Our Jewel

So, I am a little late posting this and the only excuse I have is "Motherhood". Haha! It's been a crazy busy time of year, but oh SO fun and full of precious memories! It was Miss Rilyn's first Christmas and she was excited and intrigued by every new thing. A week after Christmas, she turned a year old! We had a milk & cookies party with a few friends & family, but even though we celebrated, the reality of it still hasn't hit me yet. She's grown so fast and yet I feel like we welcomed her into the world a couple months ago.

Rilyn Kaylee, you are:

a spunky piece of sunshine -

a sugar coated steam roller -

2ft.7in.(95%h) -

 22 lbs (76%w) -

in size 18mo.-2T clothing -

in size 4 shoe -

walking! -

 saying, "Dada", "Mama", "Nana", "Good-girl", "dog", "kitty" -

signing "More" & "Please" -

a love to any & all stuffed animals -

speedy, stealthy & silent -

a stair master(up & down, you go...over & over, with ease) -

very aggressive; rarely gentle -

mimicking your sisters & wanting to do and have everything they do -

a daddy's girl -

mama's jewel -

in a stranger danger stage -

in love with the outdoors -

a sweet snuggler -

very strong willed & stubborn -

a solid eater & sleeper -

clapping your hands -

dancing! -

teething(9 teeth already) -

a giver of great hugs & sloppy kisses 
full of life & laughter -

loved beyond measure, Darlin' -

Welcome 2014!

I have to say, although some pretty amazing things happened in 2013, I am ready to say goodbye and move on to a new year...a new chapter! Every year has it's blessings, struggles & times of growth, and I'm sure 2014 will be no different.

Y'all, I am not one to establish new year's resolutions, because the moment I "decide" to do something, I always "fail" at following through. So I prefer to call it, "New Year's Intentions". By daily referring to my list of intentions, I hope to turn them into determinations! Below are a list of said intentions, some major and some minor, but all in all, I believe that improving upon these things or adopting them into my lifestyle, will be very healthy and worthwhile!

I intend:
1) to make my Savior a bigger priority (find Him in the Word, in His world & through prayer)
2) to be more loving & respectful to my husband
3) on being more gracious with my children, have a longer fuse and not yell
4) on making relationships with my family & friends grow deeper
5) to listen more
6) to talk less
7) to sing more
8) to stress less
9) to laugh more
10) to drink more water
11) to find a big book I like & read it (big deal, as this lady don't read)
12) on being a better steward of my finances & time management.
13) to hug more
14) on adding things to my blessings jar on a regular basis
15) to refine a few spiritual disciplines
16) to apologize more
17) to enjoy a hobby
18) to intercede for others on a regular basis
19) to go on walks
20) to be on electronics less (computer, iphone, television...)

Lord, help me be intentional & purposeful in doing these things!

I have also been reflecting on how truly blessed I am. I am so grateful to the Lord for His goodness to me. I see Him in my husband's embrace, in my children's smiles...and I know He is here with me. I'm thankful that He's been with me this past year and He will take my hand & lead me through another!

Mader Mania

Hey there, Friends...Beware of the lengthy post!

Life is being lived & I haven't had much time to blog about it.
All is well and I'm thanking the Lord everyone's healthy.

Rilyn: She went in for her 6 month appointment after my last blog and she is a big, healthy girl! She is in the 74% for weight & 95% for height. Doesn't surprise me, as this child loves to eat and we're in the stage of her preferring to feed herself. She began crawling on August 13th, and there's no stopping her!! She is the speedy, silent type. She wants to do all that her older sisters can do! Already trying to pull herself up to a standing position and loves to hold hands & walk! Still an incredibly sweet, smiley baby!

The twins: Karis and Kelsie have been complaining of regular tummy aches for almost 3 weeks. They hadn't thrown up or had a fever, so I thought it was a cry for attention and just gave them a tums. But the discomfort continued and they would even cry in pain during the day and at night. They also weren't eating very well. I decided to try an experiment to see if they're lactose intolerant. We are on day 2 with no dairy products and I haven't heard one complaint yet!! I have them on Soy and they seem to like it, so we will continue this for a while and see if it indeed fixes the issue. Oh...I'm excited to announce that I will have a couple of cubbies starting tomorrow!! Karis & Kelsie are beginning AWANA and I am so thrilled! I think they will love it!! Every Sunday night from 5-6:45. Also, on Sunday mornings, the twins worship with me in the sanctuary and then after offering, I take them to their class. It has been such a sweet thing for me to sing with my girls, especially since Ian can't always make it to church with me. They have also enjoyed seeing/learning how things are done in "big" church and their favorite thing to do is put their "piggy food in Jesus' bowl"! ;) 

Ian: He still works the 4pm-2am shift. It's the schedule that works the best for our family right now so that he can see his girls for a few hours before going to work. A&M students are back and that keeps the town hoppin' and Ian very busy. He is still an FTO(field training officer) and is training the new recruits. He is also president of the Police Officer's Association here in College Station and those duties require his attentions/involvement quite often. I was able to attend the TMPA(Texas Municipal Police Association) conference with him the end of July for 3 days while my amazing Mom-in-law had the 3 girls. It was a much needed, refreshing time with my love...and I got to wear a pretty dress!! ;)  

Brag-on-Ian moment: we have new neighbors. We thought it was an adult couple, mid-40's because they were on the property fixing things up, however...now they're gone & 3 college age girls moved in. Me thinks the older couple bought the property to rent it out to students. Didn't know for sure til one evening, I am awoken by loud noises at 3:40 in the morning. A bit frazzled as to what that could be, come to find out that our new neighbors are having a party in their backyard. "Ummm, NO!" That won't fly. Sleep is precious to a deprived Mama with 3 littles. So...I texted my personal officer who was on duty & let him know the goings-on. Luckily, he was just getting off work. He texted me back, "Their party will be done in 5". MY HERO!! In less than 5 min. I heard silence! He met the neighbors...they fear him...all is now well in our hood. I'm so very thankful & proud of my husband! 

Lowlight: Ian's truck is on it's last leg. It's a 1999 ford ranger, and the AC went out, so we took it in to the shop and they ran a full diagnostic...bad news. The truck has leaks everywhere! In order to keep it running, we need to do some major repairs...over $900 worth. Replacing the AC would be another $750, and we need a new computer chip in it, which adds another $530. 

Long story short, we can barely afford to get the truck run-able again, let alone fix the AC...just thankful that we are entering the Fall season! 

Me: The highlights far outweigh the lowlights. There have been a few tears this month, mostly due to just plain femininity. But I am counting my blessings and they are many! Right now, the Lord is working on me specifically in the area of 1)being respectful to my husband(I have a sarcasm problem), and 2)my struggle in effective communication...striving to say what I mean without being hurtful. 

I was able to attend a church function with my best friend and it was SO fun cuz it was targeted toward college girls and there were MANY!! We felt SO old!! The energy in the sanctuary was unbelievable! When we observed all these beautiful ladies, all of them were engaging in small group conversation and it sounded like hundreds of cackling hens. My ears have missed that sound!! Then when we worshiped together, the overwhelming sense of Christ in the room soaking up the adoration left me feeling almost giddy and goose-bumped! ;) So refreshing!
The Lord knows just what we need when we need it! All in all, I am so thankful for His love & provision!

A few pictures to end with.