We now have a 6 year old in the house. And I have to admit, it wasn't the hardest age for me to deal with when it comes to my kids' birthdays. I think the years 2, 3 and 4 were the hardest. Maybe because he has hit so many other milestones in the past that this one didn't seem as hard to believe. I'm not sure. We didn't have a party yet because we decided to have a joint birthday party with his best friend, Nicholas, who turns 6 in about 5 weeks. His mom and I talked a while back and realized they would have the same kids come and it would be within weeks of each other and this is the only chance they can ever have a party together, so it is set for some time at the end of the month. Unofficially.

It was kind of a laid back weekend, mostly because it was the start of his spring break (whew!). We made plans to go to the lake and on Saturday we took Grammie (Pop was in Nashville and we didn't think she needed to be alone) and we headed to Birmingham to go to the McWane Center to play. We went back in December and LOVED it! This visit wasn't quite as "huge" as it was the first time because they are between exhibits and I think they had pulled out all the stops back in December and are gearing up for their Spring Break Camp in a week or so. But it was actually kind of nice because it wasn't crowded, at first, and the kids could take their time with whatever they wanted and not have to really wait their turn. After lunch it really picked up. It was birthday party central! They were coming and going and you couldn't tell which ones were which. Four hours was our max and so we headed out. After a stop at Dairy Queen for a treat we finally made it back to the lake. 

I've started sewing again (took a break to work on a quilt) and made this skirt I found on Pinterest. I actually made two of them because I had to fold the fabric to cut it and ended up cutting two strips. Thankfully my niece is about the same size and I could give it to her. It's super easy and I have to say, this is the most well made thing I've ever sewn. I'm not trying to brag, but most things don't turn out this great. This is the second thing I have sewn recently. This went MUCH better than the other, which is probably why I feel the way I do about it.


Sophie finally got to meet Lucas. She was so excited to hold him. I promise he wasn't mad, she actually gave him a kiss right after this and he smiled. It's so fun to see my little clingy child so excited to hold babies. She had me wondering for a while because she did not like to share me. Not that she has any more competition on the way.


This is a nightgown I made for Sophie. She has outgrown all the other ones and I figured sure I could make one that would be cheaper than the "nice" ones at the store. Not that there's anything wrong with the tacky Princess ones you can buy, the fabric on those just gives me the willies. This was the first time I have ever used a pattern, I typically make them up in my head, and this took me about 4 days to make. I think most people would say, "It's so easy you could make it in a hour!" about this dress. They lie. It took my about 4 hours just to trace/cut out the pattern/fabric. Then I never had time alone to sew it together so it took 3 days to make that part happen. This is actually a dress pattern, but I figure who cares. I let her pick out the fabric and of course she picked this... a twill. Next time I will take her to a certain section of the store that I actually like and let her pick from there. (We have since picked out new fabric and I have a new pattern to try. It will probably take 7 days, but who cares. Joann's had a big sale and I bought some of their $1.99 patterns... including a Sewing for Dummies. I will let you know if I figure that one out.)

Not very much has been going on here lately. Other than a whole lot of bad attitudes. It's become very annoying. I'm hoping and praying that this week will be the fresh start that we all need. If not, there's always next week! I'm not really sure what is the cause of the attitudes, but does it ever really matter? Ok, so maybe it does. Here are a few more photos of life at the Hemphill House:

Sophie wore her Auburn cheerleader outfit to school the other day. Hey, she matched! I know, it only required 1 article of clothing, but we don't look like a ragamuffin. Baby steps, people. One day she is going to actually care what people think of what she's wearing and I am secretly hoping it never happens.


This little muchkin was added to the mix. Our best friends, Burt and Melissa, decided that 3 boys were not enough work and so they needed to have another one. Meet Lucas. I love him. And he loves me. He just doesn't know it yet.



I thought about rubbing it in that I got to see him first, but that wouldn't be very nice of me. I was just really excited that I was in town for one of the Krazy Khans to be born. This little guy has NO CLUE what is going to hit him when he finally decides to come out of that sweet "baby coma" and is at home with the joyful chaos that is his new family. Guess that's why the babies of the family are so tough, they have to defend themselves from the second they go home.


The biggest brother, Nicholas, was so excited about his littlest brother and was so glad that I had snapped a few pics for him to see. I just wish I had a video of what he and Christopher sounded like when they saw the photos. Sounded like a bunch of little girls with all that squealing! It was precious! Thankfully Nicholas had show and tell the next day, so I printed out a photo of Lucas to take with him.


He got to spend the night with us that night too, which was probably the real reason the boys were squealing like a bunch of girls. This was the first time I had a note sent home from school. Apparently Nicholas was NOT a fan of the sandwich his mom told me to make for him. Crazy kid! (Oh and you can see in the note above that the bad attitude has not only been happening at home. The entire class went on yellow one day this week. Yeah, it was awesome.)


Miss Priss went to spend the night with my parents on Thursday night. To say she was in heaven is a total understatement. Here she is at dinner dressed as "Eloise" from the storybooks. Yes, my mom loves to help the kids play dress up and was going to make this costume, but actually found the parts and just made suspenders. My parents texted me photos and they had one of her with a big red bow on top of her head. Looked just like Eloise! Crazy hair and all.



Mom did however make this Cinderella dress. We have the costume at home, but if you have a girl you know how cheaply the store bought ones can be. Our Cinderella one has helped up just fine, Rapunzel, not so much.



I got to go on a date with this little cutie the other night. Unfortunately it wasn't the best night we have had together, but a stream of tornadoes sort of cut our fun short. Thankfully we were safe and we both caught up on some much needed sleep.



Finally, Sophie went to spend the night with my sister's family on Friday night. (I think Sophie might need a tour bus) Christopher and I went to pick her up on Saturday morning and I got to see this adorable little man. He showed us his version of the worm, I mean crawling. Love him!

That's all for now. Sophie's show is over and so I no longer have free time. She has been very full of questions and comments and lots and lots and lots and lots of words this morning. Have I mentioned that I'm not a morning person? Yeah, it takes me a while to wake up and get going. Just ask anyone who has lived with me. Here's to hoping a week of sun will make it a happy week!!

You know how people like to make lists of things to use/not use, do/not do, say/not say. Well, there is a list that was made (not sure when) of things NOT to say to a military wife. I have read this list and agree with it. (I am also guilty of saying almost everything on it. You can't help it!) I never thought I would be a military wife because I hated packing/unpacking (I moved pretty much every year of college and hated it) and thought it would be awful to have to move all the time (also grew up in one place my whole life).

Never say never.

Met my husband after college. He grew up military. It sounded awesome and here we are!

Every military wife has a love/hate relationship with being a military wife. Yes, it sucks at times (sorry if you like "nicer" words, but this one fits and is clean--not that I would use a dirtier one), BUT the other times it is pretty sweet. How else do you get to travel the world, live in really cool places (ok, so not all of them are cool, but the people totally make up for it!) and feel like you are going to burst with pride whenever you see red, white and blue or hear patriotic music. You just can't explain it. You can't describe it. You have to experience it.

Anywhoo, all this to say that my husband found a list that is perfect for me. I try to avoid the sappy and sad things (not because I think there is anything wrong with them, trust me, I have shed my own share of tears) and lean more toward the funny (I prefer avoiding the emotional stuff--sorry, but it's true. I'd rather laugh than cry--I have issues and I'm aware of them). My husband and I just spent the last 20 minutes or so laughing our heads off reading this list. So, I had to share it with you. Here are just a few of them:

"Don't worry, he'll be home soon.   Really? I thought we had 8 months left. Thank goodness you reminded me."

"Do you miss him?   No. I love being alone. The silence is warming. I enjoy fixing everything that breaks and cuddling with my pillow."

"I don't know how you manage, I couldn't do it.   Thank god it's not you then. Phew."


"You should spend more time being proud than sad.    I tried that and it sucked, so now I'm taking the Ben & Jerry approach. Feel free to ride your butterfly out of here."


Click HERE and you can see the full "funny" list.

Please do not be offended by these (there is a "bad word" in one or two of them, just ignore it like I do). I just think it's hilarious that someone actually wrote what some of us out there are thinking... that is after we are done crying our eyes out, have taken our big girl panties out of the dryer (because we only break down when we have to take them off to wash them) and put those suckers back on.

And if you are wondering, HERE is the original list. I definitely suggest not saying any of these to a military wife. You never know what kind of answer you are going to get!