PROUD

You worry about them from the moment you find out they exist. Then you are amazed at every step they take. Their first words, first day at school, first time swimming across the pool all by themselves, and the list goes on and on. It's amazing. It makes you so proud of them. I signed Kennedy up for cheerleading camp this year. It is a fundraiser for the high school and I thought she would have fun. Yes, I was a cheerleader. Yes, I enjoy that she is loving all of my loves. There was something special about this week that I had no idea would happen to me. Yes, I said me. The first day of camp she woke up and was so excited. She never once asked me who was going. She just bounced out of the house like she was going to Disney world. I have never dropped her off anywhere that she has never been before like this. I signed her in and a cheerleader walked her up the stairs to the gym. She was too excited to even say goodbye to me! And this, my friends, was a moment I was not prepared for. My little girl, who I first saw her face only 4 short years ago, that i nursed for a year, changed her diaper, knew her before any sort of personality popped out, was marching up stairs with a huge sense of confidence. There was no worry. She was not scared. And I stood there and almost cried. She has such a strong personality already. 4 years!!! At 4 she is not fearful of much. She can step into something new with excitement and not worry. It was a proud moment for me. Extremely proud of a little 4 year old girl that is years beyond 4 deep down!

Each day she had a story about how wonderful it was. She was a little bit bothered because certain girls won the spirit stick each day and she never did. I guess it was a good learning lesson. On Friday she had a little presentation. She was so cute! She loves every minute of being the center of attention. I am not quite sure where she gets that from.;) Then they gave out special awards at the end. The final award was Most Likely to be and SHS Cheerleader. When they said this one I thought that is so cute! Then they announced K's name. She didn't know what it was or really cared. There is something about someone choosing your daughter, from others, that they have only known her for a week and saw something special in her. I know how wonderful she is, but for her now to share that with the world and people notice, it is yet again one of those proud mommy moments. One of the cheerleaders came up to me and said," I just really need to tell you how much I love Kennedy!"

Kennedy Susan, your spark in infectious. Your personality is going to take you far in life. I am proud of every step you take. I know you'll look back and laugh at me that I was proud of you at cheer camp, but you'll understand one day. I am so thankful to share my little miracle with others. I am glad they are seeing what I see in you, one very special little girl! We love you!

Farewell Papi...you've served us well. May you rest in peace!

It was time. It was a year past time. He was beginning to annoy me by telling me long stories with it in his mouth. He only had it when he was sleeping or about to go to bed. He would ask for it when he was hurt. It was his comfort item. And I think because he is my BABY, I just had a hard time saying it was time for that to be over. We prepared for the coming of the papi fairy for a week ahead of time. When the day came, he knew what he had to do. And my sweet little boy, well, he did it was great pride and courage. He sucked out every ounce of that thing and proudly marched to his bed. I was shocked. Here are the highlights of the night....

Bath with the papi. He never does this. But the moment was near so he took it with him. ;)

(Note here*** I am now aware of how dirty the window is. Obviously that is not on the top of my cleaning list. I blame it on Riley.)

Big sister helping him get ready to give them away. She was enjoying this wayyyyyy too much!

Then he put them in his special box....

We were down to 3......

Proudly saying goodbye!

What a brave little boy!!!

And then his kissed every single one!

And that night, despite a terrible storm, the papi fairy visited our house. She even got Kennedy a book with a special note to her about sucking her finger. He was one happy little boy!

And you might wonder how we have been since then. Well, it has been SO incredibly easy! He'll ask for it from time to time. I remind him that we gave them away to a baby that need them. He is totally fine with the answer and will fall asleep. He's had no tears. He's so big! I am a proud mommy. I found another one today. I lingered for a minute and then rushed it to the trash. It was time. I let it go. It was me, not him. I am thinking this might be the theme for my parenting. I have such a hard time letting go! We're proud of you Whit! What a brave little boy!

4 year and 2 year pictures!

I love, love, love our photographer, Erin! She is wonderful to work with. I am never worried when we leave if we got a good picture. She always looks at me and says, "got all that you wanted!" My goal was a full length of Kennedy for her official portrait. I am starting to think I might have a collage made with them by themselves and order a large portrait of one of the two of them together. I love those SO much! I can't decide. We shall see, I guess! One of the best part of pictures with Erin is that you get the copyrights! Want a copy? I'll print you out one! :)

This one makes me cry! She loves her daddy and they look SO much alike! :)

And a perfect description about how Whit feels about his Mommy :) LOVE!

MY BABIES!!! LOVE, LOVE!!!!

I am so blessed. :)

Deliriously Happy

It's that time of year again! The time where I get to rest and reflect. I get to enjoy lazy days with my babies. I also have time to realize how grown up they are getting. It is giving me more freedom the these days. It is a nice feeling. Having two kids in a year and a half is a lot on a mommy. It is hard, but today, almost 3 years later I am seeing the rewards. There are way too many to even list!

Greg's been having some health issues. We finally found out the cause of it. He was diagnosed with medically induced lupus. It is being caused by his medicine for his Chrohn's disease. So, we had big decisions to make. We worked with two doctors and with a lot of prayer decided on the best route for him. I haven't been with him to the dr since he was really sick. I remember sitting
in that office feeling defeated. We wanted to have a baby, the medicine he was on was not helping, our only alternative was not something we wanted to be on while trying to get pregnant. It was a really hard time in our lives. We went through a lot of dr's to get to where we were and FINALLY we found something that made him well again. Here we are 5 years later and that medicine was still working, but causing other health issues. So, back to the drawing board we go, and lay out our options. I really feel good about the decision we made. The dr said something that really stuck out to me. He's not going to die of Chrohn's Disease. His life span is not shortened. I joke and say I did not go into this marriage knowing I would marry a man with health issues. Greg is the bulk of our health bills each month. He is always meeting that deductible and our out of pocket expenses. But to think of him having something serious and actually losing him, puts it all in perspective. Our vows were in sickness and in health. I think we all just think it will always be in health. Or we at least pray it will. Greg's issues are a nuisance. They are harder on him, but they affect all of us. Yet, we are still so blessed. We are blessed with good doctors, medicine options to try, and a prognosis that is good. I think Tonya taught us so much this year. It makes you stop and think everytime you get a clean bill of health. She taught me even more to appreciate each day. I think we all live out our wedding vows each day. The day to day activity gets overwhelming, but in the end, the one I chose to spend my life with was the most perfect choice. I joke about Greg a lot, but yesterday I was again reminded of how lucky I am. He's not perfect, but neither are any of us. I am truly blessed to have him in my life. So, that is my deliriously happy statement for the day. I am blessed beyond words as always, and today I am thanking God for that. I wish I took time every single day to say that. Today, I feel like shouting it. My neighbor's might think I am crazy though. I'll just say it quietly.

BEACH!

Mom and I do this every year. We go to the beach in the Spring and get so excited. There is a cool breeze, the water is cold, and it is a wonderful experience. We lug all our gear and spend as long as the kids will let us out there. Then we go back in the summer. Saturday was low tide, no breeze, and it was jelly fish crazy out there!! We are not beach snobs. We love it no matter what. But we will say that we decided spring and fall are our favorite beach times. It's the beauty of living near the coast. You can be snobby about it because you can go whenever you want! :) I am going to have to have a pool nearby when we go next time! Good thing vacation is coming up!

Even K was too hot to pose for pictures! :)

And how did Whit feel? Well, let's see. He ran nonstop the whole time. He worked like a dog. Then he collapsed on the way home. He is such a BOY!

Uncle Patrick and Holly!

Whit and his look alike...Uncle Patrick

And Uncle Patrick's better half...Miss Holly!


We had a fun weekend visiting with the fam!

SPF??

You know you've said this. I think I'll use 15 instead of 30 spf today so I'll get a little more sun. Well, then I had children. I lathered them up with as much SPF that I could find. I reapply a million times. And this folks is the result. One week into summer and they are "brown as berries" as Meme calls them. Let me introduce you to the product of SPF 50+.....

I think I'll throw away the 15 and go with 30. Obviously we'll tan anyway. ;)