Realizations as of late....

Lately, there have been a lot of "realizations" that have come to me. Some good, some sad, and some just plain crazy. So here it goes....

1. Ethan is the age that Payton was when he was born!! That is crazy to me! Yes, we were the crazy ones that had our kids just 16 months apart, and looking at bubba, he still seems like a baby to me- and to think about the fact that Payton was THAT age when I had a newborn blows my mind! Kyle and I just laugh at times thinking back....but THANK GOD for an amazing husband to help me get through those rough first weeks...and just other days that the kids feel they need to test mommy's nerves! :) But, I wouldn't trade having them close in age for anything!!

2. My little girl is growing up! The other day we were in Target and I was trying to find her a plain black shirt to go under a few of her dresses/shirts and I just couldn't seem to find one. Then it hit me- my BABY GIRL has outgrown the baby/toddler section in the store and has moved on to the little girl section! *INSERT TEARS HERE!* Yes, that's right...we bought her an XS size shirt in the little girl section. WOW, my little girl has grown up!

3. My big girl is BEAUTIFUL and looking older every day! She is very into the phase of just leaving her hair down, and she has beautiful strawberry blonde and VERY straight hair. She is so cute after a bath just letting me dry it and then she just loves for it to be down. This completely changes her look! From piggy tails to straight hair and a headband, she is just too old!! AND on Monday I decided to play with her hair after drying it and I curled it as well (not knowing if it would hold any girl b/c it is SO straight), and she turned into an adorable little princess! She is a girlie girl and is very into her shoes and loves when she gets new clothes. (even if from a resale!!!) I just can't get enough of this little girl!

4. Having a boy is VERY different from having a girl. I never really understood this statement until I had one of each and it is SO TRUE! Bubba is just ON THE GO and into E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G!!!!!!!!! He loves to climb up on the kitchen table, takes a chair to get something off of the counter, spills the dog's food all over the kitchen floor and then rolls in it, takes all the towels out of the bottom drawer, and NOSE DIVES onto the floor or pillows from the couch! He is ALL boy, but I love him to death! He is still a snuggler at times, so I eat up those moments!

5. We have entered into our BUSY SEASON. Our busiest season is always when Kyle starts basketball up for the year. We literally came back from the Bahamas, and he was in basketball full force that following day. So, this means, we have entered the time of year where I need extra patience as the days with the kids get longer and the time with the hubs get shorter. BUT, I know he loves it and I enjoy taking the kids to see their daddy at the games. (Although I think I am in for a RUDE AWAKENING this year because they are both ON THE GO and won't just sit and watch the game. It makes me exhausted just thinking about it!)

6. The HOLIDAYS are upon us!!! This is SO crazy to me! I feel like the holidays TOTALLY snuck up on me this year. I think it was because for so long, we were focused on our Bahamas trip that I forgot that shortly after we returned, the festivities would begin. AND, when you are basking in 80 degree sunny days and swimming in amazing pools all day, the last thing you think about is the cold of the holidays just around the corner. So, I don't feel quite right that they are here.... but don't get me wrong, I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!! If you would ask me- my favorite time of the year for the weather is definitely the summer, but my favorite time of the year for people is definitely from Thanksgiving through Christmas. I LOVE the extended family time, the good food, the holiday cheer, the Christmas lights, decorating the tree, eating more YUMMY food (followed by CINCH after the holidays!!), and last but DEFINITELY not least, I LOVE having Kyle home!! So, bring on the Holidays!!

So, whether these things have come suddenly without realizing it or not, it just reminds me that time. flies. by. Time is precious and moments come and go, but I want to ALWAYS cherish the "todays" so that I don't have any regrets tomorrow! These are amazing times and amazing days ahead, and I am truly blessed.