her royal highness

Our princess, through-&-through.
As if there was ever any doubt.

{wonder struck}

he with the falling snow...

and I with him...

{violets are blue}

and I'll never love brown eyes again...


this weeks accomplishments include:

*her very first tooth, with not a single fuss
*her first complete roll, tummy-to-back-to-tummy
*she now understands, "eat", "jump" and "night-night", and will tell me when she's ready to go to bed by laying her head on my shoulder and popping her thumb in her mouth.
*her hair gets more unruly by the day. Mama is trying to get up the nerve to cut off those straggly curls. {Sniff.}

{a comparison}

Adah looks like Mama.

No doubt about it.

But I actually see others in her. Maybe even more than myself.
From the day she was born everyone has said she has Great-Grandma Colene's face:

Grandpa Jim: Exact same nose, cheeks, mouth...Mama.

She has my long face.

Poor girl.

But where did I get it from???

(my ears! they always stuck through my thin hair when I was a girl. Ugh! One of the reasons I always keep my hair back!)Aunt Tess: I can remember her well at this age. (after all, I was 11 years old!) And oh, how Adah reminds me of her...temperament as well.
Brother Camden:

I sometimes confuse them in my mind. Looking back at his baby photos is almost like looking at Adah...with different eyes. Adah always makes this expression...He is roughly her age here:

And one of Sissy Doll herself, for reference:

I don't have any new ones!

That's tomorrow's project!

tuesday...

1. Yesterday I walked into the bathroom and found Jude and Gwyneth going potty. At the same time...On the same toilet. Apparently neither if them could wait another second. Gwyneth was perched along the side while Jude, with only inches to work with, went along right behind her. The were giggling so hard I'm surprised they didn't make a mess. But not one drop was to be found. They were so proud of themselves I caught them at it again last night.

I know.

2. Why did God send me the difficult ones two at a time?

3. Still selling on Ebay. It's worth it, but very time-consuming.

4.Jude ran up to me the other day, slapped me in the rear, and said, (happy as can be) "Get me more milk, little fat girl!"

I know.

I'm telling myself he doesn't actually understand the word fat.

And that he's only mimicking what everyone says to Adah.

And that I will never eat bread or sugar again.

5. Speaking of sugar. I love Java Bear. Better than Starbucks, for sure. And run by a wonderful family. (7 kids!) I met the 3rd daughter the other day and was so impressed! One of the sweetest people I've ever met. And super cute to boot. Too bad she's too young for my brother-in-law. (: Anyway, stop by sometime, if you haven't already. Get the Chocolate Chip Ice Rage and enjoy it for me. You know, since I'm not eating that stuff anymore.

6. My oldest is a perfectionist. An artist. And may have a photographic memory. I'll devote a post to it. And keep quiet all you face-bookers! Daddy beat me to it!

7. I had a dream the other night. Or maybe a vision. Maybe I'll be brave enough to share it someday. It disturbed me. It more than disturbed me. And I'm sure everyone will believe I'm crazy once they hear it.

8. Can't wait for Christmas music! Next week...

9. Kira and Preston are coming to play today. I haven't told the kids yet. They're gonna be so excited!

10. Women's Ministry tonight. I always look so forward to it. Love those girls!

Way back when...

Siblings=BFF

My sister and her gorgeous fam.
These guys are so much fun and always ready for a party!

Always my best friend and best enemy...
I am forever thankful for my sister.

Just look at those angelic boys...
And that sweet little girlie...

Awe...

I could've cloned in a photo of Avril looking at the camera,

but I kinda like how enamored with her Daddy she is...

(by-the-by: if anyone knows of the perfect black-n-white action can you please share?! I've not found one that I love...)

Told you they're a hoot!

We didn't have time for much playing.

The rain was hittin hard at this point...

Don't know if I've ever told ya, Jay,

but I think you're just perfect for my Sis.

I think I almost have her convinced of it, too! (:

Love you guys!

10 on {nearly not} Tuesday

1. I put wheat germ in the kids' applesauce every morning for breakfast. Usually we call it "sprinkles". Today Jude asked, "Did you already put snowflakes in it, Mama?" (:

2. Speaking of snowflakes, Gwyneth announced to me yesterday, "It's good to be a snowflake." ...Okay then.

3.The house looks like it erupted clothes. I have been trying all week to get all the boys' outgrown clothes listed on Ebay. I've almost made it through 2 {of 7} bins. ugh. It's left me wondering how people like Karina do both mothering and schooling. I can't even concentrate long enough to type a complete sentence. I am in awe of "working" mothers.

4. I realized this week that Jude and Gwyneth's birthday will be on Easter day next year. How special is that. Mine also fell on Easter when I was little, but Mom can't remember which year it was.

5. I need to put together a grocery list. We spend roughly $250.00 on groceries every payday. Including all toiletries, cleaners, diapers and all those other "necessities" you can be sure to find at Wal-Mart. Eating out is extra. Before children that number was a mere $75.00. Huh.

6. I'm with Ryan. I loathe insurance. Whatta crock. (Unless, of coarse, you happen to work for UPS. (: The price tag difference between Adah and Avril is staggering.)

7. We've been working on our "fruits of the Spirit" around here, Mommy included. It's pretty funny to hear the kids fighting and screaming at each other, "Well, you're not showing fruit of the Spirit!" Why does everything always seem to backfire on me?

8. Camden got to have a boys night out with Daddy last night. I think he had fun, despite the allergic reaction that sent them home early.

9. Lyle has another business trip to Seattle later this year. And guess who just might get to tag along. Besides Adah. (: I'm so excited about a {free} trip with him that I can hardly stand it!

10. I'm feeling really jipped about missing out on my favorite season this year. Autumn is the most special because it only lasts for such a short time. But did we have to skip it altogether?