What's Cookin Good Lookin?

This morning Jameson came running into the nursery and asked if May was over yet. "Only one more week!" I told him. Why did he ask? Apparently, he just remembered that Topper's birthday is in May. Who is Topper? Ah yes. Topper is a beanie baby giraffe from a McDonald's happy meal that we were blessed with three years ago. Let me add that the tag is no longer attached to tell us his date of birth so when Jameson said that it was in May, I figured that he was just trying to find another reason to eat more cake! Lo and behold, after doing a quick search on Ty.com, Topper's birthday is in fact this week. Our little guy will be turning three which means a celebration is in order. Jameson wanted to do it up right so he decided that Topper would enjoy some confetti cupcakes with lifesavers on top. Okay little man, if you say so! Chef Jameson in the house! He did it all by himself from start to finish and I must say...not too shabby. He told me that he thought the first "patch" turned out better then the last...no that was not a typo, he said "patch" not batch. We are still trying to learn the kitchen terminology but we may just have the next Emeril on our hands folks!

Comes the End of One Season and The Beginning of the Next

It seems like yesterday that I was posting a picture of Jalen, standing on the front porch with his backpack on, wearing a proud smile upon his face as he loaded the bus for his first day of Kindergarten. Throughout this school year we were introduced to the letter people, we learned how to tell time and how to add. I attended two field trips and made lots of yummy treats for our designated snack days. We began reading and we have become more independent then any 6 year old should be. A mommy wants to feel needed you know!

Jameson stayed home with me this year with the exception of attending a mother's day out program once a week, for a little socialization more suitable to his liking. However, that doesn't mean that he wasn't growing measures academically. This year we worked together to learn everything needed for our big debut in Kindergarten. He is counting in the hundreds and reading books! We've enjoyed afternoons in the park, baking cookies and learning our site words. He even became quite the helper around the house.You would be surprised at how well a 4 year old can dust!

As I sit here today and look back on the past year, I realize just how fast the time flew by. The boys and I had so much fun during this season but as life goes, it's time once again for change.

Last month, little Jacey was born and the Gilbert house will never be the same. A house that was full of nails and snails and puppy dog tails now has a dash of sugar and spice with everything nice. I must say, the two are blending perfectly! The boys love their new little sister and the protective instinct has already set in.

This is the last week of school and then the season will change. This fall, Jalen will move on to first grade and Jameson to Kindergarten which will leave just us girls. I'm excited to have this mommy-daughter time but also sad at how fast the boys are growing. Tomorrow I will wake up and they will be in cap and gown! Slow down my little munchkins, you've got plenty of time.

Here are a few memories from this school year including Jalen's last field trip that was today.

Jameson was Lucky and Charming for St Patty's Day

Jalen with his lead as a fish in the school play "Carnival of Animals"

                                                    Field Trip Columbian Park Zoo

Jacey Noel

She's finally here! Jacey Noel Gilbert was born on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 10:09pm. She weighed 6 lb and was 20.5 inches long. As you can imagine, time and sleep are hot commodities around here so I must be brief for now. We were blessed to have had a natural delivery with no complications and she is a healthy and beautiful baby girl who loves to be held. The boys are adjusting well and love their new baby sister. They are quite the helpers! I am enjoying every second with her, even at 2am. She is such an amazing little miracle. Here are a few pictures of our precious little girl.

Three Men and A Baby + One Mommy of Course

Let's just say that with three boys in the house, I am beginning to feel a bit out numbered..but not for long! We only have 3 weeks left until Jacey Noel joins our family, making it a party of five! The nursery is completely finished and James did an amazing job. It took several hours and lots of patience to finish this "Practically Perfect Paris in Pink" project but he pulled it off.

All of her little outfits are washed and dried, hanging in the closet anxiously as if they are saying "pick me, pick me, wear me first!"..Okay maybe that is the voice inside my head that is beyond excited to finally have pink clothes in the laundry basket. Do you have any idea how long I have waited for this day?  Our official due date is April 26th but I wouldn't be disappointed if she decided to surprise us with an early delivery. I've had fun with the upset tummy, restless nights and now the "oh so swollen are those really my ankles?" but I'm ready to put all that behind me and hold that precious little girl in my arms. All there is left to do now is wait. 

Okay, I have a confession. At first, I was completely against taking maternity pictures. After all, do I really want to remember what I looked like over these past 9 months? I hardly even recognize this person! Then it hit me. What I see as chubby cheeks, a double chin, big hips and cankles, is really a beautiful miracle and gift that God blessed James and I with. This is an experience like no other that I may never have the opportunity to embrace again.

The past few days I have found myself looking at my tummy thinking wow...there is a little person in there that will soon be in my arms. The same little person that I will rock in the rocking chair, take to her first day of kindergarten, shop with for her first prom dress, drop off at her first year of college and look at her beautiful reflection in the mirror of a bridal boutique as she says "mom, this is the one". Okay, I'm tearing up. The point is, yes, there have been moments over the past month that I have thought "I am so done being pregnant" but as the end (or shall I say the beginning) draws near, I remind myself that God has blessed me beyond belief with this miracle of life and I am overjoyed at the opportunity to be a mother to this little girl while humbled that God would entrust her life to me. I wouldn't trade the past 9 months for anything in the world. Here are a few maternity pics that we took over the weekend. We can hardly wait to meet you Jacey Noel. You are already loved so much. See you soon:)

         

       

Eggstra, Eggstra..Read All About It!

This weekend was amazing as we spent lots of time together as a family celebrating the precious gift of eternal life that Jesus has given us through His death and resurrection. Friday evening we attended a special Good Friday service at church which was a reminder of what the weekend ahead truly meant to each and every one of us. 

Saturday we colored Easter eggs and went to an egg hunt in West Lafayette. Unfortunately, it was rained out but our friends at Bethel Church were kind enough to stand out in the wet weather and give each child a bag full of candy filled eggs and a free lunch for the family at Chick-Fila.

Sunday we went to Mammaw Kim's house to have lunch. She even made a special bunny cake for dessert. The same cake that she use to make for mommy as a little girl! Mommy said it tasted just like she remembered...scrumdidilyumptious!

Spring Break Day 4 and 5.. All Fun and Games

After so much traveling we decided that there truly is no place like home. The last two days of our spring break was spent enjoying the beautiful weather and the comforts of home.

We had game night tournaments which included Sorry, Trouble and Connect 4X4. We even displayed great sportsmanship which is something that we need to continue striving for...it's a work in progress:P

We jumped for joy on the trampoline showing off our skills

and we even did a little work preparing the garden for this year. It sure was a great week and we enjoyed all the time together as a family. Praise God for the beautiful weather that He blessed us with.

Spring Break Day 3 - Just Chillin

Hey friends, today we are tuning in from our next destination where the temperatures here are well below zero and the only dinner served is that of which you catch!

When we first arrived, we had to build our own igloos. Sleeping on ice blocks sure is hard on the back!

By the time we finished we were absolutely starving! What, no room service? Luckily there was a pond just outside of where we set up camp. Grab the poles boys, we need to catch us some lunch!

Wow, fresh tuna sure does make a good sandwich.

We then decided to check out the area with our binoculars in hand. We even met some new friends which seemed to be a bit overdressed for the current weather conditions. Tuxedos? We were dressed from head to toe in appropriate apparel and we still couldn't feel our fingers or toes!

Before calling it a night, we enjoyed some family time around a quick game the locals like to call

 "Don't break the ice".

Although we enjoyed the adventure, I'm not sure that we could handle another night like this. We're on vacation and it was just too much work having to build our own igloo, catch our own dinner while freezing our tootsies off to boot! Not sure where we are headed next but you can bet it will be a warmer climate. Thanks for checking in with us. Until next time.....stay cool:)