THE LIVELY FAMILY

Jackson - 2 years, 4 months

2012-01-25T09:50:00.004-06:00

Jackson, you are growing up too fast! I wanted to write down some things about you, so that I never forget. You are such a joy!! I love our days spent together.

You love to help mommy - throw things in the garbage, put clothes in the washing machine, clean up toys...daddy & I laugh at you because we think you are a little OCD about some things, Everything has to be just so! At night, you want all the lights off, one blanket on my shoulder & the other you want me to "cover me up".

You line your trains, cars, animals...whatever your playing with in such order.

You love an escalator...recently daddy dropped us off at the mall and the entire 30 minutes we were in there, we went up and down the escalator. I will never forget that smile on your face and how you would run around to the other side to get back on.

Mickey Mouse is your favorite!! You got all the characters for Christmas and I find you playing pretend with them all the time. You love to put then in the back of your dump truck and name each one as you put them in.

You love to watch movies in the car and just recently started using the head phones...you make the finniest faces trying to get them on!

Your are the most loving child!! You give kisses and hugs to whoever & whenever. You have to give everyone a kiss & hug before you go to bed or before they leave the house. You love to snuggle! Your latest thing is to rub our ear while you suck your thumb. You love that thumb!!

You are a little timid around strangers for the first 5 minutes, but you warm up quickly. You are having surgery on February 7 to repair a brachial cleft on your neck (mommy is not excited about it). We had to take you to the initial visit a couple of week ago, and you were the sweetest thing! You were such a big boy...and the nurse fell in love with you.

You are a little mischievous at times. You got into ice cream one morning...and then the very next day I found you at the kitchen sink with water EVERYWHERE! You pulled your stool right over to the sink. Your response - "I wash my hands."

You love your race car! The only problem is that you think it can go through water & mud, and you are constantly getting stuck. I love how you wear your helmet while riding it..safety first!

You love your brother, and get so excited when it's time to go pick him up from school. You love to see daddy's truck pull in the drive way, and you start to yell - "daddy home!" I would say that you are a mommy's boy though, and I will admit that I'm pretty attached to you too!! I'm so glad that God gave us you!

lately

2012-01-24T14:47:00.002-06:00

This is the story of my life!! I cannot keep them out of mud. Does anyone else have this problem?

I've been trying to get organized around here. My first project was to clean under Warner's beds. There was no organization to it. We would just stick anything and everything under there to get it out of the way. He has about 500 books and they were just all stacked under there in no order. It was driving me crazy!! The before pictures are on the left, after on the right.

This little boy is a little stinker, I just had Chris put child locks on the pantry doors because he would be in the snacks all. day. long. I was on the treadmill one morning and left Jackson in front of his favorite cartoon....when I came out somebody was hiding...

Do they make child locks for the freezer?!!

We have had a busy January - our good friends Mary Evelyn & Stoney welcomed their third boy, Micheal Tuttle; Warner has been busy at school & is reading; I had a girl's weekend with some of my best friends from college to say goodbye to Jan, who is moving to Australia for 2 years; I hosted a children's clothing show (BBTN); Chris is in the planning & hiring stage - getting ready to plant in March; Jackson is just as cute as ever - we love this age! I have fallen so behind on this blog and in just taking pictures. I've got to do better!

Christmas in TX

2012-01-05T15:34:00.004-06:00

A couple of days after Christmas, we packed up and hit the road to have Christmas with my parents. We watched lots of movies, had a few snacks, and took a nap. The drive really wasn't too bad...especially since I didn't have to drive it by myself. Chris drove the first half and I drove the rest. We arrived just in time for supper, but first we had to open gifts!

Buddy had his train set up around the tree...Warner was mesmerized.

The next day, all the boys went to Jump for Fun, and the girls went to get pampered.

Buddy & Warner off on a bike ride to the park.

One night we went out to eat with our friends, The Smith's. We tried out a Mexican place in Grapevine. After we ate we walked down the street to see some lights that were set up to music. Jackson loved dancing!!

Warner & Jetta

dancing with Kissy

On our last day, we tried to take a tour of Dallas Cowboys stadium, but the wait was too long...so we headed to dowtown Fort Worth.

Then it was time to watch our Bulldogs beat Wake Forest!! Go State!!

We had such a great visit!!

(Lots of new posts below.)

Christmas Day!!

2012-01-05T14:59:00.002-06:00

We had to finally wake the boys up at 8:00 am Christmas morning so that they would have time to enjoy their gifts before church.

Santa hid the four wheeler, and Warner's reaction when he found it was priceless!

Jackson loves it too...and he will be driving it too before we know it!

Waders - now he can go duck hunting with daddy

Pops, JoJo, and Mawmaw joined us for lunch after church.

Then our whole day was spent doing this...

So glad we had one pretty day to ride because it rained the whole next day.

Christmas Eve

2012-01-05T12:57:00.002-06:00

Christmas Eve = two very excited little boys!!!

We went to a Christmas Eve service.
Pops & JoJo came over for supper.

We put out our cookies & milk for Santa.

The boys got to open one gift. Thank you Mamaw & B!!

And we put out our reindeer food!

It didn't take long for them to fall asleep...Christmas is so much fun through a child's eyes!

Christmas Eve Eve

2012-01-05T12:46:00.001-06:00

On the Friday before Christmas, we went over to the Johnson's house for cookie baking, cupcake decorating, and a birthday party for Jesus. The kids had so much fun doing this!! They exchanged presents after they blew out candles, and the boys got the cutest superhero capes and masks. Such a fun night with great friends!

SANTA

2012-01-05T12:35:00.001-06:00

These make me laugh!! He just did not like Santa this year.

Breakfast with Santa at the Country Club

Lively Christmas 2011

2012-01-05T12:04:00.005-06:00

We celebrated Christmas with Chris' family on the Saturday before Christmas. It is always so much fun and WILD!! The boys love playing with their cousins and there is never a dull moment. Thank you JoJo & Pops for such a wonderful Christmas celebration!

Warner got a remote control monster truck & an iPod touch!

Jackson got a big bag of goodies and a Francesco (from cars 2) riding toy!

The next day we had fun in the pecan orchard!

Two days of fun with no nap....he was worn out!!

Christmas card 2011

2011-12-22T16:23:00.003-06:00

29:11 Creations

family fun day

2011-12-22T16:09:00.001-06:00

On Friday, Warner had his class party and a half day of school. We had a fun day planned to start off the Christmas holidays! Our first stop was the movies. We took the boys to see Alvin & the Chipmunks - Chipwrecked. It was so cute, and Jackson sat in the my lap through the whole movie - success! After the movie, it was time to go see Santa Clause. We went with the Bass Pro Shop Santa this year. I didn't really know how Jackson would react. He was fine until it came time to sit on Santa's lap. I just sat him up there and walked away. He didn't last long!

Then it was time for Starry Nights at Shelby Farms. This was so much fun!! The boys loved sitting in the front seat, looking at all the lights, and seeing what they could find. The lights were beautiful.

I am loving my kitchen!! My favorite thing is the overhang we added at the last minute. The boys sit here for breakfast, snack, meals, etc. It is something I am really going to enjoy. I love having them in the kitchen with me!!

Oh Christmas tree

2011-12-19T22:02:00.001-06:00

Thursday, December 15, we finally put our Christmas tree up. Our boys were so excited!! I had almost decided not to even bother with it this year. (I know, that's bad) But we did, and I am so glad!! Merry Christmas!!!

Kitchen, Kissy's visit, & Warner's Christmas program

2011-12-14T12:19:00.002-06:00

We have countertops!!!! I am so so happy with how it all turned out. It was not fun to live through, but now that it is coming together, it was totally worth it. I even got to cook with week...YAY!!

Kissy to the rescue!! So thankful for my mom. She will interupt her week & change her plans to drive over 7 hours to come help me. We worked so hard, got everything put back in my cabinets, baked 15 cakes, and even had a little fun eating & shopping downtown.
Warner had his Christmas program at school this morning. They rang their hand bells and sang several songs along with reciting scripture. It was such a blessing!

Warner's Kindergarten class

Chris started on the back splash yesterday. I am so thankful for a handy husband - it is amazing all that he can do. It is looking great!! Just as I had imagined. We are so close to the finish line!!

lately

2011-12-09T10:44:00.003-06:00

My dear friend and graduate school classmate, Amanda Price, went to be with Jesus ealier this week. She was an amazing person, loved the Lord, loved her family, and lived her life to bring honor and glory to God. She had an impact on every single person that knew her. I would love if you would pray for her family. She leaves behind her husband, Ron (coach of the New Albany high school football team), and three year old daughter, Molly Addison.

I have been holding on to these two a little tighter this week. We are not promised tomorrow.

Photo shoot at Hopson Plantation Thanksgiving weekend. We miss our cousins!

We had our first fire last week - loving this cold weather!

Jackson loves to help daddy with his cereal. Ready to have our kitchen back, so we can stop eating so much cereal.

Trying to get in the Christmas spirit even without a Christmas tree. We are waiting to get our tree up until after this kitchen renovation is over.

We got a little surprise gift this week - SNOW!!

We have cabinets!!!!! Countertops are coming today....and I will be a busy little bee unpacking boxes and getting things put away.

And....we've had two sick little boys around here. Strep throat!!!! Warner last week and now Jackson this week.

Here's to hoping my next post has pictures of a finished kitchen and a Chrismas tree!!!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-28T14:32:00.003-06:00

We started our Thanksgiving with Warner's program at school - The First Thanksgiving. It was absolutely precious! It was filled with sweet poems, songs, salute to our flag, blessing, and they recited Psalm 100. I was fighting back the tears. We have so much to be thankful for!

The following Wednesday, my family started to arrive! Chris & I hosted Thanksgiving this year, and I didn't know how we would pull it off without a kitchen. We did! We have a house on the farm that Chris was in the process of turning into his office/hunting camp, so we just got busy and made it work. It turned out great!! It was a beautiful day, the kids rode four wheelers, and we just enjoyed being out in the country. We had the entire Rayner side of the family - 10 adults & 6 kids.

cousins

how many men does it take to fry a turkey? It was delicious!!

Friday, we all headed to Starkville for the Egg Bowl.

Saturday morning Chris & I took the boys to the bakery on campus. Fun fun!!

tailgaiting fun!!

#1 and #2 fan ready to go into the game. Go Bulldogs!!!!!!

We had club level seats for the game, and it was such a treat. We were out of the rain!! Jackson slept the first half, so I got to actually watch the game. We loved every minute - the gold shoes and all! It's great to be a bulldog!!

our mess

2011-11-16T15:31:00.001-06:00

Back in May we noticed some water under our wood floors in our dining room. We were moving our dining room table to the front yard for Warner's birthday party and while stepping on the floor, water would come up out of the cracks. After our adjuster came out then sent an engineer to check it out, it was filed under flooding. Since we don't have flood insurance, we had to repair and replace everything out of our own pocket. We had the entire back door replaced and were having the floor repaired, when our carpenter discovered that there was still water under the floors days after the last rain. After he started investigating, he found a leak in our kitchen coming from our ice maker...and turns out we had way more damage than we first thought. Our insurance company came back and made it right...and now we are living in a complete mess!! We had to gut our entire kitchen, replace the wall between the dining room & kitchen, and finally redo our floors. It is a work in progress and already taking way longer than I had anticipated. I never took any before picures, but here are some "during" pictures. The floors still have to be put down in front of the door.

Kitchen looking in from laundry room. The door at the end of kitchen goes in to dining room. I never thought I would say this, but I am so tired of eating out!!

MS State vs Alabama

2011-11-16T15:04:00.002-06:00

We had another great weekend in Starkville! It was even more fun to spend some time with Kevin, Haley, Kepler, & Dax as well as the Barrett family. We went to the Hump for the basketball game, had fun tailgating with the Rowell's, and took both boys into the football game. Jackson was perfectly content as long as he had his popcorn! We were worn out by the end of the day! Jackson was asleep before we put the car in drive and slept on the table at Newk's after the game. We laid him in his pack-n-play when we got back to our hotel and didn't hear a peep out of him until the next morning!!

First basketball game for Warner & Jackson.

How many boys can we fit on the golf cart? Warner & Kepler on the back, Dax, Joe Barrett, and Jackson up front. They were loving it!
We even got to see our niece/cousin Maggie.

Warner was in heaven in the amphitheater, sliding down the hills on his makeshift sled...all the kids were doing this and it was chaos!

Warner got to play with his buddy, Camp.

In the game and enjoying our second box of popcorn.

We drove through campus on Sunday and stopped to take some pictures.

Blessed to be their mommy!!

We had a great weekend and can't wait to be back in less than 2 weeks for the Egg Bowl. Go Dawgs!!!!!!

helping daddy

2011-11-02T15:51:00.001-06:00

Chris has been working in the woods a lot lately getting ready for deer and duck season. There is no place these two would rather be than out in the woods on the four wheeler with daddy. It was such a beautiful fall day yesterday, and I took my camera and got a few good pictures.

last soccer game & trophy

2011-11-01T17:51:00.002-06:00

Warner had his last soccer game on Sunday and ended it with a win and scored a goal!! He loved his soccer season and had so much fun out there with his team.

Warner, Anderson Flowers, Will Moser, & Tanner Fava

Anna Sims Wills, Warner, Will, Tanner, Emily Grace Smith, & Anderson

getting his trophy

what I don't have a picture of is jackson thinking he is part of the team and walking out to get his trophy!!

What will do now with our Sunday afternoons??

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T17:40:00.001-06:00

We celebrated Halloween on Saturday night, and it was wild!! We pulled in to town just in time for Chris to drop me off at the church where I was working a booth at our festival. Chris took the boys to the Johnson's house for their annual Halloween party. He was also in charge of the camera...and this is what I got!

Jackson is now in love with the trick or treating. He is going to want to dress up everyday if it means he gets candy!

Sweet boys - Gaines Flowers & Jackson.

Last night (Halloween night) we dressed up again and went out to Mawmaw's house and JoJo & Pops...and I left my camera, ugh!!

San Antonio, TX

2011-11-01T13:39:00.004-06:00

Last Monday afternoon Chris told me we were going to San Antonio. We left the next night. It was crazy!! We spent the night in Jackson, and our flight was EARLY Wednesday morning. Our main reason for the trip was to pick out a tree shaker for the pecan orchard, but we made a little family trip out of it. We had fun on the riverwalk, visited the Alamo, went to the zoo, and our very favorite thing we did was Sea World. We are worn out!! When you travel with kids, you need a vacation from your vacation ;)

Riding the shuttle to our rental car - let the fun begin!!

Having a little fun while daddy looked at tree shakers.

World's largest pecan

The Riverwalk

boat tour

The Alamo

Sea World. It was freezing this day, and I did not prepare for cold weather. We all had to buy a sweatshirt in the gift shop.

My favorite part of our trip - feeding the dolphins!!

grandparent's day 2011

2011-11-01T13:32:00.001-06:00

feeling so blessed

2011-10-20T08:31:00.004-05:00

We spent the weekend in Starkville and had the best time!

Friday night we went to Pumpkinpalooza. Batman & Batman loved all the candy. Jackson would open a sucker, take a few licks, put it back in his bucket, and move on to the next one.

Warner, Camp Overstreet, & Henry Fyke

ready for game day!

Rayner & Rowell girls

Camp & Warner at the game - it was HOT!!

Lively & Overstreet boys - they had the best time playing together!

We had a long day and we were pooped!!

We love going back to Starkville. It has changed so much, but it still brings back so many memories. We had a great family weekend!!

(Thank you for all the sweet texts, facebook messages, & comments. We feel the prayers!!)

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps"

2011-10-13T13:40:00.003-05:00

Proverbs 16:9

One of my favorite verses! I first heard that verse the summer of 2000 working on the serve staff at Camp DeSoto in Metone, AL. I was totally out of my comfort zone and very homesick and that verse became one of my favorites!

I've had my whole life planned out....graduate highschool with highest honors, go to college at Miss State, pledge a sorority, meet my very best friends, meet my husband & get married, go to graduate school, have our first baby, become a stay-at-home-mom, and then grow our family. The last part is where things don't go according to my plan.

This past Monday, October 10, we lost of 4th baby to miscarriage. 4 miscarriages - that was NEVER part of MY plan!! I was so excited about this appointment. I was 12 weeks. We were going to start telling our friends and family that we were having our 3rd baby. I had had ultrasounds at 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, and 10 weeks. Everything was going perfectly - good growth and strong heartbeat.

I went to the appointment so optomistic. Chris stayed home and went on to work, and I took Jackson with me. I thought I would be in and out. Laying on that ultrasound table I thought I was having a bad dream. I was thinking, there is NO WAY this can be happening again!!! It was. I don't even know how I managed to get the words out to call Chris and my mom. I remember telling Chris that I was just so mad. He asked who I was mad at. I couldn't say it then and I'm ashamed to admit it now, but I was mad at God. (I have been so nauseous this entire pregnancy, don't want to eat but have to every 2 hours because my blood sugar keeps dropping, and I have been worthless. My boys are clueless, but I feel like they have missed out by not having me at 100%.) Of course now I am not mad at God at all. He is in control of my life and I will trust in Him commpletely.

Through my tears, I drove back home. The longest drive of my life, but I don't remember any of it. My mom said to me, "just let God drive you home" and that is exactly what I did. That day was so hard, but the days since have gotten a little easier.

This heart ache and loss has not been part of my plan, but it is His plan. I won't know the reasons why until I see Jesus face to face, but I just have to trust that His will is better than my own. I have gone back & forth about putting this on our blog. I decided that this is our life too. The not so fun part of our life!! It will be hard to look back on this and see how much I was hurting, but it will be awesome to see how God gets us through this...and HE WILL!!

I'm not writing this for anyone to feel sorry for me. Please don't! I am the luckiest girl in the world. I have the most amazing family, a wonderful husband, two precious little boys, and great friends. Maybe God can use my story to reach out to someone going through something similar.

pecan orchard

2011-10-13T13:33:00.001-05:00

Saturday afternoon we headed out to the pecan orchard for some four wheeler, golf cart, & gator riding with cousins. We had a bonfire and cooked hotdogs and roasted marshmellows. It was such a beautiful day!

bath time fun

2011-10-13T13:18:00.001-05:00

Daddy is way more fun at bath time. Colored water & bubbles - so much fun for two little boys!

our Saturday afternoon

2011-09-27T10:13:00.005-05:00

field trip

2011-09-27T09:59:00.002-05:00

Warner's class took a field trip last Friday to a horse barn. They got to ride horses, go on a donkey ride, and see a wild turkey. Jackson even got to participate, and he thought he was part of the class.

Warner's big class!!

Warner's in the back with the cowboy hat...I love this picture of his fun teacher!

talking to the turkey

Warner was a bit scared riding the horse, but Jackson would have stayed up there all day. He's still telling people, "i ride horse."

soccer

2011-09-20T13:41:00.001-05:00

Warner started soccer a couple of weeks ago and is loving it!! Every day he is asking me "is today soccer day?" They play 3 on 3 and they don't keep score...of course Warner and his teamates do! That's all Warner is worried about - winning! We have games every Sunday afternoon until the end of October.

dove hunting & harvest 2011

2011-09-07T13:01:00.001-05:00

Opening day of dove season. I don't even know what to think about this picture! He is growing to love the outdoors just like his daddy.

Uncle Kimble, Tanner, & Warner - they had a big group for the opening day of dove season this year. I think the little boys had the most fun of all. My dad took these pictures for me during the hunt.

Later that afternoon we went out to visit daddy. My mom, Warner, & Jackson got to go for a ride.

This is where daddy will be for the next couple of months. If we can make it through then we can have him all to ourselves for a little while...well, we will have to compete with hunting :(

last swim of the summer (sept 2011)

2011-09-07T12:51:00.001-05:00

We stretched out our summer as far as we could...but I think last weekend was our last swim :( My dad came back in town last weekend to pick up my mom and they spent a few more days with us before they headed back to Texas. I know I've mentioned this before, but my dad is the best playmate. He spends hours playing with my boys - on the floor, outside, swimming, or whatever it may be. So thankful for my dad (better known as, Buddy)!!

Go Dawgs!!

2011-09-07T11:47:00.001-05:00

Kissy stayed for the week after Jackson's party, so we took advantage of having her to babysit. Chris and I took Warner to Memphis for the first Miss State game. We missed Jackson, but it is always fun to spend time one-on-one with just one child. It was a great game and most importantly we WON!!

Jackson turns 2!!

2011-09-07T10:49:00.005-05:00

On Saturday morning, August 27, Jackson woke up a two year old!! He had a house full of guest ready to celebrate his day - Mommy, Daddy, Warner, Kissy, Buddy, cousin Laurel, aunt B, and Mamaw. The day was all about him!!

His party was on his actual birthday...he was so excited about eating his cake, singing 'happy birthday' and blowing out his candles!

invitation by 29:11 Creations
He opened one present from aunt Gibson & uncle Pat

and blew out his candles on his cinnamon roll.

His party wasn't until 3:00 and we had a lot to do before it began. Of course Chris was working (harvest time), so I was so thankful for have a house full of helpers. I could never have done everything with out the help of my mom, dad, and aunt B - THANK YOU!!

We had a Mississippi State football party and the guests were asked to come dressed out for their favorite team.

His adorable cake by Katie Crenshaw!

blowing out his candles (with a lot of help from big brother)

looks like the bulldog is on top :)

some of the party guest

opening presents with his cousins

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate our favorite two year old!! He had a blast!!

On Monday, Gibson & Freddy came to get Laurel, and we got to love on this little guy. He is getting so big - we love you Freddy!!

4 precious cousins!!

Happy Birthday Jackson!! It's hard to believe you are two years old...but it kinda feels like you've been with us forever. You fit so perfectly into this family, and we couldn't imagine life without you! Thankful to God for your little life, and that I get to be your mommy here on earth!!

Wh'are you???

2011-08-23T16:40:00.001-05:00

While Warner is at school, I've been soaking up my time alone with Jackson. He is a little sponge - learning new things and saying new words everyday. His new favorite phrase, as of about 2 weeks ago, is "where are you?" or as he says, "Wh'are you?" He'll walk through the house looking for me while he's saying this over and over. Once he finds me, he'll put his arms up and say "momma, hold". Everything is "me' right now - "Me down, me outside." We've been practicing singing hapy birthday and blowing out his candles - can't believe he turns two on Saturday! Can't wait to celebrate this little boy with his family & friends. He is such a joy!! So glad God made him mine!

He's been reading books with daddy & WooWoo at night and trying to stay in Warner's bed to go night night. I'm just not ready for that!!

On another note, Kindergarten is hard work!! This is how we found Warner at the end of last week - asleep by our bed, covered up with my pillow. Bless him!

1st day(s)

2011-08-12T13:09:00.002-05:00

Warner started Kindergarten this week...and it's been HARD! I have been so sad....mainly just because he is growing up. I miss him! It is just so quiet! The past two years he has gotten out of school at 11:30, so three hours away from home and then he was back...so it's just been hard to get use to him being gone all day. Warner on the other hand - LOVES it! He was so excited about going to school on Wednesday for his tea party, and even more excited when I woke him up Thursday morning for his first full day of school. It's hard to be sad when he has been so happy and excited about Kindergarten!

This was Wednesday before we left for his tea party. Can you see the excitement on his face?

Wednesday afternoon I made him a little back to school cookie cake.

rise and shine - it's your first day of Kindergarten!

little brother jumped right on in the picture

ready to go with his school bag and lunch box!

This week has really made me realize how quickly time flies! It has made me appreciate even more the privilege of getting to stay home with my babies. It has made me want to squeeze Jackson even tighter and enjoy every second of my time at home with him. Before I know it, Jackson will be in school too :(

Kindergarten

2011-08-04T12:25:00.001-05:00

The time has come!! A week from today I will send my baby off for his first day of kindergarten. He will be in school everyday until 3:00, and it is killing me. I'm so proud of him - proud that he's growing up, proud that he's so smart, proud of the little boy he is becoming....but I just can't let go! I want to go with him everyday, walk him inside, watch him learn, help him with his lunch, etc. I know he will love it..and eventually I'll be okay. I am so thankful for our school - makes it a little easier to send him when I know he loves it, is loved by his teachers, and Jesus is the center of everything they do. Warner, you are growing up right before my eyes. I love you so much and will be counting down the minutes until I can pick you up in the afternoons :) Go Warner! Go PDS! Go Kindergarten!

fishing

2011-08-03T16:07:00.001-05:00

23 months

2011-08-03T15:47:00.001-05:00

I can't ever keep up...you are growing too fast! You are 23 months old - one month away from becoming a 2 year old!! This past month you have changed SO much! Your vocabulary is taking off...seriously! You are becoming a little OCD about certain things - your blankets have to be out of your bed when you get out and go on the double bed in your room, you have to turn the light out when I put you to bed, you have to kiss everyone goodnight before you go to bed, you have to have your banana and fruit bar (nutrigain bar) every morning with your juice while sitting in daddy's chair watching Mickey Mouse, you have to take your shoes off the second you get in the car, you have to sit on a certain spot to put your shoes on. You are a silly little boy and you keep us laughing and on our toes. You can get to anything, no matter how far up we put it. You love to play hide and seek with daddy and Warner. You close your eyes so tight while daddy counts! You love to be chased, and you & Warner will play together in his room for hours (until someone gets hurt). You love to be outside. As soon as the word is mentioned you go get your shoes. You got stung by a wasp for the first time last week- it got you twice in the same arm. You are so tough! Your world is about to change as big brother goes back to school. Me and you both are going to have to adjust to this. The planning is underway for your 2nd birthday party. I still can't believe you are almost two. Time flies by! We are so proud of the little boy you are becoming and can't wait to see what this next month brings. We love you!

golf & bronchitis

2011-07-27T10:57:00.001-05:00

One of our favorite family activities - GOLF!!

Warner is pretty good...if we could just get him to grip the club the right way.

Jackson is the ball boy...he loves to get them out of the sand traps.

Warner started a horrible cough on Saturday and on Sunday night he screamed for over 3 hours (off and on in his sleep) because of his ear. Jackson had a little congestion and was acting like his ear was bothering him. Sooooo....we spent our entire afternoon in the doctors office on Monday - 4 long hours!!!!!! Longest afternoon of my life!! They both have bronchitis, and Warner has 2 very infected ears. We've been doing a lot of breathing treatments and laying around. Hopefully they will be better soon so we can enjoy the 2 short weeks we have left before school starts back :(

Dallas July 2011

2011-07-26T12:59:00.005-05:00

The boys & I enjoyed our last summer getaway in Dallas last week. We had a little different experience flying this time (we used a different airline). They would not let Chris go through security with me and would not let me take my stroller to the gate (had to check it). So there I was with 4 bags & 2 children going through security and of course NOBODY helps me!! Once we made it to the gate they were already boarding and a nice little lady came over to me and said "you are traveling with small children and they need to let you on the plane first." She ended up going up to the airline employee who was boarding the plane and telling her to let me on....it was really sweet! And they let me on!! The flight was just about as good as expected - Jackson crawling all over me for the whole flight...thank goodness it's only an hour flight. Warner is my little helper -holding Jackson's hand, pulling his bag, and keeping up with me. We were so happy to see Buddy when we landed in Dallas!!! One of the first things he and Warner did was go to the train store. Buddy had promised he would get an electric train for his house and he did not disappoint!! They all had fun putting it together.

The temperatures were in the triple digits during our entire visit, so we were either in the water or indoors. They LOVE the splash pad...and it's only a mile away so we made many trips.

CARS 2!! Jackson first time in the movie theatre!! He was good for the first half...and then he got a little restless. Next time I think we will come in after the previews and wait until half way through the movie to get the popcorn.

We also did lots of swimming /playing in the water hose in the backyard.

Funny little boy!

Our friend's Jon & Shelley invited us over to their neighborhood pool one morning. It was more like a water park - with 5 different pools including this fun splash part and water slides! Jackson walked right on up the stairs while I was still putting sunscreen on Warner. The bucket on the top fills up with water and once it's full it turns over and all the water comes pouring out. Jackson was not expecting that and it scared him to death. He ended up falling down the steps and got pretty beat up on his face.

Buddy is a great playmate!

My dad signed Warner up for this little tiny tots tennis camp. He loved it and did so good!! He has a mean little back hand.

A new aquarium opened in Grapevine the week before we got there so we had to check it out! It was a great aquarium, but we picked a bad day to go. We were there with every day care in town!! Warner loved it...especially the sharks.

On our last night, my parents took me out for a birthday dinner to one of my favorites - Fireside Pies! It was delicious.

We loved our time with Buddy & Kissy and can't wait to see them again!!

22 months

2011-07-06T08:16:00.001-05:00

On June 27th, you turned 22 months old!! This month your vocabulary is taking off. You try to repeat anything and are putting some three word sentences together. You are also testing your boundaries and starting to get some spankings. When daddy spanks you, you will come running to me crying and say "da da spank me" - like you are telling on him! You will also sit in time out and a few times have put yourself in time out. You still love to call my name - over the weekend you went from calling me momma to calling me mommy...you especially like to call my name when you are upset. You are fearless!! You have scared so many people at the country club pool because you will just walk over to the side and jump in. Everyone will say, "is he okay?" You still think you are as big as Warner and will do and say anything he does. You have started saying hey to us when you come in the room - he mommy, hey daddy...and love to say bye to daddy the same way. You weighed 32 pounds when I took you to the doctor last week- you're a big boy and everybody tells us that about you. You love to wear boots, love to be outside, love to watch a movie in the afternoons, love your blankets, love your brother, and love to run. You say "no" real loud when you don't want something or shake your head back and forth. You answer "uh huh" instead of yes - we laugh every time you do it! We can get you to smile for a picture by saying show me your teeth. I just want to squeeze you and kiss your face off every single second of the day...I love this age!! You are such a gift to our family and we could not imagine life without you in it. You are so loved!!! I can't believe we almost have a 2 year old!!!

4th of July weekend at the lake

2011-07-05T20:17:00.004-05:00

This weekend we traveled to Lake Mitchell in Clanton, Alabama to celebrate 4th of July. We met up with the rest of Chris' family (18 people total) and had a great weekend on the lake. We had 3 boats total - 2 fishing boats and one pontoon. We swam, we fished, we rode on the intertube, we jumped off the top of the pontoon boat, and we slid down the slide. We had the best time!!

Happy 4th of July!!

all the cousins, in order by age - Maggie, Matthew, Madison, Mason, Kepler, Warner, Dax, Morgan, Michael, and Jackson

on the farm

2011-06-29T12:47:00.001-05:00

visitors

2011-06-29T12:39:00.001-05:00

Last week, Jackson & I had 2 special visitors come spend the afternoon with us - my college roomate, Jan, and her daugher, Sarah Blake. (Warner was playing with his cousin, Mason, at JoJo & Pops house) Sarah Blake and Jackson were born just 3 days apart!! I remember talking to Jan on the phone the day she was leaving the hospital with Sarah Blake, and wishing it was my turn. I ended up going in to labor that same night! Jackson loved having SB around...he was a little too loving! Thank you Jan and SB for making a special trip to see us. We loved every minute and can't wait until the next time.

cousins

2011-06-23T16:26:00.001-05:00

family

2011-06-21T13:52:00.003-05:00

photos by Betty Donne Photography

Monday afternoon fun!

2011-06-21T13:28:00.002-05:00

I am loving this stage with my boys...Warner just turned 5 and Jackson is almost 2. They are having so much fun together! Sure, there are fights and tears...lots of not sharing and tattling, but most of the time - laughing, running, playing, and love. Warner will say, "wanna go play in my room?" They take off running, and I come later to find this...

Daddy Day

2011-06-19T14:27:00.001-05:00

When daddy's truck is spotted in the street, their eyes light up and they run for the back door.

Pops was one of Jackson's first words. They love their Pops!

Buddy is their favorite playmate!

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's in our life!!

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Happy Father's Day to my daddy: my biggest fan! He was always the loudest one yelling for me while I was playing soccer, or tennis, or cheering. Even now as I am all grown up, he is still my biggest fan! Not a day goes by that I do not feel so blessed to be his daughter. I love you, dad!

parasailing

2011-06-14T14:22:00.002-05:00

I can't believe i forgot to blog about this!! While we were on vacation, we saw lots and lots of parasailing going on. One afternoon on the beach, Gibson & I decided we should give it a try. I am so glad we did!!!!! It was so much fun. It is so peaceful high in the sky, and you can see for miles & miles. We saw several schools of fish and even saw a shark - it was really neat. Our whole family was on the balcony of our condo watching us. We told the driver of the boat which condo was ours, and he pulled us right in front of it. Everybody was waving!! So fun!!

here we go!!

BEACH 2011

2011-06-13T13:53:00.009-05:00

We just returned from our annual Rayner/Lively beach trip. We had a great week!! It was Jackson's first time at the beach and he loved the water! He is absolutely fearless and would just walk right out in the ocean or jump right in the pool...I had to make sure the Puddle Jumper was on him at all times!! I'm not sure which Warner enjoyed more - being at the beach or getting to play with his cousin, Laurel. Those 2 play so well together!! It was a great week just to be together as a family. Chris even went with us for the whole week..which was a first! I enjoyed having his help....because these two are hard to keep up with!! The condo was so nice....lazy river, water slide, zero entry pool, and a baby pool. Warner & Jackson both loved the slide, and Warner thought he was big stuff going around the lazy river by himself. Thank you Kissy & Buddy for another wonderful beach vacation!!!

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on our way...FINALLY!!! We waited all morning on daddy to finish up on the farm and then 10 miles down the road we had a flat tire!

Lots of pictures below...

last t-ball game and party

2011-06-01T20:33:00.004-05:00

Our t-ball season came to end last night. Warner loved every minute...and we are so excited about playing coach pitch next year!!

getting their medals

Tanner, Will, & Warner

team party at Stone Pony Pizza!!

Madison & Ansley

daddy's wheat

2011-05-26T14:24:00.001-05:00

In order to see daddy this time of year, we have to go to him. We have two little farmers in the making that love fields to run in, tractors & combines. We helped daddy in his wheat field yesterday, and then helped him get the combine ready for harvesting the wheat. We are so thankful for our hard working daddy!!

Dallas May 2011

2011-05-23T22:08:00.007-05:00

We decided Saturday afternoon, after Warner's birthday party, that we would ride home with Buddy & Kissy and stay the week. Chris is working so much and long hours right now...I knew he wouldn't miss us! The ride was long, but we made it! We had a jam packed week. My boys love to be at Buddy & Kissy's house. It's a nice break from our regular routine, and there are lots of fun things for us to do. There is also lots & lots of eating - Fireside Pies, Joe T Garcia's, RockFish...the list goes on and on!!

Grandparents always have Popsicles!!

building Lego's with Buddy

watching cartoons in Buddy & Kissy's bed

We found "jump for fun" this time. It was so much fun!!

Fort Worth Zoo

We spent our Saturday at the zoo. It was pretty hot, but the most of the animals were really moving around. We saw a Bengal tiger enjoying a swim, turtles mating(!), and got up close & personal with a gorilla. Warner's favorite were the dinosaur exhibits they were featuring.

2 hot & tired boys leaving the zoo

one last trip with Buddy to the park before our flight leaves

Thank you Buddy & Kissy for our little mini vacation. We hope we didn't wear you completely out!!

five years old

2011-05-23T17:19:00.005-05:00

May 17, 2006 - the day you made me a mommy. In a blink of an eye the last five years have passed. You have given me & daddy so much joy and happiness.

We were in Texas(visiting Buddy & Kissy) on your birthday and spent the day doing some of your favorite things. We had doughnuts for breakfast, spent the morning at the park, lunch at Chik-fil-A, and ended the night at dinner with friends.

At five years old, you are 44 pounds and 44 inches tall

went to bed Monday night as a four year old
and woke up five!!

you have finally added some different foods to the small list of things you will eat - pizza, grilled cheese sandwich, bacon...

you remember everything!!

you are (most of the time) pretty sweet to your little brother...and he just adores you

you love to play, and you are constantly wanting someone to come to your house

you glue in to the tv and don't hear a thing around you

you are so excited about being five!!!

make a wish!!

It is so fun to be your mommy. I love you!!

Happy Birthday my little five year old!!

Warner's 5th birthday party

2011-05-22T21:16:00.009-05:00

We had Warner's camping/bug birthday party last Saturday (May 14th). I'm still not believing that we have a 5 year old (more on that in another post). His party was so much fun. We had our own little camp ground...complete with tents, picnic tables, digging for worms, and a bug hunt!

Field Day 2011

2011-05-08T20:40:00.003-05:00

Warner had field day on Friday. Such a fun day for all the kids...and parents! We're on the gold team...and the gold never wins :( But this year...GOLD WON!!! Yay!! We're so so thankful for our little school.

little brother and little cousins there to cheer Warner on

sweet Lucy Kate

Emily Grace, Warner, & Anna Sims

Go Warner Go!!

It won't be long and we'll have two field day participants...

20 months

2011-05-08T20:36:00.003-05:00

church and school programs

2011-05-08T20:25:00.004-05:00

Warner's Jr. K class had a little Mother's Day program last week. It was so so sweet...we all had a hard time fighting back the tears. I am so blessed to be a mommy...especially to this sweet little boy!!

Our church had a a Spring Musical last Sunday night and Warner's Wednesday night class had a little part in it and got to sing several of the songs they have learned. They did such a great job.

Warner's first time to wear blue jeans (ha ha!) and I think he looks pretty cute (if I do say so myself). He was loving all the pockets...and told Chris later that night, "we have the same pants."

best buddies - Warner & Paxton

T-BALL

2011-04-30T16:44:00.003-05:00

Warner had his first game this morning. He did a great job and we were so proud of him!! He had a great hit off his very first pitch (it's called t ball, but more like coach pitch without keeping score), ran the bases, and crossed over home plate with the biggest smile on his face...daddy was there to greet him with a big high five!

bat boy Jackson - it is hard work keeping him off the field

I could still just eat him up!! He is so excited about turning five (May 17th)! I am not so excited about it...I keep trying to talk him in to just staying 4, but he says NO WAY! We had a 30 minute conversation this morning about his big birthday coming up. He was convinced that since tomorrow is May then tomorrow is his birthday...Chris and I both had to explain that his birthday is on the 17th, not before!

lots and lots of rain...

2011-04-27T18:27:00.004-05:00

creates lots and lots of fun for two little boys!!

fun on the farm with daddy

and fun in our swimming pool we had in the front yard

yes, he is fearless! he would roll over on his back and just lay there for a little while before he flipped back over.

this is the view from standing at my back door...this is the highest I ever seen the Sunflower River in the five years that we've lived in this house!

Go away rain! Come back sunshine!

Easter Sunday 2011 - He is RISEN!!

2011-04-26T14:26:00.002-05:00

Coming out to see if the Easter bunny had visited.

Ready for church!!

After church it was back to JoJo & Pops house for more eating and playing. These 3 have so much fun together - Dax, Warner, & Kepler.

And the day wouldn't be complete without another dip in the mud!!

Happy Easter!! Thankful for my Savior, his death on the cross, and knowing He arose and is ALIVE!!

Easter fun!

2011-04-26T14:17:00.003-05:00

Saturday afternoon we headed out to Chris' parents house for an egg hunt and cookout. Warner & Jackson had a great time hunting eggs and playing with their cousins, but I think the most fun was getting in the mud!! They were a mess...and LOVED every minute of it!

dyeing eggs

2011-04-26T14:16:00.002-05:00

We were so thankful to have my parents visit us over Easter weekend...that is always a treat! We did a little bit of everything, including dye our Easter eggs. Jackson's first time to get in on the fun, and he was most interested in getting the eggs (balls) and throwing them!

later that night, it got very quiet in the living room and we walked in to find this...

Jackson emptied the entire Kleenex box!!

juke joint festival 2011

2011-04-26T14:15:00.000-05:00

Friday night we saw monkeys riding dogs...so cute!!

Saturday was full of petting zoo, train rides, jump houses, and fun with friends and cousins.

where did my baby go?

2011-04-14T15:37:00.001-05:00

I just keep telling myself - it is only hair and it will grow back!!

19 months

2011-04-08T20:08:00.002-05:00

I haven't been very good at keeping up with your monthly updates. Time is flying by and before I even realize it another month has passed! You are talking more and more and trying to put 2 words together. You are loving Warner's choo choos and love to find the choo choo in some of the books we read. I love spending our mornings together just me & you. We miss Warner and can't wait til it's time to go get him, but I treasure our time alone. You are now a definite momma's boy - no more daddy. You want only me!! All day long you call my name - momma! momma! Most of the time you don't even need anything, you just like the way it sounds on your lips. Ha! In the car you are calling my name, in a store you are calling my name, waking up from your nap and in the morning you are calling my name, at home you are calling my name, sitting right in my lap you are calling my name. You will just stop what you're doing and call my name, and sometimes come over and hug & kiss me as if you haven't seen me in a long time. It is very flattering!! You are throwing fits. I forgot this started so soon. I'm talking the fall down on the floor and kick and scream kind of fits. I'm just leaving the room and not giving you any attention when you do it...hopefully this puts it to an end! You love going to Warner's t-ball practices. You put the ball on the tee and grab the bat like you are part of the team. You love to say no..and usually you say no, but mean yes. I started emphasizing the head nod every time I would say yes, and now you do the same thing!! It is so funny to watch! You still love to eat and get so excited about food. When you & Warner sit down to eat it takes you a fraction of the time it takes Warner to clean your plate...you don't mess around!

I love your big brown eyes...and I don't like that thumb!! Will you go to college sucking that thumb??

If Warner does it, you think you can do it too!

Here you are throwing a fit...

dirt road sport

taking all the trains and hoping Warner doesn't notice

your favorite new thing is throwing sticks in water

you love to put your feet on the table while you're eating...not good!

I love rocking you before bed. We have to get both blankets and your pillow and put them in the chair with us. You lay your head down on my shoulder and just let me rock you for a little while. Sometimes you sit up and point to my mouth meaning you want me to sing, and then you will clap at the end of every song. I am usually absolutely worn out at that time of day! I rock you and I am so thankful for you and for your brother. God is good!! It is a blessing every single day to be your mom!! Just stop growing up so fast...it is going by too quickly!!

special memory

2011-04-08T19:41:00.002-05:00

While Jackson was taking his nap one afternoon last week, Warner and I made one of my favorite childhood snacks - Rice Krispie Treats. I have so many memories as a little girl doing this same thing with my aunt B...sitting up on the counter, stiring the butter & marshmellows as they melted together. We called it sticky stuff...and I still have a hard time calling it anything else. It was fun to do something together, just the 2 of us!

the best part - eating it hot and gooey before it hardens!

family & friends

2011-04-08T14:04:00.006-05:00

Jackson & Warner with aunt B

Earlier in the week, my little travelers and I headed on a road trip to meet up with my mom and visit my grandmothers. We had a great visit and got to see all my aunts & both grandmothers.

Jackson chillin in an old, old highchair. breakfast at meme's house....right up at the bar with cartoons on the big tv...spoiled rotten!

one of my favorite things - azaleas!!!

Laurin and her kids came to visit on Monday...it had been a long time. I finally got to meet this little angel - Stella.

Jackson loved her...and just kissed her over & over. It was sweet at first..then he started getting a little rough. Sorry Stella!

Warner & Jackson loved playing with Lennox...and Lennox loved Buzz & Woody!!

Thank you Laurin, Lennox, and Stella for coming to visit us!!

Warner rode his bike down this hill over & over.

Jackson loved picking flowers and throwing them in Meme's pond.

B sent home with us 2 big bags full of Easter goodies for the boys....Warner is asking everyday if it's Easter yet!! Thank you B!!

I was worn out from keeping up with these 2 in Meme's non baby-proofed house, but it was worth every minute. What a blessing for my boys to have 4 living great grandparents!!

down by the river

2011-03-27T14:24:00.005-06:00

The Sunflower River runs behind our house, down the big hill in our backyard. I've never been brave enough to take them down to it until recently. They would stay there all day throwing sticks in and watching them roll on down the river.

Johnson County Fair

2011-03-23T12:34:00.003-06:00

We celebrated Lucy Kate & Bryant Johnson's 3rd birthday last weekend. Lesley really outdid herself with their cute party. There was a petting zoo, train ride, games, and lots of great food. Everybody enjoyed a beautiful day at the Johnson County Fair!

how cute is this cake?

Warner got to feed a baby goat!

they both loved the horse ride

Jackson did not want to get off!

the turtles were a hit too

I never got a picture of the cute birthday boy & girl :(

Happy Birthday Lucy Kate & Bryant!! We love you!

Buddy

2011-03-23T12:12:00.002-06:00

These are more pictures from our Spring Break trip. They are priceless to me, and I thought they needed a separate post of their own. My dad is by far the most hands-on grandfather I have ever seen. My boys absolutely adore him...and I'm pretty lucky to call him my dad!

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-22T12:56:00.009-06:00

My parents moved to the Dallas area right before Warner was born in 2006. It has been hard some days being 7 1/2 hours away, but it gives us a great place to visit and makes our time together that much more special. It doesn't make a difference for my boys. First, because they don't know any different, and secondly because they are just as close to them as they would be if we saw them everyday. We are thankful for webcams, for airplanes, for telephone calls, and most thankful for times we are together! Last week, the boys & I (we left daddy home to work) traveled to Dallas during Warner's spring break. We were busy, busy the entire week and our time went by way too quickly. We played outside, went to several different parks, had picnics, went out to eat, went shopping, and went on a TRAIN RIDE (their favorite).

Buddy & Kissy always have surprises waiting - golf clubs & plasma cars

bike rides to the park

the park!

why are their hands always all over their face?!

picnic and feeding ducks at park #2

LOVE

Happy St Patrick's Day!!!

On our way to get on the train. All Aboard!!

The train takes you from Grapevine, TX into downtown Fort Worth - the Stockyards. Such a neat place!

Buddy & Kissy were a lot of help on the ride home! Ha! I have a feeling this is the way they feel when we leave too!!

Thank you mom & dad (Buddy & Kissy) for a great week!! We can't wait to plan our next trip.

18 months

2011-03-11T13:41:00.002-06:00

Jackson, Jack Jack, little bit, mess, baby boy - you are 18 months old. You turned 18 months on February 27th. How is that possible? I'm pretty sure I just held you in my arms for the first time in the hospital. You are growing up on me!! You are a little fire cracker...you know what you want and you're going to do whatever it takes to get it. We sit down to eat and if it's not what you want you start pointing to the refrigerator to get you something else. If Warner has something you want, you do whatever it takes to get it. You are a screamer!! I think it's mostly frustration because you can't say what you want to say. You scream to get our attention, when your mad, when you want something and can't reach it, when you want to go outside, etc. Speaking of outside...you would live outside. You still try to escape when we don't close the back door all the way. I lost you last week for 5 minutes...I was running through the house in a frantic because I couldn't find you. I thought you went to get your juice, then you were gone. Finally I looked out in the driveway and there you were playing with Warner's golf club.

eating blueberries...one of your favorite foods.

You and Warner both have an obsession with Toy Story right now. You think if you point to the t.v. or bring me the remote control that I'm just suppose to turn it on all the time. I will have these movies memorized if the sun doesn't come out soon.

You are still a great sleeper. You have to have both your blankets and your pillow now to go to sleep. You know all your body parts and love to point to your belly button. You call Warner "Woo Woo" and it is the cutest thing in the world! You still love love love your daddy! When you hear the back door open at the end of the day, you start clapping and yelling, "dada".

You think you are as big as Warner and want to do everything he is doing. Usually Warner is pretty tolerant of this, but sometimes you are a little too much - like when you tear apart his train track or take away his cars that he has lined up just right.

You still like to eat, but you have started being hesitant about trying new things. When I try to give you a bite of something you don't want, you shake your head no. Ugh! One night a couple of weeks ago you went to bed with out any supper because you had a total meltdown. You did not want to eat what I had fixed you!! After your nap in the afternoons your favorite thing to do is stand up on the counter in the kitchen and pick a snack out of the cabinet. You get the biggest smile on your face!!

You are at such a fun age. I can't wait to watch you grow up! I'm so thankful that God gave us you. What an awesome gift!! Always remember that you belong to God...we get to take care of you here on Earth, but you belong to the Lord. He loves you so much!!

One last picture (one of my new favorites). I'm so thankful that you two have each other!!

our little aritist

2011-03-02T14:28:00.001-06:00

Warner won 1st place at the PDS art show and went on to win 1st place in district!!!! I still haven't even seen the art that won all these awards....but I can't wait. We are so proud of him! We were invited to chapel today at school where he was presented with his awards.

with his little friend Anderson

farm & gin show 2011

2011-03-02T14:09:00.002-06:00

sam's 6th birthday

2011-03-02T14:04:00.001-06:00

Sam had a fun birthday party out at his family's hunting cabin. It was heaven for all those little boys. Happy Birthday Sam!!

Warner & the birthday boy

Warner & Paxton

this is the day the Lord has made

2011-02-21T14:47:00.004-06:00

We had the perfect weekend...nothing to do, no where to go, and all of us home together! We (Chris) got a lot of projects done around the house. We played outside all day. We loved the weather! I know our time with Chris is quickly coming to a close...he will start planting in March and then he is busy, busy, busy until harvest in October & November. I'm so thankful for pretty weekends when he can be home with us!!

This is Warner today dressed for red, white, & blue day a school. His outfit was a hit!!

my Valentines & beautiful weather

2011-02-17T12:51:00.003-06:00

After 4 days of fever for Warner & runny nose & coughing for Jackson, we spent part of our Valentines day in the doctors office. They both had a sinus infection, and Warner had an ear infection.

Chris & I still got to sneak away for a Valentine's dinner. We had such a nice dinner and didn't have to feed anybody, take anybody to the bathroom, or clean up after

anybody...ha ha!

We have been doing a lot of this...laying around watching movies.

We were so happy to see some sunshine and warm temperatures...we needed to get out and get some fresh air.

I finally feel comfortable enough to let Jackson ride on the gator with Warner...and he LOVES it!

I still can't get over how last week we had snow and single digits and this week we have temperatures in the 70's!!

(yes, mom, we got a haircut yesterday)

Hurry up Spring...we're ready for you!!

W a r n e r

2011-02-17T12:46:00.001-06:00

Warner had his first homework assignment over the weekend. He worked so hard writing his name. They are starting to write their names...using the D'nealian alphabet.

more snow, sick boys, & old toys

2011-02-12T09:16:00.004-06:00

We got more of this...and it was beautiful!! There is just something about snow...so crisp and white and clean. Then it melts...and it's not so crisp and clean looking any more, ha! We didn't get too excited about it this time. We did go to the levee again, but Jackson & I sat in the truck this time and stayed warm & dry. I was hoping to keep him well by keeping him out of the cold, wind, and wet. He did stay well, but now Warner is the sick one!

Bubba loves to sit at the back door and watch the boys...eat, play, or whatever. He watches over them!

I keep looking at Jackson thinking - you are not a baby anymore. He is getting taller, losing that baby fat, and just acting so big! Mainly because he wants to do everything Warner does.

This is Warner on the way to the levee. See that head lamp? That was his prize for getting GREEN LIGHTS at school.

Jackson hanging out in the truck while everyone was sledding down the levee.

Icicles on the back of the house...they were really neat!

Just throwing this in here because I love it. They love to help daddy build a fire!

Yesterday(Warner woke up with a fever, ugh!) we got out boxes of toys that I had put away from when Warner was a baby...it was like having all new toys! They played with these toys for hours.

even the boxes were entertaining

This morning we are watching Toy Story 2 and hoping Warner's fever will come down...and praying that Jackson stays well!!

meeting Freddy

2011-02-12T08:38:00.003-06:00

Last weekend, Warner and I traveled to Colorado to meet our new nephew/cousin. After a cancelled flight on Friday, and an all day adventure in the airport on Saturday, we finally arrived to see this sweet baby boy.

These two are so cute together! Can't you tell how much they love each other?

me & Gibson - God has blessed me so much with the best sister-n-laws!

Warner was totally smitten with his baby cousin - now he thinks he needs another baby brother ;)

When we arrived in Colorado it was snowing..and continued pretty much the entire weekend. Sunday morning we bundled up and went out to play in it for a while.

two snow bunnies

Kissy is totally content with a baby in her arms....

I miss him so much!

a little miracle

Kissy & Buddy traveled with us on the first leg of the trip home...and let me tell you that was so nice! I'm use to always flying solo..and usually with 2 kids, so it was so great to have extra hands going through security and boarding.

Jackson had a great weekend too having a little one on one time with his daddy and getting to spend some time with JoJo & Pops too. I could not wait to get my hands on him!!

the good, the bad, and the ugly

2011-02-03T20:52:00.001-06:00

What a week we have had!! This is our family journal, and I also never want to come across that our life is perfect....so here we go!

Warner has been having some trouble at school the last few weeks :( He just cannot keep his mouth closed!! They come home with green, yellow, or red lights at the end of the day depending on their behavior. Pretty self explanatory, but green - you were good all day, yellow - one incident or a warning, red - several incidents. Warner has had I think 2 green lights in the last 2 weeks, several yellow, and 2 red!! Ugh! All of his yellow or red lights are for talking...talking during group time, talking in the hall, talking talking talking. I realize it could be a lot worse...he could be hitting, being disrespectful, getting in fights, etc. It is just so defeating as a parent. We have tried every kind of punishment under the sun. His little bottom is raw from all the spankings!! For some reason it is just impossible for him to keep his lips sealed when he needs to. He talks all the time!!!! Have you ever been around him? He is always talking!!

Future Farmer of America

And this little guy....has pneumonia!!!!!

He turned 17 months old and a few days later was diagnosed with pneumonia.

It started with a cold...then came the wheezing, the constant whining, lots of sleeping, no appetite. I knew it had gone to his chest. Thankfully we caught it early!

I had a very proud moment as a mom last week too. We were at family night at our church and Warner and Jackson went to the gym floor to play with the other kids. I helped them down the stairs and stood back and just watched as they walked on out to the center of the gym. Warner was holding Jackson's hand and guiding him along...I could hear him talking to him in a sweet baby voice - "you wanna go over here, you wanna play with a ball". I stood back and watched with tears in my eyes as Warner was doing just what a big brother is all about - taking care of his baby brother. I pray that Warner will always take care of his little brother and that Jackson will always look up to Warner like he does now. I love these little boys...and no yellow or red light will ever change that!

lately

2011-01-26T13:59:00.005-06:00

We've been trying to survive indoors for the last few weeks.

Kissy came for a visit!!!!!

We've been reading lots of books.

Jackson had his first sucker!

We traveled to Laurel and had a great visit with Meme, Mamaw, & B.

We were finally able to give them their Christmas presents.

We enjoyed relaxing and visiting at Meme's house.

Creative little boys finding fun in the Lego's wagon.

Back at home, Warner has enjoyed dressing up in the Halloween costumes...and trying to get Jackson to play along.

sweet boy....17 months old tomorrow!

I went way out of my comfort zone and let Warner make a mess the other day with flour and a few toy trucks. He loved it...but it made a BIG BIG mess!

Jackson doing his most favorite thing...climbing on Warner's stool. He now drags it around with him and uses it to get just what he wants.

Thankful that I get to spend my days with these two little boys, but ready for some sunshine!!

SNOW

2011-01-12T13:01:00.005-06:00

Monday morning we woke up to a winter wonderland!! We got about 6 1/2 inches of snow...and Warner was thrilled!

so we bundled up and headed to the levee...

we did lots of sledding

Jackson is enjoying himself..I promise we didn't make him do this...he loved it and wanted to go over & over again

this was right before we crashed and I fell on top of them...they were not happy!

we love the snow!

here goes Bryant...he loved this!

Lucy Kate, Jackson, Bryant, and Warner (not wanting his picture taken)

then we headed to the farm for more fun....sledding behind the 4-wheeler on a car hood

Warner loved throwing snow balls!

here we go!

and last, but not least we built a snowman...brownie eyes, cucumber nose...whatever JoJo could find in her house - Ha!

The snow is still here (Wednesday) and we've really enjoyed it up until now...it can go away now!

Thank you Lord for this little unexpected blessing....so much fun!!

my boys

2011-01-08T13:11:00.001-06:00

I am loving my new lens on my camera...can you tell a difference in my pictures?

chuck e cheese

2010-12-30T21:55:00.002-06:00

"Warner, we're going to chuck e cheese!!!"

everybody had a little fun

this one may have had the most fun!

Jackson sacked out on the way home

Warner is ready to go back again

We had a fun family outing today to chuck e cheese...don't know how we got away with waiting so long to visit this place. The boys loved it, and I have a feeling we will be back...