Happy 6th Birthday Karter

 My sweet Karter Man turned 6 yesterday.  It makes my heart happy and sad at the same time that my children are growing older.  This morning on the way to school I asked them why they wanted to grow up on me.  Karter said, "Mama we can't help it".  :)!!  They are right.  They can't.  I just have to cherish every moment at every stage and I am OH SO HAPPY that I have so many pictures of each of them at every stage to look back on. 

Tuesday (his birthday eve) I was in Birmingham with Mama.  I got home about 6:20 or so.  They were playing with the birds and having a good time.  I just looked at Karter and thought, this is the last day you are 5.  I need a picture with him on his last day as a 5 year old. 

Of course as soon as I mentioned taking a picture with him, his sisters wanted in :).....

 I am oh so sappy.  I know! I know!  I enjoyed holding him (as I do ever night, but their birthday eve and birthdays are very special) his last night as a 5 year old....

 Dad sent us a text to see how Kman felt about turning 6, so I decided to send him a video back :)...

Before Kyle and I went to bed we decorated his doorway :) so he would have a nice surprise when he woke up!

And before I knew it, it was morning and my baby boy was 6!  (My Mom always does a great job on making them shirts).

 Timehop didn't respect my "I don't feel like crying today" wishes.  It had all sorts of birthday pictures on it.  I thought I would share a couple :)....

 Mom still wasn't feeling well yesterday, so she face-timed him before school :)...

 He had a couple more phone calls and video texts before school too :)!

I love love love love getting pictures throughout the day.  Makes my heart so happy and so thankful for our wonderful teachers!

He went to the store with his Daddy to get "treats" to take to school for his birthday.  I knew he wouldn't want cupcakes because he is not a sweets eater.  I was thinking more like cookies or something.  Well they come back with a 20 pack variety of chips! HA!  Just like a man right?  I was worried about his classmates fighting over who got what kind, but Mrs. Ellison said they did great and it was the perfect treat idea.  So kudos to Kyle on that one!

I can't end without my annual letter.

Karter Man,

Words cannot describe the happiness and joy you bring to my life.  You are the sweetest, kindest, most tender hearted Kyle Colquett looking thing there ever was.  I am so very thankful God chose me to be your Mommy.  I needed a little man around the house when Daddy is gone and you fit the job perfectly.  You are quiet and sensitive like your big sister.  Your little sister is your best friend and your biggest enemy.  Y'all fuss and fight, but at the same time care so deeply for one another.  

I am proud of the 6 year old you have become.  You have blown my mind with how much you have learned since starting Kindergarten. 

 The other night when it was raining you offered your little sister and me your umbrella so that we wouldn't get wet.  You do small things like that that make me realize maybe your Daddy and I are doing something right.  I can really see the gentleman you are becoming.

You Love: going to church, your grandparents, Alabama football, chicken, french fries, hamburgers, mustard, pickles, homework, Cartoon Network, soft pants, baseball, hunting, fishing, jumping on the trampoline, protecting your sisters.
You Dislike: ketchup,mayo, sleeping with your sisters, taking your sister to dance, chocolate, the smell of chocolate, cake, lunchroom food, "handsome shirts" (aka button up shirts), denim pants/shorts

Honestly, dressing you is harder than dressing your sisters.  You like tshirts and "soft pants".  I want you to wear handsome shirts and khaki shorts.... :)!!! I am learning to let you be your own person.  Even if that means wearing the same Alabama shirt every time it is washed.

I love you to the moon and stars and Jupiter and Mars my little man.  

Love,
Mommy

Fun Weeekend! Field Trip, Tea Party, Beach, NEWSBOYS

 Karter Man had a fun field trip Friday morning.  He went to the petting zoo and the park.  Amanda made me feel like I was there with them with all the pictures she sent :)!

Saturday morning I went to Panama City to celebrate with my cousin for her bachelorette weekend.  While I was gone Sophie went to her friend, Maggie's, tea party.  I am so thankful for good friends.  My friend, Ashton, offered to let Sophie go with her since I was out of town.  Kyle was not wanting to go to a "girl" party (haha) so Ashton saved him.  She sent me lots of cute pictures so I thought I would share a couple....

 The weather Saturday was yucky, but we did manage to get some pool time in between the showers.

This sweet girl cried when I got married and I had a letter waiting for me in the mail when we got home from our honeymoon.  She was so afraid that I was gone forever.  Hard to believe the roles are reversed and now she is getting married.  I am so proud of her! 

Sweet cousins!

Love these girls!

 We had been counting down the days until the Newsboys came to the Annual Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo.  The day had finally arrived and the weather was NASTY!  We went to church yesterday morning and messed around at home waiting for the weather to clear up.  It finally cleared up some and we decided to take a chance. 

The kids love to do the trampoline bungees :).....

 When I say we counted down the days, even the kids were excited they were coming.  I don't know that a day went by that we didn't talk about it.

Not many people we would sit in the rain for. 

 It was okay at first.... Kids did well..... the rain was steady, but not heavy. 

Sophie dancing to one of the bands:

Audio Adrenaline was great!

Unfortunately, the show ran late.  I'm not sure why because they started the first group early.  The Newsboys were 40 minutes late getting started and by that time the rain had gotten heavier and it was starting to get cooler. We were all over the weather by then!  But really REALLY wanted to see them play all the songs we love.

Sophie had all she could take and put her little head in my lap and went to sleep before they started. 

 It was really sweet because Karter sat there and rubbed her while she was going to sleep.

They were really awesome.  We saw them perform about 4 songs before the rain ran us off :(.  We were so sad.  Waited 2 1/2 hours in the rain to see them, but the kids were definitely over it by the time they got on stage. 

We were hoping they would play "We Believe" and "God's Not Dead" before we left, but they didn't.  My friend, Ashley, texted me this awesome video of the Drummer during "Jesus Freak".  So very cool!!! Karter would have loved watching it live....

Weekends come and go so fast it seems. 

Hopefully everyone will have a Happy Monday and a great week!

Tball Season! Soph Stories! Easter Pets!

Tball is in full swing!  We had the annual Jamboree the end of March and it was really cold that day.  We were at the field most of the day.  We had to be there by 8:45, then pictures at like 10:55, game at 12 and game at 2.  We finished the day by watching Hank play. 

Our little slugger!

The teams being represented on the field!

Wishing Daddy was home to be with us.

Kade and Karter

Brayden and Karter

Karter and Hank

Snuggling up while the game before him finished up.

He is our little runner.  He loves, loves, loves to run!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You all know how much fun Sophie is.  Everyday I feel more and more anxiety about her starting school and not being here with me each day.  I am relishing each and every moment.

She loves to help me with laundry and really loves to get in the dryer while I put the other clothes in. 

Since she can buckle herself she gets to get out of her seat in the school line and sing, dance, lounge in the back, hang out the window.... threaten me that she is going to blow the horn....  haha!  I am sure she will be missed by the others around us in the line that are entertained. 

Earlier this week Kayla and Julie both sent me a snap chat of Sophie hanging out.... I died laughing and took a screen shot (of course).

She is one of a kind!

Most of you know that MeMe gives live pets each Easter.  The kids have gotten a rabbit, hamsters, fish, ducks, chickens, and I may be leaving something out.  This year they got 3 beautiful parakeets.

Meet Elsa, Moe, and Sky.

Much to my surprise they have been pretty quiet.  We'll get a chain and hang them outside, but for now they are inside.  Karter accidentally let Moe (his) out yesterday.  Thankfully I was able to catch him (or possibly a her... I'm not sure...HA) and put back in the cage.  They look forward to MeMe's Easter surprise every year. 

But we really need to move to the country!

Easter 2015

Because He LIVES I can face tomorrow.

Because He LIVES all fear is gone.

 

Because I KNOW He holds the future

and life is worth the living

just because He LIVES.

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Easter! 

 

 ~ I love celebrating that Jesus is no longer in the tomb.  That He died and rose again for all of us! 

~ I love that Easter is the beginning of gorgeous warmer weather and that summer is not too far behind.

~ I love all the pastel/bright colors that Easter brings.

~ What else I love..... I get to bring my white pants/shorts out! Whoop Whoop! (I'm still old school on the white pant thing.  I'm working on that.  Slowly.)

 

We spent the last part of Spring Break in Freeport, so when we got home Saturday night we still had to color eggs :)!  It is always lots of fun.........

1 of my favorites

Easter Morning.....

The kids love play glasses.  Sophie got some new ones in her basket :)!

They also got new notepads.  This was the first thing Kman wrote in his :)!

Our traditional Easter morning pics outside before heading to church.....

I love that Sophie is looking up at Heidi in this picture. 

This pose was Heidi's idea and I have to admit, it turned out great.

This was the 1st year Daddy has been home for Easter in 3 years!  We were all super excited.

Sophie loves to pose.  She definitely had us giggling during family pictures.

After church we headed to the Wyatt family Easter :)...

Counting her eggs

First year any of us got the golden egg.  She didn't actually find it, an adult did and they did a "guess the number" to see which kid would get it.  Heidi was the closest one.

Everyone together for Easter.  Happy day!

I forgot to get a picture of the kids with MeMe and my Mom wasn't feeling well so we didn't get to see her :(.  But over all it was a great Easter.