July 8, 2014 By 5 Comments

I Like Her

She is getting too big.  I see it everyday and time is turning our little girl into a little lady.  Every single day she is changing more and more and getting bigger and bigger.  It makes my heart kind of achey, but also excited because I love the little lady she is turning into.  The way she talks and laughs and goes into great detail explaining even the tiniest of subjects.  The way she wants to help with anything and everything.  Her imagination is delightful and she’s sure to be an artist or teacher or both when she grows up.  I just really really like her.

She asks me to play all the time.  And truth is, it just does not always happen.  Not near enough.  There are 4 children in our household all needing Mom or Dad in one way or another and carving out real play time is just tough sometimes.  I’ve really been trying to enjoy the kids more this summer because it seems if all at once they look, feel and act older.  Just in a blink.

And it happened at just the right time we were able to knock out an entire old Lego set together.  Why yes we do keep all our Legos all jumbled up in one big bin, so I always assist in the sifting and finding pieces department.  The boys all came in and out while we worked…staying for little stints here and there.  Sometimes to try and bother or annoy, but sometimes to ask if they could help or just build on their own.

As we worked she talked.  And talked and talked and talked.  It’s kind of what she does.  She does the same thing when we run together.  I adore it and I learn so much as I listen to her mind think, work and communicate.  At one point I just sat there and stared at her working and I knew I wanted to hold this time with her a little longer.  Sear it in my memory.  Stamp it on my heart.

Unruly Legos.  The sifting sound.  Her chatty words and sweet 7-year-old voice.  Cookie in hand.  And a “thank you Mom” when we finished.  She’s my jam!

Happy Wednesday.

Ha. How about happy Tuesday!

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March 31, 2014 By 4 Comments

She’s Sunshine

Can it really be?  Can it really be we now have a 7-year-old?  And not just any 7-year-old, but this crazy sweet, wildly creative, incredibly laugh out loud fun 7-year-old.  She is light and love and laughter.  She is the sanity to our insane.  She blesses our socks right off.

Saturday was her big day…the big 7!  Josh and I got everything ready the night before.  She is Josh’s weak spot…the thought that can make the guy who never cries eye’s get a tad misty…she has his heart.  She loves rainbows and everything colorful.  A rainbow door was an easy choice and Josh rocked it well.  Like a giant rainbow piñata.  And she loved it.

 

I did a little late night, last minute crafting.  A rainbow frilly stick for her birthday cupcake and a rainbow number 7 tee for her to wear in the Color Run.  Anything for my lady.

She asked for a giant waffle from Waffle House.  Josh takes her out to breakfast every Friday morning to different places.  Waffle House is a big favorite.  We called in an order for 4 giant waffles and Josh picked them up.

She ran the Color Run with Susan and some of our other friends.  The boys were suppose to have their first baseball game and she didn’t want to be at the ballpark all morning, so Susan saved the morning.  It ended up being rainy and cold, but they did it anyways.

Then there was lunch and cupcakes.  So what if her little rainbow piñata stick almost burst into full on flames.  We timed it just right and only some edges were singed.  #nofireonyourbirthday #winning

And painting.  She really wanted her own paints and canvases and her very own stapler for her birthday.  So painting and stapling were on the birthday docket.

And we finished the night with Frozen.  Harper spotted Rapunzel and Eugene in the movie and blew all our minds.  We could not believe it.  I then spent the next 30 minutes googling “hidden images in Frozen”…wow, there are a lot of crazy things out there.

I think she had a pretty good 7th birthday.

Oh Harper girl, you are such a blessing.  You made us a Mom & Dad.  You made us understand the deep love God has for His children.  You made us realize our hearts were big enough to love even more than we ever imagined.  Thank you for being the kid you are.  Thank you for dreaming big and wanting to change the world.  You are doing it already.  You are a world changer.  Thank you for being a girl after my own heart with your love of creativity and color and kindness.  You are truly a light and joy in our family and a fierce big sister…you love those boys well…and keep them in line.  You my dear, are beyond precious…more than rubies or jewels.  And what an honor it is to watch you grow and change and blossom and shine.  We love you like craziness Harper Ann.

Happy 7th Birthday…to the sunshine in our life!

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August 5, 2013 By 9 Comments

First Grade

It’s official.  Summer is over and school started back this morning.  How can I have a 1st grader…it’s just not right.

She ate breakfast and we combed her hair and we took pictures and we packed her backpack and lunch and her get-to-know-you homework and Ms. Flowers first day of school gift.  Every teacher deserves an apple on the first day.

My voice got all quakey and tears started to brim as I began praying out loud for her day…her new school year…her new teacher…her new friends…as we drove closer to school.  We talked about how loving Jesus and loving others is the most important thing.  We talked about being kind and loving and generous and compassionate and respectful.  I reminded her that I am madly in love with her tender heart and that she is so very good at loving on people.

She said she was excited to meet new friends and see what kind of fun 1st grade would be.  She said she didn’t think she would be as excited if she hadn’t gotten Ms. Flowers for her teacher.  She said she would miss me and playing with the boys during the day.  I think she’s going to have a really grand year.

I gave her multiple kisses and told her one last time how proud we are of her.  She’s going to rattle the stars for sure.

The morning has been slow and dragging with brotherly fights and grassy feet which means grassy floors and computer troubles and I just miss her.  She’s my sanity…she’s my girl.  Me and her, we have to stick together because clearly we are being out numbered by the male kind.  And now I’m trying to think of the most perfect afternoon “Happy First Day of School” snack and I cannot wait to hear all about her day.  She’s an observer, so I know there will be lots of details involved.  Cannot believe the school year has begun…so excited to see what all God has in store.

Happy Monday.

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May 21, 2013 By 14 Comments

Harper {Sigh}

Yesterday I received our CD of pictures in the mail from Cheyenne from Shots by Cheyenne.  If you haven’t heard me sing her photography praises enough, well then just hang tight and you will.  She’s amazing.  And she’s quick.  And she nails it…every time.  I love how she captures our family on that day in time.  It’s always just right and even if everyone’s not looking or smiling or not even looking somewhat normal, I still love the pictures.  They are ALWAYS just sooooo us…and that is totally perfect to me…Every.Single.Time.

I literally cried while scrolling through all the pictures and laughed and then cried some more.  I have so many I want to share, but today I thought I would highlight Harper.

I made a resolution this year that I would have more professional pictures taken and all the years following.  I got on Cheyenne’s books asap last year to make sure I followed through.  I should probably go ahead and book 2014, but don’t want to scare Cheyenne away just yet.

I take pictures all the time, but there is nothing that compares to letting someone else take the reigns and shoot our family all together.  I could never have gotten these shots on my own and as incredible as Cheyenne did.  For that I would pay over and over and over again.  Cheyenne and her talent are priceless to me and our family.  Absolutely.

Off my professional photography soap box and onto Harper:  I’m kind of hung up on her right now.  I guess because she’s finishing up kindergarten this week and she is just getting so big and it makes my heart super sad and super excited to see who God is molding her into.  I usually take Harper to school in the morning and I always pray out loud for her day as we drive through the car rider line.  Yesterday morning I started praying for her day and thanking God for such an amazing kindergarten year and for blessing us with Mrs. Tanner and I immediately just started to bawl and then Harper started crying too.  I felt so bad that I had helped push her towards tears, but she told me how much she was going to miss Mrs. Tanner and what a good year she had had and my heart was just so full.  How blessed we have been this year with an awesome school and teacher.  We really hit the jack pot.  She wiped her eyes with the palms of her hands, smiled and jumped out of the van.  She loves school and I just pray so hard she will keep that love and keep her joy.

When I saw these pictures of us last night I immediately noticed and fell in love with Harper’s joy…that’s all I could think about.  That is Harper.  Our ever running Harper quote is, “She’s just happy to be here.”

I want to freeze time right now.  She is growing so big and so strong.  She is changing right before our eyes and I just want to pour into her and invest in her.  I want her to know that being just her will always be just enough for God.  That’s all He wants her to be.  I want her to know that she is truly beautiful because God created her and there is no one else like her.  I want her to know that God looks on the heart…and that’s what He most adores.  I want her to know that He is crazy about her and in hot pursuit after her heart.  I want her to know that being kind and loving and compassionate and generous is far more important than being first or smartest or prettiest or having the most of anything.  I kind of want to hide her away from the world and keep her pure and innocent, but I know God designed her to step out and change the world and not for me to keep.

I’m having to constantly remind myself that she really isn’t mine, but God’s.  He has His plans for her…He created her…He intricately and purposefully designed her.  What an honor Josh and I have.  Today as her mom I am humbled…like crazy, crazy humbled…to be her mom.  To have a chance to sit and watch His plans unfold for her and try my hardest to invest in her as God would have me as her Mom.  Goodness.  And I’m praying like mad that she keeps her Joy!

Happy Tuesday.

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April 1, 2013 By 4 Comments

A Most Colorful 6th Birthday

Harper’s 6th birthday was Friday.  Geez.  I’m kind of totally hating on time right now.  My youngest is one and my oldest is now six…six seems really old to me…kind of makes me want to punch time in the face.

Harper is my girl.  I say all the time “She’s my sanity.”  She totally is.  It’s me and her.  We have to stick together in this house full of boys.  She’s this girly, lover of all things colorful, kind-hearted, creativity filled, big loving kid.  We feel way blessed to be her Mom and Dad.  Josh is completely smitten.  Of course he is.

She asked for lots of color on her birthday.  She loves rainbows…she draws them almost everyday.  I knew her birthday door had to be completely stellar.  It was 🙂  Lots and lots of colorful paper circles run through my sewing machine and…Boom.

She pretty much got to plan the whole day.  She requested donuts for breakfast.

Did lots of typing on the computer.  She loves to type out sentences and words.

And oh the Lego assembly.  She adores Legos and we bought her a new set for her birthday.  I love to just sit and watch her little mind work.  She’s kind of so much fun.

We rocked McDonalds for lunch…her request…and that we eat inside the play area…with happy meals and ice cream.  Sure thing Birthday Girl.

We enjoyed cake.  Chocolate cake.  Cream cheese frosting.  And “lots and lots of sprinkles.”  Done and done my lady.

And the birthday kid gets to pick something for our family to do all together.  Harper chose The Color Run.  How flippin’ perfect was that?!?  Totally.  We did the run last year too and Harper loved it.

More picture to come from that colorful mess.

She really had the most colorfully, perfect-for-Harper birthday.  I adored watching her enjoy her day.

Harper Kelley, you my dear are too lovely.  I love being your mom and watching you grow and change.  You are truly an original and I adore your heart.  You made us a Mom and Dad…you changed our world in the most incredibly way.  We thank God everyday for your precious life and I know you are going to change the world.  It’s going to be crazy good to watch.  Love you tons Harper…thanks for being my girl.

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March 29, 2013 By 4 Comments

Insta Friday

Today is Harper’s birthday + Good Friday.  Makes for kind of a stellar day.  I’m sure I’ll be blowing my Instagram feed up with this lovely little 6-year-old lady.  She’s my sanity and love.  She makes my day.  Come check us out at pitterpatterart

I know two little boys who are going to be pumped to find Darth and Yoda in their Easter bucket.  Star Wars for Easter…it’s just how we roll.

He’s kind of got this crazy cool swaggar going on.  I fear the teenage years.

Prepping for our birthday week.  We gave Amon a little walker for his birthday on Monday and then he took his first steps on Tuesday.  I’d say we totally got our $20 money worth.

I would like to re-live his birthday over and over and over again.  He is just delightful.

This was our waiter for lunch one day.  I thought he was pretty cute.

He studies and examines everything.  He could look at books for days.  I really love this about him.

I found the kids man handling this dead mole.  Huddy was super empathic when I told him the mole was dead…”Well now he just looks sad.” and “But he was so furry.”  The best part was when I said, “Why did you pick up a dead mole?”…Harper’s reply, “Well we didn’t know it was a dead mole, we just thought it was poop.”  OH.WOW.  Well that makes it all better.

I’ll admit it.  This kid completely melts me…and I’m totally okay with that.

3 days left…I can do it.  #70miles

Birthday prep for a girl who adores color.  That’s my kind of girl.

Harper’s 6th birthday door.  My most favorite one we’ve done for her yet.  Her exact words, “This is awesome.”  She has my heart.

She asked for donuts for breakfast.  Boom.  Can’t believe I now have a 6-year-old.  Say it ain’t so.  I feel too blessed by this lady kid.  She’s the best.

Birthday cake.  She requested a big chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting and “lots and lots of sprinkles”.  Ask and you shall receive.  #nosuchthingastoomanysprinkles  That’s my girl.

Hope you have an incredible Easter weekend.  So thankful for a Savior who defeated death, took on my nasty sins and saved the world.  That’s a mad kind of love.

Happy Friday!

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