4th of July

Happy Fathers Day!

I love you, John, for being the most amazing father to my babies. They adore you and love you to pieces. I couldn't ask for a better dad for them than you.

Thank you!

Is it a Split or a Sprout?

On March 4, John and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. He worked that day and came home. What he didn't know is I was out buying a pregnancy test earlier that day. So this was Johns adversity present from me! I knew that I was preggo, but find it hilariously funny HOW FAST it happened. I had my IUD removed on January 19, which gave me--oh, approximately 18 days to conceive. It happened right away and we are delighted!! I always told John that I did not want to be preggers beyond my 30th birthday, and this new little one will be born about a month before my 30th. AND I'M DONE! 

It also appears that we are having another little BOY  (SPROUT, as Grandpa Shipp would put it.)  I am shocked. I really was placing my bets on a third girl, but obviously it didn't work out this way. We are excited for Jack to have a little buddy around. Jack and the baby will be just over 2 years apart, which is exactly what I was hoping for. I guess if things are "planned," it couldn't have been planned any better!


We are throwing around the name Madden Cole, and I think we are 90% sure of it. I guess I have a few months to determine that. We expect him around October 30. (I am actually due on November 6, but Dr. Smith cuts me open a week early.)

Mothers Day

Life seems to be passing me by!  I (still) cannot believe that it is me being celebrated on this holiday!  I am SO thankful to be a mom to the greatest children on the planet.  Each of them were so sweet to me today.  While we were getting ready to go to Logan to see my grandparents, Jensyn kept asking me what she could do to help me clean...and then she completed these tasks!  I held Logan for a long time this evening, she kept reaching for my hands and was laying near me for a few hours.  (I have moved Jack to a "big" bed, out of his crib) Tonight was his first night going right to sleep and not getting out of it!  I was so proud of him.  It made for a perfect day with my little family.  I am so THANKFUL that I was blessed with these perfect children.  

On top of all this, I HAVE THE MOST AMAZING MOTHER ON THE PLANET!  Growing up I knew that I had a fun mom, an out of control shopper, and a friend.  Now that I am older I have REALLY been able to develop a fabulous friendship with her.  I love going to lunch with her, and do so very often during the summer.  I am glad that she is willing to put up with me and the little ones.

Well, today was much harder of a day than I had originally anticipated.  John put Baxter "down" and the kids and I are taking it quite hard.  John and I bought Baxter from the pound almost 10 years ago.  He has been part of our family for many years.  He was quite small when we got him, maybe almost a year old.  He was my baby for 5 years until we actually had babies of our own.  I always feel so bad for him because he reminds me of...I think...Eyore on Winnie the Pooh.  (Those reasons I'll keep with me forever.)  He has been a loyal friend, has always listened to instructions and always obeyed.  He has been fabulous with each of the kids and it will definitely be interesting to see how life is without him.  He loves my kids, and he loves being a part of our family.  

We're gonna miss you, Baxter!

Easter

And finally...Easter! 

The Easter Bunny did indeed make a stop to the McAllister home.  He left all of his eggs outside! John tried again unsuccessfully to catch the Easter Bunny, but all that he caught was a little bit of his fur which was stuck in the door!  What a fast bunny!  The kids had a ball searching for all of the 150 eggs that were left for them, and plus, they even got some pretty cute clothes!  Jack loved searching and putting the eggs in his bucket.  I love the excitement of a child.  

 We had a very nice Easter which we spent with my family in Logan.  We ate lots of yummy food and spent the afternoon in the sun!  It really was fabulous.  We were able to talk to my awesome Grandparents.  They really are the most wonderful people that I know!!  I am so glad that I still have them in my life!  

Right after we got home from Logan we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa JJ's for some Sunday dinner.  We had an enjoyable time as always.  Janice made a yummy chicken with potatoes dish.  I always like to go to others' homes to eat because it means that I don't have to come up with something!  The kids along with Anna frosted some cupcakes and even got to bring them home!  It is always fun to go eat with them.

We had a very busy Easter weekend, but it was a lot of fun...not a moment to spare.  I love it, and I love spending these fleeting moments with John, Logan, Jensyn, and Jack.  I love them with all of my heart and there is no place that I would rather be.  I am so grateful!

Logan's Birthday Festivities

I just have not been in much of a mood to post anything lately!  There has been so much going on in our home, and most of them have a lot to do with this fabulous weather!  John has started full-swing again, so hopefully now we can play catch-up from the lousy winter we had.  I find myself constantly in the car either helping John with errands,  plant pick-ups, and bids or taking Logan and Jensyn to and from school.  I open the sunroof and enjoy that sun!  I guess now it is time to write all the fun things that we have been up to!

Easter weekend obviously was Logan's birthday.  First thing Saturday morning (her birthday)  John woke Logan up to ride out to the dump for mulch for a customer.  When they got home, we all got ready and went to Lowes and let the kids each pick out a few flowers, bought Logan a kid size wheel barrow, rake and shovel.  (The kids really love being outside in our yard helping John.)  When we got home, we took the kids over to the neighborhood Easter egg hunt.  I felt so bad for them when they got trampled over and didn't end up getting a single egg.  My kids are so even-tempered and are shy around events like this.  I promised them that the Easter Bunny knew that they didn't get anything and that they would get something extra special because of it.  Jack on the other hand was in the baby egg hunt, he and John got several eggs and he loved searching for them.

 

Our next intention was to head over for Logan's family activity for her birthday:  Fat Cats.  She loves to bowl and then eat pizza there.  On our way there, we noticed a lot of cars parked at Wheeler Farm.  We found a spot and hurried and took it since Logan was really interested in what was going on there.  We spun the Chick-Fil-A wheel and won several free kids meals (too bad they are only redeemable at the Fashion Place mall location.--I would rather eat at theNordstrom Cafe if I was at the mall...)  We walked around for a minute longer then loaded back in the car to go over to Fat Cats.  

Once we were done there, Logan decided that she wanted to go see Bedtime Stories.  We called up Casey and asked her if she could tend Jack--we would not make it through a movie!  She was wonderful to take him, so thanks Case!  Logan and Jensyn loved the movie, and quite possibly loved the popcorn more--but then again, don't we all?

By the end of the day, we were ALL beat!!  Logan told us that we really didn't need to do all of these things for her this is what she said...

"Mom, I just want you to know that I don't need anything else from you for my birthday.  All I need is your love and dads love... you give that to me every day."

Seriously, she said that?  Seriously.  She is my sweetheart!