Our computer...

has been sick. We got a virus but it is thankfully fixed now!

I've been without internet or computer for nearly a week now. I haven't really missed it too much. I needed a break as this has been a horrible week for me. I've been struggling with some things and have had my feelings hurt a few times - which is pretty normal for me (I tend to be a little sensitive) but I'm having a harder than normal time getting over it.

Then today, I took my baby for her 2 month check up (2 months already?!?!?!) and she spent the afternoon screaming in pain - from her shots and she had a belly ache. It is so hard when I'm doing all I can to help her and it doesn't seem to be helping.... so I just held her and whispered in her ears. Thankfully the big girls played pretty well on their own so I could focus on baby.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day and I'm sure I'll be up all night dwelling on it.

I'll upload some Easter pictures tomorrow... right now I have to feed a sweet baby and put her to bed. I love being a Mommy!!!!! :)

Today...

Today was hard. It seemed like everything was a constant struggle for me. At one point this afternoon, I sent J a text that said "And the hits just keep on coming..." because that is exactly how I felt. It was just. plain. rough.

So I thought I would end this day on a good note. I try to do this every day, but especially on the hard, frustrating days. So here are a few things I'm thankful for and happy about today...

I'm so blessed to be able to spend the rest of my life with this man.... I love him more and more every day. And he's so dang good looking, I can't even stand it! Side note - someday I would love to have that body back. :)

I'm thankful for this little cutie. My first baby. The baby girl who made me a mother. The baby who grew up in 3 short years to become this little girl...

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And this baby girl. My second baby. The baby girl who was so attached to her mommy that no one could hold her for about the first six months of her life (really, no joke... she would scream for me, even if Jared was holding her). And in just a few short months she'll be 2! She is such a sweet little girl....

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And then there is my third little girl. She is such an easy baby. I love her sweet cheeks and her tiny little smile. She's such a joy and I am enjoying watching her grow and change...

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I'm so happy that my sister will be moving back home to AR in a couple of months. She's my best friend and we are incredibly close... so this past year with her so far away has been hard on us. I can't wait to see her more often! (Again, look at my rockin' body - I know it will never look like that again, but a girl can dream!)

I'm thankful that I have a husband who loves me and who I love more than I ever thought possible.

I'm thankful I have 3 precious children who are healthy and happy and are the joys of our life. 

I'm thankful that I'm a mother - it is a responsibility that I do not take lightly.

Every day I thank God for the abundant blessings in my life... even on the hard days. 

I'm thankful that I have family, friends and a God who loves me.

And I'm thankful for today, even though it was hard and frustrating and I found myself in tears more than once.... I'm happy I had this day. 

Proud Mommy...

There are a few things I'm not really sure about when it comes to my children's development. I know there are certain things they should be doing by certain ages, but I also know that every child is different and grows and learns at their own pace. I try not to push developmental things, but rather introduce them and let my kids figure it all out as they are ready. I got surprised the other day...

Peyton got a Magna Doodle for her birthday (a Barbie one!) and she has loved playing with it. Sometimes she wants me to draw something or write something on there and she tries to mimic it. She's 3, so she has a hard time with it usually. Then the other day I was doing something with one of the other girls on the couch and Peyton was drawing... she brought me her Magna Doodle and said she drew a Barbie. I, of course, expected to see scribbles when I looked up, but this is what I saw...

Needless to say, I was incredibly proud of this scary looking Barbie that my baby drew ALL BY HERSELF!  She was proud too and wanted her picture made with her drawing. :)

And in case you are wondering, she can recreate this drawing (not exactly, but she'll get all the elements each time she draws a Barbie).

I'm so proud!

What Does 70 Years of Love Look Like?

This is my Mamaw giving my Papaw some water. He is in the nursing home not doing well and she still comes to take care of him. She's been taking care of him for over 70 years and she will do it as long as she can. (I thank one of my aunts for the sweet picture). 

Papaw is 90 years old and has cancer that they are not treating for a number of reasons. He has lived an incredible life - 90 years worth!

He and Mamaw had 12 children

23 Grandchildren (including me!)

and 42 Great-Grandchildren (so far).

These numbers are by my count so I could be missing some - it is REALLY hard to keep up with that many people :)

Mamaw and Papaw are incredible examples of how to love Jesus, how to love your spouse and love your children. And I love them so much!

I pray that Papaw's days on earth are peaceful and comfortable and filled with love and family. I know that the cancer will take his body and has already started to, but I love that he is still the same Papaw - ornery and loving to aggravate everyone! 

I hope this picture and post bless you - I think it is so wonderful to see that people can still love each other so much after 70 years together. For most of us it is hard to imagine spending 70 years with someone. :) 

Happy Friday!

Moments This Week That Have Made Me Laugh...

When the girls ask me for things they know they won't get, I have a standard response. For example, Peyton says all the time "I want Nana to come over and spend the night with me" (You can substitute any family member for Nana in that sentence. I hear this request many times every day.). My response to her is usually "I want a million dollars." Then I explain to her that we don't always get what we want! Anyway.... we were driving to Wal-Mart the other day and Laila said something about wanting a toy or something in the floor of the car.... then I hear Peyton respond with "Well, I want a million dollars." I lost it... I was laughing so hard tears came to my eyes.

Laila has the sweetest voice and her words are always so cute. She speaks fairly well but the words aren't always exactly right. She's learned her cousin Amelia's name and the way she says it is absolutely precious! She pronounces it A-MOOL-YA. So stinkin' cute!

Last night Jared was changing a poopy diaper of Laila's in the girls' bedroom and Peyton came out of the bedroom into the kitchen (where I was) and said that "I told daddy I had to get out of there, Laila's diaper stinks too bad." Seriously, that was hilarious.

And finally.... I laughed at how none of my children escaped getting their daddy's feet! Please check out the following picture of my Mika Lynn's feet. Notice the extra big Big Toe. Also, feel free to notice how adorably cute her little legs and feet are!

Jared's big toe is longer than his other toes, my second toe is the longest on my feet. All of my girls have his toes. And I love it! And it constantly makes me smile!

I just wanted to document these few moments to remember later. Things have been so crazy around here lately that I've needed these little laughs with my kids. Happy Thursday - I hope y'all take some time to laugh today!

Spring/Summer Wardrobes

As promised... here are some pictures of the girls' warm weather clothes.

These are the Easter dresses that Nanny and Whitney picked out. Complete with white sweaters and white patent leather dress shoes! The girls tried them on and LOVED their "princess" dresses. :)

This is Peyton's stash! She has some CUTE summer everyday dresses and some short outfits. I have some play clothes that I didn't bring out for the photo. Actually I have play clothes for all of the girls that I didn't take pictures of. :) Peyton has some great hot pink polka dot flip flops so now we just need some white sandals.

And here is Miss Laila's wardrobe. As you can see... she has a lot of the same things as Peyton. She also has some things that I didn't bring out. We are still on the hunt for a few items to complete her wardrobe, but we'll find them! And L needs some white sandals too. I like to buy the girls good shoes that they will wear most of the time. I don't really mind spending a little extra money to get some shoes that will last until they grow out of them (which will be by the end of summer). So in the next few weeks I'll be searching for the perfect summer sandals for the girls.

And finally Little Mika Lynn's new summer clothes! She has a huge drawer full of clothes that her big sisters wore and I saved but like Laila (who has Peyton's handed down clothes) she needs some new things just for her! There are a few more things that I've picked up (and Whitney has picked up) but they are all put away in her closet so I'll just show you these. And the pink and green onesie - it has ruffles on the bootie! Love it!

So there you go... a glimpse at the fun spring things we've picked up for the girls. Nanny and Mimi have done most of the  shopping . They enjoy picking out little girl clothes as much as I do!!!

Now it just needs to get warm enough for me to put these fun outfits on my girls!!!

Happy Spring everyone!

I finally have a minute to blog and I have nothing to say! How sad is that?! I guess I'll share with you that I've almost got all three girls' spring/summer wardrobes completed. Thanks to Mimi, Nanny and Aunt Whit!! They have helped me pick out some darling things. Now all we need are sandals and we should be set! I'll be sure to take some pictures soon. This is one of my favorite perks of having little girls - all the cute clothes. And I'm thankful that I have girls who love to wear dresses (they call them princess dresses) and who love to get new shoes (just like their Momma)!!! 


Sorry for such a lame post... I'll be back with better stuff soon! :) 


Hope you all have a great week!!!