changes

I love this quote.  It applies to our lives right now. 

Shane has been given an amazing opportunity to be the Director of the Merial site in Berlin, Maryland.  When he came home with the proposal I wasn't sure what to think.  I cried, laughed, but mostly I beamed with excitement for him.  He has been given this incredible opportunity that we can't pass up.  I am just so proud of him and all that he has accomplished within  his company.  The boy likes to have a good time and be crazy, but when it comes to his job he's a different man. 

This past year was tough.  It was tough knowing that I was giving it my all to my classroom, yet lacking so much as a mother to my children.  I had a hard time finding a good balance.  I've been given another chance to be their mommy.  To be their teacher.  Thank you, precious lord. 

Staying home is not easy.  Working is not easy.  Being a mama is not easy.  But, I'm going to give it my best shot since I've been given this gift. 

We'll stick around until the end of July, then it's off to Berlin, Maryland we go. 

For two years this time... 

Read more...

davis~ age 4 & 10 months

He's grown an inch or two...gained a lb or two.  But still right around the 30 lb mark! 

Eats great now.  Not a picky little booger anymore.

As he grows, so does that heart. 
Man, he is full of love.

Loves making us proud.  Loves letting "ladies go first."

He completed his first year of "school" with very few tears and lots of neat friendships.

He'd still rather be at home than anywhere on earth.

He wants daddy to hang around for "man stuff" but still wants mama to tuck him in at night.

Loves his sister so much & yet drives her insane on purpose.

He works hard and wants to learn something new everyday.

Learning to be brave & adventurous. 

Has a new passion for water and sand.

Has become slightly more comfortable with fireworks and cats. 
Still not a fan of dogs.

Has embraced the fact that puppets are fun and not scary.

Boy, he's worked through a lot this year.

His brain is churning 24 hrs. a day.

He knows right from wrong and has the desire to lean towards the right.

The most compassionate memory-making boy I know. 

The boy loves a good time & cherishes all special moments.

We love him and learn from him each day.

Read more...

carson~ age 3 & one month

Hard to believe this girl is three now. 

I love her sweet eyes and beautiful heart lips. 

She gives a million kisses and "i wove yous" a day.

She has awesome fingernails (unlike her mama) and long bird legs.

Weighs just at 30 lbs and is about an inch or two shorter than Bubbie.

Her silliness and desire to smile and laugh are my favorite things about her.

She loves to give bear hugs.  To anyone...

She loves to make you comfy and for you to "sit with her in the chair." 

She has the cutest stinkin' expressions and loves to use her hands when she talks. 

She misses her school friends so much.

She is a mama's girl still until daddy walks through the door.

And ooooh how she loves to pout, too.

Really really likes things to go her way, but don't we all.

Learning self control as each day passes by taking a deep breath and saying, "Moooom, can I pwease...."

Takes pink bwanky everywhere.

Throws some fits that make me laugh out loud.

Has a terrible habit of saying, "ummmm, nope........!"  *which then gets corrected by her mama's hand.  hee hee...

Man, we're crazy about her. 



Read more...

pool progress

It was the first day in the pool.  May 2011.  Davis eases in with his life jacket...freaks out....grabs my neck....draws blood....screams loud enough for Habersham county to hear him...freaks his sister out because I'm sure she is thinking there are sharks in mimi & papa's pool. Wouldn't dare put his chin in the water much less his face. Shane & I were a little shocked.  Not sure what to do other than show some tough love.  It was going to be a loooong summer.

Fast forward just four short weeks and we have a new man.  A crazy jumping in the deep end & canon ball maniac has transformed!  The boy is obsessed.  Wants to grow up and be on swim team.  He is really doing wonderful.  Swims the entire length of the pool, takes breaths, does his own sweet little form of breast stroke and freestyle.  I'm impressed and we owe it all to Aunt Shannon.  She loves him enough to make him be a swimmer just like his cousin.  She worked and worked and worked with him and he is so incredibly proud. 
I'm still a little bit in shock that my little cautious boy is more brave in the water than I am. 

I secretly am afraid of the water.  I hope he never knows that. 

I was telling my sweet friend Jenn that it's so neat to see him accomplish something huge.  As toddlers grow they seem to hit milestones daily.  These milestones are more spread out...ouch...does this mean he's getting big?  Anyhoo...here is my boy and his awesome cousin cathryn in action!! 

Read more...

birthday at the beach!

Unicoi State park...a new favorite! 

What a day we had today with some of our very favorite buddies. 

Water splashing, sandcastle building, mamas relaxin' (we were shocked we got to do this!), and just pure fun today out on the beach! 

Days like today make me second guess our decision to move. 

This dear friend had a little trick up her sleeve...we celebrated my 36th birthday with a yummy cake, party hats, and blowers!  What an awesome surprise.  Thanks, Erin! It was truly a special day.

 Parker, Gus, Cathryn, Kite, Carson, Mack, Davis, Caroline

           Love that every little person is in their own little world...  this picture makes me so happy!



Read more...

summer kicks off!

The kids and I are living it up this summer.  After finding out that we'd be moving to maryland in August, we decided it was time to get the plans in motion to visit & play as much as possible.  Poor Shane is working away while we play. 

We spent a couple of days at the Beckler's lakehouse in TN.  A super fun outing that involved lots of chasing kids, talks about our past, laughter, and hugs.  Alexis and her new son, Archer, came to the east coast so it was a treat to spend time with them.  Such fun seeing Alexis as a mom.  She's a good one and that darn baby is the cutest thing i've ever laid my eyes on.  We were also excited to spend our time with Jenn and her crew...just in time before she got put on bedrest.  Waiting on Baby Cate...  that sweet baby that is going to have so much fun growing up with these guys.  She will have plenty of stories to hear.  I just love being with old friends so much.   

We left there and drove south.  All the way to St. Simon's Island to see the Carmacks!  Shannon and her kids spent the entire month of June at the beach and were gracious enough to let us crash at their place for a few days.  It was a ball.  I love that place...our first time there and certainly not our last.  Cool town and the atmosphere is one that I could really get used to!  We spent most of our time on the beach watching the kids ride the waves (a new first for Davis!).  These four get together and you hardly hear a peep from them.  The love and protect each other and keep each other company until the sun goes down at night. 

We left the beach (kicking & screaming) on saturday.  Shane & I caught a flight to Maryland on Sunday (father's day!!!)  to look for houses.  I was only staying for 24 hours so we had a short list that we needed to accomplish.  It poured...couldn't decide if it was the same luck as a bride on her wedding day or not?  Texted my mom and she said as long as a bird didn't poop on my shoulder we were ok.  Ha!  That happened the first (of four...) times we "thought" about moving up to maryland. 

We found a perfect house on the water.  We visited Davis' school and felt so great about it. 

I zoomed back home on a 6 a.m. flight and met my mom and kids at Callaway Gardens.  This was a much more relaxing four days thank goodness!  We had a blast hanging out.  No agenda... just hanging out.  We visited the butterfly house, birds of prey show, and the funniest experience at the Wildlife Safari.  We had an awesome time.  And my favorite part of the trip was that mom took over and I took a nap EVERY DAY!  I felt like I was back in college. 

Read more...

they are lucky

Father's day was a little nuts this year with us going to Maryland.  However, not a day goes by that we don't notice how incredibly lucky we are to have this awesome guy under our roof.  He loves us, protects us, always puts us first. 

The kids are lucky.  Lucky to have a dad that plays with them and makes sure every nook & cranny gets cleaned on their bodies.  To make sure they eat healthy and are safe at all times.  To makes sure they know how smart they are and how they are loved.  To make sure that they know every stinkin' fact about anything whether they are interested or not.  He's good. 

Such a fun dad.  Such a patient dad.  Such comfort knowing that my kids have this forever.

Read more...