The Belle Turned 6!

I have absolutely no excuse for not blogging other than we no longer have internet connection at home (I know we are living in the dark ages) and well I have 3 kids. So, I guess I do have an excuse. Anyhow, life has been very busy in the past 3 months (I can't believe I haven't blogged in 3months!)! I am seriously finding it difficult to type.

The most recent event that has taken place in the past few months is that The Belle turned 6 (10 days ago). I would be lying if I said everything is going just great in her little life. The truth of the matter is the past few months have been some of the most stressful in my (and her) life. Long story short she has some medical issues that are causing her severe anxiety. We still haven't gotten a final diagnosis but have eliminated some things. We do know she has an intestinal obstruction. We go Friday morning to take a series of allergy tests and then again in a couple of weeks to do more tests. I guess deep down that is also one of the reasons I haven't blogged. I have been so focused on living day to day and helping her the best way I know how.

When we began discussing what type of birthday party she wanted she quickly chose a pirate theme. I'm not a huge pirate fan so we compromised on a treasure hunt party. The best place to have a treasure hunt is well..the beach! Husband and I arrived a couple hours early to bury treasure clues and a treasure chest full of loot. The kids had a great time and the majority of them left the party thiking that Captain Hook himself had buried the treasure! It was a really fun party. So, here is my letter to my sweet girl and some pictures of her special day.

Dear Belle,
It amazes me at how quickly time has passed by. Some days it seems as if you were just a little baby learning to walk and talk and then others it seems like an eternity ago. The past few months have been really difficult on the both of us. It has been heart wrenching to watch you go through not only physical stress but also physical pain. I am determined to find out how to help you and get you healthy. You have grown into a beautiful girl inside and out. I love your willingness to help your sisters. You are quick to take The Lynn to the potty, teach The May everything you learn, and help around the house. It is you who always cleans up after yourself without be asked to (not all the time but for the most part). It is you sweet girl that made me a mommy and I will forever be grateful to our Creator. It is Him who has carried us through and He will continue to. I have clung to many verses at certain points in my life but most recently it has been Phillipians 4:6-8 "6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". He will guard you.
I love you more than any words could ever express!
Momma

One of the pictures wouldn't rotate but it is my favorite of The Belle so turn your head!

Christmas

The girls had a wonderful Christmas! The Belle asked Santa for an accordion ( I have no idea why but that was the only thing she asked for). The May asked for an Ariel salon and well anything that she laid her eyes on. The Lynn didn't ask for anything specifically but she had a blast opening presents. She only wanted to play with her sisters toys...not hers. Santa really could have saved a few bucks and just given her empty wrapped boxes. I was very thankful that we were well enough to go to the Christmas Eve service at church. That is one of my favorite traditions about Christmas. Then we headed to Nana and Papa's and celebrated with Papa's family. Husband and I were stoked that we got a milkshake maker and a $20 Old Navy gift card from the White Elephant gift exchange. The girls were so excited to open a gift at Nana's and were even more excited that they got new pajamas. They quickly changed into them and we headed home to hurry to bed. Santa had lots of wrapping to do at our house. He should really plan more efficiently next year. We had a fun time Christmas morning opening presents, putting together toys, and playing. We headed to Grandmama and Pappy's for lunch and openend more presents! The Belle got a V-tech reader, The May got a karaoke machine, and The Lynn got a cheering Elmo, and much more. The girls also got mermaid flippers from Uncle John and Aunt Emily. Husband and I walked away with a digital picture frame and a Wheel of Fortune game in the white elephant game. Then we headed to Nana and Papa's and opened even more presents! The girls were so excited to get a pillow pet, Jessi, and Woody, and much more. All in all it was a great Christmas! Here are a few pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Catching Up

Lots of big events have happened in the past few weeks.
The Friday before Christmas The Belle was sick with bronchitis. We were going to celebrate The Lynn's 2nd birthday on Saturday but unfortunately we had to cancel her party since we were all getting sick. On Monday (The Lynn's actual birthday) we made another trip to the pediatrician for The May. She had been running fever and complaining of an ear ache. Sure enough, she had her first ever ear infection. We left there to go get more antibiotics filled. As we were leaving the pharmacy The Lynn began screaming. I could not console her and she felt warm so we headed back to the pediatrician. I knew she wasn't feeling well but I thought she just had a cold. Sure enough she had an ear infection. She ended up getting a shot on her birthday :( Poor girl had a double ear infection last year on her birthday. We came home and ate some of her birthday cake and she opened her present from us and Nanna and Papa.


I really can't believe The Lynn is 2!I know this birthday letter is late but here it goes.
Dear Lynn,
You are 2 years old! I have no idea where the time went. You aren't a baby anymore although I don't feel like you ever were because you are constantly trying to keep up with your sisters. You are full of energy and so much fun. You have started to use the potty and hopefully this year you will give up your paci. I don't think you will ever give up your blanket. You still rub a corner of your blanket under your nose when you get sleepy. You absolutely love Elmo and Minnie Mouse. You imitate everything your sisters do and you would rather play with them than me. You are extremely independent and get very frustrated when others try to do things for you. You are such a blessing and I can't wait to see what this year holds for you. I'm so sorry you were sick on your birthday again and had to get a shot. I love you more than words could ever express!
Love, Mom

Husband ended up going to the Dr. a few days later after the girls and got on an antibiotic for bronchitis. I ended up going this past week with a sinus infection. We have been battling with the girls to take their medicine. Apparently it tastes horrible (even with the grape flavor added to it). It would seriously take forever for them to drink a teaspoon (they had to take tiny sips). Here is proof of how much they dreaded taking the medicine.


We are all feeling much better and hopefully we can stay well throughout the remainder of the winter!

The big girls performed in their Christmas "play" last Sunday. Their part was singing "Away in a manger" which we had been working on memorizing since Halloween. The May pre-recorded saying Luke 2 8-14 before the play. I have to say I was amazed at how well she memorized it. Thanks to "Charlie Brown Christmas" and especially to Linus for all the help! The highlight of the night was when The Belle gently pushed The May out of the way so she could sing directly into the microphone! Oh, and when Jude (a wise man) tripped over a cable and fell face first onto the stage (thankfully he was not hurt and hopefully he wont be mad at his entire family for laughing hysterically when he watches it on video in years to come)! The Lynn waved wildly at her sisters and cousins throughout the performance.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ok, so I am really behind. That seems to be the new norm in my life. 19 days until Christmas and I have bought 3 gifts. The Lynn turns 2 in 14 days and I have not sent out the first birthday invitaion. Nor, have I sent out the first Christmas card (although I have bought the girls dresses for the picture). We got our tree up on Saturday and there is one strand of lights on it.....not a single ornament. I haven't folded a single piece of clothing since we have gotten back from Disney. That's right we went to Disney for Thanksgiving with Nana and Papa and haven't blogged a single picture. So, what have I been doing? Trying to survive. You know the typical everyday chores....take The Belle to school, groceries,laundry, dishes, lunch, take people to the bathroom (yep The Lynn is potty trained!), pick The Belle up from school, homework, dinner, bath, bed, and then start all over again.

The Pre-K, K-5, 1st grade, and 5th grade had a Thanksgiving feast at school. The Belle made the cuteset pilgrim I have ever seen! Husband and I both went and it was so much fun. The girls have their Christmas program at church this Sunday. Hopefully, I can post some pictures of that before New Year's.....but don't hold your breath!

And she's off!

I know I am really late posting this but better late than never! It has been about 2 months since The Belle started riding her bike without training wheels! This was a huge deal to me. I mean this is one of those things that makes her an official kid. Although, I was beaming ear to ear as she rode off on her own it made me think back to the first time she rolled over, crawled, talked, walked, worte her name, you know all those big milestones. It all just happened so fast.

Trunk orTreat

Our church "trunk or treated" on Saturday night. I took the girls a couple of weeks ago to pick out there costumes. The May chose to be a cow, The Lynn chose (with my help of course) to be a pig, and The Belle chose to be a farmer (with a little guidance from me since there was not a farm animal costume in her size). I tried the animal costumes on in the store and The Lynn pitched a fit when I took it off of her. I frequently asked The Lynn "are you going to be a pig?" and she would reply with a hearty "ses (yes)". So, trunk or treat day arrives. The plan was to celebrate Aunt Sarah's birthday with Grandmama and Pappy and then head to trunk or treat. So, the time comes to put on the costumes. Everyone was so excited, everyone but The Lynn. I try to put the pig on her and she quickly puts her chin down to her chest (with the grumpiest face imaginable) and says "no". I quickly remind her that she loves the pig and all week has been saying "pig, yes". After battling with her for 20 minutes or so I knew the pig costume was not going on. Thankfully, we have costumes from years past so I drove home and got a ladybug costume. She also protested the ladybug but Aunt Sarah and myself prevailed and she grumpily headed to trunk or treat. The girls had a great time and got entirely too much candy. The bucket of candy has currently been moved to the top of the refrigerator due to sneaky little hands constantly going through it (cough, cough, The Lynn and The May). I have a feeling that bucket may be cleaned out by the end of the week (wink, wink). Here are some pictures from the night.