Remember Who You Are

He's happy and he knows it!

2009-05-18T19:26:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe my baby boy will be 18 months next week. He's growing up so fast. It is so much fun to watch him grow and learn. He's definitely all boy. He loves being loud and making all kinds of animal sounds, but he also knows how to keep us laughing. He also loves music and singing, as you can see in this short clip.

Birthday Crowns

2009-04-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Daddy's birthday last week, and looked quite festive in our birthday crowns. Putting the ages on each of the crowns was Adalynn's idea. We didn't have much time for a party since Daddy had to work late, but the birthday pie was yummy!

Fun with $20

2009-04-06T20:24:00.001-07:00

Back in January, I decided it was time to do an experiment and begin using coupons. It took several weeks to find the right websites, and get the hang of collecting coupons and making lists using the weekly store ads. However, I decided it was worth it even on my first shopping trips. Other than saving the money by shopping sales and using coupons, my favorite part was no longer doing one huge trip to Wal-Mart every week for everything. Shopping this way meant I could now shop at Publix! While I am still shopping at Wal-Mart occasionally, I am now becoming familiar with other stores and will make weekly trips to Publix and Kroger, and the occasional stop at CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid.

Tonight's trip (with the spoils pictured above) was some of the best fun I have had so far. Total spent out of pocket: 19.38. Total saved: 71.33. This trip was full of a lot of snack food, but part of the idea is stocking up: we still have a lot of meals from the cupboard to last us through the next week or so. These snacks will keep us going for several more weeks, so I can use my grocery $$ the next couple weeks on meal staples.

Part of the fun tonight was watching the cashier and the guy who bagged my groceries. It took about five minutes for all of the coupons to be calculated, so the bagger just stood back and kept watching the register. I'm sure he was curious how it would all end up. The cashier handed my receipt to me and said, "Wow. 71 dollars."

My thoughts exactly.

Just Because

2009-03-05T18:50:00.000-08:00

Aren't they beautiful?

My husband arrived at the door this evening with these flowers and a sweet note. He wanted to encourage me, as I've had a few rough days this week. Nothing earth shattering, just general keeping up with the demands of a busy household and sick children. Oh, and the added burden of bad dental health and my teeth falling apart! I guess I'm just starting to feel my age and all that.

Isn't he so sweet? After 11 years of dating he still remembers that tulips are my favorite.

Did I mention he also took care of dinner? (Wendy's) And the dishes? (Paper.)

As he was quick to remind me just now, the point isn't that he did the dishes. The point is that I didn't.

BFF

2009-02-18T14:13:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted anything lately because there hasn't been a whole lot going on here. Now that the holidays and birthdays have passed, it's hard to follow those up with just a normal, everyday post. But that's what has been going on here, just a lot of normal everyday days. Brooks is walking up a storm, and has the bruises to prove it. He is building his vocabulary daily which now includes: Mama, Dada, Addy, dog, bye-bye, car, ball, book, and snack ("na"). His mischievous grin and excitement at life keep me smiling. Adalynn is also coming up with new ways to get into trouble. Yesterday she tore up four pages of a library book when she was supposed to be napping. After discipline was administered and she had a firm talking-to, which included the fact that we wouldn't be going to the library again for a LONG time, she said, "maybe we can just go to some stores and stuff." I gave her a big hug to hide the fact that I was trying not to laugh. And today I made some jello. Again, not real exciting, but the three-year-old mind is always working. She sees her mommy at the counter, lovingly stirring red deliciousness, and comes up with words that just make me melt: "Mommy, you're my best friend!" Sweet Adalynn, please don't ever grow up!

A New Accomplishment

2009-01-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

Brooks is now walking...well, falling and walking and falling again...but doing a lot of walking, nonetheless. It started a few weeks ago with the tentative first step and since then he's added more every few days, until yesterday he would do marathon stretches of up to 20 steps! Way to go, little guy!

Happy Birthday, Adalynn

2009-01-19T10:08:00.001-08:00

Our sweet Adalynn turned 3 on Friday! We celebrated with lots of pink things: pink pancakes, a pink smoothie, and of course, pink cupcakes. We stayed busy and ran lots of errands on Friday (she loves to be out and about) and then celebrated with a family pizza dinner when Daddy came home. She is very proud to be three years old.

Christmas with the Wykoffs

2009-01-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

Brooks enjoyed the excitement of Christmas,
but was happy to let his sister open most of his presents
for him. We'll see how that changes next year!

Our pathetic gingerbread house. It was our first attempt.
We know better now that it is important to follow the directions on the icing package.

Daddy and Adalynn enjoying some cuddle time.

Adalynn had so much fun in Chattanooga with her cousins.
Here they are going on a holiday march to get out some extra energy. It is hard to be patient while waiting for 27 people to open presents.

Lexi and Adalynn with Baby Zachary. He arrived just in time for Christmas!

Thanksbirthmas

2008-12-15T13:21:00.001-08:00

Obviously I have some catching up to do. Somehow the time since Thanksgiving has been taken up with other things. Our trip to Dallas was a great time with Grandma and Grandpa. We celebrated Thanksgiving, Brooks' first birthday and Christmas! Here are a couple of pictures to get you caught up with us.

It's Contagious

2008-11-21T20:07:00.000-08:00

First it was Daddy's turn for a haircut, and then Mommy's...and last night it was Addy's turn. Her first haircut was a success. A little more was cut than Mommy had planned, but we think it turned out pretty cute. She kept pretty still with the help of lollipops. It will be sad when she outgrows that bribe. They come in so handy!

Addy's New Room

2008-11-11T12:33:00.000-08:00

I was a bit discouraged to realize that projects that used to take a weekend now take about two weeks. I guess there is a good reason for that, right? Our guest room is no more, but that doesn't mean you still can't come and visit! Adalynn has been moved into her own room (with a fresh coat...er, three coats of yellow paint) and it has a distinctive girly feel to it. She is very excited about it, and Mommy is very excited that both of her children are now sleeping peacefully through the night!

Reformation Day, Halloween, 10/31, etc.

2008-11-02T18:56:00.000-08:00

Brooks enjoying the bounce house

Adalynn taking a swing

Little Daddy

Little Mommy

Our family

I hope you had a happy October 31. Our family dressed up and went to our church for the annual Reformation Day Celebration. We usually try to find a theme for our costumes, and this year decided that we would go as our family, in reverse. Adalynn and Mommy switched and Daddy and Brooks switched. I did not clarify with Adalynn that we were only switching appearances, and not roles. As I was fastening her seat belt (or trying to) before we left the house, I asked her to obey Mommy and sit still so I could do the seat belt. She said, "No, I'm Mommy!" Fortunately, that was the only time she tried it. Adalynn really got into the games this year especially when she discovered that there was candy given out. I think I saw her with 4 or 5 different lollipops during the course of the evening. We all had a great time, and came home with a ton of candy. The good part for Mommy and Daddy is that Adalynn hasn't yet discovered that it came home with us!

Thanks for the help, kids

2008-10-28T14:19:00.000-07:00

Bath time is turning out to be a combo deal - clean the kids and clean the bathroom. From the amount of splashing that goes on with the two of them, I always get a clean floor...or at least a wet one!

Mommy in training

2008-10-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

This is what I overheard yesterday:

Adalynn to Brooks:

"Brooksie, I have talk to you. You hit Matthew and Adalynn. That was not good. You need a spanking and sit in time out chair."

Do you think she has heard those words before?

Later, Adalynn to Matthew:

"Come here, Matthew, I have talk to you. You hit Brooks. That was not good. That was not good, Matthew. You need to sit in time out chair."

Funny.

Exhibition, anyone?

2008-10-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

Preston & Davis came to stay with us last weekend, and the kids had a great time playing together. They even performed some very impressive "gymnastics." See for yourself!

So big!

2008-09-26T15:55:00.000-07:00

Two of Brooks' new games: showing us he is "so big" and playing peek-a-boo.

Brooks has enjoyed some privileged Mommy and Daddy time today - Adalynn is in Chattanooga for a couple of days.

Other than quality play time, Brooks enjoyed a reading time with Mommy. And don't tell Adalynn, but he also played with her toys.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

2008-09-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

Adalynn has a special birthday message for her Grandpa.

Our Baby Boy

2008-09-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

Adalynn tends to be in the spotlight quite a bit, but we can't forget our little cutie, Brooks. He is growing up so fast, and learning a lot. Here he is in his first baby-length feature, with his newly acquired skill of waving bye-bye.

All Aboard the Potty Train!

2008-09-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

Adalynn is experiencing a new stage of life - potty training. I'm encouraged that she is doing so well, though I have a feeling we'll be going through a lot of lollipops.

Movie Debut

2008-09-09T13:50:00.000-07:00

Here's Adalynn in her first web feature: a short film about vacation at the beach.

Living Responsively

2008-09-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

Several years ago we decided, "Remember who you are...live responsively," would be our family motto. We know we are sinners, and are in need of a Savior. We know we are made in God's image, and should be a witness to that in all that we say and do.

So, here we are on the web. Hopefully it will be a fun way to show off to our family how big the kids are and share the funny things that they do. And hopefully it will also be a way to remember to keep the big picture in view as we live our day to day lives.