Wrestling Grandpa

It's been awhile, I know. Right now we are transitioning from the Dallas area back to Camp Lejeune. It's a crazy, long story that deserves its own post, and I'll save that for another time. Today I just want to post pictures showing the memories being made in the process. The kids had a blast last night wrestling with grandpa, and I think he had a pretty good time too. Madelyn is all about coming in first these days and was pleased to find out she and Joel were the champions! Wrestling is a favorite in our house ... everyone LOVES it!!

First Haircut!!!

Madelyn and Joel get to share a "firsts" milestone. They both got their first haircuts today. I decided to see if I inherited the hair stylist gene from my mom and chose to cut their hair myself. My mom cut my hair until I was in junior high, my brothers into high school, and still cuts my dads this day. I'm not sure when my sister asked to get her first professional haircut. My guess would be that she would say high school because that would give her one more opportunity to say that I was spoiled.

I think their hair turned out pretty good. Madelyn was excited and kept asking if it would hurt. Joel did pretty good with distraction from a Barney DVD and a balloon.

Bye, bye 3's ...

* This was supposed to have been posted on her birthday in June, but I experienced technical difficulty after technical difficulty. Pictures of the birthday party will be posted soon!

Today is Madelyn's last day as a three year old ... heavy sigh. I can't believe it will be four years tomorrow that my sweet, loving, caring, strong willed and oftentimes emotional little girl made me into a mommy. To say that the past four years have always been pleasant and easy would be a lie. Many days have been challenging for this young mom who oftentimes had said, "My child will never do/act like that!", just to be embarrassed when she actually does. But I wouldn't erase a single challenge that we have been through because it has changed me for the better and my little girl is a beautiful work in progress (and mommy is a work in progress too!). She has such a sweet heart, gives the best hugs and kisses, and has a growing love for Jesus and others. I love that little girl and am blessed and so proud to be her mommy. I know that her strong will is going to be a great asset for her in the future. All we have to do is continue to survive ... :)

My sweet Madelyn ...

~ you can sit for hours each day doing arts and crafts. You love to color, paint, practice your letters, cut and glue and play with play-doh. Here lately you have been waking up and asking to color first thing in the morning.

~ you love to pretend you're a horse and make the funniest horse noises. It's so cute!

~ you love to sing. You make up songs and sing them loud and off key all the time. It's fun to listen.

~ you love your brother and are so proud of him. I oftentimes hear you tell other children, "This is my baby brother. His name is Joel." He loves you so much too.

~ you are so proud of yourself for staying dry at night the past few weeks and are thrilled to be wearing panties at night now.

~ you love to go to church, talk about Jesus, and read your Bible. That makes this momma so proud and we are looking forward to the day you decide to make Jesus the Lord of you life.

~ you think houses must have stairs in order for them to be big. Cracks me up. According to you, our house is small. :)

~ you are becoming better at eating your dinner although we still have a long ways to go.

~ you are so sensitive when others are hurt.

~ you are very bossy and all about others following the rules. I wonder who you got that from ... :)

~ you are quite the competition when we play Spot as a family (spotting yellow cars on the road). You have won several times!

I had some extra batter left over as I was making Madelyn's cupcakes for her birthday party tomorrow, so I made a little six-inch cake for her to decorate for a special family celebration after dinner tomorrow. Here are some pictures of her decorating it and having fun.

Oh, no!!

Dear Lord please help me. Fifteen months is way too early to know how to do this ...


But this little hiney is certainly a cute sight. :)

Yeah Easter!

We love Easter in our house! How exciting it is to set aside a special day to celebrate our risen Saviour, Jesus Christ! Plus, going to church is always extra special when you get to wear new outfits and hats! Madelyn loved her hat until lunch time when the newness of it wore off and she decided to rebel against mommy's wishes. Thankfully I got some cute pictures before church.

This year our Easter was extra special thanks to two batches of Easter cutout sugar cookies with icing and "glitter", two egg hunts, and Easter lunch at the Utterback's house. Now we just have to all recover from the sugar rush!

Now on to the pictures, because we know that's all the grandparents really care about ...




Madelyn loved her high heels. They are actually her flower girl shoes for a wedding this summer, but since today was extra special, she got to wear them this one time. So exciting ...


And we're off ...



A little help from Debbie ... Madelyn was determined to find every last egg!


Joel knew just what he was supposed to do!



The loot.

She thinks she's sly

While eating dinner last night ...

Madelyn: Mommy, my tummy hurts.

Me: Oh, no. If your tummy hurts, it wouldn't be a good idea to eat those marshmallows for dessert.

Madelyn: Oh ... my tummy feels much better now.

Me: Good. Now go finish your broccoli.

A game of bowling ball ...

Yep, that's what Madelyn calls it. We had fun playing bowling ball with our friends Vicki, Debbie and Becky while the very beautiful Jenny went to prom accompanied by Uncle Bob and Aunt Janice (and of course a handsome date)! It was a fun night of high fives and good times. Madelyn predicted she would win and Vicki would come in second. Well, Madelyn didn't win and Vicki came in far from second. ;)

Debbie - 109
Heather - 104
Jonathan - 102
Becky - 91
Madelyn - 74
Vicki - 58


This is so exciting!!


This is what a strike looks like ...


Yey! I knocked down lots of pins!


Vicki, frustrated that she hit her bowling prime in high school. :)


Joel enjoying some Teddy Grahams.



Madelyn and Joel love Vicki's necklace.


Madelyn coming in for her high fives!


This is how Debbie, Vicki and Becky feel about their score ... can you tell who's winning?