Wordless Wednesday

{Painting}

Soccer Star

Gigi started playing soccer about three weeks ago now. Her team is called Shooting Stars and she absolutely loves it and I absolutely love watching her. She always tries so hard and never gives up. She may not be the best soccer player out there, but most importantly to me, she has the best sportsmanship. She always listens to her coach, watches out for the other children, and waits her turn. Her skills are improving with each practice and as long as she enjoys it.. we will keep going!

Warming Up

Ready to Play!

Showing off her soccer stop

Love the smile!

Obstacle Course

One Year Old

"I'll Love You Forever,

I'll Like You For Always,

As Long As I'm Living,

My Baby You'll Be"

-Robert Munsch (Love You Forever)

Dearest Garrison,


I want to take you back to a late summer day in 2010. In a hospital room, where a baby was being placed into my arms. As I looked down at my boy, a pair of blue eyes opened for the first time. The first thing he saw was me. He gazed up. I gazed back. And, the deal was sealed, it was love at first sight.

Until that moment, I had no idea about little boys and their ways. I had no idea how just one flash of those big blue eyes could compel me to do just about anything. I was blissfully unaware how one fat tear could turn me into jelly. And I simply had no clue that along with your love of rough and tumble there would be a softness and vulnerability to you that would take my breath away. Being the mother of such an amazing boy is wonderful!


The truth is, that for days I have been trying to write this letter to you. Every night, when I sit down to attempt to put my feelings into words, I am completely overcome with love.. just pure love, with no words attached. So, here it goes anyway..


I want you to know that I am your biggest fan. While I may not always understand your dreams, or know the best way to get you there, I will always be your biggest fan - rooting you on. Some days I will be the disciplinarian, because sometimes you will need me to steer you back to the right path.


Always dream BIG! I will attempt to resist the temptation of dreaming for you. This is your life and I want you to live it for you. I want you to be the man you are destined to become by following the passions that drive you.


Most of all, thank you sweet baby boy for every smile, every giggle and every sparkle in your eye. You may have made my nights shorter, days longer, bank account smaller and clothes shabbier, but you have made our home happier, the past forgotten and the future worth living for. I am so thankful to be your mommy, I'm truly blessed beyond words. God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave you to me. Even though you think you need me, I've grown to need you even more.


You are advanced beyond 'your year'. You love to take in everything going on around you. You LOVE to sing and dance (I really haven't seen anything like it).. the Wiggles are your favorite. You also know all the motions to 'If Your Happy & You Know It' and can sing and do the motions to 'This Little Light of Mine'. If someone asks you how old you are, you quickly hold up one finger and exclaim one! When you are doing something you are not supposed to be doing, you slowly look up at me shake your finger and say: "no, no, no". You love to try to talk on the phone, comb your hair and roll your cars/trucks back and forth while saying "vroooom". When you hand me something you say "go" and twice have said "here you go". You have now started saying "nigh, nigh" when you are tired and ready for bed.


Your sister loves you to the moon and back and is always concerned with your well-being. You love her equally and watch her every move. Although lately you have been frustrated with not being able to communicate with her the way you wish you could and end up biting her. She is so patient with you and never holds a grudge. I love to watch the two of you play and laugh together. I feel as if my heart is going to explode just thinking of the bond between you both.


So Garrison, my love, happy first birthday! I hope you have enjoyed this past year with me as much as I have loved it with you. Always know that you and your sister both are the delight in my heart and the loves of my life.


Here's hoping your momma learns how to cope with my baby boy turning one business- because so far, it's not looking too good.


With a heart simply overflowing with love,
Momma

Wordless Wednesday

{Ingenious}

Woody, Buzz and Some Spiderman

While browsing through the Wal-Mart clearance aisle yesterday, I hit the jackpot! Costumes galore.. all for the one low price of $1! So I picked up every costume there! Some Elmo's, Cookie Monster's, Woody's, Buzz and more! And YES.. I picked up more than one of the same.. why not for $1? The funny thing is.. they don't know who any of the characters are (with the exception of Elmo). They both hardly watch any TV and when they do it is one of three shows: The Wiggles, Caillou or Curious George. I haven't had to be one of those parents that has to set rules about the TV, just because they have very little interest in watching anything. 


Anyway, back to the point - they had a fabulous time playing dress-up with some of the costumes!

Grandma 'B'

"Blessed be the ties that bind generations" -Author Unknown

Dearest Grayson and Garrison,

Today is Grandparents Day and I want to take a minute to tell you about my grandma, your great grandma. It saddens me that you will never know her, but I do know that she often looks down at the both of you with a smile on her face.

She was the quintessential grandma. For as long as I can remember she had white hair, big glasses and an even bigger heart. And, of course every grandma needs a nickname.. we called her Grandma B. She loved children, going to church, cooking, and being surrounded by her family. She would befriend anyone and was a loyal friend at that. She was as close of an example of God as you will find here on earth.

Some of my memories of her is her baking delicious angel food cakes for my birthday, getting a box of cherry cordials from her nearly every Christmas, her always sending me $5 for my birthday (and it was never late), she made the most comfortable blankets, she always stored cookies in the oven, and she was a saver because she lived through the depression.

She was very smart and was the valedictorian of her senior class. She also had a sense of humor. When she lived in her retirement home, she would walk for exercise with a friend of hers. Because at this stage she was already in her 80's she could only walk so far before needing to take a break. She named her and her walking buddy the "walkie-talkies" because they would walk a little & sit & talk a little. I thought and still think that is absolutely adorable!

She was a woman of integrity, had a strong character, and had amazing morals. Her life touched many, mine included. I was still young when she passed away, and regret not spending more time with her as a child. She had a lot of love to give and wisdom to pass on. 

As you both grow, it is important for you to know your roots. Always remember that you come from generations of strong, wise, compassionate, Christian people. It is my hope and daily prayer that you will have the same moral compass as your great-grandma did.

Flour Fight!

Grayson & her buddy Mason

He got it good!

Mason making sure all of Grayson's scalp was covered :)

Group pic minus Garrison & Mason & us Moms

After getting washed off

Wordless Wednesday

{Captain Awesome}