Easter Morning

We had a wonderful Easter at my parents' house near Nashville, TN this year.  We were all excited to get away and see new things and be in a new place for a bit.  Lily Kate and Cole did so wonderfully on the 9 hour drive there and back.  We were all still laughing when we got there and when we got home which is a miracle in our family!  Easter morning we woke up bright and early to search for Easter baskets.  Cole was so excited you would have thought it was Christmas!  Lily was funny - she pulled out a couple of things, looked at them and then just walked off.  When she saw Cole snacking on a few jelly beans her interest was sparked once again.  We decided to attend the early service at my parents' church which meant that we had to be at the church by 8:30!  But we made it...and even took some pictures beforehand.  Both Cole and Lily were pretty pooped out by Sunday - staying up late, waking up a little early so Cole was not very interested in having his picture taken.  After church we had an Easter egg hunt which was a lot of fun!  It was Lily's first real egg hunt and Cole was a big help to her.  He showed her where some of the eggs where and showed her how to put them in her basket.  So sweet.  After we all changed and took long Easter naps (even Cole who refuses to nap anymore) we enjoyed a huge Easter feast with some of my parents' friends.  It was a wonderful holiday and a great get away!

Lily Kate is 18 Months!

My sweet Lily,
Last Saturday you turned 18 months old and, honestly, I can hardly believe it.  You have really started to grow into a little girl and there really isn't much baby in you.  Daddy and I have grown to appreciate you in so many ways and we truly adore you.  It amazes me how completely different you are than your big brother.  You are our dare devil...the girl who will climb anything and everything.  You jump at the chance to show off your skills with all things physical...wrestling, running, climbing...you name it and, Lily, you are not afraid to try it.  You are still so shy around new people and cling to Daddy and me when you are unsure of your surroundings.  I love that about you.  Once you open your heart to someone you are all in but there is nothing wrong with showing a bit of caution.  Cole is still your favorite person ever...the one you love to hold hands with and the one you love to drive crazy.  You want to play with him and be with him so much and sometimes that leads to total chaos.  All you want is his attention....all day long.  He loves you too, Sis, he would do anything in this world to protect you, even at this young age.  Bedtime and nap time are still just about the only times in the day you will snuggle with us.  Sure, you give lots of hugs and kisses throughout the day but they are quick and random.  At bedtime, you grab your little pink blankie that I bought for you the day I found out you were a baby girl and you snuggle.  And you snuggle so well....I just wish you would do it more often.  You are learning so much so quickly, Lily girl.  You can do the motions to many songs...The Wheels On The Bus, The Itsy Bitsy Spider and The Little Light of Mine being your favorites.  You are so smart but you only show your knowledge when you feel like it.  One thing we have learned about you (and have come to love) is that you are not out to impress anyone.  If you want to point to your nose you will, if you don't you won't and no one can convince you otherwise.  You still don't say any real words and although that is something that truly bothered me for a long time (ask Miss Em, she has heard me worry many times) I am now at peace with it.  I know you will share those words in your own time but believe me...we are all ready!  You know exactly what we say to you and you get your point across very clearly...and I do mean very clearly.  You don't really refer to me as Mama unless you want my attention and I am not giving it to you...then you shout it at me oh so loudly!  One name you do say regularly is "bubba" and that thrills Cole to no end.  When you see him for the first time every morning you say it over and over and over.  You have your own way of doing things, Lily and I am sure you always will.  You love to dance.  You will dance no matter what your mood if the right song comes on.  You have developed a love for Pandora and almost always insist we listen to it at the dinner table.  We just crack up watching you eat and "chair dance" your heart out.  Lily, your absolute favorite place to be is outside.  You try to sneek out every chance you get and you would be happy to play outside all day, every day.  The joy in your face when the breeze hits your cheeks is completely contageous!  I can't help but smile when I watch you chase Cole around the backyard or watch you digging for treasure in the sandbox.  Your love of nature and all things "outdoorsy" is something you and Cole share and it is so much fun to play with you in your favorite element.  Oh Lily, you are a joy and a dream come true.  You are an answer to prayer and we simply adore you.  Like I said, we appreciate you and all of your traits completely.  I am honored to be your mommy and I love you with all of my heart.  Happy 18 months sweet girl - you have rocked our world and we are so much better for it!

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Can't you just hear them..."Hey, How you doin?"

Peace.

There is nothing in life as amazing and life changing as the love of a father.  Rhonald is a wonderful Daddy and he brings such comfort and peace to our home.  We all adore him and love him too pieces.  When I look at this picture I see perfection.  Sure, we all have our flaws, but when I see these 3 people, so much in love with one another, I know God has a perfect plan for each one of us.  And I am so thankful part of his plan for me was to bless me with them.

Our Spring Break week was not very adventurous but it was actually amazing in it's own way.  We stayed home, relaxed and spent lots and lots of time together and reconnecting with friends we don't get to see as often as we would like.  The weather was good at the beginning of the week so we spent lots of time outside.  We grilled out and Lily had her first corn on the cob (which she loves).  We tried out a new park that is near our house and loved it.  So much room to run and there were lots of neat ducks and geese to gaze at.  We actually went out to dinner as a family...something we rarely do as we really don't eat out very often anymore.  The kids loved it so much we decided we needed to make it something we do a little more often.  It was so nice to have ZERO plans and to just take each day as it came...to laugh and play and simply enjoy one another's company.  I truly wish every week could be more like that one!

Look How Far We Have Come

Life long friends are sure hard to beat!

Happy Birthday Grammy

Literally almost a month ago my parents came to visit to watch the kids while Rhonald and I escaped for an anniversary weekend.  It happened to fall on my mom's birthday so before we left we had a night of birthday fun!  Cole wanted to take my mom out to dinner at Marketplace.  I am not sure why but he was fixated on that particular place.  When we were there my mom thanked us for taking her and Cole said, "You should thank me.  It was my idea."  Oh boy!  After dinner we came home for cake and ice cream and then off we went!  It was so nice to have a whole weekend to spend focused on each other and resting.  Having a second baby really has made life busy and while we love that we also love a little down time.  We had never left Lily before so I had mixed feelings about that but it turned out great.  Everyone had a great time and actually, I think Cole was a little sad to see Rhonald and I return.  And the best part was that my parents offered to do it again!!!!