Christmas Festivities

So with the holidays fast approaching we have been busy with some traditional Christmas festivities at the Turner household.  You may recall last year we attempted to make some Christmas cookies and did not have much luck....

Well this year we tried it again....

And had some better luck!

And they taste as yummy as they look:-)

We also had the Christmas program today at their school.  Last year Drew was our shining star, he sang his heart out and did all the hand motions during the songs.  Well this year was quite different...I could tell he was uncomfortable right away when he was walking in...

Poor guy did NOT like the attention of being on stage.  He stood up on stage the whole time, not moving anything (his hands, mouth, nothing!).  I just wanted to run up to him and give him a hug and say everything was going to be alright:-)  Ethan on the other hand was big-time this year, with a speaking part and all!

I'm sooo proud of both of my boys...as different as they are:-)

Last weekend we did our special night away, staying at a hotel, letting the kids go swim and jumping into our cozy new Christmas pajamas at night.  It is such a blast to have a big sleepover as a family:-)

Fun Family Time

I had the privilage of having almost my whole family here about a month ago.  My younger brother Dave and my wonderful sister-in-law Kate were here, as well as my parents and my older brother Jon.  We were only missing my older sister Kerry and her family.  It was a gorgeous fall weekend, so we basically spent the whole time hanging out in the back yard and having some good campfires out in the fire pit at night.  I just put together a slideshow (basically for all my family to see) of some of the pictures.  It's so fun to look back at pictures and reminisce about great memories.  I am so blessed to be part of such a wonderful family!!!

There will be many more updates to come....I think I'm back on the blogging bandwagon:-)

Keeping busy....

So I have to say my boys have been best buds lately.  They'll go off and play for hours together if I let them.  It's so fun to listen in on them and hear their imagination work.  I guess as kids we all did it, but I don't know where they come up with the stuff.  My mind just doesn't work like that anymore (I wish it did...probably due to the lack of sleep between watching the Olympics and being glued to a new book I LOVE....an entirely different post). 

God sure does have a funny sense of humor though.  While I've been begging praying for a while for the boys to get along, I had no idea that it would happen when my angel daughter crossed over to the dark side:-)

Well maybe that's not fair.  She's not exactly on the dark side, but she is definitely walking crawling with one foot on the left and one foot on the right side of the line!  She is one curious kitten.  I thought Ethan was curious...Elise is a whole different creature with curious and some sass mixed in.  I give you a day in the life of Elise:

Hmmmm, my brothers are playing Elefun....and I don't know how to play yet, so I'll take my net and put it over my head.  Why does my mommy freak out when I do this?  I think I like the attention I get when I do it, so I'll do it over and over and over.....

I want to get in my walker even though all I do is bump into walls and scream for help.  I'll try to get in by myself.  Uh oh, I think my foot is in the wrong way....AHHHHH  MAMA....MAMA....

I just love taking the DVD's out from under the TV.  What a big mess it makes....it's so pretty with all the different colored covers laying all over the floor.  Aren't I just so cute?  Never mind that I'm standing in the drawer to the ottoman.....

 

And no......I'm not sitting in front of the TV, eating bonbons and watching a soap opera while my curious kitten prowls around the house:-)  The ottomon incident usually occurs while I'm cleaning up the breakfast or lunch table....the DVD incident occured during a "potty break"....and so on.  You can't leave this girl alone for a second:-)

Oh well, at least my boys are being super easy to manage (for the moment.....).

Priceless Moments

Trip to the Puppet show at the library:  $12.00

Kit to make your own puppet:  $4.00

Having my own private puppet show:  PRICELESS

Small Group Retreat

Ryan and I have been blessed to attend an AMAZING church here in Atlanta.  We started going to North Point Community Church when we first moved here, and about year and a half ago they opened a satellite church right down the street from our house (we hear the same messages, just a week delayed on an amazing high-def screen).  Anyways, the thing we love about the church is the emphasis on small groups (and the a-ma-zing pastor, a-ma-zing worship, and unbelievable children's program).  We have an awesome network of friends here, mostly all whom we have met through groups.  In fact we have witnessed some of our good friends get married, we have all had babies together, and now we are all going through parenting issues as the kids get older. 

We had the privilege of joining a new group at the beginning of summer.  The leaders are good friends of ours, and they are so enthusiastic about being leaders and having us all grow in our relationships with each other and Christ through the eighteen months that we will meet. 

A couple weekends ago all five of us couples went away for the weekend to a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains (Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area).  (Side note....thanks to Grammy and PaPa for taking the munchkins).  We had a blast, and it definitely brought us closer as a group.

Here is four of the couples on the way to the cabin (can't see the mountains as well as I'd like, but you get the idea):  It was GORGEOUS!

Saturday we went into town and had some country cooking:  fresh biscuits, grits (I skip those), and some eggs.  It was yu-mmy.  Then we headed to the local river and went tubing.  The river was a little slow due to the lack of rain here in the south, but nonetheless it was fun.  That is, until the end when we heard from a local that some sewage gets dumped into the river.  We all ran home to shower and wash our suits!!!  That night we had a low-country shrimp boil. 

Everything was boiled together in hot water:  shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes.  Then you dump it on the table and eat with your hands.  I think that's the "low country" part of it:-)  Later we played some board games.

 

I can't wait to see all that will happen with this amazing group in the next year or so.  Each person is unique in their personality, strengths, passions, etc. 

7 Years

Ryan and I were able to get away for a few days to celebrate our seventh anniversary.  Thank God for my awesome parents willing to take the kids during that time:-)  I decided to try priceline for a cheap hotel somewhere, and I had heard Hilton Head Island was a good place to go (only 4 1/2 hour drive for us).  So I plugged in the numbers on priceline, bidding super low assuming it would never be accepted (I hadn't even completely confirmed when my parents would be coming for sure)....and it popped back saying my bid had been accepted.  Yikes, hooray!...... I can't wait....oh &*!@ I better call my parents!!!!

Hi Mom, you guys are still planning on coming in a couple days right?  Great, can't wait to see you too!  By the way, it's still okay if Ryan and I head out for a few days, right?  Okay good, because I already paid for a hotel:-)

Arrive at the beautiful Westin Resort in Hilton Head, and this is the view out of our window:

We had a super time.  Ryan had a yummy seafood meal....his one wish (it's impossible to get any decent tasting fish when you don't live next to the ocean).

We also rented bikes in the morning and rode all around.

The whole island has bike paths.  It really is a cool place to bring a family, in fact we would love to head back there for a long weekend with the kids if budget permits. 

We also were able to spot some dolphins swimming by a harbour....my first time seeing dolphins!

We did spend a little time lounging by the pool and walking by the ocean.  We ate some delicious food, and had a yummy cocktail by the pool.  We also squeezed in seeing a movie that day, as that is our favorite past-time.  We only really had one full day there, but it is amazing how that break from the kids re-energizes you and makes you appreciate what you have waiting for you at home:-)

Drew-isms

This summer Drew has grown up so much. His sayings are sooo adorable. I wish I could capture everything on film, as I know I will soon forget all his little Drew-isms.

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Sneakrets: Drew's word for secrets...which is genius if you think about it....a combination of secrets and sneaky:-)

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Carmen: The light brown ooey, gooey substance you find in a chocolate treat sometimes (otherwise known as carmel). How can you pass up giving a little boy a treat when he asks for chocolate with carmen in the middle?!?

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Fatman: Drew's word for Batman
Bixed: Drew's word for Fixed

Why he switches the two I have no idea. He can physically say Batman or Fixed, but he chooses to say Fatman and Bixed.

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"Mommy, twust me. You're not twusting me." (trust)

Translation: Mommy, you're not listening to me.

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"Mommy, I want you to snuggle so soft."

Translation: Mommy, lay next to me in bed and put your arm around me. If I hold him too tight, he says I'm snuggling too hard. If my arm is not around him, I'm not snuggling him "so soft":-)

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Me: Drew, please go wash your hands before we eat.

Drew: I don't want to.

Me: Drew, I asked you once. If I have to ask again, you'll be in time out.

Drew: Oh, whatever..... (walking slowly to wash his hands).

Is my little boy already showing attitude?!?

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Drew adores animals. All shapes, all sizes, all different kinds (yes, even the big huge grasshoppers on the windows we spy in the morning). We saw a small frog in our landscaping the other day, and instantly Drew says "let's take care of him, can I name him?". The little brown frog was instantly named GahGah. Other friends include Poptart the blue bird that sits on the deck outside our kitchen window usually while we are eating breakfast, Bobbie the lizard that hangs outside of our garage, and Sugar the spider that was at one point in the corner of my bedroom window (outside of course!!).

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Me: Drew, show me your muscles!

Drew:

Happy Birthday Mom (YaYa)!

Today my mother is turning 60 years young.  I say young because she simply amazes me with all she does.  In fact, just last weekend she went camping....like real camping (digging a hole in the ground as a restroom, sleeping on the ground, etc).  She teaches full time, and also works at a bookstore part-time.  In her free time she loves to exercise, enjoys working out in her yard on her flowers, spends time with her grandsons that live in the area, oh.... and she travels the world:-)  Whew I get tired just thinking about all that!

She is the most amazing mother, as well as grandmother. 

When I speak about "YaYa" the boys light up and ask when we are going to Chicago next.  I asked Drew what his favorite thing about YaYa was, and he said her hugs.  Ethan simply said his favorite thing to do with YaYa is watching the ducks with her:-)

Mom exudes love when you are around her, and she is the most caring and giving person I know.  I can only hope to be half the mother and grandmother that she has set an example as.  Thank you mother for all the love, sacrifice, time, respect, and advice you have given me over the years.  You are the best listener in the world, and that is such a wonderful characteristic!  Not only are you my mother, you are also a great friend. 

I get the privilege of flying to Chicago later today to celebrate with her.  I am sooo excited to be able to spend time with my awesome mother on her birthday.  Love ya Mom!  Can't wait to see you and give you a big hug!

Random Videos

Well, I haven't posted videos in a while, so I thought I would give you a peak into our lives. 

Little lady has wanted to feed herself lately, so I decided to give her the spoon the other day...knowing I would have a mess on my hands.  She loved feeling like a big girl....dipping the spoon into the yogurt all by herself.  I have a feeling she is going to grow up way too quickly....

While Elise is growing up way too quickly....the boys are having difficulty with their swim lessons.  Before you watch this video and you form the opinion that I am a heartless, mean mom....please let me explain!  This is the second swim lesson they are at....the first one they screamed/cried/threw fits through the whole half hour.  Drew has a lot of fears, one of those being going under water at all, so I can understand his tantrums.  But Ethan, he knows better.  He has no fears in water, he swims around the whole pool confidently with a noodle, and was the oldest child this swim class of four. This video is the second swim lesson, where each of my boys promised they would try hard, not cry, and make me proud.  That's all I ask!  I don't want my boys to be professional Olympic gold-metal swimmers, I just want them to be able to stay afloat for safety's sake.

Needless to say that went on for the whole half hour again.  I felt awful (despite my laughing all the video....that's what I had to do to keep the situation light!).   What do I do?  Do I give in and not make them go back?  Will it get better?  If I give in and not go back, is that teaching them to give up?  Or I am causing my children to go into therapy when they are adults at the horrible memory of their mother making them go to swim class, despite their fears?  Help me, help me, help me!

****Update:  We took the boys to the pool Friday evening and Saturday morning, and they swam like fish.  Drew swam all over without any floating device.  Ethan was a bit more scared, but we finally were able to get him to swim as well without any floating device (with a few screams).  I am sooo proud of my two boys.  I'll have to get new video of them at swim lessons today NOT crying (cross my fingers).

Family Photos

I decided a long and overdue family photo session was needed, so we got the kids ready and headed to the local park.  You always picture a photoshoot going one way, and it usually never does.  Young kids are just impossible challenging to take pictures of.  But, once we arrived home and looked through them all, I was so relieved happy that we captured some great ones!.  Here are some of the photos:

Ethan:

Drew:

 

 

 

 

Sissy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Shots:

Kids Together:

Yes, I'm Here

To all my loyal fans and readers (haha), I'm still here and living:-) I took a needed break from blogging for a while, since our small group has been learning about creating margin in our lives(leaving some extra space in all areas so you don't get overwhelmed all the time). It's been good, although I feel overwhelmed with catching up now....go figure!

Check in for future blogs on Elise's birthday, Elise's dedication, Elise's health tests (lots going on with my little lady!), my weight loss update (hint: it's going great!), the boys end-of-school year program, and much much more!!!!

And a shout-out to everyone that has been checking my blog still, thanks for not giving up on me!!!!! I love ya:-)

Happy Belated Easter

Had a nice, relaxing Easter (after battling sicknesses a few days earlier). Ryan's grandparents made a stop in Georgia while heading north to Michigan (they are snowbirds in Florida for the winter). It is always enjoyable to see them. Here is the Turner crew:

Elise had had enough of her dress at that point, so of course I have to show a photo of her dolled-up for Easter. Here is Uncle Brandon getting some cuddle time in:

Of course it wouldn't be Easter without a huge egg hunt. The kids were all anxious to get started:

Drew found some! Of course they were hiding amongst the golf balls.


And lastly I thought I would include a picture from Saturday, when we took the kids to a playground. I saw this contraption with three steering wheels, and thought how perfect for my little family:-)

Pic Update

Had to post some adorable pictures I took of my little lady. I can't believe in one month that she will be one! Sniff, sniff. My angel is growing up too quickly. She is such a joy.


When she has a toy, she puts it in one of two places:
Her mouth

Or on top of her head (can't quite figure out why yet, but it's adorable)

Okay, so I'll post a couple of the boys as well. They've been going to karate for a while now, and they look so cute in their karate outfits.
Here's Drew, matched up with the LARGEST boy class.

Ethan in his karate stance:

Better posts to come....had to throw these pics up.

And So It Ends

So this is the post I had created for this past week. I had posted it this past Sunday, then quickly realized I didn't really want the whole world knowing my husband was gone all week:-) But now that it is over, I can put it up! Here goes.
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So I had this brilliant idea for Ryan's 30th birthday back in October. Surprise him with a ski trip away with his brother.

No kids, no wife, just the open mountain. What a great wife I was. Actually, he completely deserved it. He is the most amazing man, husband, father....but that's a differentn post. Yes, I realized this would leave me with the kids alone for a week, but I could manage no problem.

And so it begins....

I have to admit I am FULL OF ANXIETY. ONE WHOLE WEEK!!! WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!!!!

I mean, I went completely overboard....last minute runs to Home Depot yesterday to make sure we had coverings for ALL the windows (temporary blinds are super cheap and easy to install!). See, I have this thing about nighttime...once it becomes dark I have all sorts of fears (I know I have issues). Even when Ryan is here at night, I swear I hear noises all the time. But I feel safe beside him. Now he is here no longer:-(

He left this morning at 3:30 to catch his 6am flight, and I told him to wake me up before he left so I could say goodbye. Guess what...could not go back to sleep after that. We aren't off to a great start here...a few hours of sleep and a whole week by myself.

I know many of you do this all the time....husbands that travel or work long hours away from home. Not me. My hubby works right in the basement, and takes his lunch every day with us and is done working by 4 (he starts early in the morning). So here's my question:
How do you do it?
Any special tips/advice to make my week easier?

Cross your fingers, say a prayer, wish me luck! Here we go.....
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So I made it! I get to pick up my husband later today from the airport. What an awesome week I had. Mainly due to my WONDERFUL friends I have here. My friends are like my family here, as they help me out in amazing ways...plus they support me so much. I was invited over for dinners (thanks Kristi and Brandy!), I had phone calls keeping me sane, and playdates to make the days go faster. On top of that, I really enjoyed it. The kids were great for the most part, and I actually accomplished a whole lot more since I had time at night to myself. I'm not saying I would want this all the time, and I definitely missed Ryan. But I think it was good for both of us.

Now, about that girls trip.....:-)