a break

Almost a month ago, we took a little break and vacationed in Gulf Shores for a week.  It was AMAZING.  We had just the perfect amount of sun, rain, beach, pool, fishing ;), and hanging out as a family.  And much of that was because Chad's mom was around to help us out with the girls!  Such a blessing.  We couldn't have asked for a better vacation with our little family...

Rainy day painting...

And Livie learned out to swim the width of the pool!  After 1 week with Grandma she was doing so good :).  She was so proud...and we were too!

The last night, I asked Chad's aunt Judy to take a few pictures of our family on the beach.  (Because I'm always up for a family picture!).  Anyway, she had this great idea to take our supper leftovers (french fries mostly) and feed them to the sea-gulls and get some good pictures with the birds all around us.  Well, the seagulls really liked the food because they were soon EVERYWHERE.  We could hardly get away from them!  And one actually hit Chad in the face!  So funny.  Got some good pictures out of it too :)...

Back home, our "break" has continued as we've all been sick at one point or another the past 3+ weeks.  Being sick just kinda stops everything :(.  But we're hanging in there...and loving fall...

On my birthday, the sickness continued as Livie puked after church right as we sat down to eat brunch at a restaurant :(.  Poor girl.  But it still was a good day :).  Best part was that we witnessed this amazing double rainbow with Chad's brothers and sisters (you can see it better in the second picture).  It was breathtaking.... and such an amazing reminder of God's faithfulness!

Other things we've been doing to fill our sick time?  Painting and crafting ;).  Livie would paint EVERYDAY if I let her...

And there's been lots of snuggling going on...which is probably why we ALL were sick!

Tired, sick girl...

Sick, but still smiley :).  She seriously gives the BEST smiles.

And I love it when she falls asleep in my arms :)...

And yeah...sometimes I just don't ask questions.  I'm just glad when they find things like this to entertain themselves for a few minutes!!

a schedule

In case anyone was wondering...Livie has not been accident free this past month...she got stung by a wasp just a few days after I blogged about all her accidents.  Seriously child!   

Onto this blog post...after 3 and half years of no schedule, I guess it's about time me and the girls got a little more disciplined with our time.  And so this September has been the start of a schedule for us.  It's not too jam packed, but it's definitely enough for us.  

Basically it consists of Livie in preschool 2 mornings a week (which she LOVES), Community Bible Study another morning  a week, and then Chad and I working out together 3 evenings or mornings a week.  It doesn't seem like much when I write it out...but for this home-body ;)...it is stretching me.  Stretching me to let go of my babies a little...re-prioritizing...and to be out the door before 8:30 am!  We haven't been late anywhere yet ;).  So far, all is going well...

Here's pictures from the past month...

Forgot to put this one in when I was blogging about the TV show...my sister-in-laws and I getting ready for some pictures for the show one evening :)...love these girls.

Oh Emma...potty training is progressing SLOWLY, but we're sticking with it!

The girls at the Hanna City Heritage Days parade...

Mercy having a contented moment at about 6 weeks...

Emma gave up her paci this past month (yes, this girl has been going through a lot of transitions!).  She seems so much more grown up without it now and just talks non-stop.  Love her.

Mercy had a rough week at about 6 weeks...nothing seemed to help :(...but since then, she's been great.

Emma has been learning to play by herself while Livie is in pre-school...she was kind of lost the first few days, but now I think she kind of likes having all the toys to herself for a couple hours :).

The girls enjoying some treats on these last few days of summer...

Happy baby!

The girls playing "flower shop" in the yard :)...

Trying on mommy's shoes...

 

2 month shots...not fun!

Biggest and littlest...

Morton Pumpkin Festival parade...  Of the girls, Liv was the one anxious to get as much candy as possible and put it in her bag.  Emma just wanted to eat what candy she had as soon as she got it.  Just another way these two are so different!

So, so long Summer!  We're so excited for fall even if it means our schedule is fuller than normal :).