Mother's Day 2013

We had a lovely Mother's Day!  My amazing brother called Saturday night and said, "I'm on my way to pick up London. We've got an errand to run." An hour later, they came back bearing gifts and the sweetest Mom's day card ever. Cue the thankful tears over being blessed with the greatest brother alive.

Sunday started out just perfectly! I woke up and decided to put some effort into my appearance so I rolled my hair and had rollers all over the crown of my head. I peeked in London's room to find her just waking up. I walked in quietly and she said, 'momma. You look just like an angel.' (because of the roller 'halo' and all!)  Ha! Sweet kid! I'll take it! :) 

The day before, we went to a festival a few minutes from our house and had a good time just roaming around and playing on the blow up toys. We pulled out a towel, kicked off our shoes, and drank some fresh squeezed lemonade (priced at the meager price of about $6 for a small cup. Good grief.) But I loved lounging with this sweet face for a bit!

That night, while London was out shopping with Unc (Barry), I got to work and broke down Lu's crib and moved her into her big girl bed! She was way excited when she got home! So far she's doing great in it! Her room looks so cute and roomy too!

At one point in the weekend we were pulling out of our driveway and I screamed, "LONDON, LOOK!!!!' We threw the car in reverse, parked, and jumped out- camera ready! We had 2 canadian geese and their 3 adorable goslings taking a stroll through our front yard! They were in no hurry, so London and I had a good long picture taking session with them! 

Sunday night we went to Barry's for a burger cookout (and champagne and cheese for the ladies!! Woo hoo!!!)

Caden and Lizzy made Mother's Day books at their school. Let me see if I can interpret these now that my memory is totally gone!

"I love because you are: 1. Because you give 2. Beautiful 3. You give makeup 4. Sweet" Lizzy

Lizzy's pic of she and her momma! 

This is Lauren saying 'Don't do it!' and Lizzy saying 'Yes, Mom.' :)

'My Mom is the greatest because: She is pretty and she helps me.' Caden

Thank you for: putting me to bed, taking me to school, doing the dishes, & making cakes!' Caden

(Im with you on that 'making cakes' son! Thank you, Lala!!!)

Caden's picture of his beautiful momma!

This is Monday after school but London LOVES to play in the water hose. Most afternoons we come home, turn that joker on, and she is good to go for the next hour or so. This day morphed into yard work and bird catching. I caught this picture at the perfect time. This is London mad as a hornet, stomping back to the house, because the blue bird she was chasing 'wouldn't let me hold him.' FROWN FACE. Check out that bottom lip!

gardening...

This was her yard play outfit of choice. Tutu swim suit, rain boots (because she wears them with every single outfit), monkey socks that are doubling as gardening gloves, and a 'shubble' (shovel). Gah, this cuteness is too much for my momma heart. 

So, happy belated mother's day to all of our mom's out there! Thank you for the immense amount of love you pour in to your little ones... your little one's of all ages! We appreciate you so very much!

Cinco De Mayo

Just celebrating a rather obscure Mexican holiday that somehow found it's way to America and became a really big deal..... 

Remembering our Mexican heritage and pride with queso and frozen strawberry drinks. Just like all good American's should....

Rainy Day Trip to Oak Mountain

My best friend Hannah (commonly known as Ms. Bananas 'round these parts) and I have a standing, rainy, Sunday church date. If we're both in town, we're meeting up for early church. If we're meeting up, it will no doubt be raining. Rain is fine, but it's gotten to be a joke because for months now, if we get together, it will immediately start drizzling! A few Sundays ago, we decided to head out to Oak Mountain after church for a hike and roam around. I've been to Oak Mountain but it's been years. I was reminded of why it's such a popular place before we even entered the park. Incredibly beautiful. All of it. 

I simply love Hannah. Our friendship is so unique and rare... As are most all of my friendships here. What an incredible blessing. Hannah is a touch reserved at first. I love that about her. Unless you are a trusted friend, she is kind of a fascinating mystery. She has this interesting combination of personality characteristics. She's quiet/talkative, quippy/kind, hilarious, understanding,  thoughtful, artistic, bear huggy, outdoorsy, all-in, up for anything,  and barrels of fun. I image people who are THE MOST FUN EVER to be loud, hand-wavy, conversation-dominating, and hyper. The older I get (with my grey-hair and wisdom) I find that is not true. Hannah is the case and point for this. She's the most easy, fun loving person to be around ever.

Hannah and I both have had very emotional years. Both of our lives have stripped us down to our bear bones and left us to re-build. Both of us have found so much beauty in the re-birth of us. Sometimes is right to let your soul sit quietly and remember. But sometimes is right to celebrate in the new life that's emerging.

I believe that what's important is that you let the seasons of your life develop as God intends. Embrace what comes. Be fully present in it. Allow the emotions to be real and true. Even if that's sadness, it's okay to feel the sadness. Really, it is. But remember that God will bring this season full circle and on the other side there is JOY. He is the giver of all good things and if it takes hard seasons of life to prepare our lives to receive His goodness, then I absolutely welcome that. I know Hannah does too.

Because there is surely fullness of joy coming.....

I'm thankful for this friendship. This comfort that allows you to strip everything away. To take off your shoes and wade barefoot into the waters of life with each other. To plunge into the 'realness' of it all and be fully vulnerable with someone you trust completely. This is a glimpse of God, I think. He's daily, everlasting goodness taking form when you reach down and just naturally hold hands with someone you love dearly. 

Sometimes life is a rough, rock bottom river and it hurts to walk barefoot through it... but I sure am thankful there's a girl waiting, laughing with me, and holding her hand out for support!

We love you past the counting, Mrs. Bananas!

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

I love the age that London is in right now. She's big enough to do pretty much anything and we have long spans of time to be able to be on the go without needing nap/rest time. Don't get me wrong, if we push nap time back and she needs it, then it will BE KNOWN. But, this is just a great age where all the 'restrictions' have dropped off and we can go live a little more carefree than in years past! 

Immediately after one of Caden's soccer game, Lala and I took the kids to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. This is one of Lauren's favorite places. She used to come here to read when she was in college. I've never been, but they were having an Earth Day festival so I figured it was a good time to check it out. My take away.... BLOWN AWAY. Again, this city.... so incredibly beautiful and rich in  fun, family things to do. I know Birmingham is not the best city in the world, but it has blessed us a thousand times over and I count my many, many blessings that we are here experiencing all of it!

This is an enormous rose garden. There were probably 150 different variety of roses. There were some beautiful plants in bloom, but for the most part, they were still budding. I'd love to go back now because there were easily 2000 buds on these bushes. I bet it's incredible right now. 

Here's a little picture I found on the internet that might give you an idea of what it might be like.. Lovely.

Oh, these kids....

The geese in this city are everywhere, and they rule things. They are not scared of anyone. It's a little terrifying because they just walk right up to you like you're about to start a conversation. Too close for comfort for me!

A few of the beautiful roses...

I'm hoping maybe we can go finish walking through the second half sometime over the next few weeks. London keeps asking to go and I'd love to see there rest of it!

Soccer Stud

I don't think I've posted about Caden's soccer season yet. Caden is playing soccer again this year and it is so, so cute! There is a vast improvement this year over last. Everyone knows which direction to run, they kick the ball into the right goal, and celebrate for their own players when someone scores. All of this was the exact opposite last year! :) 

Caden's had a great season this year! Im not sure how many total goals he's scored, but he scored goals after he lost both of his teeth (2 goals) so we have a family joke that we're gonna just pull teeth before each game! He scored FIVE GOALS last night!!! I wasn't there but I bet that little dude was flipping out! 

He still grins ear to ear for the entirety of every game, but he doesn't giggle as much. Apparently his sister told him to stop giggling one day before a game and he stopped. Cold turkey. :( Those pearly whites make a full 30 minute appearance though! What a cute kid!

I love this picture. I should have cropped it more but here is Caden, grinning like a monkey, and they girl beside him has the most ferocious scowl on her face! She means business! I just love the totally opposing facial expressions!

London and I attended one Saturday game and London opted to wear a princess dress (and tiara and wand but those had fallen off by this point!). I loved this picture of her dancing during the game! Umm. Girls are the best!!

So cute!!

GOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!

Happiest boy on the planet! :)