I'm a firm believer in...

I thought I would start a blog series on things that I am a believer in.  Some things that are serious, and some that are not at all.  Pretty much just things that make my life easier enough to believe in.  The first one is something that I get a lot of questions about.  It's Beckham's amber necklace.

For some reason, we get numerous comments on his necklace on a weekly basis.  Apparently it's weird that a little boy wears a necklace 24/7?  When I start to explain the reason behind it, I usually get a lot of raised eyebrows, and several years ago I would have thought it was ridiculous too.  However, after #2 was born, something started to change in me.  I all of the sudden became very aware of all the crap that is in our food, realized that we are over medicated and that the FDA is pretty much a joke.  I started buying a lot more organic and locally grown foods, started delaying vaccines and quit giving medicine for every fever or upset stomach.

When our little man was born I felt pretty confident in my self educated, homeopathic brain.  That was until he started teething.  My girls never had an issue with teething.  I never knew they had a tooth coming in until it popped through.  When Becks started teething around 4 months, I wanted to pull my hair out.  He had awful diapers, quit sleeping, cried all the time, drooled like crazy and was just plain miserable.  I started researching ways to alleviate some of his discomfort and came across an article about raw amber.  Basically, raw amber contains very high amounts of succinic acid that is released into your body when activated by heat.  This is why it's important to always have the necklace touching skin.It is a natural pain reliever, inflammation reducer and immune booster.  I figured that even if it didn't help the teething, the other benefits couldn't hurt?

I ordered ours off of www.hazelaid.com and the Hubby thought I had officially lost my marbles.  I talked him into letting his son wear a necklace for a couple of weeks and see if we saw a difference.  Within 48 hours of wearing it around the clock, he showed ZERO signs of teething, and hasn't one day since.  This child has also never had a round of antibiotics and maybe 2 doses of Tylenol when he had the flu last year.  Could be the necklace, could just be a coincidence.  Either way, we are firm believers in amber teething necklaces.

My Big Girl is 7!

Today we not only celebrated Father's Day, but it was also Sophia's birthday!  I cannot believe that it's been 7 years since I spent 17 hours in labor with that child.  Seems like just yesterday.  We had her on a Friday, and she came home on Father's Day.  What a precious gift. 

If I'm being honest I will say that this little girl is a constant battle.  I realize that we butt heads so much because she is so much like me in so many ways.  We are both the first born, so I can completely understand where she gets her hard hardheadedness from!  She thinks she's always right, I think I'm always right.  She is stubborn, but not as much as me.  She likes to argue, but I will always get the last word.  She thinks her sister is the most annoying person in the world, I thought mine was too until a few years ago.  She is extremely picky about her clothes, I take 20 minutes to decide what I'm going to wear each morning.  She knows everything, because she hasn't figured out that I know everything.

She has so many wonderful traits that more than outweigh the crap she picked up from me!  She is an old soul and incredibly compassionate.  She will remember a homeless person we drove by months ago and pray for them at night.  She worries about Silas and how he is doing.  She is crazy smart and loves to learn.  There isn't anything you can show or tell her that she will not remember years from now.  She speaks like an adult and can carry on a conversation with a stranger.  She is a fashionista and homegirl most certainly has her own style.  She loves to do whatever the Hubby and I are doing more than play with toys.  (In fact, I can't recall her ever playing with a toy?)  She loves Jesus and talks about how we need to tell people that don't know him about him.

We are so lucky to get to raise these little ones and watch how they grow and discover new things.  Sophia is going to do great things and I can't wait to see how the Lord uses her!

Just a few days old.

One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

Five!

Six!

Seven!

My Baby is 2!

Our baby boy will be 2 tomorrow.  Part of me is a little sad that time goes quicker and quicker, part of me loves watching these little ones grow and become their own person.  I've said it before and I will say it again that the whole boy thing is still a little weird for me.  After having 2 girls, this little man is rocking my world.  He is defiant, he is destructive, he needs about 3 baths a day to smell decent, he is never seen without a car or motorcycle, he is still a terrible sleeper, he likes dirt, he likes to fight, he likes to climb, he throws a mean fit, his farts smell as bad as his daddy's. 

On the flip side of all those weird boy things...he is the best snuggler in the world, he laughs easily, he kisses often, he adores his sisters, he is in love with his daddy, he is a fantastic eater, he repeats everything he hears, he still loves for me to hold him, he is constantly changing shoes, he is no cry baby, he's laid back, he has my heart.

Little man loves being the baby and the center of attention.  I am most certainly worried about how he is going to handle this whole new baby thing.  It makes me sad that he won't be my baby anymore, but I can't wait to see what kind of a man he grows up to be!

June 12, 2010- The day we laid eyes on our little man for the first time!

Beckham's first birthday picture!

 2 year picture!  He's a little stud muffin, if I do say so myself!

Brag Book

Since kid #3, I have been a horrible picture taker.  Of course I snap about 100 pictures a month on my trusty phone, but don't ever pull out the big camera and shoot.  I was way over due for professional pictures of the kids and have a friend that is a photographer, so we set it up.  My exact words to her were, "It is near impossible to get a picture of all 3 together, so if you can get just one of them all looking in the general direction of the camera, I will be thrilled"!  Homegirl came through like none other!  I could not believe she got that many great pictures in the limited time we had, with Beckham wanting nothing to do with a photoshoot when there were rocks to be thrown.  Check out some of my favorites and check out Sarah's website.  Seriously, she's a miracle worker.  www.sarahannhendricks.com

I know, I know.  They are adorable.  You don't have to tell me, unless you just want to....

Happy Birthday, Hubby!

Today is the Hubby's birthday!  I like to give him a hard time about his age because he is a lot older than me : ).  However, I was looking through pictures to post of him and realized that he hasn't aged a bit.  Pretty annoying actually, because as I was looking through the same pictures I decided that I need a major chemical peel, botox, a mommy make over and a new haircut.  What four kids will do to you!  Enough about me. 

The hubby could have cared less about his birthday when we met.  I on the other hand, think birthdays are pretty darn special.  After years of stressing this to him, he's finally on board and asks for presents now and wants to do something to celebrate.  Yesterday we went with good friends to Taco Diner and had so much fun hanging out and catching up with friends we don't see enough, and friends we spend every second with!  This morning he woke up to presents and cards and the kids told him a million times to have a good birthday!  My mom made him his favorite cake and gave him gift cards to have a day to himself at Northpark.  Does she know his love language or what?

I am so blessed to get to spend birthday after birthday with this man.  He is an incredible husband, daddy, friend and leader.  He is super funny, fun and makes us feel special.  Although he's getting up there in age (I kid, I kid), he gets better every year!  Happy Birthday to my favorite guy!

Us before kids!  Notice how young I look...

Our first baby.

Our second baby.

Number 3.

 Halloween 2011

 Us after 8 years of marriage!

The Hooligans Q&A

Let's keep this train a going.  Here is the girls Q&A session.  First up, the incredible Sophia Grace!


1.  So, you just finished 1st grade!  What is your favorite thing about school?
Sophia- Getting to play with my friends and getting to learn stuff everyday.

2.  Who's the cutest boy in 1st grade?
Sophia - Gross. (insert eye roll)

  
3.  Who is your favorite family member?
Sophia- That would be really hard.  I guess Charlie and Beckham because those babies love me.

4.  What's your favorite thing about yo Momma?
Sophia- Well, she's a poop head and she's silly.

5.  What is your favorite thing about yo Daddy?
Sophia- He's cute and he's the best daddy ever.

6.  What do you want to be when you grow up? 
Sophia- An artist and a hair doer, or maybe a doctor?


7.  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Sophia- Duh, to the beach.


8.  What are your plans for the summer?
Sophia- Just staying at the pool all day and all night.  I can even eat in there.

9.  What do you want your new baby sister/brother to be?
Sophia- Umm...definitely a girl.

10.  Well if it's a sister, what do you want to name her?
Sophia- Rosie Einstein

Excellent answers Miss Soaps.  Here goes the goofy Lola Mola.

1.  So, you just finished Pre K!  What is your favorite thing about school?
Lola- My teachers and recess and coloring and crafts and I like snack time and then lunch time.


2.  Who's the cutest boy in Pre K?
Lola- (sticking out her tongue at me)...long pause...Landon!

3.  Who is your favorite family member?
Lola- Silas.
Me- Why?
Lola- Because umm I love him and because he's in South Africa and umm we are adopting him.

4.  What's your favorite thing about yo Momma?
Lola- Because she's nice and dresses really cute and let's us do fun stuff.

5.  What is your favorite thing about yo Daddy?
Lola- Umm, because he takes us to Popcorn Papa and teaches us about drawing.

6.  What do you want to be when you grow up? 
Lola- A cheerleader!


7.  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Lola- Shenaniganz

8.  What are your plans for the summer?
Lola- Going to Hawaiian Falls and the splash park and going to the beach.


9.  What do you want your new baby sister/brother to be?
Lola- Boy!


10.  Well if it's a brother, what do you want to name him?

Lola- Kylan, that's a really cute name.

Momma Q&A

Okay, now it's my turn to answer the same questions about the Hubby.  Here goes...

1.  If your hubby could change jobs, what would his dream job be?

Me- He loves his job as a graphic designer, but if I had to pick I'd say a professional fisherman?

Hubby-  True. I do love what I do. My dream job would be an Industrial Designer. That is what I always wanted to do but school was a fortune to get my degree.

2.  What is your hubby's most irritating habit?

Me- Definitely hacking up a lung every time he gets done brushing his teeth.

Hubby- Yeah, it annoys me too. I have a terrible gag reflex.

3.  What would your hubby's dream date be?

Me- Hmm...good dinner and a guy movie?

Hubby- An overnight date with Holly sans kids. I could care less what we do or where we go. I never get alone time with her so that would be most important.

4.  If your hubby won the lottery, what would he spend the money on?

Me- He would start his own charity and buy his dream car first, then travel the world and live on the lake.

Hubby- Yep. In that order. I would have the baddest freaking ride you've ever seen.

5.  What is your hubby's most admirable trait?

Me- He is a very hard worker and extremely loyal.

Hubby- I agree with that. I work like crazy but I don't mind because I want my family to have nice things. I grew up broke as a joke and I will scrub toilets before that happens to my kids. Don't believe me? I've done it.

6.  When did you know he was "the one"?

Me- I don't remember the exact second, but I knew without a doubt on one of our first few dates.  When you know, you know.

Hubby- It's really all about your game. Never pop your collar either. That gets you nowhere.

7.  What is the one thing your hubby despises when it comes to housework?

Me- Picking up everyone's clutter.

Hubby- I'm very organized so clutter drives me nuts.

8.  If your hubby was stranded on a deserted island, what would be the one thing he couldn't live without?

Me- His phone.

Hubby- A boat would probably be good so I could bounce outta there. Phone is good as long as I have reception :)

9.  Who takes longer to get ready, be honest?

Me- Without at doubt, him.  This would be his second most irritating habit.

Hubby- Does it matter? Just because she doesn't have to work hard to be beautiful she can get done quick. I'm old and slow. Don't hate.

Me- Whatev

10. Your hubby is sitting in front of the tv, what's on?

Me- He rarely watches tv, but lately he's been catching up on Breaking Bad.

Hubby- If TV is on it would have to be Dexter, Breaking Bad or Duck Dynasty. I'm not much of a TV person unless I am at the in-laws. The recliners are too comfortable and the TV is right there so....

11. How does your hubby take his coffee?

Me- It's embarrassing to say (coming from a true coffee drinker), so let's just pretend that he only drinks DP.

Hubby- Embarrassing? The Java Chip at Starbucks is just a small sample of what heaven will be like. Vanilla Latte isn't bad either.

Me- See, totally embarrassing.

12. What is one thing your hubby wears that you wish he would throw away?

Me- UGH, that stupid camo hat my dad gave him.  It's hideous.

Hubby- I love that hat. For real. I never, ever wear hats. I really don't like them but that one is on my dome every weekend. It's broken (thanks to Lola) so I need to super glue it. Not kidding either.

13. What is your hubby's strangest habit?

Me- He won't drink out of a straw.  That's just weird.

Hubby- For any guys reading this. Drink out of a straw in the mirror and you'll know why. You look silly. If you kiss the straw your lips goes in all sorts of stupid looking shapes. I think men should be men that's all.

14. Tell us something about your hubby that most people wouldn't know.

Me- He won't eat hot fruit and rarely drinks hot drinks.  No pies, cobblers, hot cocoa, etc. 

Hubby- That and there was a time I was recruited to be a traveling make-up artist for Trish McEvoy.

Me- Wow, even I didn't know that.  Awkward.

15. What is your hubby's best physical trait?
Me- His green eyes.  I really wish just one of our kids would get his green eyes with dark hair.  Love it.

   Hubby- I guess the years and extra pounds haven't been kind. My hair is getting grey so all that's left are my eyes.   Sad day.