Look who lost her first tooth!

She's growing up way too fast!

When it's hard being a mom

So, let me preface this by saying that this probably isn't going to be the most positive, uplifting post.  But, I need to get this out.  Work my way through it, so to speak.  I was recently reading one of my favorite blogs, Enjoying the Small things at:  http://www.kellehampton.com/, and she was talking about how you can't cushion or protect your children from the world.  This is something I'm struggling with right now with Mia, as she gets ready to start kindergarten this fall.  We have to have her officially "labeled" for school, as the "developmental delay" label she has now won't work.  So, in 2 weeks, my sweet baby girl will be officially labeled as being mild, moderate or severe.  :(  Why?  Why can't she just be Mia?  I know that she'll get more services with an official label, but she is so much more than that, a label.  And you all know Mia, and how difficult she can be.  I'm so worried that she's going to not cooperate, be ornery, and just so dang loveable that they won't know what to make of her.  I WANT her to be in a classroom with "typical" kids her own age.  I WANT the world for her.  So, while I want to cushion her and protect her from the world, I've decided that I'm to go in armed with as much knowledge as I can to make sure she gets what she needs, and that includes the chance to do anything that she wants to do, so that she's able to have the world.
And to remind myself (and all of you) how much she has grown, here is a montage of her first 5 years.  I recommend playing any of these songs while you're watching:  Firework, The Climb, Upside Down or Just the Way You Are.

 

Click here to view these pictures larger

Love,
Jen

Serena's Baptism

On Saturday, Feb. 5, Serena was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It was a stressful week building up to her baptism.  Grandma and Grandpa Accinelli were flying from Texas.  Uncle Ben, Aunt Jenny and Cailey were driving from North Carolina.  Then we got ice, ice, more ice and snow.  The kids missed 3 days of school.  And right when it cleared up here, Texas got hit.  Mom and Dad's flight got canceled.  I was a mess!  But, mom and dad got a flight out for Saturday instead.  Ben and Jenny arrived safely.  THEN, we got more snow on Saturday.  Satan was bound and determined to try and derail this day.  But, we did it, and Serena had a wonderful, supportive turnout.  She was blessed to have :  Her great-grandpa Asay, Grandma and Grandpa Asay, Uncle Morgan, Aunt Melissa, Wyatt and Avery, Aunt Kat, Uncle Haup, Tyler and Gemma, Uncle Curtis, Aunt Shayla, Dax, Grandpa and Grandma Accinelli, Uncle Ben, Aunt Jenny, Cailey, Mommy, Daddy, Brianna, Nic, and Mia there.  Grandma Asay made her a beautiful baptismal dress.  Grandpa Asay gave the talk on baptism.  Her daddy baptized her and it was wonderful.  Grandpa Accinelli gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost with her daddy, Great-Grandpa Asay, Grandpa Asay, and Uncles, Mo, Curt, Haup and Ben standing in the circle to assist.  It was beautiful.  I am so greatful to have such strong priesthood holders in my family.  On both sides.  What a powerful thing it is to see the Priesthood in action.  The spirit was so strong that night.  Serena is such a strong little girl with a HUGE spirit.  The first thing she said after she was baptized was, "Wow!  I feel so clean!"  My heart grew and I was probably the most proud mother ever.
The back of Serena's dress where my mom embroidered:

Serena in her dress:

Serena and her Daddy:

Serena with Ben, Jenny, Cailey, Grandpa Accinelli and Daddy:

Serena with all of the above, minus Grandpa, plus Grandma Accinelli:

Serena with Grandpa and Grandma Accinelli and Daddy:

Serena with Grandpa and Grandma Asay, Great-Grandpa Asay and Daddy:

And Serena with Daddy, Mommy, Brianna, Nic and Mia: