I'm Baaaacck!

Whoa, Nelly! Does this feel weird!?!?
Its been almost a year since I've typed in here, and what a year its been!
We have been so blessed with so many great memories and successes, and part of me is sad that I have to rely on myself to remember those great times, rather than be able to look back on here, like I was able to do for a few years.

And I have missed blogging. I have missed taking the time to put those memories down and share them with those that aren't with me everyday. So I made the decision to come back, pick up a year later and fill myself in on the way. Here's a photo look at our 2010:

.....and here's to 2011!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

With A Heavy Heart...

I have been mulling this over for awhile now. And after sitting on it for a few more days, and talking it out with someone who feels the way I do... I have decided to say "So Long, Farewell" to The Yarbrough 5.

As any blogging mommy knows, you can't just sit down, write a post, put in cute pictures and be done in 5 minutes. It takes a. long. time. It was easier when Morgan Jane was younger, but now everytime I sit down, she is climbing on the dining table, or dumping out the bucket of 500 sippy cups all over the kitchen. Luke is doing so well not playing the Wii, but he is needing a lot more of my one-on-one time to help him focus on playing other things. Olivia has so many new activities and projects, that I need more time to get other little things out of the way so I can be there 100% for her when those things come up. And then there is that handsome man who gives me sad looks from the living room when he is sitting watching a movie all alone while I type away in the evenings...

Oh! And lets not forget about little ol' me. I have made a commitment to myself to be the best "me" I can be. I haven't felt totally put together in a long time, and its something I am working on regaining a little everyday. I just feel that at this stage of things, if I have an hour to sit down and write a post, I could devote that hour to exercising, or preparing a healthy dinner, or just sitting on my tush and reading the latest People magazine (pure joy in my book!) While I love writing, I am also really growing to love the rush after a great work-out, the thrill of seeing Olivia perfect her kart-wheel or watching Luke re-inact a show he's watched with his little Mario figures. Morgan Jane is the last little baby I will ever have, and she is getting bigger everyday. While I have loved keeping track of everyone growing up on here, I think I'll have more time to really live it when I'm not spending the whole time thinking "What am I going to write about this?" or praying that I got good pictures of whatever shenanigans they have gotten into!

So thanks to everyone for reading! Thanks for everyone's kind words and emails through the past two year's ups and downs! I have learned so much, "met" so many neat people... and of course, I will still be reading about everyone else! ...That is when I'm not snuggling Jas and watching "our stories", playing games with Luke, selling Tag-A-Longs with Olivia or telling Morgan Jane to "Get down!" from whatever it is she has climbed on/ under/ into...

So long farewell, auf weidersehen good-bye

I hate to go and leave this pretty sight

So long farewell, auf weidersehen adieu

Adieu, adieu, to you and you and you

So long farewell, auf weidersehen goodnight

I leave and heave a sigh and say good bye -

goodbyyyyyyeeeee!

MU-AH

{HUGS}

Nov. 8 Gratitude

I am thankful for...

...my mother-in-law, Martha. I feel so blessed to be a member of the Yarbrough family. Her love and support means so much to me.

...my new camera- an early Christmas gift from Martha. LOVE IT. I felt like so many memories were slipping away when I wasn't able to document all of the funny moments of our lives!

...patience, and the ability to gain it back as quickly as it is lost. Case in point: Our 2009 Christmas Card Photo Attempt #1. Seriously!??!? How HARD is it to sit still for 2 seconds!! Here are some of the out-takes...(You'll notice there are NONE of Miss O. She's the only one around here who listens to me without having to be bribed with marshmallows!)

(my feelings exactly, Bubs...)

Nov. 6 Gratitude

I am thankful for...

.... little piggies....
... and staying home....

and....roast beef...???

;0)

Nov. 5 Gratitude

I am thankful for...

...spray paint...

...hot glue....

...and my best friend who understands and shares my need to constantly create...

Nov. 4 Gratitude

I am thankful....

...that we have the technology today where I can call, email and send pictures to my little sister who is over 1,100 miles away. It makes missing her as much as I do not hurt so much...

...that my grandparents raised my parents to raise my brother, sisters and I with respect and manners that I am now teaching to my children. Nothing makes me more proud then hearing my children speak to others- especially adults- with nice manners without being reminded...

...that every night Morgan Jane sits in my lap in the bathroom while I wait for her bathtub to fill up and gives me the sweetest hugs-"snugs", as we call them. I sit, just the two of us, and remind myself to take it in and remember how blessed I am to have these sweet babies as my own...

Nov. 3 Gratitude

I am thankful...

...That Halloween was on a Saturday this year, so I had plenty of time to get things ready and that my children had an incredibly fun night with their friends...

...That while I did not have a decent camera to take their picture on this, my favorite of all holidays , I was able to get a few along the way with my fancy new phone! (I still might re-dress them up and take some pretend ones, so just wait...)

...That my husbands and friends have been patient with me while I learn how to use said fancy new phone, and don't kill me when I send them 15 blank text messages a day. I'm workin' on it, I promise!...

So Now, Without Further Ado!: Yarbrough 5 HALLOWEEN 2009

Getting Ready For The School Carnival

(Footwear was an after-thought this year- SO not like me!)

Olivia and Morgan, Waiting For The Cake Walk

"Its Luigi Time!" (He was so angry about this mustache! The kid on the package was dressed as a magician and he thought that I was trying to pull one over on him! "This is not the right one!!! I am not a magician!!" Such a diva!)

Everyone liked Bub's costume so much, Morgan Jane decided to get in on the act!

Our Jack-o-Lanterns! I went out on a limb and tried to carve just the top layer to make the detailed Romo and Luigi ones. LOVE how they turned out- Don't think I'll ever go back to the traditional carved style! Check out Miss O's avant garde skeleton in the middle- So Artsy-Fartsy!

It wouldn't be Luigi Time without a mushroom trick-or-treat bag for extra speed and power while out collecting candy!! (God bless felt.)

Morgan Jane and Kane- You can't tell from the pic, but she was CRAZY excited when he showed up! So adorable together! He's checking out the tutu-extravaganza!

Jas decided last minute to be an old-school golfer. Thank God I can sew, and whipped up a pair of knickers for him 30 minutes before people started showing up! Here is Morgan Jane modeling his fabulous mustache at the end of the night!
(Why do we always do this to our poor baby???)

ThatsAllIGot-How'dYaLikeTha-at!

Nov. 2 Gratitude

I am thankful:
1) for waking up every morning and having a roof over my head (and coffee brewing in the kitchen)...

2) that my babies are safe and healthy...
3) that we have family who live so close by that they can share in the little joys of life with us day by day...