Livy's BIG Day! CHICAGO!

Since Liv has a birthday so close to Christmas, her Grandma gave her a pretty special birthday/Christmas present this year.

A trip to Chicago to get her very first American Girl doll!

She was so thrilled and could not wait to go!

The night before we went, she was reminded and was at first confused and then was so excited she was giddy and would not stop talking until bed time. And then some.

She asked if her cousin Kenzie could go with her since they both had never been on a train, to Chicago and at the American doll store.

They were both so quiet but so excited for all of their firsts!

My mom had Dianne and Sue(buddies who take an annual Chicago trip together) go with to help navigate.

We hopped on the train and were ready to go!

It was an extremely COLD day but we were layered and ready for whatever it took to get this excited 6 year old to the store of her dreams.

Such a special Grandma/ grand kid moment.

Before we found her a doll, we swapped trains and ran over to the blue line so we could arrive at the Macy's store to see the large Christmas tree. The train took us straight in to the store so we missed the cold for a few more minutes.

On our way out, we made sure to show Kenzie and Livy the decorated windows.

The picture below is a replica of the tree at the Walnut room that we just saw inside.

After the windows, we found a taxi that was taking us to our next stop. 

I could only get a pic of Liv cause we were so crammed in I could barely move my head and arm to take a pic. 

It might have been one of the funniest moments of the day.

We were just glad that Sue sat in the front because none of us could get into our purses to pay the driver.

We had arrived and Liv could not get in this store fast enough. 

And off she went with her grandma. 

It was so cute. I could not keep up with her. As soon as I would find her she was off somewhere else.

She was trying to find her favorite doll.

Saige was the doll she wanted but we were three days too late because Saige was gone and a new doll of the year was out and ready to be bought. I was oblivious and didn't realize the doll she really wanted was only here for a year and then gone. I felt so bad for her but she takes news so well and was a big girl and cheerfully picked a different doll.

It didn't take much for her to decide which doll was the one for her.

She was all smiles and could not wait to get that doll box in her hands and get it in a bag.

Grandma made sure she had all she wanted to go with Isabelle and they headed for the checkout!

Liv knew she wanted that bag on her very own shoulder no matter how heavy it was. 

It was so cute watching her like all the other girls that were bigger than her. 

She was so thrilled!

After a full day, we were STARVING and walked across the street to the Cheesecake Factory.

I have to say, it is just WONDERFUL going to Chicago with these ladies! 

They know just where to go!

And again. A little girl so thankful and happy to be out for a full birthday/ Christmas gift day.

After a late lunch and a quick few blocks walk to Garretts popcorn in the freezing cold, we jumped back on a train for home. 

Who ever would have thought you could get so exhausted watching your little girl so excited and thrilled for so many big 'firsts' all in one day. I couldn't stop watching her eyes light up for everything we did on this day!

Thanks to my mom for making this day such a great memory!

Celebrating 5 years!

Luke,

 Today you turned 5! A day I thought would not come for quite some time. You were just my little baby boy and now you are my big boy who does so much on his own and wants to do so much more without me.

You are still my sweet boy who gave in yesterday morning when Mommy asked you to sleep just a bit longer and snuggle because it was your last morning being 4 and Mommy just was not ready for you to be another year older. You are so tenderhearted, thoughtful, imaginative and a great older brother who dearly loves his little sisters. You have blessed our hearts over these last 5 years and I enjoy watching you grow every day.

Today, on your birthday, not only were you thrilled to turn 5, but Liv was also super excited for you. She woke up before you and excitedly told me it was your birthday today and there were no more days of waiting.

You woke up, came downstairs and immediately Annelyse saw you and had to be in your arms.

It was her way of saying 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY'.

You just could not wait for your big day and was so patient until we celebrated with an afternoon at a bouncy house. You had an energy about you today that lit up a room.You were thrilled to spend your day with Jaden and Zach.

You were also very generous to let Liv play with Sydney so she didn't feel so left out.

Your just a great big brother that way. *wink

I am pretty sure you enjoyed everything about the bouncy house because it was all you would talk about for months now but the jumper where Daddy got in and tried to throw you and the kids off was probably your absolute favorite! I could just see it in your face. I am almost certain it was Daddy's favorite too.

While you were off jumping, Annelyse had a blast walking around and watching you guys whiz by her. Daddy tried jumping with her but she just was not a big fan.

Finally, you and the boys had about enough and were ready to head back to the house to eat and have cake.

Getting back to the house, Grandma and Grandpa Jimenez and Grandma Nette and Papa stopped by to say happy birthday as well.

Your eyes lit up as the presents piled up on the table and it was the first item on the list after having a bit of pizza.

A sword, nerf gun, wallet, Oddyssey cd's, scooter, helmet and the wii was everything given to you tonight and I am pretty sure you loved all of it. Everything special to you in so many different ways.

Finally it was time to sing to you and have some cake. Your cake was special to me because every part was hand picked by you.

It was great to see you enjoy your day of turning 5 years old. You have given me the best job in the world these last 5 years and that is being able to stay home and take care of you and your sisters. You bring a special spark to our home and watching you grow and learn every day brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

I love you sweet boy!

I hope you had an enjoyable 5th birthday.

Love you,

Mommy   xoxo

More Grace

July 10th I went to bed extremely excited that, very soon, my sister would be delivering her very first child.

I was ecstatic and was so giddy for a few days I could hardly stand it.

The time was here and I was ready to be an Aunt AGAIN!

The day began with a text from my brother-in -law saying that the Dr. was breaking her water and she was in active labor. I couldn't stand being at home just waiting, so around 11:30, I called my mother, (who was in the delivery room) asking if I could bring some lunch over. I just wanted to be there and I didn't care if I was in the parking lot I just wanted to be close.

Being rushed and trying to take care of my little ones along with hurrying up, drying my hair, I was minutes from being on the road and on my way.
Until the phone rang.

It was my mother.

I was about to answer and quickly say that I know I am running late but food would be there shortly.

And then, hearing my mother on the other end, frantically saying something was wrong was when my heart sunk and my brain went in slow motion.

I was moving fast, doing what I needed to do but my brain was in rewind mode and I was now on the other side of what my family lived through 2 years ago with me.

I couldn't believe it. Could this really be happening?
All my mom said was something was wrong. She didn't know what but shanna was on her way to an emergency c- section.

REALLY?

With only knowing that I rushed over, in tears and trying to let family know so they too could head to the hospital.
All while asking the Lord to spare us any heart ache and loss.

My only thought was could we really be going through this and would God's plans really be to send our family down this road again?

I was trying to prepare my mind but wanting nothing more than to rush into the hospital and sit right next to my sister.

I have never felt this feeling in my entire life and I think I now realize the panic my husband had with me.

I was now outside the Labor/Delivery room doors not knowing what to say to get in when my mom called me and said Shanna just had a baby girl and she was fine.

AMEN! PRAISE THE LORD! THANK YOU GRACIOUS LORD!

It was BEST for Shanna to deliver a healthy baby girl and for that I PRAISE GOD!

The rest of that day I felt like I was picking up the pieces that were thrown all at once. I had an adrenaline rush and the rest of the day I was working on getting my breathing back to a calm mode.

I am THRILLED to say I am an aunt to a BEAUTIFUL baby girl,  IRELAND KAYE!

Mom, Dad and baby are doing wonderful and they couldn't be happier!

It turned out that all of the panic was the baby's heart rate dropped and they didn't know why so their only answer was an emergency c- section.

After she was born, the only thing the Dr. could think of was that maybe Ireland grabbed her umbilical cord and cut off oxygen.

All is well now and I must say she will not go a day unloved! She has way too many Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and close friends in the same town for her to be alone.
WE ARE SO BLESSED!!!!!

I must say, I had a moment of heart ache over these two and today I am so thankful they are safe, healthy and here!

God is GOOD!

ALL THE TIME!

It's A BIRTHDAY!

Not a recent one of course but I am working my way through my posts remember?

   December 22nd, our little Olivia turned 3!!!!!
She was so excited for her birthday and was so glad we celebrated with some of her cousins.
The biggest thing she worked on was getting her fingers to make three.

When I asked her what kind of a cake she wanted, she did not hesitate to say a PRINCESS cake.

After some time, determination and the rescue of Livy's Auntie, *wink* Liv got her cake!

You should have seen her eyes when she first stepped into the kitchen and spotted her cake.

She didn't take her eyes off of it and I must say, I didn't want us to cut into it so soon.

When we realized the kids were ready for cake, we had to scrounge up some lunch first.

Next was present time!

Liv had a WONDERFUL, helper by the oldest cousin, Colin.

He made sure she opened up every gift along with his special presents he wrapped himself.

(Colin went around his house and gave Liv a baby Leap Frog book, an angel ornament off of their tree, a pointy, pink ball and a sally car that all thought was lost) *wink*

It was so cute but secretly gave back the car since it was Cameron's. (too cute)

OH, I have to add that Colin's first gift to Liv was a box of money.

He went in his room, took money out of his bank and wrapped it in a box for Liv.

I was SOOO glad he gave it to me first before a little girl got too excited.

(Colin has such a sweet and giving heart.)

I was so glad we were able to celebrate inspite of the fact that I had strep and could barely swallow and Luke had a fever and well on his way to being miserable.

We at least pulled off a family picture.

Liv made sure to say thank you to her Auntie after three days of sitting and watching her Aunt cook, bake and be talked to without ever mustering up a word back to her.

On our way home, we stopped at Chilis for a quick dinner

Hope your third birthday was a fun one MISS LIV!

Mommy and Daddy LOVE you SOOO much and can't wait to see who you become while you're 3!!!