The Unity Tree

My girl is in first grade... I have a hard time still processing that. My girl is ending her year as a 1st grader. I have an even harder time dealing with that! It is crazy for me to think that in a few short months she will be in 2nd grade. She will be 8!!! Before we jump a head and this momma gets all teary eyed. I have some pictures from her 1st grade music program called "The Unity Tree". It is a beautiful story about a puppy and a kitten wanting to play together and all the Dogs (boys) and all the Cats (girls) are trying to tell them what a bad idea it is and how it just isn't done. It was such a sweet program! Some photos...

Leanna and her classmates worked very hard on their program and it was a wonderful night for everyone! And if this momma does say so herself I have one cute kitten!

Easter Sunday

We have had such a busy couple of weeks. Easter Weekend was no different. Friday night was the Good Friday play at church. Saturday morning was the Easter Egg Hunt at church and then a Saturday Night Service where a friend's son (a friend of Leanna and Hudson's) was baptized and then a dinner out afterwards to continue the celebration. Then the pancake breakfast with friends at church on Sunday morning where we celebrated "Jesus comin' alive" (Hudson's words) and then a quiet afternoon at home. It was a lovely weekend. A few photos of my lovely small people on Easter.

Really a fun weekend celebrating the risen King. Lord of Lords. He is risen indeed!

A new Cousin...

My small people got a new cousin! Josh's sister had baby Eli James Michael Hungate. He was born on the 26th! He is awfully cute. The kids were so excited to meet him. It did take quite awhile for the small guy to get up to the room. We had a lot of sitting around a hospital room. The one of them all laughing together is probably one of my all time favorite photos of them so far. They were all equally smitten with the little guy as you can tell. It was fun getting to see them so excited about a little one.

So congratulations to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law and big brother Ian on the newest addition!

Taking Pictures of Small People...

I love my small people they often make me laugh. They often make me wish to pull my hair out. They most certainly are my greatest trial of patience. They also are my greatest joy.

Picture taking of three small people?

AHHHH! Nolan wants to touch the camera, or oooh look a deer, or oh my goodness WHY ARE YOU TOUCHING ME SISTER, or oh wow I have a hand? Hudson has a thousand other things he would rather be doing, looking at, killing, creating, karate chopping and the list goes on and on and on. Leanna will sit and model for 45 minutes for me and never get grouchy.

And so I give you a few shots to show you what I mean. Up first Nolan.

Oh what you had that focused on me when I was further away? My bad! What is that? Can I touch it? Better yet can I lick it?

Oh that is so funny I am going to fall back and laugh hysterically... ready WATCH!

Oh look I have toes. I am going to bend over and touch them at the exact moment you snap the picture. Okay? Okay!

The best picture I got of the mister? Looking at the camera and midly in focus = winner!


Now for the Hudson man. He is sooo active and sitting still doesn't happen often. I often have to threaten BEG him to sit still and let me take ONE picture.

This picture screams Hudson... mischief in the making.

Then he had the NERVE to stick his tongue out at me!

But... then he laughed after sticking his tongue out at me and I got this one.

To be fair I think the first picture is my favorite just because it is SOOOOO Hudson.

Then there is Leanna... and I would show you three pictures of her...but really there is no point. They all look the same. She is sitting and smiling and well easy to photograph. So here is my favorite I took of her today.


Such a pretty little girl she is turning into. It makes my heart hurt to look at her.

Taking pictures of them is sometimes so rewarding... others not so much. But I do it because I know I won't remember if I don't. I know that I will look back on these and treasure them soooo much.

Momma to 3
*Shay B*

Plateau...

So my weight loss so far has been pretty impressive as of yet. It hasn't been TOO hard. I am missing soda and chocolate of course. However for the most part I am still doing my protein shakes and my healthier snacks and things.

This weekend was a little rough. As birthday season continued along with a baby shower. We ladies all know there is never anything better than shower cake (whether it be baby or bridal)!!! I was good though I didn't have any.

I did succumb to the evil pizza last night however. It has been a long week with a longer weekend and cooking was not on Shay's agenda. We had a great coupon and money in the date night envelope (when isn't there money in the date night envelope we don't get to do date nights) so we ordered pizza. It was delicious!

So with all that to say. The scale this morning said 262.0. Which makes my weight loss total so far - 17.1 pounds.

So a loss technically since my last check in. But I know the scale said 260 sometime last week.

So it is back to the gym 4 days this week. (Friday we have our morning MOPS meeting at 9:00 so I may go extra earlier and have Josh walk Leanna to the bus stop and then go to MOPS but I am not for sure yet.)I am back to pushing my mile a little harder Time to get it under 15 minutes. I have added weights into the mix now. Also a Cardio & Core class as well. So hopefully with the change up of workout and more dedication to my morning and lunch protein drink this week will equal a better Monday morning next week.

And to end this post some pictures. I don't know that I see much of a difference yet. Hopefully soon!





P.S. Excuse my crazy hair dude it was CRAZY early this morning. Peace, love and pushups!

Momma to 3
*Shay B*


This post is linked to McFatty Monday @ TheHeirToBlair

Leanna and Friends through the years.

I know this has been a weird montage of my babies small vs. big week. It may be for a few more minutes... I am struggling this year during birthday season. Sorry, but I blog to remember how we were doing as a family, how the kids were growing and how I am doing as a momma. Right now I am stuck in this why do they have to grow up phase...

Lily and Leanna through the years!

Lily and Leanna in 2007...

Lily and Leanna in 2008...

Lily and Leanna in 2009...

Lily and Leanna in 2010...


I love these two girls. They make me smile. Leanna and Lily always laugh when they are together. At nothing...at everything it is wonderful to hear them giggling together.


Leanna and Cadence through the years...
Leanna and Cadence in 2007...

Leanna and Cadence in 2008...

Leanna and Cadence in 2009...

Leanna and Cadence in 2010...

Leanna and Cadence like to play girly things when they get together. Without Cadence's influence in this area I highly doubt that Leanna would have ANY girly tendencies :)

Madelaine and Leanna through the years...
Madelaine and Leanna in 2006...

Madelaine and Leanna in 2007...

Madelaine and Leanna in 2008...

Madelaine and Leanna in 2009....

Madelaine and Leanna in 2010...

Madelaine and Leanna share a little something extra...the share the same birthday only Madelaine is 1 year older. It is hard for me to look at the 2006 picture. They were 2 and 3 there.

These girls all hold a very special place in Leanna's heart. To be honest they hold a special place in mine. It amazes me that so Leanna has so many little friends her age that she has maintained fairly close relationships with. She loves her 'girls' as she calls them and they are always at the top of her 'who' list.

So many memories. I looked at a ton today. It made my heart so happy for her that she has so many friends. It made my heart sad too though. They look so little and then well not so much.

Momma to 3,
*Shay B*

Looking back...

This time of year is really hard on me as a momma.

All my babies have birthdays within 2 months of each other.

Leanna turned 6 a few weeks ago. It seems like I blinked and she went from this...


to this....


Hudson decided he just had to turn 4. Why couldn't he stay 3? Hmmm... why did he have to get all big on a momma? My baby boy...

who is this young boy small person?


And now coming up very soon WAYYY much sooner than I would like. My BABY (my forever baby!!!!) is going to turn 1!?!?!?! It seems like just yesterday he was ....

and now this???

What???? WHO said they could grow up? It sure the heck wasn't me. This momma has decided that from now on the months of August, September and October can be skipped. That'll teach 'em. Grow up on me... HA.

Seriously? Why does it seem to be going so fast?

Momma to 3
*Shay B*

Dear Nolan...

Dear Nolan,


Please stop growing.

Love,

Momma

"I got big at my birthday"

That is a direct quote out of my son's mouth today. Someone asked him when he had gotten so big and Hudson replied, "I got big at my birthday".

He did get big. He seems like a little boy instead of my baby. I know I know he isn't my baby anymore...but can he be for a little longer?

That boy makes me smile. He is such a fun and energetic small person. There is no task he doesn't meet with exuberance. He is friendly and caring. He is whiny and scared. He holds my hand. He likes to have his back scratched.

A conversation today...

Momma: "Hudson what do you want for your birthday"
Hudson: "Momma my dream came true already"
Momma: "It did? What was your dream?"
Hudson: "It didn't rain and I got to be a cowboy with all my friends!"

I love him so much. He has such an awesome little heart. He loves his sister and idolizes Daddy. Daddy can do no wrong! He wants to be a fireman, a cowboy, a pilot, a jumper, 'da Charter Man and a astronaut! He has such a creative and imaginative spirit. There is no game he won't invent or place he doesn't get to travel to.

He loves to run and jump and play. However, he also loves to snuggle. Which to be honest is my favorite thing about him. He will curl up next to me on the couch or in our bed and watch a movie. He holds my hand when we go for a walk. It melts my heart to see him smile.

Happy Birthday my sweet sweet boy. I hope 4 is as awesome and amazing and as TOTALLY WICKED (which is his favorite thing to say right now) as 3 was.

I'll love you forever
I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be.

Love Momma

All three!

The kids have been extra funny lately. I love the way the interact (most of the time). Leanna is such the mother hen. So protective and well bossy! Hudson he is the... what is the best way to describe him... He is energetic and fun guy. Hungry all the time! Nolan is mesmerized by him. He will just watch Hudson's every move and laugh. Nolan he is every bit of the baby of the family. He is doted on and played with. He gets into everything and is all over the place now.

They do love each other though and play very well together.

So I am pretty sure Leanna was sleeping here ;) Nolan was determined to get Hudson. Hudson well he was cheesin' it up!

Okay now everyone is looking at the camera in this house that is a success. Leanna is still awfully sleepy here though!

Now eyes are open. Nap time is over and no one is pulling anyone's hair out...now how to get them all to be still so the picture isn't blurry?


We'll just have to keep trying I guess :)

Momma to 3
*Shay B*