Happy Birthday, Mama

Today, we celebrated my moms birthday.  This day is so special to me because it means another year that I got to spend with my mom.  One of my very best friends doesn’t have her mama here with her anymore, so I definitely don’t take her for granted.  I am thankful for my mom, EVERY.DAY.    She is my best girlfriend.  She knows me so well.  I can tell her absolutely anything.  She loves me and my kids unconditionally.  I know that if I need her, she will be there.  She has sacrificed so much of her, for me. 



Knowing how much she loves me, and knowing a “mother’s love” myself, it’s hard to even fathom Gods love for me, us.  My mom gives me just a hint of what Gods love is like.  I am so thankful to God for allowing me to be her daughter.  My girls are SO lucky to have a Meme love them so much and want to be around them, NON STOP. 



I still NEED my mom, on so many levels.  When I am sick, I still cry and want my mom.  When I need girl advice, mommy advice, I call my mom.  When I need a shopping buddy, someone to keep the girls for a bit, get a recipe from, I call my mom.  When I need someone for a tag along to a baby shower, someone to cry with, laugh with and just BE with, I call my mom.  She is my best girlfriend.



I love our relationship and her SO much.  I admire her strength.  She has gone through A LOT in her life.  From loss (because of death), to loss (because of family dynamics), she has remained strong and always on my side.  She doesn’t let me down.



There are so many people who have lost their mom, don’t have a good relationship with their mom, don’t even know their mom, for that, I am SO grateful that God has allow me to have mine, and have a great relationship with.  Mom, I do not take you for granted.  I appreciate YOU.  I love you, so, so much.





So today, we celebrated her!  We went to eat dinner, then came back to the house, ate dessert and played games.  Followed by watching the ball drop.  It was a great time, spent with great people!



We love you mom!!  Here’s to MANY more!

More cuddles

We went out and had a delicious lunch, followed by lots of cuddles and snuggles with the girls!



I will NEVER take this for granted.



Thank you, thank you, Lord, for these precious gifts!

Girl date with my first born

After church this morning, we all came home and took naps!  Family naps are like a little slice of heaven to me!  After nap time, Mia and I went and had our nails and toes done together.





I am a HUGE fan of purposefully spending one-on-one time with each of my girls.  They both need my undivided attention and I think that is totally fair, because I need their undivided attention!  I love both of them in their own special way and feel like I need to nurture each of them.  I’m not one of those moms who think that if one child gets to go do something, then the other should have to tag along or do something as well.  They each get their very own special dates and one-on-one time with me and US as a family.



This is *one* of my favorite things about being a girl mom. 

I was BORN to be a girl mom.  Not that I wouldn’t LOVE to have a boy, but I think God knew I would do well with girls.  Ahem, that being said, come back and ask me when they are teenagers.  I will probably think God played a cruel joke on me at that time.  HAHA! 


After our date, we came back home to pick up Daddy and Finley so we could go get some groceries!

And this little lady?  I could eat with a spoon!


Lately, well, for a long time, actually, I have struggled with the thought of losing one of my girls.  I’m a worrier, everyone knows that, but I hold onto them so tight my knuckles are white.  I fear the worst, all.the.time.  I realize they are Gods children, given (or, loaned) to me, but I can’t bear the thought of losing one of them.  It’s so much that, they, are actually my idol, if you will.  I worship them, more than I worship the One who gave them to me.  I realize this is wrong and have had to pray HARD about this.  Tonight, I came across this verse, and it has helped me tons…

“Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.  Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children” Lam. 2:19

I am a work in progress.

Christmas celebration, part 4

This afternoon we had Dave’s family Christmas!

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More gift opening…






Thank you all SO much for the love and gifts for us and our kids!  We love you all :)

Nothing much, but lunch

Today we totally relaxed!  We hung out as a family and went out to get some lunch and take one thing back!  Dave got me a new camera bag, a remote for my camera and a NEW LENS!!!!  I was so impressed!  We did have to take the remote back, because he picked up the one for a Canon instead of Nikon, but other than that, HE DID GREAT!!  He is so supportive of this new learning venture for me!  Love that man so much.

Lunch at Tumbleweed!  A good eater gets a yummy dessert!
\My silly girl!


We came home and relaxed, Finley style…


HAHA!!  She get it from her daddy ;)

Merry Christmas!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!!!!!
Although we didn’t bake a cake this year, like we did last year, we still talked about Jesus’ birthday multiple times through this month and especially the days leading up to Christmas.  I’m sure I’ve told you that we don’t “do” Santa, but we aren’t Santa haters either.  There are numerous reasons for this, which I’m sure I shared last year or so, but long story short, we got up this morning to open the gifts from mommy and daddy, in order to show love in “giving” to celebrate Jesus’ birthday!





Mia opening her ONE gift that she kept repeatedly asking for!  A Doc McStuffins doll!





Finley and her new ride!


Her new princess Sofia gown that she had to put on immediately!


Daddy putting her amulet on her!  He is the best girl dad!!!!


About this time, Meme, Poppy and Ben arrived at the house!  They come over every Christmas morning to watch Mia (now the girls!) open their Christmas gifts and to give them their gifts from them!

I think it’s safe to say that the Cabbage Patch baby they got her was a hit!!




The princess castle they got for the girls!!






After all of the gifts were opened, the guys cooked breakfast while the girls talked and played!!  So.Much.Fun.  We all had breakfast together and the girls cleaned up!!  Love, love, love my family!!  I am beyond blessed!

After Meme and Poppy left, we had to get ready to go have Christmas with Dave’s parents!

Papaw opening the gift we gave them!  Of course, a picture of 2 of the girls (the baby and the dog!  HA!)


More gift opening!


Mia got a FurReal Monkey and LOVED it!




Aunt Terri and baby Jackson came over too!  She loves her shoes!!


Baby Jackson!


Our girls are so, so loved and I am so thankful to have family that love them so much!

Happy Birthday Jesus!  May we always remember the real Reason for the Season!

Christmas Eve! Celebration Part 2

Today my grandpa and his wife and my Uncle Nathan (who is just a few years older than me!) and his wife came into town and we all went and had our Hibachi/Sushi dinner!  This has become a tradition over the past few years and I LOVE IT!  We were just missing Damon and Angie!

That fake smile kills me!  She looks like she is in pain!  HA


Our best try at a family Christmas picture…


Y’all?  A family picture is HARD these days.  I get the fake smile from the first born, the baby is HIGHLY uninterested and Daddy usually has his eyes closed.  By the time we were done I was sweating!!  WHEW!

How sweet is that little booty??


Waiting for our food!  Finley enjoying a lemon :)


One of my besties and I!


Dinner is served! Not all of it pictured. Salmon sashimi, tuna tataki and a candy cane roll!




Grand Poppy, Ann and Mom


The guys!  My 3 very favorite men in the whole world in one picture!  Daddy, Ben and Hubby!  (Love you too, Nathan ;))


Emily, the girls and I!


My heart is SO full!