(in)courage me

I entered into the blogging world simply to keep up with one friend. I was skeptical at best, but I really wanted to know what was going on in her life and so I read...and I read...and I read... Pretty soon I was hooked and began clicking the links to other people's blog and reading...and reading...and reading. I quickly learned that blogging was more than just a way to let people know what's new in your life. To some people, blogging is a way to remember, a digital scrapbook of sorts. To some, it is a way to heal. Families of children who are sick, or spouses who are sick, or people struggling with their own health concerns all find comfort and support through blogging. To some it's inspiring. I can't tell you the number of awesome blogs people have created to share their craftiness or thriftiness or baking ideas. AMAZING! I fit into the last category. I am truly inspired by some of the blogs, but more importantly women I have "met" through this blogging community.

So why am I writing this? A new website launched today.

www.incourage.me

This website has so much promise. It's a place for women to gather and just be. A group of 20 amazing and talented women are behind this website and I can't wait to read and "be" right along with them. Over the next few weeks these women will be sharing what courage looks like in their lives. So what encourages me? Little things. A note from Chris, a comment on my blog, an organized room, a great bargain, fitting into a pair of pre-kids pants, a series of events that you know only could have happened because of God.

What encourages you? Are you (in)?

Happy Birthday Alyssa!

My baby girl is 3! I'm so excited for her. She has been waiting for this day and seriously enjoyed it! I asked her if she liked her birthday and she said "yes, I just don't like it when it's over." I can totally understand why...she had a fabulous day!

This morning I went out and got her a special breakfast and some flowers to make sure the day got started on the right foot.

I'd say it worked!

I then went to work on her birthday cake...again. Yes again. For weeks, Alyssa has been requesting a Thomas the Train chocolate cake. I was all set with my plan on how to execute this. Last weekend, she changed her mind and wanted a chocolate princess cake instead. So I priority shipped some cake toppers and thought all was under control. Last night after she went to bed, I began the cake. They came out of the oven looking great, but then I tried to get them out of the pan and they stuck. I should have quit then, but I continued...until 11:30 at which point I had one mess of a cake on my hands. So, I baked two more cakes this morning, this time using parchment paper (my new best friend.) They released perfectly and I was on my way.

Cake #1 on the right, Cake #2 on the left. Umm yeah, huge difference.

and...the final result...

I was quite pleased!

Here's the birthday girl getting ready for her party

She had been waiting for this moment all day! For the hour before people started arriving she stood in the dining room just looking at the balloons and cake and presents. So sweet!

Opening presents!

Playing in her new sandbox!

I am so thankful for Alyssa and loved making this day special for her!

Happy Birthday Sissy, you're my favorite girl!!

The Truth...

Multiple sources have led me to the place I sit today. It's an uncomfortable but exciting place to be.

This blog post got me thinking. Specifically this quote :

One way to define emotional maturity is that it is the ability to stay relationally connected with another person while at the same time not having one’s own feelings and behaviors determined by that person. Another way to think about it is that emotional maturity is what is needed in order to consistently live according to one’s own values and beliefs rather than being controlled by anxious feelings with any given person or situation.

Not being able to blog about the truth of this weekend left me frustrated.

This comment made me realize what I was doing.

This blog post was the ultimate breaking point.

This quote was inspiring.

- The truth is, I love our kids, but I am so much more than just them...and this is MY blog.

- The truth is, we have a great life, but it's not always picture perfect. So why not share that too?

- The truth is, I hesitated sharing this blog with our family, even though the original intent was to share what's going on with the kids, because I knew that I would begin to censor what I really wanted to write.

- The truth is, if I don't get real, this blog is on it's way out.

I realize the vaugeness of this post. That's becauseI don't know what all of this means yet. What I do know is, it's about to get real in here...and I love that!

6 months

We have a 6 month old!

It is soooo good.

I realize that I may not have appreciated where we are now if I hadn't walked where we've been, but oh I am thankful for this 6 month old boy!

He is pure joy these days. Eating like a champ, sleeping through the night and charming beyond belief. He just doesn't seem like the same little guy that used to scream every night from 8-midnight.

Evan, I love you. Happy 6 months buddy.

Giggles

Ok, so who doesn't want to start their day like this:

So sweet! And...I'm not sure they could look more alike!

Even more firsts!

I assumed after the three firsts I last blogged about that we wouldn't have anymore over the weekend. I was wrong!

Alyssa surprised us so much this weekend when she decided that she wanted to go on multiple fair rides. Alyssa to this point has been a very cautious child. I would not label her as a risk taker with people or with experiences. Saturday night however, she was BRAVE!

First she decided that she wanted to ride the trucks. Without batting an eye she walked up, gave the man her tickets and let him put her into the truck. A girl came up and wanted to ride with her, so she moved over and off she went.

I thought that was huge and then she wanted to go on the Dumbo ride. She wasn't tall enough to ride by herself so I got to ride too! I thought for sure when we lifted off into the air that she would begin clammoring to get off...Nope, she loved it.

She then decided she'd like to go on the slide...You know, the one that you have to climb several flights of stairs to slide down. We started heading for the slide and then she saw the ferris wheel. She no longer wanted to go on the slide and instead insisted that she go on the ferris wheel. I am not brave enough for that, so Chris got to go on that one. Again, I thought she would freak out, but she did nothing but smile and laugh.

What a girl!

Chris and I also had a first! We entered the annual Paddlebuoy race. I had two goals. Don't fall off and don't finish last. I'm proud to say I achieved both goals! Chris, I'm proud to say finished second! Me? Second to last...but...not last!

Aww...matching shirts!

Good times...I love that!

Firsts!

We have been Up North this weekend, and have had a few firsts I thought I'd share with you.

Evan gave swimming a try this weekend and...loved it! This little guy has come so far from his first few very fussy months of life. He so rarely cries now...I give large amounts of credit to big sister Alyssa for being SO entertaining.

...I love that

Alyssa had a cupcake for breakfast this morning. This is certainly not the norm but, the rest of us were having doughnuts. You could argue the cupcake was healthier since it was not fried! Chris didn't feel right saying "eat your doughnut, then you can have a cupcake..."

...I love that

Alyssa was quite dissapointed that Nana didn't have a seat for her on her bicycle. So instead we went for a wagon ride. Evan has not riden in a wagon before, and they both thoroughly enjoyed it.

...I love that