And she turns one...

Yes, it was over two weeks ago and I'm just now getting this posted, but my baby girl turned one! I remember this time a year ago when she made me so stinkin' happy. We had a little girl. We had a healthy little girl. We had a healthy baby girl who made our family so right. Lilah still does. She still makes my heart sing. She completes our family in such a special way. Lilah Anne Seabolt is ours. I'll go into more details on her first year in a couple of weeks when I attempt my annual update on the kids. For now I'll just show pictures of her big day.

We invited family and a few friends over for a low country boil. Although we had a little glitch and dinner was served two hours later than planned, it was a great time. Thanks to those that came to celebrate our sweet little girl's first birthday!

Opening presents from us on her actual birthday

Holding one of her new gifts.

Opening gifts at her party

One of the cakes that Mommy made.

Ah, cake time! Finally!!! She didn't dig right in. She ate like a lady, of course. Manners please! :)

36 Thing I'm Thankful For

I was going to post this at Thanksgiving, and well, I didn't. Thought I would go ahead and do it now since I haven't taken the time to upload pictures from Lilah's birthday. Hope to get that done this weekend...


1. Jason. I couldn't have this life if it wasn't for him. I couldn't do it without him.
2. Landon. For his understanding of his mom.
3. Noah. For his hugs, his love, and his smile.
4. Lilah. For being my girl and making me feel whole.
5. Kasey. The best listener ever (not when we're trying to discipline her--just when I need someone to talk to).
6. The family I grew up with who continue to grow with me.
7. My married-into-family (aka. the inlaws)
8. Our jobs
9. Pumpkin pie
10. Uno. A game the whole family can play and it's not Candyland.
11. Pizza
12. The gym (a little time for myself)
13. My friends
14. My nieces and nephews
15. Our new laptop
16. College football (maybe not so much this year)
17. My kindergarten religious ed class
18. Chocolate
19. Warm weather and the sun
20. The beach and calming ocean
21. Facebook (yes, sounds silly, but it's put me in contact with people from the past and has kept me closer to family)
22. A good book
23. Freedom
24. A house full of laughter
25. Music
26. Dancing with my kids
27. Dancing with Leslie
28. My growing relationship with a sister-in-law that I admit I didn't know if it would happen.
29. Beer (I know that's kind of pathetic, but I can't help it.)
30. My amazing extended family. Seriously, there are few families like the Carrs.
31. Pops
32. Christmas and all that goes with it
33. Flowers
34. My friendship with Jason
35. Hugs from my babies
36. Our health

Officer Noah

Yes, he's in his Spiderman underwear. What's with this family?!?!

My girl helps with the laundry

Okay, so maybe I shouldn't put my undies on a blog, but she was too cute doing all of this. I couldn't resist. She kept putting them "on" and taking them off. Thanks for your help, Lilah!

A year ago

One year ago today was my due date for our third child. My only daughter was due on November 19th, and as we all know, she didn't go by that plan. She arrived almost a week later. At this time last year, I thought I was never going to make it, but a year later, I realize she was more than worth the wait. She's such a completion to our family. We just feel right. It's funny because when we go out to eat, we are often stared at-especially by those whose children are grown. Here is this family of 5 with three little ones six and under. I don't know if they are glad they aren't in our shoes or fondly remembering their days when they were there. I like to think the latter. My family of five makes me smile, and again, the wait was worth it.

I can't believe a year has gone by. I still remember those nights when she woke me, and I stumbled to her room barely awake. I would sit and feed her and relish in the peacefulness of my home. It was just me and my girl, and those middle of the night feedings weren't so bad. I remember her first smiling at us, and her little body sitting up for the first time. I remember hearing "DaDa" and "MaMa" come from her sweet lips within a day of each other. I remember her wanting to crawl and me encouraging her to stay put. I remember those first teeth coming in and the delight in the belly laughs she offered and still does. I remember looking up while in the kitchen realizing that my 10 month old girl was about to start walking. Now I just look at her and can't believe that our 8lbs 13oz baby turned into a 24+lb toddler. I feel like I blinked on accident, and it happened too quickly.

I'm having a harder time with this child turning 1. When your plan is that she's your last, you try to hold on just a little longer. I am taking time to enjoy her stages more realizing that soon I won't have a baby to cuddle in my arms. Remembering that before I know it, she, too, will be climbing the stairs on that big yellow bus. She has reminded me that I need to treasure each step in a child's life. I try to take a snap shot of Landon, Noah, and Lilah individually more often. Putting a stamp in my head of Landon as he begins to read more and more each day. Mark a spot of Noah recognizing his letters and proudly saying "I see my name" when he sees the letter N. Putting an asterisk next to it as he corrects himself with "That's what my name starts with. It's an N". Placing a memory of Lilah trying to figure out a new obstacle and succeeding. Just taking time to remember the little things because they are gone before you know it.

Yes, she was worth the wait, but not just for her alone. She was worth it because her birth opened my eyes and reminded me that it all goes too fast.

Loving my three kids now, one year ago, and many years to come....

Coach and Player

I absolutely love watching my husband coach. I love to watch my son play soccer even more. Watching my husband coach my son takes it to a new level.

My sweet son who seems to take after his mom on the soccer field (according to my mother) can be frustrating and amazing in a single quarter of his game. My mom said I would do the same thing--she could tell when I wasn't going to be very into a game, but when I decided I was going to be the best that I could be, there was little to stop me. That's my LCS. I see myself in him so many times on the soccer field. I'm not sure if I should say this, but I like that. Is that bad?!?!

Jason coaches these children with such patience and confidence. It's funny because we'll talk about the team and game later, and I'm always shocked by his frustrations with certain kids or things going on. You would never know that when he coaches because he doesn't let those 6-7 year olds know what's going on in that head. It's a mind that's been playing soccer for most of his life; yet, he doesn't show his competitiveness. He shows compassion and patience. Yes, I admire my dear husband. The only ending appropriate for this entry is his question after each game:

"Well guys, did you have fun today?"

Halloween 2009

You wouldn't know it from my blog, but we really did have Halloween here. I just haven't gotten a chance to download the pictures. We enjoyed a fun night of trick or treating with the Rainwaters. So, finally some pics (sorry--they didn't turn out so great) of our little ones at Halloween.

Wow-taking a picture of 5 kids in costumes isn't so easy.

My Lilah bug

Lilah making sure the cooler is doing okay.

What a day of playing and trick or treating does to my boys.