51!

Today, the two most amazing people I know, will celebrate their 51st Wedding Anniversary together. I am humbled when I think of these two people and what they mean to me. There are no words to express the gratitude and unconditional love I feel towards them.

Mom & Dad - you are the greatest parents a girl could ask for. You and your marriage has been the most amazing models for what I can only hope my life to be.

Mom - thank you for being my best friend, for loving me unconditionally and for all that you do for me, David and our boys.

Daddy - thank you for loving mom the way you do! I am a lucky girl to have a father that loves my mother so completely for 51 years!

Happy 51st Anniversary to you!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is my 36th birthday! Really? 36? Holy Cow! Where did the time go? I don't feel 36. And I'd like to think (at least I hope) - I don't look 36. I still feel like I should be in my 20's. Everyone says age is just a number. Yeah - I don't buy it. I am pretty freaked out about being 4 years away from 40. Who isn't, right? Oh dear... that's another bridge to cross. I serioulsy don't want to think about that.

When I was in my 20's, I thought my life would be different than it is now. I would be single, living in a large city, in a high-rise in downtown (maybe New York City), wearing freshly pressed suits and high heels that coordinated w/my handbag to a fabulous job everyday. Yeah - that would of been great, huh?

Well - that's not what was in store for me. I met the love of my life when I was 20 years old and that was the start of history. We met, fell in love, broke up, and then got back together 6 years later. And 10 years, and 3 boys after that - here we are! I am a stay at home mom, whose clothing rarely coordinates w/anything and this is my suburban life! It has it's great moments, it's up and downs - but it's my life. And I would take it over any other life. I am thankful on my birthday for my incredible husband and my three beautiful, loving boys.

I pray time slows down abit so that I can enjoy the life, the family I have. It seems as I get older - time goes by so much more quickly. I want to savor it and I want to be young enough to be an active part of my boys lives. My 4 boys are my world!

Here's me at 36 years YOUNG

and my sweet (silly) baby, Andy,  he's 3!

Jamie is a Senior!

My babysitter, Jamie, is graduating this coming year. I am so excited for her - but so sad for me. She has been an extraordinary blessing to our family! She started babysitting for us when she was 13. Ben was 3 and Will was almost 1. We have really grown to love her and are so thankful to have her in our lives.

We did Jamie's senior pictures this summer while she was home for break. We had a lot of fun! Alot of locations and alot of outfit changes : )

Here are a few photos from our sessions....

My Pre-Birthday Dinner!

My birthday isn't actually until the 23rd - but my babysitter leaves for school early, so I usually have my get together the weekend before.

We went to Gloria's to eat (one of my fav's) and really had a great time!

Me and my guy.

I am the luckiest girl in the world! He's the greatest husband and bestfriend a girl could ask for.

Me and Misty.

She's one of my oldest and greatest friends. We've been friends since we were 7 years old.

I am so thankful for her and her friendship!

Doug and Grace (newlyweds : ).

I have known Grace since High School and really enjoy her.

So thankful she and her sweet hubby were able to come!

My Neighbors (Paula and Dave Guidry).

We are so lucky to have such great friends living right next door.

We see them often and really love spending time with them.

Me and Stephanie.

She was my boss (and friend) when I worked for CASA. So happy she was able to come.

I miss seeing her everyday.

Me and my sweets again : )

Misty and Nacho.

Nacho's gift to me was his handlbars. ha!

After Gloria's, we went to Weekends and had so much fun! I love LOVE these guys and am so thankful for each one of them.

Thank you guys for making my birthday so special! I love you!

Loretta "Charlotte" DeGloria Hays / November 1, 1919 - August 8, 2010

My mom, Aunt Charley and I went to Amarillo for my grandmother's funeral. It was a very sad time. My grandmother is an extraordinary woman and she will be greatly missed! She was 90 years old and her heart was just tired. She died in her sleep at the nursing home where she lived.

Although I am not thankful for the occassion, I am happy I got to spend time w/my family. I'm sad I don't get to see them very often.

My mom and her siblings:

mom, Aunt Charley, Uncle Leroy, Aunt Pam

and Uncle Wayne

my cousin, Nena & Greg

(They actually live around the corner : )

Aunt Pam & John

my cousin, Monica and her family

my cousin Jimmy and his girls

my cousin, Kay and her family

me and Monica

Me and my mommy

Me and Aunt Pam

cousins : )

Grandma's grand-children

Grandma's great - grandchildren

Mom, Aunt Charley and I stayed w/Aunt Pam the first night. And then the second night - I stayed with Monica and her family. I went w/Monica to go help her and her daughter, Brittany, paint her senior parking space for school. It was really cool! I had a lot of fun! It was neat to hang out w/my couisn, Monica (who is my age) and her family.

Monica and I painting Brittany's spot. We got a stencil from Hobby Lobby and had planned to put this zebra pattern over the whole spot. It didn't work out that way. It took alittle too much time : )

Brittany posing for me :)

Brittany and Monica posing w/the finished parking spot.

Hers was definitely the cutest : )

I was sad to leave Amarillo b/c I will miss the grandmother that I am named after and I will miss my family! I hope to visit more often with David and my boys. RIP Grandma Hays! I love you!

Will's Party/Sleep-over

Last year we had a pretty big party combined for Ben and Will - so this year we did something smaller. They each got to invite a few friends over and have a sleep-over. Will invited 3 boys (Scott, Jacob and Blake).

Here's his invite for the party!

Our theme: Super Mario Bros

I normally get my cakes from Terri, but since I was only having a few boys - I decided to make the cake on my own. I've only made one other cake and that was a Birthday Cake for Jesus at Christmas. But I found it was easy (from a box). Betty Crocker really does a good job : )

My challenge was decorating - as I am not the artist in the family. That would be my husband and he's on vacation. So I was alone to create Super Mario on the cake. I used some spray icing from a can w/decorative tips. I think it turned out fine ... for the kids, at least, they all liked it. But as you can see, I am not a cake decorator. The good news is - my Boy loved it and said the cake was awesome (Yea Mommy!)

 

Here's the boys playing outside with their Super Mario and Luigi hats on. Sun is in their eyes that's why they are squinting.

In picture: Scott, Will, Blake, Jacob and Andy (without his hat)

 

 

So, lets try again w/o the sun shining in their eyes.

In the picture: Jacob, Scott, Blake, Will and Andy

 

 

Present time:

He got a cool car from Blake, a game from Scott and Super Smash Brothers for the Wii from Jacob.

From mommy and daddy he got a Nintendo DSI

 

 

What party doesn't have goodie bags? We love goodie bags.

Inside was a Mario or Luigi hat, a Super Mario Bros water jug, and some Super Mario Bros gummies

 

 
It was a great party. We ordered pizza, played games and watched a movie. The boys had fun!

At the end of the night - the 3 boys decided not to spend the night. They weren't quite ready for sleep-overs. Will was really disappointed b/c he wanted his friends to sleep-over, but eventually he understood it wasn't him they didn't want to be with - they just weren't ready and that was fine!
 
And this morning - when we all slept until 9:30 a.m. - I was thankful that we didn't have a sleep-over : )
 
Happy Birthday William! We Love you Sweet Boy!

Happy 6th Birthday William!

I can't believe how quickly the time has gone by. I can't believe you are already 6 years old. I still feel like you are my baby (and I know I treat you that way sometimes too : ).

William, you are an incredible boy. You love unconditionally w/your whole heart (like mommy). You are generous and giving (like daddy). You put everyones needs above your own (like your daddy). You already have perfect manners (like your daddy). I know you will grow into the gentlemen that your daddy is and that pleases me. You are out-going, fun and social (like mommy : ). You have a fun spirit and sense of humor (like your PaPa). You excel at most physical things you do (i.e, riding your bike, roller blading, etc.). You are creative and artistic (like your daddy). You are sensitive and caring (like your mommy).

Thank you for always being so affectionate with me. I love that you are affectionate - 100% of the time. I am thankful that at night, you must hug and kiss me and tell me you love me before you go to bed. I love that about you. I love that you give me love for no reason at all. It melts my heart!

I love it when someone calls you Will and you say "It's William" so matter of factly. I am thankful that you are proud of who you are. I am proud that you are proud of your middle name (James) b/c "it's just like your PaPa."

We are thankful today (and everyday) for our special, sweet boy. You are a great blessing and we love you dearly!

Happy Birthday William!

Bye Bye Binky(s)

It's been 3 years, 2 months and 26 days of Andy having his "binky, pacifier, baby" and Today, Finally, it is Gone! He stayed awake till 1:00 am two nights ago (Sunday) and finally passed out from exhaustion and it was without his binky. He lost it and couldn't find it and we were so tired (and annoyed) that we didn't bother to find it. He woke up yesterday and asked for a bit. We were moving furniture and changing the boys rooms around, and he found it. He had it for his nap - then he lost it again. This time I hid it. He went to bed w/o it and I have to say, he's really done ok. He normally wakes up several times a night looking for it and he slept the whole night through. He has asked for it - but it's not as bad as I thought it would be.

Sometimes when he cries and wants it, I feel sad because it's been his comfort (in combination w/his blue blanket and pillow from Ikea) for over 3 years. But it passes and he's ok and so am I! I had planned to take it away before he starts preschool in September. So I'm thankful that it's gone now.

Update - October 13, 2010: After Andy gave up his Binky, he also gave up his blue blanket and his Ikea Pillow. All three were a package deal and made up his "baby". Well recently, in the last week - he has picked up the blanket again and is enjoying it again. He isn't really wanting the pillow b/c he prefers to sleep w/o a pillow.