A Bunch of Barkers

2012-01-09T11:23:00.001-08:00

A Little Extra Partyin...

2011-12-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

Since my Mom and Rick didn't get to see Blake's swim party they decided to throw their own.

The Hello Kitty cake my Mom made. Thanks Grandma!

Kate wearing Blake's new hat.

Blake opening her Hello Kitty earrings and necklace.

So sweet to have cousins come and celebrate. We love them so much.

Just pictures...

2011-12-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

Thankful..

2011-12-05T13:42:00.000-08:00

We made our own Thankfulness Tree this year to celebrate Thanksgiving. I colored the top and Blake colored the bottom. Every morning after breakfast we would decide what we were thankful for, write it on a "leaf" and stick it to our tree. The crafts I like most are ones you don't have to make a special trip to the store for, so this one was perfect :)

When Nick saw this picture he said "Is that KATE??" LOL, yep she's growing up so fast.

These girls have so much fun together.

And just becase we are SO thankful for Nana and I love this picture.

Blake's Swim Party

2011-12-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

We had Blake's 4th Birthday at a local swim school {shout out Groupon!}

They got to swim and slide, then have cake and open presents.

Grffin, Lexi and Blake

Lexi and Kate Jumping!

Everyone sang "Happy Birthday SPLASH You!"

Kate know how to eat cake without the hassle of a fork.

2011-11-15T10:51:00.000-08:00

November 13th 2011

My sweet Blake,

Today you turn 4 years old. I’ve been reading back through previous letters and it’s hard to imagine how far we’ve all come in 4 years. I feel like I could write a book about you, but I’m going to try to fit it into one letter.

In this last year you have changed so much. I can honestly say I LOVE just hanging out with you. We like to watch TV shows, read princess books or your bible, go shopping together, and sing loud in the car.

You are such an easy kid. You really have taken it easy on us. Daddy HATES to spank you, so it’s a good thing you don’t require many of those! Here are some things about you when you turned four.

• You love to know the meaning of words. Today you’ve asked me what “special” , “silent”, and “beautiful” really mean. It’s hard sometimes to explain in a way that you can truly understand, but we figure it out. There are some question you ask that I don’t happen to know they answer to, but you don’t believe me!! You’ll say “No, Mom, come on….tell me!”

• You are the best big sister in the world. You are so patient with Kate and never jealous of her. This morning I said, “Should we go get Kate up?” and you replied “Of course!!”. You share your toys, comment often on how cute she is, and love to tell me when she’s learned a new word or how to do something on her own. You can’t wait for the day when she moves into your room to sleep with you.

• You sometimes get words mixed up. You like to be the one to push the button on the “alligator” (i.e. elevator). You know that Mommy works at the “HoPsital”. The other day you asked me what the biggest number in the world is and when I asked what you replied “Chameleon!”

• You love God. We were just playing outside the other day and you looked at me and said “We should praise Jesus right here Mommy!” and so we did!! How beautiful for you to be able to express your thankfulness to God for what he has done for us at such a young age.

• A little quirk you have right now is praying for those who have already passed this life. You like to pray for my Grandpa, our sweet cousin Gemma who went to be with Jesus before taking her first breath and our dog Bubba who died earlier this year.

• We have a sweet friend Bobby, who is battling cancer, and if we ever forget to plead with the Lord for him you remind us!

• You still are a Daddy’s girl, but I think you’ve become just as much a Mommy’s girl this year.

• You can write your name, it’s so fun to see you learning new things.

• You take swim classes and are doing a great job swimming! You can float on your back, then turn over to a full swim! I go to the Mommy and me class with Kate and you do a great job sitting beside the pool cheering us on.

• Your favorite song is “God is bigger than the boogie man” by the Veggie tales. You know every word and belt it out!

• Your favorite movie is “The Nice Monsters” aka: Monsters, Inc.

• You’ve spent a few weeks in Arkansas visiting Grammie, Grandma and Nana this year. It was so hard for me to let you go, but it’s also very important that you get to know your family even though we don’t live close by. When I once called to check on you, you told me "Grammie bought me new things at the new things store...and remember Mom!! Never give up!!"

• Nana and Papaw came to visit for your birthday. You, Nana and I went to a store called “Sam Moon”. It’s all purses and jewlery….oh my goodness you were in heaven! You picked out so many bracelets and earrings and purses. You exclaimed “This store is AWESOME!”

So Blake, I hope this letter helps you remember being 3. I can’t wait to see what 4 has in store for us!!

Daddy and I love you to the moon (and on to the sun.)

All my love,

Mommy

2011-11-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks Aunt Rennie for these beautiful pictures during the family camping trip last weekend. ....I just wanted to share because I think they look so much alike here. Wanna see more? Check out http://www.reeviewfamily.blogspot.com/

3rd Annual Pumpkins and Pizza

2011-10-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

Even though I know it will be hectic and crazy and loud and messy....I just can't help but have our annual pizza and pumpkin party. We invite our friends, order pizza and pick a dessert, then carve pumpkins. This year we added painting pumpkins, I thought it would be less messy and easier if the kids wanted something they could do themselves. I guess it would've been less messy if my 18 months old hadn't walked in the paint...

Me and Jodi

Mommy Daddy and Kate

Ava and Blake showing their pumpkins

Jodi helping Kate

Bri's favorite, the slimy pumpkin guts.

Mommy and Blake

Everyone hard at work.

Noah posing for with his pumpkin.

Lexi and her pumpkin.

The finished products!

{Sidenote: We miss our FINCHERS!!! You better be at next year's pizza and pumpkin party}

The Pumpkin Patch, In Pictures

2011-10-28T16:12:00.000-07:00

This is what a time out at the pumpkin patch looks like. Poor thing. She got over it quickly. I can't remember what she did.

Sigh....I love my family. I live for our days we get to hang out all four of us.
God is Good :)

2011-10-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

Blake spent a whole week in Arkansas earlier this month, then Kate and I drove in to pick her up and spend a few days visiting.

Kate and Grammie checking out the horses.

LOVE HER.

Giggling with Caitlyn.

Grandpa and Liam.

Layla!!! (who is going to be a BIG sister by the way!)

My Dad taking the girls for a wagon ride.

Kinley and Blake.

I just loved the angel in the background.

Kinley and Kate. Too much cuteness :)

My Grandma and "her boy" Nathan.

Blake loves riding.

Lexi and Blake riding horses with Grammie's neighbors.

Just for kicks, here's a video of the kids being wild.

Hoyt Family Drive By!

2011-10-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

In late September my Aunt and her whole family were going on a vacation to San Antonio. We were lucky enough to have them stop and see us for a night.

Since we live so far away we rarely get to see my little 2nd cousins Nathan and Kinley.
I looked forward to this visit for a whole month, and they didn't disapoint.
With 4 kids three and under our house was full of fun.

Blake, Nathan and Kinely jumping in Kate's crib.

All settled in on the couch bed. I tell you, the couch bed is a life savor. If we are bored at home, I just pull that sucker out and we have hours of fun.

Nathan!!

Kinley!!

Kinely impressed us with her skills.

Kate watching TV.

I wish I would've gotten a picture of the adults. We were so happy they got to come stay a night with us.

First Day of School!

2011-10-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Just pretend this is early September...
The girls just started preschool again for the fall!

Blake is in her 3rd year at YCW! She is in a class with 20 other 3 year olds, and has three amazing teachers. Blake loves school. Ms. Katie is the teacher she's most taken with, and I can completely understand why. Katie is so kind and patient. This week Blake was "Star of the Week". We made her a personalized poster board with all her favorite things and she got to stand up and explain all the pictures and decorations. Katie commented that Blake was calling herself the "SUPER Star of the Week". LOL.

This is Kate's first year at YCW. She will go on Thursdays and is in Miss Sarah's Class. Miss Sarah also taught Blake in the toddler class.

It's such a great resource to have a preschool at our church. The girls see the same group of wonderful women at church, bible study, and preschool. They've known Blake since she was 9 months old in the nursery.

1st Day pictures never go how I expect.
Blake did her part by smiling nicely before we loaded up in the car.

Kate wanted nothing to do with sitting still on the front porch bench. She needed to be snuggly strapped in for her 1st day picture.

Kate and Miss Sarah

I think I'll go to Boston!

2011-10-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

The weekend of September 11th Jodi and I had our first ever girls trip. To say I had a good time is a severe understatement. I couldn't have asked for a better place, better weather, or a better friend to travel with! I'm so thankful for you Jodi!! You tolerate all my quirks and were even gracious enough to extend our trip by a whole day to calm my fears.

My favorite part of our trip was this harbor tour.

We befriended a professional photographer on our tour and he took this picture of us! We were so cold and these sweatshirts looked so cool, how could we refuse :)

At Quincy Market where I had my first Lobster Bisque...I was in love.

Watching a Harvard Theater group perform at the Harbor.

At the Public Garden on a beautiful September 11th.

I loved these houses. I can't imagine what one like this might cost, but I wouldn't mind living there!

I was definitely lazy about taking pictures. But I have so many memories of our trip.

Now we just have to decide where to go next year!

A big thanks to my Mom, Grandma and Nick for being so encouraging about me going.

2011-09-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Kate,
Can you believe you are 18 months old? Has it comes as quickly for you as it has for me?
It amazes me how much has changed since you turned 1. As Daddy said the other night "Kate's officially at the fun age!" And oh boy are you :)

I want to remember so much about who you are right now so I'll write this letter to try to hold on to these memories.

You wake up so happy. Your first words are either "Sissy, Eevi (Levi) and Eat!" You love pancakes (with syrup, I can no longer let Sissy have sugary things like syrup without you begging for your own.) You also love cheese (eeese!) grilled cheese, bananas, yogurt, applesauce and broccoli. After your meals in your high chair you like to climb up in one of the big chairs at the big table and just sit for a minute, kind of like saying "Look, I could do this!". After eating and getting dressed you walk to the door saying "go, go, go, go". You love going anywhere and everywhere. You just want to GO! This is sooo unlike your big sister when she was your age. I'm thankful that you like to keep busy because we definitely stay that way.

Snack/Craft/Ipod time in your high chair.

You started our church's preschool program just a few weeks ago. You go on Thursdays for a whole 5 hours and LOVE it. It's so fun because Miss Sarah, who was Blake's toddler teacher is now your teacher. You already love her from all your time together in the nursery, so it was an easy transition. I still have a hard time believing it but they say you sleep on your nap mat and sit in a big girl chair for your meals. You are so independent.

Here you are with Miss Sarah on your 1st Day.

On our way to preschool!

Any chance you get you will sneak out the back door to play in the yard. You will drag your little kiddie pool over to me and beg for a swim. You about scare me to death though, because your favorite part of the back yard is being up high on the swing set hanging from a "rafter". God has most assuredly protected you this year little one. Someday I will tell you the story of God's grace on your first year of life..and this Mommy's heart and soul. But for now just remember God's angels are definitely on your side.

Your language has exploded in the past month. You went from about 5 words to well over 50 in just a few weeks! A few new ones are Blake (Back), Bubbles, Vern (your most favorite neighbor), Up (when you want picked up), Cat, Eat, Kate-Kate, Papaw, Nana, Milk, Juice, Water, and you can name so many animals sounds...my favorite is the rooster! Cock a doodle doo!!

We have started a Mommy and Me swim class together. I think it is your most favorite time of the week. You love blowing bubbles, chasing the balls in the water, sliding down the slide and even jumping off the side to me. It's a big of a workout for Mommy holding on tightly to you so you don't "swim" off but we have a blast.

You don't look much at all like your big sister, or mommy! You look so much like your Daddy with your blue eyes. You've got the sweetest, softest skin that I love to kiss.

You have really latched on to your bedtime routine. Bath, Teeth, Jammies, Milk, and Books. You will sit still and cuddle for as many books as we will read. I love the Sandra Boyton books and so do you. You also like "One Apple up on Top" and "The Three Little Kittens". You go to sleep so easily. Never a complaint. Your Big Sister can't wait until you are old enough to move in to her room.

Reading before bedtime.

Your favorite show is Olivia. She's new since you came along. You say "Ol li li a". SO CUTE!!

Mommy went on a weekend trip with a girlfriend a few weeks ago and your Grandma and Great Grandma spent three nights with you. You warmed up quickly to them and let Grandma Brown be your best pal the whole weekend. I'm sorry we live far away from your grandparents, but it makes me so thankful for the time you do get to spend with them. Your Grandma Brown really adores you. I hope you will remember her for a long long time.

I'm so proud to be your Mommy. How did God know I needed a spunky, loving, bright eyed little girl in my life? You are more than I could ever ask God for. I hope you remember when you are older that I pray for you. I pray that God will give you a sense of HIS love for you even from this young. I pray you would accept him and his free gift of love for you. I also pray that I would be the kind of Mommy that you need.

I love you the most Kate-Kate, Kate-O, Kater-Tot.

Mommy

Picture Update..

2011-09-06T14:47:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

2011-08-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

I good friend has been doing a series of "Tips and Tricks" on her blog so I thought I would add what few tips I have :) While getting my hair done the other day my hairdresser, who has a 10 month old was asking for a few tips, and believe it or not I had a little advice to give!! I know I would never be accused of having it all together, I can completely relate to Ann Voskamp's words "I'm a mess." Really I am. It is only the Lord's work in me that has made what humble progress there has been in my role as a Mom these last 4 years.

SO. Here are a few tips.

Grocery shopping torture

Any sort of grocery store trip with little ones can make my heart rate raise by atleast 20 beats per minute. Nothing says "failing mom" like your kids throwing a fit for all to see in the store. I remember coming home once and calling Nick crying after one such trip. I would joke "No need to buy a movie ticket, the Barkers put on a great show at Target today." SO, I've had my moments to say the least. I remember once when Blake was about 18 months old I let her hold a packet of Taco seasoning while I was loading the groceries on the conveyor....she proceded to rip it open and it went everywhere. Our cashier had some sort of allergic reaction (coughing, sneezing, etc) and had to have someone else check us out. I'm getting anxious just typing about it. I know a lot of people go by the rule to go alone when your husband or someone else can watch your kids...but for me, I'm not motivated at all to do an hour long grocery run at 9:30 at night. So, if you must take the little joys along, here are a few tips I use to make it doable.

1. PARK NEAR THE CART CORRAL!! Forget the days of grabbing the closest parking spot. It is no longer your friend. Find the closest spot you can to a cart corral. That way you can load the kids directly into the cart.

2. The rule of no bribing is thrown out the window in the grocery store. Feel free to bribe. Suckers (when old enough) fruit snacks, but try to choose something that will take a little time to get down.

3. Try to shop at a store with kid carts. You know, these MASSIVE ones with little cars in the front. This is helpful for me because A. They can both be buckled in. B. They aren't facing you so they aren't constantly wanting your attention or wanting to be held. Kroger often has these carts. Even if the store is a little more expensive, it is worth it to me because my kids behave at least 50% better with kid carts.

4. ALWAYS BUCKLE THEM IN! At the pediatrician the other day he mentioned that the majority of kids coming in with trauma are from falling off or out of the grocery cart. SCARY!!

5. Keep a few quarters...for the little -no- fun- at- all- firetruck outside the store that costs $1.00 to slowly rock back and forth for 30 seconds. We ride this if Blake has had good behavior while shopping and checking out. (Refer to rule #2)

6. Try to keep calm. They will have fits. At times they will cry. (Mostly likely while you are checking out) And at some point they will 100% certainly embaress you and make you look like a terrible terrible Mom :) Take a deep breath. Act like it does not bother you in the slightest, and do your best to get you all out of the store in one piece.

**Sidenote, if your children are being little angels and you see a Mom going through a melt down, as you are walking by you could say "I've been there!!" This atleast lets them know someone in the store feels their pain. Someone relates to the torture they are experiencing. Trust me, it will make them feel at least a little better.****

7. To load the car, load the kids first, then the groceries. Then take the cart back! Nothing says rude like leaving your cart in the middle of the parking lot. Remember, you parked closely to the corral so you don't have to walk far from your kids.

Friday dose of Cuteness.

2011-08-19T06:43:00.000-07:00

Kate and her BFF Mitzi

Couldn't you kiss and kiss and kiss all those sweet cheeks!

They just KNOW I want ONE picture of them both smiling...so.....kissess and peak-a-boo it is!

I really need a whole post dedicated to Kate, it's coming soon. She is at a super sweet happy stage.

Barker Family Vacation

2011-08-10T19:14:00.000-07:00

Most often, our "vacations" are spent in Arkansas visiting our family....which is so fun for us.
But this year I wanted to make sure and get a quick trip somewhere just our family of four.
So I found the closest city to a beach and booked a trip!
Galveston! Yay! No, Galveston is not luxurious, or beautiful, BUT it has a beach! We were in!

We stayed three nights and had so much fun just being together.
Blake is so much like her Daddy, if you ask her her favorite part of the trip she will tell you "the hotel!!!".
I think having us all four in a such a small space was like heaven for her. She got to sleep with us (even though there were two beds) and play non stop with Mommy, Daddy and Kate.
Once I asked,"Should we go to the pool or the beach?" to which she replied "Can we just go to our hotel?"

And though Kate had a fantastic time playing, she did not do very well sleeping.
Kate is the best little sleeper you've ever met, IF she is in her own bed with the fan on and the door closed.
She had a crib in our hotel room, and the room was even big enough to where she couldn't directly see us, but she still had a rough time sleeping.

So....I know you don't care about me explaining everything, you want pictures...so here ya go :)

Our day at Moody Gardens was so much fun! We went to the Rainforest pyramid and saw a Dora 4D movie.

(sidenote: this monkey was 2 feet from me. They weren't caged in, but stayed in their "area". So cool)

(sidenote: have you ever seen a more beautiful baby, I bet not.)

stopping to smell the roses

This is the absolute best one of these two.....fail.

so sweet

i think he's praising Jesus, how about you? I feel this way daily.

this picture really touches my heart. she walked right up to the statue with this intense look on her face and just touched the Mommy. Love love love.

Do you ever....

2011-08-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

Finish up your bath at the end of a busy day and think "I could just go to sleep right here"? Well Kate was thinking exactly that. She wanted to be covered with her towel and lay right there in the tub!

Mobile <----Rewind

2011-08-09T00:47:00.000-07:00

Mobile, because these video gems had before been tucked safely in my IPhone..only an occasional MMS to a Nana or Grammie...but I figured,why not give them their own blog?

Here is our video to Nana showing her how Blake had memorized her memory verse (Just like Nana does with her class!(

\
This video was from tonight. It takes a lot of planning and effort to make three year olds have fun....just see.

This is from our vacation, Kate being generous with her pouty kisses~

This is Blake "reading"to me from her bible. Her stories use a lot of words like "always, never, not again, forever.....)

Kate showing the world her adorbale BEBO.

It's hard to tell, but Blake is actually swimming SO much better. Still a little too confident for her own good, but she has come a long long way this session.

Kate showing her rythm in the car seat.

Kate practicing fine motor skills.

This is the one I'm most proud of. Watch and Learn.

Here is my littlest snuglly buddy Quinn. I love this sweet girl. In the next few weeks some of our very closest friend will be moving away for a year. I'm dreading it out of my own selfishness, though I know it will lead to good things for their life. We've been through so much with the Finchers. Babies, and more babies. Individual heartaches and indvidual triumphs. I know there are many more years of friendship between us. (And MANY trips home to see us while they are away.)

Quinn doesn't look to worried, does she?

This is the first picture of Blake writing her name. Go Blake!

The Perfect Fit

2011-08-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

When we came home from Arkansas we were lucky enough to bring Caitlyn back with us.

These two are so perfectly matched as cousins. They played and giggled, swam and had "bunkin" parties.

Caitlyn is one of the sweetest, helpful, most patient little girls....I remember when she was born how excited I was to have a little niece, not knowing that some day she would be the girl that MY little girl wants to be just like. This was Caitlyn's second year to come stay with us, I hope we keep this tradition going for a long, long time.

And I can't forget, Caitlyn and Kate....Such sweet sweet time together.

Summer Blogging

2011-08-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

I'm so far behind on blogging it's a bit overwhelming to try to piece something together, but I will try.
Little Miss Blake has had one busy summer. From July 8th - July 29th she enjoyed the company of her most favorite person, immediate family excluded...CAITLYN!!

It started with my Blake spending a whole week in Arkansas without me. Nick was also out of town..so Kate, Levi and I had a quiet week just us three. Blake spent the week going to Branson (Silver Dollar City, or as Blake calls it "Tilly Dollar City", going to the movies, riding Grandma and Grandpa's horses and having a wonderful family filled time. Here she is after riding the log ride.

Kate and I then traveled to Arkansas to spend a few days with family, then travel home.

We were lucky enough to get several cousins together at the bounce house. Here are Layla and Kate.

While in Arkansas I was able to meet my newest nephew, Liam Robert. Isn't he adorable?

Liam and Grandpa

Stephen and Kate

We really tried to get a whole family shot (My Mom's side) Here's what we got. (My brother Derek couldn't make it)

Blake showing her serious side.

All the cousins (Liam, Stephen, Blake, Kate and Caitlyn)

The Boys, Black and White just seemed to fit.

Mom, Rick and their grandkids.

.....summer blogging to be continued.....

Kate's 15 Month Pictures

2011-07-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, there are a lot, but I really did narrow it down.
Oh my Goodness she is cute.
Enjoy.

PS. If anyone has any tips to help my pictures not look grainy when uploaded to blogger I'll take em'!
I shrunk these a little hoping that would fix it but it didn't.

4th Of July

2011-07-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

Celebrating with our neighbor friends!

Introducing...

2011-07-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

Levi Barker

a 7 pound Toy Australian Shepherd that is all the work of another child, God Bless him.

He really is a precious boy. He has adjusted so well to us. He is definitely a lap dog that is extremely content. The only thing that would make his life better would be getting the temperature outside closer to 80 than 100 (he can barely stand to be out 5 minutes to go potty) and if we told him he didn't have to sleep in his kennel ever again. We are in the throws of house breaking, so if I'm gray next time you see me you'll know why.

See Blake...

2011-07-01T15:27:00.000-07:00

SWIM!

I've had SO FEW pictures of swim class for Blake, mostly because who dares pull out a camera when munchkin #2 could use those 8 seconds to try to jump in the pool...

So here's the best I could do.
She really is doing so much better this session. She can come up and take a breath then go back under to swim. Her teacher says she has all the "moves" (big arms, big kicks, big breaths) and is just now learning to coordinate them all toghether to swim.

Kate is 15 Months Old!

2011-07-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

At 15 months old Kate is one busy little girl.

Her hobbies include:

Stealing Mommy's phone

Being held

Giving tight hugs

Taking her sister's ___________. (really you can put anything in here you like, it will be the truth)

Chasing her new buddy Levi (pictures to come)

Trying to sneak outside.

Trying to climb the stairs before you catch her.

Dancing on our coffee table.

Trying to "swim" in her little-bitty water table.

Saying "Momma, Dada, Uh-oh, come-on"

Taking your hand and pulling you where she wants to go

15 Month Stats:

Weight 24 lb 5 oz (73%)

Height 33 1/4 " (99%)

Head 47 cm (81%)

Good bye to a friend...

2011-06-29T15:15:00.000-07:00

It's taken me a while to really be ready to post this on our blog..but it needs to be done.

On June 9th we lost our dear friend, Benson. I don't want to get into the details on here, but he went comfortably with Nick and I holding him close to us.

Nick and I got Benson together when we first became serious. He was the sweetest little pup, full of energy and love. When Nick moved to Texas to take a job and I stayed in Arkansas awaiting our wedding, Nick brought Benson with him. Nick said he couldn't have made it in a new place so far from home without such a loyal friend with him.

I remember being told when I was pregnant with Blake that we would never look at our dog the same after we had a child...and while there is truth to that it make me laugh remembering just an hour after Blake was born Nick looking at me and saying "I still love Bubba."

He was here to welcome each of our sweet babies home.

It's true he had started to change as he got older, we dubbed him "the grumpy old man" but he had earned it putting up with this crazy family for over a decade. I will remember him as our sweet, happy, energetic (and yes barking) dog that was so loyal to us. My one regret (not knowing he would get sick so suddenly) was not making him a juicy hamburger and letting him have the whole thing just for himself.

To to pay proper tribute, enjoy some of the pictures documenting our
11 1/2 years with Benson "Bubba" Barker.

Picture Update

2011-06-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

Lindsay Blake 3 1/2 Years

Kathryn Bailey 14 months

It is God's gift to us that these two blessings are ours...and I thank HIM daily for his GRACE that covers each and every one of our days, be they easy or be they hard. He is truely more than I could ever ask for.

PS. I have no idea why blogger is uploading my pictures just fine then they look all grainy...

For Nick

2011-06-02T18:48:00.000-07:00

Nick doesn't get enough blog attention, so I thought I'd throw this in for him.
His new (used) toy. Isn't she pretty (when ridden slowly, with a helmet on, on a non-busy street).

Around the...Yard

2011-06-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

Having two little ones we spend TONS of time outside. We take a walk or bike ride almost every day. The girls love being outside and I love that we all get a little sun and exercise.

Blake is old enough this year to be "in charge" (and trust me she likes to remind us) of watering the plants. The reality that these red flowers are still alive is a testament to her diligence :) Flowers and plants usually have a short, hard life if I am in charge of watering them.

Filling her watering jug.

So proud...

Have I mentioned on my blog that we have an A+, Number One, PERFECT neighbor? (Like, replacing my garbage disposal before Nick could even get home to look at it/ fixing our fence when it blew down a few years ago, amazing.) He is a generous and caring soul, honestly. I love him like he was part of our family. His name is Vern, he lost his sweet wife, Carolyn, last year and is Blake and Kate's honorary Texas Grandpa. Here are a few pictures from his yard (that we frequently take over.) If we ever do move my greatest sadness will be leaving Vern. We often joke that we will have to find two houses for sale next to each other so we can take him with us.

So there you have it, a look around our front yard...maybe next time we'll do the back yard!

2011-05-24T12:43:00.001-07:00

I love when I pull up my camera and Nick has taken pictures of the girls while I'm at work. Here they are this past weekend.

Movie {Not in} in the Park

2011-05-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend was supposed to be our neighborhood "Movie in the Park"...but the weather was iffy so they canceled it. I had been excited for weeks about taking the girls to watch a movie outside so last minute we improvised and had "Movie in The Barkers Driveway"!!

We had Popcorn and Juice Boxes and watched Toy Story 3.

Uncle B, Blake and Lexi.

Lane wasn't so intrested in the movie, but loved playing outside! (It was WAY muggy and humid.)

I think Blake enjoyed it more than anyone else. She's already requesting to watch different movies "on the garage". She finished the whole movie! (The movie is hard to see in this picture because my flash whited it out but it looked great while watching it.)

I can't wait to do this again this summer.

Spring Show

2011-05-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

Blake had her Preschool Spring show this past Monday. For weeks she had been singing about roaring lions, slithering snakes and "jumpanzees" i.e. chimpanzees.
It was so fun to watch her sing and do the motions to the songs. She started out a little nervous, but then spotted me in the crowd and perked up. I'm hoping to figure out how to get video from our video camera to show, but for now pictures will have to do.

This is Blake with her two teachers Ms. Nikki and Ms. Andrea.

Ready for the show!
She looks like such a big girl here.

And I can't leave Kate out, so here is her latest accomplishment. Getting in the bath tub. I had given her and Blake a bath together then gave Kate to Nick to watch. I was picking out Blake's PJ's when I hear "Mommmmmy!!! Kate's in the tub!!!" And so she was, fresh diaper, fresh PJ's and OH SO PROUD of herself. Little Stinker :)
PS. I made Nick dry and redress her ;)

School Time

2011-05-03T08:54:00.001-07:00

I had been wanting to start a school time with Blake for a while...but we were really inconsistent and I didn't really have a plan of attack....It seemed overwhelming to find things that were age appropriate and I could get her to sit down and focus for a short time. She learns so much at YCW, but I wanted to be more involved in her learning.

So about a month ago I decided to get organized, don't let that overwhelm you. I went to Target and found a few age appropriate work books, gathered up a few educational books we had (mostly from Chic-Fil-A) and found a Prayer book that would give us a prayer/devotional to end with each day.

Right now we are learning about Weather, writing her name (we practiced "A" today) and tracing exercises to help with writing. We also find our day on the calender and sing the "months of the year song". She LOVES this time of day. It gives me motivation to spend quality uniterrupted (we do it during Kate's first nap) time focused on her.

She loves learning about tornados.

Practicing our "A's"

Probably the most important component, Mommy's coffee...and Blake's book of prayers.

Quinn Elizabeth

2011-04-27T11:57:00.001-07:00

One of my dearest friends had her baby girl last week, Quinn Elizabeth.

No, I'm not a professional....I've never claimed to be, I just love taking pictures of the people I love. So please don't judge these harshly. My littlest model is absolutely breathtaking though :)

Welcome sweet Baby Quinn. We hope you enjoy noise, chaos and lots of LOVE...cause we bring it all :)

Easter Afternoon (Them)

2011-04-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the shots I got of the rest of our Easter party.

BFF's Mitzi and Kate

I love this picture!! Mizti's little personality cracks me up. Kate was pretty tired at this point and Mitzi was just fresh from a nap :)

Mitzi and Claire

The Turners

Emily, Luke, Mitzi and Claire

Mitzi Rae

Luke showing his Money Ticket he found in an egg!

Claire found this in her egg :)

Sydney enjoying her bubble gum.

Wayne catching it all on video.

Easter Afternoon (Us)

2011-04-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

Easter afternoon we got together with a few friends from our Small Group to have lunch and an Easter Egg Hunt.
They let the littlest (Kate) go first all by herself.

Kate took egg hunting very seriously.

Next the little kids went. Blake stopped 5 feet in to notice a little yellow flower which she picked and gave to me.

Me and my girls

Me and Kate

Daddy and Kate. I think they look so much alike :)

Blake showing off her eggs.

Easter Morning

2011-04-26T20:37:00.001-07:00

I was so excited to celebrate Easter Sunday with my little family. I usually work every Sunday, so I made sure to take off so we could celebrate together.

We woke up that morning and got ready before the girls got up. When they got up the Easter Bunny (and Grammie and Nana) had left them goodies.

****On a side note. I am definitely NOT against things like Santa or the Easter Bunny, BUT I have learned this year that it should not be the first thing we do Easter morning. The girls were so excited about presents that we didn't have the focus on Christ that Nick and I thought was important. So, for next year we are going to save all gifts for the END of the day...that way we can focus more attention to what we are striving to really celebrate. You live, you learn with parenting, so now we know :)***

Early morning with the girls.

Taking a sleepy look..

We went to Church that morning with Baus and Lexi. How cute is she in her Easter hat :)

Baus, Nick, Blake, Lexi and Kate. These girls are so blessed with these Daddy's.

Did you know Kate ADORES Baus?

Check back tomorrow for pictures from our Easter Afternoon!

2011-04-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

There's been so much on my mind I've wanted to blog about...but haven't.
I wanted to put this little tid bit in because I don't want to forget it.

We've been talking a lot about Easter the last few weeks. We talk about Jesus often, but have focused recently on him dying and then living again, and how He did it all because he loves us....and that now because of what Jesus did we get to live in heaven with God and Jesus some day.

So, today on the way to preschool we were talking again about how Jesus died for us, and Blake just started talking....she basically told me the whole salvation story. She was so excited that Jesus died, but now he's alive. I explained to her that what she had just told me was the MOST important story in the whole world.

(I want to note that my 3 year old LOVES anything that involves: most, never, always, forvever. She's is an extremist all the way.)

She really held on to that fact. So she kept saying over and over. "It's the most important story in the whole world, right Mommy?" By the time we pulled in the preschool I had to compose myself because I was a mess.

To hear her profess and in her perfect little child mind tell me the story of God's love for us. It was overwhelming. I never want to forget how that felt.

So, because I've been a bad blogger I'm including a video and a picture.

Arkansas Petit Jean Trip

2011-04-12T11:58:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I haven't posted these yet. Boy, am I behind. While in Arkansas we spent a day at Petit Jean Mountain with Nick's family... I think Blake would put it down as one of the best days of her life, literally! She fished and rode horses and played with some really fun cousins.

Blake adores Julia...I hope she grows up to be just like her.

Horse back riding (Blake was almost asleep by the end)

The big kids and Moms went to a petting zoo. These little goats were so precious.

Blake feeding a goose.

What an adorable little guy this is.

Papaw showing Kate the campsite.

Grammie and her girls.

Kate needs little to keep her entertained. Some dirt and rocks will do just fine.

We were so blessed to get to spend a whole day with the family. Sure wish we could see them all more often.

All Kate

2011-03-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Kate, I really cannot believe you are ONE!! Here's a little about you right now.

You are so much FUN to be around.

You LOVE people….anybody really. Today we went to see your Doctor and you just wanted him to hold you the whole time. You will reach for anyone if they stand close enough to you. It makes them feel special that you like them so much.

You eat like a champ little one! Tonight you had meatloaf, homemade bread and broccoli for dinner. Just like the rest of us!

You love to hear music and dance.

You love to play with Blake. Things like hide and seek or peek a boo. Seeing you two play together brings this Momma buckets of joy.

If you have a little tantrum, you will stand up, bend over at the waist and touch your head to the ground. It’s so darn cute you wouldn’t be able to know it was a tantrum if you didn’t pout a little with it.

You still sleep GREAT! About 12 hours at night and 4 hours worth of naps.

We know you will have opportunities to go far and do well, but as for us, the only thing that means anything is that you love Jesus. LOVE JESUS. HE loved you first and He loves you more than you could imagine Seek His Glory, Remember his sacrifice for you and He will work all things out for you as you seek Him. We pray over you now every night little Love, pray that His Spirit would live in you from a young tender age.

Here are pictures from your Arkansas Birthday party at Nana and Papaw's house.

The cakes Amy made specially for you! Ready to Party Blake showing you your gifts

Opening presents with Mommy's help

You are so adorable :)

Ready for your smash cake.

It gave you the perfect little beard!!

Big Sis enjoying cake.

Daddy helping you clean up

Cousin Charleigh taking a rest!

Cousin Layla, her birthday is only one day after yours!

Some of the family! left to right: Blake (3yrs), Layla (almost 2), Charleigh (1), Kate (1), Kinley (1). We were missing Nathan...he didn't like the idea of all those girls around.

Kate taking a rest on Kinley.

You had over 40 people there to celebrate you! Thanks Nana and Papaw for the best party!!

Night Night Kate

2011-03-11T13:24:00.001-08:00

Meal Time

2011-03-07T10:43:00.001-08:00

Alternately titled: Do You Know How to Use a Wipey?

I know you probably see Kate and wonder why her Momma can't keep her clean. Why she has sticky hands, spaghetti sauce in her hair or dried peas around her face...No matter how well I clean her after a meal, I always miss something.

But she is still my little angel even with all the crummies :)

On a side note, can you BELIEVE this baby turns one this month? This year has flown by. So not fair.

Remember When....

2011-02-25T18:20:00.000-08:00

Blake when she was about a year and Kate at about a year....

It's crazy to me how different they are!

Sweet Kate

2011-02-25T17:55:00.001-08:00

Oh Man, it's hard to believe you are almost ONE!

Here's a little about you:

~ You love being held. ALL THE TIME. You prefer Mommy's hip to anywhere else. I've learned to do many things one-handed in an effort to accomidate you :)

~ You've just recently started hugging and giving kisses. They are slobbery and amazing, and I'll take all of them you are willing to give.

~ Besides your family your favorite person is our neighbor, Vern. If you see him you wiggle to get down so you can run to him.

~ You can walk!! You're about 1/2 and 1/2 for walking vs. crawling. I love seeing you toddle around.

~ You still love to eat and you are so thankful for your little snack trapper, especially if it has goldfish inside it!

~ You say Mama, Dada, and Bubba.

~ You love to play on our bed and "wrestle".

~ You love to sleep! What a blessing for us! When you see your bed you start to wiggle and definitely let us know you are ready to lay down.

It wouldn't be quite fair to show all your sweet smiliness without showing proof that you do like a good cry now and again, especially when Mommy is trying to make you smile at the camera.

My Little Sleepers

2011-02-17T11:16:00.000-08:00

I am blessed to have two good sleepers. Here they are, caught in the act.

Helpers

2011-02-17T11:13:00.000-08:00

Little Kate-O is sooo entertained by these two girls!

Blake's Story Time

2011-02-08T18:22:00.001-08:00

For Mom (who needs a book recommendation)

2011-01-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

Did you know I love to read. Like, LOVE to read. Well I do. If I'm not reading a good book I feel like I'm missing something.

Here are a few of my recent reads that I recommend.

Her Mother's Hope ~ Francine Rivers
Her Daughter's Dream ~ Francine Rivers

This is a two part series about 4 generations of women in one family. They are long (like 500 pages long) but easy reads. They focus on mother/daughter/grandmother relationships. I definitely enjoyed them.

I also recommend the Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins.
The titles are:

The Hunger Games
Cathing Fire
Mockingjay

They hook you in a Twilight-esque sort of way.

In non-fiction I recommend

So Long, Insecurity ~Beth Moore

This book opened my eyes in so many ways. If we are close friends you're probably tired of me telling you to read this book. It usually takes me longer to get through non-ficiton books, but this one had me wanting to read "just one more page" over and over. Even if you don't think you struggle with insecurity, this book shows you practical ways to put ALL your security on Jesus.

Cousin Loves

2011-01-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

Our neice Lexi had a New Year's Eve sleep over with us..
Here are a few pictures.

10 Years!!

2011-01-11T13:51:00.000-08:00

Nick and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary last week!

I honestly cannot believe it's been 10 years. I'm so thankful to Nick for all his love and even more thankful to our heavenly Father who pours out HIS love and mercy on our marriage.

For us, marriage is forever, and I'm so thankful. So thankful to those who supported us even though we HAD to have sounded crazy to want to get married so young (and move 400 miles away from everyone we knew!!)

As a combined Christmas/Anniversary Nick surprised me with a new 50mm lens for my camera and oh my goodness do I love how it takes a picture...

Here's just one example.

Our terribly executed self portrait.

Sweet Kay-doh.

They melt my heart....

Christmas Day

2011-01-11T13:22:00.000-08:00

I had to work this Christmas, it's just one of the sacrifices you make to work in healthcare. But Nick did an awesome job with the girls and I'll be so glad for us all to be together next year.

For weeks Blake had said she wanted a "blue squishy bunny" for Christmas...and guess what.....Santa (cough cough, Grammie) delivered!!

Going to bed Christmas eve with her bunny.

Excited to see what Santa brought for Christmas morning.

Blake and Kate enjoying a their riding gifts from Nana (it cracks me up how neither of them have pants on .)

Me getting to spend some time with Blake Christmas night.

This is just an extra to show you my view looking down.

Atkinson Family Christmas

2011-01-11T13:05:00.001-08:00

Yes, it's almost mid January and I'm still bustin' out the Christmas posts...

If there's one thing I didn't realize about motherhood is that is literally takes ALL your time...like all of it...I love it, I really do...so please excuse my lateness (and if you could see me you would have to excuse the pajamas at 3 in the afternoon) and enjoy another themed post!

My Mom and Kate

My step brother Dustin and his girlfriend Ryan. This is the very 1st girl I've ever seen him bring home...they arrived in from Florida late one evening and we probably scared the girl half to death by having a good 10 or 12 of us in the kitchen just waiting for them to walk in. She was a great sport and tolerated us well :)

Blake and her cousin Caitlyn

Aunt Nancy and Kate

Nick and my Grandma who was so generous to give her time and energy making this T Shirt quilt for Nick. He LOVES it, and so do I.

My step brother Brian and sis in law Amy (they had found out that day that they were having a BOY!!!!)

Excited to open presents.

Stephen loved his guitar from Grandma and Grandpa.

And Caitlyn loved her new saddle!

Blake wanted a turn too.

2011-01-01T18:27:00.000-08:00

Today I worked, I get to see Blake for just a few minutes before she goes to bed and this is our conversation:

B: Mommy, you went to work today?

Me: Yep

B: At the hopsital (i.e hospital)
Me: Yep.

B: Why?

Me: Because the sick people need me to take care of them.

B: But what if that doesn't work?

Me: Sometimes they go to be with Jesus if that doesn't work.

B: Oh....Hey Mommy, Kate missed you today.

This was so insightful to me, especially because I lost one of my patients today and am not certain whether another will be there when I go back in the morning...
And because every day I am gone from my sweet girls I miss them like crazy.

Wells Family Christmas

2010-12-31T08:32:00.000-08:00

This Christmas with my Dad's family was really special, all 4 (3 and under!) grandaughters were there together, my step sister and her husband have been working in Montana for MONTHS so I had only met my little neice Charleigh once, and they had never met Kate. (On a side note, if you have ever wanted to travel to Montana, talk to them first, they will be sure and talk you out of it!!)

I had high hopes of getting a good picture of all 4 of the girls, I should have known better. With 4 that little one is always sleeping...

We traveled in a week before Christmas for my little cousin's wedding. This is the ONLY picture I got. Little Kate was not having much luck being quiet and still so I basically spent the ceremony holding her in the back of the church. It was a beautiful wedding.
This is my Dad with my two girls.

Layla and Blake on Nana's bed watching TV

Blake got a big girl Dora bike and LOVES riding it! A little scary for me (and yes I really do make her wear a helmet)

Charleigh Anne

Bryan, Charleigh and Stephanie

Charleigh and Kate, Kate is 5 months younger but every bit as big as Charleigh!

So sweet.

Charleigh is a Papaw's girl.

Kate checking out Santa.

Opening LOTS of presents. They were wrapping paper coordinated to each girl's favorite cartoon character :)

Heather and Layla.

Me and Kate

I also have long video of the girls opening presents, but decided to spare you unless someone (i.e. grandparents) really wants to see it.

(I still need to blog about my Mom's Christmas, just bear with me, there are TONS of pictures to go through!)

Memory Verses

2010-12-31T08:21:00.000-08:00

We have been practicing memory verses in our house. Here is what we've learned so far! Sorry for my baratone voice, I have a head cold. (even this morning while talking to my neice on the phone she asked if I was Uncle Nick, HA!)

And yes, the video says it but Kate got two teeth yesterday!!

2010-12-29T13:33:00.000-08:00

I love Beth Moore,
Here is a quote from a book of hers I'm reading:

"Sometimes life offers me such a monumentally irresistible opportunity to act like an idiot that I cave."

Can you relate? I can. Thank you Jesus for your Mercy!!

Happy 9 Months Kate!

2010-12-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

Kate is 9 months old today.
She is such a big girl. She can crawl, climb stairs take a few little steps on her own, eat just about anything that can be gummed (still no teeth), clap, and say "mamamamama".

She is constantly on the move, her favorite thing right now is to climb the stairs and tackle Bubba (our dog). She likes all the food she's ever had, but really enjoys pancakes, eggs, and bananas.

Here are a few pictures I took while we were in Arkansas.

Did you hear that, did ya, did ya ???

and now a little sister love.

Barker Family Christmas

2010-12-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

Every year Nick's Aunt Gay hosts a BIG Christmas party. There are tons of family and friends. We've missed it the last few years but were lucky enough to make it this year.

Below is Nicks Dad (far left), then Uncle Darrell and Aunt Debbie.

Me and my mini me

Daddy and Blake

Our sister in law Paige with her boys Charlie and Will. Such handsome boys!

The BIG event is Santa Clause coming to visit the kids. Santa's beard/hair were a little out of control! Anyhoo, Kate meeting Santa...

Charlie gets his picture in the blog because he's sitting with Santa when Santa happened to throw a peace sign...maybe because underneath it all this was a young/hip Santa.

Sweet Kelly with Santa.

I LOVE this picture. There are so, so many girls in our family and BOY do they love a baby! Kate was the center of all attention :) Blake stayed up later than she ever has playing with all the cousins and friends around.

Blake meeting Santa for the first time.

Our sweet cousin Lauren, she sure loved baby Kate!

Grammie and Kate.

I wish we could be there every year, it's so fun to have so much family in one place! Thanks Aunt Gay for putting in all together.

Lane Turns 3

2010-12-28T08:07:00.000-08:00

Blake's BFF Lane turned three this month, we always love a good party, especially when it's for LANE!

Having cupcakes

Opening presents!

Kate and Jennie

Blake rocking out...sort of.

My girls.

Blake wrestling Kate....this happens about 20 times a day at our house. It's all in love...but Kate gets tired of it sometimes.

Lane LOVES Nick. He's kid magnet.

Happy Birthday Lane!!

Yes Ma'am

2010-12-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

We know you are adorable,

and funny,
and silly,
we know, we know.

The Meaning of Christmas

2010-12-14T06:33:00.000-08:00

of course...is Christ, and to give as He gave to us.

Adoption has a special place in my heart, so when I ran across this blog I had to share.
Check out the raffle going on at:

http://cheathamchat.blogspot.com/

and donate as little as $10 to enter a raffle for an IPAD!

Go, donate, show Christ's love...it's ours to share!

Love,
Sarah

Pancake Mornings

2010-12-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

To be a true Barker, it is a requirement that you LOVE pancakes. So we were relieved to know Kate fits in perfectly. When I am off on Saturdays it is a given that we will eat at Joe's Coffee shop and have pancakes (usually accompanied by our buddies the Finchers.)

I love all pancakes, but this recipe (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Oatmeal-and-Applesauce-Pancakes/Detail.aspx) is my favorite, it has fruit and oatmeal so you feel a little better about the nutrition and it's still SO yummy. They also freeze really well so don't be afraid to whip up an extra batch just to keep on hand for breakfast or snacks.

Kate enjoying her first pancake.

Blake loves to help mix them up,and for a picky eater she will always eat two or three of these.
My BIG helper.

Kate decided to celebrate with a little standing!!!! Can you believe her?

Happy 8 Months!

2010-11-29T14:15:00.000-08:00

Happy 8 Months Kate (aka: Kay-doh, Kater-Kate, Katie Macaroni, Kathryn Bailey)

You sure a one amazing girl!!

The Big Red Pot - Serving Up More Than Just A Good Meal!: $50 Nordstrom Rack Gift Certificate for $25!

2010-11-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

This is a great deal, I love Nordstrom Rack, very cute clothes. There's one in Southlake!

The Big Red Pot - Serving Up More Than Just A Good Meal!: $50 Nordstrom Rack Gift Certificate for $25!: "Today's Miami Groupon is a $50 Nordstrom Rack Groupon for only $25! Even though this is Miami's deal, it can be used at any Nordstrom Rack n..."

The Big Red Pot - Serving Up More Than Just A Good Meal!: FREE Thanksgiving Cards through 11/19!!

2010-11-18T19:28:00.000-08:00

The Big Red Pot - Serving Up More Than Just A Good Meal!: FREE Thanksgiving Cards through 11/19!!: "Tiny Prints is offering free Thanksgiving cards with free shipping! What a fun little way to say Thank You to loved ones! I bet you have a s..."

2010-11-18T10:02:00.000-08:00

November 13, 2010
My crazy, fun, 3 year old Blake. Today you turn 3 years old. We had a Dora themed birthday party for you at a nearby park. All your best friends were there (Lexi, Lane, Claire, Luke, Griffin, Bri). You had SO much fun. I’ll say it again, I can’t believe you are three. You have changed SO much this year. You are a better big sister than I could have dreamed. You love your little Kater more than anything. The other day at church a woman asked if I could help her with her grandaughter’s carseat, so I had her hold Kate for just a second. You were so sad because you thought she was taking Kate with her. You are the first to let me know she is crying or she wants a bottle. You both light up each time you see each other. I pray that this love you two share will continue and grow as you both grow older. What a gift God has given each of you with a sister.

I think you are really starting to understand why we love Jesus in our house. We had a special children’s offering at church this week. You saved up change in a milk jug (aka Jesus Jug) and took it to the front of the church as an offering. Daddy and I were so proud of you. Then this past week you’ve re-inacted that scene over and over in pretend fashion. I hope you always have a heart that wants to give to our Jesus and the people he loves.

Some things you enjoy right now are: PLAYDOH!!! You would play all day every day. Your favorite is for me or Daddy to sit down and play playdoh with you (though we have to try to keep Kate from eating it!)

You love our neighbor, Vern. For some reason you call him “Bern”, pronouncing your “V” with a “B”. He has a cat, Chevy, that you call “Cheby”. You mostly love Vern because he brings you a bag of sugary candy every time he sees you!

You know almost all of your ABC’s by sight. You know how to spell your name and it’s so funny because you think everywhere there is a “B” like on a billboard or sign that it is for your name. You yell out “Hey MOMMY, look it’s a “B” for me!!”

You LOVE to talk. There is never a dull moment in our house because you fill it with your entertaining commentary.

You go to the preschool at church two days a week. You get to learn so many new things and do fun crafts.

Your favorite show right now is the Little Rascals, you love getting to watch a few minutes before you go to bed each night. And of course you are still a Dora fan.
Your favorite food by far is peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches.
Even at three years old you love all things Drama  . If anyone around you is talking about someone getting in trouble you want to know ALL about it. Then bring it up in conversation for weeks.

My prayer for you is that you grow up knowing our Lord Jesus. I strive to set an example for you and show you every day what it means to live with love in your heart. I pray you would always be amazed at what HE has done for you and how much he has provided for you. I am not always a perfect Mom. I hope you forgive where I need it. But I love you more than life itself…and I will always do all I can for you.

I love you my sweet, crazy three year old.
Love,
Mommy

Blake's 3rd Birthday Bash

2010-11-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

Our BIG girl had a fantastic time celebrating turning 3 on Saturday! The first picture shows what I should have seen coming, a cold that became worse and worse as Sunday went by.

Nana and PaPaw enjoying holding Kate.

Mommy and the Birthday girl

Having fun with Lexi and Brooklyn

Griffin playing pin the tail on Swiper...and poor Lane, she eventually cheered up.

Cousins having fun

Lexi Renee

Papaw and Kate

My adorable husbad with Lexi and Blake

Bri was a good sport :)

Kate and Mitzi Rae swinging.

I love this picture...Luke is never short on ladies :)

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it..I'm always blown away by our friends' and family and their generosity. Blake is one LUCKY girl to have all you guys in her life!

Blake is THREE (Yesterday!)

2010-11-14T14:55:00.000-08:00

Our BIG girl is THREE!!

Here are a few pictures (courtesy of Nick) to tide you over until I can compile a birthday party blog.

Blake Rocks the Vote

2010-11-04T19:35:00.001-07:00

I was so excited to be able to take Blake with me to vote this year! We got to talk about what a great opportunity we have to choose who leads our country.

She loved the fact that we got to go to the elementary school by our house to vote, we took a peak at where the big kids eat lunch and have classes.

I hope she looks back when she's older and remembers Mommy and Daddy voting and that she looks forward every year to when SHE gets to vote too.

Greater Things

2010-11-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

Our church is doing a campaign right now entitiled Greater Things and it's really calling me to find ways in my life to do just that, find Greater Things.

For now, what I need to do is say good bye to facebook.

Is it going to be hard? YES
Do I really want to give it up? NO
Is it going to free up time to help me grow in my relationship with Christ, with my family, and with friends? YES YES YES.

Some people can control their "facebooking" but I've found recently I'm just not one that can. I spend entirely too much time...really doing nothing....and end up feeling bad about myself when I start comparing my life to others. When in reality I'm so happy with the life God has graciously blessed me with and am usually a confident person. I even found myself judging and labeling others all based on snippets I see that people chose to post about themselves and their lives.

I want to be free from comparison, I want to live a life of authenticity, I definately DO NOT want to stand in any kind of judgement of others and for now, that means no facebook.

I'm not saying I'll never ever go to facebook again. If I know of super cute pictures of my sweet neices that I won't get to see unless I log on, you can bet I'm not going to miss it. But I will not have a regular habit of logging on.

The good news is when I see you in person we'll have something to talk about, because I won't have already known everything going on in your life :) I truely look forward to that.

God is good and I'm excited to see ways He may chose to bless my life through this.

The Main Event

2010-11-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

October 31, 2010

My sweet little pumpkin, I can't even descirbe how in love I am this sweet, happy little girl.

She's LOVED playing with the candy, sorry to the kids that got a little somthing slimy on their candy.

Lane came over to trick or treat with Blake, I really look forward to the day they are cooperative enough to get a good picture of them together.

Blake's favorite part this year was handing out candy to all the kids. She really felt like big stuff.

The pumpkin and the princess...

We have fantastic neighbors, they always get Blake something special for when we come trick or treating...included in this year's bucket were these fancy/yummy lips.

All Things Halloween

2010-11-04T08:44:00.001-07:00

True confession, I've never really liked Halloween. But having kids kind of pushes you into all things holiday, even holidays like Halloween. And after this year I've decided I really do like the cutesy dress up and carving pumpkins...I just REALLY don't like kids dressing up like monsters and vampires and SUPER scary costumes and totally freaking my 2 year old out. Nick was embarassed this year when I would stop kids from coming up to our bench we had set up in the drive way if their costume was too scary. I'm sorry, I would just rather be a little rude than my daughter be subjected to you looking like a zombie.

I've never liked anything scary, Nick makes me close my eyes during lots of scary movie commercials because for some reason scary things just "stick" in my mind and I end up thinking about them again and again.

All that to said, we really did have a great time this year.
We hosted our second annual Pizza Pumpkins and Pals event at our house.

We set up a tarp in the driveway and got to work!

Heather entertaining Kate for me.

Us working hard on our pumpkins

Blake with a sharp object

Bri with a sharp knife, maybe I should plan a little better with the carving tools next year.

Griffin and Chad scooping out the pumpkin guts.

Nick and Blake showing off their pumpkin

The kids with their pumpkins, Baus was still working on Lex's Swiper, so she had to have a stand in pumpkin.

Baus, Lexi, Nick and Blake

She's got tricks..

2010-10-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

Pulling up (and trying to stand)...it's the new cool thing to do at our house.

isn't her onsie adorable, my talented/creative/all things crafty friend Emily made it for her.

And this picture is just because I think she's awesome.

My blessings...

2010-10-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

Here they are, my whole world in one collage....

Zoo FUN

2010-10-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had one of those glorious Saturday's when we're able to spend the whole day together as a family. I can't explain how much I love those days. With me working weekends and Nick having to put in more hours and traveling with work a WHOLE day together is really all I desire.

We spent our morning having pancakes at Joes, our usual breakfast place, then headed out to the Fort Worth zoo.

Here are pictures of Blake on her first trip to the zoo next to Kate on her first trip! They really look nothing alike to me!!

Here are Daddy and Blake, June 2008, then October 2010.

Blake wasn't afraid of the snake one bit
Or the alligator, or if you are Blake the "crockigator"

LOVE this picture...

Kate was such a good sport...she loves a good stroller ride, and really liked looking at the animals.

Here are a few of our favorites at the zoo.

Friend Fun

2010-10-22T18:46:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago Blake had her first sleepover with Claire. Blake sure does love Claire, they had some early morning play time dressed up in my jackets.

Cowgirl Blake

2010-10-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we took Blake to some stables in Fort Worth to ride a horse. She has asked to ride a horse for atleast a year now (ever since there was a horse at VBS two summers ago!)

I was SO excited to take her. She was a PRO, not scared at all and loved every minute of riding Hot Rod.

Dear Kate

2010-10-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Kate,

Are you sure you are six months old? These past 6 months have flown by so quickly that I'm really not even prepared to write you 6 month letter. It's amazing how I can't really remember what we did before you came into our lives. I can't remember what kept Blake occupied and entertained. I love how your presence has given your big sister a glimpse into what it is like to care for someone else so much. You are a VERY important part of her day :) At 6 months you are all (slobbery) smiles! You started crawling around even before the 6 month mark! You can offically pull up on the side of your crib which makes it very hard for you to settle back down if you wake up, but you are still a great sleeper.

You LOVE "solid" food. Today we tried your first fruit, bananas, and you giggled after each bite. You are starting to reach for people, mostly Daddy or Uncle Baus. You are so brave and have no problem going to the nursery at church.

Everyone says you look just like your Daddy, and I have to agree. You have the most beautiful blue eyes. I was really counting on you being a Mommy's girl, so we'll have to see how that goes! I even think you have his personality...sweet and caring with a little mischief thrown in :)

You are truely a JOY and we couldn't have hand picked a better fit for our family. We are so in love with you Kathryn Bailey Barker.

Here are a few highlights from your 6th Month:

Your first trip to the pumpkin patch! You rode on the hay ride...you really wanted to eat some hay, and pumpkins, and grass.

Here you are enjoying some food, then playing peak a boo.

Your first time to swing somewhere other than our playset....no I don't condone letting your baby put their mouth on the swing. ...that would just be gross...jeeze.

You being tolerant enough to humor Blake by letting her feed you.

You sitting and crawling so big!!

My BIG Girl

2010-10-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

I love this picture but I absolutely cannot believe how big my little Blake looks. This is her classic "I'm trying to be shy" face that I see so often. She is an energetic, talkative, joy-filled little girl and I'm one lucky Mommy to call her mine.

Little Ballerina...

2010-10-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

I love the age of princesses and dress up...

Me and my mini-me...

Alexis

2010-09-29T13:49:00.001-07:00

I decided to take some pictures of my neice for my sister in law's birthday..here are a few of my favorites. Lexi is definately a highlight around here :)

Seaworld 2010

2010-09-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

We had been planning a Sea World, San Antonio trip since we went last year and Blake fell in love with a little guy we met there named Shamu. This girl LOVES Shamu, we watch videos on you tube of his cool tricks, we sometimes sleep with his mini-stuffed replica and we had been counting down the days for this trip for atleast 2 months.

It happened to work out nicely because some of our very best friends' parents live about 15 minutes from Sea World and are expert grandparents that offered to keep Kate while we took the two big girls to Sea World :) So we packed up all of us and headed out to San Antonio.....where we later met Austin trafffic, to which will always be lamented in our house. Oh, Austin, we will never again be in your great city during rush hour, you conquered us and we have learned our lesson.

So after VERY little sleep on the big girls' part we headed out bright and early.

Our first stop was the Shamu ride, I couldn't believe our girls were big enough to ride, but they were!

Daddy, Blake, Brandon and Lane ready for a big roller coaster.

Daddy taught Blake how to hold her hands up.

They all four did great!

Next we headed over to our main attraction.. SHAMU, which come to find out is probably a "she" since she had a little baby shamu swimming with her that day.

This was one excited girl. I will never forget her squeals...

Watching intently.

Some of us held on better than others...

Back at Gemaw and G-pa's house watching some Dora

Back home and so glad we got to spend a weekend with great friends and see Shamu.

Kathryn Bailey

2010-08-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

On our first ever full day just US, we took the opportunity to gets some photos in!

Sisters

2010-08-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

I really do wonder what we did for fun before Kate came along...Blake spends her day wanting to know: Where Kate is, What Kate's doing, Can I hug her and kiss her, Kate's up Mommy go get her. All the day long :)

What we do for fun around here...

2010-08-21T13:27:00.001-07:00

The Many Faces of Kate

2010-08-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

At 4 months Kate weighed in at 15 lb 4 oz and 26 inches long..

sure do love our littlest Barker!!

You know you have a great Daddy when....

2010-07-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

he'll swing with you on your swingset :)

Out of Control Swim Class!!!!

2010-07-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

This video is from last session's swim class...and OH BOY was is crazy!! With all those 2 year olds and one teacher, I think she was ready to be done with this group! Our new session only has two (at most 3 kids) which is working out much better :)

Blake and Lane splashing around..

Singing in the Rain!!

2010-07-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, I finally figured out how to post video with my new camera! This is from a few months ago. Lexi was grooving in the rain...Blake joined in later, but I didn't get it on video.

Kate's 1st trip to Arkansas

2010-07-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

We spent last week in Arkansas, traveling everywhere to see all the family we could squeeze in. Kate was able to meet the 3 great-grandmas she hadn't met yet.
Our trip in was super easy. The girls slept practically the WHOLE way, Nick listenend to a book and I enjoyed every minute of resting in the passenger seat!

Our first stop was to visit Nick's Gradma (along with our Aunt Rennie and cousins Julia and Ryan)

Blake, Kate and MaMaw Barker

Kate and MaMaw

Julia entertaining Blake

Aunt Rennie and Kate

Nick and MaMaw visiting

Julia holding fussy a Kate

Me and Kater..

Next was a stop at my Grandma Brown's house. Blake wasn't too sure about staying the morning here, UNTIL she found out there was a sandbox involved....

as for Kate, she doesn't really care where she is so long as there is a comfy place to lay and a swaddle :)

Uncle Derek playing with Nathan, Kinley and Blake

B and Kinley

Sweet Nathan

Sweet Kinley

Uncle D reading

Uncle D and Nathan

The next Grandma on the list was my MaMaw Wells...

...where Blake enjoyed practicing her receptionist skills

and Kate got to meet another great-grandma

Blake really enjoyed spending some time with her cousin Layla

Layla, Uncle Clint and Kate

Summer Spectacular + Cousin Fun

2010-07-20T13:30:00.001-07:00

My Neice Caitlyn spent some time with us earlier in the summer. We had such a great time with her. Blake loved having a friend to play with all the time, and Caitlyn was a great helper with Kate.

Having two kids is really messing with my need to take lots of pictures...we really enjoyed our church's VBS this year....here is the ONE picture I took *Jeeze*

Caitlyn and Blake

American Idol Rewind

2010-07-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

If you didn't watch this last season of American Idol you will probably just be confused by this post...but if you DID watch it, this should make you smile.

*Please note, she knows this song because once my husband gets a song stuck in his head he sings it forEVER.

"but we forgot KATE!!!"

2010-07-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I asked our sweet friend Betty to watch Kate for a few hours so I could take Blake to a movie just us. I prepared Blake for several days that we were going to leave Kate for just a little bit. I thought Blake would be excited to have some undivided attention....

It took about 15 minutes to drive to the theater and this is what Blake looked like the whole way..

.....all the while crying "But we forgot KATE!!!" She sure loves her baby sister, I can't really blame her though :)

Twinkle Twinkle

2010-07-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

This is from a few months ago...but I'm finally getting around to downloading my video :)