Happy 3rd birthday Brylee

Today is your 3rd birthday!  I can't believe that you are 3 already!  These past three years have zoomed by!  It seems like yesterday I was pregnant with you!  You were such an easy baby.  You were laid back and went with the flow.  Daddy and I prayed so very hard for you.  You were and are perfect in every little way!  I look back at the past three years and I just smile!  As a baby you've always loved going and shopping.  When you were crawling, you would find shoes and put them on your hands and crawl around the house.  You used to LOVE that.  I can't tell you how many times we spent looking for shoes because you had had them!  You still love shoes to this day.  One of your favorite stores is Shoe Carnival and we can never run in there quickly because you want to try on every.....single....pair.....of shoes you can get your precious little hands on!  You've always loved jewelry.  I have so many pictures of you as a little toddler that have you with many neclaces around your neck!  You've always been a "talker".  You wake up talking and go to bed talking!  when you were just learning to talk you would babble on and on about nothing at all, especially in the car!  Now that you are 3, you are still the same sweet baby/toddler that you used to be and you are different in ways too!  You've realized that you have choices to make and that those choices have consequences.  Sometimes you make the wrong choice and me and daddy can see that you know, but you are a very strong willed little girl!  You still love to talk and you LOVE music!  Your favorite band right now is Newsboys and your favorite song is "Light Up"  You ask to hear it just about everytime we get in the car to go somewhere.  You love Disney princesses and you stay dressed up in dress up clothes every single day!  We can't keep them because you wear them to rags!  If were at home, you are either running around in your panties or a princess dress.  You love getting dressed up in pretty clothes and love wearing actual dresses.  You are very opinionated about what you wear and if it matches.  You are also very opinionated about EVERYTHING!  Your friend Zoe gave you princess pictures to hang in your bedroom and daddy hung them today.  You aren't thrilled about where he hung them and just now as I was putting you to bed, you complained that you didn't like them on "that wall" and wanted them on  another wall.  Oh me, Brylee, we love you so much!  Things have to be put in their place or it drives you crazy!  You get that honest.  I am the same way!  If were in a store and something is out of place, you put it in the right place.  You have taught us patience.  Well, you are still teaching your daddy patience.  Maybe he'll catch on and learn someday!  You love your sister and brother so much!  You love playing barbies and baby dolls with Darbie.  It breaks your heart when she doesn't want to play with you because you just can't understand why she would have anything better to do than to play with you.  You have loved your little brother from the moment you met him when he was just minutes old.  So far, you have never been jealous of him!  You like to call him Hud Man and you are very protective over him.  You make friends easily and have transitioned very well since we've moved to VA.  You are such a smart little girl!  You can say your ABC's and you can count without help to 20.  YOu know some Spanish, thanks to Dora!  You love all kinds of foods and are not a picky eater.  Your favorite is probalby steak and you can eat your weight in a ribeye!  You love getting flowers and they make you feel special.  You love giving gifts to people, especially to Darbie.  So here's to 3 wonderful, precious,funny, frustrating,loving years that daddy and I would love to do all over again!  You have brought so much joy into our lives!  We love you sweet girl and although we'd love to just stop the clocks, we can't wait to see you grow and mature and learn new things in this next year!

You in your coming home outfit!

Happy 1st birthday!  Your birthday party was at Wannamker Park and everyone played in the sprinkler park!  You had an owl themed party.

Happy 2nd birthday!  Your birthday party was at Chuck E Cheese and although you was scared of him, you and your friends had a blast that night!  You had a Minnie Mouse party!



Happy 3rd birthday!  You chose to eat at Chuck E Cheese on the night of your birthday!  We played, ate pizza, and had lemon cupcakes in celebration.  You opened presents from Darbie (Tiana car and a new barbie) and from daddy, mommy, and Hudson (Leap Pad and a Disney Princess game for your Leap Pad)  This year you wanted your birthday party to be at the park in our neighborhood.  You had a Princess party and you and your friends dressed as your favorite Princess.  You attended your ball as Snow White.

Happy belated birthday to my sweet Darbie

Darbie,
I am just writing this because it's a new tradition I hope to start with you three.  I wasn't "blogging" on your birthday but I still want you to have a "birthday letter".  You turned 11 this year!  WOW!  11!  You are growing into an amazing young lady.  You came into my life 6 years ago.  the funny thing is... I can't remember life without you in it.  I loved you long before I ever met you for the very first time.  You have grown so much in these last 6 years.  When daddy and I started the custody battle that summer, we did so with full force and never looked back.  One of the happiest days of our life was sitting in that court room in July and hearing that judge say you were ours!  I was pregnant with your sister and having contractions every few minutes and I think everyone in the court room was worried I was going to go into labor, but I wasn't missing that day for anything!  We were all grins and couldn't wait to get home to give you the good news!  When daddy and I got custody of you in 2008, you were 7 years old.  At 7, you didn't play with Barbies or baby dolls because you had been told that they were for babies.  But you see, you were our baby....So Barbies and baby dolls became a huge part of our lives again and you loved them!  You still love to play with them today.  It probably helps that your little sister loves them also and you both play together!  I know the days of you playing with Barbies and baby dolls are probably coming to an end sooner than I want, but for now I am enjoying you playing with them.  It is a gentle reminder that you are still little.  Daddy and I want to keep you little forever!  You have matured so much in these last 6 months!  When we got you in 2008, you finally had almost 4 years of stability in ONE house and ONE school!  We tried to prepare you as much as possible for our move to VA but we were worried how you would do with change.  You have done fabulous transitioning into a new life here!  You are doing awesome in school here and have made friends with no problem!  After only being here for a little over a month, you had a birthday party with I think 8 girls!  Eight girls spent the night to celebrate your party.  (The only reason we agreed to let you have a sleepover is because we didn't think but a few girls would come!)  Boy were we wrong =)  But you had a blast and we loved every minute of it also because it proved that you were doing well with the move!  You are such a good big sister to Brylee and Hudson.  They both love you.  Brylee looks forward to you coming home from school each day and each day she asks you the same question, "Darbie, did you hab a good day?"  She thinks of you often throughout the day and if we are out and about, she always wants to buy you something.  Hudson's face lights up when he sees you!  He loves you as much as a little 5 month old can!  You are turning into a funny girl!  You like to joke but you can also be very serious.  You like to know the day's plans ahead of time.  sometimes it drives your daddy bonkers but I get it... I like knowing too and I too don't like surprises!  Every day you want to know what's for dinner and I tell you, but daddy gives you the answer of "food" and it drives you crazy.  I know how you feel.  Long ago I would ask Nana the same question and she'd give me the same answer as daddy gives you and it would drive me crazy!  Currently your favorite flower is a daisy and you love the wild colored ones!  You love getting them!  Already, you are such a lady =)  Your favorite color changes on a weekly basis but you always stick to purple, pink, lime green, and blue at times!  You love Justice clothes and could spend hours in that store!  Even though you like to play with bugs and lizards and frogs and what nots, you are still very girly girl and like to be dressed nicely.  You are slow!  I try to remind myself of this, but when we are in a hurry it's hard.... you don't like to be rushed and when you are rushed you get flustered and it takes you even longer to do whatever it is you are doing.  We always say you only have one speed and that's "Darbie speed".  You work well on a timer and that's when you waste the smallest amount of time.  You like boundaries and knowing what you can and can't do ahead of time.  You start middle school next year and are a little bit nervous, but I think now that it's almost here you aren't as nervous as you once were!  I don't worry at all!  You'll will be fine!  You are kind and sweet and make friends easily!  You have the biggest heart.  You love people and helping people.  I never worry about you being unkind to other kids.  Daddy and I aren't naive when it comes to our children and their behavior, but that's one thing we always know...  you will be kind to others.  You love music and can pretty much remember the words to  a song after hearing it for the first time.  You have managed to make all A's this school year and you just got awarded student of the month!  We are sooo very proud of you!  Happy belated 11th birthday baby!  Daddy and Mom love you very much!

Where our life as a family of three started...in Georgia the summer of 2006.

Daddy was in a school for a week and we spent our days playing at parks and in the pool!

This was your first trip to Seattle and we ate at the Space Needle!  This was your dessert that night!

The night we officialy and legally became a family of three!

Summer of 2007 in Washington

Summer of 2008.  We spent A LOT of time at the beach!

Your first soccer season!  I wish I had a video of your first game compared to now!  You have come soooo far and improved sooo much in soccer!

Halloween in Bama 2008

Christmas 2008

(Ok, if I keep going at this rate, there will be a lot of pictures =)  so we'll give birthday picture updates!)

Happy 8th birthday!
(We started a tradition of taking each out you out on the day of your birthday to your restraunt of choice on the night of your actual birthday!)  This year you chose Crab Shack

This was the day of your 8th birthday party!  this year you had a dog theme party at our house in South Carolina!

Happy 9th Birthday!  This year you chose to eat at Crab Shack again, but I can't find pictures of that night....=(  This year, you had an I Carly party at Possibly Picasso.  Ya'll painted pottery and loved it!

Happy 10th birthday!  This year, you chose to eat at Yokoso, one of your favorite Japanese steakhouses in Summerville.  (For some reason, the pictures from your birthday dinner aren't pulling up.)  But, you had an Owl themed birthday party at the Ice Plex in North Charleston and everyone had a lot of fun ice skating!

Happy 11th birthday!  This year you wanted to try a new Japanese steakhouse in Va.  The one we chose wasn't the best so the search continues.....but, we had a good time eating out as a family and celebrating your special day!

This year, you had a zebbra print birthday party.  We went ice skating and then came back to our house for a sleepover!  We had cici's pizza for dinner and you guys played and made scarvs for their party favors!  (Yep, you are in your jammies...it was late LOL)

So very thankful!

Yesterday Tim had another sinus surgery.  We had to leave the house by 8 and we didn't get home until 4:30.  Thankfully, I had two very good friends that were gracious enough to keep our children for us.  I hate asking for help and for anyone to have to watch the kids, but I wasn't about to take Brylee and Hudson to the hospital all day!  I was kidn of looking forward to the quiet moments I could just sit in that uncomfortable hospital chair and read a good book or few...  In the past, his surgery hasnt taken very long and we were back home by 1:00.  They didnt take him back for actual surgery until 1230 and I knew we would never be back by 2 which was what time my friend, that had come to our house to watch the babies, needed to leave in order to get her oldest off of the bus.  I frantically called our neighbor to see if she was home and could possibly go over there and get the babies and take them back to her house and to also get Darbie from school.  She did!  She came right over and hauled everything she needed for Hudson back to her house.  (Have I mentioned how thankful I am that God has placed these sweet friends in my life?)  Anyways, we finally get home, Tim gets to the couch and I get the kids and their stuff... Darbie finishes her homework and I realize it's Thursday...which is soccer for us!  I ran in the kitchen to see if she had practice because if so we were skipping...but nope...she had a game...at 6!  at 6!  So, we quickly got ready and headed out the door.  Tim stayed home and I prayed that he'd be ok until we got back.  Dinner through a drive thru...check..soccer game...check....back through a drive thru for Tim...check...and finally we got home... got the kids in, did our bedtime routine and Timand I got the girls in bed and I finally had a chance to just sit for a minute...I was rocking and feeding Hudson, but it was in the quiet, dark room that God whispered in my ear... "My child, be thankful for what you have...even on those stressful days when you feel like you've gotten nothing acomplished... you did...you do every day... teaching those three children I've loaned you about Me and and teaching them manners and grace and how to be ladies and too soon how to be a little man... you are accomplishing just what I want you to accomplish in the season of your life"  I just wanted to hold onto the moment forever... Holding our sweet youngest miracle in my arms. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness to Him who ultimately provides for us and gives us just what we need.  I was overcome with gratitude and thankfulness to my husband for making so many sacrifces so I can stay home with our children.  In moments during days to come, when I get overwhelmed and worried about finances and being "important" and providing my part to our family I will remember this quiet moment that my Father whispered into my ear.......

Date Night

So, I was thinking about this last night and how awesome this feeling is.... Tim and I had a date last night. It was the first time we've ever had a sitter come and watch the kids.  It definitely won't be the last time.  She said they were great and would love to come back so thankfully they didn't run her off =)  Now that I've done it, it'll be easier to do again.  I was a little nervous yesterday preparing for her.  I got everything ready and laid out for her.  I poured the girls milk for dinner and set it in the fridge...like Katy can't pour milk....but I kept wondering to myself if everything would work out.  Darbie is no problem watching.  Brylee is good but can be  a handful and Hudson is just Hudson sometimes =)  the house was cleaned but at 3:45 I had 4 LOADS or maybe it was 5 that needed to be folded and put away... Running out of time, I decided to "hide" them in my closet until I could get to them.  When I walked upstairs to put Hudson to bed last night, I noticed the vacuum was in the hallway.... This is the vacuum that stays in our closet.  It was part of Darbie's chores to vacuum upstairs because she didnt do it this weekend.  So, this means either Darbie was in our closet, which she isn't suppose to be in (although I was kind of hoping it was her and not Katy that saw the mess in my closet) It wasn't.... Ms. Katy got it out for Darbie!  Sssoooo embarrassing!  At any rate, they all survived and had a lot of fun with Ms. Katy.

So back to my feeling I started out writing about...as the day went on, I grew more and more excited....Forget the fact I was up the night before sick and didnt get much sleep......  I tried on 4 outfits before finally deciding on an outfit....4 OUTFITS!  Come on... I'm not in high school anymore....But I wanted to look just right....just right for Tim... not that he could have probably cared less what I wore... The only thing he doesn't care for are turtleneck shirts and none of the four outfits were turtleneck shirts so I was in the clear there.... But I was sooo excited and had butterflies in my stomach that I became a frazzled mess trying to decide what to wear... But, he saved the moment and chose a shirt for me =)  Off we went to eat Mexican and have nice uniterrupted conversations about nothing really.  We just laughed and talked but it was so nice.  Then, we went to see a movie.  I know...movies are generic, but it's something we both love to do and before kids we used to see one just about every weekend and now we get to see an adult movie at the theater about once a year so it's something we relish!  We got home, the girls were already in bed and Hudson was well on his way.... I was impressed that Ms. Katy got Brylee in bed... I went up just knowing she was still awake and my little princess was fast asleep!  Darbie was also out of it so I tucked them both in and ricked my little man to sleep with no fussing!  Then Tim and I got to actually sit and watch TWO dvr'ed shows... We talked about favorite previous dates we had... It's funny that we disliked Washington soooo much but some of our most favorite memories of us together were up there!  We had a getaway weekend one time to Victoria Canada that was wild and fun... A few trips to the piano bar with friends that are memorable for many reasons....one night we went to a beach and shot the Seattle skyline...many many more...but our date last night was perfect in every little sense.  I am soo happy that I am still so madly in love with this man.  I am sooo happy that he still gives me butterflies.