Whew....that's about all I got to say about THIS weekend. Don't get me wrong- it's not really been a bad one, just EXTREMELY busy and I've been flying solo since early Saturday morning.

Before this crazy weekend began though,

Shane and I were able to sneak off for a couple of hours on Friday night and enjoy a belated anniversary dinner.

Saturday morning came bright and early as Shane got ready to participate in the "Breakaway to the Beach Experience". This is a HUGE road bike race which raises funds and awareness for MS. He rode his bike for a total of 150 miles over the course of two days. He started just outside of Charlotte, and rode all the way to Sunset Beach, N.C.

He did great and was able to finish strong!
We are so proud of him and all his hard work!!!!

The kids woke up VERY early on Saturday morning in order to give Daddy lots of good luck hugs and kisses.
They were very excited to see him off.

After we got Shane on the road, it was off to the soccer fields for the rest of us.
We had three soccer games on the docket for Saturday.

Cor, Ri, and "A" each played GREAT, and the babies and I had fun cheering them on from the sidelines!

After the games were over, we were then birthday party bound.

"A's" classmate, Bella, invited our family over to help her celebrate her 6th birthday.
Lots of kids from "A's" class were there and we had a GREAT time hanging out and getting to know these sweet families better. Bella's family hosted a wonderful cookout in their backyard and everything was delicious!

The kids were well entertained with the bouncy house, scavenger hunt, and pinata!

Everyone had a BLAST, and by the time we got home, everyone (including this mama) were WIPED.
We called it a day rather early and by the time every one's head hit that pillow Saturday evening--they were OUT!

Sunday we went to church and then headed home to host some sweet, unexpected out of town guests. We enjoyed a nice visit with Shane's grandparents, dad, and aunt and uncle. Of course, everyone was bummed that Shane wasn't there to visit too.
After they left, it was BACK to church again for children's choir and Wee Praisers.
By the time we got back from church Sunday evening, Shane was home from his race!
Everyone was so...........glad to see him--especially ME;)!!!!!

Whew...What a weekend y'all. I'm kind-of glad it's Monday.
Happy, Happy Monday everyone. I pray it's a great one!

A lunch date

Today, the babies, Riley, and I decided we would surprise Corban at school and join him for lunch. Since we ate lunch with "A" a few days ago, Cor began asking when we would come eat lunch with him too.

So today, we packed up our lunches and headed out to Cor's school.

It was rather nice out so we decided to bike to the school instead of drive.

The kids always think it's a fun treat to bike!

Right as we were heading out, the phone rang. It was my sister KK calling and she said she was on her way to our house. I told here where we were going and she said she would meet us up at the school instead.

Corban was so excited to not only have us eating lunch with him, but KK as well!

Having our family close by is such a blessing.
There's nothing like impromptu lunch dates!!! What a special treat for all of us!!

Nine years ago today...

I married my best friend and soul mate.

Nine years ago today, I said "I do"!
Five crazy kids and one wonderful life later...I still do!

I can't imagine doing life with anyone else.

You've made all my wildest dreams come true!

Happy Anniversary Babe!
I LOVE you FOREVER and EVER!!!

"A's" special day!

Today is "A's" birthday. She is now a great big 6 year old!!!

For weeks now, she has been reminding us that her birthday is coming up soon,
and for weeks, we have been counting down the days.

Needless to say, she is one very excited 6 year old!

We ate lunch with "A" at school today,


and then had cupcakes after, in honor of her big day.

Sophie enjoyed her cupcake!

Hudson thought his was YUMMY too!

I know this little girl has only been with us for a few short months, but it's been long enough for us to fall in love.

I really don't know what the future holds, or if we will have the privilege of celebrating another birthday with her. My heart sure hopes so, but we just don't know.
The one truth I hold on to through all of this is---
I do know the ONE who holds her future, and I have entrusted Him with our precious "A".
I pray this verse for "A" every single day!!!

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord.
Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!
You are SO..... LOVED!!!

A new do for Sophie Lu

I took the little Miss for a haircut today.

What do ya think?
Adorable huh,
but of course I'm just a little bias;)

One last hurrah...

So...our weekend didn't go quite as planned. Friday afternoon, Hudson starting throwing up. Have I mentioned how much I HATE the throw ups!!!

ANYTHING---ANYTHING but that!!!!
Oh well...such is life--right.
Hud continued to get sick all afternoon and into the evening before he finally stopped.
Poor guy! He was absolutely miserable!!!

Thankfully he slept all night long, but on Saturday morning when he woke up he was CRABBY! No more sickness, but oh. my. goodness was he GRUMPY.

The three big kids had soccer games and since he wasn't getting sick anymore, I thought I would try and go. Maybe the fresh air would do him some good and lift his spirits. Well, he fussed through the games and was just plain irritable! We came home and he (thankfully) took a LONG nap. I was supposed to take the kids to a birthday party that afternoon, but we were unable to attend because Hud was so... unhappy. (Shane had some things to get done Saturday afternoon, or he would have stayed home with him.)
The kids were totally bummed:(

Sunday morning we woke up and started getting ready for church. Hudson seemed better, but we quickly realized his fussiness was still here. We decided to fore go church and not put him, or the sweet nursery workers, through Hudson's irritability. After spending most of the morning home, Hudson seemed better.

Shane and I talked and we decided, in order to NOT have the weekend be a total bust, we would try and take the kids to Carowinds for a few hours.
Again, we thought maybe some outdoor time would be good for Hud.

We also hadn't been in a few weeks, and our chances to go the rest of this year were growing slim.

Sunday was probably the last time we'll be there this season, so even though it was a short visit, we wanted it to be memorable!!

It was our one last hurrah for the year!

The kids had a great time (of course)...

and even Hudson seemed happier and a little less grumpy!

Bless his heart.
Even though it was a rough weekend, one look at that sweet smile just melts my heart!
Love this boy.
Happy or Not;)

Happy Monday Everyone!!

A reason to celebrate...

Both of these sweet girls have birthdays this month.
Sophie's was yesterday-the 16th, and "A's" is coming up on Tuesday-the 21st. In honor of their birthdays, we decided to throw one big birthday bash for BOTH girls in a couple of weeks. Since yesterday was Sophie's actual birthday though, I didn't want the day to go by without having a small celebration, so my parents, grandparents, and few of my sisters came over to our house for dinner, cake, and presents last night.

I made baked ziti, which is one of Sophie's all time favorite meals!

After dinner it was present time!
Of course, Sophie LOVED opening a few gifts!

Sophie passes out a few "thank you kisses"!!!!

Love you Grandpa.

Kisses for Grandma!

Love for Grammy and Papa!

Time for cake.
Happy Birthday little one!

Make a wish sweet girl!

Riley and Al enjoy their cake!

We love you to the moon and back!
Happy 2nd birthday Sophie Lu!!!

Sophie Lu...

TURNS TWO!

That's right...today our little baby is no longer a baby, but a BIG GIRL!

I still cannot believe Miss Sophie is TWO.

I remember as if it was yesterday, when they placed this tiny, blue eyed, blond haired, little girl in my arms. I had never seen anything that small, or held anything that precious before in my entire life.
And then I was told she was MINE...all MINE!!!!

I will NEVER forget that moment as long as I live!!!
It was in that instant that I knew my life was forever changed.

Sophie Lu...you are one of the most precious gifts we have ever been given!
We adore you more that words could ever express!

From the top of your bow that ALWAYS adorns your head

to the bottom of those sparkly shoes (your favorite pair) you are CHERISHED!!!

Today, we also remember your precious birth mom.
Because of her, we celebrate YOU.
She gave you the gift of life AND allowed me the privilege of being your mommy!

I am humbled and FOREVER grateful!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!
We could not love you more!!!

The babies...

It was so..........beautiful out this morning, so after we dropped Riley off at preschool, the babies and I headed to the path in our neighborhood for a walk. It also proved to be the perfect morning for a photo op, so I snapped a few!

It seems like I've been posting A LOT about the big kids lately and haven't really blogged about my sweet babies much.

Bless their little hearts---sometimes it seem like they are just along for the ride as we cart the big kids here and there to their various activities. They are such good sports though and LOVE being with the big kids. Whether we are walking the kids to school, cheering them on at a soccer game, or playing in the backyard after school, anywhere the big kids are, the babies are normally not far behind!!!

One big change that took place this year is that three days a week it's just US. I mean, the three older kids are in school, so it's just me and my two sweet babies.

It's NEVER been just me and the babies before, so I'm definitely LOVIN' our little bit of time together.

They are getting so.......BIG!!

Hudson will be 17 months this week and

our Sophie girl turns the BIG 2 on THURSDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh.my.goodness!!!!
I just can't believe it!

I've just recently notice them actually playing together. Most of the time they play beside each other, but lately I've noticed them playing TOGETHER.

They laugh, share (well, not ALL the time-lol) and talk with each other.

It just melts this momma's heart!!!!

I feel so blessed to call these two mine and love watching them grow, learn, and LOVE TOGETHER!!!!!!