I would like to take a moment to apologize to all of you for the fact that when my sister called to get my favorite quote last week, all I could come up with was something my 3-year-old says about skunks. It went something like this:
Melissa: “Hey, Mand! I need to know your favorite quote for a blog post.”
Me: Looks down at the baby pool she’s sitting in while she watches her son play in the sand box. Laughs.
Melissa: “Why are you laughing?”
Me: “I’ve got nothing. Call me back in an hour and I’ll have thought of something.”
An hour later, I still had nothing. What I did have was a pathetic case of mommy mush brain. I wish I could say that I’m thinking about or even reading lofty and inspirational words when I’m hanging out with my kids day in and day out. It just isn’t true. But I have enough little kid quotes to sink a ship. For instance, this morning Curtis sat down with Jackson and me at the breakfast table to pray with us before he left for work. (This doesn’t happen every day, but we’re trying.) He said, “Okay, Jackson, what do you want Daddy to pray for you about?” Jackson said, “Ummmmm, sprinkled donuts!”
Lofty quotes I have not, but that which I have, I give to thee!
How about some pictures?
These are from our recent trip to Disney World.
These are from Annabeth’s dedication service at church.
Janelle and Ella came down for the weekend. (Janelle actually made that pink tutu for Annabeth.)
These are from Memorial Day, which we spent at Lake Conroe with some generous friends.
Curtis was trying out Jackson’s first fishing pole.
Here’s Jackson with the worm he named “Clumsy.”
Annabeth thought it was too loud at Marble Slab.
And here’s my almost-four-month-old in her robe after bathtime.
Mom, I think she looks just like me and Melissa here!
Oops.
Amanda,
my favorite part of this post is when you wrote “(This doesn’t happen every day, but we’re trying.”
This can actually be the quote that you were looking for and it is your own words. I appreciate the fact that you were open with all of us by saying that you are all trying to pray together as a family before Curtis goes to work but it doesn’t always happen. I felt relieved by that statement. We don’t always pray with our kids(14yrs and 10yrs)either but we are trying.
Stacie
PS..The mommy mush brain does get better. I think? 🙂 LOL!
Amanda; I just love quotes from kids. Very cute pictures.
Thanks for sharing.
Kim B. in AZ
The robe pictures are some of the most beautiful baby pictures I’ve ever seen. Wow.
Blessings,
Sandy
The other quotes were nice and inspirational. Yours made me laugh so hard, the laughing was better medicine. I love the pictures too.
Thanks for sharing more pictures of Annabeth…your mom charged us as “under 30’somethings” in Laramie to think of Annabeth and her contemporaries…who are we going to be, for her, in the church? It has caused me to consider who I want to be for Christ’s service for the women who are babies now (my own 10 month old baby girl included with Annabeth)–and how we will Titus 2:4 them up. Thanks for more pictures of the beautiful babe!
Kristen
Laramie, WY
Having 3 kids – I so know the Mommy Mush Brain syndrome. It gets worse!
I love the pictures of you guys (and gals). So beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us.
Love to you all!
Thank you so much for sharing your family pictures with us. A picture truly is worth a thousand words.
What about a blog of wonderful mommie quotes?
My two boys are giving me a notebook full.
Please don’t apologize for a kid quote! I could so relate! I didn’t have a lofty one either–I tossed one of out of my collection that I could sink a ship with too! I think there is some good wisdom out of some of the things they say. The rest are just flat out funny!
Love LOVE love the pics!!! So precious!!!
Darling, just darling.
Thanks for sharing.
Love and Blessings, Debbie in Tennessee
Darling…….
Did you photoshop “out” Melissa’s wedding ring in the pic of her and Annabeth? Just curious – figure you might have so that the bloggers can’t oggle the bling 🙂
I read your post earlier Amanda, but didn’t have time to respond right away. Oh can I relate to the toddler one liners… You look so great in all the pictures! You look like you are really managing well!
I remember that stage of sleep deprivation, diapers, breast feeding, bathing, meals, playing, boundaries, consistency, follow through, feeling like everybody wanted me for something. I was glad to give all I had most days, but some days, I just wanted to trade places with my toddler and throw my own tantrum. 🙂
God used that time to refine me in more ways than I realized at the time. Living life in the rearview mirror is really good for some things. I wish I would have enjoyed that time more than I did. I was suriviving…. I am so thankful my kids look back on that time through videos and the like and remember all the fun. God’s grace covers so much more than I ever dreamed of. He is truly a wonder beyond wonders.
Love to your growing tribe,
Jina
If it wasn’t for kid quotes, my blog would be a lot less interesting!
Thank you for sharing your family with us.
I had to take one more peek at Miss Annabeth this morning before I headed out the door to go to work. What a precious doll baby!
God is soooo good!
It was nice to see Annabeth smiling at me in her little bathrobe. Kiss her for me from her
“Aunt Dolly”.
May you all feel the abundance of His love all over you this day!
Roxanne
PERFECT !!! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my words! That baby girl is sooo cute! She’s growing so fast.
Too funny: I thought Jackson was smelling a snack (not a skunk), so all week when I’ve been hungry for a snuck. 🙂
Last night at my son’s baseball game I sat near a little boy that looked quite a bit like Jackson — same size too. He had the most adorable little voice. I couldn’t help but think of you Moore-Jones-Fitzpatrick ladies just eating up that adorable little guy (and that darling little girl). And it made me wish you could post a snippet of Jackson talking on the blog. How fun would that be?!
Love the pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Linda in MN
Let me tell you, Amanda, those are two BEAUTIFUL children! I love pictures of them. Thank you.
I love the pictures even more than the quotes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amanda, from one mommy mush brain to the other–thank you so much for not being lofty! You have no idea how much I needed to hear that:)
I have to post again to tell you that I showed my husband these pictures last night, and we were both simply smitten with Annabeth’s grin! The pictures of her smiling tickle me to pieces! What a sweet face 🙂
Anon 11:46, lol, that was just a napkin on the table covering it up.
Amanda, mommy quotes are the greatest. Thanks for sharing them – brings back great memories.
Marcia
I personally thought the skunk quote was awesome! I’m a mommy of an 8 month old and I can’t wait for quotes like that! Thanks for the pictures, too. Your family is beautiful.
Amanda,
Those pics are too cute. I love Annabeth’s Minnie outfit, especially the cool sunglasses. And those sweet little barefeet, just makes ya want to kiss them. Jackson is such a handsome big brother. Looks like he’s having fun doing boy things.
About the quote, yours was great! We did quotes on our blog last month, so here’s one of my favorites that was on a plaque in my Gran’s kitchen. “Housework makes you ugly”. And I say, AMEN!
Have a blessed day,
Deanna
Wow… what beautiful children and Bibby’s grandchildren… God’s special gifts come in the little amazing packages…
Thanks for sharing and mommy mush we have all been there… welcome to the group! Some of the best quoates ever come from mommies..
Have a wonderful day!
Lichelle
I love it! I have had mommy mush brain for nearly 6 years now…I used to have deep thoughts…and I still do, sometimes. But I guarantee they rarely happen when I”m with my kids!
Susan S.
Looked like a great trip!!! Thank you for all the pictures!! I loved Jacksons’ quote. I thought of John 11:39 “Lord, by this time there is a stench…” (GRIN) Very biblical. Have a great day to you and your family. In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
I think you are one of the braver moms I know to go to Disney world with a new baby! Who cares about an intellectual quote!
Absolutely priceless! What a beautiful family! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Write all those funny baby stories and quotes down. My sweet children are 24,21 and 19 and those times are precious and hilarious treasures.
One in particular…..
My oldest daughter, Aubrey was about 4 years old and had been asking questions about Jesus coming to live in your heart. We had discussed it several times and so had her Sunday School teacher.
At lunch one day Aubrey got the hiccups and they were annoying the mess out of her. She asked how to get rid of them and I told her I wasn’t sure.
After a few more minutes she quite seriously asked, “Do you think Jesus is jumpin’ up and down in there?”
Too Funny!!!!
Write them down. They are and will be treasures.
My kids are 5 years old (twins) and I am just beginning to start having a few lofty thoughts every now and then. Most of the time, it is mommy mush brain. But what a beautiful time and reason to have mush brain. Thanks for sharing in this journey!
You have beautiful children! Loved the pictures!
My oldest entered middle school this past year and I struggled to keep up as I have functioned on a second grade reading and math level for years.:) With a 3 year old I still have several years of Mommy Mush Brain left.
By the way, my favorite number is:
“eleventeen”
Cassie
Atlanta Ga
I got to thinking about your post…the best quote came from Mr. Jackson Jones….why you might ask…..because there is evidence of innocence in his quote.
Many quotes have life experiences in them, which is the direct or indirect result of pain or hurt….Mr. JJ’s quote was plain and simple as we all wish life still was in our own lives!!
Adorable!!
Amanda, you and Annabeth gave Ms. Snow White some competition….you two are just as cute as she is!!
I love the pictures and your comments. So glad that I am not the only one with mommy brain!
If you think your brain is much now wait till menopause!!! Something to look forward too but till then hang on to those darling children! All too quick they graduate! Blessings!
Amanda.. you can share your mommy mush brain with us anyday.. it is a delight to read and see all the fun things happening with your family. My son is now 19 years old, he will be 20 in July, but I miss some of the fun happenings of a younger child. At the moment it can seem difficult..but a time does come when you will miss it.
Thanks for sharing with us. Write those quotes down.. put them in a scrapbook.. as those will be precious memories.
Have a blessed week and this has just so remined me that I should be praying for you and other young moms daily.
Love that last picture … too cute! ;0)
Enjoy them while they’re that little and cuddly. They turn into moody pre-teens before you know it! ;0)
Melinda
http://www.parentingconfessions.com
Oh Amanda — You are so precious. Your heart is so kind and thoughtful. I love when you share your family pictures with us. It is personal and touching. I loved your quote. Being a mom of two, I struggle with what I call my “mother brain.” I was laughing with one mom yesterday. Each of us were having struggles remembering calendar dates. We compared our minds to a “brain colander.” Anyway, thank you for sharing honestly and with humor, your family pictures, and ohhhh is she a little doll with those huge eyes! Bless you and your family. In Him — JH
Nothing as cute as a baby in a hooded towel!!
You know what, who needs lofty quotes. Kid quotes are the best and much easier to interpret? At least before they’re ten years old. Jeremiah doesn’t even speak my language anymore. He speaks an entirely different language. Well mostly he just slurs his words together, but that may be a man thing, cause my husband does the same thing when he’s not real interested in talking, which is pretty much all the time. I’ve always said the reason men are so good at “Mad Gab” is because that’s how they talk. You ever played that game with a group of couples and done men against women? The men win every time. And that’s what we decided. It’s cause they talk like that and they understand each other. We’re the one’s going, “What’d you say? Is that English?” They just kind of mumble and say an entire sentence like it’s one word and expect us to understand what they said. Anyway, keep the pictures coming. I love ’em!
By the way, Jeremiah’s doing great. No ER visits since last Tuesday. He has another appointment with the allergist on Monday. Keep praying!
Love the pictures! Thanks for sharing! That precious baby is growing fast.
I was thinking . . . a “quote your kids” post could be very interesting. What do ya think?
She’s beautiful! Not spoiled at all by her name sake I’m sure:-) How I love being Mama to a little girl!
Little Momma,
you have some good quotes too, girl!:) Annabeth and Jackson are super blessings to you!
katiegfromtennessee
Ohhhh what darling pics!
Beautiful! I love Annabeth so much! What a beauty! I wish I could have seen the dedication service. It looks like a wonderful time of prayer and encouragement! How’s Greg? It’s good to see him in the pictures!