A Good Day, Indeed.

We drove out to Little Rock, Arkansas yesterday to spend some good time with a very special couple, soon to be family, Chris, Tara & Crosby Kear!

Sweet Tara has been having contractions, and their little man, Crosby, has been threatening to come 7 weeks early! Chris & Tara have been living in the hospital since last Tuesday! They've been successful at slowing down the delivery process and speeding up Crosby's development with necessary meds and lots of caring hands between the doctor and nurses on staff. They are in great hands, and Crosby has just made 35 weeks! We are celebrating and praising the Lord with them!!

Russell and one of his best friends for years...Chris, Tara, we enjoyed our visit, and we look forward to meeting Crosby 'in person' :) next time we see you guys!

Love y'all!

P.S. Chris, you have my permission to call me by my 'Chris-given' nickname...you know what I'm talking about...I'm 'over' not liking it, and I miss it! Go figure! :)

Happy 10 Months!!

Happy 10 months, Rhys!!!

How is it possible that you're already 10 months old!?!? You are such a big boy, now!! Almost 22 pounds, eating lots of solids, including yogurt and just about anything we're eating from the table!! You still only have your two bottom teeth, but we know your others will come in time. You're scooting in a low-army crawl all over the place! Gone are the days when Mommy could leave you for even a second!! I turn around, and you're pulling yourself up furniture, eating anything off the floor, crawling across the room and getting in all kinds of trouble!! Oh, the entertainment you offer!! :)

You are Mommy's best little friend each day! We have fun together!! Going for walks, running errands, eating, singing, playing, reading books, listening to music and more! You still LOVE your bath time! You could play in your tub for hours!! Well, the water might get cold after an hour, but I'd willingly refill with warm water. Anything for you, sweet boy!! ;)
You still enjoy your exersaucer, the Johnny Jump Up, new block toys, and anything that lights up and makes sounds.

We praise the Lord for your presence in our lives, sweet Rhys! It's been so much fun, and Daddy and Mommy look forward to months and years to come with you!!!

We love you and wish you a happy 10 months!!

Love, Daddy & Mommy

Fun Visit with Poppa & Grandmom

Poppa & Grandmom came for a fun visit last week!Wouldn't you agree that this little man looks like he had some fun with his grandparents? Yeah, me too. :)

Poppa & Grandmom were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sweet to come see us, especially considering we'll be traveling their way in less than a month for Thanksgiving! We enjoyed the visit...lots of Joker, yummy foods, good visiting, fun play time with Rhys, and they kept Rhys one evening so that Russell and I could have a sweet date night!

Thank you, Poppa & Grandmom, and Happy Anniversary!!! :)

Family Pictures, Fall 2009, Bluff Park Barn

More pics here.

Thank you, Ashley!!

Happy 9 Months!!!

Rhys!!
How can it be that you're nine months already!?!?!? You've gotten so big so fast!! I love to watch you grow, my sweet boy! Daddy and I are so thankful for you, and we're excited for all that the Lord has in store for you!

You still enjoy your exersaucer!

...as well as your activity mat, as you continue to 'perfect' your scoot! Aunt Britney would love to know how much you enjoy your "Britney Bunny" :)

And, of course, like father like son...you enjoy your Jeep! :)
I found Daddy fishing for you today! Looks like he caught you!! :)

Rhys, you're a blessing to our lives, and we enjoy our days and evenings with you!!! You are so laid-back, and you're a social butterfly, especially with the ladies! ;) Daddy and I have much to learn through your life, and we look forward to many more months and many years as your parents!

We love you and wish you a happy 9 months!!

Scooting

Rhys has been "scooting" for several weeks. Yesterday, I couldn't help but stop and snatch these pictures of him scooting himself underneath our sofa...

further...and further...and, obviously, he thought it was fun! :) Mommy evidently thought so, too!

I love this little man! He keeps me on my toes, and he keeps me great company every day!!!

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Rhys & I adventured the Great Pumpkin Patch in Hayden, AL this passed Friday with Ashley and Nathan and several other moms with their youngsters! It was a fun experience...lots of kiddos running around, pumpkins and gords and festive flowers, good ole country music playing in the background, and, of course, the traditional hayride pulled by a big John Deere tractor taking us to a huge field of pumpkins ready to chosen by the chillens!

Rhys smiling, as we unload from the van, not having a clue what's going on! :) {Next year, he should have a better understanding of the festivities.}Notice Rhys' 'stare' through the rest of the pictures...he is really laid back, but I think it was just a lot to take in for such a little guy...
Oh, yeah, I must mention that it was in the 50's outside...hence, the red nose. :)

Look how tiny and cute he is! :) {Yes, I'm definitely partial to this sweet boy.}

This picture is for Daddy!

Finally, we made it to the hayride!!

Ashley & Nathan; Heidi & Isaiah...such CUTE boys and their pretty mamas!

On to the field of pumpkins (behind us)...

What a fun date with my little boy and good friend!! In the meantime, Russell was camping in the Sipsey Wilderness with a few guys, livin' it up in the FRIGID temps until today! He's home, and we're all together again!!

Happy Sunday!!!

Leave It To Daddy...

Russell LOVES this little guy!! Last week, under Daddy's care, I found Rhys like this...("Uh, Daddy, Rhys' shorts go on his bottom, not on his head!!")and this... (sportin' Daddy's beanie cap)

These men keep me entertained!!!

Four Generations

Last weekend, my parents came by, picked me and Rhys up and took us to visit with my granny and great aunts for lunch. It was such a sweet time of fellowship, as we laughed, caught up, and they just doted over their great-great grandson and nephew.

My sweet mom made sandwiches and cut fruit, and my granny baked a fresh apple pie. Everyone took turns with little man... My dad can't get enough of Rhys! :)

Then, Aunt Annie Ree had her turn.

Rhys was ALL ABOUT the attention...

Of course, I couldn't let us leave without snagging a group shot. Just pretend that I'm in there :), and it's four generations!!!

Picture Moments

Russell went canoeing this Sunday morning, so as he was loading the canoe onto the Jeep, I had to take Rhys out to learn a bit about 'man toys.'
Rhys can't wait till he reaches the peddles...might take several years!!
For now, Daddy will have to drive him around, and one day he can try out the passenger seat 'for real.'

I caught Rhys in this little 'get-up' earlier this week...Russell was skyping with his parents, while I was cooking dinner. Evidently, Russell needed a little help (ie, free hands), so he strapped Termite* into a car seat and propped him up in front of the computer so that Poppa and Grandmom could have a good view of him, as well. We skype often with Poppa and Grandmom!!With the exciting cold front that came in this week, I had to pull out some cold-weather clothes for this little man...looked so cute for our cold morning walks!
We got to visit with Baba and Mama Nili and Aunt Soraya this week...look how laid back Rhys is with Baba...they have a great time together.

He's starting to scoot around, almost to a crawl.

He always wants to STAND. We try to sit him on his bottom, and he keeps his legs so straight and rigid, not budging! Only wants to stand these days {of course with someone's help}. :)

My good-lookin' men...like father, like son! I am very blessed...I don't even know the half of it...but, oh, how thankful I am!

*Termite - Russell calls Rhys a little termite because when we change him in our wooden changing station, he rolls over and starts gnawing on the wooden rails. Of course, he gnaws on anything and everything he can get his hands on, but the "termite" comment cracked me up so much! I couldn't wait to tell you, girl! ;) Rover has a friend! :)

Happy 8 Months!!

Oh, our sweet boy!!! Happy 8 months and growing!! :)

Everyone - I do mean EVERYone - comments on how BIG you've gotten!! I love it!!! I enJOY watching you grow and develop and apply all that you're learning!! You're becoming more independent, which I'm all about!! Some fun things about you this last month...

-You are averaging a 6 to 8 oz bottle/formula four times a day
-You enjoy your oatmeal with apple sauce or some kind of pureed/mashed fruit for breakfast and you seem to like Mommy's pureed carrots, sweet peas and some other store-bought veggies for lunch and dinner, combined with some kind of fruit, avocado, etc. I'm looking forward to giving you yogurt, cottage cheese and milk some day soon, too! Of course, I'm excited about sharing my foods with you...every time I eat a sandwich or salad or yummy dessert, such as Miss Melissa's yummy pumpkin bread today, you fuss and reach for it!! :) I know you want it, big man, and you can have all of that so soon!! I'm not sure about the coffee...many years from now, perhaps. :)
-Oh, and Mommy can't forget to mention how great you've gotten at eating finger foods (puffs, for now)...your hand-to-mouth coordination is really developing!! I still, of course, feed you your foods, but it'll be a while until you're able to master a spoon or fork....one day! :)
-Your naps have been shorter these days, which I'm hoping is only a phase...maybe growth spurt and teething related???
-You still LOVE to bathe in your little bathtub! You could soak for an hour, I think! :) Mommy takes full advantage of that in cleaning your room, doing laundry, cleaning your bathroom, etc...whatever I can do while you're soaking contentedly!!
-You are little social man, too! You have a babysitter every Thursday night when Daddy & Mommy go to home group, and you stay in (and I think even look forward to) nursery on Sunday nights at church and on Wednesday nights, while Daddy & Mommy attend FPU. The nursery ladies give us their phone numbers and ask us to call them to keep you!! You're such a ladies' man!! ;)

See! Even Aunt Britney can't get enough of you when she comes to town!! :)

-I LOVE your head FULL of hair. I could rub it all day long...it's so thick and beautifully dark (like Mommy's!! ;)).
-You've gotten so long/tall, too, and I look forward to your next dr's appointment next month to see how much you've grown!! I know you weigh close to 19 lbs, and we'll confirm that next month, as well!
-You're finally sitting!! :) Well, you have been since 7 months, but you're balancing yourself and sitting up so much straighter...on your own! I can sit you down on our living room rug and let you play on your activity mat or with toys for a good while! I get to cook while you're entertaining yourself.
-Oh, and I should mention that you do so well in your independent play time in your playpen each day! You get that 2-3 times per day for about 30 minutes at a time, and that's great for Mommy to get her shower or to just have some time to herself!! :)

-Your two bottom teeth started coming in at 7 months, and they're really coming out and so sharp!!! I've gotten my finger caught between teeth and gums in your mouth, recently, and I pull away, screaming, "Ouch!!" Seriously!
-Another neat observation...Daddy leaves about one weekend a month and sometimes more often or for a longer time period, and you adjust very well (do you even notice yet?) to his being gone and then coming back home, after days of being gone! That's been a praise!

And, oh, how you love time with your daddy! You got to sit in his lap while he was working... (you in your cute overalls!!!)

You LOVE to sit by Daddy's side to watch a movie!! You and your daddy can't get enough of movies! :)

Look at that thick head of hair! I love it! It's even 'whisping' up in the back just a little!! :)

-You're still sleeping through the night, for which I PRAISE THE LORD and sing, "Hallelujah!!" We put you down at 7pm and, although you'll wake up anytime from 5:30am to 6:45ish, contentedly babbling to yourself, we don't come in to get you until about 6:45, at which time Daddy reads to you for about 10 minutes. Then, you get a bottle at 7:00, usually from Mommy, and we get our day started!

-You're officially REACHING UP when we reach down to pick you up! I love it all!!
-I'm SUPER excited that you're sitting in the 'big boy' seat of your stroller, now, when I push your for a walk!! You're almost too big for your car seat! Yay!!! I'm ready to graduate you to the big boy car seat, too! :)

Daddy built you a 'fort' over your activity mat, and you had a great time rolling around under it.

Rhys, you get more and more FUN every single day! We LOVE you, EVERYthing about you! We praise the Lord for your sweet presence in our lives, and we look forward to what next month and following months will bring through you!!!

"Thank You, Lord, for entrusting this son to us, and please continue to groom us and help us, that we may groom and help him to Your glory. Amen."

Tote Info

Evidently, yall have been just as inspired by this tote as I!! I posted it so quickly yesterday (I was single-parenting through the weekend!! Equals a long, sometimes absent-minded-with-details weekend) that I didn't even think to tell yall where it came from...I found it on a friend's blog (after she reminded me about it last week), which leads you to the original tutorial. Also, the fabric is from Joann's!!
Let me know if you have anymore questions out there!! I'm working on a little something to go with this tote right now!! :) Looking forward to finishing and sharing!!

My Weekend Project

A fun tote!

A Thankful Heart & a Flour Sack

I am so thankful for where the Lord has me and Russell, regarding our church! For so many reasons! In particular, I cannot help but give thanks to the Lord for blessing me with the fellowship and influence of this incredible group of women. They seek to glorify Him in even the 'small' things of life, such as in their attitudes toward life's tasks. Through these ladies, God has allowed for sweet and permanent change in my perspective and attitude and thus good and beneficial change in my life!

If you've known me for any time at all, you know that I enjoy working out! Well, you can only do that so much in a day, especially as a mommy...it burns too much needed energy to push myself too hard all day, every day. I've been praying and seeking a hobby of some kind for about 5 or 6 years, now...something into which I would just absolutely lose myself...and not be able to get enough of it! I used to be that way with studying throughout my school years, but I've not 'found' that 'passion' since. I had not lost hope! :) I was still praying. When we came to RCC, I noticed that most of the ladies/girls :) involved are very talented and crafty. Believing myself to be more of a tomboy, I naturally steered away from their invitations to anything that would awaken talent from within. Little did I know months ago that I was literally RUNNING from God's answer to my years of prayer!! This hit me this Sunday evening, as we were coming home from church! I was so thankful to 'see' this!!

From my recent posts, you can pick up on my new-found hobby and passion for sewing!! I didn't think it could get any better, but I was wrong! :) This passed Saturday, some of the ladies from our church and the Crestwood area got together for a "Craft Day," where we got to 'observe' embroidery and put it to the test for ourselves! After I did my first fun embroidery 'project' that day, I could not wait to do another!

I rummaged through our cabinets and closets and found these great flour sacks, which I knew could be the perfect 'ground work' for embroidery, but I had no idea what design to do! So, I jumped onto the computer and went 'blogging!' :) This friend's site linked me to this particular site and post, which spurred me on to embroider our initials onto the lower right corner of the cloth!

I used a blue pen - what a NEAT invention because it's 'erasable' by merely applying water!!- to draw my letters!I sewed a little each day for the last few days (in between Rhys' naps and even during a class one night! :) I told Russell that I can 'listen' better when I'm sewing, which I've found to be true! Maybe I'm less distracted because I'm not looking around the room? Not sure, but it was fun! :)) And the final product now has a sweet home on the oven handle of our kitchen!A close-up of the embroidery!!

I told Russell tonight that I'm not sure that I'm finished with it. I'd like to add a design of some kind just above our initials, I think. Any ideas, friends?????

Sew What!? :)

This is what has been keeping me busy these last few weeks! I've just started to sew! I did my first project, a wipes case & diaper holder, about three weeks ago. Encouraged by a very sweet friend, I made more!

I've made them in all kinds of patterns and colors...paisley (pictured below), polka dots, gingham, seersucker, sweet prints for boys and girls. I added the bib to the mix! Anyhow, I've enjoyed the challenge, and my sweet girlfriends have really supported and encouraged my new-found talent!

Who knew I had a hidden art of sewing!?!?! :)Yesterday, I joined a group of ladies to learn how to embroider! I did my first embroidery project below.

I look forward to doing more!

Happy Sunday!!