Gatlinburg Trip

We spent a few days in Gatlinburg with Josh's parents. Most of our time there we stayed near the pool. We did venture out one evening for the cousins to ride some kiddy rides! Hannah loved the miniature version of the spinning teacups. You couldn't tell by her expression, but after she got off the ride, she said "I do it again!" So, she did...4 times in a row!

A Legacy

Josh and I returned this past Monday evening from an unexpected trip home to Arkansas to celebrate the life of his grandfather, Floyd Rose. What I experienced during this time of loss was overwhelming on many levels. I felt as if I had an out of body experience, watching people as they remembered and gathered around to support each other with a deep love felt only by the closest of family. To watch and see first hand the legacy this man left was amazing and humbling. What he left behind was worth more than any amount of monetary inheritance. He passed on to his son and his son passed on to my husband a legacy that will continue for generations to come. He instilled value. He taught respect. He laughed...and made people laugh. He was kind. He was gentle. He was strong. He loved. He served. He apologized. He was a man who loved God and loved showing God to others. He wasn't perfect and didn't try to be. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and brother.

We all experienced a deep sense of loss, wishing we could have one more laugh with him...wishing he could tell us one more joke. But even with tears and feelings of loss there was a deep sense of joy. He isn't in pain anymore. He is being made whole. He is experiencing the love of his Creator in a new way.

I can't uplift Pawpaw Floyd without uplifting his precious wife. She stayed by his side until his last breath. She took care of him, loved him, and served him just like she promised over 50 years ago. I can only imagine how she must have felt watching him slowly over the past 2 years get to that point of his final moment on earth. How painful. Yet, she wouldn't have had it any other way. Her strength is inspiring.

I am so grateful to be a part of this family.

Nap Time

I couldn't resist posting this! When I laid Hannah down for nap time yesterday around 12:40, I knew this was going to be a day that she didn't fall right asleep. I shut her door completely so she couldn't get out of her room to wander with the hopes she'd get back in bed and go to sleep. Josh came home around that time for lunch and we got to talking and realized after about 20 minutes that we hadn't heard anything from her room in a while. We peeked at the video monitor thinking, "she must have gotten back in bed and went to sleep. What a good girl!" However, to our surprise, there wasn't a sleeping toddler to be found in her bed. Time to investigate. I believe the picture above tells the rest of the story. When we opened the door, this is what we found! She had grabbed her favorite items (bunny, book, cup, and blankets), got into the chair and at some point drifted off to sleep! We HAD to take a picture! This was one of those priceless moments for us as parents. Our daughter just doesn't fall asleep anywhere, but apparently, that is changing.

Easter Weekend

Taking a break to try and eat some candy. I emphasize the word "TRY." She failed.

On Saturday we all went to a park about 25 minutes from our house. We were pretty much the only ones there. Could be because it was not your typical "park" weather! But, we were determined to have a family outing.

The next morning, Hannah woke up to see what the Easter Bunny left her. She was excited to find a basket full of eggs, a chocolate bunny, and a fluffy pink stuffed bunny that she is loving! When we got home from church we did a short version of an egg hunt...mainly to get these pictures of her in her dress.

Big Girl Bed: Take 1

So, we decided to go ahead and attempt the "big girl bed" for Hannah this past Sunday night. It was a little more emotional then we thought it would be. It is one more visible sign that she is growing up right before our eyes. Becoming more and more independent as each day passes. We couldn't help but think of all the different milestones of her life the past year and a half. Smiling, cooing, rolling over, sitting, crawling, walking, no more bottle, feeding herself, talking, etc. Those moments were and are so precious.

So far she has done surprisingly well. We did put a pack and play in her room just in case! She seems to sleep great at night. She only got up once early this morning around 5:30, but when I took her back to her bed, she went right back to sleep...maybe she was sleep walking?? Who knows? Naps have been somewhat interesting however. Up and down, up and down....but eventually she has fallen asleep! So, I feel hopeful we are off to a good start. I have to admit, it was super cute to see her slowly open her door this morning and peek out as if to say, "is it time Mommy?" And then she got in bed with us to watch an exciting episode of "Baby Einstein." We'll see if we have to retreat and go back to the crib, but for now, we'll keep trucking along.

Just Because...

She is never too far from her babies.

She loves playing in her house.

She is asking "Puppy, where are you?"

There is nothing more beautiful to me than when she smiles.

When I leave my shoes out...

...it's time to play! This is the first time Hannah found my shoes and put them on by herself as she pranced around in front of me and Josh. My first thought was..."I have to take a picture of this because it's a perfect opportunity to blog."