silly girl

Little Love was getting ready for ballet last week and decided that she could dress herself. This is actually her newest talent that is a huge help, baring she picks out matching clothes! Well, she was surprisingly able to get her tights on and then pulled them up super high and wanted her picture taken. Vain much?? I do love her sassy little self :)

the joy of LOVE

I'm not sure if you've ever heard of Willette Photography but if you haven't, you should definitely check her out. She is fabulous and is doing a very fun thing for the month of February.

This is a FREE 28-day class. I can't believe she is willing to help all of us amateur photogs or those that wish we were, trying to photograph our children and loved ones.


from Willette's blog ...

participants will receive daily email prompts/photo assignments with some tutorial/instruction built into the daily email lesson. it is that easy. i email you every morning, and you follow the assignment/prompt if you would like. i will create a public flickr gallery where you can share if you so choose.

suggested class materials:

* someone(s) you love
* a camera
* a desire to stretch your photographic skills

what you can expect from this willette JOY class:

* a daily email during the month of february
* the email will contain a photo idea and occasional tips
* a public flickr gallery to share photos
* an album template download at the end for all of your photos you take during the class
* a journey to help you document your loved one(s) – whether it is a spouse, partner, child, pet, parent or friend

I chose to document my family. I'm not going to focus only on my children although that is probably what most of my pictures will include. I realize I don't have nearly enough pictures of Clay so I plan to try and get more of him and learn a few things in the process.

My babies "talking" to each other

Praying God's Word - Week # 4

January 24-30: Me…serving others (1 Peter 4:10, 1 Samuel 12:24)

This week was all about me and how I am to serve others. In 1 Peter God says that, "each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others , as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." I know there are certain gifts that God has given me that I am not putting to use. I prayed this week that God would show those to me and make it known how to better serve Him with what has been given to me.

In 1 Samuel, it speaks of fearing the Lord and serving Him faithfully with my whole heart. I am ashamed to admit it but the fact that I should love God above all others and serve him before anything else has been thrown in my face lately and I have been super convicted. I know that I place certain things and or people above God and this is something I am determined to work on.

Next week, starts a new month. I will be praying over the following for the month of February....

1/31 - 2/6 my children ... to trust (Proverbs 3:5-6)
2/7 - 2/13 my husband ... as a provider (Philippians 4:19)
2/14 - 2/20 me ... as a Mommy (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Proverbs 31:28)
2/21 - 2/27 our family ...for Clay & I as parents (Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Proverbs 22:6)

Girl's Weekend

This past weekend, my nursing friends from college came in to town for a fun filled weekend. Melissa was the first one to get in to Memphis on Friday afternoon. We decided to run a few errands together and then headed back yo our house to wait for Michelle to get off work and Katie to get here. Once Michelle came over, we headed to Swanky's Taco Shop for a yummy dinner. It was so much fun to enjoy each other's company and catch up. We were super sad that Jenn wasn't able to make it this time. She had been sick and driving 6 hours to Memphis with a 6 month old while sick didn't sound very appealing and I don't blame her at all! Hope your feeling better Jenn, we missed you bunches!!

On Saturday morning, the girls came over to our house and Clay and I fixed us a big breakfast before heading out to the Collierville Mall. It was sunny and 70 degrees so we wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous weather. And what better way than strolling around outside and doing some shopping. We stopped at Baby Gap in order for Katie and Michelle to look at some maternity clothes while Melissa and I perused the little boy section. We both got J and H the cutest onesie with a tie on it!!



After a little more shopping and a afternoon feeding for H, we headed to The Crepe Maker for lunch. I have eaten here before with my Mom but it's not ever anywhere Clay wants to stop. It was so yummy though. We all enjoyed some delicious lunch crepes and then rounded out the meal with a few dessert ones too. It was so good, we thought we were all going to pop once we were ready to leave.

We then headed to Ann Taylor Loft and Barnes and Noble before heading back to Memphis. We decided on the way home to stop and get pedicures at a local shop and I was a little worried that H was going to be spent at some point but he was s Super Trooper! He just went along with all our shenanigans all day long. He did great at the nail place and I got all kinds of compliments about what a sweet and good baby he was. I really enjoyed our day out with all the girls and I think H enjoyed his Mommy time too. :)









Once we got home, we met up with Clay and Brian, Michelle's husband and went to dinner at Central Barbecue. It was again yummy and we began debating why we decided to eat again for the third big meal that day. After dinner, we came back to our house again and once we got the kids together we played some super fun games and just chatted and enjoyed each other's company.

We got together once more this morning for another meal, breakfast at Blue Plate Cafe before everyone packed up and headed back out of town. I really love these girls and the relationships we have formed with each other. I love that we are all having or have children. I know we have so much to look forward to in the years ahead. I can't wait for the next beach trip where we will most likely be using every room in the Shelton abode!!



Love you girls!!

(sadly, the only pics I got were on my Iphone and mainly when we were getting our nails done! we were just having too much fun to get the cameras out :)

4 month's

Little Man you are 4 month's old! You had quite an adventurous day for your 4 month birthday that included; shopping with Mom and her friends from college, enjoying lunch at Crepe Maker, more shopping, pedicures for us all and then dinner at Central Barbecue. To say you are an easy going and laid back baby is putting it mildly. You were FANTASTIC the entire time and just went with the flow.



I loved having so much quality time with you while Big Sister was at her Gigi's with Daddy running around outside and enjoying the beautiful day we had. I really don't think the 2 of us have spent that much time together bonding and snuggling, well EVER! It was very cherished and I loved having you all to myself for the day.



You are growing up so fast and getting so big. If I had to guess, I would say you are weighing about 13 lb 8 oz. I weighed you once a week or so ago on our scales at home and you were just over 13 lb so I think this is pretty close. We will see soon at your 4 month well baby check-up this week.



You are wearing 3-6 month and a some 6 month clothing along with size 2 or 3 diapers. We typically wear cloth diapers but that is the equivalent to disposable sizes you are fitting into. You are on a great routine. You typically wake somewhere between 6:00 and 7:00, I feed you and you usually either go right back to sleep or are only awake for about 30 minutes before getting back into your bed for your first morning nap. Then you wake up around 10:00 for your next feeding and we have play time until it's time for your second morning nap around 11:30. You usually only sleep about 45 minutes to an hour for that nap and we eat again by 1:00, you are usually tired at this feeding and will sometimes fall right to sleep and this is when Big Sister is also napping so Mommy can either rest or get things done. I typically choose to rest! :) After naps for all, we play and you lay down for a short cat nap around 4:00. I wake you up by 5:00 so we can play and get a bath before bedtime. Big Sister LOVES to get in the bathtub with you and you do in return. You just laugh and laugh at her and think she is so silly. After bath's it's bedtime for you between 6:00 - 6:30 and then I have some good quality time with L before it's time for her to get ready for bed. We are still doing a dream feeding around 10:00 but I don't know if you really need it anymore. We may try dropping that in the next few weeks and see if you continue to sleep as well. You are a great sleeper and will sleep after at 10:00 feeding until the morning and time to start all over again. You are so content and will nap in your own bed for anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour but if you are napping with Momma, you can nap for hours.



On Monday mornings after I get home from work. I shower and get sister ready for school and then you and I snuggle until time to pick her up again. I just love these days where you will sleep pretty much anytime I need you too. I know they are short lived.

You love to smile and laugh and you have been "talking" and cooing up a storm lately. If you are crying, sister will come over to you and sing and you always stop and start smiling. You love it when she climbs in your crib with you after your naps and you both just smile and laugh at each other.

We are still keeping you with us during church because I am worried about you getting sick in nursery. Sunday School is during your naptime so if you aren't officially sleeping, you are still quiet.



You bring us so much joy and we are having more fun with you everyday. I can't believe what a little chunky monkey you are and I just love to squeeze those chubby cheeks and thighs! You will roll from your back to your belly and belly to back but not very often. You only do so if you get mad enough and are made to! You have recently been rolling on your side a lot to see what is going on around you. You love your playmat and your bouncy seat. Not so much the swing but I think it's because you are so big! We have been using the Moby wrap when we are out and we both love how close and snug you are in it. You will typically just fall asleep so peacefully against me. :)

We love you so much Little Man and can't wait to watch you grow up!!

Mommy, Daddy and Big Sister



I thought these pictures were funny, this is real life here at our house. Little Man just loves that little lady and she is a huge helper with him. This is what our photo shoot really looks like from the other side of the lens!!

A dedication to the Lord

On Sunday, Clay and I met up with our families and best friends at church to celebrate dedicating Little Man to the Lord. This was such a special time for our little family and I was glad that we were able to celebrate such a special day with the ones we love. The passage that Brother Danny spoke about as a commandment to us parents was "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" Deuteronomy 6: 5-7.

I love this verse and the implications of it. Our children are going to follow in our footsteps and the most important thing we can do is to bring them up in a God fearing, God honoring home. I want them to see that Clay and I love the Lord above everything else and that He is our everything.









After dedication, we headed to Jason's Deli with all our family and enjoyed lunch while Little Man slept the afternoon away. He was tired after his big morning and fighting sleep during service :)

Praying God's Word - Week # 3

January 17-23: My husband…his relationship with God (Ephesians 4:1-2)

This week during quiet time, I focused on Clay and his relationship with God. Growing up, I was raised in the church and my family was there everytime the doors were open. It was all I knew and was just something we did. I never questioned my involvement and think that it is one of my defining factors. Clay on the other hand, although raised in a Christian home, was not brought up in church. This is something that is extremely important to me and something that we talked about very early in our relationship.

Shortly after Clay and I started dating we began going to church together. This is one of the rules my mom had for our relationship and I am so glad she stuck to het guns and wouldn't let up on this one.

I think it is so important for our children to see us loving the Lord and being involved with church. I am so glad that we have such a special church to call home and a place that I feel so welcomed each time I walk through the doors.

I pray daily that Clay's walk will continue to be strengthened and I would love to start doing some bible studies together and even making daily prayer time, outside of praying before meals, a part of our time together.

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:1-2


Up next week is Me…serving others (1 Peter 4:10, 1 Samuel 12:24)

3 years!

My gracious Little Love, you are 3 years old! I just love you and your spunky little attitude and the way you love others. You are such a caring child and always ask me and your Daddy if we want some lovin. You are the most precious child I have ever met and you seem to care about others more than yourself. This is such a difficult task but with your child like heart you just take it in stride.

Not only are you super loving, but you are hilarious. Just recently some of the funny things you have said are; while sitting on an elderly ladies lap at church you told her, after tooting, "sometimes I toot on my mom too." We just both had to laugh! You also say, "oh my gracious" with such a southern drawl all the time. I guess you picked that one up from me. You have realized that Daddy is my husband and I am his wife but you get them confused all the time. If Daddy is trying to hug me or something, you always step in and want to give lovin too.

You absolutely LOVED Christmas and you helped to make it such a memorable year. You were so excited when Dobey (the elf) showed up and you really had a great month behavior wise while he was here. You got way too many things for Christmas, but again, were so sweet to help Little Man open all of his gifts first and show him how to play with them. I actually think you may enjoy some of his toys more than your own!

You are still such a petite little thing, weighing in at a whopping 24 lbs and 36" tall. You were 24 month or 2T clothing and a size 6 shoe. You have the most gorgeous hair that any woman would die for. I hope it stays this silky and gorgeous forever. You typically will sit still pretty good for Daddy or I when we are blow drying and fixing it after your bath.

You love bath time and could stay in there forever. I typically have to bribe you out of the tub with a drink or snack. Speaking of snacks, you love eating them and getting them for yourself out of your cabinet. Since having little brother, you tend to get a few more these days! Your favorite foods are cheese quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches and yogurt. You still aren't very good about eating your vegetables but neither is your Daddy so I'm not holding my breath! You still only drink milk and water but have had juice on occasion. I am so glad that you like milk so much because your Momma does not! So glad you get that trait from your Dadda.

You still love school and are such a smart little girl. You are able to recognize most of your letters and can easily put 3 year old puzzles together. You got a MobiGo for Christmas and you are able to work it so well. I knew you wouldn't have a problem though because you are able to work my iPhone better than I can! You have started playing in your room independently since we moved you before Little Man was born and you love to go in there and cook me u something in your kitchen. You still love ballet and you have the most fabulous teacher this past semester. You absolutely loved Mrs. Anna and couldn't wait to get to ballet each week.

You have such a love for Jesus and this is my number 1 priority to set in your life. We have recently been talking about where Jesus lives and you know that He lives in my heart and will live in yours one day. We still rock at night and sing songs. You love to rock and most recently we rock with brother. Just the 3 of us. You love Sunday School and your teachers are so incredible this year. I am so glad that they love you as much as they do. You really look forward to going on Sunday morning and come home talking our ear off every week about all the things you learned.

You will still take naps on most days, unless you are at school. You typically won't nap while you are there but I still ask you every time I pick you up and you always turn around and ask your teachers if you napped or not. You are such a sill little girl who makes my heart so full!! I can't imagine a single minute without you in my life. Your Daddy, brother and I love you so much and can't wait to see the amazing woman you are going to grow up to be!!!


We love you Little Love,

Momma, Dadda, and Buddy

Praying God's Word - Week # 2

January 10-16: My children: Little Love and Little Man... for peace (Exodus 23:20, Philippians 4:7)

This week while praying God's word, I focused on my babies. Oh how I love those precious children but, I also know that God loves them more! That is such a comfort to me because I can't imagine the amount of love He has for us. Such a special feeling.

Exudos 23:20 "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to being you to the place I have prepared."

I love the idea of having guardian angels. I see so many bad things where I work and it gets my mind spinning on many occasions. I am so glad that we have a God that cares so much for us that he already has our entire lives planned out for us. God knew exactly what would be going on this time in my life and I am so comforted by His word.

Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus"

Back to the issue at hand with my job and the anxiety it brings, this is such a perfect verse. I love that God is sharing the peace that He has in order to make our lives more bearable. I can't imagine having to do this life on my own and I am so glad that He reminds us that He is always there for us.

Up next week : January 17-23: My husband…his relationship with God (Ephesians 4:1-2)

1st Snow day of 2011

Memphis was predicting a decent amount of accumulation overnight on Sunday and into Monday morning. As luck would have it, I had to work Sunday night. I think I have been at work every time we have gotten snow here in Memphis in the past 5 years or so!! I hate driving in bad weather but thank the Lord I got home safely.

I took a quick nap when I got home while Clay played with Little Love and then she was just itching to get outside and play. We had a great day making a snowman and throwing snowballs at Daddy. Little Man wasn't a huge fan of the cold. He probably felt super constricted in his snow suit but I was trying to keep him warm!! I'm sure he felt a little like Ralphie's little brother on "A Christmas Story". :)



Anyways, we did enjoy some snow "ice-cream" and then warmed up to some yummy white chicken chili that had been cooking in the crock-pot all day for dinner. I just love having these fun days with my precious family and making memories we won't soon forget.





















(please excuse the fact that I look like I haven't slept in about 36 hours, that is pretty much correct! I did get a little nap thought but you sure can't tell :) )

Praying God's Word - Week #1

January 3-9: Our Family…our plans (Proverbs 19:21, Jeremiah 29:11)

During this first week of Praying God's word, I focused on 2 different verses that spoke to me about the plans the Lord has laid out for me and my family. I have really struggled lately with what we are supposed to be doing in our life and I was praying these verses would help make my heart feel more peaceful about our situation. I know that good things are going to happen in 2011 and I also know that if it's the Lord's will, Clay will either get into Law school or find a job soon. I really struggle when my life is out of order and it is about as crazy as ever right now.

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

I really tried to take this verse to heart and realize that although I make many plans for myself, unless they are God's will for my life, they are not going to come to fruition.

I prayed multiple times this week that God would just show me a sign that things are going to start looking up and that we are going to be able to continue to make it the way we are living now. Sometimes I just wish He would speak to me through a burning bush or something like that like He used too. :)

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harn you, plans to give you hope and a future."

What an awesome verse that I really needed reminding of. This is one of my most favorite verses and I really am trying to think about it when things get rough.

So far I am loving getting more in the word and also with my new weekly biblestudy on Jonah. I love learning more about our great Creator and the plans He has for my life. I want to be more like Him and love Him like never before!!

Happy Birthday Knox!

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday Dear Knox!
Happy Birthday to You!!

Last week Little Love and I headed to The LIttle Gym to celebrate Knox's 3rd Birthday party. We had such a great time and enjoyed our fun evening with lot's of new friends from Little Love's class at school! I love this stage where she is making her own friends outside of those she knows because I am friends with their mom's. :)

My little monkey loved jumping and climbing and even cried when it was time to leave. I was glad that we had planned to head to dinner because I am sure it would have made things much worse had we not had plans of our own! After seeing her flipping and hanging from the bars like a little pro, it made me question my decision to choose ballet over gymnastics at this point. I may just have to come up with extra money to enroll her in both by the summer!!

2011 Goals

With the start of a new year, it seems like a good time to just start over on some things that you may want to change in your life. I can definitely vouch for this feeling and there are many areas in my life that could benefit from a new perspective. I'm actually not a huge fan of resolutions because in the past, they have only stuck around on the top of my list until mid January. But, there are definitely goals that I would like to see take place and changes that are needed in my life this year.

The #1 goal I would like to accomplish and make a priority would be to put God first in my life and have some sort of daily quiet time. I have always done some sort of bible study whether it be with my church or friends outside of church but recently, I haven't done anything. I am actually sad to admit the last study I did and have really felt that I have fallen off the radar when it comes to my quiet times. They are pretty much non-existent at this point. This is what I want to change though and I am confident that it will make the largest impact on my life.

The 2nd goal, would be to spend more quality time with Clay and the kids. The key word here is "quality". I want to do more than just watch television at night with Clay and make educational activities with Little Love more of a priority. I want to spend the little time I have with just the 2 of us, (Little Love and I) while Little Man is asleep a special time. I also want to enjoy the few hours Clay and I have to ourselves after putting the kids to bed. I tend to just sit on the couch and look on the computer while he watches sports. This is such an easy rut to fall into and what happens on most evenings. I would love to turn the TV off on occasion and play games like we used to. We love to play cards, dominoes or a roaring game on the Game Cube. I know, we're super old school and don't have an x-box but maybe one day. :)

I would also like to try and cook more. I have actually done this pretty well since Little Man joined our family but I want it to continue. I did a ton of cooking before he came and froze a lot of meals and it was a huge help. I love to cook and my family enjoys my cooking so it works out 2 fold. My goal is to cook 4 nights a week and only eat out once. We typically do something easy like Pizza on Monday nights since I'm so tired from my weekend at work but otherwise, I enjoy being in the kitchen.

There are also a few things that I would like to try and get done this year such as, publishing my blog posts to a coffee table book, getting my house more organized and orderly (without taking time away from the kids), and attempting at least once monthly dates with Clay.

I know that all of these goals are attainable and I plan to really try and make them each a priority.

3 month's

Wow Little Man, another month has already come and gone. This one has been a busy one with all the festivities that go along with December and it was so much fun to have you with us in all the celebrations. I feel like you have grown a ton this month and are well over 11 pounds by now. Unfortunately you had your first sickness this month which is crazy early compared to your sister who didn't get sick until she was almost 9 month's old. Boo for a viral upper respiratory infection and high fever that kept you down for almost 3 days. I am sure your loving little sister probably brought this little virus to you, but you seemed to bounce back without too many issues and are back to your normal happy self.





You are still nursing every 3 hours throughout the day and have begun to sleep really well at night. I don't want to jinx us but you have slept after your 10:00 feeding until 5:00 twice this past week. I do love our quiet time though, with just the 2 of us when you wake in the middle of the night for a feeding. This is so few and far between so I try to cherish it while I can. I am so proud of you and love how independent you are at times. This is such a contrast to how your sister was but I think that is just one of the differences between boys and girls. Although you do love some sweet cuddle time, you will still easily go to bed for naps and bedtime wide awake. Again, this is another huge difference than the first time around so I am completely shocked at times that you don't just cry out for me.





You are wearing size 2 diapers and 3 month clothing. You have officially grown out of your cloth diapers I had purchased and we are waiting on some new ones to arrive so we can get back in the swing of cloth diapering. You are still going with Me and Daddy to our small group class when at church because I am not ready to put you in church nursery yet. You do really well though and stay quiet most of the time we are in there.





Mommy went back to work this month and it has been incredibly hard. I really hate leaving you and sister and it just breaks my heart to leave every weekend. It is getting a little better with time though and I know things will be different one day. I really enjoy my days at home with you and the smiles you give me are more and more frequent. You love to play with your new playmat you got for Christmas and the consistent vomiting after meals is almost null and void. To be honest, I can't even remember the last time you puked after a feeding. Praise God that it appears you have grown out of your reflux issues.

Mommy, Daddy, and Sister love you oh so much and we just can't even imagine our family without you these days. You bring us so much joy and I love you more and more each new day!!

Join Me In Praying God's Word

I saw this wonderful idea over at the Poe Family Blog. I have decided to follow suit and add this to my daily quiet time. I am changing up a few of the verses that Brittney has chosen but I am doing the concept the same.

Topics/Scripture:

My children: Little Love and Little Man

for peace (Exodus 23:20, Philippians 4:7)
to trust (Proverbs 3:5-6)
to know Jesus Christ (3 John 4)
their future (Isaiah 58:11)
their faith (Hebrews 11)
their future spouses (Genesis 2:18)
their happiness (Proverbs 15:13, Gen 21:6)
their friends (Proverbs 18:24)
taking correction (Proverbs 29:17)
their minds (Colossians 3:2)
their ears (James 1:19)
their eyes (1 Corinthians 2:9)
their hearts (Psalm 119:11, Jeremiah 24:7)
their hands (1 Chronicles 29:12)
their feet (Joshua 14:9, 22:5)

My husband: Clay

his job (1 Timothy 5:8)
as a provider (Philippians 4:19)
his temptations (James 1:13-15)
his purpose (1 Corinthians 7:17)
his health (Psalm 91:14-16)
as a Daddy (Proverbs 17:6)
his friendships (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
his attitude (Psalm 100:4)
his relationship with God (Ephesians 4:1-2)
his self-image (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Me:

as a wife (Hebrews 10:24, Proverbs 21:9)
as a Mommy (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Proverbs 31:28)
for rest (Matthew 11:28)
my friendships (Proverbs 17:17)
to take advice when I should (Proverbs 19:20)
as a housewife (Colossians 3:23)
patience (Romans 15:5)
serving others (1 Peter 4:10, 1 Samuel 12:24)
fear (Isaiah 41:13, Deuteronomy 31:6, 2 Timothy 1:7)

Our Family:

our plans (Proverbs 19:21, Jeremiah 29:11)
for Clay & I as parents: (Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Proverbs 22:6)
our marriage (Ephesians 5:21)
our fears (Psalm 27:1)
as witnesses (Acts 1:8)
to use our minds of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)
to remember we are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
as His child (1 John 3:1)
as loved (John 16:27)
as a saint who sins (Romans 6:12)
His plans (Joshua 22:5)

I just started a new bible study with some friends that requires 5 days of study and prayer time. I plan to incorporate this during that time. I am going to choose 1 verse a week each month and prayerfully considering it's implications. I have chosen the following verses for January and so far I am really enjoying the way I am seeing the Lord work in just 5 short days so far. I would love for you to join me if you would like. Please leave a comment if you plan to follow along as I would love to see the way the Lord is working in your life also.


January 3-9: Our Family…our plans (Proverbs 19:21, Jeremiah 29:11)

January 10-16: My children: Little Love and Little Man... for peace (Exodus 23:20, Philippians 4:7)

January 17-23: My husband…his relationship with God (Ephesians 4:1-2)

January 24-30: Me…serving others (1 Peter 4:10, 1 Samuel 12:24)