Letter to Maw Maw

Dear Maw Maw,
I have so many wonderful memories of you starting as a young child. My fondest memories were at the pool. I loved going to your house and swimming all day. You would always talk about me hanging upside down with my head in the water:) Coming in from the pool after being so tired was my favorite part. You always had a wonderful dinner waiting for us and ice cream for dessert. You always made us feel so special and loved.
When you moved to the beach we really missed seeing you but it was so nice going to visit you. I loved going out on the boat with Paw Paw (even though we got really sea sick) and going to all of the Christmas shops with you around town. We loved visiting you at the beach but we were ready for you to move back to being closer to us.
When you moved to Mebane is when I began to really form a closer relationship to you. I loved coming to visit you and the long talks we would have on your coach or out on your sun room. I always felt comfortable telling you anything!
Unfortunately tragedy struck our family when Tommy had his car accident. Maw Maw, I was so proud of the strength you showed when you took Tommy in to live with you. You took care of him for so many years even though your health was failing. You never complained, you always had such a positive outlook.
Several years after the accident I had Caden and he brought a lot of joy into the house. You loved to rock him and just watch him grow. When he was about 2 you made him his first banana pudding. He loved it. You loved watching the expression on his face when he ate it!!! So from then on you made him banana puddings very often.
Next I had Caroline and Carter and you loved them just the same. It was such a joy for me to see you with them. I loved seeing you love them, but I really loved seeing the way they loved you! You were always so sweet to get them the special treats and drinks that you knew they loved!!! You just loved sitting and watching them play! I am so thankful that they were able to know you.
As your health began to decline more you spent more time resting, but we would still come and visit just so you could know we were there. You were so strong. I saw you go through so much with your health and still did not complain. You always had the sweetest smile on your face. Even at the end you would still smile at me when I told you that I loved you!!! I will never forget that smile!
In your life you have shown me how to live selflessly. I pray that I can be as strong as you have been. I pray that I can pass down the legacy that you have left to my children.
I will think about you always. I will think about you when I see a duck (because that is what Paw Paw called you). I will think about you when I put on my comfy pjs and warm socks. I will think about you when I see doodle dogs. I will think about you when I watch Lifetime movies. I will think about you when I eat banana pudding and chicken and dumplings. I will think about you when I pass exit 153. I will think about you when I go to Belk and Land's End. I will think about you on all of the holidays. But most of all I will think of you when I think of the Maw Maw who changed my life and will be forever missed!!!
I will love you always,
Kelly

The day we have been praying for!!!

Caden has been asking for a year if he could get baptized. He really wanted to do it at the lake. So this year when the lake baptism came up we asked him if he still wanted to get baptized. He said yes. So we asked him what his testimony was. He told us the same one he told us the year before. He said that he was laying in bed and asked Jesus into his heart. This was so exciting for us. We have been praying for this day since he was in my belly!
So Caden had to talk with a pastor before he could get baptized so he could see if Caden was ready. He agreed that he was ready, so we started preparing for the big day. Most of our family came and our good friends the Howards. They were all there to pray for Caden and celebrate this special day. It was an absolutely perfect evening. We were down at New Life Camp. There were so many people there to give their testimonies and dedicate their lives to Christ. A storm was brewing but it never happened so everyone was able to get baptized.
Caden,
I am so proud of you and feel so blessed to have you as my son!!! I am praying for you as you start your journey following the Lord!!! I can't wait to see what plan God has for you!!!

I love you always!

Summer Fun!!!

We had a great summer! We went to the pool almost every day. When we were not at the pool we went to the museum, mall splash grounds and play dates with friends.
Oh, almost forgot about our huge summer project. We decided to finish our attic this summer. So we had workers and a closed playroom all summer. The kids were very patient (more than me) but I am sure we will love it once it is all finished.
Overall, we had a great summer. I wish I could freeze these special times!!

Is he really one already????

I really can't believe my little baby is now "1"!! This year has gone by so fast.
Carter,
You have been a delight!!! You were very calm and easy in my belly and you have been that way as a baby. You are very patient and goes with the flow! You love to see what the other kids are doing and laugh at them. You are crawling and eating whatever you choose. My favorite thing is to rock and cuddle at night. You are so sweet and would cuddle forever if I would let you. You are not a good sleeper but that is ok because I love holding you and can't do it a lot during the day! :)
Your 1st birthday party was at chick-fil-a and you had so much fun eating nuggets and cake. You got really messy with your cupcakes! We had to clean you off in the sink!!!
We had another party at home for you with all of your family. It was a lot of fun!!!
I love you sweet baby!!!
:) Mommy

Dancing Queen

Caroline has been dancing her whole little life, so she was totally thrilled with the idea of taking a ballet/tap class this summer. The cherry on top was that her best friend Ellary was going to be in the class. The girl's had so much fun in their class.
I am sure that Caroline will have many more years of dance in her future!!!!

Our 1st Movie together!!

We decided to take the big kids to see Toy Story 3. We were a little unsure how Caroline would do but with a lot of skittles and popcorn she was able to watch the whole movie!!! We all loved the movie. I cried a lot and I can't wait to buy the movie when it comes to DVD. This was an outing that I will never forget!!!

VBS

We decided to have Caden go to VBS at Bayleaf Baptist church this year. The theme was Western so Caden got to wear cowboy gear. He was able to go with his friend Kyle. Caroline was very sad that she could not go this year.
Caden was able to do crafts, play games, see horses and learn more about Jesus. The last night Grandma and Grandpa came and we had a picnic in the church and saw the wrap up show!!! It was a great week at VBS!!!

Take me out to the ballgame!!!!

Caden played t-ball for the first time this summer. He played on the YMCA team. He played with his friend Killian. He had a good time playing but I think that he enjoyed trading silly bandz more than actually playing ball.

A Party for Two!

Caroline and Ellary celebrated their 3rd birthdays together. We had a party at the same place they had their 1st Birthday party. The girls wore matching outfits with very fancy,fluffy skirts. They had princess cupcakes and lots of pink everywhere. All of the kids played on the playground and in the woods. Sammy even had a big fall in the mud. The girls had a great time.
Caroline and Ellary are best friends. They love to have play dates and play "baby stuff" and kitchen. Caroline loves to just call E on the phone to say hey! It is so sweet to see these two together!!! Hopefully they can have their sweet 16th together!!

One of our Favorite Parks!!!

We love to visit Lake Lynn. They have a great trail to walk down. The kids love to race, skip stones and especially feed the ducks on our walks. This day we went to this park with the Barbours. After our walk we ate lunch and played on the play ground. We played tag (even the mommies) and pushed the babies in the swings. The weather was not too hot so it made for a very enjoyable morning at one of our favorite parks!!!

More fun @ Marbles

We always enjoy going to Marbles. This time we went with our friends Sydney, Matthew, Caitlyn, Tyler and Molly. Carter was able to play in the toddler play area this time. He really enjoyed it!!! Caroline wanted to put on a show for us while Caden and Matthew tried "putting out fires"!!!

She is Three!!!!

It is difficult to believe that my little girl is now three years old. Wow!
Caroline is such a joy and has grown up soooooo much this past year. She loves to take care of her baby "Cata". She usually beats me to his room with paci and lovey in hand. She loves to play with her babies and doll house. She loves to set the table, put her clothes away and is always asking "how can I help you mama". God has given her a very serving heart. Caroline also loves dancing (naked most of the time) and singing. She usually makes up her own songs. Caroline is our sugar and spice and everything nice. Happy Birthday baby girl!!!
On her special day we woke up and and opened presents. For dinner we went to her favorite place, Jason's Deli. After dinner we went to Build a Bear. She was able to pick an animal and stuffed it but also put her paci in it. Now that she was three she could no longer have her paci. She was very excited to have this pony but when she got home and could not have her paci, it was a different story. She even asked for a knife so she could cut it out. It took many nights with her crying herself to sleep. It was very sad. She no longer had her comfort that she had had since she was a baby. After a week she finally started sleeping at night without it. She probably will not nap again. Luckily she will not remember this difficult transition.

1st Visit from the Tooth Fairy

I can't believe my "baby" has lost his 1st tooth. Wow, where has the time gone?? It just seems like yesterday he was getting his first teeth. I cried when he first told me it was loose. I know that sounds crazy but that is a big sign he is growing up.
Anyway, he lost his tooth when I was out. He was very excited to put it under his pillow but didn't want the tooth fairy to take it. He wants to keep his teeth (very much like his mother). So we wrote a note asking the tooth fairy not to take his tooth but to please leave a gift. The next morning he found a note back to him and some Star Wars legos. The tooth fairy always gives big gifts for the 1st tooth:)
We love you Caden!!!

Mother's Day

We went to Burlington and spent time with the MawMaw's. We had a cook out and played outside. It was a lot of fun!!! On Mother's day we went to Uncle Norman's lake house. It was Carter's 1st boat ride. He liked it. He even fell asleep. What a great weekend celebrating being a mom!!!