Reed's 4th birthday

Last weekend we celebrated my big brother's birthday!

And "AHHHH" it was so much fun!

Our guests....Luke, Deacon, Brody (cousin) and birthday boy!

Everyone enjoying some cake and ice cream!

Our party was a tractor party....so the boys enjoyed their decorating of pumpkins and a little "pin the wheel on the tractor" game

Happy 4th birthday sweet boy! We so enjoyed celebrating your special day and are so thankful for you!!

4 Years

4 years ago today (September 23, 2006) at 9:47 am--we finally got to meet Reed Phillip

Celebrating 1st birthday

2nd birthday

Last year---3 years old

This morning....getting to use the "real" birthday plate for first time (Mommy didn't think before now we could use it and "not" break it) and enjoying his pumpkin/chocolate chip muffin

Family dinner with some of the Sigma Chi's tonight....he loves being with these guys, so this was a big treat they joined us for dinner at his choice of meal at Cane's!

Today my little man is turning 4 years old! I can't believe I really have a 4-year-old?!! I know as parents we are all so amazed at how fast they grow and change, but 4 years.......I do feel it was just the other day we were preparing for that first baby and soon going to the hospital awaiting to meet this little guy....and today all of that has been 4 years ago!

I know I usually love to do slideshows and show how much they've changed and grown, but honestly these past couple weeks have been so crazy/busy, I just haven't had a chance to get to it. So, for now, I think I'll just post a couple favorite pics showing how much he's changed and grown over the past 4 years.

I can't believe how God has blessed us with this little guy. Parenting is obviously full of joys, but also many challenges and hardships too---mostly a constant reflection to me of what a huge sinner I am and how desperately I need God's grace and mercy! I feel I'm constantly repenting to my children for my selfish heart/sin against them. But somehow (not because of anything I've done for sure)I do see the Spirit at work in Reed, as he is so tender hearted and beginning to somewhat grasp (of course on a 4-year-old type of level) some basic truths of who God is and why we need Jesus. My prayer is and continues to be that as I know I fail time and time again that ultimately God would change his little heart and draw him to Himself. That there would never be a day goes by that Reed (and the girls) would never remember not knowing and loving Him.

Reed we do love you so, so, so much! We are so thankful that the Lord brought you into our lives, that He chose us to be your parents--what a privilege and a blessing! And we ultimately continue to pray that you grow to know and love the Lord with all you heart, soul and mind---and walk with Him all the days of your life!

14 Months!

Well, today our girl is 14 months old!! How have 14 months already gone by??! Doesn't she look so big standing up and taking steps in this picture....and at the little mailbox??!!! She is really walking more and more, with crawling less and less! She loves to be outside on the deck and play at the little playhouse, and go in and out, in and out. She is so fun, and so so sweet! She smiles that big smile whenever she sees any of us--wanting so bad to join in the play of her brother and sister. She has even had fun this week pushing the baby doll stroller with Emery-Claire around the house (we have 2 so they follow each other). She also loves playing with toy phones and always says "yaya", which I guess is "hello" to her. We love you so much Mary Etta, and are so thankful for you sweet girl!

Last Weekend...

We rode on a "tractor"

Got to run, and run, and run on the fields

LOVED watching the flag football game on these fields. Casey and his staff team put on their 2nd annual flag football tournament for students this past Friday. So we took our picnic supper and went out to enjoy the evening there as well! They had a blast, and enjoyed lots of attention from all the students!

We watched a little football!! Too bad both of our teams took a beating. But we still had fun watching in our attire! Reed, of course, HAS to be a UGA fan....while I get to have the girls cheer on the VOLS! But we have some Georgia cheerleader stuff too--so we can all cheer for each other's teams (as long as they aren't playing each other!!) Though when you tell Emery-Claire to say "GO VOLS" she gets confused as she pretty much imitates all Reed says and does---so it comes out "GO BALLS! Sick em! Hoohoohoo!" (just slightly confusing GA and TN cheering)

Happy Wednesday

We've been outside--LOTS this week! They beg and beg to go outside...and it's warm, but not as hot as it was some this summer--so it's been definitely nice and more enjoyable. So outside we've been.......

running, kicking balls, throwing balls, hitting balls, chasing each other, digging in dirt and getting VERY dirty, and so much more! I was playing with the camera some yesterday and today and at one point Reed said "Emmie come here and let Mommy take our picture!" He never says things like that, much less wants his picture taken. My baby boy is truly growing up!

Hope everyone is having a good week--happy Wednesday!

Happy Birthday to you!

Today we celebrate my dad (aka Grandpa) and my sister's (Jess) birthdays! So here is a little message from Emery-Claire! We hope you all have a great day! We love you :)

A little of this, a little of that

I know I've kinda been MIA lately. Well this past weekend we attempted "potty training in 3 days". So here it is Wednesday and I guess we had success with it. We are having occasional accidents, but all in all I feel she gets it and knows when she has to "go".....with the exception of the "other" kind of "going" (but that is a whole other issue I don't think I should blog about). But panties all day, night---so I guess no backtracking now! These pictures are from a couple weeks ago. We went over to KET to meet the Cat in the Hat. They had various little stations for the kids to play with, so here is Reed making his attempt on the trumpet.

Every picture I took Emery-Claire is starring up at the Cat. But she knows what he looks like because she finds his picture on all the books he is on we have too! And I guess Mary Etta is squinting with excitement!

Reading books with Nana from her visit last week.

Blocks, coloring, painting......lots of "activities" while he had potty training boot camp over the weekend!

If you're happy and you know it.....

clap your hands!