Top

Stephanie Howell

reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.

the sweetest thing

403826_10150602563986981_547146980_9049787_1713283801_n

The girls were so excited that yesterday was our wedding anniversary. They decided that we should have a "feast". How could I say no to that? 🙂

Truth be told, I was feeling a teensy bit sad inside and I needed this idea.

After I got H from school, we headed to Fresh Market. By the way, if you've never pushed one baby in a stroller,pulled another one in a cart, and wrangled a 4 year old and 5 year old whilst at Fresh Market…well let's just say it's quite the experience. Those aisles do NOT have much wriggle room.

But I digress…

So S said we needed FLOWERS! I agreed and we scooped up some yellow tulips.

Harper said we needed FEAST food. So we picked up salmon and veggies (for me) and empanadas and mashed potatoes for them (yes totally random but I let them choose!).

I said we needed to have a TOAST! So I found a bottle of sparkling apple cider.

When we got home we fed the babies and put them down and got to work.

Harper chose a tablecloth (please note the random burro motif she chose in the photo above), Sadie helped me arrange the tulips. I poured the cider and set the table and we sat down to eat.

I swear to you I'm teary right now. I know this is silly but y'all…my heart was so full at that moment. We snapped a photo with the timer (note the Bible the phone was balanced on, ha!) and said a toast. I said a prayer about how thankful I am for their daddy and how much I love him…

And then H+S said they had something for me. They both stared right at me and sang

"Happy Anniversary to YOU

Happy Anniversary to YOU

Happy Anniversary Mommy and Daddy

Happy Anniversary to YOU!"

And I was overwhelmed with gratitude. And joy. And sadness.

And quietly in my heart I heard these words.

"we must be doing something right".

Lots of times I don't feel that way. Most times I don't feel that way. Most times I'm tired and wondering what I'm doing. But gosh, when something like that happens…I just know we are all going to be okay.

You see, they save me. They don't know it but they do. On days where I'm lonely, and missing him,and tired…they love on me extra.

IMG_6918

Their sweet smiles and the way their hair smells saves me.

Now remind me of this later today when they are fighting over how they both want to be Dorothy ON HALLOWEEN IN SEVEN MONTHS.

Remind me of this when one of the babies throws my toothbrush in the toilet.

Happy Friday,y'all.

xoxo

Comments

  1. Well, that brought tears to my eyes too! Happy Anniversary to you and Jimmy!You ARE doing something right!!!

  4. Aw, they are such sweethearts. We, too, had Fresh Market! And I totally do not know how you navigated through it with all the kids! Love that place.

  5. Oh, Stephanie. This made me cry. I can’t wait to be a mama and share sweet moments like this with my own girls.
    You are blessed, for sure.

  9. So, so sweet! You guys definitely are doing something right! Hope you and J can celebrate together very soon.

  11. Seriously, that made me tear up! So sweet! My mom tells me similar things about my brother and I when we were little. My father died when I was 4 and my brother was only 6 months old, so my mom definitely felt like we saved her, too. It brought all those great feelings back when I read your post. It is so heartwarming to read how close your family is. Thank you so much for sharing your feelings with us.

  12. Now I’m teary eyed – you’re doing just fine, mama. And the coolest thing of all is, you saved the memory. I only wish I had a memory of my Mom and Dad’s anniversary when I was 5. Well, then again, maybe not. *ahem* Let’s see….my own 5th anniversary. Yes, #27 coming up, and going strong 🙂

  14. they just had a lesson in empathy and giving without even knowing it.. so yes you are doing a wonderful job momma.. i love it when you get a window into the big picture…

  15. Well thank made me cry and ruin my makeup. But it is so worth it. I love how you share with us your very personal life. It is such a privilege to be a part of it even though I don’t know you personally. I am sending my prayers for peace to all of you and a bunch of “happy” thoughts your way to cheer you up. Enjoy your babies. Mine are now 19 and 17 and I miss the early years so much. But love them more then ever!

  16. i just cried reading this. I have never ever, ever gotten this emotion reading a blog post. you are definitely doing something right sweetie, for SURE.

  17. This was such a sweet post! And I love how the tablecloth matched the girls meal and the Bible matched the flowers! Such a wonderful memory. 🙂

  20. gosh, Stephanie, you make me cry daily!! lol!! how sweet of them to want to do that for you, looks like you had a good time…it’s those moments that make the toothbrush in the toilet moments easier to bear… 🙂

  23. So sweet! As I was reading it I too thought, wow, they are doing it so well with this girls 🙂
    Congratultions again!
    PS: I love your sense of humor (that burro thing in the middle of a sweet story makes me laugh)
    XOXO, Bea

  24. This is such a beautiful story that I have tears in my eyes too. Children are amazing, aren’t they? They seem to know just what we need at the right time.

  30. lots of tears right now. I love the little moments like this, that remind us why being a MOM is AWESOME!

  31. I think I missed something here… is Jimmy gone again? how long is he gone this time? (and happy anniversary!!)

  32. Love! I’m all teary over here too. These are the things we need to cherish in our hearts as parents. It is the only way we will make it through the rough parts in life. love to you all!

  33. That last picture is heart melting lovely. I love this post. I love that your babies save you. Thanks for keeping it real.

  34. ok -I was getting all choked up with how sweet this was then I burst out laughing with the toothbrush in the toilet..oyyy ….you ARE doing everything beautifully, imperfectly right – and that’s what makes it so perfect:) hugs and prayers to you and yours xoxo

  36. Soooo sweet. I have to remember to have celebrations with my kiddos (just to celebrate the small things too).

  38. By golly, you got me again….the tears are a streaming right now. My heart is heavy with emotions just reading this…..you have such a beautiful, loving family……and I must say, YOU and Jimmy ARE DEFINITELY doing something right!!!!! A whole LOT of RIGHT. Thank You for inspiring me yet again, have a lovely weekend 🙂

  40. Those fleeting tender moments is EXACTLY what makes all the crap worthwhile. So glad you captured it…this moment will be with you for a lifetime!

  41. Love that your sweet girls did this for you! Yes, Stephanie, you are doing something VERY right! So just a question…did one of the babies really through your toothbrush in the toilet?

  42. So wonderful! I love how you put memories into words, it is rare gift and you do it so so well. You are doing SOOOOO many things right. Every mom out there wants to be a little more like you!

  43. In the name of the wee man, Stephanie, how could you NOT be doing things right?? I’m sure some, ermm, most days you may feel as if you’re walking through treacle as you’ve so much to think about & do on your own but you’re an amazing & strong woman & doing a wonderful job. I know for sure if it was me I’d be in a loony-bin by now!
    Blessings always.

  44. How sweet this was, love that they helped you celebrate. That’s great you got a picture to remember this moment and so J could see you 3 girls.
    Our anniversary is on Sunday and our kids always make the cutest cards and let us do whatever we want for the day. So far we have a farmpark and playground visit planned. Still working on dinner ideas.
    This made me teary eyed also, sending you lots of love and prayers for your awesome family!!

  49. That is so sweet!
    And you know what is the best thing? This feeling of being cared for/ cheered up will only get better. You’ve loved them with your little lunch notes and decorations suiting every occasion, you’ve given them super birthday parties and today is the day that you can reap what you’ve sowed! You’ve learned them how to love and how to care for others.
    Love you for that.

  50. Sounds like a beautiful, memorable anniversary! Sadie and Harper are very sweet! I noticed the tablecloth before you mentioned it…love your vintage goodies! And tulips are my fave! My hubs brought me yellow tulips for my birthday this month. Hope you have a good weekend!

  51. Love! And only YOU could use “…a random burro motif tablecloth” as a lead in to the fact that your children fill your heart and save you just when you need it most. 😉 xo

  53. So sweet! You are doing everything right with those girls and it shows!! Sorry you and J can’t be together on your special day! I have that same milk glass vase too!

  55. Happy Anniversary to you and J! Congratulations on raising a beautiful, caring family in the midst of this crazy military life! I love reading your blog, it always seems to remind me of what’s really important!

  56. Thank you for sharing that with us, Steph! You have fabulous girls, of course b/c you are their Mama! You and J are most definitely doing something right! Happy Anniversary!

  57. Oh that sure is the sweetest thing. Make sure you put it in your PL. You will remember this for the rest of your life.
    Well done Harper and Sadie.
    Xx

  58. So so sweet! And so true… ESP about the smell of thier hair. I feel the same way about my son. Thanks so much for sharing, such a touching and beautiful post.

  59. So much to be thankfuf, overwhelmed with gratitude and still sad. I know that feeling so well. You are certainly doing something right..way to go, sweet Mama! Sending hugs your way, B

  65. That made me cry!! You have such a way with words and I admire your strength and the way you choose to handle the tough moments, especially the way you are raising your girls. If I ever have kids, I hope I’d be a mom like you!! 🙂 Happy anniversary to you and Jimmy, and I definitely think you are doing something right with your sweet girls!! 🙂

  66. Very sweet to show so much compassion for their mama. 🙂
    My kids did something similar when my husband was away on a short Navy training over my birthday. They decided what would make me feel better was if they took me to the County Fair (which, of course, was me taking them!). Even though taking three little ones to the fair wasn’t on my birthday list, it actually turned out to be one of my favorites.
    Enjoy those sweet girls every day, even the days your toothbrush ends up in the toilet. 🙂