Dear Chandler

Dear Chandler,

 I am well overdue for your first birthday post. This first birthday was more bittersweet for me because there was a part of me that wanted you to not turn one, stay my baby, not take those first steps... only because you are my baby and you have completed our family and I wanted to soak in all of your little rolls on your legs and your baby fresh smell and even waking up in the middle of the night to feed you a bottle, I wanted to love all of it and let me tell you, I did even more than I could have imagined!

When I found out I was pregnant we had just moved cities, changed careers, basically started over. The timing was maybe a little off but how can you really say that when God blessed me to become a mom for the third time. The pregnancy was physically and mentally more challenging and there were many nights that I worried about how everything was going to work out. Could we afford it, could we manage it, is this going to be ok? From the minute I saw your precious face at 8 am August 16th of 2012 all of my fears, worries, hesitations were instantly replaced by a full heart, a love so big it can't be put into words and at that moment I knew everything would be fine, more than fine, it would be perfect. Despite the financial obligations of having more children, despite our crazy schedules, despite working full time... this dear Chandler was what God had planned for us way before we ever knew where life would lead us.

I cried so hard on the eve of your birthday and told your daddy that I can honestly say since you had been born this had been hands down the happiest year of my life. You completed our family and you completed me in a way that I never thought possible. I don't know if it is age that has brought us to a more content place in our lives or the fact that all of the valleys we had to trudge to get here have made us appreciate where we are... whatever it may be I can say without a doubt this is the most content I have ever been in my life not having to constantly think "what's next" or looking back and thinking I wish I could have changed the past.

The past brought me you, the past brought me your daddy and your brother and sister and it has brought me more happiness than I could have ever imagined.

This life that I have been given has truly amazed me. Sometimes I think, how did I get here, how did I get so lucky? Has it been hard? Absolutely Has it been worth it? One hundred times over!

You my dear Chandler have brought ALL of us joy. Your brother and sister are literally over the moon in love with you. Your smile lights up a room and your baby hugs can melt a grown mans heart. You are LOVED, loved by so many amazing people, people that will continue to watch you grow and shape the amazing little person and young woman you will become.

 

You are happy! I am talking happy like nobody's business happy. I often get told "I don't ever think I have seen her cry" You are going thru a mommy phase currently where you don't particularly like to be put down. That's ok, I will gladly hold you because I know it won't be long till you will be telling me "no" and wanting to do everything yourself :)

You have allowed me to become a better mom. A mom that doesn't take late night feedings for granted, a mom that doesn't wish each stage will hurry up so we can get to the next one, a mom that for the first time has literally been able to be in the moment and just purely enjoy. Enjoy you, enjoy watching you and your brother and sister, enjoy watching your daddy grasps that he now has two daughters that will some day give him fits and sleepless nights!

I have loved this year, I have loved where our family is at in our lives.  You dear Chandler have brought insurmountable joy to us all. You are walking and saying mama and dada, you want SO badly to say Molly (our dog) because you love her and annoy her every day but she LOVES you. Wherever you are at in the house that is where Molly will be.

Awe, your sister... she is crazy about you! In the last few weeks I have caught you in her room and peak in to see you playing together and I can only imagine and wish for that sisterly bond to grow and become something beautiful. Late nights of staying up talking about life and boys, fighting over clothes, imitating and wanting to do everything she does, getting on her nerves but in the end knowing that when you feel like you have no one to talk to you can ALWAYS call your sister and she will be there. Sisters are awesome! Even when you fight and don't like each other, remember your sister will always be there for you like no one else! She is the vault that keeps your secrets, your dreams, your fears.. she is the person you can't fool with a fake smile because she has known you all of your life. She is the person you will go to at the hardest moments of your life and at the happiest moments of your life! She is your forever friend.

 

I can't forget about your bubby... he has been amazed and has loved you from the minute you came into this world. Both of your faces literally light up when you see each other and you already go over to him and tackle him with a bear hug and he giggles and you do the same. He will protect you and love you with all of his heart. You and your sister will be the reason he will grow up and know how to treat girls with respect and love. He may not ever get your and your sisters silly girly ways but he will always love knowing that he has two beautiful sisters to take care of him.

 

Then your daddy... oh, your daddy! He is in so deep with you two girls! I don't think it has hit him that he has two daughters, that is a scary thing for a dad. Your daddy is one of the best people I know in every way. His love for you is unconditional and he is the most non judgemental person I have ever met. I know there will be times that you will go to him before me for talks. That is ok I know he will do everything in his power to guide you and love you anyway that he can. He will want to protect you even when he doesn't have a clue how... but you will always feel safe with him because he will always make you feel like the most beautiful, special, incredible girl that ever walked the earth!

 

Dear Chandler, thank you... thank you for this year, thank you for allowing me to be your mom, thank you for bringing a love and happiness into our house that makes each day a little brighter. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you, I know it is going to hold wonderful things!

 

We love you with every ounce of our being! Happy first birthday Dear Chandler, we made it and you did too :)

Weekend Warriors!



We had a GREAT and busy weekend (of course! haha) First off the kiddos survived the first week of pre-k and first grade. I am proud to report that they LOVE it! Especially my buddy, Palmer. He LOVES school, I am so glad! Here they are on Friday morning! They made it!

 

Here is just a little glimpse into Ann Mason. She finally let me dress her like a 4 YEAR OLD. We are having some major battles over cut off jean shorts, glitter and just plaid gawdy clothes preferences. I have put my foot down and she is going to continue to dress within the realm of a 4 year old. I told her I am not against sparkles but I have to draw the line somewhere! This is her attempt at rolling her eyes, please pray for me now!

 

"Papaw with a hat" came in. Yes, we have too many papaws and they all have different sub titles. We were super pumped to spend some time with him and loved every minute of it. Since our family doesn't live near us... grandparents coming in = hotel pool time. I mean seriously, can you beat swimming in a hotel pool? I can still remember loving it as a kid!

 

Mamaw and Aunt TT came to join us to swim! Here is mamaw with 2 of 3 of her girls!

 

Aunt TT with her baby Chan Chan

 

I got a special unexpected treat on Saturday night!!! Dad and I got to go to an adult movie just the TWO of us! Thankfully my husband is awesome and I left 3 crying kids with him right at bed time and headed to the movies. O.M.G we went and saw We're The Millers and it is was the funniest movie I have ever seen! I laughed until I cried. Seriously go see it, if you don't mind raunchy behavior and foul language you will love it!

 

The next morning Papaw went with us to church! We were so glad to have him with us and "tried" to take some pics, we got a few good ones!

 

The kids were ecstatic!

 

Dad and I! I am so thankful for so many things in life but one of the most important things to me is mended relationships and realizing that your family means everything! I am so proud to have a family that loves me unconditionally and I love them the same! It was a truly great weekend!

First Day of School

There are WAY TOO MANY FIRSTS happening in this family! Today was just a few... the first day of school for the 2013-2014 school year! Palmer started first grade and Ann Mason started Pre-school! I am so proud of these munchkins. They were so excited!!! The only one that shed tears was me! :)

 

Our attempt at a family photo!

My sweet pre-k girl!!! She was so excited!! She is more than ready to go to "real" school!

Palmer and his best bud Karson taking their obligatory first day of school pics, they are going to love these one day!!

Ok: Disclaimer I know it looks like Palmer has on black hose! haha They are black socks with neon blue in the back. LONG socks for boys are all the RAVE here for some reason so I tried to be somewhat hip and get him some socks! He definitely felt cool!!

 

I have already talked to Palmer and he had the BEST day ever in first grade. I love that this guy loves school, loves to learn and gets excited!!! Big day in the Templeton household. Feeling grateful today for sure!

Where has the time gone?

Seriously where has the time gone? I haven't posted in almost 2 weeks! I was sick last week unforatently life still went on, work, kids, cooking, etc... :) which is probably why it took me ALL week to feel better. You just can't stop when you are a momma!!

 

I am floored that we are approaching the first of August for a couple of reasons

* I seriously can't believe in 1 1/2 I will have a first grader

* In 1 1/2 we will have lived in Owensboro for 2 years!! That really blows my mind

* In 3 weeks my sweet baby, baby will be a One Year Old breaks.my.heart!

*In a 1 1/2 Annie will be an official pre-schooler

And in about a month I will turn 33 :) GASP!

 

This is all a little too much for this momma to handle! haha I have finally let myself get excited for Chandler's big day! I wasn't ready for it and I am still struggling with it but we are going to celebrate her bringing joy to our family for the last 365 days!!!

 

Here are her one year pics that make me want to swoon. I couldn't be more excited for them! August is a crazy, busy and fun month for us!! Hopefully I will be a little better at posting :)



It Goes a Little Something Like This....

 I have been having a blogging dry spell. I have been horrible about taking pics and it seems like we are running full speed just knowing that summer ending is right around the corner :) Neighborhood gatherings, Later Bedtimes,  Longer Sun Time, Blow Up Pools, they will be greatly missed however there is a part of me that has also missed consistency and routine! What a party pooper I am!!! haha

 

Here's a little peak into our everyday....

 

Took both girls to the grocery. I mean BIG grocery shopping. Tex and I have figured out what works for us over the years. We split things... I took the girls to the grocery he stayed home with Palmer (who is as easy as they come) and cleaned the whole house. Win/Win for us all (kind of) stocked fridge, clean house and then after bedtime we actually get to sit in our clean house and eat some of our food! haha

 

 

This pic cracks me up Chan's face is pure concentration about how to drive a grocery cart car :) 

This girl is DAYS from flat out walking... she has taken as many as 5 steps she is SO close!!! 

I heart this picture so very much. They ADORE Chandler literally ADORE her. They think she is the funniest person ever and everything she does is cute to them. I know this will change but I love it right now! This was such a fun night down at our beautiful river front park, finally Owensboro came thru with something and it is awesome!! 

Our favorite restaurant down there is Bee Bops a 50's Diner that serves their kids meals in old timey cars. The kids go ga-ga over it!  

SPOILED ROTTEN! 

More Proof that her Chunky Legs are on the move! 

Best dad any two kids could ask for! 

 

This is MY picture from my cell phone of the set up for Chandler's first birthday pics. I have seen 2 and I about died from loving them so much! More on her birthday party to come but this girl is too cute for words! 

We are doing a pinwheel theme.... you know me, I gotta have a theme! And thanks to Hobby Lobby and the 66% off aisle I scored all of the pinwheels my heart could desire! I can't wait to celebrate this sweet babies first year!!

 

We have been good, we have been happy, we have our share of bug bites right now and sun kissed shoulders and noses, we have rough feet that are usually black on the bottoms from NEVER wearing shoes outside, we have more than our fair share to be thankful for! Life is good!! God is good and we are blessed much more than we deserve.  

Fourth of July

I am SO behind on my posts. This past holiday week thru me for a loop! I didn't know if I was coming or going but it was SO much fun!!! Taking off two days in the middle of the week, then coming back to work Friday and then having the weekend off really threw things off for me!

 

We had the best fourth of july!!! I love this holiday! Last year I was about 34 weeks pregnant so I wasn't really feeling the nightly array of fireworks that lasted for a whole week or being outside in the hot humid weather but this year, I said "Bring it On"

 

Anyone that knows me, knows that when it comes to parties I tend to think of the idea sporadically and within and hour it is a full blown party. Since we didn't already have plans I decided to make plans and we had a party at our house. About 22 adults and 27 kids came and it was definitely a party! We provided the food and everyone brought fireworks. It is safe to say everyone from the kids to the adults had a great time!

 

The house all ready for the party! I wish I would have taken "after" pics of all of the firework debris, capri suns, popsicle wrappers and trash! haha

My favorite flowers are hydrangeas and our neighbor across the street has a beautiful hydrangea bush, they are a perfect centerpiece for any party!

 

Annie in her American Flag shirt waiting for all of the guests :)

 

 

My girls in their red, white and blue! I don't know where poor Palmer was... I think he was running around like crazy and jumping on the trampoline with all of the boys!

 

The next day we were invited to the lake. I was so excited because I LOVE being on water. Doesn't matter if it is a pool, pond, river, lake or ocean, I love it! We had an absolute blast with some of our sweet new friends!

 

Here are the girls with their dolls, they HAD to come to the river too!

 

Palmer LOVED everything about being on the boat and was one happy boy!

 

Chandler didn't even mind her tiny life jacket and did the bear crawl around the boat and snacked on veggie straws all day!

 

Annie and her daddy!

 

Chandler and I going fast!

 

Haha This pic cracks me up, they all look like they are crying but really they are screaming YEAH cause we were going fast!

 

Palmer got to ride this little puppy forever! He thought he was cool stuff and loved every minute of it!

 

We had a blast, I was exhausted and needed to catch up on my sleep for about a week! I can't believe how fast the summer is going :( School will be here before we know it!

Visit from Sylvia

My oldest friends Sylvia, her husband Donovan and their precious baby boy Teo came to visit this past weekend! It was the first time I got to meet him in person and I was so excited!!! A lot has changed for us over the last 21 years :) The kids and adults had a blast and I wish we could see them more often :(

Chandler and Teo taking a bath, he is 4 weeks younger than Chandler and is a CHUNK!!!

 

Chandler loves bath time and her friends!!!

Ann Mason finding any kid that will let her pick them up. This is our neighbors little girl, Amelia!

I swear Teo loved Ann Mason but he was tired at this point! haha

Playing on the slip and slide!

Hours of entertainment out of a piece of wet plastic! haha

We did a mini photo shoot with Chandler, Sylvia has the best camera!

My baby boy and his completely blue mouth!

Sylvia and the girls!

My sweet baby Angel posing during her photo shoot!

The ice cream truck came down the street and since Donovan is from Africa he had never experienced an ice cream truck! He was gracious enough to buy the kiddos Popsicles and he got one too!

Trying to get everyone to look at the camera, impossible!

 

Has to be into everything these days!

 

Sweet babies! We had the best time. I could have taken Teo for days! We loved having them visit and there is nothing like an old friend that comes along with her photo album full of pictures of us from the time we were 13!!! It doesn't get much better than that!