ONE and Thankful

I realize the timing of this post should probably be about Thanksgiving (since it's Thanksgiving Eve) but my littlest man turned one last week and I still haven't posted some pics from his big day.... and it just so happens to be that most of the things I am thankful for can be captured in these pictures. 

So to start, I am truly THANKFUL for my family. I am beyond GRATEFUL for the chance to stay home with my kids. I love (even on the hard days) that I get to be here for them, I get to love them, teach them, disciple them, correct them, and teach them. It's what I was created to do and I am honored to be called to the overwhelming task, and thankful for the opportunity to be able to. 

Happy Birthday Sweet Jedidiah Matthew, I can't believe you are 1!

You sure have some spunk Mr. Man!

 

His first cupcake, he loved the chocolate chunk cupcake, not a fan of the Maple Whip Cream... you are missing out my friend... missing out!

Sweet Big Sister Emery borrowed the neighbors hat to celebrate his "Dr. Seuss" themed bash!

 The best shot of us 4... I love that, I love that I have a family of 4. 

I am thankful for that- good picture or not!

Beyond THANKFUL that we have ALL of our family to celebrate with us, not just Jed's birthday, but they celebrate life with us and they love us along the way. I am truly thankful for that. I feel blessed that we have friends in our lives who want to love on our kids, celebrate them and cheer them on to what they will become!

What a blessing to have so many people who WANT to share in the fun of loving my kids! They are always willing to travel and make time to invest in our lives! More to be thankful for!

 (my parents)

(Bubba's mom... we missed a picture of Papa Mike!)

I am thankful that I get the opportunity to get my craftiness out before I explode! HA!

  

And I am thankful for moments like these...

and faces like this...

Sweet boy, you melt my heart and always will.

Thank you Lord for my many blessings.

My boy....

I looked at my blog today for the first time in a long time--- 4th of July? seriously??? That was my last post... well, I am too far behind to catch up, so I just have to do a quick update... and tell you... I love having a boy. How can it be so crazy different to love, raise, nurture, cuddle, shepherd, and care for a boy?? I don't know- but it is. Both are so fun, both are so different, both are such a unique blessing to me. So, here's a few things I am learning about boys....

1. They look up to and love their big sisters to the millionth degree.

(He is enthralled with her!)

2. They are rough and tumble, that's for sure... he has to bang on everything!

3. They are fast, AND sneaky, and NOT good at hiding it. :)

4. They are BIG AND MESSY eaters... nothing dainty here!

5. They have a smile that could melt your heart and a twinkle in their eye that makes you nervous all at the same time!

6. They climb on EVERYTHING, bite the dust, and do it all over again!

7. They melt your heart like no one else can. 

Oh how I love my boy!!!

And just for a side note... this little lady- she is wonderful, one of a kind, as sweet as pie and the best big sister and helper a mama could ask for. I absolutely love spending my days with her. 

Couldn't get better than this!

A Fun 4th of July!!

This year was such a fun 4th of July, probably my favorite so far... we had a great time with fun friends, goofy kids, yummy food, and a great view of the Fireworks on the front lawn! Here's some of our fun moments, most of them are of the kids... go figure!

(L to R: Emery, Jedidiah, Ella, Milo, Calvin, Ollie, Brady, Cody, & Will)

All suited up for a swim!

Our make-shift water slide was a big hit this year!

There were little swimmers all over the pool!

Good food, good talk, good friends & family!

My sweet kids, love these little firecrackers!

Thanks to the fun dad's who brought all the fun fireworks!

Sparkler time!!!

And like always, popsicles and fireworks on our front lawn! We love the free Country Club show! ha ha ha!!!

Sweet memories, loved it!

Hope you all had a great day celebrating!

The Best Big Helper...

See for yourself... she's the best big helper I could ever ask for! Love you Lulu, and I love you Avocado Face! You guys make my job so much fun!

Little of This'n'That

I am feeling behind in my posts, and so here go a bigillion pictures all at once to summarize our last few weeks, months, adventures, and milestones!

We celebrated Easter at my parents house in Bass Lake, it was great to be there with family, enjoy the little ones having a blast with their Easter Egg Hunt, watching the adults go head to head in the adult Easter Egg hunt (my mom hides cash, so it's a little cut-throat!), we died Easter Eggs, spent some time praying for my sister (UPDATE & PRAISE: she had some swollen lympnodes in her neck all which came back benign- AND we PRAISE JESUS for those results and his MERCY!!) It was a great weekend for so many reasons!

At home we are just lovin' on these babies (and monkey- as always!!)

Do you think this baby is too big for the sink or what?? Can you say... "Lazy Mama that doesn't want to lean over the tub??" ha ha ha!

So BIG, starting to sit up all by himself!

And this one, we've had 2 major milestones this week: 1. Braids 2. Pink sparkle toe nail polish!

Sweet boy, you melt my heart even though you give me a run for my money some days!

My little guys....

Per Auntie Lisa's request... more pictures of the wee-ones...

Jed's first time on the "real swings!"

Two peas in a pod....

My snuggle-buggle... LOVE this about this boy!

Em's "new glasses", she's a hoot!

Mr. Giggle Pants... love him!

Smile Jedders!

My two Toe Heads :)

And the best for last...

Licking the chocolate off the spatula.... notice it in her hair too??