Manicures with my girls...and one sweet little boy

While I was home I also got the chance to spend some much needed quality time with my most favorite children ever! {I guess Tyler isn't really a child anymore...he's a TEENAGER! and I'm still struggling with that thought!}
I had such a good time with them just playing and laughing and tickling and holding and loving on them. The girls and I had some wonderful one-on-one time where we snuck away to the bathroom and did manicures. Eventually though, everyone ended up in there and it was more like a small party! And my sweet little JT decided that he wanted his nails painted too. After a long explanation as to why boys didn't paint their fingernails, he replied with a whine: "Well, I'm not going to leave you alone until you paint mine!!" So I painted one hand, to which his older TEENAGE brother was not happy. The girls on the other hand thought it was hilarious!
I'm so happy I got to spend time with them before I had to come back to Knoxville. I miss them so much. I was always a huge part of their lives before I moved, and I've tried so hard to remain just a part of their lives away as I was when I was there. Each one of them are so important to me. It's so hard to believe that Tyler is a teenager, and I love it when he comes to me with some of his "teenage" stuff. Sarah and Hannah are growing up way too fast and I'm glad that they both know they can talk to me too. Grace is still my sweet baby, and I think she always will be. And of course, JT is JT. He's not just a gift, he's a whole package deal and I love his wild and crazy nature. I love my babies, and love making memories with them, that hopefully they will always remember. For some reason though, I know at least Sarah will hold on to all the things we do, because she's always asking "Remember when.....{insert fun memory here}?" And I always do remember what she does. {It's those things in life that make me smile.}
Celeste, their mom, and I have become super close and she's been like a big sister to me. I'm so thankful for her influence in my life. She's taught me little things that have helped me survive living by myself, and she's taught me huge things that have helped me stay afloat in the hard times. I'm already looking forward to the next time that I will get to spend time with my sweet babies. And...since I'm talking about babies...Celeste is also expecting baby number 6, due in March, and I'm super, super excited!!!