April 29, 2011

My Laid Back Mac

He doesn't ask for much, but he sure loves his paci.  He is usually content with his lovey, paci, and a little attention thrown his way. 

McClain, you are the only person I know who would look up at me and smile after getting sick with the stomach bug.  Always a laid back and happy guy! 
There is one thing for sure . . . your mama loves you to pieces.
And I think it's safe to say you love her too. 

April 27, 2011

20 Months

Are we really just four months away from your 2nd birthday? 
Lucy Mills, you continue to win our hearts everyday. 
At 20 months old you are obsessed with being outside.  You love to climb up and down the steps, punch the garage door button,  run down the driveway, show daddy the backyard, color with sidewalk chalk, and of course play in the sprinkler. 
And climbing the stairs is not just limited to the outside ones.  
In true feminine form, you love bling (jewlery). You point to my earrings and say "mama's bing." You parade around in your necklaces from Grandmother all the time. 
You even swiped Suggie's bracelet the other day to see how it fit. 
Reading books is still at the top of your "to do" list.  When you aren't sitting in your pink chair, you bring me a book and say "mama, read. Read peas mama." How can I resist? 
I am starting to think you see me using this too much because you love my cleaning tools.  Such a good little helper. 
You are learning to hold your own spoon and feed yourself.  You ask for "yiptick" (chapstick) every time you see one of us put it on. And whenever we pass Target you say "big ball!" (the target symbol).  Hmmm, I guess we venture there a good bit? 
Lucy Mills you are a doll and so much fun to share these days with! 

April 24, 2011

Easter Weekend

Here comes Peter Cottontail...


hoppin' down the bunny trail,


hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way! 




On Saturday Suggie and Aunt "Tutu" (how Lucy Mills says Susan) came by to bring some Easter goodies to Lucy Mills and McClain.  We broke out the new sprinkler right then and there.  Who needs to wait on the beach when we can set up summer in our own front yard?


After a little coaxing from Daddy, 


this bathing beauty quickly fell in love with her new sprinkler. 


She had a blast.


And we had a blast watching her. 




At some moments I wasn't sure who was having more fun getting wet, Travis or Lucy Mills? 




After the sprinkler fun, Lucy Mills loved playing with Tutu.



Yep, favorite aunt for sure. 



Coming over to give Suggie a wet hug and kiss. 




And to enjoy some conversation.




Our little ballerina had a great day.




After church on Sunday we headed to Pop Pop's house for an Easter egg hunt.  




Which included some really big eggs. . .




but there were also some regular size ones too. 




Happy Easter 2011.  Maybe next year we can get everyone looking at the camera?



Travis' birthday

My young at heart, fun-loving husband celebrated a milestone birthday on Thursday.  Trav turned the big 4-0.  I had all these grand intentions of throwing him a surprise party or heading out of town to somewhere on the coast, but because of my kidney surgery I had to come up with something on a smaller scale. After racking my brain about what would be fun for the birthday boy, I came up with a surprise day on a boat for my lake-loving man.  He cleared his schedule for the whole day {yippee} and I arranged Shugs to keep the kiddos.  After praying for sunshine and renting a boat, I kidnapped and blindfolded Travis.  He had no idea what I had schemed.
I packed bathing suits, sunscreen, and 3 coolers full.  Even though we only ventured a few minutes down the road, we felt our responsibilities drift away the faster and farther the boat left the dock.  I think a day of sun and fun was what we both needed.




Travis proudly flashing his new age.  




I think both of us could cruise around all day long.  We circled the lake and even stopped by to check on things at home. . .




{Haha. . . just kidding.  It's fun to dream though.}




Happy Birthday to my best friend and husband.  I loved our day together and I look forward to many more birthdays with you.  You are the best daddy to our children and it's a joy watching you with them.



There is no one like you and I love you lots! 

April 22, 2011

Good Friday

A lot can happen in a week.  
In our week the mama had kidney surgery, the daddy had a big b'day which included turning 4-0, the little girl endured the worst teething pains and was also fitted for glasses (more to come on that), and the baby came down with the stomach bug.  Whew! Happy Easter, right? 


But on this rainy Good Friday, I am reminded of the sacrifices my Savior made for me.  


When the inconveniences of life arise and make a busy life even busier, I am tempted to wish for things to be easy.  But then I am reminded that it wasn't easy for Jesus to die on the cross.  Life is not about being easy.


It is about dying to myself daily.  "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." {Matthew 20:28}



It's simple enough for a child to understand. 
Happy Easter.

April 14, 2011

The Beauty of Spring

. . . seen through my lens.