April Showers

 

 

April Showers bring May Flowers...

and maybe an excuse to bake cookies too.

Bedtime Prayers

Now I lay me, down to sleep…

Saying bedtime prayers with Chloe is the most important part of my day.  Teaching her to be still and thank God for everyone in her life is a job I take seriously as her mother.  She knows our prayer almost by heart, and I love to hear her little voice echo me when we say it every night.

Our bedtime routine is a bit unconventional, we co-sleep with Chloe and have ever since she was born.  It is something that works for us and I wouldn’t want it any other way.  She can sleep in her own bed, and does from time to time, but neither she nor her Daddy or I prefer it that way.  This means we usually say prayers together, in bed as a family before we go to sleep.  It is one of the most intimate things we do and it makes the time we spend in prayer that much more special.

Watching Chloe say her prayers with the sweetness in her voice and the sparkle in her eyes fills my heart to the brim with joy – and it gives me peace every night knowing that we have had a moment during the busy, chaotic day to stop and thank God for all of his blessings together as a family.

Sweet Home Alabama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Spring Break was everything it should be.  Traveling, spending time with family, eating good food, and relaxing.  The first half of the week we spent at home and had family over for Easter lunch – might I add that my lemon pie was ahh-mazing.  The second half of the week was spent in Alabama, visiting family.  The drive down there took forevvvver.  Traveling 10 hours in a car with two toddlers is really about the craziest thing you could do.  Yates entertained us most of the time – singing and dancing to 80’s music – his favorite.  He also was very impressed with the number of trucks on the highway.  Watching his excitement – pointing, shouting, giggling and waving was priceless. Yates made sure we saw every single truck in sight, and we had to acknowledge each one.  Once we were finally there it was worth all the hours of craziness we endured.  Alabama is such a charming place, where time is slower, the air is sweeter, and the people are so friendly you would think you have known them all your life.  The state lives up to its name - Sweet Home Alabama, because no matter where you are from, it really does feel just like that - home.  During the few days we were there we spent time at the park, ate ice cream from an old-fashioned soda shop, "pink" strawberry ice cream for Chloe - Yates taste-tested everyone's and approved.  Yates rode a 4-wheeler for the first time with Daddy (and I don't know who was more excited about it - Yates or Daddy), we watched my nephew play baseball, Chloe ate her weight in mouth-watering fried chicken, and we played ping-pong, soccer, and board games as a family.  We even saw a cow in the backyard while we were grilling out on Friday night.  Seriously - a cow - in my in-law's backyard - within spitting distance away. He just walked up, curious as to what we were up to.  Let's just say Yates's mouth dropped to the ground (okay - maybe Mama's did too).

We had a wonderful spring break, and a taste of the sweetness of summer to come.  I am very thankful for the week I had to spend with my family and the memories that we made together.

 Until next time, Sweet Home Alabama.

Favorite Photo Friday

"Stay close to anything that makes you happy to be alive."

Play, Play, Play

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life is a playground.

 

Don't forget to play.