Our Sweet Four Year Old

Madison Birthday Week

Madison's Birthday was definitely more of a week long celebration of this wonderful little girl of ours.  We started the celebration off at Gramma Lori and Papa's... full of yummy food, a pretty princess cake, and fun gifts.  The day actually started with Uncle Nick picking Miss Madison up and taking her on a 'shopping spree'.  We went to Toysrus where Madi picked out two Barbies and a coloring packet.  She wasn't quite sure how to handle that.... it was definitely the first time she has ever been told, 'get whatever you want!' :).  Her actual birthday landed on a Thursday so we had fun at home in the morning.  Madison and I snuck out mid-morning to go to the beauty shop to get her 'pink hair'.  She still has it and holds it every time her hair is brushed, since that is what the beautician told her to do so it would last as long as possible.  We got to spend the morning with daddy working at home, opened up a few gifts, and ate cinnamon rolls.  Later that evening, we met some friends at Godfathers and went to the pool afterwards.  The final celebration was with the Hoffert family.  Almost everyone was there... so fun!

Happy Birthday to our sweet not-so-little four year old.  Your kind heart continues to amaze me!

Birthday Cake from Gramma Lori and Papa

Best buds (most of the time)

From a dollar tree toy to a rainbow suit, you can get this girl anything and she is ecstatic.   Of course anything with rainbow colors or princesses is over the top.

New crocs and accessories

Pink Birthday Hair

Birthday Breakfast... her request

Princess Drinks (kool-aid ice and sprite) and cupcake decorating during nap time

Presents and Pizza

Fun Friends

Happy Brother

Jump!

Whoa... two princess Barbies!

Ballerina Ariel Cake

A bit embarrassed during Happy Birthday... Love you Madi!

Long days indoors

Let's see... what haven't we tried yet?  Oh, sit in a bin and read, let's do it...

Madison'ism

Eliott - "Mom, can I see your sliver" (in the sweet way that T talks right now)
Me - "Madi, can you show T my sliver" (since I was feeding Taylor at the moment and couldn't show him myself)
Madison - "I'm busy... pickin' my nose"

Madison Layne...

Our biggest 'little' girl turns four tomorrow... you are beautiful sweet girl... inside and out.  

Our Little Ladybug

Love our sweet girl...

Madison's prayer last night as she was 'putting T to sleep"
"Dear Jesus, we love you.  Thank you for Mommy and Daddy.  Thank you for Baby Taylor.  Thank you for the snow outside.  Amen"

True Beauty

This post was written in my mind as I paced my house with a newborn that has taken several tries to fall asleep.  I am still wearing my purple sweatpants, not bra, and a t-shirt that smells like old, dry milk (it's almost 3:00).  My hair is pulled back for the 40th day in a row... half of it falling out.  I pass by the mirror in the bathroom to check to see if I have a sleeping baby and see the tired eyes that I have once again today.  I feel like I have barely talked to my 3-year old more-less played with her or taught her anything.  My 2 year old wants me to hold him and I have had to tell him several times that I can't... followed by tears.  Then I remember readying the facebook post of a fellow Mom that seems that she has it all together and then a blog of another who seems to be supermom (clean house, happy and smart kids, a perfect husband)...   I'm definitely not feeling like the young, beautiful lady that I have so often worked hard to achieve and definitely not feeling like the supermom that I wish I was...  I think "Is this really what God has made me for???"...

Thankfully I 'heard' the verse that I have said to myself many times lately...

1 Peter 3:3-4

New International Version (NIV)

³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Today I choose to believe that God sees beauty differently... He sees beauty in the tired eyes of a Mom that has done her best today. 

... I'm sure I will need to re-read this post tomorrow...