A New Birthday and a New Look

Maisie's third birthday went off without a hitch (only minor things didn't get pulled off...that my mom says I will never remember years from now)

I can't believe three years have passed since she made her surprise, emergency c-section appearance. I should have known then that her personality would follow in the path of her unexpected birth. She always keeps me hopping. But, can any of you argue that Maisie Jo is anything but darling?!

She is growing up FAST and I am holding on tight to her littleness now - there are lots of stealing of hugs and rocking chair moments going on in this house.

We're singing Barbie's Diamond Castle songs while Daddy's off hunting...

We're Going to Miss This...

(this is Maisie, not Ruby!)







It's a strange thing, but I don't listen to music much in the car. The kids are either watching a video if its a trip out of town, we're chatting and pointing at exciting things outside, or listening to some great kids praise music cds. So, when I watched a country music show the other night, I was really enjoying getting caught up on some new songs. I copied the lyrics here below - by Trace Adkins. Man it hit me - especially the part in the bold. I just had to share...







She was starin out the window of their SUV Complainin sayin I can't wait to turn 18. She said I'll make my own money. And I'll make my own rules. Momma put the car in park out there in front of the school. And she kissed her head, and said 'I was just like you'. You're gonna' miss this. You're gonna' want this back .You're gonna' wish these days Hadn't gone by so fast. These are some good times. So take a good look around. You may not know it now. But you're gonna' miss this. Before she knows it she's a brand new bride. In her one bedroom apartment And her daddy stops by He tells her it's a nice place. She says, 'It'll do for now' Starts talkin' about babies, and buyin a house. Daddy shakes his head And says baby just slow down Cuz' you're gonna' miss this. You're gonna' want this back. You're gonna' wish these days Hadn't gone by so fast. These are some good times. So take a good look around. You may not know it now But you're gonna' miss this. Five years later there's a plumber Workin' on the water heater. Dog's barkin', phone's ringin' One kid's cryin' one kid's screamin' And she keeps apologizin'. But he says they don't bother me. I've got two babies of my own One's thirty- six, one's twenty- three. Huh, it's hard to believe, But you're gonna' miss this. You're gonna' want this back. You're gonna' wish these days Hadn't gone by so fast. These are some good times, So take a good look around, You may not know it now, But you're gonna' miss this.



There's power in truth and I know in my gut that:



I'm going to miss this,

I'm gonna want this back.

I'm gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.

These are the best times.

I need to take a good look around.

I do know it now...and I'm going to miss this!

Plus Two For Two Days

This week my niece and nephew, 27 months, came to stay for two days, while their mommy attended to their daddy, who was in the hospital recuperating from surgery.

We had a lot of fun, some of which was captured in the above pictures. Jabe and Phoebe had their first bowls of cereal WITH milk...we went for a little walk in the field nearby, and I had enough 2T matching shirts for a photo shoot with them.

I had a scary thought while taking care of them on our little walk. Somewhere out there, there is probably a mother who actually has a 5, 3, twin 2 yr olds, and an infant. Here I was feeling great about staying in for two days and just being a diaper changing, kid feeding, nap controlling, bath giving and not going anywhere mom/auntie helper!

I'm so glad we got to make memories and get to know them better. They are such great little kiddos ~ as sweet as their pictures, honest to goodness.

Behind the Scenes of a Five Year Old's Birthday Party...

We celebrated Daphne's five year birthday tonight, just one day shy of the real deal. Yes, our firstborn entered this world on September 7, 2003!

We took Elsa (born 8/17/03) and Tobin (born 8/27/03) along with Daphne to a yummy Italian restaurant and celebrated BIG - both in attire and food consumed:).

I got to thinking as I put these pictures up, that everyone has a "behind the scenes" story when it comes to getting ready for a birthday party. I so appreciate all the efforts our family made to make this a special night for Daphne.

To Jill and Shane who drove 2 hours to get here...

To mom for babysitting all three kids last night just cause we wanted a date, and for trying to dress up fancy tonight, despite the fact that you couldn't find any pantyhose and had to come in slacks instead:)

To Mike Sr. for sporting your tuxedo - handsome as all get out and done just for your granddaughter.

To Pam, for SLAVING over that Barbie cake - WOW - you went really worked hard on that one!!

To Becca, for arranging sitting for your little ones, and dressing up your bigger ones:), plus your beautiful self for this event!

To Sharon, who didn't even come to the party, but was at home watching the twins:)

To Matt, who didn't get to sit and relax after dinner, but worked on and fixed our computers!!

To my husband, who got up at 4:30am to prepare for a men's breakfast and then got home after lunch and started helping me.

To our babysitters who watched Ruby, Maisie and Josh back at the house during our dinner out.

Lastly, a little pat on the back for me - I dauned a form fitting dress (that I haven't worn for 9 years) at Daphne's request...because it is very sparkly. I know for a fact it looked a lot better 9 years ago, but tonight none of that mattered.


Since becoming a mom, I am getting so much more conscious of other people's lives. I sure appreciate everyone's hardwork to pull this one off.

One Year Blogversary...

I can't believe it! One year has past since I started this blog and I even missed it by a couple of days.

Wow, time flies and so many hours have been spent on this new hobby. I am SO glad I have spent those many minutes (even if there other projects got pushed aside here and there)recording all the fun stories, pictures and reflections this past year! It was totally worth it and I look forward to continuing this pasttime.

Well, wouldn't you know my very first picture on my blog was Daphne starting preschool for the very first time. And here we are today, "going back to school" again. But this time, Daphne and Maisie went and they went to the same school. Last year was fun and memorable, but having the girls in different spots, and adding a third child to our family...well, it was a bit exhausting. I felt like I was driving around a lot - too much.

I am predicting that this year is going to be so much more simplified for me. It will definitely be the most time I have ever had to myself. I will get 4 hours, once a week, alone at home with Ruby. AND to boot, I will get a morning with just Ruby and Maisie and then another morning with just Daphne and Ruby. (did I mention that Mike is going to take them to an evening gymnastics class once a week too) I am just so blessed!

My goal this school year is to come out of what has been an occasional state of just survival in mothering and into a world of more teaching and more fun experiences with them. I am hoping there will be more breathing and savoring this year...

Today was a little scary for Daphne and I, both hoping she would be okay with the change of schools. She did great though and liked it a lot! I'm just keeping my friend's wisdom in my back pocket - she said that nothing has to be permanent. So we're hoping for a great fit for her, but if not, God will show us the way!

I really am living my dream...Thank you God!

SCREAMING NOW: MY COMPUTER HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR WEEKS...AND NOW IN THE LAST WEEK I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH OUR 2ND COMPUTER AND IT WON'T LET ME SHOW YOU THEIR CUTE PICTURES I TOOK THIS AM....NOT EVEN A SLIDESHOW...AGAIN, SCREAMING NOW!!!