ABE IS 2!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Dear Abe,

The other night I was stripping you down for your bath and when I peeled off your diaper I heard several clanging sounds as several unknown objects quickly fell out of your diaper and rolled across the floor...

 You look at me and smile your mischievous "Abe" grin and take off towards the tub. I ask: "Abe?? What was that noise?" as I look around the floor to see what on earth had fallen out of your diaper...

to which you so sweetly reply: "Nuttin, mama...just money for Abe."

Oh my... that story just captures SO much about you right now. We still think of you as our perfect little baby (and you always will be) but you are MUCH more capable than we give you credit for. I have no idea whose piggy bank you pilfered coins from and eventually stuffed down your diaper, but you are quite sneaky, little muffin!

The good thing about being Abe right now is you can pretty much get away with anything. You know we are tired. You know we don't take you quite as seriously (yet...) and you know you can look up at me OR daddy and say "I so so sorry mama..." and whatever you have done will quickly roll off our backs and into a big snuggling hug. You ALWAYS have buddies to play with and I am pretty sure your life is rather entertaining for a two year old.

The tough thing about being Abe right now is that I lament how quickly your days go by without ever receiving one-on-one attention. When its just us at home I am so busy catching up on laundry, cooking, shopping, or cleaning that I rarely just pick you up and snuggle you like I so badly want to.

However, last night, on your second birthday--we got the big kids in bed-- and brought you to the couch with us and daddy and I took turns snuggling on you until late late late. You finally looked up with dreary eyes and said "cwib please, mama..."

Neither daddy nor I wanted to take you to bed. You are SO sweet and we just love you unconditionally. Your favorite things right now are cars, trucks, trains, Alvin and the Chipmunks [you loves screaming 'ALLLVIIIIN', wearing everyone else's shoes, fwench fwies, 'balananananas', playing "honey/sweetie" with Van and Sissy, and loving on your mommy. We hope you had a great birthday!!! Love, Mom

Van is 6!! Happy Birthday!!

Van,

I have been looking through lots of your baby photos recently and I just can't help but think that each year is going by exponentially faster than the last.  On your real birthday this year you woke up with the tummy bug and we had to reschedule your party for a week later. You love football and would have been content inviting your best buds over, wearing helmets and jerseys, and just playing tackle all day long but we decided to have a sports-themed party at the Jaycee center just in case not all the attendees are as tackle-ready as you :)

We had so much fun celebrating you today, Van. I am so proud of you and your endearing personality. Instead of enjoying your own birthday cake, you blew out the candles and asked me if you could help pass out the cake to your friends. You are a giving, loving, and patient little soul.  Today when we were playing outside, you let Abe sit in your lap while you showed him how your gator/tractor works. Just watching how polite and gentle you are with him makes me so happy. You are so sweet to stop playing with your own toys and share with Abe and Jeanie. I am in awe at how easily you transitioned into kindergarten and how quickly you made so many great friends. I am a lucky mom to have you as my first and oldest child. One of the best parts of my week is our joint guitar lesson. You inspire me with your natural musical talent! I am so excited about your future and love watching you grow every single day. I apologize for not getting you a fourth light saber for your birthday, I hope you forgive me for that one day! ;) HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!!

Love, Mom

Jeanie and Abe's First Day of Preschool - 2015

Big brother Van gave them a good talkin' to this morning. His best advice: "Do NOT poot in your class...that would be so embarrassin'" (In Van's good ole southern twang). Gotta love him! Got to love all three!! So proud of this bunch.

"Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back to, and reasons to stay." -Dalai Lama

Van's First Day of Kindergarten

"Mom, would it make you happy if I just stayed home with you forever? 

...Because I can do that..." -Van

Of all the emotions I am feeling on Van's first day of school, I am mostly filled with pride. I am SO proud God chose me to be Van's mommy.  I wish I could keep him and nurture him and let his spirit nurture me forever but I know he is ready to share his gifts and talents with his teachers and buddies. I pray that this year he learns, plays, and adjusts to his new school as easily as possible. We had a successful tear-free drop off, I told Evans "I am doing okay!!" ...took two steps...then burst into tears. Van is a wonderful role model for Jeanie and Abe. Such a special day, Van... I love you!!

I can see the light!

This mother's day I am celebrating the feeling that we are finally turning a corner in our family!!

We have sold our home, bought a new one and are simultaneously witnessing Abe growing into a little boy.  Each day he gets a little less screamy, less gooey, and a little more independent. Lets just say the past few months have been some of the hardest I have ever experienced and I WELCOME our future with wide open arms. Thats not to wish away any of Abe's baby years (with the exception of a few significantly impossible days here and there;-) but I am proud of where we are and Lordy...proud of how far we have come.

What a wonderful day to celebrate these little monkeys that made me a MOM!

Van: Five years old--LOVER of LIFE. Plays tee-ball with 110% effort--sliding into  each base, attempting to catch each ball, and a pretty good hitter! LOVES going to Taco Bell and Golfsmith with Pop Pop who spoils him with golf trinkets and Dr. Peppers and has given countless free lessons. He can hit the ball nearly 70 yards! Van tackles any and everything--his mantra is the more bruises--the better. He is the greatest big brother and helper we could ever ask for. Tonight at dinner he asked: "If I do 100 chores in 100 days, does that mean I'll have $100?" He still spends lots of time in his music room and thanks to his Hall and Oats fan grandparents can discuss the meaning of the song "Man-eater" for hours. I cannot believe he starts kindergarten next year but I KNOW he is ready!! 

Jeanie fierce: currently 3 years old, a true three-nager, never leaves the house without a tutu. Probably our most scrappy child--she can climb and balance onto anything. She balances out her sporty, tree-climbing side with plenty of time wearing high-heels, playing dolls, mommy, and princesses. She loves to sing Taylor Swift at the top of her lungs in the car. Her teachers say Jeanie is the social coordinator of her classroom and yet, some days at home- she will go to her room, shut the door, and play alone. She LOVES to read books and colors with so much determination. Wherever she goes she makes a million friends and doesn't know a stranger. She is truly a bright light in our family.  

ABRAM! He deserves an exclamation point behind his name. At nearly 19 months, Abe is our "passionate" child. He LOVES hard, PLAYS hard, CRIES hard, HITS hard, PULLS hard, KISSES hard etc... I am determined to push through the difficult parts of his personality and hope that one day, we will appreciate his diligence and ambition. Abe loves to chug milk, but these days whenever he sees a cup within his reach--its fair game. He has finally gotten enough teeth that I could maybe at least hope we are beyond the days of teething (which caused lots of stress, ear infections, and discomfort for him and ultimately the entire family :-) Although he can be a chaos bomb, I am not sure what on earth we would do without his little fiery spirit in our family.  He looks up to his big bro and sis so much and tries to keep up with them every day. When he smiles and laughs it melts me. He has the dimpliest dimples and the most beautiful smile. He gives us "pushies" by snuggling his head into our chest (with fervor) and has started to sing "row row row." With each new word he learns-- thats one less scream in the house. Right now he has the basics down: "Cup" "cookie" "pop pop" "mama" "dada" "that" and "owwwwww."  I am in disbelief that this fall brings his 2nd birthday but also very ready for a little more stability and predictability from our last little babe. What an adventure our life has become since he arrived! He has taught me to appreciate patience and commitment--and ultimately how to love better. 

6 years, 3 babies, countless memories! Goodbye sweet house!

Awesome daddy planned and cooked a fancy candle-lit dinner for Mother's day (he even invited a knight and a princess!)

Grateful to be a mom and to be a daughter. Lucky all around. 

Happy 3rd Birthday Jean-Margaret!!

Jean-Margaret has always been our little bookworm and lately I have realized she is outgrowing her "baby" books and ready for lengthier and more in-depth children's books. I thought it would be fun to throw her a book shower to celebrate her third birthday!

Jean-Margaret is the most spunky and adorable little girl I have ever seen. She is so loving and helpful with our family. I LOVE having her around with me always.  Jeanie LOVES a party so I let her pick out a new dress, shoes, hair bow, and jewelry and let her loose. She was just the CUTEST! For her birthday, we let her get a fish. She has been asking if she can give it hugs and feed it "glan-ola baws" (granola bars--her favorite snack). Hopefully "Bezonia" sticks around a while.

Happy Birthday Jeanie!! We LOVE you!

Evans caught me with a mouthful of cake (but its our only picture!). Love you Jeanie!

"Bezonia"