Where to Start?

Things have settled a lot this week, and I feel like I am able to sit and relax at the computer for the baby's whole nap a few moments. *sigh* I feel like I can start filling in some of the blanks of why it's been even crazier than normal here lately. You know, the mentioned "big changes" we have coming our way. And coming they are. For starters, we're enjoying our last beautiful fall season here in our home. We have one of these in our front yard...

{If only ours looked this pretty...}

Surreal. After much thought, discussion, and prayer, we've taken a crazy leap of faith to take our family in a new direction. We haven't been in our home for too long {4 1/2 years}, but here's the thing... It is home. The first house we bought. So many memories made. Babies brought home that learned to walk, talk, love here. In a town we love. {Okay, enough sappy, sappy sad mellowdrama...} We know that wherever we are will be home if we're together, though. And that's why it's okay that there's an ugly sign in our yard. We actually like adventure and change and welcome it. We don't want things getting too stale... The kids are so excited too. I personally am having a harder time welcoming the constant deep cleaning and embracing the crazy-mommy-running-around getting ready for showings and open houses than moving itself. If I nevereverever have to say again, "don't touch that" or "this room's done, don't come in here" I'll be a very happy mommy. Soon it will be worth it, though, when we're to this point... {deep breaths...}

We've only had our house on the market for a couple of weeks, but the months of work leading up to it were draining. We're looking forward to when we can move on to this next, exciting chapter of our lives as a family. Right now we're stuck prisoners in a jumbled mix of emotions of not being able to move fast enough and never wanting our time in our first home and town we love to end. {At least we'll be moving during the still depths of our long winter here, when the cold seems to drag onandonandon....} And where are we moving do you ask?

Let's just say that there are plenty of {insert Dixie Chick humming...} wide open spaces for big plans and CRaZy dreams....

{the WHY coming soon...}

Hang On

It feels like I've hardly had any time to post lately... Our {big} changes are starting to roll, and it feels as though the blog has been left

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There's a lot that I want to share... Big things, little things, cute pictures... I guess it will have to wait a bit, though. The good thing about blogs? It will still be here when I'm ready able to pick back up and devote some time to sharing more. Like a loyal "man's best friend", it will wait by its master's side, silently waiting for some lovin'...

Sleeping Like a Baby!?

After three of three children waking me up what seems likes a trillion times a night throughout their first year-and-a-half of life, I've decided that enough is enough! I now know that there's not going to be some magical night that the baby will reach a point and just *poof* sleep all night. Also, never really being an advocate of the "cry-it-out" method, {though it's has been tried a time or two before with no real, lasting results...} I thought that this was just another season of parenting that required me to be a sleep-deprived zombieofamommy. After all, the babies are happy... Granted, I know that having a baby will yield many sleepless nights and months of interrupted sleep, but after a year of this, it starts affecting every area of my life. For example, having started a sleep log for Brigham {almost 14 mo.} last night, it shows that we were up six times with the longest sleep stretch of 3 1/2 hours. (And I was thrilled with this! 3 1/2 hours! *squeal*)

But, before I go any further, here's another of my disclaimers... I fully know it's my fault that they are like this. What baby wouldn't want many warm snuggles & snacks with mama overnight!? They can't help it! They've been trained by me to do this! Realizing this at least keeps any resentment at bay... But come on, I'm on my third baby, shouldn't I somewhat know how to do things by now?! Guess not...

What have I decided to do about it you ask? Well, I've come across the book The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. I think God must have known how much I've been struggling with the sleepless nights and being the wife and mommy that I didn't want to be. I have a lot on my heart now that I want to change. Work or not, I'm certainly game for trying whatever the book says and praying my way through the process. Please, somebody tell me, though, that this book indeed helped you! And yes, of course I'll keep you updated through this gentle multi-week process of using sleep logs and introducing a tear-free plan and sleep routine.

Also, for the record... I personally don't believe that whomever coined the phrase "sleeping like a baby" really even had any kids. That's certainly not my ideal dream sleep... Anyways, who knows. Maybe just maybe within a few weeks Brigham and I will both be sleeping like adults!

An Award!?

Oh, my... I've been "nominated" for my first blog award, a Superior Scribbler Award! I'm so honored *blush*, and having it come from sweet Lenae at Just Lenae who's an awesome mommy to three little boys and shares my love of Dr. Pepper & Chipotle is just wonderful! Thanks, my bloggy friend! :)

First, the "RULES"...

1. Each Superior Scribbler must turn and pass on this award to 5 of the most deserving blogs.
2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the blog and name the author from which he/she received the award on his/her blog.
3. Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on his or her blog, and link to this post.
4. Each blogger who was awarded Superior Scribbler, must visit this post and add their name to the Mr. Linky. That way we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives this prestigious honor.
5. Each Superior Scribbler must post the rules on their blog.

And Now, My Nominations!
{Oh, I hope that I don't get disqualified for only naming three!!}

1. Sasha at Lemonade Makin' Mama~ Sasha's blog is so refreshing, timeless, and real. (Just like a tall glass of lemonade!) I find myself looking forward to her wonderful posts about her fun crafts, beautiful home decorating, or homeschooling her two adorable kids. Another thing about Sasha that's so refreshing... Her bubbly, happy, "you go girl!" attitude splashing you in the face with every visit!

2. Love at Moments with Love~ Love is an amazing and beautiful mother, wife, and overall person, in and out! Her blog journals her life as a mother of four adorable young girls while striving to bring home two more blessings from Uganda to join their family. It's amazing when a fellow blogger inspires you to be a better person...

3. Tara at Too Many Kids in the Bathtub~ I'm a fairly new follower of Tara's blog, but feel so blessed to have found it. If ever God would place a blog into someone's life when they needed it, I believe this is that one to me! What an amazing family of seven that strives to glorify the Lord in all they do!

What's in a Name?

Well, did you notice? I've changed the name of our blog to {Bliss & That} .... It's something that I've been thinking about for a while really. Yes, we do have a brood of our own, but I wanted something to better reflect our blog and daily life. It's always a little of this and a little of that around here with a healthy dose of bliss mixed in! (It didn't hurt that one of my all-time favorite words in the English language is "Bliss" too!) So, there you have it, the birth of a new name! What do you think?

{Oh, and don't forget to change our name on your site if I'm so blessed to be mentioned on it!}

{Somewhat} Wordless Wednesday

Lazy {warm} afternoons won't last long anymore...

Bella's pictures of Mama...

Babies in just diapers...

Plants that are still alive ...

Bright sunshine...

Babies in just diapers... :)

An outdoor game of tag...

{Going, Going ....}

Let Go...

Sometimes it's just better to let go for a moment...

Realizing that giving the kids doughnuts for breakfast once a year isn't really going to hurt them...

That it's okay to feed them on the family room floor on paper plates, scattering crumbs all about...

...while watching cartoons for half the morning...

So sometimes it's okay to let go...

...because the smiles and hugs and "I just wanted to say thank yous" from your daughter and sons are much more worth it...

Flowers for Me!?

{As if I could love my husband any more...}

We've been having to make some big decisions lately and have big changes heading our way. This is Mark's sweet way of encouraging, thanking, and reminding me that "It's an adventure and it will all work out." I know, Honey. With you by my side, oh how I know...

A Trip to the E-Argh

"Mommeeeee! Come out here now," yells Bella from the other room.

*sigh* What now?

"Lincoln is behind the couch."

"Lincoln, why are you back there?"

"My in the E-Argh. My tummy is broke."{As he's on the floor wedged between the couch and the wall in only his Bob the Builder underpants...}

{chuckle} "Okay..."

"My can't eat food or it will FALL OUT!"

"Of your tummy?"

"Yeah, it broke."

{Bella... "He has to stay in here for, um... 60 days!" She's his nurse...}

"Okay, sounds good..."

Now I'm back in the other room and hear...

"Nurse! Nurse! Nurse Brigham!" {chuckle} Now that's scary!

They've been playing nurse/patient for quite a while now. Isabella is taking such good care of the broken-tummy boy, singing to him, reading him books, and feeding him apple slices. Daddy would be so proud!

Diving Into Preschool

Ah, now it's time for Lincoln's school post... Of course I was sad to let my Little Man go to preschool, but it was easier than I thought. Is it always going to be easier with the second and third child? Will I even shed a tear when it's Brigham's turn? Like I said, yes I was sad and yes I cried some, but it was different. I feel very guilty. Like a worse Mommy to him than to Bella, since it was so hard with her this year. Granted, he is attending school where Bella did with the same teachers, and I got to go with him for the first day. We are so comfortable there. It's small, close to home, at our church, and we know all of the teachers and staff. They've earned our trust with our children. That being said, that makes the school part easy. Now if something could just make the growing-up part easy!

Here he is in front of the school tree with his fish name tag on! The theme this year was "Diving into Preschool". It was raining, but we still had to get all of the pictures!

Looks like this one adores Daddy too! I must be too mean. Just check out the look that I get in my picture...

Brigham made it in for this one! He wonders what all of the hoopla is about, I'm sure. (And no, I didn't even put on my waterproof mascara! See, I knew I wouldn't be as sad...)

Singing the "Jesus Loves Lincoln" song while looking in the mirror. Does this child have an infectious smile or what!? (Like the picture with Daddy...) It melts my heart every. time.

Snack time! Whale cheese crackers. So cute!

We needed to take more pictures on the second day, since he was being dropped off for the first time to stay alone.

Lincoln was so excited to wait in the front seat after being unbuckled. I think he was more excited about that than school... Just look at his face in the mirror!

Our heartbreaker handsome boy all set to go, and he's loving it!