little girls and being the baby...

A few nights ago, I was sitting in the living room and was absolutely started by a blood-curdling scream from the bathroom. It was a shocking and terrifying sound and I knew immediately it was Grace.... "Mommy!! Mommy!!!!" I bolted up the stairs and tried to open the door- which I found to be locked. "Open the door! Open the door!!" She unlocked it, still screaming. As I opened the door, expecting to find her in a pool of blood- or something horrifying, or even worse- I instead discovered her clutching her bottom lip, crying her head off, jumping up and down with her eyes fixated in the mirror. "My tooth is loose! My tooth is loose!!"

Oh- heavens to Betsy- you would've truly thought the sky was falling!!

But, being that this was her very first loose tooth- I just held her close, chuckled and told her how exciting it was. After she calmed down, and let me convince her that it wasn't going to hurt- she really felt like she had conquered the earth. "I'm a big girl now, Mom!"

And I have to admit... my heart sank a bit- though I continued to smile and assure her that yes, she was, indeed- a big girl.

For some reason- this milestone affected me more than others. I'm not sure why. After all, it's just a tooth! But it seemed to signify so much more than that. Like the very last straw that tied her to her baby/toddler and preschool years. Now, just one tooth loose... but I know it won't be long- it will barely seem like I blinked an eye and she'll have a mouth full of permanent ("adult" gasp!) teeth that will seem much too old for my "little girls" mouth. But, after all, I will then be forced to finally admit that she really is no longer my little girl.

Oh, my... what the lose of one little baby tooth can do to a mother!!

So- fast forward 2 days. While brushing her teeth, out popped the tooth. As uneventful and painless as I had promised her. And, just as I had assured her- she did NOT swallow her tooth- which seemed to be her greatest fear.

Last night, she reminded me, yet again- "Mom! I'm a big girl, now! See?!?" And she struck a pose and I grabbed my camera. Forever immortalizing her very first "toothless smile."



Excuse me while I wipe a few tears... sniffle sniffle.

Well, in other news. At least I have this other little munchkin that I like to call my baby girl. My friend, Jena, reminded me the other day that I referred to her as "the baby" in my blog- which didn't strike me as the least bit out of place until I remembered that she is, after all, 2 years and 3 months old... a far cry from a real baby- but the closest thing I've got. So- she will remain, "the baby"- and considering her miniature stature- it might be for several years to come ;)

Speaking of "the baby" I found a pair of big blue eyes peeking at me from across the couch. It was a bit surprising- a tad bit creepy- and then mostly just funny. I laughed my head off (and, of course, grabbed my camera) to capture "the baby" in all her humor and glory... tucked in a laundry basket, of course. There is nothing this girl cannot make fun....

rewind 2 weeks...

Looking back, I'm a bit disappointed in myself that I did not post more entries (ANY entries) over the last 2 weeks of December. I mean, what was I thinking? I do, after all, intend to make my blog into annual books (using Blurb) for the kids... that is the whole reason I started this project. And, here in the last 2 weeks of December we had all these big events that I never even posted!... for the kids.

I would be totally reminisce to leave out Grace's very first piano recital. From the moment I learned I was 1st pregnant 7 years ago, part of my 'plans' (you know how us Mom's love to make those for our kids!) included that child learning to play piano. Well, "that child" is now 6 and started piano lessons this summer. I was beyond proud to see her up there- she relished the opportunity and her only disappointment was that she didn't get to go back up and play more songs.

So, Gracie girl... here's for you... and here's for the Blurb book.



Cute little curtsy...



Proud as can be!



posing for the student picture (53 students in all!)

And one last picture, that actually includes my SON- in case you forgot I had one- I know he gets totally jipped with face time on this blog. I swear, it's not intentional.

All right- off to go fishing. Or, I should say- to watch my Dad and nephew fish.... this oughta be interesting!

when two became one...

1... the number of dates it took me to be "crazy" about him!

3... the number of days before I realized He was "The One"

7... the number of days before we exchanged "I love you's"

6... the number of weeks from our first date, to the day we became engaged

137... the number of "up in arms" and "whoa is me" phone calls and emails I received from my sister and mother

0... the number of reservations I, personally, had about marrying him

6... the number of months from our engagement to our wedding day

9... the number of years I've been happily married to the man of my dreams, my very best friend, the father of my children... the absolute LOVE OF MY LIFE!

________________________________

And it begins...



I will never forget this moment. So many tears. So much emotion!



Two become one...



The Happy Couple!

I voted for Life...

This morning, I thought about the three biggest blessings and miracles that have occurred in my life... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about the moment I found out I was pregnant with my first child- a mere 16 days after conception- and how I clutched my belly and fell in a heap on the bathroom floor, sobbing tears of overwhelming gratitude and JOY for the gift God had given me... and I cast my vote for life.

I remembered, with clear distinction, the first time I felt my first child move inside of me. Only 11 weeks into my pregnancy... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about the joyous day Mike and I saw our first baby on the ultrasound screen - sucking her thumb at 20 weeks - and we praised God for the life that was growing each day inside of me...


... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about my many friends and family members whose children's birth mother chose life and I thanked God that these children were given the chance to live - and to live with the parents God intended and planned all along for them to have... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about other friends, who have tried tirelessly and endlessly month after month and year after year for a miracle child... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about a courageous young woman in Texas who chose to keep her baby despite the horrible and traumatic circumstances that resulted in conception, and I pictured her beautiful, precious baby boy's face in my mind and I thanked GOD for her courage and bravery... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought of the 50 million children- whose voices have forever been silenced... and I cast my vote for life.

I rocked my baby girl to sleep for her nap and as I laid her down in her bed, I wrapped my body around hers and snuggled close. I watched her sleep and I thanked GOD Almighty for the miracle and the blessing of my baby girl, my son, my older daughter my stepson- and for all children whom he creates with authorship and authority... and I cast my vote for life.

Because the economy, taxes, health care, and education are all important issues- but none is more important than the sanctity of life... I cast my vote for life.

Because life begins at conception... today I voted for LIFE.

"You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother's body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well." Psalm 139:13-14

Happy Birthday my little Gracie Girl...

Six years ago this very night, my life changed and was never again the same. I don't think I've had another moment in my life filled with more excitement, surprise and joy than when they announced, "It's a GIRL!" My firstborn. My little girl. My dream come true!

Here we are a few hours after you were born...



One day old...


Our smiley happy baby...



And six years later, here you are! My beautiful, smart, funny, inquisitive, compassionate, outgoing six year old. You have brought me more joy than I can put into words and Mommy loves you as high as the sky and as deep as the ocean. Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.

our ballerina...

Grace put in so much hard work throughout the year at her new ballet school, and it was so fun to watch her up on stage with the other little ballerinas performing. She was so proud to have everyone there to watch her! Of course, I'm her mother, so I'm biased, but I really think she's a natural. So graceful!



The pictures taken on stage were taken during the dress rehearsal the night before, as no photos or video were allowed during the actual performance. But I was able to get a few cute ones of the girls on stage.











On the big night of her actual performance, we were all there to watch (except Ariana - THANK YOU, JENA!! - who likely would have added too much "audience participation).

Even her little brother was so proud to watch his big sister...




Mommy and her girl...




And, of course, Daddy and his Princess. She was so excited to get a bouquet of flowers from Dad!



But, just maybe, the best part of the night for her was picking out a few treats from the dessert table afterward ;)