Goodbye 5

With much pain I'm allowing you to grow and be 6 even though in my heart I want you to stay young and 5 and sweet and never have to go through times of terrible growing pains of becoming a man. Since I cannot stop you, I vow to teach you every day to be a warrior for Christ, a man of valor, and a memorizer of scripture! Daddy and I struggle each night to challenge you and Abby to dare to be different, to strive toward greatness because of He that is with you, and to bravely face the culture with your "fight face" on! You are a precious, courageous, funny, wonderful boy and I enjoy every part of being your mommy. 

Pictures!!!

So ready for warm!!

This winter has been cooler in South Georgia than normal and you are ready for outside toys and sunshine play!!! You and sissy are still besties and she is giving you a run for your money!!!

Zoo lights!!

The most WONDERFUL thing happened to you!!!! You got a Sister!

We prepared your old crib and you were excited to see who would be sleeping there!

Never can have too many pink blankets!

Last sisterless Christmas!

Mommy is tired.  She is getting impatient because she is ready to see Abby Grace!

Still no Abby face!

You only THOUGHT your life was grand and fun and wonderful...

Then... it happened!  January 5th, 2013.  You were four years old.  Daddy was gone to help a family move when Abby Grace decided she was ready to come!!  She couldn't wait any longer to see her Bubba!

You and Grammy waited right down the hall for Mommy and Daddy while Abby was making 

her grand entrance!

First Kiss.

The ride home from getting our baby!

No one gets ANY sleep with this baby around!!!  Including you!  It gets better though!

School is Mommy time!  You still really love school, and love Mommy time!  

This is Nemo and his house.

Sleepy girl

Teaching baby Abby about Bible Story time and family worship.

Teaching baby Abby about Nemo.

True love when Abby gets to see Nemo.  You were SO attached to him!

Bible Story/Family Worship just got crazier!  

"I love you my sissy"

"Don't Cry, Nemo is here!"

The SWORD of the Spirit?! 

Mutual Adoration Society

First new family picture with Abby

Sand Angel

Abby's first trip to the Beach!

Look how small her hands were!

School/Easter egg dying still goes on!

Easter Egg Hunt!

Baby's first Easter

You are getting FAST at picking up and finding those eggs!

Auntie Laura was there to help!

So was Daddy.

Something else happened in the midst of all the Abby excitement... You got a hernia and had to have surgery!  Your scar is practically gone now, but it was terrifying at the moment for Mommy and Daddy.  We have not prayed that hard in a long time!!!  It was refreshing for the soul.

Back with Sissy! "I love her!"

We got out all your baby toys... I don't think Abby will lack anything!

She loves it when you talk to her!

Abby is biting your chin!  Good thing there were no teeth yet!

In these days, you were calling yourself "DUCK" and wrote Duck for your name any time I had you put your name on your paper!  Silly Duck!

Teaching Abby about the Beach and Sand...

And Oyster Bar!

Everybody kiss the baby!

For a while there the only way Mommy would get any sleep is if I put you both in the bed with me during nap time!  

Our new kitty is next.  We named him "Cookie" because he looks like he has chocolate chips on his back.  He is our outside cat.

Only way to beat the heat!!!

Picnics with Daddy are THE BEST!!!

Telling Abby Grace secrets...

Feeding the ducks... cause they are your family!  (lol)

She is completely trusting...

Mommy still taught your VBS class.  4-5 year olds.

This is a sunflower you made for me.

Mommy started teaching your Sunday School class this year also.  I thought I would not be able to do it because of Abby Grace being so young, but it turned out it was easier than I thought!  I love you so much!  I wanted you to learn a lot and have fun with your friends.

First time on roller skates was in August, at A.J. Short's birthday party.

You Are 5!!!!

Birthday Zoo Trip with Grandy and Mimi

This year you have already had some crazy and interesting things happen! Your four year old days were filled with love, laughter, and waiting.  We waited for what seemed like forever for your baby sister to be born.  Abby Grace is what you've always wanted and needed!  She is SO fun!  You adore her and love her and can't stand to be without her or away from her!  And she feels the same about you.  Her first word was "Bubba":  not Daddy, or Mama... but BUBBA!!!  She absolutely craves attention from you!  Your room is her favorite place to play.  She doesn't want to play with her toys when she can totally play with yours!  When she was born you had to hold her and have your hands on her.  You were not jealous.  You didn't act crazy.  You just FELL in LOVE with that baby!!!  We are so proud of how you have taken care of her, protected her, and just loved on her.  She is now your favorite.  And you are hers!!  The bond you are forming right now is just unbelievable and I think will be unbreakable.  I love seeing you both together and she is learning so much from you!