Princess Lydia is 9!

Picture by our wonderful friend Molly

Our sweet Lydia is 9 years old!  Wow it is amazing how time has flown by.  I remember going to the Dr.'s office and them sending me to the hospital to be induced.  24 hours later Sweet Lydia was born via C-Section.  The moment Jaime held her in his arms - he changed.  He went from being unsure about be a dad to the most incredible daddy you can find.  I know for him it was love at first sight. 

Lydia is sweet, caring, sensitive, loving, responsible, she wants to do her best, doesn't want to disappoint, wants peace and is faithful to her friends and family.  (So much like her daddy.)  I am so blessed that this little girl is mine.

She is changing from being a little girl to being a young lady.  It is amazing to see her heart for people, her love for Jesus and her desire to worship.  We love to treat her and spoil her on her birthday - because she really doesn't ask for much.  She is our princess and she will always be. 

Here is a glimpse of my prayers for her:   God help Lydia to know what an amazing treasure that she is to Jaime and me.  Thank You for her sweet, kind, senstive heart.  Thank You that she loves to give.  Keep her heart from being hurt - be her protector, be her defender, be her sheild.  Help us to raise her to be a goldy woman, one who lovesYou and who will fight for the truth and one who will always seek peace.  Protect her all the days of her life.  Keep her body, her mind, and her emotions safe from harm.  Harm either done to her, by accident, or done to herself.  Thank You for the beautiful young lady You have given to us.   Amen.

Lydia the Muskateer at her Costume Party
 

Singing Her "Thank You" song

She was so sweet and asked me if she could sing a song -such a brave girl!

Happy Birthday my sweet first born!  You are a blessing and a treasure and a joy to my heart!

Never Once

I remember when I was pregnant with Elyanna and the day we found out that she was a girl.  We had sweet Lydia and I really wanted a sister for her - I prayed for another girl and there she was on the ultra-sound.  We decided to name her Elyanna because it means "My God has answered me."  I love how with sisters they do so much together and they are best friends.  Even though they are so different, at the end of the day - this is their best friend. 

In our home we encourage and insist  - you can have other friends but there is no one that will take the place of your sibling - these will be your best friends for ever.  This is the way I was raised.  My brother Tim is one of my best friends - he has been there with me through so many ups and downs and he married Tawny, who was and is now one of my bestest friends.   I love family.

And of course there is my amazing wonderful husband.  God brought him into my life at a time I thought there was no hope for a husband.  Jaime has been my best friend, my love, my shoulder to cry on and the one who makes me laugh.  He is the love of my life!

Ultimately, though all these "friends" could go away - there is One who still remains and will always remain, Jesus.  I heard this song "Never Once" by Matt Redman at the Women's Retreat and it keeps ringing in my heart.  The words are so powerful.

Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Verse 2
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You've done
Knowing every victory
Is Your power in us

Pre-Chorus
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Chorus 1
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Repeat Verse 2
Repeat Pre-Chorus

Chorus 2
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Bridge
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

Ending Chorus
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

c 2011 ThankYou music, worshiptogether.com

I just love the words...Never once did we ever walk alone, Never once did You leave us on our own.  You are faithful, God, You are faithful.

He is so faithful...Thank you, Lord, that You are always with us - no matter what - and that You Are Faithful!

Sweet Adelai turned 4!

Our sweet Adelai Susan turned 4 on September 22nd.  She had been asking and asking, "My birthday coming up?"  I kept and saying pretty soon - but time to a 3 year old has no real meaning.  We tried figuring out what she wanted to do - what kind of party etc.  The few things we go out from her was - Chuck E Cheeses, Red Robin and a party at home.  I think we accomplished it!

Birthday Girl in her Boots

In the Totey home (passed on from my growing up) we don't just have a Birth Day - we celebrate Birthday Week.  This way it is spread out and we are able to fit in all that we want to do. 

Carousel

Adelai is such a sweet girl.  She is very independent yet doesn't really like to be alone - probably because she is the 3rd child. She is getting so big wanting to do things on her own and sometimes I have to be patient realizing that when she does it she is learning and it doesn't have to be perfect.  Just a little while ago she prayed for dinner all by herself - she prayed that she wouldn't be sick and that sisters and baby Will wouldn't be sick.  So sweet.  It makes a Momma proud to have your children pray all by themselves.

She is an amazing present opener.  She shakes with excitement to open them up, and is so expressive when she see what it is.  No mistaking what she feels - it is great.

Birthday Cupcakes at Uncle Tim and Aunt Tawny's

Snow White Doll from Dad and Mom

Silly Sisters

 

Party at Home

 

 

 

When Adelai was 2, I wasn't sure we were going to make it through...She is so independent and strong willed but even in the last 2 years it has become easier.  She had learned how to communicate and now she doesn't get as frustrated.  I love having her around and she is my little buddy now that the older 2 are in school.  How I love this sweet tiny little girl - someday she is going to take this world by storm and no one will sway her from what and Who she believes in.  I am honored to be her Mommy.

First Day of School - 2012

School...what can you say - I think it is a necessary evil!  I dreaded going to school - although I love to learn and read.  Even last night as I was in bed - I was thinking I can't believe I am doing this again!  I have four kids which means we are going to school for a long time.  And I thought I was done when I graduated from College.

Sweet Elyanna Grace is in 1st Grade.  She has been talking non stop and so excited about Recess and of course, Lunch!  I have noticed though, this past week, at times she just started crying.  I finally figured out she was nervous.  She didn't even know it - but it is a big change for such a little girl.
She is in Mrs. Pogue's class - which is the same teacher Lydia had.  We loved her and have developed a nice relationship with her over the years - so glad Elyanna gets to be in her class.

Big Shot Lydia - is in GATE (gifted and talented education) class again this year, so she has the same teacher as last year.  This is so great, as he is a great teacher and she is familiar with him.  So she was confident and ready to learn.   Lydia is so excited to have her sister in school with her.  They have been talking about recess together and lunch together and seeing each other in the halls.  It is fun to be the mom of sisters!

As a parent it is always hard letting your kids go out where you are not with them constantly.  But the amazing thing is I know that even if I am not there - there is someone who loves them immensely more that I do - Jesus!  Jaime's and my biggest prayer is that these kids are confident in who God has made them, that they listen and obey, and that they are lights in their world.  When God is for them - who can be against them? 

Baby Will is 1!

I can't believe my little boy is 1 year old.  He has grown so much and is such a delight to our family.  He definitely is the One I have waited for and makes our family complete.  

He is a smiley boy with a lot of personality.  He adores is sisters and loves to eat.  He army crawls around the house and gets into more things than I thought possible.  He opens and shuts the cupboard doors, pulls out my pots and pans and keeps me on my toes - but I sure do love him.

 

 

He loved being sang to and He loved His Cake!

Happy Birthday Prince William James!

I am Finally Back!

It has been so long since I have posted!!!  I have wanted to do it but our computer was dying.  Basically I think the hard drive was failing because it would reach a point and then just shut down.
After many months of deliberating and willing our computer to not die - we bought a new one!!!

So much has happened.  Our little prince is almost 1! And the 3 princesses love him to pieces. 

I will post more pictures and stories.  I am so glad to be back.

An Ordinary Day

I am learning to appreciate the normalcy of life.  I love having vacation, it is so much fun to relax, sleep in, and have the girls around, but I think I was made for routine.  


With Lydia and Elyanna in school - I run back and forth picking them up - but it makes a somewhat long day seem shorter. 


When I was first married and we didn't have any kids my days could be pretty long and sad.  Jaime at times would work long days and it was so so quiet around our house.  I would count the hours until he would come home - clean the house again and try to figure out what to do with myself.  Now, life is so much different and I am so glad. 


I love the noisiness of girls singing and dancing, the occasional cry of the baby and wrestling around with each one of them. 


I grew up with a house full of kids, being the oldest of 6, so I am used to thinking with noise and music all around.  Yes, I do get frustrated when they are all talking or whining at the same time - but I just need to remind myself these kids are such a gift from God and I am so glad that I will never be alone.

Girls playing the computer after school and before lunch, then nap.

Nap time!  One of my favorite times of the day.  I love it that I get some time to myself.  Sometimes to read, or to watch a show, or to work on the computer, or to sneak in a nap too.

 Waiting for Lydia.  Elyanna wakes up perky and ready to go.  Adelai, on the other hand, does not like being woke up.

Everyday Lydia waits for me at the flag pole.  I get out of my car when I see her and we wave to each other.  Everyday she runs to me and give me a great big hug!  How I love seeing her beautiful sweet face.

Yeah, Lydia is done with school!  Now that my car is full of kids, off to do errands or just go home and have more fun.

Making Banana Bread with Dad

Surprisingly enough with so many mouths to feed, quite often we have left over bananas.  Jaime makes the best Banana Bread and the girls have so much fun making it with him.

Adelai mashing the bananas.



Lydia working hard
as Adelai finishes up playing drums on the flour and sugar canisters.



Adelai posing for the camera

This girl is definitely not camera shy!

"Now this is a banana" -
I don't know what he was saying here but I am sure it was profound:)

So I forgot to take a picture of the final product - but believe me it was "yummy!"

I love that my family just enjoys being together and something as simple as making

Banana Bread can be an event to remember.

Jaime and these kids are definitely teaching me how to see the beautiful and amazing in the simple everyday things.

My Husband

I just love this picture!  Thanks Cassandra.

Without Jaime I wouldn't be here writing this blog.  He is the man of my dreams and my best friend. 

Before we had kids he wasn't quite sure about the Daddy thing - but that all changed....


Lydia and Daddy



Once little Lydia was born, he changed from being a man to Daddy Extraordinaire.  I always knew he would be a good dad - I just didn't know he would be great!!!!

Baby Will

With each child I have seen his heart grow more and more and it seems (that is because it is the truth) that he was born for this Daddy thing. 

James Alan - I am so honored to be your wife and so blessed to be raising these kids with you!