Four.

Dear Bella,

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY, BABY GIRL!!! I guess I shouldn't be calling you "baby" anymore, seeing as how you're a big, bad 4-year-old, but sweet girl, you will always be my baby. And maybe God knew it would be hard for me to see my little ones grow up, so He's given me my last child with an extra season of babyhood to help soften the blow. <3 But Bellaboo, you have come SO far since that fateful day we finally got to meet the missing piece of our heart, who was waiting for her family to come to her in China. While this last year has certainly had it's share of highs and lows, you have just blossomed the last month or so, and it brings me such joy and happiness to see you overcome so much.

The thing is Bels, you have had to work harder than any young one ever should, just to do things that come naturally and easily to other kiddos your age. Almost everything requires extra effort on your part. But honey, you persevere and you (usually) do it with a smile on your face. God knew exactly what He was doing when He created you: He gave you a fierce, strong, hard-working, joyful spirit. Every single day someone stops me to tell me what a beautiful child you are, and the thing is, while your beauty certainly takes my breath away, it is the depth and beauty of your soul that really shines through. I am SO proud to be your momma, Bels. So, so proud. 

I'm not sure we could love you more if we tried, your daddy, brothers, sister, and me. Your siblings still argue about who gets to sit next to you at dinner, and they light up when they see you after school. They are proud to show you off to their friends, and they get so excited to see you accomplish something new. They are some of your greatest teachers and protectors, and they will be behind you, and beside you, for the rest of your life. So will your daddy and I. You will never be alone again, sweet girl.

Since your last birthday you have started school, and I don't know that I've ever seen a child love school SO much! You wake up every morning and look at me with a twinkle in your eyes, as you ask me, "Dool?" (which is how you pronounce /school/ these days ;) ). You love walking in like a big girl, just as proud as can be with your book bag on. You are crushing goals and working so hard, and we are so excited to see what your future holds. Your teachers and therapists, both at school and at home, love you so much and are so proud of you, Bella. You bring happiness wherever you go. <3

Bella, I met with your teachers and therapists a couple weeks ago to update your Individualized Education Plan for next year. They spoke about how much you've accomplished this year and areas they still want to focus on for next year. As the meeting was coming to an end, your head teacher took her glasses, looked at me, and started to cry. She said that when she thinks about you and the "what if," specifically "What if Bella was still in an orphanage in China?", it breaks her heart. She just can't imagine you still being there, alone and in need. As she wiped away her tears, she looked at me and said, "You guys saved her life." But honey, the truth is? You saved ours. 

You have brought more happiness, faith, love, and strength to our family than I thought possible. I just don't know what we ever did without you, Bels. Thank you for saving our lives. 

Here's to you on your fourth birthday, Bella Elizabeth. You are so very loved. 

With all my heart, 

Momma

Prime Time, Take 2

Whelp, I already failed and didn't get around to making this a monthly post, seeing as how April came and went without it. BUT better late than never, right? I absolutely LOVED seeing all the comments and feedback from the first time I wrote one of these "Prime Time" posts, which exist solely to share my favorite items I have Amazon Primed lately. That being said, this thing is only as successful as the comments, so while I will share my favorites below, please feel free to comment on Facebook with your recent Amazon Prime must-haves. I ordered several that were recommended (I'll include a couple below), and can't wait to see what y'all recommend this month. Let's do this!: 

Goggles. Our second season of swim team starts TODAY! I needed to order new goggles for this year and went with the same pair for Raleigh (which were recommended last year by a friend whose children are ROCKSTAR swimmers - thanks, Sheila!). I got her the fun, rainbow strap-colored ones, which she loves. For Banks, though, I needed to order some prescription goggles to address his near-sightedness. Enter this pair, which allowed me to order based on his prescription needs (thanks for this rec, Volree!). 

Swim bags. Speaking of swim team, how awesome are these bags I scooped up for Banks and Raleigh for this season? I busted out my trusty Silhouette Cameo to personalize them, and I guarantee they will use them every day from now until swim team ends next month. Check them out if you have swim teamers (or just swimmers who want their own bag to tote their own stuff). 

Parent-child journals. In my Big 3's Easter baskets this year, I gave each a special parent-child-shared journal, and they (and I!) LOVE them! I got this one for Banks, this one for Raleigh, and this one for Harrison (so he and his dad can draw back and forth to each other). 

Collagen. Well, ladies, as we age we lose collagen, and well, I intend to fight the good fight for my health (and hair and nails and skin - ha!). My friend, Lauren, recommended this awesome product during my last Prime Time post, which came recommended from a very well-known and respected, health-oriented trainer. I ordered it immediately. I now put one scoop of this powder in my coffee every morning (it is tasteless), and my hair stylist noticed a difference in the health of my hair in the 8 weeks between my last appointments. This was a good buy - I already ordered more!

Scooter. This post is really kid-product-heavy, huh? But that's been most of my Amazon purchases lately, to be honest. I'll drop one more here, in case anyone is in need of an awesome gift for young kids: Harrison received the best scooter a couple years ago, but after the back wheel was accidentally run over by *someone* (ahem....me), it was running a little wonky. We love that dang scooter so much we got him another for his 5th birthday. It runs so smoothly and, unless you run over it with your tank of a car, lasts forever. 

Summer platforms. I tend to wear shoes into the ground. I find a pair I like and wear them over and over and over...so, sometimes I don't mind spending a little more on them because I get so much use out of them. But this last pair I ordered? Not only were they super cheap and, I swear, as comfortable as a pair of slippers, but I will be able to wear them non-stop all summer and then if they do wear out, the price won't have broken the bank. I highly recommend these (just know they take a couple weeks to ship). 

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And a couple of fails: 

Workout fail. Someone I know recommended these workout pants to me and I ordered them immediately - cannot beat that price! - but when they finally arrived, I was SO disappointed. They are super comfortable but are not workout worthy. Pajama worthy, yes. So, I'll be wearing these as pajamas and not to barre. Womp womp. 

Can o' trash. We also recently ordered a new trashcan for our kitchen after years upon years of using the same one. And we really like it...we just don't like that we discovered after using it for a month that we now have to order special trash bags to fit it. Boo. 

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Alright, y'all. Whatcha got? Share that Prime Time love! :) 

Cheers to the Week, Party On Edition

If you know me, than you know I love, love, love birthdays. They are my favorite. And last week was our Harrison's 5th birthday! So, we were definitely saying CHEERS to that and more this week, and will continue to do so, as we welcome in the week/end: 

High FIVE for Harrison. I posted details from Harrison's party earlier this week but wanted to share what our 5-year-old did on his actual birthday, too! He awoke to our tradition of decorations on his bedroom door and then ran into the kitchen to find more decor and his gifts and cake awaiting. 

He was thrilled to then join his daddy for the annual birthday breakfast date and chose Waffle House as the venue. The apple doesn't fall far... ;) He then had some time to play at home with his new toys before he and I ventured off to his preschool field trip! It just so happened that the pre-k graduation playground celebration was the day of his birthday #perfecttiming; so, we met his preschool buddies for the field trip at a local park, where they ran wild before enjoying cupcakes and popsicles. 

After scooping up Bella from school, we headed home where we had lunch and had more playtime with his toys. I don't think the kiddo came inside all day, and luckily, we had beautiful weather that day! While Bella worked with her occupational and then speech therapists at our home, he and I snuck off for a little scavenger hunt and Momma Date at the farm stand located just outside of our neighborhood. 

Shortly after, his Bammy, and then his Nana and Pop, arrived! They had come to celebrate the birthday boy and cheer on Raleigh in her flag football game that night. First though, I fixed the birthday boy's request for dinner: sprinkle pancakes with syrup. Done and done! After then watching Raleigh's game, we came home so the birthday boy could blow out his candles, eat some cake, and then play a little backyard family baseball before hitting the hay. Whew! We were pooped but had so much fun celebrating our 5-year-old! <3

Sports march on. Whelp, our undefeated Riverdogs are undefeated no more after losing their first two games last week. Hopefully, they'll bring home the W when they play tonight! Meanwhile, as I mentioned above, Rals was so excited to have her grandparents there to cheer her on in her game last Thursday - Go Cowboys! And then our Nana and Pop were still here to cheer on Harrison in his teeball game last Saturday morning, and he just loved it! <3

New contacts, who dis. Banks has officially made the switch: from glasses to contacts! Doesn't he look so grown up?! And, after a few days of practice, he got them in all by himself one morning. Go Bankster! :) 

A Make-Up Birthday Celebration. Have y'all heard of Lindsey Regan Thorn? She is a well-known make-up artist in the Charlotte area with a huge IG following, and she is awesome - so knowledgeable about make-up products and application. I was so excited to attend a private make-up lesson with nine other girlfriends as a way to celebrate a dear friend's birthday last week. We sat and took in every word and product recommendation as we oohed and aahed over the make-up transformation she demonstrated on our beautiful birthday gal pal. I  ordered several of the products she recommended and used them for the first time this morning! I will report back after I use them for a bit. :)

Double date night. After a crazy Saturday that included a yard sale, teeball game, coffee with my mentor, and birthday party for our birthday boy, my hub and I were able to sneak out with a couple we love for a little double date night. It was the perfect way to close out a crazy day last weekend! 

Let's see: the last week has also included more sports; a IEP meeting for Bella with her awesome education team; an overnight stay at the vet for our little kitty, Theo; a dentist appointment for my big three; preparations for Teacher Appreciation Week next week; swim time with buddies for Harrison; an in-home date night with my hub; etc. May has arrived and with it, May madness begins! :) 

And now, the weekend awaits! My hub left earrrrrrly this morning for a special weekend: a deep-sea fishing trip with great friends to celebrate the last year of his 30s! This is the third year in a row he's done this fishing trip to celebrate his birthday, and I know they are going to have the best time. Meanwhile, I'll be flying solo with my s{quad}. Banks has a baseball game tonight, Harrison has a teeball game tomorrow, and we'll have lots of fun together in between. Have a lovely weekend, friends. Be back next week if I can, although we have two big birthdays to celebrate, so I may be scarce around these parts. Regardless, I'll "see" y'all soon! 

Mom-ing Through Faith: On Being You

What does God think about when He thinks about you? 

Kicking this Mom-ing Through Faith post off with a stop-me-in-my-tracks kind of question, huh? At least, it did, me, when one of the speakers posed this question at the Made+Known conference I attended back in March. 

Hmmm...what does God think of when He thinks of me? 

There are things I hope He thinks and there are things I hope He doesn't think. But the truth is, as the speaker pointed out that day, how He views you is...your true identity. He sees us. He knows us. He loves us anyway. I am working hard to be my true, authentic self, the best version of me, the version He sees and expects me to be. It's hard and I fail every day. But I keep trying. 

You know another stop-me-in-my-tracks kind of moment that gets me every time? Any time I fly. I love looking out the window, watching as the trees and the buildings and the cars grow smaller as we ascend. Watching as thousands of people shrink right before my eyes, until they are but mere pinpricks, millions of them. I am one of those pinpricks. Me? One of those pinpricks. My life? One teeny tiny speck on this planet for just a brief moment in time. It makes everything I think of as a "problem" seem small. It can definitely make a person feel insignificant, looking through that airplane window at all the other pinpricks, each with her own thoughts, feelings, faith, belief, family, friends, career, day-to-day life. 

And yet, God designed me specifically - different from everyone else in the world. Different from all the other pinpricks, going about their days out that airplane window. One with my own unique gifts and talents, my own personality, my own heritage, my own faith and beliefs, my own strengths and weaknesses, my own DNA, my own fingerprints. I am but a pinprick, and yet He created every single hair on my head, just as he uniquely did for all the other pinpricks. And so, another question:

How has God made you specifically? 

Here is (some of) what I know about me: 

I am a follower of Jesus. 

I am fiercely loyal and have an impassioned desire for justice. 

I am equal parts introvert and extrovert. 

I take my role as a momma very seriously and love being around, and with, my family. 

I am a partner to my hub, and him to me, and we work hard to work together. 

I set goals and follow through to achieve them. 

I am an organized planner who loves a routine and working ahead of deadlines. 

I am a caregiver who enjoys helping others, sometimes at my own expense. 

I strive to be a light to others, choosing to encourage rather than tear down.

I love cheering people on. 

I love to create - through writing, through baking, through crafting.

I take my health and fitness seriously, enjoy being active and feeling strong. 

I am not typically an initiator but will always show up for others. 

I am not a wallower. I believe it is action that changes things, not simply talking about them.

I am sensitive and can be overly critical, with both myself and with others.

I struggle to relinquish grudges, particularly when those I love have been hurt. 
I try to be open-minded but can also be quite staunch in my beliefs and opinions. 

I can be quick to judge. 

I can be quick to snap. 

I struggle with anxiety. 

I am not spontaneous.
I sometimes fall victim to the comparison trap. 

I try to control the world around me.

I am a broken sinner. 

I am a follower of Jesus. 

Good, bad, ugly. Truth, revealed. But, it is me. And I was created in this specific way for a specific reason, one that only God ultimately knows. So, what do I know? I know that He wants me to know Him; to grow in Him, through Him, with Him, and for Him; and then to go forward in spreading the gospel. 

The same goes for you. That list of mine up there? That combination of traits (and others not listed) is what makes me, me. Yours will be different than mine, specifically and uniquely as God designed. And yet, H created us all with one sole purpose: to love each other and love Jesus. 

So...What does God think about when He thinks about you? 

And one more, this one from me: Are you using what makes you, you, to further His kingdom and pursue the ultimate purpose for your life? There has only ever been, and will only ever be, one you. <3

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Rolling into Five: A Bowling Birthday Bash

Several months ago, I gave Harrison a number of different options for birthday celebration ideas, and he was adamant about what he wanted as soon as this particular suggestion left my lips: bowling! And what the birthday boy wants, the birthday boy gets! :)

Honestly, this party was super easy, as we hosted it at a local game and attractions center. There was very little I had to do, seeing as how 60 minutes of the 90-minute party would include 30 minutes of games and 30 minutes of bowling, all of which was provided by Sports Connection. This meant I really only needed to provide some favors and some food, and the party prep was D.O.N.E. He had so much fun, and it was pretty darn easy to pull together. Win-win! 

Here, a look at Harrison's 5th Birthday Bowling Party: 

The Invitation. I found these on etsy via BS Super Clip Art. The seller was easy to work with and had the pdf file to me in a couple days, which I then printed at our local UPS. Easy peasy! 

The outfit. I gave Harrison several options of party shirts, and while my hub and I were crossing our fingers he would select the retro bowling shirt option, he was insistent on his selection. I bought the shirt from etsy seller Lollipop Kids 14, who was great! 

The favors. Y'all know this baker loves a celebration - it is the perfect excuse to get back in the #DocMommaBakes kitchen. While our current family schedule doesn't allow for me to take on custom cookie orders again just yet, I do make an exception for my own kiddos' birthdays. I made these bowling pins and balls as part of the favors, and it was so fun to get back to baking again!

The guests also received personalized bowling pin water bottles (which I purchased on Amazon and then personalized myself using my trusty Silhouette Cameo) and a miniature bowling game (also purchased on Amazon). 

The food. The food was simple and easy! Because the party was mid-afternoon (i.e., after lunch but before dinner), we opted for some "Gutter Balls" (i.e., cheese balls), "Bowling Balls" (i.e., Whoppers), and thematic cupcakes of course, which were easy to make thanks to some black sanding sugar and white candies. ;) 

The fun. Although we missed a few friends who couldn't make it, three of Harrison's sweet buddies were able to come, along with two of his cousins, and, of course, his three sibs. We just loved getting to spend the afternoon with these cuties while celebrating our bowling birthday boy!

Harrison had an absolute *ball* at his bowling bash, and we are so thankful for all of the sweet guests for *rolling* with us that day. Okay, okay. I'll *spare* y'all from any more party puns. ;) Happy Birthday, Harrison. We are so glad you were able to *strike* up so much birthday fun (okay, NOW I'm done).