Something sad but super sweet

I just had to share a moment of revelation for Paisley.

Yesterday Derek told me he was coming home last night. So, of course, I told Paisley that daddy was coming home. She gets all excited! Well, at the last minute last night Derek called and sounded ticked off. Ends up he wasn't going to get to home. I told Paisley that Daddy wasn't going to come home and she was ok with it.

Then, as I was getting her ready for bed, my mom left our house to go home and Paisley heard the door shut. She immediately perked up and said "DADDY!!!!" "DADDY???" I said "No baby, I'm sorry, Daddy's not coming home tonight." I went to start her prayers and she burst into tears and through her tears she said "Daddy...daddy...*sniff*....daddy...." It broke my heart. We cuddled and prayed and she went to bed tear-free.

I hate the fact that this is our life right now. But I know it's necessary for whatever God is wanting to achieve in and through us. And above all, I am SO EXTREMELY thankful for Derek's job. It provides for me to stay home with Pais and that is super important to us. Thank you, Jesus, for your blessings even though they may be hard to receive sometimes. I love you!

Prayer

Over the last few months Derek and my families have been drug through the ringer. We have a couple of extremely big needs. Derek's dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Finally a week ago they removed it completely. Then last night he stopped breathing and collapsed on the floor and was rushed to the hospital. He is now in ICU on a ventilator. This is very hard on Derek. I mean, it's his Daddy. I couldn't imagine how scared I would be. It hurts our family to see Jerry in such pain and with such physical ailments. As ALWAYS, we are praying and believing for God's will and healing on his body and in his life.

Meanwhile, my grampa, had surgery on his shoulder (torn rotator cuff) and while he was in the hospital he aquired Hepatitis C. A disease contracted only by using dirty needles/medical equipment or sex with someone who has it. And since my grandparents have been together for 60 years we know where it came from. Then shortly after being diagnosed with that his doctor found cancer in his liver. 12 years ago my grampa had Melanoma cancer in one of his eyes. Treatments didn't get rid of it so they had to remove his eye completely. He did so well and recovered from that perfectly. His doctor did a surgery biopsy of his liver and it is, again, Melanoma cancer. He has 5 spots each the size of the end of your thumb on his liver. The doctor has given him 6 months left to live and has said that at this point any type of treatment would be pointless and useless. It's just too far progressed. So they have given him pain meds, anti-depression and anti-anxiety meds to "help" him with comfort.

My whole life my grampa has been my best friend. He was there when I was born, and walked me down the aisle on my wedding day. I love him so much my heart can't even express it. When I stop and let myself think about him my heart breaks. The thought of him not being around or not being able to talk to me on the phone hurts deeply. He's been a fixture of hope, love and strength in my life. It hurts even more to think my children will never really know how wonderful a man he is. I certainly don't want him to suffer but I selfishly want him here with me.

I ultimately believe that I serve a God that is more powerful than any sort of cancer, sickness or disease. I believe that the ONLY way to pray is with power. I believe that even as I stand here broken and hurting at the thought of our family members in pain, I am still STANDING on their behalf. I am being strong when they can't be. I am asking for their healing! In Jesus mighty name! I serve the God that raised people from the dead, gave sight to the blind, and HEALED THE SICK. MY God spoke to a lame man and told him to walk and HE DID! So, today...RIGHT NOW, I am saying "Jerry, Grampa, BE HEALED!!!" I claim healing over both their bodies this minute. And through this all may Jesus be high and lifted up. May it all be done to glorify Him and Him alone. We love, trust and have complete faith in the name of Jesus and for that alone I know that God's Will will ultimately be done.

Please pray in agreement with me for both these wonderful men.

Baby #2!

Well, folks, I am pregnant again!! And I am super excited! And I can't wait to be a mommy of 2.

With that said, finding out that I'm pregnant has taught me a little something. I get so impatient for God to "just do something" sometimes that I put the cart before the horse. I almost don't allow Him to take the reigns at all. So here I sit rereading my last post, pregnant, and thrilled but feeling like a fool spiritually. Another lesson learned I suppose - one of so many. I will now tuck that little nugget lesson in my back pocket and march on slightly wiser. :)

I will leave you all with my stats (if that's what you call them at this point!):
We found out I was pregnant on Saturday Feb. 13th.
I estimate to be between 4-6 weeks along.
My due date should be sometime in October. (I'm thinking between the 11th and 25th)
And my first Drs. appointment is set for March 22nd.

Until next time...

Justified to vent

So many times I've sat down to write only to save the post but not publish it. The posts consist of rants and raves about how hurt I feel to be stuck back at square one...again. To be trying to get pregnant again but with no success. They've never been published because I don't feel justified to vent. I feel like the pain I'm going through doesn't hold a candle to other peoples pain. That my "problem" isn't big enough to worry or stress over. And probably in the light of day it really doesn't. I may be making a bigger deal about it than is necessary. And I never want to discount the pain others are dealing with and the situations they are going through. I respect each and everyone of my friends and family that are dealing with similar/greater problems than mine. For the moment though, I hurt. I truly thought this time around would be different - easier. But I feel overwhelmed acting like everything is ok. I desperately desire to be strong and faithful. And I know God has a plan for my life and the position He has put me in again. Is it because He knows I'm strong enough to handle it? Is it because I'm totally NOT and it's a test of my faith? He wants to see where I'm at, who I will rely on to get me through, and how strong my faith in Him really is? Maybe it's all of it. I would love to say that each month that passes and I'm not pregnant, I look at the negative pregnancy test and say in a cheery voice and a shrug of my shoulders "Oh well, better luck next month!" But that is completely not the case. I'm broken...numb and void. I desire more for myself but how to reach that place of power and faith is foreign to me right now. I read back at blog posts from the month I got pregnant with Paisley and I had faith. REAL faith. Where did that go? Do I still pray with power like I did? Have I lost the urgency to seek His face completely and surrender my will to Him? Have I not proclaimed His name and given him complete control? I'm sure a psychologist would have a hay day picking through my thoughts and fears...

Yes, it does make it so much easier to have Paisley. She brings so much joy to my life. And I know God has a plan through this all. I just wish I knew what it was....don't we all.

Even though I don't know His plan, and it is tough I choose to stand strong and be joyful, because the joy of the Lord is my strength. And this is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it. He made this day I'm living for a purpose and for that is reason enough for me to rejoice and be glad!

I had more thoughts but they have all escaped me...so I will leave you with this beautiful picture.

So long...

Well, it has been a very long time since I have even considered blogging. Pictures have been taken but I've failed to post them. I'm not going to say that I have been too busy because I haven't. I've just chosen not to. I try extremely hard not to overwhelm our lives with "too much". I hate being too busy to breathe. There is no sense in it and I've found that "busyness" does not make my family prosper or more productive. I've really been digging into friendship that I value and working hard to make sure my friends and family know they have my attention - ALWAYS. I have been learning a lot lately. A lot about myself and a lot about others. I fight my reluctance of change for the benefit of growth. It seems like those go hand in hand. I've found that I am starting to embrace new horizons all the while being content but not complacent. God has recently brought some beautiful relationships into my life. I am learning how to nurture those into friendships that will glorify Him. I love how God constantly stirs my life like a big pot of stew, adding the right amount of ingredients to keep me producing the right fragrance. Although these new relationships are so refreshing and much needed, I find myself struggling with the upkeep of my current relationships. I feel as though I'm climbing a muddy slope. I get a foot hold and then it gives way. I don't know if it's the "slope" or me but something is just not strong enough to carry us though. Are these relationships being pulled from me and I am just not letting go? Am I failing miserably? Is it the "slope" that's the problem or me? These are all questions I have pondered and prayed deeply about but with no resolution. I do know that God puts certain people in our lives for certain seasons but I need God to tell me to move on before I just walk away...and I haven't heard that yet. So I've stepped back...waiting for something - one way or another - to happen. In the meantime I will continue to pray, climb and befriend those who need me.

On a different note, I have decided that with the new year I am simplifying and organizing my life. From possessions, to my house, time, money, exercise, and diet ---- my life. I need to get on the ball and be more productive. Not add more but budget my life so it best works for "The Smith's". I want to be available for God to work in and through me...clutter physically and figuratively speaking has no place in my life.

I have not shared this with many but Derek and I are trying to get pregnant with baby #2. We started trying in September. So we are on to 4 months trying...again. I was almost certain that our second time around wouldn't be as difficult as the first. But this is the way God has it planned...and I trust Him fully. I have no room for complaints. Like I've said so many many months before...maybe this month is "the" month! So on we try with the most positivity and upbeat attitudes we can muster up...

Speaking of babies, Paisley is doing well. She is two shakes away from walking. She can identify, by using her finger, her nose, mouth, eyes, cheeks, chin, and ears. She is struggling with finding her hair although she has plenty of it! :) She is speaking well (I think) for a 14 month old. She can say - yes, please, thank you, hi bird (my mom has a bird she likes), brush (and she can brush her hair), daddy (not just Da-da anymore), night night (comes out more like ny-ny), ma'am (but we constantly remind her of her manners), Tee-Tee (that's what she calls her Auntie).

Christmas was a hoot. Blessed...blessed...blessed. We have no wants. Paisley was adorable. She wasn't sure what toy to play with first! :) We ate a lot, slept a lot, and just loved on family.

I suppose I will end this post with the reminder that much to my dismay, sometimes, God is ALWAYS in control. He blesses me in so many ways but I fall short of true faith when the going gets tough. May my faith be as strong always as it is today.

Blessings Friends...

Fall, is that you???

***(I started writing this Sunday - when it was cold...now it's hot again...go figure!)***

Being a former Oregonian, I think it is just hilarious the tendencies of Floridians and the weather. Now, don't get me wrong I have fully turned into one of these "Floridians" myself. We are beach (and pool) bums all summer long - which starts no later than April. And by the end of August we are overtaken by sweat and sunburns and are yearning for Fall to take over. Which doesn't actually happen for another 2 good months or more. Still by Thanksgiving we have some that continue to wear shorts and tshirts. AND FINALLY by Christmas/New Year it's justifiably cold enough to break out the "real" winter clothes and light a fire. Then follows 2 months of frostbite cold and then March swoops in with it's 65-70 degree "springtime" weather. And before we know it April's here again and we are breaking out the swimsuits, and hitting the beach attempting to sun our alabaster selves!

When I moved here I thought it was the oddest thing that kids started school each year wearing shorts, tank tops and flip flops. When I was in school (in Oregon) we started the day after Labor Day every year and EVERY YEAR I wore my winter coat on the first day of school. So you can understand my culture shock! The one thing I do love about Oregon is the definition of the Fall and Spring seasons. It seems like here, in Florida, we have 9 months of summer and 3 months (if that) of winter. But I have come to love it here as well!

So with all that said FALL IS HERE!!! We broke out the corduroy's, thermal shirt, and puffy vest this morning for Pais. I have to say she looked absolutely adorable!! She looked like a little pink marshmallow in her puffy vest.

Here are some recent pictures you can enjoy!!



Mommy's little bookworm! So precious!



Mommy and Pais at her family birthday dinner at Sonny's.




I can't get enough of that beautiful face...

Pizza Face!!!

Pais in her pretty hat and scarf that Grammy made her.

And last but not least Pais in her marshmallow vest! So cute!

Happy 1st Birthday, Paisley Jaymes!

Here I sit at 6:20am!! I am just thinking about the last year of my life and the wonderful blessing God gave me 12 short months ago.

I remember the night I gave birth to Paisley. It was crazy and emotional and painful...but so wonderful and breathtaking and spiritual. This time exactly one year ago I had given birth to my beautiful baby girl but had yet to meet that little bundle of joy. It wasn't until a couple hours later was I able to see my beautiful Paisley for the first time. What a glorious moment that was. The world of time ahead of us. Starting with a clean slate. A blank canvas of life and Jesus, Daddy and I are the painters. I remember what I was thinking that morning they brought my baby to see me...."God, THANK YOU!! I am so undeserving a blessing this great. Thank you for trusting me with this perfect life." I love the child more than I could ever describe.

Now I sit here on her first birthday (awake before anyone else in the house) and I think about the last year and all the amazing things that have happened to our family. The growth. The change. The blessings in their purest forms. It's so incredible the changes that take place in a child so quickly. All the stages of life have been one fun obsticale after another. Paisley has grown so much and developed wonderfully. I look at her and pray power, strength, compassion, and love over her life.

As I reflect back and I also press on to the future with happiness and zeal. And even though today is bittersweet, tears of happiness come to my eyes for the celebration of such an amazing year of Paisley's life. I can't wait to wake her up and sing her Happy Birthday! And then watch as all the people that love her the most surround her in celebration of just who she is and her amazing life so far!!

My dear Paisley Jaymes,

Happy 1st Birthday, my lovely girl! The last year of my life has been more than anything I could have asked for. The day you were born was hands down the VERY best day of my life. And if I though that back then, knowing you for the last year just makes that feeling so much more intense. You have added things to my life that only God knew I needed. You have been a bigger blessing in Daddy and my life than you will probably ever understand (until you have a beautiful child of your own). I pray health, life, power, love, and compassion over your life. I pray you always turn your Lord Jesus Christ. May He be your source of stength; your true hearts desire. I am sad my little baby is growing up. But I am so happy and excited to see where you'll go from here. May you ALWAY have the love of Jesus in your heart for that will be your true source of life. I love you so much, Paisley!

Love always and forever and no matter what, Mommy

The birthday girl just woke up and Daddy took a picture so I have to share...

Hmm...

Oh Gosh....how does this go.....I think I can remember....

WOW!!! It's been a long time and so many updates to be made! I have gotten a little disenchanted with blogging for awhile so that is my reason this blog has gone blank for so long. I'm trying to get back "on the horse" and blog more. And one of my "September Resolutions" is to blog at least once a week. All the mommy's out there know that is not an easy task. It is totally something you have to set your mind to do. So with all that said....

First I want to start of by saying, THANK GOD FOR MY HEALTHY BABY!! Paisley has been sick twice in the last month and it has taken quite a tole on us all. First was a fever and sore throat then this last week was a stomach bug. I felt like we just could shake this last ickyness but finally IT IS GONE!! Praise the Lord! I think I take health for granted. Because when Pais is sick it just wears me out! For the sore throat and fever she was eating nothing but her milk and at times didn't even want that. And I felt like I was pumping her full of Motrin constantly. I HATE GIVING HER MEDICINE. Of course I will when needed but I'm not the kind of mom that resorts to meds first. Then came the stomach bug. Diarrhea and throwing up. WOW!! It's a whole new world as a mom when you're on your hands and knees in the middle of a restaurant cleaning up your child's vomit. And it's just so sad to see her so sick. We had her on the B.R.A.T. diet (Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast) and Gatorade for a week. But enough with all that she is better now and we are thanking the Lord for that!!!

Next is Pais' hair! Her hair is growing and growing and growing! I mean it looks like kid hair now!! It is very full and absolutely beautiful! The color is lightening up, which I wonder if that will change back dark in fall and winter. And it has a tint of red (like her mommy's) in the sunlight. I trimmed her bangs a couple of months ago just to get them out of her eyes. But they are almost grown back out again. :)

She, of course, is crawling and is up on all fours now. She previously was just doing the "man crawl" but never had a hard time getting anywhere. She's always keeping me running!! :) But now she has started to pull up and push up to standing. Next will be walking....Oh my!

Derek has been home and off the road for a few weeks now and Pais and I are just eating that up!! It is so nice to be able to live like a normal family! Daddy gets to help with the bedtime routine and it may seem small but it's a huge deal to Pais. She loves when her Daddy prays with her, cuddles and lays her down. Maybe this is a glimpse of what God has in store for us soon???? Three years of Derek being on the road is starting to run it's course. We are pretty much over it...but also know that this is where He has us right now. And it provides for me to be able to stay home with Pais and that is VERY important to us.

Pais' best friend in the whole world is her puppy Maggie. They are quite the pair! I totally can see them getting into trouble in the near future! :) Maggie is the perfect dog for our family. She is so gentle with Pais and tolerates a lot! For example, the other day Maggie was laying on the floor sleeping by one of Pais' toys and Paisley crawls over and climbs over Maggie to get to her toy. Once she got over her she plops down and sits right and Maggie's head and plays with her toy. She sat there for about 5 minutes before she moved on to a different toy and Maggie just laid there and didn't even flinch! I love their relationship. It's like they have an understanding....Pais understands that Maggie is hairy and smelly but sooooo lovable and Maggie understands that Pais is rough and disastrous but she's still her "Sisy"and they love each other in spite of it all! Absolute sweetness!

Paisley has been attending Gymboree classes and is having a BLAST!!! I see her growing and growing each week. She has always been a very outgoing baby so that was never a problem but just watching her interact with other babies is so awesome! Her favorite friend at Gymboree is a little boy named Luke. He is so cute and just a sweetie and I think the only reason she likes him some much is because he pays her a lot of attention. He is just intrigued by her.

Over the last month I have started making a HUGE effort to get healthy and lose some weight. So Pais and I have been walking a minimum of 2 miles per day Monday thru Saturday. And it has been a blast. Pais loves getting out in the fresh air and so do I!! We normally go first thing in the morning because it's just so hot here. We end up feeling great and I've already lost 9lbs!! I have put on jeans I haven't worn in over a year!

I believe Paisley's 1 year molars are coming in. I haven't felt anything but she has been chewing on her hands and anything else she can find and she shoves them WAY in the back of her mouth. She has always been an early teether so it doesn't really surprise me. :)

We are in major party planning mode for Paisley's first birthday. Everything is coming together nicely. A friend of ours is making the cake and I am making cupcakes too. We are having it at this nice little coffee shop. It's more like a deli/coffee shop. We know the owner and she said she would love to have her party there. So we are pretty excited! The invitation are already made and ready to send out. Decorations will be easy. I just didn't want to get too carried away. I don't want it to be a production. I just want her and all of us to enjoy and celebrate the incredible blessing God gave us 12 short months ago.

It's getting late so I'm going to leave you with a few pictures. I hope you enjoy!

Playing at Grammy's house with a scarf.

This is how old she is going to be!! ONE!!! :)

Mommy and Pais being silly!

Let me clear this up...

Not that it really matters a ton but somehow (I'm not entirely sure how) folks have gotten the wrong impression about my feelings on "all things girlie"...when it comes to my sweet Paisley. So just to clear some stuff up....

1. I LOVE DRESSES!!

2. Paisley has a TON of dresses.

3. Paisley wears dresses as often as seemingly possible being that she crawls and it is not very realistic at this moment in time.

4. I LOVE PINK and PURPLE - 90% of Pais' wardrobe consist of those colors.

5. I LOVE BOWS AND RIBBONS AND LACE!

6. I LOVE HEADBANDS and Pais has a billion - I'm just not a huge fan of the "brain squeezer" type.

7. I LOVE hair accessories!

8. I LOVE baby jewelry and she has a ton.

9. I WOULD LOVE to pierce Paisley's ears but I want it to be a decision that she can make for herself. So when she can decide that is when we will get it done.

10. I LOVE LOVE LOVE ALL THINGS GIRLIE!!

I suppose that is all. I just wanted to make that clear. Love to all!

Cuteness!

The three cutest kiddies EVER!!!

such a big girl

I haven't updated in so long. I'll be honest...I'm kind of over blogging at the moment. I have the desire to but I feel like I can't organize my thoughts enough to get it all typed out. So this is the way it's going to get done....

1. Pais is crawling.

2. She has 5 teeth.

3. She can wave "bye-bye".

4. She is very close to drinking from a straw. We've been working on that for a few weeks now.

5. Pais got to go to her first MLB game. We saw the Yankee's play! And she had a blast.

6. We went to the zoo while we were in ATL. She loved seeing all the animals.

7. I'm pretty sure she has said her first word..."Yeah"...and I wouldn't normally say that is a first word but she always uses it to answer us. We will ask her a question like "Are you hungry?" or "Do you want a drink?" or "Do you love Mommy?" and she will reply with "Yeah".

8. Her 9 month birthday is in 10 days! WOW!! When did that happen?!?!?

9. She was an angel on the 5 hour car ride to and from ATL. I was so proud!


I guess that's about it. We are having such a wonderful time with our big girl! She is just growing like a little weed. I will post pictures of our Atlanta trip soon!

Father's Day!

Pais and I made a video for Daddy for Father's Day and wanted to share it with you all too!

Jon and Kate

Not that it is any of my business and not that anyone besides me cares...but the whole Jon and Kate Gosslin controversy saddens me. The following are my feelings on the topic...

1. First and foremost...none of this would have probably happened if they weren't famous. If they were parents just like the rest of us none of this would even be an issue.

2. I don't think Jon is completely innocent.

3. I don't think Kate is a B word like everyone thinks she is.

4. Yes, I think that Kate has crossed the line a few times in the way she speaks and treats Jon. But coming from a wife (me) who has a husband (Derek) with a smidge of Jon's personality, those kind of guys need a little direction sometimes.

5. I think it's stupid when you see on magazine covers before and after pictures of Kate. The before pictures are from their first year of marriage (1999) and she has dark (her natural color) hair, 90's looking clothes, etc. And then they show her now with her nice clothes, highlighted hair, cute body. GOD FORBID she bought a few clothes and got her hair done in the last 10 years!!! And as for the body, she has 8 kids she's running around after, I'd be skinny too! And sure she had surgery on her tummy but it was FREE folks!! I have had only one kid and if someone offered free surgery to me I would take it faster than you could blink!!! AND!!.....If I had my own TV show and started making good (if not GREAT) money I WOULD GO SHOPPING!!! And I would buy clothes....nice clothes....clothes I would feel and looked great in!!!

6. It hurts my heart that 8 kids are in the middle of all this. They did nothing to deserve it. And coming from someone who came from a split home, you still love both your parents equally and it's hard for little kids to understand the new living arrangements.

7. I've only seen the first episode from this season so far but it wasn't great. How long are they going to continue with the show? Is it even something people are going to stay intrigued by? And how many people have already stopped watching the show just because of what they have heard in the tabloids?

I guess that's all my thoughts. People might hate them but I think they are ok people. They still make church and family important and that's more than I can say for the majority of America. And they try hard to be good parents and make the best decisions even if they don't always succeed...who of us as parents always do? They've made mistakes but are they horrible people? NO. Folks need to cut them some slack and point the judgement and blame to the people that really deserve it...the media and tabloids! They take things and run with them. They blow up little things into huge ordeals. I am in no way saying Jon and Kate are angels and don't have problems because I think they do. But for the love...people need to let them be.

And now that I've written all this...I AM probably making more of this than what is necessary but I'll post it anyway. =)

Pictures

Here are some current pictures. Pais is growing quick so don't blink! She can already stand alone next to the couch. She'll be crawling before we know it!!! =) Enjoy!

Major solid food = Major solid poops!

Saturday Paisley's highchair got delivered. It is so cute and I LLLLOOOOOVVVEEE it! But most importantly Pais loves it! She looks like such a big girl in that thing. It is so much easier than the bumbo seat or the other little booster seat I have. I'm a Chicco brand freak so, of course, it's CHICCO!

But the real reason for this post is.....the POOP! Paisley has completely passed over baby food (good thing Mama pureed all that food ahead of time!! haha) and has gone onto "Big People" food. She loves pizza, burritos, potato soup, biscuits, rolls, bananas,.....and the list goes on and on. And with that big people food comes big people poop!! When Pais woke up from her nap this morning I walked into her room and the smell almost knocked me off my feet!! I looked in her crib and almost like she knew what I was thinking she looked at me and got this big grin on her face! :) Then we had another one this afternoon. This is just another thing that reminds me that my little baby is becoming a big girl!

Also, yesterday as we were eating lunch Derek looks over to me and says "Is it possible to be pregnant and breastfeed?" And I said "I'm sure some women can. It depends on the person I guess, why?" And he looks at Paisley sitting all big and proud in her highchair and then looks back at me and says "I want to start trying for another one...soon!" So, in conclusion, I suppose we will decide in the near future if we will be starting to "try" earlier than later. ;) It makes me thrilled just to think about it!!

Sicky girl.... =(

Please be praying for Paisley. She has the beginnings of a cold and her two top teeth are working their way through. She is also running a fever. I'm not sure if maybe the cold symptoms have something to do with the teeth. All I know is I have an miserable girl. She is always so smiley even when she's sick but today she has only smiled like 3 times....it makes me sad.

Please just be in prayer for her to feel better.

This is going to be a looooonnnnngggg post. I have so much to update! Just bear with me...you may want to take a few days to dig your way through it!! haha


First of all, we tried piggies for the first time! They were so cute!

Next here are a few puppy pictures! Maggie and Pais are quite the pair! They love each other so much. Maggie is not allowed on the carpet so Paisley rolls and rolls across the living room floor to the kitchen floor so she can play with Maggie. =) But there are times I will find Maggie creeping her way across the living room floor to get to Pais! They are like 2 little magnets to each other!

I noticed that the last bath pictures I had of Pais was when she was 4 days old! So I had to take some of our sweet girl! There is nothing like the sweetness of a clean baby!

We were at the mall the other day and found some sunglasses for $1.99. They were so cute I just had to get them! Ms. Hollywood....

A couple weeks ago Paisley got to hang out with her BFF. We were getting ready to meet Isaak's mommy for lunch. They are the two cutest kids I've ever seen!!!

Pais' cuzzy wuzzy just had a birthday. Carter is now 2! On his birthday Pais and I went and picked him up from school and he got to hang out with us that afternoon. We had so much fun. Carter loves Pais so very much and Pais loves her Bubbie!!

About 3 weeks ago now (I have been slacking on updating...) Paisley ran into the corner of the door frame with her forehead. Here are some pictures of the damage. (If you tilt your screen and squint you may be able to see the red bump on her forehead!!)

The weekend before Carter's birthday we took Paisley and Carter to the Tate rodeo. WE HAD A BLAST. Carter loved seeing the horses and bulls and the rest of us just loved hanging out! It was Derek, Me, Pais, Carter, Kim, Johnny and Amanda. I had never been to a rodeo before but I would TOTALLY go again! Here are some pictures of our fun night...

We, also, went to the Naval Air Museum a few weeks ago, just Derek, Paisley and I. I've been there a billion times but it was so much fun for the 3 of us to just get out and be together.

I love my family! The Lord couldn't have blessed me with a better one!