Happy Spring Happy Birthday

Every year, while the world celebrates the 1st day of spring, my family & I have the privilege of celebrating my Daddy's birthday. What an awesome day to have a baby :) My grandma was a lucky lady :) 

Photo credit: http://inhisgracephotography.com

I shared this photo because for me, it was such a proud moment as a daughter. If you don't know what this is, it is my Daddy passing the family "mantle" so to speak on to my new husband. To have my father place such value on my life and well-being spoke volumes to me & my new husband. He set the standard for how a Daddy should look at his daughter and care for his children. It meant the world to me that he would take the time during my wedding ceremony to make a public proclamation that he was passing his daughter to this young man. THAT is what every daughter needs. To know that her daddy loves her so much, that he cares so much that he would do anything and everything to protect & love her. That not just any man will do but that when it is the right one, he will love him, respect him and honor him. 

I love my Daddy and today I have spent many moments reflecting on how grateful I am to have been given such a wonderful man to set the standard. Today, I say, Happy Birthday & thank you, God for giving my dad breath.

Love you, Daddy!

xoxoxoxo

Be Green or Don't be Seen :)

Spent a fun day with friends & family (although they're one in the same with these great people). We rode through town on a float in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade :)

Favorite quote of the even:
"Mommy, I'm so happy to be on a float!"
oh and...
"I had fun but I thought we were going to be playing drums & cymbals & stuff."
-MalakaiCain

Leaving you today with an Irish Prayer...

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow...
For every tear, a smile...
For every care, a promise...
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share.
For every sigh, a sweet song, 
And an answer for each prayer.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!! 

On this day...

On this day... four years ago, I was holding the sweet boy that made me a mama. All 8lbs 16oz (yes, that is what his birth certificate says), 21.5 inches of little baby boy! How in the world do I now have a preschooler???

When a child enters the world and is handed to you, time seems to stop for a moment and then all of a sudden it starts back up at lightening speed. I remember thinking of the future and it looking so far away. By now, we've surpassed quite a few milestones which came and went all too quickly. Today, I look at this once baby and he's suddenly a boy. Not a baby but not yet grown. Independent but still needing his mama's reassurance. He pours his own milk, picks out his clothes (when he feels like it), goes potty, works the Kindle, eats with a fork, makes pb&j, writes m's, draws smily faces and speaks like a 10 year old :) He's Dennis the Menace but sweet & cuddly. He likes power rangers and super heros and dirt and trucks. His favorite heros are real though... like firemen, policemen & Daddy. He fights and yells and throws temper tantrums. He wiggles his way into our bed and always asks for extra hugs. His sisters are his friends. He has awesome hair. His smile is contagious and his sarcasm is inherited. He starts t-ball next week. And best (or worst) of all, he's growing up right before my eyes. 

I love him more than I knew I could love.

Before I leave you all with a slideshow of photos from his very first birth day, allow me to share a funny story about it... 

Malakai walked over while I was making some tweaks to the slideshow and asked me why the music was so sad (it was just a quiet instrumental). I tried to tell him it wasn't sad- he wasn't convinced. Then he asked why he was so bloody and why he was crying... I tried to explain that is just what babies look like when they are born- apparently, he was not only NOT convinced but extremely scarred- he burst into tears and I had to call Michael to have him talk Malakai down. It was pitiful hysterical! SO... without further ado, I give you Malakai's Birth Day slideshow (with a not so "sad" song)... 

(Photography by, "Grauntie Laura" (aka- Laura Olson, In His Grace Photography)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MALAKAI CAIN!

Friday Favorite Things: Not feelin' it

Friday Favorite Things

BECAUSE

when I'm not feeling it...

why not?

Friends. I'm especially thankful for friends this week. Those times when they show up at just the right time and don't even realize how much you needed them to. And they say just the right things. 

Bed time. My children's bedtime in particular. Absolutely keeps me sane. 

My husband. He's always a favorite. But I'm especially thankful for his willingness to serve our family & his country and sacrifice so much for them both. 

Social networking. Because even when your phone falls into the porcelain throne, you still have communication with the outside world. And have friends offering to replace said phone if needed. 

Deep breaths. Because sometimes, you just need to take a deep breath and realize that even nights like this are only part of a season. A season that will all too soon pass. Also, realize that it could be worse. And really, it isn't all that bad. 

So, if you're sitting there wishing for a glass of wine because you just.aren't.feeling.it., take a deep breath and think about all the good things. Sometimes they're tiny and try to hide but if you take a moment & look around, you're sure to find them. 

Wordless-ish Wednesday: A boy & his snow

Since the beginning of December, Malakai has been asking, praying, begging for snow to cover Maryland. Actually, who am I kidding? He only cared if it would snow in our yard. You can imagine his disappointment when I told him that Aunt Dorothy wouldn't make it for Christmas Eve because it was snowing where she lives... "Why isn't it snowing here, Mommy? It needs to snow at my house!"

So of course when the clouds finally left a white blanket in our front yard, we bundled up for the bitter cold and ventured outside for some icy fun!  

Is his hat not the most adorable thing? (Thanks, Aunt B!)

Love that cold little face- runny nose & all! :) I'm really wishing I had nailed this focal point... those snowflakes on his eyelashes- adorable!

Truly a beautiful day even though our fingers were becoming icicles!

Loving this shot- except that I cut the trees off but the color in the pond was so pretty.

This was Malakai being "excited" haha

I really love this boy. 

I had to bribe him to even come over for this photo and then there was snow on my lens so he looks like he's glowing, lol. I will share more photos my little snow angel girls another day :)

So Malakai spent most of the winter praying for snow. This was the only time it snowed enough to play in it and now that it is March, Mother Nature is looking to unload a nor'easter on us tomorrow.... lovely. just lovely.

May You Live a Long Life

Of course I missed day 2 of my nablopomo. of course. Now ask me if I care... :)

So today is my Daddum's birthday!!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDUMS!!!

We'll be heading to his house in a bit when the girls wake up. Glad to be close enough to celebrate with him in person :) 

Proud Papa w/ his son & oldest Great Grandson

Daddums with 2 of his namesakes :)

Daddums with the sweetest little Great Granddaughters

At Daddums house for Christmas this year :)

I'll leave you with a little Irish Birthday Blessing:

May you live a long life

Full of gladness and health

With a pocket full of gold

As the least of your wealth

May the dreams you hold dearest

Be those which come true

May the kindness you spread,

Keep returning to you.

Love you so very much, Daddums!!!

Hope your day is wonderful and blessed!

March: It's Gonna Be Good

First off- I feel the need to point out that my little baby will be 4- FOUR years old in 11 days!!! How does this happen?! I also feel the need to mention that my eldest sister will be thirty. And my dad & daddums will be ... some other #'s... we quit counting. #notreally  Anyway- this is a big birthday month... so I'm dedicating this month of blogging to them. nabloplomo for the birthday people <3 (If you don't know what that is you can find out here) Expect a little bit of whatever I decide to write about including a lot about Malakai and some stuff about the special people I mentioned and everything in between :) 

my belly 4 years ago

literally about to pop!

Completely unrelated to birthdays but a significant happening in March- I was working out this morning & got my very first double under!!! And actually, I got two :) Most of you probably won't find that very impressive & maybe you don't even know what a "double under" is and that's okay :) I'm proud of this moment and the fitness progress I've made in the past few months. Remember this is the girl that was never athletic and avoided anything requiring strength and physical endurance at all cost, haha. So, it was a good moment and then when I was finished- I drove home in daylight- HEELLOOOO, SPRING IS COMING!

TWO for TWO!

Today was a good day :) Two years ago, I gave birth to 2 of the sweetest girls ever. Beautiful, healthy & whole. My life was changing in ways I couldn't have imagined and I truly felt like I had just received a double blessing from heaven. 

Today, those blessings feel like way more than double. 

--------------------

Ava & Lillian, you bring so much joy to my life. Your laughter and conversations light up my days. At no point in my life is this what I imagined as my future but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Just yesterday & today, I have noticed changes in you. What a joy it is to see your brain begin to put new concepts together. For instance, yesterday, you, Ava, introduced yourself to a complete stranger. "Hi! I Ava. I Ava! Hi!" Until finally, the stranger sheepishly answered you, "Hi, Ava." (I think he was afraid of seeming like a creeper or something) Ever since that point, you've been connecting everyone's name. Tonight you knew Daddy & Mommy's "other" names (Michael & Sarah). And right in stride, Lilly, you were right behind your sister. "I Lillian." It is sweet and fun and clear that you are your Daddy's daughters.

I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know your little personalities. I am NOT however enjoying all the temper tantrums and attitude but it's all part of growing up so I still love you just as much! :) 

Ava, you are Miss Bossy-pants. You think you are everyone's mama and will direct and demand anyone that is in your path. You are fierce but sweet. You make me laugh.

Lilly, you are my little monkey- climbing everything in sight! The gate doesn't trap you (or your siblings). You have a sweet spirit and a tender heart. In the past couple of weeks, when someone apologizes your (unprompted) answer is, "give you". (I forgive you.) Sweetest words I've ever heard from a 2yr old. Some of us big people could learn a lesson or two from you.

Some favorite moments I want to remember of your short life so far have to be you both singing your hearts out to 'Jesus Loves Me" & "Oh My Soul" & and any other worship song that comes to your minds. It is not uncommon to walk up to your bedroom door and hear you both but especially Ava singing at the top of your lungs. And a really sweet thing was to be walking through Wal-Mart (same trip as when you were telling a strange man your name), and pushing a cart full of kids singing "Jesus Loves Me." So precious. You blessed me.

All this to say, I am so proud of the girls you are becoming and I look forward to what the future holds. I trust that the Lord has great purpose for your lives. I pray that you have a desire to know Jesus and come to understand all the love and grace He has for you. Daily, I ask the Lord to help me as I help guide you. 

I love you, Ava.

I love you, Lilly.

My life is better with you both in it.

Happy Birthday, pretty girls.

Love,

Mama 

Photo Credit: In His Grace Photography

Let Freedom Ring

I just want to take the time to say Thank You to the service members past & present. To say Thank You to the men & women that have volunteered to leave behind their friends & families to help protect & serve this great country. Thank You to the men & women that help secure my freedom. Men & women that are willing to face things I couldn't dream up- Thank You. 

Thank you to all those families that were left behind. Be confident in this, you served too. You give them a reason to serve and a reason to come home. You are there to support, love and walk with these soldiers when they return scarred and broken. So without a doubt, Thank You, too.

Daddy

Robert

Charlie

Shannon

Daniel

Justin

Robby
Joe

Jonathan

Brandon

Mark

Christina

Joe

Josh

Ian
Eric

Charles

Michael

+the countless others that I can't think of or never met...

THANK YOU  for your humble service.

The Quiet

Quiet.

It means something different to those of us with mobile children. You know what I'm talking about. You're just in the other room attempting to (quickly) accomplish something besides chasing children- all the while, they are running amuck, little screams & laughter filling air. And then. The air becomes still and you start to almost relax as your ears are being given a small reprieve from the constant noise when your brain snaps back and you realize what you're hearing is:

The Quiet.

This quiet is (usually) never good. It is always just a little too quiet. It usually involves artistic walls, removed diapers, torn books, toilet paper strewn all over or maybe even your toilet filled with half a pack of wipes.

And you never wished more for noise than right then.

Five minute Friday.... brought to you on Saturday (as always around here). I'm not sure if I managed to do a single post on a friday last month and have failed so far this month as well. pish posh... it is what it is. We were having good times with good people so I feel no guilt or shame :) And if you need a fun writing exercise in your life, clink on the link and get hooked up! 

Embrace the camera

''

Reading a crocodile book while pausing to watch a performance on The Voice tonight. He was singing along to a song I'm pretty certain he's never heard before. 

Love these moments.

Wordless{ish} Wednesday

On this cold and rainy day, we lounged around the house a whole bunch :)

Seriously, there were some sweet moments going on around here today :) And I managed to have dinner ready and the house picked up before community group tonight :) 

Good times.

Potty Time v.3

Whew! So glad yesterday is over and today is a new day! 

Decided today can be potty update day :)

Ava

Ava will sit on the potty all day if you let. I try to get her down and it's always, "potty again, Mommy! potty again!" I'm like, how many times can you pee in 3 mins????? 

Lilly

Lilly has her own way of getting on the potty. Not sure if these would be deemed inappropriate but I think some of them are  hilarious. She actually likes to sit on the potty backwards- silly girl.

Overall, the girls are pretty much in the same place they were in my last update. Not much has changed but I have lacked the necessary motivation to get it done. I'd like to organize a couple of days to get Malakai out of the house & spend the whole time concentrated on potty time. May try to borrow a little potty from someone so we can have 2 peeing at one time- plus they wouldn't have to climb to go.

The girls are definitely ready, it is just a matter of effort to finish it up. I am really looking forward to no.more.diapers. Anyone with advice, feel free to chime in.

**Oh and just for the record, I'm listening to Presidential election coverage in the background and it is making me sick so I won't be losing any sleep over this... time.for.bed. And yes, I did vote.** #sogladitsalmostover