Well.  It has happened.  My young-looking hubby has turned the corner to full out adult!  We celebrated Russ's 31st birthday last weekend with both sides of our family and, of course, with our little Party of Three as well!  Since Millie Janalee and I were leaving for Gatlinburg, I asked Russ what he wanted to do for his birthday weekend.  If you remember last year, he didn't get to choose anything.  It was all a surprise!  Haha!  He decided we could travel to our hometown and celebrate his birthday with our families.  He wanted to cookout with my side of the family on Friday night, so Kristin and Lee graciously hosted a big birthday bash.

Russ and Lee

Actually, Kristin had already offered to host a cookout for his birthday.  So when Russ told me that's what he wanted to do, it was perfectly planned.  Dustin and Sheila came in town to celebrate with us, and Dustin allowed us to grill his deer meat to make burgers.  They were divine!  Dustin is a great griller, and Kristin is a great cook!  Lee is great on the Green Egg too!

She She and Millie Janalee

We spent Russ's birthday much like we spent my birthday with my side of the family...all huddled around and playing with Millie Janalee.  Haha!  Dustin and Sheila are keeping Millie Janalee for the weekend pretty soon, so they got some good snuggle and playtime in while we were in town.  Millie Janalee loves her Uncie Bucket and She She!

Uncie Bucket and Millie Janalee

It was an afternoon and night filled with visiting, laughing, and making fun of each other.  Just a normal day in the fam!  Ha!  Russ enjoyed a little down time with his in-laws after such a busy work schedule lately.  I really can't remember the last day he's had completely off since Christmas.  I'm not complaining, but I do feel bad that Millie Janalee and I get to do so many fun things without him.  And we miss him on normal days at home too.

Russ, Lee, and Dustin

So I was glad he was able to relax and have a good time full of laughter.  There was one other person who got some good relaxing in too...

Susu and Sleeping Beauty

My family did a great job making Russ's birthday a real birthday party!  The delicious Oreo ice cream cake with the big 3-1 candles were perfect.

Until the 3 broke! Haha!  Only in our family.  So, Kristin laid them nicely on top of the cake for a picture...because she knows me so well.  Ha!  So I took my "birthday cake photo opp."

We giggled under our breath as we brought the cake over to Russ when we sang the traditional "Happy Birthday" song because we lit the "1" candle for the old man.  Ha!  He doesn't even flinch anymore.  He and Lee have gotten used to the Smith family charade.

Happy Birthday to you!

Making a wish

Letting Russ cut the cake.  Hard as a rock ice cream cake!  Haha!

No birthday party is complete without birthday gifts.  No matter how old!  Millie Janalee and I gave Russ a very well thought out birthday card.  Ha!  The rest of my family certainly picked up our slack.  Russ was so excited about opening his gifts.  Like a little kid at a birthday party.

Russ and his gifts

Thank you, Dustin and Sheila!

Kristin and Lee know Russ's style!

So happy!

Mama and Daddy gave Russ the Nisolos he's been eyeing since Dustin and Daddy got some from Santa.

It was a most enjoyable evening for the birthday boy and his family!  What a great ending to his 31 years of life!  Millie Janalee has certainly given this old man and his young wife a new chapter full of much joy this year!

Our little family on Russ's 31st birthday!  Sorry about my look...I was a tired Mama.

Although that sweet family picture looks so simple and perfectly posed in a quaint little family way.  You should have seen what we were seeing.  In fact, I thought of you all and took a little picture of it myself.  You just really must see what it takes for this little Party of Three to have a family picture taken.

It's all about Millie Janalee.  This is what it takes to get that girl to smile at a camera when Mama and Daddy aren't behind it.  Take a look for yourself...

Millie Janalee's paparazzi team

Russ, me, and Millie Janalee spent the rest of the weekend with his side of the family.  Saturday morning, I woke up early to pick up a few things at Walmart for our Gatlinburg trip and grabbed some balloons for a little fun birthday effect.  By the way, that makes TWICE in one week I ventured to Walmart.  I never go to Walmart.  Like, I seriously have NO idea when the last time I had been before last week.  Am I the only one who hates going to Walmart???  I'd much rather run into Walgreens, Target, or Kroger.

We spent a leisurely afternoon with Millie Janalee and Russ's parents.  Jimmy's kids were in town, and they always love spending time with Millie Janalee.  So, we pretty much just played all day!  Russ took Sam (and I think picked up his dad after awhile) to the pawn shop.  He's been looking for a gun.  In addition to what he already has.  Boys!

When Roan got in town with all of her kitchen and Olivia's closet loaded in Jimmy's truck, Russ and I got a little busy.  We helped Jimmy with Olivia's senior pictures.  Russ and Jimmy took some beautiful pictures of Olivia and I helped with posing and hair duty.  We had a great time, laughed a lot, and froze our tails off.  But, I can't wait until Roan shares some of the sneak peeks on her blog.  They are so pretty!  Of course, they had a gorgeous subject!  When Russ and I started dating, Olivia was probably 5 years old.  I can't believe she is already a senior!  I love what Roan said on her blog today!  The days are long, but the years are short!  I'm soaking in every second with my baby girl more now than ever...if that's even possible.

Uncle Jeff, Millie Janalee, and Aunt Jenny

Saturday night, the rest of Russ's family joined us for a celebration birthday supper.  Jenny and Jeff made a b-line to Millie Janalee for a little playtime.  The rest of us snacked as Russ manned the grill grilling burgers, and Roan put on the apron to cook her veggie burgers.  I heard they were delicious!  The rest of us?  We visited, watched a movie, and enjoyed everyone's company.

Clay and Sam

Olivia and Julie

Me and Roan

After dinner, Jenny put the finishing touches on Russ's birthday cake that his mom made for him.  We sang "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy again, and he blew out his candles.  I hope he made a good wish!

Yummy cake!

Making a wish.

The birthday boy and his cake!

After dinner, cake, and his delicious birthday gift from Jimmy's family...it was time for everyone to get their Valentine's candy from Granmomma and Pop.  Millie Janalee was particulary excited that her Daddy let her choose her own candy bag.  I'd say this little girl already has her Daddy wrapped around her little finger!

Daddy and Millie Janalee

Aunt Jenny helping Millie Janalee pick out her candy.

So proud!

Russ and I are blessed with such loving and close families!  Thank you to our families for helping make Russ's 31st birthday so special, relaxing, and fun!  You only turn 31 once after all.

My Funny Valentine

Our little family had a "love"ly Valentine's Day!  I hope yours did too!  Millie Janalee and I started kicking the Heart Day off on Wednesday with a few hearts.  Every little girl loves heart sunglasses and hearts on her clothes!  Ha!  She was a good sport and showed me her love by having a fun-filled day full of laughs.  I love this sweet, funny girl!

Russ texted us on his way home asking to take his girls out for Valentine's a little early.  He was working last night, so we celebrated early.  In case you are wondering what a stay at home mom wears out to dinner for Valentine's Day, we have documentation.  Ha!  Hair in a ponytail and everything!  Oh well.  I had no desire to change...as long as Millie Janalee looked cute.  By the way, this is also the way my shopping trips are these days.  So long cute clothes for Mama.  It's all about her!  We enjoyed a delicious and fun dinner at Stix and sat at the hibachi grill.  Millie Janalee LOVES to watch the show...especially now that she sits in a high chair.  It is perfect for us!  Free entertainment while we eat.

Yesterday morning, I couldn't wait to get Millie Janalee dressed in her Valentine's Day attire and show her our Valentine surprise!  If you remember, Russ and I gave Millie Janalee a book, wipes, rice cereal, and a small toy for Christmas.  We knew she would get pa-lenty from everyone else, and she did.  But for some reason, I got a little excited about Valentine's and Easter coming up! 

Millie Janalee's first Valentine from Mama and Daddy

She was very excited about her Valentine!  All these pictures were taken before she even had her morning bottle.  One happy girl, I tell ya!  Always a morning person, and always a JOY to pick up from her crib!  I love how excited she was, and she couldn't wait to pull it all out!

Yay!  I love Valentine's Day!

All this is for ME???

Let me check this out.

 Russ woke up before both Millie Janalee and me.  He ran to Dunkin' Donuts to pick up some jelly-filled heart donuts.  He also made a stop by a second donut shop to pick up an eclair for me!  Yummo!  I had one of each, thank you very much!  Don't judge.

I woke up several times during the night for some reason, so during one of my wake ups I placed Russ's Valentine from Millie Janalee and me in the bathroom by the sink.  It actually worked out, because I had originally planned to have it there the night before so he could find it before work.  It turned out, he didn't go in to work until 5 that afternoon, so he stayed up later than I did.  Ha!  I still got it placed and ready before his secret trip to the donut shop.

The rest of our Valentine's Day was spent doing the normal things.  You know, I was trying to take advantage of every second Russ was there to do laundry, pack for myself and Millie Janalee, take a long hot shower, and catch up on blogging.  Mission accomplished!

Bottom line...we had a wonderful Valentine's Day!  And I think Millie Janalee enjoyed her first Heart Day too!  We sure love this girl!

My sweet, funny Valentine!

Life Is Sweet

That's how we feel about life right now.  Life is sweet.  This Valentine's Day feels different somehow.  I've been so excited about finding Millie Janalee the perfect Valentine and thinking about how sweet our little life is.  Full of LOVE!  I've been reminiscing about all the love Millie Janalee has had over the last six months.  (Actually, it's closer to 7 months now!  Wow!)  I've looked through old pictures and watched old videos with tears streaming down my face.  Because life just feels so sweet right now!

As I ponder on the love in my life, I find myself overwhelmed!  Overwhelmed with thanksgiving for all He has given me.  Far beyond anything I could ask or imagine.  And certainly far beyond anything I deserve.  Our wait didn't entitle us to answered prayers the way we thought they should be answered.  God blessed us with Millie Janalee because it was part of His plan for our story.  Our life.  I wish I could come up with a better word than "thankful" because it just doesn't seem like a good enough word. 

The love Russ and I feel in our life is extraordinary!  The deep love we feel from our families.  The love and support from our friends.  Even the love felt through our blog from many we don't even know.  The love we feel for Millie Janalee is indescribable!  And, as much as we love our sweet girl, we know that God's love for her is infinitely more.  How is that even possible?!  His love is perfect and unconditional.  I like to think that my love is perfect.  Then I look at what love is...

"Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails..." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Then, I realize how imperfect my love can be at times.  I lose my patience.  I envy.  I can be proud.  I can be rude.  I can be selfish.  I can be easily angered.  I can keep record of wrongs.  I could go on and on, and I'm sure you could too.  But what is so wonderful, is how God's perfect love and mercy forgives my imperfections.  When I fail or fall, He is there to help me back up.  Nothing I can do can make Him stop loving me.  Nothing.  Yes, I mess up.  Millie Janalee will mess up some too.  But I will never ever ever stop loving her.  Nothing she could do will change my love for her.  And, if my love for her is nothing compared to God's love for us...then, I know that His love is unchanging and will never be lost.  He is my Father and I am His child.  He is preparing a place for me in Heaven.  This I know! 

Yes, Valentine's Day can be filled with roses and chocolates and mylar balloons for your significant other.  To me...Valentine's Day is so much more than a romantic date (...that I'm sure I won't be going on for Valentine's.  Ha!) and sweet love letters.  Valentine's Day is a celebration of the love we share for each other and the love our Father has for us.  What a SWEET feeling!  What a sweet life!

"Jesus loves me this I know,

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so."

Now that is a good reason to celebrate, don't you think?

Happy Valentine's Day from our sweet family to yours!

My Facebook...My Likebook

Anyone who knows me even relatively well...or at all for that matter...knows that I love social media!  I have had a Facebook account since college.  I started our blog in 2008 I think and LOVE blogging.  I picked up my twitter account a while back...like when we still lived in Jackson.  And, I've gotten hooked on Instagram most recently.  I can't help it.  Some may call it an addiction, but I call it a great way to keep my family and friends updated on my life and keep the free flow of pictures going their way.  There are lots of pictures out there!  Ha!

One wonderful thing we have gained or been blessed by on social media is the encouragement from our "friends" and blog readers.  I seriously don't know how I could have gotten through the last several years...and most recently - the last year or so - without social media.  The outpouring of love, encouragement, prayers, and simply genuine concern and curiosity for how we have been doing is often overwhelming!  So many times, I have scrolled back through to read and reread your comments or messages.  I have tried to figure out ways to show Millie Janalee the love we have been given.

I found a way!  Oh. My. Goodness!  I'm super duper excited to share with you what I've found!  One of my newest Facebook friends actually found this site.  She has used her Facebook as her family "blog" of sorts as they adopted their first son...and soon after became pregnant with their second.  She has started blogging herself now since she saw the blog book.  And she began her quest to find a way to print her Facebook.  And she found it!  Oh, did she ever find it!

The night she posted about what she discovered, I was immediately busy ordering my own "Likebook."  I ordered my Facebook photos, comments, messages, status updates, and tagged photos in book form from Millie Janalee's birth through December.  At the end of 2013, I may order one for the year too.  I have been so excited about it, and it came in today!  I am obsessed!

First of all, the quality is great!  And the price is even better!  My book was 158 pages, and it cost around $39.  Full color!  There are options for what you want included in your book and what you do not want included.  If you want specific photo albums included, you will select that album.  Then, you personalize the front cover with your name, title, or anything else you want.  Everything else is automatic.  It seriously took me like 5 minutes.  The front cover is full of the profile pictures of your Facebook friends.  How fun is that!?

When I was looking through my book tonight, I found a surprise addition in the back.  On the very last page, there is a ranking of the top commenters on my Facebook.  I found it hilarious and very interesting.  Yay for "Auntie Jen" aka "The Sucker Lady" for ranking as my top commenter from July to December.  Haha!  And, who would've thought Mary Margaret and Mrs. Brenda would have been #2 and #3?  I feel so special, ladies!  Hehe!

I know this is my second blog post tonight, but I could NOT wait to share this with you!  I know many of you have said you don't have time to blog, but you do have a Facebook account.  If you are interested in preserving the precious comments and pictures from a big life event, I highly encourage you to order your own "Likebook."  It is literally SO easy and not expensive at all.  There is also an option to order a "Best of 2012" book for $12.95 where they automatically compile a book of your best moments of the last year. 

For more information or to order your own book, click on the link here.  I hope you enjoy yours as much as I will cherish mine!  Just my little tidbit for the night!  Enjoy!