Happy Birthday Mama!

Mama Kaye, Me, Mama

(my grandmother and mother- the women who gave me everything, except their blue eyes...)

It's my mom's birthday.  

The saying goes, 

What do you give the person who has everything?

But in my mom's case (and Mama Kaye too),

What do you give the person who gives everything?

Nothing can say 'Thank you' enough.

I know my mom could've had so much more of her personal needs and desires fulfilled, but she has never thought of herself.  I wish I could make all her dreams come true.  :)

My kids' favorite stories from when I was young are about my mom and grandma. 

Like the ones when Mama Kaye showed up and saved the day with something I desperately needed at the time (for instance- a dress for my second grade program when I had none.)  

Or funny ones with my mom like when she forgot to turn on the dryer and had to wear wet jeans to college on a cold, humid morning.  She cranked the car heater as hot as it would go.  When she got out of the car into the cold air, she "steamed" the whole way to class.  

Yes, people stopped and laughed.  

Can't say I blame them.
haha

My mom and grandma are the most selfless people I've ever known.  Their whole lives have been spent serving others.  I'm so blessed to have been raised by them and their example.   My mom worked so hard as a single parent to get an education ( a Master's degree!)  and provide for us.  I know it was never easy.  

  I know that they are creating wonderful, loving memories for my kids now too.   And I'm so glad my children are recipients of their love.  

Happy Birthday Mama!

We love you!

Family Pictures

 I made my family give me (by happily participating)  family pictures for my birthday. :)  I have many more to share.  It was a successful photo session- which may be the 1st with all of us. So, needless to say, I am very grateful. It's the greatest b-day present ever.  I had to share a couple.  I can't wait to post the rest as well, along with pictures of my other b-day gift.
I love April. I think it's the greatest month.  I'm just so happy spring is here. :)

Eleven

Happy

Birthday

Sweet Sommer!

FYI- Sommer only gets to wear makeup to dance recitals and it's a good thing too.  It makes her look too grown up, IMO, and her turning 11 is already a lot to fathom!  Slow down, girly! :)

Love you Sommer!

Bowling Profiles

We went bowling for Livvy's birthday. We don't go very often.  I noticed that the way we bowl says a lot about each member of our family.  Our personalities all came out. :)  

Just a few highlights and thoughts:

 Livvy- "New SHOES?!! YAY!"

Chase- "I hope there are no parasites in them..."

Braydon- "Am I studly?"

(Always making a joke)  

"They're all so pretty! "

(the cutie says)

The Cutie Pie and Daddy the Pro

Braydon strutting some kind of moves,

Chase keeping tabs on the electronics:

Bowling like a frog:

Middle of the game candid moments:

Four kids competing, and rushing to and fro with very heavy bowling balls (see Livvy above) meant for not much sitting for mom and dad.

And If I am completely honest, I must say, it was the dad doing most of the work. :)

I love him and his mad skills.

Some of us pretended we could play.

Some of us really could.

And some of us were bound and determined to win.

Some of us didn't care. We were just there for the fun.

And to make a birthday night special for a certain 4 year old.

We loved celebrating with this happy girl!

And this is how the night ended-  :)

We all brought something to the game,

and we all left with at least a few points, some laughs

and tired eyes and arms.

Not a bad night. 

Wouldn't it be fun to recreate this photo once a year and see how these little feet grow?  (sniff-sniff)

Four Sweet Years

My baby is four today!

We are out in the search of some calico critters. :)

Its gonna be a fun day of shopping and lunch with Daddy and Grandpa,

but mostly celebrating this sweet little lady.

We are so glad Livvy is a part of our family.

We love this girl!

and all of her sweet faces:

She makes me so happy! Love this baby! 

                                                  

  Happy Happy Birthday Sweetheart! 

Can't contain her..

Lots of fun times ahead for our little one and I'm so excited for her.  Just look away if you see me crying. ;)

Seven

There are moments in my life that stand out more than others.  I'm sure it is that way for all of us... certain years that lessons were learned, knowledge was gained, and when prominent happiness infiltrated our days.  When I was seven was one of those times in my life.  When my kids ask me to tell stories from my childhood, so many are from when I was seven. Sometimes I wonder why that year was so significant.  Maybe it is because that is the year I learned to play baseball for real with my brother and all the boys in the neighborhood, or how I hid a She-Ra doll behind a bush so I could keep it and play with it longer and consequently felt immense guilt for stealing something for the first (and only) time in my life.  Or maybe how we started going to church, or because I loved my second grade teacher.  

I don't know why that year seared more memories into my brain, but I do know it probably has something to do with that is when I felt like a big kid.  Not one of the little ones anymore.  

Seven was big stuff.

Chaser is now seven.  Big stuff seven.  My heart is full of gratitude that I get to raise him, and it is also breaking a little.  I've always loved planning fun parties for my kids and I think I figured that one out.  Maybe its to mask the pain of them turning another year older.  Redundant, yes; I know I am.  But I do get a little blue when I realize my kids are growing up...  soooo fast!  I am so thankful they are here and I wouldn't have it any other way, but I wish they'd slow down a little bit.  Let me hold them and kiss them and play with them a little longer.  

Thankfully Chase is still willing to let me love on him.  Because I don't think I can resist kissing those cute cheeks.

I think he is becoming such a handsome young man.

On Friday, we did a little mini-photo session at the cherry orchard down the road.  I think we got some cute photos- mostly candid because Chase hates to pose for photos.  Livvy had to be right with Chase the whole time, just like every day.  They are two peas in a pod these days.  Really good buddies...best friends.  :)

Happy 7th Birthday Chase!  Your Mama Loves you!

 

 

I knew if I posed him like this, he'd stay for a while and I could get some shots. :)

 

 This is when Chase was fishing for a piranha- Me. Hmmm...

wonder what that means.

Oh-Livvy, You're pretty cute too. :)