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. :)

Celebrating Easter

Somehow, Mommy buys the kit, but Daddy ends up doing the egg dying every year. I love watching the two of them hard at work together.

The Bunny hopped by. Sutton slept in, so Natalie brought his basket in for him.

Pretty excited for a new shovel for the beach.

Ironing her Easter dress.

A little post church, pre hunt play time.

Forgive me for all the photos of Natalie on the 3 wheeler in her Easter best. I just thought it was too cute and such a good representation of her personality.

We went to a huge egg hunt and pig pickin right across the street from Granny and Grandaddy's. It's been a tradition for the Harrells (folks across the street and great friends of our family) for over 50 years now. It was really neat for me to take my own kids to the hunt I remember so fondly.

The little guy with Sutton is Maddox. His Daddy, Mac and I grew up hunting eggs together for our entire childhood. I LOVE being back home for just these very occasions.

The Lucky Egg. She was so proud.

This was the prize she chose for getting the lucky egg. "A blue bunny friend for her gray bunny she got in her basket when she was just a tiny baby."

She really is just as sweet as the photo appears....most of the time! :)

Easter Sunday

I can't help but celebrate our risen Saviour, especially on this day. I look at my children and the husband I still don't deserve and can't help but rejoice. Christ defeated death so we may live. And live victorious! Praise Him!

This picture makes me even more excited to get into our new house...so I can frame this sweet photo and put it somewhere I can look at it often.

People already ask if they are twins. Won't be long till Sutton is taller than his "big" sister.

Biker Chick

The weather here has been amazing. Lots of walks and rides.

One Saturday Morning

Couldn't help but snap a picture of these three all reading at the table after breakfast.

Sutton Reads

From 4 to 100

Today was our first real beach day, swimsuits, sunscreen and all. I was hoping that between the box of beach supplies we brought from KC and the leftovers from last summer at Granny's we would have some sunscreen to use today. What I found was 36 bottles of sunscreen. I think it's safe to say we're protected!

Three Year Old

This picture captures so much of the 3 year-old attitude that defines our sweet Natalie these days. Fancy Nancy glasses chosen to wear to Mrs. Cheryl's house and pushed up just so. A butterfly painted on her cheek that you can barely see because it had been there for days and better not get washed off. A writing utensil in her hand, drawing in a book that belongs to Mom. Princess tee shirt she insisted on wearing that day. A little African doll on the counter in front of her, no doubt getting a play by play of the picture she is drawing. Sitting at the bar in the kitchen to be RIGHT by Mommy while she cleans up after lunch. And a hand in motion to take those shades off her head ASAP because she knows that's exactly why Mom has the camera in her hands. A picture really is worth a thousand words.