Birthday Love

Birthday Parties are a ton of fun but I always like to do just a little something special on our girls actual birthday.  The day that they came into this world shouldn't pass by without a little recognition just because it doesn't fall on a Saturday or Sunday.


Last Thursday Carter had a little extra bounce in her step as she headed off to school.  Birthdays have a way of bringing out the excitement in someone.  She started the day off with a heart shaped pancake, a little love from her sister, a pretty dress and a little serenade from her mom and dad...

Later that afternoon I had a special delivery of cupcakes for her class at school.  Unfortunately I managed to trip on the steps walking up and the cupcakes weren't looking quite as pretty by the time they made it to their final destination.  I was thankful the kids didn't seem to mind one bit...

Later that day we wrapped things up with a little family celebration.  Pizza followed by what else??  More cake! 

Cake which proved to be a little too much of a temptation for little Emme...

The number 6 was sinking in more and more as the day went on...

If I have one wish it's that this little girl would have a year filled with joy and happiness...

Emme was a BIG fan of the cake (as in she sounded like a broken record saying, "cake, cake, cake, cake, cake, you get the picture)....

I couldn't wait for Carter to open the book I made her...

She loved it...

She also loved the mini Missoni styles I managed to score from Target...

Meanwhile Emerson was just wishing for a little more cake...

It was a sweet day of celebrating...

Here are a few of our videos from the evening...










And there's more where that came from...stay tuned!

S-I-X

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd......cue the waterworks.  SIX!!  REALLY??  Is it just me or does six sound really old?  Yeah I thought so...old.  I have never been more aware that no matter how much you may or may not want something to change time marches on.  


Six years ago I became a mom.  This little lady was my ticket into the club...

She rocked my world.  Literally.  I spent hours rocking that baby!  Seriously though, she took me down a path I had always dreamed of and knew nothing about.  We have learned together, cried together, and grown together...

She has put up with her fair share of "first time mom mistakes".  You know the moments you look back (especially as you begin the journey with your second baby) and think, "gosh I could have done that better"...

She's been gracious though...and forgiving...and loved me right through some of the hardest moments in my life.  She showed Nate and I what it meant to be a family, because of her we became one...

She has been my buddy...

My sidekick...

My source of Joy...

And as she grows up right before my eyes...

I'm acutely aware (and oh so grateful) that God chose me to be a part of her journey.  What a privilege to get to be her Mama...

My cup runneth over...

Happy Sixth (even though I'm totally in denial) birthday sweet Carter.  You are my sunshine.  XOXO Mom


~If you'd like to see the little book I put together to capture Carter's Fifth Year of Life...CLICK HERE.

Texas Forever

Y'all can I just say that I love Friday Night Lights.  I had a moment just the other day when I realized Tammy and Coach really weren't coming back and it was a bitter pill to swallow.  Lucky for me I just so happen to have the real Friday night lights to keep me from going into withdrawals.  Coach Taylor meet Coach Spradlin...

He's the best Coach around (I'm totally not biased you can ask anyone).  He's doing what he does best and has a lot of folks in Temple pretty excited about game time come Friday night...

My two little munchkin's are no exception.  They may be small but they know Friday night is something to look forward to...

They take cheering very seriously...

And they should.  They just so happen to know the head coach and his wife really well...

We have certain rituals that we tend to follow.  A little BBQ and then we head to the game.  Making your way through the stadium and reaching your seat can be a little tricky with little ones in tow.  I was in charge of Emerson for the first half and it felt a little bit like I had brought a pet monkey to the game...

She hasn't quite caught on to the fact that sitting in a seat for a long period of time is the way it's done...

I'm not worried.  I know pretty soon she'll get the hang of it...

Her big sister certainly has.  She is an old pro with built in Friday night friends...

And a new activity (that I can't get enough of) the whole group of adorable "little" fans have wipe boards that they draw on and write encouraging things to hold up throughout the night...

For example...

Sitting in the stands on a cool Friday night you can't help but smile (GG, Mimi and Papa cheering on the Cats)...

Seriously, I'll take the "real deal" over a TV show any day of the week.  Especially when you get the kind of win that has everyone in the stadium on their feet til' the last second of the fourth quarter.  So proud of my dad for the first "W" under his belt as a Wildcat.  I know there are a lot more where that came from...

Texas Forever!

Sunshine Girl

I've decided that even though the sun has been scorching us for an entire summer nothing can shine brighter than my sweet little Emerson.  She has a way of making the most ordinary of days seem a little more special....

Our yard may be deader than a doornail but when she prances around it comes alive...

She is a good little mama to her own furry monkey and took the opportunity to give him a bath...

Thanks little Emme for making the days brighter...

I love you sunshine girl.

$35

For the bargain price (a water bill of just $35) you too can have a yard that look this fine...

Dear God,


Please send rain (ASAP).  Restrictions are tough...this whole watering by hand thing isn't working out so well.  Not to mention I feel like I'm living in a 110 degree oven every time I step outside.  Thanks, your the bomb.com.


Love, 


Me

Messy Love

Yogurt + Emme = Messy Love.

The End.

Merit Badge

I think Kindergarten is going to agree with us quite nicely.  Carter had a great first day and even happily did a video about it (Emme was pretty cute in the co-star role)...





Day two was great as well and she came home with one very loose tooth.  Her daddy (who is the professional tooth puller around these parts) just so happened to be out of town so the responsibility shifted to me (Lord help us).  Let's just say that it took us 2 very agonizing hours to manage to get that stubborn little booger out.  OH MY GOSH.  It was not fun.  But once it was gone I had one very happy little lady...

In other news it is now virtually impossible for her to say the letter "S" as she is now missing all 4 of her front teeth.  So she has a newly acquired (adorable) lisp.  As she read to me last night she said, "Do you hear that??  My voice sounds soooo different!"  Love that kid.

I also have my first official "tooth pull" under my belt.  If motherhood earned merit badges I would proudly sew that one on my vest!  Everyday is a new adventure.