Summer is here!

We had a blast hanging out yesterday! After church in the morning and an afternoon nap, Kennedy helped Jon wash my car for the first time. We didn't even have to tell her to do anything... she just went to work! And she did a great job, I must say! While Jon finished a full detail on the Avalon, her and I played in her sand table, ate a snack, blew some bubbles and went for a walk to Papa's house. We surprised him --- and boy was he was happy to see us! She rode her tricycle there... and she was pretty stinking cute. It was nice being outside all day... I love summer. Now that Kennedy is older, we have tons of fun playing outside together :)

So blessed.

I always thought I had a wonderful family and the greatest friends I could ever ask for... but today especially, I feel beyond blessed. I have close girl friends and sisters in Christ that fulfill my every 'friend' need. They're always there to lend a hand, give a hug, offer Godly advice, and just have fun with. We always enjoy ourselves when we're together. Kennedy and I met up with the Browns and Joneses (minus Sr.) today at the park and had a great lunch together. Our kids had a blast! Seeing Max and Kennedy hold hands and have a sweet conversation melted my heart! I really hope they get married someday... haha. Seriously :) Tonight each of our families are meeting up with the Bessas for a cookout, water balloon fun and a fire! This whole day was planned on a moments notice too... and I LOVE it!

Thank you guys for making our life so much better by being in it. I feel overwhelmed with love and emotion right now. I couldn't ask for better friends. And you know my grandma loved every one of you like you were all her own. She was always so thankful for me having such wonderful friends in my life. Grandma never had that growing up, but was thankful I did :)

WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Kennedy is THREE!!

It was a pretty crazy couple of days, but we survived a wonderful 3rd birthday party! We had roughly 45 people in our backyard, a huge bounce house, tons of food and a bunch of really wonderful presents from some really wonderful family/friends. WE ARE SO BLESSED! The weather wasn't at its best along the lake, but we made do. I had so many people helping me prepare and throw this party because I wanted to make sure that for once I actually ENJOYED it. And I did! I'm so thankful for everyone... we truly have the best family/friends anyone could ever hope for! Kennedy had a fantastic time with all of her friends and didn't want the day to end! The only thing missing was my beautiful grandma. I hope she got to see a little bit of it from heaven. It was dedicated to her, as she LOVED to garden :) Miss you, love you gma. I never stop thinking about you...

The day before the party it was pretty insane at our house. Besides prepping for the party, I was just finishing up painting her room, her old furniture sold/picked up, new furniture delivered/assembled (thanks Daddy) and of course cleaning had to take place! But it was all worth it and Kennedy absolutely LOVES her new big girl bed! She thanks me everyday for it... "Mommy, I love my new bed, thank you!!!" -- melts my heart :) I sure love this little girl!!!!

Growing Up

I don't know why it just hit me a few days ago, but my little girl is growing up! She's not a baby anymore. Even though she's still considered a toddler, Kennedy is transforming into a little girl! I love when I come home from work and she tells me how her day was and exactly what she did, word-for-word. When I left the other day she was talking to me through the window and said, "Bye mommy, I love you sweetheart!" It was the cutest thing! Now that she's potty trained and on her way to preschool this fall I can't help but want her to stay little forever. The other day I grabbed her and held her like a baby... she's so big now! She's turning THREE in five days. Where did the time go?! I wish Grandma were here to experience my daughter's achievements with me. I miss her so very much :(

Update: Potty Training

It has been SIX wonderful days of potty training our little girl. Her accidents are few and far between. When they occur, they consist of two drops of pee. She knows when she has to go and catches it immediately by running to the potty. Other than that, she's awesome at telling us every time when she has to go.

I've been waiting for this moment for the last year and a half. Everyone told me that she'll potty train when she's ready. I never thought it was going to happen! But they were right. It had to happen on her time. And honestly, I feel like it happened this way for a reason. If I would've started potty training when I wanted to, there might have been a ton of accidents. God did it this way for my sanity :) For that, I thank Him.

POTTY TIME!!!!!!!!

I'm trying to hurry and post this in between potty breaks. That's right! My daughter, Miss Kennedy, is FINALLY potty training!! I never thought I'd see the day. Everyone told me that every child is different and that she'll go when she's ready. I can't even explain how crazy it was! Like a switch flipped! She did a complete 180... from WANTING to be in her diaper -- to telling me she has to go every single time! And in undies all day! I'm BEYOND excited right now. She wanted to call everyone and tell them... and she did. She told each person herself that she "went potty on the big girl potty!". Ahhh, I'm such a proud mommy! :) And in plenty of time before she starts preschool. Which we officially enrolled her in on March 28th (for next year). Kennedy is pumped. She talks about going to school everyday. Loving Start is going to be an awesome place for her.

After a great day like today, part of me is still sad. I want to call my grandma and tell her :( She was waiting for this day for sooo long and I know she would be extremely proud of her baby girl...

I miss you and love you so very much, Grandma.

Hurting

I have good days and bad days... today was a bad day. I thought about Grandma A LOT. I thought about how I'll never be able to call her again. She'll never attend another one of Kennedy's birthdays. We'll never go shopping again. We'll never sit next to each other in church again :( I know none of these things compares to where she is now, but my heart just hurts. I cry a lot when I'm by myself... and I try to be strong around everyone else. Every time Kennedy sees me cry she says, "Do you miss Grandma Patty??" She knows, I can't hide it. But I try.

When does it stop hurting so bad?? :(