OUR NEWEST ADDITION....

Now that we cleared out some more play space in the back yard...we got the girls a swing-set!!

They love it {read: LOVE IT!} Sophia plays on it whenever she can, which is not all that much since N.C. has had a heat index of 110-114 the past couple weeks. But when it is not so blazing hot she is swinging, steering the ship, peering through the telescope into the woods, sliding, giggling climbing and having a great time!

Olivia loves to swing and is content to swing, hang out and smile sweetly at everyone! It has been a nice addition to our yard...and hopefully they will enjoy it for years to come :)

Hope you are well!!

love and kisses...

California Trip!

{a tad late...but worth the wait}

Alright...so technically we have been home for about 3 weeks...but it's summer and things are busy! Here are some pictures from the trip to L.A. We had such a wonderful time...I am ready to go back already!! Sophia had a blast swimming...she had her first swim lessons with Ms. Jennie. We went to my parents cabin, we shopped, we ate Mexican food like it was going out of style {no good Mexican food in N.C.}. We just played the trip away with family and friends. It was perfect!!

Sophia the swimmer!! Having a blast in Mimi and Grandpa's pool :)

Playing at the cabin!

Happy 4th of July!!

Shopping and playing with friends and family!

{more post to come...sooner than later :)}

xoxoxox

No Greater Joy.

{in my humble opinion}

This is a small part of a day in my life. We go to the park. The three of us, I pack up our snacks and water bottle in the double stroller. I put on my not so glamorous running shoes, and pull my not so stylish (and graying) hair into a pony tail, and we walk to the park. On the way there Olivia chews on whatever toy I handed her and tries to peek out from under her sun hat. Sophia and I talk about the beautiful sky and who created all of it, and why He created it and why we should be so so thankful for Him. We name the color of plants and houses. We sing songs...{only after I have regained my breath from pushing a double stroller up hill}.

When we get to the park we play and snack and snack and play. We really do have so much fun. And sometimes I look up at the sky and think about how in world I (an L.A. born and raised city girl), ended up in North Carolina. And I think about how the Lord knew from the creation of the earth all about me, and that this is exactly where I would be, right at that very moment. And I think about my sweet girls and how we moved from Los Angeles (so far from so many that I love and miss) so that I could be able to live this exact life. The life where I get to spend every day teaching, and training my sweet sweet girls.

Then I snap back into reality when I hear Sophia call me, or Olivia squeal...and I run off to tend to them and all that they need. They are not perfect girls, I am not a perfect mom...but it is a perfect life...for me...and I am so so thankful. And I pray that I will always remember to be.

love and kisses....xoxoxo

Wordless Wednesday ~ Around the house

(a day late)

The girls.

Since our last post Olivia is now eating solid foods, loves cheerios, is sitting up and trying to start to crawl.

Sophia is always curious, loves to ask questions and learn new things. She recently had a haircut and we had 3 inches cut off. Now that it has warmed up here, she wants to be outside playing ALL the time.

Hope everyone is doing well...will post again soon (I promise)

love and hugs!

Piper Quinn Melvin

My sister Alison and her husband Andy had their first child this week. Her name is Piper and she came 5 weeks early. She weighed 5lbs 7oz and was 19 inches long.

I am so thrilled for them...what a blessing this little girl already is!! I am so proud of my sister and her

hubs...they are going to be wonderful parents.

Piper and her Mommy...minutes after she was born.

A family of three :)

Love you Ali, Andy and Piper...sending kisses and love!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxox

Sophia's First Bike

This weekend we went to Target and bought Sophia her first bike. While she was taking her nap Andrew put it together, and when she woke up she was so excited to see it! She put her hands up to her mouth and said "My bike, my bike...I so excited!"

Ringing her bell

Best Daddy ever...patiently teaching her how to steer and pedal.

So happy!

Giving Daddy thank you kisses for helping to "fix" her bike.

Love and kisses :)

Happy 6 Months Olivia...

Our sweetie pie turned 6 months this week! I am really having a hard time believing that time has flown by so fast. She had her 6 month checkup and she is doing great...here are her stats:

Weight: 16 1/2 pounds ~ 55th percentile

Length: 26 1/4 inches ~ 80th percentile

Head: 16 inches ~ 55th percentile

We also did her half year photo session...here are a couple pics...enjoy!

love, love, love these girls....

New Orleans.....

Andrew and I celebrated our 5th anniversary in New Orleans...here are some pictures.

{Day one}

{Day two}

{day three}

I love this man....

I know I am a couple day's early...our Anniversary is March 5th. But we will be in New Orleans on our vacation, and I have no intention of blogging while I am there :)

Anyway, Happy Anniversary Love...I am continually blown away by what an incredible man the Lord blessed me with.

You are my best friend, encourager, protector and love of my life. Thank you for all that you do and all that you are!!

I'm looking forward to the next 50!! (at least)

xoxoxoxo

me

Sisters

Here are some attempts at trying to get a decent picture of the two together....love these girls!

Precious Sophie Lou

Sophia is changing and growing every day...every minute... all the time. She is so inquisitive, she wants to know what you are doing? Why you are doing it? And if she can do it too! She has the energy of a typical two year old and the appetite of a typical 16 year old boy! She is always eating and always hungry. She continue to bring so much joy and laughter into our home and we love to watch her play and dote on her sister. She is a wonderful big sister and we are so proud of her! Here is what Sophia is up to!

* She is now in the big kid "real" Sunday school class, with Bible lessons and crafts!

* Her favorite show of the moment is "Max and Ruby" and favorite movie is "Peter Pan"

* She is picking up what seems like 100 words a day!

* She still loves bath time, and will stay in till the water is freezing and I make her get out.

* She eats fruit like it's her last meal, and we feel funny trying to bribe her to eat a chicken nugget before she can have more fruit.

* She still hates to have her hair combed.

* She loves to sing, and she is quite the dancer (she dances like a 90 year old man)

* She loves Livi above all else...she always wants to hug or kiss her, she always makes sure Olivia is okay, or asks where she is, she wants to snuggle with her in her crib, and give her food and toys.

* She is establishing her independence (trying to at least... sometimes to no avail and a spanking)

* She loves to "read" books and color pictures.

* She is always eager to help...and always asks me if I am making "pizza" for dinner.

* She gets so excited when she hears Andrew's car pull into the garage (don't we all)

* She continues to be a sweet, funny and energetic part of this family and we are so thankful for her :)

Sweetest Livi Sue

Olivia Sue is such a sweetheart...she has been a precious and joyous addition to our family!!

Everyday she is learning something new, and wrapping all of us (even Sophia) around her little pudgy finger! Liv is almost 6 months old, I can not believe how quickly time has flown by.

Here are some of the things our sweet girl is up to these days!

* She loves to grab her toes

*Her favorite toy is Jacques the peacock

* She has both her lower, middle teeth

*Favorite fruit so far is apple (apple sauce)

*Favorite veggie is sweet potatoes.

*Oliva's favorite person is Sophia (by far) she follows her around with her eyes wherever she goes, and her face lights up the brightest when she sees Sophia.

* She can roll over from her tummy to her back...but can only roll from her back to her tummy on her right side

* She loves to be held and kissed on her perfectly kissable cheeks!

* She loves to splash in the bathtub.

*She sleeps like a champ!! (PRAISE BE TO GOD!!)

* Her eyes are changing from blue to green (like her Daddy's)

* She loves to make herself bounce in her chair.

* She is not too fond of peas (who is?)

* She would rather not be clothed.

*She thinks her thumb is pretty tasty.

*She is one of the three loves of her Mommy's life!

Baby it's cold outside!!

It has been very (VERY) cold here over the past couple months...it has not hit the 50's since I don't know when. Needless to say we have not been outside to run and play in quite some time. So to break up the day we have been playing in our garage! It's not too chilly...and if it is we just turn on the space heater, we have lot's of space to play ball, paint, color, draw with sidewalk chalk, ride the plasma bike, etc! Here are a couple snapshots of our "outside" playtime!

Sophia painting, and Olivia bouncing!

Liv checking me out...

The artist!

"here Momma...want to paint?"

Fun for me....a friend's baby shower!

I love planning parties!!! Showers, birthday parties, Mardi Gras, Super Bowl...you name it...I will plan it! My girlfriend Michelle is having a little boy and I was able to host our Sunday School class shower for her...here are some of the pictures from it...enjoy :)

One of the flower arrangement's...I did them...and was really pleased with how they turned out!

some of the cute things on the clothes line.

close up of some decorations...I am new at pom pom making...so I know these are kinda weak looking.

the set up...before the food.

dessert...yummy sour cream cupcakes with homemade butter cream icing

The set up...

another flower arrangement... little blurry

The parting gifts...cute huh?

Thanks for letting me share...love and kisses...