I feel like I need to post something new, but honestly, it would bore all of you to tears if I told you what we've been up to. Or you would just say, "That's nothing! You should hear what we've been doing!" (I'm going to throw in random pics for more interest, don't worry!)

When the new year started I made a list of things that I wanted to become better at doing around the house. I don't like making resolutions, but I did want to become more organized with my housework. I wrote and rewrote and rewrote my weekly plan in order to stay on top of chores and told myself it was ok if I didn't get to that day's work. Let's just say that Sophie and I have been sick almost the entire month of January so I have never done every chore every day and this week I haven't done any of them!!! But we are finally (and hopefully) better and I plan to get on top of all of it soon.


We have started dance and taekwondo . Sophie has only had two dance classes and loves it. She is of course the "class clown" and pretty much runs around doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing or just stands perfectly still staring at them like they are crazy. Monday afternoon, on the way home, she was so excited because they are going to dance to Cinderella next week and she learned how to do a "passe." She now shows everyone how it's done. And tells them she's now three. And that her daddy got a new truck. Better not tell her any secrets!


We were going to start t-ball this year and were very excited about it, until it came time to go in and sign up. He refused to get out of the car because he was so scared and I was too when I heard that it could take up 3-4 nights a week. He gets very nervous when it comes to trying new things in front of other people. I have heard wonderful things about what taekwondo can do for their self esteem and confidence. A good friend on mine's husband runs the ATA places in the area and she told us to come and let him watch, try a few classes and go from there.


So a couple of weeks ago I took the kids to watch the class he would join and he and Sophie LOVED it!! They even got up and tried to kick the board when class was over. We have been going back every Tuesday and Thursday since then and last night he actually won one of the games they were playing! It's the only thing he has not complained about going to and doesn't want to leave when class is over. So we usually end up watching the next class too. I think this is exactly what he needs right now and we can start sports next year. (I started to worry when I hear how young everyone else is when they are signed up for sports and that he will be behind, but he plays them at home and I think that if he can already hit a baseball over our house - not from a tee either -- then I should probably stop worrying.)

I have been doing a little house hunting myself. But we don't get orders until April and can't do anything until then, so I'm mostly just trying to learn what is out there, what area we'd like to live in, what we can afford (don't you hate those terms!) in the different areas and mostly, remember to pray about it all. I know and I trust that God will provide the right house for us when the time is right. It's not time for our dream house yet and I have to keep remembering that.

Today is Sophie's 3rd birthday. I have to say that every year we have known our sweet little silly-head has been more joyful than the one before. Her crazy hair suits her perfectly and her personality could not be more entertaining! We love every single ounce of her being more every day!

Where the kids go to mom's day out/preschool I have 30 minutes between dropping and picking up the two kids and so Sophie and I tend to spend that 30 minutes hanging out around the church. We wandered over to the CLC one day and I was looking at all the information they have on the classes they offer. I found one for a dance class. The brochure had a really young girl on the cover so I picked it up and learned that you could start at 3 years of age. I think I started jumping up and down, probably squealed a little too, and told Sophie that she could start taking dance after Christmas and she was so excited that we started jumping up and down together. Then she grabbed a brochure and began chewing on it. (I don't know, she's like a dog, chews on everything.)

So, for Christmas Santa gave her two pale pink leotards and some ballet slippers, that I forgot to pack so she didn't get until we got home. We couldn't wait to start. The first Monday of the month we weren't feeling great so I never called to sign up. But this week we made it. (Found out they didn't have it last week anyway, so yeah!) She was a little hesitant at first and I think she whined the whole way there. I had to wake her up from a 2 hour nap, which she never takes, so that didn't help either. But once we got inside and she saw another little girl and how excited her big brother was for her (probably because it wasn't him having to try something new), she started to get excited. We went to change into our dance clothes and I was doing all I could to keep from dancing around myself. She did not want me to take her picture so I had to chase her around.

She took dance inside a room with the parents waiting outside so Christopher and I were peeking in like crazy and laughing because she wouldn't do anything. Well, she did a little bit, but my kids get  extremely shy when they try new things.



I tried to take photos through the little window in the door, but they didn't turn out so I had to crack the door, stick my arm in and try to focus that way. Yeah, you get what you get when you are the crazy mom.



Isn't that the cutest little bum you've ever seen? I love that little thing. Sophie too.


Now we are even more excited because our best friend Abby is going to start taking with us. She also thinks her cousin, Anne Morgan is going to come. Not sure why, but it would probably blow the cuteness scale if the three of them were in one room together. I heard there is a recital. I'm not sure I can handle that. I think I'm going to be in trouble. Please pray for the other parents because I have a feeling they will be a little annoyed with me. Oh well!

Next up, Christopher starts Taekwondo next week! We went to watch them last night and he LOVED it!!! He even got up and tried some tricks. He also tried on half of a uniform. This is HUGE people!!!! We may not be ready for serious sports teams yet, but that doesn't mean we won't play them next year. I have a feeling this class will do more for him at this age than anything else could. I'm beyond excited!!!

I did this with some friends on Facebook and thought it would be fun to do on here too. Of course I woke up sick this week and therefore did not get most of what I wanted to do this week done.

Saturday afternoon as I was trying to ignore contain two crazy children, who had not napped, inside of a new truck, that we had not yet purchased, and praying they didn't tear or break anything, I decided to pull out my phone and look for some sanity. I saw on my friend's blog that she had posted about Paying It Forward and I thankfully read it in time to make it on her list.

Here's what you have to do to be a part of this:

When we moved here 2 1/2 years ago I met my sweet neighbor across the street. They had a big sign out front announcing a new baby and I was so excited for them. (Who doesn't love that?) I soon learned that they had adopted him (long story, but beautiful story) because they were unable to have children of their own. They had tried for years and years with no success and decided that adoption was a path they should take.

They have felt so incredibly blessed that they wanted to do something to help others in their same situation. So they decided to start a ministry for couples who are unable to have children of their own, meet the needs financially that adoption requires. It is called Because of Isaac, named after their adopted son, Isaac. It costs around $25,000 to adopt a newborn baby. They are asking that anyone who can help financially to pray first and then give whatever you feel you can give. Just a few dollars can make a huge difference in helping a couple expand their family.

Please click on the link in this post, or on the right side of the page and read more about this ministry and also to share it with others. I promise you will be blessed!!  : )

This month's special for 31 is so big that I couldn't go without a post about it. Two of my most favorite items are on sale and you do not have to place a minimum purchase this time to get the special deal!

The Picnic Thermal Tote is regularly priced at $14, but all month you can get it for only $10!!! The Small Lunch Tote is regularly priced at $12.50, but all month you can get it for only $8!!! To make this deal even sweeter, you can get embroidery on these items for only.... wait for it.... $1.50 each. That's right!! Where else in the world can you get it for that price?

Plus, there are tons of new swatches to choose from AND you can buy as many totes as you want! But I would place your order early because I have a feeling these will go fast. (Back in November we did a special similar to this-- free zipper pouch with min. $31 spent-- and they sold out of every single zipper pouch before the month was over!)

Off to the right I have a photo (I ran out of room on my blog and have to purchase more space before I can add more photos) of the two totes with a cup/bottle next to them so you can see the size comparison. If you click on the photo you will go to my site where you can place an order.

If you want, I can email you the different fabric swatches so you can check them out yourself. I can't add them on here until I can get around to purchasing the extra space and well, with kids at home, it's hard to finish anything you start until nap time rolls around.

Do NOT miss out!!!! : )

(Click here to go to my site, select "next month's specials" on the right and it will show you the two totes and the patterns you can choose from for each tote. I have to email you the fabric swatches still, so let me know if you want me to do that at bhemphill31@gmail.com.)

It was a very busy one for us this year. It started out with Brandon and I getting to go on an overnight date on Tuesday night. We dropped the kids off at his parents and headed downtown. We stayed at a fabulous hotel that was only 3 years old and let's just say, I would have moved in! He told me nothing about our date so I was totally surprised when I walked in and saw how gorgeous the place was! He also had manicures and massages booked for us in the spa. We then walked across the street to a new restaurant (new to us) that was fabulous. We went back to the room and just relaxed and watched tv for the next several hours and laughed at all the crazy shows we saw that are out there now. (Remember, we don't have cable so this was a treat for us!) Montgomery has really worked hard on fixing up downtown and we give them 4 thumbs up on everything.

Wednesday morning we woke up and even though I thoroughly enjoyed our time together, I could wait for us to get back to the kids. I was so glad to have Brandon around for a whole week that I just wanted us to spend it together as a family. We hung out with his parents, Brandon and the kids took a nap and Lisa and I went out for a few errands. After everyone woke up and was ready to go, we went over to our best friends' house, the Khans and hung out for a little while, the guys went to pick up dinner, let the kids open their presents and then loaded up to go see the Christmas lights at the Montgomery Zoo. Let me just say, that was probably one of the most fun things we have done in a long time!! We rode the train as soon as we got there and then walked the whole thing to see the lights again. The kids ran and we all laughed and laughed and laughed. I really, really miss having a zoo around to take the kids too. (People say there is one around here where we live, but I think they must not have ever been to a real zoo because those don't really count in my opinion. They fall somewhere between a petting zoo and a bad zoo.) Now I know that Montgomery get a bad rep for a lot of things, but the zoo really is fun. Now it's not San Diego or Chicago, but this is a really good one and you can't say it isn't.






Thursday morning, we loaded up again, this time with Brandon's parents and grandmother, and headed over to his sister's house in Georgia for the day to celebrate Christmas. The kids were so excited to see each other again and ran and played for hours. We finally made all of them take a nap (I honestly thought that wasn't going to happen, but sooooo glad it did!) and then had a delicious seafood dinner. The kids ran back to playing while we cleaned up and then we all sat around to listen to Papa John read about the birth of Jesus. It was really special this year because the kids were finally old enough for it to all click and realize why we celebrate Christmas. I think all the adults were smiling as big on the inside just listening to the kids jump in with what they knew about the story. Then of course it was time to open presents. We always try to start out opening one person at a time, but before you know it paper is flying and people are squealing (adults too, not just the kids) and everyone is hugging everyone else. It's overwhelmingly fun! We then had to rush everything out to the car, throw on the kids new pajamas and hit the road so we could get to my parents house that night.














Friday was so nice and relaxing after several days of busyness. It was just the four of us and my parents and the boys worked on secret projects in the shop while the girls played in the house. We decorated cupcakes for Jesus' birthday the next day and then my dad had a Christmas Adventure planned for the kids. He had clues and little gifts all over the house for them and each time they found a clue Christopher had to blow the whistle my dad gave him. They loved it! My dad really went all out this year and made a LOT of gifts for everyone and wrapped them himself. (HUGE!!!! First time my sister and I haven't had to wrap gifts at the last minute, in well, ever!) My sister and her family arrived late that night and I just couldn't go to bed without seeing them first.


She tried on every single piece of dress up clothing she got from Brandon's mom and sister the night before (they weren't allowed to open anything until the next day because we didn't want to lose anything as we were tossing it in the car). She was in heaven!!! Her favorite things are dressing up and playing with babies so I just told each side of the family to get one or the other. She was very happy with every single one of her Christmas gifts.


The boys spent all Christmas Eve morning out in the shop together. The girls were not allowed out there and we had no clue what they were up to.


Christopher blowing the whistle after he found a clue.

Opening up one of the gifts he found. It was the sticks in the above photo. Dad had made Christopher a logging truck out of wood and you can take it apart and do different things with it.


The view across from my parents house. If you sat down in the house and looked out you didn't notice the fact that the water had been let out like they do every winter. I love when the water is so smooth it looks like glass! Brandon is always in heaven taking photos at the lake.

Christmas morning the kids actually slept until almost 7:00 and they were so excited to see what the other person had under their stocking that Brandon and I couldn't help but laugh! (Santa only brings one gift and they don't know any different, so why bother?) Everyone else gradually comes out of their rooms and next thing I know, I'm looking at my niece and realize her shirt says, "Big Sister" on it and all I can't do it squeal and wait for everyone else to see it. We were all very excited for this news!!! We start some breakfast while the kids play with their new toy and then get around to opening presents. (Honestly, we all looked at them and then said to each other, "They look perfectly content with their one gift, why do we bother getting them more?") It was a Lego Christmas for Christopher, a baby doll and dress up Christmas for Sophie and Brandon and I both got much needed gift cards and new tools (among several other things as well, we just thought it was funny we both got new tools)! We had a fabulous lunch, naps for the kids and relaxed the rest of the day watching tv and building trucks out of Legos.
Sophie showing Grammie her new stroller that Santa got her. We have already taken it to the hospital to visit Daddy and to Walmart. I didn't let her take it with us today. I wasn't up for the challenge.


Christopher playing with his new front loader garbage truck. This is all he has talked about wanting for about 9 months now. Sooooo glad Brandon found one because Christopher almost didn't get it!


Sophie thanking Pop for the baby bed he made her. I felt bad because I asked him if he could make her one for her birthday and I was thinking he would just make a simple one like he did for their house. But if you know my dad that wasn't an option. He made it for Christmas and looked up plans and everything.

Anne Morgan LOVED climbing in the baby bed. Thankfully my dad builds everything to hold  small children and not just toys. (You can't read AM's shirt, but it says "big sister" and I flipped out!!)


My new sander that I'm very excited about. I told my dad that Brandon needed a new drill desperately and he called me to ask if he needed a sander because they had a special, I told him no, but I did! After I refinished massive cabinet my mother-in-law gave me, I swore I would never refinish anything again with just my hand and sand paper. Now I just need to find a day when I can finally tackle Sophie's dresser!


Christopher found this book at Lowe's for my dad and could not wait to give it to him. It's all kinds of fun little gadgets and games you can build out of wood.

(Apparently I have run out of space so I will have to continue in another post. Has anyone ever had this happen? It says that I've used up all my free space and something about 1GB? I tried to add more photos to another post and it won't let me.)