Talk about Tristan!

It's Tristan's turn for his very own post! :)

 

This little boy is my heart. He was the first to make me a mommy, to teach me what true love is, and was the driving force behind most of my educational accomplishments. I honestly do not know where I would be without him.

Tristan is HIL-ARIOUS. He makes me laugh often. He is kind, gentle, sweet, super smart, and very inquisitive. T loves to play basketball, listen to music, ride bikes, and eat. Ha! Little man is a lover of nature (he did NOT get that from me). He prefers cats over dogs, loves his pet fish, and is not afraid to kill a bug or catch a lizard for mommy. ;)

 

 

Dwight's mom stayed the night Tuesday night, so she loved on Kennedy while I spent extra alone time with my boy. We both enjoy this quality time. I was not in a cookin' kind of a mood (am I ever?!?), so Tristan and I went to get takeout.  After dinner my MIL bathed Kennedy, cleaned the kitchen, and insisted I go get a pedicure. Ummmmm can she move in?! Ha!

 

 

 

 

As Tristan and I were leaving, a plane flew above. He yelled out "MOMMY, TAKE A PICTURE!!" So I did. :) He thought out loud "....I bet that plane is going to South America." Ha! Tristan loves to talk about geography and learn about different states, countries, and cities. I call him my little "old soul". He is so wise beyond his years. I'm pretty sure when I was 5 years old, I knew nothing about South America...or North America. Ha!

 

 

 

While we waited for our food to be prepared we ran into the grocery store to get ONE item. Even still, he begged to ride in this ridiculous large basket. It had a tv on the inside. Seriously, what is the world coming to??!! ;) Ordinarily I would have said "No, we don't need that big basket." But, this was his little outing so I obliged. I even let him grab some chocolate in the checkout. We live big in the Coleman house. Ha!!

 

 

As we pulled up to our street, Tristan's favorite song came on the radio. He said "Mommy, this is my JAM!" I told him we would circle the block while it played, and turned it up extra loud for him. He loved it...as you can see.

 

*Don't mind the pink booster seat, it's Brianna's old one.*

 

 

Oh how I love that little boy of mine. He constantly keeps me on my toes and has me evaluating my own actions/words quite often. He really is the best.

 

While I had SO much fun with my oldest, I assure you little miss did not go without attention either. I got some good snuggles in with her before bed. Love!!

Wordless Wednesday

Keeping up with Kennedy

 

 

Kennedy, Ken Ken, Kiki, Koko, Kenny the Pooh, Keeks, Ken...

The girl has many names, and she is called by all of them daily.

Tristan calls her Keeks and Ken Ken the most. It's adorable.

 

This "little" baby has brought us SO much happiness.

Dwight and I talk about how she truly has a joyful spirit. She loves to laugh, smile, talk, and coo to us. It is precious. Ken rarely cries. I mean really, unless she is just starving or exhausted, she won't make a crying peep.

 

I love that when she wakes up in the morning she gets the BIGGEST gummiest smile on her face. I love that she really thinks she is telling me something when she is babbling. I love that when she hears or sees her daddy she starts kicking her legs as fast as she can.

 

What a doll baby she is!! I can't believe she will be 4 months old next week, how can it be?!?!

Yesterday was her (technically) 3 month photos and she did fabulous. The day before I tried on some outfits I had picked out for the shoot to make sure they fit. I couldn't resist snapping a couple pics of her in them.

 

 



 

 

 

Sunday was Kennedy's first time in the church nursery. I finally got her daddy to agree that it was time to start taking her. He handed her over to the worker and we walked into the sanctuary. About 10 minutes into worship, I asked him if he was okay. He said "yes, but I bet Kennedy is upset and misses us." I told him he could go check on her but that I thought she was fine. And she was! When we picked her up, she was sound asleep being rocked. Here is our big girl on Sunday after church!

 

 

 

To say big brother is smitten, is such an understatement. There has not been one ounce of jealousy on his part, it really brings me such joy. Tristan "read" to Kennedy the other day and she loved it. He was telling her about colors, Jesus, and more. Ha! These are the moments in motherhood where I feel like my heart could explode from love!!

 

 

 

I think it's safe to say that Kennedy runs our house. Ha! Our living room is like a section of Babies R Us with all her gear. Not to mention the mamaroo, rock n play, play mat, and bumbo in the other rooms. Kenned is so loved by everyone in our family. I don't think she will ever want for attention. It is freely given. We love keeping up with you, Kiki!

 

 

 

Little miss at her photo-shoot. Morgan did such a fantastic job capturing our sweet girl and all her chubby glory. I will post a sneak peak of the pictures tomorrow!

 

 

Off to lunch with a friend I go! Happy Tuesday!

'Battle Cry'

Kris and I have been friends for over 5 years now. It is amazing to think where our friendship started, and where it is now. I first met Kris when I was a single, 21 year old mom. I was in school full time working on my undergraduate degree, trying to stay afloat. Life was not always easy, but God continually brought wonderful people like Kris into my life. How thankful I am for that!

 

Kris and I met through our church where she was leading my Bible study Gateway group.

From the first day I met her, she spoke life over me and my son. She was so encouraging and positive...it was refreshing. The more I got to know Kris, I was privileged to learn the depths of her heart. This woman is full of knowledge, wisdom, and grace.

I could sit and listen to her stories all day!

 

It was in those days when I felt like life was a struggle, even hopeless at times, that I saw everyone has a story and no one is immune to the pain of our fallen world. I was fortunate enough to get to know Kris' story and become a part of it, as she became a part of mine. Kris has an amazing story which I encourage you to read more about on her website HERE. Her story has many parts to it, one of which includes the loss of her precious daughter, Charlie Kate, just two days before a scheduled C-section. Kris is raw, honest, humble, and true. She has been one of my greatest mentors through out the years.

 

I am so proud of her for taking her story and writing the book 'Battle Cry'. I know it will bless those who read it. I read it in one day! 'Battle Cry' includes an inside look to Kris' journey of hurt and healing, and where God has brought her through it all. The last chapter includes twenty different testimonies of people close to Kris. I am so honored that mine and Dwight's testimony is included. Several months ago, Kris asked me to write out our testimony of how God healed our relationship and included it in her book. It was so amazing to see my own words written on the pages of that book. So humbling...so amazing to see where God has brought us!

 

Since meeting Kris and hearing her story, I have gotten to walk through the sweetest of seasons with her! At my wedding shower, she was very pregnant with her now two year old daughter, Finley. It was amazing to see how we were both experiencing the fulfillment of God's promises in our own lives, at the same time! Kris prayed for me when I was single and desiring a family, she prayed for me after I got married and wanted to get pregnant, she prayed for me after I got pregnant and had several complications in my pregnancy. Oh how I am thankful for this precious friend. She truly is one of a kind.

 

I took Kennedy to Kris' book release party this past weekend.

How wonderful it was to celebrate her!!

They had a couple of drawings, and Kennedy won a copy of her book. Quite fitting, I should say!

So proud of you, Kris!! I cannot wait to see where The Lord takes us next!

 

 

 

 

 

**you can buy 'Battle Cry' on Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

Friday's Facts!

It's Friday, my favorite day of the week! Here are some "facts" from our day! 

I took Tristan on another mother/son date. We went bowling and to lunch. 

He was SO excited.

My sister sent Kennedy a new headband in the mail so of course she had to model it! ;) K's 3 month photo session is Monday and she will be sporting it in a couple of her pics.

 

My day is ending with a much needed date night with my love. Alone time with him is extra sweet! The big kids are staying the night with my in-laws, but we will be keeping Kenny with us. She is a piece of cake to handle! Dinner Togo at one of my fave whole in the wall spots and a movie at home in our pjs. Yes, please!! 

This is summer...







Summer is one of my favorite times of year, despite the brutal Texas heat. I love the simplicity and freedom it brings to our lives. After we do something fun or even typical for this time of year, I can't help but think "THIS is summer". Summer (in Texas) is wearing swimsuits just as much, if not more than real clothes, sweating the second you walk outside, playing outside early in the morning and late in the evening to escape melting, staying up late, skipping naps (occasionally), popsicles, grilling, waterparks, splash parks, and so much  more. We love summer!

 

 

I try to end our day with a walk each evening. It's a great way for the kids to get out that last bit of energy and play before bath and bed. We walk to the play ground in our neighborhood and circle the block once or twice. It's just about the only exercise I get in these days. Ha!

 

 

 

 

 

My BIG boys! How are they going into Kinder?!? It can't be so.

 

 

 

 

 

Kenny enjoys it too! If you want to meet the most chill, sweet, joyful baby...here she is!

I am so blessed by her.



 

 

 

 

Sweet, sweet brothers!! Notice how Kennedy is staring at Tristan? She loves watching all the kids, it is the sweetest!

 

 

 

Speaking of big siblings, these two body guards brothers are they best. They love their little sister so!

 

 

 

I mean look at that belly!! Sister girl doesn't miss a meal. :)

 

 

 

And that smile/laugh...does it get any sweeter?!?!

 

 

 

These boys are so, so big. I can't get over how much they have grown. Tristan has hit an extra growth spurt and has an inch or so on Amari. I think he will be tall as an adult. ;)

 

Dwight and I have started giving the kids a $2 (each) weekly allowance for doing chores around the house. I am determined to raise well-rounded children who go off to college knowing how to do their own laundry and take care of themselves. Ha! They each make their beds, vacuum their bedroom, take out trash/recycle, help load/unload dishwasher, and occasionally I'll catch them making mine and Dwight's bed. I don't know why we didn't think of this sooner. Ha! They are so proud of their work.

 

It's been so special teaching them the meaning of responsibility with their chores, saving with their allowance, and tithing (giving 10% of it) to the Lord. It's our heart as parents to teach them Kingdom principles, and I have to say it is the most rewarding thing to watch them get it. Another thing we have implemented is a coupon system. Each coupon has a special reward on it. It could be a trip to get ice cream, evening at the splash park, extra tv time at the end of the day, etc. They get to draw a coupon out of the jar when we catch them doing something extra good or making good choices. There are some days that I feel like all I do is correct what they are doing wrong, I want to make a conscious effort to acknowledge, praise, and reward what they are doing right!

 

 

 

 

 Hellooo little chunk of love! You make our world so much brighter!

 

 

 

 

Yesterday the kids and I visited with my friend, Krystle, and her kids. It's always fun to catch up with them! The boys loved playing with Ty and he loved being around "big kids". :)

 

 

 

 

I will end this post with a couple more pics of our tiniest family member. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

 

Fun with friends!

 

 

The kids have enjoyed tons of fun with friends this summer.

 We can't get enough of play dates with all our buds!

 

 

Last Tuesday, I took the kids to play at McDonalds with their friends Elliott and Jude. I didn't remember to take a picture until we were walking out, and our friends had left. But we had fun (despite the look on Kennedy's face. Ha!)!!

 



 

 

Later that day I took Brianna to have a "girls only" playdate with Faith. Ken got to join the big girls and love it!

 

 

Wednesday we had a much needed visit and play session with two of our favorites, Piper and Willow.

Paige (their mama) is one of my sweetest friends. It is always good to catch up with her!!

 

Kennedy and Willow had to pose for a brief photo session...

 

 

 

Which ended like this. At least Ken is laughing! ;)

 

 

 

 

Saturday, we attended Briley and Delaney's birthday carnival. The kids enjoyed seeing friends, eating yummy food, too much candy, sippin' sprite (a treat in our house!), eating cake, and lots of fun activities. They came home and took a good 3 hour nap afterwards!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today after church, one of my oldest friends came over to see the kids and visit. Tristan loves when Ashley comes to visit because she plays basketball non-stop with him. Kennedy enjoyed her company too!

 

 

Thankful for sweet friendships!