Life Lately

I know I say this on here ALL.THE.TIME. but life is BUSY! We've all been sick with strep and or the stomach bug over the last month or so. I think we are all finally on the mend. Hubby was sick for almost two weeks and I can't handle life without him! It was tough! And I was lonely!

Before I even begin, yes I realize the big boys aren't in this post. #teenageboyprobs I'm going to do a better job of making them take more pictures! I did have this parenting win the other day...

Yep, and I meant it! Those fries were yummo! 

This guy right here...is the sweetest! He tells me I'm beautiful 100 times and day and that he loves me so much. He also massages my shoulders. He's the sweetest little man!

Reece recently celebrated the 100th day of this school year. The kids were supposed to dress like old people...this was as "old lady" as she got! haha!

I recently went on a field trip with Brooks! We went to Krispy Kreme and Pet Smart! It wasn't a trip that a parent was required to go on..and it wasn't a big deal. But, you know what? It WAS a big deal to him! We had the best time!

Little Miss Mia got her ears pierced last weekend! She had asked earlier in the week and I talked with her about it. Then, on Saturday she flat out asked if she could do it! Once she got Daddy's approval we had them pierced! She didn't even flinch when they did it. I knew she wouldn't. She gets poked with needles all the time so she's used to it. Sad, but true. She LOVES her ear rings! And I LOVE my girly girls!

We took this on blood day this week! Those three weeks in between transfusions sure fly by. We try to make the best of it. And, of course, we love to see our thal pals when we go!

We had a Valentine's lunch date! With five kids it's hard to find a date night! Lunch dates are our new thing! He also brought coffee and doughnuts to the office for us girls that morning! Husband of the year!

Reece had Grandparent's Day at school on Valentine's Day! She really enjoyed herself!!

Today marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year! Mia took red envelopes to her friends today with chocolate coins inside! We do our best to keep her in touch with her Chinese heritage! We'll be having a big Chinese feast at home tonight! :)

Happy Birthday Josh and Visiting Santa!

On Saturday my Lover Love turned 36! We needed to drive up to Birmingham to have Mia's labs drawn so we stopped by to see our new baby niece on the way! Josh was sickly earlier in the week so he had not met her yet! She was actually due on his birthday but came a few days early! He was excited to finally get to hold her and of course the rest of us loved on her too! Then we headed to the Cheesecake Factory and stuffed our faces with all the food! haha! We ended the day at
Children's Hospital for labs which is no fun but had to be done!

This was also Brooks' first time to see and hold baby Nora. He said, "Mommy, I think I'm about to cry because I love her!" Melt me!

 Mia loved holding her! She fell at school and busted her lip and hurt her chin, poor thing. So clumsy.

Last week we had our annual visit with Santa! Last year when we visited we only had 7 days until we left for China! We were doing a daily countdown on social media and asked Santa to participate! He was more than happy to and was so excited for us! He held up seven fingers and took a picture with the kids! He made us promise to bring her to see him! 

I fully expected to have a crying Mia in this year's picture. She doesn't really like being around people dressed up and doesn't really like strangers. It's really hit or miss depending on her mood! HA! #truth We walked up with our entourage of people-11 of us(there was no line, which is why we visit Santa so early in the season!). Santa looked directly at Mia through the sea of all of us and said, "Well, there you are!" It was like they were long lost soulmates. Instant love between those two! 

And then the stars aligned and the Heavens opened up because....wait for it...

ALL SEVEN KIDS SMILED FOR THE PICTURE!

Say what? The photographer was like, "UM HOW do y'all get them to all smile?" It was just luck lady, promise!

LOVE IT!

Writing letters to Santa...

And finishing off with a train ride!

Happy Birthday Josh!

My Lover Lover is 34 today!! We’re getting old…but, he’s always going to be the oldest! HAHA! Tonight we’re celebrating with dinner and, most importantly, Strawberry Cheesecake Shortcake! HOLLA!

Vroom Vroom

On Saturday we were up bright and early, 4am, to head to Talladega for the Hubby to drive a race car! Dude, that’s super early on my only day to “sleep in”! But, he had a fun time so that’s really all that matters! He drove 6 laps around and could have gone 60 more! ha! His top speed was about 173 mph! He likes to drive fast! :) It was fun to watch him zoom by!Brooks LOVES cars! He is always talking about “wace cars!” He wasn’t too happy when we told him he couldn’t drive! Yesterday, we celebrated my sweet niece’s 8th birthday! It was also my in-laws 40th wedding anniversary! What a crew we have!

Catch Up!

I need to keep this thing up to date. Sheesh, we are so busy I just don’t have time! We’ve spent a lot of time at the beach this summer! If we aren’t in town working, we’re sitting in the sand!

B LOVES “Supaman”! One Sunday evening just after we returned home from the beach we found a little surprise in the chicken coop! We had NO CLUE this was going to happen so it was fun!

We also have a pregnant goat! She had to of been pregnant when we bought her so we really have no idea when to expect our little kid! :) #goatwatch2015

We snuck away for a few days alone at the beach! Love spending time with my lover love!

One of our local Chick Fil A’s had Daddy/Daughter date night this past weekend! I had JUST mentioned to Josh that the two of them needed a date when we found out what CFA was doing so off they went! You had to make reservations and everything! They seated them, took their order and brought the food to them! So fun! And then of course they went to DQ for Blizzards! They had fun!   That’s about as caught up as we are going to get today! 

It’s Our Anni!

Josh and I have been married for THIRTEEN years today! I’m not sure why but 13 seems like a big number? I’m feeling old and very much in love with my man! He rocks my socks! ;)

I’m so thankful that no matter where life takes us, he’s the one who is with me! Happy Anniversary Lover!

Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Officer Hubby was off work so it was EXTRA fun! We never have the same off days, only for Thanksgiving! BUT, this year, Christmas and New Year’s fall on his off days also so we get to spend ALL of the holidays together!!!! YIPEE!!

We ate Thanksgiving lunch at my sister’s and then we were lazy pretty much the rest of the day. We spent the weekend decorating for Christmas and cheering our TIDE to an Iron Bowl VICTORY! I heart family time!

Yesterday we celebrated Josh’s 33rd birthday! YEP, he’s OLD! haha! I don’t care how old he is, I love that man more than anything!

Five-O!

Most of you know by now that the Hubs is a police officer! He works midnights(DON’T even think you are about to come kidnap me or my babies. We have a Doberman and umpteen chickens, remember?) Once a month he has training during the day, so he is off work the night before. This happened last week. Peyton was sick and I had an alarm set on my phone for midnight so that I could check on him. Our room is pretty far from his so if he was sick I wouldn’t be able to hear him. When the alarm sounded it also woke Brooks up. Of course it did. I sat in bed for a second and then this crazy feeling came over me…something wasn’t right…something felt weird. I handed B off to the Hubs in bed and ran to check on Peyton. As I was walking down the hallway I could see headlights shining into the living room. We live off of the road and there is no way for this to happen unless someone is actually IN the driveway. I turned around to run and get Hubby when the doorbell rang!! Cue the freakin my freak!! And then a big KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK on the door!! This terrifies me!! I wake up Hubby and send him to figure it out. He walks out the front door and I went to the kitchen to turn off the alarm. As I was walking that way I saw a Sheriff’s Deputy walking towards the back of the house. I knew he saw me because our back doors are glass but at this point I was just letting Josh handle it. So I just stepped back in the living room…for all I knew they were searching for a murderer in the woods around our house. I was just standing there with B on my hip and I glanced back at the back doors and he was just standing there looking at me! FREAK MY FREAK. I ran over to the back door and he was all like, “Are you ok?” Um yes, other than you just scared the bejesus out of me! Then he said, “Where’s Josh??!!” I told him that he was in the front waiting on him and I asked what the heck was going on! Surely there was something major. “Josh was supposed to be at work an hour ago and they couldn’t get y’all to answer the phone so they sent me to check on y’all.” I explained that he had training the next day…he shook his head and went to talk to Officer Hubby.

Really.

I mean I am glad that they checked on him. I really am. But we were up for like 2 hours after that!

Someone dropped the ball on that one! But, thankfully, there were no murderers on the run that night! haha!

Happy Birthday Josh!

Happy Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet hubby!  You are one amazing man, Joshua Brett!!I love you more than ANYTHING and I can’t wait to grow old with you!

Roll Tide!

Reece attended her first Bama game this past weekend! She had a blast! It was cold and rainy and she still had fun! Josh took her and the boys, I stayed home with B! Between the weather and breastfeeding it was best for us to stay home! It was a pretty low-key game for our Tide so it was the perfect first game for her! ROLL TIDE and bring on the Iron Bowl!

Little Injury

It’s a fact Jack! Officer Hubby + dogs at work=bad news!

I was fresh out of the shower when Hubby arrived home from work Sunday morning. He came into our bathroom to change and was like, “got bit by a dog last night.” All nonchalantly, like it was no big deal. In fact, he was smiling. I swear cops are weird like that. They thrive off of stuff like this. Of course I’m like “WHAT????” And immediately I’m a little pissed that no one called me. He told them not to because it was “no big deal”. Um, you got ATTACKED by a dog Lover. Maybe that’s not such a big deal to call and wake your pregnant wife at 3:00am and I know that was what he was thinking BUT I AM TERRIFIED that something really will happen to him and no one will call me!

Anyway.

He was just backing up someone and was standing outside the residence. The officers inside had already petted the dog and he seemed safe. The dog came outside and was sniffing around, saw Josh and went for him! Bit him on his left leg first, tearing his pants. Hubby went to draw his gun and was going to kick at the dog and tripped over a concrete landscape block and fell to the ground. At which time the dog took a CHUNK out of his right leg. There was another officer outside and somehow got the dogs attention, I’m not going to even put on here how & off the dog went. Eight stitches later and he’s limping around like me! We looked like some 90 year olds for a day or so! Supposedly the dog is up to date on all of it’s shots, but that is being verified!

Officer Hubby is doing just fine! And, hey, this is only his second injury in almost 10 years to require medical attention so I think he’s doing pretty good! Besides, boys like battle wounds! haha!

Babymooning ;)

Josh and I had a fun little quick trip to the beach! We needed one last weekend alone before the baby arrives. The weather was beautiful! And bright, hence the squinty eyes! ;)

We did a LOT of shopping, mostly for the baby! We bought stuff we “don’t need”. hee hee! We did find out that one of our favorite restaurants closed down. BOOOOOO. No more cuban nachos. :(

The kids enjoyed time away too! Griffin did lots of things that I would cringe if I saw him do, but total boy things that he should be doing!

   

Peyton had fun staying up WAY past bedtime and eating Gogurt while playing Guitar Hero!Reece had lots of fun at the gym meet! We all had fun! I love to get away and have the hubs to myself but neither one of us can go more than a few days without our babies! :)

20 Weeks!

I feel a hair whacking coming on! Oh,  you’re wondering why I have on SHORT SLEEVES in December? Because it has been in the 70’s here this week! 70’s!!!!

How far along: 20 weeks!!! Holy cow!!!

Size of the baby: According to Baby Center, about the size of a banana… 6 1/2 inches long from head to booty and 10 inches from head to heel, 10 1/2 ounces…but according to my ultrasound it weighs 11 ounces!

Griffin has been waiting for the baby to be the size of a banana, so he’ll be excited when I tell him! haha!

Total weight gain/loss: Up 15 pounds.

Maternity clothes: Sometimes.

Stretch marks: Old one.

Sleep: Sleep is fabulous!

Best moment this week: Seeing our sweet little baby Wednesday!

Movement: All the time. And I still about jump out of my skin if I’m driving or something when he/she kicks me! That’s Griffin and Peyton’s favorite thing to do(hide and scare me) so it just gets that honestly! :)

Food cravings/aversions: Still sweet tea with lemon and any kind of fruit I can get my hands on. I think I may can eat an egg now. Maybe. But our chickens aren’t really laying many right now so really I probably won’t even try.

Gender: Who knows! Josh now thinks girl too. So when it comes out a boy we are going to be so surprised and super excited! ;)

Labor signs: NO, thankfully.

Belly button in or out: In

What I am looking forward to: Reece’s Christmas play today!!!!!

I have a full fledged forgetful pregnant brain. Today it’s really bad. Today I forgot to wake my husband up. I was in a little trouble. But honestly it never even crossed my brain until he said, “um why didn’t you wake me up?” Crap. He didn’t have to be at work or anything he just had some errands this morning. I feel so bad.

Also, please keep Officer Hubby and his co-workers in your prayers. They lost a fellow officer last night. He had a car wreck yesterday morning and couldn’t pull through. I can’t imagine the nightmare his wife is facing right now.

Happy Birthday Josh!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday Lover Lover!

Happy Birthday to you!!!!

I LOVE YOU OLD MAN!!!!! :)

Daddy’s Princess

It’s no secret that Reece LOVES her Daddy a whole lotta lot! He is wrapped around her pinky where I’m sure he will stay forever! I think he has her wrapped around his too. If she gets in trouble(which is VERY rare) and he happens to be the one who needs to discipline, all he has to do is look at her and she cries! One time he had to spank her, it’s been a few months ago, and I literally laughed out loud because it was more like a pat. It still got the point across but it was just funny to see his face. He reallly didn’t want to! HA!

For Father’s Day she made this little thing at school where you fill in the blanks with things about your Daddy. Here is hers. Her answers are in italics and underlined.

My Daddy’s name is Josh.

He weighs 100 pounds and is 8 feet tall.

His hair is black and his eyes are green.

He loves to cook eggs and bacon.

His favorite household chore is work.

His favorite TV show is football.

Daddy always tells me he loves me.

It makes him happy when we go to the beach.(AMEN!)

I really love it when my dad and I go to the gym.(HA HA!)

He’s the best! I love you Dad!

Reece

Torch Run!

This morning Officer Hubby is participating in the Special Olympics Torch Run! The department that he works for and the department that he used to work for ran together. Hubs is in the front in blue :)

I would LOVE to say that I took these pics and was there because my office is right across the street BUT I was checking rental property with my sister and we were being COVERED in fleas!
And when I say covered I mean completely covered. Disgusting.
So proud of hubby though!