Chillin

This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

I would just like to point out a couple things I love about the photograph above. I know I am a sentimental fool, but I can't help myself. Kylee in Natalie's jeans that are too small, yet fit just right. She had to change out of her dirty ball clothes cause she came straight over from a tee ball game. I love that she went straight back to Natalie's room and they found some clothes for her together. Girls. Natalie wearing her apron after cooking us a delightful imaginary dessert outside. Nat's cute little sandals on the wrong feet, again. Kylee's sweet strand of pearls. And the footstool they strategically placed on the couch so they could be perfectly positioned for the movie and optimal relaxation. I adore these 2 children. And the 3rd, more manly one on the other couch in the picture below. God has really blessed us with these great new friends for Natalie and for the great old friends for Mommy and Daddy, to whom these children belong.

Bookworm

Sutton is "reading." He still doesn't have a ton of words we can understand, but he's talking a lot more these days. Just happy to hear his little voice. He sings and reads with such inflection and determination. I fondly remember when Natalie started "reading" books and it's just as fun or maybe even more so with him. He is growing WAY too fast.

I just love how toddlers find the smallest spaces to hide out in. Our new house has the most fun little closet/hideout attached to the playroom. I know for a fact that I am WAY more excited about it than the kids are. The funny thing is that when 2 of my childhood friends came to look at the house, the both, on separate visits, expressed how much we would've loved that little space as kids. Can't hardly wait for the house to be ready so I can start posting some pics of our new digs!

Welcome to the World,

Mary Wallace Horton!

Our dear friends, Tim and Kate have been blessed for over 6 weeks now with the sweetest baby girl. We got to meet her and love on her last week for a quick visit. Just another blessing about being back in NC.

Natalie wanted to hold her tight and never let go.

She has repeatedly asked for us to have 5 babies in our family. Well, after this short visit, I think 2 is plenty for us. (see below)

Looks sweet, right?

Even sweeter...

Sutton, rocking for everyone. And squealing.

Natalie making sure her nose is okay.

Crawling all over, trying to fall and break something. Touching our shoes, probably right before checking MWs nose.

And while trying to help Natalie hold the baby "one more time," Sutton found the opportunity to try a plastic bag on for size.

While the pictures may not prove it, it was 30 minutes of pure chaos. Luckily, Baby Mary "Walrus" wasn't too upset by it all. Plus, she got hungry just at the right moment and needed her mommy only.

But before her Mommy got her, this Mommy took a turn holding her.

She was absolutely precious. Fun to have a baby in our family...for a day!

The Kid Adult

In a conversation about adults, Natalie informed that Uncle Rusty was NOT an adult. I corrected her and said, "yes he is." She replied, "No, Mom. He's a kid adult." We're pretty sure why she thinks this. He has more energy while playing with them than any other adult on the planet. And they LOVE every minute of it.

This is the Stuff

You know how they say, "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?" Well, I think the reverse, while more obvious, is still very true. After not having what you had, you do know what you've got once it's back! It seems that since we've moved home there have been dozens of times where I just smile and think, this is it. This is why we moved back to be closer to family. While they may seem to be silly little moments, they all add up to so much more than that. This was one of those grateful, smiling moments.

I looked out in the backyard and the sight of my Dad and my Hubby working side by side made me grin from ear-to-ear.

And it's not just that...It's calling Granny to pick up Nat from school at the last minute. It's 3 generations in the kitchen taking 3 times as long to make dinner, but loving every minute of it. It's sitting in the swing, with no agenda but being together with no deadline in sight. It's running over, correction, being carried over to Uncle Rusty's just to see what Aunt Angel's up to, just because. It's dinner at the last minute with everyone we love. It's getting the mail. It's sitting on the huge mower. It's worshipping together on Sundays. Like I said, it may not be the big stuff, but it's the stuff and I am ever so grateful.

Berry Pickin'

The sassiest little strawberry picker you'll meet.

The last time she "picked" berries, she ate EVERY one she picked. This time she was much more concerned with finding "cute" ones and filling her bucket.

Sutton, on the other hand, was more concerned with filling his belly.

Hard at work.

In Grandaddy's arms is a happy place to be.

Forget strawberries. This sweet face is edible.

Fairy Tale Wedding

Natalie was up early, as always. Grandaddy and Granny were up with her and remembered the wedding when she asked to watch a show. Even though I didn't choose to be up at 6:45 am, I found myself sitting on the couch by my sweet 3 year-old daughter, taking in every magical moment of the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. While I never would have planned to watch the wedding, I was happy I did. I love love. And when it comes to fairy tale type movies or events, I can't help but be drawn to them. After all, I have to admit, at the risk of nauseating all those who hear it, I feel like I am living my own little fairy tale, Prince Charming and all. Over the last few days I have seen more negative comments than I can count regarding THE wedding. I honestly feel sad for all those folks who are being so cynical about the wedding. Can't we just enjoy a man in uniform marrying a girl in a beautiful gown and riding off in a horse-drawn carriage? Just for a moment? Natalie loved it. And I can't think of a better thing to do so early in the morning (not even sleep) than sit cozied up by my little girl encouraging her to believe that fairy tales can come true. I mean, I think one of the Women of Faith put it best when they called us all princesses, cause our Father is the King of Kings. I kind of like being royalty, especially when it places me in His family.

Growing Beans

Our neighbors across the street from Granny and Grandad have a garden and were kind enough to let Natalie plant a bean a few weeks ago. It has been great watching the little plant sprout and even greater watching Natalie tend to her little growing bean. Pretty sure we're gonna have to plant a garden in our own backyard next year.

p.s. We have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all our new and old neighbors. Nearly every evening is spent walking the neighborhood, riding bikes, chatting with friends. Mrs. Barb gave us a tomato plant to grow at our own house, but it hasn't done quite as well as the bean. Natalie took great care in watering it daily, however Sutton uprooted it on day 3 of its short life with us. We're gonna try another tomato plant and maybe even have some photos of the fruits of our labor...if we can keep it out of Bubby's reach. :)