More pics from Baby girl's 1st bday party...

LOOK AT ME!!! Im pushing my baby stroller....I am a big girl...now if I could just let go and walk all on my own.....soon, Im sure!

As you can tell from the pic...I really like my sugar!!! And that I was very very tired on my birthday party day.....after this I went to bed! It's hard work being the party girl!

Here you are reaching for your cake....bring on the sugar, Mommy!!!!

The guests' cake....scrumptious!!!!

Nelley's cake after Mommy tried to transfer it to the beautiful cake platter...didn't work really well as you can see via smudge. The theme was "Nelley Kate is a WILD ONE!"......pink cheetah print everywhere.

Fun was had by all and it was a successful birthday party...bittersweet. Our family's last 1st birthday party. Our family is definitely complete.

One year ago today....you came into our lives. You completed our family. Our third baby girl...Nelley Kate! We love you so very much. It's hard to believe that we celebrate your first birthday. You have yet to walk on your own...but for several months now...you have been cruising like no other. You just need to believe in yourself! I am not worried.....in time, you will take that first step like your older two sisters. We can't wait to see what you become. Happy Birthday Miss Thing....our baby girl!!!(PS...I know this post is at 2:41 am the next morning....it's called "Mommy Time" and someday when you are a mother...you will understand.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOFEY ELAINE!!!! This sweet baby girl number two of three turns six today. We had big celebrations this weekend for Sofey. We had family come over and had a spongebob themed party. Loved the cake! You wanted spongebob and this year we purchased it from Wal Mart and I believe that they did a great job!!! So cute! As a surprise we bought you a trampoline and I have never seen you jump so much...to your heart's content!! We felt it was a great gift. Then Sunday night...we went went and watched Toy Story III and it was a big hit....worth seeing...two thumbs up! We love you so much Sofey Elaine and our life is blessed because of you. You are so artistic, creative, unique and have a great sense of humor!

Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"

I am a big believer in positive affirmations. When I first became a teacher, I went to a workshop solely devoted to the power of positive affirmations in your classroom. I used these religiously with my students and the power of the mind is boggling! Have a great positive weekend!

"To watch us dance...is to hear our hearts!"

This weekend was spent in full mode dance recital. If you did not have seats in Woodward High School auditorium today for the awesome, amazing, packed house for Miss Brenda and Miss Shay Shay's Studio of Dance...you were missing a wonderful performance. We are exhausted but had an amazing time. Above are some pics to highlight the talent! We only had one major breakdown on our last dance...because Abbey felt like she was going to miss the performance...when in all actuality...she had plenty of time. Luckily, the beautiful young lady, Miss Jada, pictured above in pink with Abbey...helped calm my first baby girl down...and we just adore her very much! Abbey can not stop talking about her.....I truly believe that she is an amazing role model for my Abbey Sue....and speaking of role models.....both Brenda and Shay have helped my Abbey to make a goal of someday being on the dance team at Woodward and then eventually OSU dance team. She has a lot of hard work and many years to go....so we will see. Until then....this exhausted Mommy is signing off and going to bed. To sum up the love we feel for our children...here is a note Sofey left me last week.....precious, precious...this is why we do it for our children!!!

Realness

I need to vent. It is 6:37 in the evening...one daughter down for bed...two to go. Still too early to put the oldest two down. I am feeling exhausted lately. My husband is entertaining at the turkey hunt this evening. And I am glad he is involved in our community and I am so proud of him. Most evenings, he is at home being an awesome daddy and husband. I have decided tonight that there is no way I could do it by myself. I have a lot of respect for all the single mothers out there. Three children are a lot to handle...and I know some families have more and juggle it all. I am just ready to put Nelley down without her crying. WHY do babies have to cry? I never cry when I go to bed....I am actually excited about it. But Nelley always cries when we put her down....naps, bedtime, whatever. I can't stand this time...I have never been one of those mothers that truly enjoys the stage up to one year....I am ready for her to walk, talk....age 2 is about my favorite. And I know I shouldn't hurry it. But I think my age is showing...I will be 37 shortly...and thinking back to my own mother.....who was 38 when I went to OSU...I am questioning....should we have had our children earlier? What were we thinking wanting three? We had it made with two older girls. I know this sounds selfish...but bear with me people...blogger sisters out there....I love my three girls and wouldn't trade them for the world and realize they are gifts from God...but this Mother is just asking for some "me" time. I can't even take a day off of work for the next weeks because of state wide testing. My house can't even get clean because by the time I get through doing laundry...it's already piled up again in the laundry baskets! And the piles haven't even been put away yet. All I want to do in my free time is sit down and kick my feet up. Not happening. One good thing I have been doing is walking at night...and at night...I mean when the girls are in bed. Hoping to get a chance to drop this baby weight...that's still on me after almost nine months. I know God will get me through this....I am just asking for a little break....maybe that break will be called summer....who knows. K...gotta go...Nelley is still crying and has been through this whole blog. THere...I said it and feel a little better...it felt good typing it......now pulling those big girl Momma panties back up and soothing my sweet baby girl.....thank you god for the blessings in my life!!!! Focus!

Picture to Keep

Well...we made it to Taylor Swift and a good time was had by all. The girls were well by the concert and we went with our Laverty friends....all girls...all six of us...made a day of it and went shopping in OKC....the girls had to go to their favorite store Justice and get the goods! By the time we were finished shopping...it was time to head to the Ford center, get a parking spot..and then we had some appetizers at The Courtyard Grille. Taylor Swift, I must say, puts on an awesome show!!! She told us that she was just up for AMC entertainer of the year award and to go vote on CBS.com....she has our vote. She is unbelievably amazing. At one point during her performance...she sang in the middle of the fans in the upper section...appearing in a yellow dress with her brown cowboy boots and flower applique. Here are some pics of the concert. I didn't think we could bring in cameras...so all I had was my cell phone...so they're not the best. I borrowed some off of fb from one of my former students who got awesome pics.....Happy Easter to everyone!