Brrr!

Yesterday I had my windows open. The kids played outside till the sun went down. Today? It’s back in the 40s/30s. I know, it could be snowing. And I shouldn’t be complaining. But….it was awesome yesterday. I just wish Mother Nature would make up her mind and be consistent. With weather in the 60s, that is. Wouldn’t that rock?

Parker is getting so grown up. I was looking at pictures of him from less than a year ago and it amazes me how much he has changed! He was reading the Dr. Seuss ABC book tonight. I love that he enjoys learning and is excited to learn how to read!

I had a Relief Society board meeting last night. I was in charge of refreshments, and I whipped up these cupcakes. Thank goodness they were pretty, because {even though I didn’t try them} I could tell they were dry. Oh well. You win some, you lose some!

So, I bought some boots. This is a huge step out of my comfort zone. And I’m still not sure if I like them. I think I need some skinnier jeans, and I’m not quite ready for that! Some day….some day! What do you think?

On Monday we went to the aquarium. It’s nice to have somewhere to go when it’s too chilly outside. The kids love it there, and it’s not overly huge. We’re able to take our time, and only be there for a few hours. Which is about how long the kids last.

This is probably one of our favorite parts. It’s fun to try spot the different fish. And, I get to sit down for a minute! :)

I can’t believe January is almost over! Exciting things to come in February. We move into our new church building. Parleigh’s 1st birthday. Valentine’s day. And my birthday! :)

Just a thought!

I wish I would have written this. I mean, I could have written this. I’m just not as good with my words. Maybe at one time I could have been, but since having 4 kids….they’ve kinda sucked all things "intelligent” from me. No joke. Not that I was intelligent before….now, there’s just no hope. At least while I still have little ones under my feet. And tugging on my arms. But I know they won’t be little forever. I realize that. And it makes me really really sad.
Anyway, go here and read this! It’s good. Really good. At least I enjoyed it. So, you might too!
{don't} Carpe Diem! :)

8 sushi rolls and then some!

Friday night Ben and I went out on a date. When he asked me what I wanted to do, I told him

A. YOU should plan the date, not me. Since you are the one taking ME out!

and

B. I really want to go to Restaurant Depot. Please, pretty please? With a cherry on top? Just to check it out. It is literally right down the street from us. It’s members only, VIP access, okay, maybe not VIP access. But, you DO need to have a membership and you can only have a membership if you own a business. We don’t own a business, but he was lucky enough to get a card from his friend, a fellow fireman.  Sooooo….with that being said, I’ve been dreaming of going inside. Really. I had a dream about going there. And I also dreamed that I got a job offer for the San Deigo Zoo. $400,000 a month! Sidetracked. Sorry! Restaurant Depot. I just want to see what’s in there! I know, I’m a dork. But, I don’t get out much, mmkay? Needless to say, we didn’t go because it took us too long to get out of the house. So, instead, we went out for sushi! {Surprise, surprise!}

I looooove this guy. I can’t believe we’ve known each other for 9 years! Wowza, we’re getting old! Okay, not really. But, it has been a while! I mean, that’s almost half my age. Emphasis on almost! Parker was our photographer for the night, and by golly he was having a blast! Tickled, would be the word!

He was going to drop me here, what a pill! And what’s up with the tongue? I have NO clue!

This cracks me up. Parker’s climbing up my back, and you you can see Preston climbing up Ben. Silly kids!

I don’t know about you, but it is very seldom that we go out on dates. So, when we do get out……we definitely make it worth it! And, I try to go with an empty stomach that way I can get my “fill.” Know what I’m saying? We love love love sushi! Love it! Despite what my sister, ahem, not to name any names, Peggy…. despite what Peggy says, tempura sushi is STILL sushi! You get the best of both worlds. Sushi. And deep fried. :) Anyway, we placed our order: 8 sushi rolls. Is that a lot? I could eat 8 by myself, just saying. Apparently, for the 4th time dining here this past year, our waitress looks at our order and says, “8. That a lot a rolls!” And then she ‘tisk-tisk’s’ us. Really? Come on! We know. And we are starving! At least I’m not ordering an order of cheese fries, a salad, a big steak and loaded baked potato, and THEN dessert. Because that’s what we used to do. 8 rolls is NOT a lot!
Boy, were they yummy!

You see that, Peggy. The one with the orange looking sauce on them {yes, we got two of those rolls}. Two words for you. Tempura. Fried. Yumm……that’s a Volcano roll. And, it’s my favorite. Although, the spicy tuna roll is coming in a close second now. And I’m pretty sure that that is “real” sushi! :) Such a fun night!

Could this little girl be any cuter? I think not?

I’m debating about throwing her a big birthday par-tay. I’m undecided. It was nice not doing anything over-the-top for Parker. And yet….I’ll never get to throw another 1st birthday party. Ever. I have a feeling that will be mantra for the next I don’t know, gazillion years! “But, she’s my baby! I have to do it! It’s the last time!” She really is growing up too darn fast.

So, I have two girls potty trained. Yes, you heard that right. Two girls. One of the girls poops and pees in the pot-tay. All day long. She “rocks my socks!” The other girl poops, like clockwork, in her diaper every.single.morning at 6:30 am. Every.single.morning. It wakes her up. Every.single.morning. I don’t know how more “trained” you can get?!

But, not to take the lime light away from Miss Paisley. Stubborn, in-her-own-time Paisley, finally is wearing panties! {Not underwear. They are panties! Heaven forbid you call them underwear!} Can we get a Hip-Hip-HOOORAY for having only one child in diapers! I never thought I would see the day! But we have! :)

Parleigh sure loves her Papaw! Anytime he comes over, once she hears his voice she goes crawling as fast as she can to him. Super cute, I tell you. And check out her stomach in these pictures. She is full as a tick! Her Mamaw fed her fish, beans, strawberries, and churros. She was in hog heaven! Her pants wouldn’t even zip! We love having grandparents so close for our children to be around!

This morning, while we were getting ready for church, I over heard Paisley and Parker talking. I turn around, and they are looking at the picture of the Savior. Parker is telling her that He died for us so we can live again.

My heart has been so full today. I love my kids so much. And, they tell me that they love me, so I guess I’m doing something right! I am so blessed to have children who are patient with me and overlook my weaknesses. They are so forgiving, and I pray that I can learn from them.I am learning that they really are the ones that are teaching me.

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother... Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children... What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." Elder M. Russell Ballard

Parleigh Ann

 

elove photos 

Parleigh’s cute little personality is starting to shine! She is full of spunk, sweet as can be, and melts your heart with her smiles. I am in denial that she turns 1 next month. Really, why has this year flown by so stinkin fast? It breaks my heart to think I am going to start weaning her over the next couple of weeks. I thought I would be ecstatic that I would be on the countdown to eat dairy, but it is the exact opposite. Parleigh’s my last baby, and I’m trying to soak in as much of her “baby-ness” that I can.

Parleigh is loved by each of her siblings. None of us want to see her get any bigger! Parker tells me everyday, “Mom, I wish Parleigh could stay this size forever!” Me too, son. Me too!

*Thanks, Emily, for capturing the picture of Parleigh. Annndd for letting me steal it off of your facebook page without permission. You’re the best!

6 years really flew by!

Where oh where has time gone? It was just yesterday, I swear, that this little boy came into our lives. He is such a sweet, loving, fun, smart, handsome, helpful, goofy, boy! I couldn’t ask for a better first born son. He is such a huge help to me. He is such a loving big brother. He is Preston’s best friend. He is such a good boy. It is so much fun to watch him grow and learn! We love him oh.so.much!

Today we had his official birthday celebration. I wanted it low-key, and, sure enough, I don’t know if it could have been any more low-key. We had hamburgers for lunch, sang happy birthday, opened presents, and ate cake and ice cream. Immediately following that, the boys changed into their camo {Parker’s favorite color} and they headed to the woods to go squirrel hunting. That’s really all Parker wanted on his special day. And, frankly, it was very nice!

 

Parker said he wanted a camo birthday cake. Donna did an excellent job! Isnt’ she amazing?

The entire time we were singing to Parker, Preston was trying to get in position to blow out the candles. Parker kept pushing him away. And I forgot we were singing and almost yelled at them to stop! Good thing we weren’t video taping! :)

Time to open presents. Not only did Preston want to blow out Parker’s candles, but he also was right there trying to open the presents.

 

They were SO ready to go hunting. That’s what this 6 year old boy lives for! Have you ever seen so much camo in your life? Probably NOT!

What a fun day!

And, because we Lineberry’s don’t just celebrate on one day, we had a lot of fun on Parker’s real birthday! Ben had to work, so it was up to me to make the day special for Parker. Benji started it off right with some birthday donuts.

I made Parker some cupcakes for his class. Just crème filled white almond cupcakes topped with buttercream frosting and sprinkles. His class loved them, and even his teacher sent a nice note home saying how delicious they were! :)

After school, the weather was awesome {70 degrees}, so we headed to Mt. Trashmore. I figured it would be a good thing for the kids to run around and burn off some energy. It’s been freezing {Literally! It’s only been in the 20’s and 30’s all week} and we’ve been cooped up in the house. It was breezy, which made it chilly, but the kids had a lot of fun. Robin and her clan joined us, and they snapped some pictures of the kids. I brought my camera, but left my memory card at home {the one for the camera, not for me. Although, that would explain some things! Ha!}

Paisley loves Lily. I think both girls, being surrounded by boys all the time, are thankful when there is another girl to hang out with!

Can I just say, I love this girl. She is a rockstar! I’m thankful to have such a great friend. She’s been there for me—no matter what! And she knows pretty much all there is to know about me, and then some, and apparently she’s still around. That’s a good thing, right? So grateful for patient, fun, and sweet friends!

There’s a brand-new playground to play on, and what do they choose to do? Play on the mountain. {or hill.}

After we left the park, although the kids were filthy, we went to Chic-fil-a for dinner. Per Parker’s request. He wanted to eat inside, something I never do! And since it was his birthday, we did just that! Can I just say, my kids made me very proud. They were so well behaved, ate their dinner, and played with each other. {That’s the short story. I won’t bore you with the details. But they.were.amazing!} Since it was Parker’s birthday, they each got free ice cream and balloons! {Score!}

Such a fun 2 day celebration for Parker. I love you so much, big guy! :)

Birthday Donuts

Guess who’s having birthday today?

This guy is turning 6!! We celebrated this morning with birthday donuts courtesy of Papaw! What a great way to start the day!