099 - 105 #amyj365

099 | 365 Day 4: Living Loud at Target today with Sarah.
#springbreak2015 #tomorrowsheturns14 #lovemygirl #amyj365 

100 | 365 We are celebrating Sarah today and her 14th birthday. 

I love taking her picture, so it worked out perfectly that she is the subject of my #amyj365 day 100.

#ohhappyday #april10 #lovemygirl #happybirthday

101 | 365 Day 6: She partied all night @bcyouth all-nighter and slept all day.

#springbreak2015 #untilthesuncomesup #sleepyhead #lovemygirl #amyj365

102 | 365 Day 7: Last day of #springbreak2015. It was a beauty. 

Enjoyed a picnic and afternoon at the lake with these girls 

plus one little guy who wasn't up for the shot.  

#likemotherslikedaughters #amyj365

103 | 365 A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera. - Dorothea Lange

#amyj365

104 | 365 He had a date after school with Grandma. 

A stop at Dunkin Donuts and the toy store makes for one happy boy. 

@donanddonna are simply the best when it comes to being grandparents! 

#oreo31belowicecream #supersmashbros #amyj365

105 | 365 Multiple choice: @jay_james7 requested #7 for Brayden's baseball jersey because...

A. Brayden is 7 years old.

B. #7 comes straight from heaven.

C. Mickey Mantle's #.

D. All the above.

#doyouknow #amyj365

Birthday Fun...

After Sarah's sleepover at Cayla's we picked Sarah up for lunch at Cheesecake Factory and a trip to Barnes and Noble, per her birthday request. She got to open her cards and gifts at lunch.

Brayden got her Disney Elsa, Sven and Anna Tusm Tsums

A group of servers sang "Happy Birthday" to our sweet girl.

Putting her gift cards to good use.

The night of her birthday the youth had an all-nighter at church called "Till the Sun Comes Up", so she and a couple of her friends from school attended that. It was the perfect way to end her birthday. She had a BLAST, but was completely exhausted the next day. Sometimes that is the price you pay for fun.

Birthday Sleepover...

The night before Sarah's birthday she got to sleep over at her best friend Cayla's house. Before Sarah went to bed we did FaceTime and I told her that I was looking at her baby album and reminiscing about the day she was born. I told her jokingly that I would call her at 3:39 a.m. and sing "Happy Birthday" to her. I of course didn't, slept right through and let her do the same or so I thought.

I found out the next morning that Sarah had told Cayla that they should wake up at 3:39 a.m. and celebrate her birthday. Her incredibly dedicated friend set her alarm for 3:39 a.m. and woke Sarah up to wish her "Happy Birthday" and then Sarah went right back to sleep. Cayla proceeded to post on her Instagram a sweet birthday message to her friend.

That morning for breakfast it was a decorated kitchen and homemade pancakes with bacon for Sarah made completely by Cayla.

I love Cayla and I love how she is a friend to our Sarah. Incredible.

Sarah at 14...

I love this girl more than words can say. I am so proud of the young lady she is. Caring, sensitive, loving, friendly, brave, crazy funny, artistic, giving and understanding are just a few of my words to describe her. I love that she is finding her place in the world and making sure that serving the Lord Jesus Christ is her priority in it.

I am embracing this year "14" with Sarah and sharing in the excitement of this age. It will be a year of change with heading to high school in the fall and all that comes with that season.  I am praying for her more than ever as she grows in so many ways that the Lord will reveal himself in a greater way to her, lead her on the road he has set for her and protect her on the journey. I pray the light that shines within her, that I know so many see, will shine even brighter this coming year and may God receive the glory for it.

There is no one else like my girl, Sarah Lynee. She is uniquely created and a one of a kind. I love being her mom. I love seeing her grow. I am so glad for the gift she is to me.

092 - 098 #amyj365

092 | 365 James girls night out. Manicures, pedicures and dinner. 

Missing Christy and Sophia for this girl time.

093 | 365 I've been walking with She Reads Truth the past 45 days agreeing with them 

and saying "Jesus, keep me near the cross." 

094 | 365 We can't wait until tomorrow when the seats are filled 

and we declare as one church "He's Alive!" 

095 | 365 He is Risen! 

Who knew that 3 simple words would be so life changing. 

096 | 365 Ready to rock this Spring Break! 

Day 1: Playing outside. Finally!

097 | 365 Day 2: Shopping for the girls and a movie for the boys.

098 | 365 Day 3: Spent the day at work with Daddy 

while sister stayed home and watched movies. 

Brayden loves being with his Daddy.

The Hunt...

We went to FaFa & Grandma's house for Easter lunch and our yearly Easter egg hunt. We were missing the Reise family this year. Normally we have a weekend full of activities with them from celebrating birthdays to Easter, but they were in Florida for Spring Break. We exchanged pictures. They were on the beach and we were at the table ready to dig into delicious brisket.

Please ignore my hsuband and son, they always have to make some kind of goofy face!

After Stephen got up from his nap the Dads hid the Easter eggs and we got ready for the hunt.

Ready, Set, Go...

Because they get so much chocolate during the day we have started putting coins in the eggs. We of course had to get a group shot with all their eggs. I love looking at each of them in the pictures. Stephen is very focused on his basket. Sammy can't get over his "golden" egg. Brayden is enduring the pictures, but can't resist the urge to break form at the end. Sarah, sweet girl, is patiently waiting until we get the right shot of the little guys.

The bunny, the bunny, ohhhhh the bunny. Thankfully a bit smaller this year.