How do you want your kids to remember their childhood? There time with you? So our children have these memories of a mama who smiles easy, listens long, makes jokes and praise and all these good days out of crazy messes

Today we celebrated Anna Kate’s 3rd birthday. She has been telling us for months that she wanted to have an all “girls” party without any boys, however, she did want her Daddy and brothers to come. We decided to have a Fancy Nancy Party. We invited 3 of her friends from church and asked that they come in their “fanciest” ensemble.  


This is our two days in pictures:


Yesterday, I put her down for her nap and at bed time in her crib for the last time. It was a bittersweet moment because that was the last time I was ever going to put her in her crib. It was just one of those mommy moments!

 7:15 a.m. Birthday streamers

 9:45 a.m. All dressed up and waiting for the party guests…

 10:00 a.m. The guests started arriving….

 11:00 Cake and parfaits

 Noon: PRESENTS!

Her three year old letter is to come…..

Typical Monday!

Laundry, Toys, School, Babies and Life! My Ordinary Life!

Jake: 6 years ago you changed our lives forever. We went from being a couple, to being a family. 6 years. My first born, I can’t remember today what it feels like to hold that little chubby hand with those sweet cheeks. It happened without me knowing, and I try so hard, but I can’t remember what it feels like to squeeze that sweet baby chub. It is gone from my memory. How is that possible? I wipe away happy tears as I sit here watching you play Mario on the Wii, a rare Sunday afternoon treat since after all today is your special day, and I remember back on how fast this time has flown.  And if it weren’t for who you are now- honest, helpful, a leader, silly, I would be sad today. Well, maybe I am still a little sad.  Time sometimes seems like an enemy, doesn’t it?


When you were born you weighed 7.1 lbs and now you weigh 58.2 lbs and you are 47 3/4 inches. I am utterly amazed a how quickly you are growing. As of right now, you are wearing a size 7 pants because all of the size 6 pants are entirely too short. 


We are getting close to the end of your Kindergarten year. This year has been a pure joy! I have enjoyed teaching you. I have enjoyed having you are home with me each day. I have needed and appreciated all of your help since Sadie was born. You are an amazing big brother and best friend to your siblings. My heart melts when I see you loving, playing and holding Sadie. I couldn’t ask for a better son. You are so giving and thoughtful. Yes, you can drive me absolutely nuts,making random noises, touching and invading others personal space, but you are an awesome kid with a kind heart. God had blessed me in a huge way on February 27, 2005 when he allowed me to become your Mommy! Please don’t ever stop learning about and pursing Jesus. Remember when you are afraid you can trust Jesus! I love to see you reading your Bible and memorizing the Word each week for AWANA. Your brain is truly amazing. I am sure that I have left out so much but know that I love you, Jacob Clayton and I am so proud of you. 


Jake, remember a good Bible is the most important possession you have. It is the most important book you will ever read. It is God’s book. My hope is that you will read it for yourself and love that book, not because your parents are standing over you, asking you to read it, but because God puts a desire in your heart to know Him and His word. That would be such a joy to me.

173. the smell of freshly cut grass! (Oh how I missed cutting grass)
174. a hubby that was able to fix both lawnmowers in one day.
175. the birth of Logan Barnes.
176. matchbox trucks and toothbrushes. (Judd was waiting to brush his teeth).

177. siblings playing so well together on a warmer day.

178. high heel dress-up and purses. They are never far from this little girls hands.

179. sweet smiles! Who can get tired of these? When do we stop smiling so much? When does life change?

180. my first tomato sandwich of the season….tomatoes, miracle whip and a whole lotta salt!!!yum!
181. ur first Awana Grand Prix. Go #6!

182. Sadie sleeping until 4 a.m. and then until 7:30 a.m.
183. Sweet I love you Cards from Judd.
183. Seeing my boys curl up with their Daddy to watch the NCAA Championship.
184. Pick and Draw, a new game for the boys.

185. marvelous grace!
186. grace greater than all my sin!
187. a fun game of Twenty Questions while finishing dinner tonight. Really, who would have guessed the Sun?
188. seeing Sadie sit all by herself for the first time today.
189. getting to be a stay at home mommy!
190. getting to homeschool Jake.
191. the obedience lessons that we are learning about this week.
192. MY life! I am beyond blessed!

Lucy, Anna Kate’s sister. Lucy told her to do it.

Jake said, that someone else is gonna be in your belly.

I am thankful for:

153. completing another fabulous week of school.

154. planning a “Fancy Nancy” 3rd birthday party for Anna Kate.
155. hearing “Mommy, that outfit is so pretty.” from AK as we are leaving to go to church.
156. dress shoes and tutus.
157. my man studying before delivering his message on Sunday night.

158. crazy conversations at lunch.
159. big hugs and kisses before bedtime from all of my kiddos.
160. uninterrupted quality time with Sadie after the other kiddos are in bed. She is so stinkin’ cute!
161. freshly mopped floors
162. forts being made while I am mopping the floors.

163. sweet smiles watching while I mop the kitchen floors.
164. little 5 month old feet.

165. a trip to the zoo with friends from church.
166. finishing Deuteronomy and starting the Book of Joshua this week as I read through the Bible chronologically again this year.
167. a fun conversation with my sister-in-law.
168. finally choosing correctly more winning teams on my bracket than anyone in the family!
169. a story about butterflies.

170. that my hubby surprised me by coming home 15 minutes early.
171. a family night watching Yogi Bear!

Today Miss Anna Kate went to see Ms. Michelle at Hair Jungle for her first big girl hair cut. She was so excited. She kept asking me if we were going to cut the front and I told her we were just going to trim it in the back to make it even. Jim thought that she may not enjoy it…what do you think?