Family - Our Alabama Life

Third Grade Field Trip (AKA Pumpkin Patch Visit #3)

Posted on November 7, 2014 in Family, Travel, 0 comments

Earlier in the week, Justin and I went to Gullion Farms with Kyndall’s third grade class. She insisted we both go because Libby got us both on her field trip, and this was only fair 🙂

There were big slide races–Kyndall won every time. She used her hands to push herself down faster, which was HILARIOUS.

She shared a swing with her teacher–they even both jumped out at the same time at the end.

She got corn in places no one wants corn.

We all took turns milking Ellie the cow. Poor thing–she is seven months pregnant too, so we could be twins 🙂 PS: Kyndall was too busy milking to look at the camera.

Kyndall really enjoyed all the animals–donkeys, horses, goats, chickens, rabbits, and this little guy (ha!).

They were even able to help gather eggs from the henhouse!

Gullion Farms is a “true” farm experience. Kyndall loved it, even though she’s been around farming her whole life. It was really funny watching the kids that had never been to a farm though–they just thought everything was gross. You mean, bacon comes from that cute little pig? My Big Bacon from Jacks Restaurant is from Ellie the cow? What is that SMELL??

We had a great day, just the three of us. I’m really loving these one-on-one “dates” with my girls 🙂

Hello, Third Trimester

Posted on November 5, 2014 in Family, 0 comments

This week I hit the third trimester mark. I can’t even believe it. With both girls, I can remember the pregnancy just d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g on. While I am very anxious to meet out baby boy, I feel like I’m going to blink and he’ll be here. So right now, I’m just going to soak up and enjoy every last second of this pregnancy.

Baby size: a large eggplant. It so cracks me up that all these baby sites compare using fruit and veggies. Picturing a “large eggplant” planted inside my belly makes me laugh.

Sickness: No nausea at all. I have been having issues with my sugar dropping and me passing out. Hopefully they will figure all this out at my appointment next week.

Energy: I think I am nesting a little early. Compared to earlier in the pregnancy, I have lots of energy. I’m slowly getting things ready in the house and I’ve even taken a few walks around the neighborhood.

Cravings: Still none. I have been getting more decaf white mocha’s from Starbucks, but that’s something I want all the time. Not just during pregnancy.

Phrases heard recently:

From a Hispanic parent at school: “You are just pregnant in your belly….well, and these.” (Said while pointing to my chest!)

From my yearbook lady: “I’m working with another lady who is due in February, too, but you are SOOOO much bigger than she is!”
From a coworker: “You are SO big this time… I bet he’s going to be a porker!”

Feeling: Ecstatic. Baby boy moves all the time, I mean ALL THE TIME, ya’ll. And even though those kicks are getting stronger and harder, it just reminds me that he is getting stronger and healthier.

We are getting the nursery ready piece-by-piece. I still have TONS to get to be considered ‘ready’, but I’m not going to worry about it. If Jase decides to make his appearance before we have everything, I’ll just take advantage of my Amazon Prime =) (<–I think I only feel that way because this isn’t my first (or second) rodeo. The first two times around, I totally stressed about having ALL THE THINGS!)

I know this is my last pregnancy, so I’m trying hard to remember each and every little thing. Exactly how I feel. Exactly how he kicks and rolls and moves. Exactly how both girls kiss my belly and tell him good night. I am truly cherishing each minute.

Kyndall Malynn…On Turning Eight.

Posted on August 2, 2014 in Family, 0 comments

Tomboy. Animal lover. Camouflage wearer. At 10:20 a.m., eight years ago, Kyndall came into the world and made us parents for the first time. You can find her birth story here.

A few things about Kyndall:

She is super smart. She often surprises me with the things she knows or can do.
She is stubborn.
She excels at sports.
She loves being outside, either playing sports or doing something with animals. She is constantly catching frogs and lizards and bringing them to me.
Great sense of humor.
Very good at entertaining herself-either by drawing, creating something, or reading.
For her birthday, she chose to go indoor rock climbing with a few of her favorite people.

An interview with Kyndall, on her eighth birthday:

What is your name? Kyndall Malynn West

What is your favorite color? Green.

What is your favorite song? Ho! Hey!

What do you want to be when you grow up? A veterinarian or a zoologist.

What makes you happy? Max.

What makes you feel most loved? My family.

What are you afraid of? Monsters!

If you had one wish, what would you wish for? Three more wishes.

What makes you mad? When people laugh at me.

What is something that is really hard for you to do? Score a goal in soccer.

What is something that is really easy for you to do? Rock climbing.

What is ONE thing you want us to know about you? I love animals and soccer.

Libby Brooke…On Turning Six.

Posted on July 30, 2014 in Family, 0 comments

Big Hearted. Lipstick Lover. Diva. Performer. Six years ago today, at 12:47 p.m., Libby Brooke joined our family. You can find her birth story here.

A few things about Libby:

She is super tender-hearted. One stern look from her dad or I and she breaks down.
She still gets in the bed with us every single night.
Her favorite foods are steak, shrimp, and pancakes.
She loves being read to, but not reading by herself.
She has a heart for other people–this summer she purchased supplies for the local children’s home.
For her birthday, she wanted us to go the the “spa.” We had manicures and pedicures.

An interview with Libby, on her sixth birthday.

What is your name? Libby Brooke West

What is your favorite color? Green and Pink.

What is your favorite song? 10,000 Reasons

What do you want to be when you grow up? A singer.

What makes you happy? My family.

What makes you feel most loved? When I’m with my Mommy.**

What are you afraid of? Heights.

If you had one wish, what would you wish for? A unicorn.

What makes you mad? When Max bites my butt.

What is something that is really hard for you to do? Put my lipstick on.

What is something that is really easy for you to do? Ride my bike.

**Brownie points awarded for this answer.

Pocahontas is in the House!

Posted on February 21, 2014 in Family, Life, Unscripted, 0 comments

Kyndall’s 2nd grade program was this week. The theme was “Famous Americans.” The kids chose which famous American they wanted to be, and Kyndall chose Pocahontas. She was gorgeous. And I’m not partial at all.

She did SO good saying her part. She said “I am Pocahontas. My real name is Matoaka. I am an Indian princess who assisted colonial settlers at Jamestown. I was one of the many daughters of a powerful chief named Powhatan, who ruled more than 25 tribes.”

Posing with Mrs. Stephens. Kyndall has been SO blessed with wonderful teachers in her short school career!

Left to Right: George Washington, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Kyndall as Pocahontas, and President Barack Obama.

Left to Right: Sacagawea, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and our Pocahontas.

I was so very impressed with this program. They had every famous American you could think of–from Olympic athletes to Martin Luther King, Presidents, Presidents’ wives, George Washington Carver. And every student came up with a costume to go with their part. Super cute and lots of fun!

Personal note: During the program, Kyndall kept trying to talk to me. Now, keep in mind, she is standing on a podium in front of several hundred people. I deciphered the message that she wanted me to take lots of pictures. One time, she was doing all these crazy hand signals and I had no clue what she was trying to tell me. After the program, I found out she wanted me to get on to Libby, because she thought Libby was being loud. Libby was sitting quietly, but was apparently mouthing the words to the song. Typical Kyndall 🙂

Brave

Posted on June 28, 2012 in Faith, Family, 1 comment

On Sunday, we went with a few of our favorite people to see the new movie, Brave. It was super cute and had a great moral lesson–Don’t be disrespecting your mama!! 🙂

These kids are so great at taking pictures–I guess they are somewhat used to it 🙂

Then, Sunday night, we started a new class at church for girls, grades K-4. It’s titled Girls of Grace, and we kicked it off with an old-fashioned tea party. The girls dressed up and had a lesson on manners, biblical style. I am so excited about this class! Each week we will focus on a different topic–hands, feet, makeup–and explore biblical principles that go with that topic. After a short lesson, the girls will have an activity to go with the topic. For example, the lesson on hands could be about serving God and helping others, and the activity will be a mini-manicure. Cool, huh?

The tea party went off without a hitch. Below are a few photos:

Look who popped in all dressed up! My friend Lisa.

So peaceful

Posted on May 25, 2012 in Family, 0 comments

“Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will move mountains.”

I love looking at my sweet girls sleeping. When they are awake, they are little balls of energy and I can hardly get a good look at them. But like this, still and sleeping, it’s just peaceful. Watching them sleep, I know that they will wake up at any minute and be off again, ready to conquer anything. But for now, I can just let them dream.

Gullion Farms Field Trip

Posted on May 2, 2012 in Family, Life, Unscripted, 0 comments

Even though we live on a farm, we took a little trip to another one with K’s class at school. The field trip was to Gullion Farms and the kids were able to do all kinds of exciting things. If you are ever in our neck of the woods, I especially recommend visiting this place.