My Birthday Girl is 4!!!

Here she is, my big 4 year old!

Maya has grown up so fast into such a big happy, helpful girl. She says the funniest things and is just such a joy in our lives. A few things about my 4 year old Maya:

*Loves animals and has a melt down if there is one near by and I don’t let her interact with it.

*She is in pre-k and loves it! I love picking her up because she is always excited and runs to me with a huge smile on her face. She is most proud of knowing how to say “hi” in Chinese.

*She calls an overpass an OGREpass. Cracks me up every single time! And pancakes are panacakes.

*She’s so friendly and kind. She makes friends easily.

* She has always been my “easy” child but has suddenly found a strong, stubborn little personality within herself. She can be tough but I’m pretty sure I know who she got her stubbornness from;)

*LOVES HER BUNNIES! That is what we got her for her birthday!

We bought a momma and one of her babies, both girls. Maya was beyond excited! She even paid for one of them herself with the money Nana Jackie sent her for her birthday.

She has decided to name them Max and Ruby, after the cartoon. Even though they are both girls, that is what she wanted. The momma is Ruby and the baby is Max (Maxine?).

Maya is soooo obsessed with her bunnies! All she wants to do all day every day is play with her bunnies. It’s so cute!

 

Baby Max

 

How old are you, Maya?

Lighting the candles!!!

Singing happy birthday!

Blowing out the candles:D

Maya didn’t get a crazy fun party this year but she did get the gift that just keeps on giving…

Aidan’s Birthday Continued…

I felt so bad that we were in such a chaotic and difficult situation on Aidan’s birthday. We were in temporary housing and after 6 weeks of living out of a suitcase I was a massive disorganized mess both physically and mentally. As I mentioned before, I MUST HAVE ROUTINE TO FUNCTION. So, Aidan’s birthday was sadly thrown into the mess but we wanted to make it a special day for him anyways. Rich has the most amazing boss ever that has made it very clear how important family is to him. He basically told him that he needs to ask off of work for important family events so when Rich asked if he could get off an hour early for Aidan’s birthday, his boss gave him half the day off! Awesome huh! We took advantage of that time and took the kids to Chuckie Cheese’s. They love that place and were so excited! Maya still talks about it.

I didn’t take too many pictures cuz I was too busy spending the kids token. Hehe.

Then, thanks to Dairy Queen Aidan got the ice cream cake he requests every single year. Hey, it saves me from having to make any effort as far as a cake goes!

Funny story, I thought it would be so funny to use the candles that relight. Aidan didn’t quite understand why the heck they wouldn’t go out and was basically hyperventilating trying to blow them out and then I realized that we are in a tiny little room with smoke alarms that when set off the base fire department actually responds! How do I know this? I’m too embarrassed to say. Let’s just say they had been summoned to our place a couple of days earlier. Yeah, so anyway, our place was filling up with smoke when I remembered our previous incident and quickly pulled the candles out of the cake, threw them in the sink and screamed for Rich to fan the alarms while I ran around like a crazy woman opening every window. Relighting birthday candles, not such a good idea after all. Also, the oreos on top of the cake tasted burnt because of those darn candles. Good move mom!

All in all Aidan’s birthday was fun for him. I want to throw him a really party on Maya’s birthday since they actually have friends out here now. But as far as presents go, we couldn’t wait until Maya’s birthday to give him is “big” present.

I think he likes it;)

My Special Birthday Boy

Where does time go? Why must it go so quickly? 5 years ago today was THE most life changing day of my life. I remember the night before Aidan was born clearly. I was so unaware that in just a few hours my life would never be the same. I would never be the same. It’s hard to believe that such a little person could teach me all that he has about life, sacrifice, and about love.

It was such a bitter-sweet day. After 13 hours of, hands down, the most excruciating physical pain I have ever felt (no epidural), I was introduced to the most excruciating emotional pain I had ever felt. I spent the next 16 months learning so many lessons. I learned about self sacrifice, extreme sleep deprivation, frustration. I basically learned how to be a nurse, an occupational therapist and a basket case. I learned life lessons about prayer, faith, a loving and caring Heavenly Father, and eternal families. But what I learned about the most is LOVE.

Never had I felt a love like I did for my little Aidan. The only way I was able to survive all that I did was because of that love. 5 years later my love for my sweet boy grows more and more every single day. There was nothing that I wouldn’t have done for him then and that still rings true today. Today, we celebrated Aidan’s birth and my heart is so filled with gratitude for a strong, healthy, sweet hearted boy to love forever.

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

30

I am 30 years old. Wow, time sure does fly! I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about turning 30 but I have to confess, I quite like it! Everybody wants to stay in their 20’s forever and not grow old but a friend of mine wrote something to me on my facebook that has forever changed my attitude about aging. She said that when she turned 30 she was so depressed about it until a good friend of hers found out she had cancer…at 30! She said that from that point forward she would ALWAYS be grateful for every year of life. That just really struck a cord with me. I am absolutely grateful that I am now 30 years old  and that I’ve enjoyed 29 years of life. I look at my little family and think, how could I ever be sad about aging. It would just be ungrateful.

Ok, now on to the good stuff. I had THE most amazing birthday. How did I get so lucky to hit the jackpot with this man of mine? He made me feel like a queen! I got to sleep in and then when I did finally wake up I was treated to my favorite, french toast and fresh cantaloupe juice. Yum!

 

Then, he sent me off to take a shower and told me to shave (it’s a sad day when your husband has to ask you to shave). So we all piled into the car and I was so excited to find out what kind of adventures he had planned for us on my birthday.

Here is a video I took during the drive to the unknown destination. It cut off at the end. Lame. Also, video taken on my Iphone. I didn’t know you are supposed to turn it sideways so it’s all scrunched. Oh well.

He drove in a direction I wasn’t expecting and then stopped and told me to get out of the car and have a nice day. Huh? I looked out the window and realized we were in front of the SPA!!!! I had never been to a spa before. I could not even believe it! He said he would be back to get me later on in the day. O…K…

I walked in and told them my name and the lady said, “Oh yes! Your husband has everything planned and paid for you. He was so excited when he called in. You will be spending a few hours with us, you will be getting a massage, facial, lunch and finish off with a manicure and pedicure. I hope you enjoy your stay.”

SWEET!!!!!!!!!

I was pampered and fed. What more does a girl need? After 5 hours at the spa I did a little shopping at TJ Maxx and then Rich picked me up. We headed home and talked about what we should do the rest of the day. We decided we would all go out to eat and then go home and watch a movie. Sounded good to me! We got home and were cuddling on the couch when there was a knock at the door. Rich acted all shocked and said, “Who could that be?”. It was Lucy!!! Oh my gosh, are you kidding me!?!? She was there to babysit the kids while we went on a date. I felt pretty special:)

Rich and I went to eat at the yummy french place we had gone to with our friends and then watched Mirror Mirror. It was a perfect day.

I love Rich. He makes me feel special and appreciated. I told him that I felt guilty, like it was all too much. You know what he said? He said that I deserved it because I work so hard and do so much for him and the kids. Best husband ever? Best birthday ever? Yes and yes.

I AM THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD!!!!

Arabella is 2!!!!

Yes, it’s true! Arabella is 2! How crazy is that? My baby is 2 years old! I think the most surprising thing about that is that I’m still not pregnant again…surprising to all of my friends and family at least.

Arabella has been a dream. She is sooo sweet and affectionate and so full of spunk and personality for such a tiny little thing! I’ve decided to start a new birthday tradition in our family and Arabella was the lucky one who got to experience it first!

Waking up to balloons on her birthday! I know she doesn’t look super excited in the picture but she was really excited when she woke up and saw all of these colorful balloons waiting just for her. It was so cute because I know she didn’t quite understand that it was her birthday but she instantly knew it was something special for her. Since I decided not to throw her a big party with a bunch of friends I wanted to make it a very special day for her. After dropping Aidan off at school, we went to Publix and picked up a couple of birthday cupcakes….a couple? Yes, a couple. I couldn’t just buy one for Arabella and let Maya stand by and watch her eat it!

  

After they were finished eating their cupcakes we went to the playground and played until it was time to pick Aidan up from school. When daddy got home we went to her favorite place to eat and play, Chick-fil-a!

Then home for some ice cream cake goodness!

Happy Birthday video:

Happy Birthday to the most adorable 2 year old there is!

3 Year Old Maya

Maya is now 3. How does that make me feel? A little sad, a lot nervous. So far I think that age 3 is the hardest. I shouldn’t complain though because Maya has been such an angel since she was a baby. Definitely my easiest, most laid back kid. I can already see that turning 3 has changed her. I’m up for the challenge so bring it on Maya!!! ;)

As a 3 year old Maya is:

* Becoming extremely assertive. No more getting pushed around by anybody.

*She still LOVES to read books.

*She is really good at puzzles on the Ipad.

*Loves to jump from anything and everything. The higher the better!

*Extremely sensitive to other peoples feelings. If she thinks I’m hurt or sad she immediately asks me if I’m ok. She cries if I cry and is quick to say she is sorry if she thinks she hurt me.

*Loves being a big sister. Lately she’s been wanting to hold Arabella who is almost as big as she is.

*Super active! She loves to run, play & especially climb & jump.

*Makes friends easily.

*Independent. She wants to do everything herself.

* Still very good at entertaining herself which is nice.

*Has not taken a nap in 2 weeks.

*Asks every day to watch Baby Einstein.

*Loves dropping off and picking up Aidan from school.

*Favorite foods: Oatmeal, veggies, yogurt.

*Best Friends: Kirk, Hayden & Hadley, Ella, Lili, Arabella & Aidan

*Favorite toys: Rocks, Cleo (purple dog from “Clifford”), Ipad, Goofy doll from Nana Jackie & Jessie doll from daddy, lip gloss from aunt Julie, Microphone from grandma Baker. She has lots of favorites as of today:D

Maya is so athletic, fearless, strong-willed, thoughtful, giving & LOVING. She has so many wonderful qualities that I adore. She’s so full of sweetness that I can’t help but love my little girl!

Happy 3rd Birthday Maya!!!

Maya’s birthday was on the 22nd but we decided we would keep that a secret from her and celebrate it on Saturday the 24th! She doesn’t know the difference, right? :) We did basically the same thing we did for Aidan’s birthday party, we invited her close friends for some lunch, cupcakes (per Maya’s request), and a great time! For lunch we order pizza.

Even though all of her friends were sitting at the kids tables, Maya did not want to let the cupcakes out of her sight! She was so excited to have a cupcake. She kept asking me if we could sing “happy birthday” to her so that she could have one already.

Can you tell me what’s wrong with these pictures?

I was going crazy, taking tons of pictures before we lit the candle when my friend, Holly, says to me, “Why is there a 2 on her cupcake?” Ummmmm…because mommy is losing her mind!!! Don’t know why I put a 2 on there instead of a 3. I’ll blame it on the lack of sleep.

Problem solved:D

Dreams really do come true…

Let me explain the next part of the party. I’ve always though the idea of a “Candy Bar” at a kids birthday party would be so cool. I imagined in my mind how exciting it would be for all of the little kids to be able to choose from a wide variety, any candy they wanted. I finally decided that it was time to make it happen. I found some little tins at Target and asked my friend, Lucy to print out the kids names on vinyl for me and voila!

And the “Candy Bar”

 

The kids got to go find the tin with their name on it and fill it up!

I don’t know why but when I get an idea in my head of something that would be cool to do, I HAVE to do it! Even if it means a lot of work for me. So, I saw a tutorial of how to make cute little crochet bows and I thought, “That would be a super cute party favor!” So, I got to work.

 

I made them in tons of different colors and every little girl went home with 3.

It was fun, special and memorable. Happy Birthday to my 3 year old big girl, Maya!!!!