Confessions of the Mushy, Gushy, Gooey Aunt

I know.  I just posted about cousins yesterday.

I need help.  I really do.

You see, I'm relatively new to this "auntie" thing.  I was a mom for several years and several children before I began to learn the skill.  All of our sibling were practiced professionals and here I was, trying to figure out why "Auntie Grace" sounded so foreign and strange to the tongue.

Then I heard I heard that a baby was on the way, and my teeny tiny auntie heart began to form.  Then I heard "It's a girl" and I knew I would never have an issue loving any little person that entered my life.  Then I heard "Auntie Grace" come out of the mouth of this darling, amazing niece and I knew it was entirely possible that parents one day may want a restraining order to keep me at bay.

Talia changed my world!  I had a new role.  A new identity.  Thanks to this little adorableness.

It was astonishing to live out this unique role of being so involved yet separate from this life.  Being able to adore and care without the responsibility of being the parent.

After Talia came Caleb.  A curly headed little boy whom I still to this day would stand on my head for hours if he wanted me to.  After Caleb came Eliana.  Eliana Grace.  (Swoooooooon!).  Then came Tirzah, Jonathan, Micah and Ava.  Each one proving how great God is because how else could there possibly be perfect baby after perfect baby after perfect baby?!

Each one that comes fills my heart with oceans of love.  Each one individual is more amazing than I ever could have imagined. 

And as a result I turn into what we call around here, a total loon.  I adore these kids I tell you!

All the King cousins!!!

( Left to right- Back- Tirzah, Havilah, Bethany, Ava, Lydia, Micah, Talia

Front- Ellie, Ella, Esther)

 

Yes, it's true.  Three cousins in a row by age are Ella, Ellie, Esther.  Trying saying that ten times fast!  I LOVE it though!!!

 



Dixon side cousins!!!

 

My girls plus big boy Caleb and little boy Jonathan.

 

I must add, what makes being an auntie to these kids amazing is the fact that every single one is being raised by amazing parents.  I'm so proud of each of my siblings who are doing such an incredible job raising and loving their little ones!

 

Recently one of the best things in the world happened to me.  My four nieces nieces moved from out of state to living ten minutes away.  Pinch me.  I think I'm dreaming. 

 

I have a slight concern that any increase in my auntie love tank may end up with me simply exploding without warning.  It's a risk I welcome gladly though.

 

Oh, and did I mention, TWO MORE BABIES ARE ON THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Trip to CA

May has turned into the craziest month I can remember for a long time.  I know we always seem to say how crazy life is, but after purposely cutting back on outside activities for months now due to fatigue, this month has nearly pushed me over the edge!

As much as I'd like to sit here and complain about all the "stuff" going on, the truth is, every single crazy happening has been something wonderful!  One of the biggest events of the month was going down to California to celebrate David's brother Andrew and his wife Hannah's college graduation.  When the extended King family goes anywhere it is quite an adventure.  With twenty-nine people under one roof for four nights things are bound to get exciting!

The best part was that out of the twenty-nine people, twelve of them were children!  It was so fun snuggling on babies that I don't get to see very often!

This was also our first road trip since we've had readers in the family.  My favorite part of the trip was the driving time with our "little" family, noticing the changing landscapes, watching the clouds display shadows on Mt. Shasta, learning about road signs and exits and generally basking in the beauty of the Lord.

Hanging with the cousins!

 

Our darling Micah!  So far the only King boy of this generation!  His nine girl cousins adore him though!

 

It's always fun to see relationships build.  Here is Bethany playing chess with Grammie's cousin, Jeff.  The two had never met before but hit it off wonderfully!

 

In my girls' world, there is hardly anything better than cousins!

 

All the King cousins plus two "adopted" cousins, Aletheia and Nehemiah Jones!

 

I'm so crazy about every one of the little pumpkins!





May Flowers!!!

It's once again time for gracenotes' annual May Flowers giveaway!!!

All you have to do is leave a comment on our facebook page and you will be entered to win one of our flower clips.  We are drawing a winner TOMORROW, so don't delay!!!  I LOVE these flowers and I know you will too!

Morning Musings

I am blessed.
As the head aches and the baby cries.
As breakfast sits unmade and fatigue threatens to consume.
As girls squabble and the house self-destructs.
I am blessed.
As the silent voices whisper, "You will never be enough",
And my tired body states, "You will never make it through",
And my burdened soul screams, " You can never make things right".
I am blessed.
For even though I struggle, I flounder and flail,
Still I rest in the arms of my Father,
Who knows my every need and wipes away every tear.
I'm romanced by the Lover of my soul,
Who dazzles me with beauty and whispers to me words of undying love.
I walk hand in hand with my Friend,
Who cheers me, stands up for me, will never leave my side.
I am blessed.
My Jesus has paid for me.
I am His.
He will see me through every trial.
He will cradle me through every dark night.
My failings are nothing to Him.
I know the One who made the promises.
And who will keep them.
I am blessed.

Whipped Cream, Whipped Cream, Morning, Noon and Night!!!

Okay, maybe not THAT extreme.  But have you heard about Trim Healthy Mama?

Around here I kept hearing about it right and left.  First it was this friend,  then it was that friend.  Of course I had to check it out.  In true "me" fashion, I bought the book, bought the extra ingredients and was certain that this was going to be the key to change my life.

And in true "me" fashion, I only lasted about three days before I moped over to my husband and said "I just don't think this is for me.".  Sure I believed the process.  Sure I tried out some recipes that were really quite amazing.  But after trying a few things that failed (Oopsie Bread and I are not destined to be friends) and after those sugar, white carb cravings that I "couldn't" overcome, I caved.  "Maybe someday!" was my parting remark.  It seemed that Trim Healthy Mama and I had parted ways forever.

Time passed.  And then those friends kept popping up again.  "I've lost thirty pounds!" they'd cry.  "I feel better than I've ever felt!".  Over and over I saw their results.  And it lured me back in to give it another try.

Now granted, I'm still me.  But me has made it to Day 5 so far and I'm LOVING it!!!  While the first few days of course those old habits wanted to have control again, by today I don't even have the desire to snack on something I shouldn't.  The method is more about how you eat (as in what you eat together) that what you eat.  Of course it cuts out the really bad guys ( sugar, flour etc.) but there are so many delicious recipes that before you know it you don't even miss the old.

There really is nothing special you have to start with either.  No expensive ingredients are needed.

I wish I could explain it all but I'll just say, try and get your hands on the book!  There is a ton of great info in there!  And great recipes.  Look what I had for breakfast!  I would be drooling except I'm still STUFFED from my delicious lunch!

I'm not promising to be eating the THM way for the rest of my life, or for a year, or for a month (in fact I'm planning on cheats, I just don't FEEL like taking them!!), but I do know that I'm excited about this, I'm feeling really good and the scale is already budging after just five days!  Can't wait to see where this journey takes me!

Have you tried Trim Healthy Mama?  Are you like me, someone who gets SUPER excited then fades out, or someone who plans carefully and carries things through?