Disney World Recap!

Holy smokes, I can't even believe that it has been a month and half since we took our little family on vacation to Florida. I feel like we got back and I have been playing catch up ever since, BUT I'm finally getting my act together. Going through pictures, picking my favorites for our photo books and putting together a few Christmas gifts with all our fun memories. I know, Christmas, can you believe it!?! Just 17 days and 3 Hours!

So, here is the skinny. Disney is EXHAUSTING, in the best way possible. We are, and I hope we will forever be, a Disney Mom and Dad, but pacing yourself through the week is so important and I'm glad we took the extra time to have a few days of rest between all the busyness that comes with going to Disney world. With that being said, here are my top TEN favorite memories from our trip.

10. Eating a Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. I know this seems silly, but Shawn has wanted to eat there since the first time we went to Disney together in 2013, so it was so fun to finally make that happen. Also, I crushed it at the trivia questions and was only stumped by one... Ginny's last name, anyone?

9. Our girl doing guard duty for Pluto! She was even offered a job, which I am sure she would gladly take due to her love of collecting "monies" for her piggy bank.

8. Halloween at Magic Kingdom. We got the kids dressed like Woody and Jessie and stayed for the ticketed event, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. The kids were out by the end of the Halloween parade, so we didn't make it to the fireworks show, but we still had a blast. Supposedly the fireworks are amazing, so it looks like we will have to make another October trip!

7. Meeting the Princesses. When we met our first princess, Pocahontas, our sweet girl was a little hesitant, but once she loosened up, she would lite up when she saw a new friend and boldly walk to get each character's signature and pose for pictures. However, when she met Aurora for the second time at Epcot her statement to me was, "I don't like her too much. I like Rapunzel better." Clearly the girl knows what and who she likes!

6. The FOOD at Epcot. This was the second year that we have been to Disney during the International Food and Wine Festival and let me tell, Disney does not disappoint on this one!

5. Sawyer and Papa bonding. It started when we sat to watch Lion King at Animal Kingdom and continued on from there. As soon as the show started he started getting nervous and immediately reached for my Dad. It's like he knew he was safe in Papa's arms and from then on kept going to him anytime he was scared on a ride. It was the cutest.

4. Watching our girl become a princess for the day. We had to sneak her in to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique since you "technically" have to be 3, but it was totally worth it. She was so well behaved and totally took on the role of princess Elena. In fact, that role still continues as she refers to herself as the Princess and to me as, "Queen Mama.'

3. Kali River Rapids. Sweet cheeks first big ride and she LOVED it. We had Fast passes for this one and because of that she got to ride it twice in a row, since we took turns with my parents sitting with Bean while he was snoozing!

2. My parents being kids again...

Exhibit A -

And then this bike ride! We were all laughing so much, it was hysterical.

1. And #1...the look on Sweet cheeks face when she saw Anna and Elsa walk out on stage during the Friendship Fare performance at Magic Kingdom. Pure joy was how I would describe it and honestly, her face brought tears to my eyes. It was a moment, a look, that I will never forget and am so grateful we were able to experience together.

Until Next Time Disney!

The Best Little Brother

Fourteen months old today and taking the "Little Brother" role on by storm. Just today he was poking at his big sister while she was napping trying to wake her up. He thinks she is the coolest thing and most days she's ok with that. The boy is doing his best to keep up with her, which is no easy task because she is a fire cracker. He's walking all over the place and his one of his current favorite activities is climbing the stairs, hence the bruises on his forehead. Maybe it's a boy thing or maybe it's a second child thing, but I swear he falls more than his sister ever did! He remains, in my opinion, the sweetest boy, although if he is in a clingy mood, meaning he just wants Momma, he can be a bit of challenge. He's a Momma's boy, for sure, and I'm not complaining. He gives the best kisses and when he flashes that sweet smile my heart explodes. I love when he plays shy with the ladies and snuggles up under my chin. He's pointing, "talking," and I swear he has his first song lyric, "Let it Go!" He's the perfect little man for our family and I am so thankful that he is ours. Happy 14 Months Bean!

13.5 Months - Soybean

Last week we finally went to Bean's 1 year appointment. I know, bad Mom. Summer literally slipped right by us and now we are half-way through October which means it's basically Christmas. I've yet to set out my Fall decorations and with our big family trip to DISNEY right around the corner, I'm wondering if I should skip the leaves and move on to Christmas trees. I can tell you my Husband would not be disappointed if he came home from work to Christmas lights and jingle bells. He's already taught our girl all the words to, "Santa Clause is Coming to Town," so I have a feeling, she would be pretty excited as well.

And now...our Bean...

22 lbs, 14 ounces
31.25 inches long
Size 4 Diapers
Mostly 18 & 18-24 month clothing

Captain Bean at his Birthday Bash last month!

It's official, he is moving and grooving! He is getting more steady on his feet and loves chasing his sister around. Pushing his shopping cart is definitely one of his favorite things to do and it gives him a little bit of speed when running at his sister's heals. He loves to wave, smile and then play shy with the ladies, but doesn't mind showing off his muscles either. He's already a football fan, throwing up his touchdown signal and loves giving himself praise with lots of clapping. Dada, Mama and Bye-bye are his only words, for now, but he still does lots of, "talking." He points at everything, loves playing with bouncy balls and gets so excited when we go to the playground to swing. Most of the time he wants to be down and on the move, but he'll let us snuggle him every now and then.

So now we have it, a toddler and a preschooler. Both loving life and making our world so much brighter. She's our superhero and he is totally her sidekick and I have a feeling that when the two of them really start working together, they are going to be one dynamic duo!

Happy Birthday Soybean

One year ago today at 0534, we welcomed this sweet boy into the world. He is without a doubt the sweetest little guy and we are so lucky that we get to be his Mom and Dad. Happy Birthday sweet boy. I am so looking forward to celebrating you today.

Our Year with TWO.

August 31, 2015: "...I pray that you won't be afraid, but will find instant comfort when we hold you close for the first time. That you will know the love that we have for you and that you will be strong. Strong like the Lord has told me you will be. I love you sweet baby and I am so excited to be your Mom and for you to have the best Dad and big sister in the world."

One year ago today, I wrote those words to my sweet boy. I was feeling so pregnant. My feet were swelling and I literally felt like my lower half was going to explode because of all the pressure our baby was putting on me. I had no idea who he would be, or that he would 9 pounds 8 ounces,  but I knew that he was already so loved. As we approach the big 1st birthday, I have all sorts of emotions running through me. One of them being, excitement. We did it! We survived the first year of being parents to two little blessings. I feel like the word survived implies some sort of negative spin. I don't mean it to, but I'm going to be honest and say, some days we were just going for survival. Can I get an amen?!

I swear they love us!

Sweet cheeks and Soybean are without a doubt our greatest blessings and on the days that it feels like I am getting every detail wrong, I work hard at reminding myself that I was chosen to be their Mom. That we were chosen to be their parents, to love them and raise them the best we can. With that, I am so thankful, that when I can't hear that truth through life's noise, I have friends and FRamily to run to for support. People that have been my rock on the hard days, so as I am celebrating this past year of highs and lows, I have to celebrate those who have been there for us. Who have been part of my village and supported me through being a Mom, the best and hardest gift I have ever received.

Having these two littles have made me want to slow down. To work on focusing on what is truly important. To make little memories, like watching the same movies over and over, running/crawling in circles around the couch, seeing our big sister share a sweet embrace or kiss with her baby brother when she thinks no one is watching. I'm living in, "the days,"and I don't ever want to take that for granted. These truly are the best days. 

God gave me these babies as a game changer. Having them has made us work harder, pray harder and strive with even more tenacity to not only be the best Mom and Dad, but the best person, the best Christian we can be. Have we failed at times, sure thing, but nothing has made me want to keep pushing forward more than the 4 eyes we have watching us. 

The thing is, I know ultimately the greatest gift I've received, and will ever receive, is the salvation I've been given through Christ's death and resurrection on the cross. There is no doubt about that. BUT I would be a crazy if I didn't see my kids as a gift God gave me to make me love Him more, to serve Him better and that my friends has been what, "Our Year with TWO," has been all about. Refining who we are in Christ and adventuring through this thing we call life together, one perfectly messy moment to the next. 

Summer, SLOW DOWN!

I can hardly believe it's August. Better yet, that it is August 3rd, which means in exactly ONE month I will have TWO toddlers. I really want August to slow down, so I can savor these last 30 days of infancy. So hear me August, I want to enjoy your long days, late nights, family pool parties, and quality time just the 4 of us as much as possible, so lets make it happen.

Last month literally flew by. We started off the month by welcoming the newest addition to our family, our sweet niece, and things just kept rolling. The Hubs was gone for over half the month, which made for some pretty tough days for this Momma. With that being said, I was super excited when he offered to fly me to PORTUGAL for a weekend getaway, just the two of us, midway through his three weeks of travel. I guess what I should say is I was super excited once I got there. I had so much anxiety about leaving the kids and being able to pump enough while I was gone (Happy World Breastfeeding Week) so that I could continue to nurse when I got home, that fear almost kept me from making the flight. However, with prayer and encouragement from family and friends, I jumped on the plane and let me tell you, it was amazing and so worth it!

Shortly after I got back from Europe, the Hubs was back home and we were all off on a family vacation to the Outer Banks. It was perfect wind down time for all of us and I loved that we got to share it with my family. Our kids are so loved by their Granny, Papa, Aunties and Uncles and being able to make memories with them is something that I treasure.

Now that we're up to speed on the craziness that was July, let me catch you up on our Bean. He is a mover and a shaker! A waving, high-5 giving, wants to be in everything 11 month old that has completely stolen our hearts. He still doesn't sleep great a night, although the time he had with Granny while I was a way did help tremendously in that department, but he takes great naps! He eats everything and loves his Momma and his "personal milk supply" as his Daddy would say. I love watching him, watch his sister and it's so fun to watch him play independently while I'm getting things done around the house. He loves the water and as we learned this week, he loves sand too. He does great in the car and for the most part is the chillest dude I know, although he doesn't like getting new teeth which is now has 9 of! He has learned to climb up stairs, which he may or may not have taken a tumble down, and he is just starting to cruise on furniture. However, I'd be happy if he held off on walking, since I have a feeling he is going to have us running in all sorts of directions. His best friend is his sister and he loves snuggling with his blanket. He's our little man and we love him so.

So, here's to long August days that lead to peaceful August nights. To family time and embracing the mess that is life with our two crazy kiddos. To slowing down and savoring all life's precious moments.

Happy August, Y'all!