Happy Easter

Happy Easter! I hope you all have been enjoying the day with your love ones and went to church today. Our church service went great. The youth had mini dramas in between the Cantata.. Everything was so beautiful with the lilies all around the sanctuary. I love Easter... The meaning is what means the most to me.. Also, Gracie was only 4 days old, at Easter time 2 years ago. I cant believe how time fly's. I'm so reminded of that today as I was reminiscing through FB pictures. I reminisce a lot it seems around holidays because I love to see how much Gracie has grown.

Gracie's 1st Easter 2009

She was a handful getting ready this morning, she did not want to get dressed, wear her shoes, wear her pearls... The list goes on and on. Many people dont understand how hard it is getting a 2 year old moving... Plus since Stephen is the Pastor- I have to do it all alone! She refused to wear her pretty white shoes but instead wanted- NEEDED to wear her flip flops (which would not have went with the dress. HA) I had to put her socks and shoes on 2 times because I found her with no shoes on. Then, I really wanted to get a pic of her in her pretty Easter dress.. I had to bribe her. She was already mad at me over the shoes thing so she wanted her binky (pacifier) and baby! Well, I told her if you smile for one picture I will give them to you.

This is what I got:

I only got one good one.. Isn't her fake smile so cute:)

The Binky and the Baby she HAD to have

Me and Gracie Girl...

Opening her Easter basket.

Here Come's Peter Cotton Tail

I love this time of the year. I love SPRING:) So far this month there has been non stop parties and Easter Egg hunts (Gracie's new Favorite Thing).


This week, we got away for a few days and visited my mom. She lives on a farm and has so many animals. Gracie's loves her Mamaw to pieces and likewise with my mom. They are like two peas in a pod. I seriously think Gracie may be a Veterinarian when she grows up because of her deep - mean deep love for animals. While we were visiting my mom took us over to the neighbors who have goats. One particular goat named Godiva followed us while we were leaving... As you know goats make a crying sound and to Gracie she actually thought it was crying for its Mama.. Gracie could not leave the goats side and was so overcome with emotions for the poor goat that she began to cry.. It was precious and really made me smile!!


Here are a few pictures from our Barnyard Adventure (Gracie fell in the little pond too) and some from our MOM's Club Easter Play date:)

Godiva the sweet little goat...

MOM'S Club Easter Play Date:

The Aftermath of opening the eggs

Birthdays & Bunnies

Birthday parties are always so much fun! I love anything crafty and anything that needs planning. I think it works out well for Stephen because I help him plan a lot of church things- then decorate for them.. Since before Gracie was born I have been dreaming of what her birthdays would be like. To some this may sound crazy but I actually plan and try to get everything bought and made 2-3 months in advance. I don't do her parties for "show" I just want whats best for my baby girl! 


Last year for her 1 year old party we did a Minnie mouse theme. She loves(d) Mickey & Minnie then and really was into the "Hotdog" dance so I thought it was fitting for her. My mom wanted to start a tradition where she made her cake each year. Last year she did a Mouseketeer doll cake (too cute)...

Her Sweet 1 year old cake

Look how little

Her cute little invitation

This year we thought it would be great since her she was born around Easter- to do a Bunny themed party. I wanted to do something big since I'm a part of the MOMS Club and I needed space too. So we had her party at the Splash Park in Alachua. It was a huge hit and over 50 people were there to celebrate. Gracie had so much fun playing with her friends and opening her presents (which she was very blessed with an over abundance) 

Refreshment, Anyone?

I have a daily devotional book that I just love. Every time, I open it to the day I'm supposed to read- the Lord speaks to me in some way!


Todays topic was on being tired, and weary. Going to bed last night- I was extremely tired and weary. Not from physical labor but as the book stated Mental tiredness. The sin I least like to share with people is my problem with :worry:.. It can consume you and totally tear you down... Fear is another thing that adds to the worry because it to can tear down your mind... I love the verse for yesterday so much:

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. 

Jeremiah 31:25

I love that everyday is a new day.. I love how the Lord can refresh me and make me new a woman each day... 

Worry is something I have struggled with for a looong time. Being a mom has added to my stress.. you may feel the same way... I worry- "Is she getting enough to eat" - "Will she get sick before her party" and list goes on. To top it off, Stephen has been severely sick this week with a stomach flu and all that happened last year with Gracie came flooding back into my thoughts... I had to as the verse says remind myself to trust in the Lord...

Are you fainting today from weariness? Are you carrying a burden of guilt or fear or worry? Invite the Savior to refresh your soul... 

I love this picture because this is how I feel when I speak to Jesus.... I feel like a weight has been lifted and my troubles are no more... Like cold water being poured over me- I feel like me again!

Thankful Thursdays!!

 I still cant believe that as of 6:35pm I will be a mom to a 2 year old... Its crazy, I remember her being this little baby that really needed me- now she's independent and very determined to do things on her own. I Love this little person she's becoming:)


I try to every Thursday write what I'm most thankful for this week... 

Top Ten things I'm Thankful for today:

1. Today marking 2 years of Gracie's sweet life and the love she has brought into our hearts

2. Me and Gracie NOT getting Stephen's Stomach Flu- Thank you, LORD


3. For Stephen- This week I have did a lot of the parenting on my own and let me tell you I'm TIRED!! (I don't know how single moms do you it- You are amazing)

4. Music- I love singing, and dancing- especially when Gracie is right there with me singing along!


5. My mom- who has took up the challenge of not only making Gracie's Birthday cake- but also making cookies, candies, and outfits for her..

6. Thankful for Facebook- even though it can be annoying sometimes- I love how I can connect with people on a daily bases and show them my love for the Lord.


7. I'm thankful for my house being messy - because I have a sweet little girl who loves to play. So many moms only wish for the "Mess" I have everyday!


8. I'm thankful for our dog Bella- she helps fill that void of a sibling for Gracie until were ready. She has always been a wonderful dog and is very patient when Gracie tries to ride her... LOL

9. I thankful that we own a home, 2 vehicles, and have food on the table each night. So many times we get caught up in "wants" but forget what right in front of us!

10. This month "April" isn't about -Candy- or the -Easter Bunny- although I do give Gracie a basket full of candy and a little chick--- The meaning of Easter is Jesus Christ's victory over death. His resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Him. I thank Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins and taking my place. 

My Baby girl is almost :2:

 This is a very special week for us! In 2 days our sweet girl will be "2" I can hardly believe it. When you first get pregnant people are -ALWAYS- telling you "They grow up so fast" but your new at this and really dont believe them. I mean can a baby really grow "that" fast. 

8 months Pregnant at my baby shower

 They are so right. What is sad is I look at her and then look at newborns and can not remember her being that small at all. Its almost like a blur.... I do remember though the days leading up to her birth.. I remember being so tired, because I couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep and wished and hoped and prayed that the DR would induce me... never even thinking about a possibility of C-section--- Ever! I went into the hospital at 10pm on 4/6 and did not progress at all- They gave me potocin for over 18 hours until they finally said "Your gonna need a c-section or we'll send you home".. This was Gracie's actual due Date 4/7/09

Signing my life away- haha!

 The "Sending me home part" was not happening - with all that medication in me and my aunt having lost her baby from being sent home it was not an option. I was soo soo hungry, tired, uncomfortable- SCARED! I said okay- and away I went (without Stephen, my rock) They had a hard time getting the IV in me right and they had a hard time doing the spinal... I had never had surgery before so being wheeled into an operating room was the scariest most exciting moment of my life.. Stephen finally came in all dressed in scrubs and there I was ready to meet my "Gracie Girl"... I remember the doctors talking about what they had for lunch or what they were doing that weekend.. haha I felt like screaming- STOP TALKING haha focus on me but to them it wasnt a big deal:)

Her first cry!

 I also remember telling the Doctors to make sure she was still a "girl" haha... Then my dr says "she has lots of black hair"- this made me smile oh so much!! Then I heard the most sweetest sound: Her cry! People who have had children told us that it is an amazing experience and its hard to describe- in that moment I understood what they meant... Its almost surreal this wonderful feeling you get... This long awaited little person is now here that you and your husband created- one word "AMAZING".... I immediately started bawling - yes bawling-- I was so overjoyed that I couldnt control it :) Because of my blood pressure and being SO drugged I didnt see Gracie for over 5 hours! Then when I saw her it was love- sweet love!!!

Meeting my Gracie Girl for the first time

People ask me so are you ready for another one- I feel like saying can you have it for me!! haha!! It was a huge ordeal but I wouldn't change it for a second... The Lord blessed me with more than I had ever imagined in Gracie. She is such the perfect mix of Stephen and I. 

Love you, baby girl!

I'm so very thankful that the Lord chose me to be her mom... I'm so proud of the little girl she's becoming and I look forward to the years when we are Best Friends like I am with my mom!

I will always love you!

Here's to the best 2 years of my life and many more to come. We love you so so much, Gracie girl! 


Happy 2nd Birthday!




Love Always, 


Kim


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