Happy Birthday, Landen!

Today is Landen's FIRST birthday! This day just seems so surreal....it seems like he was just born! He is definitely showing signs of being a toddler. He has several, several words and will attempt to say anything you say. Kylie said, "alligator" the other day and it was hilarious what came out of his mouth as he tried to say it!

He can say his name very good and he even does an imitation of his Daddy when his Daddy yells his name as he's getting in trouble. I had tears in my eyes the other day when he did it. Landen will drop his chin to his chest and in the deepest voice he can do with his lips puckered out, he yells, "LANDEN!" It is the funniest thing!

He's not walking on his own yet, but he tries to stand up in the middle of the floor with nothing around from a seated position. He has let go of things several time and stood by himself for a few seconds, so I know it won't be long. He slept SO good last night--ALL night! It was so nice! But, for the most part, he's still not sleeping through the night. There's so much he's doing, I can't even think of all of it....you name it, he tries it. He's a little mockingbird, he's a little comedian, and for the most part, he's just plain ornery! This morning, we sat around him and sang Happy Birthday. Well, when we started singing, he took off crawling away from us and then turned around and sat about 10 feet away and just smiled--like he was taking it all in. I think we may have scared him!

So, Landen, HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY! I love you SO much! You have truly been a blessing to me and your Daddy--I can't imagine life without you. You are the sweetest thing! You bring such joy to our lives with your laugh and smile. You have the whole family wrapped around your little finger. I just wish time would SLOW DOWN!

The Night Before My Baby Grows Up....

I can't believe that one year ago today I was strapped to some monitors at the hospital about to take a sleeping pill before the big day....Landen's birth day. Tonight, I'll lay my head on my pillow knowing that when I wake up my little baby will be ONE. It's surreal...I know I'm being all sentimental, but I can't help it. Time has literally flown by. I remember trying to get pregnant only to have a miscarriage. Then, I remember the painfully long wait until I found out I was pregnant with Landen. Looking back, it wasn't that long, but during the process it seemed like forever! Now, I am about to start counting my baby's age in years, not months. I guess this one is very hard because it truly is my last baby. I look at Weston and Kylie and struggle to remember them as babies and that scares me that I won't remember him at this age!

So, I will do my best to make it through tomorrow....I know it should be a happy day, but I think I'm gonna end up shedding a few tears.....

Oregon Post #3

So, the wedding is over and it's off on our adventure! What a blast we had! We had such beautiful scenery at the inn we were staying at for the wedding! There were whales splashing right outside our window (see previous post) and sea lions sun-bathing on a rock. The coastline is just gorgeous as you will see in all of the next million posts! These pictures are from the Otter Crest Inn where we spent the first half of the week.

Sea Lions

Views from outside our room...

More Views....

Oregon Post #2

Ok, so after the wedding, we spent the rest of the week just exploring! That was SO fun--to travel with no plans, no agenda....just take off down the highway and stop when we wanted to see something! If you have never been down Highway 101 along the Pacific Coast line of Oregon and Northern California, you have missed a huge part of the most beautiful place in America!

But first, we visited part of the campus of the University of Oregon. Richie is a Ducks fan--2nd behind the Razorbacks of course! We didn't have time to visit the stadium, but the campus was beautiful!

Oregon Trip Post #1

Here's the first of many posts to come from the Oregon adventure! We had such a ball--I loved the fact that we literally just took off in a rental car and had no idea where we would end up that evening...a little scary one night, but SO fun and spontaneous (which is opposite of our busy, scheduled life).

So, my friend Erika got married during the first half of the trip. Here's some pictures from the wedding. First, I have to explain my hair. I paid $150 for hair and makeup and when I left the salon I looked like a hooker from the Steel Magnolias movie! So, I hurried home and put on some powder and began taking down the bouffant hairdo! The best I could do with about 5 minutes was a ponytail, but the wind was blowing so hard and it was SO cold (yes, I said cold!), so I think a ponytail was my best bet.

These pics are in reverse order and I'm too lazy to adjust them, so I'll discuss in reverse....

This was after the ceremony and we were walking back down the aisle--I was SO cold, so the cheesy smile is because I was glad the ceremony was over!

Erika saying, "I do!"

This was a whale we saw splashing around during the rehearsal...too cool!

Another shot of him....

Before the ceremony, Erika and I were pigging out on the best chocolate chip cookies that the caterer had set down in front of us....bad idea, dude! I ate 3!!

Me and Richie before the ceremony. Don't laugh at the hair...remember, it's better than the $150 version!

More vacation pics coming!

Back from Oregon!

I just had the BEST week of my life last week! Richie and I spent the week in what has to be the absolute most gorgeous state in the continental US! Oregon is amazing and I have over 500 pictures to prove it! If you ever have a chance to go (heck, make a chance!), then you need to do it. Drive down Hwy 101 along the coast--you will stop every 5 minutes because the view, scenery, sounds, and weather are magnificent!
When I win the lottery, I'm moving there....but not until my kids are out of school. The lady at DSW shoes had NO idea where Arkansas was, so I am not impressed with the education! :) 8 days wasn't even enough to see everything we wanted to see. I was so worried when we left that we would be bored, but we ran out of time. We saw whales, sea lions, elk, squirrels, and a beautiful coastline....pictures and details to come!

De-"Feeted"

I am so far behind, so stressed, and so stretched thin these days! I literally feel like someone has knocked me off of my feet and thrown me flat on the ground. Where to start?

Well, let's see. First, my Mom has been sick for the past few months. Initially, it was just a mono diagnosis, but latest test results seem to signal something more. However, my Dad scared me to death the other day. He told me that they had found spots on my Mom's pancreas and other organs--I flipped! Pancreatic cancer is the absolute worst you can get--instant death sentence. I literally cried every single day. I was so worried--little things would trigger my crying spells. For example, my Mom has bought some tickets to a play around my birthday (in March) and when I remembered that, I instantly worried that she might not be here or if she was, would she be able to go? Then, someone made a comment about how my Mom has been watching Landen much lately and I got very defensive--I firmly let them know that she's sick, not a dead-beat grandma! However, I talked with my Mom the other day and my Dad had it ALL wrong--the spot is NOT on her pancreas and it doesn't appear to be anything life-threatening! PRAISE THE LORD!

Secondly, we have made a huge decision--we have put our house up for sale! Yes, we haven't lived here that long and we truly love where we live, but we have outgrown this house before we ever moved in. I desperately need an office for my work and I tried to make it work without one, but it is literally killing me! So, we have put the house on the market and when it sells, we plan to build a house across the street from Richie's parents. The land is absolutely gorgeous and such a great location! I am excited, but nervous and anxious at the same time. I really hope this process goes smoothly. I am not going to worry about all of the "when's", because I have already decided that is totally God's call, not mine. When it's time, we will definitely know it!

And finally, we have a vacation planned and I am in sheer panic about trying to pack and fly with an infant--almost makes my head spin! The whole baby bag, car seat, stroller, food, etc is going to be a logistical nightmare. Say a few prayers, and then say a few more!

WOF Conference

I am a full weekend behind on my posts, but I was waiting for some pictures from a friend to accompany the post. Still waiting, so I am going to go ahead and post and add pics later!

I went to the Women of Faith conference last weekend with a few girlfriends. We had such a great time. I haven't been to a WOF conference in several years and when I saw our church was taking a group, I decided to go before I knew anyone going. I didn't care if I sat by myself, I wanted to be there!

I have to say that Friday with Marcus Buckingham and Sheila Walsh was my favorite part of the weekend! I also LOVED Lisa Harper--too funny.

We had such a fun, fun time with the girls and I am so glad I went!

Landen is 11 months!

This first year has been a complete blur with Landen....it has passed so fast. I can't believe that next month when I post it will be his 1st birthday!

Here's a sneak peek at what the little guy has been up to this month....

He is developing such a personality. He knows what "NO" means and will even shake his head NO when you ask him questions or if he doesn't want to do something--a little scary that he is starting this so early! The other night when Richie was rocking him to sleep, Richie would say, "SSHHHH, Let's go night-night" and Landen would just look at him and shake his head NO. It was hilarious! He still doesn't sleep all night. Most nights he wakes up at 2 a.m. One night he woke up and without moving or opening his eyes, he stuck his hand out and felt around until he found his pacifier, stuck it in his mouth and went back to sleep for a little bit--very funny!

He has so many words and will try to say just about anything you say...he has a very baby version of I Love You! Very cute! Anything that his big brother and sister does, he tries to copy them.

He does have a horrible habit of slapping you in the face. We have been working on this, so now when you tell him no, he will just stick his hand up to your face and touch you lightly to see what you do--already testing the waters.

He LOVES to give kisses--very cute!!

When you feed him something he doesn't like, he makes an awful face and asks like he is "gagging". Very funny!

We are working on a "fist bump" right now--but he still hasn't gotten that concept quite yet. He is now crawling on all fours finally! He pulls up and switches from different pieces of furniture. He hasn't felt very good the past few days....very stinky diapers from a nasty stomach bug. But, we are getting in some sippy cup practice with the Pedialyte, so I guess there is a small positive in the situation.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to work on getting rid of his bottle and incorporating more finger foods into his meal. Right now, he eats sweet peas, cooked carrots, and corn from the table. He is still learning to like it--different texture and I'm sure the taste is different. He still eats baby food and since his belly has been upset the past few days, I am just feeding him whatever he will eat!

Landen, WE LOVE YOU!!

"Swim Date"

I am VERY behind on my posts--it's been a crazy last couple of weeks. So, here goes on the catch-up posts.

A couple of weekends ago, Amy and I got our kiddos together for a "swim party". Kylie and Aaron are just smitten with each other--in fact, she tells everyone he's her boyfriend and they've been "dating" for 5 years (yes, do the math, she would be around 3!!). We have our kids on opposite weekends, so when it worked out for us to get together, we took advantage of the opportunity. We grilled out by the pool and listened to music while the kids swam and went down the slide.

Here's some pics (I really need to take more pictures!) from the evening!

Huntsville Rapist Bed Intruder Song

Watch this one AFTER you watch the previous post! Too funny....

WOMAN WAKES UP TO FIND INTRUDER IN HER BED INTERVIEW #1 Antoine Dodson

Inspired...

I really like our church home. It's amazing how things work out and fall in to place and looking back, I can see how God had a special place in mind for us all along. Last week's sermon was very inspiring--I really loved the message, so yes, I'm gonna share.

It was from John 13 and was talking about how Jesus gives a "new" commandment that we are to love one another. (It says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.") But Jackie (the pastor) explained, it's not necessarily new, but that Jesus was talking about how it was a different kind of love--sacrificial love. And Jackie posed the question, "what would you give up (hence, the sacrifice) to show someone you loved them? Money? Power? Reputation?" I took this message to heart--it's so easy to love the people in your circle, your church, your family, but what about the rest? What about the people who need us, as Christians to show them love? The ones who don't want it? Don't deserve it? Or the ones who deserve it the most?

Then, a few days later, I was listening to some of the sermons on my iPod that I have missed recently and heard a GREAT quote....

"You won't convince someone that God loves them by acting like you don't."

So, that's my desire, to do just that (show sacrificial love) as best as I can.

1st Day of School!

I can't believe the first day of school is really here...I feel like we just got started with summer vacation....where did the time go?

The kids seemed pretty excited, but a little nervous, too. They kept asking where to go and what to do when we got there and we tried to assure them there would be plenty of teachers waiting to help them.

Look at 3rd and 5th grade...here they come!

Happy 8th Birthday, Kylie!

Today is Kylie's 8th birthday! I can't believe it--she seems like she should be Landen's age....this is so sad. But she is definitely growing into such an awesome little girl! She is everything I prayed for (right down to the strawberry blonde curls!)....HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLIE! LOVE YA BUG!!! :)This is the oldest picture I have available on my computer of the kids....it was Weston's first day of school. Even though it was only 6 years ago, they have grown SO much!

Kylie's 8th Birthday Party!

Every year we have to figure out a good time to have Kylie's birthday party because there are about 5 little girls that all have birthdays around the same time...so, I opted for a few weeks early and it worked out great! When Weston had his birthday back in May, he decided to not have a party, but I think he regretted that decision! So, I asked him if he would like to invite a bunch of guy friends over and he loved the idea. Kylie had several little girls show up for her birthday and so we had a TON of kids! It was such a blast, I would love to make it an annual event for the kids....

!

I had worked on Kylie's cupcakes all day long and was not getting the results I wanted. I was ready to just scrap the whole thing and go with blue cupcakes, but when Ang showed up she told me she wasn't going for that....she knew how hard I had planned the cupcake idea and how much time I had already invested. So, being the sweet gal she is, she built the people on there for me! I just couldn't do it--I was so frustrated at the point I gave up. Gotta love that woman
I can't believe I didn't get a single picture of the huge waterslide...I was running around like a mad woman (but I did manage to jump in the pool a few times)....

Tunnel Vision!

We bought Landen a tent with a tunnel the other day. The boy has NO fear--he took off down the tunnel and had such a ball. It was the cutest thing!

Bieber Fever!

I am way behind on my posts...it's been crazy busy the last couple of weeks....so, here's a ton of posts to play catch up!

A couple of weeks ago Me, Kylie, Ang, Lexie, Lacy, and Kerrie and her daughter went to see Justin Bieber. Kylie has been PUMPED about this for months....it was her birthday present from me and Richie. We all carvan-ed down to LR and then walked over to the downtown part and grabbed something to drink and hung out for a bit. Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the concert (Kylie was soaked--see pics below). When we got to the arena, Kylie and I got some pizza. Well, about halfway through the pizza, we realized it wasn't cooked completely--in fact, it was dough! Well, fast forward 2 hours later, RIGHT before Justin was to come out. Kylie got SO sick and was in the bathroom forever. When she finally made it back to her seat, she curled up and fell asleep. I felt so bad for her--she has been looking forward to this for so long and she missed Justin! But she did enjoy Sean Kingston and the guy that sings Replay showed up and she jammed out to him too.

All of the girls posing with the pig!

The girls giving their best pig imitation!

It was SO hot when we walked over to downtown LR, so the girls decided to cool off. That is Kylie right in the middle of the sprinklers--I told her she could play along the edge of the water and what did she do, went right down the middle!

Me and Kylie--bad pic of me, but she was so cute in the pic!

Kylie and Justin

Kylie--pumped and ready to see Justin!

Anyone that knows Kylie knows that she can dance--and dance she did! It was SO funny!

Justin in the heart swing--the girls went nuts!

Water Boy

We took Landen swimming for the first time a week or so ago and he LOVES the water! In fact, he has no fear whatsoever which is a little scary! He had a blast riding around in his floaty, but he especially liked it when he could "swim" on his own.

Last night, Catina, Jeremy, Sean, and Addi came swimming with us and we had such a great time grilling burgers and dogs and watching the kids swim. At one point, Richie sat Landen on the side of the pool with his feet in and then let him "jump" in! I was blown away by the kid--he isn't afraid one bit!

The Two Bubbies

Can you say spoiled? Landen LOVES to ride on his tricycle and always wants his big brother or big sister to push him on it. Of course, they love to ride him around. But after they get tired and stop, he literally throws a fit! Such a spoiled little man--he won't be worth anything!