make his appearance, but he was certainly worth the wait.

    I spent the night at the hospital with Liz and Brandon and Brandon's mom waiting on Levi to come, and we all were able to be in the room when he decided to arrive. It is such a powerful experience. There is no greater evidence of a wise and powerful Creator than childbirth. Ryan had Kaden, Rylee, and Payton at our house, and once Levi made his arrival, he headed to the hospital so the girls could meet their new cousin and Kaden could meet his little brother.

     They are all so in love with baby Levi. He is going to be one spoiled, and well protected little guy! We all love him so much!

    After spending Wednesday night and Thursday night at our house, KAden was not ready to leave on Friday until he realized that baby Levi was going to going home with him. It is so sweet how excited he is to be a big brother. Levi got to stop by our house for a minute to pick up big brother, then yesterday we spent most of the day over at their house loving on him. Today we stopped by for a little bit after church. We just can't stay away from the little cuteness!

     Friday after work, I got my hair cut, and I feel like a whole new person! Lol. This afternoon and I spending some time with my 2 favorite girls, with all the focus on the new baby, I have missed my 2 babies (and yes they will always be my babies no matter how big they get!).

Payton Joy is 2!

    Payton Joy turned 2 on Friday! I cannot believe it. I would say she had a wonderful birthday. She started out her day with her daddy getting her her favorite breakfast: McDonald's hotcakes and sausage. Then she got to have a cupcake party with all her "school" friends. It was a huge mess, but they all loved it.

    For dinner she got her favorite chicken nuggets from Burger King. She ate all of hers and most of Rylee's, too! She doesn't usually get fast food any more than a couple of time a month, so for her to get it twice in one day, she was in hog heaven!

    After dinner, she got to open her presents from mommy, daddy, and Rylee. Everything she got was minnie mouse themed, and she could not have been happier.

    Then we sang Happy Birthday to her and she got to eat her second cupcake of the day! After bath she played and played with her new gifts until she couldn't stay awake one minute longer. She was exhausted from all that fun and needed to rest up for Saturday: party day!

     Saturday she had a Minnie Mouse birthday party with all her friends and family.

    She cheered when Hunter arrived and cried when it was time for him to go. It's so sweet how she already has made a little best friend. He was very helpful when it was time to open presents. ;)

    Being the opposite of her sister, she loved all the attention and soaked up every minute of everyone singing to her. She didn't eat much of her cupcake. I think she had enough after having 2 the day before. Then she spent the entire evening playing with Aunt Liz. They have such a strong bond. I know she is going to be soooo jealous when Levi gets here, but she's also going to love him to pieces!

     Alright, Payton Joy. You are no longer a baby, can you stop growing up so quickly on me now?! I want to soak up every minute with you! You have such a fun, electric personality. I can't imagine our lives without you in it! 2 was my absolute favorite age with Rylee Love, but she wouldn't stay 2 forever like she promised. Will you?!