Graduation Gift

I know it's a little early to be thinking Graduation gifts... and it's REALLY early for the Graduation gift I'm starting!

Since tomorrow is Dr. Seuss's birthday, I thought I'd share one gift I know my daughter will receive at her High School Graduation.
(And yes, she's only in 1st grade!)

"Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!"
-Dr. Seuss

"Just a book?" You might possibly say....

You should know that's not the game I would play.

Every school year, all the way through,

Her teacher will sign and write a note too!

{Sorry, I couldn't help but rhyme!
I don't think Dr. Seuss would consider it a crime!}




So here's my plan, and as you can see, I'm just beginning! After every school year, I will have Reese's teacher write a note about her. A memory, a funny story, etc.
That way, on her High School Graduation Day, Reese will have notes to read and keep from all of her past teachers!

You can read one daughters reaction to her Father giving her the same gift {HERE}.
Precious! I hope Reese bursts into tears too. 11 more years and we'll see!

Coming In May....

Today, I am officially in my second trimester of Baby #3!!!

Boy or Girl??
We shall see...
In May of Twenty-Thirteen!

To celebrate, here's what I'm going to do today:

1. Go through my 2 tubs of maternity clothes.

2. Think to myself, "What were you thinking when you wore that 4 years ago?"

3. Order new maternity clothes on-line.

4. And finally, share with you our 'secret' pictures we took awhile back....

The day we told Reese and Graham our BIG news!

We starting by taking our annual family pictures.....

Then we gave the kids 'little gifts for taking good pictures'...

The gifts were books that were entitled 'I'm a Big Brother' and 'I'm a Big Sister'.

Reese didn't catch on.

For the next 4 or so minutes I was trying to ask Reese leading questions like:
"When Graham was born, what did you become?"
To which she answered, "A big sister!"
"Right, so we got Graham a Big Brother book, what does that make Graham?"
Confused, her reply was, "A little brother?"

It took awhile. We were all laughing so hard.

I finally had to come out and say, "Mommy has a baby in her belly!"
This next picture captured her response, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Reese. I'm sure!!!!"
(And Graham had no idea what we were talking about but, as you can see, he had a good laugh too!)

BOY or GIRL????

Graham's Vote: BOY

Reese's Vote: GIRL

I have a feeling that they'll be excited either way!!!

And this last picture is my favorite!

(We made Announcement Postcards with this picture and sent 

them to family to share our news!)

I am so looking forward to those little cries, baby smells, tiny clothes, and adding a special bundle to my already precious family!

Thank you Lord, for entrusting us with Reese and Graham. I feel honored to be adding another member to our family. My desire is for my Children to grow up and see You in me!

Sand In Our Toes- 2012

A close up look into our 2012 beach trip....
(WARNING: It's as if you are opening my vacation photo album)

{Emerald Isle, North Carolina}

At the Beach

Uncle Colby was a great beach fort maker.....

(he even supplied the army guys)

Mr. 'Muskels'....

What's Papa doing?

North Carolina Aquarium

Family Fun

Football

Miniature Golf

Uncle Spence teaching our lefty....

Sooooo sad that we had to leave our blue golf ball at the miniature golf place :(

Driving Range

Family Pictures