Saturday, June 18, 2011
Silly Saturday
It's been awhile since I've posted a video (slow internet at fault) but here is the return of silly Saturdays starting with one of Grant!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
A Week in the Life
Every year, since 2008, I have documented our typical week in pictures. Normally this happens in October but this year just to change it up, I plan on doing it in July. It has been awesome to see how Evie's grown and what our life is like right now. For instance, last October I took a picture of all of the baby bottles we go through in a day. Fun, huh? What an awesome reminder of what life was like when and something I wish my mom had known about when I was a kid. I FINALLY finished the digital pages for 2008 and wanted you to see them here. I loved capturing these moments and it has some of my favorite family pictures from that year. One bittersweet remembrance from that week is that amma and ampa A came to watch Evie while Shawn had a work event and I went to a management conference. Auntie Candii was still alive then and these awesome pictures from the 25th were the LAST ones that were taken of Evie and her precious auntie, as she passed only a short month later. Candii LOVED and ADORED Evie. I remember when we told her and we asked if she wanted a boy or girl and she said girl. When I asked if she would still love it if it was a boy she teasingly told us "No!" Well, she got her niece but I know she would have LOVED and ADORED Henry, Ella and Grant too. We miss you, Candii Cane!
Note: To view journaling, click on picture to enlarge.
Note: To view journaling, click on picture to enlarge.
Dear Me (& my two baby girls)
In a first by me, I have joined in on the blog hop sponsored by Hearts at Home. This month's question?
If you could go back in time, what would you tell your teenage self?
There are so many thoughts I have on this but I will try to keep it to my top 5. May my baby girls (and maybe my boys too) find these tidbits something to keep in mind as they enter the teenage years (thankfully at least 9 years from now!!!).1. Having or not having a boyfriend is not the worth the stress and anxiety you put yourself through. We agonize when we are the only one of us single, wondering why we are alone. What defect there is in our looks, personality or any other factor that is preventing us from finding "the ONE." Well, here's the real answer...having a boyfriend is NOT going to make life better. And it certainly does NOT define us as a person or woman. We agonize over this first love when it does happen, leaving our real selves behind in order to meet the others expectations of their "dream" girl. Note to self: Learn to love and respect yourself first. Don't rush into a relationship just because "everyone else is doing it." Your path is your path and only God knows the plans He has for you. Seek those first. Love will come, often when you least expect it or plan for it.
2. Quit agonizing over your weight. 10 years from now you will look at your teenage self and think..."Why did I obsess so much? I looked great!" Stop comparing yourself to your friends and the "in-crowd." You are "fearfully and wonderfully made." You are lovely. You are beautiful!
3. Learn to study. Going to college will be 10x harder then high school. Find out your study style and hone it so that you won't receive your first C in a class that REALLY matters. I know that studying in high school was foreign to you, and you still managed straight A's, but it's going to matter someday.
4. The friends you have now will not always remain your best friends. Theirs and your life will someday follow different paths. Don't chose to follow them because your afraid of losing what you have now. Now will eventually become then and you may regret choices you've made based on how it will affect these friendships. Take that course that sounds interesting. Learn a hobby your friends aren't interested in. Watch movies they wouldn't pick or listen to the music that they turn their noses up at. Make new friends. Follow YOUR dreams and the dreams God has given you.
5. Plan for tomorrow but LIVE for TODAY! Someday it will be great to have your dream job, be married, have kids, have money of your own, not have to answer to anyone, and do what you want. But for now be a teenager. Play, have fun, enjoy being at the age and stage you are in. Stop wishing for the future to be here because before you know it you WILL be that 31 year old married mom of 4. You will have your dream job. But you will also the one who cleans the house, worries about money, becomes the kid chauffeur, and your needs will often come last. You will be the responsible one. The one who has to make the critical decisions. The one who is up at 2a cleaning up vomit. The one who has to get to work at 7:45a. It will happen, believe me! Love today instead of yearning for tomorrow.
Are you taking notes my babies? My only other advice for you is to learn from my mistakes. Always remember you are precious and beautiful. You matter. You can "do anything through Christ who gives you strength" and your father and I love you and we are always behind you (but we won't be covering up your mistakes-you too have to sometimes learn the hard way!)
This is a Blog Hop! 17 entries so far... you're next!
You are next... Click here to enter
This list will close in 7 days, 12 hrs, 29 min (6/23/2011 11:59 PM CST)
A blast from the past...
Some pages I've finished for Evie's scrapbook and our family one. Glad to be making progress in getting "caught up." Not that with 4 kiddos that will ever happen, but I can dream!
Journaling: This was a big day for you, your first attempts at walking...with a little assistance! In no time at all there will be no stopping you!! July 4th, 2008
Journaling: Summer is ending and the days are getting shorter and colder, but we still enjoyed the park on this beautiful fall day. You were in fine form sliding, swinging, and playing in the sandbox. Mommy enjoyed following you around to capture your sweetness on camera.
This sweater was a gift at your baby shower...one of my favorites. As a 2T it seemed impossible that you would ever reach this size. It is bittersweet moment.
Journaling: We have had so much fun watching you, Evelyn, since you received your first baby doll on your 1st birthday. You have become the perfect little "mama" as you care for your "babies." You have mimicked me down to putting lotion on your "pregnant" belly and nursing your babies. If your play is any example, we know you will be a wonderful mama.
The Story: On May 26, 2009, Shawn developed severe abdominal pains. After 3 ER visits and multiple repeated tests, a HIDA scan determined that his gallbladder was malfunctioning. On June 3rd, the offending organ was removed and we thought his pain and ordeal were over. Not so...within several days he started complaining of worsening, SEVERE pain, which led to two 911 calls, one ambulance ride, two ER visits and finally a hospitalization. Along with only 4% of gallbladder patients, he was experiencing pain related to a leaking bile duct. Two stents later, during a ECRP procedure and Shawn was FINALLY on the road to recovery.
Journaling: This was a big day for you, your first attempts at walking...with a little assistance! In no time at all there will be no stopping you!! July 4th, 2008
Journaling: Summer is ending and the days are getting shorter and colder, but we still enjoyed the park on this beautiful fall day. You were in fine form sliding, swinging, and playing in the sandbox. Mommy enjoyed following you around to capture your sweetness on camera.
This sweater was a gift at your baby shower...one of my favorites. As a 2T it seemed impossible that you would ever reach this size. It is bittersweet moment.
Journaling: We have had so much fun watching you, Evelyn, since you received your first baby doll on your 1st birthday. You have become the perfect little "mama" as you care for your "babies." You have mimicked me down to putting lotion on your "pregnant" belly and nursing your babies. If your play is any example, we know you will be a wonderful mama.
The Story: On May 26, 2009, Shawn developed severe abdominal pains. After 3 ER visits and multiple repeated tests, a HIDA scan determined that his gallbladder was malfunctioning. On June 3rd, the offending organ was removed and we thought his pain and ordeal were over. Not so...within several days he started complaining of worsening, SEVERE pain, which led to two 911 calls, one ambulance ride, two ER visits and finally a hospitalization. Along with only 4% of gallbladder patients, he was experiencing pain related to a leaking bile duct. Two stents later, during a ECRP procedure and Shawn was FINALLY on the road to recovery.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
At the "pool"
One of our few days of summer was HOT! I mean Texas hot, in the 100's. And what better way to beat the heat then a dip in the "pool!" This was the first time for the babies and imagine my surprise to find this baby pool in our shed along with the plastic pool we bought Evelyn last year. So here is some highlights of my 4 kiddos and their bff's Ethan (also his first time) and Abi.
One of my new favorites of her. Isn't she beautiful? I think I say (type) that a lot. What can I say? She is gorgeous!!
This is "cool" mom! Henry spent a lot of his time in the pool relaxing and chewing on rubber ducks.
Grant loved to splash AND eat grass. He spent about 75% of his time sneaking grass. These pictures show him making his silly nose-crinkle face...adorable!
Ethan thought the water was a little cold at first (and he was tired) but he warmed up quickly. When I took the picture I couldn't figure out what was in the foreground of the picture but soon realized that's Grant's bald head.
Doing their own "things," H-trying to get of his hat, E-Splashing, G-Eating grass and Ethan talking to his mama.
She has a new "tongue thing" she's been trying out. It's working...she's adorable.
Giving her mama "sass" without saying a word.
Playing takes concentration...shhhh!
BFF's
So serious!
One of my new favorites of her. Isn't she beautiful? I think I say (type) that a lot. What can I say? She is gorgeous!!
This is "cool" mom! Henry spent a lot of his time in the pool relaxing and chewing on rubber ducks.
Grant loved to splash AND eat grass. He spent about 75% of his time sneaking grass. These pictures show him making his silly nose-crinkle face...adorable!
Ethan thought the water was a little cold at first (and he was tired) but he warmed up quickly. When I took the picture I couldn't figure out what was in the foreground of the picture but soon realized that's Grant's bald head.
Doing their own "things," H-trying to get of his hat, E-Splashing, G-Eating grass and Ethan talking to his mama.
She has a new "tongue thing" she's been trying out. It's working...she's adorable.
Giving her mama "sass" without saying a word.
Playing takes concentration...shhhh!
BFF's
So serious!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Orange for Owen
When was the last time you thanked God, REALLY thanked God for your children?? Thanked him for the poopy diapers, the endless laundry, the talking back, the screaming, the toys strewn from one end of the house to the other, the interupted sleep, the tantrums, the lies, and all that goes along with children. It is EASY to be thankful for smiles, laughter, and sweet "I love you's." There is a mother (one of many I am sure) who lost one of her 6 month old triplets from SIDS. One who would give her life to change his diaper one last time or see his sweet smile. Please hug your babies tonight. Be thankful they are here for you to kiss and serve. I am holding mine a little tighter tonight.
To join the facebook group Orange for Own go here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Orange-for-Owen/119139694836680
To send words of encouragement: http://bissingfamily.wordpress.com/
Thursday, June 9, 2011
We were swinging!
We went to the park on Sunday and spent over 3 hours either walking, playing, eating treats or talking. It was a beautiful day to be at the park, a little hot for walking and a great way to spend the day as a family. We had a first since our pregnancy and the birth of the babies: a older lady came up to us and said "We (others at a graduation party) were all talking about...(pause) your puppy." Whoa...that wasn't what we thought you were going to say! Apparently she/they hadn't noticed us wrangling the 3 babies. Evie was adorable and the first thing SHE did was show the lady her latest "owie," a skinned knee. I am sure the lady was quite sympathetic. Here are some of the latest pictures including the first time swinging for the babies, something they enjoyed WAY more then Evie ever has.
Enjoys swinging but is a little cautious!
Thinks mama's a hoot with getting his feet.
So "over" the whole swinging thing! Look at those chubba arms!!!
Not so sure of this grass thing. It's kind of freaky stuff!
Henry DEFINITELY does not like grass!!!! After several attempts he "tolerates" it, but no for very long.
Ella LOVES being outside and with her favorite man: DADDY!
Swinging is ok, mama's silly noises make it super fun!!
What's this thing, mama??
Swinging is the funnest!!! MORE!!!
She is "liking" swinging but only in little bursts and not so high mommy!!
Cool dude!
What's up homie?
Enjoys swinging but is a little cautious!
Thinks mama's a hoot with getting his feet.
So "over" the whole swinging thing! Look at those chubba arms!!!
Not so sure of this grass thing. It's kind of freaky stuff!
Henry DEFINITELY does not like grass!!!! After several attempts he "tolerates" it, but no for very long.
Ella LOVES being outside and with her favorite man: DADDY!
Swinging is ok, mama's silly noises make it super fun!!
What's this thing, mama??
Swinging is the funnest!!! MORE!!!
She is "liking" swinging but only in little bursts and not so high mommy!!
Cool dude!
What's up homie?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)