OK's 4th Birthday

4 years ago, my baby was born. After a very scary 3 weeks, the doctors decided to go ahead and deliver our tiny, but very strong little girl. My April baby was born on Feb. 27, 2007. Where have the past 4 years gone? I can't believe how much she has grown.

She is definitely a lot like her mom, but looks like her daddy. She has such an amazing soul. She loves to dance and sing. Her favorite toys are her princess dolls. Everything is amazing to her and I love to she her eyes light up when she is telling us a story. There is definitely some sort of drama in everything she does. She still sleeps with her teddy and blanket. She learns something new every minute. She can recognize about 20 of the 26 letters of the alphabet and has recently learned her right from her left. She has an amazing vocabulary and she has learned how to draw stick figures. Her favorite non playing thing to do is hidden picture puzzles. She is so good at them. She loves her friends and talks about them all the time. Playgroup may be her favorite days. CPW remains her best friend(since they are as close as sisters).

We celebrated today by spending the day as a family. We went to church in the AM and then had lunch at her favorite place(Moe's). We came home and took a nap. When everyone was refreshed we went to Toys R Us to get her crown, balloon, and spend her $3 prize from their birthday club. Then we went to the park and ran around. We ate supper at the Olive Garden(thanks to Granna and Pappy for the gift card). We finished the night with her free cone from Brusters. It was an amazing day.

OK--Mommy loves you so much. I still can't believe the miracle that you are. God gave me a miracle the day you came into my life. After a scary month or so he gave your daddy and I the most amazing treasure. You are amazing and I am so honored to be your mom. My prayer is that God gives me the guidance to raise you into an amazing woman of God. I hope that you will set your goals high and continue to raise them everytime you reach one. You have an amazing heart and soul. Continue to love life and enjoy it's amazement. God gives us each day, make the most of it. Continue to grow my sweet girl and you will always be my little pumpkin.

Birthday Party

We had a party at CTW's restaurant to celebrate OK turning 4. All she asked for during the planning was to have a Rapunzel party and there had to be a Pinata. A friend loaned us his bounce house. We played pin the tail on the donkey and ate hot dogs. I think everyone had a wonderful time. Thanks to everyone that helped out and joined us to celebrate. Here are a few pictures.

White Christmas

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Christmas 2010

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Gingerbread House

I have never made a Gingerbread House, so we bought one while we were out doing last minute Christmas shopping. OK was estatic about decorating it. CTW and I put it together ahead of time and allowed it to dry per the instructions. Then we set up the decorations. OKW had a blast putting candies on it. The only problem is she wanted them all on the roof. Too much candy on the roof caused it to cave-in, so I don't have a picture of the finished product. We had a great time decorating and singing Christmas carols.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!! CTW is at work and will be for a while tonight, since Bucky's smokes at least 600 turkeys during Thanksgiving week, and I am sitting on the couch going over all the things I am thanksful for. The last several months have been tough for me with some major changes going on around me, so it is nice to look at the things I am thankful for.

1. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ--Thanks for providing for my family. When we think we aren't going to make it through, you always remind us of your provision and presence. You show up through all of the below. Your word encourages, teaches, and leads us. You show us when we need to step up and when we need to step back. You lead us step by step through this amazing journey.

2. CTW-he is the most amazing husband. I give him a hard time and sometimes he really gets on my nerves, but he is the one constant in my life. So amazing at loving me and OK. He provides comfort, laughter, and a swift kick in the behind when needed. He values me and loves me through everything. He lifts me up when I am my lowest and he helps me celebrate the highs. He loves our little girl like no one else ever will. He takes care of us and works so hard to get us through. Thanks you CTW for being the greatest.

3. OKW--she is the most amazing thing God has ever given me. She gave us a huge scare getting into this world, but here she is so vibrant and full of life. Her love and laughter gets me through the days. She tries me in every way imaginable, but she shows me how much I can love. Thanks to my sweet and loving girl.

4. My family--I wouldn't make it through without them. They lift me up and set me straight when I need it. Thanks to the greatest family ever.

5. Friendships--Since OKW was born, I have struggled finding myself again. I haven't truely recovered from everything that happened and where I fit. Thanks to the wonderful friends that have helped me find a hint of myself again.

6. Our God-Loving Church--Thanks to TFBC for having a preschool minister that loves our children and to our SS teachers that love us and encourage us. Thanks to the Lord for new beginnings. We look forward to seeing where our church will go.

There are so many things that I am thankful for and these are just a few. I hope you all can take a moment to reflect on the things that you are thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families!!

Bedtime Songs

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

There's just something about that name

Master, Savior, Jesus

Like the fragrance after the rain

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Let all Heaven and Earth proclaim

Kings and Kingdoms

Will all pass away

But there's something about that name

CTW and I were both raised in Southern Baptist Churches and I am the daughter of a Music Minister, so hymns come to us naturally. I can remember instead of singing lullabies to OK in the middle of the night, singing good old fashioned hymns. For some reason this one has stuck and now OK requests it before bed every night. She can sing pretty much the whole thing by herself and loves singing with us.

Lately she has been asking a lot of questions about Jesus and we do our best to answer them on her level of understanding. Today in the car, she told us that she didn't want any stinky boys knocking on her door, just Jesus. I almost cried. She is so funny! I am amazed how much she gets and how much she changes things around.

Tonight when putting her to bed, I was reminded at how amazing(and scary) the job of parenthood is. She absorbs everything we do and never forgets. I love that she has picked up my love for hymns and I hope she will always remember that there is truely something about the name of Jesus.