And then she was six.

Yesterday, my baby turned six. 

While part of my thinks this is just downright rude of her, 

the other part is too busy being thankful for her and all that she adds to our life to be anything but crazy grateful. 

She's our sunshine, 

our peace-keeper, 

and has more friends at age six than I've had in my whole life. 

Everyone that meets her loves it,

and it's so easy to see why. 

Her little heart is so so good. 

She loves deeply and is crazy funny. 

I literally can't wait to see what all God has store for her, 

and I will thank him every single day for the rest of my life for choosing me,

 of all people, 

to be her mom. 

Happy birthday, peanut butter cup. 

I love you all the way to Africa and back. 

The beach life is the best life.

This past weekend was just what a needed. 

Four days at the beach with my girls, my mom, my sister-law, and my nieces. 

It was simply simple, and that happens to be my favorite way to spend a weekend. 

The girls boogie boarded until they all but fell out. 

The waves, sun, wind, and sand were practically narcotic. 

And Hollyn swam floatie free for the very first time. 

Also, I was able to cross #3 off of my 30 in my 30's list. 

I'd say this weekend was mighty fine indeed. 

Life Lately

Things have been kind of crazy lately-- 

no normal routine for us. 

I'll give you the short and simple version: 

-Have you ever had a double ear infection for over a month? I have. 

Here's to hope the third round of antibiotics is where it's at. 

-Adoption paperwork schmaperwork. It's basically all a blur at this point. 

-Hollyn went on a day trip with my mom last week to see Jake and the Neverland Pirates

 (and all of his friends apparently) on stage. 

Note: If she tells you she likes cotton candy, she's lying. 

- The new Noonday Collection line launches tomorrow, and I'm all kinds of excited about it. 

-Nothing says HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY like a giant box of peppermint coffee flavored K-cups, am I right or am I right?

-Road trip planning is my favorite, and the girls and I are gearing up to head South in just a few weeks. 

-Speaking of road trip, we have something big in the works. More to come on this soon, but let's just say the girls and I will be anything but bored this Summer. 

Here's to hoping your Monday is all kinds of fabulous and filled with hot chocolate, a movie that makes you laugh out loud, and snuggling with the ones you love. 

The beach is different with kids.

The beach is different with kids. 

It's as simple and complicated as that. 

No more closing my eyes and drifting away into a sweet, sunburn slumber. 

No more floating on a rift and staring up at the sun until I am in a sun and sand daze.

No more throwing a beach towel and a good book in a bag and heading out. 

Nope, nope, nope. 

Now I roll out with no less that fifty pounds o' goodies. 

Things like sunscreen with ALL the SPF, enough snacks to feed a small army, and every beach toy known to man find their way into my beach bag. 

My eyes are on overdrive-- constantly watching. 

Constantly counting kiddos. 

Constantly reapplying all the sunscreen to all their many, many parts. 

The beach is still fun. 

It's still relaxing. 

But these days, my joy comes from watching them rather than from my own time spent sunning. 

Seeing Hollyn sit in the water, little green floaties bobbing up and down, up and down brings a smile to face. 

And watching Libby find and treasure every. single. shell.--- that's pure joy, people. 

But the greatest beach joy these days? 

Oh, that's easy---

watching my girls love the heck out of it the same way I do. 

Takes the cake with every splashing wave. 

Tiny dancers unite.

You know how some mothers are emotional about things like graduation or birthdays 

or the last days of schools? 

Well, I'm the mom who is emotional about dance recital. 

There is just something so special about watching my girls perform. 

It slays me to see them so grown up and so independent. 

I'm not holding their little chubby hands or standing close by. 

They don't need me to be; they've got this. 

That time they are on stage, watching them up there looking so confident, it does something to my heart. 

It's one of my finest mom moments. 

Not because they're doing anything that a million other little girls around the world are doing this time of year.....

....simply because they're mine. 

And I love them as big as the sky, ripped tights, tap shoes (or no tap shoes-- way to pull that one off, Hollyn), and glitter eye shadow aside.

Your Royal Majesty

She is a little princess, this girl of mine. 

I have cherished my time at home with her. 

And I make a constant effort to treasure her at this age. 

It seems like just yesterday when Libby was little. 

And I know one day, Hollyn will be too big for princess dress up. 

And when that day comes, I will cry and long for these days.....

...even if the floors need vacuuming, the dishes are piling up, and the laundry is calling my name. 

Arrrggggg Matey

This year for her birthday, my girl only wanted one thing.....

.....a party fit for a pirate. 

So, a party fit for a pirate she did get. 

A few little details and a New Year's Eve spent stitching. 

I honestly think that I've officially mastered the idea of an easy handmade birthday party.......

.....and it only took me nine years and two kids. 

Happiest of happy birthdays, my little pirate. 

Here's hoping FOUR is your best year yet. 

And in case you're wondering, I am one over-the-top excited girl. 

In just a few hours, I'll be hitting the road and headed to Austin to spend the next four days with the world-changing women of Noonday Collection for our conference. 

It's basically all I've been able to think about, and I may or may not have packed last week. 

Here's hoping your weekend is anywhere close to as amazing as mine is sure to be. 

Four is the magic number

Sunshine, snuggle bug, silly goose, squishy squishy. 

Little priss, precious angel, princess Holly Belle. 

Peanut buttercup, Hollyn Reedy Cakes, baby polar bear. 

Sweetheart, sugar bug, silliest of silly girls.

Pumpkin head, H, baby doll face, puddin' pop. 

We call her lots of things, 

but my favorite thing to call her is MINE. 

And MINE is now officially four. 

Happy birthday, precious girl. 

You make me the happiest kind of happy. 

Cutest Dolls Ever, My Girl is Famous, and a Giveaway

Have you heard about North American Bear Company? 

I just love them and all of their cuteness. 

Well, when they contacted me this past spring and asked if they borrow my girls for some marketing shots, I of course said yes. So, the girls and I headed to a land far, far away that is also know as our backyard, and I snapped a few shots of them with their new Sophie and Lili dolls, aka the cutest dolls I've ever seen. 

We had so much fun, and apparently the people at North American Bear Company liked them because this is what arrived in my mailbox this summer: 

Yes, that is Libby on the cover of their new catalog. 

She was so excited. 

Every girl needs her five minutes of fame, right? 

We just love their dolls.
Each design comes with the cutest little tag that tells you about your doll's personality. 

I love how they encourage my girls to embrace who they are. 

In fact, we love them SO  MUCH that we included the Lena doll in our thank you card that we send out with all of our adoption shirts. 

And North American Bear Company wants to give one doll to THREE of YOU!

Which one would YOU pick if you win? 

I am seriously thinking about just buying stock in them and giving them as our go-to birthday presents from now until the end of time. 

When I say we LOVE them, I am so not kidding. 

The giveaway will run from today until Tuesday night (October 1) at midnight. 

And thanks again, North American Bear Company, for giving my kiddo a really fun item for show and tell. 

You guys rock. 

The next time in Chicago, I'm totally stopping by the office to give you all high fives.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*While North American Bear is all kind of awesome and did send us some dolls to keep free of charge, these opinions are 100% my own.*

No Use Crying Over Bad Haircuts

So Monday afternoon, while she was supposed to be taking a nap, Hollyn proceeded to cut her hair...with safety scissors. 

Can we all please pause for a moment of silence in honor of her beautiful hair that once was? 

Before and after......

I'm ashamed to say that I cried about it...more than once. 

And then I was ashamed for crying. 

I have so much to be thankful for, and this new do is only temporary. 

No use crying over bad haircuts, right? 

And in case you haven't been around in a while, 

have you entered the WORDS OF WISDOM giveaway? 

I'm teaming up with four other bloggers to offer five inspirational books to one of you. 

AND did you see the cutest wedding ever? 

What good posts have YOU written or read lately? 

I'd love to check them out if you leave a link in the comments. 

Happy Wednesday to you and you and you. 

Tomorrow Hollyn and I set off for a mini road trip with a friend. 

We could not BE more excited. 

Dear....

Dear Hollyn, 

Last week you got a slinky stuck it your hair. Two words for you: NOT. COOL. 

Love, The Mom Who Doesn't Want to Have to Get the Scissors

Dear Hubby, 

We need to go on a date. 

Seriously. 

It's been way too long.....like since we went to Africa last July. 

If I sell an organ and get some dolla dolla bills, will you take me to the movies? 

I'll wear something other than an old t-shirt.....

Love, The Wife Who Wants a Night Out

Dearest Darling Africa, 

I miss you. In fact, I MORE than miss you. I literally caught myself day-dreaming about red dirt and elephants and little babies grabbing at my long skirt. I NEED plans to come back to you very, very soon. You bring out the best in me. 

Love, The Girl Who LOVES You BIG TIME

Dear Little Baby Libby, 

Come back. I miss you. Where did you go? One day you were singing Old McDonald, and today you came home singing a version of 'Don'tcha Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me' that someone taught you at the lunch table today. I miss you wanting to spend every minute with just me and wearing whatever I pick out without bucking the system. I miss the days when you were little and squishy and just wanted your mama. While I love big girl Libby, can I just play with little bitty Libby for a day here and there? 

I'd be forever grateful. 

Love, The Mama Who Wants to Freeze Time

Cooler Than Being a Rockstar

Nose wiper.

Hair fixer.

Homework helper. 

Clothes washer.

Story teller.

Potty trainer.

Lunch packer.

Medicine giver.

Boo boo kisser.

Alphabet singer. 

Farm noise maker. 

Bath tub runner. 

Diaper changer. 

Band-aid applier.

TV monitor. 

Hug giver.

Kiss stealer.

Tooth puller.

Lesson teacher.

Wet bed changer.

Tear wiper.

Rule enforcer. 

Party planner. 

Toy organizer.

Sibling rivalry referee. 

Tender heart nurturer.

Arts and crafts director. 

Bed time tucker. 

When you think about it like that, being a MOM is cooler than being a rockstar. 

Here's hoping your week is off to a stellar start. 

And if you get a chance, hop on over to my friend Lindsy's blog. 

She's got an awesome adoption t-shirt giveaway going on.