A letter to my daughter on her 3rd Birthday!

 

Callie Rae,

Just the sound of your name as I say it out loud warms my heart. I cannot believe you are 3 years old, where has the time gone? Every day as a mother is special and a true gift- no moment too small, I am in awe of it all. From day one, our connection was undeniable. You are my girl, a momma’s girl for sure. You love your brother & daddy with all your heart though and they love you just as much! I hope that bond between you and your brother lasts a lifetime and I hope you see him as your best friend.

If I could describe you in three words, they would be; willful, sassy, and sweet. Honestly, I have never met a more head-strong little girl. Whether it’s keeping up with your big brother or taking the lead at school, you never cease to amaze me!  Never change for anyone baby, be you, unapologetically – it will take you far in life. Now, when I say sassy I mean it…you have a way about you that just brightens our days! Every day is a new adventure full of laughter with you in it. And when it comes to sweetness, I can’t say enough about how loving and kind you are. You give the best hugs and sweetest kisses; we just can’t get enough of them!

Right before our eyes you have grown from this tiny little 6lb 4oz baby, to the beautiful, fun little girl that you are! Playing with your brother, I would say, is your most favorite thing to do! Where ever we are, if he isn’t there, you are asking for him. There is no fear in you….not for bugs, adventure, animals – you name it! You want to do everything Carter is doing because to you, he is the coolest kid in the world! Besides being such a little tomboy at times, you love all things girly too! One of your favorite movies is “Frozen” and you love all things pink or purple. Plus, you could probably sit in my bathroom with me all day and do make up, if I let you! You also love to sing and LOVE to play the music loud in the car while we drive  Your spunk is contagious and we all have brighter smiles with you around!  When it comes to food, you LOVE Mac n cheese, bacon, sweet tea, cheese, chocolate milk, and Sweet Frog!

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t Thank God for you and your brother. I pray all the time that I can be a good example for you both and be the best mom that you deserve. I love you so much and I look forward to all the fun and joy that each year brings with you!

Love,

Momma

Our Mini Family Vacation to Ocean City!

 

This year we decided to take a trip to Ocean City for the 4^th of July. We usually stay local, but this year we thought it would be fun to take a long weekend away. Plus, our friends Tara and Blake were there celebrating the 4^th, so we thought we would join in! We left on Wednesday night around 7:45 PM that way we would avoid rush hour and the kids could sleep on the ride. We made really good time and got to our condo before 11PM. Both kids did fall asleep, but woke up when we got there due to all the excitement!

Callie was a little unsure about staying somewhere new. She kept saying “I want to go back to my home” but we talked to her and reassured her that it was okay and she finally fell asleep. The next morning the kids were up by 6am ( I SO wished they would sleep in) even though they went to bed late, they were too excited to sleep!

They were ready for the beach, bright and early!!!

 

 

It was windy and cool that morning at the beach and the water was COLD, but they loved it!

 

Later on that day we went shopping…well, tried to! They don’t make shopping trips very easy. Then we went back to the condo to nap and eat. We met up with Tara and Blake later on that night when they got in and the kids played with sparklers!

On the 4^th, we woke up and went to breakfast! It was pouring rain that morning….so we decided to wait it out in our room and then go play mini golf with Tara and Blake! It only rained until 12ish, but it was too windy for fireworks, so they rescheduled them for the 5^th! The mini golf place was PACKED, we didn’t stay for the entire course. We played some holes and once we had enough, we left! We walked the board walk that afternoon and had fun people watching!

At breakfast…silly girl!

Waiting for the rain to stop!

At Mini Golf with our friends  

Just us, on the board walk….. it was windy, but beautiful weather!

Saturday the 5^th was a busy day! We woke up early and headed to The Graff’s condo. We swam all morning, ate, and swam some more! Then we decided to go to our place and rest before fireworks. Callie napped and Carter watched TV. CJ and I packed up everything and decided that after the fireworks we would drive home to avoid Sunday traffic. We had SO much fun that night at the celebration. There was a DJ, dance contest, tug o’ war contest and LOTS of food. We had the best view of the fireworks too, it was awesome! Then after the grand finale we left! We made it home in 3 and ½ hours that night and even though we got in very late, I am so glad we left how we did. The Kids slept most of the way, we carried them in and we all went to bed. I had all day Sunday to unpack and it just was so much less stressful this way.

The rest of the pictures that I got….

The pool at Tara’s uncle’s condo above….it was so nice! And the picture below, the kids are watching jelly fish off the inlet dock….

Callie got her face painted and then took a selfie  

Momma and poppa  

Right before the big firework show….and I was so into it, that I didn’t snap a picture!

Over all, the children had a blast; they loved the beach and can’t wait for our next trip…which ever beach we choose! I’m thinkin’ Nags Head

Starting Fresh

I have racked my brain over and over again, trying to figure out how in the world I would ever catch up on this blog. And, where I would even start?! Those questions have stressed me out, seriously. Not everyday, but every so often I would beat myself up over how far behind I’ve gotten on this thing and how Callie is going to give me a heartbroken look when she sees how much less I blogged after she was born.

That all might happen, she might really be upset or she might not care at all. I just have to stop wasting time here. I feel like I have said this a million times, but I really am going to try harder (SO HELP ME LORD!) to make this blog worth reading later in life. To be realistic though, I cannot go back and retrace. That will take a lot of time and I may never get up to date. And even though I have issues letting go, I am going to have to.

Starting fresh, tonight. The one and only PAST post I will do and it will be a recap (to the best of my abilities) of 2013. Then, everything from here on out will be current. Here it goes……

2013 was a great year! We had a pretty good winter, not too much snow, but we did get some and the kids loved it.

Spring came and it was Carter’s first year of Tball. Lots of fun!!!!

Amanda’s birthday

Mothers Day! I had lunch with my mom and sister

Carters 5th Birthday! The year he started Kindergarten! So exciting and fun for us this year.

At Carters last game of Tball last season in June!

Summer Time Fun!

 

Jenny’s promotion ceremony to Middle School! She got the Principles Award for her academics!

 

Family Visits over the summer….

My Attempt at a summer picture

Callie, being Callie

 

 

Steven’s Birthday at PTM!!

Getting Ready for Kindergarten….

Our trip to OC…… last year was NOT the best. IT was cold, it rained, our hotel was not what we were expecting. Needless to say we planned it better for 2014….. a little  

 

Kindergarten Orientation

Moving up to the bigger kid Sunday School class That day they had a celebration in the church for the “graduates”and he got his own Bible!

Best Buddies

FIRST day of Kindergarten!!!!!!!

Hanging with Grandad after school

Sassy girl

Mikey, Jenny, Johnny all got Baptized in the fall

Our Fall Family picture

Fall fun…Bowles Farm!

Carter with his class for the Halloween parade!

Family time for my moms Birthday

THE ONLY Thanksgiving picture I got…I KNOW, pathetic! “sigh” I will do better this year! Last year we had my whole family over, it was so nice! I hope we do it again this year!

Christmas TIME

Sweet Frog dates during Christmas Break

And Mikey’s Birthday on 1-1….closes out 2013 and starts the new year FRESH! I hope to be doing his pose below for every post….. Haha, its not goodbye, its Later man….