Warm Hugs to begin beautiful Fall...

FALL IS HERE!  FALL IS HERE!!

We all got pretty excited this year and may or may not have decorated for Halloween 52 days before the actual holiday- hahaha!  What can I say, I did it for Harper's enjoyment... and it had nothing to do with the fact that I love Fall and Halloween and Pumpkins and....and... and... ha- ya I love Fall!

Loved adding a couple new things to the Halloween arrangements... I'm a bit of a dork and framed Harper and Maggie's first Halloween costumes {Evelyn's will be added this year}.

Thank you Mom, for helping with the Fall decor:).

Love the way General Mills loves families!  This is our first fall with Pete's new company and we enjoyed the family evening they planned!  There were all kinds of animals, a fire truck and ambulance for the kids to tour, fun games, face painting, bouncy house, balloon making, and yummy food complete with a pie baking contest!  We really enjoyed kicking off Fall altogether- General Mills style!

and Harper AND Maggie enjoyed the pony rides- so much fun!!!

 

Evelyn and I attempted to fly out to Indy to visit my family.  The flying part didn't work out, but the uninterrupted time I got with my youngest did- she was a perfect angel the whole time and I enjoyed our endless play time and snuggles!

 

6 MONTHS OLD!!

Little miss turned 6 months old this month!  Crazy we're already to this point with her!  She is LOVING food... well loving fruit, not so much her veggies, but she doesn't get to pick;).  She is rolling all over the place, and siting almost by herself.  LOVES her sisters and full blown belly laughs when Harper is acting silly.  We love her energy and happiness she shows by keeping her mouth wide open most times...so funny!

So crazy to me, but we knew from the moment the doctor showed us little Ms. Evelyn that she looked different from out other two.  Aside, from being girls (ha:)) Harper and Maggie are clones of their Daddy and his side of the family.  This little one is proving that Mommy's genes are in there somewhere- hehe!  The black and white picture is one of my mother only a little older than Evelyn.  Not the best picture to show the crazy resemblance of my mom and Evelyn, but trust me when I say- this baby is a clone of her Nana.  It'll be so fun to compare pictures of my mom and little miss as she gets older.  As much as I love seeing my husband and our girls, it is kinda fun to see a little of myself in Evelyn;).

Maggie kicked off Fall with a new do!  I was given the idea by my mom, and took matters- and the scissors- into my own hands... I cut her hair- and gave her bangs!  I'm loving it and I think she looks a little more grown up with her shorter locks!

She also started aquatic therapy this Fall and seems to love it and be so at ease in the water- so fun!!  She has started with a couple new doctors as well- they all have an excitement in Maggie and the possibilities of movement for her- love it!  Here she is waiting on the doctor with her Daddy.  I love the look she is giving him- she sure does LOVE her Daddy!!

A new attraction opened up this summer here in Bentonville called Amazeum.  It's a children's interactive museum and we've been itchin' to try it out for a few months!  Harper was invited to a birthday party there last weekend and we were so excited to go!  There were all sorts of interactive exhibits: paint, a cave, a tree house you had to climb up a 'tree' to get to, a water area {we saved for a non-birthday time-ha} and there was an area put on by Daddy's work- a semi trailer with the side cut out so kids could play in the cab and then actually get in the trailer part to 'load' packages.  It was super fun!

I have also begun what I call 'Sunday School' with Harper where I am trying my best to teach her about her Catholic faith.  We finally started having her recite prayers with us before bed and it is so sweet to see her.  She has picked up most of the Our Father already and has told me numerous times she enjoys our time together on Sunday... Pete and I's Catholic parents would be proud of the little rugrat;).

We snuck out early last weekend for a little secret mission in our jammies.  Pumpkin Spice doughnuts from Krispy Kreme are AMAZING and I look forward to them all year long... you can see half the box went to feed my addiction and I let Harper pick the other half- it's a give and take relationship- right?! ;)

This past Sunday we had to drive up to St. Louis for an early Maggie appointment at the Children's Hospital.  To avoid afternoon meltdown status in the car we opted to wake up kinda early and head out- getting to the city around lunch time.  It actually worked out pretty well and we got to pay Rombach Pumpkin Patch a visit as we did just two years ago when Maggie was first at the NICU there.

when she was 2 {with her new friend Anderson} 

when she was 4 {with Daddy standing in for Anderson;)}

crazy how much has changed in 2 short years!!!

my sweet, happy girls playing together:).

I leave with a little warm hug {keeping with the Fall theme}warm hugs seem so Fallish;)... 

September is a do-sie of a month for me.  Lots of emotions.  Lots of happy moments busting at the seams enjoying all the blessings of life mixed in with moments where the lump in my throat feels like it could overtake and cause for a public scene of awkward.  Throughout the month I tend to keep to myself... quiet reflection I call it.  Just don't want to be strange; I choose to bravely wear my smile when out and then allow for some quiet tearful detox at home.  During this past month, I felt many 'warm hugs' from people who knew my little September story and many from those who had no idea.  I have realized what a difference a 'warm' hug can give to someone.  You may have no idea how much a simple kind gesture can mean to a person.  We don't always know know a person's story, but taking the time to throw a smile, a kind note, a goofy text, flowers on your doorstop, a sweet voicemail, sending happy mail, a genuine compliment, or even a simple "How are you doing today?" can make to a person.  I speak from experience- it makes a world of difference.  This card I received sweetly titled, A Big Hug was the whipped cream atop my warm Fall drink- haha... a simple gesture filled with love- made my week.  I continually challenge myself to make others feel appreciated, loved, and special.  I was so very humbled this month by the kind gestures I received.  Not one went unnoticed.  I appreciated every. single. one.

Here's to a Happy Fall filled with many Warm Hugs in all shapes and sizes!

Labor Day in the Windy City!

This year we were able to spend Labor Day, Chi-town style!!  We enjoyed a long weekend {but all too short visit} in Chicago with the Elliott family and a wedding with college friends!

Harper and Emma were born within a couple weeks of each other and when they were 2, they moved right down the street from each other here in Bentonville!  We LOVED having them here as their Daddies had worked together for awhile and we all became great friends.  We were sad when they moved up to Chicago but LOVED having the sleepover fun time this past Labor Day!  A LONG overdue visit and great time together!!!

These three were THREE peas in a pod- ha!  Harper, Emmy, and her little brother Jackson did everything together that weekend- precious!!

You can always count on the Elliott family to have fantastic food and super fun activities.  There was never a dull moment- loved it all!!

And Pete and I enjoyed an evening out together celebrating our beautiful friends from college as they got married!  

A HUGE thank you to Brian and Jessica for watching our kiddos during the wedding as well as hosting us that weekend.  We LOVED the visit and miss you all so much already!!!  Looking forward to whenever we plan that next time ;)!!!

Maggie Lou Turning TWO!

Holy smokes, my itty bitty {we're talking 1lb 3oz itty bitty;)} baby is TWO!!!  What a crazy, happy, beautiful two years Ms. Maggie has given us!  At 26 lbs she has roared her way through so much, and this year was so fun to celebrate her in HER style: hanging out as a family of 5 for most of the day, doing all things Maggie-approved!

We began Birthday week with a cupcake... and a yummy dessert each night of that week- before her family 'party' on Friday!

We were able to bring her therapists muffins to thank them for bringing so much happy to Maggie's life these past couple years.  I cannot imagine life without them in it, and honestly when we celebrate Maggie- we celebrate them- a HUGE thank you to them for all they do!

Then the big day came!!  September 4, 2015 was spent as a family, showered in everything strawberry as that is the birthday girl's most favorite food on the planet!

Thank you, Mara for the beautiful strawberry cake:)!!

We had fun playing in the pool, blowing bubbles, and using the pinwheels.. as well as some playtime with Norman ;)!!

 

And her birthday gift- a swing- seemed to be the icing on her cake.  She loved relaxing at the end of her birthday bash in her new swing!  Hoping to be able to mount that puppy somewhere inside, so she can enjoy it all year round!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, MAGGIE LOU MAGOU!

And on September 9 we celebrated Baby Jack by releasing a birthday lantern and singing Happy Birthday on the day he became an angel.  Hard to believe he's no longer with us, but so grateful to have  pictures like this, of the little guy holding his Daddy's finger.

Happy 2 Years in Heaven, Sweet Boy!

And then, on September 15, we sang another Happy Birthday song to Ms. Nora on the day she gained her angel wings in Heaven.  This little curly-haired baby holds a special place in my heart alongside her feisty brother.  They are my angel babies and although I struggled this year- missing them something fierce lately... it was great to look back on all their pictures... like this one, of Ms. Nora, all cuddled up under the blue lights in her issolette- such a sweetheart.

Happy 2nd Birthday Maggie, Jack, & Nora!  

You all are my feisty trio.  Think of you each and every day and thank God for allowing me to be your Mommy and for giving me the strength to let Him have you back.  Until we meet again, my little ones... I love you dearly!  And Ms. Maggie Lou- you have the most beautiful spirit and I'm so blessed to be your Mommy!

New School Year, New Goals, New Dog?!?!

I felt as if I blinked and it was time for the start of another school year... the LAST I might add of Harper in preschool before she heads to Kindergarten {aka: the big kid school as she calls it;)}.  I just cannot believe it, but Harper shows no signs of slowing down... she's loving all the crazy of school and sports and friends.

Her first day of school picture- taken on the second day- ha!  Things get a little hectic sometimes, but I love her sleepy smile and the way she 'matches' her clothes- pretty accurate snapshot of how she is most school days;)!

 

I'm loving the daily pictures her teachers email of all she does each day!  She's really enjoying her new class, new friends, and new challenges of her teachers.  Oh so pleased she is starting to read and her passion for drawing all the sudden.  Not so pleased that she is having trouble sitting still.  Ha!  We'll get there, but for now I'm so happy she's enjoying learning so much!

And we have continued with swimming lessons and soccer this school year!  Her skills are improving each day and we like that she likes 'practicing' at home with us.  So sweet, but gosh... the reading and playing organized sports... eek- she's not so much my baby anymore!!

So, this handsome brown baby found us right as school started.  Well, actually he found our neighbor.  She tried for 2 days to find his owner and then we continued for a week to get the word out on his adorable self.  By day 7... he officially became a Lee.  Mr. Norman Lee that is.  He is an 18-month old ball of energy with the kindest heart. 

Ok... back story- long version- beware ;): Little Ms. Maggie is an incredible little girl.  A blessing to our family beyond words.  She loves everything about life: playing, hanging with her family, eating all sorts of yumminess, and just seems so happy just being with us- LOVE HER!  What we are learning, is that she isn't comforted very well through Mommy and Daddy cuddles or rocking, but she IS at peace in stressful situations (or when she's not feeling so well) through animals.  It's amazing to me to see the sense of calm about her when she is around animals.  Well, family dog, Emma passed away a few months ago and that's when I noticed not only a void in our family of no longer having a dog, but the void Maggie seemed to be feeling when she would be stressed.  I wasn't able to comfort her in certain life situations the way she wanted and honestly was a little heartbroken in that realization. So, I prayed about it.  Hoped that one day we would be at a place to welcome a puppy into our home as lets be real: I still have a small human who's not sleeping through the night... the thought of potty training and working on puppy manners sounded exhausting to me.  Well, I am convinced that God will never give you more than you can handle and that Maggie's incredible guardian angels CONTINUE to look out for her.  Within a few weeks from my prayer and discernment of a pet in our family Mr. Norman trotted through our neighborhood.  He surely has trotted right into our hearts as well and is proving to be exactly what we all needed.  

 

After a good bath, nail trim, some shots, and a vet visit, we welcomed the chocolate goof ball into our house.  Funny how Pete was so certain about us taking a break from pets for a bit.... until he met Norman.  He agreed that dog is amazing- Heaven sent I tell ya!

And speaking of Heaven sent, I asked Pete about honoring our little angels' birthday month in a little different {and crazy high fetched for our non-running selves) way.  I asked if he would run, with the girls and I as a family, in a local 5k race- perfectly named, the Superhero Scramble.  We always referred to our trio as Superheroes as they proved such incredible strength during their short time together.  He agreed- amazing- and I spent this past summer training the best I could to run.  I started running only the distance between two houses and then I would need to slow to a walk... it took me awhile to build up to those 3.1 miles, but I did it! 

Jack and Nora... thanks for helping your Mommy out;).

So we armed ourselves with capes sporting our Superhero's initials, bundled up our munckins, and hit the trail... OMG I thought we were insane... couldn't help but laugh thinking of Pete and I {non-runners} doing this... I was laughing on the outside- but on the inside- couldn't be more proud... we'd come so far;).

Afterwards!  

We got separated during the race, but were still able to run through that finish line together.  I was proud of us, but during the run that day it was great to reflect on all we had done to get to that point- you know I'm a bit mushy at times- ha!  Proud of our little family of 5 and our 2 angels who helped us stay swift on our feet that morning!!

Loving the newness of this school year and looking forward to Fall Fun as we continue running (oh ya- I think we've started something- haha), continue enjoying our new furry family member, and tackling new challenges together!