Catching up

I'm so glad that spring came.  We've had some fun opportunities to get away with family and friends.
We headed to Pigeon Forge with my sister and her family for a few days enjoying the mountains, Dollywood, & the Aquarium.  

We also had a great trip  to the beach with some great friends last weekend.  A spontaneous trip to Folly Beach was just what we needed during this busy spring season.  We got a break, got to reconnect, and got to enjoy friends. 

When Mother's Day is Hard.

I didn't think too much about this day until it arrived. 
It's a sad day this year.  One of those "firsts" you have to get through after a loss.
It was  simple. There was a breakfast, a card, some flowers. 

Today I just can't help but pray for the women who have lost their own precious mom; for the women who long to have a child or another child and are desperately sad today; for the women like me who have a child in heaven and long to have them here on earth.  I pray for God's peace in the sadness of this day and for hope in Christ.



Coleman said randomly several times during the day "I love momma"

 That was good for my heart and soul.

I know this was another day just to make it through and I'm hopeful that each year it will get easier even though I'll miss her the same.    And I'm thankful that I get to be a momma to two precious ones. 

Easter

This day had so much more meaning for me this year. 

With Nora in heaven I constantly think of heaven more, much more than I ever did before. 

And I think about Jesus and what he did for us.  That he died so that we could live.  So that we could live in heaven one day.  So that Nora could live in Heaven with him.  And the great thing is that Jesus didn't just die.  That's not the end.   Because if it is then we wouldn't have any hope.  But he rose from the dead.  And that's amazing.  AMAZING.  It's even more amazing  and even more meaningful to me now.  Jesus conquered death for us.  He conquered death for Nora.  And I'm so thankful.  So thankful that he loved us so much.  That he continues to love us even now.  That he hasn't forsaken us or forgotten us.

I had this vision during worship at church yesterday.  Just a thought really about Nora and her telling me "I'm OK here mama"  "I'm happy"  "I'm with Jesus and I'm loving it"  and I cried while singing Behold our God seated on His throne.   She's experiencing that right now, every day.  She is growing up in the kingdom of Heaven.  And that must be great.  Much greater than growing up on this broken earth that I so badly wished and wanted for her and for us.    Oh how I wish I could hold her.  Oh how I anxiously await for our reunion in Heaven.  How great it will be.


Cole has been talking about Nora a lot lately.  He wants to touch our baby he says.  He likes to tell me that she was sick and that she's all better now that she's in heaven.  Such sweet truths he is learning at such a young age. 

in pj's at the cemetery.  That's just how we roll some days ;)

Happy Birthday - Late!

a long time ago it was Cole's 3rd birthday :)

Here are the pictures from our fun filled super long wonderful day of celebrating our wonderful 3 year old!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy green day from this cute guy! 

He's trying to show you his green cookie! 

Am I that cool, creative, crafty mom who makes St. Patricks Day treats for/with her kid to celebrate the day?? 

No. 

Did I make cookies because I had a craving and had all the ingredients in the pantry. 

Yes. 

Did I throw some green sprinkles I found in the cabinet on top last minute? 

Yes. 

So Happy St. Pattys Day from this spur of the moment, not creative, sometimes fun (or I like to think so) mom.  

Disney Part 2

Here are the rest of the pictures (I did narrow them down a bit) from our fabulous Disney vacation back in January. 

We spent the next morning at Animal Kingdom.  It was a beautiful day and the warmest one of our days in Florida.
Animal kingdom is like a big zoo.  We definitely didn't spend enough time there to see everything but did some highlights!

We went on a safari ride!  Cole loves animals so this was fun for us.  

 

We enjoyed walking around and meeting some more characters while the guys went to ride the roller coaster Everest.   They said it was awesome.  Ray took me back to ride it and the ride broke while we were in line so I didn't get to experience the awesomeness.  BUT once it broke I wasn't about to get on it anyway :) 

We are awesome little kid ride riders don't you think!? I promise the kids were in there even though you can't see them!

Cole got a safari Mickey doll.  

loves it. 

We headed back to the hotel for lunch and a swim in the pool.  

Cole was so happy to be swimming in January!

He even joined in a hula hoop contest!

We spent a calm evening at Epcot where we ate dinner a the Nemo and Friends aquarium restaurant. 

There are not many kid friendly things to do but Cole did enjoy the boat ride in Mexico and the Nemo ride.  It was a calm evening and everyone was tired so the kids just chilled as we walked them around in the strollers. 

I do have to say as a kid I hated going to Epcot.  So. Boring. Right?!  It's much more fun now that we are adults, so now I see why my parents would make us go.   

Our last full day at Disney we went to Hollywood Studios.  

We got front row seats to the Disney Jr. show.  

Lillian and Cole had a blast seeing Mickey, donald, Sofia, Doc, & Jake.  

Success.

 We met Lightening McQueen and Mater!

We played on the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground and then had lunch at Hollywood & Vine.  

Great buffet lunch with all the Disney Jr. Characters.  

We met Oso, Jake, Handy Manny and more.  We got to dance with them and sing with them. 

We spent the last evening (and it was a cold one) bundled up at Magic Kingdom.  

It was a great family vacation and I can't wait to go back.