Amanda and the Hendersons

 When the time comes, and the weather cooperates (sort of) When the sun shines, and the day is right..... you must celebrate!  We had a superhero (weird right?) party last weekend.... to celebrate a super hero of our own.....  A couple of super brothers..... A few super friends and family... and one super sister....  There was piñata beating......  Candy flying.....  Cake eating.....  Jump house jumping...  Super hero bowling.... and so much fun...... The wind blew like crazy, but we partied anyway..... It was worth the struggle of blowing plates and messy hair.... Capes flowing in the wind and a breeze of smiles and happiness all around. There is nothing exactly like....  watching Parklen have fun. Little boy fun.... wild and crazy... joyful.... Happy 7th birthday celebration to my favorite super hero loving boy..... I love you my darling boy. Each year of your lif...

10 years isn't such a long time,  but then again it is........ 3,650 days spent as your wife, 87,600 hours that Ive worn this ring..... 5,256,000 minutes that My last name has been yours..... 3 births, a billion smiles, fights, and laughs and tears.... Joy, Pain.... and through it all... I have been all yours.... If we're being honest.... they thought we'd never last..... But here we are... and wouldn't you know it.... a decade has already passed... Happy Anniversary to you Devan. My love, My partner.... my very best friend.

Last week was really something. I mean.... really. something. Parklen's birthday breakfast. Parklen turned seven.... Leading up to his birthday I shed many a tear.... for so so many reasons. We made plans, plans to celebrate... and to make his birthday special. But, we all know my history with making plans. One thing led to another and we ended up in the Emergency room with Paysen in the middle of the day, and the plans for Parklen's birthday celebration stopped. You can see how awesome Paysen was feeling..... We had to push pause. Hold off on the plan. We found time for pie.... However....we made due. The day after his birthday, Parklen was able to take cupcakes into his class at school. This. Is. A big deal. It was the first time that he had stepped foot into his classroom.... and although he had to wear his mask, and couldn't have contact with the kids.... he was thrilled. You could see his smile behind his mask..... Feel hi...

In all of my wildest dreams, in all of my moments before.... In the years that had passed.... and the breathes I had breathed... In the days, the hours, the seconds.... the years.... In the depths of my mind, in the corners of my heart... In the laughs, in the smiles, in the tears.... Never could I have imagined.... The love that I have for you. Phinlynn celebrated a birthday last month. She stepped firmly, although on her tiptoes... into the life of a toddler.....  A baby no more.... and growing so fast .  She is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen...  She is smart... far beyond what should be...  She is spunky and ornery , stubborn and tough .  She does things in her own time,  She is sure that she is the boss....  She came this close to smiling during her birthday shoot... although, the picture below shows how the rest of the time was...

 Life is too short to always be taken seriously........ And when a girl finds her way to her mother's lipstick..... sometimes, there is nothing to do but smile. This makeup thief turns 2 this week...... time needs to slow down.

It was the moment when I finally drifted off to sleep....I felt myself fall... It had been a long day, and I was tired. At first I thought it was a dream....but the tiny voice calling out to me, continued.... "mommy...." I shook myself awake and pulled my heavy body out of bed. Up the stairs, into the room, dimly lit... I leaned over to pick her up. The little girl with tear stained cheeks wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, she nuzzled in and quickly her breath matched up with mine... I stood there for a few moments, swaying back and forth and breathing in her smell. "What's wrong baby?" "I wuv you mommy..." and I continued to sway. My eyes heavy, and my body yearning for my bed. I began to feel myself wishing I was asleep.... before the thought took over my brain, I shoved it down..... I remembered the moments of rocking the boys when they were so small....and thought about how I can barely lift them now. How quickly...

One of the greatest ways to deal with stress is to just play.... The last few days have been something....... Two sick kiddos, the start of spring break, a canceled hospital visit..... stress..... The coughs have been loud.... the nights lacking rest..... and tiny people needing extra love and kisses.... Some nice weather gave us the perfect opportunity for fresh air..... some time outside to breathe.... I swear to never become numb to the blessings of my kids playing together.... and outside .... It is such a big deal to see them running around..... A big deal that I am not watching from the window as I sit inside with Parklen.... That I am not carrying Parklen around the yard to watch his brother play... and that Phinlynn scurries quickly behind as she giggles.... Nice outfit Parklen chose for himself..... Parklen wasn't sure he was feeling up to some time outside..... but, we all know......you can do anything.....with the r...