First Communion

Saturday was Madeline's First Communion. What a blessed day it was! The ceremony was perfect. Father Bill's Homily was touching, the songs were beautiful (particularly one that included the names of all of the children), and the kids were so reverent and sincere. It was one of those milestones at which we pause in amazement at how grown up the kids are, the the love in the room was palatable. We had a full row of people who love Madeline there to witness the event. Afterward we had a reception for her here at our house - it was great to have so many people that she loves wholeheartedly here at the house. It was truly wonderful. Some people were missed, particularly both of her Godparents who were unable for different reasons to attend. We love them both and their presence was greatly missed. But, it was a great day. You can see from the big smile that Madeline has in these pictures. How often does a little girl get to wear a crown? Big fun!

A couple of pictures that I love!

I planted some pansies around the house and love the color - I had to post a picture.



I love these pictures of Madeline and her friends - they had a great day that day playing in the sun. Aren't they beautiful girls!

Go Fly a Kite

Spring Time at the Cabin

We took last week off for a much needed week of Spring R & R, and spent the first couple of days visiting my Grandmas and Dad & Mom's Cabin. It was rainy, but we enjoyed nature anyway. Madeline and I took a walk, and appreciated the beauty of it. She told me how much she loved being there with me (Mommys love to hear that) and proceeded to stop and pray to Thank God for the cabin, nature and her Grandparents. It was wonderful for me to hear her appreciation and to remember what life is all about. Good times were had by all :-)

And So it Begins Again....

Spring Soccer has begun - we love it! Go Flames :-)

Our House

Madeline keeps talking about what a great house we have lately. She has gotten me thinking about it, because I have to admit that sometimes I'd like a bigger, newer, fancier house. But her comments have made me look around and see the beauty of this place. If I close my eyes, I can see my little one toddling around here - when we moved here we moved her into her big girl bed with the rails so she wouldn't fall out. We've had six Christmas Mornings here - what fun those were! Family parties with Grandparents, aunts uncles and cousins come to mind. First days of school, summer fun playing with buddies in the yard, lemonade stands, fun on the swing set all fill my minds eye. Steven has washed his cars many times in the back yard, flew his model airplanes onto the roof, listened to his music loud in the basement. We've danced together, laughed together and cried together under this roof. As Madeline says it has kept us warm and safe. The more I think about it, the more I love this place..... I can't put a picture on here for safety reasons, but if you imagine a happy home full of love you'll have a good picture of our place :-)

What's on my mind?

I've been away from the blog for a while - just not a lot of photo opportunities this winter - we've been hanging out at home a whole lot. What's been on my mind? A lot of basketball! I am loving the team this year, and having fun with the exciting play... watching right now in fact - praying for a win of the SEC championship :-)

Braces :-)

Madeline got her braces today - and she is quite proud of them. I told her they are bling for her mouth :-) She is doing fine, a bit sore, but I think she'll be fine. She has gotten to be such a big girl - she looked scared at the dentist, and asked a couple of times if things were going to hurt, but she sat still, didn't squirm and did exactly what the dentist told her to do. She's getting to be such a grown up young lady! I think the whole ordeal has been harder on me than it has been on her -I worry more than I should in all things. As usual it wasn't as bad as I had feared.

P.S. I know it's been a while since I've posted - we've been pretty busy and closed up in our house due to weather. But Spring is in the air, I feel it! Soccer starts in two weeks... so we'll be out at the field in no time.

Basketball and Snow Men

We've been into some basketball around here! Grandpa and Grandma gave Madeline a goal, and we've played, come cold or come snow! We had a great time this week-end playing in snow - good times have been had by all! In case you can't tell from the pics, that is two different snowmen, one for Saturday and one for Sunday :-)

How to Have a Great Play Date

If you want to have a great play date, you should call one of your very best friends, and you should let her stay all day. Then you should eat all of your favorite foods (pizza, mac & cheese, ice cream), sit in the hot tub for a while on a cold, cold day. Then, you should have a parade with musical instruments you got when you were two:



Then you should laugh and wrestle with your friend while you play Wii with your Grandpa



And put on a puppet show



for your Grandma and Grandpa (and your Mom, who is always there taking pictures)



with Paper Bag Puppets you made yourself!