My first Oaks

Well I have been in Louisville forever but this was my first Oaks...and we did it up right!! Jenna and I ordered our dresses from a special designer and they were show stoppers...people....many people actually stopped us to take out picture! It was so fun!! We had the best day with the Timmerings and the Dowdys...and then dinner at Valari in the evening!

My Derby Princess

Today was Derby Hat day at Watkins so sweet SK went off in her Derby Finest! He was so beautiful and so happy to have a hat like moma! I love Derby Time!

Happy 8th Birthday Rigsy!

Today it is officail...Riggs is 8! I can't believe it...I know I say that every birthday with every child...but I take the birthday harder with the first and the last. I love being a mother...and it is a true treasure to be a stay at home mom so that I can be their mother all day. I treasure that and Riggs Hardy is the child that made me a mother...he opened up my heart and my life to the world of motherhood. I adore him for that! He is a very special little boy and he celebrated at his request at Hometown pizza tonight with Colin and Rollins by his side!

Riggs' 8th birthday party!

We celebrated Riggs' birthday today with his buddies at Incredible Daves! It was so fun! The kids just love that place...and the highlight was that everyone got to bungee jump! He was so proud to host this party for his friends! It was a sports themed party...such a big boy now that he is 8! It seems like yesterday I was making him a toy story cake! He has really come out of his shell...he is into a movie right now called "Hot Rod" and there is this funny party where this guy moves his hips and says "you like what you see?"...it is funny but Riggs did this during the party in front of everyone...friends and family! Everyone laughed with him! The cutest part is that he was thankful for the party...and very loving afterwards because of that...he is such a sweet boy.

Attached

Lila is so attached to me right now...she never leaves my side...we do dishes together....take baths together...cook together...and sometimes my arm hurt and my hip is numb from holding her so much...but my heart full of love for her and I know I won't be able to hold her forever so I do the best I can to keep holding her while she wants me to.

Angels

Rollins and Braden are best friends...I mean the very best of friends. I have never witnessed two children so comfortable with each other in every way. When Braden was diagnosed with epilepsy he became even more a part of our hearts and our family. The Timmerings let him sleep over here which is so special for both of these angel boys. After they tucker out, I sneak in and make a pallet on the floor...just in case. To watch them awake and the things they do and say for each other is a treat....it is something special that is rare and hard to explain. Once Rollins told me as we were getting ready for a play date at Jack Robson's that he needed any extra shirt to wear in case Braden had a seizure...he told me that he never knows where his coat is at new people's houses and so he would need a second shirt on to take off and place under Braden's head in case he had a seizure...he is five...and has a bigger heart than most people I know...he is a very special little boy. And Braden..as they were dropped off at the very same play date put himself between a big, barking dog and Rollins because Rollins is scared of dogs...Braden did this without hesitation...with these two being there for each other and taking care of each other is like breathing. They are angels...right here on earth... and I am so blessed to be able to witness this unique and heaven-sent relationship between two boys and I am lucky enough to see this special bond even when they sleep.

Rollins and Baseball- the summer of 2010

Sweet Rolls had a satisfying baseball season...just had fun and enjoyed every game!

Most games he hit it and ran the bases every time...and went back to the bench with a smirk of satisfaction!



He was cute as a button and I was so proud of him! It was a different season and feeling with this team...Nothing seemed to really matter...at the beginning of the season a player on the team fell off his bike and had permanent brain damage... TJ's presence seemed to be with us at every game...a reminder to have fun and smile and enjoy the sweet moments of summer.


and Lila Ray was adorable rooting the boys on this summer!

Birthday sleepover

Riggs has a sleepover tonight for his birthday. It was a night of watching "Hot Rod", a late night run for Dairy Queem Blizzards, and Rheinhart even made an appearance...the boys squealed in fear and delight as he chased them around the house! It was a great sleepover!

Ballet Pictures for my Bunny

It was a very busy day today....flying from one activity to the next but the day started with Sarah Kate's ballet pictures! I pulled her hair back and added a little make up....and she was the most beautiful bunny in the world! Looking at her...I saw a glimpse of her older....I could see for a second a glimmer of a young lady instead of a little girl. She was stunning and I was in awe of her physical beauty today. I think sometimes I forget how pretty she is physically when she is so smart and her heart is so beautiful. It was just a moment that passed so quickly...because I was quickly brought back to reality as she bounced down the hall...her little bunny tail shaking...and sweet giggles with Julia Rose filled the air!

Proud to be pink!

Today was a pink out at Goshen...in support of breast cancer. The boys were not sure about going to school in pink of any kind...so unsure about what people might say. I explained to them the reason for the pink out....and that sometimes supporting a cause is bigger than what people might think...that searching your heart you will figure out what is right for you...but also that it was their decision to go pink or not and that either way was fine. I left it at that and this morning they both decided to go all out pink in support of the cause...I was so proud of their decision and their hearts!

Rollins' Derby parade

Rollins did his Kindergarten Derby parade today! His float was a Kentucky Wildcats Derby theme! He was adorable!

Jeremy's birthday- Happy 33!

Tonight we celebrated Jeremy's birthday with a fish fry! It was so fun to get together and just be here at or house with the people we love the most! The kids picked out an Avatar cake for Jeremy since he loves that movie!

Strawberry Cake Day

I have been promising Julia Rose and Sarah Kate that we could make a pink cake and today was the day! The girls has so much fun adding ingredients, mixing, and tasting the beautiful pink batter! They were all smiles....so glad I kept my promise!

Crazy Hair Day-2010!

Today was Crazy Hair Day!!! The boys left here with blue, spiky hair and fun in their steps!

Riggs and Baseball

Riggs started the baseball season with such promise! He was on the Reds...with Colin and Drex...he had a new bat...and was ready to hit it out of the park! I have also never seen a child more handsome in a baseball uniform...he looked long, and lean, and fast!


He would get up to bat and swing and swing....hard and focused and full of a fierce desire to just hit it...to just make contact



He didn't make contact often but when he did I felt elated...as he ran to first base...and so thankful when he made it there and was safe!


I hate to make excuses but the batting order was against him and he never made it all the way around before there were three outs all season! There were may moments of frustration and he really tried hard to grasp the game and be a baseball boy this summer.






God, I love this little boy! He tries so hard and yearns to do so well!

The Summer Breeze

Lila has been a trooper at the ball park this summer! We really ask a lot of her for being so little...to be on the go so much...but she takes it all in stride and is happy to go wherever we drag her! On the way home from baseball tonight I looked back and she was intently enjoying the hot, summer air hit her sweet face....so precious!

Rollins' 6th birthday party!

Rollins had his birthday today at Lazer tag! He had a wonderful time with his friends...shooting and hiding in the lazer chamber! We had cake and party favors and did it up right! So happy to celebrate this amazing little boy!

Can't wait!

I am so excited to start blogging and getting the memories I share each day on paper so I can remember and cherish each one...they are all so precious...the good ones and the bad ones...each making me who I am.....