Splashin' and Sparklin'

Do you love my new blog header? :) Fourth of July is my very. favorite. holiday. Hands down. I always go a little crazy about it! The girls dresses are from The Children's Place if you need to order one before next weekend! :)

Yesterday my brother, James, and I decided to drive all three kids to Eastland to their mini water park. It was so fun! The pool just has two kids slides, a big slide and a kids play area but to a five year old, two year old and one year old.. it was a blast! They were squealing like.. well.. little girls :) We will definitely being going back again this summer.
On the way back from Eastland we stopped, before city limits, to get some fireworks. I did walk in the huge firework store in soaking wet clothes with my swimsuit under them, haha. Anyways, we got the kids some kid version fireworks.. sparklers, smoke bombs and of course, those things that pop when they hit the ground. I did let them do them all last night so we will have to buy some more next week. I couldn't help it.. its my favorite holiday so we had to celebrate more than just one measly day! They went crazy with them! They also learned the word 'firework'.. apparently we don't usually discuss those around the house.. ha! All in all, a good day!

In other totally unrelated news.. while having lunch in Eastland, Texas at McDonalds I heard CNN on tv announce that Farrah Fawcett had died. I was a little taken back. It's kind of one of those moments when time stands still. I don't know why but I was pretty sad. I just watched her special on tv a couple on months ago. Unless you are heart less, it probably brought tears to your eyes. Farrah fought a long, hard battle. Then after swimming, we get home and I saw Perez Hilton write on Twitter that Michael Jackson had died. I immediately starting scanning the internet for other reliable sources, such as CNN.com, to wait for the official announcement, which did eventually come. What a shock! I wasn't even a die hard MJ fan but to lose two amazing American icons in one day was pretty unsettling. Not to mention, that Ed McMahon had died this week as well. I got to think about how we actually feel for people we don't even know. I mean, we grow up with these people as public figures and you start to feel some kind of connection them. I don't know, maybe it's just me but you know, you get excited about seeing their new babies, are anxious for their new movie or music and eventually we will hear that some of them has passed. Of course, as a Christian, I don't always agree with their lifestyles but I think America took a hard hit this week in the entertainment world. Two American ICONS: Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett will be missed.

You need to go watch this video of MJ's Dance Moves because no one will ever dance like Michael. Sorry, Justin Timberlake ;)

Hope your weekend if fun filled and sunny :)

Father's Day Weekend and 100!!

First of all this is my 100th post!! I started the blog last summer and then didn't really start keeping up with it until January so most of those 100 have been in 2009. It actually gets pretty addicting and now that I have family and friend keeping up, I enjoy posting so people can see what is going on in our crazy lives! :) So, thanks for reading.. all the Braelyn and Brylee you can handle, haha!


Our weekend started out with a trip to the skating rink on Saturday. Jeff, me and the girls met up with Jeff's sister and her two girls for what we hoped to be a fun time. Ha! Fun, it was, but mostly crazy! Skating with a 7 year old, 2 year old and two 1 year olds was interesting, to say the least. Braelyn tried but wasn't too successful, Alyssa did good and the babies ran wild and let us chase them the whole time! We probably won't be going back for a couple years but it was fun anyways! Saturday night we went to dinner for Father's Day, sorry, I didn't take any pictures! :(

Braelyn and Jeff attempting to skate :)

The wild children: Happy and Lauryn

Alyssa, our big girl, skating

Sunday was Father's Day and we woke Jeff up with a cookie cake! Yum! :) We went swimming at the Country Club all afternoon and had a great time. Miss Happy is warming up to this swimming idea and Braelyn is a fish! :) For dinner, we grilled burgers and had a nice evening at home. It was a good day! We are so blessed to be surronded by so many great dads! Braelyn and Brylee love, love, love their sweet daddy and he allows the world to revolve around them. Daddys of girls just can't say "no!". Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of Jeff with his girls on his Father's Day :( He was there with us, I promise, but no pics to prove it!

Braelyn ready to go swim. The swimsuit was too big so she had to change :(Happy in her new swimsuit.. so cute! Miss Braelyn today in her new clothes.. love, love, love those shorts!!

Our week in review...

Our week was, honestly, uneventful, which is sometimes good! :) We did have two cute little "firsts" within the last week though.

Happy had her first teeny, tiny, precious pony tail :) I have been waiting for this day for a while. If you know Braelyn, you know she doesn't go a day without a bow on her head and I CAN NOT wait till Happy has enough hair for pony tails and BOWS! :) Look how cute she was..

I call this her "little Indian dress". I bought it in Colorado when Braelyn was Happy's age. It is made by local little, old Indian ladies in Silverton. They are precious. The dress always makes me giggle but it's too cute to not stick on baby #2!

On Wednesday, I decided it was time to teach Braelyn some computer skills. So, when she woke up from her nap I brought her to the computer and found some learning games on NickJr.com. She was so cute! I had to teach her how to use the mouse and which buttons to push but she is so smart and learned fast. By about 10 minutes, she was picking her own games and playing by herself while I did laundry. She was having fun and learning to use the computer and other important things that the games teach.

Here she is working hard! I can't believe my baby is big enough to play computer games..

Thursday afternoon I decided they deserved a little trip to the park. It was fun and not too hot. It is always an opportunity for me to take pictures.. :)

Little Happy really just like to swing and then run everywhere. She looves to run! How cute is she? I just want to squeeze her!

And of course, here is my big girl (sigh) playing. It's bittersweet to take Braelyn to the park because she doesn't even need our help anymore. She's big.. she can do it all by herself! We are so proud of her! I can't enough of her..
Daddy and both of his girls sliding together. Watch out when they are teenagers.. just one smile and Jeff melts, haha! It is so precious!

We were ready to go home and Happy was begging for one more swing.. guess who gave in? Daddy :) But she is so cute.. how could you tell her no? No big plans for the weekend or Father's Day yet but we are so happy to have the best daddy in the world and we love him so much!

Fun at the lake

This past weekend we went to Lake Coleman with Shanna, Weston and Alyssa. Jeff and I went plus James and Dylan and we left the princesses with Jamom and Jampa. The girls are a little too small to really enjoy all the lake fun. They had fun with Jeff's parents though.


We spent most of the day tubing, swimming and jumping off the dock (yes, I was scared to death but I did it!). It was a fun day. We got lots of sun and were pretty sore from holding on to that tube (haha) but we had a good time.

Dylan (5) and Alyssa (7) tubing together

James and Dylan jumping off the dock

Me and Dylan taking a break :)

James trying to flip off the top

Dylan and Alyssa on the boat

James kneeboarding

Me about to tube!

James tubing

Jeff and Dylan tubing

Jeff and Alyssa tubing

Like my new header? I have been working on Corel Paint Shop Pro for the past few months and I am really not that good at it.. but I am trying, haha. I worked most of the kids nap time yesterday designing Braelyn's birthday party invitations. They turned out perfect and I can't wait to show you all but I am not quite ready yet :)

Hope your week is going well. The girls have dentist appointments tomorrow morning. Braelyn has been several times but this is Brylee's first check up so we'll see how it goes.. say a prayer for us tomorrow :)

The House that Kerry Built

I am special posting tonight (from my cell phone as to not wake up my baby princess who is sleeping in my room) to share with you a special prayer request about The House that Kerry Built (THTKB) here in Abilene.
THTKB is a daycare for medically fragile children. All of the children there have special needs and have been attending there for little or no cost. I had the privledge of doing my college internship there back in the summer of 07. The place is amazing, the people are some of the best you will ever encounter and the children are simply the greatest. It was a life changing and mind altering expierence for me and I have always missed it since I left.
Unfortunatley, due to debt and a failing economy the THTKB daycare will be closed as of Monday morning. It is heartbreaking.
I need you to pray for several things: 1) that the amazing people who were laid off can find new jobs. Some of them have been there for many years and this is not a job to them. These children are there life and they are hurting so much right now. 2) Pray for the families of these children who are now struggling for child care for children with special needs. Pray there will be open doors for them and comfort for the hearts of these kids who will greatly miss THTKB. 3) Pray for the financial struggles of this company as they try to get back on there feet. Half of the business that does the home health care will still be open.
This is a sad time for many involved with THTKB and they could really use your prayers. I appreciate all who read this and spend some time with God on this matter.
Sorry for the brief summary but I am texting this all in and my fingers are... hurting!!! lol

I will PRAISE you in this storm!

I heard an old song today. I will Praise You in this Storm by Casting Crowns. If you haven't heard the song or Casting Crowns you need to start downloading them now. Such amazing music with awesome messages! This songs has always given me the same feeling and memories.. allow me to share.

10 years ago back in May my mom passed away from ALS. It was a miserable, disgusting, dark time for me but I think if you knew me at the time you wouldn't say that. I always felt I had to be strong for somebody. I don't know who, really, but I just did it. Not that I didn't cry and mourn or spend many sleepless nights but I always thought that time would move on and I knew I would be okay. How did I know that? When people hear you have lost a parent they say many different things. One of which is "I could never make it if my mom died" or "I don't know what I would do if my mom died". The truth is.. does anyone really know how you would "make it" or move on after your mom dies? Well, no. I knew it was coming for probably 7 years but I didn't have a plan. After I went through shock and denial, I knew what I had to do.

I will praise YOU in this storm.

I won't lie, everyone says you go through anger and I don't ever remember being angry at God. I wasn't angry. I was sad but never angry. How could I be angry? I heard my mom talk my whole life about amazing Heaven. It was the ultimate goal for her. The greatest reward. By being angry, I think I felt I would be taking that from her. Not that I didn't want her back! I definitely wanted her back but I knew with all my heart and all of my being that she was rejoicing with the angels. She was getting to see my Dad in Heaven and she was holding her son who had gone to Heaven. I knew she was happy.

I guess I couldn't be angry or depressed because people always said "Corrie, you are the strongest person I know." I kid you not, I probably heard this once a day for a long time. I always thought, "I'm not even strong. I'm faithful." It's true. For many years, people would tell me that they learned to love Jesus and know him from my Mom. Or they saw Jesus for the first time in the way I handled myself in the days and months after I lost my mom. I am not singing my praises here, this is not about me being some great person because I am not. I sin like everyone else in the world. I am singing HIS praises. I am saying look at the hard times and look how HE held me up. Look what Jesus did in my life! I had to praise Him in that storm and in every storm. Life is not easy and the Bible promises us that it will not be easy but He also says we will never be alone, He will never leave us. He says He will cover us with a peace that passes all understanding and He does. He covered me with peace. Can I encourage you (without trying to preach at you) to praise Him in your storms? Praise Him in your storms. I feel like I need to say it over and over again. Little storms we face everyday and big storms that change your life. Praise Him in your storms.

Can you see me stepping off my soapbox now? ;-) I'm praying for all you out there today who are reading this. I am praying for your storms. Let me know if you have something specific I can pray for, I would love to. Comment me here or email me at mommyloftin@yahoo.com (friends or strangers who might have surfed on my blog).

Here are the lyrics to the song. Go download it though. You really need to hear it.

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

My strong willed child

It only takes seconds for this child to climb from a flat surface to the top of my dining room table. Here she is happy as can be after accomplishing her challenge of the day. This little angel is a climber and there is no stopping her! She even stopped to say "cheese" to the camera before mommy had a heartattack thinking about her falling off onto my hardwood floors! Good news, she made it back down safe but made no promises that she will not attempt this feat again in the near future. Meet my strong willed child. Her next challenge? Probably Mount Everest. :)

"Strong willed children are more likely to change the world- after all, it is not likely that the world is going to change them!"

- Cynthia Ulrich Tobias (in her book You can't make me but I can be persuaded: Strategies for bringing out the best in your stron-willed child)

First summer swim :)

This weekend we had two of Jeff's cousins from Dallas in town and Saturday was our niece Alyssa's 7th birthday party. I still can not believe she is 7 years old!! She had just turned three when Jeff and I started dating and was still a baby. She is such a big girl now and we are proud of her. Her birthday party was at the Country Club and of course, swimming ;)

Braelyn and Dylan in their new swimsuits. They were so ready to go swimming :)Please excuse my no makeup :) Mommy and Braelyn Grace Isn't she so cute?! I could eat her up! My big girl.. Dylan ready to go. Had to put sunscreen on his new hair cut ;)Little Miss Happy.. first time to really swim. Last year she was itty and just splashed around the baby pool Of course, we had to get new glasses for the pool ;) Mini Mommy and Me

Excuse Cowboy's t-shirt.. he lives with 3 kids.. life is rough! lol My brother, me, Braelyn and Dylan Alyssa and her cake James and Dylan Jeff and Braelyn Dylan did so great swimming! The arm floaties could probably come off but we are waiting till he takes lessons in a couple weeks :)Happy Birthday, Alyssa! Jamom with Baby Addison and Happy (doesn't she look huge next to tiny Addie?)Miss Addison Paige.. a week and a half old at her first birthday party :)Me and my babies! Oh, I love them! ;)Braelyn and Mommy again.. I love swimming and Braelyn had definitely inherited that ;)Happy was not so crazy about it cause it was freezing cold but she let me play with her for a little bit Isn't she so precious!? Next year she will be wild, running and jumping in the pool like Braelyn so I am going to enjoy getting to hold her one last summer :)Saturday night (as if they had not had a fun enough day already, I know) Jeff and I decided on a whim to take the kids to the drive in movie to see Up. It is the new Disney Pixar. It was really cute! Braelyn and Brylee just sat and watched it. We had fun! Braelyn loooves movies!

Eating cereal in the car before the movie started. This princess never ever stops eating! :)

It was a fun weekend and on Sunday we got to play catch up by cleaning the house, doing dishes and laundry and all the other fun chores we had missed the past couple days. It was worth it! I just love my family so much and I know I am so blessed!