Memorable Moments 2009...#2

Being with my sister as she went through labor and gave birth. I don't care what people say...yea or nay....it was amazing!

It was really tough to be there while she was in intense pain and there was nothing I could do...I tried rubbing her back because she told me to and then smacked me away...haha! I tried to offer a bit of assistance through my words...don't know exactly how much help I was. I am guessing none at all. It was a loooooong and a very exhausting day...even for just me watching!!!

BUT...when the end result came out (after HOURS of pushing) it was so thrilling and so amazing and it took my breath away! It was just so neat to be there to see Atrion enter the world. (yes, his name is different, most likely you have not heard it before, it worked perfect for them, so get over it;)

I am glad I was able to be there and have loved seeing Atrion grow and change. He is a sweet boy. It was definitely one of the highlights of my year!

The Many Faces of Carter...at the fair!

In September we went to the Delta County Fair in Memphis! This was our 2nd year going and we always have lots of fun and sweat to death.
This year Carter was tall enough to ride ALL the kiddie rides ALONE...last year one of us had to ride with him. So, I was relieved that this year I didn't have to try and squeeze on all the rides. No joke...last year's pics at the fair are all of ME on kiddie rides because they make the adults sit on the outside. I eclipsed Carter. I could post those pics...and you could laugh your head off at my expense...but I'm not going to.

(I would have made Josh ride the rides but he gets motion sick faster than ...umm...trying to think of something clever...well fast...I was going to say faster than your aunt patty flaps her gums...but I don't know no aunt patty.)

The little girl above was so cute and instantly became Carter's buddy and took him on a few rides with her.
I wish I could do that now...just walk up to some random person...hook arms...and have the time of our lives without all the awkwardness and small talk that goes along with meeting someone new. Insta-Buddies...I am totally inventing this...so don't steal it...anyone who wants to participate will wear a button informing you that they are indeed up to being your instant best friend...no questions asked...just walk on up...take their hand...then go see that chic flick you have been wanting to go to, or take a trip to the spa together, and you can move right on to the juicy gossip and leave talk about the weather on the doorstep...brilliant I say...brilliant! oooh or you can redbox them...for only a dollar a night...I would ask my best friend to cook for me and then babysit while the hubby and I went out
...hmmmm...I guess it is not a buddy I am really looking for after all....oh my goodness it is late and I shouldn't "late type" it always gets me in trouble.

As you can gather from these pictures, it was hot outside. Case in point: Carter's rosy cheeks and sweat drenched hair. So we sought respite inside an air conditioned building we were sat...gone are the days of running from end to end of the fair from sun up to sundown...it is more like dragging ourselves from end to end...envying the people on motorized scooters and wishing the new mode of transportation for all people would be golf carts. What?

This moment of rest brought out Carter's many faces. Enjoy.

Isn't he great!

Memorable Moments 2009...#1

Coming home to Mississippi (after being in Idaho for 3 weeks helping my sister) and finding out that Josh had completely potty trained Carter! Talk about the best present ever!!!! I was soooo happy that Carter finally decided it was time and that Josh did such a wonderful job facilitating the process. It took a long, loooong time for Carter to get on board and I was not looking forward to trying again. I am so happy with the choice not push Carter and "force" him to do it. Once he was ready he went straight to undies (no pull-ups, night time diapers, etc.) and he only has an occasional "wet the bed" accident here or there. So yay! Josh...here is the husband of the year award. If you never do another thing in your life it would be okay because you did this (I can say this because I know he won't read this).

Halloween..What Else?

I thought I should jump in quickly and put a Halloween picture up before the moment passed me...with how far behind I am I did not want to be posting about this in February. This is a horrible cell phone picture that I am too lazy to try and edit because there isn't much hope. However, Carter was an awesome tiger! He had fun with his trick-er-treat buddies and kept up with the big kids all night. It was a perfect evening for candy collecting in Mississippi this night...Carter was too warm!

Earlier in the day Josh took Carter to Cedar Hill Farms to celebrate the day. They went through a corn maze, rode ponies, went to the big pumpkin patch, watched little piggies race, and played on the playground. Carter also got his face painted to match his Tiger costume...it was awesome, unfortunately only crappy cell phone pics once again...sniff.

I LOVE Halloween and Fall and cannot believe I have to wait another 364 days before I get to do this again:)

I Heart Faces: Halloween Dress-up

I am entering the I Heart Faces Halloween Dress-up contest...just for fun;) There are amazing entries at I Heart Faces...so look around if you have time!

Speaking Words of Wisdom...Let it Be

I just read this on my friend Amy's blog who read it on her friend's blog and thought many of you might need to hear this as well. I sure need it...and I will need it tomorrow...and the next day and the next. Carter is being particularly challenging lately and at times I start to pity myself and start apologizing to everyone about my son being 3 years old and acting like it. In the back of mind of course I know that Carter is my greatest blessing but I need to bring that to the forefront more often and start treating him like our Father would treat him. I need to stop saying things like..."when he is grown I will finally be able to do this"..."when he just starts school then things will get easier"...etc...why do I keep wishing my greatest blessing away? None of things I think I want to do "when he is grown" are anywhere near the importance of raising my son...nothing will be a greater accomplishment than enduring as a family...a happy one...a loving one...nothing. I do have to give myself some credit though and say that we do have amazing days and I love him more than life....but I need to work harder at turning those frowns upside down whenever they appear. So read on folks...read on!

How do you think of your children? On any given day, would you say your children are a blessing or a burden? Here is a challenge to you…How are you?”…“How is the baby?”…“How are your kids?”… We all hear these questions every day. Do you know a mom who always answers something like this: “Well, I haven’t killed my 2-year-old yet, so I guess that’s good.” Or, “I’m just exhausted,” or, “Things are absolutely crazy – I am so stressed out!”
Maybe that frazzled, haggard, bewildered mommy is someone you know. Maybe it’s you. I know I’ve been there. Here is my question to you today… are we bearing our blessings as burdens? Those babies that we dreamt of and prayed for, that we had so much fun choosing names for, that we counted the days to meet… are they burdens to us now? Those homes that we were ecstatic to move into… are they burdens now? That husband that we couldn’t live without, that we picked out the wedding dress for, that we cried and ached and waited by the phone for… is he a burden now? That job you needed, you wanted and prayed for, that provides food and clothing for your family… is it a burden now?Sometimes it seems to me like a mantle we as moms must carry. We must be tired, we must be stressed out; we must be harried and frazzled, we must be lucky just to make it through the day. Are we bearing our blessings as burdens? Are we tired? Absolutely.
As moms, we know about the 2 a.m. feedings, the nightmares, the wet beds, the midnight curfews. Do things get a little stressful between PTA meetings, dance class, the T-ball game, and dinner on the table at 6? Sure they do. Are husbands always a joy when they get home from work? No way. Is scrubbing the potty, doing the laundry, and cleaning the high chair tray the greatest thrill we’ve ever known? Of course not.
So how do we look past the burdens and see the blessings of our families and our homes? Do you know any women who would give anything to have a baby to nurse at 2 a.m.? Anyone who would love to have those clothes we are sick of washing, or that house we just can’t keep clean. Do you know any women whose husbands aren’t coming home?
I challenge you to joy, to smile, to persevere. I challenge you to bear your burdens as blessings and watch as they multiply. And the next time someone asks you how you are, throw off that identity of stressed out, frazzled mommy, find your smile and answer, “I am blessed!”

Thanks Amy for sharing! I am Blessed! If any of you want to post this...post on folks...post on!

The Easter Bunny Came...like 6 months ago!

So how late can one post possibly be? Since I am making a book I hate to leave out anything I have pictures of. So here ya go!

Looking snazzy in his new Easter suit. I wish I would have taken some good pics outside or something...oh well...he looked so sharp!

The Saturday preceding Easter Sunday, a local church sponsored a big egg hunt in the park...complete with face painting. Carter picked a baseball and was so proud of his new body art that he walked with his left cheek jutting out.

Here he is waiting for the whistle to sound so he could begin collecting eggs.It was not a "hunt" by any means...for his age group they threw a bunch of eggs out onto the tennis court. Carter was so sweet and would just pick up the eggs and hand them to other kids. The kids would look at him like he was crazy before snatching the egg out of his hands.

Even with his giving heart he still came away with a full basket! Check out his loot!

After the egg hunt there was a parade on the main drag. It was a celebratory send off for our local troops who were being deployed. It was very nice and patriotic. I am grateful for the soldiers who are serving our country.

Waving our flags to show support!

We had a great holiday weekend together with just our little family. We did get invited over to dinner on Sunday by some members from our ward...so I lucked out of cooking again! Happy Easter everyone! :)