time for a visit

It's always a good time when family comes to visit! 

Picking up Nani, Uncle Clay and Kailyn from the airport sure was fun. 

The girls ran up to give each other big hugs, then they ran around

the airport holding hands for the remainder of the time. 

Lots of "ooo's" and "awww's" from passersby. 

Waiting to be seated for dinner. 

Blaykleigh is such a ham! 

 Hot summer afternoons spent pool side. 

Nani and her grandgirls. 

a cinderella birthday for my princess

Blaykleigh has become very fond of Cinderella over the past few months, so for her 3rd birthday I felt that a Cinderella party was a must!

This year Nani, Uncle Clay and Kailyn were able to come and help us celebrate the little miss turning 3 and it was lovely having them here! 

It's a necessity to have the perfect party dress! 

Found this gem on eBay.

Look closely and you can see Cinderella in the background.

Bubble table. 

Fairy Godmother star shaped bubble wands and all!

Blaykleigh and Blythe.

Birthday Princess!

Amie, Bennett, Blythe.

Reese. 

Alyson, momma, Sydney.

(nursing school gals)

....

No party is complete without a photo booth!

....

It's crazy to think that you have already been on this earth for an entire 3 years, sweet little girl. I wish there was a way to slow down the clock so that each moment with you felt like a lifetime but the clock just keeps ticking so I have no other option but to embrace the time I get with you. 

Your daddy and I are over the moon in love with every bit of you!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Princess.

Easter 2014

he is not here;

he has risen,

just as he said.

-matthew 28:6

HAPPY EASTER! 

Easter Eve Blaykleigh helped me make our first Easter cake! It turned out delicious. Then we decorated Easter eggs, skipping the dye this year because let's face it ... it's messy! And last year I am pretty sure her sweet little hands were two-toned for a good couple of days. Easter morning she awoke to her basket full of goodies from the Easter bunny with a few additions from her grandparents. There were lots of smiles! Then it was time to look for eggs which was fun for all three of us, it's the first year she  has understood the process of it. Once all the eggs were found we sat down for some cinnamon rolls before getting ready for the Easter service at church! After church we had a nice little family lunch of egg salad sandwiches, PEEPS ambrosia salad and good old fashioned kettle chips. Our afternoon was spent taking a family nap and enjoying the outdoors with our neighbors. OH! And hunting re-hid eggs full of change for her piggy bank. What a wonderful day it was.

ballet shoes

I have always had a love for the ballet. 

The first time I felt your delicate kicks inside me, I was at The Nutcracker Ballet. 

Even then you were my tiny dancer. 

And today you proudly wear your first pair of ballet shoes. 

You practice "close book" - first position, "open book" and "triangle" - demi plie. 

This summer you will start your first dance class!!! 

Dance on my sweet little bird, dance on. 

The Carousel

I love the look of captivation in her eyes. 

Carousel's are full of wonder and magic when you are two. 

I pray that she always looks for moments as these throughout life. 

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep...

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray to the Lord my soul to keep

Angels watch me through the night

and wake me with the morning light.

Amen.

.... 

I love you Jesus, keep me safe & healthy. 

Her little voice and the sweetness of her words makes my heart so joy-filled.

I have been blessed by her.  

How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death. 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning