dear lincoln. {you are one}

[I began the tradition of writing a letter to each of my children on their birthday.]

Dear Lincoln Wayne,

It's your birth date. One year ago exactly you came into this world--the doctor tried to tell you when to come, but even with being induced, you were coming on your own. The moment you entered this world, you brought me and your daddy so.much.joy. Being the third child, I can't ramble off your birth stats, I'd have to look them up if you asked. But you know what? My love for you is just as deep and wide as for your sisters. You see, being a boy, you are probably going to be judged a lot on your stats. How many goals you made. How many dunks you made. How far did you run. How many laps did you get in. I want you to know, I will never base my love for you on your stats. I don't even care if you have stats. My love for you is immeasurable. What I want you to know most and understand most is grace. That no matter what you do, my love for you, your daddy's love for you, and most importantly, God's love for you is never-ending or changing. Grace. Write that word on your heart.

We just finished up your first birthday party. Buster (that's what we call you), you are loved. Like, seriously, loved. I didn't do a head count (remember, stats aren't important), but there were so many at our home to celebrate you turning one. Being that your daddy loves having a boy and he's a crazy IU fan, we went with an IU Basketball themed party. We gave away IU cards autographed by you, in case you know, you become famous for being some big basketball player. The thing is, you may absolutely love basketball (you do love balls in general) or you may not. And that's okay. We want you do to what your heart desires with the gifts God gives you.

You got so tickled when we sung Happy Birthday to you. 

Cupcakes made like the shape of Indiana. Now that's some love. Your cake was made by your Aunt Allie and my good friend, Debbie. See how cool it is to be able to use the gifts God gives you to help and encourage others?!

Not only did we have your party today on your actual birth date, we also dedicated you to the Lord at church. Dedication is a fun day--lots of family come to church to see this event, you wore the sweetest little outfit that used to be your daddy's that your Great-Granny made. But those are just layers that can be stripped away, the core of us dedicating you to the Lord, is to do just that--we made a public commitment to raise you up in the admonition of God, we pray that one day you will have a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. And remember that word grace? We pray that you will truly understand it.

Lincoln, we love you so. We love how you let your sisters touch you and try to pick you up and pat you, and for the most part, you let them do that. I love how you try to make a car sound when you are playing with your toy truck. I love how you want to be outside all the time. I love how you say "a dog a dog a dog" over and over. I love how you snuggle. You were our first baby that actually liked to be rocked and it's the sweetest thing. I love how your favorite food is homemade calzones that we make every Friday night for family fun night. I love your dimpled smile and five tooth grin. I love you so and
I look forward to many many more "Dear Lincoln" letters to you, as we watch you grow.

Love,

Your Mama.

fairy party.

I'm not going to lie, I love that the girls' birthdays are just two weeks apart. That means I can combine their party and have a lot of fun with it. I'm kind of ridiculous too in the sense that I start thinking about their party way way ahead, say springtime. This past spring I came across a super adorable fairy cupcake set at TJ Maxx, that was not Disney Tinkerbell.  [I love that store. Probably too much.] And within the same week I saw some "decorate your own wings" at Michael Craft Store. (I didn't buy them then, and ended up purchasing them through Amazon.) After agreement from Audrey, we were set on a fairy party.

Of course, even though I start planning in my head months early, I usually don't do hands-on planning till the week before. I scored this Fairy book at a garage sale this past summer for a dollar. I used the beautiful whimsical fairy pictures for the invitations, which the girls helped make, and for a pendent banner to hang.

The kiddos decorated their own wings and wand. The day of the party I thought about having them put "fairy dust" on their cupcakes, but I didn't have sprinkles (beside chocolate) on hand that would work. Ah well, it was still a lot of fun!

I think my favorite part were the pictures I hung of each of the girls. I spray painted some frames from the Dollar Tree pink and added a picture from birth and each of their birthdays since--so Naomi had two pictures and Audrey had three. 

The girls Gamma (Andrew's mom) made the sweetest fairy outfits for them. But I didn't manage to get a good picture of them all dressed up, I still need to do that! I did get one of each of the girls before the party started, but Audrey was just wearing her pre-party outfit. 

It was a fairy good party. [har har har, I couldn't resist.]

Happy 2nd Birthday Naomi Fae and 4th Birthday Audrey Rose! 

P.S. Lincoln napped the entire time during the party. He is already trying to ignore all things girly.

today you are two. {naomi fae}

[I've decided every birthday to write a letter to each of my children. A letter that reveals strengths and weaknesses. Details I don't want to forget. And my prayers for them.]

My Dearest Naomi Fae,

Today you are two. An age that is usually negatively labeled as the "terrible-twos." But I don't see that with you. I see hope. And growth. {And tantrums, but mainly growth and excitement}. I think you have been waiting for this age. The last six months have been challenging for you {and me}. When you were 17 months we sold our home and moved in with your Gramps until our new house was ready.  Then at 18 months we welcomed your baby brother into our family. And at 19 months we moved into our forever home. Those months my sweet child, were a time where your boat was rocked. You only wanted your paci, blankie, and your mama. Then at 20 months we took your paci away and 21 months moved you to your big girl bed. You did remarkably well at both. Low and behold you wanted to potty train just shy of 22 months. All of this in six months. You know what this tells me about you? You are strong, even at your young age. When hard times strike, you are going to be a rock. I pray that you carry this quality with you all through your life.

In the last few months, your language skills just took off. We weren't sure when you were going to begin talking, you tend to be on the quiet side, compared to your sister. {And that's totally okay.} Now though, you talk in full sentences. Your favorite phrases begin with "I want..." and "I do it 'self." You are independent to no end. You want to be able to take off your clothes (which you can mostly do) and dress yourself. You don't want to hold my hand in a parking lot and you climb everything. Which sometimes gives me a little heart attack on playgrounds.

You have determination. And I pray that it takes you far in life, but I also pray that you don't expect perfection. And you learn to let others help you, just as I know you will help them. I know this all too well, because I'm the same way.

I call you my "spit-fire," dear. You keep me on my toes. You've been known to rip books, write on walls, take your dirty panties off and try to clean them yourself in the potty, draw on your body, get in cat litter, wipe baby ointment all over your face, spray your face with (natural) bathroom cleaner, and eat old found food...to name a few. I have a feeling this is only the beginning with you. But do know, I will love you forever and always no matter what.

You adore your sister. When you wake up from nap, usually the first words that come out of your mouth are you asking for Audrey. You share a room with her, which I pray helps plant a bond between you two that will continue to grow throughout the years. Just the other day, I was told at preschool you didn't want to get on the firetruck at first, but when sister encouraged you, you went with her. Be each other's encouragers, ok? Believe it or not, you adore your brother as well. My favorite is when you go up to him with your squeaky two year old voice and say "buster-boo!" I don't think you have gone a day without kissing on him. I have a feeling you two are going to have a lot in common.

Your favorite things right now are coloring, Dora, babies, and books. Oh, how you love to love on your babies. You nurse them, wrap them in blankets, and push them in the stroller.

Even though you are only two, I have already thought about your future. What kind of driver will you be in high school? What will you study? Will you stay around or move away? These are fun things to dream about. But in the end, none of it matters to me. My prayer is that you know the love of Jesus and that you demonstrate this love to others. That compassion is written on your sleeve. I love you more than anything, and His love for you is even beyond that. Crazy, huh?

You are beautiful inside and out. I cherish the moments you tell me to "suggle wit du." (snuggle with you) And when I can just look at you with a big smile and your pretty smile flashes right back at me. How you ask for a high five. And your new favorite thing to say is "I'm a monster!" And you kind of are, I'm not going to lie. But a cute one at that.

I'm so thankful that God created you exactly the way you are. He knows all the hairs on your head, and girl, you were born with a lot!

Welcome to two, sweet baby.

Love, Your Mama.

{Naomi photo overload is about to happen, but not really, because you can't really overload with pictures of her. I'm her mom, I can say that, but it's also truth.}

twenty-eight.

Today I'm another year older. And I do believe, you grow wiser with each year as well. [In fact, older women (and men) are so intriguing to me and the stories they have to share about their long-lived life.]

Twenty-eight is going to be good, I think. I don't wish to be younger and I don't want to wish away my days to be older. I want to live for now and be in the moment [at twenty-eight].

I'm incredibly blessed.

That's all.

bow obsession.

My birthday is on Saturday, so naturally I have been spending my late evening hours exploring Etsy, when really I should be sleeping, but you know, sleep is overrated. [Actually, it's not and a miss it so much, but then I look at my newborn and think the lack of sleep is totally, totally worth it.] [Also, in case you are wondering, I will be 28. A very plain number. And yes, Audrey's, Naomi's, and my birthday are all in October.]

I like bows. I like their girly-ness and how they remind me of childhood and the age of innonence.

So, when my friend, Kylie, sent me this link to a super cute bow bag, I had to have it. I just ordered the diaper bag for my birthday. Diaper bags that don't look like diaper bags, rock. [Isn't it awesome when friends just know your taste?]

How cute is this? And it's all mine [insert evil laugh here].

source: Peace.Love.N.Polkadots

Here are my other bow wants.

Source: Clementine's Jewelry

Source: Bed Buggs Boutique

Source: Chou Chou Bijoux

Now you have a slight bow obsession, right? 

Strawberries and Cupcakes.

I have fifty different things I need to be doing right now while Audrey sleeps. BUT instead, here I am. And I have two things to share that made me happy today:

1) I love my town. Especially when it gets warm out. Today we went to the Strawberry Shortcake Festival in our Downtown. There was music. Strawberries (duh). And LOTS and LOTS of kids. Andrew even took his lunch break to come visit with us. It was super sweet [both the food and Andrew].

2) I went to Michael's today to find crafty things to do. And I walked away with lots of fun stuff for Audrey's birthday. [Wait, you ask, when is her birthday? Um, not for another 5 months. Is it wrong to start planning this early? Okay, don't answer that.] In the dollar section I found the perfect theme-- CUPCAKES! I got napkins, plates, stamps (so I can make the invitations), thank you cards, ribbon, and the most adorable favors. The cupcakes in the picture open up to stick fun favors in! I am getting giddy just looking at the picture.