Inauguration Day.

These pics represent so much. What a sight to see in my own house how far our country has come. Regardless of anyone's political beliefs, we all know so deep down that this is history. It is a beautiful thing to see a black family come to lead our country. That is progress. To think it was only 50 years ago that this could have never happened and then to watch it unfold is remarkable.

“As I stand here and look out upon the thousands of Negro faces, and the thousands of white faces, intermingled like the waters of a river, I see only one face- the face of the future. Martin Luther King, Jr.

April 18, 1959

Happy 8th anniversary!

Who would have thought we could have used our china and cooked a delicious Champagne Chicken dinner. We did eat at 9 or 9:30, but it brought back so many memories to sit across from my husband by candlelight. We used to do that more often, but of course don't have the same time to prepare something like that, but to just sit and not be in a hurry and talk was quite a gift. I am astonished each year how I can fall in love more and be more and more grateful. I often think I could never have had 4 children 5 and under without Andy. He is the one who picks up all the slack when it falls apart, from dishwashing, to even folding laundry, to bathing kids, to helping Bobby read, to Bible stories, playtime outside while I cook dinner, to cooking on weekends, to just spoiling me when I have long days.

You can see the picture before the meal too... crawling creatures all over the place.

Wild Sydney

All I have to describe Sydney is one word: INTENSE. You could think this is all bad as I have at moments, but when you get to know the little princess, you is hysterical. Everything she does, she does with intensity. These pictures show her standing and she took her first steps the day after her birthday. Most children I see who take steps, take them timidly and you want to encourage them to keep going. Sydney just took steps and had zero fear. It truly was a sight. She now just steps and hopes she makes it. She falls all the time, but just doesn't care.

We have had 6-8 weeks of Sydney being in a "phase"... just writing that makes me snicker out loud. How many mothers say that because they just don't know what else to say to explain their child's behavior. We all know that it is the mother who feels completely out of control... like me! Finally in the last few days, her screaming has slowed and she pouts when I say no. Something is clicking, but for 6 weeks, this child has run the household, demanded what she wants, and just outright screamed. I am really looking forward to the next "phase"... then it will NO!

In the picture above, our friend Cassandra came over and Sydney had her first hair makeover. I learned how to comb, brush, oil, and put her hair in afro puffs! She said she had a TWA.... that stands for Teeny weeny afro! How cute is that.

Happy 1 year birthday Miss Sydney

Miss Sydney turned one on Jan. 4th the day we came home from Charleston and what a cutie she was. As we learned today at the pediatrician, she is in the 92 percentile for weight so as you can see she LOVED her cake. My awesome mother-in-law made it for us! How cool is that to come home from vacation and not have to slave away in the kitchen to make cupcakes or go out and buy them, not mention we got a humpty dumpty cake. Sydney will feel so loved when she is older and looks back and can't say, "I never got a cool cake like Bobby did". It takes a village people to raise these little ones!

She is my first child to eat every bite. Most one year olds are so thrown by the texture they don't know what to do. This little one knew exactly what to do--stuff away! The boys gave her the little figurines we found at an antique store.

Today she took her first step. It really doesn't ever get old when you see any child hit a milestone like that.

3 days away from any children.

We went to Charleston for three nights to my friend Katie's wedding, and I can honestly say it was the most enjoyable wedding yet. I met so many incredible friends, it just inspired me to be a better friend, to stay in touch better, to appreciate so many gifted young people. She was the most beautiful bride and the most free! She even got on stage and sang "We are family" without hesitation. Brave and not even scary! Her husband battled cancer for the past year and what a celebration they had. You can tell when you are around people who know the gift of life.

To get to sleep in, eat amazing food, spend time with friends, have fluid conversations, hang out with your husband, and just have fun... it was the greatest gift. I felt so refreshed. Coming home was like being thrown to the lions. In 15 minutes, there were 30 needs that had to be met. I just kept taking deep breaths. I think Jesus did my day for me today because I just went through the stress thinking, "I can do this," and by a miracle I didn't lose my cool. I think my children were grateful mommy came home rested and not snappy!

To be blessed with even one friend such as Katie, is beyond more than my share. As her gift to her bridesmaids and party was a small painting of a scene of Charleston she had painted herself... talk about sacrifice and love.

New Year's Eve

Who knew that 30 somethings didn't know what a snorting contest was. Andy's family is famous for them and this crowd was unaware of the fun to be had. I will have to say, when you need a good laugh that pleases 3 year olds and 40 year old, it is the way to go.

You can see from the picture of Sydney and Elizabeth, coupled together their hair is quite a statement. Sydney in the next picture decides to head-butt poor Elizabeth. She definitely hasn't acquired many feminine characteristics.

Christmas break with Mr. Handy Andy

The tree house was the hit for the holiday as the project to work on. All Bobby wanted to do was work on it, and he made a drawing of it and told Andy the steps. If anyone knows Bobby, he reminded Dad that there needed to be a railing...He still isn't satisfied because we haven't gotten to the fort look yet and unfortunately he heard me mention how cool a zipline would be. Maybe a birthday?

Nothing like outdoor projects in December when it is 65 degrees, Dad is home, and I have to wrap, shop, cook, and clean. You can say there wasn't much complaining going on in my house.

More Christmas pics...

These are my favorites! Gigi and the boys playing piano and singing Christmas carols Christmas Eve. Andy and Granbo wiped out by all the constructing, battery assembly, and more. The 8 grandchildren all smiles Christmas morning, all 5 and under. The whole family at Stone Mountain. And my sweet "twins" in the rain.

It has been a month...

I don't know quite where to begin since I haven't had a second to get to the blogging world. You can't quite sum up Christmas in one paragraph or one pic.

Christmas was awesome. Children are the biggest gift during Christmas to watch them believe. To believe in something more than themselves. I know it is not good to teach your children to believe in magic, but there is something in teaching them to believe in more than they can see with their eyes. To believe that God has it all in his hands; he sees you at all times, he knows you, he loves you, and wants to bring gifts to you... what a wonderful thing. I think we got into it more than the kids this year. I loved just thinking about playing with the race cars, lego toys, and all the rest... boys are fun for that.

These pics are of the boys Christmas with their matching pajamas from their grandparents. They looked cuter than cute.

Andrew wore the stockings... he had the right idea.

Bobby worried Christmas Eve that he forgot to ask Santa for clementines and grapefruit (his favorite food)... Santa did fill his stocking with them and that was the top hit along with his circus set.

I thought Andrew would be overwhelmed, but it was a peice of cake for him thankfully. We spent the night with Andy's parents with all the cousins, and it was incredible. I think we all geared ourselves up for chaos, but in the end, it was relatively peaceful, whatever that means with 8 children.