A Campin' We Will Go!!

Last night this is what my backyard looked like!!!!!!!!!!!

Rod lived out in Colorado for a few years before we met and he spent a lot of time camping when he was a child. So needless to say, he loves the outdoors. Me on the other hand, not so much. In order for me to go camping you will have to supply me with some AC or heat, a mattress, plumbing and a hot shower :) Lately Rod has been talking to Nathan about going camping sometime soon. Well last night was the dry run! Rod had the tent all set up in the backyard. Sleeping bags ready, lanterns out and burning, gas grill/stove to cook breakfast on........you get the picture.

I am proud to say, Nathan made it the ENTIRE night! He woke up this morning and the first words out of his mouth were "What a refreshing night of sleep!" I love it!!!! I am happy to say this is one hobby the boys can do without mommy.
Now for the next adventure..............camping FOR REAL in the woods!!!! I will be having a girls night out if and when that ever happens. :)

Showing Wilson the glow sticks. ***FYI....Wilson did not participate in the camp out, he slept inside with Mommy

A little star watching with mommy before bedtime!

Passing the time away with some games.

Night, Night, Sleep Tight...........Don't let the bed bugs bite!!!!!!

Happy Easter!!!!!

Easter 2009

EGGStravaganza!!!!!

This week at both of the boys' schools they had an Easter egg hunt and party!!! The only problem was that they were at the same time on Thursday and I just couldn't figure out a way to clone myself :) After much deliberation (b/w myself that is) I decided to hang out with Wilson. I had not really been to many of his parties this year (he didn't know any better), instead opting to be with Nathan on his party days. After being at the Easter party at Wilson's preschool, I have decided that the reason I don't go to his parties is because the minute I get there he thinks I am there to take him home......................instituting a major tantrum. He did well as long as he was hunting Easter eggs, but the minute we got back to the room, nothing would make him happy......not even MY mom!

So I quickly packed him up and helped my mom to the car, where she so graciously took him with her and Stirling. That way I could catch the end of Nathan's party. He was so excited when I walked in. I missed the hunt, but made it just in time for a very special guest :)

For all you women out there who have more than 2 kids..............I don't know how you do it. God bless you!

I hope each and everyone of you has a fabulous Easter. Christ is Risen!!!!

Wilson and myself...........pre-tantrum!

Let the hunt begin!

Do you think he has enough?

Wilson and some of his sweet classmates! Claire, Thomas, Randy and of course sweet cousin Stirling!

Can you guess who he is sprinting to see? Hint: It's not me!!!!

Special Guest and Nathan's class!

Our New Special Friend!!!!

Please let me introduce little Miss Carolyn to you guys. How cute is she?!?!?!?!? Nathan, Rod and I had the pleasure of meeting this adorable little girl and her mother (and baby brother) yesterday. But before I go any further, I need to tell you how this meeting came to fruition.

About a year ago I joined a bunko group that has some really fun and neat young ladies. They welcomed me in and we have all begun wonderful friendships that I am so thankful for. Of course, when I first joined they wanted to know about my family and children as they would with any newbie. The fact that Nathan was born with Microtia/Atresia was definitely a topic that I shared with them. Come to find out one of the girls that had recently joined this same bunko group had just had a new niece born into their family (her brother's child) that had the same birth defect. Of course over the past year or so we have discussed among ourselves little matters about the condition. This past week, Callie called me and asked if I(and Nathan) would like to meet Erin and little Carolyn. They were in town for the day and Erin wanted to ask me a few questions about our journey so far. Without hesitation, I said YES!!!!!

You see, Nathan has never met another CHILD with this same birth defect. He knows my aunt has a "little ear" as we like to call it, but for him to see another child JUST LIKE HIM!!!!! WOW! Words can not express all the feelings I had yesterday.

It was great being able to sit face to face with another mom ---validating our feelings, answering unknown answers to questions we both have had at one point, talking about future options for our little ones..etc........... Erin and her husband are also looking into using the doctor in ATL that we are seeing for Nathan's future surgeries. I was able to give her copies of all the info that he has already provided me and answer questions about him that she had. GOD is so good!!!!!

Nathan (5) and Carolyn (almost 2) ---even though she doesn't look happy, she really liked Nate and had fun at our house. The fussing was due more to the fact that she wasn't getting to go upstairs. :)

Erin, thank you so much for coming to see us yesterday. Little Carolyn is absolutely precious and I look forward to keeping in touch with you throughout her journey. Please do not hesitate to call me for anything. I know I don't have all the answers but together I am sure we can find them. I hope as we start the process with Dr. Jones that you and your family will find the peace and encouragement you need to get through it too.

And to all of my friends out there ---------we are tentatively scheduled to start Nathan's 1st surgery in June ---- hopefully June 23rd. Cross your fingers and SAY YOUR PRAYERS that the insurance co. doesn't stall us.

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, OH MY!!!

What better way to spend a beautiful Spring day than at the ZOO with friends. This is definitely one of Nathan and Wilson's favorite things to do these days. And its cheap!!!!!!! We headed off to the Montgomery Zoo last week for a day of fun. And boy did they have a blast!!!!!

How cute is this? All lined up watching the Spider Monkeys. The kids were mesmerized by all of the animals.

Nathan and Hudson with their little bear friend :)

"Elephants are cool!!!" Or at least that is what Nate says. His dad might not agree, War Eagle!

Joanna and Prather, loving the Giraffes. These were definitely the crowd favorite!

Nate and Hudson ready for the train ride!!! Choo-Choo!!!

Mommy and Wilson

Playdate & a Popsicle!!!

I just wanted to share this picture of Nathan and his very best friend (girlfriend, if you ask him), Isabel. Isn't she a doll? We had her over last week for a play date after school and might I add they were both pretty excited about the extra time they were getting to spend together.

This pic was snapped while they were taking a breather from playing outside. It was one of those beautiful warm days, so whats better than Popsicles, right? Isabel, we will definitely have you over again. Thanks for always making Nathan's day! He thinks you are pretty awesome :)

"R" is for....................

ROCK-N-ROLL!!!!!!!

How funny is this............Nathan's preschool class every week studies a new letter. Learning how to write it (upper/lower case), the sound it makes, words that begin with it, etc...........all leading up to helping them learn to read. Well, this week they have been working on the letter "R", so on Friday his teachers decided to have a "Rock-n-Roll" party at school. They were to dress up like a Rock Star and bring their favorite "Rock" music to dance and party to. Can I just tell you how excited Nate was to dress up!!!!! The kids were hilarious, I snapped a few pics of some of the kids before I had to headed off to work. ENJOY!!!!

Oh, and by the way, I went out and bought that shirt Nate has on for $10 at Dillards. We owned NOTHING rock-n-roll for this event. Party City had some great deals on left over Halloween stuff so everything else was from there. (Elvis glasses, pirate choker, tattoos, bandanna)

Showing off his tats!!!!