Bitty's Baby Book

Natalie wanted me to take some photos of her and Bitty together for Bitty's baby book,

so I did.

A Little Dress Up

Never mind that these are infant sized scrubs. I personally think they look better now than they did back when.

More Than A Dozen

Over the past 8 1/2 years we have been blessed with so many wonderful friends here in Kansas City. Below is a photo of a group of ladies from our church enjoying some time together at the Melting Pot. I love them all, and they tolerate me! :)

This is Renee and I, one of my BFFs.

I knew I was gonna post these pics, but until IT hit last night during church, I had no idea just how LONG this post would be, so bear with me. There are WAY more than a dozen reasons I will be sad to leave Kansas City in just 2 short weeks now. I know that it is nothing short of miraculous that my hubby got the perfect job for him in Wilmington. I know that we will LOVE being so close to our family and childhood friends. I KNOW we will LOVE the beach! But somehow, it doesn't lessen the sting of leaving everything and everyone behind in Kansas City.

As I stood singing in the worship service last night at church, the lump began to form in my throat and the more I thought about how much I will miss this body of Believers, the more tears came. I stood behind a dear friend of mine, praying for her and her family. I prayed for the guy at the altar, because I know them both so well. I know nearly everyone here. I know their children, where they live. Then my thoughts went back to that altar. That's the very place I came broken, first begging God to give us a child, then begging him to make me content if it should never happen. It's where Nate and I stood with Natalie in a long white gown, dedicating her and ourselves to raise our family in the church and for the Lord. My eyes shifted to the second row, where our pastor's wife stood singing. I remembered so clearly sitting with her in the parking lot, years ago now, trying to understand prayer. Her wisdom and the way she prayed with me that evening still replay in my heart to this day. I picked up Natalie from the preschool room. There she was with many of the same 13 kiddos that were all born in 2007 in our church. Back upstairs we all stood around, chatting and chasing kids. Then dinner at our house with some of our very best friends. The laughing, the joking until late in the evening. And that was just one evening from 6:00 on. I know I am moving closer to family, but this family we've grown in Kansas City will be missed desperately.

As I discussed these thoughts with Nate late last night he shared his wisdom and encouragement, as always. He reminded me that over 8 years ago, we knew no one. We made amazing work and med school friends. Then 4 years ago, most of our dearest friends from med school all moved away. God provided new friends. I absolutely love being reminded of God's faithfulness in my past. Sure makes heading into the future a lot easier. As we leave behind some of the dearest friend it feels we've ever had, all I can think of is a quote I found once that read, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Somehow I think the next few weeks will be a mixture of smiles and tears, maybe a little heavy on the latter.

Thank you Lord for the amazing friends you've given us here in Kansas City. For a church that has helped our marriage and our family become what it is today. For the hope we have amongst a new body of Believers when we move to NC. I know it seems silly, but thank you Lord for so many reasons to cry.

Wanna Wrestle?

Wrestling with a big sister is quite different than the wrestling Mommy remembers doing with her big brothers. It's the constant concern about his well-being that makes this wrestling not quite as rough. See for yourself below:

If Cleanliness is next to Godliness...

Sutton's hands are sure to perform a miracle some day soon. Handwashing is his new obsession. It's so hard to deny him when he asks, so his hands get washed, a lot.

Oh, and that's a new haircut too. In case you were wondering why he looked overly handsome in this photo!

One of the Guys

Sutton brought a little seat over to sit right by Daddy while he interviewed another potential mover for our family. So cute how he tries to be so big.

No chocolates, No roses, No problem.

I've never been very big on Valentine's Day, but after this one, I'm already looking forward to next year. First of all, I woke up to Nate still at home and not at work...for the whole day! I showered in an empty bathroom (no little spectators trying to get in with me), then followed my nose downstairs to the smell of bacon and pancakes! Not just any pancakes, heart-shaped pancakes. We had breakfast, playtime, lunch, playtime and dinner out together as a family. Me and my 3 valentines.

Oh, and I DID get a gift. It was after the kids were tucked in tight, but before we put in the movie that the great reveal happened! I was scrounging in the pantry for dessert, finding nothing. That's when I turned around to find the most beautiful white styrofoam takeout box I'd ever seen. The marker message written on top in my Hubby's handwriting told me it was a gift, just for me. I opened the box to find a HUGE slice of Cascone's Lemon cake! (my favorite) From beginning to end, hands down, the best Valentine's Day I can remember.

Snow Days

Even though it seems like we've been trapped inside forever, some people (the smaller ones) seem to hardly even notice. Natalie has always been a book lover, but now I'm happy to report that Sutton Paul has followed her lead. We moved the playroom to the basement so we can have our house in better "showing" condition, and the kids have hardly even noticed. Since we left a big basket full of books near the kitchen (where Mom spends most of her time), they are A-okay. It's warm, it's near Mommy and there are so many words and pictures to look at over and over again.

These two together is seriously cute, and it's like this nearly all day, everyday these days. I LOVE it. The way they sit right on top of each other, like there's just not enough room...

I guess she does miss the playroom a little. She's taken to "reading" chapter books and will proudly report to anyone interested (or not) that she now reads "chapter books like big kids." She will read aloud for nearly an hour sometimes. I don't remember ever being this into books. All new for me and I love it. The stuff she comes up with is priceless.

Other snow day activities: Watching Daddy shovel. Who knew it could be so much fun?

I did this job ONCE a few weeks ago. Done for a lifetime. That is seriously hard work, but lucky for me, I had 2 helpers. One more interested in making snow angels than shoveling and the other just sitting on his bum watching, overseeing, I suppose.

I don't have the photos to prove it, but we did actually go out in the snow quite a bit. Nate and Natalie had a sledding date one day that she still talks about in detail and the snow cream is worth getting out in the cold. However, I do still prefer warmth and coziness and it appears my daughter does too. Her newest thing...naps in just her undies. Who cares if there's a foot of snow outside...

I walked by her room on this day and couldn't help but grin from ear to ear and almost cry a little too (no, I am not pregnant and hormonal). She still looks so small in there and so innocent...and she is. But, she's also growing up "speedy fast" (as she would say when "reading" Junie B. Jones). It's truly a wonder I haven't eaten those sweet lips right off her face sometime in the last 3.5 years.

3o two

I have no complaints about having another birthday. Lunch out with a friend sans kiddos. Delicious dinner prepared by my amazing hubby. Two healthy, loving children by my side, excited to help me celebrate. Life just keeps getting better and better. Thank You, Lord.

Two Are Better Than One

We spent a weekend with our friends in Springfield. They have an adorable little girl, Caroline, that's just a few months younger than Sutton. Natalie loved having two babies to play with and be bigger than. Sutton loved all the new toys to play with. And Mommy and Daddy loved a little warm weather and spending time with great friends.

Helping one of the "babies."

She's just SO huge. :)

Winter Wonder

Maybe, just maybe, the cutest thing I've ever seen. I'm serious this time. ;)

Tandem Sibling Sledding

With Grandad as the motor.

For the Love of Snow

We usually come to NC to escape the winter weather. Not this year. At least the kids are getting big enough to enjoy playing in the snow this year.

It actually was quite fun and not nearly as cold as playing in the snow in Kansas City.

Giving Uncle Rusty cold kisses.

Our little angel....

...until she's wailing a snowball at her brother!

Watching Grandad use his homemade Southern snowplow.

Aunt Christy Comes to Town!

The kids and I extended our stay in Wilmington for a week since Daddy was going to be in El Salvador. One of the best parts of our extended stay was getting to see Aunt Christy who was visiting Granny and Grandaddy all the way from Idaho! She was ready to roughhouse, and the kids couldn't have been happier!

Jolly Little Elves

Oklahoma to KC to NC and back. After hours strapped in carseats and smashed into plane seats these sweet babies still kept a smile on their faces. Travel during the holidays is always exciting for all of us!