Fun in the Sun...and Inside...and in the Sun again

Today was a fun day!  I have lots of pictures I want to share but I'm having a hard time getting them here :-/

First of all, the girls slept (or were at least quiet!) until EIGHT-THIRTY!!!!  All that sleep probably contributed to the good day..LOL!  We called Grandma to check on the plans for the day and then we were off to Hickory.  We enjoyed walking around the Farmer's Market and running into some other Duncan's who we didn't expect to see.  After we checked out the fresh produce we headed into the pottery place.  It was so much fun watching the girls paint their pottery.  I really think they enjoyed themselves.  We'll definitely have to do it again.  Of course by the time we got done with all that we were hungry.  We grabbed some lunch and then headed out for the park.  On the way to the car we passed a toy store and Daddy got a fun new (soft) frisbee for the park.  Elsie is still to young to enjoy it but Ava really caught on.  We finished up the park with giving the zip line a try for the first time.  Ava loved it! 

I was surprised with how well the day went with no naps but today was one for the books (or the blog)! 

Mother's Day 2013

I think I'm starting to really get it.  Mother's Day isn't about me at all.  It never has been and it never will be.  And I love that.  Now, don't get me wrong.  This past weekend when Jonathan offered to let me sleep in a little and cooked me breakfast and reminded the girls to be extra good to mommy, I took it all and enjoyed it.  But I found myself looking for that next snuggle from Ava or listening for Elsie to shout "group hug".  It wasn't about enjoying all the things that people wanted to do for me on Mother's Day (although I did).  It was about taking the time to really stop and enjoy each snuggle and hug and picture drawn and pony game just a little longer.  I did my best to take everything in slow motion on that special day.  I realized that the only thing I wanted for Mother's Day was exactly what I've been blessed to get everyday for the last (just over) 5 years....To be Mom <3

Some pictures after church.

       

 Ava painted me a flower pot and planted some flower seeds.  Elsie holding my flower after church.

 

The sun was really bright.  It was a beautiful day!

I had a nice chat with my mom yesterday but I look forward to being able to celebrate Mother's Day in person with her in a couple of weeks.  And I get to help her throw a party!  It's one of my favorite things to do with my mom and I think she enjoys it, too :-)  Hopefully I'm a help to her.  I know she always is to me whenever I'm throwing a party.

My Mom, Me, Baby Ava

 

A Mother's Day side note...
I love the tradition that Jonathan's family has on Mother's Day every year.  They always gather at Mamaw's house for an afternoon treat of homemade ice cream and, most importantly, laughing and sharing stories and watching the little ones play in the yard.  I didn't get any pictures but I think I saw someone snapping pictures so maybe I'll have some to share soon.

The Last Few Months

There is absolutely no way I can catch up on the last (almost) 2 years so I figured I would go back just a couple of months instead.  Jonathan's been working hard at his job and has taken on some responsibilities at church which include helping with almost any relating to electronics and most recently, reading the scripture each Sunday morning.  I started a part time job as church secretary at the first of the year.  I'm blessed that I'm able to take Elsie with me when I have no one to watch her.  Elsie and I attend BSF every Wednesday and thoroughly enjoy it.  Ava is finishing up preschool and will start Kindergarten in the fall.  She really excited to go to her "big school".  She has really gotten into playing games.  Mario and Pictionary are probably her favorites!!  Here's a glimpse into what we've been up to lately.

Supper time outside.

 

Evening strolls.

 

Easter Egg hunts.

Springtime yard work with Daddy.

 

Swinging at Grandma's.

And enjoying these sweet, sweet moments with the girls.

 

They change so fast!!!

Our youngest daughter is quickly approaching 4 months and I really, really, REALLY just need for all of the growing to just slow down for a bit!!!  I feel like lately every morning I go in to get her out of her crib I catch myself saying, "My, you're getting sooooo big!!!" To which she smiles and giggles and every morning I have to remind her that it's not very funny to me :-)  With our oldest it's not that I didn't enjoy every moment but I couldn't wait for her to get to the next point..."You smiled now let's hear a laugh...you rolled over now let's see you crawl."  This time I know all of those things will come AND go much to quickly and I'm really trying to enjoy every stage to.the.fullest!  Here are a few snapshots from the last few months.  ENJOY!!!

 Finally in my arms...March 6, 2011.

 Tummy time usually ends with a sleeping or at least sleepy baby!!

 She LOVES her play mats!!  The picture on the right is the first time she really noticed and focused on the toys hanging from her carseat.

 Two of my best friends from college also had babies at the same time.  These 3 kiddos were born within 11 weeks of each other!!!

Play date at the park :-)

 Two special days in her life...Aunt Angie putting the bracelet on her that she made for her dedication and meeting Great Grampie!!!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures of our growing baby!!!  I'll have to do another post just about her dedication.  I can't even begin to describe just how special the dedication services for both my girls have been to me!!!

And I'll leave you with this precious video ;-)

Happy Father's Day!!

I'm blessed to have two wonderful Daddy's in my life.  The first is my Daddy!!!  He's taught me a lot about a lot of things throughout my life and I am so blessed to say I am still learning from him.  One of the best things about my dad is that he's not afraid to say he's still learning himself.  He knows he's not perfect and isn't afraid to keep trying and improving every day (even though he's great the way he is)!  Here's a picture of us from my wedding day...

I LOVE YOU, DADDY!!!

 

The second is the father of my two girls.  From day 1 I couldn't have asked for a better man to help me raise our girls.  From the VERY beginning he has changed diapers, burped the baby, brought me anything I needed when nursing.  He plays with them, disciplines the oldest when needed, makes them laugh, and LOVES them so so much.  He does just as much as I do with and for the girls and I just want him to know that I realize just how blessed I am!!!  There are a lot of men that don't jump in, poopy diapers and all, to help out but he does every.day!!!

Your 3 girls love you VERY much!!