Gracie's Birthday Party (part 1)

You'd be hard pressed to find a little girl who loves her birthday more than Gracie.  Of course, every child loves her special day.  Gracie just takes it to another level...of course, Gracie takes everything to another level! :)

I have tons of pics to post from this party.  It was pulled together in 2 days, and was everything Miss Gracie had imagined. 

The party was at a "pretend play" place.  Everyone seemed to have a good time... young and old!




Richard worked hard on the Lincoln logs!

The boys found a checker's game.

And Gracie found a stage!  Go figure!!






Of course, we had to do the Frozen theme again!














Happy Birthday to you...


Happy Birthday to you...


Happy Birthday...



to Gracie...



Happy Birthday....


to you....


Ahhhhh......




Gracie had to steal Olaf's teeth :)


I know there are way too many pics here, but I just can't help it.  I don't ever want to forget how excited she gets when we sing "Happy Birthday" to her... So fun!

My goal is to finish blogging April by the end of May!  I know I'm behind, but wow has life been busy!!  So good....but SO busy!! 

Easter

Easter was a little different this year since Bryce and I left for Florida Easter afternoon. I don't even have a pic of all my kiddos together because we were scattered (like these posts).

No pics of Easter baskets this year...no pics of the Easter egg hunt... oh well.  :)

Disney Band Trip

I was able to spend spring break with about 300 band kids in Disney!

I have to say...We had a blast! I loved spending time with my boy.

Our group actually grew every day...I'm sure that's because we're such great moms :)  lol...

  
Thunder Mountain Railroad


Gotta love teenagers!  These were my partners in crime.


China


Couldn't help but think about my girls and how much they will love going one day :)   



Class of 2014!!!


This would be Wesleigh's teacher!  She was my roomie too :)  Yes...you should be afraid!!

Following all those teens around Disney is hard work.  This is Ashley...sleeping in a booth at the restaurant.


But in all fairness...this is me sleeping in the hallway during our 3:00-5:00am chaperoning duty :)






Had to take a pic of Anna and Elsa.  The girls would have died!






Truly, this trip was one of the most fun things I've done as a mom.  Our boys were so sweet and wanted to hang out with us the whole time.  What a blessing to get to spend the time with my graduate!!

Gracie is SIX!!

I cannot lie...this child absolutely takes my breath away. She is so full of joy at all times.  It is amazing! 


I love this set of images because she was literally doing cartwheels all over the yard 30 seconds before.  I threw the tutu on over her shorts and stuck a headband in her hair!  Her hair is stringy because it was not combed...and I love it.  This is Gracie...a natural beauty.










I won't lie about the other side of Gracie either...maddening!!  lol... There are times that I want to sit on her to get her to stay still!! 

This morning we all went into the girls room and woke them up singing "Happy Birthday" to Gracie.  She sleeps completely covered with her blankets, so as she emerged, it took her about half the song to wake up enough to understand what we were doing.  When it hit her, she got the biggest smile on her face I have ever seen.  It doesn't take much to make her happy... in fact, it doesn't really take anything.  She just is....happy.  She opened a few gifts from us and said "This is the best birthday party...ever!"  We are going to have a party for her, but honestly, I wouldn't have to. 

I pray, somehow, her birthmom knows that she is healthy, thriving, and happy!  I wish, somehow, I could thank her for choosing life for Gracie six years ago.

Senior Prom!

Yes...I have been absent from the Bloggy world for a little while now.  I have had good intentions...and lots to post, but just haven't made myself do it.  Oh well...I'll try to catch up this week.  Yesterday was such a big day, though, that it pulled me right out of my blog funk.

Yesterday was Bryce's SENIOR prom!!  I cannot believe it!  Now graduation is really just around the corner!!  I am so excited for him and so proud of him that it's hard to be sad for myself (although, I am just a little).  He has plans to attend LSU in the fall and live in a dorm on campus.  That is something I never got to experience so I'm excited for him (and maybe living a little vicariously through him :)  He is also planning to try out for the LSU marching band.. I can't wait!

It was supposed to be raining during picture time and I was already stressing.  We lucked out though and the rain held off!  We were able to use my front porch because of the overcast skies, so it was perfect! 


Bryce and Ally


Bryce and Christian.  These two have been in school together since 1st grade!!!  Hard to believe it!  Christian's mom is actually Wesleigh's teacher this year.  I love that they have grown up together!




The group.  One of the girls didn't have a date, so she brought her own :)  Darth was pretty funny.


I love this of the two of them :)

Christian and Emily

Josh and Anna. Anna is a new friend of Bryce's this year. She was a complete God-send for him this year!


I will try to get moving on this blog!  Gracie's birthday is Tuesday, so I will definitely have a post for that :)

Big News!

If you read this blog, you know that I love photography.  I have always had the dream of doing something more with it besides taking pics of my own kiddos, but have never felt like the time was right.  Well...I think the time is right. 

This is what I want to do:

I am going to focus on newborn photography, both in the hospital and after.  This is something I can accomplish during the day when the kiddos are in school.  I have some seniors I am doing also, but my afternoons and weekends are really limited.  I love this newborn photography and am so disappointed that I didn't know how to take these images when my boys were born :(

I am scheduled to take a set of twin boys in the hospital in the next couple of weeks!  I absolutely cannot wait!!!

So...if you're in the area, and know any expecting mommies...send them my way!!

And go check out (and like) my facebook page!!  This little light by Shine Images!!!

Baseball Season Once Again...My Happy Place

Here in the south, baseball is in full swing!  I am happy!!  Braden is on the high school freshman team this year, and Saturday I watched his first high school game.  I'm so proud of him.  He is a great baseball player, but more than that, he's a great leader.  I really see him stepping up to be a leader on that team, and that makes me very happy.

Look at him...all grown up :)  So hard to believe! 

Cade played this weekend also, but he was in a different city so I didn't get to see him.  No worries, he's playing on two different teams this year!  I'll be watching him this weekend.

In true Louisiana fashion, we watched in our flip flops Saturday, but froze yesterday.  That's why my trusty heater and blanket is always in the car!!

(Note the flip flop bag sitting next to the heater...come on spring!!)

BTW...just in case you are wondering, baseball season means laundry season!  Why am I shocked every year at the amount of laundry that comes my way in baseball season??  Oh well...it's worth it!