Family Pictures

In November we did our yearly family pictures, and this year we were lucky to get Hailey Hester (Hailey Michelle Photography) to take our pictures. I work with her mom, so it was fun to have them both there to try and get cute smiles and pictures out of our kiddos.

My favorites...

Bailey

My niece, Bailey, graduated from high school this past weekend. {Insert me feeling kinda old here.} Bailey was born my junior year in college, and made me an aunt for the very first time.

Bailey is super smart, graduating as salutatorian of her class. And she is also a polite, kind, caring, polished young lady. I am so proud of the amazing adult she has become.

This next year Bailey will move far away from home and go to college at Auburn University. I can't wait to see how she continues to grow and change as a person. And I hope and pray she has an amazing college experience and makes some lifelong friends there.

I'm so happy for you, Bailey, and I can't wait for you to start this next adventure!

Easter

We had such a fun Easter weekend this year. I was reminded all weekend how very different this Easter was from last year, but how very grateful I am as well!

Hadley and I continued our tradition of baking cookies for the holiday. As usual, he helped roll and cut out about four cookies before he was done and ready to decorate. And as usual, I had to remind him that there are a few steps, and some waiting before we get to do the "fun part" of icing and decorating (and of course eating!).

After going to church on Saturday evening, we went to Karah and Doug's house in Burleson on Sunday for a yummy lunch and Easter egg hunting. Hadley is an expert at the egg hunt, but was also very sweet and helpful to Griffin this year. Her favorite part was playing with the empty eggs once they were found. (It's the little things!)

Happy Easter! He is risen!!

Sisters

There is something about sisters...something special...something unique...something only girls understand. "Sister" can mean an actual blood-related sister, a sister-in-law, or even just a friend who is so close you consider her a sister. Whatever definition you choose, there is nothing in the world like a sister.

I am lucky enough to have all three of the above definitions apply to my life, but this post is really about only one of those. Kim.

I'll be honest, when we were young we were not friends. But then, what 16 year old is really friends with her bratty 9 year old little sister? That's what a seven year difference will do when you're young. But then we grew up a little, and those seven years didn't seem like such a big deal. (In fact, at one point someone actually guessed that I was older than her, and I think our ages were 13 and 20.) And then we grew up even more, (you know, became adults!) and it was like that age difference just disappeared. It was awesome!

As adults, we both went through different life changing events at different times, so that pulled us apart again at times (which I think is probably pretty normal). But regardless of that, we have always been there for each other for the big things (weddings, children, etc.). I won't lie when I say that I wish we were together and could share the little day-to-day things as well, but maybe someday! Regardless, I have always known that I could count on her for anything.

There are two specific times when my sister was, let's be honest, a life-saver to me. The first was my wedding day. Without being asked, she just took charge that day making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there, without me worrying about anything. She helped me get ready (not sure when she got ready!), and was the last one to give me a hug before I walked down the aisle. She made sure everything was taken care of even after the wedding and after we left. And she did all that without being asked.

The second time was after Hadley was born. Unfortunately I had some health complications a few days after we came home, and luckily she was there visiting. I was admitted into the hospital and she, without hesitating, stayed and took care of my less than a week old baby at home. She gave him his first bottle, changed his yucky diapers, got up multiple times during the nights with him, and most importantly loved him. During those few days, I never worried about him being taken care of because I knew he was in very capable hands. And again, she did all that without being asked.

My sister is a rock. Sometimes she has been a rock that I just stepped over and kept going. Sometimes she has been a rock that I have leaned on. But, the older I get, and the more I learn about her and about life, the more I appreciate her and hope I can be like her. She is my big sister...someone I look up to...someone I respect...my friend. I'm lucky that I get to go through life with her.

8 Months

Griffin Jane,

Every time I turn around it seems we are celebrating another month of your life. Slow down, baby girl!

This past month was full of more growing and changing for you. You are so close to crawling, and it is hilarious to watch you try. You know what position you need to be in, you just can't seem to figure out how to move once you get into that position. So, you do more of a "scoot" or roll to get where you want to get. The crawling is coming though...I'm guessing within the next week or two!

You have started throwing little fits when you get frustrated, which make everyone else laugh, which then causes the fit to escalate. Funny now, but probably not so funny in years to come! Lately you have also seemed to sense when you are told "no" and that word seems to hurt your little feelings. You especially don't like for daddy to tell you "no" to anything, and you stick out your lower lip before the tears come. I probably shouldn't say this, but that little "trick" might work in your favor in years to come!

We celebrated your first Thanksgiving this past month with a trip to Abilene. You were loved on by everyone there, especially your big girl cousins!

You are now eating formula and baby food (no more breast milk from mama). The transition to all formula didn't seem to phase you, so that was helpful. As far as food, you will pretty much eat anything, but you definitely prefer fruit rather than veggies. We'll just keep tricking you by mixing the two!

You still don't have any teeth, but it seems the drooling and chewing on things has increased exponentially lately so maybe a tooth will pop through soon. (I'm not in any rush for that however!)

Probably my favorite new trick of yours is all your "talking." You have so much to say these days, and always with such cute, funny expressions and attitude. You seem to talk the most when no one is paying attention to you, as if to say, "look at me...pay attention to me...do you hear me?" Hilarious! And A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E. little miss! Yikes!

I can't believe how much I love you, sweet girl. You are my favorite little girl, and you absolutely have my heart. Thanks for making me a girl mom! I love you always and forever!

Mama