Lucy and Ethel

Happy 1st day of February!


It's hard to believe this will be our last full month of winter. ...And while I've lived here long enough to know that the snow and cold around here could have you worrying about whether or not you can wear your cute sandals on Mother's day to church... The hope for spring always makes this last "official" month of winter a little more tolerable to say the least.

I actually hope for more snow this month. The news reported that we had the least snowy January on record around here. The freezing rain and consistent darkness almost hurt your feelings at times. We just wanted to be outside.



This has been such a good and strange time for Josh and I. It seemed as if the past 10 years were so much spent in the same way - Pregnant, taking care of infants and toddlers, diapers, nursing and strolling babies. -And now, so much of the baby days have been slowly sifting away for good. And it's both happy and sad. It's difficult to plug into the vibe of this next chapter in our lives. ...Not that it's bad. It's just different from what we are used to. Do you know what I mean?

You can feel it in your heart that so many big moments are ahead... that right now is beautiful and God has brought so many good things and people in our lives. But the future somehow seems a little scary to not know everything that DOES happen next. I'm not quite certain what adulthood without things like maternity pants and strollers even looks like!

"some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won't have a title until much later." 

We don't know the title for this time just yet...but it'll come. And I'm excited to find out what God has in store. If it's anything like this last chapter was, I'm sure it will be quite epic and hard and fulfilling and beautiful as the last. And what more could anyone ask for?













The kids current favorite. Josh will jokingly read this book in the most disgusted-sounding voice. At the end of the book little critter says, "This isn't a potion is it?" and Little Critter's mom responds, "No! It's just warm milk." ...Then Josh will slam down the book in an angry fashion. We all laugh to the point where we can't breathe and they always ask him to read it again. and again. and again.








Sweet Molly Moo bit a little hole in the couch cushion. ...But she has cute little whiskers that curve inward towards her nose. So we forgive her.




Snow angels on the table!


On Friday night, Grandma Kelly and Grandpa came over to watch the kids for a little while so Josh and I could go get our groceries for the week. When we came home, we came in to find them all just like this! So cute! The kids had so much fun spending time with them. (thank you again guys! It meant so much to us)!


On Saturday, we had our Irvine friends over for our first "around the world" themed dinner. This month we had MEXICAN... next month, we will be having Italian food! ...Anything that provides some what of a learning experience for the kids! hehe. It was so much fun.


I wish I had taken a picture of the kids playing stampede that night. They threw toys in the hallway to make an "obstacle course" and would scream STAMPEDE! ...Then they'd all run back and fourth as fast as they could. All 7 of them!


We also celebrated Grandma Marsh's birthday! She is such a wonderful woman.
 



Off to Gramoo and Matt's on Sunday


Matt makes the world's best pizza!


My mom's cat, Clover. Such a sweetie pie. ...When she's not attacking the dog. or me. hehe.


Josie asked Josh if she could start her own youtube channel. You can find it HERE. I'm not really sure how long she'll keep this going... but the 2 videos she currently has up are certainly sweet!


Monday nights with the Barones.


My friend Amanda LOVES I Love Lucy and watches it all the time. She sent me a picture of Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel and it made me smile so much.

I think every couple should have a Lucy and Ricky or a Fred and Ethel in their life. I feel so lucky that we've found ours!


Through out much of our week, we've all been battling an annoying cold. But it didn't hold us down too much. The good thing is, most everyone is already sick anyway so we didn't infect too many people. ;)


Last night, Josie helped me prepare dinner for the Thomas crew.


Josie and Mallory dressed up like "Trolls" by putting eyeshadow all over their faces and then danced. It cracked us all up. We just love Trolls the movie and the soundtrack! Can't get enough.


I want the kids to remember a house full of noise, and food, and shoes and coats that come from friends flooding through the door. I want them to know what a treasure and honor it is to have friends apart of your life and around the table. ...Even if pancakes are all you can budget for dinner and time (and space) is limited. It's such a blessing to even be here in this existence and in this time and taking this breath. We might as well enjoy every last bit of it all. Together as much as we possibly can be. It's what life is all about.








Our February Dinner Menu-

Monday - Brinner (Breakfast for dinner) night with friends!

Tuesday - Creamy tomato basil tortellini soup w/ garlic bread

Wednesday - Chicken quesadillas w/ salad

Thursday - Kielbasa and Cabbage skillet

Friday - Slow cooker chicken and dumplings w/ veggie

Saturday - Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli


Sunday Desserts at Gramoo and Matts -

Oreo Pudding Poke cake
Cinnamon Pumpkin coffee cake
Brownie Bites
Lemon 7-up cake

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Thinking of you and loving you!

-Jess