Little Miss Sunshine

She is sassy. She is stubborn and strong willed. She is curious and happy. She thinks she is bigger than she really is, stronger than she really is, faster than she really is. She is serious around strangers and silly around family. She has the most beautiful smile and the most serious stare. Her giggle is infectious and makes you do anything to hear another. She gives big open mouth kisses and loves to clap for herself. She is transitioning from a baby to a girl. And it makes me scared. And excited. And anxious. I want to hold her fragile little body in my arms forever. And shield her from hurt and pain. I want to always be the person she runs to when she is scared or hurt or excited. But I watch her grow a little bigger, a little stronger, a little more independent each day. And I pray for her to stay bold and stubborn and curious and sassy and happy always. And I treasure the beautiful smiles and open mouth kisses that she sends my way. And I delight in this amazing blessing from above that is growing into an amazing little girl, but will always be my baby.

 

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Luckiest Mom in the World

Pretty sure that I am the luckiest girl in the world since these three cuties call me Mommy.

I won't lie and say that it is easy all day everyday, but without a doubt it is worth it. Even on the hardest day it is the best job in the world. And I feel beyond blessed that Jesus would let me have these most amazing treasures for this time on earth.

I love you my precious babies.

 

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Parker's Easter Parade

One of the things that I love most about the boys' preschool has always been the Easter Parade. Each class makes hats and the kids all get to wear them on a "parade route" around the school. And then it is followed up with all of the parents, kids, and teachers feasting of Easter cookies and sugary drinks.

 

 

This was Parker's first time walking in the parade and he was excited to get to walk by his buddy, Jack. After the parade, Emersyn and I joined him for all the sweet treats.

 

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Braden's 6th Birthday

Six is hard.  It seems much bigger than five.  Five still seems primary.  Preschool.  Even Babies R' Us sells items up to 5t.  But Six.  That is the big boy section at Children's Place.  That is almost first grade.  That is big boy.  Independent boy.  That is the age that makes me realize my precious first born bundle of boy is not a baby anymore.  Tear.  Sigh.

Just don't tell him that.  He swears that he will never leave.  That he will live with us forever.  That firefighters don't get married.  They live at home with their parents.  He swears he will never go to college.  Never get married.  Never have children.  And the selfish, want to keep my boy my baby forever side of me is kind of ok with this idea.  But the logical side of me knows this is not the best for my boy.  And I always want the best for my boy.

So we celebrate another year of growing, another year taller, another year smarter, another year wiser.  Another year to be delighted that I get to be his mommy.  That he made me a mommy. 

I love you Braden Wright.  Happy SIX years!

The Man in the Yellow Hat

I was so excited to find out that Braden's school was going to celebrate Read Across America day by letting the kids dress as their favorite book character and walk in a school wide parade.  Braden was super excited and kept asking if people were going to be playing horns at the front of the parade (um...no) and immediately thought of dressings Curious George (um....no, not gonna buy a monkey suit for one day).  After several suggestions from me and several um...nos from him we finally settled on the Man in the Yellow Hat and decided that Braden could carry  Parker's stuffed Curious George.

The costume was fairly simple to put together (after I figured out how to rig the hat) and not too pricey to make.  After digging through his closet, a trip to Hobby Lobby, a little sewing and a lot of hot glue, this is what we rangled up...

watching the parade

she looks thrilled, doesn't she?

walking in the parade...he was so excited!

Braden and his buddy, Ty

mommy and Braden...and Parker hiding behind my back

Christmas 2012 Part 2

Christmas Day...

ROAAAR!!

watching "A Christmas Story"...making her daddy proud

Christmas 2012 Part 1

Yes, I know it is almost Valentine's Day.  Yes I know it is sad that I just now posting about Christmas.  Sigh.  Christmas was busy this year.  Busy. Busy. Busy.  And I wish I could say that when it was over I wasn't exhausted.  But I was.  I wish I could say that I wasn't thinking we have to simplify Christmas.  But I was.  I wish I wasn't saying things have to change.  But I was.  So we have 10 months left for me to figure out just how to simplify Christmas so that when I wake up on December 26 I feel less overwhelmed and less exhausted. 
Anywho, I did enjoy Christmas.  I enjoyed seeing my kids get so excited.  I enjoyed the time that I got to spend with our family.  I enjoyed celebrating the birth of our Savior.  But that is what I want for next year...More time with what matters most- focusing on why we celebrate and enjoying time.  Time with my husband.  Time with my children.  Time with my family.  Not rushed from one event to the next.  Ok, I am off track again.  Here is what our Christmas looked like.  Unedited.

Brad's grandmother and her husband came to visit the week before Christmas

We made homemade cinnamon ornaments for our tree

 

We wrote letters to Santa

We danced wearing Santa hats

Cookies with Grandma

Put out our Nativity scene

Our tiny elf!

we made fuit loop garland



Our three trees

 

Brad got Parker a spiderman sweat shirt.  Can you tell he is happy?

B got Angry Birds

It is Bumblebee!

Parker loves Spiderman!

Emersyn seems pretty interested too!

My sweet mama

Braden is ready to hunt with Palpaw and Daddy!

My parents had a set of my grandmother's pearls restrung for me for Christmas.

Brad got a Keurig!  He was super surprised!

My sweet dad!