Things I have learned from marriage

Today is our 5th anniversary. It has be a fast, fun filled, and fabulous five years. It honestly feels like yesterday that we were driving between Mobile and Montgomery weekly for appointments, showers, parties, and finally the big day. Lee and I met and dated for one year, got engaged for four months, then got married. It was a whirlwind romance, and it still feels that way! I have learned a few things in five years about marriage. Here are my top 5:

1- Let your husband do your shopping every once in a while. It happens quite regularly that my closets seem to eat all my good clothes and I have nothing to wear. I have given Lee free reign a few times to pick up a shirt or dress for me, and it OFTEN surprises what he brings home. His view of my style is awesome! I may not like what he brings home on the hanger, but it usually fits perfectly and are usually some of my favorite pieces. I, however, do not have that luck. Things I pick out for him are usually returned with mutual agreement that they are NOT working on him.

2- It is okay to go to bed angry. I know, this is so against all those Hallmark cards. However, in our marriage, it works. I can literally count on one hand the times we have fought. And that is because we don't sit down at night and dwell on situations. Things I may be irritated with at 8 pm seem petty the next morning when we have had some cool down time. If we hashed out every irritation, it would be much different. Once one of us just realizes and accepts that we are okay with our differences on a situation, we move on. Plus, when we go to bed late it is never good for the under eye circles.

3- Not everyone loves holidays like I do. Just because I am a Halloween, Christmas, and Easter junkie, doesn't mean Lee's inability to tear up when he sees the mini eggs at Target means he isn't excited. This one was hard to accept. When the girls came along I am in go mode with any holiday. Lee is a big fan of holidays, but he will never reach my level of enthusiasm. That is a difference in us, and it is okay to have differences.

4- I can't compete with Auburn football. We are a definite mixed family, and as much as I try, I won't ever be as big of a sports fan as he. That's okay. I love Alabama football, but if Auburn and Alabama are playing at the same time, Lee will get the bigger TV. If (oops, I mean WHEN) Alabama wins their next championship, I will probably watch the game by myself, again. It is just something about boys and their teams.

5- I am amazed at what happens when love is present. I think we both have so much respect, faithfulness, and respect for each other because of our love. Seriously. I am amazed at what Lee does for me, and I am honestly been amazed at what I want to do for him.

A very Un-Birthday

With the weather as cold as it has been, I am totally out of inside ideas to entertain the girls. We have exhausted the museum, mall, YMCA, bookstore, Costco(yes, a very fun place for kids), Walmart toy aisle, etc. So Friday, when Harper was still coughing and it was a little windy to be out, Sophie wanted to bake. We do make stuff often, and she loves to help with supper, but this time we took it to the extreme, with decorations and gifts to boot!

By the way, in attempt to save me from saying mean things to the computer, the pictures loaded backwards. The first shot should be last, but whatever. Anyway, Lee took the girls bowling Saturday so I could catch up sewing (18 shirts later, I would say I am caught up. Need something done? Now is a good time!) and Sophie bowled like you are supposed to and knocked down 5 or 6 pins each time.

Harper and her evil eye after she finished her cake.

Our un-birthday cake, complete with peeps!

My little Tutu and Tiara! All ready for their party.

Conversations in our house

The girls are slowly but surely getting over their "crud". We had one full night of sleep in the last week, and you forget how nice 8 hours of sleep is! Yesterday was our day we play around the house and chill in the morning, and you can usually tell on those days how everyone feels. With the amount of playing in our house, the girls are back!

Both Sophie and Harper are bursting with little conversations these days. I have to email Lee the best ones during the day so I don't forget to share. Here are my favorites:

Sophie-

We have an Elf during Christmas named Scooby. He is long gone, obviously, but the weight his presence carries must be big. Yesterday we were finger painting. Both were doing so well that I left the room to clean some brushes. Sophie followed a few minutes later and said "Hey mommy, can Scooby still see me?". I quickly said yes, not knowing where this was going. She put her head down and walked away. I followed her and asked why. She said "Well, I had a FUN idea, but if he is watching, I better not do it."

Harper-

Harper must take the family singing genes. We have talented singers on both sides of our family, though neither one of us sing outside the car. Harper sings all the time! I don't remember Sophie ever singing much at this age. Only when really prodded would she even do motions. I constantly hear Harper whistling and singing her favorites, Itsy Bitsy Spider and the 'whole world' song. The other night before dinner Sophie sang our blessing. Much to our surprise, Harper joined in! She also dances tons. Her personal best dancing song is Harry Belafonte "Jump in the Line". I can't wait for this little girl to join a dance class!

Sick Days

Sophie is sick. Not our normal a little sick, but laying on the couch not moving sick. It is pitiful. She has felt a little low for a few days, but usually when her daddy walks in, or Harper brings a toy, she peps up. Not this time. Last night around 9 she got up from her bed crying and coughing with a sound mommies hate to hear- wheezing and gagging. Not to get graphic, but I have been christened with the sickness several times by a helpless three year old!

When your children are sick, you feel helpless, grown up, and mom-like. For some reason, your voice usually elevates a little, and if you child asked for ANYTHING in that scratchy sad tone, they would get it. Juice? sure. Muffin? why not. A new toy? Get out the catalogs. You would do anything to make them better. Especially when Sophie is sick. She is SUCH a sweet child anyway. I am not just being biased, but her temperament and caring and compassion is amazing. So when something has her down you just want to help. Especially after sleeping on the couch with her last night and she would sit up and tell me some crazy fever-induced idea, or begged to ppuuuhh-lease call Dr. Brannon to see if she could help her. Good grief~

Right now she is half dozing on the couch watching the clock to tell me when there is a 9 on the clock so we can head to the doctor. Harper and I are leaving her alone so she can "maybe get a little rest and a sip of juice and think", as Sophie said she wanted to do.

She has just a fever, wheezing, runny nose, and belly troubles. If this child ever truly gets hurt or sick, I may go bankrupt and become a pushover for her every need!

Happy SnoMarlentines Weekend

Yes, that is a made up word in my title, but it describes our crazy full and fun weekend!

Our first main event was SNOW! And lots of it! It was so pretty drinking a great cup of coffee while watching the snow fall and fall. Of course, if you are under four in our house, that was not so awesome. The girls liked the idea of snow, but we have determined their southern-ness after seeing their attempt to play in the cold stuff. Neither girl particularly cared for the cold. I don't blame them, their gloves were soaked in two minutes. But, with such a rare event we had to document:

After the snow novelty was done, we headed home for Mardi Gras. I lovveeee Mardi Gras. Usually because it falls on a great weekend of beautiful weather, family we rarely see, tailgate food, and fun times for the kids. This year was no exception. With my oldest brother living downtown Mobile a two minute walk to a prime viewing location, it is a wonderful time. The girls are learning quickly their Mobile heritage:

The last fun thing is Valentine's Day. Nothing says I love you like a new Dust Buster... and I am serious on that note! Lee listened and got me a new Dust Buster. And no, I wasn't mad at all! We usually don't do anything big for this day except our annual make a nice dinner. We are doing a surf and turf tonight, so we are wearing the girls out for an early bedtime so the whole lobster is ours! The girls got adorable princess dresses. Those pictures will be for another day, when I can get them to slow down enough for some pictures.

Our repertoire

Sophie and I have been working tirelessly during bath and car time with Harper to learn a few motions....  here is her debut!

Also, for the record, I am hoarse, therefore I can't even sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Also, I am now fully aware why, when Sophie sings, she has words stretched out for mmiilllleesss.  :)

Getting on the plan...

So, our house is a wreck.  What's new, right?  I truly have had the best of intentions on keeping it as clean as it was New Years' weekend when I had a husband round the clock for four days as an entertaining assistant.  All the clothes were folded, art stuff was put up after its use, and beds were made every day.  Is that normal in your house, for this stuff to be done?  I think it used to be when I was single, or a newlywed, or extremely pregnant and in that nesting stage.  Right now, the norm in our house is to panic when someone mentions they "might" drop by because I know that means I must quickly find a candle, the light dimmer, and an empty laundry basket to deposit the stuff I can't deal with at that moment.  

This week I made a VOW to clean every day.  Since Sunday I have failed miserably at this task.   MISERABLY.  It isn't really my fault, but things come up.  Fun people stop by, someone needs some help with their children, I want to talk to my husband, people get hungry... you know, things.  I was really over it by today.  Then today I had this fun moment which made it better.

It has been so cold and the girls needed to play hard to get some energy out of their system.  Sophie loves hide and seek, and Harper is starting to understand as well.  I was looking for the girls, and they found this GREAT spot:

Good thing I have had no time for laundry!