Countdown 1 year {dinner time}

The Midwest Part 2

On our second full day in Missouri, we headed to a place called Grant's Farm.

They house the Anheuser Busch Clydesdales.

So cool.

My sweet little girl.

She was acting like a wild banchee that morning.

She even kicked the fence a few times, despite our warnings & loud objections.

She didn't seem to care that these horses had feet the size of her head.

We wrangled our wild woman & headed to the front of the farm for some different fun.

Crazy kid.

We rode a tram through the fields to the back where the rest of the animals were.

BIG fun.

They both thought it was totally awesome...probaby had something to do with freedom in a moving vehicle.

These goats had my sister & I rolling.

They were getting their heads stuck in the fences, chewing on people's clothes, & climbing all over people.

You could buy bottles of milk to feed them.

The thing was, as soon as you walked in the gate, if you had one of those bottles in your hand, they ATTACKED you.

All 3 family members with me asked if we were buying one for the 3 year old...

No. She would have been trampled!

Although, the horses up front would've called them even if that had happened...

When it was time for Owen to eat, Miss P got another thrilling ride.

This time on a rabbit (aka hopper).

There were huge smiles & giggles.

Then the ride stopped.

Oh dear.

Sad girl.

After the farm, we headed to a pumpkin patch.

Our poor kids were all so tired.

We had dreams of sweet cousin pictures in the pumpkins...

but reality was, Owen needed to eat again, & my kids were in major needs of naps.

Oh well.

Chad joked that we were fitting in every fall activity we possibly could in a 2 day period.

Zoo & farm in awesome weather, pumpkin patch, bon fire, roasting marshmallows, digging in pumpkins...it was nuts, but worth it.

Since I don't have many Keeteman pictures, & since Aunt Sha requested more, I thought I'd put in a couple more of the cousin pictures we took last minute before we left.

It was a lot harder than I thought it would be to get pictures of both our families...

I'm always so distracted.

 

Owen- "Are you really letting her hold me?"

Parker- "I'm so good at this."

Tuck- "My sister's choking me, but I don't mind. I'll just keep pointing."

*There were no babies harmed in the making of this picture.*

hehe :)

In other news...

Tucker's been sick since Saturday evening.

Just a fever.

We didn't get to go to church today.

When Mitchel & Parker were leaving to go tonight, I was kind of bummed.

Then my baby & I had a really sweet evening together.

We played outside, read books, sang, talked & he had my full attention.

And he knew it. So happy.

I'm so glad I chose to do the right thing for him, despite what I thought I wanted.

When I was bathing him for bedtime, I was reminded of my old evenings with my baby Parker.

Sweet memories are made in the regular everyday things like playing & bedtime. 

So thankful that Tuck & I made some tonight.

Feel better my Mr. Wiggle... 

The Midwest...

has a piece of our heart.

We got to go visit baby Okee last week.

He is PRECIOUS.

I wanted to put him in my pocket & sneak him home.

Crystal wouldn't let me...

oh well.

We were there for 4 days & stayed busy on all 4.

That boy & his pointing. 

Makes me want to squish him.

We're at the zoo in these pictures.

The FREE St. Louis zoo that is...

Baby Okee 

(just in case you're confused & think my baby is still that small...oh wait, is that just me?)

Oh, that baby giraffe...

My girl, telling the ugly camel how hungry she is.

We drug her to at least 2 more animals before the poor thing got to eat lunch.

She did make it...even though she'd tell you she didn't.

After the zoo, a picnic is perfect.

It was a perfect fall day...meaning we could actually wear long sleeves ALL day without sweating to death in them by noon.

Don't mess with Texas...

Man! See what I mean?

SO precious. I love babies. Especially baby Okee's. And Mershawn's.

Chad & CC, if you loaded up now, you could be here by morning.

I'm just sayin'.

*Amber photo tip:

Getting a picture of what is being eaten by your baby boy (no matter how disgusting) is always of utmost importance. Then after the picture you clear out what's in his mouth.

It's better that way.

My hunny. We had him to ourselves for a whole 4 days.

:)

It was so beautiful.

More pictures to come.

There are 16 in this post.

We're a little camera happy.

We miss you our favorite Keeteman's!

Hot Balloons

A few weeks ago, Plano had their annual hot air balloon festival.

My parents took Parker last year, & they ALL had a blast.

This year we planned to all go. My dad even got to come with us (mom had to work...stinky).

We were amazed at how many balloons there were & how many people came.

It was nuts. Tons of people.

But really, really fun. So worth it.

They glow at night. It was really cool.

And what was even cooler...

we had an awesome evening there.

Balloons, pizza, popcorn, glowing balloons, a take home "hot balloon":).

Then we headed out a little early to beat the rush.

We walked WAY past the exit.

Had to wait FOREVER for the van to take us back to our car.

Got to our car & I no longer had Mitchel's new phone in my pocket.

Mitchel ran down the van.

Dad searched the grass parking lot.

I called & called the phone with 2 exhausted kids upset in the car.

A very nice man answered the phone & informed me the correct van with our phone inside was on it's way back to us.

Mitchel was waiting when they pulled up.

Drove dad home & got the kids ready for bed there.

Deep breath.

Isn't it amazing how fast things can change?

I'll answer that...YES.

Grateful for very kind, honest people, and for a God who even cares about iphones;).

And also who's so forgiving of a very forgetful girl...

Countdown 1 year {10 months}

10 months!

Tucker, you're in the double digits.

I can't believe it's been 10 months since you were born.

We love getting to know you...

At 10 months:

You are into EVERYTHING.

You can open any cabinet, push through any unlatched door:), & you can wiggle your way through any & everything.

Mr. Wiggle.

You can pull yourself up on ANYTHING.

A wall, the ironing board, the bed rail, a rocking horse, the back door, the refrigerator...like I said, anything.

You've also become the master cruiser.

You cruise along anything you can hold yourself up on.

Which keeps your mama on her toes.

Lots of bumps on your head lately Mr. Wiggle.

You are so smart.

You know when I'm talking about your favorite people & you look intently for them.

You love to point when you look & jabber, saying, I'm sure, something extremely important.

You make a lot of noises.

Our favorite ones are the growls & whispers.

You've got a lot of personality Mr. Wiggle.

You are very loving to your mama, which makes her mush in your hands.

And, now, you are the exact same way with your dad.

Which makes him mush too. Manly mush that is...

When he comes home from work, you very enthusiastically squeal, while crawling as fast as you can to his feet.

He loves you so much, Mr. Wiggle.

You have 2 teeth now.

You actually had those on your nine month bday, but I forgot to tell you.

Since you still only have those same 2 teeth, I figured I'd tell you now.

Your appetite is still big & you're a great eater.

Your favorites this month have been green beans, chunks of peaches, & cheerios.

You think you're big stuff eating those cheerios Mr. Wiggle.

You have always been so cuddly & sweet.

You are SO busy now, but still take time to give sweet pats on the back, big squeezes, & good, cozy snuggles.

You're our favorite squishy, snuggler Mr. Wiggle.

You've slimmed up a lot.

You need your hair trimmed in the back.

Your new goal in life is to get the phone. It makes you so excited.

You love bath time.

You bang on the wall when you're supposed to be going to sleep.

You love to pull your sister's hair.

You love to bounce on Parker's bed.

You love the book, "Peek-a-boo, I love you."

You untie the bumper pads in your bed.

You get stuck under chairs.

You are SO playful.

You point to the monkeys painted on your wall when you wake up.

You giggle A LOT.

You are an awesome sleeper.

You are so happy.

You are treasured, our precious Mr. Wiggle.

Happy 10 months.

What gave my heart breath today...

"So much of what we do feels thankless, unappreciated, unseen.

But God sees.

And he esteems most what is done away from the eyes of others.

He LOVES hidden, secret, small places.

He does his best work there- in the home, in the womb, and in the heart.

Every choice you make to love, to serve, to offer, to sacrifice, God sees and is so very pleased.

You are joining him in the amazing work of bringing forth life every time you say yes because it is the loving thing to do.

Every single time we choose to put our children first, before our needs and our wants, before our dreams and our desires, before our rights and what we deserve, a little bit of our selfishness dies and a little more holiness takes root in our hearts.

When you cry out to God in the midst of weariness and loneliness and sorrow for the strength to love, for the wisdom to discipline well, for the grace to respond with patience, for the help to soothe the ache in your heart, he deepens his presence in your soul and changes you ever more into the woman you desire to be...

This mothering we are called to is an amazing honor.

God has invited us to join him in the holy work of bringing forth life in others."

From: You Are Captivating: Celebrating a Mother's Heart

by, Stasi Eldredge

Isn't it amazing when you sit down in a quiet place to read a book, that you can find Jesus?

Isn't it amazing to read your heart's worries & struggles on the pages before you?

I love that the Lord speaks to us in all sorts of ways.

He spoke to me today through Stasi Eldredge & it felt good.

Reading those words gave wind to the sails of my "job."

One I would not trade for the world, but so often feels burdensome.

Burdensome because of the worries over not being good enough or not doing enough.

But HE SEES.

He knows my heart & loves that all I really want to do is bless Him through my passionate love & devotion to my precious kids & husband.

I needn't say anymore.

I pray the Lord is speaking to your heart today too.