Happy Birthday Amy

Happy Birthday Amy

On July 31, 2001 God had huge plans.  He had plans I could have never imagined.  His plan was to bring a precious little girl in to my life and change it forever.  Amy's story is one of great joy.  Sometimes when you are living in a moment you do not really understand it's God grace very active in your life, but then when you look back, it was God's grace, very evident in my life.  I can truly say that God had His hand upon me and had covered me in His beautiful cloak of grace from the very moment she was born.

What a beautiful blessing.  What an honor to be her mom.  I cannot begin to describe the blessings she has given me from the time she was itty bitty to this very moment.

 She has always been tenderhearted and had a smile that would light up any room.  

Amy means "My Beloved"

She is truly my beloved.  

Amy's first Easter

What a wonderful girl.  

     

Happy Birthday Wyatt

Wyatt "Little Warrior"

July 15, 2009

 He was long awaited.  The girls were so excited to see him and wrap their little arms around him.  They have great love for him.

God blessed us with this boy.  I am still in awe of the amount of love you can have for each one of your children.  

From little bitty baby.... to a big boy.

who loves to "sit chair" and watch airplanes

who loves to tote his keeks

And loves to sleep with his Daddy 

Who loves to walk with his DD

He brings us great joy, and TONS of laughter.

I wish I could stop time.  Wyatt is a delightful little guy to be around.  He is hilarious and brings us to tears from laughter on a regular basis.  He pokes his sisters and says "cheese touch" and runs off.  We have our regular chase game every night after dinner called "baby saga".  He loves his cars, firetruck, Leo from Little Einsteins (I'm convinced it's because Leo wears glasses).  Has a slight obsession with his sassy (passy), and loves to carry all three keeks (blankets) everywhere.  He loves to play ball and have his Daddy hold him so high to make a basket. He is a big eater, and I am afraid my grocery bill will double in a couple years.  Loves his cereal and sausage and asks for "Chicken Shies" (chicken and fries) from Chick Fil A daily. He asks to go to DD's house daily and usually we do.  As we are leaving he calls out "Bye Nanny DD's house".  He loves to call the dogs when it is time to go.  His sweet little voice yelling for Flora and Anabe "Flora Abel" is so cute.   He has figured out how to get carried around. All he has to do is look at me and say "carry you's".   I could write for hours about all of his sweet ways.  He is a blessing in my life and all of those he encounters.  

Happy Birthday Little Man

Emma Mae is 7!!!

On July 2, 2004 a beautiful girl came into my life.  Emma Mae-  Emma, because I love the name, and yes I knew it was popular, but I didn't care.  Mae because my sweet, precious Nana is Ila Mae.  She went to be with Jesus in February of 2004.  When she left this earth, I knew that little girl in my tummy must be named after my Nana.  

Emma Mae is very much loved by her sister.  Amy is a great big sister, and Emma Mae loves being a little sister.  From the day Emma Mae came home Amy has had a deep love for her, I am so thankful for that.

 So here it goes-  year by year-  Emma Mae is 7 now.  Most of these shots are at her Birthday Party each year.  She has changed so much, and as year goes by, more changes come.  I am so thankful Emma Mae and the life and love she adds to our family.  

1 Year Old

2 Years Old

3 Years Old

4 Years Old

5 Years Old

6 Years Old

7 Years Old

We had so much FUN celebrating this year.  We had planned to be in Destin for the week of July 4th and were so excited to be down there for Emma Mae's birthday and for my Dad's.  It was a great time.

I don't want to grow up.

Can any of you think back when you were little and remember ever telling your mom or dad.... I don't want to grow up?  I can.  I think I told my mom that hundreds of times.  I loved being little.  I loved taking naps with my dad all curled up on the couch.  I loved playing Sylvanian Families ( now called Calico Critters) with my mom with all her doilies and coasters set out as animal rugs.  The times i spent running through the house with Gracie.  Gracie was my Scottie growing up.  Hanging out with my dad in his office. Family vacations were the best.  Always got a airbrush T and dinners at Captain Andersons still bring back wonderful memories. I have so much to be thankful for. Playing war in the basement and making forts with my brother and the never ending battle over the current gaming system.  Spying on him with his friends.  I did love doing that!  My parents gave so much. They were and are still mom and dad.  What a wonderful life I had growing up.  Why would I ever want to grow up?

Amy is going to be 10 this year.  I know, insane, right?  I can only hope she is having as good time in our house like I did growing up.  She is an amazing little girl.  She gives and never asks in return.  She came home from school today and told me she is going to be on the school announcements in the morning because she was picked in her class for the best character.  WOW!  Really?  I couldn't have had anything to do with that.  What a gift from the Lord.   

We have recently joined North Point Community Church-  another gift from God-  and are in a small group with some seriously awesome people.  On the way to small group last night Andy turned on this new song I had never heard.  I'm going to post the lyrics below so please read.  While small group was only 1.5 miles away I arrived in tears.  Thanks Honey!  I know some of you have something against Taylor Swift.  I can assure if you have little girls, you probably love her.  I can thank her for many nights and afternoons singing and dancing in the living room and belting out in the car together.  So I'll go on record saying, I like her.  So please you tube it.  Taylor Swift- Never Grow Up.  

Your little hands wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light

To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
No, no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up

You're in the car on the way to the movies
And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off
At 14, there's just so much you can't do
And you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots

But don't make her drop you off around the block
Remember that she's getting older, too
And don't lose the way that you dance around
In your PJs getting ready for school

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

No one's ever burned you
Nothing's ever left you scarred
And even though you want to
Just try to never grow up

Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room
Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home
Remember the footsteps, remember the words said
And all your little brother's favorite songs

I just realized everything I have
Is someday gonna be gone

So here I am in my new apartment
In a big city, they just dropped me off
It's so much colder than I thought it would be
So I tuck myself in and turn my night light on

Wish I'd never grown up
I wish I'd never grown up

Oh, I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up
Could still be little
Oh, I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up
It could still be simple

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

Won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
And even through to you want to
Please try to never grow up

Amy and I listened to this in the car today.  If you have young children and you are having a rough day. Listen to this song.  Perspective is EVERYTHING.  

Where does the time go?

I'm sure you are saying.... It's about time!  Yeah, it's been awhile and I'm sure this post is going to take me days to write.  It seems like like I only have 5 minutes here and there to get anything accomplished.  I love the idea of blogging, but really???  I HAVE NO TIME!  While I'm not chasing a toddler around (which I LOVE doing), preparing the next meal, making lists for next weeks meals (yes, I know,  I'm organized), helping with homework, giving timed multiplication tests, driving children to and fro, having playdates, spend the nights, ok..... so you get the picture.  The list could go on, and on, and on. 

Rewind to snowpocalypse.  

Last week was AMAZING! I dearly LOVE having my children at home.  Little girls laughter and amazing playtime.  The bonding that goes on between all three of my kids when I have them home for that long is AWESOME!  We played, watched movies and just hung out for days.  No homework, no ballet, no basketball, NO NOTHING!  We were all here, all week.

   

My Second Cookie

Then came Emma Mae!  What a doll she is.  From itty bitty carrying EVERYTHING around.  She carried soap in a bucket.  She wore Minnie gloves on her hands for days, and swears pajamas are a fashion statement.  Those of you close to me know what I'm talking about.  She is determined, decisive, and I must mention fashionable.  She is precious from head to toe.  Loves her sister, taunts her brother (in a loving way) and has her Daddy's personality to the core. Emma Mae has a deep love for her sister, it is an amazing thing.  She looks up to her and admires everything she does.  I can't remember a time when it was not this way. 




 Sisters are a neat thing.  I am so thankful they have each other and that God has blessed my life with them.  Kinda like peanut butter and jelly I tell people.  Standing alone they are amazing, but even better together.

Like I have time...

So, like most moms of young children I have an abundance of time.....catch the sarcasm?  I wish I could show you my living room covered in toys and my counter covered in groceries and let you listen in on the little girls running around my house giggling and BEGGING for food.  Carrying cupcakes to the trampoline and laughing all the way, coming back in and begging for another one.  My crazy life.  Craziness is one way to describe it, wonderful is another. 

I am a wife to an amazing man, a mom to three wonderful children, and a daughter to awesome parents.  Yes, my life is full.  Oh i have to mention my dogs, I have 2.  I wish I had none.  But that is a topic i'm sure I will cover one day.  My life has changed in so many ways over the years.  Looking back, I would have it no other way.... EVER.  So lets get to my three cookies.  I love to bake, and I love that i am good at it.  I can make most anyone happy with a cookie, cupcake, or some other baked goodness.  But my favorite cookies are not ones to eat.  Amy is first... my life changer.  My child who is amazing from head to toe. She lights up the room with her smile.  She is my miracle child.