3 years old

Today Bryan is 3! That is so hard to believe! We've already had a couple of family celebrations so I think we will take it easy today and celebrate as our small family of three. He's already gotten all of his big birthday gifts, but he has a couple of new puzzles I can wrap up for him to open. His big present from us is a new big boy room. We will set that up after we get home from our beach vacation.

I asked him last night what he wanted to do for his birthday and he answered he wants to go to "Target popcorn." That's his way of saying he wants to go to Target to get popcorn! :) So, I think we will do that after he eats waffles for breakfast. His favorite thing to eat out is Mexican, but the only thing he eats there is chips and salsa, but I have a feeling that's what he'll want for supper. (We just had Mexican Saturday night. haha! Maybe I'll just get him some "chips and dip dip" for lunch. I love Mexican whenever. Matt won't want it again.)

It's crazy to think that 3 years ago this morning I didn't even know Bryan. Now I know him as a very silly, yet strong opinionated little boy. He LOVES to laugh and to make people laugh. I love that quality about him. Some other things he loves are his guitar, music of all kinds, Guitar Hero, jumping on the bed, chips & dip dip (of course), m&m's, Kashi cereal that he calls "kind cheerios", grapes, cheetos, "Hosanna" and "Better is One Day", tobyMac, Max & Ruby, Simba (Simma, as he calls her), Imagination Movers, Tom & Jerry, taking a bath, sleeping!, Miss Amy at church, and puzzles. Just to name a few. :)

He's learned to be scared of things. He'll say he's "very scary" and start shaking all over. One thing he repeats is that he's very "scary" of the robot. I asked him what robot? He said, "the robot in the wall." haha! Not sure where he came up with that. He's also scared of bugs. He likes to tell you where one is and then shout, "Can you GET it?" Some other funny Bryan quotes are "Can you make it too loud?", "sure is!", "where are my binoculators?" If you ask him when his birthday is he replies, "3 in Au-gest for your birthday." haha

Bryan, I am so proud of you. Everyday you get smarter! I love to watch you figure things out on your own. Most of the time you can, but if not, you grunt and we help you. haha You say please and thank you a lot without us telling you that you need to. You say yeah, but it sounds like no so we are working on saying Yes plain and clear. Some days are long and hard and I'm ready to see bed time come, but others I miss you lots after you go to bed. I can't wait to see what year 3 has in store. I pray God will help me teach you more about Him! After all, that's why we are here. I want you to love Jesus with all your heart and not be afraid to talk about him to your little friends. One day I was telling you that God made your nose and God made your eyes and just went on and on. You sat spellbound. Then the next day I told you how God made mommy, daddy, etc. You sat spellbound again. Another day I told you about how God loves you, mommy, daddy, etc. and you listened to every word. I pray that every time we talk about Jesus you are enthralled. I can't wait until you start asking biblical questions. I have a feeling you will have a lot of them. :)

I love you so much big boy! Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!
Mommy

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Another fun weekend

Other than the fact that we almost died on the way to Albany on Friday, we had a wonderful weekend. Seriously, we were inches from death or at least being very, seriously hurt. We had only been on the road a little over an hour when we met a car going the opposite direction in our lane (left one)!! Highway 280 is a divided highway with 4 lanes across. We noticed a car that had been traveling far in front of us get over in the right lane, but just thought they were changing lanes. As we started to top a small hill, there was a Tahoe barreling down the road at us like they were supposed to be there. I was going 70 and they were at least going that speed. God's hands directed our car off the road just enough for them to miss us. Matt and I both said we couldn't believe they didn't hit our mirror or at least the right front side of the car. I was going 70 down the median and never once lost control. That is all by the grace of God. Friday night I didn't get much rest replaying everything in my head. Of course Satan likes to get me thinking about all the "what ifs." There are SO many! If there had been a car in front of us, we wouldn't have had time to get out of the way. Same if there would have been a car directly behind us.

We stopped at a McDonald's in Dadeville just about a mile or two down the road to check out our tires and calm down a little. A man pulled up behind us that had seen the whole thing happen. He had been in the right lane. He asked if we were ok. I told him yes, but that I was shaking. He said, "you were all in that ditch!" I told him we were praising Jesus for our safety. He then told me he was praying the lady didn't come into his lane. I never saw a lady...just a big shiny grill. I WISH I would have thought to turn around and try to get a tag number or something. I'm praying they didn't hurt anyone else and quickly learned they were on the wrong side of the highway.

Whew!! We went to Albany to celebrate Allison's 3rd Birthday and Father's Day with Bruce. Saturday morning we met the England's early so we could take the kids to the Riverquarium. We all enjoyed that. We then ordered pizza and had YUMMY birthday cake. Allison got a little shy when we were singing to her, but she blew all 3 candles out by herself. She opened presents with Bryan's help, of course. :) It was then time for Bryan's nap so while he slept, I swam with Mary Lynn, Nate, Allison, and our friend Kim. It was good to spend time with all of them. (click pictures to enlarge)

After naptime the Soles came in to town. They got a new boat so we went and tried it out. It was Bryan's first boat ride. I think he really enjoyed it. I always love riding on a boat. Now we have one in the family! :) We probably would have all loved it even more if it wouldn't have been soooooo hot! We went back to the Baker's house for supper and had a chance to visit with Punkin and Uncle Huck. Always so good to see them! :)

Saturday evening we went to Phenix City to go to church with mom and dad for Father's Day. We enjoyed lunch at El Vaquero. Mary Lynn and Nate were coming in around supper time to spend the night so we got to have dinner with them before we came back home. Thankfully, our trip home was uneventful! We were so glad to spend time with so much of our family this weekend.
(Papaw popped popcorn for Bryan. I think it's his favorite food. We eat some almost everyday. Anyway, he gets so excited hearing the "pop pop pop" as he says.)

Busy month of May

The first weekend of May we celebrated Grant's first birthday. We went down to Valdosta for the big day. Grant really got in to his presents and cake. Bryan even took a pinch for himself before Grant could get a hold of it. :)

Cassie graduated on Grant's actual birthday. The Nobles had a pool party at their house and we celebrated her graduation and G's birthday, again. :) Bryan loved the pool, but wanted someone to hold him the whole time. Grant wasn't so sure about the water.

On Memorial Day weekend we celebrated Adele's 5th birthday. What a blessing and miracle she is!

Friday, Bryan and I met Julie, Margo, and Adele at the zoo. The weather was so nice and the kids really enjoyed seeing the animals. They got to feed the giraffes up close and personal. What a treat!

The hot weather has returned to the South, so Sunday Matt blew up the little pool for Bryan to splash around in. Of course he loved it!



On to June.... :) It looks like this month will be just as busy with Father's Day, birthdays, Backyard Bible Club, and weekly bible study.

Happy First Birthday Grant!

We love you!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our cousin, Anna Kate! Today she is 5 years old. We love you and hope you have fun celebrating today!

Beach Trip

We had an awesome time at the beach this past week. Lots of us loaded up and drove down to Rosemary Beach to celebrate Aunt Lynn's 60th Birthday. The weather was awesome and the beach beautiful! It was so great to spend time with our family. Here are the pictures!

Aunt Lynn's Beach Trip

He's 2!

Our little man is 2! Oh my goodness! I kinda like saying that. I'm sad that it's gone by so fast, but he's so much fun.

Bryan and I went to Granna and Papaw's house on Tuesday so we could visit with them, Mary Lynn, and Allison. Bryan went CRAZY over "Mom-o." Yes, he calls Mary Lynn Mom-o. We have no idea where it came from, but that's her name. :) At dinner that night he could barely eat because he was so excited. We think he said Mom-o every 30 seconds. He and Allison were also very excited to see each other! They stayed up late every night dancing and playing and chasing each other around the house.

Wednesday morning we got up and went to Barnes and Noble for the kids to play. Bryan found a train set that he LOVED! I literally had to wrestle him out of the store. We then went to lunch at Panera Bread. It's always so good. That night we went to church at NorthStar. We had supper there and then had a Praise and Worship night. Both B and A praise danced! It was awesome.

Thursday we took Bryan to his very first big people movie, Wall-E. Allison has been to the big movies a few times and loves it. Bryan did GREAT as long as he had popcorn. haha! He lasted a good hour before he wanted to get down and walk around. Luckily we were the only people in the theater and were able to let him run around.

Bryan and Allison learned, kind of, how to take turns with the slide outside. Allison didn't go fast enough for Bryan and he pushed her a couple of times. She was not happy about that. She cracked us up because he'd put his hand on her and she'd fall backwards like he clocked her. :) Pretty cute!

Friday night we made his birthday cake and yesterday we celebrated his birthday! While he was napping, Matt and I went and got balloons. Then we all decorated while he was asleep. When he woke up he was excited to see his Happy Day room. :) It was actually time for him to eat lunch so he had cake for lunch! The cake turned out so yummy. He got some fun presents from his grandparents and Englands.

Bryan has had a good birthday today, but all the fun has finally worn him out! He's learned lots of new words this week and can almost count to 10 with a little help!

We go to the beach next week and will be celebrating again! I don't think his birthday could get any more fun this year!

Here are lots of pictures. Just click below!

Bryan's 2nd Birthday

Boogers

I know there are certain things that come with the job of being a dad. Pretty much all types of bodily fluids, dirty diapers, and even boogers. Apparently this also applies to being an uncle.

We're at Jamie's parents' house this weekend for Bryan's birthday, and my niece Allison is here as well, along with her mommy Mary Lynn (Jamie's sister). I've been getting stuff off of Allison's finger all night, including Play-Doh and bits of crayon that she's gotten under her fingernails. She came running up to me after supper going "Finger!" and holding her thumb up in the air that she'd apparently gotten something on that she wanted off immediately. Without really thinking about it, I just wiped her thumb off with my hand, and then looked down at what it was.


A booger.

2 hours...

In 2 hours our little boy will be one year old! I can't believe it! On this night last year I was getting ready for bed knowing I wouldn't be able to sleep much because I was so excited, nervous, and anxious for the next morning to arrive! (It also didn't help that we had to get up at 4:30am!) Like every new parent, we had no idea what to expect with labor and delivery. Then we had no idea how one little person could turn our worlds upside down...in a marvelous way! :) There is nothing in this world that I would trade for the 2-3 hour periods of sleep before waking or the poopy messes or spit up all over his shirt and mine.

Now we are on to bigger and better things like training and discipline...including spankings (yikes) and breaking his heart when we take him away from things he REALLY wants but can't get in to...like the dog food! :) But I am looking forward to it all because I know that these times are precious and fleeting. If one year goes as quickly as this one has then he'll be starting school soon. I'm going to hold on to him every second he will let me, and kiss him as much as possible because I know there will be a day that I will not be allowed!

Bryan, your name means Noble, Strong, Virtuous. Joel means "the Lord is God." I pray that you will grow into the meaning of your name and always remember that the Lord is God and there is no other! We dedicated you to the Lord even before you were born, but participated in our church service dedication when you were 3 months old. These are the scriptures that were chosen by God (and us) for you. This is our prayer:

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-9


I love you, little man, and pray daily for you to come to know Jesus as your Savior at an early age and live your life sold out to Him! This truly is the only important decision you will ever make!

Can't wait for this next year!
Mommy

Blowing Out the Candles

Feelin Fine at 49!

Today is Mom's (aka Lana and Granna) 49th Birthday. She and Dad came down for lunch and birthday cake!

Happy Birthday Mom! You look MARVELOUS!

Allison's 1st Birthday Party

Allison Drew turns 1 this Friday, the 29th! That is so hard to believe! ML and Nate had her party today at the Riverquarium, here in Albany. We all toured the place and then watched Allison dig in to her yummy cake! :) She was precious rubbing her fingers in the icing. She finally learned to pick it up and squish it between her fingers.

In a little less than 2 months we'll be doing this with Bryan! My, how time flies!

Happy Birthday Adele!

This is my sweet cousin Adele. She is 3 years old today and what a blessing she is! Adele has Charge Syndrome and is truly a miracle child. We love you!

Mary Lynn's 26th Birthday