Happy 15th Birthday, Makenna Nicole!!

Happy 15th Birthday, to my Kenners.

I remember the second I found out I was having another girl ~

I was so excited for Sis.

So excited to have two little girls.

Dance classes, and cookie baking, and girls movie nights ~

I could not wait.

And here we are, fifteen years later, you two are the best of friends.

And you are an awesome big sister to the two littles.

Fifteen years has flown right by.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl.

You are beautiful, kind, and compassionate.

You are creative and intuitive.

I am learning {slowly, but surely} that no matter how hard I beg, plead, or nag, 

you are just not inclined to keep things tidy. Or to value organization.

But that's okay. 

Because you make us laugh every day and you help us

to see everything through a new lens.

Hope this year is the best yet!

Happy Birthday, Kameryn Faith!

I spent Saturday morning telling {re-telling?} Kam alllll the stories about her birth.

About how I had been in the hospital for two weeks.

How she was born, six weeks early, perfectly perfect . . . but perhaps a little tiny.

I told her how we had to have daily weigh-ins at the doctor for the first few weeks.

How she struggled at first, but then started growing like a champ.

 I told her all about the first time I left the house with her, and her sissies, all.by.myself.

How her sisters had conned me into using the "car cart", and I couldn't steer the thing to save my life.

 And about how I had her in the Ergo, and she must've sensed my fear because

she was screaming bloody murder . . . and I wanted to cry in the corner.

But ~ we persevered, and after that life was happily ever after. Sigh.

Ahhhh my Kameryn Faith . . . how has it been ELEVEN years since this:

 Kam, you are my little optimist.

You love life, and are up for any adventure.

You love to travel, and you capture every moment through your camera lens.

You love to be in front of the camera too, and are a beautiful model.

You are such a blessing to us.

I cannot wait to see what this year brings your way!

Countdown to Christmas 2019

Whoa. The middle of December already??

I am sooooo far behind, but I'm going to attempt to do a little catch up on our
Countdown to Christmas activities.

Most of our days have been documented, but sadly many of the photos
still reside on my camera.

So, we'll have to make do with a mini recap of the last few days!


On Saturday we finally got our tree!

It is HUGE, y'all.  It took multiple days to decorate, but I'm pleased to say it's UP!




Sunday was spent making Cut-Out Sugar Cookies.

Monday we went over to my parents' house, and decorated their tree.

Tuesday we had errands to run, so we stopped in at an adorable
coffee shop we've been wanting to try, while Sierra was getting her nails done.
Kam, Tay, and I enjoyed yummy scones and Rice Krispie Treats, and we
ordered a coffee to go for Sis.

We'll be decorating at Grandma's tonight!

What kinds of fun have you been up to?


Looking for ideas for your Countdown?
Check out years past:


2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012

Happy 17th Birthday Sierra Elizabeth

Last night I had a dream that Sierra was turning 18, not 17.

And that she and her friend were moving away from me forever.

I woke up crying. 

Like, literal tears streaming down my face while I struggled to catch my breath.

One.More.Year.

One more year of “whole” family dinners ‘round the dinner table.

Of  Sissy flopping down on my bed, keeping me company as I wash my face each night.

One more year of family vacations, and movie nights.

Of girl talk and daydreams and plans.

It physically hurts to think about what it will be like when she no longer lives at home.

But then, it’s simultaneously exciting to think about the future God has in store for her.

Oh how I wish they would have prepared me for this roller coaster of emotion when I was in the hospital with her, seventeen years ago.

We only have them such a short time y’all.

Which means I’d  better focus on the 365 days ahead of me. 

And cherish the memories from the last 6,208.

Sierra Elizabeth:

You are beautiful, smart, and kind.

You are neat and tidy, and need everything to be in its place.

You are organized and determined.

You know how to get things done, and almost always

have an idea of the perfect way to do it.

You are the best big sister. Ever.

God knew exactly what your little sisters would need:

Guidance, love, and protection.

They have all that and more in you.

You are strong and capable, yet soft and compassionate.

You love to get dressed up and wear makeup.

But you are at least as comfortable throwing on

Your hunting clothes and spending a week in the middle of nowhere

 stalking Antelope.

Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined the blessings you would bring to us.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

We love you to the moon!!

Happy 8th Birthday, Tay Tay

Happy 8th Birthday to our Taylor Grace.

It doesn't seem possible that it's been eight whole years since the day you were born;

but conversely, it seems we've known you an eternity.

Taylor, you keep us on our toes every day.

* You are kind and thoughtful;

and as you get older, you are the biggest helper!

*You like things neat and tidy {like big Sis, Sierra}

*You are the only person in this house that can scoop up Luna, and tote her around.

She wouldn't tolerate even a second of that nonsense from any of the rest of us.

*You know what you want, and you are particular about how you want it.

Just because you're the youngest does not mean you'll let others walk all over you.

*You're a homebody like your mama.

*You still maintain that you are never getting married 

{you don't want to have to share the parmesan cheese}, 

nor having children {they're too loud, and you want your freedom}.

And that as soon as you turn 18 you are buying yourself a pig.

*You are gentle and loving with animals.

It will not surprise me one bit if you grow up to work with animals in some capacity.

You are such a bright ray of sunshine in our lives.

You make us laugh each and every day.

We love you to the moon, Taylor Grace! ♥

Scroll down for eleventy million photos, *and* links to past Birthday posts ♥

Taylor's 7th Birthday
6th Birthday
5th Birthday
4th Birthday
3rd Birthday
2nd Birthday
1st Birthday
Birth