Missing a little girl

I am missing this sweet little face tonight.

She left Sunday afternoon to go to the beach with her Aunt Ellen, cousins (Chandler, Patton, and Mills) and Nana. She is having the time of her life - swimming in the indoor pool, playing in the sand, bungee jumping, shopping, eating, playing, laughing. I miss her. Wilson keeps asking where Emma Claire is and Henderson keeps looking around, like he's waiting for someone else. I can only imagine what it's like to lose a child. Here I sit, missing her, but knowing she's only 5 hours away, and God willing, will be back in 2 days. I have seen pictures of her on Facebook everyday that my dear SIL posts with her cell phone. I have talked with Ellen and Di Anna multiple times a day, and I know everything she's said and done (for the most part). Still, it feels like a part of my own body is missing - this sweet sweet child, who I cuddle with every night and who makes me laugh with her funny comments and questions.

SO, in honor of Emma Claire (and in case she is homesick and is able to look at the blog from a computer at the beach) here are some pictures of her bedroom!

This is my favorite room of the house - literally - I picked out everything for this room and my mom made much of it - it is a forever room (I hope), not too childish, but girly enough for a girly girl. She has been in this room since she was 24 months old (well, not this EXACT room - 2 houses later, but the same furniture and bedding, etc.). I love you Emma Claire and I miss you! Have fun, be sweet and be safe!

Sunday School Karaoke

In addition to all the Easter festivities this past weekend, we had a Sunday School potluck/karaoke party at the Turnipseed's!!!! They have EVERYTHING outdoors - karaoke, playground, trampoline, tree house/fort, zip line, doll house, rope swing (at the Turner's next door), toys - it's a great place for an outdoor party!!!! It started off warm, but got cool quick!!!! Our Sunday School class has the BEST cooks - the food is always AMAZING!!!!! What always amazes me too is the variety - a little bit of everything was there - spinach salad, layered salad, fruit, macaroni and cheese, sandwiches, ham biscuits, chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, fried chicken, pizza, cookies, cupcakes, cake, spinach dip, corn, rolls and I know I'm leaving lots out - that's just what I had on MY plate!!!!! Yum Yum!!!!

Wilson has a slight obsession with pockets!!!!

Henderson had fun...in oreos?????

Nope, he got into Melissa's plants....little stinker!

Thad, Stan and John had a great time showing off their musical talent - the children acted like crazy fans!!!!!

Sweet Amy took a ride down the zip line - at the end she hit "bottom", but that's not surprising considering she's got the body of a super model - like 6 feet tall and 100 pounds - we're a sight standing side by side!!!!

These precious girls had their turn singing - they did great considering they didn't really know any of the songs that well and couldn't read that quickly!!!!

Wilson found a huge helmet and kept it on a LONG time!!!! I think Sarah Davis was a little frightened!!!!

Emma Claire LOVES the zip line!!!! Will was the ride keeper - he must have put children on that thing 50 times!!!!!!

Chandler was right at home doing karaoke!!!!

Wilson got a chance to shine!!!!

These 2 are T.R.O.U.B.L.E

Will found this old bike and kept riding it around - I called him the Wicked Witch of the West, I also heard Pee Wee Herman comments!!! :~)

Sweet little friends - you might also note that this is 5 of the 7 Wildcat Soccer team!!!!

There he is again........

cousins and best friends!!!!

Have I mentioned how Greatly Blessed we are to have such super friends and family around??? Oh Yeah, I have! Well, we are - thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!!!!!!

Easter, Part 2

Whew...What a whirlwind weekend!!!! It has been so much fun - the children have had a blast, and as of 5:00 this evening, both boys were down....for the night!!!!! I have claimed my house back after coming and going 8 times and spending the night off - it's always fun to do so many things, but my house sure takes a beating - bags and bags packed and dropped, Easter baskets filled and emptied, filled and emptied, filled and emptied....you get my drift. I have done 4 loads of laundry, vacummed, packed lunches, cleaned bathrooms.....and the list goes on.

The Bunny came for a visit...

Emma Claire was proud of her letter to the bunny

and excited that he wrote back

We had a moving worship service this morning and a packed out Sunday School - which was kind of surprising given that this is the first weekend of our Spring Break!!!! After church we headed over to Will's parents house where we had a quick lunch and then spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the sunshine and hiding Easter Eggs!

Here are Will's mom (Di Anna), Ellen and myself for a rare picture!!!!

The little angel himself!!!!!

A family photo - in honor of our Anniversary!!!!

Sweet little man

The princess - she is on her way to the beach as I type - I will miss her this week as she has fun in the sun with her cousins!!!!!

There's that angel look again, don't let it fool you!!!!!

All the grandchildren with Nana and Granddaddy Bud

In more casual clothes for a fun egg hunt!

Wilson wasn't too excited about Henderson getting his eggs!

Henderson is taking more and more steps every day!

Tomorrow, I'll post about our fun Saturday night Sunday School social / karoke party!!!! It was a blast!!!!

EASTER, Part 1

This is a picture of Will and I last night before we left fr our mini-vacation! It was fabulous, fun, relaxing, great for our marriage! Thank you Will, I love you!

A Big Thank you to Katie and Matt for doing a great job watching our children - You said they were great, but I'll really know how they were if you wait 10 years before having children!!!! :~)

Emma Claire's furry critter!

Roses Will gave me - 6 wonderful years!!!!

Easter Egg Hunt #1 - train ride

Can you tell what's happening in the picture below? Wilson was late getting to the egg hunt and all the eggs were gone - his sweet big sister dropped eggs out of her basket so he could "find" some!!!!

Fun with cousins!

and Friends!

I promise, we DID NOT plan this!

Easter Egg Hunt #2 (for today)

This was the best Easter Egg Hunt EVER - so she said....the prizes in the eggs were fabulous! Emma Claire made $11.50!!!!! She thought this was sooooo cool!

Emma Claire "gets" the whole Easter Egg Hunt thing - she races and gathers lots and lots of eggs

She was in speedy motion!!!!!

My favorite comment of the day..... Emma Claire opened an empty egg and declared,

"Mommy! It's an egg from God - like the empty tomb!!!!"

I'm glad she "gets" that too!