"Smiley" turns the big 1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my "SMILEY" girl! I can't believe how fast one year goes. Halloween is probably going to be her least favorite holiday, because it will always steal thunder from her birthday! This year though, I think I can speak for all of us when I say it's our favorite. We all had a blast. We had a party to which we invited everyone we know... who lives close. I'm kind of bummed though because I didn't get any pictures of me or my man in our costumes. Oh well!

Our kids were troopers. Being the "air head" parent that I am, I forgot to bring jackets for the kids, and they were freezing, but they insisted on walking by themselves, holding their own buckets, and it wasn't even until the end that they started letting us hold their hands in between houses to warm them up a little bit. Funny kids... they really take their candy seriously!

In tribute to my "Smiley." The decision process to have her was a very difficult one. We had a really hard time deciding to have her, because our financial situation is not the best. We decided to get pregnant anyway. During the pregnancy my oldest, "Energizer," was going through a hard time. I was having a lot of difficulty keeping my patience with him, and I spent many countless nights crying, wondering why I was having another baby when I wasn't feeling sucessful with the ones I already had. Heavenly Father always gave me just enough peace to last through those stressful nights. When "Smiley" was born, and placed in my arms for the first time, I was overcome with peace. Ever since then, no matter what is going on in our day, whenever I pick her up I just feel peace, and calm. I don't know exactly what it is about her that does that for me, besides the fact that she's got a wonderful personality and can make anyone smile. (hence the nickname) All I know is that every day I thank Heavenly Father for the wonderful blessing he sent to me, and I apologize for not trusting that he knows better than us all.

Happy Birthday sweet baby!