Birthday Party Pics...

I can't believe I am just now posting these. We have had the flu around here and this Momma has been exhausted. Actually, exhausted doesn't exactly describe how I've been feeling. It hasn't been pretty. But I got some sleep last night so things are better today.

My sweet friend, Vickie, took the pictures for me at Mika's party. She rocks. Seriously, she is so talented. She took so many pictures and I've had so much fun going through them. Rather than post them all individually, I made a few collages for your viewing pleasure.

Mika's Party was full of Pink, Purple, Red, Zebra, Valentine's touches, Family, Friends, Fun, Snacks, Cake, Cookies, Gifts, and Memories.

My Nanny made the smash cake. I did everything else. :)

Some of the guests..... we are so blessed that our kids are loved by so many people.

Such a special birthday girl. I love this baby girl so much!! 

It was such a wonderful time of celebrating our baby. 

Now.... I'm busy planning a party for a certain almost 4-year-old. Yikes!! I also have some other posts I'm working on. Hopefully I'll be able to stay rested and it won't be so long before I post again. 

Love.

What We Have Going On...

First, my "o" key is being goofy so if I leave an "o" out of a word, I apologize. (And I think there were like 45 "o"'s in that sentence. Ha!

Here is a little list of the goings on around here this week.

1. We got snow..... about 6 inches which is much less than my sister got (about 20 inches). It was really pretty as it came down, now I'm done with it. Spring? Yes, please.
2. The girls and I took Mika Lynn to her one-year check-up. She is perfect (of course!). I was surprised, however, to learn that she doesn't even weigh 20 pounds yet. Really? She's in the 75th percentile for her length but only the 25th for her weight. Long and skinny. Her daddy thinks she will make the perfect WNBA star!
3. Miss Peyton Lou is turning 4 in a couple of weeks. What? My baby is almost 4?! How did that happen?????
4. With the upcoming 4th birthday, we are planning a fun little party. I asked P what kind of party she wanted and she is adamant about having her party in our backyard. I have it all planned out and only have a few things to actually do (I may like this outside party idea - not a lot of decorating!). Now we are all just praying for beautiful weather for her party.
5. I need to get out of this house badly! I am hoping we can all get out together tomorrow - I don't have anything to do really, just need to do something. As beautiful as it is, I think the snow can negatively affect our moods, if we let it. I need to go out and show that snow who's boss, I won't let it control my life! Ha! Seriously though, I just hate being stuck inside.... the girls and I are a little stir-crazy.
6. Jared has been working a lot this week, so we are missing him. I hope we can be lazy tonight and catch up on some DVR.

Alrighty, naptime is over.

Love.

Sneak Peek at the Party...

We had Mika's first birthday party Sunday afternoon. My sweet friend, Vickie, offered to take pictures for us (it doubled as homework for her photography class). She gave me the CDs with the pictures on them last night. There are waaaaaaaay too many to share with you. I'm still going through them myself. But they are absolutely perfect. Vickie is extremely talented behind the camera and it helps that my baby is a pretty darn cute subject to photograph!

So.... here is a glimpse at how we celebrated our "baby" girl! We had a Valentine's themed party - lots of pink, purple, red, glitter, hearts, and of course, zebra print! It was perfect.

The Birthday Girl!

Chocolate frosting this time. Nanny made this cake for Mika (she's made all three of the girls' first birthday cakes!!).

Daddy and his little girl. 

I have some more pictures to share, but for some reason Blogger is flipping them sideways and I'm too tired to figure it out tonight. We are supposed to get snowed in tomorrow which should leave me plenty of time to figure out this picture issue. So.... that's all folks!

Good night, stay warm!

Love.

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Birthday Cupcakes!

We have Mika's party scheduled for Sunday afternoon but I couldn't let her actual birthday pass without some sort of celebration.... so Friday morning, before Jared went to work, we sang "Happy Birthday" and gave Mika Lynn a birthday cupcake. She loved it - I can't imagine why! Ha! She is so cute and so sweet, just like a little cupcake herself....

Singing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl!

"Daddy, my cupcake tipped over.... "

"This hot pink frosting is delish! I need to make sure I don't leave any on my high chair tray."

"Is there any frosting on my face?" 

"This is awesome! Can it be my birthday every day?!"

We had a great time having a little family celebration of our little girl! We love her so much. My heart has been so full of love and happiness over the past few days. I'm trying to really soak it all in and make some wonderful memories. I keep thinking that we will never get these days back.... this is the only time she will turn one.... I'm trying not to completely lose it, but its hard. I've been looking through a lot of old pictures of her and I've found myself sitting in front of the computer with tears pouring from my eyes. I love all the stages the girls go through but I think I'm just trying to hang onto this baby stage as long as I can. They grow up so fast. I wish I could keep them little forever.... can I?

Ok friends, there are three little girls who I'm needing to go play with. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Love.

Mika Lynn - Her First Year

One year ago today I was at the hospital at 5am to bring our baby girl into this world.

One last pic with her in my belly.

It was such a sweet time, I remember feeling so good and excited to meet her.

We were so ready to see this baby girl! After a really hard surgery, she was here!

Pure perfection. 

Mika Lynn - 

Darling baby girl... we love you more than words can ever express. You completed our family and have brought so much joy to our home and our lives. 

You have a special quality about you - one that draws people to you. And it isn't because you are a cute baby.... there is something else, something really special. We pray that it is something God will use in you to do great things.

Your big sisters think the world of you. You are very lucky to have two big sisters who love you so much. And it is quite obvious that you love them as well. You light up when you see Peyton or Laila and you giggle constantly at them. It was definitely love at first sight with them and they continue to grow their love for you.

We have enjoyed every day of this past year with you and look forward to watching you grow and change in the coming years. You are so special to us! 

You have the brightest eyes, the biggest smile, and the most infectious laugh. 

You love to lay your head on daddy's shoulder and it melts him every time. 

You love to snuggle Mommy for a minute before bed every night. These are moments I will treasure forever.

You love to hold our phones and you put them up to your ear to "talk". 

Your favorite word is one you made up : Guunga. We have translated it to mean "my parents are awesome". You can say a few other things (good girl, yes, momma, dada, thank you, night night) but guunga is your favorite word, by far. 

You love to eat and you love milk.

We feel like you are so petite and still look like a baby, but I know that will change in no time. 

You point at things that you want and it cracks me up. I don't know why, but I find it so funny when you point to the door because you want to go out of the room. Ha!

You are our Mika Lynn, Mika Lynny, Meeka Mika Mooka, Mika Boo, Boo Boo

and we LOVE you!

Happy Birthday sweet girl. We hope you feel as special and loved on your birthday as you are to us!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Wednesday Blessing

There are so many things going on with us right now.... and in the middle of it all God has stopped me in my tracks and caused me to refocus my energy on what really matters. I want to share a blog with you (a friend from high school's blog).... I have been blown away by her strength and courage. My heart has been breaking for her and I've been crying out to God for her healing. Still, I have been so blessed by her attitude and faith. I hope that you will read her blog (go back a few posts to catch up on her story) and will be blessed as well.

My Journey Begins...


Love,
Jen