If It's Good Enough For Bubba...

Bubba Watson celebrated a Master's WIN at Waffle House, so it's good enough for Easter Brunch.

 Between Jack and Anna Jane we had to order THREE separate scrambled cheese with eggs - because no one makes 'em like the Waffle House.  Not even Mommy.

PRAISE THE LORD!  HE IS RISEN!
HAPPY (late) Easter from our family to yours!  Our prayer is that you would open your heart to the love of the Lord.
Blessings and love,
The M----- family

Ripple

These kids...
Since you all were born I've been singing to you the same bedtime lullaby, Ripple (by the Grateful Dead, yes).  I knew before I even had you I would sing you to sleep with the song (just ask any of my college roommates - I never even liked the Grateful Dead but I've always loved the song).  I just knew. It's the perfect song for babies you love, that you know will grow up to live their own lives some day.  It's just...perfect.  Just like you three.
Tonight Jack screamed (I mean you SCREAMED) when we put you to bed.  I couldn't stand it anymore so I went up to get you.  You were standing in your crib holding on to both of your Clifford dogs.  As soon as I opened the door you were quiet, you just needed love.  So I picked you up and went to the rocking chair - the same rocking chair I rocked you all in from the day you were born - and started singing Ripple to you.  I have sang this song so many times I don't even think about it anymore - I know every word without even thinking about it.
Then, quietly I hear...
"La da da da, la da da daaa da, la da da, da da, la da, da da..."
My babies aren't babies anymore.  You're kids.  Wonderful, sweet, healthy kids and I love you all so much.
Tonight, Anna Jane - you read your first book out loud to us (with NO HELP!), Lilly you're going to sleep fretting about your dentist appointment tomorrow (to get your first cavities filled), and Jack - you sang to me.
I sure am going to miss having babies - but I sure am loving having kids.  I love you three.  Maybe someday when you grow up, you'll let me sing Ripple to your babies, too.
Love,
Mommy

Gimme Some Handsome, Daddy.

For real, this is Anna Jane talking - Mommy happened to have the computer on her lap and started typing as AJ was taking pictures of Daddy.  I die.  It's hilarious.

"C'mon, Daddy, give me some handsome for the camera.  Yeah, yeah, that's it.  Now stick your tongue out, roll your eyes like grrrr...fabulous!  Yes, that is awesome!  Make some handsome.  Yeah, like that!  Now let me see your face.  Let me see your handsome.  That's what I'm talkin about.  yes, yes, perfect.  That's great.  Give it to the camera, Daddy.  Awesome.
Now make a Disney World face like a handsome.  Now make a smile like a girl like this (bats eyelashes).  Now talk like a girl!  Not like that - like a real girl!  Now keep doing it.  Hold on, hold on...oooh that's enough."

Work it, Daddy.
Love,
Lilly, Anna Jane, and Jack

Disney World Again!

We went to Disney World - AGAIN!  Aren't we LUCKY kids?!?!  Mama and Daddy each only went once when they were kids - and they were older - we've already gone 3 times and y'all know we're gonna go again 'cause we LOVE IT!  This time we took Babi with us which was totally awesome!  We also stayed at the nicest place to date - the Contemporary.  Mama thinks the Contemporary is just a bit over-hyped but you can't beat the location of it.  Personally we prefer the theme-y, chotchkie, cheesy, Disney-esque type resorts, so that's probably what we'll go with next time.

We're just going to do a little photo dump of our pics with slight commentary.  If you want to see the whole she-bang then come on over to our house and we'll show ya the book!

Laaaaaaa!!!!

Cutest shark bait EVER!
So yeah, a little disappointing but we don't have the Disney pics on disk yet - so we'll add more!
Love,
Lilly, Anna Jane, and Jack

Happy, Happy Day Anna Jane!

Happy birthday, little girl!  I always say this - but I can't believe you are FIVE!  No, really - I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT!  Sometimes when I look at you I still see the chubby little gap-toothed two year old with hair in her face, smiling all the time - I will always see you that way, even when you're 30, 40 or 50!
You are so special to me, Anna Jane.  You bring so much heart into this family and we love you so much.  I can always count on you to play nice with your baby brother, I can count on you to try to play nice with your big sister, I know if something bad happens I can count on you for a smile - turns out I count on you a lot!
This is going to be a big year for you.  You're going to "graduate" from preschool, be on the swim team, start Kindergarten, learn lots of new things, make lots of new friends, surprise us in lots of new, happy ways!  I can't wait to see what God has in store for you this year and beyond.  You are a most precious gift to us, I hope there is never a minute in your life you don't know that.  Through all the good times and bad you are the happiest surprise I've ever had - probably the scariest - but the best blessing I never even asked for.  How special is that?  God knew you belong here with us and there will never be enough words for me to express how grateful I am and how much I love you.  Not to the moon and back - it's not far enough.  I don't love you as much as "the whole vwide world" - it's not big enough.  To infinity, and beyond?  It's a good start, my heart.
Happy birthday, happy forever, I love you.
Mommy

Happy birthday LOVE! XOXOXO