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oh happy {mon}day

April 15, 2013 — 2 Comments

Happy Monday sweet friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I can’t thank you guys enough for the outpouring of love and encouragement you showed me after I was so vulnerable last week. It’s been your kind words, the incredible encouragement of so many friends and family and my husbands patience that has gotten me through this last week. Oh, and grace. Lots and lots of grace.

Some exciting news today!

Over at The Influence Network blog, they are announcing the workshops that will be offered at the conference. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead a workshop on the balancing act of being a mom & blogger. I’m excited to share my heart on blogging and how as a mom you have such a voice and an opportunity to share Jesus with your circles of influence. We will touch on some practical things like protecting your family, and balancing every day life while maintaing a blog. I hope and pray this will mostly be an encouraging time to meet with other moms and know that we are all in this journey together.

Head over and check out all of the workshops! They are going to be incredible!

How about some fun pictures to brighten your Monday?? This spring Jessi has been playing soccer. It’s her first organized activity to do, and it’s so stinking adorable. She’s not really into actually playing, but she still thinks it’s super cool and it’s fun to watch her run around with her little friends. We were able to get her and her BFF Mia on the same team so they have fun together. Enjoy!

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In Influence Conference, jessi girl, postpartum anxiety

jessi’s third birthday

April 5, 2013 — 6 Comments

I’m always a bit of a birthday over-doer. As a planner, it’s kinda hard not to be. I love planning and throwing parties for my kids, but it’s getting more difficult as we seem to keep having babies every other month. We made the decision to have big 1st & 2nd parties, and then start doing big parties only on their even years (4,6,8,etc.). Since we were going to have a 4 week old on her birthday, I knew I wouldn’t have the energy to put into her party like I always do.

But a few days before her birthday I started feeling super guilty. How could I not do something special for my baby?? My firstborn?? So I gave in and put together a simple spur of the moment party for her.

Donut shop birthday party idea was born. Ok, this was genius I have to admit. I called ahead and reserved plenty of sprinkle donuts (her fav) and we got there a few minutes early to throw a table cloth and some fake flowers on the table.

She loved it!! Getting to eat donuts with her friends made her 3rd birthday so special!!

I still can’t believe I have a three year old!

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This is her last minute invitation I put together! I made it iPhone size so I could just text it out to everyone! Sorry anyone who doesn’t have an iPhone, but you’re working with an apple family, so deal with it

We’ll go ahead file this under my recent brilliant ideas. Happy Birthday Jessi Girl!

In jessi girl

she is three.

March 25, 2013 — 4 Comments

Today my baby is three. The girl that made me a mama.

The one that stubbornly wouldn’t come into the world on her own and made me wait 42 weeks.
The one that fell in love with her daddy from day one.
The same girl that looks just like me and her personality is so crazy familiar to my own.

We butt heads and have a blast together. We will fight our way through the teen years and then she will become my best friend all over again. I pray every day that God uses her type A personality for good, because boy oh boy He’s got a big plan for her little life.

She fills our home with laughter and joy. Her sweet giggles are so contagious.

It’s kind of a crazy thing becoming a mom for the first time. You go through an insane journey of pregnancy (and in my case with her, 32 weeks of puking). Then all of the sudden, the doctors hand you this tiny baby (or in her case a 10lb toddler baby). You are responsible for this life, for this person. For making sure all their fingers and toes stay intact so they don’t hate you someday. And then out of nowehere, that tiny baby turns into a person.

A walking, talking, decision making person.

It’s a horrifyingly wonderful experience, is it not?

{five weeks}

{age one}

{age two}

{age three}

Today my “baby” turns into a little lady. I have 15 more years of her at home to pour into her life and point her to Jesus. I will do the best I can every day to be the best mama for her, and I’m so thankful for the insanely wonderful job I have of doing so.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl.
I love you with all of my heart, and am so thankful for the blessing you are!

In jessi girl

how did that happen?

January 24, 2013 — 5 Comments

How did three years fly by THAT fast? This time in 2010, I was hugely pregnant with my first baby. I was totally unsure of what was ahead for us, and clueless about how my world was about to be completely rocked.

The last 3 years have been incredible.
Life changing.
Extremely difficult.
Rewarding.
Wonderful.

I’ve been a little emotional this week over my first born. The sweet baby that made me a mommy. She is growing up so fast, and blowing my mind with how brilliant, beautiful and joyful she is.

I snapped this picture a few days ago, and it hit me. She’s about to turn 3. THREE. Poor girl is outgrowing all of her clothes. She’s growing like crazy right now. I’m starting to pack up her 2T clothes and moving her into “big girl” clothes. What is it about 3T that just sounds SO big? But it’s not just her tiny body that is exploding, her mind is amazing to me. She’s so crazy smart. So big. So wonderful.

We registered her for spring soccer. That’s stuff that big kids do. She’s not our baby anymore. It’s amazing how differently I go into the last few weeks of this pregnancy, actually knowing what is ahead. I know now what to expect.

I know how fast it will fly by.
I know the incredible impact this tiny baby in my belly will have on my life.
I’m crazy excited.

In jessi girl, knocked up: round 3

through their eyes {a letter to my girls}

December 20, 2012 — 8 Comments

My sweet girls,

Sometimes I wish I could see the world through your eyes.

Jess, those hazel eyes that light up when Daddy walks in a room and the way you react when you try something new. Zo, those baby blues that squeal with delight over a kitty or a baby.

But mostly, your innocence.
You don’t understand true heartbreak.

I want to see the world through a filter of joy and newness. The way you see it.

The way you squeal with delight over a cookie. How a slide is a giant adventure and must seem SO big to you.

I pray everyday that you will not live in fear of the unknown. Life can be scary and things happen that we don’t understand. But our Jesus is bigger than all of it. He hold us in His arms and nothing can separate us from Him! I wish I could protect you from all the evil of this world, and shield those tiny eyes and hearts from hurt, but unfortunately that’s part of this world. I pray that you cling to Jesus and trust in Him. There’s no need to fear things in life when you have Him.

Don’t ever forget that Daddy’s arms are the safest place in the world. He protects us and always will. Follow Daddy and allow him to guide you, and look to Mommy as you grow. Watch how Mommy respects and honors Daddy and how we are a team. Know that our heavenly Daddy is our first love, and that’s the only way we love each other as unconditionally as we do. We hope we can set the greatest example we know how for you.

Even though I want you to learn and grow, sometimes I wish I could keep you little forever.

Bottle up your energy and love for life.

Keep looking at life through those precious eyes, and keep showing me how to see the world the way you do. You teach me every day of the true importance in my life. You make every moment worth it. The two of you have taught me more in less than 3 years about life than I have learned in the 26 years before I knew you.

Thank you for that.
Thank you for the joy.
For the giggles and stolen kisses.
For the innocence.
For each and every moment.

Thank you for showing me life through your eyes.

I love you thiiiiiiiiiiis much (and so much more),
Mama

In jessi girl, joys of motherhood, zoey b

#coffeedate friday – jessi vlogs

November 16, 2012 — 5 Comments

Happy Friday friends!! I’ve been super busy planning for an Oklahoma Blogger Meet Up (yay!!!) that’s happening tonight, so I didn’t have time to do a vlog. I’m thrilled we are be teaming up with The Vintage Pearl, Pinkitzel & Passionfruit Ads to host this event. We will do a bunch of awesome giveaways, get to know each other better and eat yummy cupcakes. I might eat a few cupcakes. Yum. I’ll share all about it on Monday!

Anywho. So I’m linking up with Alissa & Nat today for Coffee Date Friday. Wouldn’t it be fun if we were all having coffee together this morning?? Someday when we all live in blog land we will. They asked this week what we do to remember to choose joy in the midst of craziness. The holiday season can be CRAAAAA-ZEEEEE. I’ve been super busy already and I know it’s not exactly going to slow down the next 6 weeks.

I’m starting to plan our advent calendar and SUPER excited about it this year. We did it for the first time last year, and Jessi had a blast. Zoey kinda slept through most of it, but I’m thrilled for both girls to enjoy it this year. It’s something like this that reminds me daily what the holidays are ALL about. To focus on my family and pointing them to Jesus. I love the craziness!

Shameless plug: Have you thought about Christmas Cards yet? Be sure and check mine out!!

Maybe I didn’t get a chance to make a vlog this week, but Jessi Girl did. She told me “Mommy, I want to make a video like you do!!”. So she did. Enjoy.

In blogging, jessi girl

sisters

October 22, 2012 — Leave a comment

They are really starting to play together. And fight. And love each other. And fight some more.

They play games. They make believe together. They chase and kiss and hug and tackle.

It’s so fun to watch them enjoy each other and start learning how to really share.
Share their time and love with Mommy & Daddy.

Everything I dreamed of when having sisters. I’m so thankful for them and how close they will be.

I cherish these tiny moments of joy, and know that in 30 seconds they will both be crying and upset about one of them making Elmo disappear off the phone and the other taking her sister’s stuffed animal.

Because in 12 years it will be fights about boys and sharing shoes.

I’m so thankful for Elmo and stuffed animals. Boys and shoes can wait.

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I’m linking up!

In jessi girl, my family is cooler than your family, zoey b

two and a half

September 25, 2012 — 10 Comments

Wow, I can’t believe we are already halfway through 2. SIX months until this little princess turns 3. And a princess she is. She makes sure we know that about 87.4 million times a day. Which is pretty stinking adorable. I’m loving this age!! Watching her vocabulary explode and learning new things every day. She’s a really fantastic kid. It’s been a interesting transition for her as baby sis turns into a toddler, but she’s doing great. Not a fan of sharing all the time, but she will get there. Not much choice in our family!

She’s really an easy toddler and a great big sister. She’s learning to stall bedtime and it takes Daddy an extra 10 minutes to get out the door every day because she knows how to stall that process too. She loves watching “shows” and playing princess with her dolls toys. Her imagination is getting huge! She likes to make up games, and have the dog chase her around the house while she eggs him on with a cracker or piece of cheese. She loves going to the zoo and playing at the park. She’s potty trained and has been for 6 months (expect for night time, not ready to conquer that!).

I adore this girl and her precious heart!!

We wanted to do something to remember this age and all the things she likes, so we did a little interview with her!

What’s your name? Jessika. I’m Jessika Kaye James.

How old are you? Two. I’m two!

What color is your hair? Blue. Yeah, white!

What color are your eyes? Blue.

What’s your favorite food? Stop asking me questions!!

What’s your favorite toy? My babies

What’s your favorite song? Jesus Loves Me this I know! For the bible tells me so!!!!!!!

What’s your favorite animal? Giraffe. He sticks his tongue out like this: AHHHHHHHHH

What’s your favorite show? Veggie Tales

Who are your best friends? My mom and dad!!

Who sleeps in your bed with you? Rupert

How old is Mommy? Two

How old is Daddy? One

What do you like to do while Zoey naps? Mommy paint my pretty toes! I need to watch a show now.

What chores do you help Mommy with? I put the clothes on the floor!

In jessi girl

oh, the places she will go {a potty training update}

May 28, 2012 — 2 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve given a potty training update, so I wanted to fill you in on where we are after 3 months of potty training! Well, I’m pleased to say it was a breeze. She did absolutely fabulous and I’m really impressed with how well she rocked that potty.

Yes, the first week was ROUGH. But that’s totally expected. Jessi was 23 months old when we started full on potty training, and she was completely ready. Check out more on the first week: Day One, Day Two & Day Three.

Accidents happened a lot over that first month. A lot. And they would be in the strangest places. TWICE she peed straight into the floor air vents. TWICE. I was dreading the day we had to turn on the a/c, afraid the house would be filled with a lovely scent (thankfully that didn’t happen). She figured out that if she would pee while in timeout, it would rescue her from timeout. Or so she thought. Little did she know it meant she had to sit in her own pee until it was time to get up And I can’t even count the number of times she went in her high chair. One day she sat on one of my favorite pillows and made that the potty. Needless to say that went straight into the trash.

Unfortunately she still hasn’t learned that the potty is yucky and it’s not a place to play. I caught her here just a few days ago. Just playing in the water. Y-U-C-K.

Once we got over the hump of random accidents, it was pretty smooth sailing! She rarely has accidents any more, and her naptime diapers are typically dry. We’ve been staying in diapers while in bed because we aren’t quite ready to worry about nighttime training.

Overall, potty training was pretty easy and fun with Jessi! I’m so proud of her and how well she’s done! Potty trained before she turned two was my goal and she did it!!!

In jessi girl, parenting rocks potty training

jessi’s 2nd birthday: the fun

April 17, 2012 — 1 Comment

I AM EXHAUSTED. Remind me never to throw a birthday party for my kids ever again, ok? Yeah right. It was a blast, and it went really well! I think everyone had fun, and the kids looked so cute!!!

Be sure to check out all the party detail pics here!

JESSI’S 2ND BIRTHDAY TEA PARTY!!!!!!

Jessi Girl, how old are you?? TWO!!!!!

Time for tea!!

Would you believe that she’s NINE MONTHS pregnant? Isn’t she gorgeous??

Jessi has the CUTEST friends!!!

Hooray! Aunt CiCi came from Houston to visit!!

Serious present opening.

ZoZo had fun tooooooo!!!!!!

Congrats to Auntie Tine who got engaged the night before the party!!! Yipppeeeeee!!!
And isn’t Jackson the sweetest thing ever?? He was the only boy at the party! Such a good sport!