Here Come The Cottontail's

If you've ever seen cuter kids, I'll kiss your butt. The weather was so gorgeous this morning...an impromptu photo shoot of Audrey and her cousin Brady was crucial.

I've Made The Decision To...

Homeschool "The Trifecta"! Next year will be my last year as a full time district employee. There are so many reasons why I've come to this decision...

I get to spend more time with the girls.

I can sleep in.

I can work around the house more.

I'll cook more often.

The laundry will stay caught up.

I will never again get behind on "Days of Our Lives". 

I wont have to spend anymore money on professional type attire.

It won't be a big deal if the girls miss a bath night...I'll be the only one around them the next day.

The girls and I could go get pedicures whenever we wanted.

I could stay up as late as I liked...I won't have to get up at any certain time.

No more faculty meetings.

No more worrying about how "they" are going to have us make up snow days.

I'll have more time for my husband.

I can craft whenever I want.

The house will always be clean since I'm there so much.

The girls will be able to work at their own pace.

I'll be able to take my time eating lunch...no more scarfing down a meal in 18 minutes.

Oh, by the way...






APRIL FOOLS!!!!!

Did you really think I was serious? Are you kidding me? Homeschool?! My job is my daily break  from "The Trifecta"! I love my children more than life itself, but 24/7 with them 365 days a year is too much for this Mommy. It was deciphered long ago that I am a much better person, wife, and Mommy when I work. In a perfect world, I could work only part time. Sounds great! I would love to be in charge of the PTO or be head room parent (I put "parent" because many men these days are stay-at-home dads...I don't want to be sexist...). It's not a perfect world though, so, there you have it. For now, I will stay full time at my job (which I love!). Props to all of you parents that homeschool your kiddos...bless you...and your nerves! *winks*

Everywhere a "Quack, Quack"

Thanks to "Papa Rolly" (That's Papa Roy), the girls now have 3 pet ducks. Uh, yeah. So, these are not our first ducks to care for. We had a few back when Lillie was 2. They were purchased for her 2nd birthday party...a petting zoo. Yes, I tend to go overboard for parties. No hassling necessary. Big Man takes care of that, thanks. These ducks, however, are the first since Lillie has really grasped the concept of "survival of the fittest". Let's hope these cuties climb to the top of the food chain once they are released out on Papa and Ma's pond. I'd hate to think of my girls broken hearted...they are having too much fun playing with them. Sure, it may have been 80 degrees, but this may have been a bit overboard for the middle of March...

Hmmm...Maybe it isn't the animal predators these little guys should be worried about after all. My "Trifecta" may put them in an early grave with all their jumping and splashing around!

Good Morning Beautiful

reyI love Saturday mornings. I get to soak up all that is great about not having to hop right out of bed to get ready for work. There's time to stay under the covers and enjoy some of my absolute most favorite things...

Waking Up Peacefully

A No Rush Morning Nursing Session

That Shared Look

A Big "Thank You For The Milky" Smile

A Big "Thank You For The Milky" Kiss

We've Gone Zonkers!

I always said that I wouldn't take the girls to any "fun" places (like Zonkers in Olathe, KS) until they were old enough to pay for themselves (haha!)...

Is this not the coolest picture?!?!

Ok, Ma, I'd like some more cereal bar...

Dang it, Ma, you've done it now!

Yes, these are taken while riding!

Isn't that the most priceless look?!

No, he is NOT part of KISS...He may wish!

It's excitement like this that keeps me going!

A side trip to check out ear piercing possibilities...

They even let Lillie hold the piercing gun...

Can you tell she was gonna back out? Well, she did!

...Yeah, so I caved. What can I say?...a Groupon coupon strikes again! We're Zonked!!!

He's Made His List

...and he checked it twice! All 3 of my girls made it on St. Nick's "nice" list! What a proud Mama I am that Lillie, Claira, and Audrey received letters from Santa. *winks* Every year, thus far, he has written a special letter and sent it all the way from the North Pole. It must be a lot of work on his part *winks again* to write each and every boy and girl that make his "nice" list and put it in the mail for our trusty postal service to deliver. Checking the mailbox each day after Thanksgiving, in anticipation of her own delivery, is one of Lillie's highlights of the Christmas season. She was so excited Friday when the only thing received (as I was equally excited not to be getting bills or junk mail!) were 3 letters all the way from the North Pole!

Sitting Pretty

I guess it has to happen...my baby has to grow up. I'm learning to be acceptant of her reaching milestones that I'll never experience with another baby. This saddens me, but I am excited that Audrey is learning and growing at an excellent pace. My little Audrey has started sitting pretty. Way to go baby girl!

A Visit to Santa

Today we ventured out into the brisk winter weather to visit the season's favorite fella...Santa Claus! I can't believe two things...1) Claira didn't cry a bit. In fact, she was quite eager to get up and sit on the fat man's lap! 2) I managed to capture a picture with all three girls looking at the camera, looking happy,

and Santa not looking like he's about to drop the whole gang!

My First Last Time

What a bittersweet moment I had on Friday. Audrey started rolling over! She smiles in amazement as her pudgy little body completes it's roll...and I am mesmerized by her new trick...every time she does it. I wasn't upset that I wasn't the first to see her do it...I'm glad it was very special people in our lives that got the experience (you know who you are). I was excited just to see her proud face when she showed me! You go girl! I was, however, sad because it quickly hit me that this was my first last time at watching one of my beautiful gifts from God reach a big milestone. I held back the tears from fear of embarassment. *smirky frown* Oh my, will I really be able to call it quits after 3?...

The Mess I'd Never Want to Clean Up

It was one year ago today that a very important event occured. Let me tell the story...

I just wasn't feeling myself the day before...had that "out of body" feeling. As I was getting ready for work, with 10 minutes before I had to leave the house, I decided to take a pregnancy test. I just knew there was no way I could actually be pregnant...I was still nursing Claira and my "gift from mother nature" had not resumed since having Claira...a waste of a test for sure. I did my business and went on my way chasing after Lillie and Claira to get them ready. A few minutes later I scooted past the sink where the cheap Dollar Tree test lay and took a double take...POSITIVE! What?!?! How...When...Oh my! Can you say "shocked"?

I walked downstairs to the laundry room where my half dressed husband was mid body into the dryer, looking for his socks. I said, "Honey, I need you to come upstairs." His response, and one that will stay with me forever was, "Whatever they (speaking of Lillie and Claira) have done, you clean it up!" All I could think of to say was, "This isn't a mess we can clean up." I started sobbing and somehow got the words out "I'm pregnant" as he look at me confused. He cracked the biggest grin and grabbed me in his arms. "How could he be happy?" I wondered. I was in total and utter shock...Claira was only 10 months old! I wasn't upset...maybe...still not sure. I just couldn't believe the words..."I'm pregnant"..."I'm pregnant"..."Oh God, I'm pregnant!" Lillie was wondering why Mommy was crying. Robert assured her that I was ok, and that she was going to have another brother or sister. Whoa! I kept telling Robert not to continue talking about the morning's big news...Lillie was becoming a "tell all" and I was NOT ready for anyone to know...at least until I had accepted it myself. There was no way I could get to work and be alright, but I went.

I didn't tell anyone at work what I had found out that morning...not even one of my best friends, Ashlee. I'm sure I walked around like a complete zombie...face puffy and swollen from sobbing on and off during the moments of privateness. I was becoming a mother again...for the third time in two and a half years! Luckily, my wonderful and supportive husband sent me messages all day confirming just how excited and blessed he was to be expecting again. What a guy! I needed a bit more time to be convinced that we would be ok (mentally, physically, financially) with three children under 3.

It took me a couple of weeks to accept that my new arrival would be coming. You know, once our doctor ordered an ultrasound and I saw that little heart beating on the screen...there was life inside me :) My dumbfoundedness (wow! long word!) turned into great joy and anticipation...along with a bit of "How in the world will we manage?!"

And here we are now, one year later and I couldn't even begin to explain the joy and love that Audrey has brought me already...in only a few short months. Audrey, baby girl, thank you for surprising me and giving me the gift of you...Mommy loves you! Robert, honey, thank you for giving me one of the three best gifts I've ever received...I love you too.

Dora and her crew

The spookiness is in the air and my girls are rocking the costumes I worked so hard on. They were the talk of the downtown trick-or-treat! I just wish they would have lasted a bit longer than they did...Dora wasn't enjoying her wig as much as her spectators were, and Map took a few falls...luckily she was padded and rolled!

Dora and her "Crew" Trick-or-Treating downtown Warrensburg

My sweet "Baby Boots" enjoying the downtown Trick-or-Treat

Lillie Trick-or-Treating at her Preschool