Dear Grace,
Oh, I can tell this is going to be emotional for me. The tears are already rolling and not just because I'm exhausted and we just got back from the ER a few hours ago with your little brother and his burned hand {he's okay, burned it on the new dryer we had installed today, poor little guy!}. But I want to capture my thoughts for you in these early morning hours of the sixth anniversary of the day you were born...
I still remember it like it was yesterday. How joyful I felt the moment Dr. T placed you on my belly. You were so very tiny...and so awake! I had only ever seen newborns with their little eyes shut tight and kind of puffy, but you were so very awake and you looked all around and as soon as our eyes locked, you were mine. This tiny little baby who I would have died for immediately, if I needed to. You imprinted upon my heart and soul and I knew in that very moment that our lives had been changed forever.
You arrived early...5 weeks to be exact...and I remember feeling scared, wondering if you were going to be okay. You were more than okay and for that I am forever grateful. You gave us a couple of scares with your severe jaundice and we had to keep you wrapped like a baby burrito in a special bili blanket around the clock. Luckily, we were able to do so at home. It made you look like a little glowworm, but it was your orange, jaundiced skin that gave you the nickname "little pumpkin", so even in the scariest of times, there are always rainbows if you look for them. Don't ever forget that. You my dear Grace were God's answer to my deepest prayer from long ago. You made us into a family and you bestowed upon me the title I am proudest of: mama.
Watching you grow these past six years has been nothing short of amazing. You have been a joy to parent. I pray for God's protection over you and I pray that God will give me many, many, many more years to watch you grow and develop into all He has planned for your life. You are wise beyond your years and you have such a kind soul. Your love for others and your determination to help those in need make me stand in awe of our Creator every.single.time. You love unconditionally and you give from the heart. I have seen you time and time again reach out to those who are feeling left out or nervous and you do so with such a tender touch. My prayer for you is that you never lose that ability to follow your heart.
I'm glad that God also gave you a strong spirit. You are smart, determined, passionate and not easily swayed. I pray you will use these talents to make a difference in the world. And I'm not talking about a world difference in the way most would appreciate, I'm talking about a difference wherever God plants you... a difference for His kingdom.
I love how girly you are. You are certainly mama's little pumpkin and partner in all things creative. I love baking with you and teaching you new things - I love spending time with you! I hope you listen really well while Noonie is teaching you how to sew so that you can maybe teach me a thing or two, okay? I love how you express yourself through art. I have a growing gallery of your masterpieces and they bring such joy to my life every time I look at them. Never ever put that paintbrush down. Look for rainbows even in the darkest of hours. Keep your faith in God and He will paint your life with amazing brushstrokes.
This year in kindergarten, you chose Mother Teresa as the person you wanted to research in Mrs. L's gifted class. You told me you chose her because she was like me and I boohoo'd like a baby at how you see me through kind, loving eyes, rather than as the flawed individual I really am because I am far from Mother Teresa. But I love that you chose her to learn more about because she is a role model I am proud to have you emulate. Mother Teresa once said, "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." Oh, how I pray these things for you, my little pumpkin! I think you are well on your way!
Six years...my, oh my, time flies! Don't ever forget I am here for you - ALWAYS. I love you with all my heart. May God bless you in a special way today on your 6th birthday...and every day!
Dream big. Love big. Give big. Pray big.
{the rest will take care of itself}
Happy 6th Birthday my little pumpkin!
XOXO,
Mama
feedsacks..
berry baskets...
fresh cut flowers...
delicious homemade pies...
We had a super full, fun day that started last night when we got to open a surprise package from a {dear friend}. It was a really happy mail day since another fun package also came...but can't sneak peek that one just yet!
My sweet friend Heather surprised us with a box full o' goodies! The little pumpkin got to open the box just before bedtime...she wasn't excited or anything *wink*. Heather, she absolutely LOVED all the Lalaloopsy outfits!! And the clippie is adorable! Thank you!
And I might have shrieked out loud when I saw these cute chenille chicks sitting atop the sweetest tea towel!!! Heather and I share a love for chenille chicks so I had to laugh at her note that said *I* could decide whether to share them with the littles or keep them for myself. Hmmmmm...I plead the 5th!
The little pumpkin was mesmerized with the itty bittiness of this adorable mushroom dress and insisted on changing her Lala doll before going to school...
Off topic, but doesn't she just look so tall and slender in this picture??? Like all the baby fat is gone :( I'm not sure if I like this whole "almost six" business...
Hudson was already asleep when Grace opened the box last night so he opened his surprise this morning...{this is his I-don't-want-to-stop-and-take-a-picture-I-just-want-to-OPEN-it-already! smile}
Heather does the most fun packaging ever. I love how she mixes ribbons and arranges things just so...all her stuff is always adorable!
Wow!!!
Oooh, I love it!
Hmmm...what's this?
And my favorite...Arrrrrrrgh, I can't open it!!?!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Heather!!! Wish I could just reach over and hug your neck!
Today was Hudson's spring picnic at school...
Blueberries, bananas, lemonade, and oh yes, piZZa! Love it!!
It was a gorgeous day and we had such a nice time!!
Love this one of his sweet friend Madeline reaching out to help him up...
Sweet Billy who is Grace's friend Caroline's little brother...love his curls!!
Hudson's buddy Tori and another little girl who I don't know too well, but oh my, isn't she just the cutest southern belle wearing her pearls??!! LOVE!
We lost track of him for one second and next thing I know...
Little stinker had climbed up the hill and was having the time of his life rolling down!!
His buddy Asa spotted him and decided to join in the fun!
And down they went...
One time was enough for Asa, but Hudson just kept going and going and going...
His clothes just kept getting dirtier and dirtier, but he was having the time of his life so I just let him go for it...
...and again, and again!
This is probably my favorite picture from the picnic! he he he...
Just before calling it a day, we went to check out all the artwork from his class...
He was so proud to show us his dinosaur, yes water dripping off his chin and all...*wink*
Love all the fun Dr. Seuss inspired art...
One fish, two fish...
...the blue fish ATE the red fish! hahahahaha
{his teacher said she had to fight to keep a straight face when he told her that - oh my!}
PB & J...
And I figured he would be tuckered out as soon as I buckled him in his car seat, but just then Noonie called to invite him to lunch at IHOP and he said "IHOP? Oh yes! I have room for smiley pancakes!" Gotta love him!
A couple of more birthday projects checked off the list thanks to Noonie's help!
{the flower pillow; other one is from etsy}
Fun flowers!!
{I made all of them except the crochet one}
We wrapped up our day by attending the Faculty Play at Grace's school... SO.MUCH.FUN!! This week is flying by!
This week off has been fAbUloUS! I really feel renewed, even with a couple of minor setbacks like our dryer going out - yea, just a little reality check...to keep us on our toes.
I've enjoyed the stillness of my house, delicious granola parfaits for breakfast, leisurely lunches with my mom, a trip to my favorite antiques store, and crafting to my heart's delight. I definitely don't want to go back to work on Monday - ha!
I'm slowly making progress toward the little pumpkin's birthday...yes, even with an impending "possible storm" forecast. C'est la vie! Time to kick up my praying a notch!!
Thinking balloons might not be the best idea at the park, I've been making some fun little garlands to add color...like {this} one and this one...
For the one above, I ordered a garland made out of vintage sheets on etsy but when it came in, I didn't care for some of the colors in person, so I took off a bunch of the sheets and added scraps of fabrics I had in my stash, and of course, my beloved pom pom trim. I think I have a love affair with pom poms ;)
And while I was out shopping yesterday, I came across all kinds of fun stuff at almost every single stop {beware, these are all phone pics, so not the best quality}!
First up, Target! Isn't this collection aDorABle!?! I'm not usually a "collection" kind of gal since I like to mix things up, but I loooooove this one!! I'm using it to bring the little pumpkin's classroom treats on Monday...so far it looks like milk + donuts have won out...
And oh my, when did this sweet bedding collection get added???!
I'm thinking I need to go back and pick up that pillow...it says "good night" on the back *wink*
Speaking of...I also have a love affair with pillows! I'm slowly switching out a bunch of ours in the great room...
Love the new pillow with the quilt Noonie gave me!
While at Sam's, I spotted this Carter's berry sweet onesie for the itty bitties!!! Oh, that vintage inspired neck and the ric rac...Eeeek! So sweet! If you have a little one, hurry up and visit your Sam's...they are only $6!!
Oh, and I *had* to stop by Walmart. Walmart and I are not friends. Now, I have girlfriends who say they grocery shop at Walmart and have no trouble at all, and I'm guessing they must go at 6:00 a.m. because every time I go there during normal hours, I end up leaving in a horrible mood.
I went to pick up something we needed for the {Literary Ball} back in January and literally had a perfectly capable woman in her 20s curse me out and spout off all kinds of profanity because I wouldn't stop what I was doing to move a buggy {shopping cart for all my northern friends!} out of her way that was not even my buggy!! This is AFTER I had put down the cupcake liners I was counting, moved my buggy out of the way, and SQUEEZED myself as close to the shelves as possible so she could easily get by AND she was there with her girlfriend who could have moved it for her??!?!
Anyway...sorry for the vent...I guess I'm still not over that one! But while picking up paper doilies, I spotted this cake decorating tool...
Have any of you tried this or something like it?? Does it work??
And I saved the best for last...check out this little guy this morning...
Yes, they are having an entire {Dr. Seuss} unit this week at Hudson's preschool and today was WaCKy WeDNeSdaY! Fun, fun!
