Maybe later....

we'll grow to love Santa!!

OBVIOUSLY Cale was NOT a fan.

Santa and Ella, however, were fast friends!

Sadly, our second attempt was not any better...he literally tried to leap out of his lap! We won't make him do it again. Maybe one day we can look back on this and laugh, but for now it looks like torture!!

Congratulations, John!

My little brother graduated from Auburn yesterday! So, we all headed to the plains for the ceremony. So much has changed since Matt and I were there, but it was so nice to be back..except for the fact that it was literally freezing!! I'm such a proud big sister, it was a very special day!!!

The proud moment. I don't know what it is, but when it comes to John I'm pretty sentimental. I cry at everything he does. When he was in middle and high school I cried at his wrestling matches, when I got married I balled like a baby when he read the poem he had written at the reception and I teared up here as well. I'm pretty sure I'll be a basket case when he gets married. But, everyone needs a hysterical, snotty bridesmaid, right??

I don't think it's ever been so cold in Auburn.

On our way home. The future of Auburn...I guess this is what graduation will do to you...

We're SUPER proud of you, John! War Eagle!!!!!

A few of my favorite things...

about Matt!!

December is always a big month for us. On the 4th Matt and I celebrated our 6th anniversary and on the 9th we celebrated his 33rd birthday! So, in honor of those occasions I thought I would list my 33 favorite things about my husband (in no particular order):

1. I love how he loves me. I love how he loves his kids...with his WHOLE heart!

2. I love how he leads and teaches us spiritually.

3. I love how after working all day he comes home and helps with dinner or plays with the kids instead of plopping down on the couch and assuming I'll do it all.

4. I love how he doesn't complain when he has to stop by the store or pharmacy on his way home from work.

5. I love to watch him play with his kids and even more so I love seeing him love and kiss on them.

6. I love how when he gets up in the morning the hair on the right side of his head sticks straight out (only on that side, always that side.) I love even more that he passed that onto his son.

7. I love how he "sniffs" on me. Yes, smells me like a dog!

8. I love his work ethic.

9. His loyalty and dedication.

10. I love that he thinks and draws like an artist, but looks like an athlete.

11. He has great hair.

12. He lets me shop for and pick out his clothes...and likes that I do it. I like that he likes clothes, but won't admit it:)

13. He calls me every morning to see how I'm feeling.

14. He kisses me first thing when he walks through the door in the afternoon. When we first got married he said he would always do that...he still does!

15. I love how he loves the Lord. He prays first thing every morning, in the shower, so he won't fall asleep while doing it.

16. When he gets dressed he always says one of three things: "Does this look ok?" OR "Should I tuck in my shirt?" OR "Does this need to be ironed?" The answer is ALWAYS yes, to all.

17. I love when he prays he says "Lord" about every 3rd word.

18. I love when he laughs at me, I love when he laughs period.

19. He has a great smile. But, he has a hard time smiling in pictures because "it feels awkward and forced," so sometimes I have to grab his fanny to get him to do so. Is that too much information??

2o. I love that he loves cupcakes without icing, Ella only eats the icing. He doesn't like noodles, who doesn't like noodles? I think that's funny.

21. I love that before we got married he said he wasn't big into football!!! I love that I believed him:)

22. I love that after every time he goes hunting he says it's the last time....it never is!

23. I love how he always forgets to take his hat off when we're going to church and right before we walk in the door he panics and gives it to me to put in the diaper bag. What are we gonna do when I don't have to carry a diaper bag anymore??

24. He's thoughtful and unselfish.

25. He's sensitive...you would never guess it.

26. He won't let me go to bed mad...sometimes this irritates me though I know it's for the best!

27. He's good with money. This is good, since I'm not. Well, I'm good at spending it!

28. He loves outside, so do both his kids.

29. He actively tries to say things in a way that aren't hurtful or offensive, sometimes he fails, but he always tries!

30. He can read my face like a book.

31. He can have a conversation with me and sometimes I don't have to participate at all.

32. He's affectionate and not afraid or embarrassed about it.

33. He says, "I love you" all the time. To me and the kids. He is a shining example of what a Godly father should be!

I love you, Matt. Thank you for 6 wonderful years and 2 precious children. And, Happy Birthday to our daddy!!

Thanksgiving program

Today was Ella's Thanksgiving program at her school. She's been excited (and singing) about it for weeks...so have I. I would tell you that I cried as she came in, but that would be redundant. I'd also tell you I cried as she walked out, but that would be pathetic...so, I guess I'm pathetic!! Anyway, it was precious and my baby girl is growing up so quickly. Here are some pictures of my pretty pilgrim...

Daddy and Cale watching Ella sing...He was so excited when he saw her, you can see him pointing!

My pretty pilgrim!Ella and Honey

Welcome to the ER...

Well, one little girl, one little boy, 4 years and 15 months into parenthood and we made our first visit to the children's ER. For me, this is the part of parenting I was NOT cut out for! Many parents say, and I have to agree when things like this happen to our young children it is often harder on us than the child. Though it feels selfish to say there is truth there. Last night we were getting ready to go to our small group at church. I was preparing the food, Matt was loading the car. Lately, Cale has become a climber. So, in true Cale fashion he had climbed on the bar stool and onto the counter top. All of a sudden I heard a loud thud and Ella screaming, "Momma, Cale!!!" I ran over to him and he was sitting on the floor crying. She was freaking out saying, "there's blood, there's blood!" I was looking all over and in his mouth. "There is no blood," I told her. I looked at my arm and it was covered. Matt walked in and that's when we found the problem. He had cut the back of his head and Ella was right, THERE. WAS. BLOOD...to say the least.

So, off we went to Children's. He was fine and acting completely normal, thank you Jesus! When we FINALLY got called back to see the doctor she confirmed that he would need a stitch, maybe two...it took three. This was one of the worst experiences of my life. They had to wrap him in a sheet and strap him to a papoose board to hold him down. He is strong as an ox so this was the only option. He SCREAMED and cried. The boy does not like to be confined. I laid beside him the whole time wiping his eyes and nose, assuring him it was ok. My heart broke a little more everytime he looked at me as if he was wondering why I wouldn't save him. Once she started sewing, he had fallen asleep. He sure is a tough little man, what a trooper. The above picture was pre-stitching...he was jumping on the bed! He makes me SOOOOO nervous!

He's fine today, though he didn't learn a thing. First thing this morning he was trying to get back up on the stool...BOYS, no fear!! I think the stools may quite possibly make a move down stairs until he's old enough to know to stay off of them.

He laid on my chest as he went to sleep last night and rubbed my arm. I cried. And cried. I guess they were the tears I couldn't cry while he was strapped down and tears of the thankfulness that I felt that it wasn't worse than it was. I'm now contemplating letting him walk around in a helmet, knee and elbow pads. I think that might be a bit much, but I would feel better!

"Beauty Shop Massacre"

SO....Ella got some PRETEND beauty supplies for her birthday. You know hair dryer, scissors, curling iron, clips, brushes, etc. She's been "doing" hair long before she received these gifts. The other day she came in the room and said, "Mama, I cut Cale's hair." To which I replied, "ok." And went about my business. Fast forward a couple minutes later she comes in again, "Mama, I cut my hair." Again, "ok." Now, for the past couple weeks, even months this was just normal play. I didn't realize she wasn't pretending until she walked into the kitchen holding a HANDFUL. OF. CURLS!!! I quickly did the once over on both her and Cale...it wasn't pretty.

Cale's butchering...

You can see where it is over his ear on the right and how it sticks out over his ear on the left. Nice. You probably can't miss the gap in the middle and I couldn't get him still long enough to capture the sheer genius of the back, but she cut a nice chunk out of it as well...you can imagine!

Ella's creation on herself...

NO, it isn't tucked behind her shirt. The difference in length between the right and left was the ACTUAL difference in length. And, though I don't know how she did it, she also managed to get some of the back as well.

So, the next day we made a trip to the salon so that sweet Tonya could fix us...

VOILLA!!

Ella's is chin-length in the front, you can't really tell here cause it's pulled back. Shorter than I would have liked, but we had to get even!

My handsome boy...I was NOT ready for such a grown-up look!

I told her after the "dust had settled" that she knew better and that she was only supposed to use her scissors on her paper...ONLY ON PAPER. To which she replied, " I know mama, but I couldn't find any paper so I used Cale's hair."

"Forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34

HaPpY HaLLoWeEn!

Minnie and Mickey Mouse...

DIVA!!!!

Eating cotton candy with daddy, for the first time!Ella, Cale, Taylor, Riley and Dylan

Ella's 4th Birthday!

Yesterday was Ella's birthday! It was a good day and we had lots of fun. She woke up that morning and the first words out of her mouth were, "Am I four?" To which I replied, "Yes! You are." I sang Happy Birthday to her and Cale clapped. Then she wanted to know if she was still in the Lions class (the name of the class she is in at school.) I told her she was and could see the relief in her face. She then asked me if she looked bigger and I suppose I shouldn't have lied here, but I had no idea she was going to try on the things that were too big that she has been itching to wear and then come in the room disappointed and upset that "they're still too big!!" Oh, well, guess she called my bluff. It doesn't happen overnight baby, these things take time. When daddy got home from work she opened some presents...

Got ready to go to dinner at "The grape store", which to anyone else would be known as The Olive Garden, her favorite restaurant...

And, after dinner went to Build-A-Bear for the first time. She got to pick exactly what she wanted and dress it herself...we are now the proud owners of the most expensive and TACKY bear that you have ever seen! But, she loves it and the smile on her face was worth it all.

She named her "Bella", ironically it means "beauty." She had originally picked the leopard-print hello kitty pajamas, they were also nice. We talked her into these and sealed the deal with the bunny slippers.

My mom used to tell me the story of how I was born every year on my birthday and she would cry...I thought she was crazy. So, yesterday I tried telling the Ella the story of how she was born and yes, teared up as well. She looked at me like I was crazy...the tradition lives on!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Ella bear! We love you so much!! You are so much fun and sheer joy to watch grow. I'm so thankful to spend my days with you!

Seems like yesterday...

This little priss pot was born! Tomorrow she will be FOUR!!

"Ella In Wonderland"

We had Ella's 4th birthday party on Saturday at our house. She wanted to have an "Alice in Wonderland" tea party, so that's what we did. I think she had a great time and it turned out to be a great party! Thank you to all of our wonderful family and sweet friends that could make it...we enjoyed hanging out with you!!

"Alice and the Queen of Hearts"Matt was amazing, as usual. He did all the art work for the party and the invitations. He worked so hard to really make her party authentic!

Table decor

The cupcakes...YUM!

Diaunt as the Chesire cat!

The "Matt" Hatter, ha ha!

The white rabbit was, in fact, late. But, he did show up about halfway through!

Our family

Tea Time!

My "little" brother and his girlfriend, Jesse...they missed the Auburn/LSU game for the big event!

Opening gifts, this was her favorite part, for sure!

She got her 1st bike...thanks MeMe and PaPa!

Ella and Riley...she adores her.

I love you, baby girl! You're growing up so quickly and I'm so thankful to be your mommy!!