BOUNCING IS FUN!

ZANDER'S 2nd BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Even though we were up really late last night, we got up early and went to our good friend, Zander's 2nd birthday party. It was our 3rd visit to Bounce Town, within a month and we LOVED it! Daddy was home, working hard on our basement...and we missed him...but at least Mommy jumped with us this time! Happy Birthday Zander!

And the party continues...

Ashley's Golden Birthday Party!

We had an awesome time at Ashley's 3rd birthday party today! We had 10 princesses (and 3 princes) over here for 4 hours and loved every minute of it! Jen did a great job painting the girls' faces and Ana helped them to decorate crowns and we colored and played and ate lunch and danced and popped bubbles (while the mommies ate brunch) and then we sang to Ashley and she blew out the fire (after Mommy finally found some matches--next to the bathtub--where else would they be, so she can enjoy her hot bubble bath and scented candles?!) and the girls decorated cupcakes and played some more. It was a lot of fun. Ashley got to wear her beautiful Belle dress again and you can see Daniel saying, "Cheese!" (poor kid, already knows how to pose)! I had to snap a shot of Ashley crashed out during naptime. We all had a nice rest that day...and then had Uncle Virgil, Aunt Jan and the Gillios over for dinner... so it was a full, fun day to celebrate our beautiful Ashley! We love you sweetie!

More Celebrating--presents from Mommy's friends!

Ashley got a lot of mail today! She got a $20 gift card to Target, from Auntie Jo, Emma & Nicky, with explicit instructions that she is to buy whatever she wants (not what Mommy wants her to have or a box of diapers)! We will post pics here, after we get something special. Then, Jen, Maddie & Lila sent her 2 awesome water paint books--Winnie the Pooh and Little People AND some water color paints! We had to eat dinner and leave for our small group tonight, so she couldn't do them yet, but she was totally ready to start and can't wait until tomorrow, after naptime (we have our last Real Moms meeting in the morning)! It'll be a fun project, since it's supposed to be a rainy day. We also got a beautiful Princess card from Paul & Debbie (David's cousin) and she loved it. It went on the refridgerator, next to Grandma Sutton, Grandma Bobbie, Great Grandpa Bobby & Great Grandma Faye, and Aunt Jay's cards! We are so very blessed to have so many people who love us. Grandma & Grandpa Sutton are coming to visit us in 2 weeks (over Memorial Day weekend) and then Grandma Bobbie and Aunt Jay just bought their plane tickets to come visit us from June 26-July 8. We are SO EXCITED! Thanks for loving us... Ashley picked a Barbie Doll House, with the gift card that Auntie Jo sent and she LOVES it...but she can only play with it when Daniel is sleeping, b/c it has lots of little pieces! We finally painted with the water colors Jen sent...we had so much fun. Can you pick out the one that Mommy did?!

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

I had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day! David & the kids brought me breakfast in bed, while I wrote my mom her Mother's Day card (yes it will be late, but I wanted to spend some quiet time focusing on her, on the actual day). They brought me my present that Daddy remembered I had asked for (a crock pot carrier) and a card the kids had colored on. David and I got to be in worship today at church and they did the Baby Recognition. It was so fun to see the pictures of all 60 kids that were recognized and remember just last year, when we were standing up there with Daniel. It didn't make we want to have another baby, but I still feel like someone is missing from our family, so we'll see...
We ran some errands (Daddy & Daniel to Lowe's, to buy some more supplies b/c he's finishing the room in our basement) and Mommy & Ashley to Bed, Bath & Beyond (to use a gift card we got from Discover Card!) and Pier 1 (to smell the pretty soaps & candles!). Mommy got to go have a pedicure with some friends and then we went to the park to go fly a kite (like on Mary Poppins, try to sing the song now, for added effect)! The kite flying lasted only a short time and then it was off to play at the park. There have been a lot of windy days lately, so we'll get a chance to try out our bigger kite soon! We went home to grill steaks and eat dinner and do some organizing around our home (lots to do before Ashley's birthday party on Friday)! It was a relaxing day, spent with family and friends...who could ask for more?!

Hugs & Kisses

I love to get hugs and kisses from my girl. Ashley is truly one of the sweetest little girls I know. She is very kind and compassionate and loves to share (of course this is for the most part--we all have our moments)! She is a wonderful & loving big sister and we feel blessed that God chose us to raise her and teach her about him and his love! When she sings her "Jesus Songs" it makes my heart smile!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment,
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

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Be Thankful - Life Is a Gift

Today before you say an unkind word -
Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food -
Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife -
Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life -
Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children -
Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean -
Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive -
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job -
Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another -
Remember that not one of us is without sin.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down -
Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.

Live Life, Love Much, Laugh Often Life is short, Break the rules,
Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
And never regret anything that made you smile.

Kira's 3rd Birthday Party

Grandma Bobbie & Aunt Jay's Package Arrives

Tuesday only got better, b/c when Daddy came home with the mail, Grandma Bobbie & Aunt Jay's package had arrived! Ashley was very excited to open it and find a picture of Pa, "Pa's fish" that Mommy gave him from when she went to Korea in Oct of 2001, some gummie candies, a Mary Poppins Minnie Mouse, THREE Disney Dollars, 2 cool Disney Princess cards and some other things I can't think of right now, b/c it's late and I should be sleeping! I'm so thankful God has blessed us with truly wonderful people, who love our precious children. We only wish more of you lived closer to us!

Play Date/Brunch on Tuesday

We had Lisa, Zander & baby Amelia and Krista & Kyra over for brunch on Tuesday morning, plus Lauren & Ryan and Lily--FUN! The kids loved playing outside--it was sunny and warm (and then rained, with real lightning and thunder, on Wednesday morning!) and the mommies had a good time, eating brunch and chatting. I got to hold a 2 week old baby and Ashley got a Princess Ariel doll and Daniel got to play with his buddy...so fun was had by all!

More Celebrating Continued!

On Monday we had Lauren & Ryan here and then Maddie came over to play for about an hour, while her sister was at music class. The kids had a blast decorating cupcakes-- it has to be one of Ashley's favorite things to do. Amy told me she likes to celebrate her kids' birthdays all week long...I think that's a great idea! We're doing well with that so far...more to come!