Saturday, October 13, 2018

The baby is SEVEN... SEVEN.. // Dane Austin // 10.2018

I simply cannot believe you are seven. How in the world are you already seven?!?! You came into this world the same way you have lived it for seven years... by your own rules. I tried to do it my way with inducing but you had your own plans. You were stubborn. You were strong. You fought. You did it, your way.

And even though it was a LOOOOOONG day, it was worth all the pain, tears, fear, etc. You were perfect.
We didn't know how much we all needed you but we sure did. We were complete with Chaz. We didn't think we had enough room in our hearts to love another baby as much as we loved your brother... but we did! After a very sad period in our lives, God gave us you! And boy did he know what he was doing when he did.
 And guess who was probably the most smitten with you... yep, the boy YOU made a big brother. You did that and he couldn't be more proud to wear that title. He has always loved you so much... and didn't start fighting with you until you were at least 18mths old😂
 He has always been very helpful.. even trying to teach you how to smile. He was super proud of this and was always certain the pictures would turn out perfect. Needless to say, I have a bajillion pictures that look like this one and they crack me up every time. These will resurface at your wedding. Trust me.
 You have a crazy strong personality. Sometimes I love it, sometimes it tests me. BUT overall, you are a pretty darn happy kiddo, always have been.
 And you sure know how to make a picture... with a little help from your dad. *note: this was the period of time where you refused to go without a hat and sometimes wore one, two, three or even four at a time.
 Yep, you can MAKE a picture. Solid, kid.
When you were little you developed a British accent from watching a little too much Peppa Pig.. and you will always be our cheeky rascal.
I am not quite sure where this crooked smile came from or started but I love it. It is 100% you and shows in SO many pictures. 
And you certainly have all the "moobs"  This is one of my favorite videos ever!
You love your pup and give her more snuggles than anyone else! She loves you too!
There is that smile.. and eye.. everything about this makes me happy! You are so YOU and I love every bit of it!
You have always been very active, even in my belly, but we didn't start you on organized sports very early. Let's just say we were a little worried how your "headstrong" personality would play out. You love baseball! And football! And basketball! Really anything that keeps you moving is right up your alley.
And that smile. *note: you don't have a silver tooth like your brother, it is just a bubble 😁 
 Did I mention you are silly?!? You are seriously the funniest kid ever. You always keep me on my toes and giggling along the way!
 You aren't the big sleeper like your brother but when you sleep you look like and angel. Those lashes get me every time!!
 Net of it is, you make me happy kid!
Even if you are goofy as can be!!
 Fun and certainly our GREAT Dane!
 And your laugh is incredible.
 You are one in a million, kid! I am do happy that God chose to give you to us. You may be a challenge at times but I wouldn't change it for the world. Thank you for being the finishing piece to our little crazy family!!
We love you to the moon and back! Keep being you kid! You are funny, sweet, crazy, spunky, challenging, friendly, loyal, smart, kind, adorable, opinionated, precious and AMAZING! Just keep being your awesome little tiny self! You are going to do amazing things with your life! I can't wait to see what all you do! 

Birthday quiz: 
Age: 7
Height: 3' 8"
Weight: 45lbs
Favorite color: Green
Favorite toy: Nerf guns
Favorite food: Gusanos Pizza
Favorite snack: Cool Ranch Doritos
Favorite drink: Milk
Favorite TV Show: The Loud House
Favorite movie:  The Meg (Yeah, the shark movie. Mom of the year, y'all!)
Favorite animal: Monkey
Favorite song: Flossing song
Favorite sports team: Cubs
Favorite thing to do outside: Nerf War
What makes you happy: Mommy's hugs
What makes you sad:  Getting in trouble
Who is your best friend: The Jacks (Simmons and Johnson)
One thing about your dad: He Stinks (😂)
One thing about your mom: She gives good hugs
One thing about your bro: Good baseball player
One thing about your family: Funny
Somewhere you want to travel: Chicago 
Someone you admire: Papa
What do you want to be when you grow up: Artist

Birthday posts of past years : ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX

Saturday, September 15, 2018

My baby is ELEVEN!! // 9.2018

This baby. OH this baby. He was so cute a squishy. He made me a momma. He was simply precious!

And he is now ELEVEN!! How is creation did that happen?!?!?
He was a super happy baby! We really got lucky with this guy and yes, he was the cutest thing ever!!
He certainly has had his share of funny moments. This being one of my absolutely favorite pictures of all time! So much going on here!
 
 This smirk is my absolute fav. He still does this and it melts me every time!
He is usually all smiles and LOVES school. He has always loved school!
He pretty much lived in solid neon for a few years. Yes, y.e.a.r.s!
 He loves all things sports, Razorbacks and Cubs!
He is pretty daring and will do just about anything that is asked of him!
 Did I mention he LOVES sports?!? HA! Especially, baseball!
 
 He is simply one of the most handsome kiddos I have ever seen. Am I biased? Maybe. But look at him!!
 Chaz Hill, you are simply amazing. You make my momma heart so proud! You are so kind and compassionate. You are smart and driven. You are athletic and talented. You are funny and make me smile. You are ornery and drive me nutty. You are so grown up yet still my baby. You are almost as tall as me which makes me sad but happy at the same time. I know you will do amazing things in your life. Keep being you and don't ever let anyone dull your light! You are simply one in a million. I love you to the moon and queens (which is what you told me when you were three)  Keep being awesome and happy birthday! I love you something fierce!!!
 Birthday posts of years past. TEN  NINE  EIGHT  SEVEN  SIX FIVE FOUR THREE TWO


 Birthday quiz: 
Age: 11
Height: 4' 11"
Weight: 67lbs
Favorite color: Red
Favorite toy: Baseball
Favorite food: Gusanos Pizza
Favorite snack: Andes Mints
Favorite drink: Coke
Favorite TV Show: Dude Perfect
Favorite movie: Sandlot 
Favorite animal: Gorilla
Favorite song: Life Changes - Thomas Rhett
Favorite sports team: Cubs and Razorbacks
Favorite thing to do outside: Baseball
What makes you happy: Family
What makes you sad: Losing 
Who is your best friend: Jackson
One thing about your dad: Funny
One thing about your mom: Helpful
One thing about your bro: Annoying but nice
One thing about your family: Caring and loving
Somewhere you want to travel: Dubai and Chicago
Someone you admire: Javier Baez
What do you want to be when you grow up: MLB player or an engineer

Friday, February 16, 2018

This is FREAKING forty // 2.2018

Well, I made it. The big 4-0. Some would say this is a bad thing or a sad thing, not me. Why? Because I made it here. If I look back on what has happened in the 20+ years since I graduated High School, I can't even begin to count the number of friends we have lost. Those people who didn't make it here. So, no, this isn't sad. It is a blessing.

I think about my friend I lost in middle school Will. Will was amazing. I mean seriously, I know people talk about people who died like they are gods but this kid, he really did have it all. He was kind, I mean really kind. He was the kind of person buddy benches are made for. He would seek out people who were being left out or treated unfairly and make sure they were taken care of. That is just the kind of human he was. And gosh, he was funny. I mean like comedian funny. To think about what he would have been. I can't even. I think he was so special because his time was limited on this Earth. Maybe God just gave him an extra shot of awesomeness because he knew he wasn't staying. He was put here to teach us. I think about him a lot.

I think about the nights my first year in college when I literally stopped answering the phone because it was NEVER good news. Someone was gone too soon. Something tragic had happened. The people who I graduated with talk about the curse of the class of '96. It feels like a thing.

I think about our friend Haws. He drove me NUTS! But I grew to love him. He actually introduced the hubs and I, so I am forever indebted to him. At first, I liked him, then I couldn't stand him, then I loved him like a brother, then he was gone. I think about him a lot.

There are so many more, so many I could go on for days. Babies, kids, adults, etc. All of them tragic in their own way. All of them gone too soon.

But as morbid as all of that may seem, it is what makes me so thankful to have made it this far. Nobody knows when their time is going to run out so you just have to live. My family and friends will tell you, I love HARD. Probably too hard sometimes because I also get my feelings hurt very easily. Most of them wouldn't tell you that because I try to hide it. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not. But I love these people and I try to show them everyday how special they are to me. I love their kids and their families like they are my own. Maybe I try to hard but I don't believe so. Be kind. Love hard.

I won't even bore you with the "where I thought I would be at 40" because that shit is just dumb. I am where I am and I am SO proud of it. I graduated college, I held an amazing job for 14+ years until I decided to become a stay at home mom. I now have the pleasure to stay home and be the mom my boys need me to be right now. I never had the desire to stay home when they were little. They needed daycare, I needed work. But now they need me. The shear dance of shuffling them to and from sporting events and school is a talent all in itself :)  I have an amazing family. I have a husband who supports us. I have the best group of friends a girl could ask for. Have they changed over the years, sure. That is life. But did I end up with the best group yet, sure did.

So with that, this is freaking forty. I am going to own the hell out of it. Is life all glitter and rainbows? Nope. Not even close. Does it suck sometimes? Yes, often. Do I suck sometimes? Yep. Do I disappoint myself and probably my kids/family/friends? Sure. But they all take me back. Do I forget stuff and kick myself for it? Absolutely! Do I wash my face every night like my momma told me I should? Ummm, shamefully never. But this is just life, embrace it.

So with that, like a New Years resolution, I plan to do this year better than the last (every year should be like that, right?) I plan to catch up on some things I have neglected (this blog--eeeeek) connect with some friends I haven't seen in a while, love on my peeps even harder, call my brother more often, take a nap when I want to, do more projects, maybe start washing my face, probably forget a few things here and there and likely fail at a few things too... But I am looking forward to wearing 40 like a badge of honor. Watch out 2018, this is my year!!!

Now, since I am usually NOT a sappy person and I don't want this post to be a downer, let's look at some old photos and point and laugh at this kid who grew up to be me! Enjoy!

So this is me. I was bald, I was chunky, I was a tomboy. But man, look at those curtains! Winning, Mom!
 This is probably one of my favorite pictures ever! I love these people something fierce!!
When I finally did grow hair it was blond and thin, just like Dane's. I pretty much loved everything about this outfit! Even down to the barrette with the ribbon tied on it. Made it myself, people!
And this. So, if you follow my blog, you know I LOVE school pictures. The cheesier, the better. I firmly believe this picture right here is where that love originated. 3rd grade, straight off the playground.

A few things to point out - those teeth, thank God for braces. The hair/bangs OMG, did I cut it myself? I know that crimp job was probably all me. It is simply amazing. The shirt, epic. The undershirt and what you can't see is the sweat that covered it in the original picture. Again, straight off the playground. I vividly remember my mom going "Why in creation would they take pictures after recess!?!?!"  This is gold.
Another epic gold right here. The hair, bangs specifically. The cross legged pose, what in the world?? The peach sweater, that I LOVED!! The craft fair scarf, yep, that is a goose, there were more on the back. I love everything about this. Why don't thy do these pictures anymore?
And this. I may or may not have had a mild obsession with Kirk Cameron. I actually used my book fair money on this poster. My mom wasn't very happy but I hated to read, still do, so this was considered money well spent.

The hair in this one, my lort. So much hair, so much bangness, so much crimping. I will leave the Raybans and suspenders alone in this picture because they are money. BUT can we point out the sweet car in the background?!?! I am glad I have learned to look at the background a little better since this was taken.
I was uber awkward in Jr High. I mean, I think I did it to myself. What in the world?!? I loved pigs and I obviously embraced it. You.are.welcome.
And these. Who went to BHS and did NOT have these two pictures in their senior set? Anyone?
 So then I went to college and I met this boy.......We were crazy.
 So young but so in love.... and so stinking skinny!!
 He adored me and I him. But those nails, y'all!
And why? Why am I biting his nose.
My parents actually approved of me going to his brother's wedding in upstate NY just 6 months into dating. I guess they liked him too. Or the fact that he had two jobs and went to college.
And then we did it. We got hitched and he cried like a baby (love you, babe!)
Still so young. Still so in love. Still had cell phones that didn't take pictures so you had to bring a real camera on vacation and have others do it for you #beforeselfies
And then we had a baby...
And four years later another.
They are both goofy, just like their dad. We laugh A LOT!!
 They are the joys of my life.
 Even when they fight.. Yes, I am the mom who makes them hold hands. Take that kids!
 And most of the time, I am just me. Take it or leave it. I hope you love me but if you don't, it is ok.
 And I still think this guy is pretty stinking awesome!
 And with that. This is forty.  I chose to be kind, to love hard and to live with lots of life. I still have so much left in me!! Thank you to my family and friends for being the most kick ass ones on the planet! I really hit the jackpot with you all! I didn't post pictures of you guys, you know I have them, because I would have missed someone and made them sad. I don't like my peeps to be sad!