Eight Years and Counting

Today, Ben and I are celebrating eight years of marriage. Wow! That seems like a long time. We tried to spend a night away last weekend but sick kiddos prevented that. Tonight I had big plans of Ben walking through the door to a sparkling clean house and dinner almost done. I wanted to have the kids bathed and fed but life got in the way. When he got home the house that was clean an hour before had been wrecked and dinner had not even been started. :) Of course it didn't phase him a bit. I'm learning (slowly!) that these things really don't matter. Watching Darby grow so fast has been a great reminder that these times pass too quickly. Enjoy every moment has been my motto lately and I'm hanging onto that! We enjoyed our dinner, just a little later than I hoped.
As I sit here this evening thinking about our wedding day, I remember the love I felt for Ben and how excited I was to be his wife. I can honestly say that my love for him today is so far beyond what I felt that day. He is such a GREAT man. A Godly man. And he loves me so well.
Ben, I love doing life with you! Thanks for loving me and serving our family.
More than words,
~L

Grant is 6!

On Monday, August 23rd, Grant turned six years old. I can't believe what a big boy he is now! He was super excited about this birthday, talking about it for months and counting down the days until he turned six. We decorated the house with balloons and a birthday banner when he went to bed Sunday. When he woke up he ran down the stairs and thanked me for his sign and balloons. Then he went to look in the mirror to see if he looked different. HA! He makes me laugh.
We got his haircut that morning and then headed to Gigi's to play with some of his favorite people in the world-Natalie, Lainey and Rhett. They greeted him with birthday hugs and kisses and made Grant feel so special. We stopped by his good friend, Henry's house and Henry gave Grant a Wii game that he has been wanting for so long! That was a highlight in his day, for sure! His party is not for a few more weeks so we took him to Gattitown for dinner. Such a fun day!
Grant,
What a special boy you are! I'm so thankful God made me your mommy. I love your tender heart and the way you help your sisters with whatever they need. You often wash Kamryn's hair when she needs help or give Darby her bottle or paci when she is sad. I've really grown to depend on you and I'm not sure what I would do without my big helper!
You have grown up so much this past year. You've mastered reading now and love to read me books. It's been so neat to watch you learn and grow into such a big kid. I love that you still say "calepitter" and "coughing table". I joke with Daddy about not correcting you when you say those things because I want you to stay my little man.
When you came into this world you changed our lives forever and for that I am so thankful!I love you more than I can say, sweet boy. Being your mommy is the greatest joy of my life.
Much love,
Mommy

Kamryn's new look



uh oh...trouble!
best buds

Introducing Darby Renee'

A week ago today,Darby Renee' made her debut into the world. She weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs 3 oz and 21 1/4 in long and of course a head FULL of hair. We've spent the last week watching her every move and falling more in love each day. She sure is a sweet little thing and we couldn't be more excited about this addition to our family.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from her birth day.

The Princess is 3!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Kamryn! I'm not sure how it is that we are celebrating your 3rd year of life already. Watching you grow from a baby to a toddler and now to a preschooler has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

Today was a great day. While Bubby was at school you and I shopped and played and just spent time together. You picked where we went tonight and your choice was of course, Gattitown. You and Grant giggled and laughed all night. You also got your first bike! The look on your face when Daddy rolled it in the living room was priceless. I can't wait to see you take off on it.

Your Daddy and I are so proud of you, KK. You have such a sweet spirit about you but you also have a fiesty side.You are using your imagination more each day and it's so fun to watch and listen to you. Lately you have been singing ALL the time. Sometimes you sing songs you know and sometimes you just make them up. Today you made up a song about cousin Macey coming to visit.

You are becoming more and more of a Daddy's girl. You ask for him several times a day while he is at work and when the door opens at the end of the day you start squealing. I absolutely love watching the two of you bond. You certainly have him wrapped around that little finger of yours.

Your love for Grant has only grown stronger this past year. You two are inseparable and have so much fun together. Some things ya'll like to do together are chasing each other around the house, jumping on the trampoline (or jumpoline as you call it) playing hide and seek, reading books or watching cartoons.

You are really excited to become a big sister soon! I can tell you are going to take this new role seriously. You keep telling me how you will help feed your baby sister and change her diaper. You like to pat my tummy and give baby sister kisses. You also like to remind me how big my tummy is and that "the baby is getting soooo big".

Kamryn Elizabeth, you have made our lives brighter and we love you more than words. I am so glad you were born!

Much love,
Mommy

Tee Ball Time

Grant is playing tee ball now. It weirds me out how fast he is growing up but I can ramble about that another time. He had his first game last week and yes, I got a little choked up when I saw him in his uniform. He is loving it and part of the reason is Ben is one of the coaches. They spend a lot of time together at practices and games and both of my boys are having a blast! Natalie is playing on a different team and she and Grant love to talk about their practices and games. So funny! Here are some pics....

First time at bat
Doing a jig on 2nd
My little catcher

Grant and one of his buds

Grant's littlest fan

and more of his cheering section

the girls And of course, Nana was there cheering too with KK.

Taking a knee after the game
Me and the kiddos...all three of them!
My boys

The cutest kids in tee ball!