Photo A Day...January 2015

Towards the end of 2014 I said I didn't think I would do the "photo a day" again this year. However, when it came time, I had to do it again. I love having a way to look back. 2014 was a hard year. Davis spent way too much time in the hospital. We almost lost him more than a few times, but every day I was forced to look for the good. Some days, there wasn't much good, but I have those pictures to remind me of God's faithfulness and grace. I have pictures of other things going on during that time. I have pictures of both of my children smiling when they should have been crying. Pictures of me and my sweet husband smiling when we should have been crying. (Don't get me wrong. There were lots of tears! But again, our God is faithful!) So, we weren't at all sad to see 2014 come to an end! We are hopeful that 2015 is a significantly better year!! We have big plans and my "photo a day" will be there to remind me of the day-to-day this year too!

Day 1: A New Year's puppet performance.

Day 2: A long overdue lunch with this sweet friend.

Day 3: A Cinderella Party for our tiny birthday princess!

Day 4: Davis named this dinosaur Oscar. He is one of Davis' favorite Christmas presents. Sometimes, he is terrified of the thing! :-)

Day 5: The break was great, but back to work I go!

Day 6: They went back to school today! But not before Anna busted her lip open on the kitchen floor this morning.

Day 7: "...now death where is your sting? Our resurrected King has rendered your defeated!" (Forever by Kari Jobe) After a rough start to our morning, hearing my babies sing this song on the way to school COMPLETELY made my day!

Day 8: I spent some time at the salon tonight. When she was finished with my hair, my hairdresser topped me off with a crown. Too bad my "real" hairdresser doesn't do that!

Day 9: Pulled up to the restaurant and it was snowing! They HAD to catch some. Too bad it only lasted about 5 minutes.

Day 10: I went back to the salon this morning. This time, for a nail appointment. My nail tech needs a little more practice. :-)

Day 11: Helping the Cowboys today! (Too bad it didn't work!)

Day 12: Daddy's turn at the salon tonight!

Day 13: An afternoon pick-me-up turned into a new fav at Sonic! That is a chicken strip and BBQ sauce in a mini hot dog bun! (There were pickles too. Of course I ate them first!)

Day 14: My job certainly takes a mental and emotional toll, but coming home to these 2 (and their daddy) makes it all better! So tonight, I continue to pray for the kids I work with, and love on the two I have the privilege of raising. Tomorrow? I'll get up and do it all over again...and I wouldn't want to be doing anything else!

Day 15: All good mama's put their babies in carseats. Too bad one (two) had to wait alone in the car for the rest of us to get out of school. ;-)

Day 16: World traveling!

Day 17: Got Davis signed up for t-ball this morning, and spent the evening at a birthday party. Thankful for sweet friends who have balloon-free parities so we can attend!

Day 18: I went to the grocery store after church, and came home to this. Love my boys!

Day 19: Anna played with ALL of her toys today. (And, yes! She's 3 and still sleeping in her crib. She sleeps REALLY good. I don't mess with a good thing!)

Day 20: My tiny helper.

Day 21: From one of the kids I work with. A reminder of why I do what I do...and that I'm not done yet! ;-)

Day 22: Saving the world!

Day 23: "Hey, Mom! Take a picture of me and my baby sitting criss-cross applesauce!"

Day 24: Watching Valentine's movies. Saturday secret...none of us got dressed today!

Day 25: Babe's. We don't get to come here often enough anymore.

Day 26: When we bought these things for them for Christmas, we had no idea how much they would love them!

Day 27: Open house at Couts. They were so excited to show us around and talk about the things they do all day!

Day 28: Snack in his rocket ship. While defending it with nunchucks. Space Ninja!

Day 29: He said "I'm Johnny Cash." Then put on a pretty great show! He sang Christmas carols...even though he knows actual Johnny Cash songs.

Day 30: "Pancakes with Parents" for our almost kindergartener this morning!

Day 31: Spina Bifida mom's night out! So thankful for time with other mom's who "get it."

Tiny Princess

For months before her birthday, Anna said she was going to have a Cinderella party. Thankfully, that isn't really a difficult "theme." After we had purchased all of the party stuff, my Memaw asked her what kind of party she was going to have. She said Minnie Mouse. Awesome, Anna. BUT...she quickly changed back to Cinderella. Phew! She was SOOOOOO excited about her party!

The life-size Cinderella balloon certainly added to the excitement!

This is the first party...for either of my kids...to have "store-bought cake." Typically, I make the cake, and my sweet neighbor takes care of the frosting. And y'all...there is FREEDOM in picking the stuff up at the bakery, ready to go! Sorry kids, there will likely be no more homemade cake. Add it to the list of things to discuss with the therapist someday. :)

Aunt Vasha and Uncle Erick win the traveling award...from Denver. She was so happy they were there!

He had one of her new toys. That smile faded quickly, but he was giggling like crazy. If a big brother's job is to terrorize little sisters, he WINS! Haha! But he loves her like crazy!

My little family. Half of us were too busy thinking about cake to smile.

Sweet girl was thrilled to finally have her own bike!

Ooops! One more...someone had this one on their phone...with FOUR smiles.

We are so thankful for the friends and family who were able to make it to the party. My children are certainly loved! I still can't believe she's 3. She wishes she was older; she's certain she's ready for kindergarten. She is so smart, so "persistent," sweet, strong, patient with other kids, and helpful. She is also wise beyond her years, and beautiful. Those big blue eyes are going to get us all into trouble in a few years. I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again, but she is the PERFECT bookend for our family, and we couldn't possibly love her more!! Happy Birthday, Tiny Princess!

Photo A Day...December 2014

Day 335...Five years ago today we sat in a cold doctor's office and listened as she told us our unborn baby boy had mylomeningocele spina bifida. She said he would be "incompatible with life" and we should "terminate and try again. His life may not be easy, but we are so thankful that our God is bigger than any diagnosis! December 1, 2009 we were devastated. December 1, 2014 we CELEBRATE!

Day 336...Like her Mama, she loves ALL things Christmas!

Day 337...Through the eyes of a child.

Day 338...She said "It's gonna be so beautiful when they turn on the lights!"

Day 339...I love that they love their school so much. They RUN from the door to their classrooms every day. Every. Single. Day. So thankful for the people who love on my kids when I can't be there!

Day 340..."Christmas On The Square" with my people today. Love our little town and its traditions.

Day 341...Lazy Sunday afternoon watching Christmas cartoons in our bed.

Day 342...Sweet boy.

Day 343...Happy Tuesday!

Day 344...On our way to a Christmas party at the golf course (with no kids!). Someone sure was excited to have her picture taken. ;-)

Day 345...Hot chocolate always tastes better out of a snowman mug.

Day 346...A 7am dance party because today is FRIDAY!!

Day 347...These little elves knew EXACTLY what they wanted to get Daddy for his birthday and Christmas.

Day 348...We made a birthday cake for Daddy tonight. There are so excited to celebrate tomorrow!

Day 349...Happy Birthday to Daddy! We love you, and hope you had a great day!

Day 350...Christmas program for this little angel today. She was so excited! (And she did GREAT!)

Day 351...Christmas program for this sweet boy today! He did GREAT! Pictures from the performance didn't turn out. Thankful to have a few on the actual camera.

Day 352...Some of the ornaments on the tree "sing." When our kids hear music, it ALWAYS means DANCE! And sometimes they sing along...as was the case today.

Day 353...They remembered Nana and Grandpa's Christmas train from previous years, and couldn't have been more excited to see it again this year.

Day 354...Christmas with cousins.

Day 355...We tried to get a pre-church picture. This was the best one. :-/

Day 356...ICE!

Day 357...A first! Regularly scheduled dentist appointment...the first time he's ever allowed them to do x-rays. Phew!

Day 358...Christmas Eve! Our day started at the doctor's office. Davis has the flu. For the SEVENTH time. Thankful for Tamiflu and Tylenol! Praying he feels like celebrating our Savior's birth tomorrow!

Day 359...Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Day 360...We put it all back in the attic today.

Day 361...A Christmas celebration with my 4 favorite kids!

Day 362...Sweet boy let little sister have a turn today.

Day 363...This little piece of preciousness is 3 today! THREE! Oh what JOY she brings!

Day 364...Today at the Galleria we took them to see "the biggest, hugest Christmas tree ever with people skating around the bottom!"

Day 365...We made it! A photo a day for 365 days. Bring it on, 2015!

What a year it has been! 2014 was NOT an easy year for our little family. There were many highs, and many lows. So very low. We found strength we never knew was possible. We learned to rely on God in a whole new way. We learned to find joy in every day; in every situation. And we did it all together. We are praying 2015 sees more highs than lows; more laughter than tears; and continuing to find joy in all things!