It's Here!!!

I can't believe it's actually here!! A day that I have prayed and wept for countless times over the past year. Since the day I had Jade, thoughts of being a stay at home Mom literally consumed me. The time I had for "maternity leave" was spent agonizing over thoughts of having to go back to work. Don't get me wrong, I still had plenty of time to squish in some sweet loving on that precious, little princess.. but I just dreaded the day I had to go back to work. And each time I felt that way, or started to feel that way again over the past year, I just prayed. Prayed for God to give me strength, prayed for a miracle for me to either work from home or be a stay at home Mom, and of course I thanked Him for the wonderful care my daughter was receiving. (We are so blessed to have had Nana and Aunt "Tis-tuh" watch Jade the past year.. and of course a handful of other family members when they had something conflicting.)

I've said it before and I will say it again. My husband is a very hard-working, loving provider for our family. He takes a healthy amount of pride in his work and is always looking out for our family's best interest. We live quite modestly, and have worked to keep it that way.. to be good stewards of what we have been blessed with. However, even the bare necessities can add up.

So.. we've prayed, and talked, and prayed and talked some more. We studied scriptures on what we believe my role in our household should be. I took a big leap and asked my boss to grant me my wildest wish. AND THEY SAID YES!! Of course, they had some improvements and tweaks to the "proposal" I had presented them with.. which is leaving us relying even more on the grace of God. Still, they said yes.

And so it begins.. I am a stay/work at home Mom! Now, thoughts of spending each and every day with my princess explode in my mind! How much fun it will be to teach her shapes, colors, the alphabet, numbers, how puzzles work, and of course most importantly, more about the awesome God we serve! WOOHOO! Thank you, Lord!

*P*A*R*T*Y*

Ohmygoodness, who would have ever thought that such a simple act as a precious, little Princess turning 1 could be so tiring?

Jade is sound asleep in the next room, the Hubby is practically snoring at my side, and I'm barely able to keep my eyes open at the moment. What a great end to a splendid day! A day that seemed lightyears away 365 days ago, but now it has come and almost gone. 

Our princess turned 1 in the company of most of her family and a lot of dear friends. We are so crazy blessed to have the kind of family and friends we do. Not many people would brave the Texas heat, but ours did for over 2 hours. 

Pops and KK were so gracious to let us have the schindig at their house. The kids ran like wild commanches around the deck, into the pool, and even in the mini-moonwalk. (Thank you again M&B for letting us borrow that today! The kids really enjoyed it!!) And the Princess's birthday could not have been complete without the yummiest birthday cake ever! Made with love by Papoo and Nana of course!

All in all, it was a great afternoon spent in the company of really great people! Oh, and did I mention that Jade probably has enough dresses to clothe a small 3rd world village? Well, she does. And enough toys, puzzles, books and dolls to share too! But to be quite honest.. all of those "things" were just kind of like the "cherry on top." Not necessarily needed, but always appreciated!

Happy Birthday Princess!!

To the sweetest Princess ever,

I can hardly believe that you are 1 year old today! Has it really been 365 days since you came into this world? Sitting here.. I can still feel the whirlwind of emotions that swirled through all of us that day. To be quite honest, I never have stopped feeling them. Each day you bring me, Daddy and so many other people so much joy. We are truly blessed to call you daughter. I still find it hard to fathom that God has entrusted us with such a special gift. Oh sweet Jade, you are so much more than anything we could have ever prayed or even dreamed for. You are the apple of our eye.

There are so many things I wish for you on your special day, and every other day for that matter. I only wish you could know how deeply Daddy and I love you so much. 

In one short week, Mommy will get to be a "work at home" Mommy! Can you believe it? I can't wait to spend all day together! It will be so much fun. I can't wait to teach you more about this awesome God we serve and teach you about His son, Jesus! We will read books, sing praises, and pray together. It will be so much fun! More than anything, I wish for you to know Jesus as your personal Savior.  Nothing in life can ever be sweeter than that. Not even 1 million kisses and hugs from the sweetest little princess that brings me so much joy each and every day. Know this my sweet daughter, Jesus is the only person that can bring you true, everlasting joy. 

So, to you, on your birthday, my precious daughter, I promise that every day we spend together.. I will try my hardest to show you the love of Jesus in every way I possibly can.

I love you,

Mommy!

Books

Educational.. and nutritious!

Jade has really gotten the hang of books over the past two weeks. Its so sweet to see her pick out her favorite (Jack and Jill and But Not The Hippopotamus) and read to herself. But most of the time she really likes to be read to. So, she'll bring me the book and plop down in my lap.

But then.. I look over and sometimes she is eating the book. I guess kind of somewhat like osmosis...but with eating. You would think paper was a rare delicacy the way she tears into the stuff.