Summer Days

*Zach's comforter came from Kohl's.

I am loving these summer days! Not one bit of me wants it to be fall yet. I am really trying to take in all the details with our boys.

Colson is so fast crawling all over the place. I can hardly get any pictures of him because he's constantly moving. I can't believe how big he is getting!

Love this face

Last night we ate dinner with our sweet friends JJ and Cari. Zach and Jack had a lot of fun playing together.

I bought this necklace today in honor of Reese's birthday. I wasn't looking for anything, but when I saw it I knew it was something special. 

Tonight I had a hot date. Ha! I always think of so many things to tell Jason when I'm alone with him. It's so nice to get out for a little bit.

Z has been asking for cookies, so we bought him some tonight on our way home. I thought about whether to give him one or not, but he was so cute I did. ; ) He was very excited and said, "I've been worried about these cookies." What in the world? Too funny.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 

Lamentations 3:22-23

Big Boy Bed

Zach is finally in his big boy bed. I knew some of you were wondering if it would ever happen. ; ) I was! Z has been such a "big boy" for awhile, but he still slept in his crib so it was kind of funny. We never cared though because he slept so well!

One night he woke up scared and wanted to sleep in his bed. Jason put him in it fully expecting him to be in our room in minutes. He didn't come and slept through the rest of the night there.

That's how it started. Jason and I quickly threatened laid down the rules of sleeping in his bed, and everything has gone very well. 

He does still take a nap in his crib. Ha! Small steps. He tried "napping" in his bed but just played. I don't mind him playing at all as long as he is happy the rest of the night. This was not happening. The boy needs his sleep. ; )

He loves his bed and snuggles in with all his blankets and toys. I'm so thankful. Sometimes in the morning he says, "Not wake me. Please leave me alone."

Now if only I can get used to him appearing downstairs. I'm a little jumpy, and he's surprised me a few times. ; )

Yea for another milestone!

...when I wake up, I am still with You.

Psalm 139:18

The Vet, Doctor & Dentist

We are trying to stay healthy around here! Is something going around? Z got sick again yesterday and is still pitiful today. I keep asking him how he feels and he says, "I'm just a little bit sick" or "I'm just being quiet." So unlike him.

Riley has an ear infection, so we took her to the vet yesterday. I've never had both boys and Riley by myself like this so I was anxious. Plus she loves people and kids, but not so much other dogs, so it could have been wild.

Thankfully Z was a big help with Ri. I love his helpful spirit. ; )

Colson's face is too funny.

This morning was his turn to see the doctor for his one year appointment. Our big baby weighs 24 pounds. Lots to love!

I'm glad he likes to be held because I squeeze him tight a lot!

Next was Zach's turn at the dentist. He looks thrilled!

The boys' pediatrician and dentist are on the same street. So nice for me! I realized too late that we should have walked to his appointment. I loaded the boys and stroller in my car after Colson's appointment just to drive 50 feet to unload them again. Ha!

When the dentist walked over to us Zach said, "I'm going to get donuts!" Great. Just the thing to tell your dentist. We hadn't even talked about this, and I just laughed like he was kidding.

Z did such a good job the entire time we were there. I was so proud of him of course I had to get him a donut after we left. ; ) Life's too short.

Yet I am always with you...

Psalm 73:23

Fun/Sick Weekend

The first part of our weekend was wonderful, but yesterday afternoon Jason and Zach got sick. ; ( Thankfully they are feeling much better but stayed home from church this morning. Colson and I went to church and took breakfast for our small group. Each couple in our class rotates, and it was our turn.

I made a new recipe for cinnamon rolls. It's so easy! A neighbor gave me the recipe, and I have no idea what the real name is. I call them upside down cinnamon rolls.

Just in case you want to try something extra sweet this week...

You will need ~ 

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup vanilla ice cream

1 pkg. Rhodes frozen cinnamon rolls (don't use the icing)

3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

*I used Pillsbury frozen cinnamon rolls and did not use pecans.

1. Grease 9 x 13 pan and put pecans in bottom.

2. Lay frozen rolls in pan on top of pecans.

3. Boil other ingredients for one minute, pour over frozen rolls.

Above is my #3

4. Place pan in oven, let sit overnight.

This sounds crazy, I know! This is what mine looked like this morning.

5. Next morning, bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes (until the tops are slightly brown). Leave rolls in oven during preheat. Turn upside down and place in different pan.

They have a very strong maple taste which is different from a lot of cinnamon rolls, but I love them!

My little tan heartbreaker

Jason and I laugh because we think Colson's skin is so white compared to ours! No one seems to agree with us though. ; )

My arms are full. Full of boys. Full of chaos. Full of love and joy.

For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river..."

Isaiah 66:12

Pulling Up

This sweetie pie has started pulling himself up. ; ) I still cannot believe he is one.

Attempt #1

I think I'll just play with my car.

Attempt #2

Success! Sort of. ; )

Ya'll have a wonderful Friday. I see a date night, tennis, swimming, and church ahead for us this weekend. And of course ice cream or snowcones. I'm excited to have a laid back weekend!

You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence.

Isaiah 30:15

WILW

I have never done this before, but it looks like fun! I like seeing what other people are lovin' these days.

I just love summer in general. I would much rather it be hot than cold. Flip flops, shorts and a tank top, or a summer dress, yes please!

I am loving my new tennis racquet. There is so much more to this sport than I thought! It's great.

I have loved taking Zach to get snowcones this week. We've been so busy playing I haven't accomplished one thing around my house. ; ) Which is just fine with me. Little brother comes home tomorrow!

I love these silly feathers in my hair.

I love reading this One Year Book of Hope. 


I love my hard working husband who has so much on his mind but always puts his family first.


I love that my sister had a dream about Reese and told me about it. "In my dream, Reese was sitting in Pee-paw's lap just laughing. It's like a blurr, but I know it was her. She had light brown hair and beautiful tan skin. She had big, brown eyes and she was just laughing. I would have said she was one, maybe? Oh, I think about her a lot. I know you do every single day, all day. One day sister, one sweet day!!!"

What are you loving today?

...in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye... for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.


I Corinthians 15:52

8B

What a fun weekend! After I dropped the boys off with my parents Friday, I hopped on a plane to Dallas to see three amazing friends. They picked me up at the airport, and we went straight to Cheesecake Factory. Priorities, right? 

Ashley, me, Lauren, Bek

Our apartment number at Baylor was 8B. This is the first time we have ever spent a weekend together like this, and we laughed a lot about how some things never change.

Saturday morning we all got pedicures.

We shopped, ate, and went to the pool for the rest of the day. Love. These. Priceless. Friendships. It's such an honor to be a part of their lives. 

I'm really sad it's over, but we are already talking about our plans for next summer. GOD's timing in this weekend was perfect because it's almost like a countdown has begun to August 13th. How does my body know that Reese's two year mark is coming closer? I don't know but I feel it deep within me.

Time like this with Godly, real, hilarious, love-you-nomatter-what-friends is so important! I also spent a little time with my sister Mandy, and that was an unexpected treat. ; )

Zach and I had a fun day. A few things he said to me today...

He asked me where Daddy was, and I told him he was at work. He said, "When is he going to finish his work?" I laughed and told him there is always work to do. Kids' perspectives are so clear.

We were swinging outside, and he asked me where Colson was. I told him with Gran and G-Daddy, and he said, "But Mom, we always have to have a baby." He needs to change this kind of thinking quickly!

We went to get a snow cone and on the way home he told me, "I'm mean." I told him he was not at all mean and had a very tender heart. He said, "GOD made me mean." What in the world? Thankfully we moved on from that conversation. ; )

You are my help and my Deliverer;
   LORD, do not delay.

Psalm 70:5

Week, Winner & Weekend

Hello, everybodies! Zach likes to say this. ; )

Colson is spending the next few days with Gran and G-Daddy, and I'm so excited about playing with Zach. Tonight he said, "Colson won't bother us, right Mom?" Too funny. He says this but he adores his baby brother. We have lots of special things planned. 

Thank you all for entering the Picky Sticky giveaway!

The winner is #9. 

Congrats Beth! I'll email you with the details.

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:9Powered by RANDOM.ORG

I promise I typed the max as 153, but when I copy and paste it only shows 100. 

I am up way too late again. This weekend was wonderful with my friends, and of course we didn't get much sleep. Too much to talk about. It's so worth it though! I'll hopefully catch up this week.

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:3

Star

Mandy gave Colson the cutest t-shirt for his birthday. I love it. This says it all (and goes for all our kids, too!).

She bought it from Piddle Designs on etsy.

Isn't he the cutest thing?

Guess what's blooming?

Have a happy weekend! I'm so excited because I'm spending it with my three Baylor roommates. No kids and maybe some sleeping in? Until 7 am at least!

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
Your faithfulness to the skies.


Psalm 36:5

Happy 1st Birthday, Colson (and giveaway)!

Ya'll are so so sweet. Thanks so much! Can we please just all get together soon? How much fun would that be?

Your encouragement and prayers still mean the world to me. I love being a part of your lives, too. It's an honor. To see how the LORD works in your lives and watch your families grow.

I may not comment, but I love checking in on you!

Today is a special day.

One of the things I love most is seeing all the pictures of Jason before he handed Colson to me one year ago. When he first walked out with our new son, his expressions, the way he studied Colson's every detail. A daddy's true love is written all over his face!

I kept asking everyone how it felt when they saw Jason come out with little Colson. He looked just like Zach did when he was born! Just a little chunkier and with more hair.

Now here he is one year later.

It's been a year of peace and laughter. Healing and hope. You were just what we needed in our third baby, Colson. 

Without even knowing it you captured our hearts. You have made me take one more step.

You make us laugh more and love deeper. We treasure you more than you'll ever know!

Of course we have to have one more Picky Sticky giveaway.

They offer so many cute stickers including the new "Holi-Daze" and Baby's Firsts' stickers. They also have "belly stickers" to document a pregnancy, stickers that document a baby's second year, and "years of fun" stickers.

Leave a comment to win a Gift Voucher for $15 on a set of Picky Stickys.

Don't forget to leave your email address if this is the best way for me to contact you.

I'll announce the winner Sunday night!

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.


Psalm 147:4

Colson's 1st Birthday Party

Colson's party had a sweet shoppe theme. I say "theme" very loosely because I'm not big on them. They make me feel too confined. Ha! 

I got several ideas from Kara's Party Ideas. Oh my goodness I wish I could jump into my computer and go to some of the parties featured. Wow!

I was in Maggie Moo's a month ago (imagine that...ice cream!) and saw these cute little waffle bowls. I ordered some on the spot. ; ) They fit perfectly in jumbo cupcake liners.

I bought Colson's stamp from this etsy site and stamped his name on little wooden spoons. I love how they turned out.

 Party favors

The girls' favors were cupcake crayons.

We gave the boys bath paint. Something messy but contained hopefully!

Last fall I saw on Jill's blog the cutest way to take pictures of party guests. I bought this frame for 75% off at Hobby Lobby and painted it cream. My dad hung it outside with fishing line.

Papa & Gigi

My parents (Pappy & Bunny)

Jason's parents (Gran & G-Daddy)

Cocoa, Dubs, and Shannon

Stacy, Parker, Payton, & Davin

Abby, Ava & Mark

Helga, Noah & Adam

Josh, Brody, Jillian & Jennifer

Amy & Andrew

Birthday boy!
Even though his birthday is not until Wednesday, it's always fun to start the party early. ; )

From the day we brought Colson home for the hospital I thought he looked a lot like his uncle Andy. Those Rowes have strong family genes!

Brody & Z

Ava

Colson loved the icing on his cake.

We would have been there all day if he had tried to eat any cake!

"I think I'll drink my milk and read one of my birthday cards."

Thanks everyone for celebrating Colson's first year with us!

From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.

John 1:16