Birthday Wish List

Well, another year has almost passed me by! I'm not gonna lie, I feel older. I'm not sure if it's toting around 2 wiggly 21 lb babies, the gray hairs I am now finding frequently, or the fact that I have a slight limp when I've sat idle too long, but I think I'm officially my age.

 We are "front loaders" in my family. We get all of the gift giving out of the way right here at the beginning of the year. There is Christmas (which is technically the end of the year, but roll with me...), our anniversary is January 7th, Valentine's Day (we don't spend a lot on v-day), my birthday- March 4th, the babies' birthday; April 12th, and Dave's birthday- May 2nd. Dave is a thoughtful gift giver but he always enjoys a few ideas to give him some direction. Being a SAHM means we now operate off of one income. My wish list has grown now that I don't have the option of getting things when I want them. We now buy things like diapers, formula, and baby clothes in place of my random trips to Barnes and Noble and the ever successful trips to Target. The ones where you go in for toilet paper and come out with new sandals, a swimsuit cover up, a maxi dress, cute notecards and lip gloss. How did I just spend $80 in 12 minutes?? Yes, my friend....those days are long gone for T-Rog! I still "window shop", so a few of those items have made their way to my wish list!

Birthday Wish List by tiffany-rogers-mendenhall featuring a canvas tote

What is on your wish list these days? I don't shop much anymore, so I'd love to know what's sitting around in your online carts as thought you're actually going to buy it? Tell me you do this too? :)

Zoolander...

 I have come to the conclusion that it's darn near impossible to get a photo of both of my children smiling and looking at me. Caroline is like a worm on a hot rock! That girl moves non-stop. Parker is a tad more cooperative but he looks at me like I've lost my mind when I'm fake sneezing, dancing around, and breaking a full sweat to try to make him laugh. Add in that they're both crawling and it's a lost cause! 

Nonetheless, looking through the 200 photos I take to try to get ONE of my darling children that I could possibly frame always results in laughter. These are a few of my favorites from their post-church-we're 9 months old- impromptu photo shoot. 

C isn't looking at me, she's laughing at daddy, but this is still a favorite. Anytime I catch them holding hands on camera it's a win. I love those tiny hands and pray they'll always be best friends. 

Y'all. This child. These were taken in about 4 seconds. Apparently she thought she was on a cover shoot.

P wore daddy's sweater to church. Just the cutest thing in the world!

He's pretty much putty in her hands. 

These little people keep me moving and are my greatest joy. Their 9 months has quickly turned to 10! Babies don't keep.

P&C's Baby Dedication

On January 19th we had the privilege of dedicating Parker and Caroline at church. It was our public dedecation, in front of family, friends, and our church family, to raise Parker and Caroline with a focus on Christ. Raising them in church, praying over them and for them, being examples to them in word and action, and hopefully pointing their way to Christ. Our hope and prayer is that they would come to know the Lord, know the sacrifice Jesus paid for them and know Him as their savior, and serve God and others through His love. We were honored to share that special day with much of our family.

The word "blessed" is used quite often these days but I do believe we need to count our blessings. These two would be at the top of my list. I simply cannot believe God chose David and me to parent these two. They are our pride and joy. 

Our beautiful Caroline, we pray that you would know the depth of God's love for you. We pray you would have a gentle and quiet spirit, you would serve others in love and humility, that you would exude joy that comes from Christ and not circumstance, and that you would always point others to the cross. 

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

My precious Parker, you are fearfully and wonderfully made! We pray that you would know God's infinite love for you. That you would find security, peace, humility, and abundant joy in Christ. I pray that you would be a servant, that you love others more than yourself, and that you are an example of a strong man full of character and integrity. 

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

We are so thankful that our family traveled in to celebrate with us. Parker was pretty hyped that he got to show Aunt Kristen around the church nursery :)

4 generations. Definitely blessed.

It takes a village to raise a child. We are very aware! We could not have made it through these 9 months without the love, support, and MANY hands represented in this photo. These faces shaped David's life and shaped my life, and now have a hand in shaping P&C's lives. God's love and grace shines through each of these people and I am so thankful Parker and Caroline are so loved by them. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

I Couldn't Love You More...

On this day seven years ago, I walked down the aisle and took your name. I was overjoyed as we started our new life together and dreamed about the future, and I thought, "I couldn't love you more!"

You have been by my side and been an encouragement to me and to my family as my mom battled breast cancer. You've walked many miles with "Team Zsa Zsa" as we Race for a Cure and you showed up for 3 days, in various locations to cheer us on and support us as we walked 60 miles. And as we crossed that finish line, and you were there to congratulate us and tell me you were proud of me, and I thought I couldn't love you more.

You not only support me but also my family. Since you have known me you have spent March-September (officially) cheering for, checking stats on, traveling, watching on computer casts, and genuinely supporting my brother. I say officially because that's the length of the season, but you always support him. From McNeil, to Tulane, from Scottsdale to Richmond, you have been a fan. And as you sent encouraging texts and phone calls to my family, because you love them and they are absolutely your family, I thought I couldn't love you more. 

You have happily spent our few vacation dollars on family vacations. Mostly centered around the aforementioned baseball games. :) We have had an absolute blast on each trip but you have been more than a good sport as we have crammed 5 people, 2 sets of golf clubs, 7 bags of luggage, and a partridge in a pear tree into a tiny dodge sedan to save money on an extra rent car. And I'm gonna call you a good sport but I actually think you enjoyed your tour of Savannah via bike! You have jumped right into my crazy family and you VERY rarely complain about anything. Every time you play right along I think, I couldn't love you more.

We spent 3 1/2 years trying and praying for a family. We had very hard days and also days where we felt God's presence so close we were covered in peace. You were my constant support, encouragement, prayer warrior, and strength. And at night, when I would pray for a family, when I would pray that I could see you as a daddy, when I would place our hopes and dreams in God's capable hands, I knew no matter what came our way I was glad to be on this journey with you. Because I could not love you more.

On April 12th, 2013- That was it. I saw you hold our precious, beautiful, absolute miracles. Thank you Lord for these babies and this man. I could not love him more. 

You stood by Parker and told him about Texas Tech, about the people who loved him and were praying for him to get big and strong, about football and baseball and all the things y'all would do together when he got bigger...

You pulled up Taylor's game-cast in the NICU and told Parker all about his Uncle Taylor and how he was a great ball player and would teach him everything he knows...

And then, when you came back to the hospital room from visiting Parker you put your hand gently over Caroline, leaned over her and whispered, "Let me tell you all about your big brother..."

As the tears rolled down my face because I was witnessing your precious conversation I thought, this has to be it, because I simply cannot love him more.

And then I see you playing with our babies, reading books before bed, spending time with Caroline over a sunrise, stealing kisses by the Christmas tree...telling Parker he's your best buddy and telling Caroline she's beautiful...

You are a wonderful daddy and I couldn't love you more.

 Today, as we celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary and the blessings that have been poured out on us in our marriage, I couldn't love you more. 

But there's always tomorrow.