Countdown to baby...

Final month of being a mama to just two! I've been trying to do some fun things with Molly and Hank since it's going to get cold and then I'll be pretty busy with the new baby for a while, and luckily there has been soooo much to do recently! Thank you Autumn! - Pumpkin picking, a birthday party on Halloween (which saved us from going trick or treating...not our fave), lots of baking, and playing outside in the cool temps. How fun to be a child!

 

 

Rain!

We finally had some rain! And a lot all at once! 7+ inches in 3 days, which after about 3 months of no real measurable rainfall, is such a blessing. And with it came Fall. The leaves are falling and the days are cool and the nights even cooler. I'll think the kids are warm in their pj's and cozy beds, and still end up throwing an extra quilt on them in the middle of the night.
A few weeks ago I moved Molly and Hank and all their beds and stuff into our room, the biggest room, to see how it would go.... It didn't. Haha! Hank napped and the whole time he was asleep Molly begged me to be able to go in and play with her toys. Well, of course she couldn't as I cherish Hank's nap so much and that would certainly have woken him up. And at night they just kind of fed off of each other's energy and took WAY longer than usual to settle down and sleep. So although I was excited to have a little nursery for new baby boy of his own, it just didn't work, and Molly is in back in her own little room, Hank back in his own little room, and I've carved out a corner in our room for Luke to have his crib and changing table, and it will just work! Honestly, the amount of time John and I (don't) spend in our room during the day, it basically makes it a perfect space for Luke to have. SO, small house problems aside, everything is just cozy and perfect and we're almost ready for his arrival!
My sweet, sweet friends from church and small group are hosting a baby shower for us in november and I can't wait to celebrate little Luke's impending arrival with them all! After our first baby, I've always felt like baby showers for all other kids might be seen as extravagant or unnecessary, but all of my friends have told me, nonsense! If loved ones want to throw a shower and give gifts and eat yummy treats and laugh and chat about a new baby to come, then so be it! Bask in it! Babies are worth the fuss:)  I do truly feel blessed by God with the friends he has placed in my life this past year through joining our new church.
John is gearing the farm up for winter...come Novemeber we will be selling all our calves that we recently weaned from their mamas, and that will leave us with our herd of pregnant mamas to care for over the winter. And then they have their babies in the cozy east Texas spring. So things are going as planned and all the rain we just had will certainly green up the farm and make for a lovely fall.

Here's our October so far in a recap of photos.... there were a lot of summer vibes still going strong, hence Hank in the castle sucking on a popsicle! And we ushered in fall by buying mums and pumpkins. We had two really fun fall festivals, one in downtown MV and one in Atlanta that we attended with all of John's family. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Baking and gardening and birthdays!

I wouldn't say Fall is here, but the days have been really tolerable and we had a cool front last week and another one is forecast for this weekend, so I think we're on the outskirts of summer!
Molly turned 4! She had two of her sweet little friends' birthday parties on Saturday, and then we had a family pool party at Lolly and Pop's on Sunday, her birthday. Lolly made a delicious meal and beautiful cake that I didn't get a photo of! Sad! The pool was chilly as there had been rain the night before and some cooler mornings, but once we got in it felt great! The sun was shining and the kids had a blast. It really is so awesome to be able to see and play with cousins so often!
Ballet and tap class have begun, and Cubbies has started up again for the year, so Molly seems quite the social butterfly! We've been staying home when we can, just playing and gardening and baking. John put in some edging for me around a garden up against the house that I can't WAIT to fill with plants and fall annuals. We are going to get the compost from the plant nursery in town which will be perfect as the soil around the house is so poor. I hope I have a green thumb this year!!

 

 

 

Finally... September!

September is here, September is here! Which means the beginning of Fall is riiiiight around the corner :)

It's almost 11 and I'm the only one up. Usually John and I go to bed at the same time. That's always kind of been our thing. But I got a nice little nap in this afternoon while John was at home for a few hours after lunch and so I'm a little too awake to go to bed yet. And I was really wanting a piece of lemon meringue pie in peace, so yeah :)

This last weekend we had a little family get-together for Hank's 2nd birthday party. I'm not the best at throwing parties for the kids.... when Molly turned 2 Hank was only 2 weeks old, so we had a cake just the 4 of us and Nanny at home. Then last year on her 3rd birthday she had a broken leg in a cast, so no fun party with friends. And this year I'm trending to just do another family party at John's parents' and take advantage of the pool. She has about 5 or  sweet little friends that I know she would love to have celebrate her birthday, so next year for sure I'm having the girliest, funnest birthday party for her! But honestly, with all the cousins on the Simmons side, a "family party" is really fun and so Hank's party was a big success. Easy bbq brisket sandwiches, potato salad and slaw, chips, and of course cake and soda and lemonade. He got about 6 GREAT presents that he loves. I'm so glad our relatives know that with us, less is more (kids stuff ends up eeeeeverywhere in our little house) and a few solid wood or quality toys instead of a bunch of battery-operated, noise-making plastic toys, go a long way.

I'm feeling quite antsy to move the big kids into a bedroom together to make space for the new baby, but we just haven't found an afternoon yet where John and I both can knock it out. And whereas non-pregnant me would move everything by myself, pregnant me knows better. I am still decluttering and deciding what will go in which room. So exciting to think we'll be adding another little babe to this house in December!! An early Christmas present... how wonderful! Molly tells me that "Hank is not your baby anymore... the baby in your tummy is your baby, and you are my baby Mama!" She's mostly right, haha. I just can't give up Hank as my baby yet, whether he's 2 or not! He's sleeping in his big boy twin bed, and when I lie in there with him and snuggle and he looks deep into my eyes and throws his arm around my neck and says "wuv you mama" I just literally couldn't be any happier.

Well, now I  AM ready for bed, so here I go. Goodnight!

Popcorn, painting and other such activities...

Well, we're just trying to keep our cool on these hot summer days! So it's all the outdoor farm activities in the cool of the early morning, and all the indoor painting, crafts, baking and 'toons in the HOT afternoons. Then usually by 6 we can go outside for a little bit before dinner and baths. Such a fun summer though! It's been a good one :)

Yesterday, Hank was splashing in his paddle pool and I was watching him from the porch swing when John pulled up in his truck. I could tell by the way he was being quiet that Molly was probably asleep in there (they'd gone to check on the cows and if she's anywhere near her carseat around 4 p.m she crashes!) Sure enough he carried her into her room and laid her in her bed, only for her to immediately wake up and cry “noooo, I don't want to take a nap, daddy!” Seeing as how it was 4 p.m on a hot August day in east Texas, I couldn't bear to take a cranky, tired girl outside so I said, “Hey, how about popcorn and movie?!” Excitement all around.

So.

On that note, I thought I'd share my very easy, super yummy, everybody-pleasing cinnamon kettlecorn recipe!

First, dollop a good amount of oil in a pan (I use non-stick), just enough to cover the bottom and then some extra. Add 3 kernels in the middle. Turn on your burner to about medium-medium high and put the lid on. When the 3 kernels have popped, your oil is the perfect temperature to add the sugar.

Add about 2 dessertspoons of sugar and stir quickly to dissolve. Add enough popcorn kernals to cover the bottom of the pan in a single layer, and stir. Put the lid back on and let the heat get to work popping that corn! I give it a few good shakes every so often to make sure it's not sticking and burning. (Use your potholders! Hot!)

Once you don't hear many kernels popping any more (like if 3 seconds pass without a pop) I'd say you're good to go. This is when it gets delicious...give it a healthy sprinkle of salt and then of cinnamon. I add enough cinnamon to make it smell like cinnamon, (if that makes sense?) but not that my popcorn is really brown and cinnamon-looking.

Stir and serve to the kids, and take your own personal bowl to your happy place and enjoy the salty sweet goodness!

Lost and Found

I knew that I had photos from this summer that were non-phone photos and finally found them in a mysterious import folder on the computer.  It wouldn't be the end of the world to have lost them, but when I saw them and the memories from 4th of July with family, and the kids doing their typical outdoor activities I was so glad to have them! Everyone says that this time with young children passes quickly and they're right! One day your daughter needs help doing her sandal buckles and the next she comes out of her room completely ready for church, just needing her hair put up! Or your baby boy is telling you, "teetee in this....diaper change?" OK.... that one may mean that it's time for me to saddle up and potty train Hank! Haha. Potty training is not for the faint of heart..... it takes patience and a willingness to not leave the house for about a week! At least that's what worked with Molly girl....

This pregnancy is going well! I wish it would both slow down and speed up, at the same time. Three will be more of a handful than I am used to and we finally get good sleep at night, BUT I'm so ready and excited to hold our newborn and nurse and snuggle and gaze upon him.

Church this morning was excellent. Our pastor never fails to bring a great message and it's usually one that I especially need to hear. This morning's scripture was from Psalm 51:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you."

Create. Renew. Restore. Three key words I want to keep at the forefront of my mind this week and always.

Nearing the end of Summer!

Things have been going well around here! The kids are enjoying the last of summer as we head towards their birthdays! I'm not sure if I'll have a  party for them or not. Maybe just some kind of special, fun outing. And cake at home with family. I'm the worst at planning and throwing parties!
We haven't had any rain in a loooong time now, I think close to 2 months, but the farm is still looking pretty good! John's good at managing the grass and the cows know how to find shade and their water and rest with their babies during the hottest time of day.
I've been busy cleaning out closets and cupboards. I am close to ordering "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" book that is everywhere these days and seems to be quite an inspiration to people. I absolutely love tidying up and getting rid of things! Although while I say that, I just went to Goodwill with Molly and instead of dropping anything off, I got a metal stool and some other random items that I think I will paint and repurpose!
I am almost 2 weeks pregnant and am feeling.... OK. I am tired very easily and at night I find myself awake and restless for 30 minutes or more at a time. I think I'm just antsy to get into Fall and the final trimester.

Spring and Sass!

Lots has been going on, yet I can't really think of anything specific! I've been really off the radar and just not "feeling it" lately. Right when spring started (literally the DAY I saw pollen all over everything) I discovered I suffer from allergies. UGH. For about 3 weeks my eyes itched and I wheezed and breathed through my mouth.... Today is the first day that I feel like I am over it all! Thank goodness. My poor family can't handle it when I'm not running at at least 87% speed! Ha!

Molly is 3 and a half and sometimes very trying. She is still sweet and inquisitive and thoughtful, but she is also impatient and bossy and sassy. I'm not a fan of "sassy." The little scrunched up nose, while very cute-looking, is her way of saying "I don't like what you're telling me and I'm just not going to obey." I am really learning the importance of keeping MY patience and showing her love, since she observes EVERYTHING I do and say and stores it away in her clever little brain. This parenthood thing is TOUGH. But so very rewarding. The kisses that she freely bestows on me are to die for, and by gosh - if you tell her you are tired or not feeling well, she will do everything in her power to make you comfortable and tell you how much she loves you. She is truly the best little girl ever.

And then Hank. Oh Hank. He is 19 months and still doesn't have many words. I think Molly was speaking in sentences by now (not really, but almost!!). Boys are truly a different breed. He survives by pointing and grunting. It's amazing how obedient he is. If I say "put that down Hank!" he will, and while he usually gets mad about it and stomps his little feet, it's like he doesn't know yet that he could just not do what I asked, if he wanted to. So that's pretty cool. Hoping this stage will last a while. His skin is still baby soft and he always smells good and he is such a little stinker! He wraps his arms around our necks now when he hugs us, and his kisses are still very open-mouth.

John and I are good! We are really excited about our calving season so far! It is just amazing how well it is going. And the farm is so green. You know that new-growth green that is almost fluorescent it's so green? That is everywhere right now. The cows are in heaven. Just grazing and nursing their babies and roaming around. We are still so happy at church. It feels really great to have fit in somewhere so quickly and easily. Our Sunday school group is full of friendly people with kids, without kids, in the middle of adopting kids. I hope to make friends with everybody!

I think in my next post I will have some big news... but for now I better go fold some laundry and make sure the kids haven't completely destroyed their bedrooms....



Before church. She LOVES her denim jacket and wearing socks with shoes.

Visiting cousin Anna.



The farm in late March.

Hank gets crazy excited about getting on the 4-wheeler with John!

Hunting some eggs at home with Pawpaw <3