What a Wonderful Christmas!

ella-my mini-me

Christmas was such a fun time at the Nordin house! Cara actually didn't pull down the ornaments this year, the girls were super excited, and we got to see the Grinch in ice. Turned out to be a pretty neat holiday. Each year we tell the grandparents to not go overboard, and well, they did, and the girls are in toy heaven, not to mention, clothes galore. But, I do have to say that I thoroughly enjoy the nice alone time I get, due to the girls playing with all their new things!

The girls got to experience good ol' Saint Nick in Sulphur Springs, at Granny Cat's work, Alliance Bank. Brinley and Ella Grace were so ready to see the big guy, Cara, nope, not so much. She would wave from afar, but the moment she got in his lap, wow, I didn't know her voice could screeeech that high! The entire bank was blessed with such a joyful noise. I for one, was trying to take the dead blasted picture, but was having difficulties with the camera..go figure...got one good..err..bad, shot.

This time of year I am overcome with sheer joy as I look around and see how truly blessed we are. Jon Eric is the love of my life, and together we are raising 3 beautiful girls, and hope and pray we raise them to love and trust God. I sit back and drink my lukewarm cup of cocoa, and think, wow, I have struck gold. Thank you Lord for blessing us so! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Cara turns 2!

Say it ain't so, my baby just turned 2, and with flames. Seems like as soon as she grew one year older, BAM!, so did the divaness! She screams when she wants something, screams when she doesn't want something, screams when she is ticked at the world, which is more often all of a sudden! It is her way, or the highway!! BUT, she's my little diva, and I love her more and more through it all!

We celebrated her birthday, and the whole family joined in on the festivities. We just had a quaint little party at our house, and she enjoyed it, as did I. She got lots of clothes, toys, and had loads of fun. Couldn't ask for more. It is hard to believe that my surprise bundle is now 2. I remember being in shock, and wonder, as to how it would all unfold. Cara Ann is a pure delight and I thank God everyday for blessing us with that pleasant surprise. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Lots of Things

There have been so many things going on in the Nordin House, it feels like a whirlwind. Of course we had our wonderful night of carving a pumpkin, trick or treating, fall festival at the church, and then..Brinley lost her first tooth and I was so lucky to be the one to pull it out at school! Sad to say, I got a little misty eyed when I pulled it out. Our baby is loosing baby teeth..and soon to be getting permanent teeth! That does something to me!

Everyone is enjoying the fall season. The two big girls were outside playing this morning, and they love playing in the leaves! We have recently had a down pour of the leaves..they couldn't wait to get their hands in them! Jon Eric's football season is winding down and as of today, it is his last game; Mommy couldn't be more happy. Cara seems to enjoy striping down to nothing, and then proceeding to pee on the floor. I think it's daddy's turn to enjoy all the fun I have endured lately! ;o) hehe!

This time of year I am becoming to feel more thankful for the many wonderful blessings God has given us. I enjoy my life to the fullest, and all those that are in it. What are you thankful for? My list seems to be endless. :)

Seriously?!

WELL...here we go again..Ella Grace is sick..again. SERIOUSLY?! Is it ever going to end? She started running fever Sunday morning, and with motrin and tylenol, seemed fine. Missed school Monday and Tuesday, and didn't run anymore fever after Monday night..so off to school she went on Wednesday. Here we are on Thursday and Miss Priss decides to get sick *barf* in the daycare parking lot! *SIGH* SERIOUSLY?! I proceeded on to work..with 3 year old in tow, and she is bouncing around like a monkey and absolutely FINE! SERIOUSLY?! So here we sit, at home, AGAIN.."sick". I never know what tomorrow may bring, but I do know that everything will be okay. ;o)

Pumpkin Patch

We had so much fun at the pumpkin patch! The girls ran through a hay maze, played with pumpkins, posed with scarecrows, and just had a terrific fall day! The weather was chilly, but that didn't stop the girls! I enjoyed it a lot too! Our best buds, the Scribners, joined us in the fall festivities too!

Flu? Swine Flu? Virus? That is the Question?!!?

Today...after sleeping from 9-12, and finally eating a bowl of soup and crackers..

this morning...about to puke...almost didn't make it to the bathroom!

The first day of it all...on a Motrin high, still smiling..

sinking...down..down...down...crash.

Definitely still sinking....

The difference 4 hours makes..from smiling and happy to downright miserable.

Boy has it been a tough go at it the last few days! Ella Grace has been sooooo sick! I can't tell you how much clorox bleach cleaner I have used to prevent the other 2 and myself, and yes Daddy, too, from getting this awful unnamed sickness that we have gone to war against! My poor baby was fine Monday morning, yes the typical breathing treatment was given to her, but that is the norm with us! And of course, I had to snap a picture of the cute diva in the curly~q bow, that I, myself, MADE! Anyway, she looked fine and dandy...

THEN, I got the call. Ella Grace had 100.8 temp, and I was scrambling! I didn't know what to think. Flu was the last thing, I was thinking ear infection, cold, something simple. BUT NO. We got home, and the fever just kept going up! It was 103 with Motrin! Needless to say, Dr. J hasn't seen anyone with this type of "whatever it is!" Flu swab tested negative, but she was showing all the signs: high fever, vomiting, headache...I just knew we were going to have it. Then he tested for strep, negative. I was so overwhelmed with the idea of NOT knowing what she had, and what to do or not do with her! So, I went on and treated it as if it were the flu or swine flu at that. After 2 sleepless, vomit-full nights, we are on the down slope...at least for now. It is Wednesday and she hasn't had a fever since noon. And she hasn't puked either! God is GREAT! I have been scared to death at what might have been, but I just prayed and knew he would take care of her. Now she is back to her sweet, happy, fiesty self..but not too fiesty..I don't want to do all of this again tomorrow ;o).

* silly Ella Grace behind her sisters!

The girls were having so much fun tonite! They were dancing around and singing! I took some pretty loving pictures..but only a few short minutes later..they were fighting. Go figure. At least I got the sweet pics! HA!

Brinley wanted to curl her hair today..we did..and it turned out pretty cute! We haven't done it since Mimi's wedding..and I forgot how cute she looks in all those curls! The first one in curls is the true Brinley BEAR before leaving for school.

First day of school is here!

I am totally going crazy in the mind that MY BABY, Brinley Brooke has started 1st Grade today. It is not sitting with me very well at all! I swear I just had her 2 months ago. Ok, maybe not 2 months ago, but man it sure flew by! She was the happiest kid in the classroom today. She could not be more in to what Mrs. Harris was saying, would be saying, or will ever say. She worships the ground she walks on..and that is alright with me! The better she is in that classroom, the less stress I will have! HA! She was a great student per Mrs. Harris, and that makes me as a parent, very proud. Now if I can keep the boys away..that is a whole other chapter...

Brinley Brooke's first day of ballet/tap!

Today was Brinley's day! She was sooo excited! She asked me all day, "Is it time to go to ballet, YET?" She enjoyed every minute of it, until she hit a slick spot on the floor, and took a tumble. She got over it and quickly jumped up and back in the action. She smiled for most of the hour! Ahh, little girls...tutu cute!

Ella Grace's first day of Ballet!

Ella Grace started her first class of ballet today! She was a little nervous, but excited at the same time! Her best bud Sydney is with her, and they had so much fun! I was watching her through the doorway and she was just smiling ear to ear. She loved it! She had to go potty and as she was going she said in her cute little chipmunk voice, "hurry mommy! I gotta get back in there!" My little Ella Bella is going to be a star!

Cute Cara..and a soggy diaper

*notice the red heart birthmark?

Is that not the biggest diaper you have ever seen!?!?!? I had to go get groceries that day, and I came home to Cara swimming in her diaper...and her dress. I didn't get a shot of the soaked dress..but the diaper was enough! Never know what's going to happen when Mommy is away, and Daddy has to stay!