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A Guest Blogger...

This is a Life in Stepps first...we have a guest blogger today!  So put your hands together for my oldest sister, Missy Butler!

Why Did God Only Give Me Two Hands?

I’m so excited that I was asked to be a guest blogger this week. While I attempted to start my on blog about a year ago, I quickly realized that I was not going to be able to keep up. In fact, I never even got past my first post. So… there it sits, “A Life Full of Surprises” calling my name ever so frequently, in hopes that one day I’ll decide to tackle it once again.

You see, the name “A Life Full of Surprises” came from my love of surprises and was going to have its initial post announcing our newest surprise… Baby #3! My husband Archer and I thought we had finished our family. We had been blessed with two beautiful little girls, CeCe and Patterson (endearingly nicknamed Pat Pat). Being one of three children myself, I had mentally played tug of war for months wondering if I wanted a third child. Archer on the other hand… DONE! I had prayed about it daily and asked God for an answer. I finally thought that He had given me the answer I so desperately needed and decided to move forward with birth control. I made a doctor’s appointment and was set on GO… no more Butler babies! That is until the day before my appointment, I realized that I was a few days late and may need to take a pregnancy test. I knew for sure that it would be negative… why wouldn’t it be? SURPRISE… two lines! God has a sense of humor!

Almost a year later, we now have a precious baby boy… Tee! He made his grand entrance into this world six weeks early (Surprise!) and spent the first nineteen days of his life in the NICU. Once he arrived home, I quickly realized that life with three was simply insane. I had been told that going from two to three kids was going to be tough, but I didn’t heed the warning. I would be fine… just fine! And we ARE fine, but every day is a challenge with three kids. Time to yourself is few and far between… time alone as a couple is a distant memory. There is never enough time in the day to get everything accomplished and I’m convinced that I will never “catch up” again. I have found myself thinking recurrently, this is why God only gave me two hands… to care for two children. Not true! I’ve learned that I can juggle! (a true talent if I do say so myself!) I can change a diaper, make a sippy cup of juice, read a book and wash clothes all at the same time (not really, but kind of). I can also manage to fit all three kids on my lap while giving Tee a bottle and watching Toy Story 3. God only gave me two hands, but he gave me a heart (and a lap) big enough for three!

I love my children more than life itself and couldn’t imagine it without Tee. I still manage to fall more in love with Archer every day… not necessarily for the romantic trips, flowers and gifts like it used to be, but for the excellent father he is to our babies. I’m blessed each day with this crazy, hectic life and wouldn’t change it for the world! I would, however, take that extra hand if given the opportunity! J

Sisters

As some of you know I am the baby of three girls!  Being the runt of the litter has had its ups and downs.  (My older sisters would say mostly ups...they have used the words spoiled before but I am convinced that they were not talking about me!)
Out of all of the people in the world I would say these two know me the best...and the worst!  Sara Corpening said "How do people make it through life without a sister?"  And I must say...I have no idea!
So here's to you Miss and Kat-bird!  Love you each so much!
     "A sister is a forever friend!"      

 

Quick thoughts...

Good morning and Happy Monday everyone!  Wells and I are off to a determined start this morning.  We are trying to leave our paci and blanky in the bed (verses carrying it around EVERYWHERE).  I must say, we have only had two major meltdowns so far, so I am hopeful!  However, it is only 9:15...

On another note, I have searched the web to find where Diet Coke is on sale this week.  It's crazy, I know, but a trait my mother instilled in us.  You just can not pay full-price for the liquid treasure, no matter how much you need it!  So, it seems Target is the only place that has it on sale.  And well, that will not be much of a savings seeing as if it is impossible to go to Target and only buy Diet Coke.  What is a girl to do?  Must. Have. Diet Coke!

Play

play- to engage in a sport or recreation: FROLIC

I hope your weekend is filled with lots of fun!  And I hope that you all find the time to stop and PLAY! 

Speechless...and a Wish!

Okay folks...I am speechless about the movie that I endured for 2 hours last night!  When I say endured I mean it with a little affection, admiration, and a dark and twisty love!  Black Swan is one of those movies that was truly painful to watch but I kinda want to see again!  It's a strange thought, I know!
Natalie Portman...WOW!  She is amazing!  She trained over a year for this role...and boy, you could tell!  She could not have weighed more than 90 lbs. soaking wet.  And, I could sit through an entire ballet with Natalie Portman as a principal dancer...she fooled me!  Kudos to her for her performance and for the many awards she will win for this role!

I can't really say much about the plot because if I am being totally honest the verdict is still out!  I left so confused!  In fact, I came straight home and searched the internet trying to find a synopsis, interpretation, explanation, ANYTHING...and I found nothing!  To say that this movie's conclusion is "open-ended" is an understatement! 
However, if you are looking for a recommendation then I would say YES, you've got to see it for yourself!  As for my opinion on the movie...this SWAN is still is the pitch-BLACK dark! ;)

Now for my wish- I totally wish I were going to Blissdom next week!  Call me crazy, call me a dork, I just wish you were calling me in Nashville on January 26th!  Who knows...maybe next year! :)

A Swan...or an Ugly Duckling?

I am heading to see Black Swan tonight!  I have heard and read lots about this movie and am dying to form an opinion for myself!  The NY Times review describes it as a "witchy brew of madness".  Others have described it as dark, disturbing, and brilliant.  Needless to say...this movie should be interesting!

Come back for a recap tomorrow! ;)

A Post for Pat Pat!

Happy Birthday Patterson!

It's almost Pat Pat's birthday!  For those of you who know me and my family you have most definitely heard of my niece Patterson!  She is an adorably hilarious little girl that truly owns a piece of my heart!  When Patterson was only days old she came over for our first "girls night".  Graham thought I was crazy seeing as if we did not have children of our own, nor did we have any clue what to do with a newborn, but I insisted!  Patterson and I spent the night chatting and watching old episodes of 90210.  We've been buds ever since!  She turns 3 this week and I can honestly tell you that in the past 3 years our lives have been filled with more laughter, spontaneity, zest, and just plain FUN since she arrived!  We love you Pat Pat...more than words can say!

Happy Friday...and a New Obsession!

Happy Friday everyone!  We have all been cooped up around here (some may have even been a little stir crazy) so we are happy to see the weekend upon us!  We are looking forward to a fun-filled weekend which includes the wedding of one of my best friends from high school!  (Look for a recap next week!)
Another thing I am totally pumped about doing this weekend is purchasing some new K-Cups for my NEW KEURIG!  (It's the little things in life people, come on!)

Umm, you totally guessed it...this is my new obsession!  This wonderful piece of machinery is turning this recreational coffee drinker into a Coffee Lover! :)  Now, one of my most exciting activities in the morning is deciding which K-Cup to brew!  I know, I know!  But I must remind you again...little things! :)
My personal favorites thus far:  (in no particular order)

Anywho, enjoy a cup of Joe of your own, TGIF, and Happy Friday everyone!

Did You Hear? It Snowed!

Yes, that's right...it snowed...8 inches!  Which means the following:

-We were snowed in, for 2 days!
-We ate entirely too much!
-We played outside...a lot!
-We ate some more!
-We had numerous Wii tournaments!  (Our Wii had taken a 2 year hiatus, but boy did we have some fun this week!)
-We made snow cream! 
-We had a blast!

Here are just a few pictures to document the BIG SNOW of 2011!

Our Snow Buddy ready for the SNOW!  Notice his boots...we went all out this winter! ;)



Kinda scared to move! 



I like the snow...well, as long as I am standing still!



 

This is much better Daddy!

 

The Confederate in the snow!





I can be an angel!  (Sometimes!)




"What is this stuff that keeps falling in my eyes?"

  

Yummy, snow cream!

Wells watching Daddy play some tennis!

The snow brings out the kid in all of us!

  

 

Snug as a bug!





Happy Snow Day Days!



Gratitude...

Gratitude by: Nichole Nordemon

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead, If we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need
So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please . . .