7 Years

Paul and I celebrated our 7th anniversary last Monday. My parents came over to watch the girls and we went on a fun date. Any date is fun these days. Paul likes to go over the top sometimes when it comes to special events (which I'm not complaining about,) but I told him that this year I just wanted to go to dinner, see a movie, and anything else that was simple. We had so much fun just talking and being together. I am so blessed to have been given Paul to be my husband. He is my perfect match. It's amazing how God works that out for you if you just wait for Him, isn't it?! Paul is the best husband, my best friend, and the best Daddy that I could have ever chosen for our babies. The first 7 years have been awesome and I can't wait to see what the rest of our lives together hold.

Our Wedding Day

7 Years Together
(It's obvious from comparing the two pictures that maybe I need to hit the tanning bed a little harder these days...) :o)

My Little Star

This is a little late, but I still wanted to post about Gracie Claire's first school program. She did such a great job! They had the whole auditorium decked out with things to match the theme..."In the Tall, Tall Grass." All of the students had made most of the decorations...ladybugs, butterflies, kites, so cute! When GC's age group performed, they came marching in to "When the Ants Come Marching In" all wearing cute little bug hats. They sang sweet little songs and did all of the actions to go with them. The funny moment of the program was when Gracie Claire, who was on the front row, lost her ladybug hat to someone behind her and she stopped singing, dancing, etc. to make her way up the risers to the top row to retrieve it. Once it was safely back on her head, she went back to the performance as if nothing had happened. Secretly, I'm so glad that it happened because there was a little boy who was suppose to be next to her on the front row that was standing directly in front of her instead...therefore, no view of my GC. I had to fight off the urge to want to go up on the stage to shove the kid over myself. Yes, I know he wasn't doing it on purpose... :o) Here are some of the pictures from the night. Unfortunately, my videographer (Paul) didn't hit the record button until the performance was almost over. I will give him the fact that it was an innocent mistake on his part, but I again had to fight off the urge to shove him. :o) Thankfully my dad took video and got it all, so hopefully I'll be able to get a copy of that soon to post.

My Sweet Little Bug

Gracie Claire and her Best Friend Claire

Sydney Enjoying the Show -- I LOVE this picture!

Mommy and Her Girl

Daddy and His Girl

Gracie Claire with BigPa and Gigi

Gracie Claire with PaPaw and Janny

Gracie Claire with Uncle Caleb, Aunt Sandra, and Sam

The whole crew who came to cheer our sweet girl on -- minus Aunt Gracie who was there but had to leave as soon as it was over for Summer Spectacular practice...she's forgiven! :o) (Uncle Nkere's forgiven too since he IS playing Jonah and had to miss the whole program for practice...I know he wanted to be there!)

3 Year Old Prayers...

Gracie Claire has been changing her prayers up here recently instead of saying the same prayer every night. It's like it has clicked that she can say anything she wants to God. Love it! Sadly, I have a hard time containing my laughter as she prays her sweet little prayers that are straight from her heart. I can hardly stand it, it's so precious! Here is the prayer that she prayed last night before bed...

"Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for my falimy (family.) Thank you for my clothes and my food. Thank you Lord for essythang (everything,) and essythang, and essythang, and essythang. Thank you Lord for helpin' me stay all night in my big girl bed so I don't get a sankin' (spanking) with the sankin' soon (spoon.) Thank you Lord for helpin' me stay all night in my big girl bed so I don't get a sankin' with the sankin' soon. Thank you Lord for essythang and essythang and thank you for helpin' me stay all night in my big girl bed so I don't get a sankin' with the sankin' soon. Thank you for Jesus! Aaaamen."

Apparently she is thankful for everything and very thankful that she is receiving help staying all night in her bed. I just love how sincere her prayers are and how she is learning to talk to the Lord straight from her sweet little heart! It's the best being a mommy...don't you think?!

YAY!! I've Been Tagged...

by Jennifer!

What Was I Doing Ten Years Ago:

10 years ago I was finishing my first year of college and working as a student worker in the financial aid office. I was still living at home with my parents, which I loved, and I spent lots of time with one of my best friends, Ashley, traveling back and forth to Tyler to see her boyfriend, now husband, play football. I also probably tanned way too much 10 years ago. Random.

5 Things On My To-Do List Today:

• Laundry
• Pack boxes
• Organize some of the girls' clothes
• Dust & Vacuum
• Watch Claire (which isn't really a chore! :o)
  

5 Places I Have Traveled:

• Maui & Oahu
• London
• Rome
• Florence
• Barcelona
  

5 Snacks Or Treats I Enjoy:

• Twizzlers
  
• Cheetos
  
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
• Chips and Salsa
• Pickles

What Would I Do If I Were A Billionaire:

• Give to the Lord
• Pay off any debt as well as debt of family
  
• Buy any shoes that I want
  
• Buy lots of bags
  
• Redecorate
  
• Get Paul lots of trips to hunt and fish
• Spend lots on the girls
  
• Travel, Travel, Travel

Places I've Lived:

• Iowa
• Missouri
• Watauga
• Abilene
• Euless
  
• Keller
  

Jobs I've Had:

• Nanny
• Ticket Booth at NRH2O
• Financial Aid Office at TCC
• Admissions and Financial Aid at ACU
• Recreation Program at Christ's Haven
• 1st Grade Teacher
• Mommy (My Fave!)
  

People I'm Tagging:
Gracie, Emily, & Angela

**Side-Note: Pictures and possible video coming from Gracie Claire's first school program!**

I'm the Big Sister...

I just love my brother and sister!