Happiness for days

If you want to know what makes me happy, its this.

Laundry piled up behind the people I love the most.

Clean laundry, dirty laundry, laundry I hate... 

Either way, it is my favorite thing.

I love these people.

I love the smiles.

The genuine and the fake.

The silly and the serious.

They are the best things God ever gave me!

Ever.

Also, genetics are annoying.  

Does ANYBODY look like me!?  

2 months later....

The best aunt who lives in Georgia turned 30 in February.  We happened to be on a break from school on her actual birthday, so I began plotting a long time before that week to arrange a date with her for lunch on her bday!  I had to do some intense internet stalking to FIND the office where she worked in Atlanta.  I knew there was a website, but there are SO MANY offices that share the same name in the Atlanta area, it was a bit of a challenge.  I didn't want to ASK her for help because I wanted to be able to surprise her!  After about 3 hours of calling and internet research I finally found the office.  I emailed her boss and proposed my plan, she agreed and I began or orchestrate the master plan!  The day of the event we went to Sams and bought cookies to share.  We stopped by Chick fil A and got lunch.  After that we drove to her office.  

Let me please explain that taking 3 kids out in public where multiple events and stops are on the agenda is a bit challenging.  Like, insanely difficult.  I only started to sweat about 1/2 way through the bathroom stop at her office.  The office building has fountains and ducks, well.... geese, as Hayes would say.  They have a revolving door and well, its an office.  You're supposed to use an office voice.  3 year olds don't have an office voice or office behavior.  We survived the bathroom, the revolving door, the fountains (thank you God, because it was REALLY cold), and lastly, the elevator to the floor where she works.  

We made our way into the front conference room and set up lunch.  All of the sweet ladies Kathryn worked with came in to greet us and wait for her, so we could surprise her!  Kitty rounded the corner and began to get teary (never happens) so I knew she was surprised and I was FLOORED!  Y'all know that anytime you get to actually surprise someone, you get pumped, right!?  

We don't get to see her nearly as often as we like to, so this was a super special treat for us this day!  Hopefully we will get to see her again some this summer and we can have outside lunch dates by the geese and the fountains!  

Love you Kitty!

Happy we can celebrate 30 years of YOU!

Walkers for Life

This sweet girl got to go visit my sweet grandmother while she was in recovery at the hospital.  Spencer had the very best time walking up and down the hall with Grandma's walker.  Who knew those things were multigenerational?  I had no idea.  I'm not sure who was more pleased, Grandma or Spencer... either way... It was awesome.  

Chaos

19 people all looking mostly in the direction of the camera and smiling.....

Sorta...

Turkey Day

I don't know how professional photographers manage to get cooperative family shots.  We manage to get most shots that look like this one.  Nobody is even looking normal or even ready to get their picture made...  We are just trying to get the majority of the people situated and  pointed in the general area of the actual camera.  Yes, it was cold.  Yes, it was complicated.  

I don't know ANY family who is NOT complicated....

And even though it is complicated, and difficult and challenging.... these are still my favorite people.  At the end of the day they matter most.  They impact and shape my future and they made me who I am because of years past.  They grow and change as our family does and I so enjoy their presence at each holiday gathering.  Though complicated and difficult, it is my family and I love it.

Take 27.

Perfectly imperfect.

NYE

I have a fearless child.  She knows nothing of that word.  She's not afraid of the dark.  She's not afriad of noises.  She's not scared to tell you how she feels or what she thinks.  She does what she wants.  And yes, she woke up like that.  She arrived like that.  She came to us with no fear.  She is determined and stubborn and a mess.  I  love her and her zeal for life!  

Fireworks, no problem.  She was disappointed that we wouldn't let her shoot the BIG BIG ones.

Still love this guy.

Happy New Year (in March)...

6 years of NYE together and we still smile.

Punkin

I have nothing to say about this child.

She is out of control crazy.

She loves the same way; out of control and crazy.

She is the sweetest little girl when she chooses to be.

She's dramatic and exhuasting and bossy.

None of those things are negative, they are just HER.

I'd venture to say that this guy is her all time favorite person, after me of course.

All she has to do is ask and he pretty much gives....

Perfection in a train hat and Christmas pajamas.

There isn't a whole lot else to say about this one.

I want to make sure that I never forget how she puts emphasis on some of the strangest syllables and uses some of the best vocal inflection I've ever heard.  She is the most pleasant child with the best manners ever.  She isn't typically disrespectful, but she has her moments of out right defiance.  She spends more time asking questions than anything else all day long.  She is happy to help and a fantastic sock matcher, folder, and can put clothes up like a champ.  She doesn't like to brush her teeth or hair.  She likes a bath in place of a shower.  She loves lotions, lipsticks, and anything that  might sparkle a little bit.  She is fierce.  I predict she will rule the world, or at the very least, create a great one for us to live in.