Today

I realize I am so incredibly behind on catching this blog up. I'll get around to it one of these days, but before more time goes by I just want to share what I've been enjoying today.  Since the tragedy in our family two weeks ago I have been reminded once again that I need to enjoy today and all that it entails.  We are never promised tomorrow. Sooo...this is what I have loved watching today. 

My two babies.  I hope I get to watch them grow and blossom for the rest of my life. 

Georgia Cousins!

Back in April my cousin Mark and his family made a road trip out to TX for Spring Break. We were lucky enough to have them at our house one evening then we got to ride back to GA with them!  It had been about 3 years since we'd seen them so we had never met Kate and Lilly nor had they met Lia. It didn't take long for the kids to get acquainted and start acting like cousins though!

Very soon after arriving, introductions were made,

(and showing off commenced...notice the fancy boots, fancy mask, and fancy purse)

hugs were shared,

 (Lia and Kate are 3 mo apart)

supper was shared,

(notice that pile of clothes in the back-ground...that was the very beginning stages of my packing for the 10 day trip we were leaving on early the next morning)

and vehicles were inspected.

(this is the RV we rode in all the way to GA the next day) 

up next...Travel Day 1.

Happy 5th Birthday Jacob!

Dear Sweet Baby Boy of Mine,

How did you go from this

to this 

in 2.7 seconds?

Love,

Your Mom and Dad

Soccer Time!

Another soccer season has come and gone.  We had a great experience this season also.  The coaches were great, the boys and girls on his team were sweet, and the parents were nice/fun to be with.  There were 3 boys on this team that were together last season.  Two other boys plus Jacob.  This season all of the kids actually played, it wasn't JUST Jacob out there.  We were really glad for that as he got quite discouraged by the end of last season. 

 Jacob leading the pack.

 Jacob and Landon break away from the crowd to get the ball down to the goal!

ummm....great job Jacob for making a goal but...it was supposed to go in the other one!

goalie

he's ready for anything that comes his way

way to block that ball!

ok - here's another one

and another block!

ugg...

and...he's the leader again

(I wasn't a proud Mom or anything!)

great game everyone!

my favorite soccer player of all time!

The Dolphins Spring 2010

Bringing Tay home

Stepping back a few weeks to get this blog caught up. 

Lia and I left to see Brad & Lesha when we heard baby Tay had arrived.  The day they brought her home from the hospital Mom, Dad, and I kept Trace, Trevin, and Lia occupied until the car finally pulled into the driveway.  Trace & Trevin were so excited to finally have their baby sister home they could hardly contain themselves. 

This is a little glimpse of how we spent the day waiting...

Driving various and sundry vehicles

eating plenty of Goldfish

generally monkeying around

and finally taking a little rest with Papa.

(These two can't breathe without the other.)

FINALLY!  Tay got brought home to a house full of people who love her.  Not the least of which was her brothers. 

Trace & Trevin knew just what she needed as soon as she got home - read to.  They brought her all kinds of books.  She got quite an education from the Bearenstein Bears as soon as she came in the door!

The next day Papa and Lia get to spend a little quiet time with Tay. 

And Lia contemplates weather or not she's going to have to give up her place as "Papa's Doll".

The answer is no.  Papa just has two dolls now.  Perfect.

The quiet time didn't last long until Tay's #1 fans come checking things out!  They come bearing gifts of course.  'Cause that's what big brothers do.

One last look at Tay before we leave. 

Sleep tight sweet baby girl - surrounded by a Minnie Mouse lovie from your cousin, a stuffed dog from your brothers, and more love than you'll ever know.

And one more before we leave...my favorite niece (in TX) and I.
Tay will always have an extra special place in my heart.
I will never forget the baby we lost that would be her age.

8th Anniversary

The kids and I just got back from a trip with my parents at 1:30 this morning...to say that I'm exhausted and overwhelmed is an understatement.  There is much catching up to do on this blog but I didn't want today to go by without acknowledging a very important milestone in my life...another wedding anniversary.  Where have the years gone?  So...happy anniversary to us!  We've now spent 4 years as a married couple in FL and 4 years as a married couple in TX.  I wonder where we'll be 4 years from now? ;)

Newest Love

Introducing...

Tay Ladell

To say that we're all smitten is an understatement!  She came into the world being much loved, not the least of which was from her brothers and cousins.

If this doesn't melt your heart...

The sweetness of this makes me cry...

Lia will never have a sister.

I hope she and Tay grow up to be great friends.

More photos from the weekend Tay was born will come later.

Mardi Gras

This past weekend our family spent a little time in Natchitoches, Louisiana.  The plan was to walk around town for a bit, see the sights, then head to a friend of ours house for the night.  We ended up getting there a little later in the day than planned but that worked out great as there happened to be a Mardi Gras parade that evening.  It was a very family friendly parade (unlike many Mardi Gras parades) that we all had a great time watching.  The kids thought catching all the beads was the coolest thing ever.  Between the beads, candy, and stuffed animals, they were in "Kid Heaven".  Natchitoches is where the movie "Steel Magnolias" was filmed.  Just a little something you didn't know you didn't know.  I think I may be the only female on the planet whose never seen it - I'm going to have to now. ;)

Just a few sights from town.

Jacob & Lia in their masks.  My "King" and "Butterfly Princess".

Are they not just too cute! 

It was cold that day and I hadn't packed a warm enough jacket for Jacob so he borrowed Nana's coat.  Several people told us Jacob was doing a great job dressing the part of King with his "cloak" on. ;)

My babies and me.

The three "Kings" in our party.

David & I with my Mom & Dad

*nothing inappropriate was shown in the gathering of these beads!

*I got a video of the parade but no photos of the floats - WHAT was I thinking??

Us

As I look through past blog posts I see a million pictures of my kids, some of myself (thanks to Carin and her challenges), but not many of David.  And certainly not many of us together. Sooo...here we are.  In all of our "just chilling at home on the back porch with a couple of friends" glory. 

We had a couple of friends over for hamburgers grilled outside and a game of dominoes. (I introduced you to their Mom here.) These photos are not the greatest quality as far as coloring, lighting, yadda, yadda, yadda - but they tell a story.  A story about how we spent one evening just enjoying our life - it's not fancy, it gets a bit messy sometimes, but at the end of the day we have no regrets and just enjoy who we are. 

Lia gets her back tickled by Clint.  Much giggling ensued.

Jacob has a little fun with Adam.

On to the dominoes...David gets a little help from his best girl...

...as Clint gets help from his best little buddy.

And no matter how messy life gets, everything can be made better by a telephone call to Papa.  This is an everyday occurrence at our house.  She doesn't say much, but she sure does love to hear his voice.  It's the highlight of her day. 

I think there's a lesson here for me.  Get in touch with my Heavenly Father every day,  don't say much, and do a whole lot of listening.  

(yes, yes, she has cuts, scrapes, bruises, and ketchup all over her - much like real life!)

On to a piano concert before bath time.

As you can see, she puts on quite a show - much like most aspects of her life.

Not to be outdone by his sister, Jacob impressed us with his strength and balancing skilz.

And that, my friends, is how we spent our Sunday evening.