After While Crocodile....

*Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and pause the playlist.*

Mondays Musings

"The ups wouldn't happen without you, and I couldn't get through the downs without you." - Copied from my birthday card that my hubby made me

This is exactly how I feel about Matt, too. Isn't it so sweet of the Lord to pair us up with spouses that help us so much! I know that Matt helps me, encourages me, and challenges me to be a better person just by the way he lives each day. I pray that both Maggie and Kerri Grace's husbands are just like their sweet daddy!

Gaymon Weekend

Matt is one day older than me. He was born August 27, 1980, and I was born August 28, 1980. He says he learned alot on that day between our births, and I say that I always knew I would marry an older, wiser man!

It is fun having our birthdays a day apart. For the past ten years (ever since we started dating), my birthday has felt more like a holiday of sorts. And, I am a sucker for holidays!

We celebrated our "Gaymon Holiday Weekend" this past weekend, in usual blow-it-out-fashion!

Friday night, we went and watched Daddy play dodgeball in our neighborhood dodgeball tournament. Matt had a great time playing dodgeball (which I completely do not get, but I am glad he did). And, the girls and I had a great time watching him, meeting new people, and spending time with friends. It was really like a mini tailgate kind of experience, and it was super fun!

Saturday, we spent a relaxing day at home which is right up the Birthday Boy's alley.

Saturday night, we had a Combo Birthday Party with both of our families. Matt's mom cooked a delicious meal, and my mom brought a super yummy chocolate peanut butter cake complete with mini peanut butter cups. We were literally showered with gifts. Everyone was way too generous, but we were very appreciative. We had a great time!!

Today, we went to church, rested, met with our Community Group, and then the girls sang me Happy Birthday! Scroll down, pause the playlist, and enjoy! (I think my favorite part is Maggie's praise at the end of the song...so cute!)



We are two blessed people which makes our birthdays so, so sweet!!! Happy Gaymons' Weekend to Us!

Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery

If this saying is true, Maggie should be the most flattered of us all!!

By the way, we are not trying to potty train Kerri Grace yet. But, she loves to sit on her little potty whenever Maggie goes potty (just like she wants to do everything Big Sister does.) So, I figure it doesn't hurt to go ahead and get her used to sitting on it!!

Silly and Sillier!!!

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and pause the playlist! Enjoy some fun dance times with Maggie and her Daddy. She is so silly! I'm pretty sure her Daddy is sillier, though! I love them so good.

If Only I Had An Envelope That Said "Whatever Handbag You Desire"

Wouldn't that be so nice?!!!

You Know You Are A Little Too Uptight When.....

1. You dress your children in matching outfits.....check!

2. You roll your towels in the drawer and prefer them to all be rolled the same way.....check!

3. You spent an entire day last week organizing three closets and a drawer....check!

4. You were giddy over the organizational shelves that your hubby installed in said closets......check!

5. You spend too many hours a week ironing the clothes of your family....check!

6. The flaws in your appearance sometimes drive you crazy.....check!

7. You have been known to request too many times in one day that your husband edge the yard....check!

8. You consider a clean, organized car "fun".....check!

9. Stains on clothes make you bonkers.....check!

10. You make too many lists during the course of a day....check!

Redeeming Factor of the Day : The girls and I are still in our Pajamas and plan to be that way for a while, and our playroom looks like this....

I know I'm not the only one with little OCD traits. What drives you crazy or makes you happy that is a little uptight and quirky?

Community Group Kickoff!!

We are so blessed to have a wonderful Community Group! We love Sunday afternoons when they all come to our house to fellowship, encourage one another, and challenge eachother.

We have taken a break over the summer so needless to say, we were so excited to have everyone over to kick off the group with an Italian dinner...yummy! Can't wait to dig in next week!

Community Group friends are about to be here, and we don't know what to do with ourselves....obviously!!!!

Isn't he just so cute?!! Mac really enjoyed our Corona's balloon!

Eating cookies!

The Guys

The Gals

Maggie and Kerri Grace taking good care of Charley (one of our newest Community Group members)!

Boy, that was fun!!

We are so pumped to have our Community Group reunited!!

Unforgettable?

I keep telling myself that I won't forget how good the Lord has been to us during this difficult time in our lives. I hope that I don't. But, just in case, I have decided to continue documenting these tender moments so that I can look back and remember.....

A few nights ago, we went through our usual family bedtime rituals with the girls. Daddy read our bible story, and we listed all of the things that make us happy. Kerri Grace contributed her standard and very honest answer of "chocwet (chocolate)" which I think is so funny! Maggie's answer was so cute. She said that she loved it when we all cuddled together on the couch and watched a movie. I was so thankful for that answer. We really have had such wonderful family time over the last couple of months. I am so glad that she is noticing, too!

Then, we all took our turn of saying a prayer. Maggie thanked God for her blessings like she usually does. Then, she said the sweetest thing. She said, "Jesus, can you pick us out another baby to have?" It was very random but heartfelt. I teared up at how sincere and honest she was. And, even more than that, the complete faith that was evident in her tone. With that one request, she challenged me to have that same faith that comes so easily to children. I am so blessed by my sweet little girl!!

Surely that is an unforgettable moment!!

Ashley, I Mean Maggie, the Dancer Extraordinaire

Disclaimer: I know that you are not supposed to live through your children, and I hope that I am not doing that.

Growing up, I was pretty gifted in the vocal and dance department. I guess you could say that I had pretty good rhythm. But, as most things, I decided to put most of my time and energy into whatever Bradley, my older brother, was interested in. Bradley was (and is) a great soccer player. In fact, if the whole doctor thing doesn't pan out for him, he always has soccer to fall back on (must be nice, huh?).

I, on the other hand, was ok at soccer. I really enjoyed it. But, if I was honest, I was better at music and dance. In fact, the boys on the guys soccer team teased me that I looked like a ballerina while playing.....not the best compliment when it comes to soccer.

My Magpie is pretty good in the music and dance department! She can carry a tune, make up a song (that is pretty good), and she can figure out the rhythm of a song and follow it. She had her first dance class yesterday...well, the first class since she was 2. She loved it!! Now, I am not going to force her to sing, dance, and cheer (because that is what I should have done), but if she chooses to, then I will be 100% supportive!! Plus, doesn't she just look adorable in her little leotard?

Am I the only one? Is there something that you secretly hope your kids are good at and choose to participate in?

Confession

I am not used to being sad. Before our sweet baby was born into Heaven, I was pretty much happy all of the time. I would have my couple of hours of being in a "funk," but I knew nothing about having a few sad days. I do now.

I don't say this because I feel like I am depressed....I am grateful that I am not! I am content. But, I have had a few days in a row of being really sad which is not something I am accustomed to. This has led me to a few things....

First of all, I have a renewed longing and thirst for Heaven. I want to be in the presence of God and sing praises to Him! I don't want the sadness of living in a fallen World. And, I want to see both of my Papas and my sweet baby, too. What a wonderful day that will be! (Revelation 21:4)

Secondly, I treasure my prayer time with the Lord!! I can literally feel Him in a tangible way as I pray for strength and faith! I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit living in me! I have clung to the Lord's promises and who He is (no matter how I feel)! (Hebrews 11:1)

Lastly, I have learned more about my Husband in these hard times than ever before, and I am completely head-over-heels, madly, newlywed type, nauseatingly in love with him!!! Matt has been such a rock and has reminded me of biblical truths right when I needed it most! One being that there is fruit from this pain...just not the fruit that we thought. Another being that God knows the beginning and the end of His story. We can and should trust Him with EVERYTHING (Revelation 22:13)! Amen, right!

I confess...I am not used to being sad. But, I have decided it is ok to be sad sometimes. I pray that my sad days keep leading me to a deeper understanding, trust, and love of my Sweet Savior!!

I Know I'm Their Mommy.....

But I think that these girls are just too pretty!!

Thank you, Kim Deloach
! I am just giddy over these beautiful photographs! Plus, we had so much fun playing in the Rose Garden with you. You are fabulous!

Also, a special thanks to Mimi for making the beautiful smocked dresses the girls are wearing. That's right, she made them! Aren't they gorgeous?!

The Osborns

Our friends, the Osborns, are going to be missionaries to Papua New Guinea. They are leaving in a matter of weeks or maybe even days. As the time gets closer, my heart is completely broken at the thought of how much I am going to miss them (particularly Elizabeth). I have been praying for them, but I will be honest, I have had to pray for myself, too.

I am so selfish. I want Elizabeth and her fun family to stay put...maybe even more than I want them to make an impact in Papa New Guinea. I tease her about it all the time, but that is really the ugly truth.

We went to swim with Elizabeth and her girls this morning. It was so bitter sweet for me. I could hardly even get past all of the emotions that were surfacing as we talked and the kids played. We will miss them so much!

If you would like to know more about their mission, click here! I know that they would appreciate your support and prayers. I can't wait for them to be on their way for one reason alone, and that is to hear of all the wonderful things God is doing through them. Papa New Guinea, you don't even know how blessed you are!!

More on the List...

These (along with the previously mentioned Tory Burch flats) are being added on my list that I am sending to the Shoe Fairy...

Yes, if I was loaded, my closet would be full of delicious shoes and handbags!!! What about you? What would you indulge in?

Museum Monday

Today, we went with our cousins and friends, Sissy, Elizabeth, and Thomas to the Children's Museum! It our first trip, and we had such a good time! Of course, a lot of it had to do with the fun company.

The Museum admission is a bit steep, but it is worth it, for sure! I guess you pay extra for the educational experience. The girls had so much fun that they are already asking when we can go back.

Although, this would not be on my list of cheap outings, it is definitely something fun to beat the heat right now! I bet it would be equally fun during the fridged winter days!

Maggie getting her groceries.

KG loads up her cart!

Cute Thomas was all smiles!

Elizabeth was our only thrifty shopper that checked the prices.

Elizabeth, the Cashier

Kerri Grace had to give a few shots at the Animal Hospital.

Thomas works the teddy bear puzzle.

Kerri Grace had such a good time!

Silly girl.

Maggie climbed up so high!

Driving the race car!

Huge Light Bright!

Always wear your helmet in the Construction Zone!