The Good Life

A few weekends ago we threw my Mom a surprise 60th birthday party at my house. She had no idea and was completely surprised! We had such a great time honoring such an amazing woman! I am so bless to have such a wonderful mother and so thankful that my children have such an amazing Gran. My mom is such an inspiration to me as a mother. I don't know what I would do if she wasn't there to call when my kids are sick, misbehaving, or when I just need some advice. She is always there, ready to listen and if I need her to, ready to come help at any moment. I can only hope that I will be half the mom that she is. The older I get the more and more I look to my mom for advice and cherish the friendship that we have. One thing I know for sure...I had no idea how much she loved me until I had children of my own. Don't get me wrong, I always knew my mom loved me, but I don't think you can ever understand a mother's love until you are a mother yourself. That is when I rea...

Avery cheered for the first time this year with Upwards Cheerleading. We asked her if she wanted to play basketball or cheer and without a second thought she said cheer. She had a blast this season and already looks forward to next year. I must say the little cheerleaders are so cute! Avery became great friends with the girls on her squad and and learned a lot from her coach. She also did an awesome job at memorizing her bible verse every week! I was so impressed and loved the devotional time that they would have at every practice! This picture cracks me up! I look down at one point and there is Oakley laying on the floor staring at the Cheerleaders...is this a sign of what is to come? It is so packed in the gym during the games so Oakley, Lakelyn, & Daddy find a spot in a corner to hang out. It can be a little tough keeping these two entertained while Avery is cheering!

What do we do on rainy days? Anything we can to pass the time and keep the kids busy! Lakelyn loves to dig all of her toys out of the toy basket...this is also a great way to keep her entertained, like when I need to do dishes or help Avery with homework. Needless to say this big pile of toys is becoming a permanent fixture in our living room! We build forts! Avery and Oakley love to pull all the blankets out and drape them over anything they can to make a hideout. Avery didn't want Lakelyn to feel left out so she made one just for Lakelyn! In the few and rare quite moments at our house we sit and watch the rain fall! Then when we just have to get out of the house because we can't take being inside anymore we go with Daddy to feed the cows. Oakley's helping Daddy take a bale of hay out. Thankfully it was only drizzling at this point since the cab tractor was at the other farm. The cows know when food is coming! Avery's Turn And what do Lakelyn & I do while Aver...

Half a year...half a year has passed since I spent those few precious hours in labor, half a year has passed since Avery & Oakley intently checked her out for the first time, have a year has passed since I first heard that beautiful first cry. Now, a half of a year later I have a laughing, chunky, ball of joy baby. It is amazing the changes that can happen in a few short months. ~Lakelyn smiles all the time, but it is very hard to get her to laugh. She sure makes you work to hear that beautiful sound! ~She has started pushing up when she is on her belly, trying to get up on all fours. ~She has a love/hate relationship with her baths! If she is in a good mood she loves them, if not she is going to scream the whole time! ~Lakelyn's favorite thing to do is to watch her big sister & big brother. She LOVES all the attention they give her...most of the time. ~She still only has two teeth ~She started eating baby food & so far has LOVED everything she has tasted ~Lakelyn c...

In just a few short days we will be welcoming Miss Jovie to the world!! Here are a few pictures from the baby shower that Lisa, Heather, Julie and I threw for her. Gino, you look amazing & I can't wait to meet her!!! Isn't this too sweet...Brody is going to be such an AWESOME big brother! This cake was seriously the best tasting cake ever!!! Miss Lakelyn has been waiting patiently for her best friend to arrive! :) Shew...look at that girls wild hair (Lakelyn's - not Gino's)! She sure is a mess!! And I am still talking about Lakelyn, but it could apply to Gino too! haha!

More snow and these were the biggest flakes I had ever seen. The picture does not do them justice. Beautiful sky's! I took this on the way to my Granny & Papa's while Jason was driving. It was about storm and then this beautiful blue sky poked through. Little Lakelyn Lou Who! Ms. Brittney had put her hair in a ponytail at daycare and when I took it out it stayed put! Miss Dr. Pepper peaking through at me! Oaks fell asleep after church with one hand in his pocket. What can I even say about this picture...my kids LOVE oranges! My little rock-star!

I enjoyed all the snow so much this year and took tons of pictures!! However, after an amazing day like today, I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is as close as I am going to get to seeing anymore snow until next winter. I know this isn't snow, but sometime I get a shot that is just too precious...a moment that I never want to forget. Even as a baby Avery had this same look on her face when she would sleep. When Jason picked her up to take her to bed it took me rushing back to six years ago when he would put her up on his shoulder and carry her off to bed. Now it is just as sweet...pink fingernails and all!