A Note From Mom: Five Years.

It's been awhile since we've written... and we're sorry. Life has just been happening and that's that.

But today... my baby turns five. 

The baby who made me a mom. The baby who changed me. The baby who laughs just like me.

It's unbelievable.

She's a human being... and she keeps growing and learning and figuring life out. And it's sad and wonderful and mind boggling to me.

She wants to pour water into her cup and milk into her cereal bowl... by herself. She claims she's a big kid. How is that possible because we just came home from the hospital the other day???

And her brain amazes me. She soaks things in and spits them back out likes it nothing. She recognizes things from seeing them one time. She listens intently to all her favorite songs memorizing the words and then just sings them to herself as she sits and build towers with her blocks.

She exercises her freedom to have an opinion quite often. She likes to dance and has some really great moves. She can be the naughtiest thing you've ever seen and two seconds later be the sweetest thing you've ever met.

Lucy Jo... my little Love... you are such a beautiful creation and I pray that you always know that. I'm going to let you dream big, and pray that you follow closely to the One who gives you those dreams. I'm going to let you be a big kid, but I'm always here to hold your hand and give you a hug when life may get a bit to big for you. I love you so much, my little Lucy, I just want to squeeze you 'til your head pops off!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

This is such a sweet shot because Lucy really wanted her own umbrella and Elly really wanted to be the one that gave it to her.

A Note From Mom: Bad Guys

Last Friday, our house was broken into while the kids and I were out. A lot of things were taken, but we were protected. In the last several days, Lucy hasn't been fearful at all of the "bad guy" that came into our house, but I can tell she's trying very hard to wrap her mind around this. This has been my favorite conversation about it so far:

Lucy: "Mommy, I think that bad guy that came into our house thought our house was a garage sale and that's why he took our stuff."
Me: "You know what, I bet you're right, Lucy... he probably did think our house was a garage sale."
Lucy: "HAHAHA Yeah, Mommy... that's silly. What a silly bad guy."

She's definitely helped me work through some of my feelings about the whole thing.

PS
Our computer and camera were both stolen, so no pictures for awhile. :( But don't worry, we'll be back with a bang soon enough!!

Elly Belly's BIRTHDAY!!!

If she heard me say this, she would say, "I NOT E-ee Beh-ee!"... hehehe, good thing she can't read!

Elly turned three and celebrated with style having a birthday party over the weekend, a birthday lunch date with Mommy, a surprise birthday party from Great Grandma, and lots of fun in between!

I love you, little Sister... so, SO much. Thank you for always pretending to be a lion, a prince, Taddy (the boy) when I'm Angelina (the girl); thanking you for letting me babysit your babies when you have to go to the store or on a train ride; and thanks for always being SO forgiving when I'm having a rough day. You are my BEST friend in the whole world!!

A Note From Mom: Elly is three.

Oh, my little Elly Belly... how can this even be??
I look at you sometimes and see a little woman;
then you flash that mischievous grin and dump something out or knock something over just because, and I'm reminded that you are indeed a little one.
My little one.
My little one who knows more about and exercises generosity on a daily basis than any adult I know;
your heart is so empathetic... my empathetic heart feels joy and pain for you as I ponder the many joys and pains you'll share with others through the years;
you are so forgiving and so kind.

Your lovely little heart shines through your sparkly blue eyes,
and those dimples and that giggle make me smile so big I want to cry.
I needed you, little one... so much.

My heart, soul, and mind get more exercise because of you {and your siblings!} and I'm so thankful for it.
I could do without the 25 heart attacks I have each day because of your dangerous ways...
but you're cute, so I'll push through.

I love you, little Elly, with a love so deep it's hard to put into words...
Happy Birthday.

All day, every day... Mommy's ALWAYS taking pictures.

Just a little Friday night photo session with Mommy... no biggie around here. We're celebrating little sis' birthday tomorrow and little brother is a walking mad man. There's a lot going on around here, people.