the one with the little bird family

A little bird family lives right outside our kitchen window. I'm in love with them. The mommy and daddy are so sweet; the fly around and play together and work together to feed the babies. The two little ones are pretty demanding. That sweet little Momma spends all her time feeding them. I feel like she and I are going through this together...

two baby birdies

daddy bird taking care of his kiddos

fuzzy little thing

sweet mama bird

the one where I'm that mom

I remember when I was childless and I'd be in a public place and I'd run into that mom.You know the one: in the restaurant her kid is throwing food on the floor, in the grocery store her kid is screaming and flailing about in the cart, in the store her kid is having a total come apart over a toy. You always pity that mom and her child and assume she is the worst mother ever and her kid will grow up to be an emotional wreck.

Well, hello. Today I was that mom. CB has been throwing more temper tantrums lately and we've haven't quite figured out how to deal with it. We should have realized it's not the best time in life to go out to eat, but we thought we'd have a little family fun date. [mistake #1] We walk in the door of Chick fil A and Lily starts crying. [problem #2] I'm trying to soothe her and get CB in the highchair while Adam orders. For some reason CB is all weird and fussy. [problem #3] I figure she'll calm down when food arrives because she loves Chick fil A food. Food arrives and she doesn't calm down. She's fussing, whining, throwing apple chunks on the floor-the whole deal. [problem #4] CB has never turned down food in her life. We can't figure out what's going on till we realize she wants the playground. So, in an effort to shut her up [mistake #2] I take her to the playground. At first things are going well. Then she starts to climb up the steps leading to the tunnel. Now, I know she's not old enough for the tunnel, but I figure I'll let her climb the steps to avoid a temper tantrum [big mistake #3]. Of course she eventually gets stuck in the tunnel and starts freaking out [problem #5]. I don't know what to do. I go get Adam to fetch her, he gets her down, [I hope you realize we're causing a scene at this point] she's crying, we pick up Lily, and leave the restaurant in shame.

I promise I'll never judge another mother who's kid is freaking out in public again.

the one for Chloe Belle

Happy Day sweet girl! Today you are officially a year and a half old. It's amazing to me how quickly the time has passed. Each day with you is better than the last. I keep dreading you growing up and leaving each sweet little baby phase behind you, but I have thoroughly enjoyed each new little phase as it comes.
Today you are full of curiosity and what seems like boundless energy. Your hair is growing out; it finally lays down on your head, but we can't seem to keep it out of your eyes. Today you scream like a madwoman when getting your diaper changed. Mommy painted your toes for the first time to celebrate being a big girl. Your favorite foods are cheerios, oranges, chicken, and strawberries. Oh, and let's not forget milk. Milk makes your world go round. Today you are struggling with having more temper tantrums. Sometimes you wear mommy and daddy out. You love to climb on any and everything. You love bubbles. Today you love to play outside, finding wonder in every clod of dirt, leaf, and flower. You love Mr. Bear more than life itself. Your favorite toys are books. You scream "boookie" whenever you bring a book to mommy and daddy you want read. You love your little sister. You brush her hair, pat her mouth with a burp cloth, sing to her in her bouncy seat, and sometimes even give her Mr. Bear to show her you love her. You give the best hugs and kisses in the world, well, right after daddy.
You can say all of these words: mommy, daddy, woof, book, bear, ball, eyes, nose, nana, papa, abby, brush, shoe, flower, apple, nana [for banana], fish, no, hi, bye, baby, duck, bubble, sit, and amen.
When asked, you can point to all these body parts on you or your baby sister: hair, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, ears, belly, leg, knee, and toes. When asked to find your belly you always pull up your shirt and pat your big tummy, and when asked to find your toes you always stick them in your mouth. Your daddy taught you those...
You make the best animal sounds: quack, woof, baa, sssss for snake, oh ah ah for a monkey, and the cutest little roar of all time.

You are one awesome 18 month old Chloe Belle. I love you.

the one about 28 in pictures

the one about 28

Last Saturday was my birthday. I turned 29. I started this post then, but I've had a crazy week. AK went out of town so I was home alone with two babies, and Lily has been in the hospital since Wednesday night. I've been busy. But now It's 5:30am, Lily and AK are asleep, so what else am I to do but blog?
And now, in homage to the passing of another year, I thought I'd stop and reflect on my 28th year. Here are the 28 best things about the 28th year of my life:

1. My 28th birthday. Mandy had surprised me by keeping her trip to the States a secret. I got to spend a week with my Australian mom/sister/friend who I love dearly. Chloe Belle was 6 months old, beautiful and delightful. I spent another day with my husband, the love of my life, and we ate pizza. Pretty much a perfect day.
2. Worship + Study in the Fall. We taught the patriarchs and it was amazing. I love journeys through Scripture that capture your heart and your imagination.
3. Chloe Belle in the fall. I love watching her learn to crawl, eat and eat and eat and eat, and thoroughly enjoy life.
4. Halloween. I always love it. And this year we had a baby to complete our costumes. awesome.
5. Meeting with M [a Samford student] each week. Each week she showed up ready to be totally honest about her life and God. It was AMAZING to watch God pursue her. Perhaps one of the most tangible proofs of God in my life in the last 12 months has been watching Him love M. beautiful.
6. Thanksgiving weekend AK and I got away for the first time without CB. We went to Troy. I love my man.
7. Weekends with Ellis and Becky. They are a source of such rest and encouragement in our lives.
8. UMin. I have the best job in the world.
9. Watching my family [mom, dad, brother, sister] love my daughters.
10. Worship + Study in the Spring. We taught through Romans 5-8. I saw God do some amazing things. His Word really is alive and active.
11. Seven SS class. I learned way too much about my sin. I can feel God molding me.
12. The Cossibooms. I love good friends.
13. Discipling E. I love all my college students, but some are just special. It has been an incredible journey with this girl.
14. Chloe Belle's birthday party. I had so much fun attempting to be crafty and letting my sweet girl be the center of the world for a moment.
15. Taking the day by day pictures of Chloe Belle. I know she'll treasure them for a lifetime.
16. Christmas with Adam. We have the best traditions.
17. Pregnancy. I love being pregnant. I love having a big round belly, feeling a little life inside me, and thinking more about someone else than myself.
18. Watching Chloe Belle learn to walk. I thought it would be a sad transition out of babydom, but it has just been so much fun I haven't had much time to be sad!
19. Watching Adam be an amazing parent. He loves his little girls so much!
20. Community Group. I love Tuesday nights with these people.
21. Building relationships with more UAB students.
22. Welcoming little Lily into our lives. She is beautiful just like her sister. I am totally in love with her.
23. Watching Chloe Belle ADORE her little sister. It has been such a joy to see how much love her little heart is capable of.
24. Playing with Chloe Belle as she gets older. I love running around the front yard chasing after her pink ball, playing in the baby pool, blowing bubbles. She's awesome.
25. Celebrating 4 years of marriage to my best friend.
26. Becoming content with the fact that I don't know what is in store for our future.
27. My Thursday morning Dgroup Spring semester.
28. My family. I love my husband and my two girls more than I ever imagined was possible.

the one that's patriotic

Have you discovered skinnytaste.com? I love it. I made this yummy trifle for the 4th of July. It was as delicious as it was pretty! I hate that I took the pic after taking it out of the fridge because the glass is foggy.

hope you make it and love it!

the one where I play with a pressure washer

been playing with a pressure washer. done the fence, most of the house, and I attacked the drive way the other day. check out the difference! so much fun!

the one about birthday cake

Beth's birthday was this week. I asked her to request any special treat to celebrate and she asked for ice cream cake. I'd never made ice cream cake before, so I was excited about the challenge! I got the recipe for ice cream tunnel cake from trusty allrecipes.com. I'll give you my edited version here:

you'll need:

• 1 package strawberry cake mix
• vanilla ice cream, slightly softened (I ended up using what amounted to one large bowl)
• cool whip
• fresh strawberries

directions:

1. prepare cake mix and pour into well-greased bundt pan. bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. cool for 10 minutes and then move cake to wire rack. cool completely.

2. slice top fourth off cake; set aside. using a sharp knife, carefully hollow out bottom, leaving a 1 inch shell. eat removed cake. :) place cake shell in freezer for at least 30 min. fill tunnel with softened ice cream; replace cake top. cover and freeze. we ate the first piece after it had been in the freezer 2 hours and the second round at 4 hours. it was better the longer it had been left in the freezer.

this pic is half-way through the ice cream filling phase. I wanted you to see it in process.

here is a view of the tunnel when sliced

3. top each cake slice with a small scoop of ice cream, a dollop of cool whip, and slices of fresh strawberry. yummy!!!
let me know if you make this ice cream cake. it's easy and oh-so-yummy!