Who's That Girl?

When you see her, say a prayer and kiss your heart good-bye...


She's trouble...in a word, get closer to that fire....


Run faster...her laughter burns you up inside...


Quien es esa nina, who's that girl?

Ok, so maybe Madonna didn't write that about me and maybe I don't do all THAT stuff to you...but "Who's that girl" is what comes to mind when I look at myself in the mirror.

Don't worry...you don't have to kiss your heart good-bye...

Only David does. And he has.

Last Friday when I went with the kiddos to the pumpkin patch, I saw this beautiful woman who happened to be short (bonus!) with GORGEOUS hair! Now, don't get her confused with me as her hair was illustrious and thick. But, never-the-less, I stopped her and asked if I could take a photo of her hair. I promised not to publish her on the Internet or anything, and that's why you don't see her here. So, after some chatting I knew all about her haircare regimen.

A few hours later, I was in her hairdresser's chair...with a LOT of coaxing from some friends and family. After the gasps and tears passed (all from me of course), the compliments began. And haven't stopped since! And it isn't even highlighted yet.

But, I still catch a glimpse of myself in that mirror and am caught off guard. Now...if the change fairy could just fall upon some other areas...

Mooooo is the Universal Language

Friday morning Tiff, Alison, the kiddos and myself headed out for our annual trek to the Johnston Pumpkin Patch in Greenbrier. We have tried others in the surrounding area, but always fall back on this one.

And obviously so do BUS LOADS of SCHOOL CHILDREN!

A day after some pouring rain.
(Note to Tiff: Tennis shoes are our friends.)

Mmmm...the smell of mud and slightly-too-ripened pumpkins.

And the sound of screaming kids. One being mine who yelled "Mooooo" at every animal there...pig, bunny, duck, turkey...you get the picture.

Who IS his mother?

But alas, we had a nice time and got some great shots as always. Here are just a few of my favorites. As always, the rest can be seen next door in the photo album.


Isn't she just sweet?


He's plotting, I just know it!


A sweet moment captured


I heart these kids, big time!

Fall is Arriving...

It's finally cooling off and starting to smell and feel like fall. Now that it's nearing the end of October and all.

Last weekend we were in Ashdown so David could hunt and me the kids could, you know, lounge.

And eat sausage gravy and biscuits. Lots of 'em.

Anyway, Belle spied a pumpkin on the back porch of the house and asked about it. Grammie said, "Oh, I don't know. We'll figure something out." Later the next afternoon, she found out.

And here she is.

For the first time in her 5 sweet years.


The look on her face says it all!

But, after some clean up, she loved her new friend.



My baby girl has her first Jack-O-Lantern, the temps are falling below 100 and all is right with the world.

(More photos on the link)

Oh, How I Wish It Were Me

For Belle's birthday, my girlfriend Tammy bought her a professional "kids" spa pedicure and manicure. Because that's just what big girls do! She LOVES to do her hands and feet when I do mine anyway, so this would be a huge deal.

Until we walked in...

I took her with me to the women's Friday night dinner to start her "Girls Night Out" with mom. She even wanted to get all dressed up in her dressed up and put on her necklace and everything. After all it was her night!

After we headed to the salon. The nail tech just kept giggling at Belle over and over. It was kinda freaking Belle out just a little.

Ok, a lot.

So much so that I was worried I wouldn't get a picture that was worth much. You know, with the scared looking face and all. But she finally got over her fear enough to enjoy what I wish was happening to me.


Getting the Spa Treatment


Time for the Nails


One Beautiful Birthday Girl

From there we did what would make a girls night out even better...went shopping with some girlfriends then headed to Shake's for some icecream! What else could a girl want?

(There are more pictures in the "Belle Time" Album of our Kodak Gallery.)

My Cup Overflows

This past weekend my little "Bella-Boo-Bear" turned 5 years old. 5 YEARS OLD! I had told David that it took almost that long to get her here and that time crept by, so how did these 5 amazing years fly by so fast?

Saturday she had a "girlfriends" party (well, plus her baby cousin and brother) where she takes gymnastics. Those girls had a blast and she got tons of great stuff.

Not to mention the ENTIRE BOX FULL of High School Musical stuff from her Aunt Becky and Uncle Matt.

Did I say full? I meant full.

I don't know what will happen when they ever have kids.

You can look at pictures of the party over on the photos link.

This was her Sunday, on her actual Birthday, in an outfit from said Aunt and Uncle. Isn't she breathtaking?




More importantly, I spent Sunday night in bed with her telling her all about that exact same night 5 years earlier. She kept asking for me to tell her more and more and more and by the end I was in tears...again.

I know you are all shocked.

As I held her in my arms...well...mainly her head, I remembered when I once held that tiny, fragile, 6lb 15oz wriggling angel in just the crook of my arm. That night I gazed at her the same way I did back then...only this time she smiled back at me. I smelled her head the way I did then...only this time she giggled at me. I cried the way I did then...only this time she cried with me.

I know you are all, yet again, shocked.

After her story, I told her I wanted to sing her "our song"...the same song I sang to her the night she was born. Here are the words:

"Tell me why, the stars to shine,
Tell me why, the ivy twines,
Tell me why, the sky's so blue
And I will tell you just why I love you.

Because God made, the stars to shine,
Because God made, the ivy twin
Because God made, the sky so blue
Because God made you, that's why I love you."

We cried some more...

My Darling Belle,

You are one amazing kid! You teach me every day things I want to learn (love, happiness, pure joy, fun, etc) and things I don't necessarily want to learn (patience). Most importantly you teach me more about faith in God than even I have learned on my own in my lifetime. Some of my toughest struggles with faith have been trying to wait on God to get you here. I remember telling you a few weeks ago about this story...the story of you being a miracle and I'll never forget the look on your face as we lay in bed...snuggling as tears rolled down my face....and yours. Not only is that my testimony, but it is also yours. But as you wiped my tears away and said, "Mommy, I'm glad God gave me to you. You are my bestest friend." Even though you tell Daddy that too, I literally thought my heart was going to explode! I'm glad God gave you to me as well! You have no idea how much. While you don't know it, you and your Words from God have gotten me thru some tough spots these last few months. I love you so much and look forward to spending your life with you watching you grow in love, faith and in God.

You're my bestest friend, too!

Love
Momma


From Then...


To Now...