Birthday boy

I can't believe it! My baby is 1 today!! I am so not happy about this!! I want him to stay small. When I was pregnant with him...my #5...we got lots of flack from people. It was a really rough pregnancy emotionally. But...I didn't care (for the most part!) what people said because I knew that he was supposed to be a part of our family. My regular readers will probably remember how he came to be (not the birds and the bees story...the cool story). If not, you can check it out here. He is a wonderful little boy. The rest of my kids just love him to pieces! He truly is a blessing! I love you, my sweet baby Derek! Our life wouldn't be complete without you.

Some stats for your reading enjoyment: he has 7 teeth...almost 8, he is walking ALL over the place now (crazy!), a month or so ago he weighed 24 1/2 pounds. We'll see what he is like tomorrow. He loves to eat...duh! He's my chunky monkey! He gets excited when he sees dogs...and food! I love this little guy!

Gag me!! Gotta love prego pictures!!

My newest son!

I love how peaceful he looks when he's sleeping!

Here's his 1 year old picture. Such a big boy!

Dallas Cowboy Romo Jersey from his Aunt Wendie...I had to post this...soo cute!!

Two years ago...

my father-in-law passed away. I can't believe it has been that long. Some days it seems like it has been a really long time. But, other days it seems like it was just yesterday. It is still weird to go over to the house and not see him sitting there in the living room. We took the opportunity to visit his grave yesterday. We stood around the headstone and just talked about things we remember about him. We gave the kids the opportunity to say something...as if they were talking to Grandpa. Needless to say that there were plenty of tears flowing. I'm so sad that he is not here to watch my kids grow up. If there was one thing I knew for sure is that he loved my kids...more than life! He wanted to see them all the time...and he spoiled them! Always a trip to McDonald's or treats...not just one either! He would always call us and ask why we were keeping his grandkids away from him...and we were just there the day before! I'm thankful for the love he showed my children. He was a great man! I am thankful for the opportunity to have spent time with him.
Grandpa...we love you and miss you terribly!!!

Ryan & I

Derek was so cute...he just kept sitting there and touching the headstone. So sweet!

The kids...missing their grandpa!

If God wanted holes in your ears....

he would have put them there himself!

This is what I believed because that's what my mother believed! I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 18. My friend took me for my birthday. Both my sisters got them done when they were younger. So, Heidi just had a birthday earlier this month and I suggested to her about getting her ears pierced. We talked about it for a long time. First it was "YES!"; then "No...not till I'm 8...or 9...or maybe 10." So funny. She finally went back to the "YES!" answer and was telling everyone! She was so excited. I suggested this to her Aunt Wendie and she was all over it! I went with them and she was so brave! We went to 3 different places in the mall and had her choose 2 earrings from each place that she liked the best and then picked her favorite. She picked cute flowers with a pink stone in the middle. She was sooo brave! No tears or anything! I was impressed!! She loves it!
So girly = So Heidi!!

Anniversary

So a couple weeks ago Ryan and I celebrated out 13 year anniversary! That seems so crazy! I can't believe it! I still remember our wedding day very vividly. It was a wonderful day. We had all our siblings there. The reception was huge. Usually people come and go but people stayed! We had to pull out chairs to put against the wall!! Crazy! We felt so loved and we so in love that day. Well, it's 13 years and 5 kids later. Life gets in the way a little too much! Gotta make more hubby and wifey time. Doesn't happen very much! :-( Anyways...I married the best man for me! He is wonderful!!

Awwwww....so cute! :-)

My family...look how young we all look!!!

Ryan's family...love them!

The cake!! :-) We were nice! ♥

Another giveaway!

Here's another fun giveaway on my friends blog...the cupcake queens! Check it out here.