Happy Birthday, Little Man!

Today is your 3rd birthday! How can it be that you've gone and grown into a big boy in such a short time? I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. We knew exactly when you were coming - (scheduled c-section). You didn't surprise us...and you are still sort of predictable like that...in a good way.

I always know that you'll try to sneak out of bed during naptime. I know with certainty that if there is a surface to climb, you will...and then jump from it. I know for sure that you'll try to make your sister laugh with some sort of potty humor - even funnier for you if you attempt this at the dinner table. (this is NOT funny, Grant, nor is it polite). I can always expect you to ask for a snack 10 minutes after you've eaten a meal. I know for sure that no matter how bad my day is going, you can always remind me what an awesomely-blessed Mommy I am with your sweet smile, and snuggly hugs. I know if the subject of eye color comes up, you'll look at me, tell me we both have blue eyes...then you'll pause and say "TWINS!" I know you won't sleep past 7:30 a.m....no matter what I try. I know you are incapable of walking. It's RUN or nothing with you. I know that no matter how awful-naughty you are being, I will forgive you...and fairly quickly.

You are predictable in all these ways...but what I was NOT able to predict is just how much one little boy could capture my heart the way you have. I am so happy to have YOU, Grant, as my son. And I'm so very happy to watch you grow into such a sweet little boy.

Happy Birthday to my FIVE-YEAR-OLD!!!

My second-born, my tender-hearted, sensitive, funny, social, intelligent, charismatic, independent-thinker, music-loving, good-time-loving, drama-queen sweetheart is FIVE today! F-I-V-E! I just can't believe it! I love this little girl. She does everything big. When she's happy...she's HAPPY! When she's sad, she's SAD! When she's mad...LOOK OUT! When she's excited...she's EXCITED! You get the picture here. But that's who she is...and it is what makes her so wonderful (and challenging).

Five years ago tonight, after laboring all the ding-dong day and into the night, she was born via c-section. She even arrived on this earth in a BIG and DRAMATIC way (go figure). My first thought when I saw her was - She looks JUST like Mark's baby picture! And she still looks like her Daddy! I also remember how her first cries sounded exactly like a bleating baby lamb. Her Dad actually used to call her Lambie-Pie (and Knuckles...because before she found her thumb she used to suck her knuckles - ha).

She was born Labor Day weekend 2005. It was Hurrican Katrina week and the news was more than depressing for anyone, let alone a post-pardem viewer. I remember looking at her sweet, innocent newborn face and wondering what kind of world I had brought her into. Images of Americans covered in sheets or clothing - left dead on the side of a flooded street. Images of dehydrated babies, mothers begging for someone - anyone to help. An entire city in THIS COUNTRY abandoned..or so it seemed. It was a scary time to be holding a newborn.

I remember gas prices were over $3/gallon on the way home from the hospital (is my memory right?!). It was the beginning of a long list of uncertainties to come.

But now that she's five, and I have a better glimpse of the person she is becoming, I can say that this troubled world needs her! She is just the compassionate firecracker that may one day solve a big problem! She's the loving intelligent faith-filled girl that may one day comfort someone in need. She's the happy fun-lover that may turn someone's day around.

So although I may still be concerned for our world, I don't question bringing my girl into it. She's exactly what this world needs. My prayer is that she continues to be such a bright and shining star in this often dark and depressing time and that she never lose that spirit because I know with certainty...she will make a positive difference. Our little "Lambie-Pie" may be the girl to show others to the lamb of God!

I love you so much, pumpkin! Happy, Happy Birthday, big girl! I'm so blessed to be your Mommy!

Happy Birthday to my AMAZING daughter! I look at this sweet little face and I can hardly believe she's turning 15 today. FIFTEEN! A decade and a half! Surely I'm hallucinating! This little sweetie pie (pictured at age 4 I believe) has grown up in a flash. Today she's such an incredible young woman - I truly couldn't be a more blessed Mom! She's sweet, silly, smart, talented, beautiful, caring, compassionate, Christ-loving, tender-hearted, honest, loving, responsible, wise, creative, determined, independent and overall fabulous.

When she was born, my life changed. She made me better. I've loved being her Mom over the years (some years more than others - ha). My role has changed as she's grown...and sometimes that's been hard for me. But what could make a Mommy happier than watching your little girl blossom into a brilliant young woman? She needs me less and less...and sometimes that's hard. This is what's supposed to happen though. She's growing her own wings and learning to fly...no....make that SOAR on her own. I couldn't be more proud. I love you, Bailey!

Happy Birthday to my Mom! She turned 60 (the new 40) on Saturday. I can't believe my Mom is 60! I mean...she looks great, but how can she be 60 when I'm still 25? (ok...so I FEEL like I should be 25). Anyway - to celebrate we took her to her favorite restaurant
The kids were well-behaved (don't worry, they absolutely made up for that the next day) and we all had a wonderful time celebrating the best Mom/Mother-in-Law/Grandma on the planet. No one...I mean NO ONE loves my kids like this woman. She can sew better than anyone I know, is so creative when it comes to painting and creating, taught me the value of sticking up for yourself when you've been wronged and how to shop the clearance racks! She's a gem...and I'm so lucky she's my Mom. Happy Birthday!!!

Here she is with her birthday balloon and dessert, which she shared with all of us (except she told the kids no one could touch her whipped cream - ha!)
Here she is with the man of her dreamsAnd with Granddaughter #2:Here's Grandma and Lauren with the present Lauren chose/bought with her own money at a garage sale. She was soooo proud! Her first choice was a navy blue/marroon bathroom garbage can, but we steered her to a different table at the sale. =-)Me (who needs to apply powder and get a haircut) and my boy (who also needs a haircut) These eyes have NOT been photoshopped...this is the real deal....HUGE baby blues and long lashes...how DO you say no to those?

Who is that nearly-an-adult beautiful girl at my table? Yikes! Here I am with daughter #1 and my little guy:

And my good-lookin' man w/his little girl:Beauty and the beast...oh..wait...that was the next day. This is Beauty and the big boy:

As they say, "A Good Time Was Had By All!"