4 Years

Before I do Brooklyn's 1 year post, I need to hurry up and get Maddie's 4 year post in. She had her birthday on March 13th and on April 2nd I took her in for her 4 year well-check. Let me tell you, she is a tall skinny girl! She weighed 34 lbs. (50th%) and was 41 inches tall (75th %). Totally explains while all her jeans are big around the waist and too short! He looked her over and said she looked perfect! We talked about counting, coloring, how she plays and then he had her do a few things for him (i.e. hopping on one foot, walking on her toes and then her heels, etc..). It was a smooth trip and she even did pretty well when she had to get those dreaded shots....4 of them to be exact! Yikes. Luckily, she's done with immunizations until she's 12!

A few things bout you now that you are 4:

-transitioned into a booster seat
-love coloring and does very well at staying in the lines
-pretends and has imaginary friends
-jumps and does flips on your trampoline
-a big helper. You enjoy watering the flowers, dusting, and putting the clean silverware away.
-is very sassy and we fight a constant battle with you to control your mouth and to teach what's acceptable and what's not.
-loves animals and told me she wanted to be a doctor so you could take care of them
-trying to break your thumb sucking habit
-excited about turning 5 so you can go to school
-enjoys board games
-learning how to ride a bike with training wheels

And so much more!

I can hardly believe that 4 years have gone by since I became a mom! Maddie girl~ you are a perfect little girl and even though you are incredibly strong willed, I just wouldn't have it any other way. I know that you are going to do great things in life and Im so blessed to be able to be a part of that! Love you!

Precious

Words can not describe how much I love these two! Maddie is my smart, big girl and Brooklyn will forever be my sweet baby! Together-they are the best sisters. I am so incredibly blessed!



Candyland Party

For Maddie's 4th birthday, we planned a Candyland themed party! it's one of Maddie's favorite games and she was really excited about it. I tried to make it as special and "sweet" as possible, knowing that I have to turn around immediately and have a bigger birthday bash for Brooklyn's one year party! Maddie had a blast and loved every second of it. We invited some family and friends over and had a great time! I just made her cake this year and I tried to decorate it like the board from the game. She also had lollipops in the front yard and a special outfit! Here are a few pictures!

A Very Merry Christmas

This year was our first Christmas as a family of four and we have tried to make the most out of the whole month! This time of year is my absolute favorite and I have such fond memories of Christmas as a child. I go to great lengths to make sure my girls not only love the magic of Christmas, but also remember that ultimately, it's all about Jesus! This year was great in both regards. Maddie and I talked about Mary/Joseph/baby Jesus almost on a daily basis. JTB really helped her put things into perspective this year too! She was also super excited about Santa this time and was always asking about him. A few highlights from our month were:

• looking at Christmas lights
• watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate
• Maddie helping mommy decorate the tree
• shopping for our yearly Christmas ornament
• going to the Cracker Barrel and getting Brooklyn's stocking
• Tyler Christmas Parade
• Journey Through Bethlehem
• talking to Santa and later, writing him a letter
• making cookies and other snacks
• daddy's Christmas party in Longview
• Maddie's Christmas party at church
• young adult SS class scavenger hunt
• Christmas stories

It was a busy month (always is) and I intentionally cram as much in as possible! There are so many fun and memorable things to do! On Christmas Eve, we went to my parent's house and ate some fabulous chicken and sausage gumbo. Then we stuck around long enough to listen to my dad read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas so that we could all sign the book. Then we scurried out the door and drove down the road back to our house so that we could do our own things before putting the girls to bed. We made some cookies for Santa, and while those cooked, we read How the Grinch Stole Christmas (a favorite of Jaime's from childhood) and the story of Jesus' birth from Luke. Maddie was then allowed to eat one cookie and watch a short Christmas movie before heading to bed. I told her that she HAD to stay in bed tonight and go to sleep as quickly as she could so that Santa would stop by. I think she listened because I didn't hear a peep and began wrapping gifts around 10 or so. I was able to get in bed at about midnight only to be woken up at 2! Maddie told me that she saw a shadow and thought it might be Santa!! I asked her if she looked at the tree yet and she hadn't so she ran into the living room. She was gone for several mintues and I just knew she was destroying all the presents, so I got out of bed. However, I found her quietly sitting in front of the tree, thumbing through a Christmas book that was propped in front (she gets a new one very year)! It was so cute. For a few minutes we sat in front of the tree, oohing and aahing. We then decided we better go back to sleep! Luckily, the family slept from that point till 7:30! Then we got up, opened presents, ate breakfast and headed to church for a worship service. After that, we headed back out to Nana and Papaw's house to spend the day doing Christmas with them. We opened more presents, took naps, played with new toys, and ate the greatest chicken and dressing meal ever. The green beans, sweet potato casserole, homemade monkey bread, and turkey weren't too bad either! ;) Yumm! By the end of the evening, Jaime and I were completely worn out but it was such a fun day!

Now, a new year is approaching us. Jaime and I are about to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary and we are both very excited to see what the Lord has in store for us this next year as we reflect on the past year of 2011. We are already so blessed!



All About Maddie

I can hardly believe, that come March, my first born will be 4 years old! My how the time has passed quickly! Now that Maddie is older, the posts documenting her progress, are few and far between. Things don't seem to change as quickly as they are right now for Brooklyn. However, I wanted to go ahead and write some things down that she does right now, so that I won't forget! Here goes nothing!

Maddie-

• you are a strong willed girl and have been since the moment you were born. I truly fell like that attribute will work well for you in life, but for now, we are really having to control that stubborn streak in you! Now that you are a big girl, it often comes out in very sassy and bossy ways-especially since your vocabulary has always been above par. You are the epitomy of a little mama and I remind you many times during the day that you are afterall, only 3!
• you are funny! Really funny! I don't know where you come up with some of the things you say and do, but if you aren't careful-it gets you in trouble too! Many times, you get sent to your room because of it. Then, once you are out of our sight, your daddy and I will often laugh about what you just did! Your a mess child!
• the world hasn't encountered a better big sister. You adore Brooklyn! You are very patient with her and can get her to laugh better than anyone. You are a great helper (getting things for me, throwing things away, etc..) and it's so precious to watch your reltionship blossom with your little sister. You don't like to see her cry and have already informed us that you do not want another sibling, just Brooklyn, and certainly not a little brother...because they are "stinky" according to you. Ha! Guess, we will just have to see about that!
• you have an amazing memory! You remember everything that is said to you, which is scary sometimes! You also still talk about the day that Brooklyn was born. You begin by saying that you were asleep in your room and when you walked out, Nana was on the couch. She asked you if you wanted to go to the hospital and you told her yes. Then you say that Brooklyn came out of my tummy. Same story, everytime. It's cute!
• you are a really good eater! Some of your favorites are: spaghetti, tacos, chicken nuggets, peanut butter and jelly(which you call jelly bread), carrots with ranch, raisins, marshmellows, applesauce, yogurt, cheese, salad, grilled cheese, and so on. You love to drink milk, water, juice and occasionally are allowed to get a sprite if you've been good.
• you are tall like your daddy but super skinny, probably only weighing between 33-35 pounds. You wear 4t pants for the length, but have to wear a belt around your waist and still are usually pulling your pants up!
• as for movies/tv shows, you really enjoy: SuperWhy, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, or anything you can dance too. You love all Disney movies, especially anything that has to do with a princess!
• your imagination has really kicked in within this past year and I can hear you talking to yourself constantly when you play. You enjoy: coloring, playing with your kitchen, taking care of your baby dolls, dressing up in your princess outfits, playing with your hand-held gaming system, or anything outside-especially driving your car or ppplaying with your basketball goal!
• you follow commands easily and when yu aren't being bad, will also say yes mam and yes sir. Things you can do by yourself: get in and out of your carseat, fill up your cup with water, potty by yourself (unless there's been an accident, but that is rare), wash your hands, dress and undress yourself, put your shoes on, clean your room, and most other things too. Your understand everything but if it's something you struggle with doing, you'll say "Im not old enough yet."
• you're a big helper and actually enjoy it. You can help me fold clothes, unload the dishwasher and dust!
• some of your favorite things are: horses, puppies, the color blue, music, bedtime stories (we've made up a story each night about a Princess called Olivia!), Vacation bible School and Christmas (you are very excited this year)

You are an absolute joy, Maddie girl! I continue to pray that you will grow into a Godly young woman and that you will be a strong, confident person. I love you so much and thank God every day for allowing me to be your mom!

Beyond Blessed

It's no secret that I adore my two girls! I never pass up an opportunity to talk about them or post another cute picture. Of course Im slightly biased, but I think they are two of the sweetest and most beautiful little girls. Daddy and I are so blessed!

Maddie all packed and heading to Nana and Papaw's house for the night

Dinner time for the nugget

She wanted "Rapunzel" hair

Birthday cake for daddy

They have my heart!



Thankful Thursday

Today, (and everyday) I'm very thankful for these sweet sisters!!