And just like that.....

she is fixing her own ponytail.

It literally happened overnight.

One day she is free roaming around the farm with tousled hair- except when we leave the farm. Then it's fixed.

The next day she stands in front of the mirror with brush in hand setting out to gather it up into a ponytail.

"Mama, I fixed my own hair today!" she exclaims with wide proud eyes coming out of the bathroom.

I only wished I could have seen her sweet hands hard at work tackling this.

How did my squishy baby turn into this precious ponytail fixing girl?

Tye Die Tees with Sharpies

Does the sound of that title scare you?

Don't let it. I promise. You will not find a complicated craft around these parts.

I can appreciate a good craft with the best of them. I'm just not a fan of crafts that are tedious or drawn out for hours or (even worse) days.

I'm all about quick results. And so are my girls. We like instant gratification when it comes to making stuff.

If it requires more more than a few basic instructions AND complicated supplies, it gets nixed rather quickly (there goes about 95% of my craft options, right??).

My other criteria for a good craft is that it usually has to be something the girls can do with me. My girls are craft leaches. If they even think their mama is up to making something, they won't let me out of their sight. I love embrace this in them. "If you can't beat them, join them."

Now, I will say that since this craft had Sharpies involved, we waited until the littles were napping. The very word "Sharpie" evokes such fear and trembling in my 2 year old. We've had a few casualties with our little "destroyer of leather furniture". If she even so much as sees a stray Sharpie on the ground (we have a very specific home for them in this house), she will run it immediately to me as if she is holding a knife. It very much is a forbidden weapon to her. And she has "killed" many things with Sharpies.

This craft was inspired by this post on the blog "The Art Girl Jackie".

It was so simple and we had a blast doing it!

Have you every wondered what to do with a basic stained white tee?? They would be so great to re-purpose for this craft.

Laney Rae getting her craft on. 

Kaylyn getting her craft on.

Supplies:

I found some of our ugly white shirts that had seen better days.
A boatload of Sharpies
Rubbing Alcohol
Dropper
Plastic Cup
Rubberbands
(The link above shows a bedazzled embellishment of some sort...we went for simple. That's our thing. But, by all means bedazzle if you want to.)

I'm not going to copy the exact instructions here since I pretty much did exactly what Mrs. Jackie did. So head on over there for specific instructions.

They took us all but 30 minutes to make. And it was really neat watching the colors transform.

By the end of it all, I was glad that we did this craft. That doesn't happen very often. All I can say is
S I M P L E and cute!

Sisters Playing

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. ~Marion C. Garretty

It's not always roses and sunshine around here.

Our life is not perfect. It's perfectly imperfect.

And I'm so thankful for the gift of living this life; my life. And not just living it as merely to survive it. But, living to embrace it for all it's perfections and imperfections.

Praying that in the perfect moments I overflow with thankfulness.

Praying that in the imperfect moments I produce growth.......and humility. By His grace alone.

I captured one of those "thankful" moments the other day. I'm trying to be better about that and seizing the opportunity to just stop. and. pause.

"Take it ALL in and slow down," I have to remind myself.

Looking through the lens of a camera helps me do that. I see things I want to forever remember and never ever forget.

How little chubby knuckles held both Thomas'.

How her face was fixated when caught in a moment of creativity.

How sister smiles and belly button parties looked.

Snapshots that I want to etch in my memory when the years have gone by and I'm trying to remember how it once was in this season.

These pictures will one day make me cry- I'm sure of it. What seems as "everyday" now, will one day be but a memory and a photograph.

There is so much more life to behold and take in. But, I want to pause and remember the moments as we meander through it.

Laney Rae, you are joy....

Happy Birthday my little joy wonder.

Laney Rae, you are 4 today.

How in this world this has happened is beyond me.

Your most favorite thing in the world is to run free. Outside immersed in nature is where you are most comfortable.

I learn so much from watching your uninhibited little self.

You live each moment to the fullest.

Whenever I read Jim Elliot's quote,"Wherever you are, be all there," I can't help but think of you.

Little one, you hit the ground running and don't look back.

Laughter is your song and the music of your heart. Your belly laughs are contagious.

Your love language is touch. You love to be snuggled.

Laney Rae, you are the ultimate farm girl. And that's what you proclaim to people when you meet them- that, you are indeed a farm girl and a very good one at that. You are so much help to your daddy and a true companion to him as you work alongside him daily.

I pray that the joy that fills your heart will be used for good and that the Lord would be the ultimate joy that fills your heart. Jesus, complete Laney Rae's joy in YOU. I pray that as you walk through this life loudly and wildly, that that your adventurous and tenacious spirit would be used to affect the Kingdom.

I pray this verse over your life precious girl.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

I can't tell you how many times I catch the eyes of your daddy as we sit in wonder at the little girl before us. Teary-eyed and smiling we can't help but utter the words,"We love that girl."

And that about sums it up right there. Laney Rae, we love you. Happy Birthday lovey!

nEsTiNg::::: the big girls' room

With the arrival of our 4th girl in just 9 days, you better believe I've been nesting like crazy.

Living on a farm, I realize that nesting is just a normal part of life for humans and animals alike.

Something happens when a woman is expecting a baby- whether in the womb or through adoption.

We fluff our nests, clean like crazy, re-organize, craft, paint, and find ourselves tackling projects we've put off for months all because a little one is about to grace us with their presence.

One of many projects we've tackled is converting Kaylyn's room into a room for her and Laney Rae to share. They were sharing her full bed, but let's just say that one of these girls sleeps a little on the crazy side (bet you can't guess which one) so two twin beds were in order.

My sister found the perfect twin beds at a gigantic antique sale for a bargain. We painted them a watermelon pink to match all of the pillows and linens that my friend and designer, Holly, had given us for Kaylyn's original room.

The other two pieces of furniture that are new in the room, is the great pink shelf my friend, Robyn, purchased at a garage sale and the white double locker I picked up at Warrenton this past year.

And let me just mention the monkey on Laney Rae's bed. My friend, Kirby, made that for Laney Rae along with 7 other kiddos in our homeschool group. It has become a favorite of Laney Rae's and she sleeps with it every night. I'm so thankful that it happens to be adorable and sentimental.

Do I have some great friends and family or what? I love that there are so many things in this room that were given to us or found for a great price with this room in mind.

**side note: You should go check out each of the lady's blogs mentioned above. They don't disappoint when it comes to "all things cute". Promise.

The prints above their bed are from Sarah & Abraham that used to be in the schoolroom.

I've gabbed long enough.

Here are photos of the finished product of the girls room that they now share.

More nesting projects to follow.

A snapshot of my day

The girls and I loaded up in the "farm buggy" and drove around for a bit today.

As we were driving around, I was taken aback by the glitter, cheetah print, and PINK!

I snapped this photo to remember this season of life.

Little girlie feet out and about on an adventure. Oh how I love those little feet!

And this photo serves as a reminder to never ever ask my girls to say "CHEESE" to capture a photo. It just doesn't work in these parts.

Bluebonnets:::::The Keepers

Because the post below is freaking me out on a whole new level, I now bring you, "the Keepers."

Score! I love this one of all three girls.


Little Miss Ruthie....


Minus Laney Rae....she wasn't feeling this at all.


My fun one!


And THIS is totally her smile and the way I think of her.


So sweet of these two!


Watch out Little House on the Prairie. Ha!


She has got this down!


And this!




And she is just herself. No matter what.


Ruthie sitting in a suitcase.


So sweet!

My Three Year Old

Happy Birthday Rae Rae lovey.

You are so precious to me, your daddy, and your sisters.

Your laughter is as big as life.

I have enough stories in just these three short years to fill up an entire lifetime.

Like the time we wiped your hiney a few days ago and there was a rooster feather in your crack. We are constantly thanking the Lord for the reminder to laugh through you.

Our house is quiet when you are sleeping and animated when you awake.

The first moments of your day are spent running.

Thankfulness is constantly echoed in your scratchy, raspy, two year old voice. Except you say,”Thank Em.”

The free spirit the Lord has given you I pray is one day tamed by God alone and used for His glory. The things He will do through you and the stories you will one day tell…. makes this mama very scared to even think about.

You see no boundaries.

“Slow down lovey,” are the words I most frequently speak to you. But, one day I pray that you run full speed right into the arms of Jesus and go about your faith in reckless abandon.

The possibilities are endless, sweet girl, once the Lord gets a hold of your soul.

Oh, how I beg and plead for His mercy, favor, and compassion to fall on you and the life that is ahead of you.

We love you so much and are thankful the Lord has chosen us (and thought we had enough energy) to parent you.

Love,

Momma, Daddy, and the sisters

the booty at church

There comes a time in every momma's life, I suppose, that you may reach a point to where cute little things your kids do out in public no longer embarrass you. A simple chuckle and a "aren't they so cute" could do wonders in a certain embarrassing sitch, right?

Wrong.

I am NOT to that point.

I am a mommy to Laney Rae, after all.

Just when I think she has no more tricks to pull out of that little bag of hers......

- like the time she painted the whole church green on a volunteer workday (Well, not the whole church. Just the children's wing, sanctuary, and carpet in these areas.)

- or the time she got the whole side of her hair stuck in a fly strip attempting to pilfer candy.

- or the not so distant event in which she gave Ruthie a mohawk with sunscreen and stripped her down naked.

- or the endless moments of sheer nudity around the farm.

Home girl strikes again!

This past Sunday was a typical Sunday in the Kramer home. We went to church as we normally do.

I walked back to our children's area to check in my girls. Ruthie is first because her class is the first one that get to.

So, I checked in Ruthie with Laney Rae standing there by my side.

I took a few moments to pass Ruthie off to the preschool worker and give a few minor instructions- poor dear. She is the third so it's usually,"There are no instructions."

I turned around and Laney Rae was nowhere to be found. I walked down the hall to peak in her class to see if she went in there.

Nope.

I peaked around the corner in Kaylyn's room to see if she went in there.

Nope.

About that time I hear,"Mommmmmmmaaaaaa!" in a raspy scratchy two year old girl voice.

I knew it was my girl. Except I didn't know where she was since I had checked the two preschool classes.

Between Ruthie's class and Laney Rae's class are the toilets.

These two bathrooms are single toilet individual bathrooms- girls and boys. There are no stalls in the bathroom itself. Just a sink and toilet. The only thing that separates you from the unsuspecting people in the hallway taking their kids to hear about Jesus are the doors.

After I heard her screech for me I ran to the girls bathroom.

I knew that was a call to wipe. As mom, you can totally tell the difference between the call of your child if they need something or if they need to be wiped.

Except, she wasn't in the girl's potty.

Heck-to-tha-nawww!

I looked over at the boy's restroom and the door was WIDE OPEN....at church, in a busy hallway full of holy people who I'm sure weren't expecting to see the bum of a 2 year old at church that Sunday.

The light was off, the door wide open, and Laney Rae was sitting sideways on the potty "doing her bidness" with her booty cheeks facing the door for all to see.

The worst part is (if you are the slightest bit grossed out by poo, I suggest you not read this part) she had a "friend" still dangling in her crack in plain sight. Gag!

I WAS MORTIFIED. MORTIFIED.

I immediately looked around in the hallway to see if there were any signs of awkwardness or people scratching their heads or dry heaving.

But, come on.

Who would even want to admit to seeing that?

Wouldn't you pretend you DIDN'T see it and just keep on walking?

I still have no idea if anyone saw her "doing her bidness".

All I know is that I swung the door closed super quickly, cleaned her up, and gave her a good talking to.

Then, I got to look like the moron coming out of a boy's restroom who couldn't tell the difference between a dress and no dress.

Honestly, that was the least of my concern.

Life with this little one sure is fun. There is NEVER a dull moment. And nothing is ever normal. I thought to tell her of the "normal" things to remember that day in regards to public conduct- speak to big people when spoken to, obey your teachers, share, etc.

But, it never occurred to me that I needed to warn her about disappearing to poo in the boy's bathroom AND closing the door.

I guess the "bright" side is that the light was off- although you could still totally see in. If she would have been able to reach that switch, it would have revealed some horrific-ness and would have been a lot more obvious.

Ruthie Claire, Naked, & Sunscreen

Ruthie is 9 months old today. Wow!!

She is pretty much eating everything that is put in front of her.

Ruthie has started feeding herself.

Here's the little doll enjoying some raw milk cheese and bananas.


and her chubby hands....


I love all of my girls' mouths. They've all managed to come out with the same lips.

"Kramer girl lips."

Isn't this mouth just too much??


I had a loser mom moment a few days ago. You know, the kind of moment when you literally want to call CPS on yourself......

You've probably never had a moment like that.

A few days ago I was outside working in the yard.

Kaylyn and Laney Rae had came in the house to play while Ruthie was in her room taking a nap.

I had the monitor on in the house and about every 10 minutes or so I'd open the door to see if I could hear the baby. I did this numerous times.

About the last 3 times of peaking in, I had noticed that Laney Rae was awfully quiet. I decided to take off my rubber boots and go look for her in the house.

I walked in and towards the back of the house where the girls' bedrooms are. When I arrived to the hallway I heard the most adorable giggling from Laney Rae and Ruthie.

My first thought was,"How sweet. Their having a sweet sister moment."

But, my second thought was,"OH DEAR. Laney Rae alone with the baby is NEVER a good thing."

I turned the corner into Ruthie's room. My second thought came full circle at that moment.

Ruthie had been stripped NAKED and Laney Rae was sitting in her crib with her. They were both smiling at one another and having a big time!

"Laney Rae, why is Ruthie naked?" I asked my 2 year old calmly who was beaming with pride.

"Diaper and clothes wet momma," she explained back to me.

"Oh, her diaper leaked and you were trying to change her diaper?"

"Yeah," in her cave woman laugh. If you know Rae Rae, you know what I'm talking about.

At this point, I'm taking everything in and trying not to overreact or burst into laughter. After all, it was my fault.

I notice that Laney Rae had gotten out an old package of newborn diapers, opened them, and had them scattered in the crib with them.

I also noticed that Ruthie had a mohawk with some sort of goo textured and flowery fragrance in her hair.

Upon further investigation, I found out that Laney Rae had rubbed sunscreen all over Ruthie's head- Laney Rae had taken it upon herself to also put "lotion" on the baby while she was changing her.

At least it was "organic" sunscreen, right??

Laney Rae helped me give Ruthie a bath. I helped her finish changing Ruthie's diaper....wink, wink.

Tot Shred

I snapped some photos of the girls doing Jillian Michael's Shred with me.

I seriously had to capture the moment because they were so into it and too darn cute.

I was seriously wishing I had stamina like a 2 year old and calves like a 5 year old as I took my place behind these two workout pros.

Laney Rae got out her "mat"....aka The Sheep Pillow.

Kaylyn got out her water bottle...aka Raw Milk with some cocoa powder.


Laney Rae decided she needed to work towards her abs of steel.


But, first she had to loosen up by doing some knee circles.


And more knee circles.


And more knee circles. Because can knee circles get any cuter than this?


Her push-ups are perfection;)


And so are hers. Kaylyn's tongue is what makes her push-ups extra perfect.


Ruthie was quite entertained by watching all of her favorite people partake in all sorts of weird gyrations.


Laney Rae has found that holding her cheeks really does the trick in helping her get through her crunches.


And when its all said and done, you get legs like this to adorn beautifully with stickers. Ha!

Laney Rae's legs are seriously my most favorite part of her. They are absolutely squishy and wonderful!

And this momma ended up getting no workout time in whatsoever because I just HAD to capture these two in all of their workout splendor. Excuses, excuses!


I also think its pretty hilarious that Laney Rae is missing her shirt in the above photos, but missing her pants in the latter photo.

This is typical around here. She is our free spirit. It's a monumental accomplishment if we even make it through the whole day with one stitch of clothing on at all.

We once had a visit from a preacher during potty training.

She totally mooned him.

When I potty train my girls, I put long dresses with no underwear underneath. You may call it immodest, but I call it practical. Except, I do think I should have remembered to put some drawers on her before the preacher showed up. That, I regret.

On a separate occasion we had a visit from the UPS man. Laney Rae ran to the sidewalk to greet him (when you live on the farm, the littlest things excite you). The UPS dude noticed that she wasn't wearing shoes outside.

"Where are her shoes?" He asked in a confused voice looking at my baby girl's feet pressed up against the warm concrete.

To which I explained,"You are just lucky she is wearing undies."

I should not have said "undies" in the presence of a UPS dude. That, I regret.

But, it was the truth.