Poor Neglected Blog

I am not superwoman and I cannot get all my planned activities completed one day.  As a result, my blog has suffered....terribly.  I do actually have three children now, although Jude does not have one picture posted:(  So today, my number one goal is to update this blog and then to stay on top of it.  After all, it is summer and I should do something I enjoy.  Stay posted for updates from our family:)

Happy Birthday Abigail!!!

Yesterday, Abby celebrated her sixth birthday and lost her third tooth!!!!  So the morning started off with a visit from the tooth fairy and birthday wishes from Mommy and Daddy.  Cupcakes were shared with her friends during snack time at school.  When she came home, we all got ready and Abby got her hair cut.  (Thank goodness!!)  Her original goal was to have her hair as long as Rapunzel's...however, her hair is much to thin to even get past her shoulders!!!  I was so excited when she said she wanted to cut her hair.  Her one stipulation was she wanted a feather in her hair.  So behind her right ear, she has a hot pink feather:)  After a trip to the hair salon, we went out to eat at Kansai (she wanted to eat her chicken nuggets with chopsticks.)  Abby and Micah were good but it was challenging with a two week old.  After eating we went to the park and played.  To top of the evening, Abby had to opportunity to open her gift from Mommy and Daddy.

It is hard to believe that our "Bug" is six years old!!!  I remember looking into her face when she was born and my heart was forever stolen.  She brings so much joy and life to our family.  I am so blessed to have her as my daughter.

So, Abby...what type of girl are you?

• You love to draw and make crafts.  In fact, you make so many things, our house becomes overwhelmed with them.
• You love your brothers.  You love to share everything with them.  You want to take care of them and help them.  You are so giving and loving.  I hope that they know how fortunate they are to have you as a big sister.
• You LOVE movies and cartoons.  Sometimes too much:)  We have to limit your TV time or you would watch it all day long.
• You enjoy playing softball and will be playing again this spring.  
• DRAMA is your middle name.  Everything ends up being dramatic for you.  At times, I have to remind myself that the drama is just your personality and I need to remember that.
• You are becoming a fashion diva.  You are beginning to pick out your own outfits for school. 
• You are very giving.  You like to give things to those around you and you like to help.
• You laugh...A LOT.  You like to be silly and goofy.
• You are a social butterfly.  You will talk to ANYBODY...which can sometimes be a problem:)
• Even though you are six and becoming a big girl, you are still my baby girl and always will be.

You are loved more than you will ever know and bring a smiles to everyone around you.

Happy 6th Birthday! Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Micah, and Jude

Opening presents from Mommy, Daddy, Micah, and Jude!!

Jude Aaron Jeffrey

On February 29, our family welcomed baby #3. Jude Aaron Jeffrey was born at 7:40 am and weighed a whopping 9 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. Needless to say, I am glad he was delivered c-section!! We came home on March 2 and have been adjusting to life with three kids.

I have been so blessed with a wonderful husband who has shouldered a lot of responsibility with Abby and Micah. The kids had a little trouble adjusting to Jude, so Josh has been giving them extra attention. In addition to this, Josh has also helped with all domestic duties, which is not his favorite thing to do.:) However, he has done it all without complaint. I hope that our children observe their father. I hope Micah and Jude treat their wives with the respect and love that Josh treats me and I hope Abby chooses a husband that models her father. We are all so blessed to have him in our life.

In addition to Josh's help, I am also blessed with fabulous friends and family. Mom has been a tremendous help. She came over every night tnhe first week to help with Abby and Micah. She also cleaned the house and cooked. My sister (Stephanie), sister-in-law (Pam), Jayna, Renita, and Jessica (great friends) have all helped to keep the family fed as well.

Abby and Micah LOVE their brother. They always want to know where he is and if they can hold him. Micah is constantly saying "I like my Jude."....then quickly follows that statement with "He's all of ours". Abby likes to mother him and help me with him. I am so glad that they are excited about him. Although it is hard to share mommy and daddy's attention with someone new, they have actually adjusted well.

My life is blessed beyond compare with my husband, kids, family, and friends. I am so excited to welcome another beautiful boy into our chaotic but fun and happy life. Welcome to the world Jude! You are loved more than you will ever know.

Welcome to the world!!

Siblings!!!

Look how little!!!

Proud Daddy

Jude and Nana

Jude and Mamaw

Jude and Papaw Steve

He's pretty neat, but I don't want to touch him!!

Ready to go home

Sleeping peacefully, Jude and Papaw Jeff

Micah is Three!!!

It is unreal to think that Micah is already three!!!  Over the past three years, he has become a handsome little boy with the most amazing personality.  In the blink of an eye, he went from being a little baby to a boy.

So Micah, what kind of boy are you?

• In the last three months, you have become quite the talker.  Although I can't always understand everything you say, you are talking constantly.
• You have fabulous facial expressions.  You are quick with a smile but easily express your feelings with your animated face.
• You are thoughtful.  Like your sister, you frequently think of others and love to offer help.
• You love to cook!!!  If I pull out a pan or bowl, you immediately run and put on your frog painting apron and come to the kitchen saying "I wanna hep!"
• CARS is your favorite movie and Mater is your favorite character.  If you see anything Cars, you become almost frantic.  Reasoning becomes almost impossible when anything Cars is around you.
• You're funny!!!  You have a very BIG personality that has a comical side to it.
• You have short love affairs.  You will find something insignificant, the blue UNO cards, the orange Candyland cards, a pen, orange plastic bracelets, a car, or anything else that you find at the beginning of the day and you are literally ATTACHED to them for two or three days.  Last week, the item of the day was the blue UNO cards.  You insisted on sleeping with them for the night.  At some point in the night, you ended up in Mommy and Daddy's bed.  When you woke up the next morning, your first thought was to gather up all of your cards.  Too funny!!
• Orange is your favorite color.  You love to choose the orange marker or crayon.  You eat the orange M&M's first.  When choosing a shirt or pair of socks, you are automatically drawn to the orange.
• In your eyes, your sister hung the moon.  You gravitate towards her all throughout the day.  You always want to know where she is or to be near her.  You love to give her hugs and kisses.
• You can be very stubborn.  When you set your mind on something, you refuse to budge.  
• You are learning so much....to count, your ABCs, nighttime prayers, and songs.  You only know a portion right now, but are trying to learn them all.
• You stole my heart the moment you were born.  You bring such joy to our family.  You keep us laughing and bring smiles to our faces everyday.  We love you!!!

Jackson's Orchard

Over fall break, the kids and I took our annual trip to Jackson's Orchard in Bowling Green with Nana and the cousins.  Unfortunately, Josh was unable to attend because of work.  However, Abby and Micah had a great time picking pumpkins, exploring the corn maze, sliding on the Cider Slide, petting the animals, and taking a hay ride.  It was a fun memory for me and hopefully will be one for the kids as well.  We missed Daddy, but still had a good time!!! Enjoy some pictures.

Halloween Fun

Trick-or-treating that falls on a Monday after school is bound to be sprinkled with chaos.  Living in the country, Josh and I have to drive the kids to houses.  Some people don't have to contend with the challenges of "country" trick-or-treating.  Josh was raised in town, so he could walk to the various houses in his neighborhood.  My childhood treat-or-treating was load up the car, buckle up, don't squish your costume, we're here, visit for a few minutes, load back up, and start again.  Of course, as I child I didn't care-I was getting candy just for holding out a bag and saying trick-or-treat.  Mom and Dad never complained about the driving and I didn't think anything about it.  Fast forward twenty years and now I am the mom and have come to one conclusion....trick-or-treating is exhausting, especially in the country.  Don't get me wrong, it is still fun.  But having a gun-toting cowboy and crown-clad princess that have to be buckled into booster seats after each stop takes time.  Plus, I like to..brace yourself...talk to our friends.  So rushing home from school, changing into to costumes, taking pictures, and starting the fun can be a bit chaotic.  However, the kids have a great time and although I am tired at the end of the night, it is still fun for me.  A piece of candy or two is just an added bonus!!! :)  Enjoy some pictures of our pretty princess and rambunctious cowboy!!

Disney on Ice

Our kids LOVE Disney movies and characters.  Abby is all about the princesses....all of them.  Micah loves Mater and Mickey....all boy.  So when I noticed that Disney on Ice was coming to Louisville in September, Josh and I decided to take the kids.  I captured some pictures of their sweet faces.  Enjoy!!!