Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom and my mother-in-law BOTH have birthdays in the same month:)  So, Blake and I are saying, "Happy birthday, Mom!" all month long! 

We usually celebrate back to back with these lovely gals!

First, my mom...beautiful at 54!

Mimi & Layton

And then next, Miss Joy Lynn - beautiful at 55!

Birthday hugs from her boys, Layton & Luke

Then her first boys....Blake & Ross

(cute, single, successful BIL.....I need a SIL, anyone interested? :)

and her "Sissy" as she calls me;)  We have to stick together since we are the only girls around in Blake's family. 

And finally....presents:  A KINDLE!  She was surprised! 

Happy Birthday, Mom/Joy!

Saying Goodbye to P3!

End of the year, already?

Look at the comparison of the first day and the last day! 

August 2010                                                                                   May 2011

All smiles!

Layton absolutely loved his teacher this year and she was just what he needed with his first classroom experience. 

On his last day, we p-a-r-t-i-e-d!  The moms brought sunbutter (peanut free classroom, thank goodness!) sandwiches, apples and cupcakes. 

It was great to see him interact with others and hear the songs they had learned throughout the year.

Jumping for JOY!

Layton's friend, sweet Miss Sydney.  They are buddies at school and at church!  (It was her 4th birthday too!!)

Goodbye P3, Hello P4!

Bigger than my Bucket List

Lately, our team has been sharing our experience in Greece with churches, Sunday schools, small groups, Bible studies and even individuals.  Its been encouraging and uplifting to talk about how the God is working in Athens.   Each time I have shared, I have cried.  It just happens, every time.  I become emotional as I watch the video of the faces of the refugees, the smiles, the hugs and the amazing girls that I shared this sweet time with.

After I finish, the most popular question is, "Are you going back?" And my answer (God-willing) is "Yes."

I feel confident in my answer because I am confident in the Lords' calling.  It is clear and an unmistakable.  I heard Him tell my heart to GO....and I can feel him preparing my heart to RETURN, one day. 

You see, for the past several years, I had amerced myself in the glows of pregnancies, the smells of sweet newborn babies, night time feedings, diaper changes, play dates, library, music class, bedtime stories and enjoying the fruits of watching my sweet boys grow and thrive. Blake and I had enjoyed the success of a young couple, and we felt blessed in so many ways.  We had a huge circle of friends that felt like family.  Yes, my world was safe, comfortable and beautiful.

Then the tug began…..

I knew that the Lord wanted more from me.   

More than participation in church activities, small group, Bible studies, and teaching Sunday School.  More than being Blake's wife.  More than being Layton & Luke's Mommy.   

He wanted more.  

He wanted me to trust in Him and follow where the Lord was leading, that my life would reflect that fully and faithfully.  Trusting God to lead me down a road that, frankly, was uncomfortable and discouraging at times.  I had served my church in my safe zone and I had lived my life in a protected beautiful bubble.  Except, He wanted my zone to change and my bubble to be burst, all the while, trusting Him to take my life wherever that may be.

The trust came and He became my life-changer.

It became more than a check-mark on my "bucket list", or a stamp in my passport.  It's bigger than my bucket list.  It's grander than the unique stamps.  The longing to be going, doing, serving, sharing, and loving has become my passion.  I want to be doing these things here in my church, in my city, my state, my country and the world.  I sometimes wish it was a "one and done" kind of experience. An experience that I could say, "Yeah, I went on a mission trip. It was nice, but once is good enough for me...glad that I checked it off my bucket list."  But I can't.  It's taken hold of my heart and gripped it tightly.  I have a feeling its not going to let go.

Reaching the people of this world for His sweet name became bigger than my bucket list. 

 

And I'm so thankful it did.

Mothers Day

Grateful for these two little faces, who give me reason to celebrate and give thanks today!

Blowing Kisses!

Thankful for the moms in our lives that make this day so very special:)

My mom.....always caring, always smiling, always loving WAY more than she should.  Love her and her big heart:)

And Blake's mom, who has been such a influence in our lives in so many ways.  She inspires me to be a better wife and mom:)

______________________________________________________________________________

On the Saturday before Mother's Day, I hosted my first (ever) Mom's Day dinner.  

It was complete with pretty flowers and bold, bright colors:)

along with a game of peek-a-boo from Layton and Luke

I

 

Mowey, my grandmother, joined us on this special day.  She's 83 and beginning to have trouble with her memory.  It makes me sad, especially since she is my very last living grandparent.

 The iPad became a focal point for a few minutes with the cousins.  I love these three little heads...

It was a beautiful day, so the boys decided to go outside and play a game of cornhole.

even the little boys wanted to play...

And then it was time for the BIG cousin to give rides in HIS RIDE:)

fist pump!!!

Mady LOVED riding with Layton and was saying, "Weeeeeee!"

And the day concluded with presents - but I think Layton was more excited than she was!

All the MOMS and their BABIES!  Big and small!

       

Happy Mothers' Day!

Sweet Sixteen

SIXTEEN months old,

and we are loving every minute of this sweet boy!

A little about your 15th month (April 11 - May 11):

you weigh a whopping 27 lbs 8 oz and are a little over 33 inches tall.

you wear size 24 month clothing, and even a few 2T.  And your foot, well, its measures a 6 1/2  (w), but 7 (w)'s are fitting you because you have the sweetest chubby feet e.v.e.r:)

you are in size 5 diapers.

you are consistently sleeping through the night after falling asleep on your own.  Each morning, you just hang out in your crib after you wake up.  No crying, no yelling.  Can you say - content!?
You take one nap in the afternoon for about 3 hours, but sometimes you still need a short morning nap...depending on what time you wake up.

you now have you two top molars, which totals 10 teeth!  :) 

you love: milk, blueberries, carrots, tomatoes, and lately, powered donuts!  you dislike: mac & cheese! (too funny!)

you are wanting to use a fork and spoon all the time!  Pretty good at it too! 

love pointing to your body parts, but your favorite is "toes!".  You'll say "toe", point and just giggle. 

you understand all directions (stand up, sit down, come here, go get ____) and shake your head yes or no, depending on whether you want to do it or not:)

your personality has become your own, much different from your brother.  I love how the Lord has made both of you so unique...from your hair color to your silly expressions.  Layton is a talker (seriously, my ears ache sometime because there is no quiet) who is head strong, determined, caring, and a bit of a whiner.  (Blake would say that he is just like me! ha!)  While you, Luke, are very content, contagiously affectionate, easy going, quiet, but so fun and lovable.  (Blake would say that Luke is just like him! - and...I have to agree:)

you...

had your 1st ER visit after you busted your lip in the driveway.  NO stitches were needed, and you were such a tough little boy:)

love to be outside.  Constantly.  

also love Barney and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  You favorite book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear. 

will play for the longest time by yourself, putting things together and taking them apart again.  

love to find and come sit wherever Mommy is.  You sit down and look up at me like, "hey mommy, just wanted to be near  you."

are completely obsessed with basketball, you would shoot the ball all day long.  

are just so EASY.  I say it all the time..."The second baby has not been a "life disruptor" like everyone said it was going to be.  He melted right into our family and its been such a smooth transition.  We are blessed." 

love music!  Your favorite song, "God Made Me" - you start clapping and dancing immediately when it comes on! (and you love your music class-I love seeing you interact, follow directions, and play with the instruments...Thanks Grammie!)

are beginning to wrestle with your brother, and are doing a great job at keeping up with him.  I have a feeling in a few years....he won't mess with you:)

your favorite animal sound is the "ssssss" for snake.....we ask you to do it a thousand times a day.

have become Daddy, Granddaddy's and Pop's "boy", lately.  You gravitate toward them more and more.  I love seeing you with them, it's a special bond.

we have noticed that your hair wants to curl, just a little, especially in the humidity. And Mommy has still resisted getting your first officially hair cut! 

you steal everyone's heart immediately with your sweet grin.

We love you, Luke Davidson, and feel so blessed to be watching you grow each and every day:)