I think this may become a tradition! If you know us well, you won't think this is too out of the ordinary. If you don't... then you may start to worry! Ha! It all started on Christmas Eve. Kendall, Katie, Kelsey, and I got silly and started taking all kinds of random pictures around my parent's house. Now another holiday is among us... and the picture taking continues...
Going on a bike ride...
Hard to tell...
But this is a table set for kids. So funny!
With nature...
Smelling the "irises"
Peek-a-boo...
Swinging in the breeze...
Did somebody say something?
Happy Easter!
Eggs Galore!
No words...
seriously couldn't say something if we wanted to! Ha!
Today, Parker came home from school with a small grin on that sweet face and said he needed to talk to me. He went to his backpack and got out this note:
He said he came into school this morning, and this note was sitting inside his desk. On the back was the name of a little girl who he has had a small crush on for about a month. How do I know this... simply because I have a boy that feels like he can talk to me about most anything. Something I LOVE and something I PRAY never changes!
He told this little girl that he hadn't made up his mind yet, and when I asked him why, he said "I really didn't want to make the decision without getting your opinion first." :) This, of course, made my day!
Well, we talked about and if you know Parker well enough you would understand when I say that we talked some more.. and some more.. and more! (He is quite the thinker about things and likes to talk his problems out!) I told him that I didn't think it would be a big deal to say yes, and his reply was "I just don't think I'm ready for all of this yet!" Most days, he is simply a grown man inside a child's body! Such an old soul! You could tell it weighed heavily on his mind all night. What was his problem? Well, he wasn't sure if he "was ready to have a girlfriend yet"...but he didn't want to hurt her feelings by saying no! Have I mentioned how much I love this boy? He has such a genuine heart that I know will take him far in life! He is always the first to say "I love you Mom!" or "Have a great day today!" He always has to have a hug before leaving and time to talk at night. I know I am a lucky mom to have him for a son!
Well, the next day he wrote a note back that said "Yes!" He said he figured since it was just a title and you didn't go anywhere together that he would just go ahead with it.
So I guess this marks the story of Parker's first official girlfriend! Goodness, he is growing up so fast! Wish I could rewind the time to when he was a 3 year old...but since I can't I will just be so thankful for a son like this and will not take these days for granted!
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. :)
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!!!
