A Daddy and His Ladies

Paul, the best daddy ever, took his 3 littlest ladies out on a date this past Saturday night.  Our church has an annual Daddy/Daughter dance and the ladies were PUMPED!  As soon as they heard it mentioned at church, they asked non-stop if Paul was going to take them.  GC and Syd LOVED it last year and Molly was beyond excited to go for the first time!  (You have to be 4...so, this was her year!)  They had quite a time.  They ate cupcakes, danced, got a carriage ride, did a girly craft, and got a little talk about how important Daddy is.  A time they'll never forget, fo sho!

Thanks, babe, for showing and teaching our girls how a Godly man treats a lady.  Love you.

She's 6!

This little bundle of love is 6 years old today!  Just like with her sister yesterday, I can't believe how fast it has flown by!  Sydney Hope, our inquisitive, stubborn, strong-willed lady has grown into a loving, smart, little beauty.  She is our child who feels strongly about what she wants and she'll do whatever it takes to make it happen.  We love her so much!

 

My Inquisitive, Ornery, Funny, Sweet, Pretty Baby,

Mommy is so proud of you!  You have taught me so much in your 6 years here on earth!  I still think about being nervous about having a 2nd baby because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to love another baby as much as the first.  I quickly learned that God gives you the capacity to love your 2nd baby just as much as your first.  I'm so thankful that you were that baby.  He used you to teach me about love.  You are our hard-headed girl.  You don't give up on trying to get what you want.  Sometimes it gets you into trouble, but I think that someday you will use this "gift" for something amazing.  You are so inquisitive.  You love to figure out how things work.  You want to be outside with Daddy doing work or watch him try to fix something.  You are so sweet.  You have lots of friends.  Everyone around you loves you!  I always hear people say, "Your Sydney is so sweet!"  They're right!  You love being a little sister and a big sister!  You get to enjoy the best of being both!  You love your sisters and they love you!  Mommy and Daddy are so in love with you Sydster!  You have been given so many gifts and we love watching as Jesus uses them for His glory!  More than anything, we pray that you will grow up to love, follow, and serve Jesus every single day of your life!  He is already using you for His kingdom!  We can't wait to watch as His plan for your life unravels.  We love you sweet Syd!

 

Happy 6th my Sydney Hope!

Love you,

Mommy



She's 8!

I say it every year, and I'll say it again.  I can't believe that my baby, the chunky ball of goodness you see in the photo above, is 8!  What in the world?!  She is an amazing little girl.  P and I couldn't be more proud of the little girl that she has become!  God is using her in amazing ways already and we know that His plan for her life is great!

 

My Compassionate, Beautiful, Sweet, Smart, Kind Baby Girl,

Mommy is so proud of the awesome little girl that you are.  The heart that God has given you is beyond your years.  You love and care about others in a way that most adults don't.  You want the best for everyone.  You care even for the unlovely and you always make sure that everyone around you is OK.  You are stinkin' funny.  The lines that you come up with make this crazy Mommy sigh with pride at your silliness.  You're so smart.  You are curious and love to learn new things.  People love you.  You've had the best teachers and they each love you so much.  Your friends love you.  I love walking down the hallway with you and hearing everyone say, "Hi Gracie Claire!"  Your family loves you.  BigPa, Gigi, PaPaw, Janny, Mimi, and Papa think you're just about the best thing ever. They're always laughing at the things you come up with and they love spending time with you.  Your uncles, aunts, and cousins adore you.  Your little sisters are crazy about you.  They love to be with you, play with you, talk to you...they look up to you.  I love how much you love them and how much they love you.  Daddy and I couldn't ever begin to come up with the right words to tell you how so very special you are to us.  You were our first baby.  You made us a Mommy and Daddy.  You are an amazing gift that Jesus gave us.  More than anything in this world, we pray that you will grow up to love, follow, and serve Him every single day of your life.  You rock our world sweet girly!  We love you so much and know that as you begin your 9th year, Jesus is going to use you to do amazing things for Him and His kingdom. 

 

Happy 8th GC!

Love you,

Mommy

  

Random Happenings

I always have a bunch of random pictures that don't really constitute their own blog post, but don't really deserve to be left out either.  Here we go...

 Syd loves her buddy Lucas. :)

 They had this cut-out at the Y.  Of course we had to get some pics!  Good times at the Y.

 Peach Pie my mom brought home one night.  No words necessary.  *drool*

 After Tyson was born, we took Dre home with us for an evening.  Look at that cute boy and his giant slice o' pizza!

 My poor Syd got herself an ear infection.  So thankful it wasn't the flu!  So far we've been spared.  Praying that's the way it stays!

 Serious cuteness.  I can't get enough of her.

 Gracie Claire did the dance clinic that the high school dance team held one Saturday.  She loved every minute and did a surprisingly (our fam is not known for our dancing abilities...I know you're surprised! ;)) great job!

 So proud of her performance! :)

 LOL!  Found on the iPad.  Love it!

 Our children's ministry has photos of our kids lining the hallways.  Gracie Claire is in one this time around!  So fun!

 Bucket filled.  I love being a teacher.  :)

 My Baby and Me

 The 100th day of school was a great success!  They make a huge deal out of it in Kindergarten, so Syd brought her 100's project (10 groups of 10 things) and got to share what she has learned in the first 100 days of school...in front of the whole school!  It was a proud mommy moment.  I'm thankful I didn't know she was going to be up talking in front of the whole school, because when I saw her come to the front of the gym, I rushed to get up there to video and take pics and was a shaky idiot.  I will NOT be a good stage mom.  I get way more nervous than they do.  She did a fantastic job.  She said, "In the first 100 days of Kindergarten, I have learned to write.  At first it was hard, but now I have gotten better and better."  *tear*  She looked at me with the proudest sparkle in her eyes.  Love that girl.

And that, friends, ends the random post of the week! :)

The New House

Here, friends, is a little peek of our new house.  I'm hoping to get over there tonight to take some good pics with my real camera and not just my phone.  More to come, but until then...



Tyson Gray

My newest, precious nephew was born on January 17th to my sister and BIL.  He oozes sugar and is beyond adorable.  He gives me baby fever, but P says "NO!" and that I'd better get my fill just by cuddling T.  Enough talk...his face speaks for itself. 

 My sister was there when I had all 3 of my girls and I've been there for the birth of both of her boys.  Coolest thing ever!  Love my sister!

 Proud Auntie!  Look at his purple feet! :)

 Proud Cousins and Uncle P

 Seriously.  Could he be any more adorable?!

 Sweetness

 After school one day, we stopped by Gracie's so I could get my baby fix.  While we were there, Dre brought me a dry erase marker to draw whiskers on his face.  You can see what conspired after that.  Even Tyson got a little 'stache.  :)

This poor child.  He already gets used for our entertainment. 

Love him!



2012

Our Year In Pictures

 

January

 Look at how little they were just one year ago?!  My little beauties!

 January must have been warm!  We went on a hike and ended up with some great pics and memories that we love.  They're my most favorite people ever!

P and I partied at a Dallas Stars game with my parentals.  Good times!

 

February

 The best Daddy ever took his two oldest to a Father/Daughter dance at our church.  I know they'll never forget it!

These 2 beauties celebrated their 7th and 5th birthdays.  I can't believe they'll be 8 and 6 in just a few weeks.  Be still my heart, it goes so fast.  They're amazing.

We celebrated with a trip to Sweet & Sassy.  They're sweet and sassy as it is.  :)

 

March

 One of my top 5 fave pics of the year!  My little stars!

The ladies and I rocked out a fab Spring Break...including a trip to the movies to see "The Lorax."

 

April

 I mean, seriously.  He's the best.

 Easter Beauties

 P rocked out some amazing races this year. 

Our "Reaching The Masses" campaign was truly blessed by a super successful garage sale!

 

May

 Our Sydster started her Kindergarten journey with a trip to Kindergarten Round-Up!

Gracie Claire rocked out her first triathlon.  Needless to say, there was one proud Daddy who raced with her.  I was so proud of her for her hard work!

 

June

GC finished 1st grade with a bang!  Oh, how I love this child!

P and I went on a trip to New Mexico...just the 2 of us.  It was a great trip!

I enjoyed being ridiculous while he watched a movie... ;)

 The little ladies and I enjoyed many a trip to the pool...and the ladies rocked it at swimming lessons this year!

 

The ladies celebrated their amazing Daddy on Father's Day.  He's the best.  We are so blessed!

 

July

 We LOVED (and that's an understatement) our 1st big family vacation to the beach in Destin, FL.  It was UH-MAY-ZING!

 Posted this just to show how completely hot my hubs is.  Fo realz.

 Molly's Dora flip-flop had a toothy encounter with a gator...and then was rescued.  To the relief of the Mollinator.

 We celebrated the 4th at Lake Texoma...Happy BDay to the good ol' US of A.

LaFonda the Honda joined our fam.  She's been a great addition.

 

August

 We had a fantastical visit from my wonderful Grandma and Fam.  I just love her.  And I love how my girls love her too.  Not to mention...I look like her.  :)

 We experienced an amazingly weird and scary allergic reaction of some kind with my sweet baby.  I still cringe just looking at this picture.  My poor baby.

 Gracie Claire started 2nd grade, Sydney began Kindergarten, Molly went to a new sitter, and I began teaching my 7th year of 1st grade.  *Happy Sigh*

The legacy of B & A continued.  I am still in such amazement that God brought this duo back together.  One of the biggest blessings fo sho. 

 

September

 This precious and giving girl chopped her hair again to donate to Locks of Love.  So proud of how selfless she is.

We found out that we would be getting another nephew!

 

October

One of my top 5 fave pics of the year.  Love him.

 My baby turned 4.  She was so excited to be a big 4 year old.  We celebrated with lots of Dora.  :)Love, love my baby girl.

Another top 5 pic...the ladies were rock stars for Halloween.  They are seriously adorable. 

 

November

 We were so thankful to spend Thanksgiving together with my whole side of the fam.  How presh are these 6!

 I turned 34...and I couldn't be more thankful for all of the gifts that I've been given. 

 

December

The Reindeer Romp produced another proud Daddy moment.  They ran their first 5K together.  :)

We celebrated the birth of Jesus with our fam. 

 

2012 was a year of blessings.  God is so faithful and good.  Even through hard times, He has never failed us.  We are so thankful for another year to grow in Him and serve.  May 2013 be full of God's never ending grace and mercy.  May we never forget who is in control and gives us every good and precious gift!