I am Famous!

I won an award! I won an award! Look at this!

I just need to tell you 7 things about myself and then choose my favorite blogs. Here''s some awesome reading for you.

1. I am not a dog lover. I actually could care less if I ever see a dog again. That does not mean I am a mean person. Don't even ask me about cats.

2. I love to shove handfuls of chips in my mouth while no one is looking. I think they taste better that way and I am sad that this is socially unacceptable. Don't dwell on that visual too long.

3. I prayed for braces my whole life and wanted my teeth to be fixed before my wedding day. God provided them for free and they were off about 10 months before I married Russ. I also have a crown. I watched Uncle Walt do my root canal in a mirror. I loved it.

4. I have no idea why my blog would be of interest to Mandy and I am shocked that I won this "award." I think I need more "awards" too. Not necessarily for my blog, just because I am awesome. I do however, hope those "awards" don't require me to do anything.

5. Noa was in my belly when we went to Ireland. Ever since St. Patrick's Day this year, she has been switching out "my" for "me." For instance, she'll say, "where is me sippy?" "I can't find me stroller." Weird.

6. Charleston is about a thousand times too hot for me and I complain about it from February to November.

7. I am madly in love with my Pastor. I secretly want to pawn my kids off on someone and run away with him to somewhere tropical for a week! Hint, hint: To do this, me and my Pastor would need a babysitter and some money. Think about it.

And because you've endured and I deliver, I will give you a bonus 8th intriguing fact about myself!

8. I can say all of the states in alphabetical order in 16 seconds. I hope we never acquire more states as this would ruin my time.

Here are the "winners!"

The Soler Family

The Nickel Family

The Talbott Family

Update! We have another "winner!"

The Wallace Family

Mom Tip of the Year

Are you tired of passing out while you blow on your kids' food to cool it down? Here's what we do now. (That is oatmeal) If you're in the car just stick it up next to the A/C! Probably not the best tip of the year, but its gotta be in the top ten!

Here's what Noa picked out to wear today. She is totally into dressing up lately.

Sweet little Gee gee.

Crazy Babers. I have no idea what she's doing here but usn't she beautiful?!

Finally got the Bella Baby Pictures in! :)

As I look through these sweet pictures again, I can't help but realize that these girls are a precious gift from our good Father. Having 3 children back-to-back like we have, wouldn't necessarily have been my plan. There are definitely days when it is all I can do to just come up for breath. They certainly require a lot! But what a blessing. What a gift. A divine plan of sanctification was set in motion with the conception of each girl. I couldn't think of a better way, full of such challenges as well as so many sweet rewards, to draw near to our great Creator, Father, Savior, Friend, Counsellor, and Helper. I could go on and on.

Upon the announcement of our third very quick pregnancy, we received so many comments like, "don't you know how that happens?" etc., etc., etc. (Russ always liked to reply, "Yes we do and we're not stopping it!" - Total man comment.) I can't help but think that our society has it all wrong. We could get hung up here on the amount of kids one should have/could have, but I think the greater issue is simply how we view these little lives. Often times we see them as part of our plan, our American dream, our manageable life. And to some extent they are. But oh so much more! How many lives could be touched through sharp and ready arrows in my hand? How many sins could be exposed and uprooted from my life as I need the Lord's help to simply keep them alive each day?! Friends, we have been given much more than material for photo shoots. But the very breath of God was breathed into our beings to give Him glory and praise all of our days! I am so thankful the Lord saw fit to give us (thus far) 3 girls that are reminders of such a calling. May we be faithful to it all of our days.

Noa's First Haircut

Thanks to "The New One Mrs. Jenn" (what Noa calls her since we already have a Jenn that we know and love) for the wonderful haircut! Noa was a champ, although a little wiggly, and hasn't really thought a thing of it since we hacked off nearly 6 inches!

The Year of the Sink Bath

First things first though... why am I so weird? One day when I looked at the girls doll stroller, I just had to put Lydie in it. Had to. In my mind, I envisioned the girls having a real baby to take around the house. Why would I ever let that happen?! Still had to see if she fit. Didn't!! Too big! She was kind of terrified! These are things you start to try only after you've had a few.

Here's Noa for the 900th time wanting a picture with Lydia. Lydie's still terrified.

Sink bath! Why did I buy all those stupid bath things when Noa was an infant? Sink bath's are perfect! No mess, no stress! Spa treatment time for Lydia - calmed her right down.

And just to document that I was actually around when she was tiny, here's a picture of the two of us. I have to force myself to take them now-a-days. But, when I look at this picture I see my mom! Totally freaky. (side note: Freaked out that I look so much like her - not because she's ugly. In fact, she's very beautiful.)

Here's what Russ would look like preggo. Just kidding. Lydie's hangin' on for dear life! No fat to grab!

Here's Ruthie saying, "OMG. My dad is so crazy. He thinks I'm going to break his coffee thing."