It's been a LONG TIME!

Wow! I haven't posted in over a year. I am REALLY bad at blogging. I think I enjoy reading other blogs more! However, we have a lot going on in our lives again, so I thought I'd share!

We are EXPECTING baby girl #2 on Sept 22nd. We are open for name suggestions! :) Here is a cute picture of Madison announcing her arrival~

We will have pictures taken later this summer with Madison and my ever-growing belly! Here is a picture from Sunday of my 21 week belly! I feel quite larger than last time at 21 weeks! Maybe it's not that different, but I feel BIG already! This is probably not good pictures to compare since I don't have on a fitted shirt!        

     2nd Pregnancy  

                 1st Pregnancy

Mother's Day was super fun this year, since we had Bradley, Tiffany, and Maximus in town to share it with us. Here is a fun picture of us with the kiddos after church on Sunday. They are in their Chinese outfits that Brandon brought them from China. 

To take some time away, Bradley and Tiffany left Maximus in my care for 3 days while they went to the beach. It was so fun having Madison and Maximus together, but wow! Watching 3 kids under 2 in a LOT of work. I don't know how mothers of triplets do it. I am tired! Being pregnant probably doesn't help that either, I suppose. 

My summer goal is to post more! I want this to be a place where I can go back and remember our events throughout the year. This summer, I plan to work through a 2 year old curriculum with Madison. I am using this site, http://www.letteroftheweek.com/, to get ideas. I think she is going to like it. We are also going to potty train this summer. I am NOT looking forward to this, but I am ready and I think Madison is, too! 

Reading

 I am reading through the Bible this year with our church's program called Eat This Book! It is a great plan, and there are great resources to help! Check it out here! http://www.southsidefellowship.org/default.aspx?page=3762

God has been changing my heart through this daily reading and exposure to His word. I have always loved reading the Bible, but I have really enjoyed this program. I am so thankful for how the OT shows us God's redemptive character and how all the stories point to JESUS, our Savior!

I am also doing a book club with my mom's group this summer! We are beginning with the book, Balcony People by Joyce Landorf Weatherley! It is a great, short read. Praying God will make my heart into person who cheers other's on in their walk with Christ! I know that I need affirmation, so I am praying God makes me a good  "Cheerleader" for others. This might be the FIRST AND LAST time I pray to be anything like a cheerleader! :) No offense to my friends! 

http://www.amazon.com/Balcony-People-Joyce-Landorf-Heatherley/dp/0929488024 

I am also doing a book club with some teacher friends of mine. We are reading a few books this summer, as has been a tradition the past 4 summers. I am SO looking forward to seeing them and chatting about books. 

Have a BLESSED Wednesday!

Remembing Being Pregnant

Our Cheerleader!

Jorden has been doing Upward Cheerleading since the beginning of January. We really enjoy going to watch her cheer, and she does a great job! Check out some of our fun photos from the gym! :)

Happy New Year!

Well, we had quite an eventful 2011. We went from having one child, then two children, then back to one, and now three! Who does that? :) We love our new foster daughters, Madison and Jorden. Yes, you read that right, we now have TWO Madison's in our house. However, we are calling the baby, Emmy. Why? Her initials are M.E. so we are pronouncing them together as Emmy. This was our plan, all along, before we even had another Madison in our house. Above are some pictures from December!~

Spring Break in Indiana

Personalize your own scrapbook design

Madison's Growing Up

So Blessed!

If you haven't asked me or I haven't told you, we think we are so BLESSED by one sweet, content, happy, baby! Madison Elizabeth is spoiling us with her great sleeping habits. She is just over 12 weeks old and will be 3 months on Friday. She has been sleeping through the night since week 7. Wow, you don't realize how much you appreciate and need sleep until you have a baby.

She is a joy and delight to our lives! She is growing and changing each day, and I am so thankful that I can stay home with her during this time of her life. Wow! I am also rejoicing today that Brandon has a great job that allows me to stay home. Does our budget look different now? Sure! Will we have to do some sacrificing to make it work? Sure, but we do so willingly because we LOVE this little one.

Here is her daily schedule:

7:30-7:45 Wake-Up Time & Eat
7:45-8:45 Waketime Activity (Usually a low key, low stimulation activity)
8:45-11:00 First Nap
11:00-11:15 Eat
11:15-12:30 Waketime Activity (Usually running errands with mom, if needed)
12:30-2:00 Second Nap
2:00-2:15 Eat
2:15-3:30 Waketime Activity (Usually with toys, books, play gym, etc)
3:30-5:15 Third Nap
5:15-5:30 Eat
5:30-6:45 Waketime Activity (Usually sits with family at table for dinner, and plays on her mat)
6:45-8:15 Fourth Nap
8:15-8:30 Eat
8:30-9:15 Waketime Activity (Usually a low stimulation activity, bath and a book)
9:15ish Off to bed :)

We love the schedule as it helps us plan our day, activities, etc. She also seems to love the predictability of her day!

Enjoy some more photos of her!