Port A: Such A Great Getaway

I've talked about this before, but there is something about the beach where I am totally able to disconnect. I think I look at my phone about once a day while we are there.

The icing on the cake is having the Perkins family with us on long weekend trips like this. Since their move, we don't get to see them during the week as often and therefore, times like this are even more special. There are so many reasons why this trip will stand out in our minds but more than anything, it is a great reminder of how incredibly blessed we are to have best friends, like them.

I love how easy it is for the eight of us to be around each other. All the kids know that they can come to any of us if they need anything and likewise, we aren't afraid to correct them, even if it's not our kid making a bad decision.

 But this was the one mental picture that will stand out in my mind about this year's trip. On this Friday morning and afternoon, we arrived at the beach around 9 AM and didn't even look down at our watches until 1:30 PM when ONE of the kids said they were hungry! Yes, they hadn't eaten a snack or lunch IF THAT TELLS YOU HOW MUCH FUN WE ALL WERE HAVING!

I remember thinking to get up and grab my camera to remember this memory. The seven of us (minus Easton who had crashed under the tent for a nap) just sitting, playing and talking about life all afternoon! Of all of our amazing Perkins/Brown memories, this is up in the top five, for sure.

We love you guys!

Sleeping 4 & 5 Year Olds

Naps have been a HUGE part of our lives for the past 5.5 years and for one of us four, they have officially ended (for the most part) last week when Carter officially graduated from Pre-K. I have a feeling they will continue on the weekends as long as he wants to and more importantly, since his little sister still desperately needs them. This week is the true test with sports camp ALL day, swim lessons at 4 each day and then his very first baseball practive at 5:15. I think Carter will do great, it will me his mom you should worry about!

It's funny how photographing these two while they are quiet and still, I notice things about them that I don't when life is moving at awake pre-schoolers' pace.

I noticed Carter, over five years later, still has some killer eye lashes.

The mole near his hair line above his left eye is getting darker.

I was surprised to see her sleeping so soundly on her back.

She has a perfect little nose.

Her hair reminds me so much of my own.

She has a tiny little freckle on the edge of her upper lip.

Man... is she serious about her stuffed animals or what?!?

My Letter To Addie On Her 4th Birthday

Dear Addie,

At 6:21 AM Sunday morning, I woke up from a deep sleep with a FULL bladder. This feeling immediately reminded me of the last time I was pregnant and that today, in fact, was my baby girl's BIG DAY! I immediately started reflecting back to where we were FOUR years ago, exactly at this time. The petocin had probably just been turned on and switched off just as fast when your sweet little heart rate plummeted with the first small contraction. I remember feeling such guilt for wanting to induce a few days early and with tears streaming down my face, I asked my nurse if I could just go home and wait for you to come on your own time.

It felt like it was Christmas morning, waiting for the time, I could go see what Santa left me. I couldn't help but wake your daddy up as I lay awake reminiscing about you as a baby. For thirty minutes on your birthday morning, we went through every detail of your arrival, from the longest night of our lives trying to comfort you at the hospital while you had to be under the lights due to your jaundice to clearly remembering how much you hated that pacifier from hour one at the hospital. We talked about week 7-8 when you developed colic and the HOURS we would spend with you swaddled on the back porch in the sweltering heat. The only place you could find peace while you tummy was in knots every single evening.

It's such a cliche, but it really is hard to believe that it was four years ago you entered our lives and here we are now with this perfect little package of a little girl, complete with a spirally curled head of hair. Your daddy and I snuck into your bed while you were still asleep and laid there with you until you woke up. Half asleep you gave each of us a long hug and soon came to enough to ask where Smokey was!

You continue to blow any expectations I had, of having a daughter, out the water. You amaze me everyday with your expressions, questions and kindness. As I tucked you into bed for the first time as a FOUR year old, you told me you can't wait until you are five! As cute as it was to hear those words, I told you not to worry about being five and to enjoy every second of being FOUR because I know I am going to!!

I love you SOOOO much,

Your Momma

My 6th Mother's Day - 2012

on this day celebrating my 6th year of being a "momma,"

toes seemed to be the common topic.

boy's toes lounging when i returned from my 8 mile run.

hot pink girl's toes glistening under water while swimming at the pool.

the husband's toes busy at both heb and costco,

relieving the ever growing "to-do" list.

that was the best gift on this beautiful Sunday.

my five year picked out his very own gift for me this year.

one that he was SO proud of and couldn't even take his eyes off of for a picture.

as i briefly reflect on this past year of being a mother,

i'm thankful for the passion that has continued to swell inside me to raise confident, well-adjusted children that are provided every opportunity,

however most importantly, are grateful for what they have now....

i have found this, in itself, is a full time job.

so, here's to the peaks and the valleys (as well as the additional gray hairs) that the next

365 days provide

AS A MOMMY!

"Hot Pot" Anniversary Dinner

After 3 full days of snow activities and skiing, it was going to take a lot to get Blake and I out of the cozy hotel for our anniversary dinner but Diane/MeMe kept insisting we go out alone and celebrate 7 years. After trying to decide what type of food we even wanted and feeling less than enthusiastic than going to just a "regular" restaurant, we came across this "HOT POT RESTAURANT" called Shabu Shabu House. It totally peaked our interest when we read that they cook your entire dinner right in front of you in pots of boiling water. I love how Blake is always up for something new and exciting... I hope in another seven years, we won't be too much older and more stuck in our ways. I love sharing new experiences with him.

I can only pray that the next 7 years years be as good as the last 7!

7 Year Anniversary

Just last week Blake and celebrated 7 years as man and wife. We started out the busy Monday with taking a little time over breakfast to watch back our video from the day. This was the first year the kids were REALLY into it. All four of us were glued to the TV rejoicing in the festivities. Addie did ask a few times, "Where am I... why aren't I in the videos?" I told her it was a very good thing she wasn't there!

A flash back to early 2005....

 All back together at the end of the day, we had a romantic picnic dinner in our front yard.

I know you are drooling with envy... but I wouldn't want it any other way!

Looking back over the last 7 years together, I would want Addie and Carter to know how much I LOVE and truly RESPECT their father. My feelings for him have grown stronger each and every year, especially in this last year. I want them to know that marriage is hard work at times, especially with super young kids around. A year ago, I don't think Blake and I would have felt that we were at a really great spot but on the other side of those less than ideal moments, we both see how hard work and putting energy into things that are not second nature to us, truly can greatly improve a stressed relationship, and therefore ultimately, make you even stronger.

Old & New

On last week's visit to Mema's, I loved seeing the difference in hands as Mema helped Carter with a puzzle.

Inseperable.

Candid moments the last couple of days.

Dancing to music in Addie's room.

Watching Aunt Danielle play basketball.

Practing writing our letters.

No matter what they are doing, they want to be next to one another.