{Love and Sunflowers}

 Sunday morning, Nate had to work so Mason and I got donuts and took a topless Jeep ride out to the sunflowers. We took all of the backroads from town to town until we reached the area where I knew there were sunflower fields. All in all, it was about a 45-minute drive. Just Mason, me, the Jeep, and the back country roads. Mile by mile, it was filling my love tank to the brim! I will forever cherish this precious morning with him.

{Mase & Mama // Jeep pics}

 Mase and I were out running errands and on the way back I told Mason I would like to get some Jeep pics down at our lake. Normally he despises pictures and it's a hard no for him. However, this day he actually obliged. I gave him the remote and let him go to town with taking pictures. 

{Scripture for the tired and busy Mama}

Truth is, I stay tired. I’ve always been borderline-anemic and now have Hypothyroidism which basically gives me no chance at being the energizer bunny that us moms sometimes need to be. No matter what medication or how many vitamins I take I am still tired. 

{One Mama to Another}

Hi Friends!!!

I'm not here today. I am over at Amanda's blog - Keeping Up with the Haneys for her new series From one Mama to Another. I'm so grateful to Amanda for letting me guest post! Head on over and say hi. :)

{It's just hair, right?}

If you're friends with me on Facebook or Instagram you've already seen this picture. I finally got my hair done yesterday. I had been putting it off for the longest time because I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with my hair. I wanted to cut it off, but was a big fat chicken. Well, I bit the bullet yesterday...



I have a love/hate relationship with it, if I am being honest. 

Pros:
+ it feels better
+ it's blonde
+ it's different. It's fresh & new
+ I stepped out of my comfort zone
+ it will force me to 'fix' my hair everyday
+ Hubby says he likes it
+ it doesn't feel 'stringy' like it did with my long hair

Cons:
- it's short. really short
- I already miss my long hair
- I don't know how to fix it yet
- when I woke up this morning all of my ends were flipping out. Not a good look for me.
- Mason said he likes my hair better when it goes down my back. 
- I can't put it in a pony tail anymore
- my hair feels really thick
- I think I need some layers or something to make it feel more choppy or something instead of being a straight-little-girl type of cut

So, I guess I am about 50/50. But, it's just hair. Right??

Have you ever cut your hair and partially regretted it, but kind of liked it too?

{Day 13...Sorry I'm not Sorry}

First off - Congratulations to Stephany for winning our Mother's Day giveaway! Steph, please get in touch with Emily to get your goodies!!

Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.

Dear Mason,

I'm sorry that I'm not sorry for taking 1,000 too many photos of you a day. I know you sigh and trying to run like the wind every time I get my camera out. But, sweet boy, I promise you {or your future wife} will thank me one day. 

 

So yeah....sorry I'm not sorry!

I love you sweet boy!
Mama 

{Three...in just one month}

I can't believe what I'm about to say. I mean write.

My sweet baby will be THREE in one short month!


Can I freeze time? Bottle up every single bit of you right now? 

Because you. You, baby, are truly amazing. You have the biggest heart, the kindest soul and you love so tender. And yes, you will always be my baby.

My sweetest Mason. I love you. You ignite something in me. Something I could never explain and something I never knew existed until I became a Mother. Your Mother. You make me feel deeper, love harder and overwhelm me with joy. You move me.

And a letter from your Daddy...

Hey bubba,

                

Man almost 3 years!  Wow, where has the time gone?  I look forward to spend time with you every day.  I have never taken you for granted and your momma and I are truly blessed to have you as our son.  You have taught me so much.  I look forward to the times just hanging out with you and listening to your funny stores and imagination.  You are loved by everyone that you meet and are a true people person.  Not sure where you get that from.  I love you to the moon.

 

I love you,

 

Daddy

{Another letter to my Masonbug}

{written on 1/15/13}

Hi sweet boy!

I just had to write you. Life has just been so great lately and there's a few things I want to share with you about right now. We have been spending so much time at home; playing, hanging out, and watching movies. We've all seemed to enjoy that lately. It's so nice for a family {us} that's always on the go to just slow down and enjoy. And that we have done. One of the main reasons we have been spending so much time at home is because it's flu season and it has hit the area hard! We are trying our best to keep you well. Nonetheless, the time at home has just been wonderful. We are having so much fun, making so many memories and taking so many pictures to document these sweet memories.

Mason, you have been so incredibly sweet lately. Seriously! You are so flowing with your pleases, thank yous and I love You's. Your Daddy and I are just so amazed by you. You're appreciative of everything we do for you. You have such a darling little soul. You are really enjoying being a "big boy" lately. We are so proud of you for doing so! After a rough week at school {last week} you have been such a big boy this week. Both Monday and Today you have told me that I can leave school that you are being a big boy. You give me hugs and kisses bye with no tears! Oh sweet love, I am so so so proud of you! This makes such great mornings for the both of us.

This morning on the way to school we had a wintry mix. The back roads we have to take to your school {2 lanes, windy and hilly} were really bad and scary. You were so good for me. You knew that Mommy had to really pay attention to the road and be careful. I asked you if you needed donut holes {hoping you would say no because it's an extra 5 minutes of driving on icy roads} or if you could eat breakfast at school and you say, "No Mommy, I am fine. I don't need donut holes." I started balling! Just shows how kind you are and how much you are growing up right before my very eyes!! We got to school and you ate your cereal and played with your friends. You were so eager to go play with them that you ran off and then turned around remembering you didn't hug/kiss me bye! Oh I love you.

Another thing I want to tell you is how blessed you are to have the Daddy that you do. He's the absolute best. While you may not realize right now, you are so blessed. He takes the time to get on the floor with you and play countless hours of hot wheels, all the while letting you boss him around. He plays zombies with you, sits in the bathroom for an hour just so you can play in the bathtub. Has perfected grilled cheese making on your behalf. Just this week he has taught you how to ride a bull {by bouncing on his knees}. He cherishes the time you two have together and will never pass up a minute to play with you. I love to watch you two play. Best buds. Makes a mama's heart so happy.

Before you were even born your Daddy would tell me about all the things he couldn't wait to teach you and do with you. And now, I get to watch that firsthand. No place I'd rather be.

I love you my little love,

Your Mama.

{A letter to my sweet two and a half year old}

{Written on 01/08/13}

My Dear, Sweet Mason,

Last night I laid in bed with you as I do almost every night. Here lately you love to be rubbed on our back or your cheek, rather than having your back patted. So, I was rubbing your sweet little cheek and something hit me like a ton of bricks. As I was tracing your cheek I thought about how I never want to forget a single centimeter of your sweet face as it is right now. I never want to forget anything you tell me or the stories you come up with. Or how blessed I was to be lying there with you. You are growing too incredibly fast and I know it's just a matter of time before you're twelve and kicking me out of your bed. {I'd like to think that won't happen, but ya know}. So tonight and every day forward I am going to soak it all in a little deeper, hold you a little tighter and pray a little harder.

Your Daddy and I dreamed about you for ten plus years. And here you are. And better, cuter, sweeter, smarter than anything we could have ever dreamed. And I love you more than I could have ever imagined. What you do to my heart sweet love, it's indescribable. You are amazing, Mason Lane. You have such a sweet soul and a compassionate little heart. I am so in love with you.

Last night I asked you what makes your heart happy. You said, "My cop car, my puppy and blankie, Mommy and Daddy." And then in the sweetest little voice you say, "What makes your heart happy Mommy?" My eyes welled with tears. You've never asked me before. I think it's mostly because I usually start with "Mason do you now that you make my heart so happy." So, back to your question, I say to you, "You and Daddy." And then you tell me, "Well, my heart is sad." I asked you why and you said because you needed your Daddy. I call him in there and you tell him, "Daddy I forgot to give you more kisses" and you kissed him and said your goodnights again. And Bam! Happy heart again. 

I hope that Mommy and Daddy always make your heart happy. And I hope more than anything you know how deeply we love you.

All your Mama's love.

 

 

{My dearest Mason}

Dear Mason,

My sweet little boy, my little love, my little best friend, the little guy that made me a Mommy...I love you! 

I want to bottle up all of these times, these memories and store them on a shelf so that when you're off to college I can pull them out and reminisce. I don't want to forget one single moment. 

I just can't believe how grown up you are now! Some days {okay, everyday} I look at you and tears just stream down my face. Tears of joy, tears of admiration, tears of contentment, tears of happy and tears of love. I am so proud of the little boy you are becoming. You are so sweet, loving and you have such a gentle soul.

You say please and thank you almost always on your own now. You give hugs and shower those you love with kisses. You get concerned when someone is crying and want to console them. You pat my back when we are laying down for bed. {words can't even describe what that little pat does for your Mommy} And you love your Daddy something fierce!

I love to ask you, "Mason, are you Mommy's favorite?" to which you always reply, "Favorite? Yes ma'aaaaaam". I know I ask you that at least once day day because, 1.) I want you to know that forever and always, and 2.) I love your answer!!!

I love to watch you with your Father. The way you both lay on your bellies in the living room floor and drive tractors around making silly little noises. Or how you cuddle up on the couch and read books. And I especially love when you two climb on the tractor outside and go for a ride. 


There is nothing that excites you like that of a tractor!!

Your Daddy and I are amazed by you everyday. Whether it's pointing out the color of everything in sight, saying your ABCs, singing in the backseat of the car, or even when you are just playing, we couldn't be more proud.

Please stay little!! Please! This is your Mommy begging you. You're growing up too fast my little man. 

It's so bittersweet...

{Last night was my favorite...}

{Wonder how many more times I will say that throughout the years??}

Yesterday was a rough day! Work was hectic, Mason was needy, I was stressed from not finding Diesel and my patience was wearing thin!! I was trying to cook dinner and Mason kept grabbing my hand and wanting me to go to his room and look at {not watch} all of the Barney dvds. Honestly, I was getting frustrated. I had a million other things to do than to sit there and look at Barney cases. And then I had to stop and remind myself:

I GET TO DO THIS! 

God specifically chose me to be this little boy's Mommy and to give him my undivided attention! And that's what I did. Dinner, laundry, cleaning can all wait!!

From then on my night went from awful to one of my favorite nights ever.

Just like that.

I'm positive Mason could sense my attitude change and was in a great mood as well! We played, we ate dinner, hung out and watched snakes on tv...{he made the sssss sound throughout the whole show}

And was just adorable. 

And he let me hold him like a baby!!! I ask him, "Mason, can Mommy hold you like a baby" and he gets so excited and says "Awwww baby" until I pick him up and cradle him like a little baby. Then I shower him with kisses and tell him how he's my sweet baby while rocking him. He grins from ear to ear and I melt.
I love it.

Last night he almost fell asleep while I was rocking him.

But I am glad he didn't.

Why you ask?

Because...it only got better.

He played a little more until he was ready for bed. He hugged and kissed Nate goodnight and off we went. We get to bed and Mason is a little restless. I asked him if he wanted to sing and he said "Yesss". 

So I started with Old McDonald, his favorite. 

Then I started with the Barney song. I discovered he knew that song a few nights ago when he sang along with me. But last night - he was full on with motions and all. He had to hug and kiss me every time we got to this part "With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you". 

I couldn't believe it....and of course screamed for Nate to come see.

And he emphasizes this part "Won't you say you love me too"

And keeps saying "too" until you start over.

So then he and Nate sang the song, hugged and kissed and I laid in bed thinking

"Tonight is my favorite, they are my favorite"

And I couldn't be any happier or feel any more blessed.

And the best part?

Mason fell asleep holding Nate's hand with his left hand and my hand with his right.

Yep, last night will go down in my book of favorites.

Pics from last night: