Not Me! Monday

I am not practically {begging} for a normal week at our house free from all colds, coughs, and fevers, since we've obviously been passing them back and forth for over 3 weeks now. 

I have not determined that we will not spend another week unproductively due to sickness, and I'm starting by doing my "not me" monday post with a clingy toddler at my feet!

I did not find the cutest little farmer in my house this week.  See?  I suppose the "country" in him is hereditary...

I did not laugh as I took this picture while the kids were {obviously} upset with me for separating them, although had I not, there would surely have been the start of WWIII in our living room.

We did not stop putting up our Christmas decorations to take pictures and laugh {uncontrollably} at Katie's "idea" for the stockings.  Apparently, she has no idea that there can be better things in a stocking than feet!

We did not have a wonderful Thanksgiving with Mark's family, in the midst of our sicknesses...especially the children, since they were able to play with many cousins that they see very little.  Seven children, lots of mischief...lots of laughs...lots of love.

I does not completely amaze me of Katie's imagination!  She was tired of running outside, so she decided to make a bird's nest {out of Pawpaw's mulch}.

The bird nest idea was {obviously} a hit...with many of the children.

Count Your Blessings...

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

 

 

As we approach another Thanksgiving holiday, I want to be especially careful to count my blessings.  God has been so gracious to our family over the years.  I'm not going to say that we haven't had our tough times...our challenges...our disappointments.  But, God has been faithful!  And, I don't want to forget to thank Him for {all} of the blessings, big and small, that he has given to us!

 

He has given me a wonderful husband, who has completely exceeded every "dream" I ever had of my {Prince Charming}.  He has blessed our family with two wonderful children, and I simply cannot imagine our lives without them.  He has given us a beautiful house, to call our own home...to make our family memories in.  He has been faithful to provide our family with our needs...food, clothes, utilities, and even luxuries.  He has blessed us with a wonderful church and church family.  He has provided Mark with a stable job that allows me to stay home with our children.  He has blessed us with wonderful family and friends, who are always there for us whenever we need them.  He has given us great health.  He has allowed us to live in a free country, where we don't have to be afraid of sharing His word.  He has given us His love.  He has given us salvation!  And you know, that only scratches the surface of all that He has given us...all that He has blessed us with.  We truly have much to be thankful for. 

 

He has given us so much, and I can't help but to think, "What have I given Him?"  I have so much to work on to be the Christ-like woman that He desires me to be.  I am so thankful that He is patient with me.  That He sees something in me that is worth saving...worth molding.  My desire is to be like Christ...letting Him be seen through  my words, my actions, my thoughts...{every} day!  And I am so thankful that He's willing to work in my life continually to help me reach that desire.

 

What are you thankful for this year?  Have you counted your blessings?

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving Proclamation

A short history lesson, reminding us of the reason for Thanksgiving...

Following is the 1863 Lincoln Presidential Proclamation - celebrated shortly after Lincoln committed his life to Christ and celebrated while America was still in the midst of its Civil War. It was this proclamation which led to the establishment of our national Thanksgiving holiday.

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

In testimony wherof I have herunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

[Signed]
A. Lincoln

Let us be careful to remember the reason that we celebrate Thanksgiving.  

Austin's Words

I have been a little "under the weather" this week, so I haven't been able to post as usual.  SO...to rectify, I thought I'd post a short video of Austin's newest (as in just yesterday) word!  He is slower to use his words (compared to Katie at this age), but he is learning new words every week.  The hardest part is getting him to say them when we want him to...

Here are a few of his "first" words and word attempts {grin} at 15 months old:

Ma-Ma (Mommy)
Da-Da (Daddy)
De-uh (Deer)
Bur (Bird)
Ba (Ball)
Ba-Ba (Banana or Balloon - they sound the same right now)
Booo (Book)
Me-el (Milk)
Tan ooo (Thank you)
Baa (Bath)
Ta-Dow (Touchdown)
Baa-bal (Bubble)

My Beanie Babies

I just posted on my photography blog about my cute little "beanie babies".  Be sure to check it out at http://marshabartonphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-beanie-babies.html.

Sorry for just pasting the link.  I don't have time right now to re-post the entire post here.  Maybe I can get it up here later :)

I Don't Want to Raise Successful Children

Our ladies' Bible study just started a new study this week by Jim Berg called "Changed into His Image."  Though I'm only in chapter one, I've been greatly challenged.  One of the subjects touched on in his book is this very thing.  I read this from the Proverbs 31 Ministries, and wanted to pass it along to you.  I have young children, but even know I see that I need to constantly be in prayer about my goal as a parent.  I am not trying to make a "good child", though that is not a bad thing.  I am trying to train my children in a way that they can be used by God throughout their lives.  If you are challenged and encouraged by this devotional from Lysa TerKeurst at Proverbs 31 Ministries, I recommend that you visit their site and sign up to receive their daily devotions.  I hope this encourages and challenges you other moms as it has me...

I Don't Want to Raise Successful Children

19 Nov 2009

Lysa TerKeurst

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

I don't want to raise successful children. That's a shocking thing to read, and a shocking thing for a mother to type. So, let me clarify.

I used to define success according to my child's report card. Good grades and academic achievement would surely equal a good child with great potential in this world. But then several of my children wound up being average students with average grades. Though we carted them off to tutors and spent many a late night at the kitchen table helping them, they remained average. And I remained concerned and frustrated.

One report card day I found myself facedown in the fibers of my carpet crying and wonderi ng, "Where have I gone wrong as a mom?"

I dug into Scriptures. I begged God for wisdom and discernment. I prayed for God's perspective with each of my kids. Finally, one day it dawned on me - what if I simply chose to embrace the natural bent of each of my kids as God's way to protect them and keep them on the path toward His best plans for their lives?

What if my A student needs academic success to prepare her for God's plans while my average to below-average student needs to be steered away from a more academic future? What if my sports star kid needs that athletic excellence for his future assignments by God, but my benchwarmer kid is being protected from getting off course by her lack in this area?

And that's when it finally dawned on me. My job isn't to push success for my kids. My job as a parent is to recognize the unique way God created each child and point them to Jesus at every turn along their journey toward adulthood. Yes, I wan t my kids to learn and thrive and grow up educated, but it's not a flaw in me or them if they don't have straight A report cards and trophy cases full of sports medals.

Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (NIV).

I am challenged to ponder these words, "… in the way he should go." Are we training our kids that the "way he should go" is to chase worldly achievement or to chase God? Whatever they learn to chase as a child, they will chase as adults. Therefore, we must be challenged to honestly assess the way we are pointing them to go.

My daughter, Hope, is one of my average students. She has also warmed many a bench in the sports she's tried, and can always be found hiding on the back row of the stage during school concerts. Using the world's benchmarks for achievement, Hope wouldn't be seen as a child positioned for success. But God…

This past January, my 15 year old Hope, shocked me when she announced she wanted to go to Ethiopia with some missionary friends of ours and live in the remote African bush for the summer. Yes, she may not have trophies and straight A report cards but she does have a heart of gold. And because she's not entrenched in sports and academic pursuits that could have created obligations for her summer, she was free to go to Africa. Free to chase God in a really big way.

One of the first e-mails she sent me from Ethiopia read, "Mom, I've fallen in love with the AIDS orphanage children. They rushed at me when I held my arms out and I tried with all my might to hold all 30 of them at once. I love it here."

Now, don't get me wrong. I do expect Hope to return to her studies this fall, give 100% effort, and finish her high school career having done her very best. She will most likely then go to college. But she probably won't be delivering the valedictorian address or wearing the honors cords and medals. She'll be the on e with a vision of a dying AIDS orphan pressing against her heart ready to chase God's plans to the ends of the earth.

So back to my original statement, I don't want to raise successful children. It's true, I don't. Though Hope's sister coming behind her is an A student and can always be found on the front row of school performances - we don't chase after success for her either. I trust God that she needs those things in her life for the plans He's unfolding in her life. We train with that bent in mind. But, we don't chase it. Just like Hope, we point her in the direction of God at every turn and pray like crazy.

I stand by what I said and I'll say it again, I don't want to raise successful children. Because--- raising God-honoring adults who will set the world on fire for Christ is just so much more rewarding.


Dear Lord, being a mom is a really tough job. Please help me, teach me and show me how to define success for my kids. In J esus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:

Spend some time specifically praying for your kids today and ask the Lord how you can train them according to the way He created them.


Reflections:

What worries about my kids do I need to ask the Lord for His perspective?
How should I define success for my kids?

Power Verses:

2 John 1:4, "It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us." (NIV)

Matthew 19:14, "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" (NIV)

Computer Geek Cuties

Katie loves her computer games...

and now, Austin does, too!

He looks so innocent...

but he didn't tell you that he had to be very sneaky

to play Katie's computer game without her knowledge or consent!

"Shared" Computer time...

They were both having so much fun!

The "computer stare"...

I guess our kids were bound to be computer geeks

at an early age...I mean, look at us! ;)

$20 for 10!

For my "local" readers...

Until November 22 (or until supplies last), you can bring 10 canned items or 10 non-perishable food items to the Bel-Air Mall customer service desk (in front of Sears) and receive a $20.00 mall gift card.  What a great way to help local food banks for the upcoming holidays, while getting a little extra spending money for those last few Christmas gifts! 

My only suggestion is that you try to make it at an "odd" time of day (not lunch time or around 5pm), unless you want to wait in a pretty hefty line. :)

Free LeapFrog Board Book

I don't know about you, but we're having to be more frugal than ever this year for Christmas!  I've been keeping my eyes and ears open for any kind of good deal that we can use for the upcoming holidays.  Here's one quick freebie that I just found for all of you with young children...

If you have any of the leapfrog products (which most of us do), go http://www.leapfrog.com/freebookfamilyfun to register and receive a free educational board book.  If you order now, it will probably be here just in time for a gree {FREE} stocking stuffer!!

Not Me! Monday

I have not spent almost two weeks stuck in the house with sick children, and it's definitely not "getting to me" now. 

I am not so far behind on my to-do list that I don't know if I will ever get it all done in time.  But I am still going to try... ;)

I am not on a couponing kick right now...trying to save all of the money I can for our family.  I'm still learning how to get the best deals...but you have to start somewhere, right?

We did not take practically everything out of our attic this past weekend, go through it all, organize it all {including the kids' clothing}, and begin to sell everything we didn't use or need, to give us some extra money to finish off our Christmas shopping this year.  And I did not thoroughly enjoy going through everything and the end result in the attic!  Spring cleaning a little early, I suppose?

In between getting Austin well from his double ear infections/cold/sore throat and having Katie and Mark get sick, we were able to get some pictures of the kids and a pretty decent family picture (with no one behind the camera), and I posted about it here (just in case you didn't see it earlier).  WOW!  That {never} happens.

What about you?  Anything you want to 'fess up from the past week?  Want to read more "Not Me" posts?  Head over to MckMama's for more!

Escapees!

With all of the sickness going through our household the past couple of weeks, when everyone felt good yesterday, I took advantage of it!  We were all tired of being stuck inside, so we escaped (the house) and took a ride to the botanical gardens in hopes to take a few pictures of Katie (belated 3 year old pictures), and *maybe* even an updated family picture.  When we arrived, we realized that there was a wedding taking place, so we didn't spend much time there.  However, in the few minutes we had, we did get a few pictures that I thought I'd share...

Mark with the kiddos

My precious Katie, sporting her new headband (she stole from Sydney LOL)

Chheeeesssssseeeee!

Our happy family :)

Unfortunately, a few hours after our outing, Katie started running a very high fever, so we're back to house arrest for a while.  Hopefully soon we'll all be well again and can once again ESCAPE (the house, that is)!  Until then, I hope you enjoy the new pictures :)

Overdue...

I really haven't been purposely avoiding my blog this week.  Honestly, I have missed having time (and pictures) to post to my blog for my enjoyment {and yours}.  So, an explanation and update blog post is much overdue.

After completing Katie's exciting birthday party last Friday night, and enjoying Saturday with my sister and family, my sweet boy started feeling under the weather.  We had to miss church on Sunday, and by Monday morning there was no question about it...we were headed to the doctor.  Poor guy had severe double ear infections, a sore throat, a head cold, and imerging teeth.  Needless to say, I've had a very clingy, cranky, little boy to tend to this week.  It's now Friday, and I think he is finally making progress on recovering.  And I am ever so ready to have my {normal} Austin back!  Unfortunately, my sweet hubby is sick now, so we're taking care of him and praying for him to be well soon, too.

With all of the sickness (and crankiness that goes with it), we haven't been able to do much for the last week.  I think we're all stir-crazy from being stuck inside...I know I am!  And I don't even have any new pictures that I can post for you right now.  But that will be changing very soon, if I have anything to say about it {which I do}.

I have a few new advertising ventures that are in the works, and I am thrilled about them!  You will soon see links on here to a few online stores that will be using my photography to advertise their products.  I love the thoughts of being able to "trade" products for services that will help advertise both parties!!  I'll be posting more as this is underway, but I'm thrilled.

I can't end this 'overdue' post without telling you something funny from our week...

Katie was "cooking" for Mark the other evening.  She found a plum to cook, and she decided she needed to put butter on it.  So, she asked, "Daddy, do you want to try it?"  Mark answered, "I like plums, but the butter is a little over the top."  To which Katie promptly replied, "It's okay, Daddy, I can put some butter on the bottom, too."

Gotta love that "literal" interpretation from kids...

Advertisement

I don't {usually} mention my photography here on my family blog, but today I'm going to make an exception!  God has given me a love for photography, at least a {little} talent and a learning mind, and a few necessary items to give me the opportunity to help supplement a little income for our family, allowing me to stay at home with our children.  And I am ever so grateful! 

The past year, I didn't do a lot of "publicizing" my {hobby} photography since I had a newborn, but he has grown {too fast, as always}, and I'm ready to dive in with my work!  This is where you come in...

• My prices are low {because I am a one-income family, and I know how frugal one must be with their money...and memories aren't something I'd like to cut-out.}
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So, is there really any reason {not} to spread the word?  I can't think of any!  So, here's what you can do...

1. Book your own appointment
2. Tell your friends/family about my photography
3. Receive credits toward your next appointment/order for every referral that makes an appointment
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Thanks for listening to my "advertisement"...and now...back to what you really visit my blog for...pictures of the kids ;)

Under the Sea

We celebrated "Under the Sea" with Katie turning three on Friday.  It was a lot of extra preparation for me this year, as we decided to have the party at our house and, of course, make her cake.  But it was so much fun!  My mom, Ricky, Gabe, and Megan travelled down on Thursday and were able to help occupy the kids while the cake was baked.  Then, Heather, Kyle, and sweet Sydney came late Thursday evening (after the kids were sleeping).  So, I had lots of help on Friday to get everything ready for the party!  Mark even took off work to help me get all of the last minute details handled. 

We decorated the dining room for the party while the kids napped, so when Katie got up from her nap, she was thrilled at all that she saw!!  This was the first party that we really "decorated".  It was much easier to decorate a smaller area than it would have been to have the party at the church again.  That was one of my main reasons for wanting to have the party here.  And, we think it turned out pretty well...

Several of Katie's friends were unable to come, but she still had a great time!  She and her friends played, colored, tried pinning the flower on Ariel, and loved the Under the Sea ring toss.  More than anything, they enjoyed their time together (and the cake, of course).  The kids were begging for cake from the beginning, so we quickly ate our pizza and started to serve the cake!  But not before the "birthday song" and candles...

And, of course, Katie had {too many} exciting gifts to open and enjoy from all of her sweet family and friends.  It was a great party!  I'm not going to say that I wasn't absolutely exhausted after it was all said and done, but it was worth it every time I saw the excitement in Katie's eyes and heard her {many} "Thank you for my birthday party, Mommy!"  You're welcome, Sweetheart!  We love you, and we will be looking forward to celebrating again with you next year :)

THREE.

On November 6, 2006

we welcomed

a miracle of God

into our hearts

and lives

forever.

You were born at 7:26am, weighing 5lbs 9oz and 18 1/2" long, and absolutely perfect in every way.  You had our hearts as soon as you were welcomed into this world, and you always will.  Every year gives us more and more reasons to love you.  We are so glad God chose us to be your Mommy and Daddy. 

Your "birth" day

Your 1st Birthday

Your 2nd Birthday

Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweet Princess!

At 3 years old you...

are over 38" tall.

weigh {at least} 30lbs.

still have one very cute dimple.

love to play pretend with practically anything.

are a {super fast} runner!

love helping Mom clean the house.

are a great helper in putting away laundry.

love reading your books

and finding more books from the library.

are loving homeschool this year!!

speak like a 5 year old much of the time.

really enjoy snuggle time with Mommy and Daddy now.

have fun playing with (and sometimes teasing) your brother.

will do anything that involves being outside!

really enjoy painting, and you do a fantastic job!!

are learning memory verses left and right.

are in big girl Sunday School and Children's Church now.

still enjoy your movies a lot.

absolutely adore any kind of stuffed animals.

have so much fun playing dress-up.

are loved beyond measure.

have grown so quickly these past 3 years.

will never grow up too much to sit and snuggle with me.

are my baby...my Princess...and

You are THREE!!

Wordless Wednesday

{enjoying the fall weather}

Blessing versus Cursing

I was reading in my "Mothers of Preschoolers" devotional this morning and was challenged, so I'm going to share it with you.  It's a simple devotional, but oh, I have so much work to do in this area!  I don't use the particular sayings listed below, but I do know that there are many times that I get frustrated and speak about or to Katie in anger, not love and patience.  I find myself wishing that "this stage will pass", but you know...that isn't what I really want.  My little girl is growing up too fast as it is.  I instead need to be diligent in praying that out of my mouth comes blessings to my children, that my patience and wisdom grow daily, and that God directs my path continually as I try to direct my children to Him.

"From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing."  James 3:10

'How many times do I have to tell you?'

'Children are to be seen and not heard.'

'Oh, Johnny is a good boy...when he is sleeping.'

'Sit down!'

'Don't chew with your mouth open.'

'Sit like a lady.'

These sayings will pierce the hearts of young children  when they continually hear belittling comments or corrections stemming from anger and frustration.  We have heard it takes ten positive comments to refute one negative comment.

God gives us one mouth that we can use to speak blessings or curses over our children.  None of us would admit that we intentionally speak curses over our children, but every time we belittle, demean, or speak words of correction out of anger and not love, we are cursing them.

Instead, we can look to w hat the Lord says to us and about us.  For example, we are His children, loved and chosen for the purpose of glorifying Him in all we say and do.  We are coheirs with Christ, saved, and blessed.  We can correct our children with patience, love, kindness, and God's truth.  We can remind our children--and ourselves--of these truths with words of blessing versus cursing.

Lord, please guard my mouth to speak words of blessing

to my children.  Help me to hear Your words of blessing

and then speak those blessings to my children.

Peek into our Everyday Joys...

I know I haven't done my "Not Me! Monday" posts in a couple of weeks, and I had every intention of posting one today.  But, when I saw all of the pictures and updates that I had to post of the kids, I decided a normal post would work best.  So...ENJOY your peek into our everyday joys!

In case there was any doubt, I can confirm that our sweet boy loves to eat {anything}!  This week he pitifully begged for an apple {since his sister had one}, and sat with it for a good 30 minutes trying to get pieces off with his 4 pearly whites.  Considering he only has 4 teeth, I think he did pretty good for his first {whole} apple.  And, a picture wouldn't be complete without Katie's "cheese" grin.  Every time she sees the camera come out, she poses.  I've created a monster picture-loving girl!!

Austin's new *favorite* activity {besides wearing shoes that are much to big for his feet} is brushing his teeth.  I'm not sure why, unless he's using it as a "teether".  But, after I finish brushing his teeth, I let him try for a few minutes...and he's so excited...until I have to take it away {because he starts running and playing, and I don't want him hurt}.  Then I see this pitiful face...

And, though Austin loves his shoes and toothbrush, he has another love.  And, because I only owned {one} and could not easily share it with *both* kids, we had to purchase 2 additional brooms for our household...one broom for Katie and one broom for Austin {just their size}.  Who would have thought they'd want brooms???  Maybe my kitchen floors will be cleaner now?  Katie definitely tries to sweep {several times per day} just like Mommy.  Poor Austin was so exhausted from sweeping the floors at Target, that he came home and crashed on his favorite chair to rest and drink his milk...but not without his broom!

This week we also took Katie to her first dentist appointment.  She was so excited about getting to go to the dentist office!  She knew that if she did good, she'd get surprises from the dentist and a picture on a tiger or an elephant (her choice).  What kid wouldn't want that?  She went right in as I sat with Austin in the fun waiting room, but after about 15 minutes, I was called back.  Katie had gotten nervous and would not open her mouth.  She said she was afraid of the mirror that they were putting in her mouth {of all the things to be nervous about, huh?}  So, Austin and I sat beside her, and she did great!!  The dentist said Katie had beautifully perfect teeth that sparkled like diamonds.  That thrilled Katie to hear!  Hopefully her next trip will be even better, since she knows it is nothing to be scared of.  Here is her picture from the dentist.  Notice, she chose the tiger!  She told them that she wanted her picture with the "Roll Tide Tiger" LOL...she's a little confused, but she enjoyed it nonetheless... ;)  And we're proud of our big girl!

After the dentist trip, Austin was absolutely exhausted!  He immediately fell asleep on the dragon chair and did not move, regardless of all of the noise Katie and I made while preparing and eating our lunch.  Sweet, tired boy...

And, finally, Katie and I are still chugging right along with our homeschooling this year.  We're focusing on letters...recognizing the letters, the sounds the letters make, and attempting to write the letters.  She's learning so much!  The other day, she surprised me by telling me what time it was!  We haven't even focused on her number recognization yet, much less how to read a clock!  I think I have a Mrs. Einstein in my house...but then again, I may be a little partial.  She loves homeschooling, and we always find time for fun activities...like this.  This is Katie sponge-painting her fall tree.  Isn't it beautiful?  Painting is one of her favorite activities right now, and we use that to our advantage often in homeschooling! 

This week my beautiful daughter will be turning 3!  I cannot believe it has already been that long.  So, look for a special birthday post for her later this week.  We have lots to do to prepare for our family coming in town and her special "Under the Sea" birthday party!  I promise to post plenty of pictures to make up for the lack of posts this week... ;)