DSC09989, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

Here she is, the birthday girl. On one of her many birthdays. She has had 4 “parties” and couldn’t believe it when we told her today was her birthday and she had another one. “Again?!?” she asked. Three years ago, on the bathroom floor, our sweet, loving, kind and compassionate Tegan McKenna entered our world and we are still smitten. Happy Birthday Tegie B!

DSC00003, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

The kids and I spent this last Thursday and Friday out in Borrego with my parents. Growing up, my family camped out in Borrego every March and I have so many memories of those trips, spending time with my grandparents and their friends. It is something I have wanted my kids to experience as well. The kids really enjoy themselves and this year, Ethan was able to do all kinds of cool things while we were there, thanks to Grandpa. He climbed a mountain (kind of a hill, probably), built a dam, and hiked around quite a bit. Next year, Tegan will probably be up for it. This year, she was a little under the weather so we just stayed around the camp and did a lot of bike riding and rock collecting. Here are my two sweet ones in front of some cacti at the visitor’s center. It was a really fun time and I think they are already starting to have memories of the trips that they will carry with them through life as I have. That makes me happy.

baby girl, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

I was able to get our ultrasound picture of baby number 3, or “sprig” as we call her, scanned today thanks to Shane. Here she is!

We got some cool shots this time. They snapped one while she was yawning, which was amazing. She was flipping all around and as always, we were in awe. Truly a miracle. Can’t wait to meet her!

Valentines, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

Ethan and I spent the other day making these Valentines for the kids in his class. I think he ate more M&Ms than we put in the boxes. I really liked the way they turned out. It was hard enough to get him to write his name on the paper inside or I would have had him write the name of each friend on the outside of the boxes. Maybe next year!

Original idea found here.

IMG_6831, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

We are PINK here! My mom made these cupcakes with the kids yesterday and delivered them to us this morning, before our ultrasound. I don’t think she meant anything other than Valentine’s love, but I took it as a sign. We are having another girl! I always wanted a sister. Both kids wanted it to be a girl. Tegan informed us that she doesn’t have to be sad now (implying she would have been sad if it had been a brother). We are just happy all appears to be well and we have a sweet, healthy little one<3

Enjoy!

Hide + Seek from Shane Bonham on Vimeo.

Shane, Ethan, and Tegan were playing Hide and Seek. Shane was the “hider” and the kids were the “seekers.” There aren’t many places to hide in our little house, but the kids always seem to have a hard time finding us. Anyway, Shane hid in the closet by the front door. And the kids were having a hard time. They started getting a little frantic. Shane decided to call them, having his phone on him. Surprisingly, Ethan answers the phone.

Shane whispers to him, “Find me, Ethan.”

Ethan shouts, “Where are you? I can’t find you!!”

Shane hangs up. The “If you’d like to make a call lady comes on the phone. Ethan starts talking to her…

“I am lost. I can’t find my dad. Can you help me, lady??” (Cracks me up even now!)

Shane calls back and tells Ethan to find him again. Ethan is right out in the living room so Shane is trying to be quiet. Ethan asks for a hint and Shane tells him he is behind a door. Ethan opens the closet door to find Shane. Who scares the crap out of Ethan by shouting. Shane records it on his phone and texts it to me. I am sure our son is scarred for life by his reaction and has peed his pants (I totally would have). Yet, today, he has asked to watch the video a million times. If I can get Shane to be a sport, I will try share it.

Fun times!

February, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

On to verse two! I was able to memorize 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a and even my kids learned parts of it. A very encouraging start.

I have loved these verses for a long time and decided they would be good to have committed to memory for all those times I need to cling to these words and the fact that He is all I need, gives me all I need, and will always be there for me. He is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!

IMG_6737, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

I have decided to participate in my friend Nicole’s challenge to memorize a verse a month. I feel like this in an area I need to have some serious growth in. How can I be close to Him if his word is not hidden in my heart? So, here I go!

The verses in 1 Corinthians 13 have been close to my heart lately, as I try to impart them on my kids and also realize how much I need them. I decided to start here. It is a little lengthy, but I really want to have it memorized so I can draw on it as I need to as I instruct my children and have struggles of my own as I try to love others.

I would love to have others join me in Nicole’s challenge!

rainy day, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

It’s another rainy day (although the rain has started yet) and I want to cuddle up with my book (I have two chapters left) and a cup of hot chocolate. I can’t read right now, so I went with the hot chocolate. Delicious!

Love, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

We have been having problems here with being loving and kind. All of us. I am constantly telling my kids to be kind and to love one another, but I am often finding that the way I am telling them to be kind and loving in an unkind and unloving way.

I made this little reminder today and let the kids stick the hearts on. We put it right above the table where we can all see it and hopefully be reminded by it and meditate on it. We all need it! I like the way it turned out, especially with Valentine’s Day around the corner.

ErikasQuilt2, originally uploaded by heymrswoodson.

My birthday happened about a month ago and I was blessed by so many people with so much love and sweet treasures!

One of the gifts I received from my dear friend Georgia was the most gorgeous quilt ever! I was SO blown away and excited and shocked! I have made my fair share of quilts but always give them away so to be given one and to be given such an amazing one, I was just so very blessed! I absolutely love it. The colors, the birds and deer and how cuddly it is. It is wonderful. And I seriously think I have used it every single day I have had it. Thank you, Georgia, for my lovely, snuggly, beautiful gift!

art, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

Tegan is very artistic. She colors several times a day. We have discussed many times and she will tell you, we only color on paper. Today, she couldn’t help herself. Nine t’s graced her bedroom walls in green marker. Thankfully crayola so I was able to wipe them off no problem. Even the one she informed me was up to high for me to get. She did apologize. I think she was just caught in the moment. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself when I saw it, they are pretty cute.

IMG_6531, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

I have had a hard time writing anything to put here lately. Life has changed a little bit around here and I am just starting to get back into the swing of things. I think most people know by now, but we are expecting baby number three in June! We are excited and exhausted and hungry and that has been keeping us busy.

Here is our Christmas picture. I loved our tree this year. I love having the house decorated and really really wanted to leave my little village up on the mantle for keeps. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it, though.

I made a handful of things this year and took pictures of none of them. It was lucky they got made. It was a great Christmas and I felt like I did a better job remembering the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ our Savior and was able to pass that on to my kids a little more this year as they are getting older.

It just struck me that I will have a 6 month old next Christmas. Unbelievable!