Madi is 4...going on 20!

Madi had such a wonderful birthday and by the time it was over, she thought everyday was her birthday. The celebration just lasted so long she thought that was the way life would be from now on! She woke up January 26th to a trail of balloons leading upstairs to her present. She got a new dress up outfit (princess Ariel) and a beautiful crown to wear all day so everyone would know it was her special day. Then she got to choose one special thing that she wanted to do. Of course, being my daughter, she decided that she wanted to go into the coffee shop (rather than the drive through) and eat breakfast. Man, I love this kid(: The funniest part was that she even ordered her stuff herself because "I'm 4 now." Apparently, everything changes when your 4!!

After our yummy breakfast, and even yummier coffee mmmm..., she got to choose what she wanted to spend her birthday money on (thank you grandma Charlotte, Grandma marilyn, and Pop pop). She had a blast looking through all of the toys, and ultimately decided on a polly pocket swimming pool set. Lots of people were saying Happy Birthday which just made her beam(:

Monday night was our family celebration. Madi got to eat her cupcake on the "special" plate and we all sang happy birthday. But the fun didn't end there!!







On Tuesday, she got to celebrate at school with her friends. She got to choose out of the treasure box, wear her crown again, share cupcakes with her friends, and we all sang happy birthday again. She was very proud(:



Finally, Sunday came around. It was time for her Princess party!!! We had face painting, nail painting, balloon animals, (thank you Nikki!!) and a princess tea. The eight princesses were beautiful and definitely ready for the ball by the end!!! Madi had a beautiful princess cake (shocking, I know) and was very spoiled by her friends wonderful gifts. We couldn't have asked for better birthday for our sweet girl!









Happy Birthday my Sweet girl!! May all your dreams come true(:

Oh sweet Emily.....

Wow! Emily never ceases to amaze me. She is quite crafty and definitely keeps us on our toes!! She really enjoys being naked...even if her lips turn purple from being so cold. A couple of weeks ago, Terry and I woke up to a funny smell. Well, Emily had pooed in her pants and decided she wanted her room to be that color! It was like a murder scene. Poop was everywhere. So we had two options to control this: A. We could put her in a cage to contain her (which Steph feels is the best option) or B. We could trap her in her clothes. So...we opted for duct tape. Yes, we put duct tape on her clothes so that she cannot get out of them. We are going to have so much ammunition for embarassment when she is older.



We know Emily has a great sense of humor! She cracked us up the other night. We were having the greatest night with some of the kids tempers, so Terry and I were a bit stressed. All of the sudden Emily walks up the stairs with a pull up on her head telling us to look at her new hat. It definitely lightened the mood(: I think I could write a book on the adventures of Emily...a comedy of course!!

Emi's new haircut....

New ballerina outfit from Bekah and Kate. She will tell you that she looks "So Pretty."


New hairdo...isn't she beautiful!!

So I hadn't planned on cutting Emily's hair, but when she got gum tangled in it...well I had no choice. The tangle was so bad that I didn't even waste the peanut butter(: So she sat down in her rocker and I began to trim it out. When the gum (full of hair) fell to the floor...she picked it up and started chewing it again! UGH!! Anyway, her hair turned out cute and I think I might keep the bangs even after the rest of her hair grows out.

Emily's bladder reflux test went well (as well as can be expected). She did great in the ultrasound. She was helping the nurse move the camera around on her belly. It was adorable. During the bladder reflux test, Emily even impressed the doctor by how loud her scream was and how stubborn she was about peeing...that's my girl. But, thanks to God, He has healed her(: It is so nice not to have to put that icky medicine in her bottle at night.

Joey and Madi are both doing well. They really like sharing a room...especially when they stay up giggling. They are both very excited about their birthday parties too. Both parties will be small and special. But I don't want to spoil it. I will let them fill you in(:

Joey had a great report card yesterday. He is a smart little guy. He will also be starting karate soon. Madi loves school as well and really loves her friends there.

Well that's it for now. I hope this finds everyone well. Sorry it takes me so long to update the blog(: I would say I'd tried to do better...but I think we all know better!!

A Day in the life of Emily...

That's Peanut butter!



Daddy's foot powder used to decorate!



Finger nail polish (yep, seriously!)



And Yogurt! It's fine(:


Let's just say I'm busy..........

Oh how we love the zoo....

We got to go to the Atlanta Zoo on Tuesday and get the private tour from our friend Nikki. She works at the Zoo and was able to tell us about all of the animals and the kiddos even got to touch a few of the animals!! Two snakes, a lizard, a bunny rabbit, an armadillo, and a hedge hog. The kids were so brave and very good listeners. It was so cool(: This has been such a fun Christmas break. I am definitely sad to see all my babies go back to school...and they are sad too!! Come on Spring Break!!!

Joey's new smile!!

I think that Joey has grown 2 inches over this break!! He is not looking like a little kid anymore but like a big kid...ugh!! He lost his first tooth and is so very proud! He was very brave and actually wanted to be alone while he got it out. So brave!! His big boy tooth is already coming in. He is very proud and now smiles so big so everyone can see the new tooth. The tooth fairy came and left him two dollars. Joey said that he thought the tooth fairy would leave 2 quarters and 2 five dollar bills...HA!! I don't think that the tooth fairy has changed that much since I was a kid!!!

I am so amazed to watch my babies grow and change. I am so thankful for them...even on the hard days(: The other day I came downstairs and Joey and Madi had gotten their own waffle and put it in the toaster to make their breakfast. WOW!! They even made one for baby sister. It's just a nice reminder to enjoy each day with them because it goes by so fast!!

Christmas 2008

I love Christmas for so many reasons! The first of course being the birth of our sweet Savior(: I also love to watch the excitement explode within my 3 sweet children. My kiddos were in bed by 7 pm voluntarily Christmas Eve and up at 11:30pm to open presents...I've gotta send a note to Santa and tell him not to come so early next year(:







Another part of Christmas that I love is the traditional, annual trip to Cheesecake with my Faves(: I love getting to be with all of my sweet girls at the same time. It's like nothing changes between us and we are very blessed to have one another. I love you girls(:



We had so much fun this Christmas baking cookies for teachers and friends. My kids are good cooks, if i do say so myself. We also did our traditional gingerbread house for the fireplace mantel. Emily even got to help this year...she really enjoyed trying everything before using it!







Christmas morning was a blast. It was like somebody vomited wrapping paper all over the room(: The kids were so excited and I just love to watch their faces of anticipation and then suprise as they tear into the gifts. Santa was very good to each one of us this year. I am so thankful to have a wonderful, loving husband and my three beautiful children with me. We are very blessed to have one another!!

Well I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year(: May your 2009 be the best one yet(: