Who Have I Been Kidding?

I have bucked the idea for years. "Not me!". "Never!!". I held onto my coolness as long as I could. What coolness, I'm not really sure. But then I went and had a 3rd child. Have you tried putting 3 children in the backseat of a car or even a SUV? Running back and forth from one door to the other, leaning half way in the car to pull out an infant seat = not a pretty picture. So I gave into the fight. I began to want a van. There I said it. A v-a-n. After seeing poor Eli stuffed into the middle of the backseat, my heart melted. Who am I to hold onto whatever picture of me I have inside my head? Growing up isn't always easy. Even when you're 30 years old.
Today, conditions were perfect. It was the last day of the month. God just dumped 5+ inches of snow onto Kansas City. Our faithful had-it-for-11-years 4runner died a big, dramatic death. It was time to buy a van.
So, here she is, Ladies and Gentlemen...



Sidenote: I am really sad about my 4runner. Such a loyal, dependable SUV. Just doesn't seem right for it to go the way it did...

Chubby Bunny

The irresistible cheekage. They are magnets to my lips.

Checking out her feet...

I'm really not that funny but don't tell her that.

Boxing lessons?

How about Kung Fu?

Photos shoots are like so exhausting...

Spoil Me Rotten

Seth and I have never been big on the whole Valentines Day thing. We have no traditions or expectations over each other when it comes to this particular holiday. Mostly because we are still trying to recover from the Christmas "drain". Basically we can't afford Valentines Day. So in lieu of this information, I will now refer to yesterday as "Let's just have a nice day together" Day.



It all started with Seth letting me sleep in until *gasp* 11am. I wonder if heaven will include sleeping. Because I can't think of anything more enjoyable than deep morning sleep. I woke up to light tapping on my arm with the announcement that brunch was ready. Seth had re-created those yummy skillets that you can order at First Watch, complete with perfectly diced potatoes, scrambled eggs, topped with fresh chopped tomatoes and avocado. It was absolutely delicious!

One of Seth's nicknames growing up was "Chef". If you say it out loud with a slight Southern accent, it will make more sense. I'm not sure his parents knew that one day he would actually live up to this name....
Last night, we had an in-house date. (One of those things that parents of 3 are forced to do if they want to spend any time together at all. Out of house dates are really difficult to come by.) Seth pulled together an amazing Greek menu. I was impressed that he even tried something so difficult. Allow me to describe his gourmet creations:
We began with Melitzanes Tiganites or Batter-Fried Eggplant. They were warm, crunchy and had amazing flavor. For our entree, he made us Greek salads (minus the anchovies) with homemade dressing. The dressing was fabulous! He made it with oil and vinegar, carrots, celery, garlic, radishes, capers, and some spices. When put through the blender, it made for a wonderful, tasty dressing. He had also grilled us a couple of marinated Kansas City strips. They were very good but both of us were so full by the time we finished our salads that we could only eat a few bites of our steaks. And to finish? He baked a Greek lemon cake with a lemon glaze icing from scratch! It was a beautiful bundt cake that tasted unbelievably delicious! So moist and not too sweet. I am definitely keeping this recipe and the others to make in the future.


Honestly, we needed yesterday. I needed yesterday. Our happy "Let's have a nice day together" Day. I am so grateful for this man who is my best friend. This man who has known me inside and out for almost 12 years now. This man who is making gigantic faith leaps into unknown territories, trusting the Lord with his very life.


I am blessed.

Date Night

See this handsome guy? He and I went on a special Valentines date last night. Our last outing together like this was a couple of years ago so it was loooong overdue! We went to the theatre to see this movie and then ate here for dinner. I had a fantastic time getting to know my son. It's funny how you think you've heard all that is going on in your kids' minds when you stay at home with them, but it takes a totally different environment for them to truly open up. He and I giggled and laughed in the movie theatre. And then had a serious conversation over dinner. He tries to act so grown-up and big so much of the time, it is easy to take for granted that inside he is a 7 year old with insecurities that only 7 year olds deal with. I am so blessed to have such a sweet, kind, imaginitive, and funny little boy. I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for this guy. I so want to protect him from all the evil and pain that is out there but I know I can't. I just have to trust the One who loves this kid even more than I do.
Oh and so when I got in my bed later on last night, I found an envelope addressed "To Mom" on it. Inside read this:

Seth said this was the first thing Eli did as soon as we got home last night.

Well of course I cried.

That's What She Said.

My head is a bit cloudy from the remnants of a cold that the boys so kindly passed on to me. So I'm going to let my 3 month old give you a quick update on life in Macchiville. (Sorry for the bad audio...Geez! I sound like the wife of an audio guy, don't I??)

"Life is pretty good. I sleep. I eat. Although Mama has been telling me lately that smiling and talking while I'm trying to eat doesn't really work. But I ignore her. I do like to talk to anyone who listens. My buddy, the ceiling fan, never lets me down. He follows me in each room just so he can listen to what I have to say. I've found these amazing toys that are actually attached to me. Can you believe it? And there's like 5 different things to chew and suck on with each one. Sometimes they go a little nuts, these chew toys, and will haul off and hit me in the head. That usually makes me cry. My daddy has been around a lot lately. Every time he kisses me, he smells like wood chips or this weird white powder they call drywall dust. I don't mind much because I have this favorite little spot on his chest that makes me drowsy every. single. time. Mama usually gives me extra kisses on my cheek when she sees me in this spot and goes on and on about how cute I am. Moms! My brothers make me so happy. I think they have had to stay away from me lately, though, because they have been sick. They come around and say 'hi' but I kinda miss their big brother kisses. I guess I'm done now because Mama is wrapping me in my swaddle. This is what they call my happy place. I'm not sure what they're talking about because I'm pretty happy wherever they put me..."

3 Months