I don't know where this is headed. Doesn't even have a title.

Since 3 of the last 5 blog posts have been direct quotes from someone other than me, I suppose it's time to say a few words:

Blogging. Is. Annoying.
(and blogging about blogging is far worse.)

Honestly, I'm in a different place than I was when I started this virtual scrapbook (originally it was to document baby stuff for out-of-towners). Then it turned into a beautiful outlet for me when we were going through some especially difficult times. I had a lot to say and here's where I said it.

But since having Simon, I don't feel like I need to tell everyone everything. I'm much more internal now, if that makes sense. I keep being reminded of this verse, "And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) Though so much is going on around me and within me, I have very little to say. And for now, that's how I feel it's meant to be.

I'm hoping my feelings about it all changes soon because blogging was fun and something I know my family appreciated. It was also suppose to bring me closer to a ton of other bloggers before I meet them all at The Edel Gathering this summer. I'm nervous about the level of celebrity going, and how I'll fit in, but not enough to blog, I suppose.

And so, I'm letting go of the pressure to give the 7 of you left a frequent play by play of our life. It's a chore I don't have to do, and I'm leaving it undone for the moment. I'm not signing off - not officially. Maybe the Spirit will move me to come on more often, but until then...

here's one for the road.

Canon Catch-up

Mommy is growing up and learning (after the 3rd child, no less) to keep things simple. So, this year, when the girls decided they wanted to dress up with stuff we already had and stuff they wear every other day anyway, I said yes! instead of searching the internets for new head to toe costumes. And little Simon, he's wearing the same lamb hat Joan and Charlotte wore with a few alterations. babies growing up... sniff, sniff...

Speaking of growing up...


The world is a stage


So as not to be out-done


So much love in this room

And finally, signs of a great Papa:
-chaperones the field trip to my least favorite place
-plays "ballerina music" during his game

Thanks to The Haneys...

this beauty is living in our dining room!

MVI 6267 from Alisha Landry on Vimeo.
Jude's aunt and uncle, Renee & Phil, gave us this awesome piano. It looks and plays like it's brand new! Thank you two so much for your generosity. We will take great care of it!

And Simon thanks you, too. He just doesn't know it yet.

Playing Catch Up

It took a while, but here are the photos of when Jude's family visited Starkville last month.  We got to meet our new(ish) nephew, Henry, and he got to meet his 3 cousins.

Cousin Henry. This accurately depicts their general dispositions for the week.
Grumpy & Smiley 

Nanny Chloe actually made these initial shirts for them. So adorable!

Simon's first pool experience

It went swimmingly. Har, har.

spitting image (minus the specs)

Nanny Chloe & Uncle Art with their godchild, Charlotte

All the she-folk

Aunt Sara with all the nieces & nephews

Thank you guys for making the trip over to MS and for bringing the cool weather. Please tell me you're planning to come again next week because it's supposed to be rainy & in the 90s.

Oh, and we finally got him to smile.

The Birthday Extravaganza

Joan's birthday is May 5th (and I wasn't planning a party at 39-40 weeks pregnant), so we pushed her party back (and Charlotte's July birthday up) to do one big combined party at a local gymnastics studio. Win, win, win.

They were Thing 1 and Thing 2, obvi, which meant I could re-use party decorations for the 3rd time and I could plan the super simple foodies around Dr. Seuss books. Still winning.

Jude's family was already planning to be in town that week and my parents were able to make the trip, too.

Unfortunately, a few friends couldn't make it, but we had fun with the ones that could!

Happy Birthday, sweet girls!

(Charlotte's three. Not two.)