A Birthday Letter

Dear Alexis,

It was 4 years ago today that I held you in my arms for the very first time. You can read all about that day here. From that first moment I was completely head over heels in love with you. I was amazed at how much love and joy my heart could hold just looking at you.

 1 day old

 1 week old

My life has changed so much as I've watched you grow over the past 4 years. I marvel every day at how smart you are, at all the wonderful things you think and feel, and how much love you have for your family. You make me want to be the best mother and person I can possibly be so that I can give you all the things you deserve.

1st Birthday

You are such a pleasure to be around. Your smile and laughter can light up a whole room. You make my heart smile. :)

 2 years old

3rd Birthday

 5 days before your 4th Birthday

I can't wait to spend many, many, many more birthday's with you my beautiful daughter.

All my love,

Mommy 

Easter Weekend

I know it's been forever since I've posted, but my life is absolutely crazy in every way! I am busy with work, the girls and Ross, trying to keep up with the housework (not doing a very good job with that one) and selling Thirty-One.

I wanted to share a few pictures from the weekend and maybe someday I'll have to time to actually blog again, although, I'm thinking it won't be until we decide to have another baby and I get to be home on maternity leave that I'll actually have the time, hehe!

 The girls with the chairs Papa Alan & Grandma Cindy gave them

 Alexis being silly before church

 Me and my almost 4 year old, isn't she beautiful?!

 The best family picture we've taken in a long time, I'll probably frame it. I just wish I would have thought about the clothes Ross had and gotten him a shirt that matched the girls and I a little better. Oh well, maybe next year!

 Pretty girls!

Isabel, Sadie, Hannah & Alexis

 The 7 grandchildren

Riley, Sadie, Tyler, Isabel, Hannah, Alexis & Jackson

Hunting for Easter eggs in the rain, those rubber boots we got them for Easter sure did come in handy!

Thirty-One

I am now a consultant for Thirty-One! Here is my website: www.mythirtyone.com/jessicalea

Check out my website and please let me know if you would like to host a party or order any products, I would love to assist you!

"Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household, 

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many daughters have done will,

But you excel them all."

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."

Proverbs 31: 10 & 25-30

White As Snow

Baby Talk

This morning I was awakened to the delightful sounds of Isabel. Our room is at the top of the stairs right off of the kitchen. We have a gate up between the kitchen and living room doorway to keep our little climber out of the kitchen. This morning she stood at that gate and yelled at the top of her little lungs, "Ma, ma, MOMMA, MA, MAAA, MOMMMMAAA, Ma, Ma!" The yelling continued until I made an appearance. Not a bad way to be woke up if you ask me!

Snow Day

 We decided to brave the cold temperatures yesterday to play in the snow for a bit. Alexis had a blast sledding and playing and did not want to come in!

 Daddy can make the sled go really fast!

 Weeeeeeee!

 Now it's Isabel's turn to try out the sled with Alexis.

 Daddy getting ready to give them a big pull

 Going.....

 Gone! Isabel takes a face plant into the snow..

 And she did not like it one single bit...

 Poor baby!

Christmas On New Years Day

I never get to celebrate Christmas with my parents and siblings on Christmas because we are such a blended family, but we always get together at some point around the holidays. This year it was on New Years Day. All but one of my brothers was able to make it and we had a wonderful time! Here are just a few of the pictures:

 The piggy banks that Matt and Sera Kate gave to all the kids. Sera Kate painted all their names on them herself. She is so crafty and thoughtful. She's such a great Aunt! My brothers couldn't have picked anyone better to marry.

 My sweet sister Jaimee (who is pregnant with my next niece or nephew!) and my niece Hannah being silly with Alexis and Isabel's tutu's!

 Hannah, my brother Brent and Alexis

 One of the beautiful ornaments on Mom's tree.

 My beautiful Alexis

 Jackson & Hannah

 Isabel wasn't feeling so photogenic, but here she is anyway!

 Tyler, Riley & Sadie

 All 7 of the kids

 Mom & Dad with all their grandchildren! Isabel wasn't so happy about the picture taking process this year.

 My brother Matt with Alexis & Sadie

 Hannah, my sister-in-law Sera Kate and Riley

 Aunt Sera Kate and Uncle Matt with all their nieces and nephews!

 Angel Alexis

 The kids dressed up and did a skit of the Christmas story, it was sooooo adorable. Check out this post and you can see a video of the skit.

 Alexis trying on her new sweater from Grandma Cindy

 My nephew Tyler being a goof ball

 Papa letting Alexis put some shiny, pink lip gloss on him

 Mom with the most talked about gift this year. She is now the State Chairman of the Constitution Party of Missouri, so it's rather ironic that my brother gave her the biography of George W. Bush!

Isabel playing with one of Sadie's new toys!