Happy Thanksgiving

To say we are thankful is an understatement. When we said our prayers on Thanksgiving night, we said "thank you God for all the blessings...those that we are aware of and unaware of." I meant that! You know when things change and you look back and think 'man, I had it good!' Well, I am thankful for being in the now. Those blessings that I may not even be aware of or those blessings that I may overlook...I am grateful for every last one! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We spent the day cooking at home, playing outside with the street kids! The door was open, kids were in and out. Kids were in their pajamas running outside barefoot. The simple things!!! We had a great morning! The kids got filthy playing outside, so we had a mid day bath before nap.

We headed to my brother, Chad's house. Chad and Veronica are great hosts! Their house is a wonderful "kid house!" All the cousins, tons of games, lots of laughter! The adults got the food together and visited. My dad didn't feel that great, but was able to join the fun. He perked up a bit towards the end of the night. He says, "getting old is not for sissy's!!" Haha! True!

Faith Ann was right in the middle of all the kids! Playing and running hard. She was so adorable with her little spunky attitude. She was making everyone laugh! Well....maybe not me because she pooped all over me! Seriously! We saw poop on the ground. Confused, we picked up Faith Ann only to get it all over me! What happened to that diaper?? Don't know, but I had to wear Veronica's yoga pants and do a load of laundry! Faith Ann just laughed!!

The food was delicious, so perfect! We all ate around my parents old dining room table which always makes me think of mom. Of course, she is always missed! She would have been over the moon to be there with us, right in the middle...cooking, laughing, playing with thegrandkids! But her spirit continues to grace us!

My brother, Beau, took pictures. So, I will add pictures he took at Chad's house once I get them...we will see if that happens! We then headed over to Scott's cousins house. There aren't any kids, so our kids are always the center of attention. Scott's bachelor uncle gave Faith Ann a plate of cool whip and a spoon! I didn't say anything. Everyone was happy so I just let it happen! Ummm...hilarious!! She was literally bouncing off the walls. Running back and forth, hitting wall to wall with a huge smile and a deep chuckle laugh! Where was uncle Micheal?? Smoking his cigar while we were dealing with the sugar high! Scott and the cousins got a great laugh because they remember Uncle Micheal doing these same type of things to them!

We had a memorable day. A great Thanksgiving! Looking forward to the Christmas season. I love the holidays, and having my sweet babies makes the holidays even sweeter!

Faith Ann at 18 Months

Height: 33.5 in (92%)

Weight: 23.4 (58%)

Sissy is 18 months old! I want to bottle her up...I never want her to change from where she is right now. I am obsessed with all things Faith Ann!! Her face, her spunk, her smile, her expressions, her skin, her glistening hair, her gorgeous eyes, her sweet voice, her love for life! She is my baby, and I want time to slow down NOW!

Dr. Brack agreed that she is doing wonderful. We had a great doctor appointment, and Faith Ann was talking up a storm to show Dr. Brack her social skills! Dr. Brack joked that we need to line up bodyguards right now with her long legs and beauty! Then, I said "don't worry- with her personality and her brothers, she will never need a bodyguard!"

She is LONG and lean. She is really loosing her "chub" which is so bittersweet for me. Those bulldog cheeks and rolls were amazingly delicious! She still has her round face and big tooshie, which I love to watch prance around as she chases her brothers!! She has legs for days. Dr. Brack predicted she will be 5'7-5'9!! Watch out world, she is going to be one to keep our eye on! Scott is shaking in his boots!

Faith Ann, happy 18 months! You are more than I ever could have imagined. You crack me up. You are hilarious, spunky, sweet, sassy, fun, and so much more. I look forward to the what the future has in store, but I still want time to slow down!

First Love Note

Hunter has written his first love note! To a 2nd grade girl on the bus, named Emmy. I don't know her parents, she is not friends with Ally or the other girls on our street. She is a girl that Hunter was just drawn to. They sit on the bus together everyday, and I am sure she is just as precious as Hunter says! Anyways, he drew her a picture and gave it to her on Monday! He wrote "I Love U." He was so confident as strutted to the bus! He had me put the picture in his folder so it was ready for him! He said that she sat next to him, then they talked for minute before he handed it to her! He said that she said, "thank you!" And they continue to sit next to each other on the bus! SO CUTE! Love his confidence and pride! He sure is getting big!

Speaking of big...Trent is looking like he is 10 years old these days! He is talking so much and so clearly. His vocabulary is booming, his stuttering has reduced, and he is moving a million miles a minute. He is so beautiful, inside and out. He has such a tender heart. His teachers say that he is always so willing to let other kids to go before him, or take the toys, use his paintbrush...whatever it is, Trent is giving and so thoughtful! My favorite part of the day with Trent is when I lay Faith Ann down for a nap. Then, it is just me and Trent for about 20 minutes before I lay him down for a nap. We cuddle on the couch, watch TV and wind down before nap. I LOVE this cuddle time. He is the best snuggler in the world! 

And Faith Ann...otherwise known as DIVA! She is a work of art! She is getting over a virus of some kind. She had fever for a day or two, then had a bad rash. She was clingy and her diva-ness was in overdrive! She would scream if you looked at her when she didn't want to be looked at...haha, telling you, D.I.V.A! But, she seems to have gotten over the virus and back to her "normal Diva self." She is so sweet, yet can snap in a heartbeat! She will hug you and hit you all in one second! She pretty much runs the house and has us wrapped around her cute little finger...especially Scott! He adores her beyond words. I love this picture of her helping him cook gumbo!

In other news...we are getting ready for Thanksgiving and enjoying Fall. Trent, Faith Ann, and I went to Dewberry Farms with a group of friends last week. Tractor rides, slides, pumpkins and trains! We had a great time!! So thankful for my sweet babies!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from my Ninja Turtles! Hunter wanted to be the orange one, Trent wanted to be the red one, and Faith Ann was the imaginary pink one!! We found this adorable sparkly pink ninja turtle costume that was perfect! It was a rainy Halloween! But, it didn't slow us down. We went to a little house party in the neighborhood. Then, headed out to trick or treat! Faith Ann caught on pretty quick to the concept of trick or treating, and the boys were so proud of her! We went by Beau and Kate's house on our way home, and cousin Ally scared Faith Ann with her blue wig! She was relieved when she saw it was Ally!

It was SO cute to watch Faith Ann prance up to the doors, with such confidence! She put her pumpkin out and would say "tank kuuu!" It was adorable. Hunter and Trent were over the moon with excitement. They loved their costumes, they loved running from door to door. Scott and I really enjoyed this Halloween too. The kids are at wonderful ages to enjoy this day as a family! I even wore a Ninja Turtle shirt and purple pants to represent the purple ninja turtle!

The days leading up to Halloween were full of pumpkin patch visits, school Halloween parades, and family fun! Scott's mom, Gigi, came in town from California. We enjoyed a girls lunch while the boys were in school. 

The boys both loved their school Halloween parades. It was funny to see the difference in their personalities. Hunter was soaking up the spotlight with a huge smile! Trent hid behind his mask, hoping to blend in the background! Trent ran out of the parade when he saw me...just to give me a long hug! He is a die hard momma's boy, even when he is dressed as a ninja turtle! Love these boys! Faith Ann, of course, attended the parades in costume and looking adorable!

Speaking of Faith Ann. She is FULL of personality these days. Her personality is large and in charge! She is feisty, cuddly, sweet, sassy, independent, brave, outgoing, and totally lovable. I love watching her personality unfold. She is such a blessing and has us all wrapped around her finger! 

The only one that is not so sure about Faith Ann is Zoe!! Bless Zoe's heart. Faith Ann always wants to "walk" Zoe to the morning tree. Zoe is hesitant but plays along, then usually ends up being dragged. I come to Zoe's rescue, which usually ends with an unhappy Faith Ann! Bentley, on the other hand, loves all the rough and tumble kid play! We love our doggies!

We had a great October! These are the the days! Special days full of activity, laughter, sibling fun, and loads of memories! There's no place I'd rather be, than here with my loves! Happy Halloween!