In Honor of Fathers Day

This just happened to be on my mind and it happens to be Father's Day this weekend...
Last week we rented Lone Survivor. We never go to the movies so we have to wait and watch it when it is out on DVD so I know we are late on seeing this but this movie is great. It is hard to watch but still a wonderful movie. It is very fun to watch a movie like this with Nate who will give his own commentary. He knows the ins and outs of the special forces world and tells me what is real and what is not. After we finished the movie I was just struck with the thought of how different our life could have been. Nate graduated from the special forces in June of 2007. We were married in August. Thankfully he never was deployed and obviously he did not resign a contract. I have very mixed feelings about all of this and I probably will for the rest of my life.  Some days I wish so bad that Nate had been able to go on a deployment bc that is what he worked so hard for for years. Then obviously other times I am beyond grateful at the way things worked out bc he may not be with me today. Even though he was never sent to fight, the things he learned with his time in the army are definitely things that made him who he is today as a husband and a father.These men are a special group of people. They mentally stand out from the rest. He is strong. I have never met anyone with such a strong mental ability. He is a protector and would do anything to protect his family. He is smart and a hard worker. He wants to be the best. There was no way Nate was going to just be in the army.... He had to be the best in the army. He is still like this today with his work. I am always very proud to tell people that Nate was a green beret. It was one of the best moments we have shared together to watch him complete this task. I am so thankful that my boys have him as a father and I know even if they are never in the service the lessons Nate learned will be passed down to them. He loves them hard and I am so thankful for him.
Lone Survivor is a good movie but more importantly it reminded me of the wonderful man I am able to call my husband. He is special and what he learned in the special forces helped make him who he is today.

SF Graduation June 2007



Memorial Day 2014

Our Memorial Day weekend was great! It was relaxing and lazy. We love when Deedee and Jimbo are with us at the farm. Whit and Charlie love them so much. Even though our allergies and sleep are all off at the farm it is too much fun to not go. I really think Whit thinks it is the greatest place in the world. We played mostly outside in the south Alabama heat but the blow up pool and hose made it so much fun! We rode the mule, fished and wandered. The cows and the hose were favorites of Charlie's. The fresh veggies always are so yummy in the summer. The pace of life is so slow and we like it that way.



yummy breakfast



Drinking water like molly





So thankful for naked fun :)



Love this



My country boy



COWS!



Mommy

Becoming a mommy is one of the greatest joys I have ever experienced. It is also one of the hardest trials I have ever been through. When I think how far we have to go with our littles it can seem overwhelming. I am constantly in prayer for myself, Nate and my boys. There are no words that are sweeter than to hear your little one say "I love you Mommy". I have to remember that between the times where my words are harsh and "no" more times than I wish. I am so far from being a perfect mom and I try really hard but my patience is always thinner than it needs to be, my sighs are always louder and my tone is always meaner. How do people go through life without the promise of Christ? I know I am a sinner and I know I am going to fail but thankfully the Lord's cup of grace is overflowing and that is where I put my hope and trust.
I am thankful for my mother and my mother in law who are still role models of how to be a good mom. There are so many people who are not lucky enough to have a mother much less a great one and I am blessed with two!
We had a fun mothers day! After church we ate a quick bite with my family and then we headed to the Barons game! It was so much fun and we will definitely be heading up there again. Whit thought it was the greatest thing ever and Charlie enjoyed wandering! I love being a boy mom and mothers day at the ball park is just what I wanted :)

Muffins with Mom



Since Easter

Last weekend Nate and JD had a turkey hunting trip to our farm planned so Mae Mae suggested I bring to boys to Memphis! I had never been to visit them and see their house so I decided why not! Thankfully I came to my senses on Thursday and decided to let Charlie hang out with Deedee and Jimbo for the weekend. Kitty came with us and I am so glad bc it would have been a long trip otherwise.  We headed to Memphis on Friday and were there by about 5. We got some yummy pizza and then just hung out at MM's house. Their house is so cute and I am so glad I got to go see it!! Saturday we headed to Oxford for the day for Double Decker. It was super crowded but we had a great time. Whit was exhausted by the time we got back to Memphis so we grabbed Mexican and were home really early! I cannot wait to go back to visit without the kids so we can enjoy some good restaurants! Thanks MM for a fun weekend!!

Picnic Lunch

Lots of treats from Holly Sweet Tooth to keep this 3 yr old happy :)

 

 

Monday night we had bad weather in our area. I am not a weather worrier at all and so I enlisted Meg's assistance so I would know if I needed to actually pay attention :) When she texted to let me know I should watch out I went to the TV and when they actually were mentioning the names of where we live I decided to listen. Nate helped me empty the small hall closet and I got in there with the boys. First time for everything! Thankfully the tornado literally disappeared as it got in our area.  Too much crazy weather this year!!

 

 

In more important news Charlie is almost 17 months! I took him for his 16 mo check up last week and he is growing so much. My little munchkin who has been in the 20th percentile his whole life is now in the 50th for weight (24lbs) and 60th for height!! I am so proud of my big boy. He is so much fun right now. He eats great and sleeps great. I know its only a matter of time before something changes so I am trying to enjoy this time. He does have a short temper and screams when something is taken away or if Whit does something he does not like. We will work on this for sure. I have been putting him in time out if he tries to bite or hit. It is kinda hilarious bc he scoots off the wall then when I go in and look at him he scoots his bottom back. I am definitely going to have my work cut out for me with discipline. He is talking so much and I can understand a lot of what he says. Most people would not know any of it. He loves saying the blessing every night at dinner and as soon as he is in his high chair he folds his hands, loves being outside more than anything, loves most food and will carry around a bite of something for hours, loves Whit and thinks he is funny but is perfectly content doing his own thing, gives the best kisses ever and is a very happy boy!

 

 

16 mo check up

2 big boys! Whit loves Charlie being forward like him!





 

Easter 2014

I love Easter! What a reminder it is of how deep the Father's love is for us! As Tim said in his sermon on Sunday.... "It's only everything" and it is! I pray that my boys will come to learn this at a young age. We had fun reading the Resurrection eggs with Whit at night. He knows that the tomb was empty but I cannot wait for the day when he will truly grasp what that actually means! We got to spend the weekend with family and it was so much fun! MM and JD came in town Friday and as usual my boys were so excited. They have so much fun with them! We were so sad that HK could not be there for the weekend.
It is such a trivial thing in the midst of the meaning of Easter but Easter outfits have always been a favorite. Cookie loves beautiful outfits like I do and thankfully she can make them. This year was no different! The boys were precious in their outfits. I am so glad that our family has these treasures to pass along!
We enjoyed the beautiful day with lots of yummy food, family and fun. I am always thankful for the times we get to spend together!

Lots of pictures for my keepsake :)



Some Briarwood friends with their babies at church- LOVE!

Baby legs!

I love him



Nothing Special

We have just been enjoying the Spring weather at our house(except for today!) The boys love to be outside. Charlie screams every day when we get home and I put him down in the kitchen instead of outside. So most days we play outside when we get home until bath or dinner time! A huge advantage of our house is that I can watch them from the kitchen window! the backyard is fenced in so they are not going too far! Charlie literally just walks around with a stick. he is happy as can be as long as he has a stick! He is one more mess!

Just some pictures I have on my phone! If I don't save them I am afraid I will lose them!!

These two going to the golf course

He is so big and so sweet

Pizza picnic at school- so thankful Cookie came too

Just enjoying dinner

a boy and his stick

These brothers missed each other while one was home and one at the farm