Happy Birthday to my girl!!!

Where do I even begin? She's 5?? I still can't even believe I am her mom. She's made me a better person. I longed for her and prayed for her for so long. The moment I found out I was pregnant with her I couldn't wait to hold her in my arms. I just wanted her here on earth. Then began the worry...does she get enough to eat? Enough sleep? Am I raising her right? Do I feed her the right foods? Did she break her arm or is she just still crying because it hurt? (I was wrong about that one...she had broken it.) Motherhood is so much worrying. It is also a lot of praying. I pray for her each day. She said the other day, "Mommy, do angels really wrap themselves around us and and keep us safe?" She pays attention to every detail of my life! :) I just wish she would focus on the good things to repeat all the time.

She's full of spice and energy. She is also full of so much love for her family and friends. She loves with her whole heart. She adores her family. She even adores that little brother of hers. I look into her brown eyes and all I can see if the future. She's going to grow up to be a wonderful young woman. She's going to do something great with her life. I can see it in her eyes. I tell her all the time how much of a miracle she is and how much I prayed for her. This year is the first year she really began to understand what I meant by that. Seeing her grin from ear to ear to hear about how much we wanted her warms my heart. She doesn't understand what we went through, but at least she knows how much we wanted and love her.

My sweet Kennedy,

You were so very excited to turn 5. Everything you did today you informed me that you could now do this because you were 5, and 5 is pretty big. Your heart is so full of love for us. I hope you always love like that. You are a joy to raise. You keep me on my toes at times, but I wouldn't want it any other way. We are definitely raising a little girl that has a voice and a say in things. The things you love right now: ballet and Mrs Helen and Mrs. Ryan, school, your friends, cheerleading and going to my cheerleading practice ( you come home and practice toe touches) spending every spare moment with Drew and Lolly (and Whit too!), movies (you REALLY love movies), you love letters....you'll sit for an hour and write them over and over....right now they don't make words but you still keep writing them :), art....you love a drawing, your bitty baby and your new American Girl, Caroline! Gosh, I could keep going and going about you. Those a few of your favorite things.

We love you so much. Your daddy and I are so proud of the little 5 year old you have become. You make our family a happier place. I say this every year, but I'll say it again. Singing you the Happy Birthday song is my favorite moment of your birthday. It is my day of thanking God for another year for you. I am so glad we had yet another birthday to spend with you. 5 years......I pray for MANY, MANY more full of joy and happiness. Today, you said, "Thank you Mommy, for my birthday." It didn't mean much to you, but to me that is who you are. You are so incredibly thankful for everything. You even took time to tell me thanks. I love you with my whole heart, my precious little girl. Always know that. Happy 5th birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Merry Christmas!

I think Kennedy's comment Christmas night as I put her to bed sums up our Christmas. She says, "Mommy, I am just so HAPPY I can't even think about going to sleep." It was a perfect Christmas. So much to celebrate and be thankful for. I am so very blessed!

Saying goodbye to Sheriff!

Miracles

She put herself to bed tonight. She told me goodnight, she went and brushed her teeth, then climbed into her bed. It was 7:30. I was in shock. ;) I went to say her prayers with her and at the end we always say what we are thankful for. Tonight I ended with, "thank you God for my miracle, Kennedy, that I prayed and prayed for. She's my dream come true." Kennedy looks back and me with a HUGE grin on her face and says, " You mean like Mary prayed and prayed for baby Jesus and God gave Him to her?" My little miracle is about to turn 5 in a week. I hope she always know how much we wanted her. The baby I never thought I would hold is now almost 5. Here she is, with her almost Christmas birthday and she sees how much Jesus was longed for as well. I love that she is my almost Christmas baby. It is such a thankful time of year. I am thankful for so many things, but my babies are at the tip top of the list. There seem to be too many tragedies surrounding us lately. I have been praying and praying for a little boy that was in a car wreck and in critical condition. A family in my hometown was in a fire and the dad passed away yesterday. He died saving his son. I can't get these things off my mind, so I just pray. I am so thankful for a burdened heart. It has made me ever closer to God. So tonight, I pray again for all the families I know that are suffering. I pray an extra prayer of thankfulness for God's protection over my family. It's the family I prayed for and He answered in a bigger way than I could have ever imagined. That little girl, that is almost 5, all snuggled in her bed tonight is a testament to the power of prayer. I am so thankful for our faith. Merry Christmas to all of you!!!

Keeping it Real

Yeah, that's how we roll around here. This is our Christmas card that should have been . :)

DANCE

Last year I did the "ugly" cry. I had no idea how it would make me feel to see her dance. This year, with MANY performances under her belt, she didn't dissapoint. She loved every minute of it. The row of seats around me was packed with all eyes on this little girl. I love that she has so many people that love her. Thanks to all who came! She's my little dancer............oh how I adore her!

A proud Meme and Susu!!

Ella Claire and Kennedy....sweet friends! :)

It's pretty special to have your great-grandmother be there! K and Grandma :)

I loved every minute of that dance, my Kennedy!!

Home Sweet Home

Riley has had a tough week. :( She woke up one day not acting like herself at all. We took her to the vet where they thought it was a digestive issue. She had to stay overnight for fluids and meds. I have always loved this dog. She was there for me in times where no person really could be. I know it sounds ridiculous, but she really has stood by me through a lot. I get very annoyed with her when I shouldn't. Having kids, made her take a back burner around here. I think I needed a reminder about how important she is to us. The kids were beside themselves with worry. Whit wanted her HOME! Sweet, sweet, dog...........we are thankful you are better, Riles, and we promise to not take you for granted again! She is on bedrest for a few weeks. Wish me luck with that. The dog that jumps on everything needs to rest her back. This is not going to be easy!

SO PROUD!!

Whit had his very first school program. I was one proud mommy!! My little boy was not afraid at all. He loved that we came to watch him sing!! :)

Mrs. Gina's class.....such a sweet group of babies!!!

We are SO proud of you Whitty!

SANTA!

I adore Christmas time. It is so full of so many fun traditions! I was determined to be done shopping this year by December so I could enjoy it without the stress of shopping. I am almost done shopping and I think I can enjoy the few gifts I have left to buy. That makes me happy! Today was a day of visiting with Santa! Santa showed up at Whit's preschool this morning. Parents were invited to attend, but not necessarily to sit in Santa's lap. Well, our son, the brave firecracker that he is, did not want to participate in the sitting of this man's lap. I think this might be my favorite picture of all time. It just shows how good of a Daddy Greg is. He needed to show Whit that Santa was "ok". Funny fact is that this is actually a picture of Greg with his high school baseball coach. I bet they never thought they would have one snapped like this. :)

He was not so sure....

This is as close as we are going to get this year!! My boys with Santa. :)

This afternoon we headed over to GSU for the lighting of the Christmas tree at Sweetheart Circle. I love going to this every year! You get to spend as much time with Santa as you want and what is better than a GSU Santa?? Kennedy LOVED talking to him this year. She quickly told him that she really, really, wanted an American Girl Doll. I loved that all the GSU students in line for Santa were reminicing about their American Girl dolls as she went on and on about hers!

Again, Whitty did not want to get near Santa! After this picture he says, "Mommy, I need to tell Santa what I want!" I said "Do you want to sit in his lap?' He said, "NO! I just need to get a little close. " So, I leaned over that stage, far enough away for my baby to talk to him, and he yells, "Hey Santa! I want a digger truck! A big yellow digger truck!" Santa smiles and says he thinks he can handle that. :)

It's been a busy week, only to be a busier weekend. I had a semi breakdown about it this afternoon, but after a nice glass of wine, kids in bed early, and a moment to actually sit, I am once again thankful for even crazy days like this. It is just a reminder that I need to stop more. I got a letter in the mail from our preschool director. It said that she prays for each child in the program for one week during the year. This week she has prayed for Whit by name. Well, now that put me in my place. How amazing to have someone take that time to call on our Lord and pray for MY baby by name all week. I needed that today. Decemeber is a crazy busy month. I hope I take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy December!