Dance with Daddy

This little love will always be our baby girl and I pray life never gets too busy for a dance with Daddy!

A Red, White and Blue Birthday

Memorial Day weekend was relaxing as we did final preparations for Luke's arrival.  That Sunday evening we celebrated this little guy's birthday.

Aiden is 4 years old!

He is a lot sweeter than this picture may lead you to believe.

The kiddos had pool time, we ate the most delicious burgers and hot dogs, opened gifts and sang our little hearts out to the birthday boy.

This little lady is fearless around water.  We have to get her in swimming lessons SOON.

{ummm.... 2 going on 8!?}

Happy, happy birthday little buddy!  We all love you so much.  Thanks for sharing your special day with us.  We cannot wait to see what this next year brings!

Another Countdown...

Another countdown is underway in the Carson house... move in day to our new house!  They are making all kinds of progress and now these pictures are even outdated as they have finished rock and brick, painted the interior, stained cabinets, put up stair railing, cleaned up the outside, and were supposed to pour walks and drives today!  We cannot wait until moving day which we are hopeful will come earlier than expected.  Here is a progress update in pictures.

{walkway from garage entry - master bedroom straight ahead, mud room and laundry room on the right}

{front entry view - dining room on left, study on right, living room and kitchen straight ahead}

{kitchen}

{looking back at the entry from the living room/kitchen}

{view from upstairs play room}

Like I said, we cannot wait to move in! Apartment life is really not bad at all but does bring some challenges. We are most looking forward to a yard again where Addison can go play and a little bit less neighbor noise.  

Come on July!  We are ready!

Baby, Baby

Ash had a couple more baby showers for the twins in May.  I was so glad Luke didn't want to come early and that I was able to make it to both!  These baby girls and their Mommy and Daddy sure are loved.

Ash's Small Group from church put together the sweetest shower in Bridgeport complete with a yogurt parfait bar.  Umm... Yum!!!  Even if you are not pregnant... Yum!  It was perfect.

{Ashley and Landon's Momma, Joyce (JoJo)}

Then Ash's team at school got the teachers together for a little get-together for the twins.  Another adorable setup and the weather could not have been more perfect.  What a great group of women she works with!

And this little lady got to go to her first "girl party".

 She cannot wait to meet her girl cousins!!

She absolutely loves her Aunt Ashee.  It is so hard to get her to look at the camera!   She is very easily distracted.

Ashley's passion for the past 10 years has been nurturing the lives of Kindergartners and Second Graders.   As Ash closes the chapter on teaching for now and starts a new one as a Mom, we all could not be more excited for her.  She will be greatly missed at her school but I could not be more excited for the Smith girls to have their Mommy stay at home with them.  That is priceless.

Mother's Day 2013

I am determined there is no greater gift than being a mom.  I am so incredibly blessed to be the mother to our little girl and baby boy .  Not to mention, I was blessed with the most amazing mother myself who has taught me the world.  I sit here writing some updates while our 2-year old naps in the room next door and our little man sleeps quietly in his swing at my feet.  All I can do is smile and thank the Lord above for these two precious miracles and for choosing me to be their mother.

This Mother's Day was low key as it was just a few weeks before we were to welcome little Luke into the world.  We went to church and hung out at home most of the day before meeting my Mom for dinner.  It was just what I needed after going and going the last few weeks before.

Here are some things I LOVE about being a Mom in no particular order:

From the eyes of a 2 year old, my kiss can heal the world.

Moms can understand toddler-speak freakishly well.

Morning snuggles.

Watching our children grow, learn, and development something new every day.

Being pregnant.

Hearing the very first cry.

Hearing "wuv you" back from your child. It gets me every time.

Being our little ones' number 1 fan.

Finding that tiny baby sock that got mixed up in our laundry.

The love we share as a family.  

Today I am extremely grateful for all mothers that have given the gift of life.  Today I am extremely grateful for my Mother.  I would not be the person and Mom I am today without her.  I know she only learned from the best.

Two Blessings from Above

This past Saturday I had the joy of hosting a baby shower along with some other great women,  for my sister and her twin girls.  It was so much fun planning this special day and even more showering Ash and the girls.

When we found out Ash was having two girls, I had a vision for her shower... pink, pink, pink and all things girly.  We achieved just that!

Love this pic of two of my favorite Mommas... Mom and Ash!

And here are all of the hostesses with Ash.

{Denise,Amy, Ash, Me, Aunt Kristi and Myrna}

Denise and Amy are mother and daughter along with Kristi and Myrna.  Can't you tell :)  Ash and I both did gymnastics with Amy growing up and she has remained the sweetest friend since.  Aunt Kristi was beyond generous to open up her home for our party which was absolutely perfect.  All of these ladies together made for a perfect day!

We served a trio of salads from Cafe Max... yum!... and a few other goodies.

And the most delicious cupcakes from a bakery in Murphy!  They were super yummy!  Addison would have been very jealous of these "cuck-cakes" if she knew what she missed out on.  

There is a little rivalry in the Smith house between Mommy's Red Raiders and Daddy's Aggies.  We love Landon to pieces but that whoopin' thing is just different. 

 Everyone that came brought a children's book for the girls.  It was so fun!  Ash got some great ones and not one the same!

Sweet cousin Kate and her whole family came all the way from Houston for the day to be there for Ash's special day.

A little treat of Sweet Pea lotion for all our guests. 

I love my sister more than words can say.  Everyone has a story and already these little girls have quite the story full of a lot of prayer and whole lot of faith.  We all know their story is just getting started and cannot wait to see what the future holds.  They have parents with the biggest hearts and love for each other anxiously awaiting their arrival and a big sister in heaven that cannot wait to see the smile on her Mommy and Daddy's faces when these two little miracles arrive.  These twins are truly heaven sent.  

Sweet baby girls, we cannot wait to meet you!!