stickin' to your guns...

I don't normally write about things like this but tonight my heart is feeling a little torn.  A little sad.  A little frustrated.  Being a parent is hard.  I mean, it is, without a doubt, the most rewarding job in the world, but it's hard.  Especially when you ACTUALLY stick to your guns.  This evening dinner was even less fun than it normally is in our house.  You see, we have a 4 year old who doesn't care to eat.  We have to constantly remind him "take another bite", "stop talking and eat your food", "pleaseeeeeee just finish your dinner"...and the list goes on and on.  It's so draining.  EVERY.  SINGLE.  NIGHT.  Tonight we made the threat "if you don't finish your green beans, you're going straight to bed".  I'll spare you all the details, but it was 6:53 when he started crying and said "I want to go to bed now."  All because he didn't want to eat his green beans?!?!  The same green beans he's eaten like twice in the last week.  I don't get it.  I'm at a loss.  My heart hurts and I've been quiet for the last hour and a half because I don't know what to say.  Did we do the right thing?  Did we make the right choice?  I mean, I don't want him to think he can get out of dinner every night by saying he just wants to go to bed.  But most of all, I just want to go up and love on him.  I did once, already.  As soon as I walked in his room, he said "Mom, I'm sorry.  I'm soooo sorry."  I had to hold back the tears as I said "I know you are.  I'm sorry too buddy.  I don't like that you have to go to bed so early tonight."  Stickin' to your guns is hard.  It's hard on the heart.  Especially when you are a mom.  Anybody out there have kiddos like this?  What's your advice/experience been?

On another note...we spent all day Saturday out in the country.  My dad had a project he needed help with.  And since we owe him {and my mom} pretty big time for all of their help in the last year {and countless more before that} we went to help!  Actually, Kass, Cody and Papa did all the work.  We {ladies} pretty much chilled for the day while the kiddos entertained themselves in the kiddie pool and sandbox.  We enjoyed a nice dinner, most of which came from Nana's garden, and then hit the road back home with both kids fast asleep as we pulled in the drive.  Huge success in my books!    

  

Better go now and get some rest.  I have a sneaking suspicion that a certain 4 year old will be up before his "it's okay to wake alarm clock" lights up in the morning.  Thank goodness it's summer and we have no place to be!

Easter {2014}

HE suffered.  HE bled.  HE died.  HE rose on the third day.  Jesus, thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice for us so that we may have eternal life.  It's because of you that we are able to celebrate this season with the ones we love.  For you, I am ever so thankful. 

We had such a wonderful Easter.  We spent the weekend out at Nana and Papa's.  The weather was to-die-for gorgeous so we spent lots of time outdoors.  Swinging, playing in the dirt, feeding cows, making bubbles, hunting eggs, and most importantly, taking a few (ok, maybe lots) of pictures in the Bluebonnets.  We made memories.  And that's all that matters. 

It didn't start out so well with sister.   

My handsome little guy is a pro now!

She warmed up to it after a bit...

I'd really like to know what they were discussing...

This girl knew exactly what to do with the eggs...

And what to do with what was in them.  I caught her taking a bite out of a piece of chocolate, foil wrapper and all!

Our attempt at a pic of the four of us...

Is it too much to ask for everyone to cooperate at the same time?!?!  Pretty much depicts our life!  

I'm certain I'd be bored if it were any other way!

Sister's facial expressions make me smile :)

Because one Bluebonnet {torture} session wasn't enough...we had another.  

Not feeling this one either.  Poor, poor sister...

And she's "all done" NOW!

Bailey is ONE!

My sweet, sweet little Boopers, you are ONE!  It has been so much fun watching you grow up your first year.  

You are quite possibly the sweetest little thing I have met.  Your smile is contagious.  You have not met a stranger that hasn't said "oh my gosh, she's such a happy baby."  Yes, yes you are such a happy, happy, happy little girl.  It's a great pleasure being your mama.  There's not a whole lot that you don't like.  You love people.  You love to squint your little nose up and give newbies your sweet, contagious smile.  They normally smile back and then it becomes a little game you play.  You love your Daddy.  One of the highlights of every evening is watching you run to him the moment he steps foot in the door.  It melts his heart and mine too.  You love your big brother.  I mean love, love, love him and very much want to do everything he does.  I'm convinced you sometimes think you are already four.  Don't rush it my lil' Boopers, it'll be here before I know it.  You love to dance.  Or maybe you like the fact the we all join in on your little dance party. It makes you laugh. It makes us laugh. Oh how you love to be silly and make others laugh.

You are such an affectionate little being.  You love to give hugs.  Very freely.  And your most recent discovery is kisses.  This is my favorite.  Because you pucker your little lips and making the cutest kissing sound I've ever heard.  The best part is that you do this every night after Daddy or I lay you in bed.  And you continue that cute kissing sound until we are out the door.  So far, you are easy to put to bed.  Please, please can we keep it this way?!?!  You are also quite sensitive.  I've been told most girls are.  And you take great offense in being told "no".  Hmmm...I see trouble in the future!   

Little do you know but each day you are teaching me so much about this life.  You have taught me to soften my heart.  Be more compassionate.  A little more gentle and sympathetic.  This creates an excitedness inside of me ~ deep, deep in my heart ~ because YOU, my little girl, make ME want to be a better person.  But it also makes me a little nervous, because if I've learned all this from YOU in one year, what will you teach me in the years to come?!?!  I'm so thankful God blessed me with you.  As much as I said I'd be fine with another little boy, I'm even better with YOU!  It's such a pleasure, honor and blessing to be your mama.

I love you, Bailey Raye.  So, so much.

Mama

P.S.  You SMASHED your first cake.  No really, with your FOOT when you were all done tasting!  I love this about you...your carefree spirit!