Oh what a difference a year makes...

I started keeping this blog just over a year ago.  Barnes was about to turn two.  We had been in our current house about six months and were finally getting settled.  As I write this entry, he has just turned three and we are packing up for another move into another new house!  Hopefully this is our last move for a very long time.  

So, things are the same as last year but also very different.

Our lives now include a precious daughter, Anna Kate. Barnes has become a little boy from last year to this one.  My mom told me last year when he turned two that so much would change in the year to come and she was so right.  

• He barely said sentences last year and this year he speaks in paragraphs!
• His focus was on moo moo's, horseys, piggies, and hop hops last birthday.  He was in love with farm animals. 
• This year, we are shouting about monster trucks and riding around on a jeep that when I see him in it, I swear I see a sixteen year old pulling in the driveway.  He looks so big in that thing.
• He needed MY help so much last year, this year HE is such a big helper!  

At two he was a baby.  At three he is a boy.  

My heart is broken wondering where that baby went and excited for all the fun and excitement ahead.  I am so blessed by that child.  More than I could ever put into words.  

Here are a few pictures from his Thomas The Train party.  For the record, he decided he wanted a MONSTER TRUCK party a week before the party.  I refused.  Terrible mommy, I know. 

 Was the train "over the top" Daddy?

Barnes and some of his favorite friends, Ben and Baker

Sweet three year old!

He loved the attention

Little conductor

Make a wish!

Sweet family

Happy little sister

Dear Summer, I could just kiss you!

Today is the first day of summer!  The longest day of the year.  What a special day and we made the most of it!  We slept late (past nine), played outside, and ate dinner on the patio with a fabulous breeze swirling all around us.  Barnes told me that the wind tickled him!  Funny how little children make even a breeze more fun. 

 Anna Kate LOVES to swing! She giggles.

 We are currently in the middle of a SERIOUS monster truck obsession.

 This one happened yesterday but I HAD to share.  He pee peed in the grass after we got out of the pool!

little bathing beauty

11 days and counting!

We are in the final countdown of our house adventure!  We close on our current house (thank the good Lord above that it sold) in 9 days and we move into our new house in 11 days!! It seems as though we have been on this journey forever, but its flown by all at the same time.  Here are a few photos of the new house.  We are packing this house up as fast as we can since the moving trucks show up on July 2nd!  Say a prayer for us that it all comes together.  We have lots of balls up in the air.  We couldn't be happier with the way everything has turned out, we are so blessed.

 dining room

 kitchen

 kitchen island

 watching them pour the driveway and porch

 the driveway goes in

 master bath

 another view of the master

And now you are three...

 June 2, 2008

4 weeks old

playing your little drum 

 Turning 1

Turning 2

With sissy



Barnes Perry, you are the joy of my life.  These last three years have been better than all the others combined.  You taught me what pure love was when you came into the world.  I thank God every night for this life he has given me and you are at the top of the list with your Daddy and sissy.  Until I became your mommy, I could never have understood what precious simple things would occupy my days and would bring me such joy at the same time. 

Like when you said MaMaMaMaMa over and over and over and over (and over!) at 5 months or...
Had so much fun beating your drum at Kindermusik or...
When you ate a bug in the living room floor and I came in to find little wings and legs in your mouth (ack!) or...
When you snuggle up with me before a nap during the day or...
The way you have loved your sister so unconditionally from the moment she came into our lives....

How your laughter fills the room and...

How you want to please us and are so helpful.

This past year has been one of changes and milestones-

You became a big brother-

We started on our new house (which you have loved!)-

You had surgery to get ear tubes-

You had an explosion of language after your ear tubes because you could hear (poor little thing)-

We ditched the poppy-

You have almost potty trained-

You have turned into a little sports nut-

You have turned into a boy instead of a baby-

My sweet son, my first born little boy, you teach me each day how to be a better person.  I am so blessed by your love and to be your mommy.  It is hard for me to understand how our third year together can be as wonderful as this one has been but I have no doubt it will be just as magical and fun.