so sweet

there's something so sweet about watching pure joy on the face of your child.

example a (at breakfast):

 

i mean, how could she not be excited with a breakfast like that? let's just say i saw the effects of said breakfast while we were grocery shopping.

cause=birthday breakfast effect=gyrating on the floor and running in circles whilst quacking like a duck.

but hey, it was her birthday. not the day to deny a girl sugar.

 

example b: dinner

 

 

 

 

that last one kills me. look at her little eyes.

i have to say, it's days like yesterday that give ME pure joy. i'm so happy j is home for milestones like these this year.

it's just so nice having him in our everyday lives. the newness of it still hasn't worn off. sometimes i walk into scenes like the one below, and it just makes me teary.

 

and right at that moment (well, right before this moment), i closed my eyes and said a silent prayer. it only had two words...

thank you.

i hope you have a sweet moment in your day today.

xoxo

s

Comments

[Jen Davis]

What a little peanut!!!!! I just want to kiss those cheeks! Love that photo with the cake...such a little sweetheart of a girl! =)

[Jill]

Celebrating occasions without spouse/parent is something "we" don't even think about. Thank you to J and you yes you too) for your sacrifices on our behalf

[Sandy]

Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for always sharing such great and personal stories about your family/ life. These photos really tug at my heart. I am looking forward to capture similar moments like these someday when my husband and I have a child:)
Wish you, J and the girls a very sweet day too!

[Rachel Solly]

such a beautiful big girl! (and anyone who says sugar doesn't cause kids to go crazy doesn't know much!) The last part made me teary. We ALL need to be more thankful for those sweet little moments in our lives!

[Jo-Ann]

Awwww.. happy birthday to a fellow Groundhog Day baby, Sadie :D

[Sara Berry]

Happy Birthday Sadie! And Stephanie, I know exactly what you mean about being thankful for 'the little things' that actually aren't so little. We are blessed that we know to appreciate them. Happy day to you and your youngest. xox S

[Holly H.]

You're sweet girls are so cute. I had to comment on your red "You are Special" plate. My parents always had this growing up and it was the birthday plate. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my parents gave me my very own red plate. It warms my heart to see that another family shares the red plate tradition! Happy Wednesday!

[Stephanie Howell]

love this holly! that plate was mine growing up. good memories. ;)

[Stephanie Howell]

yes we are. ;) xoxo

[kristina]

Those photos and moments are so precious, Stephanie! So happy she had a wonderful day! Love ya! Hugs!

[Susan Weinroth]

happy birthday sadie! those photos are priceless stephanie.... :)

[Jessica]

oh. my. word. These pictures could not be any more adorable! Seriously, this post made me cry. I'm so happy for your family, that your husband is home safe and sound, and that your beautiful babies get to spend these days with their daddy! Oh, and what on earth is on Harper's head in the last picture? Is that a spider? LOL. Thanks for sharing!

[Kelly]

i cannot get over how long her hair is getting and that cake pic with S&J is just classic - needs to be framed for sure!
So glad her bday was a beautiful one!
Give the girls smooches for me!
xoxo
k.

[Mustangkayla]

Those pictures are priceless!

[Stephanie Howell]

Jessica- yes!!!! A spider headband. :) always dressup time in the
Howell household. Heee!!!

Sent from my iPhone

[Nicole Harper]

i am literally laughing my head off at Sadie's eyes in that pic with J, lol...she is TOTALLY worried he is bogarting her cake. HAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHA!!! love to her (my almost bday twin) and to you as well...you crack me up, sister. xoxo

[Maria S]

She's adorable! The looks on her face and in her eyes totally remind me of my youngest daughter.
The cake picture is priceless.

[debbie]

love your family...sharing in your day to day events never ceases to put a smile on my face! YOU ARE BLESSED & I appreciate that you share with your *friends*
Happy Birthday Sadie!! Happy everything to all of the Howell's!!
*hug*

[Chris Dodaj]

Happy Birthday to Miss Sadie!

Steph, it seems like yesteday that you had her!

[Lisa Russell]

SO cute! God bless her.

[emily]

Thank you for sharing Sadie's birthday moments with us. God has truly blessed you with such an incredible family.

[k8]

Okay, if your blog is going to be making me cry every other day........I may have to.........read it with tissues close by......

Thinking of when my babies were 2.....it seems like another lifetime....keep cherishing every moment....

k8

[Beth Ann]

Thanks for sharing Sadie's birthday with us. So much happiness! and I am happy for you all! Hugs!

[Rachael]

Hey Stephanie,
I had a similar feeling about Ali's recent post about Simon's birthday. I rarely feel compelled to comment, but I did on her post and thought I would comment on yours as well. I don't have kids and probably won't have any of my own, but I love that you go out of your way to make their special day "extra special". I especially love how it doesn't have to be a special occasion for you to make/document a moment to remember in your family's life and celebrate. I wish every parent could learn from you. The world would be a better place. We need more "no reason" celebrations!!
I'm glad that you are able to celebrate Sadie's birthday as a complete family and as another commenter wrote: thanks for sharing it with us!
As always, your photos are unbelievably awesome!

Sincerely,
Rachael

[Rachael]

PS - if I did have kids, I'd use you and Ali as my role models.

;)

[C. Rayevich]

SO cute! Happy Bday Sadie!!
xo

[Jen]

She is soo cute, both of them are. And I love that spider head band!

[Carrie]

Love it all, especially that cake eating pic! So glad you had a blessed day! xo

[Kimberly]

Absolutely precious! This reminds me of my childhood. My mother always made pancakes for our birthday's. When I finally went to college...she would show up wherever I was and take me to breakfast.

Yes, you are blessed. No doubt.

[Rhona]

Looks like she had a fantastic b/day - I want her breakfast next time it's my b/day ;o). Love the photo of her and J, the way her eyes are watching him is just priceless!!

[pidgen]

I didn't know whether to cry or just burst out laughing at these! The one of J and the cake ... hilarious! And that last one ... I was just about to burst out in tears when I saw that "thing" on Harper's head ... I burst out laughing and thinking how cool it was that you caught them exactly as they are -- priceless! :)

[Lindsay]

So glad Sadie ahd a great birthday! LOVE that pic of her and J at the cake! take care! :)

[Jody]

I just had my sweet moment, reading your post :*)
And I thought it was a crab on Harper's head.
Happy belated Birthday, Sadie!

[Kim]

WHAT A SWEET POST!!!! made me teary too.

I looooooooooooooove that pick w/her eyeballing him too!! sweet!!!

Happy Birthday little one!!

[Jonnelle]

What a great birthday! What a wonderful way to celebrate sweet Sadie! :)
That last picture is just divine - so happy for you and your girls to have J home safe.

[mmullenix]

Great job capturing that joy b/c that first picture would make anyone smile!

Happy Birthday, Sadie!

[Dena]

Soo cute! When did she go from a baby to a little girl!?!?! I love the one of her and J "eating" the cake. She's like "Daddy, I love you, but this is my cake. You're not really gonna eat that are you?!"

[tara pakosta]

those last 2 photos melt my heart,
I can only imagine how you feel seeing them!
so glad he is home with you girlies!
tara

[Meghann]

That breakfast would make me so excited too! These pictures are so great! Can't wait to see your layouts using these!

[mary]

this is heartfelt and lovely:) and i really loved your photos of sadie yesterday...

oh, and i have a red plate, too.

mary

[Kimber-Leigh]

that grin in the first pic says it all :) such great pics! looks like a very happy birthday!

[Jennifer Moore]

You always have a way in your blog posts that makes me tear up! I don't know if its your words or your photos...or a combination of both...but I enjoy reading your blog, and you always remind me not to take my time with my family for granted. Thank you for that.

[Colleen S.]

Okay... I so got the chills reading your post. What an awesome day! Sadie will always cherish these photos. Her hair clips are too cute. Did you make them or buy them? I have to have some for my daughter. Where can I get em? Love them!

[Stephanie Howell]

colleen-
the hairclips are from my february sponsor, my sweet sunshine!
click on the ad in the top of the right column. xoxo

[sarah]

so sweet! happy birthday to miss sadie!
and your prayer made me tear up :) xx.

[Katherine]

beautiful, all of it, just beautiful....

[MandyK]

So sweet!Sadie looks so much like her daddy.Love that photo of Sadie eyeing J while biting the cake priceless. Going to check out those hairclips they at cute!Beautiful photos Steph thanks for sharing.So happy for ya'll!

[Robin]

adorable pictures! Glad you all had a wonderful day! (can't wait to see the scrapbook pages that come from those pics too.)
Best Wishes,
Robin

[erikap]

I love that he is reading the girls Fancy Nancy. Happy Birthday Sadie.

[Cori-Lyn]

Oh my gosh that cake-eating one just melts my heart!!!

[Brandi P]

Adorable pics! My 3 year old just came up while I was looking at them and her exact words were "Who dat man right dare pigging out?" LMAO!

[Amy Coose]

Your posts always make me teary...love these pics and the birthday girl stories!

[Stephanie Howell]

that?
is
CLASSIC! HAAAAA!!!

[lisa truesdell]

total sweetness. =)

[Melissa]

so sweet :) so glad your family gets to be all together at times like this. Happy birthday to your beautiful little girl!

[veronica]

I love that! Gosh woman! You make me cry with your damn posts....I love seeing daddy's with their girls...he is their foundation. ahhhh
Must go now before the tears come.

[Lynn]

Your pictures are just beautiful. Saddie's eyes give me the giggles...so sweet and very blessed!

[Janell]

I remember the day she was born. I was reading your blog to my sister. She said, "now, who is this again?". Sometimes, it's hard to explain the scrapbook internet!!

She looks just like you! Great photos!

[lisa]

I am sure none of us need to tell you how AWESOME the photo of Sadie and J eating the cake together sans forks. Cracked me up!

So happy he's home safe and sound. Thank you.

[Lara]

precious!!!!!

[Kristine]

I just love the one of the two of them biting into the bday cake, it is too cute!

[diane c.]

Dear Steph, I just wanted to say that your children are a reflection of both you and J. Reading your posts like todays make me teary. I'm sincerely happy happy happy for you!

[Michelle in NJ]

Such a sweet post Stephanie! I need to practice more with my camera so I can capture shots like that...they are fantastic! You are very blessed and I enjoy each and every one of your posts!

[Erin R.]

I can't believe how much older she looks in these pics. My little guy will be two in June and it goes so fast and it seems like you blink and they get bigger. I'm glad that your day was full of so much joy.

[Carla]

Happy Birthday Sadie Bug :) I can't believe how grown up she looks Stephanie! It was just last week she was a "baby" still and now she looks all grown up! That cake is way too cute!

[Elizabeth]

Looks like Sadie had a great Birthday. Love the red platter, and love the pic of S & J with the cake! Priceless!

[Kim]

Absolutely PRECIOUS!!!

[mel brewin]

WOW how awesome. Happy Birthday Sadie. Love the photos Steph. It must be awesome for the girls to have their Daddy home & you too. I know when my girls daddy is away, photos of these just have that much more meaning. Thanks for sharing. Love it. M xx

[Kami]

If at all possible, Sadie has gotten cuter!!!! OMG! She is just a doll!! I am happy that she had such a great birthday. Your family makes me smile and helps me to remember my own sweet blessings and that I too need to take the time to be thankful for those tender moments that I so often take for granted. Hugs to you Steph!!!

[debbi]

Love following your family....(and your scrapping talent). The last pic....OMG....it is priceless. So cute.

[Heidi Jo the Artist]

Happy belated birthday Sadie girl! Looks like she had a great day, love all the photos. :) They sure do grow up fast , don't they!?

[Lynn]

Such beautiful photos Stephanie! Sadie looks so grown up with her hair styled that way. Love the Birthday Girl T-shirt!

[angi aka jinxi~]

Holy crap, now Im cryin'.. so sweet!
The photo of Daddy and Sadie chowin' on the cake-priceless!

[Ally]

Girl, you've written some heartfelt posts before but it was this simple one and those photos that have me laughing and crying at the same time. That photo of J and S eating the cake?????????? OMG. God love a parent willing to still be a kid, and her FACE! ROFLMAO. Seriously - how she is watching her daddy there is just pure priceless.

But then, then you have the reading shot - and H's eyes, absolutely serious and intent on that story - all the while with a big, giant spider on her head. Too, too much. I love that you are a mom who lets her little girls be little girls. You rock.

[Stephanie Williams]

God bless your husband for what he has chosen to do and bless you and your girls for being his strength to get him through it. Time becomes precious when it is fleeting.