Pigtails!

After 191/2 months, we finally have enough
hair to do something with.
Difficult to get a toddler to sit still,
but it was so much fun!

They were pulled out in just a few minutes -
but so cute while they lasted.

back to my roots...

This week we went to my Granny's house in Dublin, GA.

We had a great time seeing family and letting Jackson meet
some of his cousins and great-great aunts.


Jackson got lots of Granny lovin!
Mary Beth on the other hand, was busy exploring.


pretty nice backyard, huh!?!







what a cutie!



How come after you have kids, suddenly pictures of yourselves get forgotten?
but we got one ...

A girl and her flower

Over the last few days Mary Beth has really enjoyed
the rose her daddy gave her.

I realized that it would not be much fun for Mary Beth look at the rose in a vase so I let her just play with it.

looking at it...


poking it...


taking it out of the paper...


showing me the pokie point...


squealing at it...


smelling it....


letting brother smell it...

This flower has provided hours of entertainment this weekend!

Happy Valentines Day!

Daddy/Daughter Dinner

Tonight, the Preteen Ministry had their first annual Father/Daughter Banquet. We had some amazing moms decorate and set up the elegant evening. The fellowship team did a great job preparing a awesome chicken noodle dinner. The girls and dads each got their picture taken, were seated for dinner, the girls were served by their dads, listened to a challenge from Stephen and then received a rose from their Dad's as the evening came to an end.

The exciting thing for me was that Mary Beth got all dressed up and participated with Stephen. She was so cute. To see her toddler-ing around carrying her rose was precious - it was as big as she was. It was really late when we got home so I didn't torture her to stay awake and take more pictures, but here are a few...

Hungry Boy

Tonight, we fed Jackson his first "solid foods" of course we use that term lightly because rice cereal isn't very solid.



Daddy had some fun with the camera
while Mom was in the kitchen fixing the cereal


A burger and Code Red would taste better though.


Mary Beth thought Jackson eating was hilarious.

3 months old

Jackson loves to laugh!

I took this video a few weeks ago,
I never thought I'd get an 11 week old to laugh so hard.



A couple more tidbits about our silly boy...
He's almost out of his 6 month clothes.
He sleeps all night now from ~11 pm - 8 am
(and thankfully, since I'm sleeping too, my memory is coming back)


Here are some pics from our little 3-month photo shoot...

18 month pics

Mary Beth is 18 months old this month.

Since I haven't even started a baby book,
I'd better put up some pictures so I can keep track =)

We decided to take bedtime pictures...


brushing her mouth full of teeth (16 of 'em now)


I love the wild hair
It is starting to come in thicker -
maybe by the time we take 24 month pics we'll have enough to put in pig tails

okay, enough brushing... show us your teeth!


silly girl


can't go to bed without puppy!


Little Blessings are our favorite bedtime books.
We don't really do a devotional with her yet,
but these are topical and with answers to questions that children ask.

"Good Night Mary Beth!"

because everybody else is doing it...

I'm not sure how the whole photo tag thing works...
how do you get tagged... if you're in the picture?...
anyway...
As I caught up on all my friends blogs today, several had this in it
I wondered what picture was my fourth folder, fourth picture, then when I saw what it was I cracked up laughing, so I decided that I must share...

I hope Stephen doesn't mind =)



This pic was taken at Xan's birthday party last year at Cleveland park. They had used this wagon thing to take all the party goodies out to the car. Stephen and Brian were being really goofy - Stephen acting like a 5 year old (maybe that's how Special Steve character got started) demanding a ride in the wagon.
Fun times. Goofy Husband. Love it!

Why don't you jump on the bandwagon too?
1. Go to your 4th picture folder
2. Use the 4th picture in the folder
3. Tell us about your picture!
4. Pass it on!

"Just for No Reason"

I have to take a moment to brag on my amazing husband.

Not only did he keep the children for me Thursday morning while I had a meeting, he ventured out with both of them to run an errand, and returned with just-for-no-reason flowers!

There was nothing on the calendar...
no birthday, anniversary, or holiday of any kind!
I was so surprised!



Although, back in the beginning of our relationship,
I told Stephen more than once that I didn't like flowers,
he shouldn't get me flowers, flowers are a waste of money...
well... over time...
it turns out I LOVE just-for-no-reason flowers!

Ladies, I know you remember those thoughts when you were dating,
when your boyfriend would do something sweet and you would think
"he likes me, he really likes me!"
(Maybe its just the little insecure girl in me,
but does anyone else know what I'm saying?)
Then after dating for a year and discussing marriage,
Stephen proposes and somehow I'm surprised!?!
I distinctly remember walking to class,
staring at my engagement ring,
thinking "He loves me, he really loves me"
Its crazy to me how, just 5 years later when being together
is so normal and I love you's are said everyday...
It's just crazy that a simple grocery store bouquet of flowers
can make a woman think
"He loves me, He really loves me!"