Ten!

I am so thankful for this kid!  Happy 10th Birthday to my Samuel.  This day always tends to be a tad bittersweet for me.  I didn't give birth to him and his first three birthdays were without us.  I would give ANYTHING to erase that part of his story.  To have known him at birth, to have rocked him and nurtured him as a baby.  To erase the hard dark places he lived through those three years.  And yet, God in His grace and mercy has allowed Jeff and I to be a part of the last 7 birthdays.  What a blessing to have Samuel in our family and be our son.  We love him so much and had such fun celebrating him today in the midst of school, homework, and daily life!  He's a special boy and we are glad he is ours to celebrate! 

 

9 Months Old

 

Anna Mitchell today you are 9 months old! 

As you can see, these little monthly pictures are about impossible now. 

I don't even know how I managed to get this one, but you were not digging it that's for sure:). 

You are one busy and wild girl! 

After the blanket didn't work so well, we went outside to get a few pictures.  You absolutely love being outside! 

Anna Mitchell you weight 18 lbs 1 oz and are 27 inches long.  Both of those are right about 50%.  You are absolutely perfect.  

Oh, little girl you have just stolen all of our hearts.  You are a mess though.  A big big mess.  You are into everything and all over the place and wear me out...but I get such a kick out of you.  You have a big personality too! 

You still just have 2 teeth, but the four on top are very close to coming in I think.  

You love animals and go crazy when you see our cat or any dog in the neighborhood.  It's really funny.  You start waving your hands and kicking your legs and making loud noises because you are so excited.  

This month, you've really begun to imitate and copy us more so you are learning to wave and clap and make lots of sounds with your mouth.  It's so adorable. 

I think you are the cutest and funniest baby in the world and I'm so glad you are mine. 

Even though you are a wild girl, you are actually pretty go with the flow which is nice since you sort of have to be:).  You have never had a set schedule since you are the 4th child and that doesn't seem to bother you too much.  If we are home, you take great naps and you have always been a great night time sleeper (my easiest yet).  If we are out, you cat nap in the car and seem no worse for the wear.  I'm so thankful you are easy going! 

Annie, you are very friendly and happy.  People comment on it all the time.  I think you think everyone loves you and wants to talk to you (and mostly that's true)! 

Look at how you've grown!  I can't believe we are so far into your first year! 

You are a treasure, sweet baby girl!

 

Family Photos

We've never had professional photos done of our family.  Before I got my camera and learned to take decent pictures, Jeff's sister (who is a great photographer) took our family pics.  It is a huge blessing to have not had to pay money for so many years on good pictures!

Lately, I had been getting the itch though for someone professional to take our pictures.  To capture our family in this moment in time.  I don't ever want to forget what our family looked like in this chaotic stage!  So, I got to work selling random things on ebay and on the facebook garage sale site for our town.  Then I cashed in on some credit card points to have enough money to pay for our session.  I am soooo glad we did this and will treasure these photos forever!  The photographer was great and it was nice to watch someone else take pictures of my children:).  These are just the teasers that she put up on facebook.  I can't wait for the full gallery!

 

Why Hello October

Despite the warm temperatures, I suppose fall has arrived!  It's October 1.  Yay!  I do love this season and look forward to the temperatures in Alabama cooling down in the next few weeks (please Lord)!

I love having touches of fall around the house.  There is no other time of the year I am allowed to have orange in our home:).  HA!  Yes, my husband is that big of an Alabama fan.

One of my most favorite things about our house is the front porch and I was so excited to be able to decorate it with lots of pumpkins and some mums!  Side note...last year my friend and I used to walk through this neighborhood and dream of living here.  Well, both of us now do! 

 God is soooooo good to me:). 

 An easy fall wreath with burplap ribbon (of course), felt flowers, 

and little embellishments from Hobby Lobby

I filled my grandmother's antique bread bowl with lots of ceramic pumpkins and some twine & moss balls

{a lot of those are from the dollar tree of all places:)}

This little guy was in the dollar section at Target

My mom got the kids some gourds at our farmers market a few weekends ago when she was here.  Last week I let them paint the gourds with some metallic glaze I had on hand.  They LOVED this project and are so proud of their decorations:).  

 And nothing says fall like a mason jar full of candy corn!

Happy Fall Y'all!