Happy Birthday Ava!

Oh my sweet Ava, how do I even begin to express how much I love you? It is so hard for me to believe that you are six years old today. I remember January 8th, 2004 so clearly, and now we are in the year 2010. Wow! I feel as though it is all flying by so quickly, and I wish I could make it stop!

Ava Larkin, I am so honored to be your mommy! Every day that I see your sweet face, I know I am blessed. I can remember the first time I saw that sweet face so clearly... I remember the first time I heard "it's a girl!"... it is one of those moments that I will carry with me forever. We never found out with any of you whether you were a boy or girl, and I truly felt hearing the words with all three of you was the most amazing surprise. Hearing "it's a girl" changed my world completely and I am forever blessed!!

January 8th started out as a normal day. I was 35 weeks (and 4 days) pregnant and I was still teaching. I took off a little early this day for my first weekly doctor's visit (it seems I never made it past the first visit with any of you, ha!) and went home that afternoon. I remember wanting to soak in the tub, and while I was laying there... I felt something different. I felt contractions!!! With Parker, I was induced... so I really had no clue what the feeling truly felt like. I walked into the kitchen to talk to your daddy, and then it happened. My water broke! You were officially on your way, and I was beyond excited! Doll came over to get Parker, and we were off. The entire way to the hospital, we talked about the name. Ava Larkin for a girl, Cooper for a boy. So excited...I knew what to expect this time around, and I could not wait to meet you!!!!

You made your entrance at 11:52 pm. I will never forget looking at you, crying with the happiest tears, saying to your daddy- I have a girl, I have a girl". I could cry right now at the thought because in that moment, I knew my life changed again in the sweetest of ways. God had blessed me with a daughter, and I can not thank Him enough.

Every day, in so many little ways, I see you growing up into such amazing young lady!

 Whether it's when you are trying to help out with Lily, walking into the room to you fixing your hair, watching you cross your legs and arms while talking, carrying around your notebook in hand, writing in your journal, packing your purse like I do, wearing your sunglasses whenever we go to the pool... I can see your getting so big.

Taking you to Kindergarten was so hard for me this year because for the past 5 years, you have been my constant companion.  You are the sweet girl who followed me around the house, asking me questions, and laughing with the sweetest of giggles at anything and everything. You always wake up with a smile on your sweet face and make my day brighter just by being in it! You are one of my three treasures Ava Larkin, and I love you more than I could ever express! Happy birthday sweet girl!

Here are a few more pictures from your "Rockstar" Party...

Your little sister was right there with all of you!  Oh, how she wants to be by your side at all times!!

Kelsey and Mary Pat... they both helped teach all of your friends the dance for "Love Story"! 

It turned out so cute!

Noone told you to act the part of Taylor Swift... this is something you did on your own and I was so glad I got it!  It was just such an Ava move!  :) 

With my sweet 6 year old girl!

At the "Cookin' Man" for your birthday dinner! 

You were SO bummed because El Chico closed...but you found another place you loved!

With Grandaddy and Grandmama...

With Mimi and E...

And with Deanne and Shane...

We all had so much fun celebrating with you on your special day!

More Christmas Memories...

This Christmas was definitely packed with lots of excitement and many fun memories! 

Lots of visits with Santa himself   ...

(well, actually Santa's helper as the kiddos call him- they all know the real Santa is busy up North!)

Many afternoons spent together making cookies, exchanging gifts...

getting together for the perfect picture...

(and making sure I was able to get a quick shot with my favorite people too!)

There were many times to hang out and share many giggles...

And get lots of hugs from the ones we adore...

There was time to snuggle with sweet aunts...

and laugh with funny cousins!

Yes, every moment spent during the holiday season is always fun! Every year, it is always full of smiles, laughs, minutes of stress, but in the end...we are always left with a great memory. 

 This was a very memorable Christmas.  And I know for many, it was special in a different kind of way!  This year, I know we all had a certain someone weighing heavily on their hearts.  

We all understood that time is precious, and that this Christmas is one to cherish!

There were many laughs shared, special pictures taken....

The sweetest hugs were given...

And the best kisses were received! 

This year, we remembered what really mattered!!  We truly understood that it is the people in life that make it so special.  The ones who have shown us everyday that we matter and are important people.  The ones who make us laugh and lend us support when we need it most.  The ones who take care of us when we need a friend and put us in our place when we forget who we are!  Those who are always happy to see us and make us feel that the world is special just because we're in it!

I know for so many, Bobby has been just that!  He is a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend.  And we are all so thankful he is still here fighting the battle against this terrible disease! We are so thankful that we were able to share so many great moments with him.  Yes, Christmas is always special... but Christmas 2009 will always remain special in a different way!

A Christmas Surprise!

Christmas has always been my MOST favorite time of year!!  So many wonderful memories that I will never forget.  Listening to Alabama Christmas while decorating the tree (my dad would play it loud and then sing it even louder), driving around looking at lights (never to fully realize our neighborhood had the best lights of all), unwrapping our "countdown" hershey kiss bag each night, getting to sleep in Lisa's room and waiting patiently to hear Santa on the roof, waking up Christmas morning-running to my parent's room- and my dad saying he had to take a shower first (yes, this happened every year, and yes, he was only kidding...but every year he turned on the water and pretended to take a shower!)  Most importantly, I remember all the time spent with family and friends.  I know we all have these memories, and they are definitely ones I hold so dear to my heart.  Now that I am all grown up, and have my own sweet family, I, too, want to create the same memories.  We have created our own traditions and made new memories, and for this I feel so blessed! Getting to see the excitement in their eyes makes it so fun and definitely is something Manley and I look so forward to!

Around October, we started talking about something that we knew would make all three kiddos bust with excitement. We decided we were ready to add a new member to the family...a six week old Golden Retriever puppy.  We knew we wanted to give her to the kids on Christmas morning. So, Manley made the drive to Benton, AR in the pouring down rain, on his birthday (December 23), to pick up the newest addition to the Douglas family, sweet little Lucy. 

We were very lucky that Mimi and E didn't mind keeping her until Christmas morning (with the condition that they were able to be here when the kids saw her the first time!)  So, after we opened all Santa's presents, we told the kids that they had to open our present.  We let them open the first present, which was the movie "Santa Buddies" and on the back had a short poem:

This is a sweet movie about a cute, furry friend,

But this is not where your presents ends...

Instead of just seeing these cute faces on the screen,

Imagine what it would be like to have the REAL THING!

Go downstairs...

I don't think the words actually soaked in, but they were so excited to see what waited for them downstairs! (However, I think it'safe to say that we were more excited than they were!)  Ava screamed just like I knew she would...

 Parker was in shock (he's been asking for a dog for a very long time, and simply couldn't believe she was ours!)...

 Lily asked so many questions, but had a smile the entire time...

 Lucy has the sweetest face, and brings a smile to everyone's face daily!  We ALL love her to pieces, and we are so lucky to have her!  She was definitely a Christmas present we will never forget!  :)

Happy Birthday Lily!

It is hard to believe that I am actually writing these words... my sweet Lily turned 3 today.   December 5th-I can remember the day so clearly, almost as if it was yesterday, but it was three whole years ago.  How can this be?  

My sweet Lily girl... where do I begin?  How can I explain the joy you have brought into our lives?  Every day I see you grow more and more into such a fun and vivacious little miss... Every day I get to snuggle with you and feel your best Lily hugs...Every day I know how truly blessed I am to be your mommy.  You are one precious little girl, Lily Kathryn.  Oh such joy... and such a sweet handful you love to be.  You may be the "baby" of the group, but you are one independent, determined little girl.  Some things I have learned about you in your first three years are that you will never accept the words "you're not old enough" or "you can do that when you're bigger"...  You may like crayons and dolls, but make-up, markers, and paint are more your style...You've mastered how to say "I loves you" at the most perfect time...You never, I repeat NEVER meet a stranger... and I have definitely learned- if the house is quiet and you are not in eye's view- I need to find you and QUICK!

 

 

I've also learned a few other things about that make me smile every day!  You have the sassiest of walks- something we all love to watch, the sweetest brown eyes I've ever seen, a giggle that can melt any heart, and a voice that I love to hear everyday (especially when it say "I loves you , Mommy")!  You make me smile with your questions and make me laugh with any of your most famous "Lily" faces.  I knew when I looked at your sweet face three years ago that I was given an incredible gift.  And you, my sweet girl, are just that!  You are a wonderful and precious gift to anyone who knows you. You have blessed my life beyond measure and I am so happy you are mine.  I love you sweet girl!  Happy 3rd Birthday!!!

 

  

Happy Birthday Parker

I guess they say that time flies when you're having fun.  Well, I can honestly say that the last nine years of my life have been just that... FUN!  They have been days with lots of laughter and countless memories with a very special little man!  I knew from the moment that I looked at that sweet face, I was in love.  I can remember November 22, 2000 like it was yesterday.  I was 36 weeks pregnant, and had gone in for my first weekly visit to see Dr. Riseling.  I told Manley not to worry about going with me because I was only going in for a quick visit...however, when I had my blood pressure checked and after seeing Dr. Riseling's concerned face... I knew maybe he should have come with me.  About 30 minutes later, the decision was made that I was being induced because of high blood pressure.  I remember making the call to Manley to tell him that I was on my way to the hospital.  (I still laugh at that thought because when I called him, he was at the grocery, with an entire cart of food... and just had to leave.)  I was in a complete state of shock, was in no way prepared for it, but was so very excited to meet this little person.  We did not know if we were having a boy or girl!  So much anticipation and so many tears!!  "I am about to be a mom, I am about to be a mom" is all I remember thinking!  Several hours later, at 1:23 a.m.,we met our sweet boy, James Parker Douglas.

I know every mother can remember the first time they see their baby.  It is a moment in time that will forever be engraved in your memory...a feeling you cannot explain to any other person... but a second where complete love overwhelms you.  You look at that sweet face and know that you are forever changed.  That is how I feel.  I feel that on November 22, I was forever changed because that is the day, I became a mother.  It is one tough job, but it is the most important job I will ever have.  God gave me an amazing gift on that day, and I am better because of it!!!

My sweet Parker has a precious heart.  He loves people and it doesn't matter the age, he will talk to anyone.  :)  When he starts to laugh, I mean really laugh, it makes you start to laugh too.  He cares about his family, and he loves his sisters.  Sure there are times when he isn't so nice to them, but if someone messes with them or if they were doing something that just isn't "good", he is the first to protect them.  He prays the sweetest of prayers, and talks to God like he truly is sitting right beside Him.  He is growing up to be a man of character...someone that wants to make a change in this world.  One thing is for sure... he has made a change in my world.  He is our blessing, and I am so proud to be his mother.  I love you sweet man!  :)  Happy birthday Parker!!!      

Here are some pictures from his big day!

Parker and Logan

 

Bryce and Zach

 

 Parker, Drew W, and Drew E.

The cake

 

Parker and Grandaddy

 "E" and Parker

  With my boy!

 

After eating at the "cooking man"... Shogun

 

...with Grandmama and Grandaddy

 

...with Mimi and E