21 Months...and (trying to) holding!

Ayden Claire is definitely closer to 2 years old than she is to a year now, but I'll keep her 1 as long as I can! I love, love, LOVE, this age. Toddlers are the most fun! She is soaking EVERYthing up like a little sponge. She signs about 10 words or so- mommy, daddy, eat, cookie, please, thank you, bath, all done and a few others. While she can let you know what she needs, she doesn't talk a whole lot. She is definitely trying to say more words with each passing day, though. Every person we pass in Wal-Mart that speaks to her (or those who don't) is probably going to get blown a kiss and told "bye bye". Ayden Claire is by far my most outgoing little girl! She is not the least bit intimidated by strangers (not always a good thing...) and she is super friendly. There is no separation anxiety at all from little Miss Merry Sunshine! Since school got out for summer, we have been spending most of our days by the pool at the Millbrook Y. She was not a fan for about 2 days and now she loves being there and is going down the slide and splashing around like a pro. Have I mentioned that I absolutely love summer in Alabama? Pool days are the best.... Anyway, back to AC. Yes, AC has become a nickname that I even hear Alyssa and Anniston's friends call her! You probably won't hear me call her AC- I love her name, although it is a big name! Ayden Claire. You are just perfect and you complete our little family so perfectly.

Meet Millie

Have I mentioned our newest addition? This is what happens when the Kelley's go to the Humane Shelter to "just look" at the puppies. She is bigger now but still sweet as ever!

When It Rains, It Pours

The pictures do not do it justice, but when we are usually in a major drought, Millbrook flooded! Actually, Montgomery was under water also and parts of Wetumpka. It rained and rained and when I woke up this is what our front yard looked like. The local park had water standing up to the top of the picnic tables! The girls softball games were cancelled for several days, but we got dried out relatively quickly!

Popsicles and Sunshine

How we spent one afternoon before time to pick up Alyssa from school. Ayden Claire loved her popsicle!

Awards Day 2009

As the school year draws to a close each Spring, the Awards Day ceremonies are being planned. This year was Alyssa's last year at Coosada Elementary- she will go into 3rd grade at the brand spankin' new Airport Road Intermediate School in August. I could not say enough great things about Coosada though- from the open door atmosphere, to the WONDERFUL teachers, and the yummy corn nuggets (my personal fave)- it has been such an outstanding 3 years. Mrs. Hurst was Alyssa's 2nd grade teacher and she was wonderful. Alyssa loved her and learned so much. Second grade was a bit of an adjustment (TESTS!!) but she did excellent! I know Mrs. Hurst prepared her for 3rd grade. The children and their families celebrated Awards Day in the classroom first with brunch (delicious!) and Mrs. Hurst gave out her individual awards. Alyssa received "Most Friendly"; she is such a sweetheart! (I am pretty sure she got some version of this award in Kindergarten and 1st Grade also!) It was great to see all of her classmates get the award that fit them. My favorite was the "Read Your Pants Off" award, given to Doniniquia! :) The more formal ceremony was held in the gym and the principals were present to pass out the awards. Alyssa was recognized for All A's and B's this year. Way to go! She made B's in reading the last 2 nine weeks. She reads excellently but has a little bit of a rough time testing on what she's read....we'll have to work a little harder next year. I was so proud of her though- she is such a great girl and very well rounded. I can't wait to see where she goes in life....as long as I can tag along for a while!

***How stinking cute was Ayden Claire sitting in the desk next to Alyssa like she was a big girl??? So funny!

The Graduate

Anniston graduated from preschool May 12, complete with reciting her bible verse (Man can not live on bread alone. Luke 4:4) and receiving her "diploma" and some songs in the mix! She went to Coosada Baptist's pre-k program and loved it! It was such a good experience and a great school. She made wonderful friends during her year and a half there and had lots of fun. It is truly one of the best preschool programs I've seen. The love that was shown to her and all the children was amazing and touching. We will dearly miss the people who work there to make it a success. Hopefully in a few years, Ayden Claire will have the same wonderful preschool experience there, too. I thought I would be super sad about graduation, but I was really just so happy for her and the good times she had there. I know she is looking forward to Kindergarten and I know she's ready and I am excited for her. I still have a little bit of a hard time with the fact that she is about to go to big school- it honestly seems like JUST YESTERDAY Wes and I were walking Alyssa into Mr. Hodum's class for her first day. My how time flies! I say that often, but the more time that passes the more I realize just how quickly it does! Congrats to our little graduate, Anniston!

"Bookmark"

Ayden Claire was born with a hemangioma on her upper right chest. We just call it her "birthmark" because that's easier to say than hemangioma. Yesterday, as I was getting her dressed Anniston came in the room and pointed to it and said, "I see her bookmark!"
"What?" I asked, giggling to myself because I knew what she meant.
"Her bookmark."
Too funny. Life with kids...its never dull!

Deep Thoughts From Anniston

"I've never seen Daddy cry before. What does he cry like?" ~She asked this while at Home Depot.

"Mommy, when I am big, if I go to jail, will you miss me?" ~Sitting at our favorite Mexican restaurant eating chips and dip.

Mother's Day 2009

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." Lin Yutang






Of everything I've ever done or could possibly ever do or accomplish, being a mom to Alyssa, Anniston and Ayden Claire will always be what makes me most proud. Sunday was Mother's Day and it was truly a great day. My sweet daughters scrambled eggs for me and had me cards on my plate when I came to eat. We tried a different church in Montgomery and I think we will go back. Afterwards, we went to Arby's for lunch. We had gone to eat at Fish House in Bass Pro Shops on Saturday with Wes's mom and grandmother so we decided to make it simple on Mother's Day and I LOVE beef and cheddars. I'm talking, I could roll around in them! So, not much else could make me happier than getting some Arby's on Mother's Day. Besides world peace. Anyway, then we did a little shopping in Montgomery. Later, my sister and I took our mom out to dinner. We didn't know where we were going but wound up at Fish House! It was so yummy and it was nice to have a little time with Jill and my mom without the kiddos needing potty breaks and refills! It was a wonderful day! I love being a mom. I recently read the quote, "the days can be long, but the years fly by" and I couldn't agree with it more. Some days, I don't know if I'll make it to bedtime. But every time I blink it seems someone is having another birthday! I struggle a lot of days with myself. I want so badly to be a "good" mom to my girls. Some days I feel successful and others I feel like a failure. I think most moms are probably way to hard on themselves, like I know I am. I am really trying to take a step away from the idea of what a "good" mom is or does, and just enjoy my kids for who they are. I am so aware of how quickly they are growing and how little time we really have to impress upon them the things we hope to. I hope all the mothers, mothers to be, patiently waiting to be mothers, grandmothers and mother figures had a wonderful Mother's Day!


Dearest daughters- Alyssa, Anniston and Ayden Claire,
I wanted to take the time on Mother's day and tell you how extremely awesome it is to get to be you three girls mother. There is not a job in the world I would rather be doing. I know everyday how incredibly blessed I am to have been given the role of a Mom. We were blessed so quickly once and prayed and waited for a baby twice. Alyssa, you made me a mom and that day is forever etched in my heart and soul. Anniston, you showed me that you don't split your love when you have a second child; it just doubles. Ayden Claire, three is never a crowd; you complete our family. My love is immeasurable and unconditional for you all. Please know that there was never anything I wanted more in this life than to be a Mommy- and I got even more than that because I got to be your Mommy! I love you all so much my heart could just burst.
Love,
Mommy

Short Cuts

Alyssa recently got 9 inches cut from her hair! It was so long, but a little stringy. We made an appointment with Mrs. Connie, our favorite hair stylist, for a trim. But she decided to go ahead and get it cut short. We sent the hair to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths. They make real human hair wigs with the hair sent to them and then donate them to the American Cancer Society to distribute at no charge. Which I think is awesome, by the way! They take a minimum of 8 inches so she had just enough. I think she looks so much older with her new 'do- and it's cool for summertime!