An overnight birthday {Parker turns 7!}

We're revisiting May again.

This time for our baby girl's 7th birthday.

The no big birthday party trend continued with Miss P.

And boy, did we have some fun plans for her.

We visit my Nana every Tuesday night.

My kids love "Nana nights."

And she & my aunts treat them right.

I had to share this sweet picture I caught of her response to them singing Happy Birthday to her with her bright pink cupcake & pink candle.

That was a really good way to kick off her birthday:).

After her last day of school, we loaded her & the boys up for a surprise overnight hotel stay for the birthday lady.

To say they were excited would be the understatement of the year.

The hotel came complete with an indoor pool.

Thank goodness we were the only ones excited about that place, because we may have been a teeny bit loud & messy!

We drew lots of looks from the other side of the window.

But we had fun!

The next morning, Mitchel took the kids to pick up birthday donuts, while I stayed behind & decorated the hotel.

They came back, got sugared up & we opened presents.

She wanted a mermaid birthday.

I didn't get to follow through on all my plans, but she didn't care one bit.

And, it felt pretty special & festive in that little room.

The boys were there…

She got a cd player (that has since been broken & replaced with a pink karaoke machine) & 2 new cds.

To say our daughter loves to sing & entertain would also be the understatement of the year.

Lol!

That little bed head guy was there too:).

And he was very helpful.

As usual.

This big box contained lots of frilly dresses.

Because this girl enjoys being festive & frilly.

Then the real party started.

"The snow blows white on the mountain tonight…"

"Let it go, let it go, can't hold it back anymore…"

"I don't care what they're going to say…"

"The cold never bothered me anyway."

Win for the parents.

 Our girl.

She's a beauty, in & out.

 We really, really like her.

To end the day, we met up with family & dear, dear friends, who we ate with & had cake with.

My cake fell apart in all the travel, but the awesome sparkler candle I scored made up for it.

Mostly.

It was a really great birthday.

We were told that many times.

And any time we get to just be together, is great for sure.

Parker, you are the one who made me a mama.

I am so proud to be your mom.

And we are so proud of the beautiful girl you are growing in to.

Just feel free to slow down…

Happy birthday Sweet P!!

A choo-choo kind of day {Truett's 2nd birthday}

So, we've had some special days since we last talked.

Birthdays in this house are celebrated.

Big time.

We really like birthdays around here.

I have declared this the year of no big parties & we're trying our hand at having just a family party for our kids.

It's been really fun! And so nice.

Especially for our little guy. He loved being the center of attention. And thrived without all the chaos a party can bring;).

Anyway. Here's a look at our sweet boy's 2nd birthday.

We really love our choo-choo lovin' guy…

He was beyond excited about his cake & presents.

Could hardly contain his little toddler self.

Grammy was reminding him to get himself under control. Ha!

Found a really fun way to make ruffled crepe paper streamers.

And to impress people greatly.

Seriously easy & way too fun.

Even appropriate for a train loving, boy party.

See? He really couldn't understand what was taking us so long.

His daddy pulled the lid off to sweetly "show" him his cake up close.

The "2" was quickly pulled down & smooshed in icing.

The boy is quick.

Root beer anyone?

The happy moment…

such a sweet heart.

Who did not appreciate being sung loudly to.

Such a funny kid.

And then came presents.

A train,

(from his brother)

a "yee-haw" & a cow,

(from his sister)

a lightning mcqueen suitcase, filled with…

a Thomas pillow!

*Thanks Grammy & Poppy*

A fast driving Percy train,

and a Thomas blankie.

*Thanks Mimi & Papa*

And our card.

To go with his new "bike."

It was a special day, topped off with a sweet little party for a really sweet little guy.

This kid has us all wrapped around his smart little fingers.

And he has the best smile.

Our May 4th was never so special, until you came, Truett Wayne!

24 Weeks & counting {a sweet little surprise}

So, I've been MIA for a while now.

Not that anyone besides my mom notices;).

We've been keeping a little secret too.

It all started on a fateful day back in February.

With a pickle.

Then came 4 pregnancy tests.

And a little denial.

Then the doctor visit & blood work & sonogram.

Then, extreme nausea.

And now I find myself in June, 6 months pregnant with my 4th (you counted right) baby.

And it's pretty sweet.

I hit 6 months on Friday.
I had all these visions of how I wanted to put it out in cyber space that another little Mershawn baby was on the way. But life. Got in the way.
So what better way to say there's a baby on the way, than to flash our sweet babe's face across this space?
6 months in, I am feeling way better, praise the Lord!
I'm struggling with not eating too much & not being overly lazy. That's nice.
I feel large. Especially when I realize I have 4 months to go.
But. There is a small life growing inside me.
And there's a lot of movement going on; a constant reminder that new life is incredible.
There are 3 little people here that are over the moon about the idea of a baby coming to our house.
I'm loving the idea of our family growing to an out of the ordinary size.
I'm so glad our sweet little Truett gets to be a big brother, even though he affectionately refers to himself as, "the baby." I really love that guy.
I'm excited to see Parker embrace the big sister role once again, & can't wait to see what memories stay with her for a lifetime.
Tucker is convinced, actually not even slightly concerned otherwise, that this baby will be a boy. He will sleep in the boys' room, all together & he will share his toys.
My kids. They're awesome.
And my man. I'm so blessed to walk this journey with him. We're thrilled at the chance to welcome home another tiny Mershawn.

October will be a good month around here.
Until then, you'll find me practicing self control. Or not.
Praying I don't continue to gain weight at the current rate I am.
Probably stressing over summer church activities.
Hanging at the pool, having some summer fun with my kids.
And anxiously awaiting the day I meet this sweet baby face to face.

A snowy day

Yesterday, we had plans.

Fun ones.

But plans changed.

And we made the best of it.

It was actually pretty easy, because snow is really awesome.

In 20 minute increments that is:)...

It was a good day.

Parker made snow angels all the rage.

Tucker stole my hat for the day.

Truett wore dog socks on his hands.

And snuck his paci out of the house. In his mouth.

When it takes half an hour to get little people bundled up & out of the house, things get by the mama.

Then, Truett called it a night.

Thankfully, cuz I was done too.