If you would have told me 7 years ago that I would be momma to two southern born, southern twangin’, and southern sassin’ babies, I never would have believed you! Yet here I sit with just that! And if you would have told me just over 4 years ago that our baby girl would come into our lives a full month preterm, and then grow at a rapid speed, I would have politely told you to “Hush your mouth”. Yet here I sit, and another year has passed… Avery Laikyn is FOUR!! In a flash she has grown, and I still don’t understand why she’s rushing this process. She surely must know that her momma is not quite ready for her to not be a baby anymore, right?

Avery is such a hoot! Here’s a few of her currents that keep us full of laughter:

She has a serious case of the “Eeny Meeny Miney Mo’s”. She must first weigh all of her options, and then sing it out until she gets the result she’s truly looking for! Her finger always seems to land on the one she wanted the most.

She’s our little hoola hoopin’ professional. Cutest little hiney shake you ever saw while keeping that hoop going!

She loves to twirl and do “Bal-luh-lay”.

She skips EVERYWHERE. “I have amazing skipping powers!”

On that first day of summer 2007, Avery Laikyn entered our lives, and our little Coastie family became even more full of love and joy than we could ever imagined. Yet here we sit 4 years later with a FOUR year old! Happy Birthday Baby Girl! Your smile and infectious laughter captivate us, and your strong will, determination, and sass are going to take you places (and not just to time out! lol) We love you! Moon and Back!

We attempted a mini birthday session a few evenings ago. Unfortunately we only had one small (gorgeous) pocket of light to work with that was quickly disappearing. As soon as we ventured out across the street Avery caught sight of our friends playing at the park right and suddenly was no longer interested in having her picture taken in her pretty Kinder Kouture Rosy Dress. She was no longer interested in having her pictures taken, period.  We attempt round two while we are in CALIFORNIA! That’s right! We are leaving on a jet plane in the morning to see Grammie and Grampa! We will be back in a month! See ya then!!

Smiles From the Heart:

Valentine’s surprises from the hubby. He got me good. And topped it all off with the most perfect card.

Precious homemade cards from my babies. I’m so blessed!

Watching my kidlets delight in giving others their love day treats!

Littlemans classroom party.

Cupcakes.

Flip flops. My toes are SO happy right now!

The warmth of sunshine on my face. SO good for this lady’s soul!

A day full of LOVEly celebration! And cupcakes. (Did I already mention those?)

6/52

Just a bunch of hearts hanging out in the snow. The previous sentence pretty much sums up how our week has been spent. We have completely embraced the powdery white stuff. Instead of cursing our first winter here in Arkansas, we are thoroughly enjoying it and soaking up every fun moment the season brings. I am so happy to spend these days together as a family, playing in the snow to our little hearts content.

Smiles From the Heart:

Snow days.

Catching up on the entire final season of Friday Night Lights with my hubby. We will surely miss that show. (Tim Riggins, ‘Nuff said.)

Sledding and building jumps in the snow. SO. MUCH. FUN! (Not that us adults would ever partake in such childish activities or anything. )

Whatever that delicious smell is that’s coming from the oven. Hubby is surprising me with another dessert. Love that man.

Watching our baby girl plop down and make snow angels wherever and whenever she see’s fit.

Smiles From the Heart:

An afternoon of adventure with my little family and catching snowflakes on our tongues.

Hubby measuring the snowfall.

Snuggly nap with my littleman.

Snow Cream.

“You were always meant to have my heart.”

Smiles From the Heart:

Shooting for me. Even though I was fully aware that my neighbors were laughing at me as I stood out in the snow capturing these (*cough* Mandy *cough*), I needed fresh inspiration and to let my creativity flow for nobody else but myself. It was pure bliss and I fully intend on making it a regular habit.

A great conversation with the hubby.

Catching up with my Bonnie. She is being auctioned off in a fundraiser. If any of you eligible bachelors out there in the Eagle County, CO area are looking to support a great cause while scoring a date with one gorgeous and hilarious gal, LET YOUR BIDDING BEGIN!

My baby girl upon finding the butterfly wings to a costume she wore when she was a year old exclaiming: “Now I can go to butterfly school!”

Littleman’s story he wrote tonight, and the picture he drew to accompany it. I simply adore watching the wheels in his brain work. It FASCINATES me.

5/52

“Look! There’s a heart onto it!” I said as I plopped down next to him. He glanced at the screen on the back of my camera for a few seconds, and then leaned back looking at me. His puzzled face told me that he might think I was slightly off my rocker. The slight smirk developing said that he wondered if perhaps traipsing out into the snow had somehow affected my eye sight. I’ll make a believer of him, yet! I thought to myself as I bounced down the hallway to the office eager to upload my image.

As we stood in the kitchen this morning, this little gem caught my eye out the window. Sitting straight off our patio, was a heart! (Put there by God to bless me, I’m sure of it!) As I sat editing this image this afternoon, I came to the conclusion that perhaps what my hubby didn’t understand was the famous quote I used: “There’s a heart onto it!” accompanied by the equally famous linguistics– a true signature line of my Auntie Becca. My Auntie Becca is ever on the lookout for a naturally occurring heart, or any item in the shape of or adorned with a heart. She is a gift-er of all things hearts. (INCLUDING some very risque unmentionables that I received at my bridal shower… ) As I was filled with memories of my Auntie today, I smiled. And realized that this heart was put there by God to do just that. I’m sure of it!

Smiles From the Heart:

Memories of my Auntie. I pretty much got the best deal ever in the Auntie dept! They all rock! I know that my life has somehow been shaped by each and every one of them. <3

Family giggles around the dinner table. I LIVE for those daily moments.

A friend who’s family was in crisis, coming through it in one piece. And I believe she will be made stronger because of it. <3 you lady!

Excitement over my baby brother taking his girlfriend to his first formal dance! I can’t wait to hear all about it and see LOADS of pictures. (That’s a request and a demand rolled into one.)

My baby girl, worried that she can’t start preK because “I don’t know how to write my words yet.” It was such a sweetly sad moment. As soon as I told her that she will be learning how to do that at school she was excited!

Smiles from the Heart:

100 G’s worn by a little boy who asked: “Momma, can I pose anyway I want to?

4/52

Would you know what to do if your child were choking? Would you remain calm and cool, with a clear head? Would you remember what you had been taught all those years ago in that CPR class you took with your 4-H group? Or would you remember exactly what you were taught NOT to do, and then do it anyways because even though you know it’s wrong, you can’t 100% remember the correct way to do the Heimlich maneuver on a child?

I lived this very scenario this past week, and it scared me to my very core. As a parent, this was one of those “worst fears” scenarios. Avery and I were watching tv, she on the little couch, and I on the big couch just a few feet from where she sat. I heard a strange noise coming from her direction, and as I looked to see what she was doing my eyes met her very scared, wide, eyes on her panic stricken face. That strange noise was not a cough, it was not a gasp, it was panic. (I’m not sure I could ever re create that noise, and I pray that I NEVER hear it again.) As I jumped up I asked “Are you choking?” and she nodded “yes”. In a matter of seconds I did EXACTLY what you are taught to NOT do– I stuck my finger down her throat in a failed attempt to retrieve the lodged object. My heart sank, and my fear rose, but by the grace of God a grape came flying out of her throat with force just a split second later.  I don’t know if I moved the grape, or if  gagging her when I stuck my finger in her throat caused it to move just enough that she was able to get some air and finally cough. Regardless, I am SO thankful that she is ok, and I learned a few things:

1. Avery is no longer allowed to eat whole grapes until she is 18. We’ll revisit the idea then.

2. I need to take a CPR class STAT.

3. I might have remained fairly calm in the moment, but my logic was ridiculous: “I don’t remember how to do the Heimlich on a child, so hey! Why don’t I do the one thing I specifically remember being taught NOT to do?) *Shaking my head*

4. My children the most resilient creatures ever. Just a couple of minutes later Avery was back to her bouncy little self. She later claimed that the “Grape made her foot hurt”. lol

Smiles From The Heart:

My baby girl safe and sound.

Our kidlets deciding that it is the coolest thing ever to sit in momma and daddy’s seats at the dinner table. And switching all of our names to fit our “special seats”. I L <3 VE the simple things that make their hearts so full of joy.

Coffee date with girlfriends.

The sweetest gift from such a special friend. She makes me smile! (Stay tuned for more on this! )

On Sunday my hubby took our kidlets to the Arkansas Big Buck Classic. They had an absolute blast and are still talking about all of the fun things they saw and did. (Including a money collecting monkey named “Monkers” who would apparently put quarters in his pocket or kiss a picture of himself and hand it to you for a dollar!) Before returning home, hubby let the kids pick out a souvenir. From what I have been told, Avery was instantly in love with this little fella. Garrett on the other hand, is the proud owner of a new turkey call. Let me tell you how much fun THAT is to have in the house! Anyways, meet “Hunter”. Avery’s new baby. He watches tv with her and naps with her, all while wrapped in pretty pink blankets! Hunter just better decide he is a fan of that color because there’s no camouflaging her love for pink and all things girly.

Smiles From The Heart:

Being attacked by my two kissymonsters!

My hubby being named USCG Sector LMR’s Enlisted Person Of the Year. I am the proudest wife! He works hard and is truly dedicated to his job. Unbeknownst to him, he was nominated for the honor. Such a nice surprise to be recognized.

DUDE! Kenny Chesney is coming to Little Rock in April!

“Winter’s Sweetest Tears”

Smiles from the Heart:

My baby brother sending me a special song. A song from the very first CD he ever owned at the ripe ol’ age of… three. Oh how that song was forever on replay as we made the long and curvy drive to and from school (or in his case, daycare) every morning.  CLICK HERE to listen. Thank you Mi Mi (pronounced: “MY MY”) for the sweet memories of you as an adorable fuzzy- headed itty- bitty little squirt! I miss you more now than ever! Sharing this song with me has me smiling through the happiest of tears. I love you!