A pretty day in Memphis means one thing... outside time for my crew!
The kiddos were on spring break this week and we headed to one of our most favorite places... the zoo. Always a good time! I don't even know how many times we've entered those gates...but I can honestly say I never get tired of going! It's always fun- even if you don't have enough time to see every animal... it's worth the trip!
After we left, we made our way to another one of my favorite stops... Jerry Sno Cones! YUM!
Such a fun day and it sure makes me SO ready for summer!!
About a month ago, my friend, Adrian, shared with me the news about a little girl who was recently diagnosed with Medulloblastoma. As she talked, I felt my heart ache for a sweet family that I didn't know. I remember sitting in my car wondering what I would do and how I would handle that kind of news. News that my sweet baby was now on the roller coaster ride of her life... a ride that had no end in sight. A ride that only God knew what direction it going to lead you on. Goodness, I just felt so terrible for them. She mentioned the mom's name to me and it was someone that I went to college with... but we were in different sororites and I figured I would know her face.. just not her name. So Adrian told me to read their family's blog..."Three kids, a minivan, and a mortgage."
When you hear the title it sounds just like most of the blogs I read... a young family that is on the same journey we are on. A sweet couple that is raising a family, trying to keep up with schedules, getting homework done each night, and tackling all of the obstacles life throws at them on a day to day basis. That's exactly what I would have thought when I first heard the name of the blog.
And that's exactly what the blog used to be about. A precious family that used to live in Memphis, but moved to Covington to be closer to family and raise their family in a small tight-knit community of friends. And one afternoon their world changed completely... "in the blink of an eye". This was the name of the first post that I read about sweet Lucy Krull... and let me just say that this little girl has completely stolen my heart!!!
Well, March 7th was Lucy's 5th birthday. Kate had made a post that Lucy was really wanting a Pump It Up party for her 5th birthday... this is the same kind of birthday party that my Lily has asked for as well. But sweet Lucy is at LeBonheur... she just had her brain surgery and was trying to recover enough to head over to the best cancer hospital in world- St. Jude! She is completely unable to have that special birthday party that she she wanted to badly and was so sad, as most kids would be! This weighed so heavily on my heart! I just couldn't imagine how helpless I would feel if I were in the same situation. I know there were several of us that felt such a need to do something special for her birthday! As moms do... our minds are always thinking ahead... and let me just say that our minds were rolling!! First, Adrian and another friend Tracey came up with the idea to get this incredible Toy Story cake made for Lucy's birthday (her mom said she loved Buzz Lightyear). This incredible favor was asked, and without a moment's notice, the girl that makes these cakes said Yes! Yay!
Then, I was laying in bed on Sunday, the day before her birthday, and wondered what else we could do to let her know we were praying for her... and then it hit me! A video! What better way could we personally send out our birthday wishes to this special young lady! The plan was put into action! All girls wear pink and purple and all boys wear blue to school in honor of the birthday girl... then we all met up at the clubhouse after school to video the kids! Another sweet friend, Julie, who takes awesome photography met us and took some precious pictures of the kiddos! We had the kids sing "Happy Birthday" and they all got to say their own special birthday wishes.
I came home at 4:30 and got right to work! I don't even think I said a word that entire afternoon... I don't think my face left my computer screen! But by 10:30 it was finished! It probably would have been done much sooner, but I am very OCD when it comes to any kind of artwork, scrapbook, video, etc that I tackle... it just has to be perfect! And I felt this video had to be "just right!" I wanted to make sure Lucy and her family knew how much her Lakeland friends are praying for her... how much we are cheering her on during her hard and long battle... and how much she has truly made an impact on our lives!
Here is the video...
I wish we never had to hear about sweet Lucy Krull's journey. I wish I never had to hear about another sweet baby that is fighting for her life. I wish that she was at home in Covington with her family, getting ready for Kindergarten, and playing outside with her friends. So many things I wish could be different... but one thing that is the same. God is still good...and God is still God! For some reason, he has chosen Lucy for this journey. I wish it weren't the case, but I trust there is purpose for her fight. This little girl is changing lives! One day her fight will be over, but impact she is leaving on so many lives will never change. She is bringing so many to their knees... she is bringing countless others to call upon the Lord for help... her story is touching lives and changing hearts! She will be cured of this nasty disease... this I feel to be true. But until we all hear those words... I only have faith in God! One day I know He has to get tired of all of us banging down His door in prayer and He WILL heal sweet Lucy. Until then we will continue to pray!
Another snow day... another day at the Levee in Cool Springs! :) It's definitely a hang out for all folks around this area! So fun... and without a doubt... the BEST hill to sled on!!
I am going to be honest... snow days are not my most favorite thing in the world. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE snow- love to play in the snow... love to make snow men... love to come in and drink hot chocolate- I just don't like getting everyone "ready" for a snow day! It feels like it takes hours to get everyone dressed. Then 15 minutes later, after all that work, everyone wants to come inside. And then 20 minutes later, they want to get dressed all over again.
But with each snow... this year, 4 snow days... I try to take it all in and remember that one day they are going to be grown up... they are going to want to spend snow days with their friends, instead of with their parents... and one day their little bodies won't need my help getting clothes together. One day, they will be able to do it all on their own, and they won't need me. I try to remember this with each "snow day" I see! Even though the process of getting ready for a snow day isn't my most favorite... spending them with my 3 most favorite little faces makes me a happy mom! Always leaves a great memory after all is said and done. :)
Ava Larkin, HOW can you possibly be 7 years old??? Some days I feel that you should still be my sweet baby girl who loved to be held... loved to snuggle... and the little miss who loved her passie! But then there are days when I feel you are 7 going on 17! Now my days with you include talks of Justin Bieber and how cute he is and how you want to marry him... hearing you sing Taylor Swift while standing on your bed... watching you read books on the couch... finding notes from you all around the house... hearing you talk on the phone to your friends... watching you grab your daily bowl of cereal for snack... and my most favorite- all the time I get to spend with just you! These are the times when we are able to sit and talk... just you and me! I love our chats more than anything and LOVE my special time with you, sweet girl!!! I wouldn't trade those moments for anything in the world!!
You are such a treasure in my world Ava! There are so many times a day when I hear you say something or watch you do something that just simply makes me a proud mommy! You are so sweet to Lily... always letting her sleep with you and always reading to her. You are so protective of your family... anytime Parker is getting "talked to"... you always stick up for him- even when your "two cents" are not asked for! Ha! You adore Lucy and give her countless hugs each day! You have such a sweet and precious heart that I see each day and I love you more than words could ever express! God blessed us greatly when he put you in our lives and I thank Him everyday for you, sweet girl!
Happy 7th birthday!!!
With your best friend, Riley
With all your girls for your sleep over! I still laugh because we weren't even doing big birthdays this year since we went to Disney, and somehow your sleep over of 3 turned into a sleep over of 12! Too funny! You sure do know how to win me over!
With your sweet friend, Piper.
Mia and Ava
Ava and Isabelle
With sweet Madison
Ava and Kendall... this was Kendall's first sleep over!
This girl is hilarious!
Olivia, Halle, Ava, and Zoe
Ava and Halle
I think it's safe to say that good times were had by all!! :)
Oh, I have the best memories of Christmas morning growing up! Getting to sleep my sisters room on Christmas Eve... being able to eat the LAST hershey kiss on our Christmas count down tree...knowing my dad was always going to pretend that he needed a quick shower before seeing what Santa brought us..I could go on and on (I think I have before!)
I just love Christmas morning!
Each year just gets more and more fun with the kids! They get so excited to track Santa on Christmas Eve and love getting to sprinkle the reindeer food in the front yard... Reading The Night Before Christmas and then getting the cookies ready for Santa... and seeing what Santa brought!
For Parker... He was so excited to get Halo, a BB Gun, and Madden 11...
Ava was pumped to get a portable DVD player, pillow pet, and MAKE UP...
And Lily... she LOVED her princess collection, new robe, and art supplies...
So many wonderful memories for them- but also for us! And yet with all that excitement that is running through our house-with ALL the excitement about Santa-I try to make sure that there is just as much excitement about what Christmas is truly about!
For most kids, it's all about what the big man is bringing them on Christmas morning.
Yet with every "Santa" conversation... I also make sure to talk about the real meaning of Christmas. I talk about the baby that was born so many years ago... for US! I talk about His purpose for coming and how important His birth was for us! I know there is excitement of the big guy, but the most important "Big Guy" is the one who was arrived on Christmas morning...not in a sleigh, but in a stable. He is the "reason for the season"... and when my kids grow up, I hope they add this to their memory bank. I hope they remember all the conversations we have had about the night Jesus was born!
My favorite song is from the group Lonestar and their words are perfect...
The shepherds are lit
A star in the sky
On the outskirts of town
A new baby cries
No room at the end
No crib to be found
Oh but look at him now
He is the reason for the season
He is the light that shines on our lives
The baby Jesus born in God's grace
So we all might rejoice on this day
He is the reason for the season
It is a time for presents and toys
Tales of Saint Nick
Tidings of joy
As we celebrate the miracle birth
Oh right here on this earth
He is the reason for the season
He is the light that shines on our lives
The baby Jesus born in God's grace
So we all might rejoice on this day
He is the reason for the season
He's the reason for the giving
The joy thats never ending
That comes on Christmas morning
in the eyes of a child
It's what it means to me and you
That's the true meaning of this time
Pretty much sums up how I feel about Christmas morning! So much to be thankful for... a baby that changed everything... and a family that means more to me than words could ever express!
Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure... Where your treasure, there is your heart... Where your heart, there is your happiness... Enjoy them, for these moments do not last forever! Saint Augustine
James Parker
My kind-hearted boy! A little man who loves school and baseball. Someone who thinks of others, loves talking to people, has a contagious laugh, and a heart of gold!
Ava Larkin
My love of life girl! Each day is a new day for Ava, full of giggles and smiles galore. She has an amazing spirit and loves life! She's my bike riding, soccer playing, blue eyed girl!
Lily Kathryn
My silly little miss! A sweet girl who loves to be "big", would sleep outside if she could, can make the funniest of faces, has a sassy walk, and has the best arms for hugging!
My sweet husband Manley! My best friend in the world and someone I miss the second he's gone! Love him! Love him! Love him!!
The three greatest treasures in the world! We are blessed beyond measure and thankful for these three faces each and every day!!!
