Party Time!!

Well, tomorrow is the BIG FIVE YEAR OLD'S birthday party! We've always held "family" parties at our house in years past. And by "family" i mean, the 20 close friends and their kids that my husband and I have.. along with the actual people who are blood related. Our small little "family" get togethers are HUGE! But.. seeing as this is a big year for LK, we decided to let her have a party at her venue of choice. So... Children's Museum of Memphis here we come!!! Last weekend we had a get together with grandparents, aunts and uncles at our home! It was great to get everyone together and Lilly had a blast! This weekend, my day is filled with about 20 4-5yr olds! I can't tell you how excited Lilly Kate is! This evening I will be busy making cake #2 and buying all the same snacks from the week before! Not to mention that my cake was pretty fabulous.. Elvis themed, of course! :) Pics to come next week...

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior. Psalm 25:4-6

Hunka-Hunka-Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLY KATE!!!

I think i am still in shock that my sweet baby girl is FIVE years old today! Time has flown by... in more like jet speed fashion! It seems like just yesterday she was just a tiny baby. Now, she's carrying adult conversations with me and explaining the ways of the world in a way only a five year old can. You know, the way that makes you wish you were that innocent and carefree again. Ah.. I'm jealous! And is it wrong to be completely envious of your own daughter?! Seriously, this child is beautiful. Not only are her eyelashes ridiculously long and have a natural curl (mine are long.. but STRAIGHT as a board!), she has "beauty spots" in the perfect places on her cheeks.. like Marilyn Monroe perfect places. She outshines me (and everyone else) in every photograph she's in. I don't dare take a picture without wearing makeup when she's in it! She's been this cute from birth and only seems to gain perfection with age. I am totally nervous for 16! YIKES! This child is also incredibly smart. She knows things that i know for a fact most children her age don't know! She contemplates things and studies them until she's sure she know all the ends and outs. She knows her family tree up and down on both sides and will certainly correct you if you "misplace" someone! She impresses me and amazes me with her knowledge every single day. She lights up a room b/c of her charm and charisma. People are drawn to her and love her immediately. (again, since birth!) She's spoiled rotten because of this and probably already has more friends that her parents ever dreamed of! She loves things like jewelry, movies, makeup and music. She's obsessed with Elvis and Johnny Cash (the girl has taste!) One day in Pottery Barn she pretended to be a mannequin in the window. She got the biggest kick out of this. (and i have to admit is was pretty hilarious to see the people walking by stare at her!) That's the kind of free spirit that she is! She's kind, grateful, polite, innocent, charming, smart, gorgeous, classy, full of life and yet humbled. She's perfect!..... and I love her. And now... she's 5!

And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:16

Something New...

So, as if my life wasn't busy enough, I've decided to take on a blog! I know, what am i thinking, right?! I think this might be fun though.. and it's a great way to keep up with all of our crazy happenings! My house feels like a constant circus these days, so i'm sure you will all enjoy hearing our daily stories! I've seen blogs of friends and i think they're super cute and creative. I hope i can keep up with this one! January is a busy month for us, so enjoy the journey!

Your love O Lord is ever before us and we walk continually in your path. Psalm 26:3

All about ME!

Hi Ya'll!! Welcome to the Stickles Family Blog!

I am Natalie. I am a 20-something {entirely TOO close to 30-something} mommy and wife. I started this blog on a whim and it has quickly become a passion of mine. I adore keeping up with it! I love to share all of the exciting things – and maybe not so exciting things - that are going on in my little world and I love to hear about all of your lives too! From the uber exciting events to just the mundane day-to-day.. you’ll find it here! Besides, that’s what makes life, well.. life! Join me as I try to navigate through it all.. hopefully with a little style and grace!

I am a stay at home mom to a vivacious 7 year old, Lilly Kate, and an all-boy 4 year old, Ethan! We just welcomed Gray Davis on July 6th. I work a few hours a week while Ethan is at preschool and Gray is at MDO, but other than that, I am “Mommy” 24/7! {and I LOVE it!} My husband is one heck of a great guy too.. I mean, who else could put with me?! – it’s ok.. I admit it.. I’m a little high maintenance! ;) We have the sweetest puppy in the world, a yellow lab - Huck. He's 80+ lbs of pure happiness and lovable goodness! (and happens to think he's the size of a teacup poodle!) "Growing up" has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but it's all worth it when you look into those sweet faces every day. You learn to gladly choose Fisher-Price over Jimmy Choos any day of the week. Being a mom and wife is the most rewarding job in the entire world! It's crazy and it's exhausting, but it's PERFECT!

We live in East Memphis, Tennessee and I LOVE being in the South. We have lived here our entire lives (my sweet hubby and I were neighbors when we were toddlers… awww.. ha!) and I feel blessed to call it home! We are surrounded by family and I love immersing my children with the values and virtues of Southern Life. I love my God and I am so thankful for everything that he has blessed me with.

I enjoy wearing big sunglasses and always having a WAY oversized handbag! I am an Emily Post wannabe and get ridiculous about grammar. {even though “blog writing” has made me a horrible grammar victim! Ha!} I love Southern Sundays and a little too sweet lemonade. I love classic movies, mint juleps, pedicures, polka dots and pearls. I enjoy simple fashion with clean lines.. nothing too bright and fancy. (probably why I am always in debt to J.Crew!) And give me a chance to snap a few pictures of my kiddos and I am one happy mama!

Enjoy our journey!

let's chat!

nataliestickles@gmail.com

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