Self Perception

Our Conversation on the way to church went something like this....

Matt: (Flirting a bit) Mommy, where did you find that little black dress?!
Me: (Giggling) In my closet. Just trying to keep things from getting too boring.
Maggie: That dress makes Mommy look pretty.
Daddy: Mommy always looks pretty. (He was scoring all kinds of points this morning, huh?)
Kerri Grace: Terri Dace (Kerri Grace) always looks pretty.
Maggie: I always look pretty, too.

It turns out we don't need any self esteem boosting lessons this week. =)

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. -Psalm 139:14

Saturday Morning Treat

The only thing better than Mommy and Daddy taking the girls to the zoo is Mimi and Papa taking the girls to the zoo! Maggie and Kerri Grace had so much fun looking at all of the animals with Mimi and Papa Saturday morning. The best part for Mommy and Daddy was getting a whole lot accomplished at home all the while knowing that the girls were enjoying such a fun treat!

Visiting with the Monkeys.

Papa explains the difference between the venomous and non-venomous snakes.

Thanks for the invitation, Mimi and Papa! We all fully enjoyed our Saturday morning.

Loving my Calling, Individuality, and My Season!

Those of you Ezers out there know exactly what I am referencing....the goal!

I am not always crazy about my season of life (although if I am honest, right now is a pretty sweet time), and I am not always crazy about my gifts and personality. But, I am really encouraged and challenged by the things I am learning in both of the bible studies I am taking right now. (The fact that I am participating in two bible studies is part of the insanity of my season, but that is another post for another day).

I am learning and I am thankful that I was created just the way that God desired me to be, and that we as women, are uniquely gifted to reflect specific aspects of God. I am learning that I should try to glorify God in all seasons of life....I pray that I remember that while I am washing the dishes, folding laundry, ironing (yes, I think I am literally the ONLY woman in my age group that still irons), etc. I am also realizing that my autonomy is very much a sin. Ouch.

So, here is my prayer....

Lord, never let me get over you. Let the joy of my salvation be renewed each morning. Forgive me of my desire to do things my way and to try to make everything about me. Help me to put myself under your authority and Matt's authority. Help me to put my sin in front of you each and every morning and to gather my "daily manna" and to enjoy my sweet intimacy with you, Lord. Let me be still and follow your guidance, and follow Matt's lead as well.

I hope that you are encouraged and challenged by some of this, too. And, this is just the tip of the iceberg! I can't wait to dig in more!



Here are some more pictures of my favorite girls! They make this season of life so, so sweet!

I worked all of last week so this week we have tried to mix in some play while Mommy gets the house put back together.

Maggie has LOVED her scooter that Nana Sue and Pal got her for her birthday!

We have all passed around a cold/sinus infection so we have spent a good part of the last week indoors. I am so thankful for finger paint!

Have a Blessed Wednesday, Friends!

Ninety is a Reason to Celebrate!

We are so blessed! There are too many blessings to list, but one of the sweet blessings in our lives is our grandparents. My Papas are both with Jesus, but my grandmothers are still alive and doing fairly well. Matt's grandparents are all four still alive and very healthy. That is something that we are so grateful for.

Matt's Grandaddy Hill turned 90 a couple of weeks ago! He has slowed down a little bit physically, but he is still sharp as a tack and healthy enough to live in his house. Wow! Isn't that just amazing?!!

Matt's mom threw a fantastic birthday party for her sweet Daddy. The party had a patriotic theme complete with flags flying, Grandaddy's uniforms from his service in the Navy, and a photo book of his time in the Navy...so special! The birthday boy and his guests ate yummy cake, rode on the train, and visited with a ton of family and friends out in the beautiful country.

The decorations....

The Birthday Boy and his sweetheart...

Aunt Kim and Uncle Mark

The Birthday Cake

Make a Wish

Beautiful Cousins

Uncle Bill

Let's get this train rollin'.

A Wagon Full

Uncle Mark reading to the girls.

Family Shot

Happy Birthday, Grandaddy Hill! We love you!

Birthday Buddies!

I know that I have mentioned Maggie's best friend, Campbell, to you. Campbell is the daughter of my best friend, Lauren. She is sweet, spunky, energetic, and she is one week younger than Maggie! It is so fun for them to be so close in age (for Maggie, Campbell, and their Mommies.)

Since we were pregnant with the girls, Lauren and I have shared so much! The uncomfortable phases of pregnancy, the exhausting days of having a newborn who doesn't sleep, crawling, walking, talking, the wonderful/terrible twos, preschool, preparing for birthday parties, etc.

Their fourth birthday parties were no exception! Campbell's birthday party was the night before Maggie's party. It was a Diego theme, and it was adorable! Maggie had such a great time that she requested the next morning (the morning of her birthday party), that we change the theme to Diego. So funny! Congratulations, Lauren, on another fun birthday party for Campbell and her friends!

The Birthday Girl and her guests had to rescue the animals...just like Diego!

Campbell's adorable little sister, Reese.

Campbell, Ivey, Maggie, and Kerri Grace....Campbell is showing her silly face.

The Birthday Girl was all smiles opening her presents!

Happy Birthday to One of Our Most Favorites!!

The Cousins Meet

We were finally all well enough to go meet Eliza. (Matt, the girls, and I have passed around a cold/sinus/allergy something for a few weeks now.) The cousins seemed to hit it off just fine, and Maggie is completely taken with her new tiniest cousin. We are going to have to watch her like a hawk when we visit with Eliza. I have a feeling she is going to be willing to offer her amazing mothering skills whenever we ask her to (or when we don't ask her to).

Hilarious Diamond Love!!!

Make sure you scroll down and pause the playlist at the bottom!



Sure am glad this "Shady Pie" attracted her "Samford Stud!" So funny! I must say that this whole video is so hilarious to me, but I think my favorite details are the fanny packs the girls are sporting and the girl dancing down the middle of the dance lines with the golden lion. Gotta love it!

A Night With Royalty

Of my two princesses, Maggie is the one who loves, loves, I mean loves to party! She is a social butterfly and doesn't shy away from crowds are being the center of attention. It is always so fun to plan and prepare a Birthday Party for her. It's a thousand times better to watch her enjoy the party!

This party did not disappoint (nor Maggie's reactions)! The best surprise for Maggie was greeting Cinderella at the door. She was so pumped! Cinderella actually came to her party, taught the little princesses a dance, and told them all about her castle, carriage, and Prince Charming. Maggie and the other girls were in heaven! It couldn't have been any sweeter. Happy Birthday Party Day, Maggie!

Where Did My Baby Go?

Maggie turned four today!

She has been loosing her "baby" for a while now, but this morning she woke up a real big girl. She is now my little baby who happens to have long, skinny legs, say phrases like "for real, Mommy," cries over her feelings getting hurt, makes her Mommy and Daddy laugh on purpose, knows how to nurture and love her little sister, talks about when she is able to drive, and prefers going to school rather than hanging out at home. Where has the time gone? I enjoy every phase of her growth, but I know that I will always, always think of her and call her "my baby."

Happy Birthday to our Sweet Four-Year-Old Baby (Who Happens to be a Big Girl)! We Love You!!!