I often ask Mags what is her favorite thing that her & I do together. She always says "when we go to the park!"
A Valentine's Day to remember. Magnolia, age four, her favorite love day gift: GLITTER PRESS ON NAILS! Mommy wore a robe around the house LITERALLY all weekend long #noshameinmygame! I added some red lipstick and mascara to spice up my look before our romantic candlelit dinner at home Sunday night. The house was full of fresh blooms thanks to the guy that spoils us rotten and puts up with a whole lotta sass from his two ladies. Over a dozen shiny heart shaped balloons floated from room to room because Magnolia insisted we carry them around the house all weekend long, even to the bedroom for our attempted V-day nap. We made dark chocolate covered strawberries for dessert & they are to blame for the failed nap! The weekend was spent watching the snow fall as we blamed Magnolia's friend Elsa for freezing the town. We listened to a good share of romantic music. Ryan and Mags talked me into walking out in the bitter cold to watch a rom-com at the carriage house. Water was served in wine glasses for our carryout romantic dinner by candlelight. The living room became a dance floor. And my favorite part of the whole entire weekend was Magnolia's giggles as she was sandwiched between her mommy and daddy singing and dancing to our first dance wedding song "From Here to the Moon and Back" by Dolly Parton + Willie Nelson. Ryan is setting the bar very high for our Sweet Magnolia. He is the kindest husband and gentlest daddy. We didn't get fancy and go out on the town, but I have a really good feeling when we are old and thinking back on our life this will be the kind of weekend we miss the very most.
Reflections on motherhood, because she is FOUR now & I get so sentimental around her birthday.
If I had to describe my mom & grandparents "parenting/grand-parenting style" in one word it would be FREEDOM. As a grown woman I see so many children (& adults) that are constantly seeking the approval & validation of their parents and/or another person. And it makes me sad. If there is one thing I hope Magnolia grows up knowing it is that we will love her unconditionally no matter what. I didn't now this as a child, but I do now, that having the FREEDOM to be me is a huge blessing. I read this quote & felt like I needed to print it out for our walls, I WANT MAGNOLIA TO ALWAYS FEEL THIS FREEDOM!!! She might not always please the world (actually I hope she ruffles some feathers), but I pray she'll be happy, secure, and authentic. I pray that she follows her dreams & the path God has set out for her.
MAGNOLIA CAROLINE IS FOUR YEARS OLD!!! How can it be!?! I feel like I've known her FOREVER, but I also feel as though it was just yesterday she was an itty-bitty baby.