Another Year Makes 36!

Happy Birthday Jason!  I really have an amazing husband that I don't tell often enough just how much I appreciate him.  He would do absolutely anything for his two girls.  There are a couple of little things he does that make me so happy and I don't think he realizes just how appreciative I am.  

One is that he always pumps the gas for me.  I'm totally capable of doing this, but in the past two years I've only pumped the gas once!  It's the little things!

The other thing is that he does bath duty!  I am not fond of giving Raleigh a bath.  I don't know why, but I just don't really enjoy it.  Jason does it all the time and Raleigh loves for him to do it.  They sing and play and it's such a joy to listen to them enjoying some daddy/daughter time.

There are so many more things he does that I don't deserve.  I know that he's always going to provide for us and make sure that we are well taken care of at all times.  Just a couple of the reasons I love him!

We celebrated with breakfast at my parents in the morning.  Jason is difficult to buy gifts for.  There are things I know he would love, but they're things that he would have to pick out (bike shoes, bike parts, etc.).  So, I tried to find something different that he might enjoy.  This was a book/chart of world history with all the different times in history.  I had been eyeing this since Christmas and I think it was a success!

Of course new clothes are always needed

You'll never guess who picked out this card!!

My parents gave Jason just what he wanted...money!

Someone else thought she needed it too!

For dinner we went with both of our parents to eat at Pappadeaux.  We love this restaurant, but usually only go for our birthdays.  Here we are after opening our gift from Jason's parents...a gift card to the apple store!!!  On the list to buy...an ipad!  I'm ecstatic, but was told I must share.  :)  Now we must wait until the new one comes out.

Nana and Granddaddy brought Raleigh her Valentine gift...lace up cards!

Happy Birthday Jason!!!  We love you!!

Play Time with Uncle Scott and Aunt Vivian!

My brother Scott had class in Augusta for the month of January.  This meant that we were able to see him and Vivian on the weekends!  Raleigh loves Vivian!  She of course loves Scott and Todd and Cindy as well, but when Vivian is around no one else gets her attention.  I finally captured some pictures on their last day at home (Jason's birthday because I think Scott makes it his goal to never be home on my birthday).  :)

Playing Barbies with Vivian

Barbie fiasco:  When Lacy was about Raleigh's age she pulled the head off one of my Barbies and we never threw it away.  Raleigh had to carry on the tradition so now we have two Barbies with their head torn off!

 Even with the head off you can still comb the hair!

Raleigh and Vivian would take the boots from the Barbies and put them on the ends of their fingers then sing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

See what I mean...she loves her!

Vivan had to get ready to leave so Scott got a little bit of love.  They played the organ together (or Scott pumped and Raleigh played)!

And Scott doing what he does best...aggravating and tickling!

I'm so glad that we were able to have some time with Scott and Vivian!  Raleigh didn't want them to leave!

Lacy's Senior Night

Lacy's senior night...senior...meaning that she's going to be 18 in a couple of months and graduating from high school...not possible!  I mean I was 13 when she was born and I'm only 22!  :) 

They honored all the senior basketball players before the game.  I am very proud of my niece and how much she's grown and changed over the past few years.  Definitely going to miss seeing her as much next year when she's away at college!

Here's Lacy with Todd and her mom Lori

Some pre-game stuff.  Lacy was a captain and also led everyone in prayer before the game.  Did I say I was proud??  I am!

Getting ready for the jump ball

First free throws of the game...shot 1...good!

Shot 2...good!

Lacy dribbling!  Not something that happens much, but she does great when she does it!

Lacy going for a rebound.  In the second picture you can see her getting knocked down.  :(  This is one thing that she's improved on...being more aggressive (glad she learned this because I never did).

One of Lacy's biggest cheerleaders!

Scott and Vivian were able to see two games.  Vivian was really getting into it (she tends to do this when she watches sports)!

Funny story here.  Hebron was up by 10 or so with maybe 30 seconds left in the game.  Todd was yelling for them to not shoot because there wasn't a need to and to let the clock run out.  Well, during that time Prince Avenue had gotten the ball back and then Hebron ended up with it again with probably 10 seconds left.  Lacy got the ball several times and every time she did we all shouted for her to shoot.  Finally with 5 seconds left on the clock she did...a 3-pointer...she's not a 3-point shooter.  She's a couple feet behind the 3-point line when she shoots...

and it looked great, but was short.  :(  She said that it got tipped a little too.  Everyone around us told Todd that he needed to make up his mind...did he want them to shoot or not!

And talking about it as they head to the locker room!

Nice win!

While waiting on Lacy, Raleigh had a nice talk with Brianna (Lacy's best friend).  Not sure what Brianna was telling her, but she was listening intently.

This is my favorite picture from the whole night.  They were talking and laughing about Lacy's 3-point shot.

A proud daddy and his girl (and niece)!

And a proud Aunt and Uncle...glad they were able to see Lacy play!

And Raleigh has to be in all the pictures.  :)

Dear Raleigh,

Today we went to sign you up for 3 year preschool at Child's World.  I'm excited that you are going to get to experience it just like I did.  I hope you'll love it!  Mrs. Scott is going to be your teacher.  I know you'll love her.  I'm excited for you as this is a new milestone in your life, but I'm very sad at the same time.

I'm not ready for you to grow up so quick!  I know you must go to school and that you'll learn so much, but it's hard to think that I won't be a part of it.  Even before you were born I dreamed of being at home with you every day and what it would be like to be able to take you to school, volunteer in your class, pick you up from school and get to talk about your day.  I'm very thankful that I've been able to be home most days with you, but now that you're getting ready to start school I'm realizing how much I'm going to miss.

Next year you're going to go to Child's World for two half days.  We could have signed you up for two whole days, but I really didn't want you to go all day and it would cost us more money.  I also wanted you to be in class with Payton and so that I would have Kim to ask any questions since she's been there before. Daddy is able to take you and Nana is going to pick you up.  I'll be working every day that you go to Child's World.  I'll never get to take you to school or pick you up.  I know I'm being very selfish, but this is my job and I feel like it's being taken away from me and given to someone else.  I don't like it one bit!!  It makes me very sad every time I think about it and I just want to cry thinking that I won't get to see your excitement as you go to school or when you get picked up.  I won't get the interaction with your teachers to find out how you are doing.  It makes me sick!  I'm missing a very important part of your life!

Raleigh, I hope you will understand one day that this is not how I want it to be, but how it is for now.  I love you so much and hope that one day this will all change and it will once again be my job...the way it's suppose to be!  The only bad thing is then it will be too late.  I promise I will use up any hours I have to be at any party or field trip you have...I refuse to miss it all!  I love you!!!

Love always,
Mommy

Basketball and Princesses!

My niece Lacy plays basketball at Hebron Christian Academy.  She's really become a great player and improves each game.  With this being her senior year (I can't believe it!) we are going to as many games as we can.  I love watching her play!

Huddle before the game

 First point of the game for HCA!

 Halftime break...picture with Aunt Cindy

 Getting ready for the second half with some layup practice

 Lacy was explaining something to the coach during this time out

 In between the varsity girls and boys game they had their homecoming court.  Raleigh loved watching all the girls come out in their pretty dresses.  When we were leaving the homecoming queen was sitting at one of the tables and waving to Raleigh.  Without hesitation Raleigh went over to her (this is definitely not like her so she must have thought she was a real princess!)  Thankful that this girls mom took these pictures and Lacy was able to tag me in them from facebook!