From This to This

A friend from college, Jennifer over at Dance Like No One is Watching, wrote the sweetest post about her babies. Her kids being about 10 months apart in age, made me think back to Luke and Hayley as toddlers and how we survived those years. As crazy as they were, it has flown by in the blink of an eye(I know, so cliche) and I miss those babies in diapers. Yes, we have a new baby in diapers and I try to soak in every minute of her babyhood because I know that she too will be coming home from school one day and reading me a book, writing her name, and so on and so on.

So here it is.....

How did we go from this:

To this........

From this.......

To this........

From this:

To this:

From this.....


To this:

From this:

To this:

Snow Days!!!!

Hooray for a snow day (or 4 snow days). We are on day two of school being canceled and not sure about tomorrow. The Hampton Roads area got the most snow they have seen here in about 10 years, or so the local news says. The kids were so excited. This was the first snow that Hayley has ever had the chance to go out and play. We had a big snow in Fredericksburg just before we moved, but she was only 6 months old at the time and we didn't take her out in the cold. They made snow angels, threw snowballs and just had a wonderful time playing. Hannah Beth only got to watch from inside the house, where she was nice and cozy in her swing and didn't seem to mind that I didn't bother her for a trip out in the freezing, cold, white stuff.

This past weekend was also our annual Girls Weekend with three of my favorite girls in the world. Julie, Krista, Lindsay and I have been the best of friends since our days at North GA College (actually Linds and I have know each other since childhood when we took ballet and tap). When we get together it's like a day has not gone by since living in the Freshman dorm. Our weekend is always one of shopping, eating, laughing, eating some more, and just fun times! Well, we did not get to go out shopping due to the snow, but we had such fun just hanging out. I love these girls so much and always look forward to seeing them each year. I think we will be moving our weekend to warmer weather and maybe head to the beach (what do you think, J,K, and L?).

My Bubba

This little man is such a joy! He looks so incredibly BIG in this picture. I cannot believe that we are on the down hill to 7. I feel like I was just holding in my arms, rocking him to sleep, and not having a clue about being a Mommy (although I thought I did).



This school year has been one of major growth for my little guy. Starting Kindergarten at 6 was the best decision we ever made for him (so far)! He loves reading and blows me away with his ability and comprehension. We sit together to read every afternoon. Sometimes he reads to me and other times I read to him. He loves the challenge and we both have a good time just the two of us. He is such a good student and loves school. He tends to lean toward science and math as his favorite subjects (wants to be an astronaut most days).



At home, he has adjusted quite well to having two sisters. He loves to help out by reading to Hannah Beth or singing to her when she is upset. He LOVES to make her laugh and smile. He and Hayley are truly the best of friends. They love each other so much. Oh, yes they have their moments when they don't get along, but thankfully those moments are few and far between. He takes his roll as the protector of his sisters very seriously.



I just love this boy to pieces.

Sweet Sisters

Hannah Beth has been smiling at us since she turned 5 weeks old. There is nothing like that first smile that shows she is learning just who you are and her way of saying "I love you too!" Hannah just loves to watch Luke and Hayley. She stares and smiles and even "talks" to them at times.

I caught the girls mid conversation a few mornings ago. Hayley is so sweet with Hannah Beth. She talks to her just as I do. Mimicking exactly what I say....it is precious. I pray that they will have such a special bond as sisters do. And Lord help us when we get to the teen years with 2 girls!!

A Christmas of Few Pictures...

...but the most wonderful memories were made this year! As you can imagine, our house has been quite busy with a 6 yr old, 4 yr old, and 6 week old. We hunkered down and enjoyed our first Christmas as a family of five. No, I didn't get to make the rolled, cut sugar cookies this year or fix an elaborate dinner for Christmas Eve or Day, but truly that is not what it was all about this year. Just enjoying time together at a slow easy pace (on broken sleep that is about all I could do). I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Due to the fact that my arms were full with our bundle of joy most of Christmas, there are not nearly as many pictures since I am usually the one that plays the part of photographer. I didn't get any pics of my in-laws visit or the visit with my whole family while they were here. ( I am counting on my Mom and Dad for pics from their visit). I was busy actually enjoying time together, chatting, eating, and laughing.

We are so very blessed. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas

Quick Post

I wish I had time to write. As I type, Little Miss is waking up from her 30 minute cat nap this morning. We had a great Thanksgiving. Very low key, Aunt Holly was here and Cracker Barrel made dinner!!!! It was great. I am tired but trying to enjoy each little moment. Hannah Beth is a good baby, but we all know how much sleep one gets with a 3 week old. What is so different this time around is still having to get Luke and Hayley to school and everywhere else they need to be, making lunch, doing homework, reading books, playing games as well as walking around with very little sleep. Even though they are 6 and 4, they still need me very much. When Hayley was born, Luke was only 2 and we had no school, no activities we HAD to be going to each week. I could sit in my pjs for days and no one would know.

I may not post again until Hannah is 3 months, but know we are here and in survival mode.