Girls

The lighting is weird on this picture...I still don't really know what all the buttons do on my camera...obviously...BUT I thought this picture was so sweet. I adore these 3 girls.

P.S....I'm now in "February"...I'm just chugging a long.

Mommy's Helpers

I love Evan in the background of this one.

The girls were helping me get little treats ready for Aiden's class at Grace Harbor. They love being in the kitchen and helping me cook, or assisting with whatever project I'm working on. I wish I was better at letting them help me cook more. I know it blesses them when they do get to help...but it's hard for me. It's hard for me to slow down enough to bring them along. I know I'm gonna look back on this time, and wish I would have included them more...but it's a process to get them all washed up, and lined up on chairs just to get started. Okay, fine...I'll work on it. Writing this is convicting my heart. Okay I said, I'll work on it...leave me alone. :) Check back to make sure I've done a better job.

Trimming the Tree

Investigating the tree

Topping the tree

Of course you have to wear sunglasses when you decorate the tree...at night.

Blessed


Not much to write on this one...except that I'm totally horrified that I'm posting Christmas pictures in April. I just HAVE to get them up here, for "scrapbooking's" sake. We had fun...listening to our favorite Christmas worship albums...complete with hot chocolate, and a fire in the fire place...well, after we were done. The kids were really helpful, and a little more thoughtful about where to hang the ornaments then in years past.

Still catching up from 2009...

Thanksgiving 2009

We had plans all lined up...We were headed out to Uncle Bill and Aunt P's house. I was assigned things to bring, the kids were excited, etc. The day or two before, Aiden started complaining about some intense pain in his arms and legs. I dismissed him at first, because to be honest...he's a bit of a hypochondriac. But eventually the pain was so bad that he was brought to tears. He had no other symptoms. So of course, we both were thinking the worst...leukemia. We made an appointment to see the doctor the next day. We prayed...I cried. I think we both had trouble sleeping, knowing that we could find out some life altering news the next day. We headed in to see our beloved Dr. Chang the next morning...and after about a 20 minute exam, he was all set to get some blood work going. He made some off hand comment about the flu, and I reminded him that Grier had the flu the week before. At that point, he was pretty convinced that's what Aiden had...so he tested him, and lo and behold he had the FLU! How weird is that? He had no fever...and no other symptoms. But apparently you can get some pretty wicked myalgia with the flu. Blake and I both breathed a HUGE sigh of relief, and thanked God for the flu...and then proceeded to smother our son with sloppy kisses, and bear hugs...so grateful to have a healthy boy. But of course, because of his "sickness", we weren't able to go the Hengst's like we had planned, because sweet little cousin Gunnar would be there, and he was only about 4 weeks old...and if anyone was around Hayley in the first few months of Gunnar's life...you know she was a TAD crazy. I'm just giving you a hard time H...because I know you'll read this. :) You had a baby during flu/swine flu season...it's understandable...sort of. ;) Anyhow, so that left me scrambling the day before T-Day to put something together for our intimate little Magee Thanksgiving...party of 6. And as you can see in the above picture...I pulled it off rather well...if I do say so myself. It was fun...and cozy...and one that Blake and I will never forget, because we had a NEW reason to be thankful...a son with a case of the flu. Praise God.

3 Ballerinas and a Rockstar

LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture...it's TOTALLY my kids. Gracen is causing mischief, Aiden is trying to do the "right thing" by looking at the camera, and Grier is being a total goof ball. I will treasure this picture forever.

Goofball Grier continued...in both pictures

A-D-O-R-E these feet

I'm one blessed Mama.


Halloween was really fun this year. We hung out with our new neighbors for a little while and then hit the streets. The kids did not last long...especially Gracen and Evan. So the 3 of us came back, and the baby went to sleep. Gracen and I passed out candy to the neighborhood, and chatted with our other neighbors for awhile. It was a laid back night...but so enjoyable getting to know people on our street.

Caught

Here's proof that they love each other. They were watching Gracen's spring dance recital for the 100th time...and I looked over and couldn't believe they were holding hands. I snuck off to get my camera, peeked over the coffee table and caught it on camera...I now have it forever, and might just keep it handy so that I can remember there is true affection there...even if it's way down deep.

Oh, What A Father's Willing to Do for His Girls....

I know it's a really busy picture...and I tried to make it simpler by changing it to black and white...BUT I just had to get a shot of this. These girls have it pretty good! They both love to have their backs tickled. So Blake decided to tag team them, and do it at the same time. He is the sweetest ever. Have I mentioned that he gives me a 30 minute massage at least 3 times a week?! I love him! And he loves his girls...

My Future

My future: The girls taking the car for a spin...not ready!

Doesn't Gracen look mischievous?!
First time in the driver's seat...3rd born.

Playing in the Garage

Bubble Head
Easy Rider

My tough guy

She looks guilty

Hanging out in the garage, trying to hide from the sun.

Phil's Ice House

She was "selling" ice cream.
This thing spins around when you sit in it.

What a cute city boy!

Cool Slide

Ahh...their first "Amy's Ice Cream" experience...Sweet Cream.

Side View of playground

Side view of restaurant.

Ready to conquer the playground.

Ride 'em Cowboy.

Fun Retro chairs


Okay, so if you haven't been to Phil's Ice House/Amy's Ice Cream on Burnet Road, you gotta go. It is so fun! It's a really neat place that has a lot of Austin flair to it. Phil's Ice House has some fun, fair food...burgers, corn dogs, hot dogs, onion rings, Frito pie...in other words, don't go when you're dieting...you'll be outta luck. But they play fabulous music...and you can sit inside or outside. There's a cool retro photo booth to document your time there. And attached to it, is Amy's Ice Cream. It's a one stop shop....and of course, the bonus feature for all of us parents, is the attached, covered playground...SCORE! We all had a blast. Grier was having a rough day, so we decided to leave her at my parents' house to take a much needed nap. Aiden and Gracen loved it, and enjoyed being together, minus their little tag-along. Check it out...you won't be disappointed! Here's the website:

http://www.philsicehouse.com/

The Zoo

***Ridiculous amount of pictures

Handsome guy
A little fearful

Sliding with the Otter

Watching the Monkeys

Lunch

Super Sweet Moment

The Birthday Butterfly

Notice their purses? They took them everywhere ALL day.

We went to the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco on Gracen's birthday...April 13th. Yeah, this post is SUPER late...but I took SO many pictures and couldn't figure out which ones to post...so I posted them all. Actually, not even close. I mean, I really took a lot. This is the coolest zoo, and seriously kid friendly. Our family had a blast. I wore the baby most of the day...so she was a trooper. The weather was perfect, and all the animals loved the attention from the kids. There's an awesome playground in the middle of the park. There's also a clear acrylic-like slide that runs right through the otter tank. So the little otter is swimming all around, as you're sliding down...very cool! There's a lot to see and do. It's pretty affordable too. I ran in to a friend of mine from Dallas! Crazy stuff...her family loves coming to the Waco zoo...and they have the Dallas Zoo, and the Forth Worth zoo close by...so that should say something. Oh, and right now there's a really cool Texas exhibit...so lots of fun, native animals. I would totally recommend packing up the kids for the day and heading north to check it out.

I Love My Life

I got to sleep in today, thanks to my wonderful family! When I finally decided to get out of bed, I woke to french toast, and my precious children holding signs that they made me. (We're celebrating Mother's Day today b/c Blake now works on Sundays.) I really love my life...I am blessed with an incredible husband, and 4 amazing kids. But it's seriously the hardest thing I've ever done...I get frustrated at times...like when I finish mopping and someone spills a drink, or treks dirt in the house, or when I pick up the house, and moments later, I can't see the floor anymore. Or the fact, that I'm on an endless quest to finish the laundry...or when I've worked hard to cook something new and tasty, and my kids turn up their noses in protest, and call it yucky...I get frustrated. But at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade any of it. I love my kids...and there are other moments that make it awesome...like when they need a comforting hug, or when they tell me I'm the bestest mommy in the whole world, or when I hear them praying...or when they tell me I'm a great cook...that does happen on occasion believe it or not. Or when they choose to obey, the first time, on their own, with a great attitude...ahh those are great moments.

I'm SO thankful that God has allowed me to become a mom. I have learned SO much from being a mom. I am a different person because of my children. I've become so much more aware of my sin...even more then when I got married. That was an eye opener too. God has used my kids to refine me and grow me in areas I'm weak...the many many areas. But I'll save that for another post. God has also reminded me of simple pleasures and joys. I admire the way my children look at life...full of wonder, and anticipation of something great. I'm thankful to be a part of that. Thank you Aiden, Gracen, Grier and Evan (and Blake for helping them) for making me feel special and loved. Happy Mother's Day! It's a good day!

Our New Table

So, if you didn't know already, we've decided to homeschool Aiden in the Fall for Kindergarten. It was a shock to us...as we always said that we would NEVER homeschool. Well, God is funny that way...at least in my life. I can easily rattle off to you at least 10 things that I have said "never" about, that God later brought into my life. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised....but needless to say, I still am. At this point we are just doing kindergarten, and we'll re-assess every year. Our desire is to prepare our children to succeed in public school the best we can. That's our heart behind it, and what we feel that God is asking of us. It's a little bittersweet for me. I have dreamed of the day that my kids would start school. I have always wanted to be the Homeroom Mom, and to be up at the school all the time. But the reality is, I will still have 3 little girls at home with me. So for now, that's on hold. I AM looking forward to a little more time with Aiden, a little more flexibility, and the opportunity to build into him a little more before sending him off. So that's where our new table comes in. We are trying to get our playroom ready for a more practical area for schooling. So we got this fabulous table online at Walmart, via Site to Store shipping! It's the perfect size, and color (loving the black)...it's made for 3-8 year olds, which means we can use it for longer. For now though, we're using it for crafts, and for the occasional breakfast or lunch. The kids love sitting at it, and always want Evan to be included. That warms my heart.

Our First Tball Game

Go Aiden!

Run Aiden Run

Aiden with his good friend Tyler...precious!

Enjoying a post game snack

A wee bit bored



Well, we went to our first Tball game today, and it was SO much fun. Blake asked off today, so we actually got to have Daddy at the game, and for the WHOLE day. Aiden played great and really tried to do his best...I loved that. He was pretty funny...both times he was up to bat, he hit the ball and ran to 1st base, then to 2nd, and so on until he was home...the funny part was that he passed all his other teammates on their bases. He didn't get that you have to wait for the person in front of you to run to the next base...he was HAULING! I'm thinking track and field might be his thing. He loves to run, that's for sure.
It was the perfect day for me. First of all Blake took the day off, so he got to spend a Saturday with us...Wow! He made us all french toast this morning. We just had a relaxing, chilled out morning, then went to the game. Afterwards the kids came home and took naps, and Blake and I hung out and listened to a sermon online by Frances Chan...which I'll blog about later, b/c it was SOOO good. We made homemade pizza tonight, and had a picnic in the living room watching "Bolt"...it was so great. I can't wait for the day that Blake doesn't have to work on Saturdays. That is my idea of a perfect day with my family!