The house with the crabapple tree

Holiday season- picture update!

2012-01-17T12:17:00.000-08:00

When you don't update in over 3 months, there is certainly a lot of catching up! The easiest way to do this is through pictures!

November: We celebrated Drew's baptism. I was able to go up and stand on the side of the baptismal pool and have a front row seat of this awesome occasion.

Another monumental occasion for Drew occured at the end of November, his first UGA football game! I was a little envious because I have never even been to a Georgia football game, but was so excited he got to be a part of it. His friend, Bryce, from school invited him and they had a blast!!

We had our family pictures done by my sweet friend, Lindsay. Here is her website. She is awesome. If you are local, I highly recommend her! Here are some of my favorites:

I did some crafts, including my first crib bumper for a friend and a canvas picture wall hanger for our living room.

Crafting is by far my most favorite hobby these days!

December is always slam packed full of fun and family. I was honored to have been asked by my sister and some friends to take pictures for their christmas cards. I am (not even close) to being a 'real' photographer, but that doesn't mean I don't think it's really fun to pretend! Here are a few of my sister's family:

Molly and Will, in this next shoot, are the two little ones that I keep a few days a week for my friend, Mary Anne. They are such sweet kids and Jett and I love having them around to play with!

I also snapped a few for our friends, Clifton and Brittany, of their little boy, Stetson. I have known Clifton since the summer before 6th grade and it is so neat to have a friendship now with his wife and have our little boys play together.

Our visit with Santa went well and involved no tears or injuries. Last year, if you recall, we had to leave the Santa line and rush to the ER for 12 stitches in Jett's head. Glad that wasn't relived!

Jett had the first of many class Christmas parties. It is on days like these that I truly realize how lucky I am to be able to stay home with my kids and attend these types of fun get togethers. He made an angel banner with his foot prints and 'read' us a story about baby Jesus.

Drew had a special request from Santa this year...a puppy. So he wrote his letter and wished for the best! Christmas morning, the boys met Trooper.

My most favorite memory from Christmas morning was the moment Trooper came running out from behind the sofa, Jett said with so much excitement 'Look, look, a kitty cat!!":)

It was a great Christmas this year. Matt's Aunt Terri was here from Boston and stayed with us for about a week and a half. The boys miss her so much now that she is gone. She spoils them rotten when she is here!

Jett before Christmas service at church.

Drew before service. Nice, huh.

All in all, it was a fantastic holiday season. We got to spend a lot of time with great friends and our family that we love so much.

Baby chicks and ponies!

2011-10-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

We went to a party Friday afternoon for Jett's little friend Maxx's 3rd birthday. There was a mobile petting zoo at Maxx's house. Jett now wants some baby chickens and a pony.

Don't we all...

Drew's big news...

2011-10-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

I know it sounds so cliche, and is really just something people say for lack of anything else...but "Where does the time go?" Seriously, Drew is BIG. Drew is cute, and smart, and a smarty pants, and loud, and obnoxious and I love him so insanely much. He's big now though and this is something that is fun and extrememly un-nerving. I am finding that I like this stage. He can have a real conversation with me, give ideas and opinions. He has his own "style", doesn't mind "skinny" jeans and loves his shaggy hair. He talks about girls and absolutely adores his little brother more each day.

Drew made his own decision that changed his eternity forever. All by himself, he prayed at bedtime last month to have Jesus come live in his heart forever. He totally caught me off guard and as I peeked over at him with his eyes closed, my heart exploded. I had to turn my head so he wouldn't see me tearing up. I am so grateful that the Lord keeps showing me that Matt and I are doing things right, cause boy does he know we wonder sometimes! After a long conversation and questions this week, Drew has also decided that he is ready to be baptised. He will meet with our children's pastor at church and then, on November 6th at West Ridge Church, Pastor Brent will baptize him. My heart is overflowing.

Our summer in a picture nutshell.

2011-08-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

It zooms on by at a pace that gets faster and faster every year. I had so much fun staying home with the boys this summer. I have chosen a few of my favorite pictures from the last few months to detail our favorite season.

When we weren't at the ballfield, we were often being pretty lazy!

We took pool safety very seriosuly! (This picture CRACKS ME UP!!!)

We played outside...

Jett got his curls cut off. :(

Drew rocked at beach volleyball!

We had a fabulous vacation with our extended family.

We served our community through outreach.

And, Matt and I are about to add another great year of marriage to our list.

Blessed Indeed.

Our little all-star!

2011-08-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

Well, that was sure fun! We made some great friends and some great memories this summer while traveling around north GA with the 6u all-star Powder Springs Seminoles. Drew learned so much being a part of this team. The boys took home one first place trophy, one second place trophy and ended up playing in the semi-finals in the state tournament. Not too shabby!! We have a ton of pictures, but I will just post a few.

Potty training is like child birth...

2011-07-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

Someone else told me this "Potty training is like child birth because if you remembered all the yucky details, you'd never have another child!" This is so true! It also gave me comfort in knowing I wasn't the only one that can not remember the slightest thing about potty training Drew. This somewhat monumental event in his life has left my memory completely!

So, I am starting fresh. Jett, in the last 3 days, has done awesome!! He is wearing big boy undies around the house and only had one poop accident (those undies got thrown in the trash!). He sometimes tells me he needs to go and when he doesn't, I take him anyway. I thought he was too young, but he is surprising me!

It looks like a coin slot...to a 2 year old...

2011-06-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

Wellllll...can you tell what this is?

No? I'll help you out. It is a disassembled Play Station 3. Which, in good health, looks like this:

After disassemly, the culprit of the non-function and loud clancky sound when shaken was:

placed so innocently by this little rascal:

The surgery was performed carefully by Matt and my dad. We gathered around once completed to watch if the machine had survived...waiting anxiously for the disc that had been inside all along to seamlessly eject. Drew cheered with excitement at the site of the blinking green light and Alvin and Chipmunks popping right out. Good as new. Nice work, surgeons, nice work.

What a life we lead.

2011-05-15T19:39:00.000-07:00

What an amazing, chaotic, beautiful, stressful, extremely blessed life we lead! I haven't updated in over 2 months. The crazy thing about it is that it seems like it was last week. I swear the wind blew and April was gone. Good thing I take my camera most places, just so I have some sort of proof that it did actually exist and that we lived through it.

Spring Baseball has consumed what feels like every night since mid March. There was an opening ceremony and a parade. The boys had a blast painting the banner and tossing (well beaming, really) candy at the parents sitting on the sidewalks.

Drew's league got to be involved in the Atlanta Braves Little League Night at Turner Field. All the teams in our league were able to walk around the outfield with their coaches. While it was so exciting to see all our little guys in the big field, Drew was sound asleep in the stands by the 5th inning. :)

And...just last week, we found out that Drew made the all star team!! We are so, so proud of him for truly busting his tail at tryouts. It was a good lesson on working hard for something you really want. He wanted it and he got it! His all star team will play in 6 tournaments over June and July. It will be long, hot days at the ballfield, but I am excited to watch him play this summer. He truly has developed a love for the game over the last year. Makes his daddy proud (and mommy too!). :)

Easter was really fun this year. Drew "taught" us what he learned in church about what the true meaning of Easter is and that simply melted my heart. It lead to us having a real conversation about Christ and what it means to have him in your heart. He is such an awesome kid that gets smarter and more entertaining every day. Jett was just old enough to really understand the concept of hunting for eggs and it took about 2 seconds for him to discover that there was CANDY inside!!

Matt forced me to take Jett to get his hair cut last week. We compromised on a "trim". I just wasn't ready to part with his cute blonde curls.

The next day he had his personal photoshoot to celebrate his upcoming big birthday. Here is a sneak peak:

Today we celebrated Jett's 2nd birthday with a family BBQ. It was small and perfect. The look on his face when he sees balloons is priceless. A friend made his cake and it turned out FABULOUS!! Becky can be contacted here: Cake Ops Cakery.

Cousins and a few friends...

Tomorrow is Monday and we will have another busy week including Drew having baseball Monday-Thursday night. As draining as it is, seeing him smile when he makes and play is totally worth every minute of it. :)

The little things I will miss.

2011-03-04T11:31:00.000-08:00

Last night, while washing my hair, I kept stepping on little bath toys that somehow had made it into the bottom of our stand up shower in the master bathroom. My initial thought was "Geez, I can not wait until I can have my bathroom back to myself!"(well, and Matt of course) Then...I stopped mid-thought and realized how sad of a day that really would be. To not have bath toys in my shower would have to mean that my boys would be too big for bath toys, too independent to want to bathe in our bathroom at all. And, I know that day is quickly approaching. How sad the day will be when I won't hear their sweet voices in the middle of the night or the day when I won't have to walk to the bus stop, or scrub muddy baseball pants until my hands hurt. How lonely I will be to not have someone little always here that wants to play games with me or dance around the living room. Time is passing so quick and even quicker the next day. I thank God for this realization though. So this afternoon, tomorrow, next month and so on, I hope to be able to cherish these little "hassles" that I know will disapper well before I am ready. I want to think of them as little treasures and be able to remember them always. I take lots of pictures because I do know that we often forget. We forget LOTS. Especially lots of the "little" events...like simply playing outside in the yard or hugging a grandparent. My hope is that my boys will miss these little events too one day and be so thankful for all the pictures. Here are some from our outside play yesterday afternoon. Drew wanted me to get a shot of him jumping the curb on his scooter and did it over and over until I could get a good one of him in the air! :) Love that kid!

This is the scooter Popsy and G-mommy gave him for Christmas. It *SPARKS* and he thinks it is the coolest thing EVER!

A shower for baby Micah!

2011-03-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of helping host a baby shower for one of my favorite people on this planet! Lydia and I have known each other since the 6th grade and I am so lucky to call her a best friend. She is one of those friends that I actually "do life with" and I can't imagine my life without her a phone call away. Micah will be her first baby and should make his debut in about 7 weeks. Hosting with other friends, Mandy and Lauren (and Lauren's mother's help & gorgeous home), her shower turned out absolutely fantastic! We had a seated brunch with delicious food, then dessert outside around the pool. Micah is so lucky to be getting such an awesome mom and dad!

Micah's gift from his Auntie Jen was a warm blanket and some burp cloths made just for him (UGA colors, of course):

The most magical place on Earth!

2011-02-28T10:36:00.001-08:00

Walt Disney World lived up to the expectation! Our little family, along with our big extended family, had a blast! If Jett could talk, I think he would tell us his favorites were the big carousel at Magic Kingdom, which we rode three consequetive times and he screamed when I made him get off, and the ride through the animal safari at Animal Kingdom. He sat in Matt's lap through the safari and pointed at every animal he saw with a big grin. Drew said his favorites were Space Mountain where he got to "drive" the space ship(ride in the front seat) and the Indiana Jones show where he saw a "huge esplotion"(explosion). Explosion is hard to say when you are missing your four front teeth. :D

A few funny things...while sitting down to eat, bird poop dropped on my leg. Drew asked why the bird "shat" on me. The next day my sister in-law, Staci, was hit by more bird poop. Not sure why we were the targets. At a late, rather chaotic dinner on the last night, my seven year old nephew, Tyler, muttered "When I get back, I'm gonna need a shot!" Funny part was that I'm sure every adult there was thinking the same thing! Matt tried to "booty dance" with Timon from the Lion King at the Animal safari dinner. And...The kids all loved the up close view they got of the hippos butt hole in the aqaurium.

Of the 600+ pictures I took, I have narrowed them down to 68 that are here in this album: Disney 2011

The "Backpack"

2011-02-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

I broke down. I bought it. The thing (at one point in my life- before kids) I swore I'd never own...and I'm thinking about making myself a t-shirt that reads one of the following: "My kid's a runner!" or "You must not have kids!" or "It's not a leash, it's a backpack with a tail!" (feel free to vote). That's right, I bought a backpack that has a long tail that you hold on to in order to keep your child close by. Some call it a leash; call it what you may.
We are heading to Disney World in less than 2 weeks and it just makes sense to use it. I wouldn't want to be forced to ride in a stroller for hours and HOURS while my brother and all of my cousins get to walk. I would want to walk with them...and I know Jett feels the same way. I let him pick between the dog or the monkey in the store. He wanted the monkey. He held it all the way to the register and wouldn't let the lady put it in the bag. He couldn't wait for me to open it once we got in the car. I think he likes it!! I snapped this picture before we even made it out of the parking lot!
Only time will tell if he still loves it once he figures out that it will prevent him from "exploring" so "independently"...running from us, in other words. :)

Jett and his sauce...

2011-02-04T19:23:00.000-08:00

I think Drew was about the same age, almost 2, when he discovered dipping sauces. His world has never been the same. Jett has joined in on the dipping sauce obsession. Barbecue seems to be his favorite, but I haven't seem him turn his nose up to any kind yet. These were snapped over the last week...all followed by playtime in the tub!

Drew is six.

2011-01-16T20:02:00.001-08:00

Drew turned six this week. I have to let that really sink in for a moment...six. SIX.

I remember January 10, 2005 still so vividly. I woke up about 4AM with some cramping. Having no idea what labor pains felt like and being 2 weeks early, I tried to play it cool. Matt got up and went to work about 6:30 and I then got up and drove myself to work about 8:30. All along, the cramping continued. I wasn't hungry, but forced myself to eat some crackers once I got to my desk. I didn't do much all morning, but wonder if I was over reacting. My best work friend, Mary Jane, sat with me. At 2:00PM, she drove me to the hospital. I had been 3 times before already with false labor, so I really didn't want to call Matt at work yet. When I did finally call him, I swear I could hear his eyes rolling at the sound of my scared voice saying I was at the hospital waiting for someone to check me. I had a sweet nurse, Stephanie, that could tell I didn't want to leave again without my baby in my arms! She made me walk the halls of that hospital for two hours. Matt showed up just in time to hear the words "We're keeping her...you're going to have a baby!" I was in my room by 6:00PM and my family and friends were all arriving. It was a big party in the delivery room. Drew already had so many fans and people so eager to love him and hold him and support him through the life he had yet to enter in to. People came and went for hours.
While most were sleeping in the waiting room, at 2:32AM, on January 11th, Andrew James Conner entered this world. This crazy, fun, scary world. (I'll spare you the not pleasant details and visuals of me pushing for what felt like hours...)He was 8lbs even and had a head of dark hair.
He was perfect. I was a mom; Matt was a dad...and we were a family. It was absolutely the most wonderful feeling I had ever felt.

And I couldn't wait to leave that hospital with my baby finally in my arms!

We had no idea, then, what kind of kid he'd be. I remember walking around the living room holding him in the middle of the night as he cried that sweet newborn cry and softly singing to him and thinking the whole time about who he'd grow up to be, sure that he'd be something great!

He has brought so much love, humor and innocent laughter into our lives. He is smart. He catches on fast and doesn't forget. He's passionate and strong-willed. Generous and stubborn. He has gorgeous eyes and a strong grip. He's a sore loser like his dad, but will let you win at checkers if he's beat you over and over. He's something great. God knew exactly who he'd be.

On Tuesday, while we were snowed in, we made a cake to celebrate his special day. I can't wait to see what this year holds for him. I can't wait to see what he'll learn and how he'll change. I also want him to stay six for a while...maybe I can talk him into seven not being all that fun. This kid changed my life that day in 2005 and continues, every day, to be a huge contribution to my life being complete. I love this kid!

Christmas Holidays

2011-01-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

I think Christmas of 2010 has been my favorite one yet! Drew was at a perfect age to really be involved and excited about everything. Instead of getting our tree at Home Depot like we have the past few years, we went to a local tree farm where you can pick your tree and cut it down yourself. I took the boys while Matt was working to get it, so the son of the tree farmer helped Drew cut it down and carried it to the car for us.

Jett enjoyed a yummy, messy candy cane while I forced him to stay in the stroller during this excitement.
Christmas service at church was awesome! Drew wasn't very excited to sing on stage though, which is not like him at all. I had to bribe him with a chocolate milkshake just to get him up there. I guess we all have moments of not wanting to be front and center sometimes. He was still cute, even if he sat there pouting the whole time. I thought this was a gorgeous picture of all the kids on stage.

The past few years, our church has put together an outreach event called "Hope for Christmas" where they provide toys to needy families. It is much more than that though. The families come to the church and participate in a huge Christmas party. Santa is there, arts and crafts, jumpys for the kids and a secret santa shop so the kids can each pick out a gift for their parents. This year we provided gifts to over 4,000 children in 1,500 different families. God had his hands ALL over that event and I am so grateful I got to be involved in it. We serve an awesome God!

Christmas Eve came too fast this year! Awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus AND the Tooth Fairy, I though Drew would want to go bed early. What on Earth was I thinking?? We pulled up the Santa Tracker online and I told him that Santa's next stop was Georgia and our house would get skipped if he didn't go to sleep. I should have done that 2 hours earlier, because he ran to bed. He woke up to bunk beds and a new tv in the middle of the living room and $10 under his pillow. (He is now missing all four of his front teeth!)
Jett had a new kitchen/grill waiting for him to climb all over.
Then the magic started! It started to SNOW!!! Atlanta hasn't had a white Christmas in 30 something years!! The boys couldn't wait to walk next door to my parents house so they could be outside in it for even just a second.

New Years Eve was spent out with friends. We had a blast!
Getting up at 6AM wasn't easy New Years Day. We had to leave early to go to the annual MudBog. Matt's brother has been building a giant mud truck for some time now and the boys were so excited to put that sucker in the mud hole!

And, after this exhausting fun, Matt's Aunt took some fun family pictures of us, which Drew cried and pouted all the way through. We were able to get a grin in at least a few, thankfully. Doesn't it always seem like there is so much drama and trials to get everyone to sit together and act happy just for a picture!!?? Here are some of the best:

I wish all of you a wonderful, fulfilling, prosperous 2011!!

Our eventful Santa visit...minus the Santa visit.

2010-12-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

We woke up early Saturday morning. I was excited to take the boys to the Marietta Square for the second year in a row to visit with Santa and have their picture made. Before we got in line, the boys wanted to play on the train in the middle of the square. Drew has played on it what seems like hundreds of times, and I'm sure Jett will be the same. All the kids flock to it and love to pretend to steer it or slide down the caboose. It's been around forever.
They were having such a fun time! Jett loves steering wheels and slides so he was in Heaven!

Until...he was standing at the top of the 3 metal steps here...
and the next thing I knew he was tumbling head first down them. It was horrible. He was screaming; I scooped him up as quickly as I could, but I knew it was bad. I ripped my favorite scarf from around my neck and pressed it tightly onto his bleeding forhead. Running past the now long line of Santa waiters, yelling for Drew to follow me, I went straight to the familiar faces I knew. I'm sure I freaked them out as I ran up behind them crying and carrying my bleeding, screaming child. We have some family friends that work this event every year, and she was there to grab my keys and take charge. Leaving her daughters to take pictures, she drove us to the ER.

A cookie from the bottom of the diaper bag helped calm Jett down and I called Matt at work and his mom to meet us there. He was no longer crying when we pulled up to the front doors. Me? Well, I was a little better. They took us back quickly and evaluated him. By the look on the nurse's face, the notorious train sends the Kennestone Pediatric ER lots of victims. This is what his head looked like after they cleaned it up a bit (sorry, I know it's graphic)...
Calmed and given some apple juice, so clueless as to what he was about to go through.
After 45 minutes of a few numbing gel doses, the nurse brought in the papoose. This is when it got even harder. They strapped him down. I am so glad Matt's mom was in the room with me.
The doctor started working and Jett ended up crying himself to sleep about 5 stitches in. Which actually made me feel a *little* better knowing he obviously wasn't feeling it. He ended up with 11 stitches total. The cut was deep, all the way to his skull, the doctor said. So he has stitches under the skin and on top.
But afterwards, he was smiling his happy Jett smile. Today, one day later, you can't tell anything is wrong. He is spinning around in circles in the living room and attempting somersaults on the rug (which I am not allowing him to do and is ticking him off).

So this was our eventful Santa vist...minus the Santa visit. We'll try again next weekend, although pass on playing on the train, this time.

Thanksgiving pie, anyone?

2010-11-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

Here is the setting...Thanksgiving evening at Matt's dad and stepmom's house, all the guys are watching football in the living room, all the ladies are sitting around the dining room table looking at Black Friday ads, kids are running around the house playing and laughing. I had not seen Jett in a little while so I yelled at Matt in the other room. Nope, he hadn't seen him either. I got up, checked the playroom and found all the other kids, but not Jett. I do not think I have ever laughed at one of my boys as hard as I did when I walked into the kitchen and discovered this:
Cousin Rachel was the first to grab a camera, and I am so glad that she did. I want to have this picture forever! By the time the picture was taken though, two pies had been removed from the table. He was sitting in the middle of all the desserts, fork in hand, digging in. The look on his face was so innocent and all around hilarious!! I think there is no denying this little one's sweet tooth!

My sister in-laws and I LOVE Black Friday. This year was my first all nighter. I'm usually up and in line with them somewhere around 3AM, but this year was serious. They were in line at Target at 12:30. I got there about an hour later, but hadn't slept really at all. We shopped and ate, shopped and ate. I got into bed about 10:30PM Friday night. I really could not believe I lasted that long!! Strangely, here we are Sunday night, and surprisingly, it hasn't caught up to me yet.

Saturday we went to the zoo with some friends. Drew ran around like a nut, enjoying every second with his buddies. Jett could probably have cared less. He did love the train ride and the playground, but hated to carousel and being made to ride in his stroller. It was a gorgeous day, although a little cold, and turned out to be quite a fun afternoon!

Just so it's on record...My boys rock my world!

2010-11-16T05:14:00.000-08:00

Is this not the cutest little lion you have ever seen??!!
And, while I do not understand the Star Wars craze that my sweet Drew has been sucked into, he does make one handsome Obi-Wan Kenobi!
Halloween was so much fun this year!!

A few days before Halloween, I got to hang out with a few awesome mom friends. April, Florica and I took the "little" boys to Carlton Farms. Jett's favorites of the day were feeding the cows from the hayride and playing on the tunnel slide.

I love how content they all were, just running around in this old, wooden wagon. Such sweeties!
Our attempt at a group picture...it was as good as it was going to be...Caiden snuck out in the last second!
Oh, and, I almost forgot...I'm not sure Jett truly enjoyed this, but, this picture just makes me smile!!

Drew and Matt finished the baseball season with a bang. Best game the team had played all season...and they always played pretty well! Drew rocked short stop and made some great plays.
They beat the only team that had beaten them twice. It was a great feat for the whole team and everyone was very excited!!
Our dear friend, Justin Ramer, helped coach this season. He was awesome and Drew loves him very much!

We are a week away from Thankgiving and I don't really know where this year went. I feel like I blink my eyes and my precious boys are completely different than the one blink before. God has SOOOOO blessed us with some super special little men though, that is for sure! Last night while I was getting the boys ready for bedtime, Drew was laying in his room playing his DS when Jett climbed up into his bed and layed down right next to him. Drew said "he can stay, if he wants..." and as I picked Jett up to take him to his bed, he said "Drewwwww" to which Drew replied "Love you, Jetty, good night". My heart was so full of love that it actually made me tear up. Matt and I talked for a minute about it and I went to bed so thankful that my boys love each other so much, at least for now.

Fall has arrived.

2010-10-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

I'm sure I am like most and enjoy certain things about the changing of the seasons. Early Fall is probably my favorite of all for many reasons...cool, crisp air, pumpkin candles in the kitchen, football games, hoodie sweatshirts, and simply awesome playing outside weather.

A lot has happened over the last month. Matt has been coaching Drew's baseball team for the first time. They have their last game next week. It has been quite a learning experience for him and he has left some games excited and happy and others saying he will never coach again. (I think that will pass quickly.) In my opinion, he has done an amazing job and I'd be honored to be his team mom next season and the many seasons to follow. Drew has improved incredibly since last season and even has been hitting balls to the fence resulting in many doubles and even a handful of triples! Maybe next season fielding the ball will click a little better. :)

Jett is at such a fun age! Some of the things he has been saying lately: ball, sit, no, yeah, Drew, Tutu (Turner), and he does the tomahawk chop like a pro! Although he is growing like a wild flower, he still likes to cuddle when he wakes up and I hope he doesn't grow out of that like he does his shoes. I can't imagine how it is possible, but he truly gets cuter everyday!

This time of year I also start doing more sewing than usual. I am trying to talk myself into creating a website and selling stuff I make, but I just end up thinking about the time I don't have to sew in bulk and questioning whether I am even good enough. I enjoy sewing and making things for people that I know they will enjoy, but I'm not sure I'm cut out to make a business of it. I suppose time will tell. I am going to be a part of my first real craft show in December, which I am excited about. I made two special little girls birthday outfits last week. Here is one of the outfits I made.

We visited the World of Coke with Matt's mom and Aunt Terri a few weeks ago. Drew loves the 4-D theatre there and tasting the hundreds of different kinds of Coke products from around the world. "The Beverly" is known to be one of the most bitter and not pleasant tasting of them all. Of course, it ends up being Drew's favorite. Because I thought no one would believe me, I made him pose next to it giving a thumbs up.
And, I even snuck a photo of the boys together. It isn't perfect, but, hey, nothing is, right?!

I took the boys to a small pumpkin patch this week. Drew is at an age where it is pretty impossible to get a picture of him doing anything, certainly posing with his brother. Here are a few pictures, and I promise Drew WAS there even though I have no evidence.

Lastly, Matt and I went to our first Parent/Teacher conference today where we received Drew's first report card. He is doing so well! Out of 25 different things he was graded on, he received the highest grade possible on 22 of them!! His behavior grades were not as impressive (to say the least) but once we figure out his medication and continue to learn new ways to help him cope with his ADHD, I'm sure these grades will improve.

Happy Fall, ya'll!! We're off to play outide!

Who doesn't like to play in the dirt?

2010-09-18T14:30:00.001-07:00

Certainly not my boys!! At the first sound of the front door opening, Jett is running (as fast as his little, stubby legs will allow) full steam towards the chance that he *might* get to go outside. Turner is usually right behind him. I snapped some cute pics today as Jett was exploring. A little dirt in the mouth won't REALLY hurt, will it?

What is it with boys and sticks??!!

Best buds!
I love this one!

Speaking of dirt...Matt got a new (old) Bronco to go muddin' (redneck term for driving through deep mud holes and trying not to get stuck) with the boys in. Drew LOVES, LOVES, LOVES it! It even has a radio thing in it that he likes to talk into. "Step away from the monster truck."

I hope the 3 of them have many years of fun in this old, dirty truck.

A moment that stops you in your tracks...

2010-09-01T06:08:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you've had these moments, you know, the ones that happen unexpectedly...maybe one you've dreamed about or maybe one so far out there that you are totally shocked to see. I saw one yesterday. A GOOD one!! Or, more appropriately, a GOD one!

Drew didn't have a great day at school.He got in trouble quite a bit throughout the day for not being able to follow directions. When he got home, we were talking about his day, what he should have done differently, etc. He looked at me and said "Mom, when we have problems, we are suppose to look in our Bible for the answers." He was SO right! He flipped open his Bible and pretended to read it to himself. (He can't read just yet.) What a blessing this was for me to know that he really IS listening and watching. A moment like this is one I'll remember for a long, long time. Praisin' God and lovin' my kids!

Bathtime fun with Jett

2010-08-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

It is so much fun watching my boys learn new things...small and big. Jett has learned how to make the "vroom vroom" sound while he pushes a car around. It's adorable and also proof that he IS his father's son...not that I had any doubt. If you are a boy in this family, it is imperative that you have a passion for fast cars and it seems he is on his way.
I suppose it is only appropriate that someone with a huge passion for fast cars also have a rat-tail. He's got that covered too!
Would someone that loves fast cars and has a rat-tail like fishin' too? Absolutely!He's showing me two that he caught bare handed!
I guess we need to start saving now for the jacked up pick up truck to tow the trailer for his fast car on the way to the dragstrip.

Hyper drive...

2010-08-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

Hyper Drive. This is how the psychologist we met with today describes the brain of a person with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). It's like having a ping pong ball bouncing around inside your head all the time, not allowing you to focus or remember simple instructions. This is also the disorder that Drew is going to be tested for (among other learning/attention disorders) next week. We understand some people are against us testing him so young, as the primary way to help people with the disorder is medication, however, we also love him more than words can describe and hate watching him struggle to complete simple tasks. This is not a sudden decision either. We have watched him have a hard time since he started his first preschool class at 3 years old. He has always been very bright, but also VERY busy. Unfortunately, his brightness has always been in the shadow behind his busyness (or restlessness as the doctors call it). In order for him to reach his full learning potential and have a successful grade school experience, it is imperative that we find the cause of his restlessness and inability to stay on task. I have no doubt that God is in the center of this and already knows the path we are soon to travel down. I am so incredibly anxious to see how He will use this beautiful child that is so "fearfully and wonderfully made" by Him! Please pray for our family, as this is the hardest thing we have had to endure yet.

Here is a good site if you are curious about ADHD. www.chadd.org

We are gate less.

2010-08-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I'd come to love my cheap Walmart baby gate. It was $10. Perhaps, had I purchased the more expensive, better quality one, I would not have had to subsequently purchase three more, but who's counting?! Drew never grasped the concept of stepping over the gate, he would step ON the top of the gate and jump over. Now it is clear to you why I had to purchase more, they'd snap right in half, usually cutting him somehow during the crash. Said crash was followed by a bandaid and a "I'm sorry, Mom, I forgot...again."

Sooo, my day yesterday was gate less. I used it to keep Jett out of the kitchen. Simply, because, well...have you ever had a 15 month old in your kitchen? Enough said, right? If so, it probably would resemble this:
Which leads to this:
I spent most of the day picking up random pots and pans that I found in the bathroom, under the couch or being used as seats for the boys in the middle of the living room.

I also caught Jett doing this...pushing the stool:
Climbing on top of the stool:
JACKPOT!!

I guess the decision to make is to either cave in on the annoying cabinet locks or head on back for my 4th baby gate purchase.

WE HAVE A ROUTINE!!!!

2010-08-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

The title is typed in caps because I'm screaming with excitement! WE HAVE A ROUTINE!!!I'm so excited because 1) we've never really had one before 2) it's working like a charm 3) I'm realizing how much I was missing my nights with Matt! All those years of Drew going to bed about the same time we did apparently took it's toll on us.

Here it is:
6:15AM Wake up Drew for school/breakfast/get ready
6:55AM Out the door to the bus stop (which is just two driveways up)
then...
6:00PM Dinner
7:00PM Bath
7:30PM Jett's bedtime
8:00PM Drew's bedtime

Drew started Kindergarten last week. My days that were once filled with constant noise are much different now. My house is cleaner and my patience is in excellent shape! But, all the clean quietness aside...I miss my big boy terribly when he is gone. It has certainly been an adjustment for us all. Even Matt, who used to wake up way before us and head out the door for work, now has a house full of hustle and bustle in the wee hours of the morning!

I could go on for days about how sad, glad, excited and scared to death I am to have a new kindergartner, but I think it's pretty obvious, so I won't bore you. (Personally, I don't want to sit here and sob as I type...so I'll just leave it at that.)

Here is Drew on the first day of Kindergarten:
It's a little blurry, because he was so excited to run to the car, that he gave me one shot to get it right and this is how it turned out. I'm sad to not have a better picture.

And, just for kicks, this is Drew this time last year on the first day of Pre-K:
And (my favorite of all so far), this is the year before that on the first day of his 3 yr old preschool class:
As he grows before our eyes, I pray that God has his hand on his life, that he will grow into a warrior for Christ and live everyday loving all people. Oh, how I LOVE this kid!!

The funny faces of Jett.

2010-08-05T17:55:00.001-07:00

Matt always says that I make funny faces when I'm having a conversation or just thinking to myself. Personally, I think Jett takes the cake for the best funny faces. Here a few over just about a 2 minute period.

Sweet Summertime...

2010-07-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened over the last month and I have been desperately trying to find the time to blog. Once the boys are asleep and the kitchen gets cleaned, my bed is the only priority on my mind. Drew will be starting Kindergarten in about 3 weeks and we will all be thrown into waking up REALLY early and going to bed REALLY early. It will be a shock for the whole fam! Send some pointers if you have some!

We went to the beach with Matt's family last month. There were 21 of us in all and it was so much fun! All 6 of the grandkids range in age from 10 to 13 months, Jett being the youngest, so they all have a blast playing together all week. While down there, Drew got to DRIVE his first go-cart! Of course it was a Kiddie cart, but he didn't know the difference!! He also discovered that he was now tall enough to do the Slingshot. You know, this thing: Of course, I didn't let him...but not sure I can get out of it next year. My little dare devil. We also had our first family photo session out on the beach. The pictures turned out awesome, but at $25 per 4x6, we only purchased 1. I took a picture of the 4x6 so it's not as clear as it is in person, but here is our family pic:

Jett loved the water, but not a big fan of the sand. He didn't mind walking in it, or touching it, he just still likes to put everything in his mouth. A sandy mouth is not fun, I'd imagine.
Drew loves everything about the beach.
Except the huge dead crab that we tried to get him to hold, he wanted no part of that! Although Matt's cousin, Rachel, wasn't scared!
And while the oil spill has been headline news for the last few months, Panama City Beach remains so beautiful. Actually, I think this year was the prettiest I have ever seen the water.

We have been home for a few weeks and celebrated Matt's 30th birthday over the weekend. It's really hard to believe that in a few years, he will have spent half his lifetime with me. What did I do to deserve such a great man? The Lord was definitely on my side when choosing him for me! He cooks, cleans, and provides for us without expecting anything in return. He truly is an amazing person that I love very much! I can't wait to see what the next 30 years have in store for him.

Yesterday, I took Drew to play in these waterfalls that are only about 20 minutes from our house. We've lived here for many years and had no idea they were so close...or so beautiful! We met some friends from church and brought a few too. Aren't they absolutely stunning??!!
The boys were able to climb about half way up, none brave enough to jump though...which, if you know my son, might surprise you!
We did a little trail hike and had lunch on the rocks. It might have been my favorite summer day this year! I think Drew might agree!
Thanks, Lydia, for watching Jett for me. It would have been impossible to have him there. Maybe next year...

This weekend we are heading to our friends, Mary Jane and Joe's, lake house in Alabama for an adult weekend to celebrate Matt, Mary Jane and Justin's birthdays. Then will be home for 4 days and then heading to Florida to my aunt and uncle's lake house for a little family get together. We are so looking forward to both! Drew can't wait to fish with his Great Uncle Greg. Here is a picture from earlier this summer, when Greg helped him catch his first fish! A Sweet Summer, indeed!

Lemonade!

2010-06-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

Drew has been begging to make his own homemade lemonade. So, while Matt was working and Jett was sleeping, today was his lucky day! He squeezed the lemons...

Poured in the freshly squeezed juice...
Added the much needed sugar...
Added water and stirred...
Cheers!
It was delicious!
And just because he looks so angelic...
It was the perfect, hot, summer day for lemonade!

Boys will be boys.

2010-06-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Jett's shirt says it all:
What do you think any young boy would picture as Heaven on Earth? I think it's a creek, with running water, rocks, sticks, maybe a few fish swimming under their feet...at least my boy thinks this, I'm sure! We have found what will become the park of choice over the next summer months. We've been meeting some friends from church here during the week, who ALL have boys! It's pretty insane really. It is comforting to know that I have such an awesome support group of moms with all boys; God is trusting many of us to bring up warrior men of Christ, which is certainly not an easy task...and I'm just in the beginning! Here are some pictures from our day in the creek...

Then to top off our all boy outing...a snake!!! Perfect...for them.
Jett and I stayed dry at the top of the hill and enjoyed our mommy, baby time with the other mommies and babies (all boys too).

The imperfect person I am...

2010-06-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

I heard an awesome quote today: "We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

I, for one, am a self proclaimed imperfect person. Boy, am I ever! I humbly tell you that recently I have received a few compliments from some VERY kind ladies telling me that I always seem like I have it all together. Psshh...If they only knew. I graciously told them thanks and then told them I always wanted to be an actress. I certainly am so incredibly far from having it together. Let me explain(and I can not believe that I am posting this picture)...this is me:

In no make-up, tired of my sick baby crying so I put him in a sling that is too small just so I don't have to hold him constantly or listen to him scream, Drew is watching tv- which I let him do way too often, I just restarted the washing machine because I forgot about it and it has been sitting for 2 days (and you know that smell that starts to leak out of the laundry room- not pleasant),...I'm bossy, and impatient, hard headed and challenging. With all of these shortcomings, Matt loves me, the imperfect me, the me that forgets about the laundry and wants to play outside instead of do my mommy chores...even though these shortcomings frustrate the fire out of him, I know he loves me regardles...he sees the imperfect person perfectly. (Or he's a really good actor!)

My afternoon with Drew...

2010-06-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

While the sickies napped this afternoon, Drew and I played outside. It was a day of tree climbing...

Playing catch...
Watching bees...

Finding rolly pollys...

Making a house for the above mentioned pollys (a gatorade bottle)...

Then to end the night, we had a date with Marmaduke!
which was -in Drew's words- "hilarious"!! I can hear him snoring in his room as I sit in the kitchen typing this. It was one of the best days we've had together in a long time. Just me and my big boy.

Has her nurse hat on today.

2010-06-05T09:44:00.000-07:00

Oh, the many hats we wear. Today, it's nurse hat day. It was suppose to be dolled up wife day since we were going to a wedding and then a wine tasting with some friends, but well, sometimes nurse hat day surprises you.

Matt went to bed fine last night. (side note) At some point in the middle of the night, Drew came and got in our bed. Even though it's "our bed" he ends up glued to MY back. Every time. So when he wet the bed about 5:00 this morning, he wet me too. Such a nice way to wake up. (end side note) So while Drew and I were sleeping on the couch, Matt woke up not feeling well, but left for work anyhow and then ended up going to see the dr. When I got his text after we woke that simply said "got strep", I was a little confused. He is home sleeping now.

Jett has had a consistently runny nose for what seems like a month now. Yesterday he had gunky eyes and a cough. So I got the kids ready and took him to the dr this morning too. Sinus infection. Better than pink eye though...atleast in my opinion. He was prescribed the antibiotic that turns his poop red. (Which they did not tell me the first time he had to take it and I freaked at the sight of the spaghetti sauce looking filled diaper. Gross, I know, but you didn't have to change it!) He is home sleeping now.

Drew is actually quietly watching a movie...that he surprisingly turned on himself. The beginning stages of independence are really nice! I'm sure he'll enjoy serving Daddy his soup in bed later and loving on his sick little brother.

So, I'm off to wash sheets, take temps and cook soft things for my family...just don't start ringing a bell for me. This nurse hat can be changed at any second!

School's out...water is on!!

2010-05-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

Since I don't pay the bills (my awesome husband does), I can't tell you what our water bill actually goes up to during the summer months, but I think it would have to be a substancial increase. Who doesn't have fun in a sprinkler??!! I mean there is no pool bag packing, which for us means: no sandwich making, no baby float toting, no flip flop losing madness. Don't get me wrong, I am all for a fun day at the pool and I'm sure a lot of our summer will be spent there. The sprinkler, though, is something you don't have to plan for, pack for, it's stress free! Once Jett starts walking (any day now), I'm sure he will love it just as much as everyone else. Today was a perfect sprinkler day!

Our friend, Molly, was a sprinkler first-timer. I think she's hooked! I'm glad Landon and Caden were here today to play too!Although, Caden wasn't too sure about it. I have faith though that he will come around soon!!

Muckdogs take 1st place!

2010-05-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

What a fun, fun, fun 1st baseball season for Drew! Finishing in first place, all the boys did so awesome! Drew learned not to look at the stands while he was running to first base and why not to dance around (especially backwards) in the outfield. He loved being the catcher; it forced him to pay attention, not to mention he was stinkin' cute in all that catcher gear!

It seems impossible that I have a Kindergartener and a one year old.

2010-05-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

This week, I watched Drew walk into his new Elementary School with his head high, like he already knew that he'd soon run the place... with not an ounce of uncertainty. I watched him say goodbye to his pre-school classmates, who have become his great friends. It's just the beginning for him, making friends and then having to say good bye to move on to make new friends. I pray that when he is older, he has a circle of great friends around him, from each chapter of his life, maybe even some from pre-school. What a true blessing it has been for me to have such wonderful friends...friends I still talk to often, friends I've known so long that I can't remember not knowing them, friends that I know will be there forever. Here are a few pictures from Drew's pre-school graduation:

and this is Kitty...I hope they stay in touch because I absolutely adore her!

He and Gracee Beth became great friends! I know we will see her again!

and this was our attempt at a family picture...

My sweet Jett will be one tomorrow. ONE. It seems impossible! Today someone asked me how old he was and I said 11 months. For a brief second I thought about saying "He's one" but I just couldn't bring myself to say it. It just sounds so - not a baby anymore. I guess I could say 12 months. Then I may turn into the mom that says in a few years that he's 36 months! I had so much fun throwing his first birthday party yesterday. He is one loved 12 month old!
These were so worth the time they took!

Every monkey needs a monkey cup.

Birthday Boy!

Builing their monkeys...

Drew and Tyler

Cake time!

Playing in the jumpy...

Brother showing Jett how to play with his new Pirate water table.

I can't wait for all the new things he will learn this year as a big ONE year old. I'm sure this year will go by just as quick and soon enough I'll be writing about how it's just impossible for him to be two, but I'm not going to think about that right now. I'm just going to cherish my sweet baby...and I just might always call him that, even when he's 345 months old.

Our crabapple tree bloomed today!

2010-04-07T11:45:00.001-07:00

God amazes me. The streets in our neighborhood are beautifully lined with blooming trees and flowers. Our own crabapple tree has joined the other trees and now has wonderfully fragrant white blooms. I'm so grateful that Drew and I do not suffer from allergies. Matt, on the other hand, will be coughing, sneezing and snorting for the next few weeks. I guess we'll see how Jett handles the Georgia spring months. This is my favorite time of year!

It's almost Easter!

2010-04-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

It's almost Easter, which means Spring has arrived! I can not tell you how excited I am for sundresses, white pants, flip flops and playing outside! This winter, as everyone in the south knows, has been absolutely dreadful. Bring on the sunshine!!

This morning, Drew was so eager to color his Easter eggs. We boiled them last night, so he knew that was the first thing he was going to do when he woke up today.

I took the boys outside in the front yard today to try to get some pictures of them. Of course, I thought it would be easy to just take them out, sit them together and snap a few photos of them smiling joyfully and then I'd be done. It was more like, dress Jett (with bib so shirt won't be soaked within minutes), bribe Drew because he is NOT interested, I give in to no shoes, walk outside, convince Drew that the bumble bee will not hurt him, sit the boys on the ground, pull pine needles out of Jett's mouth, and...finally...I get a (one) shot of the two of them together. To my surprise, it is pretty good and all my efforts paid off!

Drew took off and I didn't stop him. I decided I'd just get a few of Jett, while he's little and can't run from me!

We are off to an Easter egg hunt at Drew's school and I am really looking forward to church tomorrow and spending the afternoon with our great family! HE IS RISEN!!!

Lazy Sunday

2010-03-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

Every day Jett walks a little farther and little longer behind his favorite little push toy. I wonder how much longer before he'll just get up and go with out it? Here is a little clip...

Did you notice Matt and Drew both laid up in the same chair? That's the favorite lazy Sunday spot. Drew watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the first time yesterday. It was a perfect rainy, cold day for a family movie.

Go Muckdogs!

2010-03-17T07:23:00.000-07:00

Drew surprised me! He really surprised me! I guess all the pleading that Matt and I did in the 15 minute car ride to the park last night paid off...sounded something like: "Please don't spin around on your head in the outfield, please don't swing the bat in the dugout, make sure you keep your foot on the base or you'll be out, don't look behind you at the dirt flying up when you are running, don't tell Uncle Jason how to pitch- He's the coach and you are not, do not move your front foot when you swing, but most importantly HAVE FUN!!" He did, he played so well and we are so proud! The Muckdogs won 15-1! Here are some pictures from last nights game.

Drew's first at bat, first pitch...

He crushed it!!

Team huddle...so stinkin' cute!

Classic Drew smile

Proud Daddy!

Drew with his cousins, Brody and Tyler

Is he a dog or is he a monkey?

2010-03-16T10:59:00.000-07:00

Baseball is here!!

2010-03-16T09:00:00.001-07:00

Baseball season is finally here. Unfortunately, the weather has caused the opening day ceremonies to be postponed until this Saturday, but Drew's first game is tonight. He's already tried his uniform on and told me "Today, I'm going to take it easy so I'll be ready for my game tonight." Well...alrighty then! I'm curious what his interpretation of "take it easy" is. It's probably much different than mine. We are all so excited about tonight though and will be there in our matching Muckdogs t-shirts cheering on all of our little Muckdogs! This season is especially fun because Drew is on the same team as his two cousins, Tyler and Brody. It may be the only year they ever get to play together, so we're going to take lots of pictures. I think Grandmommy and Popsy are pretty excited to have all three of them on the same team too. Although, Grandmommy couldn't get a shirt listing all three boys' names on the back; she was a little bummed about that.

What comes next...College?

2010-03-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

With my coffee next to me, Drew at preschool and Jett napping, I am sitting here thinking about time and my boys. About how Drew has less than 23 days left of preschool, then it will be time for him to march on to a BIG school bus on the way to Kindergarten...about how Jett stood on his own for almost a minute this morning and will probably be walking in the very near future...about how much I just want time to stop, right here, right NOW! It is bittersweet to watch them grow and learn new things, but the thought of them actually growing up is quite terrifying to me. They need me, rely on me, for so much...which is overwhelming, exhausting and sometimes a bit annoying...but deep down, I love it. I love being their mother.

Perhaps all of this is coming from my recent realizaton that all 50 lbs. of Drew is just too big for me to pick up anymore. So, now, everytime I hold Jett, I squeeze him a little tighter and hold him a little longer because I know the day will come too soon when I won't be able to hold him either.

Terrified as I may be, I am so excited to see the boys and men they grow to be. If I can teach them two things in life, to love Christ and to love all people, then the rest will fall into place...and Matt and I will have succeeded.

Going Bananas!!

2010-03-02T13:23:00.001-08:00

It's almost silly how much we love bananas! We love them in cereal, we love them on ice cream, mashed in pancakes, we love them with chocolate, or peanut putter...or the best of both worlds: Nutella! Jett loves them in a jar. We love banana bread, banana muffins and banana popsicles! I wonder if a banana tree would survive if we planted one here in our yard? I'm going to have to research that!

Baby needs new shoes.

2010-02-25T14:26:00.000-08:00

I suppose it is the curse of the second boy...hand-me-downs. Although, Jett doesn't seem to mind, atleast not yet. For some reason, I feel so guilty every time I go into the basement to look for the next size tub of Drew's old clothes that I have stashed away just for him. I know it sounds silly, but I just feel like he deserves something NEW every once in a while...just for being him- so sweet and cute! So today, he got some new shoes. He loves them!

and this last picture is just because I love his smile...and his drool!

How do you torture your kids? I use sour candy!

2010-02-24T11:13:00.000-08:00

I know, cruel, but funny!

Valentine's Day Pizza

2010-02-14T18:11:00.000-08:00

It was a wonderful day with my boys. I have so much love for each one of them and today was just a special day to make sure they know. Tonight, for dinner, we made our first homemade pizza. It was Drew's idea to make a heart out of pepperoni. He's so sentimental!

This Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T18:28:00.000-08:00

As I sit and think back on this year, I have so incredibly much to be thankful for. I get overwhelmed thinking about how much God loves me (and Matt) to entrust us to raise these precious 2 boys of his. For this, I am most thankful.

I am also thankful for many other things like the most amazing friends, old and new. I am thankful for for my husband, who will unload the dishwasher with out being asked. I am thankful to own the house next door to my parents, who are such loving parents and grandparents. I am thankful for healthy boys, chocolate cake and red wine. I am thankful for an almost paid off car, clear water and new roof. I am thankful for my cozy, clean bed that is big enough to hold our family of four sometimes plus the dog...and so much more...

Today is going to be a day of getting stuff done...because it MUST!

2009-11-18T06:32:00.000-08:00

I'm overwhelmed. After everyone in this house battling the stomach virus over the past week, every inch of this house is a wreck. I have anxiety in every room it seems. I don't even know where to start. I have 10 aprons to sew, which I am so thankful for, but still have to find the time to complete. Jett is teething. He also is still trying to get this stomach bug out of his system. I will jump off the couch in excitment at the sight of his first solid poop in almost a week. He does have the cutest two little bottom teeth ever though! Needless to say, he has not let me put him down nor has he slept very well in days. Drew knows everything so this has led to us butting heads constantly, because well, he doesn't...I do. Not really, but I want him to think that anyway.

So, while my baby cries, my dishes wait patiently in the sink, my bed sits unmade and I am dirty, I pray. God, thank you for this day, this wonderful day.

My first sewing project is complete!

2009-10-06T12:48:00.001-07:00

Although, I'm not quite a seamstress yet, I do think I am on my way. It is so much fun making things that people are going to enjoy! This first project is a birthday present for my niece, Tristyn. I hope she loves it as much as I do!
It is so nice living next door to my parents. My mom helped a lot with this first outfit. We made it using her sewing machine that she's had since junior high! She's an amazing seamstress and I hope she teaches me everything she knows.

I'm crock potting.

2009-09-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I wouldn't offically call myself a crock potter, considering this is only the second time in 5 years I've used the thing...and the first was for cheese dip and I don't really even think that counts. I'm ready to see what the rave amoung moms is about though some I'm giving a real try. I'm making baby back ribs. I asked for pointers on facebook and was told by my friend, Annette, that she just dumps a bottle of barbeque sauce in with them and lets them cook on low...and she must know a lot. She's a mom that homeschools. :) I haven't told Matt what I'm cooking because I'm nervous they won't turn out very good. Although, they do already smell wooonderfulllly!! Here they are- about 3 and a half hours in. Lookin' good, aren't they!?

Happy Anniversary, Dear.

2009-09-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

This day, 4 years ago, was a beautiful day in Atlantic Beach, Florida. It was this day that Matt and I promised each other that we'd love through everything and anything until death parted us. Much has changed over these years and we can not wait to see what God has in store for our family over the next 4 years...and 50 years thereafter.

What do I love most about him you ask?

I love how he smells after he's been standing over the grill outside.
I love that he lets Drew help him cut the grass.
I love how he kisses our pug right on his lips.
I love when he wraps his arms around my waist from behind and squeezes real tight.
I love the way he and Jett coo back and forth at each other like they have some secret Daddy/son language.
I love how hard he works so we can give the boys a great home.
Most of all...I love how he saves the yummy garlic sauce from Papa Johns's for me even though he loves it so much too.

Try not to laugh!

2009-09-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

Lydia sent me the funniest link EVER!

www.peopleofwalmart.com

I also think it's funny that there are so many pictures on this website that must have been taken by complete strangers. I wouldn't have the guts to take a random picture of a stranger in the middle of Walmart...but I'm glad these people did.

Should carpool line be this complicated?

2009-09-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

As Matt and I sat in the back of the theatre room for orientation at the church Drew was to start pre-school at, we both looked at each other with confused eyes. We are counting and are currently on minute 29 of the director trying to inform us of how carpool line should work. This included a diagram/map with highlighted arrows, written instructions and also a verbal description. We are not confused by how it works, but confused by how confusing the poor lady is making it sound. I'm glad to report that carpool line is going smoothly thus far...I'm sure thanks to the great instructions!

The first day of school went by quickly, only two hours in fact. Drew said his new best friend was named Garrett and he smiled and waved to an insanely cute, little girl named Kitty as we walked to the car (I didn't go through the carpool line on the first day...I guess you could say that I didn't want to look confused).

Here is Drew on his first day of Pre-K.

Here is Drew exactly one year earlier on his first day of 3 year old preschool. What a difference!