No one...

No one wants to sell us a house! Still hunting.

Snow Bunnies!!!!

It was a lot of snow for us. Sunday we were wearing t-shirts and today, the day after all the snow- it's 50 degrees and you would NEVER know that we had any hint of snow yesterday. Elizabeth and Cosette were not sure that they liked the snow. It was cold and they got it in their face when they tried to look around. Gianna liked looking at it, but it took a good hour of convincing to get her to go PLAY in it.

Monday Laundry

Word on the special update-
It's Cosette. She can now crawl!!! Sometimes the video works and sometimes it does not. Just try it again later.
We all have to do it. It happens every day. It's an endless cycle, but sometimes it rinses and spins. It's called laundry. Monday happens to be laundry day in my house. I would do it every other week if I could. But having 5 people in a house means that we are blessed with lots of clothes to wash. It's mostly bibs, napkins, and burp cloths. All from the same two sources. Pink is the second highest batch made by a third unnamed source.
Load, dry fold. REPEAT! That's what makes Mondays fun here at the Ludlow Casa. Sometimes, I'm extra holy and pray for each person clothes that I fold. That actually does put some joy in it.
Sometimes, I "forget" a load and leave it in the washer for a few days, I mean hours.
But PRAISE the LORD. I have a husband who irons/steams. I will take the laundry chore any day of the week.

As long as it's just on Mondays!

Special Update

On the Hunt!

John and I are in the market for another house. With three little girls, TONS of plastic paraphernalia, and up to our ears in pink with no spare room, we need a change. We are a little early for the spring market, but I'm READY to get some more space. We've looked at 9 houses this week. 9 more on Sunday and we've already put a bid on a house and been rejected. Oh and we SOLD our house too!!!! A busy week.
No pressure to get a new one or anything.
I've already decided that wallpaper is way overrated. Wet bars are more common than I really thought, and several several several houses in this town are overpriced.
I continue to be reminded of wise words from a friend, "This is not my home. HEAVEN is my home."

So be very very quiet we are hunting houses.

Nothing But Cute!

Crazy

Girls,
One day you will read this blog. I want you to know I love you and I never try to embarrass you. I want you to know how much you are loved and to see what was going on when it seemed that mommy was crazy.
You see girls that's just it- Your mommy is crazy. Most days I try to hide the crazy. Hoping that no one will notice. Praying that you all behave in public so I can continue the deception that I have it all together. But the truth is- I don't. Because if I did- there would be no need for Jesus.
Thanks for loving me in spite of my faults. I know that one day you will blame it all on me. And I am going to try to be OK with that. Because you see- I did the best I could with what I had. I prayed a lot too. And that my dear girls is all I can do every day. With the occasional ice cream reward for a hard days work!
Oh, and you're welcome.

My Sailors...

...went to sea sea sea.


to see what she could see see see.


But all that she could see see see


was the bottom of the deep blue sea sea sea.

My Valentines...

My Sweet Precious Valentines

Cosette, Gianna, and Elizabeth

*note the SUN!!!!!!

I don't like the Groundhog

Remember back on February 2 when it was groundhog day? You know - see shadow more winter no see shadow then spring? That little vermin had the audacity of seeing his shadow and giving us SIX more weeks of winter.
The girls are recovering still from a cold or something that they keep passing around and around and around and it's too wet, cold or windy to go anywhere with three kiddos. Well, I should stop there.
Why I've not been putting more words in the posts this week is because my momma taught me that if you don't have anything nice to say- then don't say anything at all.

Here I sit for about the millionth day in a row with NO SUN and nothing nice to say.

Genesis 7:12
And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.

Genesis 9
¹² And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."


BRING ON THE RAINBOW!!!!!

Nothing deep

Just super funny!!!

Oh mister Sun..

..Sun. Mr. Golden Sun. PLEASE SHINE DOWN ON ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I need me some sun!

Not only does he do dishes...

... and yesterday a book arrived that he had ordered WEEKS ago for me to read!!!! How awesome is that?!?!?!

It's called, "The Myth of the perfect Mother." It is SO GOOD. And I've only read the first chapter! It was so challenging that I could only read one chapter and had to ponder on it.

Love that man of mine!

What I'm reading lately...

Gone gone gone are the days of bed rest and actual time to read an actual book! I have not read a book since last April!!! Yes, I've had my hands full. Yes, probably a little OVER full. But I do miss reading. Here is what I've been reading and pondering on in the absence of actual books:

Sorta Crunchy Deep thinking on "The Little Mermaid" and Disney Princesses.

Baby Bangs cute

Kelly's Korner cute

Simple Mom- parent permission slips. AMEN!!!

And this article from Christianity Today that I've been pondering for about THREE weeks.

Enjoy!

PS: I made it through the weekend! A VERY VERY special thanks to Great Aunt Lisa who came and helped out on Saturday. I even got a nap!

The Calvary

John's going to the church Men's Retreat, and I'm needing reinforcements. With this weather and no sunshine for a while- I'm so glad I have help coming in!!!!! I'm headed to Chuck E. Cheese tonight with our babysitter. And tomorrow Aunt Lisa is coming to help out. I may even go to BOTH services on Sunday!!!!!
I'll let you know Monday if I survive.

I've told you...

...she likes pink haven't I?

9 Months

Elizabeth and Cosette- you are 9 months old!
Stats:
E- 11 lbs 13 oz 25 inches 41.5 cm head
C- 13 lbs 10 ox 25 1/2 in 44 cm head

Take notice E- Cosette has now passed you on all levels! Get to growing!!!!*
At 9 months Cosette you:
Have TWO teeth!!!!!! They are your bottom front ones. You got your first tooth two days before you turned 9 months. You have perfect posture. You can sit for hours. Especially when it's at the high chair. We finally put you both in the high chairs and you are doing great. You like food. All food- ANY food. As long as it comes and comes fast in your mouth no extreme fussiness will happen. If you like how fast we are feeding you- your feet will bounce up and down. You also do that when you are happy. You like to sit and play with your toys, but if your sister has something more interesting you have no shame or patience- you take it from her. If a toy is just out of your grasp- you can get to your tummy and work your way over to it. Most of the time you end up going backwards. You can say da-da and are starting to say mamamamammmm. Just yesterday you started to blow raspberries. You roll all over the place when I change your diaper. I love your smile.

Elizabeth at 9 months you:
Can sit up by yourself, but preferred to be held all the time. You've been sick this month with an ear infection and a virus, and pink eye. You like bananas OK now. But they have to be mixed in with something. Just plain ones are still NOT your favorite. I think your favorite food is carrots. You are calm and quiet. Just snuggle with you and everything is all right. We call you our cuddle bug. Try to put you down and you let us know what you would prefer. You say da da and mamamam and just Sunday you waved bye-bye to Granny and Grandpa on Skype. You are patient when Cosette takes your toys, as you like to swipe a few from her too. When you smile it lights up the room.

My babies- you are such a delight. It has been the hardest year of my life but those baby smiles make it all worth it!

*We are starting E on acid reflux medicine in hopes that it may help her keep some food down and GROW!! Please pray that she would grow.

Verse for the year:

For the last three years John and I have made a "theme" or a verse to inspire us for the year. We've said things like: Freedom, Celebrate, Bold, (survive baby twins) and such. Last years verse was:
¹⁸ Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. ²⁰ He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

So here is this years verse:

Philippians 4:11-13 for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.


I LOVE the part about "the secret of being content." That just sounds powerful to me.

What's your verse or theme for this year?

The Birthday Month

Gianna had her THIRD birthday at the beginning of January. So we celebrated like only my friend Holly knows how- We had a "Birthday Month!"
Here's how you do it:

First celebrate with your family on your actual birthday. Go to Chuck E. Cheese and have a pink cake.

Second have pink cupcakes at school




Third Go visit Grandma's house and get another mini party with all the Ludlow relatives

Fourth Have an amazing "Pink-Brown Bear Brown bear" party scheduled And have your mom make a wonderful cake. Get sick :( cancel but have the party the NEXT weekend.
Fifth- Have your mom re-make the cake and P-A-R-T-Y like you've already been three for a month...

...and had FOUR pink cake/cupcakes!!!