Last "twenty something" birthday

My husband is 29 today. His last "twenty something" birthday. It doesn't seem real. Because we've known each other since we were 4 and 6. Have we really been a part of each other lives (to some extent) for 23 years now? Amazing. I remember what I got him for his birthday the first year we were "dating". A Tommy Hilfiger shirt. He probably doesn't remember, but I believe it was too big for him, but he wore it anyway. So sweet and funny!

Happy Birthday, my wonderful, handsome husband. I hope you enjoy your last birthday of your twenties.. I have two more.. thankyouverymuch. You deserve the very best!!! That's why I am your wife! Here's to many more birthdays together!!!

Got inked..

Not me! Obviously... my arm is no where near that big (thankfully!) or hairy... BUT that IS my husband's arm. And well.. it's his first tattoo. The long... LONG... L-O-N-G awaited tattoo. I have been hearing about this tattoo (or rather a form of this tattoo) for many, many, many, many (is that too many many's?) moons now. Since.. like.. when we first started dating. Anywho.. he got the tattoo while myself and the kids were away over the July 4th weekend. I knew of the tattoo.. or at least the main idea, design of the tattoo, but had no clue whatsoever that he was actually getting it. I figured, like it had been for the last 13 years.. that it was just talk. But he was serious. And when he sent me the picture, I had a mini panic attack. I still haven't gotten completely used to it. Every time he walks by I have to take a second look and make sure I am really seeing what I think I am seeing. And it feels... rubbery. I guess that's because the tat (is that what the cool people call them???) isn't completely set or something.. I haven't a clue. But nonetheless, it's there.. and at least it's not just some random design that he got just to be getting and just to say he has a tattoo. So for those who may not completely understand the whole thing here is the breakdown of what his tattoo "stands" for. The "O" in the middle stands for our last name and then the kids' names are self explanatory. I asked him what happens if we have more children (which would be rare considering Kent had a vasectomy). He said he would just start making a list down his arm. ;) So there.. it's out for all the world to know. Maybe now my panic attacks will stop.

5

Five months have gone by. Five months of wanting to pick up the phone or send an email. Five months of wondering how life would be different. Five months of wishing I didn't have to answer questions of what you are doing in heaven. Five months of thinking, "Momma would love to see Zoey in that or Momma would be so proud of her grandbaby for doing this or Momma would be so excited about the new baby coming." Five months of having to figure out a new way to think, live, act. Five months that seem like days and years all at the same time. Five months without my momma and I can still honestly say that I have joy in my heart that she is perfectly made whole in heaven and a lump in my throat that it all still very much sucks.

Playgroup

I am very blessed to belong to a wonderful church. A church that has other women, couples going through the same stages as I am and as Kent and I are as a couple. Young kids, kids in school, etc. A lot of the women are stay-at-home moms like myself. We have been trying to get together at least one day a week, outside of church, to just let our kids play and for us moms (and sometimes dads) to talk and brag on our kids. Oh come on, you know you do it, too.
It's a really refreshing time for myself. And my kids have really enjoyed it and have made many friends because of it.

Today we had a swimming playgroup. It was great. Kids got to swim and run around. And I got to talk and have adult conversation while working on my tan. And then once it was over with, we came home and the kids took awesome naps!

Today was a really good day!

Pool babies...

W

An hour with a firetruck

The kids' library books were due today (and I sadly let some videos go past due.. so I needed to pay a fee.. boo). So, I got the kids out right when the library was opening (10am). Pull in the parking lot and it's already crowded. "Hmm, I wonder what is going on here?" Then I see little people running around in swimsuits. "Uh oh. This can't be good." Go inside and return books, pay the fee and then quickly get the kids to go find new books. I figured we could get the books and get out before the water activity (didn't know what it was at the time) started. Well, then I ran into a friend and her son from church. We start talking and she convinced me that I needed to get the kids swimsuits. So we rush home and rush back. The kids had a blast. The library had two firetrucks there for the kids to check out and one of the trucks had it's ladder with a hose pulled up high with the water pouring down. Something so simple made my kids very happy. We all had a good time. They played and I got to have some adult conversation. Bonus!

Ahh yes, summer.

Summer is very close to being my favorite season. If it weren't for the hot, humid days it would be. We have been having a really good time this summer. And it just keeps getting better. So thankful for a "mountain top period after the valley". Between a new splash park that we have found and swimming and the zoo, our past few weeks have been full of fun! Of course, all our summer hasn't been all play. We did have to detour off our time of fun for a dentist appointment today. It was Nathan's first one. They all did very well. And Nathan didn't scream or pitch a fit like I thought he would. And the added bonus, NO CAVITIES!! Which is always great to hear! Now, back to our playing.. Swimming and zooing we have been doing. This past weekend we took the kids to the zoo. We had an unseasonal cool-ish day this past Saturday. The kids enjoyed looking at all the animals. Kent and I were really amazed at how much Jon Kent has learned about some of the animals and what he retained from seeing them a few months back. Smart little boy, he is! We had a great time until it started getting hot around 2pm. So we headed home and the kids got in the pool. That night we didn't have to keep telling them to go to sleep. ;) In a couple of weeks the kids will be taking a trip to Alabama to spend with family while Kent and I fly to DC for a week of tourism. It's my first time flying and I am pretty nervous about it, but oh so excited about the adventures that we are sure to have.

Sweet Summertime

This summer, so far, has been amazing. I told Kent before summer started that I was going to make the absolute most of it. With Jon Kent starting school in a little over a month and Zoey going to preschool half a day, I knew our carefree days would be short lived. So this summer we have rocked it. Beach vacation, plenty of pool time, spontaneous water fights, playing at Monkey Joe's, play dates, picnics at the park and watermelons.. What would summer be without eating watermelons? Nothing like hanging outside with the family enjoying a nice, sweet, juicy watermelon. And tonight, that's exactly what we did.

Zoey

Zoey,

You are my one and only girl. I cannot tell you how special you are to me. How, after going through such a rough start with motherhood, that you healed me. You may never understand that, or maybe it will take you being a mother yourself to know how true those words are. You were a surprise the day the pregnancy test said, "Pregnant" and you continue to surprise me. With your love and your want to see people happy. Since your Gramsie passed away, you have taken it upon yourself to make sure I am not sad. Granted, that's a big job for a 4 year old but you try. You always ask if I miss my momma and I tell you yes and you will say, "I miss her too, but she is in heaven." How special it is to know that you already believe that. I pray that you never forget your Gramsie. That even if it's a small memory of time y'all shared together, that you keep it close to your heart. You were very, very special to her. And you will remain that way forever. You have been such an amazing sister to your brothers. You care for them and about them. You try not to leave anyone out when playing. Of course, you do like to annoy them and you have times where you just want to be alone. I understand that, because I am the same way. Sometimes, you just need some solo girl time. You are already becoming such a girly girl. Which is new to me. I was a full on tomboy at your age. No dresses for me or painted toenails. But you love them both. And you love to dance. You are just a rock star, Zoey Taylor. In the coming years things will change. You will notice boys and they will notice you. Your daddy will notice the boys, noticing you and I will notice your daddy cleaning his guns. You will be embarrassed and that's OK. He just loves you and wants only the best. Because that's only what you deserve. Always remember our qualifications for a boyfriend/future husband: "He loves God and loves you." I pray that you find yourself so lost in your walk with God that your husband has to find God to find you. I love you my baby girl. You are beautiful inside and out.