Park Days

Park Days with our favorite boys... Nothing better than these mile wide smiles... 

Sweet Lucas and his stellar, awesome momma in the back ground! LOVE HER. 

Over It. :)

Performance Arts

The sweetest boy that ever was. Oh how we love him!

Spinning spinning spinning spinning...

then the turning point when she turned a tad green! This was the last of the tire swing!

Beauty Queen

When London was a tiny tyke, I was sure she would be more of a tomboy than a girly girl. I'm not sure why.... she just liked to be outdoors a lot and my benchmark for girly girls was Elizabeth..... and you really have to bring your A-Game to hang with Lizzy when it comes to all things girly. She knows her stuff. 

However, the past 6 months... no the past year has proven me wrong. London is all girl. I think it started when Lauren gave her her first princess dress. You've seen it plenty. The pretty pink one that we wear on Saturday mornings... and bowling... and church... and hiking. It's our most common wardrobe staple. Things really started getting frou frouy when our sweet neighbor gave Lu a set of finger nail polish for Christmas. It is absolutely not an exaggeration to say we've painted our fingernails and toenails 600 times over the past 2 months. That honestly might be underestimating it. Multiple times per day, every single day. 

I love it though! She's girly, and beautiful, and fun, and I love that about her! Here she is being way too big and blowing her nails dry all by herself. I didn't even remind her that she needed to. Too grown. 

One of our many salon nights at the house

Being adorable with a whole bag full of beauty products from one of my sweet girlfriends!

And her standard GOBS of lipgloss!

Perfectly painted toes...

I walked in on this a few days after she got her toenail polish. She was quiet as a mouse, working as hard as she could on those sweet, chubby toes!! :) I giggled and giggled over her this day!

And one of my favorites: This is our super manly neighbor, Mr. Keith, the one who gave her the toenail polish.  We were in the yard talking to him one day and London batted her eyes at him and asked if he would 'pleeeeeeeeeease come paint my toenails wif me'! So here is muddy Mr. Keith, in our kitchen, painting baby girls toes! :) She's got him so wrapped!

And just for laughs..... because this is the TRUTH!! :)

SNOW DAY!!!!!

A few weeks ago it snowed in Birmingham! It was one of those perfect days... the morning was rotten, then like magic, these beautiful white snowflakes fell from the heavenlies and covered our gorgeous city! Then, after the fall, the GLORIOUS MAGNIFICENT SUN came out for the next few hours! We haven't seen ANYTHING but rain and cloudy skies all winter, so seeing the sun felt like glimpsing into heaven. I know that's dramatic, but really, it kind of felt that way. I saw the sun, immediately laced up my shoes, and went for a run. I decided I had no doubt been suffering from the grey sky blues. Those 45 minutes of sun on my skin and fresh air on my face felt like the equivalent of 1 full week at the beach. So so needed! 

Barry's house looking beautiful! 

Melting snow man, but snow man all the same!

The glorious, glorious sun!!!!

Sweet London was on her way to Mississippi for Serenity's bday and they drove straight through the snow. She didn't get her hands on one single snow flake. Poor child! Hopefully we'll get a fall next year and she can enjoy it! This day turned out to be pretty stinkin' good!

I've Got Your Back

I've tried to keep the details of my personal life somewhat vague on the good ole family blog, but tonight, here's a little transparency:
I meet with a group of girls every Sunday night for bible study. Let me rephrase that. On Sunday's at my house, my LIFE IS RENEWED AND REFRESH AND FILLED TO OVERFLOWING. I could write for 6 days about what these women mean to me. Some of them friendships from when I first moved to Birmingham. Some of them, new amazing friends. Some of them, acquaintances I knew but we had never gone deep before. So here, as the heavens would have it, we've all found a place of community in my home. My very deepest desire being fulfilled... because God is incredibly faithful, you know.....

When my life changed, I couldn't much wrap my mind around things. But I did know one thing surely. Not one day passed when this group of girls wasn't speaking truth and peace over me in such a profound way. (insert streaming tears as I stare at this screen and remember.... How very blessed I am.) I knew from the very beginning that even though there were massive question marks all over my life, I was certain that I wanted London to know that the doors of our house would always be open to women who want to hear about Jesus. No matter what. Come in, and let's talk about grace, and obedience, and joy, and redemption and Jesus. Almost a year later, do you know what? London knows Sundays are 'when mommy's friends come over and talk about Jesus.'

And my heart floods with thanksgiving. 

A few weeks back, it was a hard week. There was just something getting me down and I could not shake it. As we finished our group, I prayed over each of these girls. I got to me, and I just couldn't. I choked up and I just couldn't get my heart to pour words. And from my side, some of the most beautiful words I've ever heard. My friend Kristine said 'I've got your back......'

and she prayed the most beautiful prayer over my life. I can not shake those words.

I've got your back. 

I wasn't going to post about that night, but tonight we are fighting for another dear precious friend in our group. We join up together, this little community of us, and we vow to protect, and fight for, and renounce the enemy off one of our sisters. And these words still ring so true.... with an iron resolve, I want this precious woman to know we will bridge the gap for you. We will not give up. We believe in the power and goodness of the one who is from everlasting to everlasting. In this night and in this season, we call expectantly on Him to bring you mercy. Deep and overwhelming mercy.

Sometimes friendships are so real and honest and raw and deep, that once you've traveled the valleys together, you look back and realize you're held together by concrete. I think God purposes it this way. I see it so clearly as I sit here tonight. With my face bowed in prayer, my jaw clenched to fight, and everything in me promising... 'Ive got your back.' 

'Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.....
Guard my life and rescue me...
for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me,
BECAUSE MY HOPE, LORD, IS IN YOU.

Psalm 25: 16-21

Finley Award- So Excited!!

This is short because I meant to post this yesterday and I keep running out of time! As a follow up to the previous post, we got some great news this week!

Back story, When Charley was in 1st grade, she was nominated and won an award called the Finley award. It is an award given out by the Hoover School District. Each class (K-12) nominates a Person of Character that displays a 'high moral and ethical composition'. From there, each classes nominations are voted on by peers and administration and one person from each grade is chosen for this honor. It's also fair to mention that the Hoover School District is ENORMOUS. It is comprised of 17 school campuses and almost 13,000 students. The winners are recognized at a banquet and given an award in front of 1,000+ people! We were thrilled when Charley won her grade. She was (is) such a sweet, kind child and we thought it spoke mountains about her Dad and his character since he was raising her as a single parent. He was such an involved Dad and you could see the fruit of his love all over Charley's life. Still can.

Well, the results of the 2013 Finley awards were just announced and guess who was in the running for the Hoover Kindergarden Classes?

Caden AND Elizabeth Rhea!!!!!!

Isn't that amazing! The twins are in different classes and Caden was chosen from his class and Liz was chosen from hers! There can only be one winner, however, even though both of these particular representatives would be stellar choices, but the overall winner for the Hoover Kindergarden program was....

ELIZABETH RHEA!!!!!

Im so excited for all of the Rhea's! For Barry and Lauren for being such kind, compassionate, encouraging parents, for Elizabeth and Caden for both being such sweet, good hearted children, and for Charley. I love looking back over Charley's life and celebrating the great kid she has been... always!

I'm over the moon for my family! What a beautiful family they are and I'm so very thankful for each and every one of them!! CONGRATULATIONS ALL AROUND!! :)

Man of Godly Character

My brother is a Partner in the financial planning firm where I work. Today, one of the other partners forwarded the company an email between he and Barry with a quick note that 'we could all benefit from viewing life this way'. I've never been more proud to work here. Barry is a man of Godly character to his very core.  I am so proud to call him boss and brother. His clients are incredibly fortunate that he watches over their affairs daily with this eternity focused attention. I love him past the counting. 

Proverbs 21:5 is the only scripture I can find that directly speaks of planning. However, preparation and examples of preparation are all through the bible. In my studies, I am finding that God wants us to always prepare, be financially responsible, save for our future, follow his commands, and have faith that he will direct our paths.

If we will continue to be financially responsible in everything we do today, tomorrow God may put us in a place that we could never have dreamed we could reach.

God wants to bless us and will bless us if we follow his ways.

He instructs us not to be hasty and to count the cost. In other words, be wise in your actions today. However, do not be so prideful and selfish to think you can direct your future. If you try, you may limit your eyesight to the point that you cannot see the plan God has laid out for your life. His pan will be greater than anything you could ever conceive.

Are you prepared and ready to make a decision on the options that lie before you? We are responsible for our preparation, but God will provide our options. Let His word guide your decisions.

Exmple:

Assume we decide that our eight-year old child is going to the University of Alabama when he finishes high school. We tell him and everyone around us that this is our plan. We work towards this goal until the child is eighteen. At this point, all you, the child, or anyone else can see is U of A. How we have limited the possibilities and options that could have been.

What if we instead focused on our child’s daily preparation? We focus on the discipline necessary to perform at their best each day. (Grades, sports, ethics, etc…) We encourage them to constantly do their best and reward their successes. When they reach their senior year and begin reviewing the possibilities, the world may be at their fingertips! They may choose U of A, but there may be opportunities that suit their situation to a much greater extent.

Our future is no different. Prepare today by working hard, saving, giving, studying, and watching for God to place options before us. At that point, use His word and the wisdom he has instilled in us to make the best decision.

Barry Rhea, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Executive Vice President
Sunburst Financial
600 Vestavia Parkway, Suite 100
Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
(C) 205-427-1101
(F) 205-823-4554 

          brhea@sunburstfinancial.com 

I've included his contact information in the event you are looking for someone of incredible character to help manage your financial decisions. When I say you can put full trust in this man to handle your affairs with the upmost integrity, I mean it. He is compassionate, generous, a faithful friend, fun, and has such passion for helping people learn to live financially responsible lives.

He is amazing, inspiring, and someone I've always looked up to. I am so incredibly proud of who he is. 

A little catch up...

I've got all my pictures organized into meaningful topics so hopefully I can knock a few posts out this week!

One add on to my last post was a conversation I had with London.

Backstory: I think my Dad is a really easy guy to misjudge. Well, maybe that's not entirely true. I think a normal first impression of my Dad is that he's probably not much for general pleasantries. That's  actually pretty accurate! However, most of the world misses getting to know this guy who is hilarious, artistic, and creative. Dad's always been a great dad/granddad in the story telling department. He will tell a fib in a heartbeat and his tall tales are always so awesome. I still remember driving to the tennis club as a kid and asking dad what the red balls were on the power lines. Without skipping a beat, dad told me they kept aliens out of the city. He didn't blink an eye, so I believed him..... for years. 
One of Dad's most beloved stories is the story of the bear-gator. You know, half bear half alligator, of course. This is always accompanied with a real spooky story about how Dad saw him right out there...... and ROOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRR. Kid squeals galore. Well, London learned about the bear gator last time we were home. She was obviously fascinated because who wouldn't be interested in this half breed monster.

Anywho, we were in the car chatting one day.......
Me: 'Lu, your granddad can tell you all kinds of great stories.'
London: 'Like about the bear-gator?'
Me: 'Yes baby. Like the bear-gator.'
Then I just smiled and smiled and remembered why I love him so much.

Also, this youtube video would have absolutely been my Dad had he ever been in charge of doing my hair. Click HERE. Hilarious.

One of my best friends and I just finished a bible study and one of the chapters was on our social responsibility of supporting our local economies.  10 years ago, I would've said this whole train of thought was hogwash, but the more I read about this movement, and the more I experience stellar local finds, the more I'm inclined to do my part to keep my spending in my city. All that being said, Im spending about $20 a month on buying local farmers foods, but hey, it's the only drop in the bucket that I can afford right now! A few times a month, my friend and i will split a local CSA box (Community Supported Agriculture). We were really skeptical that it would be a whole lot of nothing. Here was our first box! Filled to the brim with all kinds of goodness! We've both been thrilled every time we've decided to order! Plus, I feel good telling London her apples and eggs were born right here in Bham! If anyone's interested, we order from Freshfully Farmer's Market and you can choose which box you'd like.

 London's learning to write her name! Here's the first I've seen of it. The rest of the family was rather unimpressed with this, but her momma, however, was over the moon for my smart girl! The straight lines are the LN & D and the O's are her two O's! Well done, my child!

We met a friend at one of my very favorite Birmingham places a few weeks ago, the McWane Science Center. It is so incredibly cool. 

 Human face pressed into a pin face!

 Giant Lite Brite

 Catching simulated butterflies that will land on you if you stand still. 

 Making a propeller with one of the workers..

 And a proud little girl because it actually flies in the air cylinder! 

 And fun panic inside the hurricane machine! The winds in this tunnel get up to 70 and 80 MPH! 

We got a free pack of strawberry seeds, so we've planted a very tiny window seal garden! Here's to hoping I don't kill it! Im not good at keeping plants alive. So far though, we have growth! And Lu's way excited to eventually one day see a strawberry grow out of it!

More "I love being a mom" times. I opened the sunday paper the other day and right on top of Kevin Bacon's face was a trace of a fat, darling 2 year old hand. I love it. 

 Barry and Lauren got away for a quick 24 hour vacation recently and I kept the kids. When I say the weather has been miserable in the south east this winter, i mean it has been MIS-E-RAH-BLE. I can probably count on one hand the number of days I've seen the sun since mid December. AWFUL. Our poor kids are all about to go completely stir crazy. Well, we woke up on Saturday morning and the glorious, marvelous sun was shining! I took to the kids to a nearby soccer field to play soccer and what did they end up doing the whole time? All 3 ran in straight lines as fast as they could from fence to fence for literally 30+ minutes..... without saying a word to each other. It was the wildest thing I've ever seen. These kids needed some good open space. 

 I love these people!

And a few quick pics from our daily home life. We do a LOT of painting. One day I'll smarten up, because this is not super clean, but hey, life's messy and more fun that way anyway. 

My nightly sous chef. Cutest cook in all the world. She made a batch of cookies all by her self this weekend! Very limited mommy help! So fun!

Whoops! This one is out of order but that's okay. This was the same weekend the kids came over. Barry and Lauren got back later than expected so I bathed the kids... but didn't have any clean clothes for them so they all got a pair of London's pjs! Poor Caden drew the short stick but our biggest pair of PJs were completely pink. Poor guy was pink from head to toe! Also, these three are crazy about each other! As proof by the sardines on the couch action below.

These sunglasses own me. They are just too stinking cute. What a doll face. 

Off to a great start!

Wow! If January is the barometer for how this year is going to be, then Im crazy excited! Not all of life has been spectacular... there have been some hard days, but life with London Lane is stinking awesome. 

For instance....

She woke up this morning, gave me a huge hug and said, 'Big squeeze for my best friend!' Yup. I could have just died of happiness right there on the spot. Holy Toledo she's cute. Also, and get ready for it... Im pulling everything off the blog and going black and white in a week or so so that I can actually get videos to post. My small group started Beth Moore's scripture memorization challenge in January. Guess who's doing it with me and KILLING IT. London Super Brain Lane. I've got two of the 3 we've memorized on video and were working on number 4 now. I am floored with how easy it is for these young-uns to memorize things. It is a walk in the park for her. Is it 31 years of data input into my brain that is making it work so slow??? Im claiming that. It's hard for me to remember things because my brain is so full of KNOWLEDGE! :) {that's my story and I'm sticking with it!}

My favorite part of being a mom.... well, one of my million favorite parts... there is joy to be found in even the most mundane of activities. Insert errands trip to Bed Bath and Beyond (which, sidenote, is NOT the greatest place to take a toddler because there are 3 zillion things to play with a a million places to hide from mom.... however, it can be loads of fun!) London found the section that sells CD's. They have this machine that will play 20 seconds or so of any song you touch on the screen. That's PERFECT for her attention span, so she sat here jamming out to nice variety of music for some time! The ladies in our house love a good dance party!

She was just playing around, jumped in the pillow container.... and it ate her whole! I had to dig her giggling self out from the very bottom!

I did some bathroom spring cleaning while London was soaking on New Years Day and found a spray bottle with some foam soap in it. I let Lu have it. Think of the cutest, full body laugh you've ever heard then extend that for about a solid half hour time span. She made the biggest foam mess ever but MAN was it adorable! After listening to those laughs, I knew this year was going to be a good one! 

Hot chocolate mornings with the cousins at Booper and Andaddy's!

The family all headed to Columbus to celebrate my awesome Grandmother's 85 birthday! I am so glad that we were all able to come home and be with her! What a great time!

Too cute! I love it!!

I gave London a little 'doctor' dress up kit for Christmas. I loved this picture of Caden. Poor Andaddy. He was about to GET IT. 

And this is just my absolute favorite. I love the last picture so much! This was London doctoring on 'Doc' as he belly ached and writhed in pain! So so much fun! This is what life with grandparents is all about!

God's goodness on my way into Columbus. He shows me his goodness again and again and again and again. That post is coming soon!