Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!!

Wow, 7 years old. I have to admit this one hurts a little. Last week he lost his top right tooth and I just started to cry. He's growing up so fast. People tell you that, that is goes so fast so enjoy it. But with all that goes on in raising children it's hard to savor every moment...then you look up and 7 years has gone by.

Most everyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I didn't ever want kids. Ha! On May 3, 2002 God showed me what "He" wanted for me. He's so much smarter than I am. These last 7 years have been the most exhilerating, difficult, emotional, exciting....I could go on forever....years of my life. I'm so glad I didn't miss out on him!

Today I am so thankful for Taylor. He is the person who showed me who I am, and made me want to be better. He makes me love life and he shows me how to find joy in everything, everyday. He, like his precious daddy, is so kind and thoughtful and always wants me to be happy (even when I don't deserve to be). I wish I could be more like him.

He makes our family the crazy, silly family that we are. We are all blessed to have him!



Happy birthday my precious little boy...I love you so much!!!

Thanks be to God for his undescribable gift. II Corinthians 9:15

Bringing back "The Babe"...

Mrs. Prine does something special every year with her class, she teaches them about some really important historical figures in our country. And some patriotic songs. It's really cute. Let's see, there was George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Teddy Rosevelt, Betsy Ross, Helen Keller, and of course: the Babe, just to name a few. They worked so hard and did such a good job.

T got to hold this picture while he did his part...that's Mrs. Prines brother shaking the Great Bambino's hand when he came threw Mobile. It's an amazing picture!! I've asked her for a copy of it to put in T's room!!!!

T and Hutton (as herself!!) She, of course, was the real star of the show. It's amazing she didn't get strep, the flu, pink eye, or any of the other things that float around these kids... they had their hands all over her!!

Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, Henry Ford, Theodore Rosevelt, and Ben Franklin.

The Babe and Betsy Ross.....hmmmmm, wouldn't have put those two together.

And the Babe with Elizabeth Blackwell...now that's a match!

The Babe's Biggest fan!!! He's a real Ladies Man isn't he???

Getting ready for the show.... Of course baby sis had to be there to see brother's debut!!

(Go to the bottom to mute the music...and forgive the fact that I am an idiot and filmed this sideways......)

Oh, she was soooooo proud of him!!

And guess who just happened to be in town that day and got to see the show.....Papa!

I don't have any idea why he was doing this, but when I got home and was looking through the pictures and saw this, I thought it was the cutest thing I'd ever seen!!!!!

A little ice cream party to finish things off...

This is what Babe Ruth does after a hard day, he sits on the floor in front of his parents room to play Nintendo.

I don't know how many times I've said I love CAK on here, but I'm gonna say it again.....

I LOVE THAT SCHOOL!

The sweet things...

No, I'm not talking about candy... Today was the Kindergarten Easter Egg Hunt. All the classes go into the Prayer Garden to find 12 (not 10, long story) eggs with their name on them.

At first they all run out, almost silently, looking for their eggs. Then you start hearing "Hey, I found one of yours..." These sweet little children helping each other, and so excited for one another.

There are so many things to be thankful and mindful of during Easter. This is just another...

There are seasons in life, great highs and great lows, but all so sovereignly given. Lately I find myself so aware of the blessings in my life. My husband, my children, friends and family....daily provisions, and today for Easter Egg hunts. For the pure hearts in children that remind us of a Saviors love. And the sweetness of the celebration!

This is Happiness...

Sit back and relax folks, this is going to be a long one!

Those of you reading this know that it's been a rough couple of years for our family, so this week was truely a blessing!! My very best friend Shenoa (I say that b/c she's known me for almost 20 years and is still my friend despite!) asked us to go to her families beach house in Hilton Head....my kids FAVORITE place in the world. So even though their spring break was the week before, and Taylor missed the week before that with strep....we went. And this, what you're about to see, this part is called "Happiness"...





Oh how I've missed this moment. After a long day on the beach we get all cleaned up and take these rosey cheeked little ones out for dinner and ice cream!


This is the first day out. The beach was a little chilly so we stayed up by the club and the kids dug trenches, built sand castles, and yes....rode on Taylor like he was a donkey.

Landon had to get in on that action!!

So sweet!!!!!

Classic hu? The boys are annoyed at another picture b/c they want to run and pick up "stuff" and Park is tickled to show her hula skills!!

I can't believe they got in this water. We had great weather, but this water was COLD!

And there's the "stuff". Apparently it was sandollar season and Taylor found about 20...I didn't know they were alive....ugh. Another thing to kill. And he did. Then over night he had an attack of concience (sorry if I spelled this wrong, I'm to lazy to look it up.) and decided from now on he was going to let things live. Nice.

On the way to South Beach for some yummy ice cream....

Wow, I can't believe we're this old....we'll leave it at that...with kids. I'll have to say we talked a lot about the good ole' days when all we did was lay in the sun and read magazines, no worries of a kid running off or bugging other people!

There's that ice cream. Of course Park has to get the stuff that has 18 different food colors so she can wipe it all over herself!

And here's the "big play ground". This is one of the things that keeps parents coming back here. You can actually sit down and rest for a while!! This was our morning stop. Ride the bikes over, grab a cup of coffee and relax. Why don't we live there again????????

HEAVY LOAD!!! This was my workout. You can make the resistance as easy as you like but with 90 lbs on the back.....you're burnin' some calories!!!!

I took Taylor down to the beach and the little ones stayed here w/ Shenoa. A few minutes later here she comes with them saying she caught them layin there talkin about kissing. UGH. I knew I'd have to watch out for those McGuffin boys but, at 4???? Of course Park isn't showing much resistance. Ha!

This makes me nuts. Never in all my like have I enjoyed rolling in the sand. He's probably still got the stuff in his crack!!!

Park layed down w/ Shenoa & I to get some sun and fell fast asleep....

The little lady even kept her legs crossed!!

This was our last morning at the playground and we walked around the Harbor, Taylor asked if we could buy a boat like this.... Keep dreamin' buddy!

We had such a great time!! BUT, we sure did miss daddy! Park woke me up the day we left and asked if we could go get daddy and come back. I hope we make it back soon!!!