It's a Golden Life

I was thinking this afternoon about when Donovan and I first met. And when we decided we were in looove. It was so crazy-he felt compelled to tell me he loved me only weeks after we started dating. I did not reciprocate that emotion of love-I didn't think I knew what love really was. I was 17. I had very recently discontinued the first boyfriend relationship I ever had. I just was not in the place to be throwing around the "L" word. It seems like I've always known Donovan. When I think about my life-17 years full of life-I can't remember what it was like before sharing life with him. I don't remember anyone treating me as special as him. There's something about a young relationship. For us, there were no responsibilities of children, worrying about finances or a home. It seems that uninterrupted love for each other can be tainted by the many responsibilities life requires and that which we put on ourselves as we've gotten older. I like to sit...

  PaXtON!! You are 10 months old today! You are still such a sweet boy. At 10 months: Weigh 19.10 lbs 28 inches long Wear size 3 diaper Wear size 3 shoe Wearing 6-12 month clothes Have 6 teeth now! (2 bottom and 4 top) Eating: To say you enjoy food is an understatement! You love it! You started making a cute noise whenever food is present. Even when we walk through the grocery store, you see food and your body becomes tense, you twirl your feet at the ankle and rotate your wrists. You get pretty excited-especially in the fruit and produce section.  You love: oatmeal cheerios graham crackers saltines toast eggs avocado plain yogurt shredded cheese steamed carrots, peas and green beans pieced banana, pear, peach, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries Motor skills:  On 9/18, (Chi's 5th birthday), you took 2 steps from the footstool to Mommy at Myme and Papa's house. Everyone was there to see it and cheered you on! You got pretty scared and w...

Malachi, You turned 5 today! I can hardly believe it. You said-"Now that I am 5, I can listen really well." That's great to hear! You've always been a sweet boy :) Right now, you are into: •Sports-soccer is your favorite to play, and you love cuddling up on the couch with Daddy to watch some football. You were torn because Daddy loves the Cowboys and Mommy loves the Ravens. You just weren't sure if you were allowed to like one more than the other, but we assured you to pick whichever you liked without guilt! (Ravens it is!) •You are a ninja most of the time. You love to dress up and pretend. We give you "missions", like saving lost animals or finding a missing imaginary person. You usually have to go through many obstacles to get there, but you always complete a mission :) When you pick out your clothes, we know that of you are wearing a same color shirt as your shorts, you are a ninja. Somewhere you've picked up the thinking that ninjas always w...

As Chi and Haly are getting older-I don't want to forget how sweet they are to each other (sometimes). Just this afternoon, I walked into the kitchen and they were sharing a heaping bowl of cereal together. One bowl, two spoons, and a pile of cereal. They have discovered that-chances are-if you ask mommy to do something for you, it may be a few minutes. So, with their little patience, they discovered that they can make their own snacks now. They spilled a little milk on the freshly mopped floor, but they cleaned it up, and proudly told me so. After they are done eating their cereal, they grab two straws and drink the milk together. I just love when they are sweet and kind to each other. Paxton is growing up so quickly. He is almost 10 months old already. He has taken steps to Donovan and I, and stands on his own for a couple seconds, but nothing consistent. He knows that crawling is pretty fast and will get him to where he needs to go. The callouses on his knees are proof. He alr...

We have been focusing on everything B this week (while occasionally revisiting A). As a fun craft, we decided to make bird feeders. While there were ways to reuse old milk jugs, and tissue boxes-or honing in on some craft skills with twigs or Popsicle sticks, we chose a more toddler friendly approach. The only supplies needed are toilet/paper towel rolls, peanut butter and bird seed. I let them use plastic butter knives, placed a glob of peanut butter in a Tupperware dish, dumped bird seed on a paper plate, and let them have a it. They really enjoyed this craft :)

We're on teeth 3 and 4. Two middle bottom. Working on top left and tooth next to it. Teeth are hard work!

This weekend, Donovan and I celebrated 6 years being married. We spent the weekend in Branson and went to Silver Dollar City, a magic show and a king fu show. It was fun to go at our own pace for the weekend without any ties or responsibilities. It's amazing what turns our lives have taken in order to get us where we are today. We've had many jobs, lived in lots of homes and had a few kids. Donovan's graduated with a Bachelors of Psychology degree and I am a few classes away from mine. He has been recognized by the state as an ordained pastor and has been working at the boys and girls club for over a year. I am still doing in home daycare and am very much enjoying it. We have a plan for me to get my teaching degree so that once the kiddos go to school, I can be a teacher. I love our little life and am so thankful for the blessing of family God has provided for us. I'm looking forward to many more years married to this guy.