Fluff & Stuff!

The girls are really into this dress up phase right now & I'm loving all the cuteness we're getting to see! Wanted to share a few of my favorites with you! 

Pretty Princesses!

Kelsie Cheese!

Kare's Minnie Mouse!

Kelsie's SnowWhite!

Kare's Cinderella!

Officer Mader! Just like Dad, only better shoes! ;) 

This house is full of singing, dancing & twirling! Ian bares it well, but I'm hoping he gets a little boy someday, just to smudge the rainbows, dirty up the ballroom, and frazzle the frills! ;) 

More of the past few months!

Our summer has been packed so full of fun!! 

June 19-July 2nd: We had the pleasure of the McReynolds (Oregon) company! 

July 2nd-9th: My brother came for a visit (Kentucky)!

July 4th: we celebrated Independence Day with the Schmuckers! Caitlin was full of smiles! 

The girls loved their playing with their cousins & adored their Uncle Jeff. 

Pictures are worth a thousand words, so enjoy!! 

 They loved Evan, Caden & Brennan and still ask to play with them frequently!

 Kare sharing sweet smiles with Aunt Amy!

 Love this guy!

 Star Spangled Sweeties!

 "Say cheese, Caitlin!"

 Jason & Mel Mel, a couple of our favorite people!

 Dancing with our G.I.Joe!

 First time seeing fireworks! They enjoyed it, but were glad it was only 10min. 

 Best seat ever!

July 25-Aug.1st: The girls & I went on a week long trip to Denver with Nana while Daddy was at a police conference in Dallas. We enjoyed seeing extended family!

Karis enjoying the flight with Nana! They did pretty well for being 2!

Playing in the pool with Miss Brooklyn

 Dress up Dolls!

 Kels & Aunt Angie

 Karis & Pookie(Jill)

 We learned how to do somersaults!

 An unprompted hand hold! My favorite random moment! 

We've been so blessed with being able to fellowship with friends & family throughout the year!! The treasured moments go beyond pictures! 

Baby Update: Felt our li'l one squirming around in there for the first time on July 13th! Yesterday (5th) had my hand resting on my tummy & felt a kick, 3x!! It's wonderful to be feeling it again. Definitely missed that feeling & it still excites me beyond words! I will be 18 weeks along on Thursday. Had a doctors appointment today and he said all is progressing well. I am able to eat pretty much anything now, but beans have been a staple for me...baked, black, chili, bean soup...odd, but true. ;) Ian and I have decided that we will be having a repeat C-section. We were given the option of that or a VBAC, but the c-section comes with less risk to me & the baby. So we've opted for that route, hoping to avoid excessive bleeding and a 24hr. stay in the ICU. Due date is January 10th. Thank you for your continued prayer over our family! 

Happenings!

So much has been going on lately! All GREAT! 

Let me go back a bit! 

May 21-27 - my sweet sister Cassidee and her family came to visit!! Our "sister time" goes back over 7 years ago. Needless to say, quality time with Cass was much needed!! She is younger and sweeter than I, always a joy to be near, and will be welcoming her second son the beginning of October!! While here, Cass & Mark celebrated their 4th anniversary & I got to soak up some nephew time! Once they got used to him, the girls also enjoyed playing with energetic Marek!! He's adorable & always so happy!! I loved spending time with the Cooney family, enjoyed observing my li'l sister be a Mama, and like the fact that we're pregnant together!! Our kids will be close in age! 

June 9th - Our dear friends, the Schmucker's came over to play! It was so nice getting to catch up with Mel & Jason. Odd how you can live in the same town as someone and only see them on a rare occasion. Definitely going to have to schedule more "play dates" in the near future! Caitlin Mae is growing so fast!! It was neat getting to see the girls interact with her! They liked sharing their toys. 

June 15th - Ratliff's in da house!!! Our best friends came & stayed with us over the weekend & it's always a treat having them here!! The girls adore their Godparents and we just can't get enough of their company & fellowship! So thankful for the bond we share! Cool tid bit...Cherise is welcoming baby Ratliff in November, so we get to be prego together!! 

June 18th - Brag on Hubby time!! Ian is now an FTO(Field Training Officer) with CSPD! He was one of the few applicants chosen to train the new recruits joining the force in September! I am SO proud of him. He has worked very hard and has accomplished so much! He's my hero, so you'll pardon me for my bias opinion, but the rookies will be learning from the BEST officer on the force! His commitment to this role will mean a slight adjustment for our family, but we are willing to take the next step together. He will still be working the 4pm-2am shift, but he will not be able to come home on breaks and it is likely that he will not be home on time. As it is with learning any lesson, what takes a senior officer 20min. to do will take a recruit 2.5hrs. so he will be working a lot of overtime. But we are thankful for the opportunity and know that others will benefit greatly from our sacrifice! I love Ian!! 

June 19th - present...McReynolds are here visiting! I am convinced I have the coolest nephews on the planet! Evan, Caden & Brennan are here with their Amazing Mama, Amy! They're visiting from Oregon, and are enjoying the warm weather. They've been in Nana's pool everyday! Ian has loved playing baseball & basketball with his nephews. It took the girls, mainly Karis, a little time to warm up to the idea of boys running around. But once she did, all the cousins have been having a blast together! We are having SO much fun and I will post pictures soon!

Thank you to those that have been praying over my morning sickness. I am happy to say that it has subsided and I'm doing good. Thanking the Lord for His blessing of "baby Bert"(that's what the girls call Mama's tummy)  ;) 

Stay tuned Friends!