Thoughts

Just a few thoughts I have been "struggling" with lately…

We are supposed to spread the Gospel, right? I am struggling with what that looks like in my life. I am surrounded by kids who need loved on and who might not ever know the Gospel if I don't share it or show it to them. Through teaching, I have so many opportunities to love on kids that don't get loved on otherwise. That has been my passion for so long. But, I miss my baby. I miss my days with him. I hate being away from him for 8-9 hours a day. I hate that someone else has more influence on him on a daily basis than I do. I hate being in a hurry in the mornings and if I get to see him at all, it is for 5-10 minutes. I just don't think I have it in me to be a working mom. When I do get to see him, I am exhausted. He doesn't get the best of me, nor does my husband. But, I also know that I went back to school for a reason, have added an incredible debt to my family, and am struggling with what the "responsible" decision is. What is best for my family? I want to stay at home with my little boy more than anything. But, how to spread the Gospel from home? I know there are some people out there that do not believe moms should work, while others believe kids should be in "school" at an early age. Caleb has learned SO much at school it amazes me. Really, I believe we have made our decision, but just really want continued confirmation from the Lord that we are in line with what HE wants for our family. Although we have bills to pay and debt to get out of, I don't want to look back and regret. No matter what, I don't want to regret. I want to slow down and soak in the moments that I have. This looks different for every family, so whatever your family looks like is special to your family. I know what it feels like to be judged because I work so I am judging no one and not saying there is a "best" way in all of this. I am just trying to figure out what God wants for MY family and just do it with a whole heart. Thanks for listening.

The cutest little fireman ever (in my opinion!)

Been a while

It's been a while since posting. I have found that working limits my time! I am going private with this (again), so please comment or email me if you want to be able to read it. Hope all is going well with everyone! Caleb turned 19 months this month. Can't believe it. Here are some pics of happenings lately…

One of Caleb's favorite spots

Learning early :)

Flirting...

With my family in Auburn (minus Josh)

He loves his bean bag and watching Veggie Tales (yes, we allow him to watch a video)

Just for me…to add to his words: mailbox, airplane, shoe, socks, shirt, bath, bless you, blueberries, apple, movie, hello, hi, tiger paw (ti-paw), yes, no, thank you, chair, juice, milk, eat, teeth, bus, grass. That's all I can think of for now. This will be the last post before going private!

Summer, don't end!!!!

Really this is a post for me. I have needed to remind myself of all our little one is doing lately. He is growing so fast and doing so many things that just blow me away. Things he is saying: dog, goat, moo-moo, woof-woof, duck, quack, tree, flower, grass, ball, all done, all gone, nana (banana), milk, car, truck, Beasley (well, beasy), no (this is driving us crazy), book, nose, eye, bubbles, up please, thank you (his version of it), boo-boo (when it is necessary to let us know it is time for a new diaper!), night-night, bye-bye, hi, hey, more, amen, love you, knock-knock, good girl (tells Beasley this all the time). That is all we can think of right now. He absolutely loves books…prefers to sit and just go through his picture books, he loves the water, wants to point to everyone's body parts (especially your nose), loves bath time, will go to the Ipod and point to signal he wants to dance, loves bubbles, will climb up on anything but really loves the kitchen table chairs, likes to climb up on our bed (up, down, up, down), LOVES PraiseBaby DVD's and VeggieTales, gives Beas hugs and says "aaaaawwwwwwe," is a picky picky eater now, will hear the key turn in the door and drop whatever he is doing to run to the door saying, "dada, dada, dada"-so sweet. Well, here are some pics from current happenings...

Visiting with Janet

Snuggled up to little Miss Mary Evans (visiting a dear friend from college and her kids)

Hangin out with the boys

In Charleston with my parents

"Aaaawwwweeee"

My new look...

We are now embracing the mohawk...

Happy Anniversary!

A few days late, but here we all are two years ago. Crazy. Sometimes I feel like this day was forever ago, sometimes I feel like it was yesterday, sometimes I feel like I should still be planning it. Anyways, I can't remember a time when this man was not in my life. Praise God I've got him. Couldn't do life without him. We have made it a tradition (all 2 years we've been married) to watch our wedding video on our anniversary. Check. Did it. So fun and funny. I've never seen a preacher dance like that before. Moving on. I love this man and am so thankful I get to go through this journey with him! Happy Anniversary!

Vacation

Well, I'm not sure if you would call it a "vacation" but we took a trip to Myrtle Beach a few weeks ago. We actually came back a day early, because we needed a vacation from our vacation! Traveling with a 14mo. old is a lot of work! But, we love it!

Caleb tasting the sand:

He didn't really know what to think about it touching his feet!

He would spend all day in the pool blowing bubbles!

Just because he is so darn cute:

Get this hat off of me, mom!

Easter

A little late, but here are some Easter pics. Unfortunately, Caleb would have stuck out like a sore thumb in this "suit" at our church, so he wore this for the Easter bunny and got to change in to something a little more comfy for church and his Easter egg hunt! He was precious in both though! My friends Janet and Alyss got to come to Clemson for Easter and enjoyed an amazing service with us at Newspring. Happy Belated Easter!

Caleb's Birthday Party

Well, it might have been two weeks late (had to wait to basketball was over so daddy could be there!), it might have been raining, I mean pouring, outside and we may have had over 20 little ones running around our house, but we are so thankful to everyone who came to celebrate our little man turning one!

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Sweet Caleb,

Happy Birthday little C! I can’t believe you are turning one. It seems like yesterday that I felt you kicking around in my tummy. I know when you are older and you read this, you will think it is cheesy and you might think I am strange, but I just want you to know how much our time together this past year has meant to me. I can tell you in all honesty, not a day has gone by that I have not cried when I have to leave my sweet little boy for the day (I am a softy now). I treasured the time I was able spend with you when you were tiny. Every morning, we would read out of your devotional book that daddy got for you. Then you would sit on my lap and just listen to me sing or talk. Now, you are walking all over the house, laughing when we tickle you, waving, giving 5, giving kisses (mostly to Beas), turning on/off lights, practically running with a huge smile on your face on your way to leap (fall) into my arms, repeating things we do, cuddling only when you want to, and developing your own sense of stubbornness (that, you got from mommy).

You have such a sweet and calm temperament, thanks to your daddy. I pray we will lead you gracefully toward Jesus, our Savior. I pray we model for you a home filled with mercy, forgiveness and discipline. I pray you will always have a sense of who God has made you to be and what His purposes are for you here on this earth. I pray you will move in your God-given gifts and your path would become clear. I pray you will surrender your life to the Lord and recognize your complete dependence on Him, you would always walk closely with Him and not miss out on anything He has for you. I pray you will receive the special touch from the Holy Spirit over your life. I pray you will always know you are the Lord’s, trusting where He takes you. I know I will make many mistakes, but I pray I will teach you how to forgive quickly and obey the Lord consistently. You have touched our lives in a way I never could have thought possible. I am grateful for every day I have with you and thankful, that, for now, you are mine to hold.

Love,

mommy

Time Flies

Here are some updates from the world of Caleb: He is walking! Holy cow. Overnight. This little booger is growing so much. Just some things he does and likes these days: he loves blueberries, I am talking would eat one of those enormous bags of frozen blueberries in one sitting, he has this habit of taking one sock off and leaving the other one (picture below), loves cheese, yogurt, banana, rice cakes (I know, Jerm says they are styrofoam, but my boy loves them), loves looking at himself in the mirror and smiling at his "friend," will put anything and everything his mouth, still loves his shoe, has 6 teeth, always has to have something in his mouth when he is on the move (Jerm attributes this to Beasley always having a ball in her mouth and Caleb is copying her), is testing the waters and throws his sippy cup on the floor while looking at you with a face that says, "I am about to do this and it is going to make you mad, but I am cute." He turns 1 in a stinkin month. Time flies. Ok, that's it for now on Caleb.

On to my sweet Valentine. So I have started student teaching this semester and am about to lose my mind. Along with HATING being away from Caleb for 9 hours a day, I am just too old for this crap. But, without my husband to love on me the way he does, I simply would not make it from day to day. I have known this man for 10 years and have never met anyone so kind- hearted, gentle, non-judgmental, forgiving and serving. I am humbled to serve alongside him in this lifetime and love him more than he knows. His heart for people is incredible. He lives on purpose and has truly taught me what it means to trust the Lord. Gosh, I love him. He rocks. Happy Valentines Day my love!!

Caleb loves looking out the window at the cars...

Caleb and I went to Auburn for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP celebration. We went to the basketball game afterward to meet Aubie. I know he doesn't look too thrilled, but he was about to pass out! I was just thankful he wasn't screaming!

This is the best I could do for the 10 month pic. It is already time for his 11 month picture! Have I mentioned the fact that time flies?????!!!!!!

Caleb Rocks! War Eagle!

So, I have always realized that Caleb rocks, but as I look at what has happened in his first year of life, it just amazes me. Just a couple of things, his first Christmas was a white one, and we had a huge winter storm yesterday and actually had multiple inches of snow, AND…another drumroll please, Auburn not only WENT to the National Championship game, but WON the National Championship game. Am I dreaming? Someone pinch me. Did Oregon wear those socks on purpose? I am still in la la land. Caleb does not realize the significance of all that has happened in his life, but one day, I will explain that with his birth and first year of life, came some miracles!

Our winter "storm"

Caleb was not impressed at all with the cold white stuff

Beasley loved the cold white stuff

Caleb loves to stand on the couch (with someone making sure he doesn't fall of course) and beat on the window. This is what he did as Beas and I played in the cold white stuff.

He likes the view better from the inside the front door! Dressed in his Auburn attire awaiting the most exciting game in history. I am biased.

Just in case anyone was wondering if the shoe still exists. Yes, it does.

Our child is using this little lion to walk around the house. Soon, very soon, the lion will be no longer and we will be running around the house chasing this little guy. Love him so much.