Polar Express

One of the best things about the town we live in is that we have a real train depot. As far as I know, there is only one like it in the state- and it is literally 10 minutes from our house. We have taken Wyatt many times, and they have fun activities year round for the kiddos. Thomas the Train comes every spring and during the fall the entire family can take a train ride to the local pumpkin patch.

For one reason or another, we have never participated in the Polar Express at Christmastime- until last week. This was one of the BEST experiences we have ever had with Wyatt and Delaney. Their little faces literally lit up when we boarded. Between the live acoustic music in our train car, getting to wear their PJ's, visiting with Santa and being served with cookies and milk- these two were in seventh heaven. I just love this age- everything is starting to click and it is all so magical.

I know as moms, we all kill ourselves trying to make the holidays special for our kids. In the end it is completely worth it. I would do it 100 times over just to see the precious look on my little guys face as he soaks up Christmas and the wonder of it all ...

Risen Sunday

Love this face!







Uncle Kurt!

"And today, there was a Savior who paid my ransom with His blood, and it was enough"

I read this today, and thought it was completely fitting as I sifted through the pictures from this past weekend.

As these words jumped off the page from Kisses from Katie, I couldn't help but feel infinitely tiny. These words coming from a 23-old Nashville native who chose to listen to the Lord. She felt called and she went. Now living in Uganda, Katie Davis has adopted 14 children. I complain about my cushy commute, and she wonders if one of her children is going to die from HIV. I worry about what Wyatt is going to wear to the egg hunt, and she worries what is going to sustain the lives around her.

Not to mention that the amount I spend each day at Starbucks would feed five orphans. Talk about conviction. Wow.

There is so much on my heart these days, but I definitely feel that I could be doing more instead of simply acquiring more. I should be rejoicing and resting in His peace, rather than trying to figure everything out on my own. Always the planner, there are reins that need to be handed over. Easter is such a great reminder of starting over. Giving the old up for the new. I am ever so grateful for tomorrow- another day to surrender my burdens and walk in His light. Another day to swallow my pride and to live out His promise. The promise that He is enough. He is all we will ever need, and only He alone deserves our praise.

I can pour out because I know you fill up. I drink from a well that never runs dry. You are abundantly available to me, ever drawing me closer. You call me into communion with you and I am filled with your life over flowing even in the driest, hardest of seasons. You exchange my lack for your abundance, Christ in me the only hope of glory. Christ in me is enough. Christ with me is enough. Christ on that cross and risen for me is enough. You are enough, Jesus.

From Roses to Ralphing

Call me a cynic, but Valentine's Day looks a WHOLE lot different to me than it did 5 years ago. I think there is a very brief moment in time where a girl can really relish in this day and enjoy the entire Hallmark experience. Say, the first or second time you celebrate with your sweetheart. Or, perhaps, the first Valentine's Day you are officially a married gal. That's about it. Before that, you are angry at everyone that has a boyfriend, secretly thinking about how unfair it is that there is a bouquet of flowers with their name on it instead of your own. After that, you tell your husband to not waste your combined income on flowers that will die within a week. A pair of shoes that you pick out for yourself two weeks ahead of time is much more practical.

And, once kids come-- you can pretty much throw the romance out the window right along with those dead flowers. Instead, you will be spending three hours assembling treat bags for the pre-school party and figuring out how to make heart pancakes at the wee hour of 6 a.m. on a Tuesday-- just so your child, who happens to have a working mom, can also experience the holiday in the fullest capacity, just like all those kids whose moms don't have anywhere to be. Except for in the kitchen all morning. In their pajamas. Fashioning shapes out of Bisquick.

I am bitter. I know. My husband is awesome, and got me the sweetest card- presented it with the warmest cup of coffee, that I got to enjoy for all of five seconds before the dog started throwing up all over the floor and my naked three-year-old launched a sling shot at a favorite glass frame. I am sure you can figure out how the story ends.

I know I am not the only one in the Valentine's-Day-equals-stress boat. A girlfriend of mine frantically texted me at 9:08 p.m. on the eve of February 14, after working a 12-hour day. She had been volunteered to provide two dozen cupcakes for her daughters preschool party. Publix had no more cupcakes. She opted for the wine aisle instead of the baking aisle. After hitting the local Walmart, she headed home to drink the away her guilt.

We should not feel ashamed over the lack of Martha-Stewartesque running through our veins or feel any more pressure to produce 56 perfectly-produced embossed themed goodie bags for our pint-sized pre-schoolers any more than a 20-something should cry over the lack of a floral arrangement on her side of the dorm room.

Yes, Valentine's looks a whole lot different these days-- but you know what? I would trade it for the world. Throw up, sling shots, luke warm coffee and all :)

Happy Heart Day!!

Labor "less" Weekend with Uncle Kurt

I am a little behind on posting, but this pretty much sums up our Labor Day weekend. We were blessed with one day of semi-sun on Friday, and took full advantage of our beach time. The rest of the weekend we enjoyed the Auburn win, cooked and played with Uncle Kurt. It was so nice just to relax and enjoy spending time together as a family.

Tropical Storm Lee was a doozie, and when we returned back to Birmingham, we lost power for two days. Wyatt entertained himself by stomping around in his rain boots and pretending to watch cartoons. He wasn't nearly as excited as we were when our power was restored :)

Sittin' on the dock of the bay...

It's hard to believe that the summer is half over! We had a wonderful Destin-filled holiday. These two munchkins couldn't have been happier (i.e. rambunctious as all get out :) to spend four uninterrupted days on the coast with one of their favorite uncles.

It may be the last of the traveling we do for a while (other than the three of us going to Atlanta). It is beyond exhausting to protect, entertain and discipline an almost three-year-old when he is around his 10-month-old cousin for an extended period of time. I probably sound like the Wicked Witch of the West after asking 9,458 times for him to give a toy back, or to stop whining or to quit throwing sand.

Of course it was well worth the trouble to see the look in their eyes as the fireworks started. Sitting on that dock in a rare moment of peace, my sister -in -law and I commented that though it was a lot of work to get them down there and keep them from killing each other, it was, in deed, worth it. I still do not understand how those of you with two or more do it! I can already tell that Wyatt's 3rd year is going to be quite the challenge.

Along increasing independence, Wyatt's rebellious side is ramping up. I feel I am having to keep a check on my frustration level more often than not, and also come up with creative ways to get him to do what he needs to do when he needs to do it- not easy, let me tell ya. I only wish babies came with lifelong instruction manuals :)

We returned home just in time to hit the party planning in full force. Everything is starting to come together, and we can't wait to celebrate the big #3!

This little pirate is ready... let's just hope I am ;)

Kick Start to Summer

Me and my sweet Lily girl :)




I hope that you all had a wonderful Memorial Day! I am so grateful to all of those in uniform, and overwhelmed by the sacrifices that have been made to secure our freedom. My daddy is a veteran, and I am thankful for his service to our country.

We had the kind of weekend that made me never want to return to the 'real' world. Mark smoked his famous boston butt, we enojoyed our new patio furniture (thanks, AL state tax return :) ate a ton of amazing food and spent the rest of the holiday with the Bufkin's on the lake.

Food, family and good friends is a great way to begin the summer, don't you think?

Wyatt's 3rd Easter- Part 2

Hunting... what Olis boys do best :)


Yes, it is smocked- guess who won the clothing battle this year?! ;)
Sweetness

So blessed to have most of the family to join us for Easter Sunday!


The loot

Wyatt's first egg-dying experience (yes, my child is almost three, and has never dyed eggs. I will admit that in rare cases, my OCD might inhibit the formation of family tradition)
Missy Prissy's Easter Basket from Wyatt...
Playing with baby Zach

He is Risen! Easter was nothing short of wonderful. I am so humbled to worship a risen Savior and blessed beyond measure to have family and friends to revel in the glory of an empty tomb.

Zach came to play with us on Saturday so that his sister could go to swim lessons. He is such a sweet and content baby, and Wyatt had a blast playing with him. I didn't want to give him back!

Saturday evening we dyed eggs at Steph and Joey's and Joey's side of the family joined us for church Sunday morning for the Easter service. I helped with Children's church, so I had to catch the message online today. I think you know it's good when you have to fight back the tears and the goosebumps in front of the computer. I simply cannot say enough about how grateful I am for our church, our pastor and our friends who worship with us.

We enjoyed a fun and relaxing day at Mark's parents house that included a fabulous lunch and the best egg hunt yet-- Wyatt is a pro these days :)

Hope your Easter was as blessed as ours!