An Old (Rose) Soul

This rose has come a long way. (and not just in its looks) We got it from Sean's great great Aunt Olga who lives in Cisco. You see, it was part of a beautiful rose bush that's been in her yard for a long, long time. Her grandparents came to Texas from Alabama (the same county that my family's from!) many, many years ago and brought this darling little plant with them.

When Grandmommy brought it to us, it was just a bunch of thorny green branches. We did (and are doing) our best to keep it growing, and now it seems like it's warmed up and showing us its little personality!

I love feeling like I'm still connected to something from a hundred years ago! (and from the great state of my birth, Alabama)

Step 2: Planting

Inhale.big exhale. spring is HERE. yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we can walk around with no shoes!!!!

but....oops, they're pretty white.

ahem..

it's time to plant! an excuse to use a vintage watering can? yes, please!

AnnMarie's ready!

Let's hope these babies show up!
Gamma (aka my sweet MIL) put these gloves in my stocking this Christmas. Aren't they cute?

Just so you know Clark does not always have to play in a doll playpen, here's where he hung out while we planted:

Thank goodness I'm not alone on this task!

And now we wait, wait, wait, and water, water, water

Clark's first playgroup

Yesterday Clark got to have the spotlight for a while.

He had his first very own playgroup date. In case you've started counting, there were THIRTEEN babies there, and unbelievably, only ONE was a girl. :)

That's right, twelve bouncing baby boys. They ranged in age from 3-9 months, and were all darling!

This picture cracked me up because narry a one is looking at the camera, Clark is digging through my friend, Brooke's, diaper bag, Lucca was the king of the excersaucer, and we've got a couple screaming bloody murder. It was SO funny trying to take this picture.

front row: Bennett, Mase, Ethan, Evan (twins--could have those mixed up, Will

second row: Griffin, Clark, Liam, Cullen (also twins), Miles, Hunter

back row: Lucca, Jane

can't WAIT to see these babies grow up together!

Veggietales

Starting a vegetable garden has been something I've wanted to do since we got married. (nearly 7 years!) Anyway, this year I decided it was time since:

A. this spring/summer I can actually bend at the waist (last year I could NOT)

B. We now have a yard that's condusive to it

Since I am no good at pushing full wheelbarrows and digging with huge shovels, I needed this guy:

Oh yeah, I can't operate the sod cutter either. :)

So he cut up the sod, tilled the ground, and brought in good soil on top
and then he brought in the stone and created a wall around the cute little garden
and I took pictures while sissy swang
and bubba played

and after much of daddy's hard work.................WA LA!

All ready and prepped for some veggies to grow

I have been cHoMpInG at the bit to get started, but from all the master gardners I've talked to, they say it's best to wait until after Easter

cuuuuuuuccccccuumbers, t.o.m.a.t.o.e.s., PEPPERS, peas

mmmm.mmmm.mmmm

Soooooooooo, we wait!

*This post is dedicated to my sweet husband, who, whether he feels like it or not, always does things to make his wife happy. and I am!

Zoo time with Gamma and Pepaw

AnnMarie's birthday got a little sweeter when Gamma and Pepaw came into town to help celebrate. We had a wonderful weekend as always, and our highlight was taking a trip to the Waco zoo. It was the PERFECT day for it!

Pausing by the buffalos
It was just too much walkin for Clark

The zoo is great, I'm telling you. In the new "Asian Forest" there's a place for kids to climb and play. AM had fun jumping on these chimes.

Meeting the zoo's newest---Mr. Orangutan

Afterwards, we stopped for a drink break (and a popsicle break)

I don't have pictures to show for it, but Gamma brought lots of fun birthday presents, including a highly sought after new backpack and new spring duds. And Pepaw (as ALWAYS) helped us with numerous projects around the house. Every time this master handyman comes the condition/functionality of our house is significantly improved! A big THANK YOU to you both!

We miss you, Gamma and Pepaw! Thanks for treating us to a super fun weekend.

Birthday girl year 4

Sigh. My firstborn is four.

I don't want to overshadow the fact that I am completely thankful and ecstatic to see her turning into a big girl, but there are some sad feelings deep down that I can never get those toddler days back! But---like I've said before--I'm really trying to focus on eNjOyInG each phase as it comes! So let's do it!

Here's a recap of our birthday WEEK. It was alot of fun for this beaut!

I forgot to take a picture (probably because it was 6:30 a.m.), but she awoke to a "grab bag" outside her door of presents from Mommy and Daddy. Next we went to Shipley's per her request for her bday breakfast. Such a sweet little poserSince her bday fell on our Spring Break, we had the whole day to ourselves! We took a trip to Target to pick out a special present from brother. She picked out a PlayDoh "Ice Cream Parlor" set. Here she is with some of her sundae creations:
That night, the fam went out for her bday dinner at again, her choice, Olive Garden. :) She specifically requested the breadsticks and "green chocolate" you get at the end. This chick has never been called shy, but she sure did clam up when they started doing the Olive Garden birthday song. I guess it was a little overwhelming for a four year old!
Our family of four with our daughter of four

Aunt Julia with the two peas in a pod cousins (Thank you, J, for bringing your camera!)

We had so much fun with J&J and Mimi and Gramps. (Mom and Dad were out of town.)

Two days later....it was time to party! Any idea what the theme was? As my dad says, "two guesses and the first one doesn't count". :)

PRINCESS people

We decorated the living room in preparation for our princess friends.

We made a cake

And we prepared a little food...

When everyone arrived, they began work decorating their jewelry boxes.

Smile, princesses!

AnnMarie and her bestie from school, Ella (ahem, "bride" Ariel and Ariel)

Drum roll please....this was the big hit. I had a friend of mine dress as Cinderella and come to surprise the girls (including the birthday one). It has brought my heart so much joy to hear her tell friends and family that "the REAL Cinderella from DW came to my party". I love planning your parties, little one!

***AnnMarie, I am hoping you're not reading this until you're old enough to know that it was not physically possible for Mommy to bring a "real" princess from Disney World, although I realize that's what you're telling everyone right now.

After taking pictures and learning some "princess" dance moves, we took the party outside to enjoy the GORGEOUS day and blow out the candles. All four of them! gah!

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!

We had cake and ice cream...

Daddy was there and was Clark's primary guardian for the time being.

Once the cake/ice cream was done, the girls all played on the swing set. So cute to see them going all out in their dresses! Who says you have to wear shorts and tshirts to play?

Let's go!

Swingin on the trapeze!

uh uh uh! There was too a prince there! Greetings, Prince Samuel!

We had such a great time! All twelve little girls were as sweet as they could be and it all went so smoothly. After everyone left, we opened presents. But before we started, I had to ask Daddy to take a picture of me with my big girl.

Get 'em, girl!

Another sigh.

enjoy this phase. enjoy this phase. enjoy this phase. do not be sad.

ok

My darling, beautiful girl! I am SO proud of you and love watching you grow and change. How could you be any smarter? How could you be any sweeter? I love seeing qualities in you (already!) that I wish I had. We have so many fun days and memories ahead of us. Thank you, Lord, for giving me a girl. I did NOT know how badly I needed one. Thank you for giving me AnnMarie. She is EXACTLY what I need in a daughter.

Can't wait to see what year five holds for you!

love, love, and lots more love from mommy, daddy, and bubba

Brooks's dedication

A couple Sundays ago my nephew, Brooks, got dedicated at church.

What a darling baby boy he is and how thankful we are for him! It was such a special day--J&J's church does a really neat presentation of each family and reads a life verse for the child that the parents have chosen. The best part was at the end when members of the congregation came and prayed for each family individually. Many tears were flowing as our hearts just overflowed! I just kept thinking back to the timeline of this little man. From the moment we knew J was pregnant, to seeing him wave "bye bye" to me the other day. I can't wait to watch him grow up!

Oh, little B man, you are the most adorable thing, and you have an aunt that loves you to pieces! May you always know the Lord and follow the plans He has for you. You are part of his perfect creation!

I asked Sean to take a picture of the kids and I with Mimi and Gramps. They are so dear to me, hold a special place in my heart, and I am especially thankful to get to share special family times like these with them.

After the service, we went over to Julia's parents for a delicious meal. Miss Carolyn never disappoints! :)

Clark is 8 months

My boy is eight months old today. What a blessing to have a baby that just keeps growing and growing and growing!

But---the truth is that my heart aches a bit knowing that these precious (and I mean they have been PRECIOUS with this boy) baby days are slipping by so quickly.
Highlights from our month:

Playing with GigiTaking in the Baylor game
This kid has some serious bedhead
SNOW DAY! (I promise, he does not wear this outfit everyday. I feel like in every picture I take of him--and end up posting---he is wearing this outfit!)

Bubba has found a new trick when Mommy's not looking...

He's discovered food! yahoo! Real food---not a big fan of "baby food"

Loves being outdoors

Is still an angel...

Likes to jump!

Melts a mama's heart...

So this month we didn't go to the doctor which means there are no "stats" to speak of, but I'm just gonna record some of my Mommy observations:

*has gotten his 5th and 6th teeth!!!

*which in turn causes a constant dry, red rash around his mouth from the DROOL.

*is the HAPPIEST little thing! Our favorite thing is to get him giggling! :)

*Has a date with 6:30 every morning. hmmm...Mommy likes 7 better.

*still taking 3 naps a day although I think the third one is not here for long...

*played Pat-a-Cake with Mommy once, but hasn't done it since! :)

Oh, little buddy, you have just brought out so much more love out of your mommy and daddy. I canNOT imagine our lives without you. Thank you, Lord, for our darling boy!