Grace on a Warm Winter Day

I truly believe The Lord shows us grace in so many different ways at different times. Today, it was a 65 degree February day that we were able to pack a picnic and head to the park. The kids and I are on the brink of cabin fever with so many cold, windy days and the terrible flu season this year. They have been literally begging to go outside. Even just for a moment of fresh air. Today I was able to make their day by telling them we were actually going to get some outside time, yahoo! Just a simple picnic in the park and time to run at the playground was all they needed. Quite therapeutic, I must say ;)

Just a Tuesday

It's these normal, no plans, nothing to get ready for, nowhere to go type of days that are my favorite lately! It's quite hectic trying to get all of us ready, fed and out the door to get anywhere. No, seriously, anywhere! And because of that, I love days to be home with my babies. To hear what they have to say. To play games and be silly with them. To work on teaching letters and singing songs. To watch them play together. I truly love these days and feel so blessed to share them with 3 of my favorite people in the whole world. 

I love the face he makes when he is concentrating on what he is watching or doing 

These two silly babies were playing on the mat together. All fun and games until Sullivan grabbed a handful of Savannah's hair ;)

Eating lunch with a 2 and 3 year old is always an adventure of sorts 

And just because I love the way he plays. This time he was "rounding up the horses for the stampede"

Super Bowl 2015

Doing anything with small children always turns out slightly different than you plan. But this one was for the best! We had such a fun family night watching the Super Bowl. We set up the card table with food downstairs and the kids ate at their picnic table. That way they could run and play when they were done eating and Sean and I could still attempt to watch the game. It was simple, but fun! 

 

The food: pizza, chips, salsa, chipolte hummus, peanut butter pretzels, fruit, applesauce pouches, M&M's, football cookies and juice boxes. A kid friendly menu was a must for keeping them entertained ;) 

Porters favorite part:

Savannah's favorite part (she said the plates had "puple hemets"- purple helmets):

They had a little too much sugar and stayed up a little too late (they made it till 9:00), but it was such a sweet time of making memories with our babies.

Folks, this is real-life with trying to watch the superbowl (or anything, really) with 3 small children. But one day we will watch the Super Bowl uninterrupted and with all adult food and I'll miss the simple chaos of days like this ;)

Snuggle Boy

There are so many days lately that get the best of me (and my patience!). Having three such small kiddos comes with lots (and lots!) of needs! I feel so stretched in so many different directions because of each of their individual needs. But I have no doubt that I will miss these days! The days of endless snacks, diaper changes, laundry, naps (or nap attempts), letter lessons, constantly sweeping the same piles off of the kitchen floor, wiping noses...you get the picture ;) But in between all of the chaos, I get moments like these that make me beyond grateful that The Lord saw fit to make me a mama of my three precious sweeties!

Bubbles and Babies

We love bath time around here! Clean babies, fresh jammies, sweet lotion smell, what's not to love?! With three little sweeties under 4, it can get a little messy, but it's always full of laughs and lots of water on the floor ;) 

Sissy helping bathe "Little Porty" as she calls him: 

When I went to dry off sweet baby, Sissy decided to have a "spa day" of her own...

And seriously, this will end up in the graduation photos, wedding slide shows and memory books!...

30.

Thoughts on turning 30...

I started Kindergarten 25 years ago. 

I started driving 14 years ago.

I became a teenager 17 years ago.

I graduated high school 12 years ago.

I have lived through 3 whole decades. 

I became a big sister 26 years ago. 

I have been married for 7 years.

I became a mama 4 years ago. 

How's that for making a lady feel old?!

Just kidding, age doesn't bother me one bit! But turning 30 has been quite a surreal experience. The difference between 29 and 30 seems like way more than 365 days! Mostly, I am just thankful that The Lord has blessed me with 30 years to live and enjoy this beautiful world and my sweet family and friends! 

My birthday was just downright perfect! I spent my birthday day with mom and Emma. Using tons of free coupons (hello frugal mama!) we went to breakfast, lunch and dinner for a grand total of $7, score! We took the kids to the library and the park. It was amazing for them to get to run and play! After dinner at Chili's, we went to Ingles and picked a yellow cake with strawberry icing and came home to enjoy it. Sean got me a beautiful blue Fiesta Dutch oven that has already gotten lots of use! 

(Enjoying the cake...)

And this is about as good as group photos get these days...

My 30 years have been full of blessings in so many ways! Each and every one of my days have made me the person I am and for that, I wouldn't change any of them. I am so thankful for the wonderful people that surround me that I am lucky enough to share my days with! 

And to complete my birthday celebrations, my mom was so unbelievably sweet and booked a hotel room for Sean and I to be able to enjoy a good night's sleep and some much needed time ro relax and recharge. We all (Mom, Todd, Emma, Will, Parker, Jesse, Tim, Nana, Grandaddy Frank, Sean, Me and the kids) met at the hotel and swam and enjoyed pizza and cookie cake together and then mom and Emma took the kids home and stayed the night with them. Hello amazing! I am so thankful for my mom's servant's heart! Thanks mom! And to top it off, we got to enjoy the whole day Saturday to ourselves as well. I can't remember the last time we were able to enjoy coffee and tv in bed on a Saturday morning! 

This birthday will probably be impossible to top! 30 isn't so bad after all ;)

50 and wonderful

On Christmas, we celebrated my mom's 50th birthday. I can't say enough good things about her. She is one of my favorite people on Earth. She is a blessing to our little family in ways she will never truly understand. She lights up my kids' faces every time she comes in the door. They know Nonni is here to play and loves to spend time with them. As I too have grown older, she has become not only my mom, but one of my dearest friends. I am so thankful to be back near family and have the privelege of spending time with her every week. 

Mom, I love you. Thank you for all the things you do, the big ones and the small ones. Thank you for thinking about us. Thank you for caring for us with such a sweet, giving heart. I can only hope to love my family and others with the same giving, generous heart that you have. Your light shines bright!