January 30th

This weekend we also celebrated Weiner Christian Churches 50 anniversay. It was so fun taking a look back, especially the pictures of my mom and dad when they were here before. And I gotta say..my mom was hot!! Remind me to show you a picture of her when her and my dad where dating, she was wearing a mini skirt! Sorry, I digress.

I have absolutely loved getting to know the students here. There are some amazing young people in this church. They love my parents, they love me and they REALLY love my little man.

January 29th

Kandice is now a married woman and she couldn't have look any more beautiful! We had a great time today celebrating with family and friends! Again I was horrible at taking pictures, here are a few that I did take.

Marybeth and her other nephew Robert.

Cael and Mathew quickly became best friends.

Cael with two of Uncle Bob's boys. They kept each other entertained!

Cael was a stud!!

Cael and Uncle Tim had lots of fun play time this weekend. They had a blast with each other.

The only picture of the Bride and Groom I have. Congratulations Kandice and Steven, we wish you a lifetime of happiness!! (Have I ever mentioned that they meet on Match.com...how fun!)

And because I love my sister so much, I leave you with this......

January 28th

We headed to Memphis today to help celebrate Kandice's wedding. Kandice is my sister's sister-in-law. Or my brother-in-laws sister. Or the sister to the man my sister is married to. Which ever way want to say it, the simple fact is she is someone we love very much and we couldn't be happier for her! Mom, Cael and I headed down to help out with the preparations. I was in charge of games tonight at the rehearsal dinner. One of the games we played was the newly wed game, the couples did great and it was a lot of fun. You would think I would have a picture of Kandice to show you..but I don't. :(

We are staying in a hotel with Tim and Beth. Cael was really excited to get to sleep with them...although it didn't last very long.

Cute story of the day: I was talking to Cael and asked him who we was going to see today. He said "humm bef (beth) and..." Then he looked at me with the funniest look on his face and said "bef". It was like he finally realized there were two different Beth's. He will call them both Beth in pictures and in person but it's like something clicked in his head. So now he has started calling them "my two bef's". We were praying the other night and he said "sank you for Bef...oh, oh, no. Sank you for my two bef's." And he puts the emphasis on TWO.....so incredibly cute! When Cael first came into the picture there were some very serious conversations as to what he would call each of them. They both wanted to be Beth but didn't think it would work to have two Aunt's called Beth. They ended up deciding my sil would be Aunt Beth and my sister would be Aunt Bethy, because that is what our grandmother called her. Now we realize that all that worrying over what he was going to call them was for nothing. He has his "two bef's" and it could be any more perfect.

January 27th

Two pictures for today. Cael helped Pop Pop grill the steaks tonight. Every time he would come in he would jump up and down, raise his arms and yell that he did it. He was so proud of himself for helping cook dinner. And the steaks were so good!

This is what I found tonight when I went to bed. Every night Cael has fought us when it comes to going to bed. He simply is having too much fun. One night he even told me that he couldn't go to sleep because his baby (his bear) wasn't going to sleep. Crazy kid!

January 26th

(playing catch up!)

Today we went to Jonesboro to run some errands. While we were there we stopped at the Nature Conservatory. My mom and dad had been there before and told me it was really cool, I guess I didn't know what to expect because it very much so exceeded my expectations. And it was free. I did a horrible job of taking pictures, we were too busy having fun. It will for sure be a must visit every time we come.

This is a turtle tank where you could take the turtles out and play with them.

This is Pop Pop's favorite thing to do there...shoot things!

Grammy and Cael taking were very serious about checking things out.

January 28th

Vacation has gotten the best of me but I promise you lots of pictures have been taken. We are just busy getting ready for the wedding and Weiner's 50th anniversary this weekend. So stay tunes and I will have bring you up to date soon!

January 25th

Blogger is driving me crazy today and I can get my pictures where I want them and I am way to tired to mess with it. So here are my pictures in no particular order.

We headed to Memphis tonight to celebrate Uncle John's birthday. We had snow and sleet on the way and where nervous we were going to get snowed in, but we did make it home safe. It was another night full of fun but way to short.

We are in town this week for Kandice's wedding, she Marybeth's sister-in-law. People think it is weird that we would come all the way for her wedding. I think it's normal! We love Kandice and wouldn't miss her big day for anything! Tonight Cael was making Aunt Bethy very jealous and wouldn't have anything to do with her. Kandice had all his attention, it was really funny.

I am going to do a entire post on this soon. For now, here is the shot that MB has to have every day. The things we do to grow our families!

And finally the birthday boy and his momma. Happy Birthday John!! Thanks for not making me eat shrimp and grits tonight!

January 23rd & 24th

We made it safe and sound to Weiner but boy are we all tired...still! We stayed up until 2:30am playing with PopPop and Grammy. Cael was just so excited he couldn't handle it. He kept telling me in bed that he could go to sleep. I SO remember being at my grandparents house and feeling the exact same way. Speaking of, today was my grandfather Poppy's birthday, he would have been 87. I him like crazy! Just another reason I am so thankful that number 1, we live close enough now that we can visit my mom and dad often. And number 2, that I have a husband who always lets me leave him so I can spend time with my family!

January 23rd

Sorry...I got a little side tracked. Cael was so excited about riding on "his big, big choo choo train". And let me tell you, everyone he saw knew that the train was "his"!! I know his isn't the greatest picture but I it's what I have for the day! We spend the first fou

r hours in the lounge car. People taking the train are so nice, we met lots of new friends. It also helped that we had a DVD player! It kept Cael happy and then it kept me happy when Cael was sleeping. I could not have asked for a better trip, my little man did wonderful.

January 24

We had a lazy today trying to catch up on our sleep, it even included a 3 hour nap for three of us. I was talking to Tim this morning & he suggested we meet half way for dinner. My mom was suppose to have some ladies over for a Bible study so she was not able to go with us. Ended up that she could have gone because everyone called & canceled, bummer. We had such a good time visiting & Cael was so excited about seeing Uncle Tim & Aunt Beth. We ate dinner at Colton's (it was horrible) & then headed to a CFA for some dessert & to let Cael play in the play area. It was sad that we only had a few hours but there will plenty of time this weekend for some Aunt and Uncle loving!

January 22, 2010

No picture for today. I am way tired and have lots to do before I got to bed. Steve had sound practice tonight but because we are leaving tonight for 10 days we made it a family event. Cael helped me run Easy Worship and had a blast. Then we hung out with Justin for a while. Really wish I had my camera to get some pictures of those two hanging out. Actually, what I wish I had was a picture of Cael leaning his head on Steve and Justin leaning his head against Cael. Can you picture it?? Justin, Cael and Steve all leaning on each other...they looked like quite the couple! :) Life has been really busy for all of us lately so it was great to spend a few hours with one of our favorite people!

Cael and I hop a train tomorrow at 5:15 pm to head to Arkansas, so I am not sure I will have a picture up before we leave. I promise to try!

January 22, 2010

We were at the Southard's tonight and Desmond stop by between work and hanging out with a bunch of girls. (Thanks for making time for us Des) He mentioned the other day that he needed someone to teach him how to tie a tie and we told him Steve would show him how. He wears one at work and is a self taught tie tier. So tonight was his night to learn how to tie a tie the "correct" way. It was pretty funny. We were so all confused, I am so glad us girls don't have to wear ties. Joyce recorded Steve's lesson on Desmond's iphone and Steve told him to go home and practice.

So Desmond, I expect to see a perfectly tied tie next time I see you. Although I think you are doing just a fine job on your own!

January 20, 2011

Cael wanted to Skype so bad with someone tonight. Here he is waiting when I told him Aunt Bethy was about to call him. Too bad she lied and ended up ditching us. So he just continued to wait. Poor little fella.

(I had his mouse and the baby wipes in the back ground cropped out but I ended up changing it back for several reasons. First, I wanted you to see his mouse again. He loves it and always wants it in the same room with him. And if I had cropped the wipes out you would have missed out on seeing his BFF right by his side!)

January 19, 2011

Lot's of pictures for today. I had to include this picture because of my friend Emily and the picture she posted yesterday. With out us knowing it we each started doing a letter of the week with our kiddo's. Cael can recognize, say the name and for the most part tell you the sound of each letter up to M. So I started last week with the letter M. When Tara's brother died we put things on hold so yesterday we finished up with our letter M and made our mouse. We would make a craft each day and had an M book that we made and read each day. I am sure you will be seeing more about our letter of the week.

Okay on to our real picture(s) of the day. As much as I could be done with our dogs, I do love that Cael loves Gertie so much. So she remains a part of our family.

She is pretty cute!

Today Cael asked me to take his picture with Gertie while he was "putting her to sleep". He calls her his Baby Gertie and is constantly trying to hand feed her her food and put her to bed. It is mighty precious.

This last picture cracks me up.....Gertie has this look on her face a lot. It's like she is begging me to rescue her.

January 18, 2011

Today is Benjamin's Gotcha Day! I can't believe it has only been a year that he has been part of our family. We celebrated by going our for hamburgers, a Gotcha Day tradition for both kiddo's. WE LOVE YOU BENJAMIN!!

January 17, 2011

Alyssa gave Cael this dog for Christmas. It was one of hers that she has had for a while. Cael LOVES it! He named it "Baby Woow" (he says woow instead of woof). His Baby Woow is right beside him during his nap and at night. Mr. Bear is still in the picture but for most nights he is off to the side while Baby Woow is wrapped up in Cael's arm. Other nights Cael has his arms wrapped around both Mr. Bear and Baby Woow. I will have to try and get a picture of that.

I'm telling you, my child is beyond blessed to be so love by all four of the Southards!

January 16, 2011

Small group started tonight after a few weeks off during Christmas. This is our group minus, get ready for it: Jon & Heather; Adam, Katie, Wesley and Owen; Braden; and Justin. We have a big small group, but it's wonderful. I've said it before and I'll say it again..I love these people. (and all of you who use to be in our small group but moved away and left us)

Here is a bonus picture. Cael and Joel spent some time playing the piano tonight. Cael would play and sing while flipping the pages in Emily's piano book. He was taking it all very serious and it was super cute!

January 15,2011

After Justin's memorial service we, along with the Southards, went to the Noggle's house to hang out and talk. As always we had a nice time, it's wonderful being someplace and with people where you can 100% be your self. I think we all needed that tonight!

Cael was a bit on the grumpy side, but I guess he does have an excuse. (btw my little man has croup..did I mention that last night? I don't think I did, I will give you more details later)

I needed a picture before we left so I asked the kiddo's to head to the stairs. Can you guess which of the four was not to happy about what we were doing??

January 15, 2011

We spent the evening with the Southard's tonight. I was able to help Tara put together some photo boards for her brothers memorial service tomorrow. Steve was able to play video games with John and Cael was able to do one of his favorite things....hang out with Abby and Alyssa. Those girls love my little man and my little man loves those two girls. They are so good with him and I love their relationship. It was a good night just hanging with our friends. It almost felt normal, which is my prayer for them. That they will find a new normal with the loss of someone that they loved so much.

** Disclaimer: It's hard to post a picture in time when you don't even get home in time.**

January 13, 2011

At any given time if you walk into my house you will have to make your way around either a train track or this car track set up in the middle of our living room. This was another score at a garage sale this summer that was a Christmas gift, and it is by far one of the coolest toys we have. All the adults enjoy it just as much a Cael does. So next time you stop by, please ignore whatever toy is occupying the main space in my house but feel free to sit and play if you would like!

January 12, 2011

No picture for today. My best friends brother passed away early this morning and my day has been filled with me trying to love up on my friend. A HUGE, HUGE thanks to my mother in law for taking care of Cael at the last minute. It freed me up to just be there when I was needed. Thanks Sondra!!

If you know Tara, please pray for her and her family. If you don't know Tara you can pray for her anyway!

January 11,2011

We had another snow day, this time with much more snow! I am still waiting for two things. First, a snow that keeps Steve home from work and secondly, a snow that we can make a snowman with. But for now I will take the 3 inches that we have now. Someone suggested making "snow paint" which consist of water, food coloring and some spray bottles. They were a huge hit with Cael, he loved it! My only suggestion, skip the yellow.....

January 10,2011

Our Christmas decorations may be put away but the candy canes are still around. Proof is on my child's face!

First of all...shout out to Emily for helping me fix my blog and for making me a header. I love the header and the picture of Cael she put on it. Thanks Emily!!

I am cheating today and posting some pictures that my mom has posted on facebook of their trip to Hawaii. We need to be reminded in the future that they went to Hawaii without us! I guess after 36 years of marriage they deserve it! They are still there and having a blast. Enjoy!

Mom and Dad with Gene and Donna, their friends that went with them. I promise Gene is a nice guy (in fact, one of the nicest people you will ever meet). And he smiles all the time in person, but never in pictures. It cracks me up!

January 9,2011

Yes, Emily did beat me at posting the same picture tonight, but I am going to one up her and post two.

With us being out of town for Christmas we haven't been able to spend much time with our friends. So it was great to get to spend some time with the Shelton's tonight. They had us over for dinner (which was so yummy...yay for Pioneer Woman and for Emily being brave enough to tackle her recipes) and games. Emily was the big winner for the night, it's always more fun when a girls wins!

Cael and Audrey were super excited to see each other tonight, it was to cute. As soon as we walked in the door Audrey told Steve that she loved him and I got lots and lots of hugs. It was a nice reunion!

And for your bonus picture:

We love us some Shelton's!