And We Walk by Faith

Sunday, October 31, 2010

HaPpY HaLLoWeEn!

Minnie and Mickey Mouse...

DIVA!!!!

Eating cotton candy with daddy, for the first time!

Ella, Cale, Taylor, Riley and Dylan

Saturday, October 30, 2010

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!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Seems like yesterday...

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

Sunday, October 24, 2010

"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!!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Hey baby! It's cold outside...

They're growing SO quickly!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

My big girl

Today was Ella's first day of Mother's Day Out! She was all over me this morning about leaving

because she "didn't want to be late!" She did NOT get her punctuality from me, though I wouldn't have made her late by any means. We had to leave 40 minutes early for a (maybe) 10 minute drive because she was so adamant...the persistance she may get from me:) When we got there we couldn't go in (because we were SO early) but, you can't argue with a 3-year-old. Her teacher had a parent-child scavenger hunt in the classroom and after we found all the objects it was time for the parents to leave. I had to ask her for a kiss and as I watched her all the way to the door, she didn't even turn around. I did manage to make it into the car before I started crying, but better me than her. When I picked her up she was unusually quiet. She was EXHAUSTED! She was, however, excited that she gets to go back on Thursday. When we got home she went directly to her bedroom, put on her jammies and laid on the kitchen floor while I fed Cale. After that, they slept for the afternoon and by "they" I mean "we"! Though I didn't sleep as much as just lay there and hold her. Nothing seemed more important to me in that moment than just being with her and him...they are growing so quickly. I won't pretend to be "big" here. I had been crying for two days leading up to this moment.

Though I was excited and I knew that she was as well it was hard to think of her not being here, for even part of the day. For 3 1/2 years she hasn't really left my side. She's more than a daughter, she's my friend. We talk and hang out, she helps me, sits with me. We've spent pretty much every second together...this was a milestone I wasn't sure I was ready to handle. However, she was ready for it and I do need some one-on-one time with Cale. He was super sweet while she was at school and we cuddled and loved until he fell asleep on me. Then, in the quiet, I felt like part of me was missing. I won't lie...I counted the minutes until I could pick her up! This is a good thing for all of us, but not all change is easy. But, it is sad that the one having to put on her big girl panties this morning was the mom and not the daughter! Matt called after I dropped her off. He asked,"How did it go?" I said, "she did fine." He said," I know, I was talking about you!" You would think she left for college or moved out...HEAVEN HELP ME THEN!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Cale's Party!!

We had Cale's first birthday party on Saturday. It was a wonderful day and we were thankful that so many of our sweet family and friends were able to come celebrate with us. It was a little more attention than Cale was used to at this point, but he did eventually warm up. It was a good day!!