Happy Birthday, Anderson!

Dear Anderson,

Today is the day you turn 8 years old! Whoo-hooo! You have been counting down for this day for months and today is finally your special day!

Kiddo, I have begged and pleaded with you for you to just stay 7...you just won't agree! It's been such a fun year. You did amazing in first grade and you adored Mrs. Murray. You made all A's for the entire year, and holding you back was the best decision ever. You are so much more confident, and you are ready for 2nd grade. We have no doubts you are gonna rock it! You've really come into your own over the last year. You are funny, witty and just plain silly. I couldn't have asked for a better "baby" for our family. 

You just finished your baseball season and loved having Dad as your coach. You finally got to play catcher and you did a great job - even when you were tired of squatting down! You've been going to the Y and have had such a good time. You really love it when Jackson gets to spend the day with you helping in your group. You equally drive each other bonkers, but at the end of the day it is totally obvious that you love each other.

You currently want to be a fireman or drive a big truck when you grow up. Or both! Either way, I'm so very proud to call you my son! You are such a character, and I treasure watching you grow up. You love Jesus, your family and your friends, and I couldn't ask for you to be anything more than you are growing up to be. You are going to do big things in life, and I'm so excited to be on this journey with you! I'll always be your biggest fan! 

I love you, Anderson! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom 

Happy Birthday, Jackson

Dear Jackson,

Happy 12th Birthday! I can't believe that 12 years have already come and gone. I certainly don't feel 12 years older, so I'm not exactly sure where this kid that wears men's size 8 shoe has come from! You are in 7th grade now, and in the youth group. You are loving every second of your new found freedom - especially as you enjoy your new cell phone! As hard as it is for me to let go, I know you are gonna be just fine. Mom on the other hand is doing okay.

Jackson, you continue to make me so proud to be your Mom. You are kind, generous and just an all around great person. You and Anderson still like each other most of the time, and you are a fantastic brother. You just made the 7th and 8th grade baseball team - and your Dad and I are so proud of you for trying out. We hope you love it, and have so much fun this year!

Jack, you have such big dreams for the future, and I can't wait to see where God leads you. Right now you want to enter the Air Force and serve your country. If that is the direction you go, I pray God keeps you safe wherever you land.

I hope you have a great time in 7th grade, and that turning 12 is everything you've dreamed of. Continue to always be kind and to look out for others. Share Jesus with everyone, not just in your words, but also in your actions. Lead by example, and always choose to tell the truth, even when it isn't easy. We are so proud of you, and love you more than you could ever know. Happy Birthday, Jackson!

Love always,
Mom

Dear Anderson,

Dear Anderson,

Happy 7th Birthday to you!!! It seems like I've blinked and here you are - already 7. You have been so excited about turning seven, and I think you've been planning it since the day after you turned 6. :)

Anderman, you have had a great year. You absolutely loved first grade with Ms. Rolle and learned so much! You are kind, sweet and so funny. You have truly come into your own with your sense of humor. You keep us laughing all the time, and your smile lights up the room.

You started the YMCA summer camp this week and you were so nervous. Thankfully Bubba walked you in the first day and showed you the ropes. I knew you were going to have a blast and guess what? You did! You've been swimming, hiking, playing in creeks (with your shoes and socks on!) and having countless other adventures. You are there with your buddies and I can't wait to see what other things you get into this summer.

Little man, being your Mom is one of the best joys in my life. I'm so thankful for you and for the chance to be your mom. You are going to move mountains, and I can't wait to watch and see what God is going to do in your life.

Happy Birthday, kiddo! You are officially my new favorite 7 year old on the planet!

Love, 

Mom

Happy Birthday, Jackson!

Dear Jackson,

Happy 11th birthday to you!!! I can't believe that you are already 11 years old. It's crazy how much time has flown. I can hardly believe you aren't a baby anymore. 

At 11, you have just started 6th grade. You are in the pre-honors classes, and this is your last year in the gifted program. You are set on joining ROTC as soon as you can, and want to enlist in the Air Force after high school graduation. You currently want to be a para-trooper because "it would be so cool!" I'd rather you pick a career where you keep 2 feet on the ground, but really, whatever makes you happy! 

You are funny, witty and clever beyond belief. You would argue with a brick wall (maybe you should consider a career as an attorney?!?) but you are a great kid. Anderson gets on your nerves all the time, but at the end of the day, you love each other so much. I catch y'all playing together and you can actually be pretty nice to each other when you want to be! 

Jackson, your Dad and I are so proud of you. You are kind and look out for others. Always stay that way! Be a friend to everyone, especially those kids around you that don't have many friends. As you get older, remember to make good choices, even when the "good" choice isn't easy or fun. Know that your Dad and I will be here for you - even when you think you might get in trouble! At the end of the day, keep your eyes on Jesus, and let Him guide your path. 

You are going to do amazing things in this world, and I'm so excited to be standing in your corner, cheering you along. I love you always, Jackson, and I'm so proud to call you mine!

Love, 

Mom 

Happy Birthday, Anderson!

Dear Anderson,

Today is your 6th birthday!!! It feels like we have blinked just a few times, and here we are. Six whole years of having you be the caboose for our family have just flown by. I certainly don't feel 6 years older, except for when I'm having to chase after you and Jackson!

Anderson, you have come into your own, little man. You are delightfully silly, funny and charming. You are always after your Bubba, but want to be just like him. Even when he gets on your nerves, he's your best buddy. 

Despite a slow start to the year,  you did so good in kindergarten. We are so proud of the progress you made. You loved Mrs. Boyer and made so many friends. The best part? You can now read! One of your favorite things to do is get a notebook and ask us to spell words out for you. You don't ever seem to get tired of it. 

For your sixth birthday we gave you a choice of Disney World or a Disney cruise, just like we gave Jackson. You and Jackson both picked another Disney cruise to the Bahamas. We just got back and had so much fun. We even added on a few days at Walt Disney World before hand. You conquered Space Mountain like a champ and handled almost 16 hours in the park with no breaks and no whining. You are awesome!

You currently want to be a construction worker when you grow up, and maybe a fireman or police officer on the side. You have big dreams, and we can't wait to see you accomplish what God has in store for you!

Anderson, until you are grown and have kids of your own, you wont' be able to understand how much we love you. You are pure joy with the most infectious laugh I've ever heard. You're an amazing little boy, and I'm so happy to be your Mama! 

Love, 

Mom 

Happy Birthday, Jackson!

Dear Jackson,

10 years and 1 day ago I was on my way to the hospital to be induced. Sitting in the passenger seat of the car, with your Daddy driving, I had a total meltdown. I simply wasn't ready to go into labor and was terrified of what was to come. I wasn't afraid of you - I was petrified thinking about labor. Your daddy wisely told me, "Too late now to be afraid!" He was right about that...it was too late to be afraid of labor. I ended up having a blessedly easy labor experience with you, and you were born at 9:18 in the morning after only 6 hours of labor.

From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I was in love. You were such a beautiful baby, and you've turned into such a handsome young man. You are standing between the gap of childhood and the teenager years right now, in that fun tween stage I've heard so much about. I'm not too worried about the years to come. You have a heart of gold, love Jesus and your family, and always try to do the right thing.

As you go through 5th grade, here are a few things I never want you to forget: Always remember to be a friend to everyone, especially those kids around you that don't have many friends. Be honest, even if telling the truth gets you in trouble. Have the courage to stand up for what you know is right. Be willing to speak up for yourself and those around you who don't have anyone else to stand up for them. Be honorable at all times. Treat all ladies and young women with respect. Remember that you and Anderson must always be a team, even if you drive each other crazy. One day your daddy and I will be nothing but a treasured memory, and you and Anderson must always remember to have each other's backs. Always.

Jackson, I am so proud to be your mother. You are a wonderful young man, and I can't wait to see how God uses you in the years to come. I'll always love you to the moon and back a million times.

Love,
Mom

Happy Birthday, Anderson

Dear Anderson,

Today is your 5th birthday! Whoo-hooo! You have been so excited about turning five and today is finally your special day!

I can't believe that the time has flown by as quickly as it has since you were born. You are the perfect caboose for our family, and I can't imagine life without you. At 5 years old, you are such a character! You are always so funny, and keep us on our toes. Your favorite things to say right now are, "That don't make no sense!" and "Suckerhead!" You love to run around in your underwear and "hide" from us under the covers. You keep us smiling!

You just played your first season of t-ball, and start kindergarten in the fall, and are so ready for big boy school. You want so badly to be as big as "Bubba", and for the most part, you hold your own with him. You equally drive each other bonkers, but at the end of the day it is totally obvious that you love each other.

You have big dreams right now, and currently want to be Captain America when you grow up. Well, Captain America or a dump truck driver, depending on what day of the week it is! Either way, I'm so very proud of the boy you are, and the boy you are growing up to be. You are going to do big things in life, and I'm so excited to be on this journey with you!

I love you, Anderson! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mama

Baseball with my Boys

The time has finally arrived that Anderson is now old enough to play t-ball! He has loved it. It's so awesome to see how much fun he is having on the field after years and years of being Jackson's biggest fan. He is playing on the Fruit Shoot Sharks, and one of his best buddies from school, Bradford, is on his team. They are so cute together. Jackson is playing in the 9/10 league on the DCG Stealers and is the first baseman. He had his first concussion this year goofing off in the batting cage with some friends, but so far on the field, he has done great.

Enjoy some pictures of our boys!

  

 

  

 

Happy Birthday, Jeremy!

Today is Jeremy's 37th Birthday! Considering that he was 19 years old when we met, I'd say that we have practically grown oldish together! I hope he has a fantastic day, and that he knows how loved he his.

Happy Birthday, Jeremy!!! We love you! 

Our Sweet Macy

Way back in November of 2002, I had my mind set that it was time for Jeremy and I to get a dog. I went on my lunch break to the local pet store and checked out the shelter pets they had for adoption. I came across a gorgeous brown puppy with white markings and I fell in love. Since Jeremy wasn't with me, I hoped that she would still be there that afternoon when we went back together, and she was. We walked out together that day with Macy, a brown bundle of energy that we would later find out would not weigh "35-40 lb. full grown" as promised, but instead would top out at 75lbs. I still think the shelter people laughed the whole time I walked out the door.

Macy was our furbaby, and she was B-A-D to the bone. I remember the time that I took a quick nap to wake up and find that she had eaten Jeremy's brand new glasses, lenses and all. I remember her running fast as lighting when she got out of the house, countless toys being destroyed, food being eaten off the counters and snatched from your hand when you weren't looking, underwear being eaten, and hair everywhere from her shedding.

But I also remember teaching her tricks like how to shake, beg, bark on command and roll over.

I remember being pregnant with Jackson, and her insisting on sleeping in the bed with me, curled up right between my knees.

I remember bringing Jackson and Anderson home from the hospital, and her being so gentle with them.

I remember that not one time did I ever have to worry about Macy being aggressive, other than a fierce bark for the UPS man.

I remember countless times of her letting the boys lay on her, "ride her" like a pony, and in general just put up with their shenanigans.

We found out on Friday that a spot on her foot we had been dealing with for over a month was aggressive cancer, and that we were only prolonging the inevitable. Macy had a very rough weekend, and we decided Sunday that we were going to have to put her down on Monday. She deserved better than what she was getting.

The boys wanted to take pictures with Macy of them in their Halloween costumes, since we knew she wouldn't be there.

 Macy loved her Harry Potter glasses.

 So yesterday Jeremy and I went home in the afternoon and spent time with our sweet girl. I made her a whole bowl of popcorn (her favorite snack), and for the first time she didn't have to share! It was cool and rainy, and Macy enjoyed the breeze for a little while, before it was time to go to the vet.

For 13 years, this sweet dog has been such an important part of our lives. She has been a joy, and I couldn't have asked for a better pet for our crew. Macy's final moments were with her entire family, surrounded by the people that loved her most. She was at peace, and her passing was quick and painless. I rubbed her ears and talked to her the entire time. We will forever miss her, and we are so heartbroken, but I know we will see her again one day.

Braves Fun!

So it just dawned on me that I never shared pictures from our amazing trip to go see the Braves with Jeremy's parents back in July. It was my first major league sporting event of any kind, and we had such a good time! The game was wonderful, and watching the boys make such fun memories with Papa and Gigi made it even better! Enjoy the pics!