Silas is Christened!

Silas was christened on December 9 at Harris Grove United Methodist Church by Pop-Pop. 

 The sweet little cakes

 Andy, Deanna, Nola, and Silas

 Aunt Connie and Uncle Rick

 Cousin Lori and Joel

 Mimi and Big Dad

 Dad

 Four generations

 Uncle Chris, Aunt Amber, Tristan, and Addison

 Aunt Jackie and Nanny

 Uncle James and Aunt Rene'

 Aunt Julia

 Cousin Cindy, Paige, Jesse, and Morgan

 Pop-Pop and Honey

We are so thankful to everyone who traveled to come witness the christening of Silas. What a special day for our family!

The Big 3-0!

I turned the big 3-0 in October. Jonathan's not much for throwing parties so he asked me where I wanted to go instead. My fall break fell on my birthday so off to the beach we went! I LOVE the beach no matter what time of year! Andy and Deanna went with us and we had a great time! I would've stayed forever!

 Nola posing for the camera. 

 Silas' first trip to the beach!

 My sweet family

Great friends and Godparents! 

Nola turns 5!

5?! I cannot believe it! Time has gone by too fast! Nola, you have been such a joy in our lives and what a fighter you are! Mommy and Daddy love you to pieces! 

 We celebrated at Nola's school with some of her friends. 

 Happy Birthday sweet girl!

 Blowing out the candle. 

 The excited birthday girl!

 Nola's party will never be complete without a "jump-jump"

 Nola wanted a Fresh Beat Band party. Lucky me, there is no Fresh Beat Band party things in the store. Everything had to be made! This was the goody table complete with tambourines, drums, and microphones!

 Great friends! 

 Singing Happy Birthday to our sweet girl

And the present opening madness!!

Randomness

One thing that has been neglected around here is the blog! It started as a way to let everyone see Nola growing up and to let others who may be traveling the same journey we have. As the years have passed, we have added a sweet boy to the mix. Life is still crazy, but Nola's medical issues seem to have leveled out. Nola hasn't' had a surgery in over 2 years! Whoo hoo! I will try to be better at blogging this year- my master's program will be over in May and I will have a little break before I start my Ed.S.
I have alot of catching up to do!

 Sweet Silas only a few weeks old!

Nola has always been a great sister to Silas!

Catch Up!

Catch up time! This post is dedicated to Nola's first dance recital- June 2012. She really enjoyed ballet and tap. She was such a cutie pie in her dance costume!

 Nola and the Big Bad Wolf

Silas was only 1 week old at the time. I am so thankful my parents could take Nola to her dress rehearsal and Mama took her backstage when it was time to line up for her dances. 

Nola is taking dance again this year, but we moved to another studio. We are know at Joy McDaniel Dance  in Arlington and I think this studio is a much better fit for us! Nola and her crew will be in the Arlington Christmas Parade on December 1!

Great Mommy Read!

A great read for Mommies and a challenge too!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-tate/mom-pictures-with-kids_b_1926073.html

Happy Birthday to Our Little Miracle!

It seems like yesterday we found out we were having a sweet baby girl and now look at her- she is turning  5 tomorrow! I cannot believe how fast the years have flown by and it makes me teary to think about all that she has gone through in her short five years. She has proven to be such a fighter and taken everything in stride. What an awesome little girl we have!

Newborn

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

 4 years old

5 years old

Nola, 

What a blessing you have been to us! You have been through so much yet have developed into such a feisty ball of personality. Mommy and Daddy love you to the bottom of our hearts and back. We are so thankful to have such a beautiful, healthy little girl. You are such a fantastic bug sister to Silas and we can already tell how he looks up to you. His face lights up when you talk to him and call him "baby boy." Happy Birthday! 

 

Oceans of Love,

 Mommy & Daddy

Crazy.....

The adjective that would describe my life at the moment.
This is Nola's last year a MOSD. I try not to think about it, but every event that happens at school I find my self thinking "this is the last time." I am terrified of her going to kindergarten; I know she will be ready and will do great, but the thought makes me a nervous wreck. Nola has started dance with a new company in Arlington. I like this studio much better than the other. October 1 is observation day and I am excited to see her in her new class. She loves dance and going to see her "new friends."
I am back at school and stressed out, but that is a whole other post by itself. Grad school has started back too. I still have a 4.0! :) Only 3 more classes to go!
Silas is growing like a weed! He is four months old and I cannot believe it! Sunday, September 23, Silas rolled over from his belly to his back! He goes to bed around 8 and sleeps through the night! He still eats every three hours and is eating anywhere from 4 to 5 ounces at a time. We tried oatmeal cereal and he acted as if I had put mud in his mouth. He made bitter beer face!! haha!! We will try it again later. Silas stays with Aunt Ber and is spoiled all day.
I am pulled in a thousand directions and feel like no one gets a hundred percent of me. All of my roles- wife, mommy, teacher, etc- are important and I don't want to neglect any of them. I need to win the lottery so that I can stay home! :)

Nola's birthday party is next week! Look for pictures! I hope to be better at blogging, but that is just something else on my to do list that doesn't get done.

MOSD Water Day

At the end of the summer session, MOSD has a water day. The kids love it! Nola, of course, had to bring her shades with her since she is a fashionista! 

Nola and Mrs. Ginger- Abbey, Ginger's daughter, is also deaf and has bi-lateral cochlear implants like Nola. Abbey is a freshman in high school and is doing absolutely fantastic! Abbey is a prime example of how successful deaf children can be with caring parents and a great foundation at MOSD!

Good Lord! Look at this picture. Do we have a future Miss America in our hands?!  

Sweet friends- Nola, Ying, and Hope.  

Mitch and Nola 

Lori and Nola

The Summer in Pictures- Part 1

 Who knew going to the grocery store could be so fun?! This is where Nola likes to sit now, and if you've ever tried to grocery shop with a 4 year old and a 2 month old, you know how challenging it is! This keeps her contained and quiet! 

Jonathan likes to put Silas in the Bumbo. Silas wasn't too sure about it.... Yes, I've heard about the recall. Don't put your baby in a Bumbo on the counter and leave them there! Good grief!

MOSD had Donuts with Dad. Jonathan was a good sport and had several extra girls in his lap during it! Nola was excited to eat donuts with her Daddy! 

Boo! This picture is all jacked up! Nola loved putt putt golf though! Future golf pro? 

Daddy and Nola working on Legos together.  

Nola brought treats to the teachers and staff at MOSD. Their theme was camping so we made smores kits. The little tag said, "The world needs S'More people like you!"