Spring has Sprung

Instead of trying to explain why I haven't blogged and make up excuses, I am just diving back in. 

Life has been crazy for us the past couple of months.  Darren was offered a job at Chase Bank and has been working there since the end of March.  He is enjoying it a lot and it is nice having him work closer to home.  Marli is so cute, she tells people her daddy works at the piggy bank.  It has been a change for me transitioning to being the only one home during the day.  I really got used to Darren's help with the house and kids.  I really appreciated him and all he did.  He is such a hard worker and am lucky to have him. 
As for the kids, they are getting so big.  Madison has decided she wants to be an astronaut when she grows up and talks about it all the time.  Marli is becoming our LOUD child.  When we go anywhere she decides she wants to talk really loud or start singing.  Lucas is 8 months old and is so much fun.  He is always smiling.  He loves to roll around and eat just about anything he sees.  Here are some random pictures of the kids. 

Madison made her own astronaut costume. 

I took the kids yesterday to get their pictures taken.  I think they turned out awesome!!! I love having photogenic kids.  Yesterday went so smoothly.  I didn't yell for them to get dressed, get their hair done or keep clean.  They were excited and cooperative.  Madison and Marli love cameras so any chance they get they are posing.  Lucas was a little more confused.  He didn't give any of his super big smiles, but I love the smiles he did give.

Love and all that mushy stuff

Well today is that day of the year that people do that love stuff.  Don't get me wrong I love any excuse to tell my husband I love him, but I think it's sad to see the commercialism put into this day.  We went to the store last night and I couldn't believe how many flowers and balloons they were selling.  We couldn't even drive into the District because of how many people were trying to do the expected "date night".  Here are two pictures showing the people I love the most in this world!!! Happy Valentine's Day.

My Birthday Girl

Madison turned 6 on Feb. 3rd and had her first birthday party with friends.  She had a pink party.  Her best friends came (Felicia, Grayce, Juli, Kenzie, Eva and of course Marli) and she was loving her day.  We decorated goodie bags, made pink and white bracelets, decorated cupcakes, had heart shaped sandwiches, painted our nails pink, did a pinata and of course opened presents.  I do have to send a very BIG thank you to my mom, Allie, Becky and my neighbor Niki for their help with the party.  It was a huge success!!

February Resolutions

It's only the 14th right?  Okay so I need to be better at keeping this up.  Last month I didn't do as well as I would have liked to with my resolutions.  Darren and I did manage to go on two dates.  One was to Avatar and dinner (thanks to Dean and Georgia for babysitting) and the other was a trip to IKEA and having the kids play in their play zone while Darren and I ate in the restaurant.  I really tried to compliment someone everyday and it did make me feel better, so that is working and I will continue that one.  As for the treadmill thing, well I am still finding it being used as a second closet more than a source of exercise.  I also didn't do well on my Dr. Pepper plan. 
So this month here are my resolutions:

• Continue to compliment someone daily
• REALLY try to get on that darn treadmill more
• Continue going to my Love and Logic class and practice the exercises at home
• Appreciate my family and spend quality time with them
• Show more love and support to Darren while he looks for a job

I will do my best this month to do these things. 

Madison Lost Her...

Yes it's finally out! She has been working hard on this tooth for about a month now.  She is so happy, and has already put it under her pillow eagerly awaiting her loot. 

The Logic of Kids

Madison is at an age where we love to ask her questions.  Her reasoning and explanation of things are so original and cute I have to record some of them here so I don't forget. 

• Last week it was foggy outside and she told us "the sky must have been too heavy so it dropped the clouds on us".
• I made stew the other night and she asked me what was inside of it.  I told her meat, carrots, potatoes, celery, onions and gravy.  She said "oh I'm allergic to gravy, infact it's the only thing I am allergic to".
• She loves playdough, and told me one day that she knows how to make it. I asked her to tell me and she said "you make dough like for bread and then add food coloring like Grammie puts in her pancakes and then put it in the fridge to get cold and hard."

I know I am drawing a blank to many more, but I will continue to record them so I don't forget.  I just love the innocence of children.  My kids teach me so much!!!  Today I enjoy being a mom (this does change from day to day).

Just Some Random Pictures

I know there is a lot of pictures of Luke, but I can't help it. He is at such a cute stage right now!!

Look who is rolling over now?