Rainy Day Fun

This is how we roll!

My Little Singer

Baker picked out the "down in my heart" cookie at the "cookie store" (aka Julia's Bakery). For the next hour he didn't want to eat it, he just wanted to sing, "I got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart."

Baker sings grace at preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so he is now our designated pray-er at meal times. He is so sweet and serious.....and COUNTRY!!!! Oh my!

Baker heard the "Little Drummer Boy" on the radio this past Christmas and loved it. Every now and then he will still walk around and bust out a little "pa rum pum pum pum," which Caleb now participates in. The other day he figured out the drum setting on his keyboard and got so excited that it was like the "little dummer boy" song. So.....both my boys serenaded me the other day while cleaning! So cute!

Laura Turns 30!!!!!

So, we celebrated a very big day in the Life of Laura. She hit the 30 milestone on February 12 this year. We spent a nice 4 day weekend in the mountains of North Carolina. The original plan was to teach Laura one of my passions - snowboarding! We were able to get 2 hours on the mountain before Laura took a bad fall on her tailbone. X-rays showed no break...Yea!!! Unfortunately that ended the snowboarding portion of the trip, but all was not lost. Even though she only got two hours worth, Laura was really beginning to pick it up. She was doing everything well on her toe side edge. I was proud of her efforts, and hopefully we can try again in the future.

We were still able to make the most out of our weekend away by exploring Valle Crucis and Boone. If you have never been to the area it is very scenic. One of the main attractions is the Mast General Store which has been operation since 1883.

We stayed at the Valle Crucis Bed & Breakfast. It was our first log cabin B&B experience. We were greeted every morning with some great breakfast from Suzanne and Damon. We would definitely recommend them if you are ever in the area for a vacation.

The highlight of the trip came in the form of dinner. On Laura's birthday night we visited the Mast Farm Inn. We knew that we liked the Inn just from looking at it, but we did not know that we were in for the meal of our lifetime. The Inn is a B&B, but also serves dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. The small country feel was a nice setting and very romantic. They even tailor their menu with the names of their guests.

Help Bring Ivan Home

Some sweet friends of ours are adopting a special needs child from Europe and need our help! Josh has decided to run 4 Half Marathons this spring in order to help raise money to bring Ivan home. You can read the full story and support Josh on his quest by clicking to the link below!

http://purposelyrunning.com/?p=184

I am so proud of him!!!

Joyless January

As I was getting my children ready for bed tonight, tears almost welled up in my eyes out of pure exhaustion. To say this has been a tough month would be a great understatement. December 30th we found out that both boys had strep throat and ear infections. Two days later....Mommy and Daddy (Josh by the way has never had strep before in his life) turn up with strep throat. So you can imagine what our week was like. Thankfully Caleb was a trooper and pulled through it pretty smoothly. Baker, however, wasn't napping, slept in our bed for a few nights, threw up 7 times one night, had high fever that he just couldn't shake for a few days, and wouldn't eat much.

I'm glad that our snow day pictures show a day of smiles and fun. It definitely was!!! That.....was a Monday. Tuesday, both children ended up with snotty noses. From there....Baker again wasn't sleeping well, wasn't feeling well.....and either was Mommy! Just days off of medicine, I end up with strep AGAIN. And yesterday Baker, once again, has not only strep but infantigo and a burst ear drum.

So for weeks.....I have given medicine around the clock, kept lists with the times/degree of the boys' fever (bc I for sure can't keep two straight without writing it down), snuffed noses, wiped noses, given saline spray, vaseline for noses, Vicks on the chest, throw away and buy new toothbrushes, disinfect the house constantly, haven't slept well in weeks, etc. I AM EXHAUSTED!!!!!!!

But there was a moment.....a single moment tonight.....where I held Caleb in my arms, rocking him to sleep, and tears began to fall for a different reason. I looked at him and remembered that no matter how hard it is at times.....even if it lasts a month, even if it lasts more than a month.....I would not trade a minute of it just to pass by this difficult season. Pretty soon I he won't want me to rock him, hold him, cuddle, love on him! That.....THAT.....will be the truly difficult season!

Snow Day

We had an fun-filled day in the snow! We went to bed with nothing on the ground and awoke with 3-4 inches. Unfortunately Josh still had to work, but he came home for a long lunch to spend time with the kiddos! It was good snow.....powder, packed snow....great snowman making snow! So.......

We made a BIG snowman! And borrowed a few things from the playroom to make him complete!

We were able to borrow a sled.....an old school, long 5ft sled. It was great. We all fit on it with ease, and the kids absolutely loved it. Poor Baker's nose was so red....and it stayed red for a long time after we came home. We told him to go look at it in the mirror and then we heard him singing.....on his own......"Rudolph the red-nosed Baker." Oh, that child makes me smile!

As soon as the sled would stop Caleb would say, "Mum, mum." (aka "more, more")

Baker loves snow.....rolling in it, making snow angels, running and falling into it, throwing it!!!

Caleb.....not so much. Baker just threw a snowball in his face! Gotta love brothers!

Christmas Time

Santa....we believe!

Our Christmas Elves!

3 Generations of Rebeccas

Too many presents, too much fun!

3 Handsome Boys

The Opryland Hotel

Christmas time was very exciting this year! We had Christmas at 4 different houses this year....and our kids are officially spoiled!!!! It took about two days of detoxing and then the entire family got sick with strep throat. So needless to say, we've definitely been recovering from all the fun of the past month! We are very blessed.