Growing Up

Our little Carlie is about to turn 2, and she is changing daily. She is an absolute ham! Carlie can love on you better than just about any child I know. We have watched her "melt" (as someone recently worded it) into the arms of so many people, offering the sweetest hug ever. She can also throw one of the loudest and longest fits you've ever seen, if things don't go quite the way she planned. She is an observer and then a do'er. She's rather fearless and is ready to try anything big sis Addie is into. She thinks Addie hung the moon herself and daddy isn't far behind! She is beautiful, both inside and out. She is learning, growing, and changing so quickly. Carlie Quin....our sweet, 2nd child ~ we love her so dearly! 

4 Weeks!

Sweet Gabe is FOUR WEEKS old today!!

Spring is HERE!

Just a few goodies from our new catalog! Ahhhhh.....Spring is in the air already!

Bathtime

Bathtime tonight was so much fun for the girls.....I wish all the laundry that needed to be folded was that much fun!

Toy Store

AdA

After nap today, the girls played SO nicely together while I cooked dinner. When I asked Addie what they were playing, she told me that she had a "toy store" and Carlie was shopping there. Yes, there were toys EVERYWHERE and yes, I was tempted to start cleaning up quietly behind her when she wasn't looking, but then I remembered the joy in pretending. I thought about how fleeting these days of imaginative play really are, and I soaked up the mess happily and let them play until their hearts were content! And....what about Gabe? He's perfectly wonderful!

Your Hand

Y

"Yet O LORD, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand."

Isaiah 64:8

New Friend

Sweet Nanny sent Gabe a stuffed lamb that says, "Jesus Loves Me" and he loves it!! 

Thanks Nanny!!

Kitchen Demolition and Goodbye's

Today, one of my top New Year's resolutions began, with the help of my sister! I am getting ORGANIZED in a big way! After all, I am a Thirty-One rep....I should be a pro at this stuff, right? 

After a very long and "not so fun" pregnancy, the organization in our home took a back seat and we were needing help to get back on track. Natalie loves to organize (as a missionary, they have moved many times over the last 7 years!) and offered to spend her Saturday with us to do just that! Ok, so here's the thing....this is a pride-free post. Scroll down at your own risk because I am going to share with you, our messy cabinets and our kitchen once Natalie took EVERYTHING out today! Whew...this is a little painful! HA! 

With the help of lots of tupperware, things began to happen!

Soooo....after emptying every cabinet, drawer, and closet in the kitchen and hallway, we finished our project around 4:00pm~ we started at 11:00am! I wish I could show you everything we did, but this post might start to bore you, so here's a peek at just a couple!

This is the BEFORE picture of one cabinet:

And now...the AFTER PICTURE!

(drum roll please.....)

Another "after" pic:

She's done!!

Where were the kiddo's during the kitchen demolition? Gabe was happily snoozing the afternoon away!

The rest of the crew was outside this morning, playing football!

Natalie and her family are heading back to Alaska, so this was our day to say goodbye. I've been sad today to see them leave, but I'm so proud of them and what they are doing in AK ~ sharing the Word with those who may not hear otherwise. God is so great and this family knows it! They don't just share it, they live it. Safe travels, hugs and kisses, and much love to you all....we can't wait to see you again when you come back to SC!

Two Weeks!

Time sure does fly by when you're having fun! Gabriel is TWO WEEKS old today!? How is that possible? He is such a little treasure ~ eating and sleeping great! To be completely honest, we have had a very easy transition into having three babies. The girls are enjoying him, but also playing together, which makes life a lot less hectic. This time, there is no jealousy....just 

lots of love! Gabe fits in perfectly!

In fact, life around here is pretty much "normal" these days. Lots of staying in, due to his young age, but that's ok! We have enjoyed the time together.

Who says you can't eat together as a family with a newborn? Gabe eats dinner with us every night! We have been OVERWHELMED with the amount of food that has come into this house, from friends! We have been blessed with a solid two weeks worth of food so far, and it seems to keep coming! I am humbled at the thoughtfulness of everyone and grateful for their

 help and friendship. 

Need I say more?

Sweet Gabe has had lots of visitors this week! We have treasured everyone's time with us!

Quite frankly, I can hardly remember life before him. This pic (at Yumilicious) was taken two days before delivery. Life was great then, and it's even greater now!

Strollin'

Lovin' this SC weather!!

Babies

Bringing a child into the world is the greatest act of hope there is.

- Louise Hart

Learning

We've learned that Carlie likes things her way and wants them the WAY she wants them, WHEN she wants them, HOW she wants them....and we wouldn't want her any other way!

We've learned bathtime is NOT Gabe's most favorite activity!

We've learned that great friends put surprises in your yard and never mention a word about it!

We've learned that daddy's arms are a great place to be!

Protected and Loved

Our Sweet Baby Boy

Psalm 63:3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my

 lips will praise you.

Our Day

Apparantly, our sweet Gabriel didn't sit in the sun quite enough yesterday! Today, he is sleeping soundly in a Bili-Bed to hopefully help with jaundice. Isn't he adorable in that bed? Other than that, the princesses of the house continue to play with daddy and dress up. Our house is a little crazy right now, but we are beyond blessed!

Hangin' in the Sun