Meet Nevaeh
(Annette's little girl)

the girls playing Nevaeh is actually 6 weeks younger than Lizzy but she seems older than her in these pics.

Lizzy wasn't so fond of the playing but their babies what can i say
(I'm not possitive that i'm spelling Nevaeh's name right )

Today as i followed little Lizzy around cleaning up after her over and over again and as Austin said, it's hard having kids isn't it mom. I just giggled at him and said ya but i love my kids and i wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. As i was cleaning up the bathroom i took a quick glance in the mirror seeing myself with messy hair Bryan's shirt on and my pj pants stained with rice cereal and my socks with Lizzy's bread crumbs stuck to the bottom of them. i attempted to fix my messy hair and as i looked at the person looking back at me i couldn't believe what i was seeing, i still feel like i'm a young 16 year old but i definitely look like a mommy. and then the thought crossed my mind, when exactly am i suppose to start feeling like a grown up? I decided i needed a break so of course i hit the computer ( i really have to stop doing that)and i found this.

10 Ways to Feel Like a Grown-Up

By Michele Bloomquist

We’d like to you to meet someone. She’s smart, cute, energetic, has great hair. She never crawls on all fours to retrieve toys from under the kitchen table. She is never stained with spitup, craft glue, or dinner. She seems familiar, right? She might even seem like… you! She’s your inner grown-up, and sweetheart, she wants you to get it together. She wants you to be nice to her and take her places. Here are 10 simple ways to keep her smiling.

Make a Coffee Stop

Ok, so you can’t exactly stay out all night, sleep until noon, or have leisurely six-hour brunches. Now it’s more about seizing and savoring the moments when they happen. Slip into a coffee shop for 15 minutes before dropping off or picking up your kids. Use the time to decompress, relax, and recharge. (The caffeine probably won’t hurt, either.)

Cook a Grown-Up Dinner

Step away from the mac and cheese. You’ve already had it three nights this week. Take a turn serving your favorite dishes every once in awhile. While you’re at it, why not go for broke and light a candle and use your best dishes? Your child might love a chicken curry over jasmine rice just as much as you do.

Party Like It’s 1999

Good news! There is more music in the world than nursery rhymes, the Barney theme song, and the Jonas Brothers! Play the tracks you loved in high school or college while you’re out running errands, commuting, or just picking up the toys scattered around the living room (again). Your kids might even appreciate your superior tastes and add a Prince album or two to their own collections.

Get a Hobby

Reach far, far back in your memory for a foreign and strange concept called free time. Now try to remember what you did with it. (Take as long as you need.) Recall the thing that you enjoyed the most. Was it photography? Gardening? Painting? Knitting? Playing an instrument? Whatever it was, promise yourself that you’ll get back to it, even if it’s for a short time each week.

Hide out in the Bathroom

You give your kids bubble baths, but how long has it been since you took one? By yourself. Maybe you can’t luxuriate in the tub for hours while the water goes cold like you once did, but you can splurge on some grown up bath products, light a candle, or lock the door for even a few minutes. Make your bathroom into a mini-retreat — or maybe just your hiding place.

Schedule a Play Date

Arrange a grown-up version of a play date for yourself once a month. Go see a movie. Have a girl’s night out. Or just go to the museum for a few hours on your own. And check your guilt at the door. Brutal truth: Burnt out mommies are no fun. Sometimes your kids need you to take a break just as much as you do.

Exercise Your Mind

You’re up nights worrying about your kid’s education, but what about yours? Taking a class on a topic you’re interested in — from a college course on economics to a one night knitting workshop — can help you feel like you’re advancing your own interests. Plus, you’ll be setting an amazing example for your little lifelong learners.

Read a Bedtime Story

If the only bedtime stories you’re reading these days involve cows jumping over the moon, restock your nightstand with some grown-up reading material. After the wee ones are tucked in and asleep, head for your own bed instead of crashing in front of the tube or trying to cram in an hour of paying bills or cleaning. Choose reading material that speaks to you, whether it’s that one Jane Austen novel you haven’t read, a paperback mystery, or trashy tabloid magazines.

Schedule Adults-Only Time

We know, we know. When you’re both doing all you can to keep your kids from killing each other (and you), sometimes getting in the mood for sex — or finding the time and energy for it — can seem like more work than it’s worth. But lest you have forgotten: there’s nothing quite as grown-up as an old fashioned roll in the sheets.

Words just flowing out of my mouth

(Baby Austin and Grandma Smith)

Just the other day when i was visiting my parents i was holding Lizzy and my dad was siting across from me. just looking over at us and he said grandma would love her. What a sweet tender thought from my dad. You see grandma isn't here any more she is an angel now (well she was always an angel) and she is my dad's mother. and where Lizzy (Elizabeth) gets her name. That tender comment sent a flood of emotions and memories through my mind and heart that i didn't quite know what to do with until now.
I miss my grandma so much she was a true example of love and kindness. She loved each of us no matter what, we were family and that was all that mattered to her. someday i hope i can be as compassionate and as caring as she was.
So i decided instead of keep grandma all bottled up for only me i thought i would share a little of what i remember and love about my grandma Smith.

I remember one day sitting out side with grandma showing her my engagement ring she took my hand and looked at it and said its perfect just like mine as she showed me hers. you don't need a big diamond our rings are perfect.

I remember the way she would pull us close and press her cheek on ours when we would leave

I remember how soft her skin was.

I remember the way she would giggle she was just so cute when she would giggle.

I remember how she would twiddle her thumbs and she always had a tissue in her hands.

I remember when she mailed all of us girls the grandmas shoes poem.

I remember how much she lit up when she was holding baby Austin.

I remember the last time we talked we were coming in the door and she was in such a good mood she was saying hello who is it? she was so happy. we had a good conversation which isn't for a blog. but she was so happy.

I remember as a kid loving going to visit my grandparents. to this day i still love to visit it's just hard she doesn't come around the corner anymore with a smile on her face so happy to have visitors. and her pink rocking chair sits empty. but she's still here she every where around us i feel her every now and then. she came to visit me when i was rocking Lizzy to sleep I just knew it was her she loves her family to much not to come visit every once in a while and we love her to. I think about her almost every day the little things remind me of her. especially Austin, Lizzy and my Dad . but i know we will be together again.
I love my grandma i hope to be a loving grandma that giggles and twiddles her thumbs and makes everyone feel loved someday.

And yes dad your right she would love her, just like she loves all of us ;)

love ya Grandma xoxo

Happy New Year!!

For new years this year we decided to stay home and just party it up with just the 4 of us. Well the 3 of us, little Lizzy went to bed at 7:30. But the rest of us partied hard. We played lots of games including connect four , twister, tumble and find the Dino bones:) that's what the pics of us falling down the bean bag with our butts in the air like a bunch of crazy people are of. After we ran out of board games, we watched movies: the last part of shrek2 and over the hedge. Scarfed down some chips and dip, made some noise at the beginning of the new year, kissed (Bryan and I ) and went to bed!
don't be jealous of our awesomeness, just listen to your heart that's what we do.:)he he

Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve

Time for a change

This is our year to make a difference, not just for me and my family but for all of us who wish for better times and things to come. To start not just excisting together but being together. Not just occuping or sharing the same street or office building but saying hello and smiling acknowledging eachother. This is the year for being friendly agian. Working with each other, not just thinking of ourselfs. We need to become a family, a world trying to mend broken hearts, hurt feelings and rebuild burnt bridges. Despite or thoughts, religion, background or our past. This is the year for new beginings and re-building. Not just for us but for our children. So they can grow up knowing happiness, confidence, patientce, love, charity and kindness. Not anger, fear, saddness and self doubt. We need to be the example and the friend that our family, friends, neighbor, co-worker or even the stranger you pass by on the street needs. We can make a difference just by doing the little things like smiling, saying hello or holding a door open for a stranger with their hands full. Don't be the person who glares and whispers, be the person who smiles and asks to help. This year don't just make a resolution for youself, make a resolution for the world. We need to be the friend the the world needs because we all know the world needs a friend right now.