hi!

I keep wanting to post but feel totally overwhelmed by the fact it's been over 5 months since I last wrote.  It's as if I'm 13 and writing in my journal, "Dear Journal, it's me.  Lots to write!  I just got home from my first dance but mom says lights out, so I'll write more later."  

Except I'm 29 (and 2 years) and I'm the mom now.  I mean, three is hard, y'all.  

Well I guess I gotta start somewhere.  I'll randomly catch up on some of this in other posts, but since I last wrote, Atlas (bebe # 3) was born.  That was immediately followed by a wild, near death, delivery experience.  I went back to work at 6 weeks after the holidays. I joined a running group, Run Buds, at Bull City Running Co.  Story Katherine turned 2!  We enjoyed Easter.  Story decided to start potty training herself and is doing well.  So proud of her!   It's our anniversary this weekend-- 6 years! School is almost out.  Now we're caught up.  ha.

And of course, a post isn't a post without pictures.  These are all old, but for whatever reason I want to remember them here on the blog.  

I took the kids to the Santa Train at the Museum, and IMO it is totally over rated.  Most of the riders are adults (parents/grandparents) accompanying a lesser ratio of young children.  In other words, lots of big people on a little train with little people dispersed among them.  If the proceeds didn't go to improve the museum, I'd say don't waste your money.  But I do love this museum!  I think also, my kids might have been a little too young to fully enjoy the experience.  All the other kids kept commenting about Rudolph and Santa and lights, and Tag kept saying... there's Star Wars!  Look it's Darth Vader!  (He has never seen any movie or anything... just learned about it from his friend Robert at school).  Story whined and cried and was ready for bed the minute we got there.

 I had to take a photo of these Christmas gifts.  My people love me =)  That's 100+ K cups which I went through in less than 3 months.  I won't say how long the rest took to consume.  But again, I love my Cobb kin.  

"So this is Christmas...."  That's what comes to my mind when I see this picture.  I'm sure kids only remember the joyful exciting, present-opening parts.  But I think the adults get the full picture with all the traveling and lack of sleep and melt downs and gift buying/giving, and empty pockets with which we are left.  I am thankful for my church and believer community who ground me and remind me what it's really about.  And recently at Easter, my pastor said something that I thought profound.  He basically said, that most people see Jesus' resurrection from the dead as the most amazing miracle to be celebrated. But that it should come as no surprise after the earlier miracle that God became man through a virginal conception.  RIGHT?  Either way, I'm glad we celebrate both.  And thankful for the ways I am reminded of the real reason for each season.  Jesus.

In trying to be "helpful" during the busy season of adding another babe, some beloved family members (on 2 different occasions) decided to take hair cutting matters into their own hands.  It was a big risk, because Brentley ALMOST revoked overnight privileges.  But, you don't bite the hand that relieves you.  You just warn them (politely).  It does makes for funny pictures.  Sorry Tag! HA!    

I've had lots of people ask how we fit into the highlander or jokingly comment about how we need a van.  I think I've made my opinions on vans clear, and this should be evidence to that notion.  We squeeze into the highlander like sardines.  We love each other though, so it's all good.  And no, you can't ride with us.  Sorry!

In case further evidence was needed on why "trimming" bangs is not harmless...  HAHA!!  He's a boy, I swear.  

Finally Brentley decided to take Tag to the new mens barbershop down town.  His hair is still wild, but not long everywhere so it seems to be keeping the old people at bay.  By old people I mean, nearly every one of our relatives near and far on every side had made comments when we tried to just let his hair grow.   

Sometimes you just have a fun, sweet moment you want to remember.  So I took this "groupie," and totally forgot the memory.  Boo!   

 Our yard is pretty sub par most days, but in the snow, man... it's so pretty!  I had to take a pic!  Especially since it snowed SO much this winter.  

 Mimi and Papa got Tag and Story some rain boots for Christmas.  We love these boots so, so, much.  Tag and Story can put them on themselves too, so they keep the kids giggling on days when we can't manage pants.  We have to hide them or order them to change shoes most days when it's not "rain boot" weather.

For a while this spring we were pretty motivated about going for runs on the AT.  You wouldn't tell it to look at me, though.  Maybe because I get to push the single stroller, and I walk a lot?  HA.  Atlas and I aren't pictured, but this is how we do the AT and get work outs in with 3 kids and no gym membership.  

We got bath crayons at some point this winter and they didn't last long.  We had fun with them but then realized, they're not super easy to clean if you leave the pictures up for longer than a day or two.  See how Tag has the colors on his back?  HAHA!  Story is totally our artist in residence.  Girl loves to color and write... on ANYTHING!  

 This girl!  She loved the snow so much.  Eating it was really her main thing.  It's fun to see that some things don't change between genders... kids will eat gross, yucky, weird things.  Increases immunity, "they" say.  

Christmas morning Story just decided to take a load off and watch Tag open gifts.  I don't think she really knew what was up.  Milk is to Story what coffee is to me... She wakes up and whines, "I need milk, mommieee."  Not a morning person, this girl.  Tag however takes after Brentley and his family... BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS upon waking.

Tag is a super big bro.  He truly loves Atlas.  He and Story both have really made me so proud how they talk and treat him.  I asked Tag to "babysit" Atlas in his bed for a minute while I dressed Story.  He was so excited and kept patting him and trying to hold him.  (PS: we have rails around the bed, and I never left the room, in case you were about to call Social Services!)

My amazing neighbors came and got Tag to go sledding at Central Park one snow day this winter.  The bad thing about working from home for a global company, is that snow days mean nothing.  If your internet and power work, so do you!  This was such a gift to me though, to have friends and neighbors who were thoughtful enough to invite Tag along.  

This was a "choose your battle" day.  My request for him to leave his spidy swim gear at home was denied.  

**I purposely saved the Atlas pics.  He does get photographed, held, loved, and cherished, I swear!  I can't wait to write about how much I love that nugget.  Let the babying my "baby" begin.  You know how they say the youngest can do no wrong in some parents eyes... I'm starting to get that!