"I'm FRRREEEEE!"

Sweet Hannah Reece,

Three years ago, when you made your grand entrance into a hospital room, (with no doctor present!) I knew that you were going to do things in your own special way, and that life would be an adventure with you around! But three years later, I could never have imagined how rich, how exciting, how sweet our lives are because of yours, Hannah Reece.

Look how cute you were in that little bassinet...you baked on that little biliblanket for several weeks after your wild ride into this world, the jaundice lasted for several weeks....we called you our little glow worm!

You are not afraid to enjoy life, let go, make a mess...I love that about you...God has used your adventurous, carefree spirit to teach me to let go, get my hands dirty, and make the very most of every moment! You sure know how to make us laugh! Here I come to get a towel after my shower...HELLO!!!

Now you see her, now you don't! ;)

Baby, you can rock it. I will shamelessly admit letting you stay up way too late once a week to watch So Y*u Think You C*n Dan*e. I love to listen to music and dance with you, my boogie buddy!
I never could've imagined or dreamed up a more wonderful you. As you blow out the candles, know that my only wish for you, my only prayer, is that you will live your life basking in the love of your dear Savior, Jesus.

I pray that your beauty will glorify and draw others to Him, precious daughter. We love you, happy 3rd birthday!

Family Fun (minus one)

One of our family fun night favorites is a living room camp-out. Daddy's usually our "camp coordinator" but since he's been away this weekend-I filled in as substitute camp coordinator! *grin* Daddy does it better.

I put together the easiest little movie dinner spread: apples w/ peanut butter, white chocolate covered pretzels, cheese and crackers, almonds, chocolate milk, and of course...all you can eat popcorn!

We blew up the air mattresses and cuddled up together to watch our movie under lots of blankets. The fun lasted until about 1:30... when I woke up on Hannah Reece's TWIN air mattress with both kids piled on top of me! As camp coordinator, I decided we'd better make a move to the big comfy bed, nobody even budged. It was a good night.

Grateful...

Reecieisms

*note: please don't judge me on the food contained on my daughter's plate, thank you. :)

Psalms for Joy

I've hit the wall. I love change, in theory. There is so much about this season that I enjoy and even welcome...realizing that the stretching, the growth is so worth the issues of discomfort in change. But there are also times where I long for ordinary. Normalcy. Routine. Familiarity. These things are good, but at times too...safe.  God has used the Psalms to minister to my heart and restore my joy and peace, so many times in life.  So grateful for God's Word.  It is healing and life-giving.  

Friday Flashback

How can it be? Our babies are growing up. It hit me hard a few weeks ago....and of all places, in the children's department at Dillards!

My mom pointed out that we could no longer shop for Hannah Reece in the baby department. Stop right there. Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes. I know...pitiful, but it's true! Now missy sis wears a 3T which happens to be found in the "big girl" department, home to Hannah Montana t-shirts and psychadelic-colored mini-skirts...much to my my darling daughter's delight (and to her momma's dismay!)

She's developed quite the strong opinion about fashion, and wholeheartedly prefers to pick out her own clothes. Dress shopping with Nana was no exception! Most of her choices included dresses that were pink, sparkly, striped with loud colors, endowed with ruffles, or...did I mention PINK?

Gone are the days of Wal-Mart style shopping-where I strip her down in the aisle to do a quick try-on. Not for this little fashionista. Hannah Reece insisted on trying her dresses on in the "bathroom" (dressing room). First was the spin test, and of course she had to spin in front of EVERY bless-ed mirror in that dressing room. Because you never know, some mirrors lie, right!? Next, was the bounce test, which included vigorous jumping to test the buoyancy of the ruffles. Then, she'd turn around, close the door to the dressing room and move on to the next. Letting us know that she needed some "pwivacy."

Thankfully we all agreed and settled on the one with the rainbow butterflies. She said it "matched" her butterfly sandals and was as happy as a clam. The next day, after breakfast, she turned around, looked at my mom and said "Nana, let's go to the store and try on dresses today!"

Graham is growing like a weed. At age 5 1/2 he's almost in the big boy sizes for shoes. One of his favorite pasttimes is reenacting scenes from Star Wars with his lego collection. He recently informed me that for his birthday (which is still 7 months away, mind you!) he'd like to have a Star Wars party. Graham also has become quite the wordsmith....he enjoys using big words expressively-and most of the time, appropriately-even if they are laden with 5-year-old attitude! He seems thrilled to be back in Florida right now. He really misses his buddies and his cousins while we're away. Playing and going to VBS with them this week has been good medicine for his sweet little heart.

Speaking of sweet hearts...I came across this photo in my dad's computer on this day last year....my how they've grown!

Family + Document Your Weekend

This and the coming weeks have been and will be spent enjoying family....parents, grandparents, GREAT-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...and we'll be eatin' it up! Can't wait to hug some necks!

Mom and Dad hung out with the kiddos and I this week...*sigh* I love them. Even though I'm a grown woman now... having them here, in my home, gives me a peaceful and contented feeling, down deep inside. Comfort. Safety. Thankful. We played, talked, laughed, ate good food, laughed, ate good food...good times!

Looking forward to a super-busy weekend ahead, getting ready for a big giant road-trip plus preparing to add NINE family-type folks in our nest for a few days, and the grand finale-my man is coming HOMEEEEE! Lots to look forward to!

Hoping try this project-if I can keep the trusty camera at arms-reach to capture the chaos of this weekend. Something about the idea of photographing daily life and then turning it into something creative makes it feel just a tad more exciting. Join me?

*Added* So my little project got a headstart tonight. Went around after posting to check the doors and do my night-time momma thing-and caught a glimpse of this:

my daddy's slippers sitting next to the nightlight in our living room-make me smile...