Because I don't want to forget

Two days ago I looked at Joshua and he stared back at me. Only this time he actually saw me!

Valentines Day

David and I are not huge Valentine's people.  It's just not a big deal to us.  David expresses his love for me adequately all the rest of the year so I don't feel that David needs to go out of his way on February 14th to do it.  Most of the time we have a nice dinner at home.  The last two years, David has, without any influence from me, picked out gifts for the girls.  

This year we started what I hope will become a new tradition: these hearts.  David and I did a heart for each kid.  

Well, David didn't do Joshua.  Anyways, on each card we wrote something we loved about our kids.  I didn't take a picture of David's but his are just like mine, only with something he loves about Hannah and Riley.  I think it's simple and beautiful.  

We gave them to the girls. And then I asked for them back. ; ). I'm going to save them.  That's why I went ahead and did one for Joshua, even if David made fun of me for doing it!  When each child is older, I'll give them their hearts, filled with reasons they are loved.  

Anderson Creek 5k

Saturday, February 1 Hannah and I ran/walked the Anderson Creek 5k.  

Pros: The run was in a gated community, which shut down during race time.  It was nice to not have to worry about traffic, especially since Hannah was with me.  The route was nice, with lots of stuff to look at.  It was not a double back route, so the route was constantly changing.  The  course was pretty flat, with an incline and the very end, which made for some awesome downhill action right before the finish.  

Cons: The route was closed to traffic.  I know, I know; I listed this as a pro too.  This wouldn't have been a con at all if we didn't have Joshua.  But they didn't want anyone parking in the community and we didn't want our newborn out in the cold.  So David took Riley, and Joshua, to McDonald's.  After the race, we parked right across the street from the entrance to the community and we met up that way.  

Last week, we had a nice day so I took the kids out.  This was Joshua's first time in the jogging stroller.  

Hannah and Riley walked and ran.  

Joshua was unhappy at first.  

But he quickly drifted off to sleep.  

As soon as all this snow leaves, we'll get back out there and enjoy the sunshine and outdoors.  

Snow day

As I sit here typing this, I'm looking at the window at the most current snowfall.  We've gotten a lot of snow this year!  This was exactly two weeks ago.  Our area received snow, then ice.  

David was excited to get out in the snow with the girls, and both girls were equally excited.  At least I'm getting some use out of that snow suit I bought Hannah in Chicago. : /  

Riley liked it until she got cold, which didn't take long.  I think she lasted 10 minutes.  Then she happily came inside with Joshua and me.  

Hannah and David threw snowballs at each other, and the house.  They also built a snow igloo.  Hannah really enjoyed playing in it.  If you look closely, you can see the flag Hannah placed in the top of her igloo.  

She's anxiously anticipating playing in this round of snow.  She told me this morning that she really wants to catch a snowflake on her tongue.  So if snow falls today, she'll catch one.    We should see some more snowfall today, followed by a 1/2 inch or so of ice!  

Life is

Simply busy.  I think this is the new normal for us.  How can life not be busy when we're constantly keeping up with 3 kids!

Joshua continues to grow, and eat, like the little chunky monkey he is.  This past weekend we moved him up to a size 2 diaper because size 1 no longer fit.  For perspective, Riley wears a size 3!  On that note, Riley is house potty trained.  Meaning, she doesn't go away from the house because she doesn't want to sit on a regular size potty.  However, at home, she goes in her potty about 80% of the time.  

The kids at co-op love Joshua.  

This is last Wednesday, after co-op and before Awana's.  We went to Great Grandma Davis' house for pound cake and Valentines crafts.  

I've made a new house rule: you can not watch the movie before you read the book, if it applies.  We started with Frozen.  She's read the book, now we can see the movie.  

This past Sunday we went roller skating with a group of people from the church.  

Riley LOVES to roller skate!  Being on skates makes her calmly happy.  I've pondered strapping some to her feet for when we're at home! ; )  

Some of our friends from church.  

Here's Hannah and Joshua, watching the Olympics last night.  

Hannah continues to be my helper, assisting with Riley and Joshua when needed.  

My new thing

A little known fact: I love to sing.  I love to passionately belt out a song, and have, since I was a teenager.  There's something very therapeutic about singing at the top of your lungs.  

In high school I sang on my school's praise team, which consisted of about 12 people.  Around the same time, I joined the choir at my church, the same church we attend now.  I sang with the choir for a few years.    

Fast forward to us moving back to Fayetteville, the first time.  I talked about joining the choir again but just never did it.  You know how life sometimes gets in the way of your plans.  Yeah, it was something like that.  By this time, David had heard my sing and encouraged me to join.  

Fast forward some more to the proposed start up of our new satellite church location.  David knew his place from the beginning.  I told David that I would be part of our praise team.  However, right before the launch, one of the two people who was supposed to run the preschool program decided not to join the satellite location.  I knew I would be comfortable with babies, and seeing that I was having my own baby soon, the preschool room seemed like a good fit.  

Which is where I've been, up until last weekend.  Two weeks ago, David came out of service and told me that the praise team really needed another vocalist.  So I reluctantly said "Ok, I'll try it out."  You see, while I'm confident that I don't sound horrible, I'm not confident I sound good.  Or at least good enough to be one of 3 vocalists.  

Yesterday was my second Sunday up there and I must say I'm enjoying myself so much.  The first Sunday, I was nervous and very aware of my body.  I felt stiff and unsure of what to do with myself.  I also held back my singing from nerves.  I knew over the upcoming weeks that I would become more comfortable with my singing and stature.  Yesterday was amazingly better!  We sang one of my favorite songs by Casting Crowns and I belted it like I would have in my own home.  I felt more comfortable and just had a good time.  

I'm so happy I took this step and I'm looking forward to how I'll change over the next few weeks.  While yesterday was a great improvement to the week before, I'm still mildly self conscious.