Immeasurably Blessed

I love being their mom more than anything else in the world. Ashlyn, Laney, and Reese...you make my heart sing!

Officially 5...the years of Laney!

Seriously, the girl's smile just lights up an entire room...it always has and I pray it always will! Here she is on her 1st birthday! And here is that same huge grin at 2!
My sweet Laney-bear at 3!

I promise the huge smile would be there even without the birthday money!

My big girl now! Her smile and laugh comes all the way up from her toes!

Sweet Laney Hope, You bring our lives so much joy. Your middle name is so significant to me because at the time of your birth that is exactly the gift from God I needed: hope. And you, precious girl, were hope wrapped up in a huge grin. I love the way you laugh. I love how you sing to yourself throughout the day. It's going to take an act of God to get you to kindergarten on time next year, but I even love the way you dilly dally...okay, most of the time. I love how the Lord is growing your little heart for him. I love how you love your sisters. I love what a snuggle bug you are and how when I need an extra bit of love, you are right there to give it to me. In case you haven't noticed, I love everything about you. I pray that as people are attracted to you, that they catch a glimpse of the Savior and become attracted to Him as well, because of you. You are simply marvelous and a perfect piece in our family. We love you, love you, love you, precious girl! Love, Mommy

Let the Birthday Celebrations Begin...

Our Laney-lou turns 5 on Tuesday. I really can't believe it. Saturday was celebration number 1 with all of her friends. Her request was a Fancy Nancy Party. The night before Laney and Daddy had some fun time together and outside he drew a special picture just for her! A cool thing we did this year at our Youth leader's Christmas party was have our gift exchange be something meaninful rather than our normal goofy white elephant. Everyone had to bring a gift of themselves. Some people brought artwork, some offered photo shoots, free meals, etc. One gal offered to throw a free kids birthday party. Guess what I chose? After the girls went to be Friday night the gals came over and decorated. Here are some pics of the girls Saturday morning completely surprised. It was better than Christmas!

At the party everything was fancy. There was nail painting!

Getting hair and make-up done (thanks, Aunt Jen)!

Decorating butterfly placemats. Aren't all the girls so cute! We had 14 of them at our house...all so sweet and polite, and especially fancy!

Of course we ate flower-shaped sandwiches, fruit kabobs, cinnamon twists, had cute cupcakes and ice cream in fancy cups to boot!

Here is one of my all-time favorite pics of my big girl! I love it. She is so beautiful inside and out, but oh, she is no longer a baby and part of that makes my heart a little sad.

May all your dreams come true...

What's a party without some dancing?

Lots of fun friends...

Laney with the best party hostesses around. Thank you, thank you, thank you Carrie, Cozette and Lindsey! It was fabulous!

These girls are like sisters...

The fam all dolled up for our special birthday girl!

Happy birthday, sweet girl! You deserve to be celebrated! Love you! Love you!

I'll be back later in the week to celebrate our Laney Hope a little bit more.

Prettiest Flowergirls in the South

This past weekend we traveled to East Texas for Jason's cousin Lauren's wedding. It was beautiful and had the most beautiful flowergirls I have ever seen in my life. Here are all 4 at the rehearsal. Ashlyn and Reese walked down one aisle together while Laney walked down the other aisle with Lizzie.
Lauren had all of the girls' hair done and the gal did a great job. All of the girls hair was so cute! Notice the toothless grin from our big girl!

Sweet Laney Hope who turns 5 in just a week and a half!

And little britches who has not been in the picture taking mood lately. She wouldn't turn around for me. But this gives you an idea of their hair...she's 2! I wish I had hair like Reesie.

Finally in their dresses!

The beautiful bride...love you Lauren.

The weather was perfect for the outside reception following the wedding. Lauren had a kids table set up with crayons and a paper table cloth.

An old married couple...still very much in love:

Yes, we know...Jason will need to carry a very big stick to keep the boys away!

The girls danced and danced and danced. I finally looked at Jason at 10 and we decided to get them home. Mimi and Reesie doing a jig.

One of my all-time favorite pics:

The bridesmaids were teaching the girls all the right moves. I told Jase that it is so cute right now but if I let my mind flash forward a few years...my throat starts closing in. I have no idea where our 3 got their rhythm, but I'm telling you, they've got moves!

This is about 10 at night. I think once they slowed down the time caught up with them.

Time to call it a night, sweet girl.

Lauren and Colby, we pray your marriage is full of God's blessings big and small, and that your love for the Lord and for each other grows with each passing day. Thank you for letting the girls be a part of your special day!

Easter

So much was lost that day, and yet everything was won!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life!" (John 3:16) I saw this Eater craft in one of my magazines and so the girls and I decided to try it ourselves. Not too shabby for a 2, 4, and 7 year old.

On to Easter egg decorating...

A little Easter egg hunting action...

Our only family photo of the weekend since I received a good dose of either food poisoning or a stomach bug just in time for Easter morning.

Cousins pic: