Uncle Chad's Visit

Love. Adore. These 2 words describe the relationship between my brother, Chad, and Braden. They simply love and adore each other. You know something runs deep when my finicky and fussy 3 year old can run straight into a room where a man is that he hasn't seen in over 3 months and jump straight into his chair and snuggle up to him. Oh, and I can't forget about the dog. Buck. Or Bucky as we all call him. Braden and Bucky, there is a nice loving annoyance relationship going on there. Braden loves to annoy Buck- he missed him so much as well.
My brother surprised my parents by coming into town Saturday night instead of Sunday afternoon and after a few setbacks- a stop to buy an phone charger and a blown out tire on I-20, along with 3 broken lug nuts on the tire, he finally arrived home just before 1 am. And my parents were overjoyed. Their boy had come home, even if it was just for a few days.

Sunday after church we headed up to my parents to my Chad. I was so excited- though Braden who had been sick all week and extremely whiny was more excited than me. You wouldn't believe it- he was like a different little boy when we got there! I have missed my brother so much. It is hard to see someone almost everyday of your life and then only 2 times in over 3 months. However my joy for him and Erica surpasses my sadness about them being gone. Though sometimes I feel sad that Parker won't have the same relationship with Chad as Braden has been able to have. I just remember that Braden has been fortunate enough to have a bond with his uncle that most children never experience- and for that I am thankful.
Thankful for a brother.

Thankful for a brother who is just a phone call away.

Thankful for a brother who always lends a listening ear and an honest reply.

Thankful for a brother who loves my children.

Thankful for a brother who has spent time building a relationship with his nephew.

Thankful for a brother who brings much joy when he returns.

Thankful for Chad.

T is for Thanksgiving

Last Thursday, Braden had his Thanksgiving presentation at his school. Each class sang 2 songs and then we ate Thanksgiving soup and pumpkin pie prepared by the kids. Braden was sick with strep throat last week so he missed school Tuesday and Wednesday, but we practiced his songs at home and he was excited about going back to school to see his friends and perform. He told me that after his class sang, he wanted to stay on the stage and sing, "fa la la la la la, fa la la la la la." It was so funny!

I was able to leave work for a little bit to see him and I met Brad, Parker, my mom and dad, and Brad's mom at his school. When he walked in he actually looked a little nervous which is not like Braden at all! He did a great job and was so happy to have all of us there!

Parker Family Thanksgiving

My mom's side of the family usually gather together to feast and I do mean feast because it is a HUGE spread the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This year my Granny was going out of town so we got together last Sunday. There is a huge crowd, a little over 30 people are usually there and it is a great time to catch up and spend time with family. This year the only people missing were Chad and Erica, but Chad will be home next weekend and we are all so excited about that!

Gage, Braden, Jessie, Cohen, Ace and Parker

All of the girls with the kiddos

Thankful

This November I am feeling more thankful than usual. Which is a good thing. I'm not sure if it is our current circumstances or the fact that we have been talking to Braden a lot lately about being thankful and what he is thankful for, or probably a combination of the two. No matter what it is I want to share what I am thankful for so that when I get down and out I can look at and reflect on everything that God has blessed me with. I am goingto try to continue to update this post as I remember or reflect on things that I need to be thankful for.

1. Grace and the fact that it is offered to me though I don't deserve it.


2. My husband who loves me even though I neglect to put my shoes away and leave clumps of hair on the shower wall.


3. Healthy, happy children


4. A very vivacious 3 year old who keeps me laughing


5. Laughter


6. a 10 month old that is into everything, but gives the Best hugs I have ever had


7. messes that were created by my children


8. The best parents in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD


9. My church family


10. Avery- she loves me no matter what and I do love her even when I am mad that she peed on the rug AGAIN


11. my brother and the fact that he doesn't mind listening to my drama- at least he doesn't tell me that he minds


12. Erica- I am going to finally have a sister!


13. Shelter


14. an abundance of food that we take for granted


15. a job that i love, even on days when I have too much to do or out of control kids


16. Children's Place monster sale


17. my large family


18. large family get togethers


19. my Granny


20. heated blankets


21. Christmas songs


22. a feeling of peace that even when my fears of instability creep in, I know I serve a God that will take care of me no matter what


23. A God who is bigger than my dreams, hopes, ideas, or thoughts.

Colossians 3:15-17And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Halloween 2010

It was another fun and festive Halloween. Every year that we celebrate Halloween with our family I feel joy and happiness. I realize once again just how blessed I am to live close to our family and be able to share each holiday with them. I also feel like Halloween is the official kick off to the holiday season and my favorite time of the year.

This year we celebrated with our annual HUGE pot of chili and about a gazillion hot dogs, not to mention the pumpkin cheese ball recipe that I got from my friend Lisa and all of the goodies including a cake shaped like a pumpkin and witch's hat cookies.

All of the boys' were so excited again this year and they were like old pros going door to door. My dad rigged up his Polaris Ranger and trailer with orange lights and hay bales and we toured the neighborhood. My little lion cub tired out after the first couple houses, but the train conductor was running at full speed until he crashed after everyone left. I don't think there could have been a better way to celebrate Halloween...well only if my brother was here.

First Taste of Spaghetti

YUM!

Carving the Pumpkin

Yes, I am so proud of myself for carving the dump truck pumpkin that I took pictures each step along the way!

Pumpkin Party

This weekend was a super busy, but very fun weekend! Friday night my mom and I took the boys to my school for the annual Fall Carnival that PTA puts on each year. Braden was so excited about going, but when we got there the only things he cared about doing were playing on the inflatables, buying a ring pop and giant pickle, and visiting the book fair! He played with several of the kids in my class this year and a few of my former kiddos. After the carnival we met my cousins and their son Cohen at McDonalds so the boys could play. Braden was so tired he fell asleep on the way home and didn't even wake up while I was putting him in his jammies!

Saturday night, while Brad was at the Clemson game, the boys and I got together with friends to eat dinner and carve pumpkins. Braden was as excited as always...the boy loves a crowd! However, Parker was not feeling it and spent most of the evening in my lap or fussing because he wasn't in my lap....what can I say, he's a momma's boy!

It was a fun time with LOTS of yummy, festive food and great conversation. I even carved my first pumpkin (with Parker in my lap)...well technically I have carved pumpkins before, but just with a jack o' lantern face, but this time I used a stencil and carved...drumroll please..... A DUMPTRUCK!!!! I am so proud of myself! Braden wasn't as impressed withit as I was, but oh well! I'm hoping this will become a yearly tradition because I sure did have a great time!

Sacrifice

These last few weeks have been pretty hard. I am a big fan of stability. Structure. The constant. It is comfortable. It helps me feel secure. Yes, I am much like a child. But apart from the big change of Brad not having a job, I have been dealing with other changes. Like me running from God. See I have this issue of being in control. So when I lose that control I rebel. I wonder how long it will take me to figure out that I am not in control...You would think I would know by now. So I have been demanding God to do things for me. Find Brad a job. Make sure we can keep our house. Make sure my children don't have to sacrifice anything...or rather I don't have to sacrifice giving to them.
I have been realizing that my approach to God has been one of entitlement. WOW. I have had the nasty attitude that I work hard, why shouldn't I have what I want or do what I want. When did I stop realizing that everything I have has been given to me? A blessing from a Father who loves me, though I don't deserve it. It makes me think of the song- not because of who I am, but because of what You've done, not because of what I've done, but because of who You are. Yes I am blessed. I am still blessed- not because I work hard or have a nice house or a stable income, but because I have a Father who loves me unconditionally even when I act like a spoiled brat. I have a husband who loves his family more than anything and two precious boys who love me purely because I love them...not because I bought them a new toy or new clothes. Just because I take time to tickle the little one and make silly noises or sit in the bathroom and read books while the oldest pottys. They love me because I invest time in a relationship with them. Which is what I have been lacking in my relationship with God...an investment of my time.
Yesterday at church, Chad talked about the story of Jacob and Esau and how Esau gave away his birthright for a bowl of stew. The question was asked what is your stew that you are willing to sell your birthright for? I just kept thinking that I am so cautious with my time. Many times I will neglect to do things that I feel tugging on my heart because I feel like I don't have the extra time for it. When really I am just unwilling to sacrifice my time. I kept thinking wow, I have been so blessed, but have I been a blessing to others, with all that God has given me. I truly feel that I haven't. And if I have I may not have had the best attitude about it. This week we are fasting- sacrificing something to spend time praying and in my case investing time with my Father. I have chosen to fast lunch this week, but also to give up Facebook for the week. I was convicted that I claim to not have time, yet I spend many wasted minutes on facebook or watching the Food Network. Time I could be investing in a relationship with my Heavenly Father...investing in relationships with people.
My goal is to be a better steward of my time and more thankful for what I have been BLESSED with. To draw closer to my Savior and give away my desire for control. To fully rely on him to provide for us and meet our needs. I am sure that it will be a struggle, but I would like to ask for prayer to give up my own selfishness, my own wants and desires and focus on the needs of others, to be a blessing rather than demanding blessings.

Braden's First Conference

Braden's very first conference was this past Wednesday. I was so very nervous...it is a completely different experience being on the other side of the table! Brad and I met at Braden's school and were greeted by his teacher's Mrs. Melinda and Mrs. Heather. They told us that Braden was a sweet boy, full of lots of spunk and very smart. They gave us a report, marked with G (Good), S (Satisfactory), or I (Needs Improvement)...on a side note I think it is a little ridiculous to give G, S, and I's to a 3 year old). He did get all Gs, except an I in cutting (which in my professional opinion he does a great job) and holding a writing utensil (which in my professional opinion he DOES need to improve on- he still fists his pencil). He received an S in sharing (not surprised!) and an S in listening (apparently he likes to talk...A LOT- not surprised). They told us that he was the only one in his class who could tell them his birthday...good thing he is a obsessed with it!

I am really proud of how well he is doing and I cannot believe how big he is getting...almost 4! Time sure does fly.

Here is an update on things that Braden knows/ can do...

• recognize his name



• spell his name aloud



• recognize letters from his name in isolation



• he can also recognize letters z, m, t, o, and s.



• count to 29



• recognize number 1-4, 6 and 9



• sort objects by more than one attribute (color, size or type)

I am so very proud of my little boy!

Weenie Roast and Marshmallow Toast

Tuesday afternoon Brad and Braden dug a firepit in our backyard so that we could roast marshmallows and cook hot dogs. Braden was so excited about it so he called my parents and invited them over for a dinner of roasted weenies and toasted marshmallows. Brad and my dad got the fire ready and it was such a nice night that we just hung out around the campfire talking and eating! Wishing we could have more fun nights like this!

"Look Mom! Here is the firepit!"

A Visit to Mississippi

At the end of July my brother, Chad, and his fiance, Erica, moved to Mississippi to attend Ole Miss. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I have missed him. Braden has missed him a lot too and we cannot convince him that Chad has moved to Mississippi. He says that Chad's only house is at Grrr and Palpaw's!

This past weekend Brad and I made our first boys free trip (my first time EVER being away from Parker at night) and headed to Oxford, MS to spend the weekend with Chad and Erica. We arrived late Friday night and took a midnight drive around the campus, which is beautiful by the way. I have to sadly admit that it puts Athens to shame. Saturday morning Chad and Erica fixed us breakfast and then we headed to The Grove for some tailgating. It is insane how these people tailgate. They pull out huge flat screens and chandeliers and fresh cut flowers and decorations and really do it up for the games. I have to say they are more enthusiastic about the tailgating than they are about their football team!

We were able to sit together during the game and we tried these AWESOME bbq nachos and now I'm hooked! After the game we headed downtown to look at the little shops and eat frozen yogurt. Saturday night Chad and Erica fixed steak fajitas, guacamole dip, and queso and it was fabulous! I think we ate all weekend!




We headed back Sunday morning and I felt a lot of emotions...missing my boys, yet not wanting to leave my brother knowing that it would be Thanksgiving before I see him again. I am so proud of him and the home and future that he and Erica are building for each other and I am counting the days until I get to see him again!

Parker 9 Months

Wow! Parker is ever where now! He is pulling up and standing on his own without holding onto anything and he has even tried to take a step or two, but he loses his balance and falls. He loves Braden and follows him from room to room. It is so awesome to see his personality evolve. So far he seems pretty easy going, unless he is hungry. He loves to smile and giggle, but is going through stranger anxiety and only likes to be held by mommy, daddy, grr or palpaw. Which is ok with me because I love my little cuddle bug!

Highlights....

• eating solid foods. He loves bananas, well he pretty much loves everything. The only food he hasn't really liked was grits.




• Says mama, dada, bubba, and palpaw. Mostly he says dada. He gets so excited when Brad comes in the room and crawls straight to him.




• Parker seems to be weaning himself from milk. He is only nursing in the morning and at night and occasionally in the middle of the afternoon.




• He weighs 18.5 lbs. Dr. Gamble said that he fell from the 25th percentile in weight to the 10th, but it could be because he is so active for his age.


• Parker now has....4 teeth! 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom. Simply adorable!

Pumpkin Patch

I am WAYYYYYY behind on my blogging!!! So much to blog about and so little time....

A few weeks ago we went to Southern Belle Farm in McDonough to visit the pumpkin patch. It was a teacher get in free weekend so we took advantage of it. We went with several of my school buddies and their kiddos. It was so much fun, but way too hot. It was so hot no one even wanted to look at pumpkins or even enter the pumpkin patch. So instead we watched the pig race, rode the cow train and the hay ride, and jumped on the new inflatable that was a lot of fun. It was fun just like every other year, but next year I will not be persuaded by saving $12 extra and will instead wait until it is cooler outside!