School pictures

Mother's Day 2015

A summary of Mother's Day: Slept in, church, grilled out for lunch, read outside alone (while kids and Seth did Legos inside), played outside, did some gardening, took a nap, out for dinner, grocery shopped alone (hey, a mom can't get a whole day). The kids and Seth got me a massage and some precious homemade crafts and cards. Love my people and am thankful to be mama to my babies (I can call them babies forever, right?!?!) :)

We're also so thankful to have wonderful mothers and mothers-in-law to celebrate and honor on Mother's Day!

Carter's bowling party

This past weekend, Carter celebrated his 5th birthday with his friends from pre-school. His family birthday party is in June with Addison's, but this one was at a local bowling alley. His birthday was a few days before his party. He opened his gifts from mommy and daddy! He got a board game, some TMNT figurines and vehicles, a rocket launcher, legos and a couple other little things! :)

On Saturday, he was ready to head to his party! Before the party, he had a baseball game and the game of a friend so he had been moving all day! (We also had a picnic after his party too! Busy day!)

The simple set up at each setting. I made the swords out of the jumbo paint stir sticks, paint and electrical tape.

His cupcakes were vanilla and chocolate--as requested by the birthday boy--with yummy buttercream and TMNT rings (a hit with the kids!).

Time to blow out the candle!! 

They had such a blast bowling. There were 6 kids per lane so things were definitely lively. :) 

Part of the gang! 

He had such a blast -- I love seeing him so happy and excited. And, it was by far the easiest party I've ever thrown. Wrap up the disposable stuff and toss it, pay the bill and head out (with someone else cleaning up the mess...my kind of party).

Five years.

Five years. I can hardly believe it, but five years ago today I was calling Seth at work to tell him that I thought it was time. It was time to meet our sweet baby boy. I was hot, I was cranky, I was tired. But, boy, was I excited because I was about to meet the little guy who'd make me a mama.

The experience was nothing short of wonderful in meeting that sweet boy.

And it's been nothing short of wonderful since. 

Sure, we'd lost a lot of sleep. We've battled a lot of will. I've had many days where I wanted to curl up and cry. But for every one of those things, we've learned a lot of lessons and we've loved more than we ever thought humanly possible.

Carter, you are such a sweet, sensitive little boy. You are kind, energetic (like really energetic), thoughtful, loving, smooch-able, curious and playful. You made us parents and you've made the past five years the most joyful we could have ever imagined. You are so very loved.

Happy birthday, baby. We love you all the way to Guatemala.