Pictures from Marleigh's birthday!

Our family.

Marleigh HAD to sit on every present before we opened it. I guess it was some sort of durability test?!?

Look at her curls! I LOVE them. Although the sides of her hair haven't grown as fast as the middle, so she kind of has a curly mohawk, but I think it is adorable!

Marleigh LOVED the skirt that Grandma & Grandpa Johnson got her. She had to put it on.

Her new tricycle that Mommy and Daddy got her.

Such a diva!

My future is so bright, I gotta wear shades!

Luke giving Marleigh a little love.

Brinley enjoying her party favors.

Hmmmm... does this sweet little girl look like she's up to something?

She was! Got into the pantry all by herself and got herself a snack. Chocolate!!!

Marleigh's Great Grandpa Cline

My grandfather, William H. Cline was an amazing man. The past few years we watched him slip with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Last Tuesday morning he was taken to the hospital. Wednesday evening, with all of us around him, Grandpa went to be with the Lord.

My grandpa was the best grandfather that I could have asked for. Growing up, it seemed so normal to always have him around. To always have him at every concert or game. To go spend the night with grandma and grandpa and go swimming at the spa with them. Now that I'm an adult, I fully realize how lucky I was to have such loving, attentive grandparents.

Grandpa and grandma were so involved in everything we did. They doted on our every accomplishment. They would drive hundreds of miles to be at our softball or basketball games. If more than one grandkid was playing that day, they'd split their time, sometimes spending 4-5 hours driving just to make sure we knew they loved us and were proud of us.

My grandfather was a great role model. He had a very strong faith and tried to be Christ-like in his daily life. I honestly can not remember him every speaking badly of anyone. He was always in church and was a very giving man.

Grandpa was a great father. Of course I didn't know him when he was raising my dad and my uncle, but I look at the men they have become. Both my dad and uncle are two of the best guys I know. They are both very caring, hardworking, honest, and have a great faith. I'm sure that is due to the fact that my grandfather was a great father and mentor to them. I also got to see how proud my grandfather was of his boys. He loved and respected them very much. And I know the feeling was mutual.

Grandpa was a wonderful of example of what a husband or spouse should be. Any married couple will tell you that all marriages have their disagreements. My grandparents must have hid them very well. I NEVER heard him every say a cross word to her or about her. No matter what, he respected her. He was so protective of my grandmother. Always making sure she was taken care of. If it was important to her, it was important to him. I can remember when my grandmother's Alzheimer's was progressing. He loved her so much, that he didn't want anyone to realize how much she was slipping. It was yet another way he was trying to protect her.

I am so very thankful for all of my wonderful memories of my grandfather. The older I get the more and more I cherish those memories and realize how lucky I was. I regret that Marleigh will never know this amazing man, but his legacy will continue. Her grandpa is equally as great as mine was. I know he is now reunited with Grandma and they are both whole again. I look forward to seeing you both again someday. I love you so much.

The Splash Pad will be a reality!

I am so very excited to let you all know, that PRIDE (the group I'm working with on the Splash Pad) received the grant we applied for! Only a few communities in Kansas are awarded this grant, and we are beyond thrilled that Larned was chosen. It is for a whole park renovation. Of course the grant does NOT cover everything. Now that we know 100% for sure this is going to be a reality, I will be accepting donations again in Natalie's memory. I have collected right under $5000 so far. Thank you so much to all who have contributed! I would absolutely LOVE to have $10,000 raised by April. So, if you or anyone that you know of would like to contribute, please let me know. Every little bit helps! The splash pad will be something that is FREE and available to ALL children that live or are passing through Larned. I think it is the perfect way to remember our little girl.

We are also using volunteers to build the park. I'll have more on that later. We are planning on doing the work in April. If you would like to help with that, please let me know. If you are from out of town, you are more than welcome to stay at our house. The only expense you would have is to get yourself here. We'd take care of the rest.

I can't wait to see our dream be a reality!

2 year Check up

Marleigh had her two year check up a couple of weeks ago. Daddy took her to it since it is my busy time of year. Since her 18 month appointment, she has grown 3 inches! She is now 34.5 inches tall, which is in the 65th percentile. The doctor was very happy with that. However, she hasn't gained any weight at all. Still 23.5 lbs, which is in the 5th percentile. Marc said he was quizzing him on what she ate, and if we fed her. I'm glad I wasn't there because I don't think I would have been very nice! Marleigh gets a fruit, veggie, and protein at lunch and dinner. And usually a grain of somesort, too. Her breakfasts are usually a grain and fruit of some form or eggs. She eats very healthy food for the most part. I think one of the main reasons she hasn't gained weight is that at 18 months, she was just learning to walk. Now, she runs everywhere ALL the time. I just don't think she's ever going to be a big girl. She's tall like her Dad, but her frame is tiny. Good thing Daddy took her to her check up. Like I said, I don't think I would have been very nice. You don't wanna mess with this mama!

I'll post pics of her party as soon as I can!

Happy (late) birthday to our little girl.

Marleigh Anne,

I can not believe you are two years old! I can remember so clearly when you were born. I was so scared. As soon as you were born, you let out the smallest cry. I remember thinking to myself, "that's her way of telling me she'll be okay." Marleigh, you are more than just "okay". You are the most amazing little girl I have ever met. You have an inner strength that has helped you over come so much in your short life. I am honored and privileged to be your mother.

Your Daddy and I love to sit and watch you play in the evenings. You enjoy getting in and out of chairs. Mickey Mouse is one of your favorite companions, and you talk to him all the time. Sometimes you sit him in your chair, and carry on converstations. You have many "pretties" that are a favorite as well. They are usually around your neck or in your purse. You put them in your purse, then put your purse on your shoulder and tell us, "goin' shopping!" Lately, you have been wearing Mommy's swimsuit bottoms around your neck as a "pretty" as well. No matter what drawer I hide them in, you always find them. I'm sure the reason you love them so much is that they are pink, your favorite color.

You love your Daddy very much. Whenever you do something or have something new, the first thing you say is, "I show Daddy!" Daddy plays with you a lot. He is always doing funny things to get you to laugh. We hear, "Silly Daddy," from you quite often, followed by adorable giggles. You and Daddy also watch country videos and dance together. It is something special that I will always remember. You enjoy "helping" Daddy in his office. He lets you sit with him at his desk and type on his computer. You smile from ear to ear while "helping" your Daddy.

Everyone that knows you well, is impressed by your vocabulary. You pretty much talk non-stop all day, but I think you come by that naturally. Both Daddy and Mommy have been known to be a bit chatty. You have started saying, "I love you so much!" It melts my heart everytime. Many times you will say something and either Daddy or I will ask each other, "where did she learn that?"

I am so proud of what a well-mannered little girl you have become. For the most part, you ask "please" and say "thank you" without being prompted. And when you burp, you smile shyly and say, "'scuse me." I have even caught you telling Daddy to say, "'scuse me," when he burps.

You are a very intelligent little girl. You now can count to 15 and say most of your ABC's. You visually recognize a few of the numbers and letters as well. You know all of your shapes, including "octagon", which I LOVE hearing you say! You love books and to read. Many of your books you will help me read. I'll say a few words, then you will say the next few. You also enjoy singing with Mommy. We sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", "You are My Sunshine", "Amazing Grace", "Jesus Loves Me" and a few others. You really like music of any kind.

Marleigh, you have the sweetest spirit and a smile that brightens any room. You are such a happy little girl. With all the obstacles you have encountered in your short life, I wouldn't blame you at all if you were a fussy, unhappy toddler. But you're not. I fully believe that somehow you know how very precious life is already, and are just happy to be alive.

I have prayed for you so much. My prayers have changed over the past couple of years, and I'm sure they will as you grow and change. I hope you always know that Mommy prays for you daily. That is one of the most important things I can do for you as your mother. My prayer for you now is that you continue to grow and learn. Not only in your everyday life, but also in your relationship with God. I pray that your Daddy and I teach you about God and that we are a good example for you. I truly believe that God has a very special purpose for your life, and I am thrilled He chose me to be your Mommy, so that I can see His plan unfold.

I love you more than you know,

Mommy

Almost 2

I can't believe that in less than two weeks, Marleigh will two years old. For some reason, my little girl turning two has been pretty hard on this mama. The first few months of her life seemed like they drug on forever, but the last year or so has flown! I'm not sure why it is, but I find myself almost tearing up. Of course, I want her to grow up and become an adult, but it just seems to be going too fast. She can't be that old, can she? But then she says something or does something that reminds what a big girl she actually is.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm struggling with Marleigh turning two because we had a "baby" for so long. When we brought her home from the hospital at 75 days old, she wasn't even five pounds, yet. Marleigh didn't sit up on her own until she was one. She didn't walk until she was eighteen months. Both things that most children do way earlier.

Maybe I'm having a hard time because she has advanced so much in the last six months. The difference in her is night and day. She runs everywhere, talking up a storm the entire time. She is so incredibly smart. I can remember the doctors telling us that she might always be a little slow from being premature. I prayed so hard that she would be okay. I didn't need her to be a genius, just didn't want her to be at a disadvantage. God has answered my prayers, ten fold. Sometimes I have to laugh at her wit. The other day, shortly after Christmas, Marleigh was trying to grab a Christmas decoration. I told her, "Marleigh, don't touch that." She looked right at me, turned and found my slippers, put them on her hands, then grabbed the decoration. She had the biggest grin on her face. She wasn't touching the decoration, the slippers were. I'm not sure that she fully understood what she was doing, but she is always doing things like that.

The reason I'm struggling could also be that she was so fragile for so long. I was so protective over my tiny little girl. The slightest bug for a preemie can have very serious consequences. As she grows up, I'm learning that I have to quit being so overprotective of her and let her be a kid. It sounds funny, but even at the age of 2, mama is trying to learn how to give Marleigh more and more independence. She has learned how to crawl up on all the furniture in the living room. A few months ago, I would have gone running to her, scared she was going to fall. I'm forcing myself to let her try new things on her own. She did fall off of the chair once, but laughed and said, "Silly, Marleigh!"

Or, maybe the reason that Marleigh turning two is hitting me so hard is that I'm pregnant and a mom. I've got some crazy hormones!

I'm sure all those reasons probably combine to why I'm having such a hard time with Marleigh turning two. But I suppose I better suck it up, I've got a party to plan! :)

Cline Christmas

On Christmas Eve (even with Marleigh not feeling the best), we headed out to my parents house for our Cline Christmas. I have always loved my parent's church's Christmas Eve service. At the end of the service, everyone circles the outer edge of the santuary. We light candles and sing, "Silent Night". We got back to Papa and Gigi's and had dinner.

After dinner, Luke and Marleigh were dancing around the living room. It was priceless. I tried to get some pictures of them holding hands and dancing, but didn't get any that were really good.

After the dancing, we opened presents.

Luke opening a present.

Marleigh excited about her Mickey Mouse Chair!

My sweet little girl patiently waiting.

Marleigh LOVED all the ribbons!

Daddy LOVED his new sign!

Christams Day was spent out at my parents house again. My Aunt Karen, Uncle Bryan, and their boys, Ben and Matt, came out. It was a nice relaxing Christmas (other than having a sick little girl).