Extra, Extra.....

Read all about it!

Courtney's got a new site

And we're gonna shout it!

That was corny, right?  Throw back from the ol' cheerleading days.  Oh well.  The news is still true--I've moved!

You can now find me at Our Alabama Life.

Go there now.  Subscribe to my feed so you'll never miss a thing.  Prepare yourself for a few changes, but this is BIG, ya'll!

Disney On Ice, 2014

Our school took its second-annual, school-wide, Disney on Ice field trip last Friday.  It is such a fun trip and I love that we load all 600 students and faculty up to go.  (How about that big belly crammed into that little tshirt in the above photo? Ha!)

The girls would enjoy just riding the bus.  I think that is one of their favorite parts of any field trip they get to go on.

This year's show had a few repeats from last year, but for the most part they brought in different characters.  I was super excited to see Alice, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter.  They are one of my favorites!

For some reason, my girls always choose to hang out with these boys.  You'd think they were best friends or something :)

Such a great show and great memories for my girls and all our students!

A First Grade Program

Last week, Libby participated in her first grade program at school.  She memorized her part so well and even got to dress as an Indian. (Native American for you politically correct folks.)

All of first grade lined up on the makeshift stage and told the story of the first Thanksgiving.  There were students dressed as food:  cranberry sauce,  a turkey, dressing, potatoes.  There were students dressed as Pilgrims.  Some were dressed as family members:  grandparents, children, pets.  And then these precious Indians.

Libby did so well!  She said her part loudly and clearly.

And just for the cuteness factor, here she is with one of her best friends, Koby.

If you're feeling nostalgic, you can check out a few pictures from when Kyndall participated in this same program two years ago.  Looking back, I can see how my blogging style has changed since then--few words, more pictures.  Hopefully, I'm doing better with that now :)

The Weekend Lens

We had a friend-filled weekend, and this mama has been looking forward to Monday to catch up on my rest :)

On Friday night, Justin took Kyndall hunting with a friend and his daughter.  They spent the night a few hours away from home.  Lots of fun, but no luck with the hunting.

With them gone, Libby invited Maggie to spend the night.  GraGra and Pops took the girls to Fulin's for supper (so pregnant mama could get a little rest) and then back with a movie.

Kyndall had a basketball game on Saturday (which they lost).  I think several of our players didn't get enough sleep because they were d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g.

On Saturday night, we celebrated Libby's cheer season with a party at Cici's pizza.  All the girls got a trophy, a rose, and a crown--perfect for this group of divas :)

After the cheer party, we picked up Madelyn to spend the night.  The more, the merrier, I always say :)

Sunday we did church, followed by lunch with some friends from church, and then a little quick grocery shopping.  We played hookie from church Sunday evening because we were pooped!  Bedtime came really quickly at the West house, and around 7:30 pm for the girls!  Here's a restful, but fun, week!

What did you do this weekend?

On Feeling Overwhelmed

Lately, I've been feeling a little overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed, because there are 17 million loads of laundry needing to be washed, dried, folded, and put away.  Which means there may (hopefully) be a single pair of clean socks and underwear per person in this house.

Overwhelmed, because the holidays are fast approaching and I have purchased two gifts.  Two.

Overwhelmed, because Jase's nursery currently looks like this.  And not much can be done about all that stuff until the girls room is cleaned out, and even I wasn't brave enough to take a picture of that disaster zone right now.

Overwhelmed, because the girls are rotating the same few outfits because I have yet to switch out their summer clothes with winter clothes and/or purchase what is needed for colder weather.

Overwhelmed, because four of my eight barstools look like this.

Or this.

Overwhelmed, because there isn't a single free afternoon on our calendar for the next two weeks.

Overwhelmed, because my sink looks like this and the dishwasher is full and we are out of dishwashing detergent.

Overwhelmed, because mama is big and pregnant and the last thing I want to do when I get home are any of the above things.

I think as mama's it is especially easy to feel overwhelmed.  (It seems like daddy's can ignore messes much easier....or maybe that's just Justin.  He doesn't seem to notice anything until I mention it!)  Mama's have laundry and dishes and clothes-purchasing and homework duty and sports cheering and it seems to never just slow up so that we can breathe for one tiny second.

But this is life.  And each glorious, overwhelming mess can also give an opportunity to be thankful.

That laundry?  It's because we go and do and play and get dirty with all the fun things.

The holidays?  They're fun!!! Every year, I refuse to stress---gifts can be purchased and delivered via Amazon prime and I will simply enjoy the time spent with my family.  And those red holiday Starbucks cups. :)

That messy nursery?  The pictures are down because we painted, something I've wanted to do for a long time.  The clothes are piled up because (thank goodness!) those still fit the girls from last year, which means less to buy again this year.  That messy nursery is progress toward a room that is going to hold my sweet baby boy in a little over two months.  And that's a big blessing, ya'll.

Those dishes?  We have never had to go without a meal, or worry where money for our food was going to come from.

So when you are feeling overwhelmed with life, just stop.  Take a deep breath.  Look at all those things that are messy or messed up and find the silver lining.  Because I promise you, there is one.