Independent. Unpredictable. Recognizably TWO!

My sweet Elliott Kate, I remember the day you were born so vividly. I can remember your precious face. I remember your daddy and I soaking in the sound of your voice. I can remember holding it all in until I saw your Uncle Ryan as your whole family followed right in to see you just minutes after you entered the world. I remember thanking God over and over for the miracle of life. I remember thinking life doesn't get any better than this. Now, two years later, you bring us even more happiness than you did on that indescribable day.

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine reminded me how not long after you were born, I used to wish you were two. I wasn't very good at the baby stage and thought it would be so much fun if you would skip ahead to the grand age of two. Now, that you've reached that milestone, I was absolutely right - You are so much fun, a true joy. We are loving every single minute. But, I was also very wrong in wishing your life away. (Even though, sorry Elle, you weren't the best when it comes to babies.) I cherish every single second of you and vow from this day forward to live in the moment. I am so thankful for you, my precious baby. There are no words to express the overwhelming love I have for you. As I sit here watching you, my eyes no longer dry, I watch you in amazement. I am so lucky.

I am so excited to watch you learn. Each day brings something new. It's incredible! And although, sometimes you're filled with "no" and "stop," I wouldn't change it for the world.

Now PLEASE slow down and stop growing so quickly!

Just a couple of weeks after your second birthday, here are some of my favorite Ellie things:

- You're completely obsessed with Abby Cadabby and Elmo and all things Sesame Street!

-You walk on your toes - always have.

- You are newly into Yo Gabba Gabba! and you do a 'mean' dancy dance!

- You'd much rather jump than walk.

-You LOVE animals, especially your "Ahmi!" (Emmi)

-You associate people together! If you hear Chelsea, you say Unc. If we say Katie, you say Chi, Jordy, Isaak and/or Tony. If you hear Grammie, you say Pop! (Just for the record, three days ago you were talking to Pops on the phone and asked for Grammie. First time! She was SO happy!)

-You can recognize your Gigi and Papa's house from a mile away!

-Your favorite words are "It's stucky." How is everything you touch stuck?

-You love your Beck Beck so much! Your favorite thing is to make her laugh.

-Your favorite foods are "pizzi," "i ceem," apples, and cheese. You eat "snackies" (gummy fruit snacks) like they're going out of style!

-Even though I hate to admit it, you love your bedtime "moonie!" (right now, it's Cinderella)

There's so much about you, Ellie girl, that I absolutely adore. I couldn't imagine life without you. I love you from the bottom of my heart.

newborn!

one year old!

two years old!

He's still working on me...

Okay...here's one of those posts that you may ask yourself why I am writing. I'm even wondering why, especially because it's one of those 'for worse' topics...one of those that doesn't exactly highlight my strengths. Yes, my friends, I'm talking about American Idol.

Tonight's finale was a true upset. But, why do I even care? I try to tell myself over and over that it doesn't matter. This has nothing to do with me. It's a silly contest. But, I still feel like I've invested my time in something that has failed me. Ridiculous, yes. Out of character for me, no.

You see, I don't think there is much of anything in my life that I do halfway. I recently learned through a league that is supposed to be for 'fun' why I don't play basketball anymore. I dwell for hours, days, weeks about the tiniest things said or done or things that may or may not happen. I have a hard time enjoying myself during a simple game of bowling. I cry, for goodness sakes, when the Cowboys lose a game. I get an upset tummy when Adam Lambert doesn't win American Idol.

It's just a game. It's just a show. There's always next year... I'm working on it. It's no fun to live like this. :)

Happy Birthday Unc!

There is nothing greater than family. That's it. Seriously. I can't think of a thing. I'm talking here on earth, of course. The dependability, the unconditional love, the guidance, the impossible support, the security like no one else can provide - Family. I know I'm biased, but I don't think it gets much better than mine. It's funny how each of them brings something a little different. It's an amazing dynamic, one I'm extremely lucky to be a part of. I can't imagine life without my family.

My sister in law's fiance, Hooper, is a constant in our lives. He's E and B's Unc, he's the one my best friend will marry, he is Eddie's perfect tv and movie match, he's my Church of Christ buddy, he's the one I can call and absolutely know I can depend on, he's a part of our family.

Elliott loves her Unc. She loves to hear him sing. She loves when he plays "Wagon Wheel" on his phone. She thinks he looks like Mr. T. She thinks anyone with a guitar should be Unc. She loves to say his name. Unc loves his Ellie. He loves her so much he cleaned her carseat when she got sick all in the car. He's always willing to take care of her, play with her, do almost anything she wants. I remember him coming to hold her almost everyday after she was born.
Unc was there bright and early the day Beck was born, too. When he comes over, he always acknowledges his tiny niece. She may be just a baby, but I have a feeling she knows how much he loves her.

Today, we celebrate Hooper on his 27th birthday. We are lucky to have him in our family. He's a perfect fit. He adds just the right things. We are fortunate for our babies to have such a fun, involved uncle. There truly isn't anything greater than family. We're blessed that Unc is a part of that greatness.

Life like Jordy

Wouldn’t life be utterly amazing if every little thing you did, every tiny thing you saw, every person you met felt like the most remarkable thing that has ever happened to you?

Jordenne, my recently turned “a whole hand” niece, is a character. Jordy is sassy, carefree and self-confident. With just a look, she can make you laugh in a way that people stop and stare. Jordenne is generous, compassionate and faithful. She is the little mommy who knows exactly how to swaddle a baby. Jordy is all girl! But, my favorite thing about Jordy (okay…besides her ridiculously cool fashion sense that I must say she gets from her aunt) is her complete, unreserved and absolute LOVE for life.

Monday night, we celebrated Elliott’s 2nd birthday with a small family gathering at our house. Understated wouldn’t even describe it. I’m talking pizza, brownies and a little Kroger cake that I actually dropped on the way in the house. I did grab Disney princess plates and a couple of crowns on my way out of the store, so I’m really not that bad of a mom. Elliott’s big birthday party with her friends is coming up, so on her actual birthday, we just wanted to simply celebrate the one who has given us the most incredible 2 years of our life.

On the way to the party, Jordenne grabbed her Grammy's arm and said, in a voice I can clearly imagine, "This is going to be so much fun!" When my mom told me, I thought that J might have been thinking this was the big party. But, no, of course not - it's Jordy. She wore the Disney crown like it was covered in sparkling jewels. She groveled over the brownies and cake like it was the creation of a well-known chef. The pizza, well, okay, the kid likes to eat....anything. Every little detail that I put almost no thought into turned out to be, in Jordenne's words, "The best party ever!"

As they pulled out of the driveway, I couldn't help but think of my brown-eyed, curly headed niece. I began to think of all the simple things that make Jordenne feel as if she's been handed the world. Getting to ride in my car to a restaurant, holding baby Beckett, eating one of Pops' "bling blairs," the chance the brag on her sweet baby brother - these are just a few of the uneventful, everyday things that makes sweet J feel as if she's the luckiest girl in the world.

So, thank you, Jordenne for being you, in all your innocence. May you never lose your passion for life. I only wish I could live my life like you!

My crazy beautiful life...

As I enter the blog world, I begin in a happy place. I begin having just celebrated my sweet Elliott Kate’s 2nd birthday. I begin as I watch my precious 6 ½ month old baby girl melt my heart with a smile as only she can. I begin as I proudly and admiringly watch my amazing husband start his new job.

As I enter the blog world, I will randomly remember the things that make me who I am, for better or worse. I will share new adventures as they happen. I’m quite positive my children will be the stars of my blog. You’ll probably meet the people in my life – the ones who make it all worth it. At times, it might not make any sense. Most of the time, you probably will ask why I’m even writing.

As I enter the blog world, I write for me. I write for my girls to one day share in the joy, the fears, the laughter and the tears that is our life. I write for my annoyingly incredible sister who will not leave me alone about starting a blog.

As I enter the blog world, yes, I most definitely begin in a very happy place.