10.22.2012

5 Years!

This past Saturday, Brian and I celebrated 5 years of marriage! I know this blog is mostly about the kids, so I thought it was time ya'll get to know the man of my dreams a little better!!

Most of you probably don't know this, but Brian and I dated 6 months before we were engaged. Yes, 6 months. When you know, you know, right??!!! We started dating in September of 2006, engaged in April of 2007, and married in October of 2007. Fast track huh?!!

We both went to State but didn't know each other there. Then we both moved to Memphis after graduating college. We met each other because his best friend was dating my sister! We also worked for the same company in Memphis, Wells Fargo, but in separate offices, so we became friends that way.

The night my sister and his best friend got engaged, he called me to go have dinner and celebrate, and well...it was all history after that!

Brian is an amazing man. He is a man of honor, integrity, and loyalty. His Bible is nearly always sitting on his nightstand because he has either read it before going to bed or plans on reading it first thing when he wakes up. I have always admired that about him! He strives to be the best husband and father that he can possibly be.  He is your average all American good good guy, and I am blessed and lucky to call him mine!

Now on to the funny stuff about him. He likes fast cars and 90's rock n roll. Yes, I think his dream car is whatever year camero with racing stripes down the center. He likes flashy colors so I could see him getting bright orange or neon yellow. I will NEVER understand his love for fast cars. He also loves motorcycles. He has his motorcycle license, and currently doesn't own one because his wife won't let him. :)  His love for sweets and oatmeal cookies isn't far behind his love for cars. He is either watching sports center or ESPN, and whatever game is on each night is always "THE BIGGEST GAME" of the season.  He watches football, basketball, and golf mostly. He LOVES golf and has been playing quite a bit lately, thanks to my Dad who has picked back up the sport recently. He is the worlds heaviest sleeper. His snooze button probably goes off on average 10 times each morning. When we first got married, I would keep a squirt bottle of water beside my bed. On the 10th time he would hit his snooze button, a fresh little spritz of water in the face would usually do the trick to get him out of bed!! I have never met anyone who sleeps as hard as he does.  He is a gadgets guy. Loves electronics, speakers, etc. etc. All of which I have absolutely no interest in. He also loves to run. He is one of those that can not run for a few months and then decide to run 7 miles one morning and is able to. Makes me SO jealous of that mental ability!  He is always looking at the positive side of things, and rarely makes a negative comment about anyone or anything.  He loves to start new projects. In fact, he starts so many at a time that sometimes he forgets to finish the one he is working on before he starts another. :)

This was our engagement night, on top of the Madison hotel rooftop in downtown Memphis. I thought I was going to a work function with my sister, and when I walked out on the roof, there he was. These pictures make me smile ear to ear. My ring was in the CD case. I had a dream months back that I got in his car and found an engagement ring in his CD case. I told him about it the next day and never thought anything about it again. This night, he told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life making all my dreams come true, and this was just the first of many. He then told me to open his CD case. And got down on his knee and proposed! It was very romantic!!






Now these are just a few of my favorite pictures! If you were to ask Brian what his dream job is, he would tell you the lead singer of a rock band. How funny is that for those of you who know my clean gene, suit wearing husband!




Notice these pics were pre kids. Our eyes look so well rested and full of energy!  I wouldn't trade these past 5 years for anything! We are truly blessed beyond our wildest dreams!

10.18.2012

THREE and BIG As Can Be!

Tuesday was Mags actual birthday, the 16th. We started out the day with party hats and birthday sprinkle pancakes!



Happy Birthday to you!!

 And yes, she almost caught her hair on fire. 
Miller loved the pancakes too!


Then we met her best friend, Anna Caston, at Chick-Fil-A for lunch, per Maggie's request. We topped off lunch with some much needed outside time at the Bent Creek playground!


Miller had a ball rolling around in the grass and searching for every ant bed he could find.


We got some good afternoon naps then headed over to YaYa and Pop's house for a birthday dinner and cupcakes!

 I'm trying to incorporate more family photos bc I am never in the pictures. This is our best attempt.

Miller loved the cupcakes, but really, what doesn't Miller LOVE??

Jack did too!!

Big as Can Be!

Maggie is full of JOY 99% of the time. She is neat and tidy like her mamma. She likes her hands clean and shoes on at all times. She gets that from me. She plays very well with Miller and shares most of her things. She tells me she loves me at least 20 times a day. She hugs Miller at least 20 times a day. She is very independent, and I hear, "I DO IT" at least 20 times a day. She likes to pick out her own outfit now, which is a battle each and every morning. She is the world's pickiest eater, but we are working on that as we speak! Her favorite food is mac and cheese, like her daddy. Her favorite things to play with are barbie dolls, baby dolls, and playing princess dress up! She also loves to color and use stickers. I think Miller chokes on at least 5 stickers a day, so I have to watch these 2 with their arts and crafts!!  She has just the sweetest and caring heart, and God certainly knew what he was doing when he gave Miller a big sister like Maggie! She makes my world go round and I thank him everyday for her!

I have to document some things so I remember them one day.
I have started praying with Maggie each morning before school. We always do it while we are in the car line, and we hold hands and say a special prayer for her that day. That she will make new friends, or be nice to her teachers, play well on the playground, stay safe and healthy, etc etc. Maggie loves the prayer time. The other day she was getting out of the car before dance, and she said, "Mommy, can we pray every time before dance class too?!" The excitement in her voice over praying made my heart swell. I wish we all could be that excited. I can tell it makes her feel so safe and loved. Thank you God for allowing me to have these special moments each and everyday!

Now on to her funny statements...
Maggie- "Mommy, why do I have to do what you say, when I'm a big girl?"
Me- "Because I am the boss, that's why!"
Maggie- "Well who is your boss then?"
Me- "My mommy was my boss when I was a little girl, but now that I am a grown up I don't have a boss."
Maggie- "But Daddy is a grown up and he has a boss?"
Me- "Well yes he does sweetie, but only a boss at work."
Maggie- "Oh, well I thought you were Daddy's boss."
Me- hahahaha, "well yes honey, I am Daddy's boss, but that's a whole different story!" ;)

We got Maggie a swing for her birthday and it was on backorder so it didn't arrive in time. She was a sweet heart about it and is super excited for it to come in next week.  After we showed her a picture of her new swing, she said, "Daddy, I sure hope the swing set comes with directions!"  haha. She has heard me fussing a time or two about a certain someone not following directions when he puts things together!

Her new phrase is "matter of fact." She throws matter of fact in before everything she says. Matter of fact, I'm hungry mamma. Matter of fact, I want to go outside mamma. Matter of fact, it's cold outside!

On the morning of her 3rd birthday, I asked her if she could do anything in the world today, what would it be? She screamed with excitement in her eyes, "Go to Chick-Fil-A, then Target, then Corner Market!!!" hahaha. poor kid doesn't get out much I guess. You can tell the places we go on a regular basis. I had no idea she likes Corner Market so much.  So Corner Market it was, where she picked out her cupcake mix.

I'd say it was a very special birthday. Now PLEASE sometime stop the clock.

10.09.2012

Berry Special Weekend

This weekend we had Maggie's THIRD birthday party! It was a strawberry theme, per her request. We had a blast with friends and family and this little princess is sad all the festivities are over now.

We also had Miller's dedication this past weekend, while friends and family were in town. It was a beautiful dedication. Pastor Jeff said some beautiful things about what a miracle Miller is, and even read a few things from one of my blog post on here! He then got down on his knee to pray for Miller. It was sweet, touching and absolutely perfect. Here is the verse we chose for Miller.

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will give glory to your name forever."
Psalm 86 11-12

*I think it's appropriate to document another special occasion this past week. I got baptized. I was baptized as a baby, and have been arguing the "immersion" topic with my husband for 6 yrs now! For anyone who comes from a Methodist/Baptist marriage, you feel my pain! We LOVE First Baptist here though, and we became members about a year ago. Lately, God has really placed it on my heart to get baptized through immersion. I also thought that it was time I honor the word, and honor the tradition of the Baptist Church.  My grandmother always told me that when I was baptized as a baby, I screamed bloody murder through it and my grandfather leaned over and said, "she's upset because she wants to be a Baptist." Well my grandfather is looking down from heaven smiling, I'm sure. I guess you were right all along JoJo!

Ok, here are the pics from the weekend!



















This pic cracks me up! Mags won't dare look at the camera and Miller was NOT happy about his outfit. Poor little guy is outgrowing his clothes too fast and everything is tight on his chubby arms and legs!








He did so good during his dedication. Seriously just the sweetest little guy alive!!

Her first Barbie was a huge hit! She even went to school with her today.




 This picture cracks me up. Miller looks SO BIG in this picture. Well actually he is this big. My healthy baby boy...such a blessing.