Tuesday, May 13, 2014

A year ago....

So much life has happened in the last year.  I rarely find the time to sit and write about it but occasionally we enjoy looking back upon this blog and seeing cute pics, funny stories and reminding us of the past.  There have been so many fun things going on lately that I decided I must take note. :)


Hannah is 25months old and a CRACK UP!  She is starting to take an interest in using the big girl potty (she gets a chocolate chip anytime she actually has pee in the potty) but just this morning she full on pooped on the kitchen chair.  And one of the last times she peed on the floor I said, "hannah, did you pee on the floor?"  and she said, "no! puppy did it"(the fake stuffed puppy sitting next to the puddle)LOL.....ohhh potty training. :)  She is speaking so well for just having turned two it amazes most people.  Often you will hear her say..... I get it, I do it, Mine, Hannah do, Canen!, Caweb! (both names are usually called with repremanding tones, or frustrated tones or tones of inquiry....where are you????) Mommy hold me, swum suit on, I watch movie, blankie? binkie?, I hungy (hungry), Is dad at turch (church)  Really, she talks all day long... I love it! She loves to dress herself, have toenails painted, tea parties, paint, jump on the tramp with the boys, swim, laugh, be read to, run, play, cook, cuddle puppies, be independent and eat snacks often...way more than full on meals. :)  She is truly a joy!  She has a smile that is contagious and a personality that has all of us laughing quite often.


Caleb is 5 finishing up his Pre K/K year at Chaparral Christian Preschool.  Jay and I went to Parent Teacher conferences a couple weeks ago and just before we were leaving Caleb said, "mom look I drew concentric circles."  I said, "huh?" Caleb "concentric circles"  Me..."Caleb what does that mean?"  Caleb.. "it's when you draw a circle inside a circle."  Me..."I seriously didn't know that....you may be the 2nd smartest one in our house." :)  He IS very, very smart...he keeps all of us on our toes and you can see his wheels spinning all the time and he is incredibly imaginative! I can't wait to see what kind of a job God has for him in the future!  He enjoys building legos, playing cars, watching videos and..... repeating all of the movie lines to you (just like his daddy.)  He gets excited when Caeden arrives home from school so they can play together, but he is also just fine to play on his own for extended periods of time.  He was so sweet yesterday for mother's day.  In the morning he said, "mom, you dont have to do much today... because it's mother's day.  Except we don't know how to drive a car, can you do that?" And a little later he came and said, "AND I don't know how to tie my shoes yet can you still help me with that? "  I loved that his heart was to do as much for himself on mother's day as he knew how.  He is a sweet kiddo.




Caeden who made me the pretty necklace I'm wearing in this picture is 8 and finishing 2nd grade in 2 weeks.  How can I be old enough to have a kid going into 3rd grade in August?  So strange!  That's probably how I will feel every year as Caeden leads us into unknown parenting territory.  :)  He is a wonderful kiddo!  He's been a part of Runners club at his school this year that meets every Monday and Wednesday morning and he'd run for a half an hour.  He has run over 50 miles this school year...we are so proud!  He has also read way over 2000minutes and gets to participate in a special lunch next week and was just a part of his first school play.  Caeden has great grades, and is friendly with all the kids at school.  He loves to make loom band bracelets, jump, bike, swim, run, and play with family and friends.  He is always asking what our next activity is....he's a boy who likes to be on the go.  He is a great big brother to Caleb and Hannah, he includes them in activities and takes good care of them.  He is a strong leader and I look forward to seeing what God allows him to be incharge of as he grows.  

Summer vacation starts next week~yipee.  We will kick it off with a trip to Show Low with my family on Friday and are all looking forward to that!  Here's hoping I might blog more this summer.  Until next time.....I sign off as one proud mama of three amazing kiddos!

Monday, May 13, 2013

I did it!

I did it!  I finally posted after 3.5 months...ahhhhhh!  How does time fly by so quickly?!  We've had many fun visitors in the past few months, friends and family from Korea, Australia and other states in the US!  How blessed we were by each of your presence while you were here, we love you!
In the past few months we've gotten to......
  Have a blast in the snow in Show Low (and it actually snowed a little at home in Phoenix!) 
focus on Jesus through the Easter season, 
 watch the lil' misses personality develop, teeth come in and turn from baby to little girl, 
and enjoy many a fun time at the park with the cutest, sweetest kids around!  

Jay and I are continuing to work out with a personal trainer each week.  We are 5 months in and making improvements and enjoy the mini dates each week. :) Jay is doing a great job leading our congregation in worship, and I've taken on a small volunteer role with the Women's ministry at church and am excited about it.  The boys will finish the school year next week!  We are looking forward to many fun times together this summer.  Hopefully I will find time to post a little more often.  Until next time.... The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace!


Birthday kiddos

 We celebrated Caleb's 4th birthday on Super Bowl Sunday and he had a great time!  Caleb your sweet smile makes me smile.  I love how smart you are, how into details you are, how wonderful your drawings are.  I love that your teachers at school say you are the leader of the pac.  You are a strong and passionate kiddo who knows what he wants.  God has mighty plans for your life sweet son, and I am grateful you call me mom! 
Our baby girl turned 1 on April 2nd.  The boys call her our cutie chuberkins.  She is far from chubby but she sure is cute.  Our poor sweetie woke up on her first birthday throwing up and sick for a week to follow.  Not a very fun way to celebrate.  Good news is we celebrate each other all the time so we have had plenty of fun since, dance classes, gymnastics, play dates, water park, train park, playgrounds....fun, fun, fun.  Hannah banana you have started to babble up a storm, you've taken a few steps a couple of times but don't want to walk just yet.  (which is just fine with me:)  Your blonde, blonde ringlets in the back are too darn cute, and the ponytails and the pigtails we can make are so fun.  Your brothers love all your outfits and we painted your toe nails for the first time the other day.  Yay girly!  Thank you for starting to sleep thru the night in the last couple of weeks, what a GIFT, mommy is so grateful!  We love you precious, precious daughter!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

9 and a half months

 9 month appointment... 
16.10 lbs and 27.25 inches long 
 a new found love.. being independent and an old love..Caeden
 Just like your brothers you LOVE the zoo, daddy's shoulders and...
playing the guitar!  
You're such a big girl these days Hannah Grace!  We are all enamoured as we watch you grow.  You are "talking" to us all the time, you eat at the table with us, you are CURIOUS, and you want to be a part of all we are doing.  You love music, playing with us and being outdoors (even in the cold).  You have a smile that lights up the room and a joy that we all cherish.  What a gift you are! We love you! 

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas from our home to yours! 
 We send our love,
  smiles,
 and laughter
 to each of you!  
May you be blessed to overflowing this joyous season and in the New Year!  Merry Christmas!  
Love, Jay, Kirstin, Caeden, Caleb and Hannah Grace

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Happy 8 months today baby!

With a picture like this, you know this sweet girl has sibblings . :)  Creative! 
8 months and she loves herself some swinging time.  
Hannah is getting older!  I walked in after a nap and she was standing up in her crib, so proud. 
 And, the boys got creative again.  How well loved you are Hannah baby! 
Investigativing her first Christmas tree, how fun! 

Sugar plum, Hannah banana chuberkins...  You are such a big girl now.  Sitting beautifuly, crawling when you want something, pulling yourself up, throwing fits when you don't get your way, it is fun to watch you grow!  I carry you into a room and I watch the joy you carry naturally to people.  Thank you for being a light in our house and the world around us, what a blessing you are!  Love you baby! 

Friday, November 30, 2012

Jesus is better than Santa Claus...


This was posted in Caleb's school newsletter for this month, and I liked it. :)  


Jesus is Better than Santa Claus... 
Santa lives at the North Pole... JESUS is everywhere. Santa rides in a sleigh... JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water. Santa comes but once a year... JESUS is an ever present help. Santa fills your stockings with goodies... JESUS supplies all your needs. You have to wait in line to see Santa... JESUS is as close as the mention of His name. Santa lets you sit on his lap... JESUS lets you rest in His arms. Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly... JESUS has a heart full of love. All Santa can offer is HO HO HO... JESUS offers health, help and hope. Santa says "You better not cry"... JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Friday, November 23, 2012

Happy Birthday to me :)

 34 years old! 
 I got to celebrate with some friends,
 and our precious 3!
First birthday with my little girl....so special!  

Thanks to both families, all my friends and my sweet family for making me feel so loved through all the emails, texts, phone calls, cards, presents, and desserts sent my way!  Jay took the day off and the 5 of us spent a wonderful day together.  I feel so blessed!  

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Show Low

 We started packing... beanies and uggs... not things we'd been wearing at home. :) 
 The first day was sunny and 60 degrees, so fun! 
 We took fun family walks to see fall and enjoy the cool. 
 My sweet parents celebrated my birthday, yummy food and wonderful gifts! 
 Our SEVEN year old! 
 My kiddos and fall leaves. :)  
 And this morning.... we woke up to SNOW and 38 degrees! 
 So, we bundled up and....
went sledding, built a snowman and enjoyed it to the fullest!!!!  What a treat! 
Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa for another WONDERFUL trip to the "yellow house!"

Caeden is 7!

He started his celebrations out with a family birthday party at the park.  We played baseball, opened presents, ate hot dogs and cake. :) 
 A great time was had by all! 

 His birthday was on a Sunday this year and daddy took the morning off from leading worship so the 5 of us could enjoy the day.  It was wonderful! 



We bought Caeden a new bike and went for a family ride.  :) 
The following weekend he had a friend party. 


with tug of war...

 paint wars, flour bombs, marshmellow shooters, lunch and ice cream cones. :)  I continually overheard his friends saying, "this is the best party..... this is so fun!"  What a way to bless this mom's heart!  

Caeden Marcus Murphy... happy birthday handsome!  We are so grateful God gave us you!!! We enjoy your enthusiasm for life.  You are a strong leader!  Your siblings both adore you!  Your friends have a great time with you.  You love the Lord, and are set in honoring him. It is fun to watch you play sports, games, Xbox, color, bike, draw, sing, dance and laugh.  You are a joy, son!  We love you!

Happy Fall!

 Hannah and I got to attend Caleb's school pumpkin patch.  How cute are 3 year olds? 
 H intrigued by the pumpkin :) 
 Living in Phoenix doesn't provide a whole lot of fall scenery, yay for getting out of town (more to come)
We had a wonderful fall festival we attended at Caleb's school with our "princess" friends. :)