The Suits Sisters

i rang in the new year with this party animal 

5 grandkids with #6 coming in February! BLESSED. Gotta snag a picture whenever you can  and hope for the best.  No babies were harmed in the cramming of this pack-n-play  We started Charlie Brown and quickly realized they all have the attention span of an ant  Christmas nap for Pops  and a makeover for Pops  All aboard the Bubble Wrap Train! 

We adopted a n overpriced  tree at the start of December and my mom, along with the girls, have been decorating it off and on through out the month  Click here to see last year's Christmas attire, but only if you want to die of THEY'VEGROWNSOMUCH-ness We made some no-bake treats yesterday and I realized that microwaving is where it's at! Woot! So fast and so easy. I can picture them in 5th grade asnwering the question,  "What holiday traditions does your family have?" ..."Microwaving. Every Christmas my mom microwaves a big bowl of chocolate chips" Caris was preoccupied with icing on her finger. Can I lick it? Can I lick it now? Mama. Can I lick it?

On Monday, as I was getting ready (Side note: my kids always ask me, "Where are we going?" when they see me getting ready which proves that I'm WINNING AT LIFE. Maybe I'm just getting ready for life? Nope. You're right, we're going somewhere) A verse came to mind, the first part of Galatians  6:14, " May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.." I let it sink in and was like, "TRUTH" before moving on. Fast forward an hour or so later when I walked into the post office with my three girls. I noticed that there were 7 people ahead of us in line as I sucked in my breath and contemplated leaving. And then...a Christmas miracle...they.did.everything.right. The baby was awake, but silent. Liza stood by my leg and didn't pull on any of my clothing (up or down), Caris not only held our packages, but sang in a loud enough to hear but not loud enough to be  obnoxious voice a made up song that went something like, "I...

Our drive home from Thanksgiving in the mountains had me singing "All I want for Christmas is a minivan, a minivan..." but until that wish comes true, here's my THANKFUL THURSDAY list 1. Mutual peace for Kent and me after we closed a ministry/job door  2. FUDGE {Using the easiest recipe ever. Stay tuned} 3. A baby that's old enough to hang in the stroller while I peruse the library, zoo, etc. 4. A hard working husband 5. Christmas cards from Florida friends...they remember us! Not on the list, but an honorable mention: Patch is THE best travel dog (see above) We forget he's even in the car until he opens his mouth. And then we open the windows. 

Someday, when I look back on this chunk of time, I hope to have all sorts of praise hands and nuggets of wisdom a la Ruth Graham Bell or Elisabeth Elliot, but until then, I'll continue praying (a little) and stress eating (a lot). May your advent season be filled with Jesus-hope. When you realize that you're 3 days behind on the kiddie advent or that you've eaten 2 pounds of fudge while standing alone in the kitchen, may you give yourself grace. 

Dear mom, you say that you have a blog but I never see you working on it  Dear dad, thanks for keeping my hands warm  Dear Caris and Liza,  I have two words for you: personal space

Audrey Anna Suits born Thursday August 24, 2017 @ 8:53 PM 6 pounds 10 ounces 19.5 inches @ 40 & 4 days gestation For you created my inmost being;     you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made psalm 139

Here's how we're wasting time these days... Caris found A Child is Born , a book inherited by my hippie birthing center au natural mom. Although she didn't comment on her reading, I'm pretty sure my simple explanation of, "Mommy's belly will hurt and then I'll push the baby out" was brought to life with some uh, intense photography from the book.  One night near midnight we sent this text to my dad and Anna, but we worded it wrong and it wasn't clear that the picture was my joke baby and Charles gave us a hard time. Sorry, Pops!  When you wake up before 5AM hungry and restless.  (Sung to the tune of Alive, Alive )  Awake, awake, awake forevermore This pregnant chick is awake forevermore Awake, awake, awake forevermore This pregnant chick is awake Sing c'mon baby! Sing c'mon baby!  This pregnant chick is awake forevermore Sing c'mon baby! Sing c'mon baby!  This pregnant chick is awake  ...a...

2 Pictures I took this week {and 3 I didn't} Comparing sizes at Winn Dixie   Self dressed up for a tea party  (Where pumpkin bread sweetened with Splenda instead of sugar was served. Moment of silence for the potential goodness that could have been consumed)  My Disney bracelet   Walking, walking, walking. True love is agreeing to walk  waddle around the neighborhood with your pregnant wife in the middle of August  Selfies on your phone are free game! Everyone say Hiiiii Shellyyyyy !

Making: Plans for the girls for when it's GO TIME Cooking: Not a thing. Thanks, mom!  Drinking: Diet Dr. Pepper Reading: Finished The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels  A love story that was an easy read and made me laugh out loud Wanting: An easy labor Looking: Forward to watching Caris and Liza with their new sister  Eating: Everything in sight  Wishing: Moving trucks came in bigger sizes  Enjoying: The last days of kicks and jabs in my belly Thinking: About furniture I can get rid of Celebrating: We had a girls only tea party this morning  Loving: Tiny clothes cleaned and folded in drawers    Hoping: To have a baby soon  Needing: To have a baby soon (ha)  Listening: To Pooh's Heffalump Movie Feeling: Large  Wearing: Jammie pants and a tank top  Watching: HGTV shows with my mom every night Texting: Baby updates to friends and...

do you hear that ticking sound? its ME. i'm a TICKING TIME BOMB As we wait for the baby to make her debut, we've taken on the easy  task of entertaining my mom. We took her to the science center (where Caris practiced her silly face for the camera) We've played Candy Land, Uno, Spot It and with Play Dough. We've written a letter to Pops and watched two movies.    In exchange, she's given us a date night (Chiptole + buying newborn diapers eeeek !)  flowers and  dessert under the guise winkyface of supporting the MOPS ministry at church 

Over the weekend I had two of what I will call "cafeteria sandwiches" because they're what your ma might have packed you for lunch in the second grade. Or maybe what you packed yourself for work today if you're living life right. We're talking about 97 cent white bread, questionable ham and cheese, a heaping pile of pickles, a hearty scoop of mayo followed by a generous squirt of mustard.  If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right. 

Baby Shower In mid-June a handful of ladies from our former church threw a baby shower for us. I brought Caris along (which felt SURREAL) She watched a muted version of Alice in Wonderland (the cute theme of the shower) and ate too many sweets. Each person gave us a picture book and we took home a small fortune in gift cards. Like...so much money. They blessed our socks off and it was humbling and overwhelming. Diapers for life! Disney Passes Our passes include black out dates (around major holidays and then most of the summer). Our black out time was set to end on August 14, but we got an email telling us that it was bumped up to August 1st because two rides were closing forever. Kent and the girls are at Epcot today and it's a much needed distraction for all of us. The only rule is Kent has to keep his phone on him and turned up at all times. We're close to my due date and the drive home from Disney is almost an hour. Living on the edge, baby. winkyface Funds Money ...

I guess there's always a possibility that we'll return to Florida, but until /if then... 5 Things I won't miss about Florida 1. The heat, humidity & sun I equate summer (5-6 months) in Central Florida to living in a frying pan. It's flat, it's hot and there's nowhere to hide. We can also use the (stolen) analogy of living in a dryer full of wet towels for the humidity aspect. Gross. 2. The lizards We've had our fair share of them in our house and I've gotten use to them, but I won't miss them. Reaching for the water hose and discovering one, opening your front door and seeing them scatter.. no thanks. 3. The drivers WHY IS EVERYONE IN A HURRY? But I have to admit that I've adopted one habit. We were driving to the park and the car in front of me didn't go at the green light (for a few seconds!) so I gave them a little honk. Caris asked, "Was that a love tap?" Ahh ha ha ha. I don't remember teaching her what a Lo...

We were given a ton of free boxes (YAY!) from a friend's mom who recently moved here. The different between her labeling and ours had me laughing and secretly I was impressed .  She knew right where to look for her raisin jar...microwave egg cooker...red/orange scarf   We threw stuff into boxes from our KITCHEN.  (And now we're to the point of packing where boxes should really be labeled like, "1/3 toys, 1/3 craft supplies, 1/3 random junk")

35 weeks Pregnancy is a blessing IAMNOTCOMPLAINING and children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3) b u t for many women, there comes a time when things get hard. Physically,emotionally,PASSMETHATDONUT. So, I'm faced with a conundrum (college degree what what) of enjoying the last few weeks of the journey- a journey special only to me + baby and Wow, I can't feel my legs and why am I walking like my 87 year grandmother? The emotional swing can be steep and quick at times. THIS IS A MIRACLE, I AM SO THANKFUL to I CAN NOT GO ON, SOMEBODY HOLD ME in about 2 seconds. Same goes for moving. We have a unique situation, but I'd venture to say that most people come to a point in packing and moving where they think, BUCK UP this isn't the end of the world hold on a second this is the end of MY world. I'd like to end my pregnancy and our our move well. Ending well for me looks quiet (because without enough sleep, I'm bound to say some crazy things and ma...

Making: Plans with Kent about The Move on August 31st    Cooking: Homemade mac n cheese, but not much else  Drinking: Iced coffee, water Reading: Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman  Wanting: To be a capital i Introvert(-ed) hermit for the next 7 weeks Looking: At things on the floor and ignoring them winkyface Eating: Scrambled eggs with a slice of cheese on toast for breakfast  Wishing: I had job news to share with you (I don't) Enjoying: A day trip to the beach today Thinking: About my nightly serving of ice cream. Next up: mint chocolate chip   Celebrating: Aside from one potty break, sleeping through the night Loving: Baby movement     Hoping: And praying for a job  Needing: To write thank you notes    Listening: To a Strawberry Shortcake DVD  Feeling: Belly-less when I'm in the pool  Wearing: Jammies  Watching: Maste...

 Happy Cow Appreciation Day (3 meals) and 7/11 (1 Slurpee ) !

May your thankfulness be evident  (after handing her a peach for breakfast) "GOOD THING I'm not allergic to peaches like Daniel Tiger is!"  May your problems be small "I need a comb. To fix my eyebrow" and  May your compliments be heartfelt  "Liza. I have to say. You're getting berry , berry good at coloring and painting" 

The ultimate Time Out death stare 1. Potty Training Is going well. Less accidents, more jelly bean rewards. It just involves a lot of bending over (ooph!) and huddling in public bathroom stalls together. 2. "Treat others the way you would want to be treated" Would you like for her to take the toy out of your hands? How would you feel if she chased you until you were scared? Would you like for her to start singing while you're singing a song? The Bible says to treat others the way you would want to be treated...yatayata  x a millionHOW MANY MORE YEARS OF THIS 3. "No one likes being ignored"  I overheard my older, wiser, more organic (Jokes. But not really. She uses raw sugar and roasts her own peanuts) friend tell her child this when he was ignoring his sister. I like it much better than "answer your sister" as it makes them think of the other person instead of just following a command. Thoughts? 4. "Stay three feet away from me...

Hope you kids had a nice July 4th! Ours included swimming, Messy Pigs (BBQ+Cole Slaw+Bun) and wearing our outfits made from Kent's Grandma's skirt by Rachel C!  See last year's outfits here

The days are long, but the years are short   The days are like, really long. It's only occasionally that you get a glimpse at "the years are short" part, but when you do, it takes your breath away, makes your eyes sting and makes your heart feel like it's getting pounded by a meat tenderizer. 

A friendly reminder that when my life gets overwhelming, I make lists in my head.  3 Foods I’d Give My Right Arm to Eat 1. Mayonnaise Lately it's been tomato sandwiches using white bread and extra mayo C'MON 2. Bacon My love for bacon has grown at a rapid pace over the last couple of years  3. Ripe fruit  My recent fruit purchases have left me disappointed. I'm picturing a juicy peach, perfect watermelon, etc.  3 Male Singers that Grab My Attention (*For their voices winkyface )   1. Josh Groban I can pick out his voice from miles away (Say, at Christmas time) This dates back to high school  2. Keith Urban Also from my high school years, he pays homage to my introduction to country music. Also the early years of pining for a boy named Kent 3. James Taylor Hard to explain this one, but it probably starts with my first memory of good ol' James here 3  {Expensive} Things I’d buy 1.  Letterboard I hav...

This week we have five big events 1. Caris is attending Vacation Bible School  This is the first time we've ever dropped her off somewhere and driven away from the premises. Deep breaths. She is having a great time and although it's abnormally quiet without her around, we're enjoying our one on one time with Liza. (And I can see why moms sing the praise of Preschool. It cuts your day in half!) 2. Liza is using big potties  We have yet to take the plunge into panties, but she's rocking potty training (It's all about the candy reward and Kent's help) Also included:: she gets to say phrases that her big sister uses like, "I need pri-ba-cy. Don't look a me." And so there I stand, pregnant and huddled in the corner of the library bathroom stall staring at the wall. 3. Kent and I celebrated thirteen years I realized that this week is The Edge Summer Conference , thus making it the week that we met back in 2004. And by "celebrated" ...

Baby #3 is a GIRL! 

Making: Progress with packing  Cooking: Things from our freezer and pantry. Operation Empty Out has begun.  Drinking: A Diet Sunkist soda yesterday  Reading: Princess Cora and the Crocodile . We wish it was part of a series!  Wanting: I still wouldn't turn down a Chipotle burrito  Looking: For stuff to donate. Leaving no corner unturned  Eating: Cereal with strawberries for lunch  Wishing: I had a Nifty Nabber  to help with cleaning  Enjoying: Running errands alone  Thinking: About sleeping and packing and sitting down    Celebrating: Having completed my glucose test this morning   Loving: The sound of the lawn mower outside- Kent hard at work    Hoping: Kent secures a job in the next couple of months (or tomorrow winkyface)   Needing: Deep and wide boxes for random shaped objects   Listening: To both daughters call my name during NAP&QUIET time  Feeling: Hungry...

This was the first year we had someone unable to attend beach week (Wes) but we had one new addition, Karyn, Ben's fiancee.  We had an average walk to the beach, but it was a mosquito death trap. Turns out it's hard to run with small children and beach chairs strapped to your back.   Cousins!   We spent quality time with each other winkyface  Enjoyed books by Pops  and ice cream with Uncle Ben   We kept it classy with an indoor hair cut  A day and a half of rain threatened to break our vacationing spirits, but we forged ahead with the help of Finding Nemo. All in all, a fun week, woot!