Happy Birthday, Anna Lauren!!!

November 12, 1999, at 8:29 am, Anna Lauren Morse was born. She was such a beautiful baby, 7lbs 5oz, 19 inches long. We had no idea the affect she would have on our lives. Cole had been the only one for almost 8 years and he was so excited! When we found out she was a girl, he wanted to go but her an outfit!

She breezed into our lives, so calm and happy. She was always smiling or laughing...She changed the whole dynamic of our family! She was an answer to my prayers. It is amazing how one little person can make things better, and she did!!

She is funny, smart, and talented. She has a very quick wit, and you never know what she is going to say...(wonder where she gets that?) She is the conscience of the house...she reasons better than most adults...she just makes things easier!

People say she looks just like me...and that may be so...but she is far more beautiful than I ever have been or ever will be. The entire family experiences the blessings she brings...as does everyone who knows her!

May you have a fabulous birthday, Baby Girl, and know that you are loved more than you can imagine!!!

This is for you....

Anna Lauren

Love always,

Momma

Falling Back

I can not remember when my love of Autumn began. Unfortunately, I live in the Deep South, and our Autumnal Season lasts about, um, 2 days....we go almost immediately from Summer to Winter. I have to admit, I feel somewhat cheated about the whole deal! This year has been a bust! It has been soooo dry and the colors of the season are not as vivid as they should be. Last year the colors were amazing because of all the rain we received.

One of the perks of the season is "falling back". My dear husband and my sweet boy, hate it...the short days force them inside much earlier than they like. I, on the other hand, love the shorter days...it forces my family to come inside much earlier than they would like. Call me crazy, but I like for everyone to be in the house together...I love to cook comfort foods...Potato Soup, Taco Soup, Chicken and Dumplins...I love to fire up the gas logs and cozy up on the couch and watch TV. I love to watch college football and scream my head off at the teams. Yes, Brent, I know they can't hear me, duh!

I LOVE to put on my sweats and fuzzy socks and curl up with a magazine. I love to wear my sweaters and boots...scarves and jackets! I love the anticipation of the holidays. Looking forward to my mother-in-laws pan of chicken dressing, and her pecan pie. My mother's turkey and ham...My sister-in-law's mac and cheese...my sweet potato casserole...Oh, the thanks I have in my heart for the sweet, small family I have been blessed with!

I love planning my girls birthday party...watching her get excited in the details...she is still so sweet and innocent...I dread the years to come, when the reality of growing up whacks both of us in the face! I pray she stays "laid-back" and will not let the ugliness of adolescence cloud her joy!

So tonight, I will fall back...into the slower pace of the colder months with an extra hour of sleep...tomorrow I will wake and take on a day of commitment to my Church Home...enjoy a wonderful potluck dinner (yes, lunch is called dinner around these parts) and come home and possibly even take a nap...and thank God for all the extraordinary blessings in my life...

Sleep Tight!

Monica