5 months

our little miss is 5 months old today!

she is gettin' so big. and so stinkin' cute!

she laughs and smiles all the time -

unless she's hungry or tired.

and she loves to blow bubbles with her mouth. too cute!

still doing great on a 4 hour schedule:

eats 4 7oz bottles each day

and eats cereal 2 times each day

loves to play in her exosaucer or on her mat

still loves her brother and gives him the biggest smiles

we love you baby girl!

this is us.

so many things can describe our little family

here is how we see us right now...

happy.

always going.

trying to figure it all out.

learning together.

helping each other each step of the way.

thankful for each other.

baylor fans.

soccer lovers.

achieving new things.

loud and proud.

celebrating each step of the way.

this is us.

"mommy, light on my head."

blessed.

7 years ago in my first 4th grade class, I had a sweet little girl named Caroline Green. Caroline reminded me a lot of myself when I was in 4th grade and I got to know her family really well. I had no idea at the time how important this family would become to our family...

Fast forward to April of 2008. I called MaraLee (Caroline's mom) to let her know that Justin and I were expecting our first little one. Right after she told me congrats, she told that she would be more than happy to watch this little love when I went back to work. Seriously?!?! How could I be this lucky?

Fast forward to today. MeMe (named by P) has helped Justin and I raise our sweet little loves. She has loved on them like her own. She has encouraged them through each new stage. She has taught them new things. She has changed their diapers, washed their clothes, and spoiled them both rotten. She has answered my million questions as I walked through being a first time mom and encouraged me through the process.

Not only has MeMe loved my kids, but her family has loved them like they were a part of their family. Rebecca and Caroline get up early in the mornings so they can play/love on P and Stella, share their breakfast with P each morning, and let him run around their rooms. They are like 2 big sisters to them. And Mr. Terry is one of P's heros. P loves Mr. Terry and is completely content just being with Mr. Terry.

Because of life changes, MeMe isn't going to be keeping my sweet little ones next school year. I am definitely sad about it, but I am so thankful for the almost 3 years she (and her family) gave to my kids and Justin and I. Our family has been immeasurably blessed by their family. And we will be forever grateful.

Thank you MeMe! We love you!

for the kampens

some of our dear friends, the kampens, are moving to austin next week. these sweet friends have meant so much to justin and i for the past few years. they have blessed our lives in many ways. we loved the opportunity to get to celebrate them last weekend. we know this just a 'see you later,' because we are already planning a girl's weekend in austin! :) best of luck in austin kampens! we will miss you!

bluebonnet's got talent.

i know america's got talent, but did you know that bluebonnet also has talent?

the end of the school year includes lots of 'things to do' for each teacher but for me one of the things on that list is the annual 4th and 5th grade talent show.

this 'show' is my 'baby.' my idea. and my job. (thankfully many volunteer to help pull if off each year.) this year the show was fabulous ... for an elementary school. :) justin brought the kids to the show. p loved it (and the opportunity to dance on stage for a bit too) and stella slept peacefully through all the acts.

and each year some of the teachers do a dance at the end of the show. it definitely is the 'crowd favorite.' this year we danced to 'life is a highway.'

ms. burris (the best principal ever) and i

mommy and stella

fc dallas game

saturday night the kids and i headed out to cheer on fc dallas and get to see daddy at work. our friends, the besancons and leaches, met us out there. we had a good time and we even won. pierce is still not a fan of the fireworks and actually sat in the chair next to me the whole time terrified that they were going to shoot of the fireworks.

sweet stella asleep in my lap

pierce and daddy

joanna, pierce, kelli, and quinn

a really big bow.

i know i know i know ... this bow is waaayyy to big for little stella's head

but it matched and i wanted a pic.

look at her eyes - it is almost like she is rolling them at me. :)

as sweet as a cherry.