LIFE

Greg and I made the trip up north to visit my brother and his family. We left the kids this time because our trip would be so short. I haven't visited with them by myself since I had my own kids. I was kind of sad we weren't bringing the kids until I got there. We immediately played make up (Henley and I have been playing that since she was 1) and dress up. This would explain Henley's made over face in the pictures. :) Paisley did my hair, complete with a nice headband and TONS of hair spray. She says, "This will make your hair hard." ha! We even did Lander's hair. We spent time just hanging out and talking. It was such a good weekend!

Playing Dress Up: Lander, Paisley, and Henley

Paisley: This is the only time she let me do her hair. I talked her into a messy bun. :) Man, I wish K would grow some hair! haha!

Greg and Lander (notice the new hair do)

Henley and I: this is the first time I have ever thought we looked alike! She is definitely becoming a Sartin! She is also becoming a pre-teen and I love it! She is so grown up! Where did the time go????

As expected, I have a lot of thoughts to say about Tonya. She's already been through so much. I don't know how she manages a household and cancer. She looks like she has been through a world war if you see her scars. She's battled so much already and she's not even done fighting. There are times she is down, I am sure of that. But others, she is smiling. She is thankful for being here. She only made me cry a few times. Having to pray to God to be around to see your children grow is not a prayer I ever thought I should be praying. It's her's everyday. It's mine everyday now too. I think I thought it would be weird to see her like this. I haven't been up since she was diagnosed. It wasn't at all. I think because she is just the same person. Minus hair of course, although she does have a very proportional head. She totally rocks the being bald. I am not sure my head would look that nice. :) I love her. I love how she loves my brother. If you don't know her and meet her, you won't be the same again. She has no clue of the impact she is making on all of us. We are all forever changed. She truly is an inspiration to those around her. She is truly amazing to be around. I'm thankful for all the days our families can be together. Family is such a precious, precious thing.

Me and My Bro

I would also like to mention Blake a little here. My heart hurts for him so much. I worried so much about how he was really doing. I still do. After being there and seeing how he is, I now know our prayers are working. They still smile and laugh together. I am sure they have their hard moments, but they still have a family to raise. I'm so incredibly proud of my big brother. He has always been good at the caretaker role. He's taken it on with grace and strength I didn't know existed. He's pretty amazing himself . I love you so much, Blake!

Aunt Katie and Uncle Greg :)

Are We Like This?

Tonya posted this to facebook and it made me think.... (sorry Tonya for stealing your words but they inspired me) :)

"I was at Buddy's BBQ tonight with Hen after we went shopping. The girl at the register asked me about my cancer. She said that she would pray for me, and pointed out another worker who prays. They came out from behind the counter, held my hand and prayed for me. One girl told me, that no matter what the outcome God would take care of my kids. I know this is true, but I don't like thinking about it. They were sweet!"

I cried when I first read this. Then I thought about how awesome it is of these two people to be strong enough in their faith to meet a stranger, see that she is going through so much, and take the time to pray with her. Are we all like this? I would like to think I am, but truthfully I know I am not. Maybe this is going to make me more open about my faith. I know that just talking to Tonya amazes me. She has always had a contagious laugh. She gets to giggling and you can't help but join her. I love to still hear that. And we do. She still laughs. She is going through so much and can still find joy in life. I think this should be teaching ALL of us to take time to appreciate even the littlest of things. I am always appreciating my children. I love to watch them grown and change. I am learning to appreciate my own life. Grown up life is full of crap and struggles, but those are not things that matter. Life, our lives, how we choose to spend them are what matters. So each day, may I thank God that I am here. May I thank God that all my family and friends are safe. May God teach me to pray for people I don't know well. Maybe one day I will bold in my faith and pray with a stranger that I know is suffering.

Thanks for all your prayers for Tonya! God bless you all!

2!!!!!!!!

We celebrated Whit's second birthday with a little firetruck pool party at Nette's! He had SO much fun. He spent the first part of the party eating icing from the cake before we even cut it. Then it was off to the pool to SWIM! After he nearly froze to death due to the fact he has NO fat on him, he decided it would be more fun to mow the lawn. So he pushed that darn lawn mower around for most of the party. Sweet, sweet boy....2!!! I can't believe it!

Whit at 2.....

*He is BUSY. He loves anything boy. He loves golf, fishing, cars, trucks, balls, ect. He does know how to be sweet to a baby doll too though. Kennedy taught him that. :)
*He's still a pretty good eater. He has his likes and dislikes but I can get most foods in him. He loves rice the most of anything in the world. That and shredded cheese are his favorite foods right now. It makes a nice mess under the table.
*He is obsessed with his Daddy. One would think this would hurt my feelings when he says, "No, Mommy, Daddy!" but it doesn't at all. It is really sweet. He still loves his mommy too. I adore a snuggle from this baby. One sweet look and you are hooked.
*He's got a fiesty spirit. That's the Sartin side of him. He likes to annoy his sister. He takes the little brother roll seriously. The louder she yells the more he trys to annoy her. The smile that comes to his face when she is mad....ohhhh....he is bad!
*He is a chatter box. He talks and talks, but leaves out important words. He leaves out things like with, to, for...mainly prepositions. It is quite amusing. I can't understand 99% of what he says. I am thinking the world probably can too.
*He is in his big bed. It is getting a little easier for him with this. The grown ups in the house miss the crib but I am thinking he doesn't.
*He ran run, jump pretty high (This is a big deal because K took a long time to get both feet off the ground) and throw pretty good. He loves anything active. He can even climb to the top of our swingset. Again, big sis, took a while for that! :) He just has to keep up with her I think.

He makes our lives interesting that is for sure. We love you, Whit. Life is never dull when you are around! We look forward to what this year brings! 2!!!!! Gosh, time flies!

Here are some party pics. I took a million. I'll upload more later!

Big Kid Rooms :)

Since Whit moved to a new bed I haven't posted pics yet. We cleaned rooms today so I thought it would be a good day to document. I've changed Kennedy's room around a little too so I thought I would post some pics! I love their rooms. They both came together perfectly. I love how easily they transferred from a nursery to a kid room. Whit's room is HUGE after the crib came down. I am still thinking of what I want for a headboard for both of them. I really want to make something out of an old sail for Whit's room. I like to "HGTV" some things around the house. I thought I would find time this summer but we had fun instead! ;)

Getting a little organized...and I got to hang his name back up! YAY!

His big boy bed!
Yes, there is a giant basketball goal in his room. That is all thanks to Aunt Courtney. :) I actually don't mind it and he LOVES it. We'll eventually move that bad boy outside. For now, we'll play a little indoor ball.

On to K's room....I have honestly loved every part of her room since we put it together. I knew exactly what colors I wanted and we had to search and search for the perfect fabric to match. If I were a little girl, I would love to live in here!

Yes, I know, I make too many bows. :)

I love this wall...the pictures were in my nursery and Greg's. The little dress is one that is very special to me. My Mama (grandmother) sent me that shortly before she passed away. She never got to meet Kennedy and it is special to me to have it in there.

Tomorrow will come and the rooms will be trashed yet again. My organized toy sort will be in vain. Oh well....such is life! :)

The Night Before....

I did not know how much birthdays meant to parents before I had kids. I thought they were about me. :) I didn't know each birthday that passed my parents thought about each and every year they had spent with me. That they thought about each birthday, each moment....I get it now. It's about the sweet baby that you are watching grow up. It's to celebrate them. It's a day that they get to feel like the most special person in the whole world. I hope my kids always feel like that on their birthdays. They are the most special things in the whole world to me. I can't help but remincse on birthdays. I look at my son so often and am reminded of God's amazing blessings. I watch my children play together (or fight which is the norm around here lately) and I can't help but be reminded of my lonely years. I worried I would never be able to have one baby. God must have been really nice in throwing Whit in there as a bonus really fast. I think He knew I didn't need to go through all that again. I hadn't even begun the worry that Kennedy would be an only child. It was in the back of my mind worry, but I never had to think about it. Before I knew it I was holding my SON in my arms. Ahhhh....a little boy. I wept when I found out Whit was a boy. I didn't even know I wanted a boy. The moment he first looked into my eyes I was hooked. He has a way about him, this little boy. If you hang out with him too long he might steal your heart. I can't explain it. I loved the way he looked at me as an infant. Then he began to talk and tell us how he feels. Now I hear, "Mommy, lub you." Oh, my Whit, Mommy lub you too. So, tomorrow, the Happy Birthday song will be sung again. It's my 5th time to sing it to my children on their birthdays. 5 sweet birthdays for my sweet babies I thought I would never have. I have said before how much that song means to me know. If you pay close attention to me at the party I'll be the one with tears in my eyes. Yes, I cry every year. Those tears are not sadness, but are pure joy. Joy of another year I got to watch my babies grow. Joy of a mother who is so very thankful to be just that...a mother. Whit, mommy is so very proud of you. I am blessed to be your mommy. Happy 2nd birthday to you tomorrow, my sweet boy! You are growing up WAY too fast!

Celebrating Childhood

I love the innocence of a 3 year old. :) Kennedy had a blast at dance camp this week. It is the first time in my life I have ever dropped her off with someone I didn't know that well. It was a HUGE step for me. She danced away excited. They ended camp with a tea party with Barbie. It was just so precious to see all of these little girls so excited. Whit and I got to join to fun at the end of the party. She had so much fun. I am SO, SO, glad I found the right place for her. They did such a great job at reaching out to her age and making it fun for her. I was really thankful for that. Here are some pics of the party!!

Talking with Barbie

A picture with Barbie...hehehe...doesn't she look real? :)

"Mom, do you really have to take my picture?"

And I quote..."TAKE MINE!"

K with Ms. Helen

Sweet Kennedy, You are the most beautiful ballerina this mommy has ever laid eyes on. I love you sweet girl!

On my heart

Gosh, I feel like I am in a whirlwind. I don't have a moment to myself these days. Greg has been gone every night this week and I am WORN out! It is not an easy task these days to put my kids to bed. Or maybe I should say to put Whit to bed. It takes more than one person or a lot of patience. I was playing around on the computer catching up on blog's when I went to Bethany's blog. She has a little girl that has survived multiple heart surgeries and I am truly amazed with what they have been through. Bethany posted an update on a family that was having a son with a similar heart condition. I clicked on their blog and I cannot explain what happened after that. It was like I was suppossed to read it at the exact time that I did. Their son was just born and fighting for his life when I started reading. He lost his battle and is now resting with our Lord. She had posted pictures of his nursery and I can't get that out of my mind. Expecting to bring your baby home is a normal thing. To come home to an empty nursery is a nightmare I hope to never endure. I hope no one ever endures that. All this to say, I am now diligently praying for a family I don't even know. They are on my mind so many times during the day. I think I was supposed to read that and commit to prayer for them. Our lives are so fragile and we forget. We take life for granted. I've lived a great 31 years so far. I should stop and appreciate that. I get to stare at my 2 year old as he falls asleep each night. I get to listen to my 3 year old's endless stories. I get to see my son and daughter grow and change with each day. I'm here on earth and I am thankful for each moment. I've had some hard days this summer but I am truly thankful for God's reminder to appreciate EVERYTHING. I hope you do too. I love you all dearly!

If you want to keep up with the family I mentioned here is the link to their blog: www.lukesexton.blogspot.com