Hello Holidays!

Today is December 1st, and I can't believe just HOW quickly this year has come and gone!! We just spent a few days in NY for thanksgiving and had a great time visiting my in-laws. The girls went non-stop the entire time, so this week we've been trying to catch up on sleep and get back in the routine of naps... it's been quite a week re-adjusting, but I'm so grateful for the time we spent there. We don't visit nearly as often as we used to simply because it's a really, really looong trip with two little ones..... so the time we do get to spend there is special. I'm hoping at some point God chooses to shorten the distance between us but for now, we do what we can to make it work! Here are a few pictures us, of the girls in their glory at nana's house, and the curtains I made for my mother in law :) 

It's Novemeber!

Yes, it's November now! Which obviously means yesterday was halloween and the Aldrich girls had a blast! Maddie is a candy lover, and that seems pretty normal given she's a kid but she is a serious lover of all things sweet. So you know, halloween is just the perfect holiday for her as long as all things scary stay quite a distance away. Kyleigh was still too young to really understand why she was being forced to wear a silly red and black frilly outfit (which she protested quite a bit....absolutely refusing to wear her ladybug wings and actually broke her red antenna headband). But all was well once we loaded her up in the radio flyer wagon and candy suddenly appeared in her bucket. Madison was such a good sister, making sure to ask each house for extra candy for her sister. Too precious for me but I'm sure there were quite a few skeptics who assumed she was adding the "extra" to her stash. Honestly, I've never been a big fan of halloween but having kids makes all the holidays (even made up ones) so much more enjoyable! I'm hoping to upload pictures soon but my camera has been dropped in water too many times and is currently being uncooperative. Soon though! :)

words galore!

My sweet little Kyleigh is talking SO much! Just a few weeks ago, I was wondering why she doesn't seem to have as wide of a vocabulary as Maddie did at this age. (I know... comparing your kids is mommy no-no #1, but I'll shamefully admit I catch myself doing it from time to time). But my goodness, I've forgotten how quickly their vocabulary develops. It's like she has learned dozens of words in the past couple weeks! I need to be a little better about reading to her because I know that has a huge influence on how quickly they learn new words. But I'm just be completely honest, most days I barely have enough time to accomplish the lengthy list of "to-do's" I've assigned to myself. And yeah, I'm working on letting some of those less important things go so I can do the things I really want to do. Last wednesday night, the four of us were in the car coming home from church and Kyleigh had all of us laughing hysterically! Dan was telling her "It's time to go home" and for the first time ever Kyleigh says "whhyy"which totally caught us off guard. We talk to her sometimes like she actually cares or understands what we're saying so to hear her respond with "why" was too funny. So Dan of course begins to explain we're going home to go to bed and  with every statement Kyleigh responded with a "why". I most have heard her say it at least a dozen times. I wish I could have recorded the entire conversation because retelling what happened doesn't seem nearly as funny as it was then. Regardless, it still makes me smile to think about how she's growing and learning and changing everyday even when I don't realize it. Remembering these funny little moments with my kids also makes me so thankful for them! I think about all the times throughout the day that I smile or laugh with them and think sometimes I take for granted the pure and genuine happiness they bring to my life. God, thank you so very much for my sweet precious girls!!

Girls get a haircut

Thursday night I took the girls to get a haircut. They've both had trims before but this was their first "real" hair cut. I picked this super cute kid friendly place (aka snipits) in birkdale thinking the girls would love it. Madison didn't cry, thank God, but she wouldn't give even the tiniest smile while sitting in the chair. But overall, she did great. I'll take no tears as a sign of success! Kyleigh on the other hand, was NOT happy about sitting in the chair. I actually felt pretty bad because she was so scared that she was shaking. Luckily the lady cutting her hair was quick and when it was over she got a lollipop.

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Anniversary Getaway

Sunday night Dan and I went to the mountains for a short stay to celebrate our FIVE year anniversary. ( Just need to add a HUGE thank you to my mother in law for staying with the girls while we were gone!!) I realize five years isn't a lifetime or even that long compared to some of you married folks out there, but for us it was a milestone. I'd venture to say quite a bit marriages end before they hit the five year marker so it's kind of a big deal (at least to us it was). It was such a great trip for us. We never leave the girls with anyone for an overnighter, so we were due for some alone time. And it was wonderful! We had a great drive there, checked into our sweet little room, took a walk through downtown blowing rock, and dinner at Bistro Roca which was oh so yummy! Surprisingly we went to bed fairly early and got up pretty early too. That's the result of having two little early risers who've gotten our bodies in the routine of waking up at the crack of dawn even if we have the rare opportunity to sleep in. One of the many joys of parenthood :) Monday morning we have a good breakfast, took a walk through blowing rock again, and then made our way to the outlets. I will say they were less than impressing which says a lot considering I could go shopping just about anywhere anytime. We wanted to be back before it got too late so we took a short drive through the parkway (which was beautiful)! Last stop was at Storie Street Grille for lunch before heading home. Here are a few pics from our trip!

Maddie is FOUR

Yep! It's been a while since I've been here to update our lives....we've been busy, busy, busy! I'll give a little more info later, but for now I've got to just post a few things that are fresh on my mind. This past Saturday, we celebrated my sweet girl Madison's 4th birthday! Hard to believe my first born beauty is already 4, gosh, where to the years go? I spend quite a bit of time planning this little birthday bash, and even more time worrying that it wouldn't be as perfect as I wanted it to be. I literally spent hours the night before awake in bed stressing over a bunch of nonsense. I prayed (hard!) that her sweet little friends from preschool would show up, and most of them did. It was such a great day for her, and I'm so thankful for all the special people in our lives who love her enough to come make her day amazing. We are so blessed! I'm going to post a few pics as soon as I get them from my dear friend (check out her amazing blog here). But here are a one my mom took!

Hanging upside down, just enjoying have the entire gym to herself!

last night of vacation....

so it's friday night and i'm taking a break from packing up all our stuff to head home! what a beautiful week it's been here in n. myrtle beach. it feels really strange to say i'm kind of sad to leave... (normally when we travel i'm excited to come back home) we've made some really precious memories here. kyleigh had never been to the beach and madison only once before for my brother's wedding, which she was too young to remember. it made me smile each day as i watched madison play with a giant grin on her face. she loves building "drip" sandcastles, and chase the seagulls, and roll around in sand as the tide rolls into shore. and as i sit here typing i here dan explaining to her we're going back to our house tomorrow. i don't think she really gets it, because apparently this house is prettier and she thought we were staying here. oh goodness, she's a silly girl! and kyleigh... well this week i discovered she like sand. a lot. so much that she wouldn't stop eating it by the handfuls. and no, i'm not kidding. gross, huh? but she was so cute, storming the beach  smiling and talking (i'd love to know what all that jibber jabber meant!) i think she really enjoyed being unconfined and free to run around boundary-less.  i really can't even express into words what this week has meant to me. all i can say is how good and gracious the Lord is. beyond words, beyond expression, beyond imagination.....and I can say that because i know it's true. and this week was a blessing from God. James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above....."


 pictures to come :)

Sweet Summertime

SO, I'm a little behind on posting a new blog... what's new? Life with two is CRAZY. I mean really crazy! And now that summer's here, it seems like things have gotten even busier. Although, as of last Saturday I am no longer working. Whew.... what a weight lifted off my shoulders! Aside from that... things have changed quite a bit for our family since April. It was about two months ago that Dan was finally released from his job and settled with the insurance company regarding his workers comp accident. HOORAY! I am mean this is a really REALLY big deal for us. I could write for days about that situation and not even cover what we went through. But the beauty in all of it is God's never ending goodness. There were times in the past two years in which I thought'd we never make it through. I often wondered what God had planned for us and our family but regardless of the uncertainty, I knew he'd provide what we needed. How amazing-He did just that and I'm blown away with the Lord's favor. So, needless to say, we're basking in this new season He's brought us into, praying for his provision and insight on what HE wants for us. As of right now, Dan has about one more week of EMT school and then this fall, he'll start at UNCC for an undergrad degree in biology. In the in between time of EMT school ending and UNCC starting this fall... we're planning to enjoy the summer to the fullest! We've got a little family vacation booked for n. myrtle beach in July. I'm hoping to take the girls to an aquarium (taking suggestions on this one), maybe take a weekend trip to the blue ridge parkway (Dan's never been), and *maybe* take a trip up north (probably in August) to see some of Dan's family. We've also got quite a list of "projects" to get done around the house. I'd love to finish painting our house ...(we've been here almost two years already!) get our privacy fence put up to keep our psycho neighbors away, and get our floors re-done....this list makes me tired just looking at it. I have to keep reminding myself..."just a little at a time." It's easy to become overwhelmed at what I feel like has to get done but overall, my heart is full these days... full of blessings from my amazing God, full of love and laughter all because of my husband and hero and because I have the sweetest most beautiful little girls I've ever seen. I'm living a blessed life :)

Goodness life is Good.

This little girl has more personality than any other three year old i know.
She says and does the funniest things (I really should be writing them down)
 but I love this picture because she put those headphones on and
 instantly she's in a world of her own. She'll sing, and dance, and play
 her keyboard shamelessly. she's gonna be my little performer
 of some sort, i just know it.

So this picture makes me smile every time I see it.
 Madison and Kyleigh playing in their new water table......
 Madison insisted on wearing her bike helmet while she played.
 and Kyleigh was more interested in finding a way to
 drink the water rather than play in it. 

she loves to go the playground. of course what
child doesn't, but that amazes me about her is
how observant she is of the things around her.
the birds, the trees, and airplanes. and the kite she
saw the other day. what she doesn't know
  is there will be a special Barbie kite in her easter
 basket in a couple weeks. can't wait to give it to her!

This one is learning to swing here. All on her own.
She reverted back to this swing after being
 airborne on the regular swing the week
 before (after letting go of the swing). 

This child is FEARLESS! nothing on this "big girl"
playground scares her. And she loves to slide. A lot. Given the static infused hair! 

did I mention she has a thing for sneaking in the bathroom.
mainly to play in the toilet water or do this. 

beautiful baby girl...... love, love, love her with my whole heart. 

this one has had quite the appetite the past
few days... and boy she'll let you know when
she's hungry. if you don't get the hint from her
waiting by her highchair, she then come plop
on the floor right in front of you and cry until
you give her something to eat. she's following in her
sister's footsteps..... little drama queen
already! 

Inspire Me

I have several blogs that follow just for fun... many of them are crafty/home decor blogs that inspire me to tap into my creative side. Because that's what I really enjoy... it's my way of getting in my "me" time while not feeling entirely selfish about being out for hours or spending a lot of money we don't really have. But one of my favorite blogs that I like to follow (and by follow I do me stalk....but not in a creepy way) a friend of mine told me about... and I've been obsessed ever since. This mom, who does not even know I exist, has two little girls... around the same age as mine. And again althought she has NO clue who I am, I can relate to much of what she says. This particular post resonated with me in a HUGE way! I by nature am not a good housekeeper. I really have to force myself to clean and do laundry. I, however, do NOT like a messy house. It drives me nuts. We don't have a very big house to begin with... (1450 sq ft. isn't much for three females;) ) and I am not an organizer by nature. In fact... a few hours ago I google-ed how to organize your food pantry. Btw, I got some great ideas... there will be pictures to come. But my point is... I suck at cleaning and I start to freak out a little when the house looks like a tornado came through. Ask my husband, it can really put me in a bad mood. It drives me nuts. As I look at these pictures of her house, I let out a sigh and realized I'm not the only one. I am not the only mom who's house never stays clean for more than 15 minutes at a time (unless the kids are in bed). And I'm not the only one who see's the importance of choosing your kids first. Even above a clean house. So that's what I'm working on. I'm trying to find a balance... I'm not every good at that in general... but it's a work in progress. But for the rest of today... the dishes and clothes and scattered toys can wait. I'm going to let it go and just enjoy the rest of today with the two sweetest girls I know.

Sunday Morning

Gosh, I can't believe it's been SO long since I've blogged! It seems like the days and weeks slip by so quickly and before I can blink, several months have gone by. So.... what have we been up to? Well quite a bit actually... between the holidays and the start of a new year and Kyleigh's first birthday (yes, she's one already. I can hardly  believe it's been a year already!) our lives have been action packed. Sometimes in the business of day to day life, I forget to stop. take a breath. and enjoy the best moments of my life. The girls are growing up so quickly. TOO quickly. I love each stage they go through and sometimes find myself sad to see how grown-up they are (I know... I'm being slightly irrational... because they are only 1 and 3) BUT it really does seem like just yesterday they were so small and dependent on Dan and me. God has a funny way of reminding me that they are precious in each stage and are supposed to grow and change. Hmmm... that word change has a negative connotation in my mind. I'm working on that though ;) So here are a few of my favorite things they've been doing lately. Madison, views herself as momma jr here. She LOVES LOVES her sister and is constantly kissing and hugging and begging Kyleigh to play with her. To be honest, Kyleigh get's a little annoyed with it but it's the sweetest thing to see Madison love her sister so much. Madison's recent interest have been barbie dolls. Yes, really. I wasn't prepared for her to be so interested already... I thought they were for BIG kids, right? She loves using her imagination which has grown quite a bit over the past few months. I should take the time to right down more of the things she says because I am constantly laughing at the outlandish things that come from her mouth. oh, and she is FINALLY potty trained. Yes- I'm giving full credit to the Lord for this one. I'll give the semi-short story on this... Last spring she was ready to potty train but got a UTI which set us back majorly in potty training! So we took several months off. Late fall we started again, but she still cried and put up a fight every time. I heard out pastor say months before they went through a very hard time with his son and he finally out of desperation prayed the Lord would give him wisdom on how to get him potty trained. crazy, right? Who prays that their child would potty train?? At least that's what I thought. Interestingly enough, my judgmental attitude made me eat my words because last fall I found myself praying and pleading with God. "PLEASE, just let her get the hang of it." and she did! She would pee in the potty and had very few accidents. But we still couldn't get her to poop. And then again about a month ago, I found myself praying the same thing! And again thought, "who prays that their child will poop on the potty??" Oh the things you ask God for as a parent... because that's exactly what I did! ha. laugh if you want but it's true!:) So what exactly did I learn from this? A few things... God is faithful. In the the smallest most insignificant areas of your life. He cares. and He always hears our prayers. He want to give us what we ask for.  and He has WAY more wisdom on training and teaching your child than you do. I realize this was a rabbit trail.. but it's important for me to remember these things. I never want to forget how He answers prayers! Now... back to the what the girls have been up to.... Kyleigh is walking all over the place. and rather quickly! She's fast... so fast that if she knows you're coming to take something she isn't supposed to have, she bolts. Ha. it makes me laugh every time! She's also started to dance a little. Sometimes I'll catch her bouncing to the Dora theme song which she probably hears multiple times a day. (yes, my kids watch tv.... probably more than they should. judge me if you'd like... but often it's the only chance I have to laundry/cleaning done. plus, it's somewhat educational, right?). Kyleigh is also a daddy's girl. all the way. I hate to admit it... but it's true. She loves her daddy like crazy. The sight of Dan instantly makes her smile, laugh, and take off running towards him. And of course, he just eats it up. I keep telling him to enjoy it while it last because she eventually will be a momma's girl, just like her sister. ;)
Aside from the kids, we stay pretty busy with work. Dan's been working days for about 7 or 8 months now. It was a big change but it's been good. I feel like we have a normal schedule and it's easier to plan for the week since his hours aren't varying from day to day. I'm pretty excited for spring and summer this year. We've had beautiful weather for the past two weeks and now I've got ants in my pants because I'm ready for parks, and picnics, and the pool. I really think this year is going to be amazing. Something about the beautiful spring like weather the past two weeks has given me a sense of renewal and the feeling of a fresh start. The girls are getting big enough to enjoy some fun activities we want to plan. And with Dan's career changing very soon, we will (hopefully) have  some spare time to take a few trips this year. As for the quite moments, which are few and far between, I'm trying to remind myself that life is good. really really good. At times it may seem hard but it really isn't hard as it may feel in the moment. Because God has been so good to me and my family. When I'm feeling overwelmed or stressed or forgotten, I just try to bask in His love. I'll end with this (a few of my favorite scripture's right now): Jeremiah 31:3 "The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfullness to you." Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and let you heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"