My Mix of 6

If you know anything about our family, you know that we love to go camping. Summer. Fall. Winter. Spring. We love it. It's our family activity/hobby, if you will. So it was no surprise to me when Bubba announced that he would like to have a camping themed birthday party, earlier this month, which of course was a sleepover party. Unfortunately, because The Mister was working on the day of Bubba’s party, I was busy getting everything ready and completely missed taking pictures of everything, bad blogger, I know, still getting the hang of it.   Sorry.   I had a whole selection of fun games lined up for the boys to play, but they really just wanted to play on the trampoline and the rope swing in our backyard.   Which was fine, because tiring them out was a good thing.   :) We had your typical camping food set up.   Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, macaroni salad, some Kool-Aid for the kids, water, and fruit.   The cupcakes I made were adorable....

Oh where, oh where, have the years gone?    How can you possible be 8 already?   I don't even know where to begin with you. You have completed our family and rounded us out.   We became a family of 6 and with a nice little mix of 2 boys and 2 girls, we were completed.   I love how you love to snuggle with your dad and I.   I love how you are eager and willing to learn new things, no matter how big they are. I love how you are so caring and affectionate with your friends and family. I love how you love to play sports.     I love who you are and who you are becoming.  Your Daddy and I love you so much! Happy 8th birthday, Bubba!   You complete us!

Earlier this month, our little Firecracker celebrated her 12th birthday .   I am amazed every day at the young woman that she is turning into.   It's hard to believe how quickly she, and her siblings, are growing up.   We decided, to have her birthday party the weekend after her birthday.  She invited a few of her closest girlfriends over for a slumber party.   One of the things that she wanted was a scavenger hunt.  We live in Mayberry...or so it feels like.   There are times, that I half expected to see Andy Griffith  himself strolling the streets with Barney Fife and keeping us safe.  (Now you are whistling the song, aren't you? You're welcome.)    That's what I love about our small town.  It's small.  It doesn't take long for everyone to know everyone, either.  So I created a scavenger hunt that started at one side of town and had these girls walk back to our house on the...

This kid.  She kills me.  Front the moment we first laid our eyes on her. Her smile.  Her heart.  Her ambition.  Her eagerness to learn new things. Her laugh. Her love for her siblings. This kid.  She melts me. Happy Birthday, Firecracker!   We love you to the moon and back and million times around the world.  Hope your birthday was fantastic and your day wonderful!

I just love this kid....so, so much! During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we had a great turnout for Hotrod's birthday sha-bang! We had a big spaghetti dinner with a green salad, garlic bread and a lot of treats. With Hotrod's birthday being only two days before Christmas, there always seems to be a lot of friends out of town, so planning a birthday party has always been a little bit challenging. However, he did have a few of his closest friends join us for the festivities. This gift was hilarious.   It was a giant Santa sack, with the number 16 glitter painted on...and filled...to the brim...with balloons!  At the very bottom of the bag was the gift, which was duct taped AND then the "ribbon" was a chain!  Hotrod was laughing the whole time and thought it was just great.   At the end of the night, we were joined by some of our closest friends, our family, and each other.  Happy Birthday Hotrod!   We are so proud of yo...

  How is it that this beautiful little baby, has grown into this wonderful young man?  As my son turns 16 today, I am taking the time to reflect on this life he has given...ME.    As a young mother, he has made me accomplish things I never knew possible.   I never knew how much one person could love another so unconditionally, or teach one to take joy in all accomplishments, and celebrate the things in life that makes us all unique. I am so blessed that God chose me to be your mommy. You are everything that is good in me.  I love you so very much!!  You have grown into an amazing young man. You are filled with humor, wit, compassion, empathy, kindness, blessed beyond words, and so, so much more. We couldn't be more proud to be your parents and have you call us Mom and Dad. We love you dearly, Hotrod, and hope you have a fabulous 16th birthday!!!