Mommy's Birthday

I had an awesome 34th Birthday!  You all made me feel so very special with loving cards filled with words that nurtured my soul. I will treasure your words my whole life. Posters, gifts, cards and phone calls filled my day. That evening Daddy took Grandma, Mima, Papa and us out to dinner at Mythos and dessert at Delicious. At home, I had a blast on the treasure hunt that lead to the precious cards. What a great day spent with the loves of my life. I felt very special and loved. 

That weekend Daddy and I enjoyed dinner at Lucky 32 before the play, 39 Steps at Triad Stage. As Brooks said in my card, I have hit the Jack Pot! 

Happy Birthday # 7 Miss Sweet Girl

How are you 7?  The years have gone so fast and have been a wonderful joy to our whole family. I am so very grateful that God gave you to us and for the hilarious relationship you and Brooks share. I am so excited about the years ahead. We will be moving in to our new home in less than 2 months and it will be a great new chapter in our family's life. You and Brooks will be adorable having the upstairs to yourselves and sharing a Jack and Jill bathroom.  

I cannot wait to create your new bedroom which will likely take you well into your teenage years. God is so good that while we mourn the days of the past, He gives us days to enjoy in the future.  I know and trust His plans for you will be beautiful Landry! 

You enjoyed an adorable 7th Birthday party with Kate Sheppard, Lanie Lovett, Taelynn Smith, Jensen Huitsing and Ellie Kemp. This was the smallest party you have had yet. The theme - American Girl!  Everyone brought their dolls and you shared your Jess with Lanie (who will get her doll at Christmas).  You girls introduced your dolls, played Duck Duck Goose and Musical chairs with your dolls, created bracelets or necklaces for yourselves and your dolls and pom pom scarves for the dolls. We enjoyed decorating the cupcakes and enjoyed sausage balls, cubed cheese, fruit skewers and carrots in the Dining Room. The party favors included a small bag for the dolls to put their new accessories in, an American Girl hair extension and American Girl book. 

This was the first year that we did not do a joint family party with Julia, however we did go down to visit with them in Salisbury. We joined them for church to hear Uncle Chris preach, lunch and some hang out time. I am very grateful for that part of our family. 

Your check up was great today and you are so very blessed with good health. Praise the Lord!  Weight 58 1/2 (75%), Height 48 1/2 (75%), BMI 75%, Blood Pressure 82/59 and Vision 20/30. 

First Ballet Class at Greensboro Ballet

After school we went swimming, to Qdoba and Krispy Kreme. 

Daddy becomes the Greensboro City Executive!

http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/potmsearch/detail/submission/3176401/Robert_Gray

http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/blog/2014/10/newbridge-bank-names-robert-gray-as-greensboro.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2014-10-01&u=3VC9fkPfYY77Lq6dTnQfng095a3bee&t=1412192148

Congratulations Daddy!

Lasts

So I have been thinking a lot lately about lasts. We document so many of your firsts but your lasts come and I go almost unnoticed.  Much like answered prayers, we only realize the change in hindsight, not when it happens. It is the absence that we eventually notice. I have seen this with both of you. One day I realize something is different and permanently different. 

 One day Brooks just stopped sucking his thumb when sleeping. There was no warning to be sure I had a last photo. Biscuit was your sleeping companion for years until he wasn't.  One day Brooks will no longer ask me to lay in bed, scratch his back or offer the same smooth cheeks to kiss that I now enjoy. But, I trust our relationship's strength and believe we will always be close. and while your face may become stubble and your requests of Daddy to hear a story about "the little boy" will become new conversations, we will always share our bond. 

Landry will not always ask me to sleep with her and read books at bedtime. The way you feel so wonderful and soft that always makes me so sleepy when we snuggle. Asking to be home schooled so we can spend every moment together. Landry, you may not always wants advice on most everything. The way you guys lean forward and hunch over me for a good bye hug at school drop off will one day be replaced by a driveway hug as you drive off in your own cars. But I want to remember how you feel with your head on my shoulder when I read books with you on the couch. These are some of my most treasured life memories. I may be able to move past the wonderful memories of the beach, Disney and birthday parties but these I will cling to. What I will miss most are family dinners around our table on any given night. Family games as the evening comes to a close. Seeing you two sitting beside each other as you put on your shoes. Oh how I love you both to overflowing. 

So while I won't always have a heads up on when some of the lasts have arrived or even passed, I will enjoy our everydays that we have today. The ordinary but absolutely breath taking and wonderful life we enjoy right now

And the coolest part of all is that while we grow up, we have eternity in Heaven to anticipate. God set eternity in our hearts and what a loving gift He has given us in knowing this life is not the end!