My semi-annual, non-kid post

GET THIS BOOK!!!! I'm only 1/5 of the way through it and I believe it will change the way I'm living.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

"Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy.

And he writes...

Daddy Daughter Dance (Dad-daw-dance: In Journey)

Our night began with a fabulous dinner at Pei Wei. What a great idea! Have all these dads dress up and take their daughter(s) to what felt like the prom but to the annual Northland Church Daddy Daughter Dance. Journey (dressed in her beautiful white gown) and I arrived at the church to the smell of buttery popcorn, flashing lights and music pumping loud enough to hear in the streets. I walked into the foyer of the sanctuary and had a flashback to my old clubbing days then quickly realized this was a redeemed version of what fun, music and dance should be like. We go from table to table, eating fruit, cheese and cotton candy. Then the dj yells out “Time for the Cupid Shuffle!” We hit the dance floor and danced for 20 minutes (btw..that song is way too long) most of it with Journey in my arms. As we dance I look in Journey’s eyes and she is amazed!

After we danced to a little Stevie Wonder, the associate pastor came on stage and guided the fathers and daughters through vows made to each other. As I am holding Journey in my arms I began saying the vow to her, she reaches up, clasps my face in her hands and gave me the most endearing look ever. I began to weep and she just laid her head on my shoulder squeezing me with both arms while I finished vowing to protect her, guide her, pray for her, love her and love her mother. Wow! That was the highlight of my night.

At this point it is about 8:30 pm, I’m exhausted from dancing, she is tired too but she sees the face painting line and had to have her face painted. So we stand in line hot and sweaty, music pumping, dads on the dance floor next to us dancing as if there was no tomorrow. Thirty five minutes later and a beautiful flower painted on her face capped off a wonderful night of fun. I did keep her out way past her curfew and I told Journey “only daddy can keep you out that late and NO ONE ELSE.” I never knew a Daddy Daughter dance could be so amazing. I am hooked, can’t wait to go back with both my baby girls!

Meanwhile...I got to hang with these two.

While Daddy and Journey were cuttin' up on the dance floor with over 1000 other daddy/daughter pairs, i got to hang out with these two. We went to Jayden's favorite spot-Millenia Mall where we had chickfila, played in the "little circle" (a wide open place with no equipment that is meant for lots of chasing and instant friend-making), and snuggled up on the couch with a movie...non other than Disney's "Cars." It was a good night indeed.

a special date

Stay tuned for some fun pictures from a special night. Demetrius took Journey to a "Daddy-Daughter Dance" last night. They definitely had fun and did not get home until almost 10:30pm! He took her to dinner and then to dance the night away...

Kodak Moments

Happy 1/2 Birthday Hope Elise!

Happy Saturday!

3 musketeers

I hereby introduce to you...the 3 Musketeers. That would be Selah-bug on the far left. She has unofficially (along with her Mommy Melonie) become part of our family. She is about 7 weeks older than Journey and 2 years to the day older than Hope. We love them so much! I've mentioned before that Melonie has a budding photography business.

I just love this picture she took because these are their signature facial expressions.

they make my heart glad

Jayden

Random t.v. watching position. He never ceases to amaze me:)

He is finally eating a little better. We are working on it...

This represents today's Jayden. He is always "the best, fastest, strongest, tallest, biggest, smartest, oldest, betterest." He is obsessed with being first and in the front...often pushing little Journey aside to show how big his muscles are. Sigh.

But don't be too alarmed. He loves her. One night she slept in our bed after throwing up all in hers. Jayden woke up screaming "I. Need. My. Sissssssssssssttttterrrrrrrrrr. I. CAN'T. SLEEP WITHOUT JOURRRRRRRNNNNNEEEEYYYYYYY." She adores him.

His creativity amazes me. I love seeing him grow and learn. He built this train track around the "city." He loves cities with tall buildings. He loves Orlando.

Journey

Can't get enough of this girl. Seriously, she is just the best.

Big smile. Pretty nails. She is ALL girl.

Caught the cute little lisp on camera. This is her saying "Cheese."

It's puzzle mania at our house. I really love it when they get about 7 different ones out at the same time. Please note: sunglasses and headband.

Cell. Sunglasses. Dora book. Just about sums it up.

Hope

Umm. Does this look like any 5 1/2 month old you know? This girl is clearly gonna follow her big sister's growth trend. Geez.

Sitting up these days!

Having serious sister-like conversation.

Had her first taste of food tonight! She's been ready for a while. Me? Not-so-much.

Cereal face. I think she's saying "it's about time mom."

What We've Been Up Too

Playing (and fighting) together. Oh, what will I do when that little one starts getting in the mix? I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous. Babies are easy. Toddlers, not so much.

This girl makes me smile. The daily routine includes a trip to the potty immediately followed by putting on her "princess costume", tights, and usually shoes and hair accessories. I promise you she was up for a total of 5 minutes this morning and she was fully princessed out and asking me to put on music so she could dance. She's a big fan of Taylor Swift.

Orlando has some incredible parks. There are on every corner and they are all super nice. It's a favorite (free) past time especially when it's not 100 degrees outside.

On a cold day you can find the kids and their sweet daddy "fishing" at the swimming pool. Classic.

sick baby

Sweet Hope is not feeling too sporty these days. I think she might be teething as well. Check out that drool:)

She is still an incredibly snuggly baby. She is almost 5 months old now.

Check out those arm rolls. It still amazes me that babies grow like this on milk alone. It's really crazy to think that my body has sustained her. I don't think I'll ever get over how God brings about a little life. I love pregnancy and babies (but I am still pretty sure I'm done having babies of my own:)

Chubby bunny. She was little for about one whole month.

Hair Cuts

BEFORE

Our neighbor is finishing up school this May so Demetrius asked her if she would cut the kids hair for us. We've been talking it up with the kids because if you've read my blog for long you will know that we have major hair issues with Jayden. If his hair is slightly different he cries (literally) and says "but I don't look like Jayden." Doesn't he look thrilled?

DURING

Um....isn't she about the cutest 18 year old you've seen? She is super stylist with her mohawk and really sweet too. Today was her day off so instead of taking naps we called on Miss Brittany to come beautify us!

DURING

Journey-girls turn. A little skittles and a cartoon was all she needed. she sat for a little over an hour straight while her hair was cut and styled.

After...neither of them complained a single time. They sat still and they loved the final result. If you know my boy, this is a miracle. I have to admit I'm sad to see the platinum tips go but I know they will be back as soon as this intense florida sunshine comes back out. The ends of his hair were nasty and i've cut so many knots out that it was super uneven. love this fresh start. they loves seeing all (this was most of it) of the hair that just came off their heads.

Sweet boy. Honestly, he drives me nuts these days but I love him more than ever. He is the quirkiest little guy I know! I really can't wait to see who he becomes one day.

AFTER

BEAUTIFUL

My amazing mom sent money for their haircuts and for prizes for doing it without complaining. So, right after we finished up we took a trip to toys r us for their rewards. they each got to pick out a toy. thanks gram!