Point Mallard Water Park

Today we took my niece Stacie to the water park for her 11th birthday. Hard to believe she's 11 already! It was a beautiful day and we had a blast watching Stacie and Reed play in the water.

Always kiss me goodnight

Day 2

We attended a celebration of life tonight with a dear friend who just lost her son. He was a young 26 years old and passed away early Sunday morning from a massive heart attack. My heart hurts for their loss.

Always kiss your children goodnight and tell them that you love them. They are a gift from God and we don't know how long we may be blessed with our precious gifts from above.

Project 365

I'm copying this idea from Kristy over at A Day With the Gray's
I love it! A photo journal that captures each day for one year. Go ahead, be a copy cat!!

Day 1

Slip n slide

Not much going on here except for a HOT HOT Alabama summer. We're talking 97-98 degrees.

Reed and cousin Stacie found a great way to beat the summer heat, it was so much fun watching that I had to join them and slide a couple times myself :)

Growing up

It happened much sooner than I thought it would- Reed spent the night away from home.

Saturday we went to see the hot air balloons in Decatur and on the way home we stopped by my parents house. I told Reed it was time to go home and go to bed and he said he wanted to stay. "Reed, mama's going home to go to bed- are you sure you want to stay here? Are you going to sleep at MeMe and Grandpa's house tonight?" YES he said.

We drove up the road a bit and went back. He came to the door and said "bye bye, see you in the morning" It was totally unplanned and I wasn't ready for it!

We came home and I called mom about 4 times. The last time I talked to her it was around 11:30 and Reed was sound asleep. I was up all night!

Reed is having skin issues again and I really wish I knew what triggers it and why. Friday his chest, back and face was covered with rash- Saturday morning it was gone. Tonight I noticed 2 blister looking spots when he was in the tub. It's hard to show the doc because it will clear up before we can get an appt. Maybe I'll start taking pictures. Would that be crazy?

When you are lonely,

I wish you love;

When you are down,

I wish you joy;

When you are troubled,

I wish you peace;

When things are complicated,

I wish you simple beauty;

When things are chaotic,

I wish you inner silence;

At all times I wish you

the God of hope.

- Unknown

DIY Project

I watch way too many home shows and love to try new projects around the house. OK, let me correct that by saying I love to come up with ideas for Tim to work on around the house!
We have stripped wallpaper and painted on the inside and spring has inspired me to come up with things to do on the outside :)
Here's a quick and easy way to make a relaxing patio fountain:

Pick out a large pot, cut hole in bottom and run a pipe to the top.
Next, dig a hole and bury reservoir;

Make sure it's level;

Cover reservoir with rocks, fill with water and tah-dah, relaxation!!

Why is his mouth crooked?

crook·ed   
–adjective
1.not straight; bending; curved: a crooked path.
2.askew; awry: The picture on the wall seems to be crooked.
3.deformed: a man with a crooked back.
4.not straightforward; dishonest.
5.bent and often raised or moved to one side, as a finger or neck.
6.(of a coin) polygonal: a crooked sixpence.

This is the question I was faced with as I held Reed in my lap for children's church on Sunday. He's still not comfortable in church without mama but he is doing great with preschool. He asks in the mornings if he is going to "Ms Nikki's". The first couple weeks were very hard and we cut him back to 3 days a week, but he seems to enjoy going now.
So- how would you answer this question? I feel like I let him down because it caught me off guard (always does) and I simply said "he had surgery" and I FELT EMBARRASSED. Why? Why in the world would I feel this way, and why was I not expecting that kind of question?

Bath time fun!

 

Happy Birthday little man!

Hard to believe you're already 3. I love you more than words can say.

Family Day

One year ago today, God placed the most precious little boy in our lives and made a forever family.
We are sitting in a hotel room this morning and it brings back vivid memories of being in China just like it was yesterday. One year ago today we watched our son walk through our hotel room door and our lives changed forever. He was a brave little guy and showed no emotion. Tim and I sat in the floor and were in awe at such an amazing little man, he was young in years but seemed old and wise in so many ways. He was very watchful of all things and wanted to imitate everything. He quickly learned to stack the cups and throw the ball to Baba. When the nannies left there was nothing on his face. No sadness, no fear, no love- nothing.
Who ever would have thought that one sweet little boy would enter our lives and teach us so much about life and love. God is so good, He knows our every fear, catches our every tear and sees our every smile. He had plans for our family long before we knew.
Today Reed is still that same inquisitive little boy, but he is also full of love, laughter, playfulness and resilience. Such a small little soul has touched so many people and I can't wait to see what the future holds. We love you so much Reed and we want to raise you to love Jesus and to always be thankful for our blessings we promise to always be there for you, to love you, to hold you when you cry, to laugh with you, to be silly with you, to show you new things, to learn with you and to always be YOUR FAMILY/