Sentimental Post Ahead...

Night #2 in a big girl bed...really????  My mom informed me earlier this week that Ella Kate was attempting to throw her leg over the rail of the crib.  So I put her in the bed that night and told her to go for it.  She didn't bat an eye.  She threw that leg up and over.  So, sadly, the crib was converted to a big girl bed last night.  I cried.  When did this happen?  I feel as if I just brought her home from the hospital.  I'm tearing up again as I type.  I wouldn't say I'm overly sentimental.  But I'm having issues about this bed.  My husband in the middle of my tears says, "and next it'll be a full size bed".  I didn't find that very comforting.  She's done well.  There is no rail so last night we put the bean bag beside the bed.  That's where we found her about 3 this morning...sound asleep.  I was worried she wouldn't stay in bed.  But at this point I'm not sure she knows she can get out.  She is quite the sleeper these days.  Based on her first week in this world, I would never have expected this.  She's in bed around 8 and sleeps until 8.  It makes for a happy mommy and daddy.  I LOVE being home with her this summer.  She's changing so much so fast and I don't have to miss it...at least for a few months.

Next week is a full week off at our house.  No practice.  No workouts.  No plans.  Nothing.  YES!  And then it's off to camp for a week.  Summer, slow down.

I sat out back one night this week watching B and Ella Kate play in the yard.  I thought as I watched them how different life was just 5 short years ago.  It was kind of a rough summer then...one where I was wondering if God had any big plans for my life or if I should go ahead and join the convent.  But, my how things have come full circle.  We've been married almost 4 years, and it's far from perfect, but it's fun (most days).  And being a mommy is one of the very best things I have ever done.  It sure threw a kink in our orderly little lives the first few months, but she's so worth it.  I get stressed.  I get tired.  I get tired.  Did I say that twice?  I meant to.  I get mad.  But my cup is so full tonight.  (I think it's the big girl bed thing.)  It's not that it's perfect.  It's that it's far more than I deserve.

Wishing each of you a relaxing Fourth of July holiday with your families...

Birthday Fun

We kicked off a big birthday week on Thursday with B's 30th.  We celebrated by going to swimming lessons, and he headed off to football workouts.  EK and I did make him dinner and a birthday cake.  He also got a candle in his cinnamon roll that morning.  Because birthdays are a celebration of a life, I'll take a minute to tell you that I am so thankful for Bradley.  He came along at the perfect time (although at the time I  thought he was late).  He had a ton of patience in the beginning when I told him I couldn't handle him calling everyday or coming by all the time.  He stuck with me, and I'm so thankful.  He is the most patient man I know.  Often when I expect exasperation from him, I get a joke or a smile instead.  He probably couldn't say the same about me.  You are an awesome Daddy and the sweetest husband.  We're thankful for you.

Friday was my 31st birthday. (Yes, Bailee D., I would be considered a cougar.)  We had a lazy day of swimming lessons and pool time at Papa's.  I got to sit outside all by myself and read during naptime.  It was interrupted only briefly when our child ate her diaper rash cream, forcing us to call poison control.  She's fine now.  For a few minutes B and I were not.  We had dinner with my parents and my brother at a little place in Defuniak Springs called Mom and Dad's...best Italian food you will ever eat.  We laughed ALOT and went to Walmart because we never go to Mom and Dad's and not go to Walmart.  It's just a given.

Saturday, the birthday celebrations continued with a trip to Mobile for B and I.  We stayed at The Battlehouse downtown...loved it!  We ate some great seafood when we arrived at lunch and hung out at the pool until our room was ready.   That night, we headed off to a surprise 30th birthday party for our friend, Morgan.  Morgan and B grew up together and shared a birthday celebration at VBS each year.  I got to know Morgan for the first time when she sang in our wedding.  A couple of years later, I started teaching with her Mom.  We text occasionally, and we say that if we lived closer, we might actually be good friends.  She's precious.  So when we got the invite for her party, we decided to make a weekend of it.  I laughed so much last night my cheeks are still sore today.  I witnessed my husband singing Friends In Low Places karaoke style with Morgan's husband (who is also a coach).  I'm not sure, but I would bet they talked sports at some point last night.  They did a good duet!  I'm thinking we may take them on the road soon.  Seriously, I was impressed.  We had a blast, Matt and Morgan.  Oh, I wish we all lived closer.  We ended the night sitting in our hotel room eating McDonalds at midnight just because we could.

We drove home this morning, and we all really need a nap, although someone who shall remain nameless is being less than cooperative about this.  It was an extra good weekend.  Here's to a good week as well.

A Whirlwind of a Weekend

Ahhh...a quiet Monday morning.  I mentioned in my last post that we were planning a small get together from B's brother and his fiance'.  I did not mention that it was going to be held in our backyard with an 80% chance of rain.  On Friday morning we rented a tent (just in case).  It was a good thing.  It rained off and on all day, but about 2-3 hours before the party, the bottom fell out.  And it came to a stop just in time.  We thoroughly enjoyed it the night.  

I guess it was sort of a weekend of celebrations.  On Friday afternoon we headed to Auburn to attend T and Sally Ingalls' 50th Wedding Anniversary reception.  When I moved to Troy, there were some issues about where I was going to live.  This sweet couple took me in and became like family to me.  I spent a little over 2 years with them.  They have since moved to Auburn.  We still visit occasionally.  They're so special to me, and I always enjoy getting to see them and their family.  We had a blast.  Ella Kate was loving the dance floor and wanted to go "back" each time she came off.  She never meets a stranger.  B and I aren't sure where she came from, but we enjoy her and her little personality. 

It's back to the grind (somewhat) this week.  Cheerleader practice and football workouts resume.  Swimming lessons continue for EK.  I love my job.  And I love having time off in the summer.  It's all around the BEST.  Happy Monday!  

Welcome back, Summer!

Summer has arrived in full force at our house.  We finished a busy last week of school.  B and I finished our 3rd year at ZC.  Have we really been here that long????  And we were off to the beach to celebrate.  If you have facebook, you know this because we posted a ton of pictures.  Ella Kate loved it.  We took Cheyenne along to babysit.  We learned our lesson last year.  And a good time was had by all.  Even Uncle J joined us one day.  We were more than glad.  Ella Kate did NOT want to come out of the water (ever) so we took shifts.  Everytime Uncle J tried to bring her in, she cried and he would turn around and go back in the water.  It gave the rest of us a break to sit and take a tan.  Someone was asking me this week about our trip, and I told them the beach isn't nearly as relaxing with a baby, but watching her enjoy it beats relaxing any day of the week.  She rose before the sun saying "going to beach?"  and she cried each time we got out of the water.  She said the wet sand in the bathroom floor was "nassy" and she referred to the sea weed as "weed".  We made a lot of memories.  We are so blessed.

Just because it's summer doesn't mean we sit around and eat bon bons in our PJ's all day.  We are still busy, but it's a fun kind of busy.  Ella Kate started her second year of ISR swimming lessons yesterday.  I'm so excited and she's all about learning to swim.  She refers to the pool as the "beach" and she was unhappy about the end of her lesson yesterday.  She loves the water.

We have weddings galore to attend this summer, which means we have showers as well.  Bradley's brother is getting married in August.  We thought this would be a good reason to have lots of people over and celebrate.  I also see it as a chance to use all that stuff I've pinned on Pinterest (#addicted).  So Saturday we've invited way more people than we originally planned (that's how it goes, right?)  to celebrate Courtney and Uncle G's upcoming wedding.  We're excited and super busy trying to finish all these yard "projects" and house "projects" that we've talked about doing for months.  We're looking forward to it (and hoping for no rain on Saturday).

I just got back from a run, and I'm getting quiet time before everyone else gets up.  It's 8:00 and EK is still asleep...never thought I'd see the day.  Happy Summer!