My baby girl is 6 years old today, but really thinks is now 16 years old. She is such a mess and has the best little independent attitude. Every time someone ask her what she wants for her birthday, she tells them...a cell phone or a laptop. But the cutest thing about it is that she really thinks she is old enough to have one of these things. Boy, she is definitely in for a rude awakening having Jason and me as parents. I know that a lot of parents give their kids these things when they are young and I am not criticizing and I believe it is personal decision, but as for our kiddos they will not be getting things like these for a LONG time. I mean if I give my 6 or 9 year old things like these now then what in the heck will they expect when they do get older!! Some of you may think this is really bad, but my 16 almost 17 year old niece doesn't even have these things. We will probably get her a cell phone within the next couple of months, but only because she is now driving and working and it becomes a safety issue. I have no idea how I got off of this when really all I was suppose to be doing is wishing my little girl happy birthday. I guess I just wanted to make myself clear on the topic. Anyway...

Mallory,

I can't believe my baby girl is now 6 years old. You are growing up way too fast and it makes me happy and sad at the same time. You have been such a joy to all of us and we just love your spicy spirit. The things you do and say sometimes makes your daddy and me shake our heads in amazement. We both know we have our hands full with you, but we wouldn't have it any other way. You are such a great little sister always wanting assurance from Aubrey. Thank you for always bringing a smile to my face. I love you to the moon and back and yes, you will always be my baby!!

P.S. Sorry we didn't get you a cell phone or laptop!!! I promise one of these days (a LONG time from now) you can have them :)!!!

Love you baby girl,
Momma

This is what we have done the last couple of weekends. The girls can't seem to get enough.

My baby girl graduated from kindergarten today. She was so excited about this day and I could tell how proud she was during the whole ceremony. She has enjoyed this year so much and did a great job all year long. Her teacher always made comments about how helpful she was and how she was such a wonderful student. She definitely has made her daddy and me very proud and we know that she will continue to do so. I love you bunches, Mallory Pearl!!

I just wanted to post a little something about my Aubrey Diane. She had her 3rd grade awards ceremony today and I am so proud of her. I am definitely not that mom that feels I have to brag on my kids all the time, but I do want to make this post about her accomplishments this year. She got an award for all A's for the entire year, was commended on both Reading and Math TAKS, had all E's in citizenship for the entire year, and received the STAR award. She would have received the Principal's Award, but missed one day the first six weeks of school so that we could go spend the weekend with Jason in San Antonio. I could not ask for a more precious daughter. She has such a sweet spirit and gives it her all in everything she does. I am so thankful to be her mommy. I love her to pieces and look forward to seeing her accomplish many more things. Love you Aubs!!!

Need I say more??? Okay, I know that I only have a few people that actually read and comment on my blog and believe me I am so very thankful for you because I definitely enjoy reading what you have to say. It actually brings a little sunshine to my day knowing someone is out there reading this. Well, what I am going to blog about today I could really use a lot of prayers. So if you don't mind, please pray for me and my situation and feel free to pass this prayer request on.

My 16 year old niece moved in with us a year ago in February and I know I have said this before, but it has literally turned my world upside down. I mean come on I'm 34 years old and now have to raise a 16 year old. I am not old enough for this, right!! What was the Lord thinking? Well, while I can't even begin to understand how or what the Lord thinks, I do know that it was His plan to give Emily to us. See Emily was betrayed by her parents, the two people in the world that are suppose to love and protect you unconditionally, in ways that I can't even begin to comprehend and now she is so hurt, physically and mentally. So needless to say she acts out and makes very poor decisions. It sometimes seems as if my husband and I are continually having the same conversation with her only to find out she has done something again that we have asked her not to do or something she knows we would not approve of. Last night we were having this conversation. This time it was because of her lying to us again. She really seems to have a problem with this and this happens to be one of those things my husband and I just can't stand. We don't understand why she lies to us about things. We have asked her so many times just not to do it. We would rather hear a horrible truth than to have to find out she was lying about something. So anyway, we talk to her and of course she has nothing to say about the whole situation so she is excused to go. Then the whole conversation between Jason and I begins and we ask each other and ourselves why she does what she does and where we have gone wrong. We tell ourselves she is just really messed up from what has happened to her and try to justify it that way, but we really feel there has to come a time when you just have to let it go and start living your life the right way. We are trying to show her that way and as I told her I know we are strict, but we are only strict because it is our job to protect her and I am not going to allow her to continually do wrong and just have all the freedom that most of her friends have. But last night it really hit me. I have to take the I/me out of it. I can't fix this. I can't do anything to make her change. I can love her and be an example. And while I love her and try my hardest to be a good example, I fall short. I know that the Lord can fix this situation and that He is the only one that can do it. I know, believe me, I know I have to turn this over to the Lord and LET IT GO. I have to truly believe that He will fix this and stop allowing myself to undermine Him and think He can't handle it. I mean seriously I am talking about the Almighty God. So please pray for me and Emily. Pray that I will let go and let Him have this. Pray that when that sick feeling starts creeping in me that I will immediately ask my Jesus to take it. Pray that Emily will be convicted and realize that she NEEDS Jesus. She needs His saving grace, His guidance, and His amazing love.

The children's choir sang yesterday at church and Aubrey and Mallory each had a solo. They both did great and were so cute. Aubrey has a awesome voice and I wish she would do solos more often. I was very proud of both of them.

Jason and I went out to dinner with our friends Chris and Carrie Saturday night and had a terrific time. We hadn't been out with them in awhile and it was great getting to spend time together and catch up on with has been going on in each of our lives.