So much fun!

Okay...

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Like I have said time and again... I am a self- proclaimed dork! I like quirky, silly things... I like to sing my Disney Princess Songs, I like to get flowers, and I L.O.V.E to celebrate life's little milestones!

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So, as you know, today is little Gracelee's 15 month birthday! Grandma was nice enough to accompany us, as I think she likes the silly things too, while we celebrated!

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Gracelee giggling as we pull out of the garage in pure excitement... I hope she never loses that feeling!

Our first stop Barnes and Noble... They have an area dedicated to Children's Learning Toys now and I thought we might check it out. While there, we saw a really cool train that has tracks you can build into a roller coaster or in a circle and it rolls down the hallway... and when your sweet little daughter looks at it and says, "Choo- Choo", you have to get it... had a coupon... YES!!!!!!!!

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Also, while we were there, we got a couple of storybook collections, Disney Princesses and Classic Disney, because Justin reads to her at night while I rock her to sleep... we love our new routine! And I also got her a "Little Miss Bossy" book because, like her momma, we tend to be a bit bossy! Sorry. : )

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It was a lot of fun to have my momma there because she loves books and loves to read, and quite frankly, that is something Justin and I would love to instill in Gracelee... a Love For Books!!! She is well on her way!

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We wanted to head to the Dessert Gallery next for a cupcake, but, alas, it has closed... No worries... the BEST frozen yogurt on the planet is right around the corner. If you have one in your area, it is WELL WORTH a visit! SWIRL is AMAZING!!! And, I think Gracelee appreciated the cool treat... Nonfat Cake Batter frozen yogurt with chocolate chips and strawberries... uhhh, Yeah!!!!!!

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Diggin' in!

More Please!!!

It is super precious when she says please because the word she uses when you ask her to say please is... "MORE"... as long as she THINKS she is saying please, I think that will do for now

; }

We finished the day at Target where little Miss got some more shoes because she is growing like a weed! We ran into Meredith with her precious bundle of joy, Slade, and her adorable son Carson... It was a wonderful end to the day to see someone that you admire so much in a blog and actually see them in person!

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Anyway, Happy 15 months my sweet angel! I hope you had as much silly fun as Grandma and I did today! YaY!!!

A special lunch and 15 months old

Yesterday we had a wonderful lunch with our former associate pastor, Nancy, who actually married Justin and I. We got to see her son Cooper and enjoyed the company so much! He is such a doll! It was a fabulous reunion and we are so grateful to God for Nancy! She brought so much joy to her sermons and would make you feel Jesus through your week. It is really what you need from church! It is the fuel that kept me going week to week... We really miss her!

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This is Cooper, who is 6 months today... he was born on a really cool anniversary... Justin and my wedding day! Look at those eyes! Youth is amazing!

Gracelee wanted to "high five" Cooper all afternoon and share her crayons

Momma getting some "baby" time

This is Emma, who can spell "plane" at 2 1/2 thanks to an IPhone app... amazing and beautiful child

And then there is this one...

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The one that makes my heart jump for joy...

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The one who reminds me how special life is every day...

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The one that helps me see God daily and count my many blessings

Gracelee,

As you have read this blog, I am sure you have heard me say at least a thousand times, how much I love you!

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It is more true every day, my little ray of Sunshine! You are the light of my life!

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15 months ago today, I was terrified, excited, and not really knowing what to expect... The minute I saw you all I could do was kiss you... What an amazing creation! What a terrific gift from God! What trust had been bestowed in your daddy and me, to raise a beautiful creature in His light.

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Sunshine, you were given this nickname because that is what you are! You have a smile that lights up a room. You have a voice that melts my heart like a sun to a popsicle on a hot day. You give life to any situation, any party, any get- together with your sunny attitude and your fiery spirit!

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You amaze us every day with what you can learn and what you already know... I could make a list, but it would be so long... Just know that we think you are so very special and at 15 months old, you are an amazing ray of Sunshine!

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I love you,

Momma

You got tired of your bows... so you climbed into your chair (by yourself... which is terrifying!) and took down your hair... : )

We love you sooooooooo much!

Daddy, Where are you?

Yumm-O!

Dinner for a growing girl:

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Sauteed tofu in olive oil, chicken stock, garlic and onion until browned and crispy. Stir in some mozzarella cheese until melted and browned a little bit. Served with a side of peas in garlic butter sauce... uhhh.... YUM!!!!!!!

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She loves her some tofu!!!!!

Library Day 3: 6/24/2010

So...

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Back again!

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This time we made it at the very beginning... usually, Gracelee is just waking up from her morning nap at around 9:45 am, which makes us about 5 minutes late. Today, though, we skipped morning nap... and it was so much fun we might skip morning nap EVERY Thursday!!!!

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We did not know that there was music and DANCE before story time, and now that we know she LOVES it, we won't miss it!

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Gracelee is getting more and more comfortable with the location, and just as I thought! She found the stage! A couple of times I had to go up in the middle of the story to get her down!

; )

For the most part though, she listened to momma very well, and came back to her seat if I asked her to.

Gracelee,

You are such a big girl! Thank you for being so sweet, and smart, and so much fun! I love you so much!!!!!!!

Momma

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Listening to story time

Coming back to her seat like a big girl! Aren't those jeans too cute! Thank you to Aunt Amanda for the cute pants and for coming to story time! It is an EXTRA treat when people come with us to Library!!

Shake what your momma gave ya! She is definitely feeling it! We have some videos below...

And... she is done with pictures.... "Lens Cap Momma!!!!"

So here are 30 sec tidbits of video of her dancing at the beginning of the event... I have now figured out that my Nikon has video capability and will use it instead of my phone from now on... LoL!!! Enjoy little Miss Shaking It!

Happy Father's Day!!!!!!!!!! Round 2

Happy Father's Day!

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SO much has changed from last year to this one... Gracelee has gotten so big, and she has a little bit of each parent in looks and attitude... but today being Father's Day, I wanted to express to Gracelee just how blessed she is...

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Little sunshine,

The way your Daddy melts when you see him and exclaim, "DaDa!" is just amazing. I am not sure that daddy understood exactly how that would happen when we first found out that we were going to have you... but it is very evident that you, my love, have him wrapped around your little finger.

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I want you to remember that always. Daddy LOVES you with everything he has. He wants to take care of us and treat us like princesses... Daddy is a great fix- it- up man! When you give him a chore he is all about it and he wants it done RIGHT! Daddy is what you should emulate in picking your spouse!

Daddy knows how to have fun, and yet, you know he means business when he raises his voice! Daddy is kind and gentle, and strong and loyal! Daddy is the best daddy for you, my love! Daddy will teach you patience and gratitude and love for music and logic and animal noises

: )

Daddy is our hero!

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We love you Daddy!

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Happy Father's Day!!!!

P.S. You have some amazing cousins, uncles, and grand dads that are amazing DADs too! You are sincerely blessed to be surrounded by good men!

And I have to end the post with beautiful pictures of her little face...

Justin turns 28

Yes... yes... I married a younger man... We won't get into the fact that I will be celebrating the 1st anniversary to my 29th birthday come September and here my husband is still in his 20s.. ppppshhhhhhh

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Anyway we started the Sunday before his birthday at Grammy's house. Yum Yum the food was AWESOME and the company was great! We had a blast with our nephews, Jason and Joey blowing bubbles while they stripped to their skivvies to play in the fountain in Grammy's backyard... too cute!

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Here you can see that Gracelee is all about Play PLAY play!

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She is sneaking up on the birthday daddy... shh! Don't tell ; )

And here she is sneaking up on her PaPa...

And here she is FLYING to her Uncle DEEK!!

It doesn't matter the event, what is happening with the weather, or how many other people are around... this little girl can light up the room! She is a ball of energy, and can make any party a PAR-TAY in no time!

Posing with Grammy... so sweet!

Playing with PaPa

Opening presents with daddy

"Cheeeeeaaasssseee" ing it up for the camera

oh... and did we mention the fact that she is part monkey????? The girl can climb... she does the stairs every day at the park, and just had to show off her newest skill... go, baby, go!

Then, on daddy's actual birthday, momma made oven baked chimichangas with the leftover smoked brisket... YUMM-O! We had a homemade Pizzookie, too! Delish!

Opening his card from Nini... wish she lived closer!

And Grandma and PawPaw joined us for some celebrating!

And finally... aren't these candles the coolest??? The flame is colored! So cool!

Happy birthday, honey! I hope it was wonderful! You are the best husband and father! I hope we show it and I hope you know how much you are appreciated EVERY day! Thank you for your kind, loving, and gentle spirit! You are amazing in every way, and I love you!

Gracelee and the Dishwasher

It looks like an amusement park ride... to her it is!

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LoL!!! ; )

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Keep it up, Little Miss Sunshine! As long as you enjoy cleaning, I am good with you sitting wherever you like!

Thomas James Brooks... you are HOW old?

Okay... who can believe it? Isn't TJ supposed to be 5 still?

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Where did the time go? I remember my little brother when he was born... I still feel as though he is mine...

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TJ is an inspirational child... well.... teenager... TJ is very smart and a talented violist and he EXUDES Jesus's spirit in all that he does. TJ does not conform, and chooses the right way every time. Now he is a teenager, so he is right 98% of the time... according to him, but really, I would put money on his opinions, his thoughts, his mind ANY day of the week!

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We all remember what it was like to be 14... awkward and unfamiliar... not a kid, and definitely not an adult... And TJ handles it with the utmost grace and maturity. I love you, buddy! Keep it up! Gracelee, Jaxson, and Annabelle are watching you!

Library Day 2: 6/17/2010

We had so much fun our first go-round, that we went back again!

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Gracelee is pretty comfortable in any situation where there are other children... so this tends to be a perfect place for her!

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Not only is she stimulated, she is asked to get up and dance, color, and play... she is learning and socializing, and getting to just be a kid in an incredible environment!

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Monkey has to attend with us, and sometimes she takes him to participate... she hasn't shown interest in getting on the stage yet, but I have a feeling that one is coming!

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Arts and crafts time is still a favorite of momma's, and this time, my little sunshine actually used the crayons! I think I am going to bring our own set of crayons and glue just because I am worried that not all of the little ones in there get a chance to do the craft... there are a TON of children!

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It is the most fun thing out of the summer that I am doing with Gracelee... I love to read and I hope to inspire that in her! I would LOVE for her to enhance the creative side of her mind because I already know she has an analytical and logical side! She is awesome, and so smart... I love her so much!