Happy Mother's Day!

The girls and I have spent most of Mother's Day in our yard. It is a beautiful day to be outside. I worked in the flower beds while the girls rode their bikes and ran around picking flowers.

We made our own Mother's Day flower arrangement using flowers we found in our yard.

The girls made these cute Mother's Day cards at school for me.

Even ten little fingers

Can't count the ways

You care for me

Each and every day.

I also got a sweet Mother's Day card from Clay earlier in the week.

Dear Brittney,

Happy Mother's Day! I am so thankful to God that He has blessed our girls with such a wonderful, caring, thoughtful, patient, loving, nurturing, devoted, godly woman who they get the honor to call "Mommy." I love you so much and am so thankful for all you do for our family! We couldn't do it without you.

Love,

Clay

P.S. Hopefully, this is the last holiday I'm away for this year. Sorry!

As difficult as Clay's deployment has been, I am truly blessed to have this special one on one time to spend with my girls. What a gift from God my sweet girls are. I am a very blessed Mommy!

Happy Mother's Day to my amazing MOM. Thank you for the awesome example you have been to me. I love you so very much. I wish we could celebrate Mother's Day together.

Sponges, Swimming and a Super Surprise!

The girls made "Sponge People" at school today. Aren't they cute?

After school we headed to our second swim lesson. Today the girls swam the whole length of the pool only using their noodle. Jocelyn needed a little help, but...

Madison did it all by herself. However when it was time to practice her floating and jumping into the water she got scared and started crying. We took a minute to pray together and she was able to persevere and finish today's lesson. After talking with the swim instructor we decided that I will wear my swimsuit and join them in the water for Friday's lesson, so that Madison will feel more comfortable. Please pray that she will be able to overcome her fear and learn to swim.

We got a SUPER surprise tonight when Clay called and told us that it looks like he will be coming home sooner than he was first told. YEAH!!! It looks like he is definitely going to make it home before Madison and Jocelyn's birthdays!!! The girls were jumping up and down with excitement. It will be sooooo nice to have Daddy home to celebrate their birthdays. He couldn't give us exact dates, but it looks like he will be coming home right around when the girls are getting out of school for summer break. What a great way to start our summer vacation.

Observation Day

Today was Observation Day at Ballet.

We are looking forward to Madison's first ballet recital on May 22nd.

Our Day at the Dentist!

Madison and I spent three hours at the dentist office today. We got there around 11:45 for a 12:00 appointment. We signed in and then we waited and waited and waited. Finally they called us back at 12:45. The dental assistant looked at her teeth and got the basic information from us of what happened. Then she took Madison to get x-rays. When they returned she asked me if Madison had eaten lunch. I told her that she ate some cottage cheese before we came, but not a full lunch. The dental assistant told me to take Madison to lunch to make sure that she had food on her stomach because they were going to have to give her some laughing gas and pull her three front teeth. Needless to say I took Madison to get some lunch at Boston Market. Meatloaf, corn and mac n' cheese are her favorites. During lunch we prayed and I talked to her about what was going to happen. She was very brave, but was a little scared about getting three teeth pulled. After lunch we went back to the dentist and waited some more. Finally they called us back and the dentist came in to examine her. He was very impressed with how well she laid there and let him touch and wiggle her teeth. His first reaction was to pull them, but then he said he wanted to see the x-ray. When he looked at the x-ray he realized that there was no damage to the roots. He told me that he thought we could just let them heal on their own and watch them for infection. Madison and I were so relieved. The dentist showed us how to spot an infection. If she were to get an infection they would have no choice but to pull the teeth because the infection could do damage to her adult teeth. We are praying that God continues to heal Madison's teeth without any infection.

Madison's teeth yesterday.

Madison's teeth today.

We are so thankful that the Lord is healing them quickly. What a difference a day makes. The white area is dead gum tissue that the dentist says will eventually fall off.

The trauma to Madison's teeth will most likely cause them to discolor and turn grey, but at least she will have teeth for now. Since they are already loose they will most likely fall out sooner than they would have on their own. Thank you to everyone that has been praying for Madison's recovery. We appreciate your prayers. Please continue to pray against infection.

Happy 4th Birthday Blayke!

In honor of Blayke's birthday, we decided to share some pictures of him from over the years.

The handsome birthday boy!

We wish we could all be together to celebrate your birthday with you today.

Happy 4th Birthday Blayke!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Ducks and Day Trip!

The girls were excited this morning when we went outside and saw...

a Mommy and Daddy Duck in our front yard.

The girls ran inside to get a piece of bread to feed the ducks while we waited for Lance, Nyx and Jude to pick us up to take us to...

IKEA for the first time.

The closest IKEA to us is in Woodbridge, VA. Lance, Nyx and Jude picked us up at 9:00 am and we got to IKEA right around lunch time. We enjoyed the meatballs there for lunch. Then we went shopping! Madison got to go play at the kid area while we were there, but Jocelyn and Jude had to stay with us because they were too young to go to the play area. Once we picked Madison up we checked out and ended our adventure at IKEA with ice cream and cinnamon rolls. We loaded back in the car and made the long drive home. The kids did amazingly well and we all enjoyed our day together.

Bounce House Boo-Boo!

This morning we went to the Bounce House with Mr. Lance, Mrs. Nyx, and Jude.

We were all having a good time until Madison and Jocelyn collided. All of the kids were bouncing in one of the bounce houses and Mr. Lance was reaching his hand in and pretending to catch them. Madison was trying to avoid getting caught by Mr. Lance and turned quickly to get away. That is when Madison's three front teeth slammed into Jocelyn's forehead.

Luckily, Dr. Lance was there to help and evaluate the situation.

Jocelyn ended up with three teeth marks in her forehead, but it didn't slow her down. Jocelyn just kept on playing and jumping!

Madison's three front teeth are very loose now and could fall out anytime.

Madison was a very brave little girl.