Easter weekend

Easter Egg Hunts- Jumpy Tangs- Cotton Candy

BBQ for Lunch

Rulers- Trampoline- Chillis (the restaurant- not the soup) for supper-

A beautiful Easter Service- Emerson's first Easter-  Egg Hunt & Lunch at Honeys

Trip to the lake- Sunshine- Mexican for supper

I'd say we had a great Easter weekend!

I'll let the pictures do the talking today...

Hope your weekend was beautiful!

And...we all survived

About a month ago, Lance got a call to attend the Delta Country Jam in Tunica, MS.

 

This is all fine & dandy, but they also invited his spouse.  For 2 nights.  3 days. 

That's me.  Over here.  The one that's NEVER left her child overnight, not once, in 3 1/2 years.

 

I gave him the look.  He knows the look.  He can see my nerves without me even muttering a word.  He assured me that everything would be ok, that we'd have fun, Easton would be fine, it's best to do this the first time before little sister arrives.  Yada, yada, yada.

 

While all these are very logical and reasonable explinations I kept trying to talk myself out of it, convince myself we really wouldn't go, that something would fall through, etc. 

 

Well, the time came and went.  As did we.  We did it.  I did it.

I left my boy for a little over 48 hours and everyone survived.

And maybe even had a little fun in the process.

 

I left a fun little surprise for him and a sheet of instructions for while we were away

 

We left Friday mid-day and drove to Tunica.

We stopped along the way for lunch, at Popeyes Chicken.

Seriously, a nice weekend away and he picks Popeyes Chicken?

We made it to the hotel with enough time to unload, freshen up and head out to the concert.

{{Thompson Square}}

 

 

We cut the concerts short and headed back to the Gold Strike for a little gambling.

I don't think any money was won that night, but I was so confused during Three Card Poker I wouldn't have known anyways!

 

Saturday morning, we made our way to the Waffle House.

$24 breakfast buffet at the hotel was NOT going to happen.

I have no place to put $24 worth of food these days.

So, we both ate for $19.  Thrifty. 

 

We had a work lunch at the hotel and then had some more time to gamble.

I headed back up to the room to rest while Lance played Poker.

It felt so strange to crawl up in that King Size bed in the middle of the day, with no one needing anything from me.

I almost felt sick, it felt so strange.

After a big nap we headed back to the final night of concerts.

 

Tim McGraw was the closing act for the night!

I was THIS CLOSE to getting a meet & greet pass, but no such luck.

After seeing my picture with Kellie Pickler I'm glad I didn't see Tim.

Let's just say, the ASOS dress I was wearing was NOT flattering and I looked like a bus.

 

We headed back home Sunday afternoon to a napping Easton.

He had a big time with Uncle Matt & Lauren!

They played Putt Putt, made cupcakes, painted a pumpkin, did some crafts I left, ate Mexican & McDonalds, played outside, watched movies and stayed up late.

Completely spoiled rotten, as he should have been.

 

Monday morning, we woke to the same 'Daddy?!?!?' that he yells every morning.

Lance got up and brought him to our bed.

I was somewhat asleep but rolled over after he whipered "Hey Mommy".

As I rolled over, he pulled out his ra-ra and kissed me right in the mouth.

In his sweet little morning sleepy voice, he looked deep into my eyes and said "I love you Mommy".

I assured him that I loved him too.

We layed there a minute and he said "that was because I missed you for Mississippi".

 

This child.

So sensitive.  So tender.  So sweet.

He's such an old soul in a little boy's body.

Always knowing the right thing to say.

My little boy. The ONE that made me a mommy.

 

It's so good to be HOME.

New School:: Update

This post is a bit delayed.  Such is life. 

 

We moved Easton from the school he'd gone too since I returned to work from maternity leave in April.  When we moved to our new house, we knew we'd eventually move him to a school closer to home.  This was NOT a decision I was looking forward to.

 

Not because the new school would be bad, or less than, but just different.  I've taken Easton every day but maybe 5 days since he started.  I picked him up.  I went and nursed him on my lunch break.  We we both comfortable there.  We both had friends there.  Friends we would miss dearly. 

 

Lance is now the responsible party for the most part.  He takes him and picks him up most days.  He knows his friends.  He sees his teacher.  He hears the first words out of his mouth when he gets in the truck.  He gets the trinkets (mulch, rocks, random sticks) Easton puts in his back pack every day.  He's getting what I used to get.

 

Yes, my commute is a little more peaceful, and a lot more quiet.  But I miss that little face in the backseat.   I miss our funny conversations.  I miss his music selections.  I miss his funny stories about his friends in the afternoon.  It makes me sad knowing I don't get to participate in that part of his day anymore. 

 

I know this time is good for he and Lance.  They get donuts more mornings than I'd like to admit.  They stop at the gas station in the afternoons for a snack.  They get that time together that they didn't have for 3 years. 

 

But for now, it's what we do.  I leave the house at 6:45 to make it to work by 8 and return home by 5 most days.  Some days he's not even awake before I leave.  It's not ideal, but it's life.  We're adjusting to this new 'normal' and trying to make the best of it.  

 

I do believe it's making me more intentional with my time that I do have at home.  With dinner, packing lunches, bath & bed, it leaves little time for fun.  So we must make the most of it.  Lots of afternoons are spent outside before supper.  Lots of times after bath are spent in the Bonus Room playing.  He helps me a lot in the kitchen.  We bike ride.  It's not easy only getting 3 hours a day with him.  Especially when those are the most tired hours of his day.  It sometimes leaves for exhausting nights but it's a season.  This time won't last forever.

 

So, here's the first day/week at his new school {in phone pictures---sorry for the blurry ones, I was trying to blur the kiddos and the school t's}. 

 

To say I was PROUD of how he marched right in on day 1 is an understatement.  We took him in, put up his lunch box, back pack and nap mat.  The children were already up front in the common area about to start their morning devotion and we were going to encourage him to sit with them and we'd head on out.  He wanted to 'tell you bye at the door' first.  He hugged us and turned right around, never missing a beat, never once acting unsure.  We had nothing but good reports all day at how well he was adjusting and how his new friends loved him.

 

 

And nap time was a welcome relief for him. They are on the go all the time at the new school. Changing rooms, doing different activities in different locations, even walking to the local libraray. I really like that about this school! 

This was our Friday picture!  We made it through the first week!



It's been about 6 weeks now since he started.  He's doing so good.  He's had a few rough days where he didn't want to stay but he jumped right in after drop off.  He really is a trooper.  There's definitely a transition happening though.  And maybe it's just being 3.  But we're struggling with listening, some back talking and a little bit of 'tude.  I don't know if it's new friends or if it's just new everything or just adjustment but it's taking extra patience on all of our parts.  But we'll make it.  He's a good boy and we're so thankful at how wonderful he has done with this!  Kids really are far more flexible than we think they will be. 

 

Give them the confidence and the encouragement they need and they will soar!

 

 

Head on over to Bridget's blog and check out her mother's day: part i.  If you don't read Bridgets blog, you should.  She's one of my FAVORITES! She's real.  She's hilarious!  She's a wealth of knowledge about all things natural.  She's a wonderful mother- to a few kids that became her own after their mother passed away and she married their father, her professor, (love story here- it's amazing, inspiring, tear inducing) and one really cute little fella that she birthed. She's a wonderful writer, style that's amazing.  Just an all around great gal!   Head on over and check her out!

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My Little Donkey

At church every year, the childrens ministry puts on a live nativity during the Christmas season. 

 

It was this weekend.  Easton was a donkey.

 

I wasn't sure how it would go.  Sometimes he's shy, sometimes he's a ham.  They were putting it on between services and we all gathered around to watch our little kiddos and pray that they would cooperate.

 

And as in true Easton form, he went right with the flow.  He wore his grey sashed drape and held his donkey face right up like he'd done this before. 

 

I am constantly amazed by him.  So many times I wonder what's going to send him in a tail spin, or make him clam up and be shy, or when he won't cooperate, but most of the times, he does what's expected of him. 

 

I'm so thankful God chose us to be his momma and daddy!

 

 

The fun that is THE WILSON COUNTY FAIR!

 Sorghum churning mules

Overalled man with a chicken on his shoulder

$5 mini donkey rides

Swirly Taters, Sweet Tea, Bar-B-Que, Funnel Cakes, Chocolate Dipped Bananas

Rides, Rides & more rides

Tractor Pulls & ATV races

This years Wilson County Fair did not disappoint!

Here's the pictures to prove it.



We SO enjoyed the fair this year!
It was fun last year too, but this year was much more hands on. 

It was so much fun with Easton.

He rode most of the kiddie rides this year, meeting the 36 inch height requirement (though I'd beg to differ his height).

We stayed out way past bedtime, but it was worth every minute. 

In all my years of attending the fair, I can't remember going twice in one year, but this year we did!

The weather was perfect, the crowds were maneagable (during the week),

The food was DELISH,

It was perfect all around!

 I only wish it lasted longer than a week. 

Hope your Monday is great!   

Lake Day

Last minute on Sunday we decided to head to the lake.

Easton had a good nap and the sun was shining.

This was THE.FIRST.LAKE.DAY with Easton.

I've been very nervous about the lake and have avoided it at all costs.

But, such as most things I stress over, it was for nothing.

Other than the boat being low on oil and having to go to 2 different gas stations on the lake, it went off without a glitch. 

Thankful for some pictures with my boy.

Easton wasn't too sure about the 'yake'

He kept saying 'I wanna go back to 'partment'.

He's a bit of a nervous nelly at new things.

I can't imagine where he gets that from.

We skied!

Christ won the on the tricks!

This was his last trick of the afternoon.

Lance busted out some moves too.

Me?  Well.  I got up the first try.

And ate it pretty good after that first run, but got back up and did it again.

Up again on the second try and let go {fell, sank?} like you're supposed to. 

I'm still sore.  That worked muscles I haven't worked in a long time. 

We finished the night with LaHacienda.

Anytime I can be outside with my boys, water & sunshine I consider it a great day! 

And to top it off with Mexican, makes it pretty much ideal.

Happy Thursday Friends!

The girl that kissed my boy

I thought this might happen on down the road, a little later.  Not at 2 years old.  But this morning, another girl kissed my boy.

Be still my heart. 

We came in the classroom just like any other morning.  Easton had Charlie in one arm, a book in the other and his 'ra-ra' in his mouth.

One of the little boys ('G') in his class wanted the book he had.  There's a little girl ('P') in his class that is like an adult trapped in a little girls body.  She can talk in full sentences.  She's spunky.  She's cute.  She's a smidge bossy, but in a cute way.

P proceded to tell G to leave Easton's book alone and backed him up a bit.  She's a take charge kind of girl.  My kind of girl.  After some prodding on her part to get G to leave Easton alone, she was rather proud of her efforts.

She reached up, plucked the passi right out of Easton's mouth, and landed a big wet one on his lips!  On.his.lips folks.  My lips.   

I thought I'd die right there.  Mrs. E and myself couldn't contain our laughter! As shocked as I was, it was too funny to do anything but laugh. 

After seeing our reaction they reached in for each other like they'd done something good, but we stopped it before it went any further and encouraged them to just hug.  And hug they did.

Little P.  I think she's got the hots for my boy.  Uh oh. 

First Visit with The Easter Bunny...and Egg Hunt

We ran into the Easter Bunny at the mall last weekend.

The Boy didn't sit in his {her?} lap, just gave her a five.

Enough to warrent a dum dum sucker that was in the basket beside of her for those brave enough to sit.

This time, however, was a success!

The cutest, most sweetest Easter Bunny made a visit to his school on Friday for their Easter parties and Egg Hunts. 

He wasn't sure about it at first, but as you can see, he warmed up quite well. 

Also, another first.

Our first Egg Hunt.

I think it's safe to say, he's not aggressive or super competitve yet.

We ended up with about 7 eggs and 1 pack of skittles.

The skittles were enough for him to be satisfied. 

I'd say we're off to a good start!

I have been thinking more about Good Friday and what it means.  Perhaps after having a child of my own, I realize the sacrifice that was made on that hill so long ago.  A sacrifice not because we deserve it, but because of grace.  To think of all Jesus went through on that day, for me, has me feeling very grateful but at the same time a smidge sad.  The pain and suffering He endured along the way was for us though.  He didn't come so that we would be sad, He came so that we may have LIFE!  And that my friends is reason for Celebration!

I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend! 

Just Fishin'

We took a little impromptu trip to the lake on Sunday after church.

We went home and changed our clothes, got our fishing poles and some crickets & minnows and headed to the lake.

I'm pretty sure this should go on a Bass Pro ad. 

He could be their new spokesman!

Daddy taught The Boy how to bait a hook.

We put a real hook on his little pole {against my reqest}.

Daddy insisted he needed to learn.

So.  We threw out our hook and waited.  and waited.  and waited. 

About the time we'd see our bobber go under, we'd reel it in,

only to find our crickts or minnows GONE!

These little fish were tricking us! 

Easton gave up on fishing. 

He'd rather play in the rocks or feed the ducks our crickets.

He's a cautious little fella though. 

He says 'mommy help you' when anything doesn't seem just right and he needs my help.

I love that he still needs and wants my help.

Love love love this picture of my boys fishing.

And...here's momma in all her glory- yoga pants and rain boots.  Classy. 

"10 more minutes boo" turned into about 30 more minutes.

I was expiring.  The boy was hungry.  The momma was hungry.

But finally, on the 'last try' of the day we caught a fish! 

HOORAY!  Our first fishing trip was a success!

No hooks in the eyes or fingers.

No one fell in the lake.

No one busted on the rocks.

And.  We caught a fish!

Let's go again soon!

Wanna come?!?!?!

Christmas Day

Well...Santa came!

He ate his cookies and left lots of goodies!

It truly is magical to experience Christmas through a childs eyes.

The wonder and excitement as he rounded the corner to see all the gifts around the tree was tear inducing.

Absolutely pricess to see that little face!

I'm so glad we got it all on video!

He rode his 4 wheeler up and down the hall way.

It's a little tricky to push the button and steer but he's a quick learner. 

The tent was a big hit!

The 4 Wheeler was hidden under the tent for an extra surprise!

He got his first pair of cowboy boots.

He's wanted his own watch for some time now.

Anytime we bring up Santa, he says 'ho ho watch'

So, watch it was.

However, once on it was 'too tight' and wanted to take it off.

We had so much fun opening all our presents together.

I didn't know it could get much better, but having a child makes it so much better. 

After our Christmas together at home, we went to Honey & Bob's

Tradition here is sausage pinwheels.  Everyone's favorite!

Easton got his first fishing pole from Uncle Matt.

They'll have a big time with that this summer.

Honey  &Bob got Easton a ball pit with 1492 balls!

Lucky me.
I'll be fishing out balls from under the couch from here to eternity!

The important thing is, it's FUN!  And Easton loves it!

Next we went to GG & Ronnie's house!

Easton got his very first Radio Flyer Tricycle!

His little feet can almost reach the pedals.

Come Spring time I'm sure this will get lots of miles up and down the driveway!

The girls all got new Dooney's!
HOORAY!!!!!!!!

And...that picture on the right, that's my FAVORITE picture from Christmas!

We got mom this wonderfull canvas and it's amazing. 

This picture was taken on Ali's 18th Birthday with an iPhone. 

Amazing photo.  Amazing quality. 

If you're in the market for a canvas, go here! 

We had to catch a little cat nap in the car for good measure.

Hold on to the important things in life.  Right.

Last stop for the day is Granmomma's.

Easton got his first stick horse from Dude, Kathy Paige & Bret.

It took some getting used too, but he likes the little horse.

Monday, we headed to Papa's house for breakfast and gifts!

My dad made homeade biscuits that practically melted in your mouth.

DELISH!

By this time we were all completely pooped and just wanted to lay around!

Thus, the lack of pictures!

Time with family is always my favorite part of Christmas.

The to and from is a little tiring, but it's part of it.

I wish Chrismas was a week long so we could get ample time with each family, but we make the most of what we have with each one.

This year was so much fun with Easton and trying to teach him the real meaning of Christmas.

I'm hoping next year will be the year it sinks in.

I kept telling him Christmas is Jesus's Birthday.

He'd want to sing Happy Birthday.

Instead of adding in Jesus, he'd say Honey, because we'd practiced singing for Honey's birthday a few weeks ago.

So, I tried...but he still didn't quite get it.

Next year, we'll read the story of Jesus birth and learn about our nativity scene a little more.

I want him to know the true meaning behind Christmas. 

Not just gifts and Santa.  But the true gift, of Jesus. 

That is the real reason to celebrate!

Another reason to celebrate- we were ALL healthy!!!!

Praise the Lord!

2nd Christmas is one for the books!