This Mother’s Day I had three times the love. Three times the hugs. Three times the smothering. We got up early to go watch Makena sing in the church choir program. We’d been down this road one time before last fall. There was a Christmas program and Makena was front and center of about twenty kids. You never know what you are going to get when you put your child up in front of an audience. You send them along and hope for the best. Hoping that your kid is not THAT kid.

So right before Christmas was the Christmas program. The music started. All of the kids started singing, except for Makena. Oh no, was the first thought that went through my head. She had been given a charm bracelet and necklace for her birthday and she began play with the charm on her bracelet. For about five songs. Then the girl next to her is wearing Christmas light earrings that dangled just enough to get Makena’s attention. Mind you, she’s on the front row singing in front of the entire church congregation. Makena turns to the girl next to her and spends the next three songs swatting at the girls earrings. At this point, I just closed my eyes and put my head down. I could hear my mother-in-law to my left. “Jade… go get her. Jade… go get her.” I just closed my eyes, sat there and giggled.

Then on the final song, Makena turns to the girl with the earrings, lifts up her shirt and pokes her in the belly in front of God and everyone. I just sat there and smiled. That’s MY girl and I love her. She makes me laugh, she wants to entertain, she’s full of life and loves so hard.

This Mother’s Day, five months later, she stood up in front of the church. Sang her songs without batting an eye. Finally spotted me in the crowd about three songs in, raised her hands high in the sky and waved to me. That’s MY girl.

I love watching them grow up. I never want to miss a minute. I treasure those moments and will carry them with me forever in my heart. And promise to retell these stories when she’s grown and needs a bit of humbling and payback. It’s my job, it’s what I do.

Where was I? Oh yes, Makena’s birthday party. Makena turned five way back in early December. I had no clue what I was going to do for her party as the weather in December can be iffy. She asked if we could have her party at the pool. I think not.  Darby, one of the sweetest mamas I know, had just done a super cute tea party themed birthday party for her daughter so I thought what the heck. Let’s bring out the china!

Beads and pipe cleaners go a long way to keep kids entertained. And a quick disclaimer, very few ideas are mine. It takes a village.

Makena’s great grandmothers tea cup and saucer collection. Believe it or not not a one got broken.

A happily sleeping baby girl.

Well at least I got these pictures up before she turned six. I would call that success these days. Happy birthday sweet Makena!

This morning we are all a little under the weather. This Texas weather, going from 70 degrees to 30 degrees gets the best of us at times. But we didn’t feel so bad that we couldn’t partake in the neighborhood polar dip. ‘We’ meaning my hubby and us standing by as support. To hold the towel, the baby, and take pictures. It was 50 degrees outside and Lake Travis was 56 degrees. This is an annual New Years Day event that has been taking place for 15 years. And those who jump have to sign the scroll and are forever known as the ‘dipsters.’

Reviewing the scroll, those who have jumped before us.

That’s my man on the right. Mr. Twinkle Toes!

He survived the jump!

Happy New Year friends! May you feel a sense of PEACE and HOPE today.

Makena sat with her daddy and Keegan slept peacefully. Lulled to sleep by the Christmas lullabies in my brother’s lap. The service ended with the congregation singing Silent Night. It took me back to when Makena was a newborn, only a couple of days home from the hospital. She had an extended stay in the NICU. I remember, just like yesterday, holding my first born. Holding her as tight as I possibly could. Singing the same very song to her, home with our new family of three.

Right now we are home, tracking Santa online. He’s in Puerto Rico so it’s about time to hurry the kids along to bed. He’ll be here shortly. Here is a photo, taken only moments ago. Makena precariously holding Chloe, while I’m holding my breath. Keegan, not wanting to take a picture but rather wanting some juice. I love these moments. The frustration from a boy who is tired of his mama taking his picture. The joy of a big sister to have a little one to dress just alike. And the new baby, who we are just beginning to know.

Friends, may you treasure every moment of the season and hold these memories close to your heart. From our family to yours we hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

“Gersh gurndy morn-dee burn-dee.” My hubby got this ornament from my sister because he LOVES the Swedish Chef. He does a GREAT impersonation. (Insert video here… if I had one. Note to self, record hubby doing Swedish Chef impersonation.) Alas, this is not my new toy. But did you see them do the Muppets on Saturday Night Live a couple of weeks ago? Hilarious!

At night, I was able to capture the classic ‘Keegan take your fingers out of your mouth’ from his daddy. Couldn’t get that before. You get it yet?

A just bathed baby. I got a new camera, a Canon Rebel, and I’m over the moon. Mostly to be able to take shots like this.

And capture pictures of our Christmas with my mom’s side of the family today. Inside. Without a flash. Christmas comes early around these parts. We actually celebrate Christmas four times with our family. My mom’s family, my dad’s family, my hubby’s family, and then at home.

Here are the cousins. My kids are blessed to have so many cousins that are also their friends. The little brown haired blue eyed cutie is Phoenix. Keegan calls him ‘my Phoenix.’

My beautiful sister Chelsea, Phoenix’s mama, loving my baby Chloe. I try and try to do that to my hair but no dice. Seriously, she’s gorgeous right!?!

I really love the camera because I can capture moments like this. Nana has a pond in her backyard and the kids balance precariously close to the edge tossing in the landscaping rocks. Sooner or later we knew it would happen. And of course it happened in December. Poor Phoenix. But seriously look at those eyes. That’s all the camera, oh yeah and his genes!

This is my first big girl camera so I’m still learning all of the ropes. If any of you Canon Rebel owners have any tips or suggestions I’d love to hear them. Until then, I’ll just be clicking the day away. Corny. Sorry.

Have a wonderful weekend my friends.

Last night my hubby asked me if I had napkin rings. Ahem, doesn’t he know we NEVER use cloth napkins? Since we are using cloth napkins I guess I’m supposed to have napkin rings. Nope. Don’t have any so I improvised. I used some twine and made tags with scrapbook paper. I added some Thanksgiving-y words and voila… napkin rings!

And it even took an act of Congress to obtain the only three remaining pumpkins at my local grocery store. Apparently there was a bad pumpkin crop this year because of the drought and pumpkins are in high demand. There were no pumpkins to be purchased in the store. Until I spied some in the deli display used for decorations. Thirty minutes later, and being rung up as acorn squash because no one knew how to price them, they were mine.

There are a few things I need to cook, but most is being brought over by my family. I wanted to set the table to show that I am grateful for everyone traveling to our house so it will be easier on us with the new baby. The least I can do is set a nice table and do the dishes right?!? And what’s even better is that no one expects a thing. They would be just as happy with paper plates. And for all of these things, I am thankful.

Everything is set up and now I’m just waiting for family to arrive tomorrow. No rushing around today. No getting up for Black Friday. Just going to spend the holiday with family, probably partaking in some serious Wii challenges, going on walks, and sitting on the porch telling stories.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Take a breather, take a break, cherish your loved loves. Be thankful for all that you have. You are blessed.

I woke up on Sunday to a fog filled Hill Country. It was just beginning to drizzle as we were rushing around the house getting the kids dressed and ready to head into the Warehouse District downtown Austin to take family pictures. There were little teeth to be brushed, hair to be combed, breakfast to be served, coffee to be downed, shoes to be buckled, and babies to be nursed. The hurrying and the gathering.

An afternoon and evening spent with my brother and sister-in-law and their three kids. All of us together in our cozy house while it poured down rain. All day long.

Sitting by the fire, making meals together, sharing laughter, and a bottle of wine. And finishing the evening with a wii sword fighting extravaganza led by five little ones.

Happy 12 year anniversary honey, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

As I was uploading pictures from my camera to iPhoto I came across some pictures that I almost let slip by. Almost grandpa, but not quite. It was grandpa’s (milestone) birthday and it also happens to be on Halloween. How cool is that to have a Halloween birthday? It’s always a party. Anyway, I won’t tell you exactly how old he is because he might get his feathers all ruffled but I will tell you that it rhymes with pixie.

So we couldn’t let this birthday go by without celebration and fanfare. Heck, if it were up to me I would have shown up with some major milestone decorations. Necklaces, buttons, balloons… But that’s not how grandpa rolls so I behaved myself.

We all met at the Salt Lick in Driftwood for a Sunday afternoon barbeque birthday celebration. If you’ve never heard of, or been to the Salt Lick, it’s quite the Austin experience. It’s a BYOB kind of joint that serves Texas style barbeque that’ll knock your socks off.

There is always live music on the patio.

A good time to partake in your beverage of choice with good friends.

Grandpa and his grandkids.

And this picture is as sweet as sweet tea.

Have a great weekend friends!

Makena chose my 1980 cheerleading costume from the one and only year that I was a cheerleader. Let’s just say that it wasn’t my thing. And Keegan was Spiderman that I picked up at a garage sale a while back.

Little Miss Chloe was peas in the pod. Sweet peas in fact. It was Keegan’s thrifted costume from when he was a baby.

Our neighborhood does this really neat Hay Ride/Trick or Treat. All of the families meet at the neighborhood park for a kids costume contest and pumpkin contest. Then everyone loads up onto trailers filled with hay bales and stocked coolers (hey, we live at the lake) that take you around the neighborhood for trick or treating. And since everyone in our hood has at least an acre it’s really the best way to get around. When the announcement was made for the hay ride, Chloe and I headed home to hand out candy.

This morning I sorted through all of the candy and sent two large bags with my hubby to work. It’s dangerous in the house. And if I have plans to ever get back into my jeans I had to get rid of it!

Chloe Jeanette Sims :: Born September 29, 2009 :: 12:52 pm :: 8 lbs. 7 oz. :: 20.5 inches :: Austin, Texas

We came home with Chloe yesterday evening. After two summers of drought, we came home to a yard filled with flowers. All of the plants and trees are blooming purple, yellow, white and pink flowers. I like to think that God brought us flowers for the baby’s delivery. Along with the most precious gift he could give us. A sweet baby girl. My heart is full of love and gratitude. My head is hazy from a combination of a lack of sleep and pain killers for the c-section.

Makena and Keegan are adjusting like they should. We are trying to make sure they are getting quality time as well. So far, so good.

Chloe’s heart is perfect. Such a blessing. And we are incredibly grateful.

I’m sitting in the bedroom right now wearing Chloe in a sling so I can type up this post and share her with you. I’ll be on here as much as I can. I’ve got about 500 pictures I took at the hospital to sort out as well.