Attention...we have a 4 year old!

Parker's birthday was 2 weeks ago today.

I was slow getting these together, & then I ruined most of them with too much editing.

Grr.

But we had a super fun party for our big girl.

The idea was a movie outside, I got the idea from here.

But, it rained, so we changed plans, moved all the decorations inside, & made the best of it.

We had a bunch of movie goodies.

Big pickles.

Popcorn.

Buttered & kettle.

You need the kettle corn recipe.

Oh yum.

And popcorn cupcakes:).

(Just cupcakes, frosting, & marshmallows on top. Oh yeah...and the wrapper, made by Mitchel. Of course:)...)

If you ever need to make popcorn cupcakes, I'd go with white frosting.

The chocolate was, super obviously, brown.

Not popcorny at all.

But they worked...

Popcorn balls to say thanks for coming.

We had some coloring & crafts for the kids to come in to.

Wilbur the pig to color & spider web hands...

We had 2 of our favorite visitors from the north, who are now resident Illinois-ians (is that even right?)...

And that baby Owee should've stayed here with us...he's much too cute to live that far away.

That sweet baby brother had fun celebrating his sis.

Especially once the cupcakes came out.

Happy Birthday to you...

She blows through her teeth.

We worked on it, but she still needed help.

Reminds me of how young she really still is...sweet.

Cupcakes=happy kids.

Plenty of presents...

Then it was time for Charlotte's Web.

"The one with the real people." :)

And...on her actual birthday morning, her present from Dad, Mom, & Tuck:

a Hello Kitty bike.

My parents got her a helmet with bunny ears sticking out the top.

Awesome.

Happy Birthday sweet Parker girl...you are so much more than we could have ever asked for.

We love, love, love you!

A day at the Arboretum {spring 2011}

We've been part of a playgroup since last fall at our church.

We get to have fun twice a month with a bunch of little kid friends.

We went to the Dallas Arboretum back in April.

It was 90 degrees that day. Yep.

But it was still a lot of fun...you'll see.

Our cousin Ella was part of the group.

Extra exciting.

He loves his freedom.

Brings back memories of being a kid, playing Little House on the Prairie...

(thanks to Kelly & their field...remember when you used that water hose thing as your wheel chair? Still makes my mom laugh hysterically...)

They aren't the only 2 in the group...

but they do love each other.

She loves being his sister...most of the time.

She's sweet.

Preschoolers are a lot of fun.

And they have a lot of personality.

Turns out they also love giant goldfish...

My boy's double swirl head.

His favorite part of the day.

What 16 month old doesn't love a giant sheep up in his business?

Or actually...what sheep doesn't love a 16 month old up in his business?

He couldn't leave that fluff alone...between that & all the goat tails needing a good tug, he gave me my workout for the day.

Thankfully, the animals seemed very unsurprised by his antics.

That was one well groomed goat.

Her favorite part of the day.

Meow.

We had lunch with a panda, a tiger, & a cat...they were WILD.

HAHAHAHAHA

We need to go back again.

But I'll have to figure out a way to avoid the massive amounts of face paint being smeared all over the place...& maybe this time I won't have to explain 100 times why it doesn't stay on her face forever. Hard concept.

Three Year Times: 6 {Bigger}

You keep doing it.

You keep getting bigger.

I read this yesterday...

It makes no sense and makes sense of everything, this love for you, child our together love chose, and to be a mother, this is the rarest gift in the world. Forbid, that we just have children and that is all — when everyday offers the unwrapping of wondrous, holy grace...

Somedays you turn again and there it is again, how we once were, one, how I'd hold you and you'd meld into my shoulder, damp and drowsy.

How when I'd fall asleep, you'd too close your eyes...

You'll be 4 soon.

I hear it said often that time will fly as we raise you.

I've learned that, that "flying time" is not just time lost, or gone too fast, but it is made up of something a little more difficult.

It's called, letting go.

As time swirls on & we watch you grow, harder questions about you emerge.

As it always will be.

It's hard. Hard to know what is always best for you.

Because, I know what I'd like, but then again, it's not all about me.

It's about you. And the plan that was made for you long ago.

And that is hard too. When will it never be about me?

When will I ever think about the best for others with no concern for me?

The Lord is teaching me.

And as you keep growing bigger, I keep growing too.

Being a parent is an interesting thing.

It is full of joy & sorrow. Pain & celebration.

But. I promise you, we will always be full of joy for you & who you are becoming.

It is a joyous, infectious feeling catching the glimpses of that mighty woman slowly growing inside that little body of yours.

You are cherished and treasured.

We are so grateful we get to walk this road with you, little big girl.

Our Easter 2011

Finally.

Sorry. :)

We spent Good Friday this year at my mom & dad's & forgot our camera.

Sad. It was a good day. Fast, but good. Even had an awesome Easter egg hunt.

Then we were off to church for a candle light service.

Sunday morning was a wonderful celebration & then we were off to the Mershawn's for the rest of the day.

The kids had a fun surprise waiting for them.

They're Papa had redone a seesaw that has been around since Mitchel was a little boy.

It was the hit of the day.

Our boy is always up for being outside.

Of course what kid isn't.

Even in a bow tie. He was pretty hard to resist in that thing.

Miss P spent a lot of time on that seesaw in her little dress.

She's girly like that. And sweet.

Tuck & his Papa.

Mimi & Papa with 3 of the 7 grandkids.

Can you tell they're related?

We took 4 pictures just like this.

We all made silly noises & family waved their hands all around.

P girl was a great sport.

But, the thumb never left the little boy's mouth.

Not a smile was cracked.

Then, he was done.

Oh well. Memories baby.

Lunch, a quick clothes change, then an Easter egg hunt.

He thought it was so great.

Especially when he discovered there was candy inside.

I don't think Parker had an M&M until sometime after she was 2.

He's fast. And funny.

I'm in trouble.

Our sweet girl ran all around the yard trying to get as many eggs as she could before her brother found them.

When asked why...

"Well. He already has 3."

Big sisters. We're good thinkers.

Hope you had a great Easter!

Easter time 2011

Well...Happy late Easter.

Sorry I've been absent again.

Still having problems with our computer:(.

But, that has nothing to do with Easter.

And, I'd rather talk about that...

Easter, over the years, has become more & more special to me.

Now that I have my own children, I want them to grasp the reality of Easter as they grow.

I know every year for them it will represent something different & more.

So, we teach them, hoping for something real to touch their hearts to spark a yearning for more.

Jesus is why we celebrate Easter.

We feel the importance & urgency to use this holiday as a reminder & a focus for our children.

It's good. Easter rolls are a great representation of the empty tomb.

And they're yummy.

You probably saw these around the web this year.

An Easter tree.

It has added excitement & anticipation to our household.

And a constant reminder.

And, let me tell you...

Mitchel & I love the stories leading up to the crucifixion & resurrection just as much as our kids.

It's so good to be reminded & to live with the reality of what it took to save me.

And my husband. And our kids.

To feel the love that was laid before us.

And the freedom that what was so freely given.

Easter is good.

I do have pictures...but they will come tomorrow!

So...Happy Easter from us:).

For someone else

This year, I decided to make weekly goals for myself, my kids, & our family.

One of those goals is to do something for someone every week.

It's a goal for Parker & for me.

I wanted the opportunity to show her how we should always be thinking of others. And to show her how sometimes something very simple can make someone feel very loved & special.

I've found that being intentional is a very important part of motherhood for me. When I'm thinking ahead to the bigger picture, it helps me make wiser decisions.

My kids will only be young & impressionable once. And I want to make every opportunity to learn about God's love, how we are to give it & live it, real & practical to them.

She's learning to be a giver & I really like that. She has a precious heart & God WILL use it for His glory.

The Busy Man Chronicles {15 months}

Well...did you miss me?

I know I'm probably not the most integral part of anyone's day, but I felt I needed to explain my neglectful ways on my blog anyway.

Our laptop charger broke. In a bad way.

And then I had no internet access except through my phone.

Which has "small" internet. Nice, unless you want to post on your blog.

And, unless all your pictures are locked away on your DEAD computer.

Thankfully, over the weekend we snatched up a charger & I'm back.

Thank goodness...I don't know how much more I could've taken.

Just kidding. Maybe.

Now, on to a cute subject...

*********************************

Now that you are just about 16 months...

You are a bunch of fun & bounding with energy.

You never stop moving Mr. Tuck.

You find joy in most of your days.

And, you are helping this mama tone up her thighs...

or at least I can hope.

You are long & lean.

And still very strong.

You can reach up on your tip toes to reach things on the edge of our counters.

Which means, you get ahold of things that should be out of your reach.

You make us a little nervous when you get quiet.

You are very curious.

You love dogs.

Da-da has become a favorite word & is quickly replacing a certain mama as a favorite person.

That's ok.

You still love to cuddle with me, & I still soak in every minute.

You are very, very sweet.

Everyone notices.

And, you are very busy.

Everyone notices that too.

You have learned so many things since your 1st birthday.

So many new words, how to communicate.

You shake your head yes & no.

You bring me your shoes or a diaper when I ask.

You throw things in the trash.

You've learned to scream when you don't get your way. Hmm.

You weigh 21 lbs.

You are 55th% for your height.

Your head has finally slowed down:).

But the best thing about having a 15 month old (well, ok, 16 month old) boy around our house...

is getting to know you best, praying over you, & getting to love you to pieces every single day.

You're so cool Tucker B.