To My Mom

My mom is amazing. She taught me how to cook, how to sew, how to be patient (still working on that one). I learned that its okay to watch "White Christmas" in the middle of July because it makes you happy, that there should always be chocolate somewhere in the house, and that cooking can be therapeutic.

My mom is my best friend. She is the person I call when I have a question about a sewing project, a recipe or when I just need to vent. She also has a sneaky way of calling me right when I need it most. Its a comfort to know that even though we are miles apart, she is never more than a speed dial away.

I love my mom. I love the way that she loves my kids. She loves them unconditionally. She doesn't scold or loose her patience when I know I surely would, and she is always ready to listen to their stories or rock them when they are sad. Nana's house is a special place to them. At Nana's they make cookies, do art projects, help in the garden and take rides on the tractor. These are the memories I am so happy my kids are making.

Mom, I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day. Thank you for being you!

Who You Are

I heard this song for the first time today. It couldn't have come on a better day. I hope it helps someone else out there...

Who You Are - Hilary Weeks

I know you wonder if you'll ever have a day when the kids stay calm,
the laundry's done, and the dishes are put away. And sometimes you feel
like your days are spent and gone and the question running through your
mind is what have I gotten done? and when you finally have a moment to
slow down at the end of you day I know Father would say

Believe in what you're doing
Believe in who you are
Hold tight to the truth that you're a daughter of God
Believe in who you're becoming
Believe in who you are

It may seem simple - all the little things you do But the lives you touch
matter so much. And there's no one else like you. And Father needs you
to stand tall and faithful to be all you can be.Oh, if you could see what
he sees. When it's hard to believe in yourself and you feel like you're
beginning to doubt Remember

He believes in what you're doing
He believes in who you are
Don't lose sight of the truth that you're a daughter of God
That he believes in who you're becoming
He believes in who you are.

Chores

We get 'em started early around here...





Recently, we have started a chore chart with the kids. Let me tell you, they have done more chores since we began this chore chart than they have ever done. It's awesome! (You can get all the FREE printables at Confessions of a Homeschooler.com)

Christmas 2010

Well, we certainly got our wish! Three days before Christmas we closed on our new home, and with no problems at all. The same day, we started moving in. We were determined to be in our new home for Christmas. A few people thought we were nuts, but everyone else was eager to help us make it happen! The day after we closed a moving truck pulled up at our old house and loaded all of our stuff into a 26' truck. They filled it to the brim and even had to strap a few things on the back. By the end of Thursday, all of our furniture and boxes were safe and sound in our new home. Thank you, Dad and Kim!!

While waiting for the moving truck to arrive, I had the house to myself for a couple of hours. Kate and Josh were with their Uncle Brent at Monkey Joe's. Since I had my priorities in order, I set up the Christmas tree first thing. We spent the rest of the day getting bedrooms set up and unpacking enough to get us through the next few days.

Christmas Eve morning we decorated the tree and made cookies for Santa (Costco chocolate chip cookie dough cookies, to be exact). That evening we headed to dinner with friends. It was a very chill night with good company. On the way home we drove through a really neat neighborhood full of Christmas lights. We even ran into Santa and Mrs. Claus on the way out. What a treat!

The kids went straight to bed when we got home and Ben and I began our Christmas Eve duties. The most important one this year was getting Kate's dollhouse put together. It took Ben about 3 1/2 hours to get it all done. He was a trooper.



Christmas morning the kids came in and woke us all up around 8am. And we headed downstairs to see if Santa had come! He sure did! The rest of the morning was a whirlwind of present opening, chocolate eating, cinnamon rolls and lots and lots of wrapping paper. I love it.







That afternoon we jumped in the car and headed to Grandpa and Nana Kim's house for more gifts and lots of yummy food. We stuffed ourselves silly and loved every minute.




When we arrived back home on Christmas night something really amazing happened... it started to snow!! Snow on Christmas!! It was awesome! We woke up the next morning to several inches of wonderful, snowman quality snow. The kids and I bundled up and headed out to play. It was perfect. A Christmas I will never forget.

All We Want For Christmas Is...

... a brand new house!! Do you think Santa can fit it in his sleigh? I doubt it. He is letting us open our Christmas present a little bit earlier. We are scheduled to close on our new home on Wednesday morning. Yes, three days before Christmas. Yes, we are nuts. But we are so excited! Please keep us in your prayers that everything will go smooth at closing. Also, I would like to give a huge shout out to all those who are making this move possible. We are so blessed with wonderful family and friends. Thank you. We love you.

So, do you want to see a picture of the house...? Drum roll please.


And I would like to introduce you to my new kitchen. I think I'm in love. :)


But this house just wouldn't be any fun at all without this bunch bouncing around inside. Aren't they so cute!

My sweet Wesley! He is such a good baby. Don't you just want to pinch those big cheeks?

What a hunk. Joshua is turning into a little man.

And last but not least. Katelyn. I have no words. Those who know her understand.
We love you Katelyn. You are growing up way to fast. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Summer is over, but Fall is here!

Every time we go to Walmart Josh asks me to buy donuts for daddy. He knows when we are getting close to the donuts and gets upset every time I turn the cart away from the direction of the donuts. So... when we do buy donuts "for daddy", I get a very happy boy out of the deal.


The last few weeks of summer were fabulous! Some good friends invited us to stay with them at a beach house in Topsail Island, NC. It was such a fun week. The weather was perfect and the kids had a great time. Want to see what we did? Enjoy the pics.

The end of the boardwalk. Josh was pretty nervous about the big waves.

"Ocean gonna get me???"

Kate LOVED the water, as long as it was shallow.

The kids and I opted of the beach one day and headed to a
park right along the Intercostal Waterway.

Cool play set!

Cute kids. :)

One morning the kids woke up really early so we snuck out to the boardwalk to watch the sunrise. It was beautiful and one of my favorite memories from our trip.

Sleepy-eyed kiddos.

This was Wesley's toy of choice for the week.

Katelyn started dance class again. We weren't sure if we were going to sign her up this year, but as the first class got closer and closer, I couldn't help it. This was her first day of class. So cute!


Wesley went in for his 6 month check-up. Our little man weighs 21 lbs. and 11 ounces! No wonder his mommy walks so crooked! His is definitely healthy. We started him on solids last month, and now he is eating 3 meals a day with the rest of the family. He also decided that it was time to start sitting on his own so he can keep on eye on Kate and Josh for me. We love him so much!

Going Private

With all that is going on in the world these days, we think its best to make our blog private. If you would like to be part of our blog family please leave a comment with your email address or send me an email letting me know at JulieMarieBurgess@gmail.com.

Thank you!