I think...

it's safe to say I'll never have to run across town to pick this one up from a sleepover. She can't get out the door fast enough. Poor Jo, she loves being outside and on the go so much that the minute she gets her shoes on the rest of us better be ready to buckle up and hit the road. And yes, I'm a cruel mother for delaying our expedition to get some pictures. Won't she just love me for them later?

more cousin love

83/365

82/365

{cousin love}

81/365

Happy Birthday Maggie Lu

 You bring so much love, laughter and noise to our lives! Some special things about you at year nine are....

* your natural instict to mother...whether it's your little sisters, your baby chick or your older brother, mothering is part of who you are. I have to remind myself at times that you are only nine.  Like when you're trying to eat your breakfast in the morning and Jo is begging to be held, without hesitation you scoop her up into your lap and gladly share your breakfast with her.

*you might be the most social person we know. From the moment you get up in the morning until the minute you fall asleep at night you need to be connected to another human being in some form or another. Sometimes draining but most of the time I'm thankful you are such a little extrovert and I know someday those social skills will be a blessing in whatever the Lord calls you to do.

*you are a gracious giver. You never hesitate to give to those in need and have such a heart for those less fortunate. At times you've put me in my place when I'm thinking of spending money on something frivolous- you remind me how that money would be better used for someone who really needs it.

*I love how you desire to have a relationship with Jesus. You take the time to read, ask the questions and pray. I cherish the conversations and devotional time we share and you have taught me so much about loving our Lord with child-like faith.

*you are learning to laugh at yourself and that is such a gift. Finding the humor in life will certainly serve you well in the future!

*you still struggle at overnighters and I've learned not to put my pj's on too early. Here's a little secret for ya...I don't mind at all. Of course I would love for you to stay and enjoy the company of your friends but deep down I sleep better at night when all my little chicks are safe at home with me.  So when the 11:00 phone call comes I have no problem driving across town to rescue my girl.

We love you dearly Maggie Elizabeth and we are so proud and blessed to be your parents.

80/365

I would like to take this opportunity to brag a bit about my awesome husband and son{sorry Rock, but I gotta do it}. This past weekend they joined a team running for colon cancer and did a 5k on Mercer Island. It was an early morning, a hilly run and neither Rock or Sam have been running much {not at all} and these two running maniacs both took 2nd place in their divisions. Sam was in the 14 and under division and there were 45 kids in his division. He finished 32/532 overall.  Pretty impressive for a 10 year old if I do say so myself! Sam has run several 5k's the past couple years and boy has he come a long way since those first ones when we were prodding him along. We are the ones trying to keep up now! I love that he enjoys running so much and I look forward to many years of training and running with my little Forest Gump!

78.79/365

Don't let the tough guy exterior fool ya....

......he's really a softie that digs chicks......

77/365

Jo is so thankful for March Madness....this girl loves her basketball!

Cupcakes and Chicks

I've been busy baking this past week. 250 cupcakes to be exact! It was for a Womens' retreat at a local church. If you'd like to see more flavors hop on over to polka dot barn and check 'em out!

Now onto the really big news at our house. We've added a few new members to our family! They're little, fluffy and make the cutest little peeps....yep, we're now chicken farmers! The kids have been asking for a long time to get some chickens and being that we have a barn and all we thought it was about time we actually owned some animals. So we set off today to the feed store, let the kids each pick one out and then spent the rest of the afternoon playing with them on the front lawn. These are going to be the most loved chickens ever. At one point Maggie and the neighbor girls were walking around the neighborhood with the chicks in the hoods of their sweatshirts. Sam said goodnight to them several times and I've already been out to check on them twice this evening. Who knew you could love a little bird so quickly! I NEVER thought I'd use the word bird and love in the same sentence....birds have always kinda creeped me out but here I am, a proud owner of 4 little chicks!

Jo just couldn't get close enough to them! She kept getting right in their faces and waving.

Once we get this chicken thing down maybe we can add a cow:)

76/365 {and then some}

Is this the cutest bear ever, or what?!! Maggie Lu had her first fastpitch practice this evening and since it was such a clear, beautiful night we loaded up the whole family and hit the park. The littles{girls} and I took off for a run and came back to the best surprise....Owen and his parents!

What's up cuz?

The girls before our run.....Josie was not at all happy with me belting her into the jogger......she really wanted to be doing.....

....this! Always wanting to be part of the action!

Maggie loved her first practice and has a lot of great friends on her team.

And one more because he's so darn cute!

Happy "Spitsfatricks Day"

If you've spent any time at all with Amelia you know she has a little trouble pronouncing her words. Well St. Patrick's day has been no exception! This is a tough one and I've loved every single time she's expressed her excitement for "Spitsfatrick day"! Her and I had some quiet time after preschool this afternoon so we made some yummy green treats for Sam's baseball team and a couple other special people we know.

These are the easiest treats to make, super yummy and the variations are endless! For more ideas and fun treats check out Bakerella. The woman is a baking genius!

Watch out world

Here's come Millie Mae....next American Idol!

Just a little ballad before bedtime~

A few more from yesterday

I couldn't resist sharing a few more from yesterday. This one cracks me up....Millie was so determined to get the umbrella through the fence. She just couldn't figure out why it wasn't working for her.

Millie had a bunch of flowers all lined up in a row....until the monster monkey came and destroyed the perfectly aligned arrangement. Thankfully Amelia wasn't too upset and instead they pulled apart the petals and made confetti.

Millie explaining to Jo exactly how to pull the petals off.

It was even warm enough to let the little piggies out and go barefoot!

Sister squeeze

70.71.72.73.74.75/365

We had a super crazy day today~one very long doctor appointment, lots of time driving in the car, late for preschool drop-off, quick through the drive thru to get Maggie lunch before she returned to school from her appointment, race home only to return to school to check on Sam and make sure he was feeling okay....feeling just fine as I was sure he was. Back to town to run some errands and race back to preschool to pick up Mils. And then add one more errand after I grabbed her from school. I felt like I was living in the car today so I was so thankful to have a few quiet moments with Millie as we walked to the bus stop to greet the kids. Warm and sunny were just what we were needing so we soaked it all up.

I can rarely get her to actually look at the camera.

Chewing on those nails in anxiousness over the neighbors dogs. Who, by the way, "cannont leave their yard because of a magical fence" Millie informed me.  Invisible fencing is now know as magical fence~love it!

This made her day! Blowing "twirly whirlys."

*Thankful for the little moments*

66.67.68.69/365 Cousins and signs of Spring

We came home from church yesterday, changed into play clothes and spent the entire afternoon at my parents with my sis and her kiddos. As always, the kids had such a great time playing and the weather was beautiful. Papa took the bigger kids on a little nature hike and they collected some really cool pine cones. Jo and Lua were happy to play babies and give grandma the occassional cuddle as they passed by. We even got to see a little bit of Ry, Kristen and Owen too! I love family Sundays!

I can't believe how big these two are! Such good buddies!

My mom has the beautiful flower gardens so it was easy to find those early signs of spring all around. While I was taking pictures I was also taking notes of what plants I might like to get some starts from...hint, hint.

I LOVE Hydgrangeas...even as these precious little buds.

65/365

I love those long, slender fingers and that sweet mole under her eye.

64/365

you, yes you funny girl! you are the reason mom has been so tired lately! i know you don't feel well, i know your nose is stuffy and your teeth are trying to push through but up every night wanting to party is just not working for mom. i need you to sleep, you need you to sleep so you can start feeling better. but, if you get up tonight and want to cuddle and play i will still love you to pieces and of course i can't help but giggle a little at your late night jabbering. sweet dreams butter bean....i  hope we all sleep tight tonight.