Happy 9th Birthday Seth!

I ♥ this kid!

It has been WAY too long, since I have blogged. It's not that there isn't tons of stuff going on. (We have 3 kids & I work full-time! =) We always have something happening :) It's just easier or lazier--with facebook-- I tend to just quickly post on there. I will try to do better--really I will :)

Happy 12th Brithday Coy =)

Twelve years ago today I became a mom for the first time. I am so proud of the young man Coy is growing into. Thankful today for my blessings.

This is sure to be a memorable birthday, but for the wrong reasons :( Coy was diagnosed w/strep throat yesterday evening. He's been feeling pretty rough today, but is beginning to feel a little better. He even asked me for his birthday pancakes =)

Gloria Grace has also been sick :( She started w/a fever last Saturday. I thought it was her teeth, as she is cutting 4 molars. I took her to the doctor on Tuesday, and she said it was a viral infection that would have to run it's course. Her mouth is full of little ulcers & her gums are very irritated :( She has been one miserable little girl! I took her this morning thinking maybe she had strep too. She does not have strep, so hopefully we are at the tail end of her virus.

Happy 1st Birthday Gloria Grace

Gloria Grace has had a wonderful 1st Birthday! She started the celebration this morning with her birthday pancakes :) Of course she loved them....she loves everything, well she didn't exactly love getting messy w/her smash cake :~P I will post pictures, from her party soon, but for now---here she is enjoying her birthday pancakes :)

Birthday Pancakes

I can hardly believe that tomorrow I will be making birthday pancakes for our beautiful, sweet, perfect for our family, little Colombian Princess' 1st Birthday!!

As I look back to my journal from this time last year, and see all the talking I did w/God about when I thought he should grow our family, I realize how perfect His timing is, and how He really does know what he is doing.

We will be celebrating BIG, with friends & family tomorrow evening at church. I'm excited to see what Gloria Grace does w/her very own birthday cake :) There will be lots of pictures to follow :)

While we are celebrating, I can't help to think about Gloria Grace's birth mom, "AGB." I wish I could talk to her, and say thank you for giving our daughter life. I can only imagine that the decisions she had to make were not easy. My prayer for her, is that she has no regret. That God has filled her heart with peace.

Happy 8th Birthday Seth

I ♥ this sweet kid.

What a nice weekend we have had celebrating Seth's 8th birthday, and to think it's not over yet :)

He has chosen ice skating for his party this year, and the 2 ice rinks near-by both were holding tournaments this weekend. We will have his party next Saturday, but this weekend we celebrated w/grandparents and Amanda (our cousin) @ Logan's. The waitress let Seth pick any dessert from the menu, and announced to the whole restaurant it was his birthday. He was embarrassed, but loved every minute of it.

We started out today (his actual birthday) with our traditional birthday pancakes. Then tonight we had grandparents over again for Seth's favorite dinner--Chicken Pot Pie. A few friends from the neighborhood came over after dinner, and helped us eat some cake.

Tomorrow, Seth is bringing donut holes to share w/his class, since they were out today for MLK day.
They boys love to spread their birthday celebrations out as long as possible :)

I am happy to let them.

What We've Been Doing While We Wait

January has been quite a busy month. That's a good thing. It helps the time pass quickly, until we bring GG home. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her being here & doing these things with us. I can't wait until we are sharing life with her. While we wait, this is how we roll :)

Seth @ his 7th birthday skate party:

Coy showing how cool he is:
Some of our friends helping us celebrate:

Seth on the 100th day of school, dressed as if he were 100 years old :)

Daddy had a birthday, too:

The last time Tennessee got a good snow was the year Seth was born. The day before his birthday it had snowed 6 inches. I was 9 months pregnant outside making a snowman w/Coy. What fun memories :) It snowed 2 more inches the day he was born! Snow doesn't happen like that in TN very often. This past Friday, we got between 3 & 6 inches depending where you live. Here in Smyrna we got closer to 3 inches, with some freezing rain to top it off. It made a really fun time sledding.

Seth:

Coy:

All of us :)

Happy Birthday BIG Seth

We went to order Seth's birthday cake the other day. The lady @ the bakery asked me what I wanted written on the cake. Seth pipes up & says "Happy Birthday Big Seth!" Seth will always be my "baby boy," but today he turns 7 & he thinks that makes him "Big." =~)

Our Traditional Birthday Pancakes:

Seth loves song cards. I found this "big" one :)Birthday Lunch:
We're off to pick up the cake & go to the Skate Center for his party. This is his second year in a row to choose a skating party. Last year he nearly closed the skate center down. Seth man loves to skate :) Will post more birthday party pics. later.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Mi Hijo Mejor!

I can hardly believe we are in double digits!! 1o years ago today I was off to MTMC to deliver our first born. I had many ideas what motherhood would be like, but truly I had no idea what I was getting into :) I must say that motherhood has been nothing as I expected it to be. I am so grateful for the love & guidance of my God, and that he gave us our 1st blessing 10 years ago today. I am so thankful for this boy. I refer to him as my extreme child. He is extreme in all things & that is what makes him Coy. :o)

Happy Double Digits :o)

He's been wanting this Starwars Lego set for a long time. I got a hug & a kiss for this one!!!

My Baby Boy is 6!!!!!!

Today is Seth's 6th Birthday. We started this years birthday bash, last night @ the Mexican restaurant:This was Seth's favorite outfit this year. His CRAZY bright/flashy YuGiO shirt, comfy soccer shorts, and his cowboy boots from Mexico: Seth was finally tall enough to ride a real roller coaster. He was a little nervous @ first, but ended up riding over, and over, and over. . .

His first day of Kindergarten:
He loves having a big sister: I love this boy. He is such a sweety. He has had a great 5th year. I look forward to continuing to watch him grow, and learn the plans God has for him.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños mi hijo meynor!

Such a Fun Day Today. . .

This is a little tradition we started, when Coy was 4. On his birthday I made him pancakes that spelled his name & had his new age. Next year will be double digits :o)

After blueberry birthday pancakes I took Lourdes to her new high school, for registration.

GO BULLDOGS! ! !

Then we headed on to Coy's birthday hangout of choice--Chuck-e-cheese :o)


We got to play w/Emily. :o) :o) :o)

Coy & Em hit the "jackpot" twice, and shared tickets w/Seth :o)

We went swimming @ Emily's house & then had birthday cake.

Coy picked out carrot cake, yummy.

Coy was having so much fun w/Em, he didn't want to come home. So he's spending the night @ her house.

This is just a cute picture of Seth & Brownie:


I hope everyone has had as fun & nice a day as we have :o)
Goodnight.

Happy Birthday Tim :0)

38 Things I Love About My Husband (in random order :0)

1. He's all mine
2. He's a great Dad
3. He loves me
4. He loves the boys
5. He is a Christ follower
6. He encourages me to pursue Missions
7. Our friendship my friend
8. He's tall
9. He provides for us
10. He takes the boys camping
11. His smile
12. He's honest
13. The funny way he laughs
14. He's a big kid
15. He's always warm
16. He doesn't mind my cold feet on him, when we get in bed.
17. He tells it like it is
18. He likes to take me on dates
19. He cares about others
20. He brings me egg rolls from work
21. He lets me nap on Sunday, after church
22. He's taking me to Romance & Roses
23. He prays for our family
24. He puts his clothes in the laundry room
25. He puts my shoes away for me
26. He allows me to work part time, so I can be home w/the boys the rest of the time
27. He's encouraging
28. His soft kiss
29. He calls me, even though he doesn't like to talk on the phone
30. He listens, well sometimes :-)
31. He's a good role model for our boys
32. He likes to just sit & watch TV, and cuddle
33. He's creative
34. He can admit when he's wrong
35. He likes to go out to eat, as much as I do
36. He reads the Bible
37. He lets me cut his hair
38. He's the one God chose for me
Tim & I started dating the summer of 1990. I was 16. We're now going on 18 years together, and I still love him with all my heart.

Happy 38th Birthday Honey!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SETH :0)

Five years ago today, Tim & I were headed to MTMC. There was 6 inches of snow on the ground, but I was not about to miss my scheduled induction. It was a quick and easy labor & delivery. I was ready to push in no time, and had to wait on the doctor. He was in surgery w/someone, and ended up getting another Dr. to stand in for him (in surgery), because Seth wasn't going to wait much longer. I only had to push a couple of times, and he was born.

He has been such a joy. He constantly cracks me up. I am so thankful God choose me to be his mom.

2007 Year In Review :0) January

Seth turned 4. It seemed like a month long party :-) He shared Dora & Diego cupcakes w/Ms.Debbie @ pre-school (He & his teacher had the same birthday). His official birthday party was @ Chuck e Cheese for the 3rd year in a row--his choice. Gotta love Chuckie. He helped me make cupcakes on his birthday for the family & kids in the neighborhood.







Coy finally talked me into a mo-hawk. (Such a proud Mom moment :0)



Snow !!!!!!!!!

You Are Invited to a Birthday Celebration for Jesus . . .

Dear Loved Ones:
As you well know, we are getting closer to My birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor. I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time, there are many people shopping for gifts. There are many radio announcements and TV commercials. In every part of the world, everyone is talking about my birthday getting closer and closer. It is really very nice to know that at least once a year, some people think of Me. As you know, the celebration of My birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them. In these times; however, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite, and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send Me an invitation. The party was for Me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in My face...and I wanted to be with them and share their table.
In truth, that didn't surprise Me because in the last few years many close their doors to Me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk, and telling jokes and laughing at everything. Then this large man dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room with a loud Ho-Ho-Ho! All the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus," as if the party were in his honor! Why did they all know this man, but had no idea who I was?
At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other. I extended My arms waiting for someone to hug me, and do you know no one hugged me. Suddenly, they all began to share lavish gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if maybe there was one for Me. How would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party, and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers Me.
I would like this Christmas that you allow Me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give My life for you-- on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart. I want to share something with you. Though many didn't invite Me to their party, I am planning My own celebration. A grandiose party that no one has ever imagined. A spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements.
Today I am sending out many invitations, and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend. If you do, I will make a reservation for you. I will write your name with golden letters in My great guest book. Only those on who respond will be admitted to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation...or answer no, will be left outside. Be prepared. When all is ready, you will want to be part of My great party. It will be ready before you know it.

I Love you,

Jesus

PS: Please share this message with your loved ones before Christmas.
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A friend sent me this in an e-mail. I thought it would be nice to share. We are having a Birthday Celebration for Jesus tomorrow, Thursday 12-20. We will start at 4:00. (Sorry I didn't post this earlier) The plan is to have pizza & cake & bake/decorate cookies for the families we will go caroling to. I will be telling the Christmas Story, and then we will decorate our caroling books. We have 6 Senior adult families to visit, and spread some Christmas joy to. We'd love for you to join us.
:0) Kelly