Christmas SNAP SHOT!!!!

Here is a snap shot of the kiddos Christmas!

My beautiful Gracelyn enjoyed her Ariel barbie, a play doh mega factory, a fur real kitty and her favorite cans of olives ;)

My adorable Ellabellaroo LOVED her baby cradle, dolly (one of mama's old ones) and her cell phone!!

Emmers got to excited about her FIRST Christmas... she got a mouse stuffed animal, toy keys and her very first doll. Oh... and she HATED the sound of tearing paper and cried any time someone did it!

Sweet Kallen J enjoyed SLEEPING through his first Christmas!! We all LOVED passing him around and loving on those sweet cheeks!!

We had a wonderful Christmas filled with lots of family, giggles and memories! 

I will update with more pictures soon!

WECOME TO THE WORLD!!!

Baby Kallen Justice Chapman entered the world today at 10:38am ... weighing in at a small 6 lbs and 10oz... he is such a little peanut and we are all sooooo in love!!

After 24 hours of TRYING to get her to go into labor... (this little guy was too comfy ;) And another 12 hours of failure to progress, they ended up taking him via C section when he started to go into distress... poor guy was tired of all the crazyness too!

My beautiful sister and her amazing hubby were SO ready to meet their boy!!!

They had a plan ...  God had a better one... Thank Goodness he knows best ;)

Meet my handsome stud muffin of a nephew "Bubba"

I LOVE him...

and so do the girls!

Happy 3rd bday Gracie Shea!

Our big girl turned 3 last month and I am FINALLY getting around to posting about it :)
David was off the day before her birthday and since we were having her party ON her actual birthday we decided we would celebrate just the few of us with some pink pancakes and Chuck-E-cheese fun!

Daddy made her mickey mouse pink pancakes!

Ella enjoyed them too!

Our little Gracie is SO.IN.LOVE. with the Disney Princesses (what 3 year old little girl isn't ;)

Rapunzel costume (her favorite at the time)

Ariel artbook (new NEW favorite for now ;)

Ariel costume!

Shoes!!!!!

Some say I get VERY excited about things... can you tell she is MY daughter ;)

I think every moment, achievement big or little, and just the little things in life should be celebrated!

My family got her a bike! She loves it! Of course the birthday PRINCESS had to try it out in her high heels ;)

And we got her a Calico Critters dollhouse... it was actually mine (silly but I bought it when I was in junior high FOR my future kids ahhh I know) I have a bunch of different animal families and I plan to give her more with each holiday!

**Can you tell I had fun setting it up ;)

It was a great little celebration and I am glad we were able to do it before the craziness of the party!!

That afternoon we went to her FAVORITE place (other than Disneyland) Chuck-E-Cheese

Haha! 

Ella LOVED the clock ride.. I was afraid she would fall out but she did great!

We were the ONLY ones there haha so she got a one on one dance with ChuckE

They liked riding the virtual roller coaster ride together!

It was a great day celebrating our special girl!! I can't believe she was so little and now is a big three year old starting school next year!!!!

Happy Birthday our sweet and sassy Gracelyn Shea! You keep us on our toes with your sneaky smiles, drive us bonkers with your BIG girl attitude and bring us SO much joy and happiness with your compassionate and kind heart!! 

The love of my life :)

I am SO deeply in love with this guy!!!

He makes me laugh!

He makes me feel beautiful EVERY day!

He still makes my heart skip a beat!

I am so thankful that I got to marry my best friend :)

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving morning... the girls climbed into bed with us and we watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade!! Then we all went downstairs for breakfast and to watch some football. David originally had planned to play in the Turkey Bowl at church but wasn't feeling the best and so he decided to pass and stay home as a family :)

Playing Doctor TOGETHER!

We went to Thanksgiving Dinner #1 at his parent's house and had a lovely meal outside on the patio! The light sprinkles of rain really made it beautiful!

Notice David looking at the ads!

Cousin Emma!

They are like little best friends!! 

Then we headed down to my parent's house for #2!

It was fun taking turns going around the table and saying what we were thankful for! (My favorite tradition) After dinner my cousins came over for dessert and we enjoyed the visit! That night David went home and the girls and I stayed at my parent's house and spent the night so we could get a head start on Black Friday!

David and I went to scout out the deals and inventory around 8:30, then my Aunt, Brother and I went around 10:15 IT WAS CRAZY!!! We waiting in line just to park and had to push and shove our way through the store just to walk ahhh We all got a few things and then headed back to the house for sleep! At 4:20 I woke my brother and we ran outside as my older sis pulled up! We hopped in the car and headed to Starbucks and then the first of MANY store that day!

17 stores.... in 7 hours!

Then I went back to my Mom's and picked up the girls and took them home for a nap!

David stopped by Family Christian and Kohls on his way home and then I headed back out to the Anthem Outlets with my little sis and niece! We went to 8 more stores and then it was about 6pm!! It was dark and we were ready to go home! 

We obviously didn't buy something at every store but it was a fun and crazy day running in and out of store with my brother and sisters!! 25 stores over 10 hours... it was a BLAST!

I am so thankful for my Mom who watched the girls and that my siblings and I still love to do our Black Friday shopping together!!

I am so THANKFUL for my sweet little family, my loving and hard working husband and my sweet girls that bring my so much joy daily!

Thanksgiving Baking Day!

Monday before Thanksgiving I had the flu... my little sister had called me to watch my niece because she ALSO had the flu... then that night my older sister got the flu as well! It was the fastest flu (thank goodness) within 10 hours we were all starting to feel better... good thing too because our Annual Thanksgiving baking day was coming up! After a quick call to the Dr. to confirm that none of us were contagious anymore we headed over to my Mom and Dad's house to bake some delishiousness!

3 Apple pies, 2 pumpkin pies, cherry pudding, cranberry sauce.... oh we were baking up a storm! My amazing Mom also let Gracie bake her own little apple pie in a small pie tin! She LOVED it!

With a Thankful Heart! Day 18!

Today I am thankful for Jessica Lynn! She is one of my closest and best friends!! We are very similar in many ways yet VERY different in others... it keeps life interesting and is always nice to have a different viewpoint!!

She recently moved away... far... far away and even thought we don't talk as much as we used to (we both have two babies AND a small online business) I still feel just as close to her. She is the friend that I can call when something embarrassing, funny or even terrible has happened to me. Sometimes it has been weeks since our last phone call... yet we can always find something to talk about with ease.

She accepts me and the way I parent and I never feel judged or criticized. She loves my kids as if there were her own blood...

She is the most amazing homemaker.... she makes EVERYTHING from scratch (thanks for making me look bad Jess!) She can sew, cook, MAKE STINKIN' HOMEMADE PASTA NOODLES, yogurt in a crock pot and she also have the most GO FOR IT attitude and just has to LOOK at things and she can remake them!!

She is the most loving wife and such a darling mama... who makes airplanes out of laundry baskets!!! She allows her kids to get dirty, play in the sun AND drench themselves WHILE fully dressed... oh how I wish I was as calm! She has the most wonderful sisters and brother and of course her parents are like my own!!

Today is her birthday and although I didn't send her a card, or take her out for a girls day of coffee well... smoothies (she doesn't like coffee) and to get our rings cleaned (one of our favorite things to do together ha) I was able to call and sing to her and I know she knows I LOVE her dearly!!

I LOVE you Jessica Lynn and I am so glad the Lord made you!!!! My life has been changed since knowing you and I am blessed to call you my best friend!

Today i am THANKFUL for my BESTEST :)

With a Thankful Heart! Day 16!

Today I am thankful for food...

NUF said ;)

MMmm turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cookies for dessert.... I am SO THANKFUL for food!!

With a Thankful Heart! Day 15!

I have to say today I am thankful for my neighbors!!! We have been blessed with amazing neighbors on both sides!! One side is a sweet family with a little girl who loves the same things as Gracie... Disney and Princesses!!! They have fun seeing eachother  in passing!

on the other side is our dear friends! They lost their husband/father so it is just sweet boy and his Mom! They are soooo generous and thoughtful! Every time they come home from Olive Garden they bring us breadsticks! They bake us cookies all the time and just recently have been blessing us with some fun new lawn decor! For Gracie's birthday they got her two flowers that are solar and power on and glow at night! They also surprised her with three solar porch lights that line our doorstep... we love watching them light up at night!

Just the other night they brought over a plate of cookies and the most beautiful solar lantern!! It says JOY on it!! If anyone knows me then they know that is my favorite word! It is my life word! I LOVE JOY! It is hard not to have joy when I have SO much to be thankful for!

Tonight I am THANKFUL for our sweet neighbors!

With a Thankful Heart! Day 14

Today I am THANKFUL for technology!

Especially blogs! I know they are petty little things but without them I wouldn't have been able to stay in touch as often with family and friends that live far away! I love being able to read up on my friend's experiences, get new recipes and see pictures ( I LOVE PICTURES)

I mostly write for family we don't see much...
This way I feel those of you who can't be with us can watch the girls grow up!! I feel much more connected :)

Just a simple one... but so true I am THANKFUL for blogs :)

With a Thankful Heart! Day 13

Today we celebrated David's Mom's birthday!!! So it be only fitting that today I am THANKFUL for her!!
It is such a blessing to have a Mother In Law that I have a lot in common with. We enjoy the same things, we both LOVE bling (she gives the BEST bling ;) She loves shopping for girly things including the BEST outfits and dresses for the girls!!

She is the most gracious hostess and always has her home open and inviting for any company! She is truly one of the best cooks!! If you haven't tried her lasagna ... then you are missing out! Among many other things she is beautiful inside and out! She has a beautiful heart that loves our Lord and it is so encouraging to know that when the girls are with her she is teaching them about Jesus and helping them to love Him more!

She is always willing to help... even when she shouldn't ;)
She watches her 5 grandkids without hesitation and even when her plate is PLENTY full she never turns down a moment to spend time with them!

She is a VERY creative and VERY talented lady! She did so much for our wedding and all the tiny details and flowers and pillars and lights would not have been there without her expertise! She is an amazing florist and has done numerous weddings!!!

I am so THANKFUL for my Mother in law.... especially because she raised her son to know and love the Lord. Our family wouldn't have such a strong spiritual leader and loving father and hubby if it were not for her!

I love you Debby and I am so THANKFUL for you!

With a Thankful Heart! Day: 9, 10, 11 and 12!!

Ahhh obviously I am a wee bit behind... but I do have a good excuse... okay well maybe not a GOOD one but a reason for sure! I had to work I had the blessing of being able to work every single day this week! It is not only amazing to be able to help provide for my family but even more amazing that I TRULY TRULY love my job! It makes me so happy to be able to contribute to what my amazing hubby does! He is such a hard worker and never complains!!

I nanny for two wonderful little boys! They are my "Boy fix" in a world of everything pink and princesses!! They are just days apart in age from my girls so they are at the same stages of life... walking... learning to talk and potty training and sass... of course... like I said before I LOVE them!

like so much... that I would adopt them in as my own ... it would be easy... right.. like two sets of twins HA!

Even at the "bewitching hour" you know before dinner when you are trying to finish making it and get the kiddos situated... when all four of them were screaming and screeching ... I still ... LOVE my job! I feel I am so lucky to get to spend time loving on these precious kiddos and watching them learn and explore! Not only do I get to spend time with my own kids but I get to watch THEM learn to love and play with other kids... and cars.. and guitars.. haha boy things!

So that is my excuse... AND my blessing!

I am THANKFUL for my job... and that I LOVE it!

With a Thankful Heart! Day 8!

Today even though my sweet and sassy THREE year old was so very challenging and tested to me almost to the end of my rope today... and although my adorable little 14 month old is cutting teeth FINALLY and has been screaming in pain on and off today....

I am so THANKFUL for the gift of Motherhood! Even on the most tiring and terrible days I still thank the Lord that I have the gift of being a Mommy and raising my beautiful little girls to LOVE life!

With a Thankful Heart! Day 7!

Today I am THANKFUL for my car! Larry!

Yes we name our cars! The Explorer is named "Dora... Dora the Explorer, or the "Exploder" as David sometimes calls it! And my car is called "Larry"
It is my "Piece of treasure" not worth much anymore ha!
Though it is old, shakes violently when sitting idle and has way more new parts in it than the car is even worth I LOVE Larry! He is an Alero Oldsmobile and it has over 140,000 miles on it but it is hanging in there! I have so many amazing memories with that car! It was my first "Big Girl" car I financed it in High school! It has traveled to Mexico for mission trips, Utah for family visits and a TON of other small in state trips!
I drove it when I met David and we spent nights of our dating/engagement laying on the hood stargazing.
It was our getaway car at the reception and is still "scarred" from the wedding vandalism done to it!
It was my official "Nanny" car and protected my precious kiddos!
All the window motors have gone out at some point and one still is!
It has some "cute" little stars in the windshield that have been set but are still there!
It has a nice imprint of someone's hitch in the front bumper from a small fender bender!
It has an even nicer broken tail light cover (just the plastic not the light) from when my dear Mom backed into my sister's car (you should have seen the OTHER car ;)

It has been a wonderful second car and seems to be doing well for its age!

Sure it has stalled on David and I mid left turn or in the middle of driving more times than I can count but it is somewhat reliable. It is paid off which IS indeed the best part!! So for memories and money I sure hope he makes it to 200,00 ;)

Tonight I am THANKFUL for my car!!

With a Thankful Heart! Day 6

I am THANKFUL for our church! Especially the Children's Ministry.
 I LOVE the small family like community we have there and I love that everyone knows each other! It is no nice to know the teachers truly love our kids! Today Gracie was in a new class since she is now 3!!!!!! and you should have seen the sad looks on her teacher's faces... she has been with them since we started June '10 and they truly adore and care for her! Of course we already knew her new teachers and they love her just as much but still.. sad!

We really love and appreciate the head of Children's Ministry Mrs. Friend!! She has snuggled my girls from the moment we met her! She is always giving them love and I just can't get enough of how much they love her back!!! When Ella was itty bitty she would scoop her up and hold her from the second we walked in the door! She is not only amazing with the kiddos but she is always willing to help! She was with David in the waiting room as I went into surgery and constantly followed up!! She is a rock and one amazing prayer princess and we are so grateful for her!

We are so THANKFUL that the Lord called us to Harvest! They have been such prayer warriors for our medical struggles and emotional roller coasters! They had planned on being at Briella's birth but when she decided to come a month early in the craziness of that day (I am sure you ALL remember) they missed it!  Some dear and wonderful women still to this day ask how we are doing... they truly care!!!

We have been so blessed to have the opportunity to serve there!! David and I are both staff leaders to the amazing mid high group and we love our kids so much! They are challenging, fun, energetic and are so young and trusting in their faith! We also get to serve with the babies... once a month we get to take turns holding, rocking, bottle feeding... oh it is the PERFECT baby fix... for this season in our lives ;)

today I am THANKFUL for Harvest Bible Chapel and can't wait to see how the Lord will use us in the body!

With a Thankful Heart! Day 5

I am THANKFUL for my HOME!

Though today we had to shove 35 adults, 15 kids and a ton of babies into our cozy home due to freezing cold weather (just for us Zonies) I am still so thankful for our home. Though we have run out of bedrooms if we ever decide to grow our family... though our office has been crammed into our bedroom,  though we have a bathroom floor that is soggy and sinks down... though we don't have a dining room or back porch covering... I LOVE our home!

I am so THANKFUL David was able to purchase this before we were married. I am so THANKFUL he was patient and understanding as I slowly turned his bachelor pad into a warm and inviting home with paint swatches, new rugs, decor etc.

We have a great family room that the kids enjoy playing in. Our yard is MORE than I could ever ask for with the greenest of grass and a cute little tree in the corner it provides the perfect amount of shade and sun! Our kitchen is the perfect size for our family of four!

I LOVE that we spent our "home" dates here when we were engaged and I still remember the first time David made me dinner. (Grilled Chicken, Rice A Roni and Veggie all) so cute eh?

I love that we brought our first baby girl home and just days after David remodeled and replaced the flooring with wood!

I love that we brought our second baby girl home after 7 LONG weeks of bed rest in MY home :)

Between dancing together, family movie nights, Our Annual Christmas party, Baby Showers for friends and family, play dates and other things I have been so blessed to host this house has a special place in my heart!

I am so very THANKFUL for my house ... and the people we are so blessed to have in it :)

With a Thankful Heart! Day 4

As I continue the 30 day challenge with Day 4 I hear rain pitter pattering on my windows and sky light! The gentle taps almost play a melody as the earth is being cleansed from all dirt and impurities.

Rain ... oh how I love rain and THAT is what I am THANKFUL for today!

It rained the night I met David
It rained the first time we danced... in the rain!
It rained the night he told me "I love you!"
It rained the night of our first kiss (we were engaged)
It rained on our WEDDING DAY but it was still perfect!
It rained on our Honeymoon in Maui
It rained on our 1 year wedding anniversary
It rained the day we brought our first baby home from the hospital
It rained on our 2 year wedding anniversary while cruising the caribbean
It rained on the day Briella was born!

Rain is so special in my life and every single drop or sprinkle I feel reminds me of the many beautiful blessings I have!!

I am so THANKFUL for the rain :)

With a Thankful Heart! Day 3

I am continuing the Challenge and blogging every day about the many blessings I am thankful for! Today is day 3!

As Saturday quickly approaches it makes me think of how THANKFUL I am for my first born! Gracie!! She will be 3 on Saturday!

I always wanted a little girl so when we found out little Gracie Shea was on her way my heart was overflowing with thanks!

She is my mini-me and I LOVE it!  (okay sometimes she is tanner than me... but I accept it ;)

She is one strong willed little girl (takes after her Daddy... she will be a GREAT leader because of it)

She is THE.BIGGEST.DADDY'S.GIRL.EVER! She can't even see him in the same room without being attached to his hip!

She has a love for music and actually has good tone for being 3! She is ALWAYS singing... correction.. WE are always singing.. especially Disney and Christmas songs :)

She can be so gentle one moment and lean over and kiss me with a "I love you TOO much Mommy" and then the next second have her hand on her hip and in one VERY sassy way say "Oh.my.goodness!"

She LOVES to be involved with everything I am doing... be it sweeping, cooking, crafting, reading etc

She has a love for her baby sister that I melt over! She always wants to hold her or help her though she also thinks she IS the boss and will STOP Ella from doing something bad in any means necessary ahhh!

She adores animals and feels free to walk into anyone's house to pet them... even strangers!

She has a beautiful heart and cares for people

She wants so badly to grow up and go to school and asks me all the time if she can go! :(

She tells me that she is beautiful because Jesus made her that way and he lives in her heart and in "headen" (heaven)

She is my Gigi and I am so THANKFUL for her!

With a Thankful Heart! Day 2

I am so thankful for my loving husband! He is so hands on with the girls be it giving them baths, jumping on the trampoline or the many MANY stories and songs they are blessed with before bed!

He has my heart and can still make it skip a beat just by walking into the house after work!

He is a manly man who likes to hike, camp get dirty and play sports but still enjoys great musicals and Disney Movies with us :)

He loves the Lord and desires to glorify Him in everything he does and says!

He is Mr. handyman and can build, change or fix anything! From replacing toilet valves, to keeping up on the maintenance of our very old and tired cars he does it all with a happy heart and never complains.

He cooks breakfast (amazing ones too) when he is off and often times will feed the girls before I am even up! Yes he lets me sleep in :)

He accepts all our silly family traditions like trimming the tree at my parents house, fourth of july BBQ, Ice cream after the first day of school (for my brother) Christmas Eve at Macayos, Christmas Morning at my parents house IN jammies, and many MANY more!

He does silly memorable things with the girls like dancing in the rain and getting soaking wet or letting Gracie make pancakes even though she spills everywhere!

He puts up with constant love for rearranging the house ;)

He brings me home Symphony Bars... ooo Chocolate MUCH better than roses ;)

He encourages me to get into the word and spend time with God!!

He is the LOVE of my life and I am so So THANKFUL for him :)

With a Thankful Heart! Day 1

My amazing friend has challenged us to participate in a 30 days of being Thankful! I am so excited for this! Not only will it force me to blog out loud about the many blessings in our family! It will also allow for me to take some time every day thanking our Lord for the things he has given us!

So... today to start off I am thankful for my sweet, caring, selfless friend Riah (as we call her in our family) God brought her into my life at a lonely time and I am so THANKFUL for the friendship we have! She is the friend that I can call while driving close who graciously welcomes us into her home and always has something to serve us! She will let me come over whenever if I want my nails painted... with her never ending stash of colors!! She is so patient and even when my daughter had trouble being kind or sharing with her son she always encourages me! Her heart is so true and so pure and Christ is so clearly seen in her!

Since she is the one who challenged me I thought it would be a great time to tell how THANKFUL I am to have her :)

Fall Festivities!

My sister and her hubby's Annual Halloween Craft and Treat party!

So sassy yet so cute!

HARVEST FESTIVAL!

Then Tink and Belle for the Harvest Festival :)

My adorable little pumpkin niece!!!

HALLOWEEN NIGHT!

Cinderella

Complete with spiral curls

and "mape-up"

My niece as a tomato!!

Ahhhh LOVE her!

All ready to go!

Uncle Ryan the Lumberjack!