A Scary Moment

This morning, I woke up at 4:45 am like usual and got dressed for my run. I walked downstairs to head out the door and realized that one of the children's noise makers was louder than usual. I walked around to Emma Claire's room and saw that her door was open. I began to shut the door, thinking that maybe she just requested it stay open the night before. Then I thought twice, and went back in her room to check on her.

Empty bed. No Emma Claire.

My first thought was that she was on the sofa or something so I went and looked on the sofa.

No Emma Claire.

I ran back upstairs to see if she had somehow climbed in our bed in the night without me realizing it. I turned the light on.

No Emma Claire.

I woke Will up to see if he remembered anything - he didn't have clue.

I looked on the other sofa.

No Emma Claire.

I can't begin to tell you the thoughts that were racing through my mind. I remembered that during Henderson's nap time yesterday, I switched the monitor from listening to downstairs to listening to Henderson's room and I forgot to change it back. All I could think was that the one time I didn't have the monitor on downstairs, someone had come into our house and taken my child right out from under me - REALLY. I thought that. My heart was beating wildly.

I raced downstairs. I looked again in her room to see if maybe she had fallen off her bed and stayed on the ground, but No Emma Claire.

I then looked in the only place I hadn't looked, but surely not, because his door was closed. Wilson's room. I walked in and looked and the side of his bed closest to the door was empty. Then I looked closer and there, on the far side of his bed, were 2 sleeping angels, cuddled together. So sweet, yet with my heart racing, all I could say was Thank You Jesus.

Jesus, please help me not to EVER take my children's health or safety for granted, even in my own house, especially in my own house. Thank you for 3 beautiful, wonderful children.

When she woke up, I asked her if she remembered getting into Wilson's bed last night and she said "yes". I asked what made her want to do that and she said, "I just wanted to make sure he didn't roll off the bed." Ahhhhwww so sweet.

Now, Wilson has never rolled off the bed and he's been in a big bed for a year now, so I'm not sure what prompted that, except that maybe Emma Claire is now taking this Big Sister thing pretty seriously!

Henderson's Birthday!

WHAT.A.WEEKEND - I was in the bed at 8:00 last night - only an hour after everyone left from the birthday party - it was a VERY fun weekend - but party after festival after festival after party - whew!!!!!! This post is only Henderson's Birthday Celebration, but over the next few days I'll cover Fuller's Festival and T-Town Block Party! Just know....I took over 900 pictures this weekend - you'll get to see a few.

Last night we had a small celebration at our house for Henderson's 1st Birthday - I cooked (well, heated) a lasagna and garlic bread, made a salad and then had other goodies and cakes.

I moved Henderson's high chair out to the porch because I had no idea what he would do with all that deliciousness (and the other children had BLUE cupcakes)!

He was not too happy to get back in his high chair
But I don't WANT to get back in that highchair!!!!!

What are all these people staring at me for?

Out of all of you, can't someone get me out?

Hmmmmmm, so this is why I'm in this thing....now, let me see

Playtime!!!!!

Wilson liked his blue cupcake

This sure is fun to play in!

It feels good to my little fingers!!!!

Maybe I can put my face down in it and eat it like a dog!!!???

(He really tried to put his face down in it several times, but couldn't get his body to bend in the right place - THANK.GOODNESS - though it would have made for great pictures!!!)

I think I'll just throw it at all you crazy people laughing at me!

MMMmmmmmm, that is kinda Yummy!

But, more fun to throw!

After THAT was all over, I gave Henderson a quick bath and then it was present time!!!

He really liked his little car Ga-Ga and Grandaddy gave him!

Wilson liked the car too, so we'll see how many fights occur over this (and who wins)!!!!


Henderson didn't get to do much present-opening for all the big kids, but that's okay.

Henderson pushing "real life" baby doll around - watch out, she'll scare you - turn a corner and she'll be sitting on the couch or laying at the top of the stairs and you'll about jump out of your skin!!!!!

Some sweet treats!!!

I attempted his "smash" cake on my own - turned out okay!

All I can say is YUMMY!!!!!!

Thanks to everyone who came and made it a super, special day for Henderson!

Happy 1st Birthday Henderson!

Happy First Birthday Henderson!

Seriously, has it been a year already? Can't be - but you are growing up before our eyes!

Bright eyes, squealer, little man -just a few of your nicknames. You are such a happy baby - God new exactly what we needed when He gave us you. You were a pleasant surprise to us, but not to God. He created you - a perfect mix of your brother and sister - both physically speaking and your little personality.


You are active and happy and all smiles just like your big brother, Wilson. Yet, you are compliant and eager to please, just like Emma Claire. You were our first to crawl and first to walk - you don't talk much, but you sure seem to love to sing - in the car you'll belt out Aaaahhhhhhhhh! It's the longest note - just like you're singing a song. Your daddy and I just look at each other and laugh - you do it ALL.THE.TIME - I don't know that I've ever heard a baby do such a thing!

You have brought such joy to our lives - all smiles and full of energy. You are a great sleeper, eater and car-rider - who could ask for anything more? You love your brother and sister and try your best to keep up with them -- so far you've done pretty good!

You are a trooper - you've made it through several minor illnesses like a champ and even this huge squishy spot on your head didn't slow you down a bit! I know God has great plans for you - I pray you will seek Him and follow Him all your days. I pray you and Wilson and Emma Claire will become and remain the best of friends your entire lives.

Jesus, grow him into a strong boy who loves You and loves others with all his heart. Keep him safe from illness and injury. Give him a heart for the poor and less fortunate. Give him a mind that is sharp, yet compassionate. May all his days, be filled serving You.

Amen.

I love you little man - Happy Birthday!

Unfinished Business

Okay, so here's the rest of Wilson's room - all made up!

This is the area right outside of his room - his room is to the right, closet to the left and bathroom straight ahead - the basement den is where I'm standing.

Bathroom - just in case you were wondering, it was already painted like this when we moved in.

picture from standing in Wilson's closet

There you have it!

Now on to a busy, busy weekend - Parent's Night Out tonight, Fuller's Festival - a fundraiser for Children's Hospital of Alabama - crawfish boil, Henderson's Birthday and party, T-Town Block Party hosted by my church and addressing wedding invitations with my sister, mother and her future mother-in-law!!!!

Whew...I'm tired just writing all that!

Finally

After 8 months of waiting, I finally got the valance to Wilson's room back. I had a lady make it - she's wonderful, does super work at a reasonable price - but.takes.forever!!!!!

I am pleased though - Wilson has a tiny basement room, but along with his room is a seating area outside his room and an adjacent walk-in closet/playroom and bathroom - so all-in-all it's not so small, but the mammoth family-piece bed takes up all the space. I LOVE the bed, don't get me wrong, but eventually I may move it into a guest room and get Wilson a twin on top of full bunk bed (b/c I have a sneaking suspicion that little Henderson will want to "bunk" with his big brother sometimes!!!)

Boy's room have always been a challenge in my mind - I always want rooms that will "grow" with my children - not too toddlerish and definitely not character themed - I don't want to have to re-decorate in 2 years when they outgrow a "stage"!

Ignore the un-made bed and the monster on top of the bed. Will finished putting it all up after 8:00 last night and as badly as I wanted to make up the bed to get a great picture - Wilson wanted (needed) to get in that bed fast asleep even more!

Maybe I'll get some finished-product photos later!

Guess who turns 1 tomorrow??????

Playtime!

It was ALL.ABOUT.PLAY at our house yesterday afternoon - Marlee and Mary Alice came over to play again and I let them do things....

well, you'll see!

Harmless fun playing with Mardis Gras beads, that is until someone starts swinging them around like a laso and slices someones face - that DID NOT happen!!!! Though without proper supervision It could have!!!!








Then, I cleared out my den, lamps, picture frames and all and let the girls turn the bounce house upside down and dive from the sofa on top.
I know -- normally
furniture-jumping is off limits,
but life is short, right?
You know as a child you DREAMED of doing this!!!!




Emma Claire is under there somewhere

Both boys were downstairs asleep - Wilson in his bed and Henderson in a pack-n-play in Wilson's closet - this enabled the girls to have full-run of the upstairs without me saying "keep it down" or "don't get too excited girls!!" Because that sure isn't fun.




When I had heard - "I'm not getting to go first EVER"

and

"They're not letting me have a turn"

and

"She jumped too quick and almost landed right on my head" about 37 times, I finally brought out the brownie mix - now there were some laughs and good times!!!! I had 3 super duper helpers who maybe, just maybe, had a little brownie mix for snack!!!! SSSSHHHH don't tell!

Do you think they liked it? But hey, who doesn't? Yellow cake mix or brownie mix - you can't go wrong - except for the raw eggs of course, but I think everyone survived!

The boys finally woke up after 3 hours - BOTH of them and we loaded up and headed to dinner at church - it was poppyseed chicken night - YUM!!!!! All the children were better than I've ever seen them at dinner - I actually ate all my food and enjoyed it!!!

Sorry for the naked shot of Wilson in the background, but it just cracks (no pun intended) me up! He LOVES to run around naked!!!

Thanks Marlee and Mary Alice for a super duper magnificent playdate!!!!!

Come back anytime!!!!