Maddox's Dedication & Fathers Day

Maddox was dedicated at church on Sunday morning. It was such a special day. To top things off it was on Fathers day. Greg seemed so grateful and told me numerous times throughout the day that he was grateful for Maddox and for our family. He was thrilled.

We feel so blessed to have found a church where we can show our child how great our God is and where we can fellowship with other families. We hope to raise Maddox in this church and look forward to watching him grow here. It was a really special day for us to formally dedicate ourselves to raise our child in a Christian home and dedicate his life to God. Maddox was so cute, so calm (with the exception of a few yelps and screams) and so loved. Greg's parents came in town from MO, my parents were there. My brother/cousin Derek, two sisters, brother-in-law and three sweet nieces were there. To top things off my friend Jennifer came to the service and Alicia traveled in from Austin to be there for Maddox's special day.

My Meme & Papa also came to town all the way from McAllen, TX!

Maddox loved looking around at the beginning of the service and watch people sing. He did great. It does not really matter how good he did....we got to dedicate ourselves as parents to raise a child with love, with values and in a Christ centered home.

He has blessed us in so many ways.

We are grateful to all of our family and friends who helped make this a special day.

After the dedication our pastor Ken Horton honored all of the fathers in the congregation. He started by asking all of the Great Grandfathers to stand up. Tears welled up in my eyes b/c my Great grandfather (my dads dad) was there and he stood up so confidently and strongly. He was one of maybe 5 or 6 in a group of a couple hundred. It was such a special feeling to have him and my Meme there. Maddox will look back on this special day and realize how loved he was by so many!

Before leaving for church!

In the foyer before the service with our parents. We realize more and more each day all you did for us and we are so grateful!

This was when we first handed Maddox to Ken and he immediately went in for the kill with Kens microphone headset. Way to make an entrance Son!

The scripture verse we chose for Maddox was Luke 18:16

But Jesus called the children to him and said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them from the kingdom of God belongs to them".

I think this was the part where Ken handed Maddox back to us and chuckled and said...

"Those girls are sweet and easy but these boys are 20 lbs. of squirm aren't they?"

Needless to say, the 2 precious Angels that were dedicated before Maddox were sweet calm little girls...opposite of our little monster Angel!

Those eyes make me so happy!

Oh Yeah...

Happy Fathers Day Greg!

I have loved watching you father our Son!
You amaze me every day.

You and Maddox are my two favorite boys!

Your my life and I love you both!

I see you Daddy!

One of Maddox's favorite games is to peak around the corner and pretend like he is surprising you. The old peek a boo game if you please! We love our porch and spend as much time out front as we can. Maddox loved playing a game of DADDY I SEE YOU! I Love my sweet boys!

Those eyes that are so innocent and curious prove to me every time I stare into them that God has such big and unknown plans for this little guy.

His little chuckles make my heart smile!

Emma & LIzzie Turn 2!

Emma & Lizzie turned 2 a few weeks ago. Although I was out of town for the family get together Maddox & Greg got to enjoy a fun celebration for our two big girls....Hard to believe they are two already. I love that they are twins and so individual. They have the most opposite personalities. I love how they love my sweet boy. They take care of him. Greg hates it but they call him Maxy! It's precious. Lizzie loves on Maddox & Emma roughs him up. He needs both and they each love him in their own special way. Maddie is such a great big sister to E&L. Based on the pics below it looks like they had a great time at Natalie and Justin's on Saturday. Since I missed the get together we had them all over to our house on Sunday for another party....hey there is two of them so they deserve two parties right? The video is from our house.
I love you my baby girls! Two years ago I couldn't believe there was two of you and and now I can't believe you have turned two. You make me smile everyday. I love to hear you scream out CEEECEEE every time you see me!

The girls running around in the sprinkler in Nat's backyard.
Maddox playing in the pool!

It has been a long standing tradition that my Dad makes special cakes for birthdays. I'll be honest they are boxed cakes with store bought icing but they are special. They are always personalized and meaningful to the year we celebrate. I love this picture so much. Lizzie (on the right) is obsessed with horses...so Dad (without a cake molding) made her a horse cake. Emma (on the left) Loves care bears. So fitting as it is....she got a Care bear cake from her Paw! Two special cakes for two very spacial girls.

On a very funny side note...Emma would not allow anyone to cut the care bear cake. She cried, she bawled and was devastated that we wanted to CUT her care bear. She could careless about eating the cake. It was her care bear and she wanted it in tact. Lizzie on the other hand being the great eater she is dove right in!

Lizzie Lou. You are so Loved! I love how you Rock that ruffle on your bathing suit girlfriend!

Emma on the run.....no big surprise here!

I love watching Maddox watch the girls play and be silly. I look forward to many more b-day celebrations together where we can play, laugh and celebrate our little angels regardless of how big they get. Love you my babies!

Girls Weekend for Ashley

I'm a little late on this post but better late than never! Ashley Maines has been a very special and dear friend of mine. She was actually the first friend I made when I went to Tech (other than people I already knew). I met her sister first who told her how amazing I was and that she had to be my friend...Good thing she listens to her sister! ;) She has been by my side and such a great friend through so many stages. She is by far the one of most kind, thoughtful and precious friends and women around. I also feel that I get to take some credit for her future nuptials....not really but I was somewhat of a critical connection in these two meeting. Carlos truly loves Ashley and she is so happy! Her sisters hosted a really fun girls weekend at Log Country Cove. It was a perfect way to celebrate our special friend before she ties the knot! Love you Ash! Thanks for being you and for teaching me what true friendship and kindness looks like. By the way...they are having an intimate and what I know will turn out to be AMAZING wedding on Vieques Island (off of Puerto Rico). They are getting married the day after mine and Gregs 2nd anniversary so we are making a vacation out of the wedding and will stay in Puerto Rico a few days and then at Vieques Island the rest of the week! Thanks for getting married in such a fun place you two....Can't wait!

Cheers to the Bride-to-be!


It was so fun to spend the weekend with some old friends and catch up!
Looking forward to doing it again in a few months!
Ashley with her sweet Mom & sisters! Precious Women!

Ashley's cousin Andrea just had a baby girl. Sweet little Lou! Andrea came down for Saturday and stayed the night on Saturday night. I love this picture of the Ashley, Andrea and Lou!

Looking forward to September Ashley!

Love you!

1 Year - 1 Month = Tomorrow

He loves sucking his thumb and rubbing his belly...He loves his Daddy so Much!

The last 10 months and 30 days have been the best of my life. Tomorrow my little monster will be 11 months old which in my mind translates to "Oh WOW my boy is almost one".

He is such a big and precious boy who grows everyday in so many ways.

It is so fun to watch him go through so many changes and experience new things.

He is my special boy, my little monster and the Love of my life!

My First Swim

A fun Memorial Monday Poolside with the little guy!

He was hesitant at first to get in the water but cried when we took him out.

Looking forward to many swims this summer my little Monster!

Happy Memorial Day!

We are blessed to spend this holiday as a family in an amazing country because of the courage of men and women who have selflessly served our country in the past, who continue to serve today and the brave who will in the future.

Thank you we are truly blessed!

"My Friends are so cool!" - Maddox

"Its not everyday that you get to ride around in the back for a cool John Deere Gator....well today my friend James let me ride in his with him and his sister (my girlfriend Annalea) ...It was SO COOL!" - Maddox

Mothers Day 2010...My first & best to date!

My first Mothers Day was more than wonderful! I felt truly special, appreciate, loved and more in love with my husband and my little monster than ever. The surprise started for me on Thursday. I went to pick Maddox up from Weekday School at UCC where he goes on Thursday mornings and there was sitting the most precious gift I have ever received...my first handmade (mostly teacher made) Mothers day gift. It was adorable. A little flower pot with the most beautiful flower I have ever seen in it....my little monsters traced hands as the flower and his feet as the leaves. Thanks to Mrs. Jennifer & Mrs. Nana for making my first mothers day gift so sweet. I actually walked briskly out of the church because my eyes were filled with tears....tears of total joy! How could my little man be so big already. Can you tell my anxiety about him turning one is setting in? OK enough about me...My sweet boys gifts were precious. Not as precious though as it was for me to realize that I am a mom... and that I love being a mom to Maddox. It is him that makes it so fun, wonderful (although not always easy) and oh so sweet to be the mother of my little guy. I got cards from my sweet husband and from Maddox on Mothers Day which reminded me of how blessed I am to have two amazing men in my life. I got flowers in my dining room, kitchen, living room and bedroom....this made me realize that my husband loves me not only as his wife but as a Mom. They both spoiled me! I got the absolute sweetest and most amazing card from my Mother-in-law. She told me that I was a Great Mom. Such a special thing to hear from a women who you admire and seek approval from all the time. She has raised three of the most wonderful men that I know and hearing from her that I was doing a good job raising her grandson was extra special. We went out to my Mom and Dads house and got to spend the day with three of the amazing Mothers that I look up to. My Grammy (My Moms Mom), My amazing mother and my sweet and gifted Older sister (we missed you Mammy)! It has taken more Women than just me help to raise my little guy. My Mom, My other Mother (-in-law Bea) and Natalie have been the most amazing example of great moms! Big shout out to my Mom... Your amazing and I love you and appreciate you everyday! The highlight of my mothers day came at about 8 am when me and my two boys laid in our bed and watched cartoons and played...I'm so blessed, so grateful and amazed everyday that I get to be this little guys mother. Thanks to all the Moms who have helped me try to be the best Mom I can be! It was not until I Mom myself that I truly appreciate what amazing women you are and continue to be!

I love this little monsters...I'm so blessed to be his MAMMMA!
Playing with My Nani's Toys...kitchen utinsels!

My Dad always gave us gifts on Fathers day so

I decided to start the tradition with my little guy for Mothers day!
We got him his first golf clubs. He loved it!

Maybe we have the next Tiger Woods (minus the cheating on your wife stufff) on our hands?

My favorite picture of him ever right now! He must have stood at the doorway for a good twenty minutes (a long time for him to stand or sit anywhere) and he just looked out the door, watched the cats play and got REALLY excited when Amos, the dog, came near!

I love you Maddox...thanks for letting me be your Mom!

DOUBLE DIGITS....10 Months!

I am filled with anxiety, excitement, timidness and complete joy that we are two months away from being one! Although I intend on relishing in moments of being ten months and 11 months during as they are upon us (thanks for the reminder KK about enjoying every moment and remembering to live today because tomorrow today will be just a memory) I have to say it is hard to believe that we are closer to the one YEAR mark than we are to the one MONTH mark. It truly has flown by. We are so blessed and grateful to have a happy and healthy child who makes us smile every day. Maddox has two bottom teethe now. He crawls all over the place, pulls up on anything and everything possible and often lets go to test the waters of taking that first step. He is really close to getting from a sitting to standing position without anything to pull up on or without any assistance. He's close but not quite there yet...we will wait. We are really not in a big hurry. Maddox adores his Daddy. He lights up when Greg walks in the room. He loves crawling all over him when Greg lays in the floor with him. I have loved watching Greg be a Dad. He's an amazing one. Maddox has made me so complete and so happy. I am so proud of him and all he has learned and how he continues to grow. My favorite recent thing he knows how to do is give kisses. Of course it is just him throwing his head forward at yours and slobbering on your lips...but it's a wonderful and sweet kiss to me! He knows that the music means it's dancing time and loves to dance. He's our one and only and he is oh so loved!

Our Happy, Sweet, Loving, Relentless, Intense, Busy, Strong-willed, All Boy, Did I mention Happy, very loved 10 month 2-teeth little BIG boy!

Bath time has always been a fun time of day but it has changed during the last ten months. It started with a petrified Mom and calm Daddy bathing a tiny boy in the kitchen sink to the tiny boy outgrowing the kitchen sink and moving into the tub and bathing with me to a tiny BIG boy kicking mom out of the tub and enjoying the big tub all to himself with room to kick around and play!

Rub a Dub Dub!

Raspberries are so good...and messy!
Our little "I Wanna do it all by myself" boy loves that he has learned to feed himself. Dinner and Lunch may take an hour but watching him learn to pick his food up and try to find his way to his mouth makes me a proud Mama!
We got to celebrate Maddox's friend Wyatt's 2nd b-day at Overton Park.

Maddox couldn't run around like many of the kids at the party but he loved watching them play and he enjoyed playing in the mulch (and of course trying to eat it)!

Happy Birthday Sweet Wyatt...Maddox cant wait to run around with you.

And here he goes....
Those legs are too cute!
Trying out the park swing for the first time!

Maddox checking out one of his favorite girls, Annalea, who was not enjoying her time in the swing as much as he was!
Sweet Potato face!

A Boy Eats Dirt!

Maddox got the stomach bug and kindly shared it with both Greg & me (my dad, Uncle J, Uncle D and 2 cousins)! I know he's generous huh? Needless to say although the weather was beautiful last weekend our weekend was awful and we were stuck inside with a sick kiddo. Not fun at all. We finally got into the yard and got somethings done this week after work and Maddox got to get out and enjoy the warm weather. He also enjoyed his first big taste of dirt. I'm quite confident that this won't be the last time he takes a big chuck of mud and puts it in his mouth but I'm not sure it was the best idea given he was just recovering from the stomach flu. He didn't get sick at all and we got a big kick out of watching him!

Boys will be boys!