Mollie is 2!

My sweet baby girl turned 2 a couple of weeks ago...wow, 2 years flew by. It has been the sweetest 2 years and the hardest all at the same time. Mollie is my blessing I wasn't expecting....my sweet present, my princess, my best friend. I am so lucky God chose me to be her mama. I am blessed beyond measure. I get the chance to be the mama to her that I always wanted. It is a chance I never thought I would get.

So, here we are Mollie bell...2 years old...here's what's special about you...

You love everybody. You smile all the time. You are never shy. You live life from the minute you wake up until you fight falling asleep at night. You are confident and spunky and sometimes make my eyes twitch :) You love mermaids and princesses and sparkly things. You can do anything that Bubby and Cole can do (at least you think so) including bouncing in a bouncy house with 10 year olds. You love cake pops and pizza. Your favorite movie is Tangled and Cake Cake (Strawberry Shortcake). I love you more than life. I am so proud to be your mama. You are beautiful and perfect, baby girl. Happy 2 years :)

XXOO

Cole's day...

In 3 days, my youngest son, Cole will be 6 years old. I just had to write about my sweet boy. I sure do love him. He is so much like me, it truly makes me laugh. He is so precious and the past 6 years have gone by at lightning speed. I remember the day I went into labor with Michael Cole James...eating fried chicken, fried pickles, slaw and sweet tea...having contractions 2 minutes apart and I was too dumb and too hungry to notice. I finished my food and hightailed it to the hospital where I had my baby boy 2 hours later. He was perfect and had a head full of black hair. Little Will helped give him his very first bath...I will never forget that, ever. It was love at first sight. Cole was and still is my baby boy. He will always be.

Cole, keep making people laugh. Keep singing because your voice is like an angel. Keep fighting for justice and it's ok to see things black and white. I'm amazed at how smart you are. Don't be shy...you are a shining star. You are my baby boy. You saved me from my grief at one of the hardest times of my life. God has something special for you, my Coley. I love you.

Happy 6th Birthday Cole!!

2012...Goodbye

Well, it's the last day of 2012. What a year. What a completely crazy and hard year. I am very happy to see the calendar turn to 2013....but even though it was a very difficult year for us, there were some very good days. Those days usually revolved around our three sweet children. I'm so glad I have them. I am so glad they were the bright spot. I am also very glad to start a new year with the 3 sweetest children on the planet. I can't wait :)

Here are some of the highlights of 2012...

*My oldest son turned 10, my baby boy turned 5 and my baby girl turned 1...wow, can you say time flies? I was in shock that my little tiny babies had those huge milestones in 2012. In many ways, their little lives have been a blur...you know, time just goes so fast, life spins by...it never stops. I pray for many, many more birthdays to share with my most precious gifts on earth.

*I went on a completely wonderful and perfect 13th anniversary concert date with Will...We saw Andy Grammar, Gavin Degraw and Colbie Callait. We were on the very front row. It was perfect. We ate at Chili's and took tons of pictures and just had a wonderful time...quite possibly the best date ever. I am on a mission to recreate that night again someday :)

*We had a wonderful beach trip to Oak Island in June...perfect weather, lots of sun, lots of smiles. I was in heaven. We ate wonderful food and I had the best crabcakes ever on a bun. The boys loved the sand and waves and Mollie got her first "Mermee" doll. Those memories have gotten me through a lot this year. I will never forget those perfect days.

*Will changed jobs this year...not exactly the high point of 2012...it was a hard, sad road but we made it through. It was the probably the hardest thing, besides losing Nanni and Papaw that I have ever been through. It was lonely and excruciating. If you have ever been through a job loss, then you know what I mean. I couldn't sleep and could barely eat (but still put on 10 pounds). I cried until there were no tears. After 2 months of agony, Will ended up getting a new job and I know God has us right in the palm of his hand. I look forward to seeing what 2013 has in store for our family and what doors will open next :)

*We found a new church. Sometimes, you just know it's time. This was one of those times. It happened the last Sunday before Christmas...kind of like a Christmas present from God, sent directly to the James family. I am very thankful.

2012 was the hardest year of my life. I look forward to a new chapter and a new day. I know God isn't finished with us yet and there are wonderful days ahead. Tomorrow starts that journey...2013, I'm ready for you.

XXOO

Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving...wow, another year, another fall season almost over...it's been a crazy season for us but in the midst of it all, we have so much to be thankful for. I thought I would try to think of all the many things I am thankful for and write them in this blog...well, I know I can't think of every single thing, but I'll write the highlights...so here it goes :)


1. I am thankful I am a Christian. In all that we've been through, we had hope. Being a Christian gives you hope. It gives you hope that there is more to this life and that there is something bigger that we can't see. Being a Christian means to me that I am saved, taken care of, loved and alive. I am so thankful for that.

2. I am thankful that I married Will. I will never forget the day that sweet man asked me to marry him and the day we said "I do." I love him more today than yesterday. The fact that I get to go through this life with him, well, that is one of the best gifts I've ever been given. I am truly grateful that I said yes to that Olive Garden date 15 years ago.

3. I am thankful for my three precious children. I always wanted to be a mama....I mean, always. In my high school yearbook, I said that I wanted to "get married and have lots of children". That dream came true. I was made a mama 10 years ago and I am so, so thankful. Those 3 kids....they are my world. My only wish in life is that I live to see them grow up and have children of their own. I want to be there for every second of their little lives. They are the most precious gifts I have ever been given.

4. I am thankful for the time I had on this earth with my grandparents. I was given 30 years with my Nanni and 33 with my grandfather. I am so happy that they loved me and raised me. I am thankful that they said yes to starting over with a 6 month old baby back in 1976. I am thankful that they sacrificed for me. I had everything I needed and more. I am thankful they stepped in and became the parents that I needed so desperately. I miss them but I am thankful for the years we had...they are always with me in my heart, everyday.

5. I am thankful for my extended family... Will's family. Without my own family around, I have needed them more than ever. I am thankful that they are here so my children can have grandparents. I am thankful that we get to have Thanksgiving tomorrow together. I am thankful we aren't alone in this world. There is a bond with family that really can't be broken. I am thankful for that.

6.  I am thankful for my home. It's 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and the closets are way too small but I love this house with all my heart. We got to pick this little house out. I will never, ever forget how excited I was to walk in this house the very first time when it was OURS. I sat in front of the fireplace and choked back tears. I am still thankful for this house. It's the nicest house I have ever lived in. It's so precious to me.

7. I am thankful for clothes and food...I have more than I need and eat way more than should everyday. I am so thankful my kids have never gone without. Consider the lilies...wow, the Lord really did mean that, didn't He? 

8. I am thankful for my children's school. I am thankful they are well taken care of and have teachers that love them. We are right across the street and I feel super lucky to have such an opportunity for my children. They are thriving. There really are teachers out there that love children and love their jobs. I am thankful my children have teachers like that.

9.  I am thankful for friends. Through everything we've been through lately, I have needed friends more than ever. I am thankful for friends who are kind, loving and pray. You know who you are...I will never, ever forget you. You are a Godsend.

10. I am thankful for a new day. This has been one tough year. I can't say that I have enjoyed every minute of it but I know that I have grown and that I have changed for the better. I am thankful that the Lord has given us a new day and that He's not finished with us yet. So, I guess all that goes back to number 1...hope. Without hope, what do we have anyway?

So, that's my little list for 2012. I know there are so many other things that I've forgotten...like, Reese cups and straightening irons, but I'll leave those silly things out this year. My top ten things this year are a little more dear to my heart :)

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Eat too much, laugh a lot and hug everyone that you are thankful for.

XXOO

10 years...my first baby boy is a decade old...

Today is October 19, 2012...I haven't written in a long time...almost 2 months. It's been a very rough 2 months for us. This past August 31st, my husband lost his job. It's been tough but even in the hardest times, God is there and even when we don't understand, He does. So, I know that we will be ok and that one day we'll look back on this time and be thankful that we made it through. This is only a season in our lives...not our whole life...

But in the midst of hard times, there are still very, very happy times. Our children are the bright spots in our days. They are the reason we wake up and put one foot in front of the other...the reason we celebrate even when it seems a little hard to. And in the midst of this trial in our lives, my sweet, first born son is turning 10. This event has affected me more than when I turned 30 or 35. It is the craziest thing ever. I can't believe that a decade has gone by. People say it goes by in a blink and they are right. It may be even faster than that...

So, my oldest son, Will is turning 10 tomorrow...at 9:00am on the dot, to be exact. Will is my son and also my friend. He's the kindest, sweetest little guy. He is tender-hearted and that smile on his face...well, it's a real one and it shows way down into his heart. He's genuine...he is a gift. He helped me grow up and that little thing turned me into a mama :) I am so proud of him that I just about can't contain it. His sense of humor is just like his Daddy's and those freckles...well, they just keep getting better and better by the day :)

10 years ago, I was the dumbest soon-to-be mama on the planet...literally. I thought that when you had a baby, it would sting a little and then you would hold the baby and dress him up and show him off to your friends and take him to the mall. I envisioned myself walking around the mall in heels, pushing my son (who would be dressed in perfect baby blue outfits and hats) in a stroller, while he slept, of course and having the time of my life. Not one time, did anyone ever tell me that I might literally rip my insides out while giving birth and barely live to tell about it....or that he would have colic for over 6 months and that I would have to run a vaccum cleaner all day to make him stop crying. No one told me that my new favorite TV show would be Baby Einstein and that I would probably never walk around a mall again...especially not in heels :) I would have a new appreciation for late night TV, Dr. Brown bottles and pacifiers. I would grow to detest breast pumps and rear facing carseats...And nobody told me that I would absolutely fall in love with that baby and that I would die for him, easily. Nobody had to tell me those things (though it would have been nice to have a little heads-up on the childbirth part) but when I saw that little scrunched up face...well, he became my world. I just knew it. My dream had come true.

Will, the past 10 years have been precious and I pray that I have many, many more decades on this earth with you. You are a ray of sunlight in a world that needs it so much. You make me laugh everyday. I can't believe you are almost taller than me. I love you more than life.

Love, Mama

Summer's end and new beginnings...

Well, like a flash, summer came and went. It was a good summer but honestly, it seemed like a blur from start to finish. We had great times as a family and I wouldn't trade our little beach trip in June for anything. We went to our neighborhood pool...A LOT and went to Discovery Place, Chuck E. Cheese, Baxter's Bunch and lots of other places. But as fast as the summer came, it was over. I think we were all ready, though, to be honest. I think the boys were ready for new beginnings and new friends. I think Mollie was ready to get a decent nap and kiss the pool goodbye :) Overall, we had fun. We spent time together and made memories I'll cherish forever.

So, onto those new beginnings...my baby boy, yes, my 9 and a half year old baby boy started 4th grade this past week. I truly still can't believe it. I'm so happy for him and all he's accomplished these last few years, but I really, really can't believe my little buddy, my little chunky baby has turned into a 4th grader. He's very excited about his new class and new teachers and that makes it so much easier for me. But honestly, I just remember cuddling with him not so long ago and it kind of makes me sad....

 

 

Next, my sweet "middle" baby (I hate referring to him as the middle child), Cole, started kindergarten. Now, this was pretty tough...Cole is my little angel. He was my gift from God when my Nanni passed away. He almost didn't make it to this earth but when he did, he was the most beautiful and unique baby I had ever seen. I will never forget his laidback nature as a baby and his ginormous eyes. That same child is now beboppin' into a great big elementary school, with a big orange backpack on his back. I cried the first day...I cried the first night. I missed him really bad but I know this is life...this is growing up...this is what he needs. He is making friends already and loves his new teacher's pet rabbit. All in all, a big accomplishment for my baby boy. I am proud :)

 

 

Lastly, Mollie...oh Mollie, where do we start?  Mollie is 19 months old and is our princess. Our perfect, beautiful princess :) Is she spoiled?? Um, probably...but just like her brothers :) She's still obsessed with mermaids, which are her favorite things in the whole world. She talks and babbles all the time and walks on her tip toes all day. She loves "Juicy" to drink and has to have her "Pa pa" (pacifier) all day. She sleeps with 2 mermaids and 3 blankets. She loves Hap Palmer baby songs and can count to 3. She's my joy and my best friend. I didn't know what I was missing before she came along...oh I'm so glad I was curious ;)

 

So, that's an update on our little ones...August is here and fall is so close, I can taste it. We are ready for more adventures and more memories, just around the corner :) Are you ready for some pumpkin pie?? I am...almost :) 

 

 

 



July update :)

So, it's already July and the summer is already half over...yuck. I won't ever repeat that sentence again. I'm sorry you had to read that.

Ok, now onto a happier subject....today is July 11th and even though the first sentence I wrote is technically true...we still have over 5 weeks left of summer and that's a lot! I am hoping to really tackle that summer bucket list the next few weeks and enjoy every second I can :)

We just got back from a little beach time this past weekend. I could live at the beach, I do believe but this time I was ready to be home. I think I was a little beached out, if that is even possible. Mollie is super active and at the beach, it's no different. Plus, this past weekend, it was HOT and HUMID. I mean, really hot and humid. But we made memories and ate good food and saw God's beautiful ocean one more time. The boys played putt-putt and I ate another one of those glorious crabcakes at Beck's. We found a new little doughnut shop called Ahoy Doughnuts and I have to say the Key Lime Pie ones are the best :) I'm thankful for every chance I have to be with my little family doing something fun. I learned a long time ago that you have to live or you will end up watching the world pass you by. I think about that every single day. So, we lived this past weekend and it was great :)

So far, here are the things we have completed on our summer bucket list:

*Putt-Putt
*See the ocean
*Kids cooking day
*Kids craft day
*Chuck E. Cheese day
*get all 3 kids picture made together
*find a hunting place for the fall
*see a concert
*see fireworks on the 4th of July

We are still working on lots of things and I can't wait until we have done them all :)

Happy Summer!!
XXOO