Did I mention

This big brother is ALMOST 2.5

And little man is 5 months already

Where in the world did the time go?

btw I heart instagram

Wintertime

Winter is in FULL affect here. We've seen lots of snow and below (like way below) freezing temps have been an everyday norm. A couple of nights ago it was -4...O.M.G Y'ALL that is seriously C.O.L.D! Even though we have lived here for over 2 years, this southern girl is truly southern at heart and probably won't ever get use to this weather.

I have this love hate relationship with snow. If I don't have to drive or go out in it, but just look out our window at all its beauty falling..then I am good with it. I never realized how ridiculously hard it is to drive in (when they haven't cleared the roads). So this love/hate is that it is stunning when it falls. So beautiful to watch, BUT once it is on the ground and starting to be cleared, it gets all dirty and not so nice on the eyes.

I have truly learned what gloves, hats, jackets and scarfs are for. Before I thought a scarf was for fashion. Now it is necessary to stay warm. Who cares what I look like when I can barely feel my fingertips outside. Throw everything warm on and go.

Yesterday it snowed about 6 to 8 inches. My commute home which usually takes about 15 maybe 20 minutes took me a good hour and a half. I was a nervous reck driving in conditions that I am no pro at. They hadn't really cleared the roads, and the toll was basically a parking lot. But I made it home in one piece.

All of that to say we stayed in last night and enjoyed some family time. This morning we hit the post office to get the boys passports. The first one we went to wouldn't see us--by appointment only, so we went to another (which was bigger and friendlier) and got the boys squared away. Side note--I think it's crazy that both the boys passports are good for 5 years. I mean come on Caleb is 5 months old. At 4.5 years old he is still going to be carrying (or us carrying) this passport picture from when he was 5 months? I mean I'm not complaining (because I don't want to get a passport for them every year) it just seems odd.

So this afternoon right after nap time (and a little begging to the hubs) we suited up and headed out to enjoy some snow. Eli couldn't get enough of it.

Caleb was unfazed by it. By the end I think he was getting a little cold and began to fuss.

What a fun memory :)

Parenting

I should start off by apologizing for not doing a post about our trip down south as promised. There are tons of pictures on Facebook so check them out there for a full update :)

I've been thinking lately how life with kids is not alway a cake walk. Especially right now while we are potty training a very stubborn little boy (but thats another story).

I came across this and wanted to share with all those other daddies & mommies out there who seem to be in the same boat we are in "survival mode".

I think parenting young children (and old ones, I've heard) is a little like climbing Mount Everest. Brave, adventurous souls try it because they've heard there's magic in the climb. They try because they believe that finishing, or even attempting the climb are impressive accomplishments. They try because during the climb, if they allow themselves to pause and lift their eyes and minds from the pain and drudgery, the views are breathtaking. They try because even though it hurts and it's hard, there are moments that make it worth the hard. These moments are so intense and unique that many people who reach the top start planning, almost immediately, to climb again. Even though any climber will tell you that most of the climb is treacherous, exhausting, killer. That they literally cried most of the way up.

--read the rest of her post here.

These two stinkers mean the world to me :)

Even if they might just one day give me lots of grey hair.

And make me so mad steam is blowing out my ears.

But in all seriousness, I am thankful they call me mama.

Here's to taking in these moments.

Happy 20-dozen

It's a NEW YEAR and hopefully a new start for me on blogging. I have been a little MIA, but hope to be seen more on the blogging front than the last couple of months.

LIFE: thats my only excuse for being absent. BUT the more I think about it, this is my "online scrap book" which I want to keep up. These two crazy, silly kids of ours are growing WAAAY to fast for this mommy & daddy, and there are so many precious moments we want to remember.

One (of many many) examples happened over Christmas while visiting our families. You see my immediate family has had this tradition for many years of going to the mall the day after Christmas. We are people watchers (I know shocker to all those who actually know my family :)) and actually enjoy crowds (we're weird...my husband thinks we are out of our minds ;)). I guess I should rephrase that last sentence--everyone in my immediate family enjoys crowds except my sweet Daddy. This year and last he tagged along only to push the boys around which he really enjoys. Just like last year, this was his job. Eli, Caleb and Big K were glued to each other while mom, linds, shaffer and myself were on a mission. Anyways back to the whole point of this story...Dad's pushing the boys around when he looks down through the plastic covering where he can see them. Dad see's Eli hold Caleb's sweet, soft hand. Okay that right there is just about the sweetest thing ever if I do say so. Dad said Eli was just a chatting away with Caleb. Who knows what he was telling him. Some days I wish I knew :). Then Dad see's Eli lean over and give Caleb a kiss. Such a lover our little boy is! Dad keeps pushing them and steals a glance at them again to see that sweet little Eli with his chubby finger up baby Caleb's nose. If you know Caleb he is our calm, carefree baby. Who knows how long that finger had been there, but he was tolerating it. When Dad told he this I just cracked up and then thought oh the things Caleb will endure having a big brother like Eli.

Such a fun story to remember.

So here's to the new year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family of four!

This last picture was done by a sweet friend Camille. www.scbphotography.com

Stay tuned. More to come from our adventures home!