Seven

Dear Makinley,

Seven years gone by in a flash. In some ways, I can't believe you are seven. In others, it feels like you should be older. Your mannerisms and the ways that you talk to me are becoming more and more mature. Not that you are talking about inappropriate things for 7 year old. Just the WAY you talk is so grown sometimes.

It's not often that you get our undivided attention, and you crave it so much that your daddy and I try to find ways to do just that. For daddy, he enjoys going to breakfast with you once a month at school. Mommy enjoys getting to eat lunch with you once a week...although Addie Grey does have to join us on those days.

I enjoy seeing you in your element at school. You are doing SO well academically and behaviorally too. You've only had to move a few 'reminders' so far this year, and you've managed to stay on green all year so far. Luckily, you don't always show your teacher just how stubborn you can be when you want to.

You are starting to grow in your friendships and you have the most tender heart for those around you. The other day you told me that you don't just play with one person on the playground. You 'play with whoever asks you'. I love that about you. I love that you can float between groups and play with anybody.

When given the choice between a birthday party and some quality time with mommy and one other friend, you chose quality time and I'm so thankful. I loved having 24 hours of just the two of us. We were able to talk, laugh, shop and just enjoy each other's company.

The American Girl experience did not disappoint. From the check in....

To the pink room....

To the cookies and milk....

with our new doll Issabelle...

The night was amazing. Not pictured were the movie, dinner and swimming in the pools until late at night. The next morning we were able to enjoy a delicious breakfast and your silly side came out.

We topped off the weekend with ice cream cake with all our neighborhood friends. Simple and small, but still fun.

Your daddy and I are so thankful for you. You are a wonderful little sister and BIG sister. You are the life of any party. You are silly and loud and strong willed and determined and SMART and beautiful and I am daily seeing glimpses of the teenager you will be. I pray daily for God's protection over you. Over your mind. Over your emotions. Over your decisions. Over your body. Over your heart. I pray you grow to love Him and chase Him above any other.

I know the plans He has for you are SO much greater than any I could ever dream. So, I'm just going to sit back and watch it all take place while being your biggest fan and strongest prayer warrior. I love you more than you will EVER know!
Love,
Mommy

Family Celebration

There is no way to get together with my parents and Trey and Jenn different times to celebrate all the September birthdays that we have, so we knocked it out with one dinner this year. We met in Covington and had dinner at a BBQ place. I was insistent that we eat somewhere that we could sit outside so that I didn't have to worry about keeping Addie Grey contained and so that Bear could watch cars drive by. It worked out perfectly and we were the only ones sitting outside, so we had free reign.

 Addie Grey is a lover of all things baby, so Uncle Trey and Aunt Jenny hit the spot with a baby doll that came with its own potty. Especially since GiGi bought Addie Grey a potty too. We aren't really potty training yet, but I do want to start getting her used to sitting on the potty.

 Bear just hangs out. He is the most peaceful kid. He read books, played on his daddy's phone, ate, and watched cars go by. He was perfectly content.

Poppa went to Kroger and got cupcakes and a candle so that we could sing to the girls. We didn't sing to Trey or Joey, but I don't think they cared. The cupcakes were messy and all the kids cared about was the icing.

 Please notice the shirt Tripp has on. Let's just say he'll be wearing it a lot. He got it at a golf tournament with his daddy.

 My family. I love the people in this picture with my whole heart and then some!

 Whew. Another whirlwind September week drawn to a close! Happy Birthday to Trey, Joey, Addie Grey, and Makinley! Until next year! :-)

A 2nd Letter

Dear Addie Grey,

Each month, I'm shocked another month has passed by, which leads to you being a month older. You would think after 24 months, it would stop catching me off guard, but it doesn't.

I really think you have grown and changed more over the last few months that in all the months combined. Yes, during your first year you grew much in height and appearance. But these last few months you have grown so much in vocabulary and personality.

I can't distinctly remember just how much your brother and sister could do and say at this age, but you talk nonstop from the time your feet hit the floor in the mornings until you call it a night at the end of the day.

However, calling it a night is no easy task. You are beginning to master the art of procrastination. You will do anything to avoid getting into your bed. You continuously ask for more milk, more babies, no music, yes music, 'rock rock'...the list gets longer each night. And you can forget your daddy putting you to bed. It's a constant "mommy do" around here.

Mommy has to do everything. Not just put you to bed. Anything and everything that you need help doing, mommy must do. And if it's not 'mommy do' then it's 'I do." We hear that quite often as well.

You and mommy are having lots and lots of one on one time these days as mommy is now part time. Every Monday and Tuesday (and every other Wednesday) we hang out. We've gotten into a great routine of exercise, grocery shopping, and keeping the house clean. In between, we read. We sing. We dance. We hug. We kiss. We love on each other.

And mommy gets to be a part of things like small birthday parties at Mrs. Brandi's house. We opted out of a huge party this year, but you are none the wiser and just as content with a cupcake and a candle. Sometimes less is more.

Each night, when we put you to bed, you sing "Jesus love me" and the "me" part is so funny we made sure to get it on video to always remember. You also never forget to thank Jesus for Tom and Boss. You may forget Daddy, or Mommy, or Bubba or Sissy...but you never seem to forget Tom and Boss.

You are really territorial over your things, so we are working through it. I would think that being the third would mean you just naturally realize that you need to share. However, instead you feel the need to hoard. I guess maybe it comes from the four of us giving in way too many times to whatever you ask for.

You spend WAY too much time climbing on top of the kitchen counters to get to what you want. And half the time you are naked when you do it. Mommy hears 'ditter wet' a lot even when it's not. Apparently, you like to go commando.

You can work the Ipad like a champ and mommy's phone. You know how to get to exactly whichever games and songs you want...and you're pretty particular about what you want to listen and dance too. And you actually have moves. Most toddlers dance just by bouncing up and down. Not you. You can all kinds of moves up your sleeve.

You LOVE to listen to the band play at the football games. You will sit and watch them for the longest time and dance anytime they start to play.

You also have a major love for any and all babies. You seek them out when you can and do your best to get as close as possible.

Some days you eat like you can't get enough, and others I can't get you to eat at all. I've learned to just let it go. You tell me when you're hungry, and lots of times you tell me what you want to eat. You are still by far our healthiest eater at this age, and you tend to try anything at least once.

Your brother and sister continue to dote on you. Each of them would do anything for you. Most mornings when you first get up, you seek out Tripp to 'rock rock' in the living room. But I also believe you look at Makinley as your second mommy and tend to let her hold you and do things for you that you usually reserve for just me. She eats it up and it makes her feel so special.

Thankfully, you have remained healthy now that the school year has started back. You did get one stomach bug, but you fought it off quickly and it didn't keep you down for long. You've started taking vitamins, and you love to be the one to get them out of the bottle.

You and your friend Ellie get SO excited on the days that you get to see each other. You fight like sisters sometimes, but you also love each other and love to play together. I love seeing a bond already starting to form between you.

You are our smallest so far at this age. You weigh 28 pounds and you are 35 inches tall. I'm thankful for it. Although I know you are growing and changing day by day, I'm going to continue to hold on to every piece of 'baby' that I can find in you.

We love you to the moon and back, Addie Grey. God's perfect plan of giving you to us was more than we could have ever hoped or dreamed for. We know your third year is going to be just as fun and exciting as the two preceding it. Happiest of birthdays to you!
Love,
Mommy

Birthday Boy

This man of mine celebrated his 36th birthday! Poor thing gets overshadowed by both his daughters, but he will never be outdone as far as my love for him. I say it every year, but I am so blessed to call him my husband. He is loving, patient, kind, hilarious, hard working, trustworthy, Godly, prayerful...the list goes on. The year ahead poses some changes for us (don't worry- it does NOT include a baby), and I am anxious to see what all God has planned for us. Happy Birthday, babe. I couldn't do this life without you!

Prayer Walk

Each year, a group of women get together and do a "Prayer Walk" around all the schools. I wasn't able to go last year, but this year, I made it a point to go. We walked 5 miles and circled around all 4 schools in the county. It was HOT outside, but it was so awesome to cover the students, teachers, parents, admin, and board office in prayer.

First Week

The school year has gotten off to a smooth start. Both kids are adjusting and I love being part time.  Makinley's homework is pretty intense because she's in the gifted program this year. Both kids tested in to the program, but we decided not to have Tripp take part in it quite yet. We have our reasons, and so far, I think we made the right choice for him. Makinley needs the extra challenge, and she is rising to the occassion, but her homework takes up a good bit of time each night. She's had a couple of days of having to move a 'reminder' for talking, but most days she stays on Super Star. Tripp continues to be the rule follower of the bunch. I can't believe month one is behind us already.

 We celebrated the end of the first week with a breakfast date.

 Addie Grey gives her brother and sister huge hugs every morning when they leave for school.

 One of the benefits of being part time is getting to go eat lunch with Makinley once a week. She loves it!

Practicing her sight words. She's on her third list...so third grade words. She looks tired in this picture. Because she is!

Recently a teacher at our school, who also happens to live across the street from us, was diagnosed with breast cancer. To show our support, we had a school "pink out" day because her favorite color is pink. She started chemo last week, and I have full faith God is going to heal her of this. I enjoyed 'pinking out' with Tripp!

Into EVERYTHING

This almost two year old is into EVERYTHING these days. We can't take our eyes off of her for two seconds.

 The above picture is why she is getting a kitchen tower for her birthday.

I love her and her crazy self!