When did this happen!? ........

I'm not quite sure when it happened, but it did. My baby girl just turned 5. I really can't believe it. I've been a Mommy for 5 whole years now, and it's the best job I've ever had, or could have.

I don't think a person can even understand the term "unconditional love" until they become a parent. There is just no grasping it beforehand. My kids are my life. They're my hopes and my dreams. They're everything right in my life and I love them more than I could have ever imagined. Ever.

Morgan,

I hope you had a wonderful birthday and that it was everything you wanted. I can't believe it's been 5 years since your were born. I feel like I've missed so much and it's all been one big blur! Time truly flies when you're having fun.

I'm so proud of the wonderful little girl you're becoming and watching you grow and change is so much fun. You fill my life with happiness and I don't know where we would be without you. You are our hopes and dreams.

I love you more everyday and I just thank God for blessing us with a daughter as awesome as you.

I love you crazy!

Mom

Oy Ve......

I've gotten a few emails this week regarding this blog, and they all go a little something like this:

"Chas, update your dang blog. We need to see new pictures of the kids, now"

So, here I am, happy to oblige......

Last weekend we went to Hunsader Farms in Bradenton, FL to have a little family fun on the farm. There was a hayride, corn maze, craft booth, etc. It was a giant waste of money, but the kids had a great time and that's all that truly matters.

Here's a pic of each kiddo on the hayride!!

Later on in the week we dressed the kids in their costumes for a mini-photo shoot, here's a sneak peak. Cuteness overload!

I promise to update again this week.....like, tomorrow. We have a fun day planned for Morgan's birthday! I can't believe my baby girl will be 5 in less than 24 hours.

Football player in the making....

Zachary has played 3 football games now, and believe it or not, he really does get better each week! The last two games have been so much fun. He did great!

This picture cracks me up. That little boy in the black tackled Zachary (and note, it's FLAG football) and then proceeded to just push him down over and over again. The coaches got onto him and then the rest of the game he kept hugging and apologizing to Zachary. It was so funny!

Zachary says his favorite part of football is when he gets to *hike* the ball. So, the coach lets him do it alot.

Zachary is the smallest kid on the field, so when it's his turn to run with the ball, he's pretty much tackled instantly. And, he's yet to pull anyones flags because his little legs just don't move as fast as the other kids legs do! LOL

He has learned however, that football players get all the chicks!!

My friends Kristin and Lauren had both come out to watch him play, and he just eats up the attention! Chicks dig football players ;)

Update on Morgan

Thinga have just been nuts around here since Morgan had her surgery! We're so thankful that everything went well and she came home to recover nicely. Here's a big of info from her surgery:

When the DR was about 1/2 way through the surgery he sent the nurse out with an update. Apparently when they got inside her they saw that the extra sinus cavity ran through her carotid artery. That discovery made things a bit more tense and caused the whole thing to take a bit longer.

When all was said and done they told us she's lucky to be alive. He said it was a miracle that with as many infections she was getting in that cavity, it never got swollen enough to block the artery completely or cause it to burst. If it had been left alone, it could have eventually killed her and we never would have known why. Praise God that this doctor was proactive, I don't even want to THINK about the possibilities.

Anyway, the rest of the surgery went smoothly. Her right adenoid was blocking about 80% of her regular sinus passage and her fluid levels in her right ear were off the charts! He drained her ears and removed the adenoids!

Since the surgery we've noticed such an improvement in her breathing and hearing! She's done so well.

In about 5 hours....

we'll be walking out the door of our house, and in the front doors of a hospital. Morgan is scheduled to have surgery at 7:15 am. I'm exhausted and I have to try to sleep. I'll fill in details tomorrow, as I'm sure most people who read this know them anyway.

Please pray for our princess! She's a bundle of nerves. She told me, through tears, before bed tonight "God will hold me Mommy" and I know that is so so true....... our God never fails.

Morgan, you'll do great. We love you crazy.

Zachary's big day....

Yesterday was a big day! Zachary put on his uniform and walked onto the football field for the first time, ever. It was so much fun and too cute for words. The kids play 5 on 5 flag football for about an hour, and it's funny. At the 3 and 4 year old level there are only two teams, so we'll play the same 5 kids for the next eight weeks. Zachary is, by far, the smallest kid on the team, but he had fun! I picked a few of my favorite shots and put them up for the grandparents to see! 

This first shot is from their practice time before the game. They got to meet their other teammates and their coach for the first time. 

Hey, at least he's not picking flowers! 

Seeing Zachary out there on the field was so much fun, and it brought back so many memories from my childhood. I remember my little brother's first flag football game like it was yesterday and then my mind races with the memories that followed. All the homecoming games, touchdowns, blanket toting up the bleachers, heartbreaking losses, gut-wrenching injuries. It's all so clear. 

I know that this is just the beginning for Zachary. Maybe he'll stick with football, and maybe not. But regardless, it has begun. My little boy is growing up and making memories that will last a lifetime. He may forget his first game, but I never will. 

I love you Zachary and I'm so proud to be your Mommy. 

Morgan's First School Holiday.....

Who knew a 4 year old would be so excited about a day off school?! Not me. This little monkey loves going to school so I was shocked to see her so excited to have a "hollyday."

She's been doing really well and her teachers seem to love her.  They said she knows the answer to every question they ask and she's getting better about raising her hand. LOL She's a nut. 

I'm so grateful that we were able to get her into a nice Christian school. I love that when she comes home everyday the first thing she tells me is what her bible study was for that day. She's learned a few new prayers and two bible verses in the first two weeks! She makes me smile! 

While Morgan is at school Zachary and I get to spend time together and it's awesome. It's never been just the two of us, so it's pretty special. He just talks and talks while she's gone and usually about an hour before it's time to get her, he starts asking about her! His sister is his BFF! hahaha

I'll make sure to get some pics up from the first few weeks ASAP. My batter is charging as I type. 

We're heading off to a BBQ this afternoon so maybe tonight I'll get pics up from school and the pool party/bbq!! 

Happy Labor Day y'all!