ME BACK ON THE LIST!

Sometimes I have a season where I forget to put ME on the list~ ever done that? So, I've been spending time picking back up things I love... photography, writing, blogging, now cooking~ shocking I know!... crocheting, and making this place a home~ a continual challenge for me on a budget, in a small house and with little boys that love to play ball in the house! But kid house no more!~ I'm taking back what should be... a home... the kind with lamps and pretty things around... the kind I was good at before kids. You see, when I had Christopher I was 30~ I was a little shocked as soon as he got into the highchair and insisted on throwing everything in the trash can. I convinced myself that everything and anything was going to get ruined by this little alien I knew nothing about. I was soooo wrong~ what ended up happening was I deprived myself of making a home... So... back to home making 101!~

Home school is full swing over here and so fun~ more about that another day~but here are some things I missed sharing with you!

Summer was full.... of things like...

sculptures... peaceful...

mini vacation... refreshing... reflecting... watching their wonder grow... and just plain time giggling!

I have missed this blog SO much!~ I LOVE taking pics of my boys and I love sharing our lives with you!

This summer was sooo full!~ The biggest news was finding out we are having a

baby boy!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Needless to say I was a bit intimidated by having 4 kiddos... this one was a little present! But, I cannot imagine our family without one of these little guys and I'm sure we will not know what to do without him~ Can't wait to meet him... yes, he is still nameless!

So... all name ideas are welcome here!!!

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Five Good Things

1. Protonix... the miracle heartburn pill!!
2. apple mango laundry soap~ finally yummy smelling clothes that causes no rashes!
3. The belly band~ so I don't feel like I'm going to have my tummy fall out!
4. Meyers Clean Day soy lavender candles... THE BEST SMELL EVER!
5. My loud house... life would be so boring without it!

ciao~alicia

BYE BYE SUMMER

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i think we did all the important things this summer like peeing on lots of grass...

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trying new stuff...

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Chris managed to steal me away...

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LOTS of swinging...

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cool little boys stylin' around...

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LOTS of cinnamon toast with lots of butter of course- with the bike helmet... if you haven't read, Christopher wears it like it's a couture Chanel scarf or something boy like that...

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spent some awesome time at the pool with friends... it was fun girls!

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and growing...

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my baby is 1...

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Five Good Things

1. Next summer to look forward to
2. Hot Cocoa soon
3. Christmas... oh my!
4. Baking pies this year... look out, you may be asked to taste test!
5. Family

ciao~alicia

BACKYARD BABY

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Coop is officially 1!

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Stay tuned for pics from our Luau ~ Lee Style this Sunday!

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Five Good Things

1. Cooper's sign language~ milk makes me melt
2. Coop's awesome sleeping schedule
3. Coop's 4 teeth and 4 more coming
4. Cooper's open mouth kisses~ my Besos!
5. The Littlest Lee~ what a year!

PEACHES PEACHES

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Peach ice cream, peach cobbler, peach peach and more peaches!

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It was HOT and the ice cream was so cold... we all just wanted to dive in our bowls... The Peach Festival for those of you who don't live here is something to look forward to... lots of good friends you'll see, lots of yummo food and most of all the peaches!

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It was a good day once we actually got out there! We talked to all the bikers, watched the men carving wood pieces in the old bank, drank LOTS of gatorade and water, took LOTS of pictures, ran into a few friends and looked at all the stuff to buy... the hats were their choice! Coop LOVED the ice cream and ate more of it than all 3 of us...

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Five Good Things

1. Matching clothes... can't loose a kid when they all look the same;)
2. Days below 100*
3. Moms
4. New study starts next week... yeah!
5. Boldness

ciao~alicia

SUN

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the sun felt yellow today...

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Five Good Things

1. Soft, green grass Chris just mowed
2. Coop's stripes
3. Me
4. Naps
5. Green Apples

ciao~alicia

DADDY DAY

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There is nothing like Daddy...

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He is tender... He is manly... He is great at first aid... He loves to play... He makes the best pancakes ever... He loves to talk... He reads to them with love... He remembers what brings them joy... He makes time for them... He holds... He teaches them how to express who they are... He is loyal... He is present... He can pick out the best books... He knows cool stuff about the ocean... He teaches... He leads by example...

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We all love you Chris...

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Five Good Things

1. Listening to the boys read "The Ocean Book"~ their fave
2. Love you Dad... you taught me to drive a stick and for that I will forever be grateful... I think I'm a stronger woman for being taught how to "drive like a man"! hee hee... although Chris might disagree with my driving talents!
3. 3 so little at once... funny conversations!
4. Fortitude
5. Coming full circle in this season of rebirth... a time to heal...

ciao~alicia

THE NEST

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Here's the little one learning to fly... and the nest we took from the grill when they were done... made so intricately and with such brilliance!

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Five Good Things

1. Dinner with Good Friends
2. Babies
3. Dirty little boy feet
4. Miss Barbara~ we love you!
5. Chris' grilling skills;)

ciao~alicia

POOL PLAY'IN

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I just wanted to push pause...

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Five Good Things

1. Sun hats
2. Chris is going back to school... yay!
3. Little glass baby bottles make great kid cups!
4. Creative ways to be frugal
5. Little boy conversations

ciao~alicia

THE HAPS

I've missed my blog... and hearing from all of you... the past few weeks have been amazing, sad, tiring, miraculous and more... He is the author of wellness and I'm happy to say that both Mike and my Sister are doing well. So here is a little of what we've been up to at home...

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Chris has sacrificed his grill for the "babies"... there are 4 baby birds that have hatched in THE most intricate nest their parents brilliantly built in the grill...thank you honey for changing your Memorial Day feast! You'll have your grill back soon! The boys now call these darlings their "pet wild birds" and tell everyone not to touch them...

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couldn't resist the tball pic... Nate's pants are bigger than Christopher's and I think I may be the loudest Mom on our team! Other than that it's been lots of pool time with friends and more to come... it should be such a fun summer with new friends, old friends and LOTS of family!

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Five Good Things

1. The Pool... clean cool water and happy boys!
2. Moms in our neighborhood... gems!
3. Esther's timing...Esther 5:2
4. Creative minds
5. Citrus citrus citrus

ciao~alicia

SHADE

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Summer... Sunscreen... Cool Water... Laughter... Wet Babies... Big Towels

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Five Good Things

1. Marriage
2. Love & Support
3. Health
4. Sisters
5. Clean Air

ciao~alicia

THE GRASSHOPPER

The biggest little guy came over saturday...

I think he had a play date with the boys...

He stuck around for a while & even took a break on the tree... He looks how I feel lately... confident that He is taking care of me but feeling kind of stuck out on the edge too. The reality is that I am giving worry over to Him all day long... Our family is really going through some times that have pushed me to learn to trust Him on a different level. I have good days and bad days & days when I start my day over after lunch. I am also excited for change to come; last week was a tough one... I had a fender bender that was my fault; my car also broke down and needed a repair. The warranty expired last month. After working with Central Market to solve the problem which could not be resolved, we now have to order Coop's formula on line by the case (long story). I accepted the fact that I am taking Coop to get his shots through the state; that was a big one for me! On the flip side, I am loving spending time with these boys...Coop is up on his knees rocking! Nate asked me the other day if Mimi's was open that night, and Christopher is showing so much responsibility doing his chores I am shocked! He has volunteered to take out the trash & put the new bag in. We also started our seeds outside and the boys are deliciously curious about every step... Nate loves the cute little "flower babies" he sees first when he walks out the front door! I don't know how far we will be stretched but I am still here at home with my boys and this trial has made me a better Mom. I have a new excitement about giving them the tools to make it through trying times and come out with a stronger faith, not just in themselves but in their Heavenly Father. I can see their spirits at rest and I see them watching me. We have a new sense of gratitude throughout the house and everyone and everything is just a little bit sweeter... thank you sisters for all your encouragement;)