Just some pics for now...maybe a little update

Quick update...Christmas was spent in Hawaii for a bsk tournament. Jermile has 8 (well, not counting tonight's, he has 7) more games! The countdown begins. Caleb will be 2 in about a month. Crazy. He is saying whatever you want him to. It is insane. He repeats EVERYTHING. Some "complete sentences" include: I need help, daddy/mommy at work, I'm coming (as he sprints after you wherever it is you are going). Everything has a possession...mommy's juice, daddy's juice, Caleb's milk, Beasley's ball, Susu's car...He knows grandaddy and Susu go together and mimi and papa go together...if that doesn't make sense, he can put things together that just blow me away. We are proud. That's all I got for now.

Christmas in Hawaii

Josh Graduation...finally!

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!