Happy Birthday Mac Attack!

As you can see, it's been a while since I've posted a note. Our lives have been so very busy with spring time and trying to finish up with school. I knew there would be some things that would just not be as much a priority and unfortunately, blogging is one of those on my "not a priority" list!

Any way, I hope you are all well and are getting out and enjoying spring. We have certainly been trying to spend lots of time outside - going for walks, bike rides, beach trips, and picking strawberries. Yummy!
Last week (April 25th) we celebrated Mac's 7th birthday! I can hardly believe that he's already seven!! He was so excited about his birthday. In fact, he likes to talk about his birthday pretty much all year!

Happy Birthday Mac! We are proud of you! We are enjoying watching you grow up into the man God has designed you to be! We love you!

Happy Birthday Madeline!

Yesterday, March 6, we celebrated Madeline's first birthday! I can hardly believe that a year has already passed since her birth. She is such a joy and a wonderful part of our family. Recently she started standing up on her own, shaking her head, dancing, clapping her hands, and "talking". We are thoroughly enjoying watching her as she grows and changes! She is such a blessing to us and we are so thankful for her!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl! We love you!

Charlie

5:45 am This time, nine years ago, I was heading to the hospital to have our first baby, Charlie. We had no idea what we were getting into. The whole parenting thing was about to rock our world in a mighty way! I remember being excited and scared at the whole thought of having a new life to care for. Wow, that God would entrust us with one of His children, to raise and nurture! The thought of that is still humbling to me. I'm so grateful that God has blessed us with children and that we have the privilege of seeing them grow up and become the people that He has created them to be. (That is our prayer.)
Happy Birthday Charlie! You, of course, are our oldest son. We are so very proud of you! Your daddy and I are enjoying our time with you. We thank God for you and are grateful to be your parents. May He always continue to bless and guide you as you walk with Him. We love you! Happy 9th Birthday!

10 years and counting....

Happy Anniversary Andy!

Tomorrow, February 13th, marks our 10th wedding anniversary! I am so thankful for the many blessings God has given me. At the top of that list is my husband. The last 10 years have been incredible years of growth for both of us. We've had some great times and some very difficult times. I am so grateful for both because I know that God is using all of those experiences to refine us into the people He wants us to be.

Thank you, Andy, for your unselfish love. You love me even when I am "unlovable". You always put our children and me above yourself and your needs. You never cease to amaze me. I am encouraged by your love for the Lord, your determination in the day-to-day routine, and your deep, unique thoughts about life. You are a gracious provider, wonderful leader, energetic and thoughtful father, supportive, amazing husband and my best friend! I'm thankful for the years we've already had together and I look forward to the years to come. (I pray that God will bless us with many years together.) I love you very much and consider it an honor and privilege to be your wife!

All praise, honor and glory be to God!

Philippians 1:3 "Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God."

Jesse

Tomorrow, February 9th, our Jesse is going to be 3 years old! I can hardly believe it! It seems like I was just pregnant with him. He's growing up too quickly. This has been a year of big changes for him. I think the biggest change for Jesse was becoming a big brother. We had some major adjustments, but as expected he has adjusted very well to having a little sister and actually seems to really enjoy playing with her now. This is the year too where we have seen Jesse watch Charlie and Mac and really try to do all of the things that they are doing. He wants to be just like them! It's so cute to watch (most of the time)! We are so proud of him!

Happy Birthday Jesse! We love you!

December / January pictures....in no particular order

Here are a few random photos from the last two months. I had great intentions of posting pictures and updates regularly, but as you can see that didn't happen! We had a peaceful Christmas season (after we all got over being sick with the stomach virus)! We enjoyed spending time together as a family though. I hope that you all also had a wonderful Christmas!



Andy and Madeline bundled up in the cold weather

Jesse

Andy and Esther at a Christmas party

Jesse flying a kite

Little Jesse

Mac hiding in the stairwell at my grandmother's house...
He and Charlie were playing hide & seek with their new Civil war guns!

Madeline is growing up so fast! She can pull up on things and stand up on her own!

Madeline's first Christmas

Our crew on Christmas Eve...right before everyone got sick!

Jesse playing dress up at Grammy's house

Mommy and Madi

Charlie going for a bike ride

Mac and Madi
Mac is a great big brother! He really loves spending time with Madi.

Jesse in Clemson football helmet
He insisted on wearing it to go for a ride in the stroller! I guess he was expecting a bumpy ride!

I've not forgotten...

I will update my blog some time in the near future. We've had so much going on and I've not had a chance to upload pictures, but am hoping to do it soon! I hope you all are doing well and are having a wonderful new year! It's hard to believe that January is almost over!! Where does the time go?

.....will post pictures soon :)