Happy Thursday!
Amen.
I hope you’re having the best week! Here’s a little look at life lately around here…
Grocery shopping with my crew. Our store offers little carts and typically, I shop when it’s just Ashby and me (and the other two are at school), but now that it’s summer, we all four shop together…and everyone wants their own cart. That being said, they do a pretty good job! My rule is that the first time you bump someone, you lose your cart…so that keeps them from ramming into each other (past experience has taught me that this rule is necessary…). They are sticklers about having equal groceries in each cart. No one wants to have less than the others…sigh. Love these three :).
The pool + popsicles + Narci’s kids = a very good day!
That moment when you realize you’re raising someone’s mama. Kensington is all about babies these days. I’m already so aware that one day, she’s going to be someone’s mama…so I better do a good job and set a great example for her.
Sunday night at the pool with the McAnallys is one of our favorite things to do! These two are such a mess ;).
Sweet girls! They just play together so well! I love that Ashby and Griffin have each other (and they’re happy that we buy them Dibs…).
So, I guess the real question is…where do I put my stuff?
The answer…on top of them. #momproblems
Sheaffer dropped Smith off after a play date and I texted her this picture about 30 minutes later…this is the sign of a great play date :). Smith loves playing at Sheaffer’s house!
Speaking of raising mamas…this one here is already in mama mode too :).
My mom is always talking about “quiet blessings”. She says those are the accidental little moments in life when you’re blessed by something simple and something unexpected. This week, I had my own little quiet blessing. We were walking around our town square when it started raining, so we ducked into this little restaurant and I drank coffee and read while they colored (thankfully, I had markers in my purse!). We were waiting for my mom to meet us for lunch, so we sat here for 30 minutes while it rained outside and just enjoyed the quietness of the morning. I looked up from my book and coffee and realized that I was having a quiet blessing.
I love it when they sit up on the window seat and talk to me while I cook. I pray that when they’re older, they still do the same.
And then this was my view right before dinner. It was raining really hard outside and the three of them were putting puzzles together. Now…here’s the thing…they argue, fuss, fight, push, scream, cry, yell and mess with each other constantly…but I’m not taking pictures then…I’m refereeing ;). Some days are peaceful and some days are stressful…but I’m blessed on both days because God gave me these kiddos.
And on the grill this weekend friends…
I’ve seasoned the patties and added my favorite pizza toppings on top…it’s a burger that tastes like a pizza…hello yummy.
Have the best Thursday!
Lauren McGreevy says
Sounds like a great week! Kensington's hair looks so great! I love how you mentioned quiet blessings. That's something I can definitely be better about appreciating.
Have a great day!
Lauren
http://www.postgradinprogress.blogspot.com
Jo Biddick says
I love those special, unexpected moments when you realise that you're in the middle of creating a forever memory and realise just how blessed you are.
kimm atwood says
I hear you about the quiet blessings. This week my step children are here visiting and just yesterday as my husband and I were standing in the kitchen we looked into theicing room and there were our 7 kids all there, crammed in the living room, together watching tv, and it was at that moment we looked at each other and just knew how lucky we were.
Anonymous says
Love this phrase…they argue, fuss, fight, push, scream, cry, yell and mess with each other constantly…we've had our grandsons (temporary) for the last two weeks…and they do the same. So good to see that is normal…harder for grandparents to go with the flow on that one….but a reminder of our blessings is good. 🙂
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Quiet blessings! I love that! And just so you know, if I would have walked into Market Street and seen your 3 kids ALL WITH CARTS, I probably would have decided to go shopping later! Carter got my heel with his cart 2 years ago, and I swear it still hurts.. 😉
Erika Slaughter says
I'm still recovering from the grocery trip where all my kids had little carts. Gonna take me a while to get over that!!
Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living says
Quiet blessings…. I love that. You're on the right track Mama! Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 The Lord put that scripture in heart this week and I've been repeating it out loud.
And it seems like you're having the best summer and it just started! Enjoy it! You are blessed! XOXOXO
Sarah Kuykendall says
Your kids are so great at entertaining themselves while you read. I need to get better at that! Those little moments, like trips to the grocery store, make the best memories. Have a great Thursday!
Anonymous says
Love this! Do you drink your coffee black?
Mix and Match Mama says
With cream 🙂
Narci says
So sweet! I love that you let all 3 have carts!! Love your sweet family!
Sharon says
The window seat – cherish that spot cause you are right if they use it now as their gathering place they will continue to do so as they get older. That window seat is likely to be the place where they know they can come and talk to you about anything – you will hear some funny stories, some everyday stories, some sad stories, some "boy dumped me, girl dumped me" heartbreaking stories….you get the idea. As the mom of three grown children, having that place where they feel safe to talk is one of the most important places in the home. "Mom, can I talk to you for a minute". The trick is learning when to stop what you are doing and sit down with them and when to just keep working but listening intently – tricking them into not really realizing how much they are telling you. 🙂
Paula says
🙂 Love that.
Sarah E @ theteacherswife.com says
Speaking of referee-ing….have you ever done a post about keeping your sanity when your kids are constantly fighting? Or how to referee effectively? I'm at a loss with my 4.5 and 2.5 year old- they love each other dearly, but I don't think I can take this until they are grown!! Many times I'm not in the room when the incident occurs, so I have no clue what even happened and who did what to whom. 🙂
crazymom says
My kids are 14 and 20 now and I can honestly say I enjoyed all the little moments. I'd go back to the days of having little ones in a heartbeat. Those days are priceless. I love that you enjoy those small but mighty moments. God is good!
Angela Ellingson says
Such precious pictures. Reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts right now. Trying to notice those quiet blessings.
KellyinPA says
Love these posts! So fun. And real:) Do you still have breakfast with them at Starbucks on Tuesdays? I don't know why but that has stuck with me since I first read it. Love that idea!
Mimi says
Your mom is so right about the quiet blessings. When my oldest was a baby, I was pushing her in a stroller around the neighborhood and we stopped to visit an elderly woman who was hanging laundry on the line. (We do those things in Nebraska: talk to neighbors we don't know and hang laundry outside. Ha!) Anyhoo, she admired my little one and told me something I've never forgotten: "Sometimes when your family is sitting around the dinner table, take a snapshot in your mind and tell yourself, 'This is now and this is wonderful.'"
Through the past 23 years, I have taken many mental snapshots, and she was right–they are all wonderful. Even though I can't physically hold them in my hands, they are some of my favorite memories of seemingly do nothing–playing in the backyard, riding in the car, walking down a path. Priceless!
Anonymous says
Such a sweet family! Thanks for being a great inspiration! Do you have an app on your phone that copies all of the pictures you take to your computer? I'm looking for an app that copies pictures from my phone onto my computer, so that I don't have to do it manually. Do you have any ideas? Thanks so much!
Mix and Match Mama says
I manually move them over…I'm sure there's an easier way, but I haven't figured it out yet!
Kenra says
Love the window seat! And quiet blessings…. Love that! 🙂
Anonymous says
I love that you say quiet blessings, I have those moments all the time where I just smile and take it all in but never had a name for it!
Melissa H. says
Can you tell me the name brand of your couch? It looks so comfortable!
And yes to the quiet blessings. They are everywhere if we pay attention.
Mix and Match Mama says
Massoud? I think it's spelled that way ;).
laura says
Hello! I recently found your blog and have truly enjoyed reading all your different shades of shay, your life lately's and even getting dinner inspirations from your food blog!
I noticed that when you are out and about, you don't seem to use technology to distract the kids or keep them entertained.. How did you get your children to learn to color quietly or play with themselves without staring at an iPad? This seems to be a constant struggle with lots of moms! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh girl, I do both! They do like to color and draw…so that's helpful, but they also like my phone too :).
Kelsey Mann Peacock says
Looks like life lately has been pretty sweet 🙂 Hope you all have the best summer!
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
Anonymous says
Hi Shay! Omg…your kids are seriously the cutest! Just wondering, I thought Ashby was starting her compression garments? Love you & your sweet family 🙂
Anonymous says
Hey Shay! I've been reading your blog for about a month now, and I love it! I saw this question on another blog (flowersandfaeries.com) and I was wondering the same about you. The question was, would you support your children if they were gay? I'm not trying to suggest anything, they probably won't be, I'm just wondering.
Mix and Match Mama says
I'm going to love and support my kiddos until the day I die. They'll always know their mama is their biggest fan.
Katie Compton says
Perfect answer… I couldn't agree more!
Karen Smith says
Ashby has your smile. 🙂
sayyestohappy says
That picture of GG and Ashby is the cutest!!!!
Leigh says
I love that you mentioned quiet blessings. My mom has always said the same thing. It's so important to take time to notice those things. I spend a lot of time referring my two boys and like you, I'm not taking pictures during that time! One thing I've found that work with my boys is taking out my big camera. They stop fighting immediately and start posing for pictures. It's hilarious!
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
I have one more week until summer is out and then wahooo.. summer.. except not .. because it's pouring down and I'm on tornado watch lol
in canada.. weird weather..
love love seeing your little loves playing.. xo
Robyn Marrie (Robyn's Nest of 5) says
Totally feel ya! I have 3 little blessings (3 girls) and yes, they fight and play hard, and I love em! Thanks for sharing that.
Raashi Agarwal says
Absolutely love the term quiet blessings, such gorgeous photos!
Michelle Fitch says
Kensington looks like the American Girl Doll "Kit" with her new haircut!! Love it!!
Aubrey says
Quiet blessings? I used to experience those occasionally. And then I had Annie. 🙂 Love the precious pics of your three cuties!