1,825 days

My precious Caitlyn, you turned 5 today. I still just do not know how we got here. This morning after waking you up by singing Happy Birthday, you looked at me and said, "Mommy, how many days is 5 years"? It was amazing to me the number that came out of my mouth (after doing some quick math in my head).....1, 825 days. Oh, how those days have changed me! 1, 825 days of you being one of my first thoughts of the day. 1, 825 days of watching you learn new things. 1, 825 days of your sweet touches. 1, 825 days of hoping you see a little of who God is in Daddy and I. 1, 825 days of being so very proud of you. 1, 825 days of hope for your future. 1, 825 days of trying to understand a love that so mirrors God's love for us. 1, 825 days of doing what I have ALWAYS wanted to do-----be your mother. Reminiscing......................................you were three days old in this picture.

I let you choose the cake for your party....I'll have to admit, I wasn't too surprised at your choice!!! A perfect representation of your interests right now!!!

You are one happy girl!!!!!!!

This was the first year you were really interested in the cards. You wanted each one read to you and you really looked at each one for quite awhile.........most of them were covered in princesses, of course!

Here you are modeling after opening your gifts.......my beautiful princess Caitlyn........with "glass" slippers and all (which was the one thing you asked for over and over).

Daddy and I came and ate lunch with you today at school and brought some treats for your classmates. You chose donut holes........we don't eat these very often, so they are a HUGE deal for you!!! We were even able to fit 5 candles in them and let you make a wish!!!!

Here's wishing and waiting for the next 1, 825 days! I love you , Caitlyn Denise Green.

Valentine's Day Fun!!!

What a fun and full day we had on Valentine's Day!!! Both of your classes at school had parties. It is so fun for Daddy and I to be able to come and watch you and your friends enjoy these special days. Caitlyn, here you are with "Mrs. Fisher" and Anna Kate--two of your very favorite people right now. Caroline-you were so excited about the treat at your party--doughnuts--sheer bliss to you, my sweet tooth girl!!!!

Caitlyn, you already have an admirer.......Christian picked you out something extra special...a flower and heart balloon.
This was the first time for the two of you to go visit Granny at Wellington. They were having their own Valentine's Party and were thrilled to have us come. Granny was so happy to have you there and introduce you to some of her new friends. We ate, again, of course. I think you had enough sugar that day to last all month!!!

The next day we got invited to go to a Valentine lunch in Morrison, TN with Bradley, Thomas and Grandmommy. You LOVE these boys (who are more like first cousins to you than third!). The boys planned such a fun day with heart shaped sandwhiches and strawberry milkshakes.

We also got to go to a real cattle farm and pick fresh eggs from the chickens and see a new baby cow. We all felt like such farm girls that day, didnt' we? Here are a few sweet moments from our time in Morrison.

Winter Wonderland

YEAH!!!!!!!!! WE woke up to snow falling this morning. I was so thankful. You have been asking almost every day, "Momma, when is it going to snow again? Winter is almost over!!!" Well, winter redeemed itself today. We suited up and enjoyed the fresh air and white stuff........for about 45 minutes........that was when our toes and hands started getting too cold. It was so beautiful.......a creation that shows God's magnificence, for sure!

We tried to make a snow man, but it wasn't packing very well. So....we made snow angels instead. This is one of your favorite things to do. Now we have several angels surrounding our house, at least for a few hours.

Checking in on Dandy........he loved the attention. Poor thing, we haven't been out much lately to see him.

Thank you, Lord, for a winter wonderland day today. Now, any time you are ready, bring on Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dancing girls!

It's the simple things.........

So often the world thinks we have to do grandious things for our children to be happy. In our home, for now, that is not the case. I pray it never will be! I hope, sweet girls, that little things like playing in flour and getting a haircut will always be a TREAT to you.

Modeling the new "dos"..........

My silly girls!!!!!!!

Pump it Up!

At the first of the year, I decided to try a "chart" to help with some of the issues we have been having like: hitting, fussing and whining when getting ready in the morning, picking up our messes and staying at the table while we eat (to name a few.....). At the end of the day, we go over our "rules" and if you follow them, you get to add a star by each one. With my help, we set a goal individually and together. If you meet the goal, you get a reward. The most recent reward was a trip to Pump it Up! WHAT a great night we had! I absolutely loved it myself---so you can bet I will be wanting you to choose this reward again.

After he saw how much fun we had, Daddy gave it a go! I think he liked it, too!!! Towards the end of the night they opened the wall, and to my amazement, you both wanted to do it! You two were the smallest ones to try..............

Caitlyn, it took you a few times, but you finally made it all the way up!!! I was soooooo proud of you two for being so very brave.

Here you are, Caroline, way up high. Your courage continues to blow me away!

Love covers.......

Girls,

I shared something with momma today and I couldn't help but think of you. We went over to Granny's house to begin going through her furniture, clothes, pictures and sentiments to prepare to move her into her new home at Wellington Place. Granny has been living with Mami and Big Daddy now for six months. She is in the mid to late stages of Alzheimers. We have spent many days with her in those six months and even before. I hold these memories so close and I pray the two of you have memories of her as you grow.
As momma (Mami) and I walked through the house and looked in each room for things that would be suitable, we ran across old pictures..........pictures of when Granny was young--my age now--when she had young children. I saw myself in her. I listend as momma told stories of special moments as we looked through those pictures and then again, when we went through drawers and found items of her past. We laughed a lot, but we also were silent a lot and I wondered was going through her mind. This has been so hard for Mami to go through. A mother and daughter's love is so deep and strong.
When I dropped her off at home, I hugged her and cried and told her how MUCH I loved her......how much of who I am is so intertwined with her. Watching her go through this and take care of Granny proves to me, once again, how much I want to be like her.
Then.......sweet girls, on the way home, all I could think of was the two of you and how much I love you. How I hope we have the kind of relationship that I have seen with Mami and Granny...and the kind of relationship that I share with Mami. We will have our rough times...... I know. You and I are different in many ways, but we will work through those differences. I want you to know I am committed to that.
There are moments that I mess up and I feel that I have failed you..........forgive me for those. There are times I feel that I don't deserve you. I will mess up again and again. However, what I cling to is something an old friend told me recently......."Love covers a multitude of sins". None of us are perfect.......we never will be........but our love for one another is timeless and forever and it will cover us.
This life is so short........you will be putting me in a home before you know it!!! So....let's enjoy the moments.........they will go so quickly. I love you....I love you.....I love you.