Landry's Baptism Video

Here's Landry being baptized. A few things to note in the video. I realized during a question that Trey wasn't answering with me. He later told me it was because Reese was trying to kiss him. The audience laughter is because Landry decided she liked going into the congregation and started smiling and they caught it on the big screen (which you'll see). Just before they baptized her, Hailey started laughing because Landry decided to drool a bit, which made everyone laugh too. And at the end, watch Hailey....she was so excited, that she started jumping up and down and clapping.

The baptism was yet another reminder of how blessed we are to have Landry. And also how wonderful it is to have the chaotic life that comes with having three little girls.

Landry's Baptism

Today, we FINALLY got our Landry Grace baptized at church. We've been putting it off because we wanted to find a Sunday when we'd have family in town and this was the weekend that worked out perfectly!

Landry and I took a picture before we went into the sanctuary.

Here's a picture of her pretty dress. I must admit, I loved picking this one out!

Before the service, she wanted to check out the floor.

Then Hailey realized she'd lost a shoe, so she lovingly helped her get it back on.

Once the service started and we were singing we realized that Hailey and Reese were holding hands and looking so cute, so our great friend Bonney snapped a picture.

Then Miss Landry was up! She LOVED the attention from being paraded in front of the congregation and smiled for all.

Afterwards, we had to celebrate....by EATING! So we all went out for brunch and asked Bonney and Greg to come too to celebrate! PaPa and Hailey posed.

Landry chowed down on waffles.

And it was such a nice day that we took some pictures outside afterwards. Here's our family pic.

And here are the girls with PaPa and Dianne. We had a great weekend getting to see them and the girls loved it too!

Let It Snow

I cannot believe the winter we've had here. It has felt like a Kansas winter from my childhood! We got a huge amount of snow in a storm a few weeks ago....I heard 9 inches and even 12 inches. The best part about the snow though, was that it wasn't windy and it just kept coming down all day long. Therefore, the girls and Trey had a great time playing in it! The one problem we had was.....we don't really have "snow gear." The girls shoes aren't so waterproof either. So, I put plastic bags over their socks and the bottom parts of their jeans to help with wetness issue. Hailey, Reese and Trey played outside for a LOOOONG time and even built a snowman. You know who loved the snow the most though? My Jakey. He thought he was in golden retriever heaven.

Working hard:

Hardly working:

Loving life:

The finished product:

A note about Mr. Snowman. I didn't have a lot of items on hand to make his face, so we used M&M's. Mr. Snowman's face did not make it to midnight of this day. Apparently, golden retrievers don't care if M&M's are meant to be eyes, they just want to eat anything they can. So when I let Jakey out for his last nightly duty call, I heard a small thud. Yep, he ran, he jumped, and he successfully knocked the head off....and ate chocolate (which isn't great for him anyways....he did not care).

Oh, and Hailey tried snow and liked it. However, if you ask her about it, she will tell you that she made sure NOT to eat....yellow snow.

Visit To Houston

Okay, okay....I'm behind. How hard is it to download pictures from my camera? Answer: not hard at all when the children play independently, quietly and wash and fold their own laundry. Therefore....new answer: apparently, very difficult for me. Moving on to the point of this post...

Trey and I had a wedding to attend in Houston a few weeks ago. So we loaded up the family and went and stayed with Edu and Marcia. Edu= the non-biological son that my parents WISHED were a biological son because he's so fabulous. He lived with us only a few short months (when I was in the 8th grade) and that was all it took for us to make a life long connection with him. He and Marcia have a daughter, Marina, whom my daughters think is just the greatest. The girls played and played and played. In fact, they played so much, that we got to relax with Edu and Marcia and I did a bad job of taking many pictures. Edu and Marcia also have a son, Lucca, who is the cutest little six month old. He was born at 28 weeks and is just perfect. We loved getting to finally meet him.

The weather was beautiful, the company was even better, and....Edu and Marcia offerred to babysit four girls and Lucca while Trey and I were gone (we're hoping they still want to hang out with us!) at the wedding. As always, we look forward to seeing them again!

Here's Lucca!

Hailey and Marina being silly.

The Shirt Says It All

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Apparently...

It was time for Landry to wake up.


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Dressing Up

Now, it has been well documented that when Hailey dresses up, it's normally as a fairy or princess. However on this evening, she decided she was going to be a fairy baker with a hat (that PaPa gave her).





Love it.
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Good Morning

After breakfast, all the girls decided to sit together on Hailey's blankie. They're getting big!


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Where's The Milk?

I have an add-on from my last post (yes, it has been a while). So, when I woke up the morning after the previous hectic day, my dear hubby was fixing the girls breakfast. I heard him mention to the girls that we were out of milk. I knew that we were not, so I went out to help. He was right.....kind of. There was no milk in the fridge. However, we did still have milk....I just had completely lost my brain by the end of the day apparently and found it here...


It was a bit warm for the kids 12 hours later. So goes life.
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A Day In The Life

This morning....within a 20 minute timespan, all of these things were said:

1. Me: Landry, PLEASE stop giving Jake your waffle.

2. Me: Jake, you have butter all over your head. (from standing under the falling waffle pieces of course...and yes, I talk to the dog).

3. Me: Hailey, please brush your teeth.

Hailey: I don't WANT to brush them, it's not fun!

4. Me: Reese, don't you dare go near that computer (if you saw the picture of what she did to our last keyboard, you know why I freak when she's near it).

5. Me: Hailey, why don't you pack up your lunch today since you know what you want.

Hailey: I don't WANT to pack my lunch, it's not fun!

Me: Do you think that I find it enjoyable?

6. Me: Reese, come here, you need your medicine for your eye (pink eye that is).

Reese: NOOOOOOOOO!!! (and begins running)

7. Me: Hailey, please get your shoes and your coat on.

8. Me: Where's Landry?

9. Me: Reese and Hailey, please stop fighting over Landry's toy.....you don't need to use a walker, you already know how to run.

10. Walking to the car. Me: Hailey, did you get your coat?

H: No.

Me: Did you get your backpack?

H: No.

Me: Do you have your shoes on? YEP!

Me: Does Reese? That would be no. {sigh}

And this afternoon, Hailey tried to get Reese in trouble. She came up to me, trying her hardest to cry and said, "Mommy!!! Help!!! I just threw up and it's Reese's fault!" I went into the bedroom where she had, indeed, thrown up chocolate on my carpet (of course). I said, why is this Reese's fault? And Hailey replied, "Well....we were running around and then I got the hiccups and then Reese was making me laugh really hard and then IT JUST HAPPENED (forced tears again). "

Most days go pretty smoothly around here. Today....not...so....much. The good thing is, it's almost over and tomorrow will be a new adventure!

My Present

Tonight when Hailey went to bed, she leaned over the stairwell to tell me that there was a surprise waiting for me. When I went to check on her, I found this waiting outside her door.









I thought it was very sweet.

On the same trip upstairs, Hailey wanted to know (again) if she could sleep in our room because she tends to get scared in her bedroom. Like usual, I told her she had to stay in her room. She got upset and asked me how she's not supposed to get scared (note: she's very tired and is quickly becoming dramatic). I told her she could draw a picture about it, she could hold her animals to make her feel better, or she could pray and tell God about it. Hailey's response (and I quote), "Mom, I don't WANT to talk to someone INVISIBLE about this, I want to sleep with YOU!!!!!" I did let out a laugh once I came downstairs and she settled down and decided to go to sleep. I'm at a loss as to how to help her get through this phase though. I may have to talk to an invisible being about it :).
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANDRY!

Oh my gosh! What? It's my what?

It's my birthday?

Here, let me give you a birthday smile!

And another while we're at it...I'm saying, "Cheese!" in this one.

So, tonight was Landry's birthday dinner at the Smith house. I cannot believe my baby is ONE (tomorrow officially). For the big meal, we had baked ziti, salad, garlic bread, green beans, and apples. And, we wore birthday hats and had blowers for the big event. Hailey and Reese were so excited to help celebrate, especially once the hats came out. We went around the table and all of us took a turn saying why we love Landry.

Then we got her cake out. I think it was bigger than her head. Hailey and Reese decided on the frosting color....pink was the overwhelming choice.

She licked some of the frosting, but we could tell she was wanting help. So, we all grabbed a fork and dug in together! Here's what's left.

Hailey helped her open presents and Reese showed her how to play with one of them!

Landry has been just pure joy for me over the last year. I've said it before on here, but she really has been the biggest blessing. When I found out I was pregnant with her, not only was Reese only 10 1/2 months old, but my mom's cancer had metasticized and we knew that we had a limited amount of time left with her. I knew how much my mom adored my kids. I knew that she would want to be there for me with another new baby, just like she was with Hailey and Reese. And I knew that most likely, she was not going to be here to see her be born and to hold her. So the thought of telling my mom about the baby was difficult for me because I felt a bit broken hearted. However, from the moment we found out about the pregnancy, Trey immediately said that he believed the baby was going to end up being the biggest gift for us. He was right.

Landry was born just 5 short weeks after my mom died. She has been a constant reminder to me of just how great life can be....even after experiencing such grief. I've spent the last year trying to soak up all of the sweet baby moments, knowing that she's going to be our last. It hasn't been hard to do. Sure, there are moments of sheer craziness here, but Landry's personality is so happy, so good natured, so loving, so beautiful. Her laugh makes all of us crack up because it's so genuine. She has been a gift. I thank God for her. And for His timing. He can see so clearly in times when we cannot. He is so good. Happy birthday baby girl. We love you so much!

Waffles Make Us Happy

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