365 days....

...that's how long she has been with us. Learning, growing, changing, experiencing...and impacting our hearts forever. Today is our Lou's very 1st birthday. Today we celebrate the life of such a special little lady. She has captured the heart of her Mommy and wrapped her Daddy around her little finger....she has brought laughter to her brothers and sisters and unity in our family. She is a part of all of us. She is a gift from God in so many ways. Let's take a look back at some of her days....

Day 1

I fell in love with you on Day 1 that I learned you were coming, and then again on Day 1 that you were here with us. You came into this world at 11:36 am, with a full head of hair and some very well working lungs. The first comment made about you was by the doctor who said, "We won't talk about these thighs!"...um, yeah...sorry, you get those honestly. I should've been clued in on your nightly schedule while you while I was still pregnant. You would start rolling and kicking and moving all around at about 8, 9 nightly. The first night you were here was the beginning of many, many get-to-know you (aka sleepless) nights for you and Mommy. During the 36 hours I was awake in the hospital, in-between my meltdowns, I got to know you for the first time. You looked so much like your big brother, and yet such a beautiful baby girl, I would just stare in awe at you. God truly outdid himself. He maybe could've given you less in the thigh area and the desire to sleep, but then you wouldn't be you would you?

Months 1-3

Unfortunately, we learned about colic during these months. Starting around 6 weeks you would scream from about 5-8 every night, sometimes longer, sometimes thankfully shorter. We figured out that if we put you in the bouncer seat with it on vibrate, in our bathroom with the vent on and the water running...you would stop. After weeks of this I tried a noise machine in your bedroom, it worked for a bit. The night times were not better, sometimes you would wake up every hour. Nothing worked....not the cry it out, not cereal in the bottle, not Benadryl...NOTHING. I ended up making a pallet on the floor in your room and sleeping down there with you most nights. It was just easier. I prayed then that "this too would pass", now though I miss snuggle nights in there with you.
Months 3-6

You started rolling over, started babbling, and started letting more of your personality shine through during these months. You became enthralled with Yo Gabba Gabba and your feet...which are super chunky by the way, but again notice the thighs!!

Months 6-12

These were my favorite times...you learned to crawl, then walk, then run!! At the end of this year you now have 6 teeth, weigh about 24 pounds, are sportin the coolest mohawk ever, still refuse to drink out of a cup, love beef jerky, and eating shoes. You laugh a full fledged belly laugh and you like to "shake your booty" to Toby Mac's "Funky Jesus Music". You say "Mama", "Daaaady", "dog" (for dog and ball, not sure why), and "hold you" (sounds like hodejew). Your favorite toys are Momo's keys, balls, and your Elmo chair.

Party Day

You were surrounded by so many people that love you...and by Yo Gabba Gabba! How could we not give you a Gabba party when you Dancy Dance to it so much??? I made your Tutu, Christylynn 2 made your bow, and I ordered your Brobee onesie off of Etsy. #2 made your cakes, and what a super job she did! You were not too sure about eating your cake at first...but didn't hold back after you realized making a mess was allowed! You stopped and stared at everyone when we sang "Happy Birthday"...I wonder if you knew we were all singing to you??



In writing this I realize, again, just how quickly time goes by. My eyes are filled with a mixture of happy and sad tears...happy, joyful ones because this child was given to me to love, and sad, sorrowful ones because this year of firsts is all over. The times of "lasts" has began, the last time she crawled, the last time she did "super girl", the last time on the pallet with her, the last spit rag put away...already I miss it. But I know that she has more firsts and more lasts for me to be a part of...I pray I learn to slow down and cherish them even more. I am very, very blessed to have so many children to love...may I never take them or the time I have with them for granted.

Crawfish Pie

"Jambalaya, Crawfish Pie, File Gumbo"...yummmm! Don't have recipes to share for the others, but here's the Crawfish Pie! Enjoy!

1 lb crawfish tails

Guidry's Fresh Cuts Creole Seasoning (or equivalent), I used about 10 oz of it.

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp red pepper

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

1 can cream of celery

4 Tb tomato sauce

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1 beaten egg

2 frozen pie crusts (this can actually fit in 2 pies if you want to go ahead and get 4)

Follow pie crusts direction to thaw. In butter, saute seasoning mix until soft. Add crawfish, salt, pepper, soup, and tomato sauce. Cook for 10 minutes, slow and uncovered. Remove from heat then stir in milk, egg, and breadcrumbs. Pour into bottom pie shell, then place 2nd one on top. Cut a few slits in top for steam to escape. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Enjoy!

If but one...

That's all I could think this morning, "if but one person comes to know the Lord because of this tragedy, it will be worth it". My thoughts were echoed back to me by the pastor at the funeral today. Then I sat back and watched God move hearts, touch lives, and change the futures of so many people. I hope her parents see how their daughter has left a tremendous legacy in her short 18 years. A legacy that reaches beyond gender, race, and age barriers. No matter if you saw and spoke to her on a daily basis, or if she was in your life for a season so long ago...today, you were inspired by her. Today, you grieved for the loss of her, but rejoiced in what God has done through her and will continue to do in her name, leading more to Him.

My prayer is that, like me, you took a long look at your own life, at your own legacy you would leave. How much of an impact are we making in the lives of those around us? And are they positive ones? Will people know that we loved them? Will people know that we loved the Lord? Are we teaching our children TODAY to live a holy and pleasing life, and not waiting for the "tomorrows"? The tomorrow may never come, just as we have now witnessed firsthand. There is so much that I could do differently. So much that I WILL do differently. Afterall, I'm working on my legacy, and doing it in Jesus' name. Thank you Kelsey, for my life is one that is being changed because of yours...........